Bright Ideas To Beat The Gloom

Originally published in the Yorkshire Post - 15th January 2014

Down in the dumps?  Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall offers advice to give your home a cost-effective spruce up.

Giving your home a mini-facelift is perfect to beat the winter blues so here are ten tips to revamp your home without breaking the January budgets.

1.      Give bulbs a clean

In winter gloom artificial light is exceptionally important and cleaning your light bulbs has an amazing impact.  Safety is paramount, so it is important that you unplug or switch off electricity before attempting this.  Then take a slightly damp cloth and wipe down the bulbs in your light fittings and any glass covers you may.  Wait to dry before turning back on.  It's a little thing, but makes a major difference.

2.      Refresh your paintwork

No matter how clean you keep it, paint colour dulls and darkens with age.  If your paintwork is over two or three years old invest in a tin of good quality emulsion and repaint a room for an immediate uplift.

3.      Replace your sofa or chair cushion inners

If your sofa or chairs are less than comfy, the problem may be your cushion inners.  Speak to your local upholsterer who should be able just to supply a cushion inner made to your required size and requirements, find a cushion filling you like (we prefer foam-feather wrap which gives the comfort of feather with the structure of foam) and order replacement cushions giving your sofa a new lease of life at a surprisingly low cost.

4.      Invest in some new scatter cushions

These are the perfect way to introduce a new colour or texture in your room.  Go the whole hog and add a co-ordinating rug for a total makeover feel.

5.      Add a Feature Wall

Create new interest in a plain scheme by adding a feature wall in textured or patterned wallpaper in a colour toning with your existing room. Remember when choosing to ensure the size of any pattern is not too large for the area.

6.      Clean and Polish Natural Wood Floors

Give floors a serious clean with a proprietary cleaning agent, then re-oil or re-polish dependent upon the original finish of the floor.  The wood will rejuvenate before your eyes, allowing you to fall in love with it all over again.

7.      Re-grout bathroom tiles and refresh silicone sealant

This will help make a tired bathroom look clean and refreshed!  Remember to remove all old silicone before reapplying to ensure the perfect seal and the perfect look.

8.      Invest in new bedding or towels

This is the perfect way to spruce up a bedroom or bathroom - giving it an immediate uplift and some sensory joy.   The Sales are the ideal time to get better quality for your money.  Look for at least 300 thread count to feel like a film star as you slip between the sheets and invest in bath sheets to avoid having to skimp on size.

9.      Re-upholster your headboard

Not only a great pick-me-up, but a great way to introduce new textures or colours into your room.

10.  Repaint your front door

Why just worry about “kerb appeal” when you are selling your house?  A properly and freshly painted door makes a home look instantly loved and should help cheer you up every time you walk through it.

For more inspiration visit www.jamiehempsall.com.

Make room at your inn

Previously published in the Retford Times - 5th December 2013

As we all get ready to welcome guests over the festive period, interior designer Jamie Hempsall gives advice on providing temporary “room at the inn”

We are shortly approaching the period when our homes will be stretched to capacity as friends and family are welcomed across the threshold with many staying over as festive cheer kicks in.

The key to a successful visit is ensuring guests enjoy a good night’s sleep without encountering uncomfortable floors or lumpy sofas.  This can pay dividends for the host as you stand a greater chance of guests waking up bright and early to help with all the clearing up (or at least the prospect of tea and toast being made for you as you finish).

I think one of the most useful temporary bed options is the inflatable mattress (with an integrated electric pump – ensuring that you can put them up quickly and without risk of a hernia).  The airbed has come along way since people used to sleep on summer lilos, many are sophisticated products with features such as “no roll together” zones and strengthened edges.   Some models are now even available the same height as a normal bed, which is particularly helpful for elderly or less abled users.

The key advantage of this solution is they usually fold up to the size of a medium size duffle bag for easy storage in a loft or cupboard, but provide sleeping room equivalent to a full-size bed.  There are a number of options available from the likes of Tesco and Bestway.  My personal favourite is the range from Aerobed, although these are on the pricier side (£139.99 for a full height double - www.aerobed.co.uk).

The traditional z-bed seems to be coming back into prominence as homeowners realise how comfortable they are.  Indeed, the more expensive models feature mattresses that would rival a normal bed.  A single bed size can fit easily in a cupboard or under another bed.  Whilst a double bed size can be more difficult to store, if you have easy access to an attic area (or a good space at the end of a bed with a cover hiding the z-bed underneath) then these are a serious option (£229 for a Jaybe double bed with slatted base and headboard from www.houseofbath.co.uk - 0871 230 0867).

Chair beds are especially practical in a child’s or teenager’s bedroom where they are likely to have plenty of use throughout the year as you find yourself welcoming over a few more school friends.  You can also guarantee that they will add an element of adult allure to the room, allowing the occupant the luxury of their own comfy chair on a daily basis.

Up until recently chair beds were definitely the poor relation of the sofa bed.  Most were only available in brightly coloured foam block forms, aimed firmly at the child market.  However, in the last couple of years more innovative products have reacted the market, foam block models are now available in more sophisticated colours (consider the Chocolate Single Chair Bed Sofa from Argos, £39.99).  In addition, you can find stylish examples such as the Leader Lifestyle Rita Faux Leather Chair Bed that would make a good occasional chair in any location (£224; www.furniturecountrywide.co.uk - 0845 6 777008).

The option of sleeping on sofas need not be a bad one, provided you have invested in a good quality sofa bed. The key to choosing the right sofa bed is comfort on a number of levels.   Firstly, consider the depth of the mattress as some are really too thin and you might as well sleep on the floor.

Secondly, check the width of the actual bed area as frames have to fit inside the sofa.  A two-seater sofa is unlikely to result in a full double bed so opt for at least a two and half seater, if budget and space allow.

Above all, test your sofa-bed for suitability the way you would any settee to ensure you avoid buying an option that does not satisfy sleep and seating requirements perfectly.

The sofa bed is now an integral part of many manufacturers’ ranges so you can find styles from the traditional, such as the Stella from Sofa.com (from £995) to the ultra modern House by John Lewis Napa Sofa Bed (£299; www.johnlewis.com).  

The only disadvantage for the guest is that sofa beds take up a considerable amount of space.  Therefore, they are likely to be somewhere such as the Sitting Room which is right in the middle of all the action at Christmas.

Whatever sleep solution you decide upon, send your guests off to bed with toastie hot water bottles to ensure you give them cosy festive night to remember for all the right reasons.

Jamie Hempsall, BIID, SBID is a multi-award winning interior designer.

www.jamiehempsall.com

Sitting pretty for summer sunshine

Homes & Interiors

Given the recent downpours I am not sure lounging about outside is foremost on people’s minds.  Hopefully there will be the odd hint of sun over the holiday season and, with that in mind, there really is little to compare to the joy of relaxing on a garden swing seat, gently rocking in a light breeze with a canopy shielding you from direct sun.

One of the nicest varieties I experienced was as a child when friends had an enormous old “swinging sofa”.  I was delighted to find this design has been resurrected by a fellow fanatic as “The Idler”, a product faithful to an original 1930s model.  It features comfy pocket sprung cushions created thanks to the specialist advice of a 94 year old upholsterer, George Marchant, who has worked in the London palaces.  At £1,695 this is definitely a luxury purchase, but one which should hopefully create a whole lifetime of experiences (www.wilverley.com – 01843 603462).

If you want to indulge in cushiony comfort, without the price tag, you may want to consider the Bodo 3 Seat Swing Hammock.  The seat hangs on cadmium plated chains which adjust the vertical seat height and angle to allow maximum flexibility.  It is available in a variety of colours and finishes (£369.99; www.gardenfurnitureengland.co.uk – 01738 248019).

For those who prefer a solo space, the Teardrop is an egg-shaped hanging chair.  You can sit comfortably cocooned whilst rocking gently in the Summer Sun.  Failing that is does have a galvanised frame designed to be resistant to cold and wet weather (£349; www.livingitup.co.uk – 0116 269 5960).

Cushion storage can be a concern and if this is the case there are still plenty of differing options available.

The clean lines of the John Lewis Swing Seat are perfect for those wanting a little padding, without fuss.  It is made from FSC-certified teak, with stainless steel fittings for durability.  If left outside in all weathers the timber will fade to a beautiful silvery colour (£675; www.johnlewis.com).

In contrast, the Barmouth Swing Seat from B&Q looks as though it has been plucked straight from an English Country Cottage and would look perfect adorned with climbing roses.  It is available in kit form for £379 or with Assembly for £479 (www.diy.com).

My final choice for a minimum maintenance swing would be the Three Seater Hammock (Black) from Littlewoods. The frame is steel and the seats are covered with textoline, a comfortable and hard wearing man-made fabric.  Just give it a quick wipe down now and again (£124; www.littlewoods.com – 0844 822 8000).

Fingers crossed for a drier spell!

Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is an award-winning interior designer.  Visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or call 0800 032 1180.

This article was first published in the Yorkshire Post on 10th August 2011

The bench mark for a summer of relaxation

Ever hopeful of a wonderful summer, now is the time to check out the pick of benches to provide the ultimate rest and contemplation point in any garden.  Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall picks his favourites.

We are now headlong into May and approaching what is the busiest and most rewarding of times for the garden enthusiast. After time spent weeding, I always enjoy the opportunity to sit back and relax on a bench in the sun to maximise the use of my outdoor space which, for the next few months, will become a welcome extra room.

You would not just run to the nearest dump any old piece of furniture in your home and the same should apply to items you choose for your garden. Whatever you do, choose a piece that is comfortable, but also one that adds visual impact either in colour or form – think of it as an extra piece of garden sculpture and as an investment. A good quality bench will last a lifetime, if looked after properly, bringing happy memories as it gracefully ages.

There are plenty of options out there and good design has never been better – or cheaper – than it is today, so you should be able to find something to satisfy your personal taste. Here is a selection of my favourite benches that I think would enliven anyone’s garden.

Simple & Stylish

Saigon Garden Bench from B&Q

£499.98

1920s Elegance

Haddoncraft Charleston Seat
£995











Contemporary Funk

Quilt Bench from Edge Company
£175

Design Icon

Teak Marlborough Lutyens Bench
Kingshall Furniture
£349

Romantic Rendezvous

Two-seater Sorrento Bench from Kit Stone
£180

Ultimate Indulgence

Torino Rattan Daybed
Zebrano Rattan Furniture
£499.99






Jamie Hempsall is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design.  For more details visit him at http://www.jamiehempsall.com/ or call 01777 248463

My thoughts on how British craftsmen create great interior design solutions to suit all budgets

One of the joys of working in interior design these days is just how much good choice is available to suit households with budgets of all shapes and sizes.

The British passion for design has probably never been higher and the options to satisfy this have never been greater. Design shows on TV abound and demonstrate new levels of sophistication.

Our interest in design means people are becoming more confident in expressing their interior desires and realising that their homes should work around them and not the other way around.

I find that this is leading people to want to develop their requirements very specifically. However, clients are still surprised when we advise them that personally designed pieces are no longer the realm of the super rich and that local crafts people can offer a wealth of cost-effective, tailor made choice.

These days the option to develop bespoke solutions extends beyond large areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. We often provide clients with individual pieces of cabinetry and other furniture where designs are developed not just to satisfy physical needs, but also to meet their aesthetic desires.

I have the pleasure of regularly engaging local crafts people to create these items and know it can be a delight to see a concept develop into something tactile and tangible which satisfies an individual’s personal requirements; giving them an extra frisson of pleasure each time they walk past or touch the piece in question.

One of my favourite people to work with is Martin Holliday, Design Director for Chiselwood. Martin is a trained cabinet maker and has won a number of national awards for his kitchen designs which are truly innovative and naturally beautiful. His passion for wood is particularly infective and his designs for all manner of items including bookcases, wardrobes, study furniture, beds, dining tables and chairs are always right on the nail!

Martin started life as an engineer working with metal, but soon discovered that he could be far more creative in wood, which he says is “a living material I love”.

What might have once been a hobby has developed into a major family run business, which nurtures new talent at its Saxilby workshops, where Martin is able to tightly control all aspects of his business. The recent changes in the economy mean that he has also seen a marked increase in people showing an interest in taking up apprenticeships, guaranteeing these skills will not be lost for future generations.

Martin sums up his design inspiration as “to make something that looks beautiful, without sacrificing the practicality”. This is an important aspect to consider when designing something for your home – so ask around and do not settle on the first person you find. Personal recommendation or practical example is always the best solution and a good craftsman is likely to enhance your design to meet requirements you might not even have considered.

Modern materials mean that designs can be developed to incorporate much more flexibility, featuring a whole host of finishes. Although Martin Holliday has a passion for wood he says he is not fixed on any materials and chooses the right ones to suit the client also incorporating painted finishes, natural stones, acrylics and composites as the brief requires. “At the end of the day” Martin says,” it is about developing a design that works with both a client’s personality and property type”.

So if you are having difficulty finding that perfect piece for your room, or you want to create something to commemorate a special event, seek out the expertise local to you. Your investment could pay wisely for generations to come.

Jamie Hempsall, BIDA, is one of the region’s leading Interiors specialists. Contact him via studio@jamiehempsall.com or follow him on Twitter!


Contact details:
Martin Holliday at Chiselwood Ltd
Fossdyke House, Gainsborough Road, Saxilby, Lincoln, LN1 2JH
http://www.chiselwood.co.uk/
01522 704446