by Hazel Boyd | Jan 22, 2021 | Designing on a budget, Interior Design
Applying a ‘refresh’ is a great way to update a bedroom without the full expense of a complete makeover. Not only healthy for your pocket but healthy for the planet too! Pick your investment pieces now, so you don’t have to replace them in the future.
When you need a bed, there’s no waiting around, you HAVE to get one whether you’re changing your whole room or not. Moving into a new home? – YES, the bed is top of your list!
But do you really need to upgrade all your bedroom furniture? After all, a lovely new wardrobe is a dream item on your wish-list, but it’s also a big expense, so it might have to wait until a full refurbishment can go ahead. Reducing your wardrobe footprint by maximising space in spare rooms will give a much more open feel to the room.
Here are my top tips for refreshing your bedroom NOW:
Tip 1
Your bed is the focal point of your bedroom and position is key to creating a balanced design. Think about positioning the bed BEFORE any other furniture. Make sure there is plenty of space around the bed for getting in or out on both sides and so you don’t feel hemmed in. Centring it to a wall or a facing window will give the best result. Resist placing a bed against an adjacent wall, this is only acceptable in the smallest of bedrooms where there really is no other option. And of course, don’t forget a good quality mattress is important for a restful sleep.
Tip 2
With space on either side of the bed, continue to create your focal point. Choose bedside cabinets that compliment your chosen look, these don’t have to match your existing furniture, they are a standalone feature, so be adventurous! My advice is ‘it doesn’t have to have a label – it can be what-ever you want it to be’. You can choose an interesting piece, whether it’s called a side table, a bedside table, a box or a shelf!
Tip 3
Most of us will read in bed on occasions, so lighting is so important. To make sure you have a good night’s sleep and resist eye strain late at night, a reading light is top of the list. This can be combined with decorative lighting to change the mood. Think desk lamps, led bendy ‘eye’ lights, wall lights and pendants.
Tip 4
Consider your bed-linen, pillows and quilts. You will be living with your quilt and pillows for a considerable length of time, so make sure they are a good bed partner, comfy and cosy but at the same time allow you to breath and don’t exacerbate any unwanted reactions! And if you’re an allergy sufferer, stay clear of feathers and check for hypoallergenic qualities in your bedding.
Tip 5
Create a mood. The best thing about a bedroom is you can really reflect your own ‘personal style DNA’. Bedrooms don’t have to be light and airy, how about a dark moody atmosphere to help you sleep in peace? Dark colour schemes are known to aid a peaceful night’s sleep. Go to town on some wacky wallpaper or bedlinen complete with flowers, leaves, bird or animal print to create a wonderful natural haven. And not forgetting the windows – floaty voiles work wonders in the bedroom but make sure your REM is maximised by combining these with blackout curtains or blinds.
by Hazel Boyd | Oct 16, 2020 | Loft Conversion, Off Plan Design
The Brief: To design a loft extension space to show prospective buyers the potential of the property. Having already had plans drawn up for a loft conversion, my client decided it was time to move. However, having already invested in architects plans, she was keen to show potential buyers her vision for the loft conversion.
The Design: Hazel Boyd Interiors got to work producing a draft 3d model, developing this into a fully furnished concept design. Having suggested a few different layouts, we decided to focus on keeping the main area as large as possible, to create a more open and versatile space. We reduced the size of the en-suite to square off the room and created a compact and well-equipped shower room complete with vanity sink unit and toilet. A custom slopping pocket door was added to maximise space and increase the flow around the bedroom area. This freed up space for a seating area in front of the large expanse of windows, overlooking the pretty courtyard garden.
If you are planning to extend into your loft space, we can work with your architect plans or connect you with a trusted local specialist to produce these for you, which we then develop into a 3d concept design.
Contact us for further information.
by Hazel Boyd | Jul 17, 2020 | Features, Interior Design
Its time to open the restaurant doors once again – so what can you do differently to entice your customers back?
Change encourages innovation and designers love a challenge. Restrictions bring with it the need for creativity and product designers the world over have been busy developing beautiful products that not only comply with current restrictions and guidelines but will also enhance your branding and interior design.
My 5 Design Tips will help you make the right impact – the key is to work the restrictions to your advantage and create a beautiful environment that your customers will love.
Tip 1
Screens are the ideal solution to maximise your table covers. They eliminate the distance needed between tables and reassure your customers you are taking precautions towards their safety and wellbeing. Beautifully designed screens can add a touch of sophistication – from obscured glass to foliage or painted cubicles, there’s a great solution to fit into your current design scheme.
Tip 2
When utilising outdoor space, don’t miss the opportunity to stamp your brand all over it! Again, there are some fantastic ideas for screening that will maximise your table covers, but the winner here is branded parasols printed with your logo – at the very least, use your brand colours. Ropes and posts should be stylish and give clear direction to your customers. You may be competing with other businesses on the pavement so make sure you stand out, be loud and proud! Printed signage should look professional and instruct your customers where they should queue and where to enter and exit the building. Most of all make your designs inspiring like the one below – how could you walk past such a fun and enticing space?
Tip 3
I don’t normally extend my advice to fashion tips, but don’t miss a trick of branding your employees with your logo. Branded aprons and masks are not only a great advertisement for your business, but they also protect customers and staff, providing another visible layer of hygiene level. You can always order a surplus of branded masks to give out free to your customers. How about a mask instead of complimentary chocolate handed out with the bill? How satisfying to see your customers leaving your establishment wearing one of your logo-ed face masks instead of a pocket full of melting chocolates!
Tip 4
It takes more than bleach and soap to convince your customers that your toilets are clean. Think about what else you can do to improve the state of your loos! Whether you believe it or not, there has always been unconscious judging of a restaurant by the decor in its lavatories. Wobbly loo seats, cracked grouting and grotty sinks all get the thumbs down. Do what you can within your budget to address any toilet issues and spruce up this area, it will pay you back in the long run and leave you with happy customers.
Tip 5
Every investment should envoke a sense of satisfaction that you have done something positive for your business. That way, you won’t regret the initial spend and will be well equipped for the future. Think longevity and how products you buy now will serve you in the future. Keep in mind your business #PersonalStyleDNA. If you manage to increase your brand awareness and improve your decor, then it will be money well spent.
For further advice and design ideas, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Hazel Boyd Interiors.
by Hazel Boyd | May 28, 2020 | Colour Inspiration, Interior Design
Like me are you loving a bit of GREEN right now? It’s no coincidence that we are connecting with this colour and the great thing is, you don’t need to be outdoors to appreciate this wonderfully versatile natural hue, you can bring it right into your home to benefit from it’s positive and holistic effects.
Here at Hazel Boyd Interiors, we love putting together designs and colour schemes that are ‘so you’. We help you discover your Personal Style DNA. So, let’s take a leaf out of Mother Nature’s book and discover our inner GREEN goddess.
Whether you’re inspired by vibrant leafy designs, playful florals or all over colour, this is a hue that has it all. Discover your green by using my design inspirations that will have you rejuvenated in no time.
Positive effects of green
Helping us to feel connected to nature, green creates feelings of harmony, peace and reassurance. Its restful and tranquil qualities are idea for creating a sanctuary within your home. But rest assured this colour is no wallflower, it will excite and rejuvenate you along the way, just as it does in its natural habitat.
A Shaded Haven
Take a walk through a forest or field and you will discover a vast range, of shades and tones of this hue. Sitting between yellow and blue on the colour spectrum, green can go from playful to serious in no time. Add some pattern and complementary colours to find the perfect combination for you. Here are some of my favourites from some of our great British fabric and wallpaper designs.
Yasuni Midnight wallpaper by Graham & Brown. The dark background in this wallpaper creates a vibrant look, softened by the complimentary green wall in the background and the light wooden flooring.
We recently papered a client’s wall in this enchanting Forest wallpaper by Cole and Son and the result was stunning! The intricate details in this large scale design are so vibrant with lots of little jewels of colour popping out from the dense forest background.
And here is the result… You would never guess this is the dining area of a modern open plan kitchen!. We are completing the look by reupholstering existing sofas in luxurious velvet fabrics in the seating area.
This fun and playful FOREST fabric from Morris & Co. mixes green foliage and wild flowers with an array of wildlife including peacocks, hares and foxes. Available in either a velvet or linen mix, it is ideal for adding a luxurious element of surprise to your interior scheme. Inspired by the Forest Tapestry by William Morris this fabric will brighten your day and is perfect for reupholstering a cherished armchair.
Of course, you don’t need to redecorate to appreciate the holistic effects of Green. A picture wall, a ceramic pot, a piece of furniture or lovely vase with a large display of faux botanicals will have you falling in love with this colour in an instance.
With so many shades of green from the yellow toned chartreuse, lime, cool jade green, emerald, forest, bottle, to the olive and khaki greens just to name a few. Which GREEN are you?
At Hazel Boyd Interiors. We continue to design through the ‘Stay at Home’ period. If you’re considering an interior project, at home or your business, why not find out more about how we can help you start planning now!
‘Hazel Boyd Interiors. Designing together to discover your inner unique style and aspirations. So much to love, you’ll want to stay in.’
by Hazel Boyd | May 10, 2020 | Interior Design, Off Plan Design
At Hazel Boyd Interiors. We continue to design through the ‘Stay at Home’ period. If you’re considering an interior project, at home or your business, why not find out more about how we can help you start planning now!
Whether you’re re-designing an existing space, or you have planning permission for a new one, now is the ideal time to get in touch.
Designing ‘Off Plan’
Do you have planning permission in place and can’t wait to start on your new project? We can start designing for you, no home visit necessary!
We take your existing architects’ drawings and get to work on designing the interior. We look at how we can achieve the best layout and identify any simple changes which make the space work better for you. Identifying this at the early stages can save time and extra costs involved in producing a new set of plans. I work with your architect to adapt their plans to include these changes.
Bringing your project to life is an essential part of our design package, we start by transforming the floor plan in a model using 3d software, we add furniture, fittings, kitchens and bathrooms, then complete the look with suggested colour schemes. We can even wallpaper the walls! Giving you true visualisation, taking out the guess work and providing huge peace of mind.
So you can be ready with your drawings, lighting and socket location BEFORE you call the builders in.
Designing an Existing Space
Using your photos and measurements to create initial ideas, floor plans, drawings and colour schemes – we can create the designs to be ready to move forward when you are.
Why not give me a call to find and get ahead of the curve by planning now.
