Episode 2 - Finding Treasure

Finding treasure in antique shops and auction houses that will bring a richness to your interiors for a fraction of the budget is today's hot topic. Sue discusses various aspects of interior design, with fellow designer Debs, focusing on how not to suffer from 'Design Fatique' - when one more decision will break you! We also discuss the connection between interior and outdoor spaces and three fantastic Makeover Memos for speedy yet satisfying updates!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Interior Design Journey
04:36 Transforming Spaces with Simple Changes
10:06 Navigating Auctions for Unique Finds
15:10 The Art of Space Planning
19:27 Sustainable Choices in Interior Design
24:14 Exploring Google Lens for Interior Design
29:33 Overcoming Design Fatigue

Music Credits
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/good-feelings
License code: GFDQBSDPBEIR08XJ

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/orange-clouds
License code: 9HPDRFIOL6DVYLVD

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/thrive
License code: XPA3DJXY7HJFSPBJ

Contact
email - contact@allaboutdesign.online
Instagram - all_about_design_podcast

Novo Interiors - www.novointeriors.co.uk
Insta novointeriors_uk
email - susan@novointeriors.co.uk

Transcript

Welcome to episode two of All About Design and this week I'm joined by Debs actually we've known each other over a decade would you believe? We worked together at Novo Interiors for about three or four years. Yeah. But you're still very much involved because I go, come and help me please and drag you in. And when we worked together I think we were a of the Ant and Dec of the interior design world around here. I believe so, yeah In that we looked 

quite similar especially when we've got our hair down and we'd always end up dressing the same without even knowing. Today actually I was trying to put on a jumper this colour and I had to take it off because it just looked like we were children's TV presenters. Nobody really knew which one was which which was fine but yes so we've known each other a long time, worked together for several years and she's a very good friend. No thank you for having me. You're welcome, now tell us about you. 

I always loved art and design and I sort of fought to get through doing GCSEs, A levels But then I went on to study 3D Design which I absolutely love because it's quite practical, you-know you're designing and making, especially things like, ceramics was my passion. So that was at university. And then I went on to do New Designers and I was like exposed to all these amazing

interiors, So after that, I actually got my first job in London and that was for Insider - Dealings, which is a small interior company as an assistant and that was it. I was off, I loved it. So, a few different jobs popped up after that. So I worked for Zoffany, which was very, exciting as well, big company to go work for. 

And then obviously fell in love and decided to emigrate to Australia I was gonna say fell in love with design but no fell in love with somebody exactly which was amazing when I was there I realised that I wanted to get back into interiors so I worked for a company called KA International which was a company where everything was in-house and you worked from the products but it was lovely to start because that put me on to meeting and working for Ascraft which was just joy to work for. And that's where everything exploded because what I found in Australia, everybody was into colour because they were in these inviting and bright environments. But it was on a small scale. Okay. So things like, you know, plain walls but you'd have fabrics on cushions colour was different because of the light which I think you've talked about in the past as well a little bit. but obviously over there you've got so much sunlight for so many hours of the day so that's where it just took off and I had an amazing career with them and then obviously I came back to the UK not sure what I was gonna do Yeah, and then we found each other. We did. I mean it was really fortunate because it was just so great to meet someone like you who's totally like-minded and passionate I think the word is about interior. we're obsessed is the word. So yeah so that was my little journey to get to where I am today. Brilliant I think it's in you isn't it really interiors. I think so we do get obsessed with it and you know if we're trying to do excuse me our own rooms 

it's really hard as a designer to make your own decisions and we often go, what do you think of this? Am I going mad? When it's so close to home it is really hard to decide. It's much easier to do it for a client I find. Yeah, think you see a vision for someone. for us, we have so many ideas and that's why it's probably good to do interiors because these ideas can be given to schemes. can share. 

When it comes down to a client, you're reading them. it's about understanding them and taking out of them what they want and delivering it. Well, that's a good thing when you get a brief and you really get to know the clients in the end. And a lot of the clients for Novo Interiors have come back for several years, for several projects now. And it's really lovely. They're like friends and 

when they come along and say, we're doing this area now and we just need your vision. And it's, it's really nice actually to hear when, cause we've pushed a lot of them outside of their comfort zones before with big patterns, big colours and they're coming back again cause they love it, So, but yeah, you have to be a people person to be a designer. I think you have to, and I think you have to be able to listen to people, but pick up on the clues cause people don't understand. 

sometimes what they like or what their design style is and that's where it's almost being a little bit of a mystery solver for people and that's why it's so exciting when we do do an interior pushing the boundaries they need someone to hold their hands which is absolutely right because it's a big commitment as your home said it before when people say I wouldn't have thought of that 

but I love it. You're like, hang up my tools, I've my job. Because that's why we're here. it's to help you achieve what you want. And they do have a vision, it's just they don't know how to even go about it. And like I said, for us, when we're doing our own houses, there's so much choice and we get so captivated by things. But I think it's important not to get caught up in trends to... 

know what you really love and what talks to you instead of just the trend. The colour of the year has just come out, Pantone's Mocha Mousse You know, you might like it. If you don't love it, I wouldn't plaster it all over your house. So it's making sure that we keep the design timeless, classical, modern, whatever they need, but it's got to last quite a few years actually spending a lot of money has to be right. 

But moving away from that if you just want to do a little thing for the New Year because it's quite nice to shake it up after the Christmas decorations have gone away. What sort of things can we do just to give it a bit of a hit? Well, easiest things and probably the least costly and time intrusive are painting walls. Yes, that's an easy fix. Changing light fixtures and cushions. 

Cushions, which I absolutely love. I mean that can transform a room in minutes. And you don't have to go through the roof with fancy high end. There's so many companies that do amazing designs. And it's just about choosing the right style for what you're looking for. Again with cushions, I think you talked about this a mood board. 

You can get completely confused when you go into shops but if you see a style that you like in a magazine or whatever I bet you they're different scales they're different designs the designs are different scales there's all of balancing act isn't there and we do that a lot we've had plans for cushions well yeah I think we've made a cushion schedule before and it sounds so affected and so like oh my god but actually because it is it's a schedule of something so if you were going to put it into a building project you'd have a schedule of what you're doing material so when you do have a cushion schedule and you show the client on a visual what's that gonna look like you used to use them I Kat fabrics a lot in Australia great big prints quite often on a neutral background but you might with cushions, especially on a sofa, we try and do eclectic mixes of them and also things that are not symmetrical. So you might have a big, you used to call it a euro. Yeah. I don't know what the English term would be, but I still call it euro. I'm stuck with that. The big one at the back, which usually it could be a bit of a plain one. Could have a trim piping. And then in front of that is a gorgeous patterned one. And that could be a square. in front of a bigger square and then you could have a lumber cushion which is 50 centimetres by 35 centimetres sort of thing in front of that. So you're just building up a bit of an interesting story. But people like Dunelm, John Lewis, The Range, have a look online. You know, there's so many companies. La Redoute do a lovely selection as well. And you know how you're talking about Pantone colours and all that kind of malarkey. 

Fashion obviously we talked about that how fashion and interiors go together and people like H&M Zara home. Yeah, they all have really good products So cushions is a thing to consider in that area as well it's definitely filtered down from what they're doing with the fashion side of things. I think you're right, you know different sizes different scales makes it more interesting than everything the same and also consider what you fill them with. So if you buy a more affordable cover, you can pop on Amazon or anywhere and just get a feather fill and it'll elevate the cushion. and a top tip, sorry, just jumping in on that one because there's nothing worse than a flat cushion that needs plumping all the time. So you get an interior pad, whether it's feather or foam, but feather's best if you haven't got any allergies. 

that is a bit bigger than the cushion itself because then it will be a nice fat cushion that doesn't need constant attention and looks like a bit of a limp lettuce sat on your sofa. Would you say if you had a 50 by 50, you'd go 60 by 60? I think that's about like that. It's about 10 centimetres and all because they do, especially if it's feather, it will crush down after a of wear and tear. Exactly. But that makes it look expensive as well, straight off the get go when you've got... 

plump cushion as opposed to something that looks a bit like it's five years into its journey already.

And another thing we were going to talk about finding treasure. Now my, my oldest son is, a bit of a treasure hunter I think when he's older, I've got him pegged as a Indiana Jones, but he loves, metal detecting and, magnet fishing, but he loves an antique shop. you're bit addicted. 

antique shops or charity shops. Yes. There's quite a lot around these days, but if you go in there and you're just looking for something, like we talked about making a Trayscape in episode one, but if you just want a few lovely bits and pieces to change your room around, but for minimal cost, it's lovely to give these things a new life, isn't it? And you go into somewhere, we went into a Marie Curie in our local village, didn't we? We decided to walk there. It was a hot day. We thought we'd go for a nice walk. Two miles later, go into the shop and find the most beautiful crystal. And obviously no bags or anything to get it home, but it was like, I can't not go home with this. So I think I came home with two vases and you came home with... I came with what I call a kind of trifle bowl. yes, that's right. And a fruit bowl that is just like an Oka one. Do remember? We looking at it thinking, this is very similar. but they were beautiful and they're about eight pounds and you know if you were spending that on a new item you wouldn't get crystal no not at wouldn't be anything of that quality and it's also recycling and you're helping charity there's loads of good elements to it but it's also the fun of find oh I know it's amazing it's like oh I found a little gem and it gives you a little kind of bit of a lift so good on all levels I say 

especially the glass I love the glass in there you can find some beautiful things no money at all and the china the tea services it's not something I would use a whole tea service but you could have a couple of lovely little tea cups in your kitchen or on the shelf they just it just makes a little bit of a difference and that's the thing with interior design it just if you walk into your kitchen or your lounge and you've got something lovely there it's gonna make you smile it will make you feel good 

But you've moved on a little bit more from just charity shops. You've got this obsession going on here. sort of was a slow trickle, now it's tidal wave. It's an Amazon river. It's just, yeah. So we, we're very much into trying to buy everything for our home, which we've been working on for a good few years, like everybody else's. But, and it would be recycle kind of aspect. 

But then what we found was we're buying things like beautiful dining tables that are solid mahogany with chairs for about a couple of hundred pounds. know, and they are immense scale as well. So you've got an older home, your home's Victorian. Yeah, it suits my house. I think that's everyone prejudices it as that it's always old stuff, but it isn't. I've seen so many contemporary pieces. 

and even beautiful high-end lamps from Emily Todd Hunter and people like that on auction sites. Again it's a kind of Aladdin's cave. You've got to know what you want and then look for it. you wanted me to talk about a few things that I've learned along the because I've got no experience of buying anything in auction it is a bit of a learning curve because there are things you've got to look out for. So I've sort of... 

gone through it in my head and the first thing is where to look. Locally is the best. If you've got auction houses, because you don't have to incur delivery costs as long as you can accommodate what you're buying. But if not, you can actually go on websites, but there is actually one brilliant website, which I will say to everyone, which is the... 

sale room because that covers all auction houses in the UK. sale room. Yeah, the sale room but we could put it on the list. And what you do is you literally go in and you can keep an eye on things that are coming up or you can search by sale room. The sale room gives you access to all the auction houses but you can actually look at local ones individually as well. And there's also easylive.com 

which will filter the area for you. Okay. Which is good because the other one is it's everywhere, but it is a case of looking for what you want and actually sticking to a budget as well. Cause you can get easily carried away, but you can put in a bid. It's a bit like trying to gamble. no it is. know when it goes live, you either have, you can put in a capped bid and walk away, which is quite clever because then if you get it for that price, you're happy. And the other thing to consider is if 

you think okay the Hammers Fall at X you've got to add 20 to 30 percent for the auction fees so you have that's your cost as well. You've got to bear that in mind definitely. so think about that it's still obviously worth doing because we've got so many pieces that are unique beautiful made well but we haven't had to pay through the roof for them and it's exciting but also you know with that you've got to double check that it's going to fit in your home. 

Yes, and they get it through the door as once you've bought it, that's it. And things like condition reports, don't just rely on what's online. You can actually email the auction houses directly and they can send you more images. They can send you more Beforehand, obviously. if you can't go to see it. The top tip is go to see it because then you can open drawers, you can look at things like that. they will send you more information if you ask them, which is really, really, really helpful. 

I'd always get condition report because you don't know at the back it could be broken or there could be some sort of issue But I think it's a case of get out there and do it they do lamps everything and even like high-end hotels when they're refurbing They auction everything off. So there were like Porta Romana lamps. Did you say yes recently? absolutely and if you think of hotels and you know this from your experience that they don't put in 

rubbish furniture and fittings everything is usually high end and this has been happening a lot I've seen it happen a lot and you can get beautiful things for your home but again be wary of cost of delivery as well so delivery that can be 20% because you bought something from Scotland I did that was a crazy purchase but the hammer price was low enough again I think probably you pay as much to get it delivered but overall it was fine 

They're upholstered but the thing about that is obviously you've got them back. The colour you knew would probably not work or it might have needed a of a refresh 

So you decided to recover them with a Warwick Velvet, wasn't it? Absolutely gorgeous in a contemporary colour, not quite as bright as this, know. Citrusy. Citrusy sort of colour. And it worked. As a game changer again, so don't not look at it because it's got an old floral pattern that might not go in your home. Just have a little think because... 

You can even do some of those sort of things yourself with a glue gun and a staple gun. I'm not suggesting you do if it's at all complicated, you know, get a upholsterer to do that But there's loads you can look at. mean, like you were talking about, cutlery sets, silverware, quality items. Like we've got one for 10 quid and you couldn't buy off the shelf cheap. 

cutlery for that and it's just almost rude not to because like this is so good and frames you don't necessarily like the picture but the frame is lovely again they do bundles of frames you can just get these but they just add that unique edge and you know sometimes you're looking for you can't find it well have a look online at these auctions there's always things coming up 

but just stick to your budget consider that you've got auction fees on top and think about delivery now if you are going like me crazy cat to Scotland you need to make sure the budget is there and like when we worked it out it was still cheaper than an Ikea table so it's like you know when you're just like that's mad yeah but if you are buying say a big item and you've got to have it shipped have a look and just see if there's anything else that would be of interest to you because then it makes that overall delivery costs come down so you know if you are thinking of frames just just have written down what you're looking for and if you can get it all in one auction house it makes the cost 

So put that in the van with the other stuff as well and it's almost paid for itself hasn't Yeah we've done that a few times where we've had multiple items So was that the box I saw that had so many different things in there was the stacks of lovely oriental drawings. 

and then there some pens in cases. sometimes this is an interesting one because sometimes you get these boxes of bits and there might be just two things that you want in it, but you'll get everything else. So that again is quite exciting. So if you can go to the auction houses, that's the best time because you could look through, they have like boxes of tableware you should go and have a look it's been exciting but you have to keep your head on your shoulders you know sizing things like that check where you think you think it's gonna go because if it doesn't fit it's not gonna work so being realistic is sometimes it's 

annoying because you've got a vision in your head and you think I really want that in my house but you've got to be sure it's going to fit and also fit through the door and something I'm going to talk about the next episode actually speaking to an architect but talking about space planning, interior space planning as well is something that should come first actually I mean we talked about colour and beautiful things and cushions and artwork but really you know day one, job one is 

get yourself a floor plan, draw it out to scale and put on it what you're thinking of having to scale. Just make sure you've got room to walk around it to start with. There's no point having a beautiful dining table and chair set. And sore ankles because you're constantly knocking them and no one can actually move around anyway. you've got to really keep your heart and your head in tune with that. 

The things you've got have blown me away, I've just never seen anything like it. It is about making the right choices as well, that's the same in all interior design isn't it? And if you know what colours you're looking at, like Sue's talked about having your colour palette, having your layout, having your scale. 

then you're halfway there. And then it is just literally the materials and things coming together. But there's one thing I forgot to say, and it is important, is when you're looking at artwork, look out for foxing, which is a kind of mould It's like little dark brown spots, because if that's in there, that is a mould and it's hard to get rid of. So avoid it. 

So that's why you need to go and see it. And you suppose you could see that on photographs? can, but again, I would ask the auction house for as much information as you can. Another thing to consider is you have only a few days to organise the delivery. So get onto that really quickly. It can take a few days to get the quotes back. 

And then if you don't pick up after a certain time you can incur storage fees Fair enough because I suppose they've got another another auction coming so you've got to your stuff out there they'd recommend delivery companies Yeah, they put it out to tender basically. 

Joe Bloggs might be up in Newcastle and go brilliant I'll pick up that job as well. I'm with you. So you get it out there quickly. Because could be really lucky and the cost comes down because they're there anyhow. You just have to be a bit like right I've won the auction get online now. This is what I need picked up. It's quite exciting isn't it? it's a thrill. A bit addictive. This is the problem isn't it? But in a good way I think it's a good addiction because 

it is exciting and sometimes I look at the pieces and I'm like, what's the history? Oh yeah, what life have they had already? Like that piece we have in the hallway and there's a little plaque on it and it's someone who was presented it. Someone else's history, but now I'm kind of... You're the custodian of it, for this bit of lifetime. And then it will go to someone. We joke about, I've got a leather chair that... 

she calls it the heirloom. And I'm like, my children will love this when I'm gone. And Deb says, I'm not sure about that. But you know, having something you can hopefully pass on be lovely. Most likely. Or be putting back in the auction, But that's fine as well, you know. But if it's loved by you for 15, 20 years, that would be amazing. And it is like the environmental side of things. 

it's just it's a really good idea but I think people are becoming more aware of auctions, of charity shops, of alternative ways to buy. it's exciting because these things could be from like the 1960s, 1920s they won't be produced today so they're unique. Well also the quality is there that 

craftsmanship. Obviously this day and age you can go and get extremely expensive armchairs sofas made for you absolutely nothing wrong with that at all but if you fall in love with a piece that's been beautifully made and you can get them repurposed you can get them renovated so you bought something the cushioning the springs had gone but you can easily 

change the upholstery, you've still got the essence of the thing there that's not going to be thrown away into a tip, which is so sad. You see these things but if there's no one's got space for them, suppose that's where people send them. Equally there's things there  are smaller scale, more contemporary, and will fit in lovely, you know, every size of home and every style. And I think that's what surprised me because I... 

I misread it as auctions old. Auctions is everything and it's exciting I guarantee once you get in there you'll be like a kid in a candy shop. Good point not everything in an auction house is old. 

A lot of things are of different periods of furniture, you can have an eclectic collection of things, we were talking about, DNA of a scheme, you might find a beautiful table that becomes your DNA, your whole room. And actually things I've done, 

when I lived in London everyone used to put things out on the pavement slightly different going off on a tangent here it's not an auction but I got my table for my lounge it was somebody's old kitchen table sawed the legs off and mosaic the top I painted it and mosaicked it wasn't an antique to start with which is why I didn't really mind what I did to it wasn't like I'm going to change this and spoil it 

But there can be a lot of things you find that are treasures just use a bit of imagination, just do a little bit to it to make it fit And actually you get these lovely pieces, but you don't worry too much because it's not £5,000 worth of table that's sitting there and you're looking at everybody going, don't put your knives down. There's kind of an element, you've got this quality without. 

constant worry as well. But yeah, I would say go for it. It's just, it's an amazing, ever-changing environment. I think that's why it's so exciting because you never know what you're going to see. But beware, you might lose hours of your time looking at these things. You get a feel for what's the right price, but always, I always Google lens because, I've seen pieces that 

are contemporary and still available in stores. Can you just explain what Google Lens is So Google Lens is on Google literally you upload your picture and then it searches for any retailers selling that item so it's good for everything if you ever check in prices in charity shops or anything like that. So it gives you an idea if it's on eBay, if it's current, if it's sold in shops. 

So it's just from the image. So just take an image and then you pop on and it shows you. But for example, I saw these beautiful tables and they were, you know, cut metal. And they look quite contemporary. And I thought, hmm, interesting. So I Googled, they're still sold. And the price they were going for was very... 

similar to the price they sold in the shop. So they were trying to sell them in an auction house but they were actually available on the high street. 

Yeah that would be really frustrating if you spent £200 on a table that you could have just gone to get delivered from John Lewis or something. it's like anything, just be aware. But definitely do it and have some fun. 

Brilliant. That's really interesting stuff. So let's talk as we are February now. Yeah. It's still a bit horrible outside, but the link between your interior design and the garden, so your exterior design. I don't want to go outside and do any gardening anyway at the moment, but starting to think ahead because suddenly it will be a nice sunny day and you'll be looking outside thinking, wish I'd done a bit more. 

I'm thinking about how you can create even a small area in the garden, not tackle the whole thing, it's too much this time of year to do, but maybe just make a lovely little patio area look nice again, a couple of planters with some bulbs in that just every day you think, oh, that's come on a little bit more, it's quite nice. Maybe a little bit of lighting out there. thinking about vistas in gardens. So when you look out of your windows, 

what you see is a nice vista. I do love sculpture in gardens and David Harbour, Sundials, when I was doing my interior design days in London, we were able to specify some of these amazing sculptures and it's scale again in a garden as well as inside. And we'd have some of these beautiful sculptures in the gardens or in the big public areas or an interior courtyard. 

So for your own homes, thinking about what are going to see when you look out of that window and maybe even installing some lighting around the garden. get electrics put in properly. Obviously, don't mess around with electrics. Don't mess around with anything like that. You get a certified electrician to come and do that for you. But then at night, when you turn the lights on, instead of a dark window where you're reflected because you can't see out, suddenly you've got another room out there. 

But just thinking ahead for the summer and spring is around the corner. a really nice thing you get some flowers ready to go outside on a little patio area. that will be somewhere nice just to take a coffee and go and listen to us nattering on. But also at the lighting, if you can't get the electrics outside, are solar and the solar is getting better. Cause it wasn't that strong, you can pop them up. 

the festoon lighting things like that lanterns you can hang them on little pegs if you want lower lighting depending on what your view is like out the window Again try not to obstruct the view that was one of my bug bears if you have lovely patio doors and you stick a massive dining set you can't really see can you beyond if you can move that 

I think that's one of the keys. If it can be moved to the side have maybe low seating. Rather than the table that takes up the whole view. And you know what, like you said at night time, then that's so inviting to look out over We love birds in our garden. That's another thing to bring in. I love it. And I mean, that's just simple. Put some food out for them. 

and water and it's just magical and tranquil and I think we all need that sometimes don't we? Well I was at your house the other day and there was a woodpecker wandering around wasn't there? just having a nice life there. Yeah it was and there's lots of blue tits in the trees. Robins. Oh it's beautiful you're really good at that I must get better actually. I put my seed ball out and then forget that it's been eaten by the squirrel 

Coming back to the interior side of things, there's so many acrylic products now in the way of fabrics and rugs that can be left out. Obviously, wait a bit because the weather's still a bit, rubbish out there. But those acrylic cushions just elevate the softness outside and that's inviting, isn't it? Pulls you outside, doesn't it? And it's more used than the hard surfaces of a... 

table sitting there with its brolly blocking the whole view. that won't work for everyone but it's just yeah think of your sight lines it's just what am I looking at you know we look out so much how can I make it more interesting how can I make it more inviting lighting birds soft touches which don't have to cost the earth. 

And again things in charity shops you'll probably find, know, really nice old urns, and they're stunning aren't they? these things chimney pops you can use as planters, lots of lovely wrought iron, I don't know even room divide things you can put in the garden it becomes something that holds plants up 

Something that plagues all of us. Yep. Hands up. Hands up recently also. Design fatigue. You've done a big project. could be a small project, but you get to those last end decisions about the artwork, the accessories. 

and maybe even lighting, And it doesn't happen for ages or the room is blank. And do you know what? I just feel it's so sad because you spent all that time and money and effort. And then you say, I've got no budget left for the end bit. And that's the bit that makes it look beautiful. 

So we always talk about what do we say yeah it's like leaving your hair wet going out in your dress without your earrings or your makeup on. It's that feeling of you just nearly there just finish off and it does pick you up it does make you feel I don't know it just makes you feel better doesn't it? I suppose the message is don't think that's the not important bit 

just because it's not structural it's not the sofa, it's not the big things that you're going to give your head space to go off to Home Sense, go off to Dunelm, have a look online, go to an auction house, go to an antique shop, buy some nice little bits and pieces or some bigger bits and pieces, just have a few things there that you can think, right, that's going in that space and that's going to finish it off. 

and will then feel like doing the whole project was worth it. Whereas I think a lot of the time people are like, no, actually that's another reason they get us in I've done this space here and I just don't like it. It's because all it needs is a few finishing touches. Quite often I'll put in three mirrors, identical shape, three hexagons or three squares on a large wall that you don't necessarily want to cover it with artwork perhaps, but you need a bit of reflection going on in there. 

that's all it takes to make that space beautiful again instead of oh rip it all out and do something else no you've actually you're 95 % there keep going don't let design fatigue stop and spoil it for you And also I'm sure everyone's the same as me there's artworks there's bits and bobs take them out and reconsider 

have a look at them in the new interior, because they might work, But it's a case of what have you already got that maybe isn't working in the space it's already in. And maybe you can reconsider it in your new interior. But the biggest thing, just bringing the colour and the pattern and the design up the walls, 

it's finishing it that makes the joy, And I understand a lot of budget goes and there's nothing left, but it doesn't have to be pricey. There's so many options out there that you can still achieve absolute excellence without the dollar signs. 

You know you might think I really want that particular thing go for it because if it gives you pleasure every time you walk into that room and you love it that's what it's all about but it doesn't always have to cost lots of money I think that's our message as well 

So we're going to talk about our makeover memos for this week. First of all, radiators, I suppose it's cold outside. So that'd be a good reason People are saying if you have a white wall, it's fine to have a white radiator. But if you have a coloured wall, then a white radiator is a no-no. So I'm not 100 % sure I agree. But what are your thoughts on that? 

Just longevity wise, I think the white is the colour It kind of goes with everything. But if you're ready to commit, there are some beautiful colours out there. And you can get them colour coordinated with RAL colours to any interior, which really is an impact, but you have to be committed. I think as well, it depends if you've got a period property. 

as opposed to a more modern home from the last 20, 30 years, it's a little bit different. I think there's some beautiful period radiators out there. It's worth investing in if you've got a home that will take that look. Otherwise, one of my favourite things is to introduce, where possible, a radiator cabinet, because they become almost like a piece of architecture in the room. 

So they aren't like a piece of furniture, and they're a great place to put a lamp, photographs, know, vases of flowers where you wouldn't normally have space to do that. It just hides some quite ugly radiators. You just get them made from MDF. There's a lot off the shelf in your local DIY shop, you can find them to standard sizes. 

It's very easy to get them made to measure usually they're in MDF and paint them whatever colour you want. But again, in a colour scheme where you have a white painted skirting and a white ceiling, there's nothing wrong with having a white radiator cabinet, I don't think against a coloured wall, but you might decide, I'm going to go all in and colour drench that. So if you've got a red wall, you might want to do a red painted radiator cover. 

They just look really handsome, I think you're right. If you want to paint a radiator cover, that's a far better thing to have to change over time. it's, again, it's also adding an architectural feature, like you said, into a home. Maybe that doesn't have it. You know how we sometimes think, it lacks something that's just plain walls. You can have loads of different finishes in the way of the inserts, like you can have metal. 

the grill. absolutely. So it's an opportunity to add a structural element, to the room. But painting that, yes, I would say go for it because I think it's a much easier thing to change. Whereas a radiator, it's not always very successful if you want to revert back to the original colour. I remember seeing when I was growing up, people painted their radiators with a... 

an emulsion and it looked horrible because it's not the right paint for a radiator. Obviously, radiators are metal. It needs to be a radiator paint, which they do sell. So, make sure you don't just paint it with any old paint because that will not work. 

I just think if you're not sure, a radiator cover is the best idea because it's practical. And it's also good for heating because they actually direct the heat out. Very true. So you're stopping the heat rise up, especially if you've got high ceilings and just being wasted into the space actually directs heat into the room, which is one of the functions of a radiator cover. 

you measure where the valves are, they're the widest point where the pipes come up out of the floor or the wall and then you allow about 50 millimeters either side and there's also a space on top. Check the actual requirements of you know getting the heat circulating around and also you want to make sure that if you're trying to open the door and the radiator's right there well that won't be successful to put a cabinet in but 

in a lot of other situations it will be 

Okay. Another makeover memo, biophilic design is something you may or may not have heard of. And it is a driving force for me, particularly I love the way nature makes us feel and bringing it into your homes is such a positive mood booster. 

it will make such a difference. It will enliven the room and it will energise the scheme. 

So to introduce some real or faux greenery 

It really does work, Sue, because it softens the edges, doesn't it? It gives that next level of texture to the room. Not only that, if it's a real plant, it will filter the air quality for you. I think Peace Lilies are one of the best for doing that. 

So yeah, there's no end of positives to bringing plants into your home. if you are going away a lot or you just don't want that commitment, the faux plants these days are fantastic. They used to be horrible and I would run a mile from them. And now 

half the time, you can't really tell the difference. Absolutely agree. I think there's so many benefits to having some faux plantage in the house. Even things like you have a dark corner, you're not going to stick a plant in that dark corner because it won't live. But if you get some beautiful silk plants or flowers, 

It brightens up that dark corner, yes, they are a little bit expensive, good ones, but then if you work out how much a bunch of flowers is. Over time, it's actually quite a good investment And there's lots of places where you can go in and they'll actually design a bouquet for you. 

they'll curate a bunch for you with the colours you need, 

The last quick makeover memo is just to look up in your home and think about your lampshades because half the time we just stop seeing things 

a quick makeover memo is have a look around 

around and just even a straight sided drum pendant with a lovely contrast inside. There is so many out there and I think everyone will agree you change one thing sometimes and it makes such a difference. 

And I think Things like lighting is absolutely key. And the other thing is consider the height of the pendant. too high or is it too low? Because if it's getting in the way, then you need to address it because that will create a problem in the room. Yeah, so you've got tall people hitting their head on it constantly. It's not good, but if there's no tall people around, it doesn't equally, You can bring a pendant down if it's over a table or you can bring the side pendants that become quite on trend for the side of each bed. 

Consider the pendant, the size of it, the scale. If it's too small, they just look a bit like an afterthought. So it's a quite easy way of updating very quickly. 

Well, thank you so much for joining me. Yeah. Well, you're coming back Not letting you out. 

Next time we're talking to Nicola from the Little Architecture Company about how interior design and architecture works together and if you're thinking about a big project, it's a good idea to get the interior designer and architect together at the start. 

There's so many little things that are built in that can't be changed when we come in at the end, but can be considered at an early stage. 

That'll be really interesting to talk to her about that. And I think it'd be interesting to think about how things have changed post COVID, a lot of people suddenly realized how valuable their homes were and how important they were for their wellbeing and their mental health. 

So if you've got an opportunity to go from scratch There's so many details to consider. So an interior designer and architect can make sure the space flows for your lifestyle. that's really important. So we'll be speaking to 

Nicola about all things interior design and architecture and how they can work in tandem together. And if you have any interior design related questions that Debs and I can answer for you, we'd be delighted. So please email us at contact at allaboutdesign.online, if there's anything that we've talked about today that you want more details on, or if you have any extra questions do let us know. And we'll see you next time.