There is no getting away from the fact that I was ‘frilled’ to see the New Year’s Day prediction blog realised this week in G P & J Baker’s showroom set. Designed by interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch, her 21st Century take on an English country house bedroom formed one of the main ‘curated spaces’ at The Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour for London Design Week (8 – 13 March 2020).

Crystal ball

When you get into the business of ‘interiors predictions’ there is the risk that the crystal ball can get a bit clouded by personal taste. Thankfully though, on this occasion the interiors antennae was, as it turns out,  in full professional working order.

A calm space for stormy weather

There is something beautifully calm and restful about Emma’s Country house bedroom design for the G P & J Baker showroom. When it comes to the layout, colours and patterns, it isn’t at all provocative but instead offers a soothingingly balanced scheme of symmetry and luxurious texture. The perfect retreat, perhaps for these uncertain times.

English decorating

The colour palette has a fresh Spring-like feel with the blues and greens reminiscent of an English landscape.

Textures

Emma has created a subtle depth of texture in her scheme with a delicious block print fabric design and artisanal weaves.

Fresh frills

Of course I can’t resist pointing out again the symmetry of bedroom chairs with frilled or gathered valances. Alongside tassel/bullion fringed upholstery the frilled valancy skirt is now most definitely a thing.

A safe harbour

They certainly create a grand focal point in a room but psychologically, four poster beds and half tester canopies also create the ultimate escape.

How to really make a bed you can lie in

Now here’s a thing. For a bed to be truly special, particularly if you are styling bedlinen for photographic shoots or designing the ultimate boutique hotel bed, it requires the following ingredients. There are those (quite close to home actually) who will outrageously pooh pooh this whole scenario as extraneous to requirements but Emma’s bed illustrates perfectly what you require:

Thick mattress topper + 2 bumphy duvets (yes, 2) + 4 goose down pillows + 2 contrasting coloured wool throws + 500 thread count 100% cotton bedlinen + 3 square cushions + 2 oblong accent cushions + upholstered headboard +end of bed upholstered bench

Lighting scheme

Emma has created mood lighting with a symmetry of table lamps either side of the bed with pleated lampshades and a floor lamp for reading and a sweet pleated shade for a desk/dressing table lamp.

Finally, a centrally placed grand chandelier (Vaughan), which, apart from its practical purpose, anchors the room decoratively with a flourish of wrought iron leaves and very pretty candle lampshades.

Picture hanging

Emma opted for an even grid of framed botanical prints on one side of the room and an asymmetrical grid of 3 framed oils on the other.

Curtain style

Hydrangea Bird II, a beautiful fabric, interlined thickly with a simple fringed leading edge.

Blog rewind

You can read more about heritage or English decorating in the previous blog post Grandmillenial Style.

Thank you

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With many thanks, Charis x