Does your home or office leave you feeling a bit uninspired? Property editor Caroline Culot asked interior designer Louise Ives-Wilkinson for some ideas based on actual projects.
A bathroom; the main issue in this bathroom was a feeling of being a small size, lack of storage, and a dated colour scheme of brown and orange. The client wanted to create the idea of a tropical oasis so I used a deep green paint to provide an opulent feel and a perfect background for lighting a candle and running a bath in the evenings. A bespoke cupboard was built to provide more storage while white subway tiles with black grout, black white photography and graphic patterns were used to keep the look contemporary and clean while juxtaposing with an antique chair and velvet cushion to layer in some luxury.
A barn conversion - We first addressed the wood burner as it looked small for the space so I changed the proportions using a banner of paint to deceive the eye, drawing it up and using bespoke bookcases to fill the rest of the gable wall to create a beautifully proportioned focal point. The blue colour palette and natural textures were continued throughout the space and window treatments were changed to allow in more light.
An office reception; this was a complete office refurbishment project, carried out across three commercial properties of the same company. The reception was very dated and dark so we opened up the space using a glass partition to the meeting rooms, new LED lighting, a replacement floor to give a more practical and contemporary look and the luxury bespoke furniture brings some character to the design while the sleek reception desk and Venetian blinds brighten up the space further.
When embarking on a renovation:
1. Consult a building inspector before you begin any work as this could uncover issues you were unaware of and will save you time and money down the line.
2. In a period property dare to look below the surface. Removing more recent wall finishes can sometimes uncover gems such as original wood panelling, or there could be hidden architectural features behind false ceilings and original floorboards/tiles under flooring too.
3. Mix old and new - while one room may need new flooring, provide contrast and interest by preserving the floorboards in another room and sourcing replacements for any split planks from a salvage yard.
4. Have a budget and stick to it. Make sure you factor in a contingency of at least 15 per cent as old buildings always have a way of surprising you when you least expect it!
You can contact Louise Ives-Wilkinson for more inspiration at www.iwinteriors.co.uk
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