CHOOSING INTERIOR FINISHES

In this month’s column, experienced renovator Natasha Brinsmead discusses how the interiors of her home came together — and what she plans on doing differently next time

- NATASHA BRINSMEAD

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that I spend a good portion of my life researching, thinking and writing about interior design. I get sent hundreds of press releases every week introducing new home products and companies specialising in interior finishes, not to mention being lucky enough to get to peek at all the beautifully furnished and decorated homes we feature in this magazine.

Given all this inspiration served up to me on a daily basis, you’d have thought that when it came to the interior design of our renovation project I’d have been boiling over with ideas, moodboards and contacts, with a very clear idea of how I wanted the house to look and the route to take to get it that way.

Well, you’d have been wrong. Because all the products, advice, tips, close-up homes on tap, colour trends and furniture, tile and flooring launches that I am constantly exposed to, leave me feeling overwhelmed with choice. I felt a pressure to get it right and to include all the newest stuff out there, but I had no idea of what I wanted this house to look like, or how to formulate a design that would work.

One thing I did know was that I wanted a scheme that wasn’t going to date quickly — something with a classic feel that would make the most of the light coming into the house. I suppose I had an idea of combining a traditional country style with a bit of industrial chic and a sort of rustic feel — something homely and comforting.