London Design Week is a huge event in the calendar of an interior designer. It’s how we get to see the new Spring collections of fabrics and wallpapers, so we can tell you about the latest trends in the design world.

The main focus of the interior design spectacle that is London Design Week is at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. This wonderful centre is four stories high under three enormous glass domes and is the outlet for most of the designer fabrics, wallpapers, light fittings and accessories on the market. All the best design labels are under one roof and, for someone like me, it feels close to Heaven.

Every year, new colours and styles are put on show for our delectation and it is really exciting to see the beautiful collections on show for the first time. It always gives a clear indication of how newly decorated homes will look for the next year or so. This year I was very excited by some of the collections and some clear trends were visibly emerging.

We all have our favourites, but I just loved the new Chase Erwin collection. Chase Erwin is renowned in the industry for its elegant silks. For many years their name has been synonymous with quiet colours; silver, taupe and gentle purples and browns. This year I had very definite palpitations of excitement when I saw their new collection. Still the most elegant of designs, their new Artcic collection has had large injections of hot pink, ruby red and amethyst silks, without losing a jot of elegance. I can’t wait to use them in a client’s home, as they are particularly gorgeous.

Designers Guild’s new collection was also stunning and in a completely different way to the sumptuous Chase Erwin silks. Their new Nantucket collection is made up of colourful stripes in cerise, purple, lime and mossy greens. Turquoise is back again and these colours are often mixed with dark brown and there is also a dark blue of a shade I haven’t seen for several years. Mainly linen and cotton mixes, these fabrics and wallpapers are young and vibrant.

Zoffany also has just launched a fabulous collection of mosaic fabrics and wallpapers. I particularly like the silvery mosaic wallpaper which would be ideal for an accent wall. The fabric which goes with these wallpapers is a luxurious upholstery one in rich purples and reds. As usual, their display and presentation was hard to beat.

Good news too for anyone frustrated by the size of the Murano chandeliers on offer to date. Our Irish ceilings are just not high enough to display the magnificent designs that have been objects of desire for so long. Well, the good news is that some of the companies have now included smaller versions in their new collections. Their prices have been scaled down to match too, which makes their price tags less eye-watering. Clear or amber glass were the two most popular colours shown.

In 2006, wallpaper was just regaining popularity after many years in the fashion wilderness. Now, it is considered a normal part of home decorating and available in all styles and price ranges. Personally, I have always loved it and incorporate it into as many schemes as possible for my clients.

From extravagant accent wallpapers, which are ideal for one-wall impact, to softer wrap-around papers for the whole room, there is a wallpaper for every occasion. It can transform a boring, bland room into one of drama and personality.

Think: dramatic reds and silver-hued wallpapers for the dining room; colourful prints for the bathroom; soft floral patterns for the bedrooms and sweet nursery characters for the children’s rooms. Let your imagination run riot.

As there are now many painter-decorators able to hang wallpaper properly, there is less risk involved in getting the work done professionally.

The top wallpapers are designed and manufactured by companies such as Cole & Sons, Zoffany, Colefax & Fowler, Jane Churchill and Designers Guild. Many of their papers are heavy duty and are washable, so suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. There are also many cheap, tissue-thin wallpapers on the market, so make an informed decision before you purchase. Remember; where wallpaper is concerned, you usually get what you pay for and what looks good in a magazine or brochure doesn’t always look so good in reality.

Hot off the press: having just seen many of the new wallpaper collections, just released this month and about to hit the shops, I can tell you that dramatic paisley and delicate floral patterns with silver backgrounds are very popular this year. Black, grey, aubergine, deep purple and lime green are still very much in evidence, but this year they are joined by lemon yellow. You read it here first!

Does your dream bedroom exude a wildly decadent luxury in the form of cream and gold silks, cut glass chandeliers, crushed velvet or faux fur throws? Use white, embroidered cotton bed-linen and bring lots of interesting texture into play for that extra luxury twist. Add the final touch to the luxury look with a gorgeous cream carpet.

Or how about “boutique chic”? Choose one of the new textured wallpapers, perhaps with a glossy foil background.  Keep the bed-linen white, with the odd dash of colour, and use a bold, striped throw across the end of the bed.  Use dark woods and plenty of chrome and glass.  Keep the lines sharp and clean; the colours bold and vibrant and use lots of contrast.

Want to be different?  Go Vintage and use lots of rich floral fabrics with painted furniture and mix it all together in an eclectic style. Use carpets or wide-board oak flooring with scatter rugs.  Overstuffed cushions with tassel trim and dressy bedside lamps complete the look.

Bedroom Essentials:

Whatever the look, get the best bed you can afford: it is the most important piece of furniture in the house.  And treat yourself to good bed-linen – it’s hard to beat white cotton, though it’s murder to iron!  I love a fabric headboard and it’s a must if you like to read in bed, propped up cosily with half a dozen pillows or so.  If you decide to go this route, make sure that the headboard fabric is upholstery weight – try the suede-look fabrics – Designers Guild does an excellent one called Mezzola, which comes in more than a hundred colours.

Lighting is very important in a bedroom.  Make sure you can see into your wardrobes by positioning your lights correctly. Bedside lamps are always a good option, but if you are short of space you can use recessed downlighters over the side lockers with independent switching on either side of the bed.  Your dressing table, or wherever you apply makeup, is another essential area for good bedroom lighting.

Try to keep the wall colours restful.  Bright red walls do not necessarily make for a calm start to the day, as research has shown that the colour red can raise your blood-pressure.  Wallpapers are a good option at the moment, with beautiful and glamorous collections available from most good designer outlets.

many shapes, sizes and styles to choose from - and it’s so easy to make an

expensive mistake. Glossy walnut and wenge tables are top of the fashion charts at

the moment, but almost-black lacquer is now making a bid for the top spot. It

seems like only yesterday the top must-have was a cherry dining table.  How

fashions change!

Before you begin, here is a handy checklist: so get out your measuring tape and

read on…….

Ask yourself the following questions:

1.       How many people do you want to seat?

2.       What are the dimensions of your room? What is its size and shape?

3.       Will the table be used for purposes other than eating? Could it be used, for example, as a work area for your laptop or for the children’s homework?

4.       Is it a dedicated dining room or is it a dining area off your sitting room or kitchen?

Just as there is a huge selection of tables on the market, so too are there many

variations in the types of dining rooms to furnish.  They, too, come in all shapes

and sizes.

A bay window or corner area can be used with a built-in bench, with cushions and a refectory-style table. Illustration C shows how a banquette can work in a very limited space. You can use stools instead of chairs and tuck them away under the table when they are not in use.        

Example 1. A large dedicated dining room. Here, traditionally, the dining table takes centre stage. This is either set directly in the middle of the room or else is slightly off to one side to make room for a sideboard or separate serving tables. Surrounded by matching chairs and set or decorated with other objects, the table can be illumined by an overhanging chandelier. Extra chairs can be easily and discreetly set against the wall until they are needed. Don’t forget: carvers (chairs with arms) take up more space. Where space is limited, a glass-top table can be a good option.  It does not look as bulky as a solid wooden one. 

Example 2.  A round table is always popular as everybody gets to sit at the head!  Conversation also flows well, as it is easier to chat and there is the extra bonus of being able to squeeze in an extra guest.  But it doesn’t suit every room, so measure carefully.

Example 3. Depending on shape, a large sunroom can house a square or round dining table. Here you can see how a generously proportioned table fits well into such an area.

When you are making your calculations, make sure you leave enough room around the dining table.  A minimum space of 90cms is necessary to allow for pulling back chairs and general movement around the room.

In Summer, you can treat your patio, or a sheltered part of your garden, as a dining

area – weather permitting. What could possibly be better than a late, leisurely

breakfast on a sunny Sunday morning, surrounded by plants and trees in your own

al fresco dining room! 

Bedrooms must be planned carefully. Don’t forget how much time we spend in bed! It’s very important to get the layout right. Next to the vitally important question of ensuring your bed is comfortable, is the thorny question of storage.

A walk-in wardrobe is the number one choice if possible. In an old or small house, where storage is at a premium, perhaps a spare bedroom could be converted?

A walk-in wardrobe normally consists of a mix of open rails, shelves and racks. If you don’t like the open look, doors – how about glass ones? – can be installed. When designing a walk-in wardrobe, I try to ensure that there is a low surface positioned to place a suitcase. Nothing is more annoying than falling over your case while trying to pack for that exotic holiday.   Boxes and baskets can look very attractive on open shelving too.

When installing built-in wardrobes in your bedroom, floor to ceiling units provide the best solution, as they give you space overhead for extra storage. They can be custom-made to suit your own particular requirements.

You can continue the coving over the top of the units to make them look as though they are part of the room. Always ensure that your wardrobes are well lit. A lone centre light fitting is often inadequate when it comes to selecting items of clothing, so installing a couple of recessed downlighters, strategically positioned, is often a good idea.

 Built-in wardrobes should have the rails high enough to allow for shoe racks underneath. Wire baskets or pull-out wire drawers are a great idea - you can see your socks and scarves at a glance. Install hanging space for ties and belts too. You can store far more clothing in a well-designed unit. They are good for awkwardly shaped rooms or rooms with sloping ceilings and they are made to measure.

Sliding doors are a good option.  These are usually set into a frame with floor-to ceiling doors which run in tracks at the top and at the bottom. And the range is finishes is infinite: enamelled doors are very popular at the moment; wood veneers; sandblasted or frosted glass; mirrored or laminate doors. The choices seem endless!

If you want to design your own built-in wardrobes, try to estimate how long a run of hanging space you will need, make a note of how long your clothes are and plan it carefully.

However, many people prefer the look of free-standing wardrobes and chests of drawers. The obvious benefit is that you can take them with you when you move.

 A window seat is a good idea too.  You can store your winter woollies there during the summer and it’s the ideal place for spare bed-linen.

unfamiliar house can create a lasting impression. Just imagine arriving in a cold

and messy hallway: the subsequent impact created by entering an immaculately

furnished and decorated sitting room could just be lost!

Many people spend a great deal of time and money decorating their main living areas stylishly and expensively. The hallway is often ignored and can unintentionally create a cold and unfriendly atmosphere. The starting block for the style you wish to create in your home begins here. A real and lasting impact can be made on those who arrive at your front door. Light and airy or dark and mysterious, fabulously luxurious and sophisticated, or cool and casual—the choice is yours. It can set the mood and even build whatever image you want to portray. This is the best area in the home to incorporate dramatic design elements. How about a wonderful wallpaper to create an air of glamour the moment you open the front door!

Hallways need to be welcoming and warm: good lighting; a wall mirror to check lipstick and hair; a handy table or console; a place for coats and umbrellas, and a convenient loo and washbasin are all essential.

Nowadays, with the price of building so exorbitant, the hall, stairs, and landing are usually designed in a way to maximise space. Cupboards and shelves are built in under staircases. Bookshelves and cupboards are incorporated into landing areas. Hallways are often kept to the minimum size necessary to walk through.

As the entrance hall says so much about the rest of the house, it is a most important area and one that is often forgotten when designing the rooms leading off it. Halls and corridors are the areas which link these rooms together and are as much a part of the final picture as any room in the house. In fact, these areas are the linchpin—the whole knitting together of the interior design of the home.

The hall, stairs and landing areas must be decorated as part of the whole house, not as a separate and neglected part of it, deemed to be an unnecessary extra in the scheme of things. These areas are not just blank, soulless corridors to be ignored as you pass through, like hurrying through the area from an aeroplane to the baggage hall in an airport!

If your hall is large and square, it is most attractive to place a round table in the centre, with a big vase of flowers.  This will create a very luxurious feeling to the home from the moment the front door is opened.

If you place furniture in your hall, look at it from the stairs and at all angles to ensure that the proportion is correct when viewed from all angles. Your hall, landings and corridors are excellent places for bookcases. It is important to light them well. Don’t forget the beauty of an Oriental rug can be used to wonderful effect if wood or tiles are the flooring of choice. It will help to improve acoustics and add a splash of colour to an otherwise bare floor.

A mirror could be placed over a radiator cover and your hall is furnished with very little effort! In addition, your hall is an excellent place to hang pictures. The same applies to landings and corridors.

Lighting your hall correctly is essential. Recessed downlighters are the best bet for this purpose, as they provide an excellent general light.  If your hall is large enough, you might like to hang a chandelier in the stairwell.  Don’t forget that nothing looks worse than a tiny pendant fitting in a large stairwell.  

Hall flooring needs to be hard wearing and practical. Most people use either tiles or a wooden floor and carpet the stairs because of the noise factor.

Seven important questions before you begin to decorate your hall:

 (1) In what style is the rest of the house decorated?

(2) What colours do you wish to paint the rooms leading directly off it?

(3) Can it accommodate storage?

(4) Is it large enough to furnish?

(6) Where will visitors leave their coats?

(7) What flooring will you use that will give a warm feel, yet be practical?    

Unless it is absolutely essential to have your home built on different levels, why does anybody think it is necessary to add steps to the interior at all?

I spend a great deal of my time trying to persuade clients to abandon plans to build a split-level home, when taking this design direction is for no good reason other than they think it will “add character”. But at what price to your sanity when elderly or disabled people come to visit?  Character is added to ones home through good design and decorating, with the addition of treasured possessions. A new-build can seem soul-less at the beginning, but ones home takes on shape and character with the addition of fabrics, furniture, light fittings and accessories. A random step-down to the living room will make no difference whatsoever to the final picture.

In order to live a full life, ones elderly relatives need to feel that they are not restricted to a small corner of the house. Independence needs to be maintained for as long as possible and, in my experience, a “granny flat” is rarely an option. Clients regularly ask me to convert a bedroom and bathroom in order to prepare for their parents arrival in their homes on a permanent basis. When this is being done, I also take a close look at the sitting room to ensure that it suitable and safe

In the previous edition of this magazine, I discussed the points to note when adapting the bedroom and bathroom to accommodate an elderly relative. Now it’s time to examine the sitting room.

Top tips:

Ensure that there are no loose rugs to trip over. A fitted carpet is the best option.

The sofa or armchair must be low, firm and high-backed.

Get a low footstool. It can double up as a coffee table.

Make sure that there is enough space between all items of furniture to accommodate a walking aid, and that there are no small tables or magazine racks that can be tripped over. In other words, the less clutter the safer the sitting room.

Dining chairs should, preferably, not have arms, as these can prove awkward when trying to sit down. Dining chairs should also not be too heavy to move with ease.

Lighting needs to be adequate and a good reading lamp should be positioned behind or beside the chosen sofa or armchair. All electric wires should be safely tucked away.

The sitting room should be warmer than you would probably like it to be, under normal circumstances.

Let the room be cosy, friendly and really cheerful and bright. Try to make it a home-from-home for Mum or Dad. They deserve it.

If you are about to decorate your child’s bedroom, stop and think. You will realise that this will also be a bedroom to be remembered in the distant future. It is up to you to make it a haven where your child will grow and develop. As such, it must be decorated with imagination and care.

Let’s start with a baby’s bedroom. Begin by planning the practicalities and you will find that everything else will fall into place. Imagine the two most important words: tranquillity and comfort. Keep things simple. A new baby ideally needs his or her own bedroom to house nappy changing facilities, toys and clothes. And a low, comfortable armchair for feeding.

As your baby grows, you will find the most practical storage is open-shelving for easy-access storage. For the window, colourful curtains with block-out lining or a roman blind in a block-out fabric will ensure that you are not awoken at dawn on bright summer mornings. For the wall colours, white or pale pastel colours work best with the lively, primary colours provided by children’s toys and accessories. Duck-egg blue makes a great back-drop for brightly coloured accessories, though if you feel in need of some bold colour, you can always paint one wall a bright cherry red.  For the cot, use cotton sheets and blankets with a quilted padded bumper.

Don’t forget about the ceilings when you are decorating. When small children and babies are tucked up in bed, it is wonderful for them to have something to look up at. I have painted ceilings for children which look like a cloudy sky, complete with moons and stars! Mobiles provide great stimuli too, as does a simple view of trees and clouds from a Velux window. Painted walls are the most practical finish, but there are some wonderful washable wallpapers available now, especially for children.

Safety is the most important element in a small child’s room.   Make sure that there are no dangerous or sharp corners or surfaces on which they can injure themselves. Windows must be secure and light fittings and sockets protected from tiny fingers. All surfaces should be hard wearing, waterproof, and scuff proof.

Remember that what children love today, they will tire of with amazing speed.  Choose a washable cotton or poly-cotton for your curtains and duvet covers. Floor coverings should be splinter free.  Linoleum or a laminated floor is ideal for a baby’s room with a cosy rug to play on.

Girls’ bedrooms should be spaces where your daughters can stamp their own personalities. No matter how small she is, she will have already begun to develop her very own style. Try to figure out what that might be – observe her choice of colours when she is using her crayons, and  then decide whether she is “girlie” or a tomboy. My three daughters had very different styles indeed: from My Little Pony to a dried-flower collection hung on strings – which was, quite frankly, a bit of a nightmare!

Bedlinen for a girl’s bedroom should, ideally, be a mix of white with brightly coloured checks, plains and florals. This will give a crisp look.  For teenage girls, silver and muted lilac colours look wonderful.. 

Boys’ bedrooms need to be fuss free. Use strong furniture and surfaces in primary colours. Remember that furniture will be climbed on, jumped off and probably even knocked over. As most boys usually have lorry loads of toys, and have absolutely no interest in putting their clothes away – a fact that I can verify through first-hand experience - they need plenty of easily accessible drawers and cupboards.  I find bunk beds quite a good idea for boys’ rooms, as long as they have a decent guard rail. They have more scope for adventure and can, later on, house a desk underneath. As regards colour, most boys are not particularly interested in the subject at all. I mostly find that teenage boys want charcoal or navy curtains and accessories, so it can be quite a challenge to make their rooms look interesting. I like to do a set of display shelves to inject a bit of colour, which allows them to house whatever collection may be current.

With an ageing population, many homeowners are now looking at converting existing rooms - or future-proofing a new build – to accommodate family that are not as nimble as they used to be. This enables elderly people to remain living within their communities for far longer. Lots of young couples want to have their parents to live with them when they are no longer able to comfortably care for themselves. For a young family, accommodating a member of a different generation within the home should not prove to be too disruptive, with a little care and good planning.

Home builders often ask me how they can make provision, in the early stages of the build, for this eventuality.

With these enquiries becoming a regular occurrence, I have begun to take a serious look at how to keep the comfortable elegance that so many homes lose when converted. They, so often, look institutional and off-putting. I decided that it had to be possible to obtain glamorous fittings and keep a home looking warm and welcoming.
Safety and security are very important in enabling anyone to feel confidently independent in and around the home, particularly in the bathroom. For example, a well designed “wet room” is an excellent idea, and the options for re-designing kitchens are pretty well limitless. With careful attention to retaining the aspects of design and decorating which gives a home a comfortable and friendly atmosphere, it is entirely possible to have your home both cosy and safe for all your needs.
When designing a room for an older person, I find it is best done by trying to plan for the future, when that person’s capacities may be considerably reduced.  There are many options to consider.

Top tips:

Comfort: A comfortable armchair that is easy to get out of and a bed that is not too high or soft. Good quality fitted carpet – an 80% wool mix is the most practical and easy to keep.

Lighting: Good lighting design with the emphasis on brightness and easy access to the switches. For example, a bedside switch is a great help.

Warmth:  Essential. Older people require warmer temperatures than the young. Fires and radiators must be easily controlled and well guarded.

Storage: Cupboards that are easily accessible at a low level with simple opening mechanisms.

Safety: Sharp corners and loose electrical cables must be dealt with.

Curtains: On a corded track for ease of use.

Bathroom: grab rails and an easily lockable medicine cabinet. Mixer taps and a controlled temperature shower system will help avoid extremes of water temperature. Non-slip flooring is essential.

Location: preferably on the ground floor for easy access to the garden.

Decoration: It is always best to try to incorporate as many treasured possessions as possible, to recreate a homely feel. Involve everyone in the decoration choices and use cheerful fabrics and colours.

Orna O’Reilly is a full designer member of the British Interior Design Assocation (BIDA) and operates from the west of Ireland.

Being deeply involved in the Interior Design world involves me in meeting many top designers on a regular basis. Last year saw a lot of very worried faces at trade shows and seminars I attended between September and December 2008.

January saw great relief as the calendar turned to 2009, with most of us happy to see the end of 2008 with the continuing global economic collapse, which has everyone in professions allied to the building industry – interior designers and decorators included — worrying about the coming year.

I feel that the outlook may not be as bleak as some think. One thing is certain: in difficult economic times, two seemingly opposing things will happen: one, people will spend less money, and two, people will spend more time in their homes. Without the cash to spend on evenings out, there will be more attention paid to staying at home and enjoying the pleasures to be found in one’s own living room.

And that’s good news for designers. In hard times, people are looking at what they have and are investing in sprucing up their homes, redesigning their kitchens and adding on sun-rooms rather than risking selling up and risking a whopping loss on their capital.

We are all aware that the housing market has taken a big hit this past year. Homeowners who had been planning to sell their homes are now re-examining their options. Many people, who absolutely have to sell and move, are wondering what they can do to increase their chances of a getting a decent price for their homes. Others are looking at refurbishing what they have and holding fast until the economy improves. Either way, the interior designer wins in these difficult times

I have found that I have literally gone “back to the drawing board” in its truest form. I am designing extensions and kitchens like never before. It is hard work, but thank goodness I have the qualifications and experience to be able to take on such demanding work. Anyone can sell fabrics and wallpaper; that is what sales-people do. During the good times, it was easy to take this highly profitable route. But now in these difficult times, it is wonderful to be able to produce new and innovative designs for clients who do not have as much money to spend as previously and who want to enjoy their homes without breaking the bank.

Personally, I am optimistic about the future of hard-working interior designers during these difficult and challenging times.

Orna O’Reilly

Kinvara. February 2009