How to start your design Scheme
Design Foundations: Start with the Perfect Backdrop
When creating a space that feels cohesive and visually striking, a great starting point is to consider your backdrop. Will you opt for plain painted walls, textured exposed brickwork, sleek fitted joinery, or modern wall cladding for added depth and interest?
Once you’ve established this foundation, it becomes the canvas for bringing in exciting furniture pieces and decorative details.
For this design scheme, we chose soft pale brick slips to introduce subtle texture. Modern, built-in joinery—custom-made and painted in a light-to-mid shade, similar to Charleston Gray from Farrow & Ball—adds a seamless architectural element to the space.
The show-stopping piece of original artwork by Shadia Sabagh becomes a focal point, where the artist beautifully describes the “red and blue hues as a metaphor for life’s dualities—passionate yet peaceful, exuberant yet introspective.” Set against the soft sand tones of the brickwork, the art feels both bold and harmonious.
To ground the design, we introduced a rich deep-red velvet sofa, paired with walnut and dark-stained oak furniture. These pieces bring warmth, contrast, and a sense of luxury, forming the heart of this inviting and contemporary scheme.
Brushed brass accents—particularly through lighting with a white globe design—add a refined glow, while a laid-back armchair in a 1960s-inspired design brings balance. With its natural linen upholstery, aged stained oak frame, and brass cap details, the chair exudes a relaxed, lived-in charm with a subtle vintage nod.
The surface materials used as the backdrop in this design scheme create a timeless foundation, setting the tone for the rest of the property. A variation in texture and a cohesive colour palette can flow throughout, ensuring every space feels harmonious and considered.
Our client will soon receive the complete design kit, including floor plans, visuals, and a full shopping list—everything they need to bring the design to life at their own pace. Should they need additional guidance along the way, we’ll be here to offer support whenever it’s needed
Looking to bring a similar design to life in your home? Explore our interior design services and let us help you craft a space that’s perfectly tailored to you.
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