New season's colour is a bolt from the blue

Originally published in Retford Times - 1st May 2014

Homes & Lifestyle

The big colour story this season is Blue!  Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall explores the resurgence of a firm favourite.

This season we are seeing taupe being cast to the sidelines both in design schemes and on the High Street.  Without a doubt the hot colour for Spring Summer 2014 is that old cool customer – blue.

Designers have been looking for a new background colour to join the ranks of the neutrals and blue is coming out a clear winner. Forget the paler shades of blue we have previously encountered, the story for 2014 is the richer pigmented shades now available.  The absolute joy of blue is that despite being a bold, primary colour in its own right, it has an amazing capacity which allows it to blend into the background where it impressively accentuates key tones.

Surveys frequently conclude that blue is most people’s favourite colour, especially the male part of the population, so it is a wonder that it does not constantly dominate the interiors world. 

Importantly, it is seen as an emotionally powerful colour, which registers very clearly with its observers.   Pablo Picasso’s “Blue Period” paintings are perfect examples of this: he used only blue and green tones to enhance the feeling of melancholy within his work.  Picasso recognised the power of the hue when eliminating other colours around it and is reported as having turned to this palate as his mood darkened following the death of his friend, Carlos Casagemas.

Blue also enhances feelings of calm and tranquillity, which makes it perfect as the colour of choice for bathrooms and bedrooms where an element of escape from the everyday world is often essential.

New Carlucci Fraction fabrics from JAB Anstoetz

There is an element of decadence to the use of a confident blue.   This is hardly surprising given that many rich shades of blue were first created using incredibly expensive precious minerals.   For instance, during the Renaissance period ground lapis lazuli was used to create ultramarine, whilst cobalt has been used to colour glass since 2000BC.

It is also interesting to note that, these strong associations and emotions have led to the colour being associated with divinity, particularly in the Renaissance period.

The shades we are encountering now are definitely major statements.   These richer tones have to be chosen carefully, but the overall effects can be breath taking:  ultimately, it is a question of having confidence and sticking with it. 

If you are looking to embrace the new blue, then rich paint shades such as Little Greene’s Deep Space Blue 207 or Sanderson’s Indigo Blue will create the perfect intimate environment in which to relax.  At the same time, they are both wonderful at creating the background for impressive entertaining spaces such as formal dining rooms. 

Despite the intensity of these colours you will need to pay careful attention when painting to attain a perfect finish as every defect is likely to be shown.  We always recommend using three coats of dark paint shades to ensure a more consistent end result.

A selection of the terrific blues from Designers Guild

This season, opulent blue is very accessible in most collections.  One company who you can be sure has the perfect range of blues is Designers Guild – a brand that truly embraces bold colour.  Their Surabaya Wallcoverings and Savio Weaves boast a mass of beautiful blues in confident finishes.  In addition, their Savine Range features a striking indigo carpet, which works perfectly with their cobalt wallpaper.

If you consider a full room scheme might be a little overpowering, then use key accent pieces (such as a chair or even just a few tea light holders) to ensure your home feels relaxing, reassuring and above all “of the moment”.

Set of Four Blue Tealight holders from www.annabeljames.co.uk £14.95

Jamie Hempsall is a multi-award winning interior designer.  For more inspiration, visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com.

Mirror mirror on the wall, let me have a spacious hall

Originally published in the Retford Times 23rd Jan 2014

In the dull January light, our homes can look a little lack lustre - Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall looks at putting the shine back.

With the Christmas Decorations packed away our homes can often feel dark and under-dressed at this time of the year.  To avoid the January blues it is important to try and maximise natural light wherever possible.

The ultimate way to bring more light in to your home is to knock down a wall to the outside!  However, you can achieve a similar effect by creating an entire mirror wall (using a mosaic of large mirror pieces to add interest). Visually extending your room not only adds light, but also promotes a feeling of space and wellbeing.

Antiqued glass helps to soften the look to make this feature work well in period homes. Work on a design with your glass merchant for an individual finish and incorporate off-cuts to keep the cost down.

           

If considering DIY installation be aware of sharp edges and handle your mirror with gloves whilst fixing. Ensure you have well prepared flat walls and only use mirror adhesive. Take your time and let each piece set in place before adding more. It may take a while, but the end result will be worth it.

The most important skill of any mirror in an interiors scheme is to reflect light. Placed opposite an existing window the mirror will introduce addition exterior light into the room. This is particularly useful in rooms with only one good natural light source.  It will also help brighten dark corners at the ends of long rooms. An added bonus from using mirrors in this way is the introduction of a window view on a wall that might otherwise hold little interest.

           

A light placed in front of a mirror will be amplified, throwing more light back into the room than the original source could give on its own. This light will possess a diffused, more forgiving quality that is useful for hiding a multitude of sins in older properties.

           

Placing a mirror on a wall opposite a door also increases the perception of space within a room as it immediately draws the eye of anyone entering the room when they see a moving reflection. In turn, they will get a feeling that the room extends beyond the end of the wall that they are looking at. You can use this effect to even out the feel of long, thin rooms (placing mirrors on the walls that are the shortest distance apart will lead people to assume that the room is actually wider).

You can also extent the feeling of a short or dark landing by placing a tall, ideally wide, mirror at its end. Add a contemporary feel by using a large mirror with a thick frame (think leather or high gloss) and merely resting this at an angle against the wall, rather than hanging it up - this also works well in any dressing area, where space allows, as a funky alternative to a free standing mirror.

                       

On a final practical note, old houses always afforded inhabitants the courtesy of a mirror directly inside the front door - allowing guests arriving a chance to check their look was intact and anyone leaving to ensure they can face the world, head held high. These days it may be more practical in a downstairs cloakroom, but none the less it is a mirror worth re-introducing if you do not have one already.          

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

www.jamiehempsall.com

Beautiful Art of Energy Saving

Today sees the launch of the Plumen 002 (sister bulb to the original ground breaking Plumen 001 which won Brit Insurance Design of the Year 2011 and a D&AD Black Pencil).

The new bulb is a similar leap in the development of the humble light bulb with a new, chunkier design which appears to have been sculpted rather than drawn.  It is a little reminiscent of night lights of the past.   The beautiful shape, and the light it evokes, are extremely restful and actually produce feelings of comfort and...dare I say it...love.  Not a reaction you would normally expect to a household object.

The Designer Bertrand Clerc quotes sculptor Barbara Hepworth as a design inspiration.  He was looking for the right balance between an integrated and disintegrate construction and wanted to ensure that the bulb would present a certain dynamic while remaining gentle.  He has clearly been successful in this and created a form that is both beautiful and elegant from every angle.

The Plumen002 uses 75% less energy than a conventional bulb and should also require replacing far less often, making them the most cost efficient over their lifetime.

Plumen is launching on Kickstarter, the world’s largest crowdfunding platform. The company’s stated mission is to “Help bring creative projects to life.”

Launching any new product is very expensive and because Plumen enjoys such a passionate, global community, they wanted to invite supporters to join Plumen in helping to launch their first new bulb design in three years. 

It is anticipated that the bulb will retail for £20.

For more details visit plumen.com

Jamie Hempsall is a multi-award winning interior designer and a member of BIID & SBID.  For examples of his work 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

Setting up your first home

HOMES & INTERIORS

UNDER STARTER'S ORDERS:  Kitting out your first home can be a daunting prospect.  Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall offers advice on getting it right and making the best use of your budget.

The chances are that anyone furnishing their first home is likely to be on a tight budget, but wants to make the place special.  The trick when money is limited is to be resourceful and interpretive.

There are two key trends in interior fashion which work well for those facing this dilemma and can turn it into a fun pursuit, rather than an impossible challenge.  The first is retro chic - it might be old, but it need not be out of style.  Embrace this with confidence and you should save a packet.  

Mid 20^th Century is currently enjoying a real resurgence, so Ercol and G-Plan are currently appreciating in value, but good quality Edwardian and Victorian furniture is probably at an all-time low so picking from this era will make your budget go considerably further. Do not be put off by worn fabric or the odd scratch.  They add character and can be a good DIY restoration project if undertaken carefully and sympathetically.

The second “friendly trend” is eclectic, literally combining a variety of styles and ideas.  Adopted in the right way, this means that you positively avoid a matched interior and go instead for a melting pot of design.  The important thing to ensure is a link between pieces so the effect is designed, rather than dumped.  Colour is probably the easiest connection (even if it is one cushion on a piece).

My advice when starting out is to make second hand, junk and antique shops your friends.  Take your time, find what is available and get a feel for prices.  You have got time to come back, but remember it is not like shopping on the High St as there may well only be one of what you want – so if you really love something bite the bullet and get it.

In the second hand market no price should be set in stone and it is well worth haggling to see what you can get off.  You might be surprised that even a cheeky offer might be considered if the vendor has had the stock a long time and wants to get rid of it.  Cash is king, so at least have enough for a deposit with you to hold an item once you have secured your price.

So where to start?

Floors and walls are the essentials for making your first home a blank canvas.  If you are inheriting carpets, hire a professional carpet cleaning device (usually available from your local dry cleaners).  A deep clean in this fashion will revive most carpets and provide you with a cheap and quick method to a hygienic base.  If you find the carpet difficult to live with you can dress it with cheap rugs, which can also be used to hide stubborn stains or burns.

Paint is definitely the most cost effective way to cheer up any room (even if it was previously wallpapered, provided the surface is still in good condition).  Paint all rooms in one light colour (walls, ceiling and woodwork) to avoid tying you to any particularly scheme.  Off-white will give a light and clean feel.  Avoid plain white as this tends to look stark and cream can often just look dirty.  Remember to dust sheet everything to save your flooring and if you are a novice now is a great time to ask your parents or experienced friends for tips.  Take your time as a rushed job will be with you for a long period.

Seek out decorators merchants and opt for trade paints as these are often better quality.  When it comes to paint a cheap tin is not necessarily the most cost effective as it can be low on pigment and, therefore, require more coats.  Even one extra coat is 50% more paint, so the cost can soon add up.

Privacy and warmth are the next staples you require.  Your key to this are your window dressings.  At night and in the winter uncovered windows might just as well be open.  A heavy curtain which is lined (and ideally interlined) will make an incredible difference – keeping important warmth in and helping light sleepers by shutting out early morning sun. 

Interlined curtains can be expensive, but second hand options can be a bargain.  One of the best websites I have seen is www.trackhouse.co.uk which is easy to navigate and well laid out with style and colour guides.  Alternatively, specialist shops like The Curtain Exchange at Boston Spa (01937 849 755) keep a range of good quality curtains and can give advice on whether they will fit your window. 

Choose your curtain designs and colours carefully and make these the basis for any additional decorating scheme.  Once you have the established your base, you can move onto the main details – starting downstairs.

A sofa or a couple of comfy chairs are a must for any starter home.  Do not feel the need to have any more as visitors will be happy to perch on a dining chair or sit on a cushion on the floor.   You really just need enough for you to sit on to relax in the evening.

Purchase a drop-leaf dining table as they take up less room and are incredibly versatile, being perfect as a desk, side-table or even a TV unit.  Early 20^th Century versions are good value and stylish.  There is a trend to paint them, but they are also beautiful in their natural wood.

In a starter home four dining chairs means you can comfortably entertain (and save money by not going out).  They can also double up as desk chairs and bedroom chairs, so can be stored in other locations.  For a balanced eclectic look opt for two pairs of chairs which will be considerably cheaper than buying a matching set of four.

Lamp shades are the most cost effective way to dress an overhead light and there are usually plenty of good priced options at TK Maxx or BHS.  Also purchase at least one table lamp (two is preferable); this can make a good “task” light if you are working in the room, but also allows you to create a more intimate environment as overhead light is incredibly harsh.

Kitchen utensils are often available for pennies from second hand shops and some of the old designs are brilliant.  Build up a mix of crockery, glassware & cutlery, but make it feel like a proper collection by matching the design per setting (e.g. all side plates the same, but with contrasting dinner plates).  Mixed glassware is fine, but you should aim for two of each design to make it a feature.

Your bedroom is as important as your living area, because you spend a lot of time there and bad sleep causes a lot of problems.  Second hand bed bases can be attractive, but always purchase a new mattress.

Concentrate your spending on securing the best bedding possible (ideally a minimum of 140 thread count in 100% cotton).  Plain covers avoid limiting your design options later on and are easier to match into your second hand curtains.  You can dress the bed with a throw or cushions.

The minimum extra furniture you need is a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.  These provide the clothes storage you need and the chest can double as a bedside table-cum-dressing table.  The wardrobe is essential for hanging storage and they will often incorporate a full length mirror which no home should be without.

Keep lighting simple with an overhead shade that provides good light (essential for getting ready or doing make up).  Add a reading lamp for each sleeper to minimise night-time squabbles and create the perfect intimate environment.

Champagne tastes great even from an old chipped mug – so keep some budget back and crack open a bottle on your first night to toast your home in style.

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

This article was first published in the Yorkshire Post on Saturday 20th August 2011