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Freya Millard of Cheshire Life contacted me after winning Interior Designer Of The Year Cheshire with the Prestige Awards. She focuses a spotlight on me and my work as a Designer, Artist and property developer. The sun was beaming in my office window as I recited a story about how my father would always knock down an internal wall at tea time. He would say have I got enough time to knock this wall down before dinner is on the table, My mum would say no, and then we would be engulfed into a cloud of brick dust, and all would come down around me!.

 

Having always worked from home, and I absolutely love it, I like my happy space, home, and surroundings. I have no problem with lockdowns. However, many people struggle with this newfound "Me" time! So that's where it is good to set some working hours boundary and get your space working for you. If you have a spare bedroom filled with bedroom furniture which just looks great, but you don't use it, then transform it into an office or workroom or dressing room. Don't live in your house the way it is if it doesn't work for you now. Having a four-bedroom home does not mean they have to stay as bedrooms; dining rooms don't have to be that if you never use them. Think about where the light comes in on the bit of the day you will be working and take that room; take the one which inspires you the most and makes that bedroom work for you now, not when you may sell it.

By finding your perfect space, you can set it out as a sanctuary, have some candles burning a comfy chair or a small sofa, have lights on the desk to create light without it being too overlit.

Really think about how you use your space, I was talking to an architect who was struggling to work from home, and he only had one bedroom, and it wasn't big enough to put in a desk. I would avoid at all cost placing the desk in a bedroom or lounge as you will never switch off. I suggested the dining room or kitchen diner, but he said it was on the ground floor, and the lounge on the first had better light, so he has compromised and is using the lounge because he works there better and has a view over the river.

Thankyou all so much for voting I have now chosen the two pieces of my work to enter the VAO competition No1 was a clear winner with you all you have choose zebra diva in lock down and 2nd was a tie between new wave and heaven sent, this painting was the start of something special that’s why it is no2 all entered now #VAO #VAO2021 #theinteriorco @theinterior.co @feathers_of_italy_ @turtledovehideaway

International woman's day! Girls, women, you all rock. You are stronger than you could possibly imagine. Inspire another woman today by being yourself. Fighting for the identity for leading women's strength. Stand and be counted, have compassion for other women and don't be bullied or trodden on. You are awesome 👏 I am in support of anyone who stands up and speaks out when others don't believe them # internationalwoman'sday #IWD2021 #kerriegriffin

My Top tip for the day

This is my happy song, "Jubel Klingande instrumental," play it! and dance around the kitchen. Celebrate every tiny little thing you have ever done, no matter how small. Share today and be eternally grateful for everything, good and bad, that has come your way no matter what. You were meant to experience it, when you understand this you will let a lot go. We possibly go through things to ultimately help someone else who isn't strong enough to proceed. Be Kind, be inspiring, just be yourself and be awesome. You can do anything you want to do regardless of wealth and race there's always a way around to achieve your goals. Kerrie Griffin x

Happy International Womans Day.

Kerrie Griffin is a well renowned Interior Designer and Multi award winning too, but I bet you didn't know she was an aspiring artist!. After trying to find a way to support her two young daughters after a marriage breakdown in complete deep depression she started trying to paint again to provide an income to support her family. She started by painting on watercolour and making cards to sell in her local coffee shop on her first ever visit she sold 20 cards and was given a cup of tea and a slice of cake to calm her down after breaking down in tears because someone wanted to buy her work. From there her confidence grew and she started painting Gineau fowl feathers a unique reverse painting formation Kerrie has devised to make them look 3D. I literally spent hours one day painting these falling feathers I had Jamiroquai playing and I had a can of Guinness which I use for cooking stews which I drank and painted my idea well into the next morning. Not long after I sold my first big painting and I haven't looked back. Over the last 10 years I have dipped in and out of painting when I feel inspired or don't! But recently in lockdown I have had a need and passion to create one after another of a new style of my work which is now live on my website. This is where I need your help I would like you to help me decide which piece of art I should submit to the Visual Arts Open Competition

Here is the criteria the judges are expecting Link Blog

I need two submissions and I just cannot decide so I am looking to my followers to join in the selection process.

Here are my final choices you need to comment and tell me which two you think I should enter.

#property #bloggerstyle #renovationproject #Periodproperty #interiordesigner #interiorinfluencer #interiordesignteqniques Properties are one of my favorite challenges, bringing out the detail was easy in this period hallway. The beams are 500 years old they came from a ship, the property was built on a wood yard and the timber I am told was from a Spanish boat.

The room looked uninviting as you entered it because the room was filled with overhead horizontal and vertical beams, honestly, it was just dark and dingy looking, I created a wash and went about lightening the beams with my recipe. I have won best country house in Period Living for what I did in the lounge of this farmhouse.

 Watch a video of me washing beams in a period hallway.

If you have a decorating dilemma in a period property contact me for expert advice.

info@theinteriorco.co.uk

Kerrie Griffin

The Interior Co

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Multi Award Winning Cheshire based Interior Designer Kerrie Griffin Tells us how to refresh a tired looking room. Kerrie says to Instantly update ...

Have you ever tried looking for a house in normal times wanting every aspect except maybe one to be the "perfect home" let alone when we are not allowed to visit, buy, move or view houses?.

I have my house on the market at the moment and 99% of all enquiries are coming from down south. Either to get away from the more built-up areas for a more relaxing way of life or they have decided this is the time to be nearer to family after the problems they have faced whilst in lockdown.

Finding the perfect pad in lockdown is harder than you think, houses are selling in days and well over the asking price in my area the prices have risen about 8.3% and there's nothing new coming on the market because it's practically impossible to go through the process without some risk one way or the other.

So you have very quickly and successfully sold your big pad and want to slightly downsize, change your lifestyle to suit this new climate of more serenity more quality time with the family and back to the great British outdoors! you're now stuck in a rental with most of your possessions in boxes, in the garage the spare bedroom at friends and its storage! you feel split! from the exhaustion of having to pack what you knew was your world, your safe place called home now forced into this very odd time where you have the cash but no home! where do you start?!

How to Create This Staircase On A budget! today I will talk you through the thought process and practicality of choosing this option.

You need to decide first of all is it practical, are the stairs in a good enough condition and thirdly will it make me smile! if the answer is yes then just buy the paint and start the process.

What you will need

Eggshell paint/or chalk and varnish

Masking Tape 

Tape measure or template 

A steady hand

Lots of enthusiasm

Glass of wine! ( I work better fuelled on a glass of wine and music!)

Don't forget the music! I have a Bose carry around orange speaker the best £99 I have ever spent, Tiny. until you turn it on! (so I don't lose it I choose the vibrant Orange, it also straps to my bike! ) Music on the go I call it.

What an unexpected piece of news as I woke with snow on the ground at the end of January wondering what the day was going to hold, when I had a ca...