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…

Gifts that Keep on Giving

What’s better than a thoughtful and stylish Christmas gift? A thoughtful and stylish Christmas gift that gives back! Today I’m sharing a small selection of my favourite charitable products and companies in the world of interior design. These gifts are guaranteed to be loved by the receiver but they also benefit those less fortunate, which…

Home Office Essentials: Part 2

If you work from home, you deserve a positive and productive home office. Even if that home office is actually just a corner of the bedroom. Creating a space that looks good, encourages healthy habits and motivates you is no easy feat. So in this two-part blog post I’m sharing just the essentials: the furniture…

Home Office Essentials: Part 1

If you’re one of the 1.54 million people working from home in the UK, you’ll know how important your work space is. A well-designed home office helps aid concentration, motivation and productivity. It can even benefit your health and wellbeing. If you’re new to home working or just looking to update your work space, there…

The Best of: Late Summer Accessories

The end of summer always brings about a desire to update my home. Maybe it’s that back to school feeling, or the slight change in weather but I’ve been eyeing up new accessories. I love accessories because they add layers of personality, texture and interest to any room. Even rented properties with neutral walls and…

Three Things You Can Rent for the Home

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Generally speaking buying is cheaper than renting. But there are times when renting makes more sense economically and practically; such as when we need a tool for just one project or a few extra chairs for a party. Whatever the reason, hiring provides an alternative to purchasing that can…

Designing for Children: Part 1

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Designing for children can be a lot of fun but there are some unique challenges you don’t see when designing a space for yourself or other adults. Children are constantly growing and changing, and so it is essential you design a space that grows with them. Children also have…

Best of: Headboards

Image source: Clair Strong Interior Design Headboards are wonderfully versatile things. They can be used to update a tired bed frame, add luxury to a guest bedroom, or elicit a sense of grandeur in the master bedroom. They can tie a design scheme together, create a cosy ambience or just serve a useful function. In…