A Guide to New Traditionalism (Part 2)

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Last week I started writing about new traditionalism. This trend sees classic design revived with more than a few modern updates. You may already be familiar with it, but for a more detailed introduction, check out part one of this series here. In today’s post, we’re focusing on the…

A Guide to New Traditionalism (Part 1)

Photo by Flaunter.com on Unsplash Trends are cyclical; what seems stuffy and outdated one minute is actually the height of fashion the next. That certainly seems to be the case with today’s topic: new traditionalism. Ignoring the obvious oxymoron, new traditionalism is taking Instagram, Pinterest and design blogs by storm. This new trend is being steered by trendy…

Plastic Free Kitchen Essentials

There’s a surprising amount of plastic in the average kitchen, and I don’t just mean food packaging and cling film. Chopping boards, utensils, storage containers and mixing bowls are just some of the items commonly made of plastic. I don’t recommend throwing away perfectly good plastic utensils for the sake of ridding your home of…

The Best Interior Magazines

The internet is amazing; it offers unlimited inspiration at just a click. But I’m a traditionalist, and nothing – not even Pinterest – compares to flicking through a magazine. Today I thought I’d share some of my favourite interior design magazines. Feel free to share your own favourites in the comments below! Dwell Dwell Dwell…

A Guide to Paint Finishes

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Choosing the right paint colours for your home is only half the battle, you also need to make sure you choose the right paint finish for the application. There are many types of finish, each with their own purpose and aesthetic effect. In today’s blog post we’ll look at…

Fun Accessories for the Home

Let’s get weird! I’ve recently been drawn to playful home accessories. I mean, what’s not to love about gorgeously designed pieces with a sense of humour or whimsy? If home decorating is all about showcasing your personality, then having a bit of fun with accessories makes total sense. Style should make you smile, right? Today…

How to Buy a Sofa that Will Last

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Buying a sofa is a big deal. There are so many things to consider; aesthetics, material choice, frame, cushion filling – that you’re overwhelmed before you even get to the retailer. And choosing the retailer is a whole ordeal in itself. Do you shop in person or online? Do…

2020’s Best Interior Design Events

There are many excellent interior design shows coming up in 2020. Here are some of the UK’s best: London Design Week, 8-13 March London Design Week at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is a show for interior professionals and enthusiasts (open to the general public from March 11th). This show was once described as “The interior…

2020’s Biggest Interior Trends: Part Two

Welcome back! Today I’m predicting a few more of 2020’s key interior design trends. We covered rainbow colour schemes, painted doors, earth tones and refined luxury in part one. You can read that here. In part two we discuss textured walls, pared-back versions of popular trends and an ancient comeback…  Muted Tropic Ananas wallpaper by…