How to Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary: Style Tips from Helen Green Design

Whilst the majority of Britain is working from home, it is more important than ever to create a bedroom that is serene and harmonious. Your bedroom is not only where you sleep but where you begin and end the day by reading, meditating or simply unwinding. We have put together this guide on how to create a relaxing and restful bedroom.

Tidy the area

When trying to establish the key elements to change or improve in your bedroom take some time to clear the room by removing items that you no longer want and ensure that everything is put away. This will help you see the room as a blank canvas and make gaps or missing items clear.

Colour

Select a colour that is the most calming for you. A neutral base palette, such as ivory or sand, will open up the space making it feel clean, light and bright. It will also give you maximum flexibility with your space. If you do not like neutral colours then consider muted colours such as sage green or duck egg blue. To give your bedroom a refined and sophisticated finish choose a fabric wallpaper to bring texture and warmth to the space.

Bed

Position your bed against a wall, with space either side, and select an upholstered headboard with piping or studs to add an element of detail. To recreate a 5-star hotel feel at home use a mattress topper and double up your duvet inside the covers for a sumptuous sleeping experience. For maximum comfort, invest in the best bedding you can afford with a high tread count. Add to your bed by selecting some decorative cushions with small scale patterns or textures with a cashmere throw at the end of the bed.

Furniture

It is important that you do not have too much furniture in your bedroom as this will make it feel cramped. Think carefully about what is important to you. If you have limited storage space then choose a beautiful chest of drawers or if you want a space to get ready at then choose a dressing table and chairs. Consider the furniture’s size and shape so that it fits within the proportions of the room. When accessorising your bedside table carefully select some key pieces, such as a jewellery dish and a candle, so that you do not clutter the space.

Scent

Your bedroom should aim to connect all your senses seamlessly to evoke the feelings and emotions you desire. By bringing scent into the bedroom you can set the tone and mood in your bedroom. You should consider picking a scent that is appropriate for the season: light and floral scents of the summer, deep autumnal and forest scents for autumn and spicy, festive scents for the winter.

Lighting

Lighting is important to create a calming ambience in your room. Having a dimmer switch on the main light in your bedroom will help to create softer lighting. If this is not possible, you can create a restful environment by turning off the main light and utilising reading lights on your bedside table for warmth and comfort.

Tips provided by Alexandra Jurkiewicz, Creative Lead, Helen Green Design.

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern residential development design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Yuan-Art.

What was the client's brief? 

BBMG Jinchengfu is located in Gaoxin district, the most prosperous zone in Chengdu. It is a high-end residential project in the area. The project occupies the core and surrounding environment of the area, with pleasant ecology and surrounded by parks. The courtyard villas, bungalows and high-rise buildings are planned. The villa adopts the new Chinese style, which perfectly integrates modern elements with traditional architectural styles. The garden is designed and built on the model of the top ten cultural and historical attractions in Chengdu.

What inspired the design of the project?

Due to its unique urban geography, Chengdu has rapidly developed into a bustling Internet celebrity city in China. However, the native people in Chengdu are not happy because of the liveliness. Instead, they hope that life would be more relaxing, that they could experience life more calmly and gently when conditions permit, and build their own homes and lives. They wish to seek a life that truly belongs to them in a more self-directed way in order to fully enjoy and be compatible with the transformation and association between life, work and society, and use another way to coexist harmoniously.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The style of wabi-sabi has a dilapidated beauty, which is not completely in line with people’s understanding of quality life today. Therefore, in the design, we need to reflect a certain sense of value as appropriately as possible, such as expressing through material appeals, furniture, etc., utensils, art, and those products that we use regularly. This value is convenient and comfortable, it is the guarantee and embodiment of quality, and it is also a way to improve the texture and modern atmosphere of the space scene. We want to convey that wabi-sabi brings us a gentle and comfortable life attitude, not extreme restraint.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

In this project, the space is constructed with simplicity and tranquility. The wood, stone, rattan, cotton and linen in the indoor space have a natural symbiotic relationship with outdoor green plants, sunlight, wind and rain. They flow and change due to time, season and climate. As a new enlightenment of nature, they accept the existence of time and curve traces of the passage of time. This harmony with nature and symbiosis with the environment is the biggest highlight of this project.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID International Design Award is the most prestigious award in the interior design industry. The teams that have won this award are outstanding workers and teams who have achieved outstanding results in the field of international interior design. We want to let more people know and recognize us by participating in this SBID competition. At the same time, we can also compete and communicate with outstanding international contestants on the same stage, constantly improve our professional skills and tap into our creative potential.

Questions answered by Zi Peng GUO, Founder and Chief Designer, Yuan-Art.

Discover Tektura's 10 new designs: smooth surfaces and delicate patterns complement raw silks and woven raffia. Inspired by traditional crafts, tie-dye and decoupage sit alongside blockprints and stencil effects. The ever present connection with nature is found with silhouetted leaves and shadow prints.

With 100 colours to select from, you’ll find cool whites, soft greys and pale pastels moving through to warm clay pinks and shades of plum. Deepest charcoal, indigo and dark olive bring depth and drama. Surface textures are embellished with bronze, copper and gold. Delicate metallised threads run through raw silks and woven grass.

Above: Abstract print on smooth ground. Metallic details in selected colours. Co-ordinates with Brushed Smooth.

Above: A contemporary take on a traditional silk damask. Contrasting bands of colour run horizontally. Coordinates with Shadow Silk.

Above: Inspired by ancient weaving with a contemporary twist. Co-ordinates with Enigma.

Above: Glistening interwoven silk strands create a moire effect.

Above: Grainy stone effect featuring glistening fragments in selected colours.

Cover image: Botanical Grassweave

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a glamorous oak home design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Space Studio.

What was the client's brief? 

Our client loved the hotels that we have designed and wanted the same for the extensive renovation to the home that he had recently purchased. He said he loved raw oak, dark oak, marble and brass and asked us to just go for it!

What inspired the design of the project?

The house is located on the shores of Auckland's beautiful Waitemata harbour, and sits amongst pohutakawa trees that tangle around the site. The house was quite a traditional brick bungalow, and the street is one of Auckland's finest, positioned very close to the CBD. We sought to capture our client's love of luxury hotels and urban glamour, with the raw desaturated colours and textures of the natural surroundings. We then looked to open up the planning of the rather boxed in original home, creating long sight lines across the living spaces.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

There were no hurdles with this project. A clear vision, a motivated and trusting client and passionate builder kept the project running smoothly from start to finish.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The entry screen with the view through to the dining room, is as good as the photography portrays. It was such an effective device to provide a point of welcome at the entry and a filtered view through to the family life within.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We recognise how lucky we are to live in New Zealand, and we would like to share the work that we do down here more broadly. We also work in an international market, with many offshore clients, and we want to show them that we are leading a broader community of international designers.

Questions answered by David Sweatman, Associate Designer, Space Studio.

At Helen Green Design we believe that beautiful lighting is an integral part of every well curated interior. Every room lends itself to a different lighting style, shape and design and therefore choosing the perfect fixture can be a daunting task.

To achieve a harmonious and considered scheme, it is important to keep lighting throughout the property consistent and connected to each other. This can be achieved by either by specifying similar finishes (aged brass, blown glass, crystal) or a particular style (modern, art deco, traditional). It is possible to mix and match for a more eclectic look, however it is challenging to ensure there is no disconnect between the spaces.

We like to source lighting from a range of suppliers who offer a variety of fixtures suitable for different areas. Here are our simple tips on how to select the perfect light for every room.

Entrance Hall/Stairwell

The entrance hall is an opportunity to make an impact in your home. The lighting in an entrance hall is likely to be one of the first things seen when entering the house so it is important to ensure it encapsulates the identity of the property.

It is an opportunity to make the most of the architectural features and utilise high ceilings or stairwells. An oversized, statement light can span across several floors or a centrepiece light can create an elegant, welcoming lobby area above the entrance table.

Living Room

As the centre of every home, it is crucial that the light fitting chosen for this space does not compete with the rest of the furniture in the room and complements and relates to the design scheme. It doesn’t mean it cannot be striking. The key is to consider the proportions and materials as well as balance textures, colours and patterns used in the room.

It is important to carefully consider the position of the light. Most commonly it is placed in the centre of the room, above the main seating area or by the fireplace. It should not obstruct the view if located near a large window and not to hang too low to allow people to walk underneath it.

Dining Room/Kitchen

The main function purpose is to provide light above the dining table or island. It is good practice to follow the shape of the furniture item directly below the light fixture. For example, a round light for square or round tables and oval or oblong for rectangular or elliptical tables.

An interesting choice of lighting is using clusters of smaller pendants either in regular rows or staggered for dramatic effect.

When the dining area is connected to the kitchen, it is effective to use lights from the same family for a cohesive design.

Bedroom

Being sanctuaries of peace and rest, bedrooms are one of the most important rooms. As strong lighting is not necessarily required, light fittings perform a decorative role and can determine the feeling of ambience in the space.

Simple pendant lights above bedside tables are not only very functional as they leave the surface of the table clean but also are an excellent way to accentuate the main elevation of the room.

Alternatively, a small chandelier can bring elegance and interest to the bedroom scheme making it feel more like a hotel suite.

Bathroom

The clean lines and usually very light tones of natural stone finishes, sanitaryware and mirrors in a bathroom create a fantastic background and opportunity to showcase more sculptural lighting pieces.

From large, elaborate chandeliers above the bath to clusters of interesting pendants, they can transform a simple bathroom into a luxury spa.

It is also important to ensure all lights chose for bathrooms have suitable IP rating.

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Luxury bath and kitchen brand GRAFF and prestigious American industrial designer Stephen Burks present Faucet Fantasy, an artistic installation drawing attention to the importance of water conservation. Burks, known for using artisan and handcrafted influences in his designs, will showcase nine GRAFF faucets in luxurious finishes, reimagined in his signature mix of bright colours with natural and manmade materials.

“Inspired by the graphic flow of water, Faucet Fantasy showcases nine luxurious faucets in a colorful array of handcrafted finishes, textures, and materials,” Burks said. The eye-catching installation generated considerable buzz among the attendees at the unveiling event.

Faucet Fantasy represents GRAFF's Art of Bath sustainability program. GRAFF is an actively green brand, from using lead-free materials in its products to adhering to zero waste in its lean manufacturing system. The brand is inherently dedicated to water conservation, understanding our most valuable resource's role in a healthy ecosystem. In 2012, GRAFF raised the bar on eco-standards by automatically including water-saving systems with all bathroom-sink and kitchen faucets, and showerheads. Partnering with sustainable projects worldwide, GRAFF strives to make luxury green.

Founder and President of GRAFF, Mr. Ziggy Kulig, commented: "For GRAFF, quality, design and sustainability, go hand in hand. We look to align with creatives whose own work embodies this same philosophy. We are pleased to partner with Stephen Burks for creating an exclusive sculpture installation. We hope his creation will inspire viewers to do their part in supporting water conservation initiatives."

Burks’ installation also dovetails seamlessly with GRAFF’s rich heritage of artisanship and craftsmanship in production. “For Faucet Fantasy, we were looking at the idea of bringing the hand to industry and presenting a range of products that give the customer a sense of what’s possible,” said Burks. Together with his studio Stephen Burks Man Made, Burks has been commissioned by many of the world’s leading design-driven brands to develop collections that engage hand production as a strategy for innovation.

As a product development consultant, Burks has worked in close collaboration with artisans and craftspeople around the globe. His work has been exhibited internationally and he has been the recipient of several awards, including being the only African American to win the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in Product Design. In 2019, he became the first Harvard Loeb Fellow in the discipline of product design and was recently an adjunct assistant professor of architecture at Columbia University’s GSAPP.

Following its unveiling at RNDD, the Faucet Fantasy installation will be on display at Chicago’s Studio 41 home design showroom from September 10th to September 30th and then at the GRAFF Design center at the Mart for Design Chicago.

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a contemporary family home design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Designck.

Designck was commissioned to design the interior for this large contemporary new build. Part of this project was the kitchen, wine room and powder room. Robin Caudwell wanted to keep a feeling of warmth throughout the home. His clients have a large extended family and friends and entertain regularly; it was essential to make the home stylish, inviting, and relaxing, that everyone could enjoy. Using a mixture of different textures and tones, with carefully placed statement pieces such as the Titanium Gold Granite Island top, he feels that he has achieved a remarkable outcome for the clients.

What was the client's brief? 

I was engaged to design several areas of this luxury new build, which included the kitchen, outdoor kitchen, evening room, wine cellar, and powder room. The client is of Asian descent and have regular, large family gatherings, it was important to them that the kitchen was equipped with expansive storage for food, good prep areas and gas in the principal cooking area. Their wine collection needed to be showcased within their evening room. They wanted a warm and inviting powder room for their guests.

What inspired the design of the project?

The anchor for my design was the stunning Titanium Gold granite I chose for the island, and it has become a statement piece within the room. I used Lux board, which I reversed, and utilised the matte side that complements the Laminam in Moro that I picked for the expansive front door and a large fireplace.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

On this particular project, there was a requirement for several air-conditioning return vents of which we didn't want to put on show. I came up with a solution to conceal the vents above the cabinetry, extending the height of just the doors to  give the kitchen area a cleaner look without showing the numerous vents required.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

For me, it was seeing how the different rooms come together with a common theme whilst keeping their individual identities. And as a bonus, when I told the clients that we have been shortlisted for the SBID Awards, they were over the moon.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards are renowned as the pinnacle of the design industry's awards. It’s one of the few awards that becoming even a finalist is a mammoth effort, and if I was fortunate enough to win, it reinforces why I love this creative industry being recognised for my passion, and time that I have poured into this project.

Questions answered by Robin Caudwell, Principal Designer, DesignCK.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a dark apartment design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ID4U studio.

What was the client's brief? 

Very unusual young woman owns this apartment. She is unique. So her brief was also untypical. She asked us to make her a “stylish and gloomy” apartment only for herself.

What inspired the design of the project?

Our magic client inspired us. We tried to create space which would reflect her a lot. We knew that our client would also appreciate some experiments, so we did it. At the same time we couldn’t ignore our fundamentals – comfort and cosiness. That’s why the interior concept was based on use of rich dark palette and concrete. But wooden walnut floors, different textiles, accents in gold and décor make this space very cozy.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

We started this project before COVID. We created the whole concept. Everything was approved with the client. Covid quarantine came just before construction work started, so the project was paused. After few months we had to redo the whole concept and we had to remotely control the construction work.

The most complicated part of the project was the concrete staircase. We came up with the idea of it’s soft lines and rough material. Five people had been building it for two weeks.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

For a long time we were dreaming to create an interior with dark walls. We were happy that finally we met a client who agreed with that idea. And not only with dark walls but also with dark ceilings! We love this dark green bedroom. It is amazing. Even though the floor is also dark, the room is full off light coming from a giant window.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

By entering SBID Awards we want to share Ukrainian Interiors with the World. We want to show that our quality of work meets international standards and trends.

Questions answered by Viktoriya Moshchynska and Olga Griban, Co-Founders, ID4U Studio.

As designers and creators of floorcoverings for over 30 years, Crucial Trading continuously looks at innovative ways to work with sustainable and natural fibres. Adding to their constantly evolving collections, their technical and creative teams have recently created three new designs in wool - Collage, Weather Watching, and Balance - while adding new colourways to the popular wool Mississippi collection.

Collage

Collage provides a dynamic mélange of pattern and texture in a choice of five colourways that are inspired by modernist art. With names such as Soft Focus, Modernity, Juxtaposition, Paper Layer, and Mixed Media in a collage of blended hues, they are works of art in their own right!

Woven from 100% New Zealand Wool, Collage is a chunky 6 ply tufted Loop Pile so definitely one to sink your toes into whether your creativity takes you in the direction of a bespoke rug or wall-to-wall fitted carpet.

Balance

Balance is a curation of quiet colour and texture designed to encourage reflection and restorative living. Extending mindfulness to how we exist in our interiors, this design champions beauty in the simplistic. Available in a choice of seven earthy and considered colourways; Timeless, Pause, Silence, Intuition, Clarity, Philosophy, and Grace, Balance is quite literally something to meditate on.

Woven from 100% New Zealand Wool, chosen for its pureness of colour, Balance introduces an element of cut-pile/twist to Crucial Trading’s offering. A gentle balance between the cut and the loop results in an almost two-tone finish to the floor covering.

Weather Watching

Weather Watching is inspired by our British obsession with the weather. Earthy, subtle tones take direction from atmospheres and the unpredictable with enticing and atmospheric names such as Soft Rain, Thunderstorm Play, Overcast Day, and Indian Summer. Some days it storms, some days it shines, this is how the flower grows.

The palette of calm colours gives the home a sense of grounding whilst creating a backdrop with which to live our lives. The collection is woven from hank dyed 3 ply tufted loop pile British Wool and comes in a choice of 11 different colourways.

Mississippi

Mississippi has become a design classic since it was introduced 18 years ago as a result of the creative team playing around with fragments of coloured wool fibres that were available on the floor of the workshop. This hero design welcomes eight new colourways into the collection bringing the total offering to 16.
The new palette is inspired by natural dyes, providing softer, more muted tones for an earthy feel that becomes rich through application. Pale blues and greys combine with gentle tones of green, red, and brown for a relaxed interior that still has the edge.

Mississippi is woven from 100% New Zealand wool which is chosen for its purity, enabling consistency and depth of colour.

Crucial Trading’s floor coverings can be ordered as bespoke rugs, runners or as meterage for a fitted carpet.

Cover image: Balance - BA503 Clarity

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As we approach the end of another busy year, Sofa.com shares their favourite projects and reflects on their achievements from 2022...

For us, working collaboratively with various designers has been a real highlight - helping to bring their creative vision to life and seeing our products in a range of gorgeous spaces. The breadth of projects this year has been wonderful, from larger hospitality work, to commercial settings and a wealth of boutique hotels; this is where sofa.com product really comes to life, with bespoke elements and extensive fabric choice meaning no two projects look the same. Here's what they had to say!

We have compiled some of our favourites of the year, from the hills of Edinburgh to the coastal waters of Cornwall and everywhere in-between, featuring design specifications that we’re most proud of and are thrilled to see completed to such a high standard.

One of our most recent collaborative projects has just recently completed in time for the holidays. It was a joy to work with Unique Homestays on the renovation of The Hatch, a pared-back coastal property next to the glimmering seas in Cornwall. Finishing touches in the dining room convey the aesthetic of the property perfectly, but with a slight bias our favourite room has to be the Scandi-inspired living room, featuring our bestselling Isaac sofas.

Another key project with Unique Homestays was the completion of Little Inka, a cottage finished with trending combinations of black and brass. This modern farmhouse aesthetic is the perfect setting for our Chesterfield style Patrick loveseat in beautiful vintage leather.

Additional highlights include working with The National Trust Scotland, Alice Leigh design, and The Bath Arms to name a few.

It’s wonderful to look back and celebrate with our customers on the completion of their projects. Thank you to all for working with us, and we look forward to collaborating in the future. As we look towards 2023 and exciting projects on the horizon – we’ve are thrilled to be part of such a vibrant industry.

Cover image: Emma Gurner

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