In London, the weather is slowly but surely progressing from frigid to tolerable, and the city’s parks have been enlivened by technicolour carpets of daffodils and tulips. It’s out with bulky outerwear and knits, and in with lighter layers, billowing sundresses, and a sense of sartorial freedom. Dare we say, spring is finally here! And naturally, it’s time to embrace the glorious outdoors. This week, we’ve asked a handful of interior design experts to share their top tips for creating a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces. Here’s what they had to say…
Embrace a New Point of View
Kitchens tend to be the heart of a home. When the sun is shining, outdoor cooking and entertaining are a no-brainer. The great outdoors can be integrated into the overall aesthetic of your indoor kitchen by thoughtfully considering the layout. Tom Howley, Creative Design Director at the eponymous bespoke kitchen company says:
“If your kitchen is near your garden, or has a nice view, make sure the furniture layout makes the best of this by orienting towards the view. Your sink doesn’t always have to be positioned looking out to the garden, consider locating your dining area with the best view in the kitchen. Creating an indoor-outdoor living space will mean that dinner parties can extend outside into the garden, with all the essentials to hand in the kitchen. You can enhance the connection to your garden with the addition of bi-fold doors, which can fully retract and provide a seamless link to the outside.”
Create a Sense of ‘Connectedness’
“We see outdoor spaces as an extension of your indoor interior aesthetic. Opt for garden furniture and decor that fits in with the overall look and feel inside your home, for connectedness,” says David Harris, Design Director at textile and furniture design house, Andrew Martin.
Philippa Thorp, Founder and Director of Thorp, a luxury London-based architecture and design studio, echoes this, saying: “Indoor and outdoor spaces should balance each other perfectly. Our garden and landscaping projects are designed to elegantly complement the homes we make, reinforcing the overall connection to nature and creating a sense of organic harmony.” This can be achieved by upholstering both your indoor and outdoor furniture in the same hues or prints.
Harris adds, “we offer many options for dual use – from rugs and cushions to seating. Upholstered in removable, cleanable, and waterproof fabric, our outdoor pieces are perfect for high-traffic interiors, especially for families with pets or young children.”
Floral Freshen-up
When it comes to textiles, the appeal of botanical prints is enduring. Produced in the Lake District, Andrew Martin’s Pavilion and Folklore collections are inspired by Britain’s love of outside spaces and green-fingered nature. Dashing wildflower sprigs and undulating vines in lush tones capture the essence of a garden in full bloom. The collections’ plump feather-filled cushions, for instance, are perfect for uplifting neutral furniture, creating a nature-inspired scheme with minimal effort required.
You can continue this floral freshen-up with a dreamy bedscape, opting for organic linens splashed with saturated botanicals – because what’s dreamier than frolicking in a wildflower meadow? A restorative snooze on bedding covered in them. Look to bedlinen designer Sheridan for some splendid examples. We suggest the Lyric Quilt Cover Set which boasts springtime shades of periwinkle and coral.
Material Matters
Exposure to the elements calls for materials that strike a balance between durability and beauty. Mor Krisher, Head of Design at premium surface brand, Caesarstone, says: “The outdoor kitchen market is growing rapidly, and we have seen an increasing desire for year-round garden entertaining. Don’t make the mistake of choosing the wrong materials. Natural stone such as marble, is highly susceptible to staining, especially in a high-traffic, exposed area such as your outdoor kitchen. To avoid substantial staining, you would have to seal your marble surfaces at least annually.”
Non-porous, durable, scratch, stain, mould, and mildew resistant, and easy-to-clean, Caesarstone’s Porcelain range promises to live up to the demands of the outdoors without the need for any high maintenance. These surfaces have each been meticulously tested to withstand harsh sunlight and variable temperatures, ensuring they always remain highly UV and weather resistant, for years to come. They’re also perfect for indoor use, allowing you to seamlessly align all of your culinary spaces.
Let There Be Light
Lastly, a well-lit garden makes outdoor evening soirees an effortless prospect. Cue Phileas, Pooky Lighting’s first-ever rechargeable cordless lamp, designed in collaboration with award-winning British interior designer Matthew Williamson, and named after the iconic Mr P Fogg – the protagonist in Jules Verne’s novel, Around the World in Eighty Days – for its ability to travel anywhere, indoors or out.
Illuminating al fresco dinner parties with a full charge that lasts 10 hours, this antiqued brass table lamp has an array of new sorbet-hued empire shade options. An enchanting alternative to taper candles, Phileas is thoughtfully sized to ensure you can comfortably see over it whilst dining.
There’s No Place Like Home
Curators of exceptional short stays, Domus Stay on unlocking London’s design-led properties and what makes a house a home.
Our homes are our castles, or so the saying goes. Places that provide sanctuary and escapism, for many people their property is also their primary financial asset – although we’d argue that the value of a home comes down to much more than its price per square foot.
At Domus Stay, we curate memorable short stay experiences by pairing dedicated guest services with design-led homes in London’s most desirable neighbourhoods. One-of-a-kind properties are our bread and butter. Chelsea townhouses, Notting Hill maisonettes and Mayfair mews homes reimagined by leading creatives, we seek out backdrops that spark inspiration, induce relaxation and elevate the everyday. Beyond striking interiors, our guests can expect to find conversation-starting antiques, libraries filled with first editions and chef-grade appliances.
Among our most unique spaces, there’s a Grade-II listed Mayfair apartment that has counted royals and the literati among its former residents, an expectation-defying Fulham lodge house that featured on Grand Designs, and an artist’s studio turned penthouse of impressive proportions in Notting Hill.
Like us, the owners of these extraordinary homes share the belief that considered design adds value – and not just in a financial sense. Beyond monetary gains, thoughtful interventions can enhance our wellbeing and the way we live. As a result, leading architects and interior design studios have had a hand in many of the homes in our portfolio, from Blyth-Collinson Interiors to Lonika Chande and Simon Gill Architects. Sometimes though, the visionaries in question are the homeowners themselves, who are arguably best placed to bring out the intrinsic worth of a space through the experience of living in it.
One of our homeowners told us that she wanted to share her place for short stays because she was a “custodian”, and that has always stuck with us. So much so that we carry forward this sentiment in all we do. We strive to look after our homes as if they were our own. As well as maintaining them to the highest standards, our diligent approach to inventory checks, guest vetting, security and housekeeping offers peace of mind for everyone. For every new property we handpick to join our collection, we also undertake a thorough preparation day to familiarise ourselves with each element in detail – so we understand the nuts, bolts and quirks of every space.
Ultimately, whatever gives a home its unique appeal – from celebrated mid-century modern furniture to an art collection amassed over a lifetime – owners can trust us to showcase it to the most suitable individuals. That’s because we connect likeminded people: those with properties that don’t just look good but feel great to live in. And discerning guests with an appreciation for considered design.
With a background rooted in luxury property and hospitality, personal service comes naturally to us. Whether a home is available for two weeks, two months or more, our experienced team takes the stress out of the short stay process, for homeowners, guests and bookers alike.
We might not have any castles in our portfolio (yet), but for everything else, get in touch.
Spring Clearing With You Need A Vicky
Spring feels the perfect time to get your home in shape. The weather is improving (that’s the plan!) and the blossom and magnolia is blooming. It feels right to refresh as we come into a new season not only switching up our seasonal wardrobes but decluttering our homes and minds too.
Why Declutter & Organise?
Studies show less visual distraction can increase energy levels, productivity, day to day efficiency as well as stress levels. It’s all well and good going out and exercising but if you return to a home of chaos and clutter then there is potential to undo some of that good work.
Clutter can make you feel like there is a constant to do list surrounding you and can stop your mind from truly relaxing, whereas organisation can have a hugely positive impact on your mental health and when you try it, I believe you’ll feel it almost instantly.
The biggest tips/things to think about that I give people when embarking on their decluttering journey are…
- Start small and the difference feels big – you don’t have to declutter and organise a whole room to feel benefits. If you are time poor (most of us are) then work on a drawer or small cupboard, even a shelf a day. There’s psychology behind this. By starting, working on and then completing an area you are much more likely to continue the good work. If you start an area too large and don’t have the time or energy/focus to complete it then chances are it’s more of a struggle to go back to. You want to finish on a high.
- Start with the space that most annoys you/hinders your everyday life. That could be your bedroom (getting ready in the morning can affect our mode and day dramatically) or potentially your kitchen.
- Have your tools ready. Get your bags for charity, your rubbish and recycling bags prepared and have your cleaning spray to hand!
- There are many questions people suggest asking but try this one as you are going through your belongings and making decisions on what stays and what goes. Can I live without this? If you feel guilty at wasted money, bad purchases or hasty buying then feel that feeling. It will pass and I believe it’s a healthy way to start to change buying habits for the future.