Lindsey Haystead, design sales consultant at Designer Contracts, talks interior trends and explains how the latest designs can be applied to new homes across the country whatever the budget.
We are definitely seeing more and more clients who want bolder and brighter colours and styles in show homes. In terms of interior design for summer we are seeing a lot of botanical influences. Coppers and metallic are also very much on trend and coming through in many of the new products, fabrics and wall coverings.
Over the last decade there has been a greater appreciation of eclectic and unusual furnishings. People like to take old items and give them a modern makeover. Think gilt edged mirrors that have been spray-painted with vibrant colours to bring them up to date.
Classical chairs are also making a resurgence – they may be painted to look more modern and eye-catching while retaining their traditional shape.
However the design of any room needs to fit with potential buyers’ aspirations and we need to create a look and feel that they can see themselves in.
Involve the design team early
The interior design team plays a vital role on the development as a 
whole. We are able to make suggestions on how to make the most out of every room, as well as enhance the architectural design and place the correct furniture and colour palette to complement a room.
The earlier a designer is involved the better, so selections can be made for key rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms, as well as choices for tiles and flooring, which will ultimately complement and showcase the designer’s concept to better effect.
It’s also about creating a home that will appeal to the specific target audience – whether it’s a million pound property or a first time buyer’s property. With a careful brief, the right interior designer can develop a scheme that will offer the client or housebuilder a rapid return on investment.
Case study – Cherry Hills
Our latest project was for the residential construction specialist Lovell Homes. We added our interior design expertise to the four-bedroom Glenavon View show home at the developer’s Cherry Hill site in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, on the edge of the scenic Clyde Valley.
The development is home to 48 two, three, four and five-bedroom properties priced from £127,500. Cherry Hill is a perfect base for both families and young professionals, offering the ideal combination of rolling countryside and modern life amenities.
“the design of any room needs to fit with potential buyers’ aspirations”
Luxurious and elegant
We were asked to create a scheme that would appeal to families and young professionals looking for a luxurious and elegant home environment. This resulted in a chic, sophisticated interior design reflecting the high-quality build and featuring a neutral palette of rich creams and taupes, highlighted with glamorous gold and pewter metallics.
The stand out feature of the spacious ground floor of the four-bedroom Glenavon View show home is the open-plan kitchen in high gloss ivory and Orleans oak. The highlight of the dining space is a glass-topped table with sculptured base surrounded by elegant dining chairs and overlooked by dramatic crystal lighting. The light-filled garden room then opens onto the beautifully landscaped gardens.
The Glenavon View’s opulent living room, decorated in soft neutral shades, is adorned with subtle beaded wallpaper, velvet upholstery and chrome-detailed accessories, leading on to a stylish study area with marble-effect wallpaper and dark wood furniture.
Upstairs
Upstairs, the spacious master bedroom includes a tiled en-suite and features exquisite beaded wallpaper with chic, silver-embossed three-drawer chest cabinets. Taking centre stage is a king size bed with button-detailed bedstead in crushed velvet, dressed with layers of different textures including crisp cotton bed linen, taupe throws and co-ordinating cushions in a mixture of black velvets, soft creams and on-trend metallics.
The guest room features a tall crystal decorated headboard and showcases stylish lighting. The third room is a twin and is designed to appeal to the younger set, styled with wood panel-effect wallpaper, pug dog print bed linen and prints on the walls. The distressed wooden bedside cabinets feature wooden tripod lamps and doggie-themed accessories.
Finally, the fourth bedroom, designed to make any little girl feel like a princess, is styled with bows, hearts and crystal detail.
