Back in November I wrote about lighting trends – that post was all about the aesthetics but today I’d like to talk about more practical matters. Where, how and why you use lighting is just as important to the final look of a room as the shape and style of a lampshade. You can choose…

Image source: Wikimedia Commons It’s officially December and we all know what that means… It’s time to deck the halls! In a departure from the usual riot of tinsel, baubles and glitter, I’m edging towards a more Scandinavian scheme this year. I love the blend of natural materials and modern elements in a soothing yet…

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design It seems to be undeniable that our world is getting smaller. By that I mean take just one look in any estate agent’s window and you will see that we are paying even higher premiums for even smaller spaces these days. Consequently as our world shrinks our demand for…

Reception desk by Steve McIlveen for my recent office design project at Good Energy in Wiltshire For a small island, Britain certainly has a lot of talent. I’ve been following the handmade trend for several years now and it’s been a real pleasure to see local designers and craftspeople make their mark in a mass-produced…

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Wallpaper is back, and this time it looks set to stick around! As a lover of pattern, I am thrilled. Paint is fantastic but unless you hire an extremely talented artist you can’t create quite the same effect as wallpaper in your room design. Like me, you probably have…

Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design Distinctly bohemian yet surprisingly elegant, ikat has been inspiring new and unusual interior design ideas for a few years now. I’m particularly enthused by this trend because like tie-dye and tartan it has a long and fascinating history. Very complicated dyeing and weaving techniques are used to create the…