THE SPACEMAKER - INTERIORS BY PETER GRECH - Articles

Our Top 5 tips for selecting art

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 09:07:37 GMT

Art always requires a special consideration when it comes to their role within interior spaces. The right piece can transform a space from totally bland to a showstopper. Here are our top 5 considerations when selecting art. Click the link below if you want us to send you a PDF guide for your future reference.

1. Contrast

When selecting art, it is important to consider how it will sit within the space being created. Sometimes clients have special pieces of art which are the starting points for us to design spaces around. This might mean choosing colours that compliment the piece to make the piece fit seamlessly into the interior. Alternatively one can choose a contrasting colour scheme, with the intention to create a real feature of the artwork.

Which ever way you go, always be clear of your intention - do you want a seamless look, or a contrasting effect. Knowing this from the offset will help you decide on either the colour scheme for your space, or the piece of art you will be looking for.

Low contrast art

High contrast art

2. Scale

We love playing with scale and doing something unexpected within a space can really help create a moment. Our go to rule is to ensure that the piece of art is related to the size of the objects around it, normally with a 60-80% fill. What this means (in relation to wall art) is; if you have a console that is 1m wide, the piece of art above it should be no smaller than 60cm wide, or no larger than 80cm wide. The same thing applies to art above a bed, or a sofa. Always aim for the art to be around 60-80% the width of the furniture below it. You can either create this with a singular large piece of art, or select a number of smaller pieces of art to create a gallery wall within that 80% zone. If you want to read more about gallery walls stay tuned!

Large scale art. Interiors by Phoebe Howard

Small Scale art - Festen Architecture

On the other hand, an overly small piece of art, can really draw someone into a zone of the room and create a very intimate viewing experience - usually a piece of art which is quite textural and intricate works best. This is a slightly trickier balance to master but always worth considering for those extra special pieces.

3. Form

What people find visually appealing in art is incredibly personal and difficult to predict. As designers, we engage in lengthy consultations with our clients to try and identify what sort of art they are drawn to before putting proposals forward. Nonetheless, it is important to consider the composition of the art within the room. Lets say you have a lot of soft curves, textures and organic forms in your space, introducing a harsh, flat and strongly geometric piece of art might create too much tension, so we might advise a piece with smoother lines to soften the balance. Don’t get me wrong, juxtaposition and tension are important in interior spaces to keep them interesting - but you don’t want it to be too much as this is your home after all - not an art gallery or immersive art experience.

Organic forms in this sculpture mirror the organic forms in the marble, within an overall linear interior.

4. Style

I try to encourage my clients to have an eclectic collection of art. From Photography, to oil paintings and sculpture, to woven textiles and even ceramic wall hangings. Don’t just think of a paintings as the only form of art. Anything that fulfils the above criteria can be considered an art piece. We have a 6m Japanese silk obi (the belt worn around a kimono) hung on one of our staircase walls which really creates a unique talking point, but also shows off it's beautiful craftsmanship and our love of travel. We feel it is important that the pieces of art displayed in your home reflect something about you. Be it where you are from, something about your family, your favourite place or even you’re an ambition of yours. The art within our homes can be an extension of our personal expression so do not limit yourself.

Collection of photography, sculpture, sketches and litographs.

5. Budget
Most people aspire to have a home filled with curated pieces of art from travels and galleries. But the biggest factor is usually budget. Whilst with deeper pockets, you may be able to invest further in art, there is no reason why someone with a more modest budget cannot create a beautiful collection. I always suggest visiting art fairs, and antique stalls as sometimes very unique pieces can be found here. I would also recommend doing some research into local arts schools, as they invariably have yearly art shows where you might be able to nab yourself a one of a kind piece.

Did you find this useful? We can send you our handy guide for future reference direct to your email. Just hit the button below.

Award Winning Interior Design Project

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 11:36:14 GMT

We are so thrilled that our Worldly Loft project was awarded Best Interior Design Project <£150k at this years Northern Design Awards!!

This project was very special as it allowed us to really mix all the things that we love. Historical buildings with contemporary living. City-Centre locations with an escapist feel. With the interiors of this beautiful and peaceful apartment we wanted to create an oasis for our client to escape the hustle and bustle of daily city living whist still being immersed in it. It is also a place to showcase our clients collected pieces from their travels.

It has been an honour to have our work reviewed by peers and to be acknowledged with this award. We put so much passion and love into our projects, it is a genuine pleasure to create beautiful spaces like this! We look forward to creating more beauty in the future.

Bathroom Design with Geberit

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 09:49:15 GMT

Today I am working with Geberit to answer all your questions on bathroom design. So, let us start at the very beginning.
My starting point with bathroom design is always to tackle the layout first. This means looking at the immovables within the space, such as doors and windows (unless the extent of the renovation that you are undertaking allows these to also be altered), and the soil stack - these are usually the things which will determine your layout internally as you have to work around/with them. The other thing to consider is which direction your floor boards are running, as the joists run perpendicular to these, and that can indicate what may or may not be moveable. We work closely with our trades to ensure we are getting the right advise on this.

An example of one of our bathroom floor plans.

The layout for the plumbing will then determine how you can use the other spaces in the room. Geberit have some great behind the wall systems that allow you to wall mount vanities and even toilets to create the illusion of an even bigger space. This is because your eye is always looking for the edges of a room or for contrast - and by having a wall mounted item, the edge of the space will be alluded to by the space underneath it. Your brain therefore is tricked into thinking that the room is bigger than it actually is.

Once your layout is determined, you can get to the fun stuff, like deciding on tiled finishes, lighting and wall colours. I would always recommend having a clear idea of one “look” or “vibe” that you want to achieve, and make sure that all the specifications and selections link back to this look - that way your design will have cohesion.

Calm and crisp - by K Sneed Design

Bold and Colourful - by The SpaceMaker Interiors.

We do this for our clients by firstly determining their taste during our consultation. We go through their likes and dislikes in detail. This helps us gather all the information that we need so that during the design process we make sure that we are selecting and specifying the right option for our client. We ask preferences on colour, pattern, texture, aesthetic and how they want the room to function. We then distill all this information into an aesthetic direction, which helps dictate the overall look and feel of the space.

We always recommend going for quality products, this will give the designs better longevity and you peace of mind. Brands like Geberit have been around for a long time and dedicate a lot of their time into research and development of new and improved products. They have some superb products, such as the AquaClean with its rimless design making it more hygienic and easier to clean, along with a WhirlSpray which will leave you feeling squeaky clean! These coupled with their behind the wall systems such as Duofix, provide you with complete peace of mind that once your bathroom is installed, you have invested in quality products. Getting these things done right the first time, allows you to enjoy the bathroom space without extra hassle or worries.

The WhirlSpray in the Geberit AquaClean.

We love bathrooms with texture and warmth. It makes the spaces more welcoming and approachable. We consider the materials that we propose to our clients very carefully, as they can have a massive impact on the overall look and feel of a space. One can consider tile or stones with matt, honed or leathered finishes, textured surfaces themselves can create great drama, natural materials and metals with beautiful patina add extra layers of beauty and interest to a space. All in all, making it more inviting and considered.

Blue and white bathroom by Mrs. Smith

In smaller spaces, I believe design has an even more powerful role to play. Your relationship with the walls is much more immediate and intimate, so really delve into the details. In one of our projects we had a lot of exposed pipework which we boxed in - but created bespoke hidden cabinets for all of the clients belongings and topped it off with a gorgeous matt black marble vanity top. Together with all four walls and ceiling being painted the same rich colour with the slightest sheen, made the space super dramatic and opulent. The client was thrilled with the outcome! In another space we installed a chevron tile, alternating the matt and the glossy tile to great effect, giving the user of this tiny space something really beautiful and considered to look at.

Bathrooms can be very tricky to design as there are many moving parts and specifications to consider - but taking your time and keeping in mind quality will always set you off in the right direction, and if you ever need our help - just let us know!

Full Service Interior Design

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:30:27 GMT

The process required to take a room from its current state, into the finished beautiful, well considered and designed space is a complex process. Did you know that there are approximately 400 decisions to be made in every single room renovation? Multiply that by the number of rooms and spaces in your home, and then add on managing trades and sourcing the perfect pieces... this suddenly makes renovating a home a much more complex task, but worry not help is at hand. Full service interior design is for clients who want a beautiful space, executed to a high level of finesse and detail by only making a few key decisions and allowing the designer to take on the complex task of making it happen for you. Before we embark on this process, we always conduct a design consultation first, to ensure that we are the best suited for the job.

What does Full service design entail?

We simplify our 15-step process into two stages.

Designing the Dream
Building the Dream

Each of these stages has within it a number of steps that ensure that the process moves forward in a highly organised and linear manner. Grab a cup of tea and read through our process below.

Stage 1: Designing the dream

Step 1: Consultation.
- This allows us to determine that we are indeed a good fit for your project. It also allows us to determine the scope of the project and ensure that our aesthetic goals are aligned. We will work with you ensure that any questions you have about how we will run the project is clear before you need to commit to the rest of the full service design.
Step 2: Dream list.
- We discuss in detail your wish list, design priorities and help you understand the value difference between your options and how key decisions can make or break a project budget.
Step 3: Trade day.
- We meet with our trade team on site to obtain quotes on the designs that we hope to propose to you. This allows us to ensure the feasibility of some of our designs. We take accurate measurements of the whole room and photograph it for us to use as references for the next stage.

Step 4: Design time.
- We spend time drawing up floor plans, elevations, electrical plans, heating plans, designing custom cabinetry and features, selecting materials, furniture and fabrics, building your mood boards. The more detailed and specific we are at this stage, the easier it is to obtain accurate quotes, foresee issues that might arise further down the line and save you money from expensive mistakes.

Step 5: Presentation day.

We present to you our final designs. This will involve a presentation of our design vision along with 3D models of the space and a material sample board linked to the space. This will include an estimate for all the work proposed and the trade estimates.
Every detail from the general architectural elements, down to the styling accessories will be presented at this stage.
By the end of the presentation, you will have a very clear vision of what we are proposing for the space, and what level of investment this will entail.
This stage will require approval before moving onto the next stage.

Stage 2: Building the dream

Step 6: Placement of orders and instruction of the trade team.
- We start procuring all product and material required for the renovation and instruct the trade team to start work.
Step 7: Budget oversight.
- We review the budget and ensure that we are still on track. If there are any major hiccups we will inform you, but otherwise we will proceed and ensure that your project keeps moving forward.
Step 8: Initiation of construction and renovation.
- We conduct site visits to ensure that work is being carried out to expected standards and to deal with any issues or queries that arise. This is the time where, being as specific as possible during the design stage, allows things to move as smoothly as possible. We act as the first port of call for any dilemmas on site.
Step 9: Receipt of orders.
- We receive, check and quality assure all of the items that we order for your project. We also store these safely off site to ensure that everything is ready for when it is required. This keeps your home as clutter free as possible and keeps the items from potential damage. We arrange any returns and discuss issues with our suppliers if there are any damages or things do not arrive as we expect them.

Step 10: Furniture installation and styling.
- This is the day you had been waiting for. All the dirty jobs are done, and the space is a beautiful empty shell ready to be filled with all the gorgeous products, furniture and window dressings we have specified. During this very busy day we work to deliver, unload, install all of furniture, fixtures and equipment ready for the next stage.
Step 11: Client reveal day.
- This is when you get your moment to see the whole project finished and styled to perfection. The spaces will be clean and move in ready.
Step 12: Deficiencies walk through.
- Giving you a few days to live in your home, you may realise some things that we have missed, or some damage that might have happened during Step 10. We go through your home with a fine tooth comb with you to ensure that any deficiencies are identified.
Step 13: Resolving deficiencies.
- We work to resolve all of these deficiencies for you to ensure that the space is as perfect as it can possibly be.

Step 14: Client closure
- We host a meeting to go over the project, ensure that you are more than happy with the service you received and happy with the outcome of your home.
Step 15: Presentation of client binder
- The client binder has within it a summary of the whole project with the scope identified, care instructions for all the materials installed and a lighting plan in case you ever do further work.

This is our process to take you from Day 1 at our consultation, all the way to the end. As you can see, it is a logical linear process that helps to make a complex task manageable and as stress free as possible for our clients. If you are interested in our full service offering, hit the button below.

Full service please!

Full service design reviews

Peter worked with us on our double height renovation and loft conversion, designing the living space, two ensuites, master bedroom and our daughters animal themed bedroom. We had an initial consultation and that was followed up with weekly follow ups, done via calls and also a visit halfway through the build and near the end. Peter has delivered an interior design plan that has given two novices with no taste a house to be truly proud of. Throughout the process while our renovation was being completed, Peter was always available to answer questions, and no request was too big. He covered every detail and despite us being tricky clients who didn't know what we wanted and when we did changed our minds, Peter was patient understanding and full of brilliant ideas and suggestions which we would not have been brave or creative enough to think of ourselves. Where we lucked out was that Peter was approachable and provided us with different options and budgets which were all detailed in an easy spreadsheet. This allowed us to pick and choose items and decor that he knew would work together. He was also able to secure multiple discounts which was hugely helpful. We loved working with him and would recommend him highly. Our home looks fantastic thanks to him and is proof you don't have to always be in the same city to get a brilliant interior design plan. - L Johnson (Jan 2020)

We chose to use this service on our extension and renovation of our house. From before the work has started, Peter was great in providing lighting plans (been an excellent tool to use with builders) and helping us to visualise our perfect kitchen. During the build he provided us with advice and his own contacts of contractors to do various things which we found very useful.
The mood boards for each room that Peter made, were really helpful in providing us with ideas and items needed. This saved us so much time when it comes to shopping as he knows all the places for the things we wanted. We have found his suggestions very useful and loved the finished project. He has also helped us dress the rooms, from finding the best place to hang the pictures and choosing which artwork goes where. Thanks to Peter we are now house proud.
We definitely recommend using The SpaceMaker Interiors for any of your interior design. - C&E Mallia (Feb 2020)

Pete did an absolutely fabulous job on our en suite redesign, we can’t recommend him enough. Pete completely took the pressure off by supporting with every part of the design process; encouraging us to be braver with our choices, but still keeping the space practical. Pete was then on hand throughout for product selection, ordering, liaising with tradesmen...basically everything we needed but didn’t have time for. Although our budget was modest, the end result has real luxe/bespoke feel and we are thrilled with it. Thank you! - D Ingham (Aug 2019)

The Design Consultation

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 11:57:59 GMT

So you want to invest in your home and improve your living environment. Welcome! You have come to the right place, but where do you start from. We offer a design consultation to help you determine exactly this. Weather you are doing a full home renovation, or a single room makeover this is a great starting point. It allows us to meet in person and have upto two hours dedication to speaking about your project. If you simply need some ideas to get you started, or if you wanted us to take on the full project - the design consultation is the best place to start. 100% of our clients who have had this consultation have said that they found it to be great value and most have proceeded to engaging us for further services.

What is in it for you?

Upto two hours of face to face with Peter in your home.
Focusing on the spaces that you wish to discuss with practical and actionable suggestions and solutions
We can discuss colour, layout, lighting or styling. It is your time to use as you wish.
At the end of the consultation we would have developed a scope of work for the project. If you wanted to take the project forward yourself, we will give you this as an action plan. If you wanted us to take on your project we will keep this and develop it further during our full-service offering.

Book your consultation now

FAQ

How do I prepare for this consultation?
We ask you to consider your priorities and have a think about your budget for all the changes you wish to make. We can bring some tools with us on the day to help you work this all out during the consultation. We also ask you to collect some images that you find inspiring. Check out our Pinterest board to see what is inspiring us.

What if I don't know what I want?
The consultation is the best place to start, as it allows us to properly walk through your space, and tackle each of the questions. We offer solutions and discuss their implications and practicalities as to how you use the space.

Why do we have to pay for a consultation?
During the consultation we offer specialist design advice and also take time in writing up our custom report for you. We do not want to give you advice which might be wrong, rushed or poorly considered which is why we take this seriously.

Consultation reviews

We used Peter for a consultation and it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. He immediately understood what we were trying to achieve and was full of ideas as to how to do it, and at the same time wasn’t afraid to challenge us and push into different directions which we hadn’t considered but were absolutely perfect for the house. Would highly recommend - S Holstead (Nov 2020)

Peter was absolutely brilliant when it came to understanding our needs and putting some much needed shape to our ideas. Being expertly facilitated through his design process was effortless and enjoyable - highlighting our likes and dislikes, preferences and turn offs when it comes to interior design. We were extremely impressed with how much of what was in our heads could be interpreted into an actionable design palette. The report Peter produced from our conversation was exactly what we needed and encapsulated all of the sources of inspiration we needed to visualise the next phase of our interior renovation. We would highly recommend using the SpaceMaker Interiors' consultation, there is no way you will be disappointed. - H Jishi (October 2020)

I booked Peter for a design consultation and would highly recommend. He was friendly, efficient and gave me high quality advice and ideas for my home. - S Mckenzie (Nov 2020)