Nothing beats a good book. Pinterest and Instagram offer loads of visual inspiration but if I want to get really deep into a particular style or concept, I pick up a book. Here are some of the best interior design books available at the moment: Rockett St George: Extraordinary Interiors: Show-Stopping Looks for Unique Interiors,…

Sustainability is the buzz word of the moment but it’s helping people save money, buy better, and do their bit for the environment. Christmas is a notoriously spendy time; we haemorrhage cash from November to New Year but it doesn’t need to be that way. Last week I shared two easy tips for saving money…

Christmas has become a bit of a consumerist black hole in recent years. From Black Friday in November all the way to the New Year Sales, we’re encouraged to buy, buy, buy. Don’t get me wrong, I love buying gifts, supporting small businesses, and shopping at the Bath Christmas Market, but this year I’d like…

Welcome back! I hope you found the tips in part one useful. Today we’re looking at even more ways design can help combat the winter blues. Let’s make our homes uplifting and inspiring places to be, regardless of the time of year!  Choose warm colours To create a cosy and inviting home, fill it with…

I know it’s not winter quite yet, but the days are getting shorter and it will be here quicker than you can say, “winter is coming”. If you dread the arrival of dark, cold mornings then this two-part series is for you. Today and next week we’ll be looking at the ways in which design…

Photo by Lasse Møller on Unsplash By now, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the term ‘hygge’. It’s the Danish lifestyle concept that has spawned countless books, products and Pinterest boards. I first wrote about hygge in January 2017, back when it was a relatively new concept to those of us who don’t speak fluent Danish. Three years on and…

So you’re thinking about selling your home? I imagine you already know you’ll need to put some work in to get the place ready for viewings. But did you know there are specific design-focused things you can do that may help your home sell quicker? If you’ve got the deep cleaning and decluttering sorted but…

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Since I first wrote about this topic in March 2018, the plastic-free movement has gained serious traction. There are now more ways than ever to reduce your plastic consumption and it’s becoming increasingly easy to make the switch. Here are some suggestions for reducing plastic use around the home:…

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Last week we looked at how to design for children in the long-term. This week we’ll tackle the must-haves for any functional child-friendly space. Let’s jump straight back in! The Must-Haves Black-out blinds or curtains are essential. They will help you create total darkness at any time, which is…

The handmade economy in the UK is thriving. A report by the Crafts Council back in 2014 revealed there were over 11,000 craft businesses in the UK employing 43,000 people. The craft contribution to the economy is in the billions; and it is fair to assume these figures have only grown since then. Websites like…