The Best Of: Bookcases

A place for well-thumbed tomes, vinyl collections, art work, plants and objects of interest; is there a more versatile piece of furniture than the humble bookcase? It’s a staple in most homes, and has been since the Roman times when it was considered the height of fashion to have a personal library. In celebration of…

A Better Night’s Sleep

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design We all understand the importance of sleep. And yet so many of us struggle to get a solid seven hours. For many people, the problem of poor sleep is quite simple: their bedroom is not the sanctuary of peace and quiet it should be. Here are my tips for creating…

How to Maximise Your Storage Space (Part II)

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design Storage space: the one thing all homes could use more of. Here, in the second part of this two-part series (check out part one here) I show you some creative ways to maximise storage space in the bathroom and living room. The Bathroom The bathroom is usually the most storage-deficient…

How to Maximise Your Storage Space (Part I)

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design Houses are getting smaller. Research conducted by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) found that the majority of new build homes are significantly smaller than their older counterparts. What this often means is a squeeze on storage; smaller kitchens, fewer built-in wardrobes and no cupboard under the stairs. Too…

Three Lifestyle Concepts to Try in 2017

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design The Danish concept of hygge took the world by storm in 2016. Celebrating the cosy, joyful moments of every single day is a lifestyle we could all benefit from. Especially during winter. But it’s not just the perpetually happy Danes who have embraced meaningful ways of living. There are cultures…

Three Ways to Add Personality to a New Build Home

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design There’s a lot to love about new build homes; they’re modern, often beautifully designed, high-spec and generally very energy efficient. But, and this is quite a big but, they can be quite bland. Most construction companies will use the same suppliers for every home they build. That can mean thousands…

Why You Should Embrace the Danish Concept of Hygge

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design If you’re a frequent reader of design blogs or magazines, you’ve probably come across the word hygge. It’s a Danish word (pronounced hoo-gah) that roughly translates to cosiness. But it’s not just a word; it’s a whole concept – one the Danes fully embrace. In essence, it’s about creating warm,…

Year in Review: 2016 on the Blog

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design The week between Christmas and New Year always feels like a good time for reflection. As well as looking forward to the New Year and making goals, I like to think back over the past year. Today, I looked back over the past 12 months of blogging. After more…