The Psychology Behind Crafting the Perfect Cosy Reading Nook

There's something inherently magical about curling up with a good book in a space that feels just right. A well-designed reading nook isn't merely a comfortable spot; it’s a sanctuary where our minds can roam freely, unburdened by the demands of the outside world. But what makes a reading nook truly perfect? Let's delve into the psychology behind this cherished space.

The Need for Security: Our brains are hardwired to seek safety and security. To fully immerse ourselves in a book, we must first feel safe from potential threats. A well-crafted reading nook provides a sense of enclosure, almost like a cocoon, where we can let our guard down and allow our imaginations to take flight.

Designing Your Cocoon:

1. Solid Backing: A sturdy wall or a high-backed chair behind you can enhance feelings of security, acting as a protective barrier against the unknown.

2. Clear View Ahead: Ensuring a clear line of sight allows us to relax, knowing we can see any potential 'predators'—real or imagined—approaching. This setup helps our minds focus on the narrative without distraction.

The Importance of Comfort: Comfort is key in a reading nook. Soft cushions, a plush throw, and adequate lighting create an inviting atmosphere. The physical comfort of our bodies directly impacts our ability to concentrate and enjoy the literary journey.

Personalising Your Space: Incorporate elements that resonate with you personally—a favourite blanket, a small side table for your tea, or a shelf with your most beloved books. These personal touches can enhance the sense of belonging and relaxation in your nook.

Biophilic Elements: Introducing plants or natural elements can further enhance the tranquillity of your reading space. The presence of greenery has been shown to reduce stress and improve concentration, making it an ideal addition to your nook.

A perfect reading nook is more than just a cosy corner; it's a thoughtfully designed space that caters to our innate need for security and comfort. By understanding the psychological aspects of design, we can create nooks that not only serve as havens for our bodies but also as gateways for our minds to explore new worlds.

What's your favourite nook for literary adventures? Share your cosy corner with us and inspire others to create their own perfect reading retreats!

Well-being Benefits of Small Spaces

If you sometimes find yourself in the bind of comparison with those who have a bigger house then read on! The benefits of living small are enormous!

1. Efficiency and Functionality for Stress Reduction: Small spaces encourage efficient and functional design, which directly impacts the well-being of occupants by reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm. With everything carefully organised and easily accessible, residents can navigate their living environment with ease, minimising feelings of overwhelm and frustration.

2. Creativity and Innovation for Personal Expression: The limitations of small spaces inspire creativity and innovation, providing individuals with opportunities for personal expression and satisfaction. Designing a small space to reflect one's personality and preferences fosters a sense of ownership and pride, contributing to overall well-being and a positive sense of self.

3. Cosiness and Intimacy for Emotional Comfort: The cozy atmosphere of a small space creates a sense of intimacy and emotional comfort, which is essential for well-being. Close proximity to loved ones fosters stronger social connections and a greater sense of belonging, promoting feelings of happiness and fulfillment.

4. Sustainability for Environmental Consciousness: Opting for a small space promotes sustainability and environmental consciousness, which is closely linked to well-being. By reducing their ecological footprint, individuals can experience a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that they are contributing to the health and preservation of the planet for future generations.

5. Cost-Effectiveness for Financial Peace of Mind: The affordability of small spaces can alleviate financial stress and promote a greater sense of financial security, directly impacting well-being. With lower housing costs and reduced expenses, individuals have more financial freedom to pursue their passions, hobbies, and personal goals, leading to increased overall satisfaction and well-being.

In essence, designing residential interiors for small spaces with the well-being of the occupants in mind ensures that the environment supports efficiency, creativity, emotional comfort, environmental consciousness, and financial peace of mind, ultimately contributing to a happier and more fulfilling life.

You can keep your mansion thanks :)

Investing in Timeless Outdoor Furniture, Teak or Rattan?

Rattan furniture is everywhere again but as a resident of a quaint market town surrounded by countryside, I can tell you there are some stalwart teak fanatics out there. We’re going to look at the outdoor furniture ‘Teak or Rattan’ battle and see who we want to put our money on and help you decide where your investment should go.

There is a huge range of contemporary rattan outdoor furniture designs gracing the online stores that span every style possible and teak outdoor furniture is seeing a lot more Scandinavian styles gaining in popularity. As current trends will come and go, we are going to stick to the classic styles we know and love as longevity and sustainability is key to finding the perfect outdoor furniture.

When it comes to outdoor furniture “teak everywhere!” has been a long-standing design go-to for the UK. Teak has connotations of traditional English country gardens with overflowing beds of wild flowers and the delectable remnants at the bottom of a glass of Pimms. It conjures memories of summers gone by… there is nostalgia attached to the ageing patina of a teak garden chair.

It looks so at home and is such a familiar site to us that it’s hard to imagine they didn’t come up out of the flowerbeds in spring with the daffodils.

Traditional designs in rattan garden furniture carry thoughts of Paris bistros, beachside restaurants and an all round understated European elegance. Of course this can depend on the specific style as some of the more elaborate pieces instantly create a beautifully bohemian garden idyl.

There are many admiral attributes to sustainably sourced teak furniture, paramount of which is it’s longevity with little maintenance. ‘A’ grade teak is made from the very centre of the tree which has a high content of oils and rubber which keeps it beautifully nourished and impermeable to weather conditions. Over time the teak will fade from a rich, warm tone to a silvery brown and becomes a subtle mainstay in your garden, sitting back into the natural colour palette.

The scope and comfort you get with rattan furniture makes it ideal for creating an  outdoor living room. It looks fantastic with outdoor rugs and scatter cushions to really style and identify your alfresco seating area. When styled appropriately, many outdoor rattan furniture designs are completely transferable to the indoors. It looks perfectly at home if moved inside to be used when needed, or just because you love it so much thus making it very versatile. Another feather in it’s versatility cap is that it comes in an array of colours and looks fabulous painted. A painted finish won’t handle bad weather forever but it can make a stunning splash in the garden.

Overall I don’t think I could live without either but my personal choice would be rattan. I do like a little touch of bohemian. Think hard before you invest and make your purchase, think about which style gives you the fondest feeling and choose wisely… you will have them forever.

Make Sure Your Home is Ready for Summer

It’s been a long wait and now summer is upon us and some of us haven’t hosted in a little while! Read on to find out the fastest ways to transform your home into a summer hot spot…

I would start by looking around your home at your accessories and only swap out a few things that are very easy to do. I would suggest having a couple of cushion covers on rotation between hotter and colder seasons. Just 2 or three in your living room that still tie into your decor but have a lighter, more summery vibe. Perhaps a bold floral print for summer and a sumptuous velvet for winter.

Definitely swap out your chunky throws and blankets for some summer linens. Hammams would be my first choice as they add a holiday vibe with understated class. Here are some favourites…

Antibes Coral Throw by Weaver Green 

Olu Rainbow Stripe Throw by Oliver Bonas

Striped Coastal Throw, Blue by John Lewis

The other consideration is fragrance. Make sure you don’t have the deep rich scents of Christmas still pumping out from that scented candle you got as a gift. You need to change it up and get some light floral notes of jasmine emanating through your home. Home scents are imperative to providing the mental shift you need to get into the spirit of the latest season.

Once you have updated your accessories and the place is smelling like a tranquil garden, bring in the flowers. It is so worth it but make sure you put them in a space where you will see them the most. There is no shame in moving a vase of flowers to a different room throughout the day so you can enjoy them.

Stick with a simple one or two colour bouquet. You can be as flamboyant as you like but let’s face it… everyone loves a bunch of happy sunflowers.

We might all be a little rusty on our hosting skills and we are probably feeling a lot of pressure when we have guests after such a hiatus. We all had our crowd pleasers and could whip up a beautiful table setting with our eyes closed and if you couldn’t then get practicing. Of course seeing our nearest and dearest is the most important part of this summer but you will make it even more special with a few treats at the ready. I suggest you learn a summer cocktail and nail it! Hosting this summer is going to be very important and it is key that when your guests walk into your beautiful home you exceed expectations by handing them an extravagant summer drink. Here are some cocktail glasses to get on board with…

Organic Cocktail Glass with Gold by Rockett St George

Colourful Cocktail Glasses by Le Redoute

Vodka Cocktail Glass by Amara

Now all you need is an outdoor seating area you can relax into for the evening. Invest in an outdoor rug to tie any outdoor dining or seating area together. Inside we zone and ground spaces with rugs so why not outside? They don’t cost the earth and make a world of difference to an otherwise non-descript garden. Really spend time creating an outdoor living or dining room as plenty of fresh air is still the government advise, let’s make it perfect. You can accessorise it, pop a pot plant on the table like a bunch of flowers, plant herbs nearby to enhance the scent of summer and get some solar powered outdoor lighting to finish it off.

Now sit back and enjoy the sunshine in your beautifully summery home.

Is green the new neutral?

We think so!

I thought of this topic and then looked around my house and realised I have recently decorated our bedroom and spare room with Dulux Overtly Olive. It is a beautifully soft green that can be the perfect back drop to bolder and brighter palettes. This sounds awfully like a successful neutral to me.

If you think about it, nature has been doing it for years. Nature’s green back drop allows the vibrancy of its flowers to stand out and encourage the bees and animals to find food. No wonder we feel so calm in its presence… it is speaking to us on a deeper level.

 But why is it becoming so prominent in design now?

It is no surprise that in times of turmoil … I won’t mention the C word… our natural instincts become more pronounced and therefore so do our innate needs. Yes I am heading down the path of wellbeing but it really is that simple.

If we feel unrest, we subliminally seek out balancing energies and calming connections and the very base animal level of this is to be close to nature. This is why biophilia has been a staple of interior design in the wellbeing movement and it is so important in both homes and workplaces.

If you generally veer toward deep and saturated colours as I do, you will need a base colour to pin these off and green provides that perfect balance. Deep colours against a white or cream can be too stronger contrast depending on the space. So if you are a bold colour lover but need to tone it down a touch, swap out your standard neutrals for a green. It is grounding and will help balance any other strong energies that other colours are emitting.

Are you greige lovers sold yet?

My favourite contrasting disruptor colour to pair green with is a bright coral, almost red but not quite. Red indicates danger but paired with the green it creates a fun space with energy without it being stressful. Balancing colours doesn’t mean they all have to tie in – a disrupter colour is essential for me when dealing with neutrals otherwise I might fall asleep.

Hello and Welcome to Studio Ember Interiors

A big hello to everyone out there!

Pop the champagne! Today we are celebrating the launch of my new company, Studio Ember Interiors. I thought my first blog should give you a little introduction to our services and explain how we set ourselves apart.

We’re not your typical interior design agency and we aim to be very accessible by offering an affordable selection of interior design packages. These packages are clearly set out so you know exactly what you are getting and the prices up front, allowing you to budget for your project.

We want to help you transform your space into something that really works for you. It could be that we find a colour palette that will enhance your mood, change the functionality, subtly create multi-use areas for your family. Or perhaps it’s your workplace that needs an injection of inspiration.

We take a pragmatic and psychological approach to design by considering your personality and wellbeing as well as your objectives. This enables us to provide you with a perfectly bespoke design for you to implement.

We also offer a home staging service which is a strategic approach to pitching your property to the sales, rental or holiday let market. With experience in prime real estate, we know what gets attention, what is worth focusing on and how to maximise your property’s existing charm.

At Studio Ember, all our packages are available as e-design services so the whole process can conveniently fit with your schedule… you don’t have to move from the sofa!

Please get in touch to find out more. I am so excited to start working with you!