Last week we caught up with Laura at Epitome Styling to talk mid-century modern, dusky sunsets and her upcoming hotel renovations.

 

So Laura, what is your favourite thing about Autumn?

As a real summer lover, I have to concentrate on what is good about Autum; cosy evenings, lighting the fire, autumn walks and the beauty in the changing seasons. I like to find beauty in the things I do everyday, so I’m constantly taking quick photos of vibrant colours, the leaves, textures, autumn light and dusky sunsets. Evening walks with the faint smell of fires burning.

 

Which colours do you love to work with around this time of year?

It’s never intentional, but when I look at the images I save, or the photos I take, my mood generally shifts a touch more moody, I’ll find myself editing to darken shadows and dropping the exposure in order to create a moodier scene. Colour selections tend to move to a more rich and deep hue, but it’s something that you have to be really careful with as in interior design, usually a room needs to work all year round.

 

Do you switch up your style at home depending on the season?

My mind starts focussing on the more necessary items that we still need as we are still living in an 80% complete renovation, soft furnishings become my focus, and I usually place my personal ILIV orders around this time of year. It’s really subconscious but dark panes of glass bug me.

 

Which is your favourite room in yout house and why?

Our lounge in winter is just so lovely. The exposed brick, warm shades and of course I can’t not mention the floor to ceiling wall of curtains from my ILIV order last year – did the small window in the matching roman blind and it’s brought it together perfectly. I have a little bit of wallpaper being added in the coming weeks which includes flecks of gold, a warming touch and additional texture.

 

Which room is next on your list to renovate?

We have a few rooms which were very quickly made ‘ok’ in the renovation, the downstairs w/c and the utility – next year we hope to put a small extension on the kitchen as well so that’s something nice and exciting to plan.

 

What is your favourite Interior trend at the moment?

I’m finding myself really drawn to the mid century modern looks that are out there at the moment, it’s a delicate balance in my own home though as it’s an old mill house, it really has a more rustic style. More likely to see more of the theme coming through in my interior design work in the next year I should think.

 

Have you got any exciting projects coming up with ILIV?

Having just completed six bedroom suites at the Feversham Arms, I’m excited to have been asked to look at another four, so those are in planning at the moment. I used contract Flame Retardant fabrics, so will be looking to build schemes around some more of these, which are legal requirements for design within the hospitality industry.

 

Which are your favourite ILIV fabrics to work with?

I actually love working with the textures groups, natural linens and voiles to layer and be creative with. Which reminds me I have a voile curtain wall to design and I must order some swatches!

 

Take a look at Laura's amazing work on Instagram; @ Instagram.com/laura_epitome_styling or at www.epitomestyling.co.uk