Inspiration and Theory

“Inspiration the seed. Design but the flower.” Michael Langham

Michael Langham, the late renowned theatre director at Stratford-Upon-Avon could have been talking about the world of room designers when he made this statement.

Whether I am working on a commission for the home or the office, the kernel of every project begins with a concept that I draw from a collection of inspirations and theories to suit the client’s individual tastes and needs.

In the articles below I have tried to share with you the sorts of sources that I have found to be inspirational: the designers whom I admire, books on interior design, the gurus who talk about all sorts of room design: everything from office design to bathrooms.

As an interior designer I am always on the lookout for new ideas in all sorts of media that can be reinterpreted and applied to the spaces that I work on.

Whether you are looking for functional minimalism or sumptuous luxury, interior designers must marry their creative inspirations to industry theory about room design. After studying interior design I came away with the building blocks that a theoretical framework provides. The philosophy and practice of design are vital elements in rolling out the creative inspirations in a way that works for the client.
The final and perhaps most important source of ideas come from my relationship with the client. My first challenge in any commission, as a room designer, is to find the chemistry with the person who has come to me for a design solution. I draw immense resources from their creativity and involvement in the projects and from an understanding of the impact that my design will have on their business, surroundings and lives.

Meet Me and My Team

My team and I have worked for several years to pool our sources of inspiration to come up with unique and high quality room designs for spaces that range from homes to offices. If you have a residential or commercial project that you would like to discuss, please contact me on 07855 797311.

Q&A with Clair Strong

Clair answers some of the most frequently asked questions her clients and the press ask.

Decorating ideas for children’s bedrooms

14 interior design ideas to inspire your child’s bedroom update.

Essential spring interior design updates

The clocks going back mean it’s time to plan spring interior design updates to refresh your home.

How to create an interior design mood board

Whether you are dreaming about a new interior design project or actively planning a room or house revamp, creating a mood board helps you explore your ideas and work out the colours, style, mood and overall feel of your project.

My favourite new interior design books

Here’s a round up of the interior design books I am looking forward to getting inspiration from this year.

9 ways to create a memorable Valentine’s Day at home this year

Beautiful kitchen ideas, designs and trends

Our kitchens are the heart of the home; where we cook, eat, entertain and socialise, so it’s important to create a room you love. Renovating a kitchen is also one of the best ways to increase the value of your house and where the help of an interior designer is really important.

How to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home during lockdown 2020

Big parties may be out this year, but we can still celebrate 2021 in style and add a dash of panache to the smallest of get togethers.

Working from home? My 5 top tips for creating the perfect office space

As more and more of us will be working from home in the coming weeks, I thought I’d share my 5 top tips for creating a beautiful and functional workspace in your home. 1. Create a dedicated space First of all, allocate a specific area for your home office. Don’t flop on the sofa with…

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…