Small percentages can make the difference

There are many reasons why our clients engage us, but it's often because they don't feel confident in developing a new design and making decisions.

So if you're looking for an interior designer because you don’t believe you have a natural eye for design and you are in a quandary about making the right choices when it comes to a major transformation, we sympathise. And we're here to help!

As Leigh Hall, owner of Strive for Design, explains, there are a few simple rules and tools that can be worth their weight in gold. 'My experience of interior design has taught me to be flexible and innovative,' says Leigh. 'For example, when compiling ideas for an interior design project, we find that Pinterest can be a brilliant source of inspiration, but it can actually be difficult to know where to start and that's where a professional such as myself can come into their own. It's beneficial to have someone objective to bounce ideas around with, and to get to the heart of your tastes and what you're hoping to achieve. Many of our clients tell us how reassuring it is to have an interior designer at the end of the phone when seeking advice or making decisions about exactly where to hang a certain picture, which wall should have a feature wallpaper or where larger pieces of furniture should be situated. There is often a fear of making expensive mistakes, and that's where we really can make a difference.

'Another area where clients sometimes struggle is with colours, so another pair of eyes and some different ideas can be really helpful. Our philosophy is that colours in a room should generally be on a 60-30-10 basis with the main colour at 60% and complimentary colours at 30 and 10%. These smaller percentages can also be used as part of the furniture and interior accessories or on a feature wall! That’s why we believe that it makes sense to engage an interior designer - as well as bringing my insight and expertise to the project I'm able to select from a vast array of products, many of which aren't available on the high street, and my fee is invariably saved along the way, either on sourcing furniture and accessories at preferential prices, or by avoiding expensive mistakes.'

Leigh Hall is an interior designer in Cambridge and offers virtual styling, telephone consultations and on-site appointments so please call us on 01223 622 688 for an initial discussion.