Melanie Barnes Elixir Interior Design

why hire an interior designer?

If you thought hiring an interior designer is hugely expensive and only reserved for the elite well think again!  Interior design is more accessible than ever, thanks to online interior design services. Click here! Or perhaps you would like to meet with an industry pro to kickstart your project or get some ideas and inspiration?…

pattern combing in room design

maximalism: the art of combining pattern

The trend for maximalist interior design has seen an increase in our love of patterns.  In particular combining pattern and different colours / designs together.  Are you a fan?  Or do you prefer to keep things simple? 🤔 combining patterns in your room Combining patterns can make a stunning visual impact which looks both opulent…

table and floor light

layering lighting in a room design

When designing a space, the lighting can sometimes seem a bit of an afterthought.  Until the sun goes down, its easy to forget how the lighting in your room dictates the feel and your mood. different types of room lighting You need light for different things, for example, functional task lighting in the office/kitchen, stunning…

renovating listed properties

As much as I love renovating listed properties, it can sometimes be a bit of a minefield!  I love period homes and find it fascinating uncovering stories from the past. Of course working in old properties invariably means that some are protected and quite rightly so!  Buildings are listed for a reason. They may have…

regency fireplace

how to choose colour for period homes

I have a passion for older properties and I’m lucky to work in some spectacular Regency and Georgian era buildings.  One of the most important aspects in the aesthetic design of these projects is choosing the right colour for period homes. choosing colour for period homes Even though my design schemes can sometimes have quite…

interior design books

interior design books

I’m an interior design addict and self proclaimed bookworm!  Therefore it can of no surprise that I’m often found leafing through interior magazines or with my nose stuck in one of my interior design books. why are interior design books important? Knowledge is power and it is so important to never stop learning! I get…

biophilic interiors at the skygarden

biophilic interior design

Biophilia is one of the most written interior design trends from recent years, but… what actually is biophilic interior design? The word ‘biophilia’ originates from the Greek ‘philia’ meaning ‘love of’ and ‘’bio’ ‘life.  It literally means ‘Love of life’ or living things. Biophilic interior design attempts to connect our homes / workspaces with nature…

Vintage style mood board

finding your interior style

What’s your interior style?  Simple enough question right?  However, there are A LOT of beautiful interiors out there and I understand how overwhelming that question can sometimes be to answer! When working with clients, I need to identify how they want their space to look & feel pretty early on and I have a simple…

working from home

creating a productive home office

The pandemic has seen many of us permanently switch to home working.  As such, we are now faced with carving out a home office area in our private environment. This is all very well if you have a home study but what if you don’t? How do you create a productive home working space whilst…