Who's Afraid of Colour? Don't be!

I was asked to design a garden.  Not my forte but it was a favour for a friend.  The only stipulation (other than cost - as inexpensive as possible) was that they wanted to inject some colour into the garden that wasn't reliant on plants and flowers - they wanted something that would cheer them up during the long winter months as well. 

The garden is a typical London terraced plot, NNE facing (little/no sun during the winter) so plants have to be selected with this in mind (I got help with this).  They  needed a shed for storage and secondly to provide space for the husband who likes making things with wood. Other aspects to consider: a 10 year old son  who still liked playing in the garden, compost bin, water butt, somewhere for a cold frame, vegetable beds (small) some fruit trees, a bed for flowers and extra bike storage.  When listed out like that it is a lot to get into a small space and leave some grass!

The photo's are taken from the decking outside of the kitchen doors where the outside raised decking/eating area has table, chairs and bbq.  The painted wall by the shed hides the water butt, compost bin and cold frame.  The bright purple panels at the back of the garden hide the bike/wood storage and provide a platform for the children to play on/read on/chuck water balloons from! 

The old lap over fencing is faced with oak batons. Behind is painted cream to lighten the area.   There are going to be two espallied fruit trees on the right.  Between the trees (at present full of courgette plants) are the three raised vegetable/herb beds.

There is a mirror in front of the steps to the platform which reflects back the garden.  The planters in front of the raised eating platform are the same purple as the back panels.  The planters (with veg in) are painted a dark grey. 

Now down to the real question of this blog - colour!  Who is afraid of using it either in their house or in their garden?  

I have been lucky recently to have clients that haven't been afraid of using colour in their homes.  This has been a change from recent years where beige/griz/cream have been the favourite colours of use.  

What would I advise? Be brave!  Use colour - it can inject life and zing into a scheme be it either inside or out.  Remember paint can be changed - if you either grow bored of it, or fashions change. 

These people were brave to go for the liliac/purple combination? What do you think - does it work for you?

What should you spend your money on when doing up your home?

Money doesn't grow on trees (I wish it did) and I know that saving money is important but here you are doing up your house and you want to know where to spend your money to get the best effect or even what is important.   

In no particular order I suggest a few areas that I would  spend money on and others that you can get away with spending less.

1.   Flooring:
Get the floor that you want - don't skimp on this.  Replacing a floor sometime down the line is hugely disruptive.  So this is one item I would suggest that you spend money on.

2.   Worktops:
here you can save - replacing at a later date a  cheap worktop with a nicer one is not too difficult (depending if you have splashback tiles or not). 

3.   Kitchens:
You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good looking kitchen, what you will compromise on will be the hinges, drawer runners and carcass of the kitchen.  But if you only need the units to last for a few years.  Compromise on this.  Also remember that fashions change!

4.   Bathrooms:
Spend on taps and your plumber, save on baths, basins, trays and wc.   Tiles again are a fashion item, so don't get too hung up on an expensive tile.  Often you can find a very good looking tile similar to the expensive one.

5.   Lighting: 
This is an area you should spend your money well.  Items like table lamps can easily be up graded, but ceiling fixtures can't - so spend the money and put in the best you can afford.  Also, put in more sockets than you think you need.  With the electrification of our lives (ipods, pads, computers, hair gadgets, mobile phones etc) you always need more sockets.  I know many people who don't like ceiling lights, spots or other - so one has to find innovative ways of putting light into a scheme.

6.   Storage: 
More is best.  YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH STORAGE.  The law of mess dictates that whatever storage you have will be filled.  So plan, plan, plan as much storage as you can.  If you can't afford to put all the cupboarding in now, at least plan for installing it in the future. 

7.   Furniture:
 I know you lust after that must have iconic item, you want it, you need it..............but do you really?  Being practical here, unless you are an uber cool chic person with a fabulous loft style apartment, will that steel and leather day bed actually suit your life?  No!  Well don't buy it now, but remember it and buy it later when the children have left home!

8.   Art: 
A difficult one this as art is so subjective,  I am of the opinion that if you love, love, love it - buy it!  Otherwise it will be an opportunity missed.  But it is one of those luxuries that can completely scupper your attempts at keeping to a budget so beware the impulse buy.  Sometimes a good piece of art can be the starting point for a scheme, layout or idea.

9.   Gardens: 
Love the outdoors - but you've just spent a fortune doing up the house and don't have anything left.  I would suggest that you do something simple for the short term and plan to do up the garden at a later date.   But do plan and put in electricity and water for that time!

10.   Interior Designer: 
Well what would I say except that money spent with an good Interior Designer won't be wasted.  We know our business and  know what is important and what isn't.  We can save you money by concentrating your mind and showing you what is essential.  We also know where to go to get those must have items at excellent prices.  Kitchens, flooring, lighting, storage, furniture, art and gardens - you want the look but don't have the money.  This is what we are there for; planning and strategic thinking.  Pay for us and we will pay for ourselves in the long run with money spent wisely.

Lighting under glass shelf - also access panel for the thermostatic control.