From the Desk of Global Interior Design, London's No-Fuss Design Consultancy

From the Desk of Global Interior Design, London's No-Fuss Design Consultancy

Introducing a Touch of Historical Authenticity with the Davenport Desk

I am always greatly honoured when journalists, authors and students seek my input on articles they may be writing for interior design magazines, books or coursework. Not so long ago I was asked to supply some insights on the davenport desk, a truly fabulous example of traditional English interior design from the 1700s. A timeless classic, this item is still often used by London's most prestigious interior design firms today. Nobody really knows where the name comes from, but historians think that it probably derives from a late 1700s bookkeeping manuscript wherein lies the inscription "a ladies' desk, sold to Captain Davenport." The davenport really caught on among London's young ladies of society in the nineteenth century. At the top is a desk, which can be drawn out to cover the knees when in use. Immediately beneath are a set of nooks for pens, inkwells and looseleaf stationery. In 2010, modern interior design firms are most likely to choose a replica davenport as a convenient laptop station in a room that requires preservation of London's interior design history. I have no doubt that our interior design boutique will similarly have the chance to install one of these amazing furniture units as part of a future project!

The Snow Kitchen

Occasionally, our interior design firm suggests a high-end design for one of our London clients that includes many different notes of white. Sometimes our clients are mortified, worried that the outcome may seem chilling or spiritless. But the most prestigious interior design firms know that various notes of creme, ecru and ivory can build into wonderfully inspirational and fabulous results. I know of several modern London interior design boutiques that focus on designing fresh, harmonious and luxuriating indoor sanctuaries - and the broad-note white-inspired feel truly welcomes in the light, allowing it to energize and delight the viewer. London in December is not always the brightest environment, and accordingly designs that optimise the amount of natural light are often highly sought-after. London Interior design firms will enhance engagement levels by using different finishes in the paint, or by specifying ultra-sheen products that build the ultimate in sheer reflectivity.

Lighting up a DesignerGarden!

My readers tell me how much they enjoy my blogs about garden design, and I'm well aware that those sorts of blogs have recently been increasing in number! (Guess what I've been working on lately!?) As mentioned elsewhere, I definitely believe that exteriors are a real and growing part of interior design firms' daily business - here to stay! In this context, outdoor illumination solutions are absolutely essential. Certain more spacious London gardens can benefit from a very classy "designer feel" that harnesses a variety of more delicate and sophisticated lighting effects, guaranteed to optimise your garden's beauty whatever the season! I know of some London interior design boutiques that place a huge focus on outdoor garden lighting schemes - from twinkling starlight-esque LED dots to texturising downlighters that can really bring out the ruggedly earthy feel of a familiar garden path at night. Interior design mavens love to take advantage of these and many other illumination systems, re-envisioning the entire feel of a garden, building breadth and using subtle qualities to draw the eye towards fabulous centrepiece features. The result: an expression of delight on the faces of London garden party guests who will adore your new designer garden!

Hidden Secrets of Top Storage Solutions

Today's top London interior design boutiques are never far from the news. Hit designer programming on Sky and Channel 4 draws in massive TV viewership - the public really can't get enough of the contest-style reality show wherein a group of interior design mavens fight to build the most fabulous interior design schemes! Drama often ensues - both tears of sadness from interior design teams who can't quite finish before the countdown timer hits zero, and tears of delight from the winning stars who often get to present their very own network shows in subsequent seasons! But one thing that these programmes often miss is storage. In reality, a lot of London's newer apartments are sometimes a little space-constrained.... residents yearn for interiors that promote relaxation and harmony but a critical part of that needs interior design firms to incorporate innovative storage systems that perfectly complement our busy London lifestyles! Every day, design-conscious city-dwellers call or email London's most prestigious interior design boutiques, requesting much-needed storage zones that will boost residential market values. Such clients are also keen to show off their most fabulous outfits, while creating "sanctuary zones" where they can luxuriate and simply enjoy life. London's top interior design firms see this need every day, and they will often recommend practical but beautiful embellishments - pull-out rotator bars, expandable cravat cases, designer gemstone vases and heated towel zones to name just a few!