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Becky Hirt

Interior designer, room stylist and writer in Kingston Upon Thames

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Wellbeing interiors – transition to spring
Biophilic interior design
Wellbeing begins at home
Interior design services
How to feel less claustrophobic at home
How to connect with nature in your home
Benefits of using natural materials
How to create a sanctuary at home
Make your home more eco-friendly
What makes a home feel good?
Contact me

On the blog

  • What is biophilic interior design and how can it improve your wellbeing?
  • How to feel less claustrophobic and increase wellbeing at home
  • The benefits of using natural materials at home
  • How to create a sanctuary at home
  • How to make your home more eco-friendly in 2020

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becky.hirt

Interior designer, room stylist and writer
๐ŸŒฟCreate a feel-good home
๐ŸŒฟInteriors for wellbeing tips & inspiration
๐ŸŒฟSW London | Surrey

Becky Hirt Interiors
How to make a room feel I N F O R M A L There's n How to make a room feel I N F O R M A L

There's no right or wrong when it comes to setting the mood for a room - it all comes down to what you need. But once you've decided on the overall tone, there are some things you can do to create the atmosphere you're after.

For example, how can you make a space feel relaxed and informal? Here are some guidelines:

* Work within a small colour range - choose woodwork and wall colours that are only a few shades apart, keeping the contrast low.

* Avoid bright whites and go for softer neutrals. 

* Use fabrics such as linen and brushed cotton, which have a naturally worn and creased look. 

* Opt for furniture pieces with a slouchy feel rather than items with lots of right angles and straight lines.

* Drape throws and blankets over furniture, to soften any hard edges.

* Introduce natural forms and flowing lines rather than hard geometric shapes.

* Choose furniture and accessories that have an aged, used vibe to them.

* Arrange and style items casually, avoiding overly symmetrical and regular arrangements.

#livingroominspiration #livingroomstyle #livingroomgoals #antiquerug #heriz #fireplacesurround #relaxedliving #slowhome #howwedwell #laidbackstyle #interiors123 #myconsideredhome #myvictorianhome #myvictorianhouselove #joaswhite #decortips #londonhomes #londoninteriors #stylingtips
Why interior design is a tool for growth ๐ŸŒฟ If I Why interior design is a tool for growth
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If I could give my younger self some rules for life (apart from "Step away from the Tequila"), they'd sound something like this: 1 Know (and love) yourself really well; 2 Pause, step back and reflect before rushing to judge yourself, others, or a situation; and 3 Nurture the things in life that make your heart sing and give you a sense purpose.
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I also think that these are helpful principles to keep in mind when you're working on your home. The process of creating a home that supports and nourishes you is about far more than compiling a check list of furniture, colours and materials (although that is definitely the fun part).
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It starts with a journey inwards: what do you need? what do you value? what makes you feel good? It also requires some time spent thinking about your current relationship with your home: what's working? what's not? how does it make you feel?
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If this process sounds like a self-development course that's intentional. Because if you are willing to embark on this journey not only will you create a space that fits you like a glove, but you'll emerge with a few other gems in your pocket: a stronger sense of who you are and what you bring to the world; a commitment to self-care through home-care; confidence in your own creative process; and a belief that your foundations will withstand the storms that rattle your walls.
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Whether you go it alone or get help from someone like me, designing your living space is a great opportunity for growth: in your self, your home, and your life.
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#myconsideredhome #myeclectichome #colourfulhomevibe #colourfiedhomes #colourfulhome #colourlover #consoletable #designforlife #bohemianhome #bedroomstyling #mycreativeinterior #thiscreativehome #bedroomideas #bespokefurniture #styleithappy #greathomestaketime #interiordesignlondon #authenticdesign #mindfulhome
New Instagram Guide on using colour If you've fol New Instagram Guide on using colour

If you've followed me for a while then you'll know that as well as my general musings on the meaning of home, and how we can feel better through interior design, I like to include lots of decor tips and tricks in my posts.

In part that's because I believe that everyone should get the benefits of interior design know-how, and should have the opportunity to create a home that supports their wellbeing. But it can be a little tricky to find the right info on the grid when you need it.

So I've started grouping together some of my posts to create Guides on a particular topic. You can find these by clicking on the leaflet icon just above the grid. I've just created one on colour but there are also Guides on biophilic design, lighting and more.

I'll be adding to this tab over the coming months but in the meantime do let me know if there's another hot topic you'd like me to cover.

#interiorbloggers #interiordesigntips #designhelp #interioraddict #designhelp #homedecorinspiration #homedecorations #decortips #interiorsblogger #londoninteriordesigner #colourscheme #colourmyhome #colourinspiration #interiordesigninspiration #ihavethisthingwithcolour #homedecoration
What part does your home play in your story? ๐ŸŒฟ What part does your home play in your story?
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As we collectively acknowledge the one year mark since our homes became our bolt holes, our sanctuaries, our prisons, our workplaces, our everything, I've been thinking a lot about my own personal journey over this last 12 months.
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It's been a year of disorientation, of getting lost but of coming home. Of digging deep and discovering that my foundations weren't made of sand but of steel.
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This time last year I was sick, dizzy and fatigued with what I am sure was COVID, unable to get out of bed for more than a few hours. Frightened and unwell both emotionally and physically, I was mistrustful of my body, my self, my future.
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I also knew, deep down, that something else was amiss. My brain had been sending me distress signals for four or five years: unexplained unsteadiness, periods of vertigo, a feeling of disconnection from my body, and a profound sense of alarm.
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It was to be another month before I began to get any answers, when I was diagnosed with a (thankfully) benign brain tumour. The irony: without the unwelcome gift of long and drawn out COVID symptoms that prompted investigations, the stealthy lodger in my brain would never have been found - from the sickness came the cure.
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But even then the healing journey was only just beginning. And so I did the only thing I could: I burrowed down into the beating heart of my home, and my self. Sinking deep into the space within. Hitting the ground and feeling it come up to meet me. Softer and more yielding than I had feared. Finding strength in the web I'd spun around me. Believing, eventually, that it would hold me until I was ready to re-emerge. What has your home meant to you over the last year?
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#braintumour #meningioma #wellbeingwarrior #wellbeingjourney #wellbeingathome #wellbeingwednesday #healinghome #nestandthrive
New guest blog post - Transition to Spring ๐ŸŒฟ T New guest blog post - Transition to Spring 
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Today is the first day of astronomical spring in the UK - the vernal equinox. Though it might not feel like it yet as the temperature has been a little nippy still!
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You might remember that a few weeks ago I wrote about how awkward a season spring can be, despite all our optimism about it. I had loads of good feedback on the post (which makes me think you might be experiencing a little spring apprehension too), so I'm thrilled to have been asked by @decorcafenet to write a longer blog piece on this topic.
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It's packed with ideas on easing your way into the new season at home, and is accompanied by the most beautiful nature-inspired wallpaper designs from @elizabethockford. Please hop on over to the Decorcafe website via the link in my bio.
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And I'd love to know - how are you feeling today? Full of the joys of spring?
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Thanks so much to the always supportive #decorcafenetwork for this lovely opportunity. Photo: @elizabethockford
Stylist: @josephine_eaton
Photographer: @jon_aaron_green_photographer
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#biophilia #diningroomdecor #wallpaperdecor #elizabethockford #springdecor #floraandfauna #periodhouse #periodhome #wallpaperdesign #springseason #printsandpatterns #wellbeingtips #wellbeingathome #springequinox #interiorbloggers
Modern interior design tends to over-prioritise th Modern interior design tends to over-prioritise the visual. Is that too controversial a statement to be making on Instagram? ๐Ÿคฃ
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We evolved in rich multi-sensory environments, full of natural features such as hills, rivers, lakes and woods. We would have spent most of our time outside, only seeking shelter when it was cold or dark. And we depended on all five of our senses to provide important information about our environment: about opportunities and threats.
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Why does this matter? Compare this evolutionary history with our modern day lives, where we spend up to 90% of our time indoors. Our sensory world has shrunk, as has our exposure to the healing and restorative power of nature.
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No wonder lots of us feel distracted, disconnected and anxious at times. In our screen dominated lives, our visual and nervous systems are often overstimulated, while our senses of taste, smell, hearing and touch are underutilised.
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Without multi-sensory stimuli, we can't process the information in our environment in a nuanced way, and we can't make use of all the systems of the body to keep us in balance.
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The solution is to design multi-sensory homes, which give us as many opportunities as possible to connect to the natural world. Then we're better able to live healthy, active, productive lives.
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This approach is underpinned by the theory of biophilic design. If you'd like to read more about biophilic interior design, head over to my recent blog post via the link in my bio.
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#happyathome #biophilicdesign #biophilia #biophiliadesign #biophilicinteriors #healthyhappyhome #healthyhome #livingroomgoals #interiorlover #interiorgoals #naturalhome #caringtoshareyourfeed #homedecorinspo #feelgoodhome #fireplacedecor #homebeautiful #wellbeinginteriors #homeinteriordesign #livingroomideas #alliseeispretty #interiorwarrior #interiorstyle #swlondon #wimbledon #thamesditton #esher #southlondon #interiorsblogger
I got sent a black and white paint chart from a su I got sent a black and white paint chart from a supplier the other day and it's been inspiring me as I play around with a mood board.

Classic monochrome schemes have a certain kind of grown-up cool to them, which means that to some extent they don't date. They can create a crisp formality, a relaxed grounded mood, or a perfect backdrop against which the odd pop of colour can shine.

However, they can appear a little flat, cold or clinical if they aren't warmed up a bit. Here are a few tips for making some monochrome magic in your home.

* There are very few true blacks and whites when it comes to paint. Make sure you've tested your colours in your chosen room, so that you can see exactly how they 'read' at different times of day.

* Try layering up a range of very dark or light colours; you can still create drama, but it will have a bit more depth to it.

* Bring in some organic, natural shapes which will balance the strong contrast that black and white creates.

* Avoid having too many shiny, reflective surfaces, which can dazzle and stress the eyes, and introduce some texture.

* Natural materials such as leather, wood, honed stone and linen will soften the scheme, absorb any glare, and warm the space up.

#monochromehome #moodboard #materialboard #moodboarding #moodboarddesign #monochromedecor #interiordesigntips #edesigner #aquietstyle #consideredhome #nestandthrive #naturalhome #myinteriordetails #homedesignideas #interiordecorator #homeinspo #londoninteriordesign #interiordesignerlondon #biophilicdesign #naturalhomedecor #naturaldecor #theworldofinteriors #ofsimplethings #howtodecorate #twickenham #teddington #surbiton #richmond #interiordesignsurrey
What do people mean when they say that less is mor What do people mean when they say that less is more?

I'm not familiar with the work of artist Hans Hofmann, but today I'm turning to him for some insight into why a little spring decluttering might be in order.

It's not the first time I've found interiors inspiration in the art world. My dad is an artist and we've sometimes had discussions about the parallels between interior design and art. Both require us to consider colour, form, composition and light; to design an experience which creates an emotional response; one that is shaped by our personal and cultural associations, and some universal human preferences.

But back to the spring cleaning... From a practical and down to earth perspective, reducing our clutter is a valuable activity that can benefit our productivity and our mental health.

However if we're looking for deeper meaning and resonance, making some space (and thereby simplifying our home) is about creating clarity about what we need, rather than what we want. And like placing a frame around a composition, deciding what we keep in our home is about assigning value to the activities that take place there. What do we care about? How does it make us feel? And which aspects of our life are truly necessary?

When we own a little less, the items that remain can sing a little more loudly, and remind us of everything that's truly important.

#williamdemorgan #artsandcraftsmovement #hanshoffman #handmadetiles #mindhealth #interiorsblog #interiordesignstudio #healthysoul #declutteryourlife #declutteryourmind #simplelifestyle #ofsimplethings #houseandhome #interiorwarrior #homeimprovement #homes #interiordesignuk
As we anticipate the arrival of spring there's a n As we anticipate the arrival of spring there's a natural tendency to want to burst into action, to throw ourselves into the excitement of new beginnings. This could be even more likely this year, as the pandemic begins to loosen its grip on our lives. Hope is rising with the sap in the trees and the daily updates on vaccinations.

But spring can also be the season of anxiety. Nobody knows exactly why, but many of us suffer a lowering of our mood in the spring months, and the effect could be magnified this year as many of us are staging our re-entry into social life.

If you're an extreme extrovert this might be filling you with glee but don't feel bad if the thought of all this brings about a curious mixture of both relief and apprehension.

Your home can help to support you through this period of adjustment:

* Focus on transitional spaces in spring - those areas that mark a threshold with the outside world: doorways and hallways, balconies, and the transition to the garden. Do they need some love and attention?

* Move some of the throws and blankets which you've been curling up in over winter to these transitional spaces - in spring they are the vital props which will enable you to tentatively spend more and more time outdoors.

* Consider how you can blur the boundaries between in and out - perhaps by placing some seating just outside an entryway or a jug of greenery just inside.

* Think about what you can shed and let go: now's a great time to begin a gentle declutter, which can be very freeing and can help to shift the stale, heavy energy of our winter hibernation.

Spring is a great humbler: we rush out as the sun reappears, but also get bitten by the cold that still lingers.ย  Remember that your home is a bridge between you and the world, and it can be your buffer as you slowly unfurl and reintegrate.ย 

#pergola #wisteria #gardentable #englishgarden #nestandthrive #housetohome #findyourhappyathome #healthysoul #holisticwellbeing #makingmyhaven #myidealhome #wellbeinginteriors #makeitblissful #theartofslowliving #gardenofthegods #wellbeingtips #interiorsandhome #instagardenlovers #makehomematter #slowlife #southwestlondon #londonhomes #lovethehomeyouhave
How important is sustainability to you when it com How important is sustainability to you when it comes to working on your home?
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Given that the construction industry, including architectural and interior design specifications, accounts for around 38% of carbon emissions, it's an important concept.
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But I think it's also one which is misunderstood: for example, it doesn't need to mean that a design will be more expensive or that it should only involve using natural materials; and it involves consideration of people and communities as well as the environment.
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I also wonder whether it's an intimidating concept because it makes people feel they have to be perfect. In reality, making any change is better than making none, and increasing the sustainability of our home improvements is achievable for almost everybody.
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Sustainable interior design can be high end and low end, about new materials and old or recycled ones. It's about big choices and small ones; one-off changes and sustained commitments. It takes into account the full life-cycle and impact of a product or service, but it doesn't require perfection to make a difference.
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My take on it is that if we manage to make more people-and-planet-friendly choices even half of the time, we'll be going a long way towards reducing the impact of our personal home on our global one.
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#sustainablehome #ecodesign #greendesign #sustainableinteriordesign #interiordesigntrends #printsandpatterns #fittedwardrobe #bedroomideas #boldvibranthome #colourfulhomevibe #mycolourfulinterior #colourfuldecor #bedroomstyling #colourfiedhomes #ecoliving #sustainabledesign #interior444 #moroccanrug #sustainableliving #savetheplanet #reducereuserecyle #homestyling #londoninteriors
My superhero dining table was centre stage in my l My superhero dining table was centre stage in my last post, and it's got me thinking about how important it is to have a home which can flex and stretch with you as your needs change and grow.

Our lives never stand still - they're always a work in progress. And as they are the containers of our daily activities, our homes need to be subtly shifting over time too.

Apart from extendable dining tables, there are some other furniture staples that will help you to create a flexible space:

* Height adjustable stools can easily be used as high and low seating, but they can also double up as side tables.

* Upholstered ottomans can work equally well as foot stools, additional seating and coffee tables. I like to have a wooden tray on top of mine which makes a stable base for pots of tea, flowers and candles.

* Sofa beds, truckle beds, day beds and pull-down beds are great for accommodating occasional guests without giving up a whole room to them. Do you have any of your own furniture superheroes?

#interiorsblog #interiorspaces #flexibleliving #livingroomgoals #interiordesigntips #myinteriorsquares #homedecorinspiration #naturalhome #furnitureshopping #neutraldecor #simplethingsmadebeautiful #interiorsandhome #homedecorlove #homestyling #homegoods #homeaccessories #londoninteriordesign #londoninteriorstylist #teddington
There's been a lot of talk during the pandemic abo There's been a lot of talk during the pandemic about our homes being our sanctuaries, and I don't think this is wrong. But what does this mean in practice? If your home doesn't yet feel like a safe haven, how do you start work on improving the relationship you have with it? Or how do you begin the process of creating a new abode?

For me, one of the most important ways to start is by asking what you need from your home. Which emotions, energies and activities do you need it to hold - to contain and nurture? Where do you need your home to fall on certain key dimensions?

Between stimulating and calming, expansive and containing, energising and restoring, there is a sweet spot. And that is indeed the place where your home comes up to meet you.

There the boundaries between you and your dwelling start to break down. The space is no longer something outside of you, distinct from you, but an extension of your headspace. It regulates your connection with other people and the world around you. And it becomes a place to develop that most important of relationships, with yourself.

#wellbeingwarrior #healthysoul #healthysoul #purposefulliving #happyathome #findyourhappyathome #makingmyhaven #makeitblissful #nestandthrive #wellbeinginteriors #ofsimplethings #houseplants #theartofslowliving #londoninteriordesigner #oprahwinfrey #psychologiesmagazine
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