Introducing my new interior design service

I’ve been asked numerous times over the years whether I offer a design service to help people create the kind of simple, timeless and relaxed interiors that I write about here on These Four Walls. After doing a few projects in the background – and thoroughly enjoying working with clients to craft spaces they love – I decided it was high time I put together a proper offering. So, today I want to introduce you to my brand-new interior design packages!

I’ve spent the last few months developing two different options – a one-off consultation and a full room-design service – and I’m now ready to launch them into the big wide world. I’ve agonised over whether I should delay things given the current situation, but with so many of us focusing on our homes more than ever before it seems like as good a time as any. And of course I’m never going to know whether there’s any interest or not unless I actually tell people about them!

Priced at £350, the full service is for you if you’re looking for help with all aspects of a room, and will provide you with a bespoke design that you can implement yourself. I’ll ask you to send me photos and measurements of your chosen space, and we’ll then arrange a consultation to discuss your needs, budget and personal style, as well as what you like and don’t like about the existing scheme. This is normally done via Skype, but we can chat on email if that’s easier for you; once I can, I’ll also happily visit your home in person if you live within easy travelling distance of Bristol. Afterwards, I’ll put together a detailed PDF with a concept and mood board, colour and flooring recommendations, visual renderings showing how the finished room will look, a floorpan with a suggested layout, and a list of furniture, lighting and accessories that you can purchase at your own pace.

If you don’t need a full design but want a bit of guidance or help with a particular aspect, such as choosing colours or devising a layout, then how about a one-off consultation (£150) instead? Again, this could be done via Skype, email or (when possible) in person, and I’ll put together a follow-up document with suggestions and inspiration.

Whichever option you choose, I’ll take a considered approach, looking beyond fleeting trends to help you create a space that works for you, your budget and the way you like to live. Underpinning everything are my beliefs that good design is as much about the way a room makes you feel as the way it looks, and that the most enduring homes are a reflection of the personalities and stories of the people who live in them.

I’ve already tested the packages on a couple of willing guinea pigs, and you can see an example of a full room design below. This was developed for a client who wanted a restful, sophisticated bedroom incorporating the existing green and grey wall colours, and has since been turned into a reality. I introduced natural materials in the form of oak, wool and linen, and added black and charcoal-grey accents for structure. I also softened the clean lines with lots of snuggly textures, nature-inspired artwork and circular shapes. I had hoped to show you images of the finished space, too, but current restrictions means I haven’t been able to photograph it so that will have to wait.

If you’d like to find out more about how I could help you, just head over to my interior design service page or get in touch via thesefourwallsblog@gmail.com. Until the end of June 2020, I’ll be donating £35 for each full-room package and £15 for each one-off consultation to Refuge’s emergency appeal, which was launched earlier this month. I often talk about the importance of creating a home where you feel happy and comfortable, but that simply isn’t possible for victims of domestic violence who currently find themselves trapped with their abuser, and the appeal will help the charity maintain its life-saving services during this difficult time.

All images by Abi Dare