Decorating
An Interior Stylist Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
In this story series, a stylist shares the three vital things he wishes every client understood
Ever wondered how you could streamline the process of working with an interior stylist? As part of our story series, ‘3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew’, Rory James Carter, head of styling at Hamptons at Home, discusses the three essential things he wishes every client knew before they commenced a styling project.
Instead, invest in timeless pieces that transcend trends. This means that when it comes time to move on from your current home, you won’t need to go out and start all over again with all-new furniture and homewares. Look for simple lines, natural materials and quality construction – it’s hard to go wrong with these as a base.
Is your home pleading for some style? Find a stylist near you who can help
Is your home pleading for some style? Find a stylist near you who can help
2. Trust your instincts
When you find a piece you love, grab it. Sometimes one statement piece can be a source of fresh inspiration and the launching pad for an amazing room design. Surround yourself with things you find interesting and that you’re happy to come home to every day.
When you find a piece you love, grab it. Sometimes one statement piece can be a source of fresh inspiration and the launching pad for an amazing room design. Surround yourself with things you find interesting and that you’re happy to come home to every day.
3. Simplicity is key
Neutral basics, such as the perfect white sofa, are a smart investment and don’t have to be boring. The way to avoid a dull, clinical look is to layer the room with different textures. We love to combine natural timbers, fresh linens, leather and velvet in our work – it makes a space feel inviting and interesting, and gives you a home that’s at once comfortable and luxurious.
Neutral basics, such as the perfect white sofa, are a smart investment and don’t have to be boring. The way to avoid a dull, clinical look is to layer the room with different textures. We love to combine natural timbers, fresh linens, leather and velvet in our work – it makes a space feel inviting and interesting, and gives you a home that’s at once comfortable and luxurious.
Having a neutral base, such as a plain sofa and flooring, also allows you to achieve that all-important sense of balance – vital in any well-conceived room scheme. In a room with a neutral base, a bold work of art, for example, can be the hero of the space rather than having to compete with busy soft furnishings and upholstery.
The one thing I always get asked is…
‘I have ideas, but how do I pull them all together?’ This is a big one. Many of our clients have a real passion for interior styling. They’ve got loads of ideas and online image boards of looks they love, but they feel overwhelmed by it all.
‘I have ideas, but how do I pull them all together?’ This is a big one. Many of our clients have a real passion for interior styling. They’ve got loads of ideas and online image boards of looks they love, but they feel overwhelmed by it all.
The way to refine your ideas is to create mood boards that only contain your absolute favourite images. Editing it down can be hard, but if you choose five standout images you can then analyse them side by side to look for common themes. Do they share a similar colour palette? Do they all include fresh greenery? Are they all Hamptons style? Sometimes we need to take a more analytical approach to work out the look we’re really after.
My golden nugget…
Bring the outdoors in. Greenery is the absolute easiest way to create a luxurious feeling at home. It also makes you feel more relaxed, with indoor plants proven to boost your health and wellbeing. Indoor plants also solve some of those pesky design problems such as what to do with an awkward, unused corner.
We are passionate about bringing greenery into our interiors, and you won’t see a home we’ve styled that doesn’t feature fresh green foliage to complement our design choices.
Bring the outdoors in. Greenery is the absolute easiest way to create a luxurious feeling at home. It also makes you feel more relaxed, with indoor plants proven to boost your health and wellbeing. Indoor plants also solve some of those pesky design problems such as what to do with an awkward, unused corner.
We are passionate about bringing greenery into our interiors, and you won’t see a home we’ve styled that doesn’t feature fresh green foliage to complement our design choices.
Your turn
Which other experts would you like to hear from in this story series? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it, save it and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Want more on styling your home? Read this piece – A Bathroom Design Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Which other experts would you like to hear from in this story series? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it, save it and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Want more on styling your home? Read this piece – A Bathroom Design Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
There will always be new trends in interior magazines and homewares stores. And while it’s great to mix up your look with new pieces, never take trends too literally. Otherwise you’ll end up with a home that is specific to a particular time.