LIVE 24-SEVEN


“YOU’VE EITHER GOT . . . OR YOU HAVEN’T GOT STYLE”


As Frank Sinatra famously sung. And whilst it’s a massively sweeping generalisation, I suppose I’d have to agree with him, at least in principle. Now please don’t think I’m putting myself, or indeed any other member of the interior design fraternity (or of course sorority – I knew my A level Latin would come in handy one day) on any kind of pedestal.


I frequently call to mind the words of my own design mentor, the now long-deceased Walter Walker, who was Design Director of Alfred Allen in Bristol Street for more years than many a donkey. “John” he used to say, “the day you think you’re the arbiter of good taste you might as well pack up and go home”. Believe me, when you hear that, coming from a man who truly was a master in his field, you don’t let yourself get too far up your own bottom.


People often ask us what they need to be- come an interior designer – do they need a degree, what courses should they take, what magazines should they read? And while all of these can be helpful, if you’re not lucky enough to be born with an innate sense of what just works none of it will ultimately do you much good. At John Charles Interiors we periodically take design students from the various local unis and colleges who come for a couple of weeks to do their work experience, and I have to say that Jenna, my principal designer, and I will be able to tell within the first half day whether they’ll make it into the profession or not.


So what does make a good interior designer, should you get yourself one, and what can you expect of them should you choose to make use of their services?


As I’ve already touched on, a good designer will have a natural sense of balance, and will know not only what works with what, but what they can throw into the mix to inject that “Wow” factor, to make a good room into a great room. Of course that comes with not only experience, but with having a comprehensive knowledge of the almost endless sea of product that’s out there. And that’s one major reason that yes, if you’re serious about creating a fabulous home you really need to get yourself a good designer. So often when we’re presenting a scheme to a client in the showroom they’ll say something like “That’s stunning and I love it, but I’d never have chosen it myself”.


A good and experienced interior designer will help you achieve (and hopefully surpass) the results you are looking for. They will spend time with you, get on your wavelength, ask the right questions, and most importantly listen to you and value your input. I’ve always said that the role of a good designer is not to impose their tastes on you, or to turn your home into a sterile fashion statement, but to extract your own vision from your mind, tweak it a bit, and turn it into a reality.


It’s YOUR home. Not only should it exude style by the bucket load, but it must also reflect your character.


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John Biddell - John Charles Interiors


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