5 Skills Every Homeowner Should Learn

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design Owning a home can feel like a full-time job. There’s always something to clean, fix or replace. It can be expensive and stressful, but you can make it easier on yourself by learning a few essential skills. Knowing how to paint like a pro, replace a faltering shower head or…

Interiors Inspired by Happy Holidays

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design I don’t know if it’s the change in the weather or just that I’m overdue a break, but I’ve found myself drawn to images of beautiful holiday homes. These perfectly curated spaces – designed to help you live in the moment – got me thinking. Is this something we can…

Interior Design Risks Worth Taking

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design A lot of us play it safe when it comes to our interiors. After all, decorating isn’t cheap and we’ve got to live with the results. But taking risks; choosing colours or decoration that you love but are perhaps a little afraid of can be infinitely more rewarding than another…

The Wonderful World of Contemporary Ceramics

Image source: Bodo Sperlein For many of us, the word ‘ceramic’ conjures up thoughts of ornate museum pieces and antique relics; beautiful pieces that might look out of place in many modern homes. Fortunately, there is a community of contemporary artists changing the landscape of ceramic art. They are crafting beautiful work in a range…

The Best of: Tricks for Disguising Household Eyesores

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design We’ve all got one or two necessary, but unsightly, items in our homes. I’m not talking about that heirloom vase or those curtains you just haven’t got round to updating. I mean things like rusting radiators, tangled television cords, blinking internet routers and overflowing laundry baskets – essential items that…

Get the Look: Luxe on a Budget

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design We all deserve a little more luxury in our lives. Contrary to popular belief, you can make your home look high-end on a tight budget. Whether you’re completely redecorating or just fancy a few updates, here are the tricks all designers use to make a home look luxe: Emphasise Architectural…

The Best Of: IKEA Hacks

IKEA is everyone’s favourite budget-friendly megastore. But therein lies the problem – the whole world and his wife owns the same Billy bookcase. The wonderful thing about IKEA’s mind-bendingly affordable, build-it-yourself furniture is that it lends itself to a good hack. With a bit of imagination and a few tools, you can transform it into…

Spring/Summer Interior Trends

Image: Clair Strong Interior Design There’s nothing more uplifting than looking ahead to spring/summer interior trends after a long, wet winter. 2016’s trends are full of colour and life, as befitting the season. Here are a few of my favourites: Urban Jungle This trend has evolved from both the ultra feminine botanical trend of a…