Design secrets from style guru Briar Stanley

Q. What interior decoration trends are set to dominate in the year ahead?

A. Contemporary but with a comfortable layer is how I like to decorate, and I think the whole Scandi, minimalist influence will continue. You just have to look at Instagram and Pinterest to see the Nordic influence and prevalence of white, light timbers and light and bright interiors. I’ve been personally influenced by this look and chose light oak floors and white kitchen cabinetry for my recent renovation.

Velvet will be on trend – not shiny velvet but flat velvets, which I find absolutely gorgeous. I’ve just had a client do a sofa in a flat, grey velvet with some statement patterned cushions in beautiful Mokum fabrics. The result was stunning but not too over-the-top.

Q. What colours and patterns are on your radar at the moment?

A. I’m leaning towards pastels and softer versions of the primary colours like banana yellow and soft blue. I’m also perennially drawn to grey. You can never go wrong with white and grey as a colour combination.

A crosshatch or checkerboard is my top pattern pick for 2015. When choosing patterns for your home, go with something classic. A stripe will never go out of fashion like a chevron will. Polka dots have also been around forever – pin dots are classic and I’d choose a pin dot over a large polka dot.

Q. What are your top tips for updating the home for a new season?

A. Introducing pops of colour or pattern with cushions is a simple way you can seasonally update a room. A few striking cushions and a throw can totally transform an old sofa.

You can also use a well-chosen lamp or two. Lighting is so important and both floor lamps and table lamps provide beautiful ambiance in a space. I actually prefer lamplight and avoid turning overhead lights on if I can.

Art is another option and it doesn’t have to be pricey. Think posters, a great piece of wrapping paper, tea towels, even digging out old family photos and having them enlarged…there are ways to update the art on your walls that are inexpensive but look fantastic.

Q. Your top interior dos and dont’s?

A. Do invest in professional framing. I don’t like cheap framing. If you buy an inexpensive poster, get it framed professionally and it will look a million dollars.

Don’t style everything on the cheap. Don’t decorate your whole living room with items from somewhere like IKEA. Invest in one or two key pieces that you’ll want forever and combine luxe with less on your travels.

Q. What are your favourite home-styling tricks?

A. I love mixing vintage with new; for example, combining a vintage sideboard with a modern piece of art hanging above it.

Less really is more and I find I’m often taking things out of my clients’ rooms. If you fill every corner of a room, it will feel unwelcoming and cluttered.

Q. Best investment piece for 2015?

A. A rug. A quality rug offers longevity and uniqueness.

Another fail-safe option is a really good-quality sofa. Save on the TV unit or the coffee table but splurge on the sofa. Then you could pair it with a unique but inexpensive armchair, even a vintage one that you’ve had re-upholstered.

Q. How do you approach an interior-design project for a client?

A. My background is in set decoration for film and television and I like to think about each client’s home as if it’s a unique brief for a film set.

I never start a project thinking ‘this is my look’. I love decorating around each client’s treasured, special pieces and for the result not to just be stylish, but for their room to also tell their personal story.

With these tips from Briar Stanley you can refresh your home interior and bring it up to date. Check out Briar’s blog Sunday Collector or head to our Nesting section for other style ideas. 

Image credits: Gui Jorge, Briar Stanley.