43 DOS AND DON’TS OF TOWNHOUSE INTERIORS
CAMILLA CLARKE
Creative director at Albion Nord Design Studio
1 DO consider any heritage qualities with your house. If you have a Georgian or Victorian property, it’s important to be sensitive towards these period elements and try and reinstate these heritage architectural features through the interior design. Combining old and new decor schemes helps to create a timeless aesthetic.
Carefully consider a combination of textures and materials that are sympathetic to any listed qualities but still add layers of warmth and interest, making each room feel comfortable and relaxed.
We are passionate about using natural materials such as oaks, linens, wools, silks and sisals. Juxtaposing materials against each other is a great way to stop the space feeling static and is much more exciting to look at.
2 DON’T use quick-fix artwork. A design element to avoid, or perhaps consider in a different light, is the trend for gallery walls. There are many companies providing ‘one-stop-shop’ services where you can purchase prints and frames from the same vendor to ‘get the look.’ A far more appealing way to create your own gallery wall is to collect prints you love over time, visiting antique or vintage sellers for limited print runs or little framed oils. This way, your collection will be entirely unique, bringing a sense of your own personality to your home, rather than opting for ‘Insta-approved’ artworks.
LUCY BARLOW
Creative director and co-founder, Barlow & Barlow
3 DO make the most of a compact space. There are so many clever ways to make the most out of smaller spaces, from bespoke banquettes, to fitted cabinetry and clever storage solutions. It’s often little nooks and awkward corners that turn out to be the best spaces, so don’t overlook them.
The most successful spaces are those that are layered with interesting fabrics, art, furniture and decorative objects, and finding the right pieces can take time. Buying too many things at once and all from high street shops or from those that adhere to very specific trends, can make for a very impersonal, showroom-style
