Sometimes decorating seems just like the blank page on the left, you are all geared up and decided to tackle your next project and have no idea where to start . Creating a mood board will set you free of all doubts and fears of where you will begin in deciding how you want your room to look and this is where we need to start.
Whether your style is a mixture of vintage pieces and colourful textiles, an elegant blend of neutrals that make heroes of your antique furniture or a riot of colour that evokes joy and passion but no matter what your design style the success of your interior design scheme hinges on the way it makes you feel when you walk into that room.
Capturing the right feel to your home is the secret sauce to a great interior design, and mood boarding is the one gorgeous secret nuggets that interior designers use to not only capture the feel of the space but to help visualise how each layer of your design will blend together. Seeing how textures colours and styles sit in harmony with each other will give you a clear direction of where to take your design and help to visualise just how its going to look.
Understanding your own style will set you free when it comes to decoration your home, not only does it changes the way we think about beginning our interior project but also how we shop for specific items to fit within our own design aesthetic and create the look we are aiming for.
Once found you will begin to recognise what you need for each space in your homes, which makes decorating so much easier when we are not dictated by the latest trends on the high street.
Following trends is great, but what happens when they quickly change is that we find ourselves constantly chasing the next big thing. It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of trends, but it's important to remember that trends are just that - temporary. Instead of always trying to stay ahead of the curve, it's valuable to focus on what truly resonates with you and brings you joy. By embracing your own unique style and interests, you can create a timeless appeal that is authentic to you. Remember, it's not about following every trend, but about staying true to who you are.
This past week, I encountered a striking room transformation in a grand Georgian residence. The room was initially decorated with dark blue walls complemented by a vibrant yellow contemporary sofa. My eyes widened as a brush, laden with a light paint colour, began to overlay the deep blue walls, completely altering the colour scheme by coating them in a warm cream tone. This prompted me to ponder whether this shift signifies a return of warm neutrals. Looking further into it, I delved into an online exploration and discovered that Farrow & Ball has unveiled their colour selections for 2024: Jinty and Stirabout,( in image) depicted as hues that foster a tranquil and reassuring environment. Personally, I love the warm neutral wall tones with subtle grey or brown undertones, gravitating towards a color palette situated on the warmer spectrum of the colour wheel. Does this now mean we will all be painting our walls lighter, so you can see the importance of doing the extra work in the beginning to find your own unique interior look.
Q1. Do you prefer warm or cool colours?
ps; your maybe a mix of both so dont panic, but one should dominate the other.
Recognising your preferred colour palette is simple; just take a peek inside your wardrobe to see which colors draw you in. For me, my wardrobe primarily consists of black, tan, and beige, reflecting my personality. As I grow older, I am gradually incorporating brighter shades to add more vibrancy, but that's a topic for another blog post.
Anyway, to help you answer Q1 here's a great time to begin your first - My Colour Palette mood board.
You can do this by using Pinterest or collecting images of your favourite colours. Nature, fashion or art is a good place to start and it's is a great way to get into your creative zone, you will soon find yourself becoming more comfortable and confident in your choices.
The lovely things about casualty choosing images you love is that it comes from the heart, remember that this is NOT for your interior scheme but for yourself, please don't confuse the two. I know in my interior design workshops everyone was keen to create an interior design scheme for themselves - as we all would, but there are a few steps to learn before you put it all into practice.
Creating a colour board for yourself allows you to indulge into the creative process and find what colours appeal to you. OK - lets say that you, like me have chosen the warmer side of the colour wheel with reds, orange and yellows - this does not mean that you are painting your walls in these colours, it means that you are more attracted to warmer tones and will find decorating in these colours far more pleasing to your eye. Just think, the colour orange can go from a soft peach to a deep terracotta with many shades in between and each tone giving you a completely different look and feel. My bedroom is a pale warm pink and I have to say its my favourite space.
MOOD BOARD - Having achieved your colour board you now have a clear idea of what colours you are drawn to, but its far to early to choose the paint colour for your walls without considering all the other elements you are adding into your design. put this aside and use it or your inspiration for your scheme.
Next comes the MOOD board, here we will capture the feel and look that your trying to achieve. ie: Warm, Cosy, Fresh, Clinical, Modern, contemporary, eclectic all dependant on which room you are decorating.
Finding the inspiration for your design create will help you to create something truly unique and special. Look to nature, art, architecture, or even everyday objects for ideas that can spark your creativity. Sometimes, a simple walk in the park or browsing through a magazine can provide the perfect inspiration for your next design project. Keep an open mind and let your imagination run wild as you explore different sources of inspiration. Remember, the beauty of design lies in its ability to transform ordinary ideas into extraordinary creations.
Q2 What is the inspiration for your scheme
It is important to acknowledge that each description may evoke different interpretations for individuals. Therefore, when collaborating on designing a home with others, it is a valuable opportunity to collectively select images that resonate with the desired ambiance and aesthetics for the space.
You can achieve this by using either Pinterest or cutting out images from a magazine. Look for pictures of items you wish to incorporate into your room to visualize how each design element complements the others. Let your inspiration guide your design, whether it's a color scheme, a particular style, or the ambiance you aim to create. With numerous design styles available, having a clear vision will prevent you from getting lost and help you create a more thoughtful design scheme.
Collect around 15 images to start taking time to think about how all the elements resonate with each other - change images to get a better result and keep ging until your happy with the look. Next send for samples of each finish of your design.
Let me know how it goes.
For last months post finding Inspiration - click the three dots in the footer below.
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Next month..... we look at what we need to include on our mood baords and introduction you to the Lahom way of life.
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