While the kitchen has become the modern busy hub of the home, the living room has increasingly found a role as a calm space for relaxation, conversation and entertainment. Dedicated almost solely to comfort, your choice of decor should tell a story about the people who live there, from the books on the coffee table to the photography and artwork on the walls.

Whether you’re more at home with elegant minimalism or practical country chic, fine antiques or quirky collectables, the aim is to create a welcoming sanctuary, and with so little to restrict your design decisions, why not get creative? Check out our five styles for creative, conscious homes.

Retro vibes

Capture a sense of nostalgia for the vibrant, design-led style of the 1960s and 70s, but with a stylish, contemporary update – and maybe a splash of psychedelic colour. It’s a fun option for fans of mid-century design, whether you’re keen to source original designs or mix and match with other pieces. There’s no need to slavishly recreate one era, but pick and choose the elements that work for you.

Look out for original 60s lighting such as Anglepoise lamps in vibrant shades or statement sculptural Danish pendants. Make cushions, curtains and blinds in original mid-century fabrics, or choose from modern prints by brands such as Marimekko or Orla Kiely that reflect the same graphic style.

Source original G Plan and Ercol sofas and chairs with their simple, smooth lines – reupholster if necessary – and add a vibrant geo-print rug  for a more contemporary take on the old-style patterned carpets. Complete the look with fun finishing touches – vintage film or art posters, an elegant old typewriter, displays of collectable LPs or Penguin classics, and a kitsch accessory makes a great talking point too.

Country rustic

From a barn conversion to a modern loft or quaint cottage, rustic style oozes rough-luxe charm in any type of home. It’s a versatile, practical look and works well in both large or small spaces. A celebration of reclaimed and natural materials, the rustic aesthetic showcases unadorned wood, stone, concrete, steel and bricks alongside collected pieces that reflect our industrial and agricultural heritage.

With a palette of white, greys or neutrals, the look should also have as a grittier edge incorporating darker shades and pieces with unpolished surfaces. Peeling paint and distressed finishes, even a touch of authentic rust, are all acceptable here. Aged leather chairs, battered vintage suitcases and coffee-sack curtains all look the part.

Dress reclaimed wooden flooring with cosy sheepskin or deep-pile Berber rugs and make cushions from hessian sacks or recycled linen. Add a feature log burner or open fire for winter warmth and all-year style, while white-washed wooden clapboard wall panelling conveys that half-converted barn look – the ideal backdrop for displaying quirky objects trouvé, such as vintage tools, wheels or signage.

Old wooden ladders can be used as display shelves or to hang throws; galvanised barrels, buckets or dolly bins can be repurposed as log baskets, small side tables or planters; while original cast-iron radiators, industrial metal light fittings, and solid pieces of furniture such as a beautifully aged oak dresser, finish the scheme perfectly. Keep an eye out for intriguing collectables, from small items such as weighing scales or candleholders for interesting displays, to trolleys that make quirky coffee tables.

Vibrant opulence

Of course, the muted neutral look isn’t for everyone. From the Georgians to the Victorians, deep, sumptuous colours were popular for living rooms, and it’s easy to see why – combining richness in textures, jewel tones and ornate accessories conveys a real sense of luxury.

Don’t be afraid to layer different colours; deep shades often harmonise well together and soften the look. Be playful: a daring contrast colour on the chimney breast draws attention to an elegant period fireplace, or hang an ornate gilt mirror or statement piece of artwork above the mantel to achieve a similar effect.

While this style can suit substantial antique furniture such as a heavy Victorian armoire or dresser, especially in a large room, freestyling with pieces from a range of eras prevents a stage-set effect. The streamlined, curvaceous shape of mid-century chairs and sofas upholstered in plush velvet are luxe with a contemporary edge; while a gilt-and-glass art deco bar trolley or coffee table can add a touch of glittery 1920s Jazz Age glamour.

Traditional Victorian drawing rooms often had a busy feel, with the walls and furniture providing a gallery for multiple artworks and collectables. Paring back on the clutter and making a feature of a design-led piece or two – a statement light fitting, an oversized print with the wow factor or bright print rug, for example – will add an element of surprise that keeps the look fresh and modern.

Scandi chic

If you’re hoping to give your living space a thrifty makeover, Scandi style is practical and works perfectly with preloved, handmade and upcycled pieces. A rustic coffee table made with old pallets or scaffolding boards will fit right in, while pine dressers can be picked up cheaply and given a chalk paint makeover and used to display
simple ceramics.

If you’re a fan of tidying guru Marie Kondo, this is also a look that eschews clutter in favour of carefully chosen, harmonious pieces set against a clean backdrop of white, grey and palest pastels – with a hint of black, navy or charcoal to add a little edge.

Simple accessories can become features in a minimalist landscape – an oversized station-style clock, a battered old trunk or suitcase used as a toy box or side table, or reclaimed wooden planks turned into shelving for displaying collections. An industrial trestle table doubles up as a console or occasional desk – and can be a place to arrange interesting finds. There’s no need for pricey antiques – those charming finds of driftwood, shells, pebbles, dried seedheads and feathers gathered on walks capture the aesthetic as well as your memories.

The white look isn’t as impractical as you might think, but pale sofas aren’t always sensible for a home with children (or red wine drinkers) so try shades of grey or charcoal, or add a touch of luxe with cosy faux fur or woollen throws that also help to protect pale upholstery.
Add large mirrors to reflect light and gauzy voiles at the windows, install reclaimed wooden floorboards and soften with natural jute or sheepskin rugs. Pick up affordable reclaimed or industrial pendant lighting, and use vintage crates for storage or as side tables to finish off the functional look.

Classic cottage

Although it’s the perfect look for a cottage, the traditional country-style living room epitomises comfort, and this homely feel can be replicated in almost any style of property. It’s the antithesis of the formal drawing room, characterised by pieces with a lived-in look to create a space that invites relaxation.

Nothing should be too new or shiny; an eclectic blend of vintage and contemporary pieces will feel right at home here. A coffee table made from reclaimed wood, or a repurposed trunk or box, antique wooden wall and freestanding cabinets and bookshelves are ideal for displaying antiquarian books, while a focus on artworks and accessories inspired by nature all blend perfectly into a country-living look.

Sticking to a soft palette of harmonious, warm colours – encompassing neutrals to soft, nature-inspired shades such as sage, sand or terracotta – will keep the look from veering towards boho. For soft furnishings, reupholster plump vintage sofas or expansive occasional chairs in traditional wool or linen fabrics, and enhance the sense of informality by layering textures – look for chunky crochet or tapestry cushions, English lambswool blankets and soft linen blinds or curtains in stripes or checks.

An open fire with a wicker log basket is an essential focal point of the authentic cosy cottage, so if your room doesn’t have a fireplace then consider adding an antique surround, or installing a log burner. Just add a Labrador and your work is done.

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Although you’ll be spending less time watering as we move into autumn, it’s no excuse to neglect your plants. There’s still work to be done to maintain their condition; not only is this part of being a ‘plant parent’, but losing them due to poor maintenance or disease can be heartbreaking and affect your confidence in your nurturing skills. Houseplants are expensive and replacing them all in the spring can be costly as well as unsustainable.

Increase light exposure

It sounds obvious, but the amount of daylight in the colder seasons is hugely reduced. With light being one of the fundamentals for your plants’ health and survival, it’s important to make sure they are getting enough. So consider repositioning them to a spot where they will receive enough for their individual needs. This is something you will need to pay careful consideration to for sun-loving plants like succulents and cacti. Plants that enjoy a bright position may also need to be moved closer to a window to ensure enough daylight.

Adjust your watering routine

During autumn and winter, the cooler weather means soil dries out slower than in spring and summer, so it’s important to adjust watering accordingly. The best way to check when your plant needs water is to monitor the level of moisture in the soil, using your finger. Common houseplants such as Swiss cheese, rubber, palm and prayer plants that are watered weekly in the spring and summer can probably go at least three or four days longer between watering. Succulents are fine with a monthly water (instead of weekly) and cacti can go even longer, sometimes two months, or more, will be enough. Remember to use the soil as your guide – and for succulents and cacti the soil must be completely dry before you water. Give them a thorough drenching when you do though, and allow the water to fully drain.

Watch the temperature

There is nothing houseplants dislike more than fluctuations in heat. It’s important to keep your green leafy friends away from extremes in temperature during the cooler months. Radiators, underfloor heating and draughts from sash windows are the main culprits, so you may need to reposition your plants over the winter. Look at this an opportunity to restyle your home rather than a chore. The ficus family of plants, which includes rubber plants and fiddle-leaf figs, particularly dislike extremes in temperature and being moved around too much. If at all possible, try to find a spot for these varieties that will suit them all-year round.

Care & maintenance

Trim away any dead leaves and freshen up the soil. Your plant won’t see much growth during this time so only repot if it has become too big for its container. The best time to repot is in spring, but do it now if you think your plant is looking squashed.

Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to allow them to breathe.

Keep a regular lookout for pests as well as discolouration of leaves.

Dilute or stop feeding during winter. Your plants are in their dormant period now and will have a significant reduction in growth; this is normal and you risk overfeeding. Adding a fresh layer of compost is a safer way to give them nutrients.

WORDS: ANGELA MAYNARD

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Why are antique bathroom fixtures preferable to new?

By comparison to anything available today, an antique basin will be unique. You buy antiques for the story they tell, the quality of the craftsmanship or manufacture and the patination. All antique and reclaimed bathroom pieces are full of history, beautifully made and have a look that cannot be replicated by anything made new. They are also green. By choosing a reclaimed bathroom you are doing a little bit to save carbon emissions created by the manufacture and transport of the new equivalent.

What should be considered when designing and sourcing a reclaimed bathroom?

Most antique and reclaimed pieces can be incorporated into a modern home. However, items may come from different periods and countries, so it’s a good idea to choose a style and period and use similar-aged items together. Think about space and start with the bath. These come in all shapes and sizes. If you take a bath to relax with an aperitif, then the tub you require will be different to one that’s comfortable to sit up in and read your favourite magazine. WC pans with high-level cisterns are not only elegant in any bathroom but can also save space. Basins with stands or pedestals are useful if you don’t have solid walls.

What kind of reclaimed fixtures are available?

Antique sanitaryware will date from the 1880s, but items from the 1930s to the 1950s will be the most commonly found at salvage yards and specialist dealers. Be aware that the older an item is the more expensive it is likely to be. There’s a huge range of items to choose from in terms of colour, decoration and material. Slipper, bateau or double-ended baths are mainly from Europe and may be harder to find than baths with tap holes at the end. Decorated Victorian items are available but hard to find in good condition. Taps and other fittings are readily available, but shower fittings are hard to find.

Will they need to be restored?

Condition is key. Bathrooms and cloakrooms need to be practical spaces and so it’s important that any reclaimed pieces are functional. A specialist dealer will restore items prior to sale. However, if you buy unrestored items, they will need some restoration. Ensure that all taps and other brass is removed prior to any work being carried out and that any resurfacing is done by a specialist prior to installation.

What needs to be considered in terms of plumbing in older items?

The Victorians invented modern plumbing and exported it around the world. The vast majority of pieces will conform to modern standard sizes as these have never changed. Plumbers will often suggest that you cannot get parts for old cisterns, taps and so on, but this is not true. It’s possible to get most parts for most items, or an alternative. There are some items which will not conform to modern sizes and will require a specialist to adapt them. Most antique water supplies were gravity fed and ran at a lower pressure to our modern domestic water supply; an antique tap may not cope with this without an overhaul, but most can be made to be functional.

What about aftercare?

Limescale build-up is the worst thing for resurfaced baths and taps, so it’s important to replace washers in dripping taps and dry resurfaced baths after use. In areas of hard water, I’d recommend fitting a water softener. Most modern bathroom cleaners are non-abrasive and can be used for most surfaces, but check the label.

glasgowarchitecturalsalvage.co.uk

lassco.co.uk

acereclamation.com

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Chunky, sturdy, with a rough patina that suggests a former busy life in a farmhouse setting, courtyard stools are an easy way to inject a touch of rustic cottagecore to your interior.

Originally antique pieces came from countries such as Mongolia or China – and are usually made from elm wood with mortise-and-tenon joints. The terminology in this area can be a tad confusing. Courtyard stools are often incorrectly referred to as ‘milking stools’, but milking stools are actually much lower and smaller – often with three legs for stability so the milkmaid could lean forward into the cow without toppling over.

Courtyard stools are also sometimes incorrectly labelled ‘worker’s stools’, but according to Karen Mazurkewich in her book Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques, although worker’s stools are of a similar shape with four legs, they’re much lower to the ground. Courtyard stools are so-called because they were used in homes as extra seats and moved around within a family’s courtyard. In some Asian countries, the size or height of a stool determines class, so slightly higher stools belonged to wealthy families.

Whatever you call them, they’re super-sturdy and compact with splayed legs, simple stretcher bars and a raw distressed finish, so it’s easy to see why these timeworn seats have such enduring appeal.

Here are six different ways to find the perfect corner for them in every room around your home.

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History & heritage

You’d be forgiven for thinking that wallpaper would have adorned the stately homes of the aristocracy when it was first produced in the 16th century. But it was more likely to be found in merchants’ houses and, as the black-ink designs were only printed on small single sheets and joined together in-situ, it was confined to the smallest rooms or used to decorate the interior of cupboards. Who would’ve guessed that a trend popular with upcyclers began in the mid-1500s?

Block-printing and longer rolls of paper were 17th-century innovations that transformed the way wallpaper was produced and by the mid-18th century its popularity was such that a tax was introduced, leading manufacturers to prioritise more intricate, multicoloured – and therefore more expensive – patterns. By the time William Morris’s designs became desirable status symbols during the Arts & Crafts movement, wallpaper could be printed using multiple carved wooden blocks in a process of layering and drying that took around four weeks to complete. Morris created around 50 designs, each consisting of up to 30 blocks, using 15 hand-mixed colours.

A converted fabric-printing machine was patented by Potters & Ross as the first wallpaper printer in 1839, vastly speeding up the process and therefore making wallpaper much more economical to produce. By the 20th century, most homes could afford to include wallpaper in their interiors, as it reached its peak of popularity in the 1920s and 1930s.

Many heritage patterns continue to be produced, often adding era-appropriate decor to a period property. James Greenwood, interior expert at Graham & Brown, agrees that wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to achieve an authentic historic look. ‘Our design archive not only spans over our 76 years in business, but also is home to some beautiful designs dating back to the 1800s,’ he reveals. ‘Our Florenzia wallpaper takes inspiration from archival florals originally designed for fabric but reinvigorated for 21st-century walls.’

Toile de Jouy

Featuring illustrative figures, animals and pastoral landscapes, original toile de Jouy designs from the 18^th century were printed on to cotton or linen. James Greenwood of Graham & Brown recommends using it in compact areas, such as cloakrooms: ‘Small spaces can be transformed with maximalist wallpapers. Edo Toile is a beautiful archival design suited to this. Although a dark colour, the metallics allow light to bounce off the walls instead of being absorbed.’

Damask

During the Georgian period woven damask silk was hung in aristocratic homes. The designs – often featuring flowers, leaves, feathers and fruit – were later reproduced as wallpaper in the Victorian era, enabling more homes to enjoy the luxurious patterns once reserved for stately buildings.

Flock

Originally made with powdered wool to replicate the appearance of textiles, flock designs often feature damask patterns and raised elements with velvet-like textures. After crimson flocked wallpaper was used in the Queen’s Drawing Room at Hampton Court Place in the 18^th century, most country homes in England followed suit and decorated with textured flocked paper.

Chinoiserie

Large-scale, hand-painted papers were exported from China in the late 17th century and soon became a much sought-after luxury item. They were known for their detailed and naturalistic artwork and rich colours. Due to its popularity, this chinoiserie decorative style was soon interpreted by 18^th-century European manufacturers, featuring ornate pavilions, exotic birds and blooming flora, as well as scenes of Chinese life.

Geometric

Influenced by modern art and popular culture, abstract geometric designs, Cubist-style motifs and linear patterns became popular for contemporary homes in the 20^th century. Embossed and floral designs gave way to Pop Art styles in the mid-century era, and became vastly popular in the 1960s and 70s after the first pre-trimmed and ready-pasted papers were introduced.

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This is even more important in winter, when we spend more time at home, keeping cosy on long nights or entertaining friends, and when low light levels can send our mood plummeting. It’s why the tradition of Yuletide decoration goes so far back – it’s a way of reminding ourselves that the cold won’t last forever and light will return. Now scientific research is catching up with what our ancestors knew – ‘neuro-architects’ are starting to design uplifting buildings based on our brain’s responses to our environment. And, while we can’t all live in a neuro-architectural paradise, we can still use what they’ve learned to create happy homes.

Spaces for living

The first, and simplest, move is to look at each room and ask if it suits its purpose. We prefer open spaces for socialising and a small, enclosed corner when we want to concentrate on something or be alone with our emotions. So homes need to cater to both needs. Michael Player, psychologist and co-author of StressLess (Robinson, £12.99), adds that a relaxing bedroom should be a priority. ‘Improving your sleep is the single most meaningful thing you can do to increase your mental health,’ he says. ‘Make the bed as comfortable as possible and insulate yourself from exterior light and noise with heavy curtains. Get rid of visual clutter and technology – it’s important to create screen-free spaces where you can relax.’

Go green

Then, add a dash of green. Being in nature lifts the spirits instantly, but one study has shown that even a photograph of the natural world can give you a boost (the same study found that looking at a Jackson Pollock artwork can actually increase stress!). Plants are even more effective. According to Anjie Cho, architect and author of Holistic Spaces (CICO Books, £9.99), ‘they can create a softer more vibrant energy in a home and are healing visually and physically.’ Plants have the added plus of purifying the air and reducing household pollution – dust, cooking fumes and outdoor dirt which can affect our health. Another pollutant is off-gassing: the smells given off by the chemicals used to make new items. Yet another reason to buy vintage!

Light and colour

‘Think about colour too,’ says Michael. ‘Soft whites, pale blues and greens reduce stress. Whereas bright red can actually raise blood pressure.’ Oranges and greens are good for socialising and collaboration, and yellows promote productivity.

Light is another important factor – a home full of natural light is instantly calming. In winter this can be in short supply, so make the most of what you have. ‘Open curtains and blinds first thing in the morning to kick-start your circadian rhythm,’ recommends Michael. ‘And in the evening dim the lights to help you wind down.’

Dealing with ‘stuff’

There’s true emotional power in the items we collect, according to counsellor Dawn Smith. “‘Sentimental value” is a slightly dismissive term that suggests we’re a little silly for caring about the vase Gran left us or the Tretchikoff print we rescued from a car-boot sale, but there’s more to it than that. These things spark joyous memories, and give us a sense of belonging to a class or cultural tribe. They say something about us.’
It’s a good idea to harness this joy by placing special items in the right place. ‘Group strong memories together – maybe have a cabinet of travel-related ones, or paint a square on the wall and fill it with happy memories,’ says Kirsten. She also recommends setting aside a wall in your hallway for family memories. ‘It creates a sense of belonging straight away. Imagine if you’re a child who doesn’t live with both parents, and how reassuring it would be to see your face on that wall every time you walked in.’

However, it’s easy to accumulate too many emotionally weighted objects – which we then can’t face giving away. It’s called the ‘endowment effect’ – once something is ours, we feel like we’ve ‘won’ it which gives it extra value. It’s why we find it so hard to send back those too-small trousers we bought on ebay. Kirsten recommends the seven-three method to declutter. ‘Put 10 things out in front of you, get rid of three and keep seven. Breaking it down like this makes the task seem less intimidating.’

Problem areas

But what about those pesky things we can’t change? The teeny-tiny windows, the cramped hallway, the domestic stand-off about the colour of the kitchen cupboards? This sort of issue can transform your home into a place of tension. And this is where Kirsten Steno comes in. Originally an interior designer, Kirsten then trained as a life coach and merged the two roles together as a ‘house coach’ (housecoachinginstitute.com).

‘Very often there’s more than meets the eye to these problems,’ she reveals. ‘For example, one couple came to me because the wife, an artist, wanted a vintage home and the husband, a banker, wanted high-end modern furniture. She was calling him a “snob” he was calling her a “naive hippy”. I discovered the wife was afraid of being dragged into a conventional life, and the husband hated disorder and wanted good design. They compromised by buying Danish furniture from the 1960s and now both love their home! Very often your own mindset is what’s stopping you being happy. Once you’ve figured out what’s really bothering you, you can create a home you love.’

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The secret of a collected home is to focus on things you love, curating curious combinations that tell your personal story and trigger memories. Your collection will evolve organically over time – layering vintage pieces with new or unexpected objects to create an original mood and timeless charm that you can revisit, edit and continue to add to.

My husband collects cutlery. At first, I didn’t understand the obsession and he can’t quite explain it himself but I absolutely appreciate how easy it makes Christmas, work trips and ‘just because’ presents. It’s perhaps the most overused quote amongst interior designers, collectors and enablers, but William Morris was on the money when he said, ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’

I don’t buy souvenirs when I travel, instead seeking out local cooking shops and markets for interesting utensils and practical items. Once, while backpacking through southeast Asia, I bought a mortar and pestle on the first day of a one-month long trip. Carrying a souvenir the size of a brick on and off long boats, buses and across rice fields was not my favourite experience, yet now every time I use it I’m immediately transported to that market in Lombok where men throw fish over the crowd, children chomp on coconuts and women furiously smash spices. People say you should collect memories, not things. I like to collect things from great memories. When I’m travelling, I like to remind myself that I’m actually, right in this moment, in a memory. Savouring the sights, sounds and smells and looking for little things to buy that will take me back to that exact moment in time.

India is my favourite place in the world and I return any chance I can. For a long time, bhar has been a vessel for serving chai throughout the country. Today, only a handful of places still serve the brew from these clay cups, helping to give it a rich and earthy flavour. In Kolkata the streets are paved with broken bhar and chai wallas refuse to serve their tea in anything but these, the original and only truly sustainable disposable cup in the world. After slurping down the last delicious sip of sweet chai you’re supposed to ceremoniously smash the bhar on to the pavement, returning the clay to the earth in which it was made. Me, however, I put them in my bag. Over the course of many years I’ve built up a collection of these beautiful vessels, artfully displayed in their very own cabinet, in a collection I will treasure forever.

Creating still lives or vignettes is a perfect way to display your finds and add a narrative to your home. My friend and artist Helen Mortley (@andyhelen_artist) combs beaches for shells, pottery shards and rope and artfully arranges them in shadow boxes. If you’re like me and have a motley crew of treasures, then a curiosity cabinet comes in handy to help display oddities and ephemera that might otherwise look out of place, or all together too much on a shelf. Any brown wood, glass-fronted cabinet will do the trick. Here, placing unexpected finds side by side creates an eclectic and intriguing mix and paints a picture of a homeowner who leads a life less ordinary.

Books, plants and vintage finds stacked on a coffee table or architectural plan drawers are a wonderful way to display a storied life. Instead of reaching for the remote, it will inspire you to reach for a book or dream of far-flung places. The key is to mix heights, turn books and add texture and foliage to create a visual feast. Most of all, have fun travelling and buy it if it makes your heart flutter. I promise that every time you give it a passing glance, it will take you back to your happy place.

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The home office set-up has become an important part of our lives over the last couple of years. Working from home has become the ‘new normal’ for many people now, so it’s unsurprising to learn that sales of desks have risen dramatically. When the first lockdown happened in 2020, there were reports of people using ironing boards and coffee tables as desks, but many soon upgraded and by autumn of that year furniture retailer John Lewis reported that sales of small desks were up a whopping 73 per cent.

Vintage models have also seen a huge surge in popularity recently. ‘Vintage desks have always been good sellers, but there has definitely been an uplift,’ reveals Helen Shaw of Blue Ticking, who sells preloved desks for kids and adults, and works on an old iroko science lab bench herself. ‘People like the fact that they are using something that is sustainable and full of character and charm. Their various markings tell a story. There is something rather lovely about the little scribblings you may find and trying to imagine the different people that have sat at the desk over the years.’

Helen says that British-made Esavian school desks always sell fast because of their slick design, as do French desks. ‘Customers seem to go wild for a compass-legged or tubular desk and if it has storage, even better! We also sell a lot of classic wooden desks with lift-up lids to families who want their children to have their own creative/workspace. These work well if space is limited and have been popular for home-schooling.’

Mid-century teachers’ desks are particularly popular with home-workers, because they often have built-in storage drawers and a handy slide-out ‘typewriter shelf’, which provides useful extra desk space when needed. Compact ‘bureau’ designs – writing desks with fold-down work surfaces – are perfect for smaller spaces and back in vogue now that bulky desktop monitors are a thing of the past and more people have laptops. They often have handy built-in storage compartments and mini drawers too – ideal for stationery or gadgets. Bureaus also work well in a typical working-from-home scenario: few people have the luxury of a whole spare room to allocate as a home office, so many of us need flexible solutions that can be used for work nine to five, then neatly blend into a living room or bedroom for evenings and weekends.

Self-confessed antiques addict Janet Osborne has always used an antique desk and wouldn’t consider buying a new model. ‘I found my desk at a local auction and I think it’s Edwardian,’ she enthuses. ‘It’s made of oak and has a central drawer plus two pedestals – it would probably have been used in an office. It’s very solid and has a lot of storage space in the drawers, plus plenty of room on the top for the printer and laptop.’

If you want a compact desk that will sit well in a guest bedroom, don’t limit your searches to desks – have a look at vintage marble-topped washstands or dressing-table bases too. They’re designed for bedrooms so are often dainty with turned legs and elegant hardware.

‘Working life has changed for many and while some will find themselves back in the office, others will continue to work from home at least part of the week,’ says Helen. ‘So it’s important to find an area away from the kitchen table so you can separate home life from work.’

WORDS: ELLIE TENNANT

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Summertime in the garden is all about finding quiet moments to relax, or just to daydream and while away the afternoon in a secret sanctuary surrounded by nature. To kick off your shoes and feel the grass between your toes, to listen to birdsong, or smell the sweet scent of rose or jasmine, perhaps.

Here are some ideas for creating your own special garden retreat, inspired by the timeless chic of country cottage gardens.

Reading spot

For a new take on garden furniture, take your chintziest pieces outdoors. I’ve gone for a full whimsical living room setup here complete with floral lampshade, but you could get the same effect by making some pretty floral slings for deckchairs.

You can scour vintage markets, car-boot fairs and auctions for chintzy chairs. I find all my lampshades at car-boot fairs, but take a look at The Lampshade Loft for some gorgeous handmade ones.

Romantic canopy

Hang a simple net canopy under a tree to make a wonderful shady outdoor reading spot. I’ve customised mine by adding a fabric pelmet with bunting made from pretty vintage material, and stitched the net on to a hoop. Pile blankets and cushions over the lawn and enjoy the summer breeze with a good book.

The canopy is made from IKEA’s Bryne net. Some wonderful places to find gorgeous textiles are The Old Haberdashery, The Linen Garden and Vintage Home.

Room with a view

If, like me, you’re lucky enough to have a small summerhouse, then make it a sanctuary and decorate it as you would any other room. I’ve styled mine on a shoestring: the daybed is made from parts of my old sofa, and the side table created simply from an old steamer trunk revamped with a lick of paint and a marble worktop found on eBay.

The vintage eiderdown is from The Old Haberdashery, while the wire basket was sourced at Arthur Swallow Fairs.

Pretty as a picnic

Pick a beautiful backdrop and create a lavish picnic setting in your own garden. Make a cosy spot using vintage cushions, blankets and quilts, and fill a hamper with pretty crockery for homemade cake and sandwiches.

Look on eBay or Etsy for floral cushions, or source some Sanderson fabric from The Linen Garden and make your own.
I’ve rolled up a vintage eiderdown and used it as a bolster – you can find similar-style ones at Decorative Country Living. The wicker basket is from The Vintage Kitchen Store, who have an amazing range of vintage picnic sets and hampers.

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Creating bedrooms for the youngest members of the family, whether it’s for a new baby or an upgrade to suit the changing needs and tastes of an older child, can be one of the most enjoyable of all interiors projects. But it can also present some challenges, as children’s rooms are often small, yet need to be versatile to accommodate a wide range of uses, from sleep to playtime and, as they get older, they become a place to socialise and study too.
You may want children’s rooms to reflect the style of the rest of your home – or if they are a little older you might prefer to give them more choice over the colours and accessories (if you are happy to accept the risk that they may choose Pokémon bedding or Hello Kitty posters!), but either way it’s an opportunity to be more playful with styling.

In a room that may have to be updated several times over the course of their childhood, it makes sense to incorporate reclaimed and upcycled pieces that can be repainted or repurposed as they get older. But if you’re kitting out a nursery for a newborn or toddler, do check the safety of any preloved finds – vintage toys and antique cots, for example, may not meet today’s safety standards so may only be suitable for display rather than use. Most experts recommend that you don’t use a cot that’s more than 10 years old, and mattresses should always be brand new.

For obvious reasons, eco-friendly, child-safe paints that are less toxic are the best choice for decorating. And durable, easy-clean products and materials for walls and flooring make good sense for guarding against the inevitable bumps, scrapes and spillages – or for removing attempts at creating their own wall murals!

Simple Scandi

There’s a good reason IKEA has been so influential on modern interior design – because it’s just so practical. But you don’t have to go flat-pack mad to be inspired by the Scandi look in your child’s bedroom.

The minimalist Nordic vibe starts with a blank canvas of stripped wooden floors, or painted white, with clean white or pale grey walls – and the beauty of sticking to neutrals is that accessories can be regularly updated as children grow and develop their own interests, without having to do a full redecoration. It’s a look that’s perfect for a gender-neutral nursery, as you can introduce pops of brights such as yellow, or soothing neutrals like pale peppermint or peach, through bed linen and accessories.

Introducing a splash of black or charcoal gives the look a more contemporary, monochrome edge – consider a feature such as a darker cot or bed, shelving or chest of drawers – while bare wood for flooring, rustic reclaimed wooden shelves or plywood cupboards add a light, natural feel to the space.

Industrial-style metal pendants or standing lamps suit the utilitarian look, but no Scandi-style scheme would be complete without the hygge factor too, and chunky knitted cushions or throws, fluffy rugs or sheepskins complete the handcrafted, cosy look.

For storage, look for traditional wooden toy boxes, and create wall and shelf displays using vintage children’s books or illustrations and traditional toys, while a simple mid-century rocking chair is a lovely addition, perfect for nursing, soothing and bedtime stories.

Traditional nursery

There’s something so charming about the traditional nursery, and it’s a unisex look that will probably suit children from birth until nearly the end of their primary school years. Although antique cots aren’t recommended, older children can happily sleep in a decorative vintage wrought-iron bed – especially revived with a lick of paint – but to maintain the traditional look choose a vintage floral or patchwork quilt rather than a duvet.

In a room with an original period fireplace, the mantelpiece is a perfect focal point for displaying little treasures, while adding fairy lights or bunting creates a little colour and sparkle. A statement overmantel mirror could be full-on ornate for a princess room, or for a more understated look go for something plainer and more utilitarian in style.

A striking chandelier light fitting adds a touch of period-style glamour, especially in a high-ceilinged room, while generously draped curtains in a vintage stripe or ditsy print keep the room cosy at night.

Evoke the Mallory Towers experience with vintage trunks which make versatile toy storage, or suitcases can be stashed under the bed to store linen or out-of-season clothes. Accessories can be a mix of traditional and modern, including pieces such as an antique rocking horse, an old-fashioned school desk, a vintage teddy bear collection, classic toys or modern wall-hung felt animal heads – or even your children’s own framed artworks.

While stripped or painted wooden floors look stylish and suit the look, consider adding some fluffy rugs or even carpet (which could be removed as they get older), as young children love to play games on the floor and some cushioning will make playtime more comfortable – and quieter.

Bold and bright

It’s tempting to think a child’s room should be white or pastel, but going dark (black or charcoal for the brave) ensures fun, vibrant accessories will really pop – and looks cool and contemporary too.

Painting walls a rich, deep shade (or as a compromise, just one or two walls) creates the perfect backdrop for vintage artwork – from framed comic-book art to retro music posters – and brightly coloured enamel or metal bedside and pendant lighting will really stand out too. Tired antique chairs can be reupholstered in bold prints to create the perfect spot for reading bedtime stories, while keep an eye out for quirky pieces that could be used as a bedside table. A darker wall colour looks great with simple white furniture too. Or consider utilitarian industrial pieces, such as vintage school chairs and desks that can be left as they are or painted.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match textile prints – including stripes, florals and graphic prints for bedlinen, upholstery and window dressings. As long as you stick to a harmonious palette the eclectic pairings will work really well. A simple iron bed frame is easy to transform with metallic paint – get creative with shades ranging from acid yellow to black or on-trend teal – and ramp up the colours even more with fun bedding, vintage quilts or crochet blankets in zigzag or granny-square designs.

The mural wall is a big trend right now, and it’s a great way to introduce colour. If you’re not artistic yourself, then you can opt for a wallpaper-based mural custom-sized for your wall, with themes from jungle foliage to farm animals, dinosaurs or even just a retro graphic print. For the more artistically inclined, create your own original piece of artwork using chalk paint, or use stencils or colour blocking with standard wall paint for an arty look that anyone can achieve.

Tales of yesteryear

This classic look could easily belong to a character from an Enid Blyton book. It’s a timeless style that’s easy to achieve on a budget too, as mismatched furniture can be picked up cheaply and either left natural or painted, plus it’s robust enough to withstand the knocks of childhood play.
Choose furniture that is solid and built to last: an antique pine dresser, chunky reclaimed wood shelves or a sturdy chest of drawers – all perfect for clothing or toy storage, or for displaying vintage book collections. Source some of your own childhood favourites in special or hardback editions to inspire the next generation.

Look for dinky little milking stools for bedside tables, while an original or reproduction Victorian or Edwardian glass and brass wall light is an authentic-looking alternative to a bedside lamp.

For the bed, a cast-iron frame is a classic choice, or a soft pine sleigh bed – and both types can be upcycled with paint if you prefer. Dress with crisp white linen and a homely bedspread, and tucking a few traditional soft toys under the covers is a must. Look for vintage or repro fabrics to make cushions, curtains and other soft furnishings in charming nursery prints.

For walls, hang traditional pieces such as vintage embroidery samplers, patchwork baby quilts, illustrations from children’s books or wildlife drawings. And don’t forget the toys – the room won’t be complete without classics such as dominoes, a yo-yo, skipping rope, marbles and card games – all of which continue to delight children, even in the digital age.

Loft living

Children often end up with the smallest bedrooms in the house, or may even be tucked up into the eaves of a loft conversion. When space is limited, embrace the cosiness of the room by creating a den-like feel. Most children will love a canopy to create a quiet space for reading or playing. When it’s a room for two, coordinating the bed linen and sticking to a simple but striking palette will help keep the look streamlined and uncluttered.

When the kids love superhero wallpaper but you want to take a more stylish approach, the compromise could be to use a strong colour for a feature wall and hang framed prints that reflect their interests that can be updated as they grow, whether it’s Superman comics or astronomy posters. And loft rooms with Velux windows are perfect for setting up a star-gazing sanctuary, with telescopes for aspiring scientists and explorers of the universe.

Adding panelling to walls with reclaimed wood creates a cosy cabin feel, while bespoke built-in shelving is a space-saving way to provide essential storage in awkward spaces. If there’s no space for seating, try something squishy, such as beanbags or floor cushions for reading and socialising.

To make the most of a compact room, consider beds with storage, or slide toy boxes or vintage suitcases underneath. If overhead space allows, higher cabin beds have brilliant areas underneath for storage and play.

A room designed for intrepid explorers suits vintage travel-inspired accessories, from wall maps to ‘treasure chests’ and globes. Genuine antique globes will be too precious and pricey for children’s bedrooms, but you can get reproduction versions that look authentic but have up-to-date cartography – ensuring they don’t make any mistakes in geography class!

WORDS: LINDSEY HARRAD

The post Playful styling ideas for decorating children’s rooms appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.