Interior Design Trends For 2021

Some interior design trends seem to have been around for years, such as Scandi-inspired minimalism and shabby chic. However, there are some evolving ideas which look set to take off during this year. Here’s a quick look at some of them.

False or suspended ceilings

indecotrends.com lists false ceilings as a popular ongoing trend. These can serve a dual purpose: to hide unsightly pipework, ducts, air conditioning and electrical wires, and also to add an aesthetically pleasing element with ceiling decoration. Some designers even use different levels of ceiling to demarcate space, instead of a false interior wall.

False ceilings are being used more frequently in homes, but also in commercial buildings, where they not only look stylish but also provide noise insulation. They also allow for creative use of lighting, whether concealed along the perimeter to give a pleasing subtle glow, or illumination by recessed lights or low pendant lamps.

Upcycling

According to livingtec.com, upcycling is going to become a bigger trend for 2021, as the drive for more sustainable and eco-friendly ways of living gathers momentum. People are becoming more willing to experiment with re-using and personalising their home possessions, which will hopefully lead to more individuality and creativity.

It is expected that consumers will become far more concerned to buy goods from responsibly sourced, sustainable suppliers, and environmentally friendly solutions will be more important than aesthetic consideration. They will be looking for energy efficient white goods which do not consume excess water and electricity, and electric car charging points.

Timeless chic

In line with more eco-conscious living, interior design will focus on beautiful craftsmanship, which will outlive trends. Second-hand vintage and inherited pieces which would once have been banished to the loft or taken straight to the tip are being proudly restored and displayed in homes. The essence is to buy less, and make what you have last much longer.

If you live in a period property and are looking for listed building restoration experts to help breathe fresh life into your home, then get in touch today.

Bradford Manor House To Be Converted To Homes For Homeless

Bradford Council has approved listed building restoration plans to turn a huge former manor house into homeless accommodation.

With this application granted, Carlton Manor will be able to house up to 24 people, as well as provide health and housing services.

Constructed in the 1870s, the Grade II listed building has seen many uses over the last century, from its initial use as a manor house before being converted into a convent. Most recently, the building has been used as a care home treating young adults with physical disabilities.

However, an extension that dates back to the building’s time as a convent has not been used since the 1980s, and the building as a whole has been empty since 2019. This has caused it to slowly deteriorate.

The planned works, to be undertaken by Concept Housing, will respect the building’s listed status and presence within a building conservation area.

Helping bring the community landmark back into use will itself help to ensure the building continues to survive and thrive, as empty buildings deteriorate quicker for a range of reasons.

Apart from the obvious lack of repairs, cleaning and restorations when needed, an empty building wears down quickly for a range of reasons.

Without appropriate heating in winter and ventilation in summer, the humidity inside the building increases, promoting more weathering, moss and grime.

Along with this, if the heating system is turned off but not drained, the freeze/thaw cycle of water would potentially cause a devastating water leak which could very quickly destroy the building.

What Is Horsehair Plaster?

If you’re renovating an older or historic property at the moment, you may well have come across horsehair plaster, also referred to as lath and plaster, typically a mixture of horsehair, plaster, sand and lime.

Drywall is more common in newer buildings, but there are all sorts of benefits to using lath and plaster, including structural strength and greater flexibility, making it easier to plaster curved or irregularly shaped walls.

It’s also worth noting that, while modern drywall is a more cost-effective option, it could be a false economy, since plaster provides better soundproofing, fireproofing and better insulation. It also doesn’t harbour mould, so it represents a healthier option, as well.

If your home already has plaster walls, it makes a lot more sense to stick with this if you can, rather than replacing it, especially in historic properties where you want to keep the original features of the building.

Not only is lath and plaster higher quality as a material in building work, it also looks a lot better than drywall does, so this is also something worth considering if you want to enhance the aesthetics of your property. It can also increase the value of the property itself, another consideration to bear in mind.

Avoid removing plaster and replacing or covering it up with drywall, as this can make your rooms look smaller and contrast quite harshly with other features in the space, such as mouldings, cornices and so on.

You should also perhaps avoid gutting the rooms, as this will remove everything, including all the original features of the property. A professional contractor will be able to carry out repair work without resorting to a gut renovation.

The Most Influential Home Makeover Shows

In the UK, we’re almost all fixated on interior design and the idea of buying a fixer-upper to restore to its original period glory, or into a modern masterpiece. But whether it’s a pipe dream or a definite plan of action for 2021, we all love the TV shows that inspire us to consider what we can do to our own homes.

With the second series of Interior Design Masters 2021 due to start on BBC in February, this time around with comedian Alan Carr providing the snarky hosting skills in place of Fearne Cotton, we wanted to look at a few of the best interior design shows on TV or streaming.

Interior Design Masters (2019) - Netflix

The original series aired in 2019 on BBC Two, in those halcyon pre-pandemic days. As mentioned, it was hosted by Fearne Cotton and ten aspiring interior designers hoping to go professional compete to win the praise of judge Michelle Ogundehin, with the help of design gurus and industry experts as specialist guest judges each week.

Grand Designs (1999 to present) - All 4

This long-running show, presented by designer and writer Kevin McCloud, focuses on some of the more elaborate and unique dream homes being built by the owners. It typically features custom-made elements that make the finished product not a home, but a work of art.

Some of the most unusual buildings include a domed house in a hillside built entirely by the owner and his family, and a glass house on top of a Welsh cliff which is part home, part architectural monument.

Tidying Up With Marie Kondo (2019) - Netflix

If your budget doesn’t quite run to building your own grand design, then the easiest way to improve your interiors is simply with a good tidy up.

Back in January 2019, Marie Kondo was the queen of decluttering, bringing order and calm to your home and your mind. It was addictive watching, instilling a sense of productivity and motivation, without having to get off the sofa!

If you live in a period property and looking for listed building restoration experts to help breathe fresh life into your home, then get in touch today.

How To Bring a Victorian Home Into The 21st Century

The vast amount of Victorian properties in the UK, from handsome townhouses to humble terraces are still incredibly popular homes today. They were solidly built, simply configured, and crammed full of interesting features, such as sash windows, ornate ceiling roses, cornicing, and gorgeous fireplaces.

While many original features in these properties may have been removed over the years, there is much interest in restoring and retaining them to bring a Victorian home back to its previous grandeur, such as this refurbished home in East London.

If you’re wanting to bring your Victorian home into the 21st century while retaining the features that make the property so appealing, we have some tips for you here.

Sash windows

Sash windows were typical in Victorian homes, and if the original windows are still intact, repairing and waterproofing them can help them live a long and beautiful life. It is worth considering getting the sashes to upgrade with double glazing, and some companies can fit double glazing into original window panes.

 

Preserve original floorboards

Original floorboards have been an obsession for decades. Even worn and battered boards can be repaired and patched, so seek our renovation experts before giving up on the original floorboards.

Create contrast with cornicing

Ornate plasterwork cornicing was beloved by the Victorians, but you can reinvent it today, while also making it stand out, by painting a bold shade around it. This is a neat way of both celebrating and modernising an original feature. Coving specialists in London can help restore coving to its original glory.

Use bold colour

The trend for darker hues on walls work wonderfully with Victorian features and are actually in keeping with that period’s love of dark shades.

Upcycle period pieces

Inexpensive Victorian pine furniture can be found on eBay and flea markets. Bring them up to date by stripping them back or painting them in a bright shade. New handles and knobs can help give them a fresh new look too and will look at home in your Victorian property without looking stuffy.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, then get in touch today,

Ceiling Design ‘Top Interiors Trend For 2021’

If you’re currently restoring an older property or are thinking about giving your home interiors a makeover in 2021, it’s important that you don’t overlook your ceiling.

Canberra Weekly recently named ceiling design as one of the top interior trends to watch this year, noting that it’s an area of our interiors that is often overlooked.

Greg Natale, a leading interior designer in Australia, told the newspaper that, along with the walls, the ceiling is one of the first areas of a room he considers when starting a new interior design project.

“They’re an essential layer of the architecture, and a wonderful way of introducing pattern into the framework of a room, helping to define its look and add interest and drama,” he told the news provider.

Mr Natale went on to suggest that cornices could be a particularly important element to look at this year, and urged homeowners to consider how they can use these features to improve the design of the space. For instance, he noted that cornices don’t just have to be painted to match the ceiling. Instead, using a contrasting colour can provide a dramatic outline.

He’s a particular fan of painting cornices black in the right situations because this can add “beautiful definition” to a room.

Last year, an article for Architecture & Design pointed out that there are many different cornice designs, many of which are categorised according to the historical period in which they were popular. Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco are among the styles often found in homes in the UK, as well as modern designs that tend to be cleaner and more simplistic.

If you’re looking for assistance with plaster ceiling decoration in your home, get in touch with our team of experts today.

Victorian Details To Enhance Your Home’s Period Appeal

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a Victorian period property, you’ll no doubt want to make the most of it. Maybe these homes can be a little draughty in winter compared to modern homes, and expensive to maintain at times, but the desire for period property has never waned.

If you’re looking to take advantage of the property market boom, or simply wanting to make changes to your home, we have a few features you could add to bring the period element back to your home.

A butler sink

For the Victorian pantry look, a classic white butler sink will look incredible in a traditionally styled kitchen. Contrast with darker paintwork on units and walls for a standout effect.

Go for a stained-glass door

Stained-glass might bring to mind churches, but by the end of the 1800s and the end of the Victorian period, stained glass had become a popular feature in domestic front doors. The decorative panels allow light in, whilst also providing privacy, and lend a gorgeous aesthetic from both inside and out.

Fit an ornate fireplace

A cast-iron fireplace makes a natural focal point in any room in the house and is one of the joys of any home in the winter months. The Victorians relied on them for keeping warm on chilly evenings. Surrounds were often made of marble, stone or wood.

Show off cornicing

Decorative plaster cornicing – along the line where ceiling and wall meet – adds elegance, grandeur and atmosphere to rooms.

If the original cornicing hasn’t been preserved at all, consider finding coving specialists in London who can restore your coving to its original state.

Reclaim a period radiator

A reclaimed cast-iron radiator will always look great in a period home, becoming part of the framework of the home in a way that modern radiators simply cannot achieve.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, then talk to our team today.

Blackpool Tower Ballroom To Be Restored After Government Grant

The iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom is to be repaired after securing a £764,000 grant from the Government. The grant is part of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which is intended to help arts industries affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The ballroom is world famous thanks to its regular occupancy by hit show Strictly Come Dancing.

The money will be spent on restoring the plaster ceiling decoration in the ballroom. The venue first opened in 1894, and the beautiful ornate plasterwork ceiling also dates back to then. It is hoped the work can be completed during the current Covid-19 lockdown, and the ballroom can re-open to the public at a later date this year.

Strictly Judge Shirley Ballas says that "Blackpool holds a special place in the heart of every ballroom dancer all over the world". She adds: "I am overjoyed to learn of the Government's investment to aid in the restoration of one of Blackpool's historic ballrooms, all of which house the memories and history of the ballroom dance industry."

The funding is specifically from the Heritage Stimulus Fund, provided by the Government and administered by Historic England. It is part of the wider package of the Culture Recovery Fund, which is an emergency relief fund providing grants and loans designed to protect the future of Britain’s theatres, galleries, and other cultural venues.

Duncan Wilson, the Chief Executive of Historic England, commented: “In these challenging times, our shared heritage is more important than ever. This vital funding will allow essential repairs to take place, providing employment for skilled craft workers and ensuring that we preserve this much-loved ballroom for everyone to enjoy, both now and in the future.”

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is one of more than 800 heritage sites and organisations to be awarded a grant during the pandemic, and they will provide a lifeline to venues which are facing one of the biggest financial challenges for a century.

If you are looking for plaster ceiling decoration in London, get in touch today.