THE SPACEMAKER - INTERIORS BY PETER GRECH
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In conversation with ... Lyndsey Goodger

18/6/2020

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Today we are having a chat with one of the owners of Rose and Grey, the beautiful interiors store tucked away on Altrincham (South Manchester) side streets which is a treasure trove of custom sofas, stylish accessories and decorating inspiration.

​What has your journey into the world of interiors been like?

​The idea for Rose & Grey developed while my husband Guy and I were renovating our home and hunting for beautiful pieces to fill it with.  We really struggled to find the mix of stylish and practical that we were looking for without it costing a fortune, and we spotted the opportunity to create our own brand that would do just that. 
Owner of Rose and Grey Lyndsey and Guy sitting on a mid century sofa

When did you realise your passion for interior design

I’ve always been interested in interiors, even as a child. My dad is an architect and my brother works in property development so a passion for interior design definitely runs in the family. As a child I used to cut up interior magazines to make scrapbooks, so it makes sense that I ended up in this industry! 
rose and grey showroom with a blue velvet sofa and mid century tables.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

​We like to balance our collection between trend-led pieces and timeless design. We tend to focus on designs with longevity for our larger furniture items, only buying into trends that we know will be around for a significant time, like our best-selling velvet sofas. We always have pieces that reference Scandinavian and Mid-Century design in our collections, as these looks don’t date and really appeal to our customers. We mix in trend-led pieces through new fabrics and smaller accessories. At the moment we’re seeking a lot of inspiration from Byron Bay in Australia and Joshua Tree in California for a fresh take on the boho look. 
velvet sofa with rugs and coffee table and cabinet with grey panelling

Biggest challenges and successes in creating your brand so far?

​The current situation is one of the hardest challenges we have faced as a business, but our head office team has adapted quickly to working remotely and we have stringent social distancing procedures in place in order to keep the delivery side of the business running safely. We launched the brand twelve years ago during the recession, at a time when buying furniture online was relatively unheard of, so we feel the business is rooted in weathering adverse circumstances and that gives us the confidence to know we will emerge from the current challenges intact.
 
In terms of successes, there have been many ‘wins’ we have enjoyed over the years, big and small – but the one that stands out for me is when the business reached a point where my husband was able to leave his job to join the brand full-time.  

Who is the quintessential Rose & Grey customer?​

​Our customer is young at heart with a passion for interiors. They keep up to date with the latest interior trends and like to introduce personality to their homes through accessories, colour and statement pieces of furniture. They also understand the importance of well-made, quality furniture that is made to stand the test of time. They mix timeless designs in classic materials with fun, trend-led pieces to create eclectic homes that feels comfortable and stylish. 

What are your best sellers?

Our velvet sofas have been our best-sellers since we first launched a capsule collection in 2016. We’ve since expanded our range and now have two popular collections with a variety of models, sizes, colours and fabrics. Our Hugo Chesterfield sofa is favourite  – we particularly love it in vintage green velvet but it sells well in all colours of the rainbow. Our Cheeky bum vase is also proving to be incredibly popular, as are our shell-shaped vases and bowls for quick style updates.  
grey velvet button back l shaped sofa against grey panelling

That ‘Aha!’ moment when you were recognised and knew you had created something special?

We definitely felt that ‘aha!’ moment when we moved into our current premises and built our showroom. It was amazing to complete the project and stand back to look at our products styled together in our own space. We’ve since been able to increase the size of the showroom and will be re-opening with a fresh new look and a focus on our beautiful sofas later this year.
 
We will also be launching our first ever exclusive collections in 2020. The first, our own designed range, will be unveiled in late June and the second, an exclusive collaboration with one of our most trusted suppliers, in September. I know that is going to be another huge milestone for our brand. 
rose and grey reception

One design trend you are loving and one you are glad is over?

​I am really enjoying the current trend for personality-led accessories – faces, boobs and bums on everything from vases to prints and textiles. Our customers can’t get enough of these items at the moment and the team have also been buying them for our own homes.
I am pleased the shabby chic trend is over; it was definitely a trend that lingered far too long. 
pink velvet sofa against grey panelling wall
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In conversation with ... Pandora Maxton

22/5/2020

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Today we speak to one of our tastemakers - Pandora Maxton (@pandora.maxton). On a lovely sunny afternoon, we join Pandora by the terrace doors in her living room looking out onto her gorgeous garden. With nearly 50k followers on Instagram, she is well known for her eclectic and maximalist style and is focusing on celebrating country living and lifestyle. We delve into some of her tips on maximalist décor and she reveals the top three things that her space must have!
headshot of Pandora Maxton

When did you realise your passion for interior design?

I studied fine arts and printmaking and initially I used to make abstract art for office spaces. Then did a degree in Interior design and worked with Nobilis (the high-end fabric and wall coverings company) as a sales rep in the North of the UK. I would see Interior designers working and thought I would love to get creative but I never really wanted to work as an interior designer for others. I guess it was when I started using Instagram that it really started expressing my creativity. I love doing styling work and working on building more of a lifestyle brand including outdoor living and food.
Outdoor sofa swing made of scrap wood.

​How would you describe your aesthetic?

​I would describe it as eclectic and maximalist with a homely vibe. Everything inside my home has a personal sentiment. I'm not afraid to use colour boldly and to mix styles. No-one would be able to re-create my home space exactly the same as it is so personal to me.

What are your tips on creating a maximalist space?

​There is definitely a knack to maximalist interiors. My first tip would be to keep an eye on the colours that you use and make sure they are cohesive and work well together, but also that things aren't TOO matchy-matchy as it quickly becomes boring. I usually have a warmer element within my spaces even if it is just the glow of a lamp or some fairy lights. A second tip would be to use a dark colour as a base colour to tie all the other colours together, something like Downpipe from Farrow and Ball works really well instead of having a white/off white. Lastly, I would also suggest that you mix different styles together including mid-century, antiques and rustic elements. Try to overcome the fear and risk making a mistake - but this always something you can learn and improve on. I am constantly turning spaces within my home around, it keeps things fresh and interesting. Just before speaking to you, I moved my dining table around and it just gives the space a new perspective.
Maximalist eclecitc bedroom with reclaimed bed and black wall.

​Have you ever heard or given any advice that you think is golden?

​Give your space a soul. Make sure there is something within the space that really sings. Even if you are a fan of minimalist interiors, it could be something as simple as a massive fireplace with a gorgeous armchair and one sprig of eucalyptus. The space just has personality and reflects the people within it.  Try not to copy other spaces that you see online or in magazines piece for piece, but try and adapt it to your own space and make it unique to you.

​What do you find the most inspiring?

​I am not impressed by expensive interiors. I think if we all had the money we could all go and spend 15K on a sofa. But what really impresses me is people who are innovative with their interiors and come up with solutions to their design dilemmas that really push the boat out. Someone making a beautiful piece of furniture with some scrap wood or upcycled furniture - that really inspires me.
Cherry blossom with suspended outdoor sofa.

My ideal space has to have these three things:

I would say a massive fireplace cos I love fire! It's so cosy and warm regardless of the time of year. I love lamps - again these really help create that atmosphere when the sunlight fades. Finally, plants, they just give life to a space. Overall obviously light is the most important element in a space.

What is your pet peeve inside your home?

​Must there only be one?? I am so frustrated with the lack of natural light inside our kitchen. I would love to have the opportunity to re-do it and glaze a whole side. We spend so much time in the kitchen and its quite gloomy but I appreciate that we are lucky to have an already beautiful kitchen, so it is not a priority but will get to it eventually.
Dark blue country kitchen with slate flooring and a red aga stove

​What is your favourite space in your home?

I love our pergola! It's such a great outside space that we use all the time from Spring till Early Autumn. I wish we could glaze it and use it more throughout the year. But currently, we're loving having all our meals out there and I'm making my kids sit outside in their coats cos I just love using that space.
Outdoor sofa made from palettes. Monochrome and mustard tones with a firepit

​One design trend that you love and one that you hate.

I love anything boho and eclectic with a layered look. I don't really hate any specific trends, I don't think I'm a fan of French faux rustic look that is a bit too perfect, it just can seem a bit try-hard.

How do you think social media has changed the way people interact with or delve into interiors?

​I think platforms such as Instagram has been great at providing people with an outlet for something they are interested in such as interiors and also, its lovely receiving feedback from people, other than my family, saying how much they loved a revamped space I worked on. But it can be quite noisy, sometimes all you see are massive accounts which don't necessarily have what you are looking for, and miss some incredible small accounts who are really inspiring. The other thing that can frustrate is seeing people playing the game and it seems very strategized. But I guess it's about finding people that really inspire you and trying to give them as much support as possible.
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Getting ready for summer 2020 like a boss!

22/4/2020

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The glorious weather recently has really inspired us to spend more time outside and really appreciate our outdoor spaces. So we thought it would be a great time to show you what has grabbed our attention with this seasons outdoor furniture and get ready for summer early! Have a look at a selection of our favourite pieces and click to shop!
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Kicking things off with this stunning concrete table which seats 5-6 people so you can have a feast outdoors in style and not have to worry about not lasting the season. 
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Pair that table with these stunning Acacia chairs and you are onto a winner! These are great for indoor and outdoor use you can bring them into your breakfast area when the season is over and keep the summer vibes going throught the year!
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I love an outdoor rug. Firstly it really brings the indoors-out! Thereby making that seating area or space more homely. It also helps with zoning larger outdoor spaces if they all have the same flooring. For example if you had a large deck or a paved area, and part of it was dining and the rest lounging, you can put the rug under one of those zones to really make it its own space within the paved area!
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I love a fluted zinc planter and these ones have a lovely shape which makes them superb for both contemporary and classic spaces. Plant them up with verdants and aromatics near your seating to really create a show stopping space. 
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Get the fire side seating just right. You want a chair that you can snuggle into get cosy. How about this gorgeous chair with modern vibes that is great  for sitting fireside with a glass of merlot!
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Speaking of fireside, you will need a fire pit! I love fire! I love the smell of well seasoned wood and I love the flames. Get a fire pit, drink some wine and get cosy! This geometric shaped fire pit has all the statement of a sculpture with the joy of being able to take all that heat. Put some logs in it and light it up!  

Shop the look

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These items may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using this link.
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Top pointers when designing your outside spaces

22/4/2020

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​I must admit, I absolutely love a good garden. The variation spaces that can be created and plants that can be used open up a whole new exciting world and with us stepping slowly from spring into summer it's a great time to get out there and use up your outside space as much as you can. Here are my tips to keep in mind when tackling your outside space, be it a balcony, a courtyard or a whole garden. 
Full sun garden with flowers and a well planned seating area
Follow the sun
Keep an eye out for which parts of the garden get the most direct light and which are more shaded. It will help guide which plants you place there and what you use the spaces for. If you can head out into your space multiple times of day through the year and notice the light levels change. Some places will never get direct light where as others might be constantly sunny! Check out this blog on how to sun map your garden

visually appealing layered look to a gardenImage via Threedogsinagarden blog
Consider layers
Layering matters both in a front to back, but also in a low to high dimension. Think about having plants with different heights growing from front to back in your garden. Also planting a whole area in one plant can make it visually uninteresting so consider making your borders or hedges more varied with different textures, colours and variations. Also consider plants that s stars at different times of the year such as berry bushes in the autumn, hellebores for an early spring flower and acers for the summer foliage

zones within the garden layout give it interest and make it seem bigger
Zoning
As with your home, different parts of your outside space can be used for various uses. Think about where to have your outside dining area (does it need to be in a sunny spot to keep you warm?) Consider adding other seating areas that encourage people through the garden and create different view points.  Do you need a kids play-area? Do you have space for an outdoor kitchen or an outdoor lounge space? Do you want a veg patch?

Adding texture and scent to a garden really targets all the sensesImage via Gardino Segreto
Entice the senses
Encourage full immersion in the space with all the senses being activated. Scented lavender, tactile grasses or mosses, the sound of water over rocks or of wind through reeds, the taste of fruit straight off the branches, and the gentle sway of a swing. Using perspectives to create different viewpoints from the various areas in the garden will make it seem bigger and more interesting. 

Well planned utilities help create a garden that is well lit and has all the facilities including water features.
The practicalities
Think of where you will need your utilities (they need to be passed first). If you wanted a pond at the end of the garden, you might need a pump and therefore electricity and maybe even a water source - you don't want to be passing these after you have finally managed to get the lawn looking just right! Accent lighting of any specific trees or in other areas of the garden all need to be planned and specified so that the utilities can be passed to that area. If you wanted a barbeque at the end of the garden, consider how you are going to get coal to it and have it stored safely (might need to plan for built storage). Also, if you wanted to wash your hands, will you need a sink out there too? All things to think about and consider before you get started. 

Outside spaces fill me with excitement as they really come to life in the warmer months but also they increase your private living space. They create a place where you can intimately interact with nature and make the most of the good weather. 
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How to create your ultimate Southern Italian retreat

15/6/2019

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​I am so inspired by my recent trip to Puglia, in what is known to most people as the heel of Italy (that is if you consider the shape of Italy to be that of a boot). This region is one of the most fertile and agricultural in Italy and is absolutely full of gorgeous olive groves and scented jasmine. Sunlight is intense here, almost blanching the landscape, allowing the natural colours of things to come through. The Puglian design is humble and simple. Bare stone walls revealing ancient stone, paired with flagstones on the floor. The Trullo is an iconic symbol of this region and is basically a conical roofed stone house. This method allowed the people here to create insulated spaces that protect them from the elements without needing to use cement. That's right! The stones were classically placed on top of each other in ever smaller concentric circles forming the well known cone that stood tall without the need for any binding agents such as concrete, cement or pointing. We were lucky enough to have stayed in one of these Trulli and it was very inspiring. 
Typical set of trulli in puglia, italy bathed in the setting sunlight
​Now I know that I love big bold colours, but there is something very beautiful about the elegant restrained palette in Puglia - it allows the infinite blue of the sky, the deep green of the jasmine leaves and the gorgeous gnarly wood of the olive trees to sing in the landscape. I will reveal my top tips for creating a Puglian inspired escape wherever you are based.
​Colour: A blend of different neutral colours will help balance off the space. Make sure that there are colour variations through the space and that it is not just all "brilliant white". It is important to introduce warmth though the colours by going for softer sandy toned whites. Despite it being a warm climate I would avoid any bluish whites or cool whites as they can seem quite flat and sterile. Carry your neutrals through all the elements of the design including wall colours, lighting and soft furnishings. You can consider adding one or two complimentary accent colours in the space, but remember that these will scream for attention against the neutrals. So be smart, use colours found in nature, deep blues, and greyed greens are excellent starting points. 
neutral decor inside a trullo in southern itay
neutral decor inside a typical trullo in southern italy
​Texture: This cannot be emphasised enough. Go big on texture. Exposed stone,  lightly oiled wood, linen and other woven fabrics are great here. The trulli have oodles of texture in their stone, in fact plastering only part of the wall up can help to highlight the more beautiful features and draw the eye up to the vaulted ceilings. The floors are usually bare stone, each slab with its own natural colouring and texture. 
Italian courtyard with large urns and plants with a white chair in the corner and an open staircase with a pointed gothic arch
Lighting: Its all about the mood lighting. The daylight in Italy is so intense that coming into these places is sometimes a refuge from the intense sunshine and heat, therefore creating a calming space with mood lighting is  important to help nourish ones spirit. Consider the amount of natural light you have in your space, and if its in a landscape with a lot of natural light then consider  filtering the light slightly to soften it. If you are based further afield and light is already a scarce resource, such as is the case in the UK, then be aware that you will need to be extra careful when layering your light to create the right mood for different times of year and day. Think of highlighting architectural elements,  low lighting and creating that glow essential for a calming space. 
the outside of a trullo resort in puglia, italy.
Art: The Puglian people are very humble and modest. Art is usually found in the form of ceramics (you can use ceramics also for your lighting), so get your hands on some gorgeous bowls, pots and urns. Trulli are quite simple places so that is usually all the decoration you might find in a typical Puglian space. The bigger Masserias (fortified farm buildings) were the properties of wealthier land owners. These were decorated in a more elaborate way and one can also find frescoes. Now, were not used to frescoes in the UK but basically it entails painting directly onto wet plaster, this can sounds like a bit of a faff, but  you can consider possibly adding a simple trompe-l'oeil on a bare wall to create a panelled look if you are that artistically inclined or using some gorgeous wallpaper murals such as those below.
typical pottery earthenware from puglia with a bunch of bright green fresh basil. Also black basil.
typical pugliese large yellow coloured urn with white geraniums planted inside
For help and advice on creating your own Puglian space, get in touch!
This large scale wallpaper design boasts exquisite detail - layers of texture in luminous colour evokes a beautiful imagining of a Venetian frescoed wall. Digitally printed onto a heavyweight non-woven ground for ease of hanging and in plaster like shades. This large scale wallpaper has an alternative scene, which can be used together or alone to stunning effect. This product is sold per panel set on a single roll comprising of 2 x 70cm wide drops each 3m high - coverage 4.2m2 but can be joined together in multiples according to your wall widths and trimmed in the height if required.
Foscari Fresco wallpaper by the Desginers Guild
hand painted ceramic plates in a typical pugliese style
Hand painted ceramics add personality to a neutral scheme.
PictureLayers of plaster-like textures evoke the spirit of 16th century Venetian palazzi in a contemporary new way. Digitally printed onto a heavyweight non-woven ground for ease of hanging and in serene colours. This large scale wallpaper has an alternative scene, which can be used together or alone to stunning effect. This product is sold per panel set on a single roll comprising of 2 x 70cm wide drops each 3m high - coverage 4.2m2 but can be joined together in multiples according to your wall widths and trimmed in the height if required.
La Rotonda wallpaper by the Designers Guild
Above all, I suggest you visit Puglia. Its incredible and stunning yet humble and unpretentious. We stayed at the Leonardo Trulli resort, most of my photos in this blog post are from there. The gardens were incredible as were the trulli. I wasn't asked to feature them but the space was so inspiring I couldn't not. 
courtyards in a trullo resort in italy
puglian garden scene with rosemary and geraniums and olive trees.
leonardo trulli resort at night
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  • Home
  • Portfolio
    • Space to grow, Wimbledon, London
    • Modern Victoriana - Altrincham, Cheshire
    • Georgian Townhouse, Cheshire
    • Modernist Mid-century, Malta
    • Playful apartment - Honour Oak, London
    • Classic in white - Sale, Manchester
    • Softened industrial bathroom
  • Services
  • Blog
  • About & Press
    • The Cheshire Magazine feature
    • Real homes Editorial
    • Cheshire life Advertorial
  • Shop
  • Contact