Interior Design Competition!

At Positive Interiors I believe that everyone can have a property (residential or commercial) with WOW factor.  Whatever your budget I can create a look that you will love.  If you have limited amount available accessories can be key to making a room look great.  Positive Interiors source products for all budgets from cushions to curtains and furniture to flooring.  Whatever you would like in your property I can find it and usually at a better price than you could without my help.  

In November alone I have sourced roman blinds, carpets, sofa's, mirrors, dining furniture and umpteen cushions, candles and interior accessories!  I know where to shop and where to get the best prices! 

Why not enter my competition this month for a chance to win a FREE interior design consultation! All you have to do is answer this question........

What design style of chair is this?

Answers by email to Linda@positive-interiors.co.uk

Good luck!

How to wallpaper a chimney breast! It's easier than you think!

Want to know how to do it?

First measure the width of your chimney breast then measure half the width of your wallpaper and mark a vertical line this far from the edge of the chimney breast using a chalked plumb line (available from all DIY stores)


Take a measurement from the ceiling to the mantel shelf and then from ceiling to floor then add 10cm to each measurement to allow for trimming.


Cut one length to go above the mantel shelf and place face down and brush on the wallpaper paste. Brush from the centre outwards then loosely fold and leave to soak always reading the paste instructions.


Using the chalked line on the wall place the wallpaper in the centre brushing down and outwards. Using the back of a pair of scissors mark at the top and bottom where you need to trim, ease the paper away and then trim and brush back.


Cut the remainder of the lengths needed to size and make sure pattern repeat matches. Paste and soak then position the lengths and trim off excess. Make sure as you position the lengths that you ensure you brush away air bubbles and smooth the joins. Repeat all over wallplace until you have a bare strip to each recess edge.


Measure the distance from the edge of the last piece of paper to the corner of the wall adding 25mm. Cut paper to size, paste and hang around the corner of the fireplace wall. Hang the offcut from the first piece of paper next to this piece and continue into the internal corner.


At the internal corner mark a line down with the back of a pair of scissors and trim off the excess and ease back as before.




WALLPAPERING A FIREPLACE WALL........ DONE!

Checklist of items you will need to complete the job.......



Stepladder
Chalked plumb line
Wallpaper
Wallpaper scissors
Retractable tape measure
Pasting table
Pasting brush
Wallpaper paste
Papering brush
Craft or stanley knife
Clean cloth



Please email me photo's of your decorating victories or mishaps to be able to share hints and tips!

Reception re-design!

In business it is important to create the right impression. Your reception area is the first point of call for visitors and clients which makes it extremely important to showcase your business. Recently I was commissioned to re-design a local firm of accountants reception area. The client wanted to create better storage and a more comfortable area for waiting clients. The need for the staff to undertake confidential work out of sight was also of high importance. They wanted to achieve a look that would give the right impression for their business and this meant a complete overhaul and change of colour scheme.

Looking at their corporate colours (green, black and white) was where the inspiration and design came from. Builders were instructed to strip the wood chip from the walls but being mindful that as a georgian building the walls could be fragile. The ceiling was removed and new spot downlighters were positioned in the new ceiling. Built in cupboards give the receptionists incredible storage and keep the desks clutter free. A fresh green colour was painted on the walls and accented in the accessories and carpet.

The existing logo was outdated and they wanted to create a new corporate image. Dealing with new, growing and established companies gave me the idea to use acorn, sapling and mighty oak images for wall art. These images were enlarged and printed on canvas boards which now adorn the wall!

The transformation is complete and the clients are delighted with the results. So who do you know who could do with some help to create the right first impression?

Can't find what you want?

As an Interior Designer I am constantly trawling the shops and internet for design ideas to fit with themes I am creating for clients. At the moment I am project managing the re-design of a lounge near Reading. My client wanted a TV cabinet to cover an entire wall of their lounge. They had looked at Ikea but didn't want to have any wasted space around the outside. I contacted some joinery companies locally but prices coming out at £8k was not going to be possible.

My tenacity paid off! I contacted an old friend that I knew from Newbury Rugby Club who worked for a large local Joinery company. He gave me the name of another joiner that does some work on the side... He couldn't do it but he had a colleague who was about to leave and set up his own company! Kerching! Ray at R K Farris in Hungerford has now completed drawings which my client has approved and well under their £3k budget! It certainly pays to be persistent!

If you need something that you can't find, let me know and I'll do the leg work for you! I love it!

Turning Ideas into reality!

This week has been pretty manic! I have been to see four clients who I am managing large design projects for. Juggling about 50 balls in the air and getting them to drop into the right place, oooo it's challenging, but great fun!

I've been sourcing design accessories and trying to find a sofa that fits into a certain space as I've been let down by a supplier shut down for the summer! Typical had it all sussed and have to start sourcing again. There really are some great products out there if you search hard enough. Finding products and accessories to finish a design is great, what girl doesn't like to shop!

Adding a finders service to my website is prooving successful. I have found that clients have an idea of something they are looking for but don't know where to find it. As i'm spending so much time sourcing ideas I come across some great companies offering a massive range of products that I can then share with you! I am a very giving person!

Right must get back to work, have a newsletter to create and more mood boards to make!

Get excited about your house!

Over the past three weeks I have achieved something I wanted to achieve when I first started Positive Interiors. Get people to fall in love with their house again!

As we all live our busy lives we forget to do all the little things that make our homes great. Whether it's reorganise a room, utilise furniture in a better position in the house or de-clutter, it's amazing how much more space you create!

This week I helped a client to see past the clutter, give them de-cluttering tips and help them visualise how their house can look. Whilst there my client got so excited about finding their house again and using the space more effectively. They were considering moving but have now changed their mind as they have everything they need in the house they just needed to find it again! Together we have re-ignited the passion for the property and it feels great to be a part of that!

My ideas consultation really can change the way you live and help you to love your house. If you are interested in having a chat please don't hesitate to contact me! Prices start at £85!

Give your property a health check with the Property Doctor!

When you walk into your house do you feel depressed at the amount you have to do to get it looking how you want? Take it in stages, concentrate on one room at a time and finish that room before you start another!

Here is one of my top tips to help you visualise your transformed room on your budget.

• Make a folder with plastic insert envelopes for each room and when you find a picture of something you like cut it out and slip it in.
• If you flick through magazines and see something you like, cut it out and stick it in your folder.
• Ensure that you make a note of where the item is from and how much it costs.
• Print out web pages with prices of items you find online.
• When you are ready to create your room look through the pictures you have collected and filter them out to favourites.
• Place them on a large piece of paper to see how well they work together, create your own mood board!
• Get material samples to add to your board to give it texture. If you can feel something it is easier to imagine.
• If you want wallpaper, add a sample of one your like onto the board.
• Go to your local DIY shop and get paint swatches of colours and stick them on too.

You will have an overall theme planned out in front of you and you can visualise how your room will look! Good luck and please email me pics of mood boards you create!

Hi there, please let me introduce myself, I am Linda Gale and I am an Interior Designer, Property Presentation Consultant and Project Manager, and here's a little background on me!

Having been involved in various aspects of property for about 20 years I decided it was time to marry together my project management, customer service and creative flair to form my own company, Positive Interiors. I wanted to start a business that I could work around my two wonderful children and hopefully make them proud of me!

Having designed and project managed the built and two large rural properties I know how trades work and how to communicate with them! I know how to get the best from them and believe me I've had lots of practice.

In my blog I will be giving you tips and hints on how to improve your property, help you to create a home you will love to live in or give you tips on how to improve your property before it is marketed for sale or rental.

Along the way I will share knowledge of special offers in the interior design field and some news on how my interior design business progresses. I will let you know what I'm up to give you an insight into the daily life of a creative working mum.

Hopefully you will find it of interest and if you have any questions please ask me, I'm a helpful soul!