Interior Design Sevenoaks Kent

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For those of you mid renovation, exhausted at the end of another week surrounded by dust, mess and builders, this is your little reminder that from all that chaos will come a place of calm and happiness. (Swipe to see ➡️)

Hang in there x

Can you spot the new addition?

After much deliberation, I finally decided what I wanted to do with the underneath of the kitchen island and we went for these beautiful tiles.

I’m so pleased with the texture and mix of colours they bring. At certain times of the day you get a beautiful shimmer too.

Next on the list is to change the cupboard handles to something more bronze maybe and repaint the kitchen. After 6 years most of which were in a building site the scuffs need attention.

So do I refresh the white on the cupboards or go with my heart and use a pale taupe/stone and have light walls?

Six years on and the planting is finally feeling more established.

There’s also the added bonus that the huge grasses and shrubs hide all the weeds I don’t have time to deal with - so double winner!

On the first Tuesday of the month from April to October, one of my absolute favourite garden designers @tomstuartsmith opens up his incredible gardens to the public.

This year as well as revisiting the prairie garden, large herbaceous borders and my idea of complete garden perfection - The Barn Garden, I got to have a look at his latest project, The Plant Library.

This is a huge educational resource containing around 1200 plants that you can meander through, touch, smell, photograph and take notes from.

It is arranged in condition specific areas from sun loving, drought tolerant (planted in 6 inches of sharp sand!) through to damp shade lovers and everything in between.

I really recommend a visit if gardens are your thing. 🌳🌿🌼

Design Heaven (and a small request at the end...)

The new Restoration Hardware England does not disappoint. They pride themselves in using historic buildings to showcase their beautiful wares and I have been lucky to visit the one in Boston a few years ago. I have loved to look online from afar ever since.

Ayno Park is a gloriously elegant example of combining classical Sir John Soane architecture, incredible Capability Brown landscape, a multitude of sculpture and art and a warm neutral palette of contemporary furniture.

I took endless photos which I will pour over in the coming weeks while I place some orders for projects. Here are a few highlights for you.

I would really recommend a visit and make sure you have lunch in the stunning orangery (see the last image) or the loggia outside. An American Bistro is coming soon too.

P.S. Can anyone out there make me an enormous paint splatter backdrop canvas like in image 9 please???

The second week of our holiday was spent in Provence with lots more of our lovely family ❤️

The sun shone and the rosé flowed. So much beauty at every turn and here are a few little highlights.

Holiday spam part one

We have just come back from two weeks in beautiful France. The first was spent hiking up mountains, chatting, eating (pretty much everything covered in cheese!) and generally messing about in the Alps.
There are so many stunning trails in Chamonix and Megeve and with the help of a couple of enormous cable cars we even made it up 3800m to the top of the Aiguille du Midi for the most spectacular view of Mont Blanc you can imagine ❄️🏔️
All that fresh air, exercise and time to think did us the world of good.
My sister in law Emily says that the mountains are her happy place and these days (as long as I don’t have to put a pair of skis on) I completely agree!

I do love it when a client gives me a blank canvas to work with. (Swipe to see)

This family had bought a relatively new build house that they desperately wanted to put their stamp on.

The first room needing a redesign was the formal living room. Strictly grown ups only with an elegant finish.

More rooms to show you in this home soon 🤍

@sweetpeaandwillow
@mandarinstoneofficial
@sanderson1860
@vaughandesigns
@andrewmartin_int
@thesofaandchair
@jacarandacarpets
@thesofaandchair
@willowbertinteriors

Chelsea 2023 highlights

What a fantastic show! The gardens were absolutely stunning. Some full of muted tones as if painted rather than planted. Others were bursting with luscious borders of old favourites.

Although @chrisbeardshawdesign planting is an art form in itself and I could sit for hour upon hour in any garden he designs, this year @sarahpricelandscapes garden for @nurture_ltd just took my breath away. She has created the most delicate and gentle contemplative space.

Have you visited or been watching on TV? Which is your favourite garden?

#chelseaflowershow #rhschelseaflowershow2023 #londongardens #gardendesign #plantlover #flowerpower #flowerpower #londondesign #springgarden #exteriordesigns #biophilicdesign #patiodecor #patiodesign #gardenrenovation #outdoorliving #outdoordining #homesandgardens #houseandgarden #interiorstyling #interiordecor #interiorlove #interiordesign #interiors #gardenlover #gardenlife #rhschelsea #ilovegardening #gardeninspirations #interiordesignerkent

Which of these beautiful abstract floral pieces do you think we chose to complete this living room scheme?

A big thank you to @clarendonfineartofficial for bringing our shortlist to the client’s home and propping everything up while we pondered!

Paintings by @elenahendersonart

#artforinteriors #contemporaryart #livingroomdecor #livingroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #traditionalhomes #classicinteriordesign
#interiorideas #interiorstyle #interiorinspo #designsponge #dailydecordose #dailydecordetail #interiordecor #interiormilk #instadecor #interiorandhome #interiorandliving #interiordesign #interiors #interiorinspiration #floralartwork

A little wisteria for your slow Sunday morning 💜

Trying to get back to gardening jobs this weekend. For now I’m ignoring the endless weeds in the borders and cracking on with the new veggie patch.

Anyone else growing vegetables this year? 🌽🥕🥦🍅🥒🫛

A sample board that has been years in the making

This is a scheme for our own master bedroom, dressing room and en-suite and I think I’m actually ready to press go on this.

Some of these images and fabric swatches I’ve had for four years, some are much more recent.

I just couldn’t decide which way to take this room so it has stayed a builder’s white shell for way too long.

This is one space where I get to pick all the things I love and every design show I attended or supplier I visited would bring new little gems that caught my eye.

Now I just need to get cracking and book in my builder…!

#moodboardinspiration #sampleboard #bedroomscheme #bedroomdesignideas #bedroomideas #colourpalette #naturedesign #gentlecolours #calmness #houseandgarden #bedroomlighting #lightingdesign #paintcolours #fabricswatches #wallpapers #wallpanelling #colourscheme #interiormilk #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiorlove #homeinsporation #homerenovation

I didn’t imagine it did I? There was a glimpse of sunshine on Friday wasn’t there?

#kitchendesign #kitcheninspiration #kitchenrenovation #renova #renovating #homeextension #cornerofmyhome #housebeautiful #homedesign #interiordesign #whitekitchen #kitchenislanddesign #quartzworktops #kitchenlighting #kbbmag #dailydecordose #interiormilk #myspaceanddecor #interiorideas #interiorstyle

The words of this soundtrack say it all

Another shot for you of this recently completed master ensuite

Happy Bank Holiday weekend. Hope you get to kick back and relax a little x

#bathroom #bathroominspiration #ensuite #freestandingbath #panelling #panelledwalls #brassware #taps #bathroomfloor #interiordesign #interiør #interiorinspiration #renovating #classicinteriors #timelessdesign #neutralhome #homedesign #houseandgarden #kbbmag #luxuryinteriors #interiormilk #dailydecordose #sevenoaksinteriordesign

Sometimes you finish a client project and it makes you want to either move straight in or go home and completely redo a room in your own house - this is one of those projects!

From the bespoke lilac marble top with the spicy deep plum of the double vanity to the classic nickel finishes on the very special wall lights, taps and cabinet hardware, I love it all.

More to follow over the next week… 🤍

Little snippets of a recent install in Tunbridge Wells.

Just waiting for my hand to heal after the surgery and then I’ll be back over there to photograph the finished suite of rooms.

🤍🤍🤍

#bedroomdecor #bedroominspiration #upholstery #headboards #wallpaper #curtaindesign #lightingideas #bedroomlighting #pendantlights #neutraldecor #neutralhome #castironradiator #interiordesign #interiors #houseandhome #houseandgarden #homesandinteriors #traditionalinteriors #calminteriors #classicinteriors #interiormilk #instadecor #interiorandhome #interiorandliving

Spot the difference 😉

Six years later and we finally have a new driveway to finish the front of the house!

#driveway #drives #exteriordesign #exteriordecor #cedarcladding #hometransformation #homedecor #renovationproject #renovationmaison #loverenovate #contemporaryhome #dailydecordose #interiordecor #interiormilk #instadecor #interiorandhome #interiorandliving #interiordesign #interiors #interiorinspiration #homeinspo #interiors123 #homedecor #ourhomestory #pocketofmyhome #interiorsforall

Highlights from London Design Week at Chelsea Design Centre.

Everyone at @designcentrech always puts on a fantastic show each spring and this year it was bursting with colour, natural textures and flowers at every turn. There was even an artist doing the rounds painting some of the showroom glass doors with floral scenes 🌸🌼🌷

Lots of new suppliers were there and I’ve ordered plenty of fabric and wallpaper samples. They are like a little goody bag that arrive at your house a few days later 😁

1) @paolomoschinoltd
2) @misia_paris x @maisonlilyblue
3) @susibellamy
4) @roast_designs_chandeliers
5) @tatiana_tafur_ltd_
6) @rediscovered_by
7) & 10) @thehouseoffineart
8) @colefaxandfowler
9) and 18) @jennifermanners
11) @sanderson1860
12) @romo_fabrics @alicetemperley
13) @annsacks
14) @lewisandwood
15) @cecmilano
16) and 17) @wendymorrisondesign

Let’s talk blinds…

Beautiful natural looking blinds made with sustainability in mind from bamboo, jute and paper.

On #internationalwomensday it seems appropriate to give a shout out to the sister duo behind @colorco.dk who produce these delicate rolls of gorgeousness.

This isn’t a paid ad or anything, I just sent away for some samples after a friend recommended them and I thought you might all like to know about an alternative for your windows.

I need to put some blinds up in my office and if you swipe along you will see the room and the 6 finishes I have narrowed it down to.

Let me know which is your favourite below 🙏🏼

X

Remember when the sky was blue and our gardens were bursting?

I needed a motivational sunny post today before I head out to tidy up the detritus of winter that has settled into the borders while I have been merrily ignoring them 😬

As always swipe ➡️ to see the before shots and how we have tried to hide the house a little in the trees and planting.

So today is the day that this beautiful Jasper Peony Wallpaper finally goes up in my lovely client’s bedroom.

My heart had a little flutter 🤍

Wallpaper @lewisandwood
Paint @littlegreenepaintcompany

#wallpaper #chinoiserie #bedroom #bedroominspiration #bedroomdesign #traditionalhomes #classicinteriordesign #interiorideas #interiorstyle #interiorinspo
#designsponge #dailydecordose #dailydecordetail #interiordecor #interiormilk #instadecor #interiorandhome #interiorandliving #interiordesign #interiors #interiorinspiration #renovation #sevenoaksinteriordesign

Not sure that I’ve ever shared progress pictures on my grid before but here goes…

Let’s face it, projects are all in the progress. It’s the every day steps that you have to work through and as the client, live through.

It’s days like Friday that I absolutely love my job. Seeing things coming together and transforming from the bare bones (swipe to the end to see) to my 3D design drawings coming to life!

I’m so happy with how this en-suite is looking. We are almost there and most importantly my lovely client is getting very excited about being able to use her new sanctuary very soon.

A big thank you to everyone involved in this project from suppliers to craftsmen.

Dressing room and bedroom following closely behind. More on those in the coming weeks.

A little behind the scenes in marble sourcing

I paid a visit to the vast warehouse of @stoneworldlondon this week to check over a slab I had chosen.

This stunning lilac marble was even more beautiful in reality. The heavy veining will look fantastic as a large vanity top in an ensuite I am working on.

Templating is on Friday so I’ll keep you updated on my stories.

So many incredible slabs here I was like a kid in a sweet shop 🖤🤍

#bathroominspo #marblebathroom
#ensuitebathroom #bathroom #bathroomdesign #washstand #ensuite #showerdesign #bathroomremodel
#bathroomdecor #bathroomrenovation #bathroomsofinstagram #renovationproject #renovationlife
#renovatedhome #homerenovation
#renovations #interiorideas #interiorstyle #interiorinspo #dailydecordose #interiormilk #instadecor #interiorandhome #interiordesign #interiors #interiorinspiration #sevenoaks

This TV room got a lot of love on my story this week (thank you 🤍) so I thought it deserved a square on the grid ✨

As you can see storage was the number one issue in this room. It also needed to be adapted to the growing children’s needs. Something a little more grown up that could be enjoyed by the whole family together.

Still some shelf styling to do along with a rug and new cushions but we are almost there.

#tvroomdesign #playroominspo #playroomorganization #homeorganisation #livingroomdesigns #livingroomstyle #sittingroomdecor #bookshelves #bookshelvesofinstagram #renovationideas #renovatedhome #interiordesign #interiordesiner #interiorinspiration #homesandgardens #houseandhome #livingroominspiration #contemporaryinterior #dailydecordose #interiormilk #interiorideas #interiorstyle #interior #interiors123 #sevenoaksinteriordesign #sevenoaks

From open plan dining room to en-suite

This room used to have a tiny little balcony looking out onto the treetops ➡️ and during the huge rejig of the floor plans I decided to add a wall, knock down another wall and make this the en-suite to the master bedroom.

I just knew we had to put a bath here overlooking that gorgeous view.

The beech trees are now heading towards their vivid orange autumn moment and day time soaking in the tub is so tempting!

Current situation - it’s absolutely hammering down outside. I’m talking biblical rain. So here’s a shot of the living room from a much more photogenic sunny day!

Happy Sunday all x

Brace yourself for swiping ➡️😱. It’s quite a change for your #transformationtuesday

Some things on a renovation really are worth saving and the old wisteria on the back of the house was one of them.

I drove my builder mad by insisting that we kept it. The steels had to be placed around the huge old root system and at one point, it was tied to its own scaffolding tower to hold it up whilst they clad the wall and fascias.

So pleased we did though. Even after having to hack it back by two thirds it came back fighting and frames the sliding doors beautifully every summer.

All hail those precious last sunny (and actually quite warm) days of October ☀️😎

How long do you reckon we’ve got left before all these leaves scatter though? 😬

Why save all the transformations for a Tuesday? ➡️⬅️➡️⬅️😵‍💫

We have lots of family staying this weekend and I was looking through loads of ‘before’ photos of our house with my sister in law yesterday. We were trying to work out how many original walls we still have. The answer is hardly any 😬.

Floors were opened up for new stairs, ceilings ripped out and raised up, rooms widened, rooms repurposed, extensions added, the list goes on.

Quite a lot of that going on while we lived here too. Brave or mad? I never quite know 🤪

Happy Sunday All
X

From Shoreditch to Sevenoaks

So today is my birthday 🤫 and my fantastic husband has come up trumps again.

We went to @theotherartfair in an absolutely packed Shoreditch on Saturday and ummed and ahhed and came back empty handed.

Undeterred Neil suggested we go back again yesterday and have another look at the one painting I couldn’t get out of my head - a beautiful abstract piece by @simonerussellart The colours are just something else in real life 💙💚

Sold!

Then he had to carry it all the way back home for me too 😬 He never complained once.

I’m a very lucky lady ❤️

Off out for dinner tonight at @theivyasia can’t wait!

Happy Monday all x

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@clairemurrayinteriors

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ABOUT CLAIRE MURRAY INTERIORS

My Interior Design Studio is based in Sevenoaks, Kent. I have many years experience in property renovation and spatial planning and since 2014 I have been helping others to get the best out of their homes too.

Renovating homes is my passion. Give me an awkward and seemingly impossible space and I will help you

transform it into something beautiful.

Are you ready to take the plunge and begin building work but feel overwhelmed and unsure?

Do you have plans that still don't feel quite right?

Are you faced with a blank canvas and don't know where to start?

Are you contemplating the purchase of a house that 'needs work doing'?

Maybe there is a particular room in your home that just isn't working for you

and you are not sure why or what to do about it.

If it is time for a change, please get in touch to see how I can help you.

Whether your project is large or small and whatever your budget may be, I can offer you a guiding hand.

From a simple chat and walk around your home to point you in the right direction, through to a full interior design package, I can help you create a space tailored to your style and needs and let you love your home again.

Have a look to see how I can help