Do it different

Right. Today we’re going to do something a bit different. Instead of telling you about decor trends that I love, I’m going to point out a few things that I don’t like – and explain why they don’t work for me. You may very well disagree with me … and I’d love to hear your thoughts on these interiors. So let’s give it a go!

The carpet! I really, truly dislike this carpet in this room! Why? Well, don’t get me wrong here, I don’t dislike loads of wild colour. I just think that the shades in the carpet are too different to the brights in the rest of the room. And – also – it all seems a bit too much, don’t you think?

Call me a compromiser, but I think a neutral base here would make all the other colours really pop. Interestingly, Diane von Fürstenberg, the designer who is credited with “inventing” the wrap dress, thinks of leopard print as a neutral. So here’s my challenge: try to imagine this room with a muted leopard print rug that picks up on the armchairs, adds some texture and anchors the acid. Working for you? Me too! Marianne Fassler would be proud.

Do you find yourself focusing on the curtain rods? That’s because there’s no other focal point; nothing breaks the clinical look of this white space. Some on-trend botanical-print scatter cushions and a few plants would work wonders here. Or curtains with an off-white and pale greige textured design, combined with gold-toned accessories. Or … any number of other possibilities!

I do like the white sofa, though. Grafton Everest’s Lindley range has a similar look – and includes a pale, patterned armchair that acts like Energade in an all-white room.

To me, this room looks unfinished. The artwork, which has the same dimensions as the window, is begging to be hung – as “happening” as leaning canvasses are in loft-style apartments, I don’t think that this one works in this setting.

And the curtain, to me, needs to be snipped to size. The rod is fitted into the window recess and I think that the drape would fall better if the length of it remained in the recess. But maybe that’s just me. What’s your opinion?

More curtain criticism! Here, I think that the drapes are too short and skimpy. It’s lovely that they let in the light, but a longer, fuller drop might add a level of luxury. The white works, but I would go for floor-skimming cream denim. Just saying.

And here’s where I climb off my soapbox and hand over the mic. What would you do differently in these rooms? Post your comments – I’d love to know that I’m not the only armchair critic out there.