Our guest bedroom in our Victorian home had all its original features taken out prior to us moving in. So everything from the fireplace, the coving, picture rails, and even the skirting board were all gone! Most people who live in newer homes might say, well what's the big deal? The issue is that the room had lost all its character and didn't feel as connected to the rest of the house. Also it had some massive built in cupboards put into the alcoves on either side of the chimney breast put in. I have been very tempted to rip these out, but what would I achieve? So I tried thinking of alternative ways to use them within the room and allow me to re-introduce character. This is where the panelling idea came forward. I thought that if I could create a panelled wall all the way around the room, keeping the proportions similar to those used on the doors of the wardrobe, it would tie the space together.

​I used the panels on the wardrobe as my proportion points, keeping the same line all the way around the room created a wholistic look, as though those panels and wardrobes were designed at the same time. I used masking tape to mark where the panels would go, and this allowed me to play around with shapes and proportions . The tape also helped in  determining the thickness that my panel beading should be. It would be a lot easier to use a lazer level that can project a horizontal line along the whole room, but I  did it the old school way. Also as all the walls in this old house are wonky, the organic approach seemed to work. 

​Work your way around the area you want to panel. Making sure you keep things level and neat. Once all the pieces are up, congratulate yourself on finishing one of the biggest puzzles of your life! I would suggest using caulk to fill in any gaps, holes or uneven joins. A light sand, and you are ready to paint.

This means keeping the interiors linked to the age of the home or property you are designing. That means if you have a Victorian home you keep it classic and highly decorated. Or if you had a 60s build then going for a mid century modern look would work seamlessly. If you have a new build you can create any style based on the architectural detailing you choose. This seems to be the easiest method of design to go for. As you build your design scheme you will realise that the positions of fireplaces or windows lends itself to a particular layout planning. Putting it simply, an older home usually has doors that are on opposite walls to the fireplaces (depending on the size of the rooms), making that wall the visual focal point when you enter. They also loved bay windows and window seats. In 60s homes, if you have a fireplace, it doesn't necessarily have a chimney breast, and most windows are flat and can have different shapes such as picture windows etc, this creates a simpler room layout and more modern.

Hello everyone! I just wanted to do a little reminiscing here and throwback to my first home. I bought a new build flat on the outskirts of the city centre of Manchester a few years ago.  This was an investment. Emotionally and financially. You never really forget your first home and I was happy for it to be brand spanking new and all mine! There is something super exciting about your very first home. The carpets have never been walked on, the microwave never used. The Oven, oh my god I was obsessed with how clean this oven was, obviously as it was brand new - I swore to never let it down. It was my first proper nest. 

So how does one get around to designing and sorting out a new build flat. I was very aware that it was never going to be a home I stay in for too long. So I wanted to keep it as re-saleable as possible. So here I went on my adventure, designing a new home.  I was on the tightest of budgets so as you can imagine I had to be creative with flat pack and vintage furniture. Now I look back on it, I wish I was more creative!