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Interior design ideas for your teenage daughter

It’s difficult to design something for the ‘average’ teenage girl, as each one has their own style, for example goth, feminine, sophisticated, rocker or chic. Here are some of the best ways to try to work their unique style and personality into an interior décor scheme they will truly feel at home in.

Use their favourite colour

Most people have a colour that they prefer over all others, such as red, black, sunny yellow, blue, or purple. Using their favourite shade will help them to show off their personality, the instant that anyone steps foot in the room. You can also add colourful accessories if their favourite colour is something dark, which they can change as often as they like.

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Work in storage

You can suggest storage options, that will tie into their interior décor ideas. It might help with keeping their possessions out of the way, if you pick things that they’re pleased by. It can be difficult for parents to make sure that their teenagers are keeping their bedrooms clean.

Colourful bedroom

Another way of making sure that the room suits your teenager’s style, is to allow them to mix and match florals, block colours, stripes and other patterns. Most girls change their personal preferences and style quite often, depending on which influences are strongest at the time of decorating.

Bare-brick wall alcove

Your teenager might have been influenced by American television programmes set in New York like Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, and Friends. If so they might want to have a bare brick wall, in a bid to create a understated replica of some of the interiors in those and similar shows.

Patterned wallpaper

For those who have daughters influenced by the sixties and seventies, why not let them choose an vibrant patterned wallpaper? They could choose furniture and home accessories in similar tones, but use block colours in order to make the room less fussy.

Ditsy floral fabrics

Some girls have classic, and girly tastes for delicate florals, and they might prefer to have a wrought iron bed frame. The metal bed frame can be off set by lots of floral cushions, and if they’re influenced by post world war two décor, then second hand trunks are a possibility for extra storage.

Organised girls

Those teenage girls that are ultra-organised may prefer to have clever storage solutions, in order to make sure that all their belongings are where they should be. Why not buy them a freestanding console with lots of drawers?

Please visit our website at: https://www.cravenandhargreaves.co.uk/services/interior-design/

How to design a teenage boy’s room

Teenage boys use their rooms for many different things, not just sleeping. For many of them it’s a refuge, somewhere that they can genuinely be themselves. It’s important that the décor reflects who your teenage boy is at the core.

It’s also important that it’s suitable for all the ways that he’ll use it, sleeping, studying, and hanging out with his friends. So try to steer them towards things that are flexible enough to be included in more than one interior décor scheme.

Sports Fans

Those who support or are passionate about a sports team, for example Manchester United might want to decorate their room with images of their favourite players, and choose to paint the walls the same colours as the strip.

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Film fans

A lot of boys can get fascinated by one particular film, or a genre of film. Star Wars is a favourite for many teenage boys, maybe because they are influenced by their parent, or a older male relative. If so they might want to use a lot of film memorabilia in decorating their room, such as posters, or action figures.

Cool and colourful

Your teenager may choose to keep their room cool and airy, with  a light paint and patterned accessories. A possibility could be cream walls, and geometric patterned home accessories such as cushions or rugs.

Ultra-organised

Some boys place storage options, and the chance to keep everything private to be their top priority. It will create a clean décor, and might be achieved by having a bed with drawers beneath it.

Monochrome

They might choose to have a black and white colour scheme, rather than going bright and colourful. It will take the impact away from the walls, and means that the focus is on whatever furniture they choose to place in the room.

Music fans

Regardless of their personal taste in music, many boys choose to have images of their favourite performers. If they are musicians themselves, then they will have to find ways to store the instruments as well.

Storage solutions for small bedrooms

Some bedrooms are particularly tricky to decorate due to the small space. If your teenage boy claims that he has to leave things on the floor, because there’s no room for his possessions why not invest in some clever storage options?

To stop his floor becoming his wardrobe, buy some hanging drawers instead so there’s loads of room for folded clothes, without a chest of drawers taking up space.

How to Decide on the Best Curtains and Blinds for your Room

There are various reasons why we need to choose the best blinds and curtains that best suits the colour of our home. There are numerous types of curtains and blinds in Leicester; the problem most homeowners face is making the right decision.

Whether you want a complete room makeover and design or it is just a simple room refreshing, it is wise to have a good idea of the type of blinds and curtains that you will need. One of the major focal point of a room is the window, so making it look good in a proper manner is very important in any room renovation. Dressing your window can be complicated sometimes because when you under dress it, it may look uninteresting and bare, while over dressing your window may make it to look dated and cluttered.

The question now arises, how can I dress my window in the right manner? It all comes down to the curtains and blinds you make use of. There are certain things that you will need to consider when going for a change in blinds and curtains. Below we will be going through some of them, in order to help you make the right decision.

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Consideration when choosing Blinds

If you want to choose the type of blind you want to buy, your window’s measurement should be taken into consideration. Unlike in the case of curtains, blinds can be messy when they are not properly fixed, when fixing blinds, make sure they are exact with the window’s measurement to avoid making everything messy and end up not achieving the purpose of fixing it. If you have enough budgets, it is better to have you blinds tailor made but if you are on a budget, you can go for the type can be trimmed to your windows size.

The Curtain Style

The style of your room should guide you when buying a curtain for your room. The curtain for the room should fit the room style. Pelmets and heavy drapes are good for tall rooms, a room with period features a more traditional pattern is more suitable. A plain curtain with bold features will look great if you want a modern and fresh look.

The Curtain Accessories

The beauty of a curtain is not complete without the right accessory. If you plan on changing your curtains, you should spend some money on the right types of accessories that will suit the new curtains. You can get inspiration from your room, don’t just buy accessories because they look fine, the nature of your room should guide you in the type of accessories you will buy. Chrome and steel poles are popular types of poles, but they will not fit in well in a traditional cottages and homes, you should also consider using tie backs.

Colours of the Curtain

The colour to make use of is another important factor to consider when buying curtains. The colour of the curtain should be in union with the colours of the walls and carpet of your room.

Conclusion

Blinds and curtains are great ways of enhancing a room. A change of curtains and blinds is an easy and quick way of changing the look and feel of a room.

How Interior design began

It’s a very recent profession, considering how long we as humans have been decorating our homes. The earliest known use of the words ‘Interior Decorator’ was in America, during the early 1900’s. It wasn’t a prerequisite for those earning a living as designers to have academic qualifications but those at the top of the profession did have good taste, common sense and were able to see scale and proportion.

The first interior designer that received an official commission, was Elsie de Wolfe, who went onto publish the first known interior design book called ‘The House in good taste’.

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It wasn’t until 1923 however that the first commercial design firm was set up by Dorothy Draper. She earned the distinction of being the first commercially successful interior designer.

However even with the accomplishments of these two women, they weren’t called ‘interior designers’ at the time. It wasn’t until the 1930’s and the creation of a magazine called, ‘Interior Design and Decoration’ that it came into common usage.

A competing magazine known as ‘Interiors’ insisted that people not call those decorating homes for a living, ‘decorator’ but ‘interior designer’.

AID, which was the biggest professional organisation in design was founded in 1931, after several people convened at a furniture show. They wanted to create something national, which all designers could belong to. AID added Interior to their name in 1936, after being the American Institute of Decorators for five years.

Another step in developing the role of interior designers was when design schools began to recognise the work of designers, architects and engineers.

‘Interiors’ published contract work more often than residential work, and soon after resuming publication the ‘Interior Design and Decoration’ magazine took the option of dropping ‘and decoration’ from it’s title.

It was in the 1970’s when two organisations were formed to maintain standards so that all interior designers were held to the same level of education and professionalism. They were the Foundation for Interior Design Educational Research (FIDER) and National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

Interior design is still evolving, as the world becomes more and more global. It’s become such an established profession that fictional characters such as ‘Grace’ from ‘Will and Grace’ are given the occupation, and there have been programmes such as ‘Changing Rooms’ in the UK which revolved around home renovation, and helping people decorate their homes in the most professional way possible.

Anyone in the Leicester area that has been inspired by this articlefeel free to get in touch with us at info@cravenandhargreaves.co.uk. We’re a Leicester based interior design firm with a well established reputation for passion and professionalism.

Drawing inspiration from art

When setting forth on a project of home renovation, it’s surprising how many different things can influence you. It’s long since been a common practice to be inspired by art, even with those of us who are amateurs at home refurbishment.

People like William Morris, who is considered by some to have been the first British man to make a profession out of creating home furnishings such as curtains and wallpaper. He was influenced by his friendships with well-known artists such as Edward Burne- Jones and Rossetti, and got their help while spending two years designing the interior of his home in London.

The friends that helped Morris the most, went into business with him in 1861, calling themselves Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. They created home accessories such as tableware and furniture, stained glass and tiles, as well as the wallpaper that has become Morris’s trademark.

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Wallpaper was only added to the list of items they sold because Morris had been so disappointed with those already on the market, when he had been designing his home interiors.

Art became a far more wide spread influence by the twentieth century, when Art Deco truly took hold. That art movement changed a lot of different strands of creative endeavour, not only interior design, but architecture, and others. The clean lines and geometric shapes that characterised the style, were unlike anything that people had seen before. The materials that tended to be used in creating home accessories, and furnishings were chrome, glass, lacquer and inlaid wood.

If you are looking to recreate the paint schemes typical of the Art Deco movement then silver, gold, charcoal and metallic blue were those favoured by interior design at the time. Serge Chermayeff, a Russian-born British designer made extensive use of cool metallic colors and luxurious surfaces in his room schemes, throughout this period. It was also common for people to use a lot of black and white, in their home decoration, when doing their floors in particular as they used black and white checkerboard tiles. Syrie Maugham was particularly fond of using white throughout the 1920’s, inspired by the impulse to reject the dark and repressive rooms she was brought up in, during her Victorian childhood.

When the style developed, and boomed in popularity going into the 1930’s, people started using more vibrant colours as well as the black and white.

Modern Art became the predominant influence from the art world during the 1950’s and 1960’s, but is considered to have been introduced by Frank Lloyd Wright. He gained considerable popularity after finishing a commission in the 1930’s. Interior design of the 1950’s and 1960’s was split between those that favoured the bright colours and psychedelic patterns used by David Hicks, and Dorothy Draper’s tendency to mix and match patterns and colours.

If you have the desire to follow in the footsteps of these people, and want to have your home decorated to a professional standard, then please contact us at info@cravenandhargreaves.co.uk

We are a Leicester based interior design company, and would be happy to advise you in any way that we can.

Bathroom renovation

It’s becoming more and more common for people to attempt to create their dream home, and design their interiors in a way that doesn’t cost them a vast amount of money. In these uncertain times, some people don’t have the option of spending tens of thousands on home design.

Fortunately there are ways to produce luxurious surroundings without breaking the bank, especially when altering your bathroom. It’s best to first of all determine how much you are able to spare, and then spend as much time as you can in searching the internet, and getting a clear idea of what kind of options you have.

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If you are interested in recreating a Victorian bathroom, for example you might want to look into getting either a cast iron bath, or the less expensive option of going with a acrylic roll top bath, which will still fit within the aesthetic that you are looking for.

Basins and bathroom storage

A decent tip is that sinks with legs are usually less expensive than getting a cabinet, although it does mean that you will have to add shelves to an alcove if you need the storage space.

Mix and match

Many people opt to buy similar items from different brands, which can save them further. However we do advise that you check the colours closely, in order to make sure that they complement each other.  It’s a similar idea if you opt to simply add a new item into the bathroom suite that you already have.

Fixtures and fittings

In case that you have decided to buy the fittings, and hire a builder to install them, then it’s best to double check such things as the position of taps. There is a possibility that you might have to move waste pipes, which will cost you more in both time and expense.

Enhance your shower

You might be tempted to upgrade your shower to something more powerful, but that can be very expensive. A money saving tip is to simply change your shower head, for something bigger. There are internet based companies that will be able to guide you to the best one for you.

Choosing bathroom tiles

If you are looking for tiles, then although real stone are aethestically pleasing, it’s best to go for the less expensive options of ceramic and porcelain tiles. You can save even more money by tiling just those parts of the bathroom that are likely to get splashed with water.

If this piece has inspired you to look into changing your bathroom, then you should contact https://www.cravenandhargreaves.co.uk, a Leicester based firm of well-regarded interior designers.

A Brief History ofInterior Design

There have been examples of interior design, or people adapting their surroundings to their own personal taste since at least the eleventh century. These days it’s hard to pin down one particular trend which will come to define how we in the 2010’s decorated our houses.

It has been easier to spot features and touches that typify the houses of the past, and this is a brief guide to what you might need to purchase or master in order to design your house in the same way.

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The Tudors
In order to get your home interiors to incorporate Tudor style influences, then you will need to find rich fabrics such as velvet, brocade and damask. The drapes, and curtains should really have thistle, Tudor rose and fleur de lys stencilled on them. The Tudors tended to use quite distinctive colours, such as gold, red and green in their interior decorating. There was also a lot of ornate carving to their wooden furniture, such as the four poster beds.

The Georgians
The wealthiest Georgian people, were fascinated and influenced by classical Roman architecture, and used a variety of Corinthian, Ionic and Doric columns in the exterior of their homes. The interest in Roman mythology extended into the interior decoration, as they would use the gods and goddesses’ images on various items typically vases and urns. There were a lot of swags, and ribbons used in the act of decoration, as well as a tendency to use quite neutral and light colours like pea-green, mauve and pink.

The Victorians

The Victorian period was so long that it encompasses a variety of different styles, but Gothic Revival was a particularly strong influence. There tended to be a lot of decorative ironwork, and they were heavily influenced by medieval heraldry. If you want your home to be decorated in the Victorian style, then the best thing is to use dark rich colours like forest green, damask wallpaper and obtain heavily carved, or plump, over-stuffed furniture, such as button-back armchairs, sofas and ottomans. Their fireplaces were normally ornate, and came in marble, slate or cast iron, depending on the wealth of the individuals. If you cannot afford to get such a thing, or do not want to have a fireplace, then perhaps use the patterned tiles or etched glass that was another staple of Victorian homes.

If you have been inspired by this post, then we would be glad to help you fully realise your interior decorating dreams. We are a Leicester based firm, but are happy to advise clients from other parts of the country.

Tips for Keeping Your Renovations On-Track

Buying a home with the distinct goal of renovating it can be a risky business but ultimately a very rewarding one nonetheless. Many renovators either become very tired and frustrated with their project, or simple run out of money. However, if you are planning to sell a half-finished home, it is not going to appeal to buyers looking for a renovation job themselves or a designer home! It’s vital you see the job through to completion and with these tips you’ll be able to do just that!

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Count the Cost

While most renovators would have put some thought into the price, ensure your calculations are as specific as possible. A few scribbles on a serviette doesn’t count as a budget. Spend time judiciously costing out products and labour, and don’t forget to add VAT. Most importantly, factor in an extra 15-20%. You may also want to account for unforeseen problems, which are almost a certainty, especially with older homes.

Spend Wisely

For any expense it is important to budget before you start the actual job. Do remember that there are bound to be some hiccups that will throw your budget off-track so keep that in mind and keep a sufficient cushion too. It is advisable to break the budget into smaller pockets; For example, you could do budget for each room or you could decide how much you want spend on lighting, how much on furnishings etc.  Whatever you decide It’s important to keep the budget realistic!

If your budget is limited, spend your money wisely, and put it where it shows. This means putting most of your resources it into main rooms like kitchens bathrooms and living area.

Consider the Time Frame

Will you be living in your home while the renovations are taking place? Will you be renting elsewhere? If you’re renting, don’t forget to factor this cost into your budget!

Do as much as you can Yourself

The biggest cost of a renovation is often the labour. Therefore, save some cash by doing your own painting and prep work.  At the same time, don’t be stubborn and don’t be too cheap. If a task is out of your skill-set and isn’t realistically acquirable, then get someone qualified in. It will usually work out cheaper than rectifying bad workmanship. Click here for more information.

Tips for Choosing your Curtains and Blinds

Do it yourself

One of the biggest mistake people who are buying blinds and curtains make is to assign someone else to buy for them. Before you allow someone to get for you the coverings, ask yourself these questions: Does the person know what exactly you are looking for? Does that person understand your personal taste? Is the person aware of how your house looks like, and what your priorities are? Unfortunately, sending someone else to do your selection is likely to lead into disappointments. That is why it is always advisable to shop for yourself. If you are not sure of what you want to get, you can get the help of a professional to guide you on what would work best for you.

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If they don’t match, don’t force them

You may be in love with some colors, and you want to take the color scheme and use them in your curtains and blinds. Sadly, not all colors go together. If you choose to use uncoordinated colors for your coverings, then your house will end up looking disorganized. Study the color will well, and know the colors that go together. You may try to do color blocking by choosing different colors, but you have to be careful not to go overboard in your selection.

When choosing colors, you should also consider other things like the color of your windows, furniture and the surroundings. Make sure they blend in together for a perfect finish.

Choose quality over everything

Your choice for curtains and blinds should be guided by quality. Do not focus on the price while ignoring quality. Think about it: Of what economic value is it for you to buy covering that are cheap, but they tear up within a short while. Most times, cheap ends up being expensive. It is better to go for good quality that will last for a long time and give you the service you need.  However, always keep your budget in mind and buy what you can afford.

How to makeyour Bathroom look Simply Stunning

When it comes to home refurbishments, there are few more satisfying transformations than those that result from the renovation of your bathroom, a place that can set the tone for the rest of your day. At Craven and Hargreaves, we have all aspects of your bathroom refurbishment covered. That’s why we are Leicester’s number choice for interior design. Here are some wonderful ideas we truly love to make your bathroom look stunning!

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Go for a Freestanding Bath

If you have the space, a freestanding bath is an affordable investment in luxury. And whether it be egg-shaped, rectangular or oval, positioning is key. If you can’t place the bath in the middle of the room, try centering it under a window. Elevate it on a slightly raised platform to make it really stand out. Don’t forget our expert contractors are on hand all the way to give you the best possible advice!

Always Stay in Line

Follow the lines established by a raked ceiling, as here, where the clear glass of the shower enclosure extends to the ceiling, as do the wall tiles. To further lessen the effect of extraneous lines, you may prefer to choose a grout colour that blends with your tiles. And let’s face it, toilets can be a real eyesore! But a wall-hung pan and concealed cistern will definitely help to soften its impact.

Hole in the wall

For quick access to those toiletry essentials, why not think about carving out a rectangular niche above your basins or vanity with fixed mirrored storage on top. To make it niche, be bold and why not go for contrasting tiles in a bright, unexpected colour.

Tile, Tile & Tile!

Take your floor tiles up the walls but stop them well short of the ceiling. As you can see here, to get that streamlined look, the extra-large rectangular tiles are laid horizontally and only go as high as the window sill and basin wall. Large format tiles are perfect for contemporary wet rooms and make smaller bathrooms look much larger and more spacious.

Why not contact us today and talk about some of your ideas?

Affordable Home Refurbishment Ideas

Here at Craven and Hargreaves, we understand that not everyone has a big enough budget to make all those refurbishments in your home you’ve been itching to do. However, do not despair, we have put together some really affordable home refurbishment ideas that everyone can achieve!

Replace the front door

A new coat of paint can really work wonders, but if your front door is on its way out, then it’s time to invest in a new one to make that wonderful first impression. With the emergence of new design software that is readily available on the internet, its now possible to design your very own!

Update your wallpaper

The design and manufacturing process has evolved immensely over the past decade. There are now and abundance of stunning options that can revitalise the dullest of rooms. To keep costs down while simultaneously adding a real designer’s touch, paper only one accent wall. It’ll become a focal point that will make the room feel fresh and modern even if you haven’t quite got the budget for lavish furnishings.

Paint can go along way

Without doubt, painting is the lowest-cost, highest-impact refurbishment project you can do yourself to spruce up your home. Get extra mileage out of each gallon by using your creativity. Consider painting ceilings a dramatic color; use painter’s tape to mark out stripes on the wall and paint them with a slightly lighter or darker shade; or use stencils to create unique patterns and designs. Simple geometric shapes painted on the wall around a mirror, shelf, or piece of art are sure to gets lots of compliments and “wish I’d thought of that” moments from your guests.

Do you like any of these ideas? Why not keep an eye on our blog for more ideas!

Choosing your Home Accessories

It’s amazing how small decorative items and accessories can make a huge impact in a room. At Craven and Hagreaves, our Designers know the influence that rugs, lighting, throw pillows and other accessories can have in a space and know how to use them wisely.

With that in mind, we’ve put together some simple tips for choosing, combining and decorating with accessories can help you pull together your room like an expert and avoid the common mistakes many people make with their decor.

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Choose quality over quantity.

Mass produced items are inexpensive and readily available in all home furnishing stores, but is that really what you want to fill your home (and your life) with? When it comes to room accessories, less is often more. One specially chosen, unique piece may work better in your space than loads of tiny knickknacks that have no value beyond price. With over 10 year’s experience, Craven and Hargreaves can can help you source exactly what you are looking for to make your room really shine!

Choose accessories that are the correct proportion.

We’ve all seen homes where people have mistakenly chosen a postage-stamp rug in a coliseum-sized room. And those awkward walls where a huge piece of art is crammed into a too-small space. Before choosing and/or placing accessories, take the time to study scale and proportion and what fits best in your space. Scale and proportion are what help create a comfortable home and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Add accessories in layers.

Think of accessories as decorations on a cake. Large accessories should be placed first and sparingly, with medium and small-sized accessories filling in and adding balance where needed. Several small accessories can give the “feel” of a large item when grouped, but don’t forget to leave some breathing room. Not every nook and cranny in a room needs to be filled with decor.

Don’t forget that when you are searching for your perfect accessories, give Craven and Hargreaves a call. We can find those stunning pieces that will really transform your home!