A home should never feel like a passive backdrop to daily life. It is a mirror of lived experience, a keeper of precious memories and a space that adapts and grows to accommodate the lives of the people within it.
Developing a style that feels authentically yours begins with intention – paying attention to how your surroundings make you feel and how you want to live within them. It is about creating a dialogue between your inner self and the spaces you inhabit, so your home becomes a sanctuary where you feel comfortable and at peace as well as a space to open up and share with confidence.
Don’t wait until you’re faced with a renovation or redesign to start building your inspiration library. Pay attention to the details that catch your eye, spark curiosity, or simply bring joy and bank those sensory cues for later. A piece of artwork, a fabric trim, textural surface, antique, landscape or scent – there are no boundaries, and no right or wrongs. This is simply an exercise in noticing what resonates with you. Equally telling are the details that jar or unsettle you, take note of these also as they help define what ultimately feels authentic.
Collect images, sketches, or fabric swatches and step back to observe the patterns that emerge. These impressions, gathered over time will help form the foundation of a design story that is coherent and deeply personal. Inspiration can be found anywhere from a walk in the park to an unusual objet. Utilise platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram to research and collate findings. The key is to keep collecting and curating your own visual and sensory archive. It will prove invaluable when the time comes to make design decisions.
“I’ll let you into a secret, I have a little stash of fantastic fabrics and finishes which I have been collecting for over 20 years (though I’ve reigned it is a little, and it is far smaller than it once was – I’m down to a single small box now). But, in this box are a group of finishes that I love, that make me happy and that I know I want to use in our projects at some point.” – Roselind Wilson, Creative Director
At our Belsize Park duplex project, the owners’ international lifestyle heavily influenced the design. In the guest bathroom, the brief called for a modern industrial aesthetic that reflected their love of natural stone. We paired exquisite Calacatta Gold marble – striking for its warm gold veining with intricately patterned ceramic tiles in the shower area. The result was a refined interpretation of industrial style layered with Asian-inspired motifs that nod to the couple’s travels and affinities.
Every home has its own character and it speaks – if you take the time to listen. Architectural details are the threads that link past to present bringing depth, charm, and a sense of continuity to an interior. Sash windows, encaustic tiles, parquet floors, cast-iron fireplaces and high ceilings are just a few examples of the features that define Victorian and Georgian properties in particular.
Over time homes undergo repeated refurbishments and updates and these beautiful details are often damaged, neglected, or hidden beneath layers of paintwork. The key is to identify which elements are worth celebrating and allow them to take centre stage in your design story.
At Roselind Wilson Design we draw from the past, but never let it dictate the present. In our Belsize Park project we worked closely with English Heritage to carefully restore the ornate cornicing and a striking ceiling rose. Against this historic backdrop we introduced a contemporary modular chandelier to create a dialogue between old-world craftsmanship and modern design. It is a reminder that the most compelling interiors do not erase the past but reinterpret them for the present.
The most considered interiors allow aesthetic and practical concerns to intersect seamlessly creating an environment that is both functional and expressive.
Ask yourself what elements are particularly important to you? What makes your day flow more smoothly? Perhaps it’s a hidden breakfast bar to tuck away the morning mess, or a quiet nook where you can lose yourself in a good book. Maybe your idea of bliss is a fireside spot in winter or a sunlit corner to savour your first coffee of the day.
At our Harrogate period home redesign, our clients are busy parents balancing demanding careers and family life. The couple wanted a dedicated space to connect each morning before the pace of the day took over. We created a comfortable seating area within the master suite, featuring a pair of pillowy zebra-printed armchairs set at a natural incline towards each other to encourage connection and quiet moments of calm and togetherness.
A home is a vessel of identity, much like a self-portrait commissioned to capture the sitter’s essence – Each object, finish, and furnishing reflecting the nuance of personal taste. Signature elements should convey your style and reveal your individuality.
Do look to design movements and style periods for inspiration but avoid imposing an overly prescribed ‘look.’ The most resonant interiors are never confined to a single style, instead they evolve instinctively, shaped by countless choices, quiet preferences and personal collections gathered over time.
Reflect on the spaces that draw you in. Perhaps it is the symmetry and ornate detailing of classical interiors. Or maybe the pared-back simplicity of minimalism, with its neutral palettes and ‘less is more’ philosophy which feels more aligned to your aesthetic preferences.
Does the utilitarian edge of industrial design speaks to you, or more so the clean geometry of Mid-Century Modern. You might find yourself drawn to the tactile, globally inspired layers of Bohemian style. Whatever your leanings the key lies in curating only the elements that truly resonate with you. The result will be a space that feels layered and authentic – composed rather than contrived.
“Inspiration can come from anywhere. A walk in the park, a conversation, a texture you enjoy. It’s about connecting the dots between experiences and translating them into a space that feels alive.” – Roselind Wilson, Creative Director
This approach is evident in our recent North London project where our clients’ passion for travel and contemporary art inspired a living room that balances the home’s Arts and Crafts heritage with bold, modern details. From the Art Deco-inspired design of the fireside seat to the reimagined cocktail armchair, every piece contributes to the narrative. Overhead a Bella Figura chandelier in brushed bronze and smoked Murano glass brings modern elegance, while a striking portrait by South African artist Gary Stephens adds a playful, personal edge to the scheme.
Great design is timeless yet adaptable, by collaborating with an interior designer instinct is transformed into coherence, shaping a home that is functional, characterful, and deeply personal.
Whether you are considering a full-scale renovation or a subtle refinement we would love to help bring your vision to life. Get in touch with our incredible team to start the conversation. For more information about our work, please contact us here.
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