• Sea salt, peppermint, freesia & lemon verbena top the list of spring scents (Alexander James Interior Design)
• Diffuse rosemary oil in the office to boost brain power (Northumbria University)
• Boost your performance in the gym with the smell of peppermint (University of Mohaghegh Ardabili)

After the cold, grey winter months, spring brings with it a welcome assault on the senses. From the feeling of sun-warmed skin to the chirping of birds and the scent of freshly mown grass and blossoming bluebells, it’s a time for celebration that the winter is behind us once more.

“Spring is a wonderful time of year, and one to be enjoyed within the home as well as outside. The season is all about awakenings, and that can be reflected beautifully with scent. From vases piled with locally grown, freshly cut flowers to artfully styled diffuser reeds and statement candles, the olfactory delights of spring can bring a real sense of joy and renewal into the home.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

According to Alexander James Interior Design, this spring’s hottest scents are those which evoke warmth, freshness and calm. They’re suited to a range of uses, from individuals looking to awaken their senses within the home, to those seeking to make their property more desirable to buyers or renters.

2017 spring season quick wins for scent include Jo Malone’s wood sage and sea salt home candle, which brings to mind holidays by the ocean, and The White Company’s spa relax diffuser, which offers a relaxing hint of lavender to calm and peppermint to refresh, according to the Alexander James team.

Also high on the spring scents list is Daylesford Organic Farm’s freesia alba scented botanical candle, with an uplifting, refreshing floral scent that’s akin to a spring day encased in wax.

“Diptyque’s fabulous lemon verbena candles are also a must this spring. The zesty lemon scent awakens the senses and brings to mind the mingled scent of lemons ripening on the branch, alongside newly budding blossoms marking the start of the next year’s bounty.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

Studies have shown that different smells can evoke feelings of happiness, safety, calm and relaxation. Citrus scents are ideal for brightening moods and providing energy, so are particularly well suited to kitchens and living areas. Lavender and jasmine are known to create feelings of relaxation, so are perfect scents for bedrooms.

Meanwhile, peppermint stimulates the mind and body. It lifts the mood, enhances breathing and even increases athletic performance, according to sports science studies at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, so is the perfect scent for a home gym.

A study by Northumbria University has shown that the scent of lavender oil significantly decreases memory function, while diffused rosemary oil can markedly enhance it. Thus rosemary is the ideal scent for home offices and other areas of the home where mental functionality needs to be at its best!

Whatever your goal – whether a bright, energizing kitchen or a calm, sleep-inducing bedroom – scent can play a powerful role in ensuring that your home is the perfect environment.

“The right scents can transform a house into a home. No interior design project would be complete without serious attention to olfactory elements, so no home should be either!”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.

• Tulips, hyacinths and long, elegant stems are spot on for spring
• Large leaves and plentiful foliage are the latest essentials
• Consider high-end silk blooms for lasting beauty

As March brings the first hints of spring sunshine, buds are swelling on branches all around. The turning of the seasons means that it’s time for the use of florals within the home – as well as without – to come into focus once more.

Florist Lisa Caulton is part of the team of outstanding interior designers at Alexander James Interior Design. With spring approaching, she shares her secrets on using flowers to maximum effect and the most inspiring 2017 floral trends.

How long have you worked for Alexander James Interiors?

I have been working for AJI for 4 years now, and absolutely love it. It is great working with such a great team and alongside such talented designers.

What is your background as a florist?

I have worked in floristry for the past 20 years, designing and creating displays for corporate events, hotels and designing weddings. I’ve also worked in local florists. Working with silk flowers has allowed me to be much more creative, with floral designs creating life-like displays in beautiful luxurious properties.

How does the process work in terms of creating floral arrangements for a project?

Our designers come to me with their mood boards and images of the property. Flowers are then selected based on interior style and colour scheme. For some projects I go and create the floral displays on site, especially if it is a big project. Flowers are used in every room, with the quantity of flowers depending on a client’s budget.

All flowers used are silk faux flowers, as real flowers would perish in our show home projects. The silk faux flowers we use are very high quality, so they are still very realistic and deliver the same great effect.

Flower arrangements are made to co-ordinate with the style of interior. We cover everything from rustic and country style to eclectic and contemporary.

What are your favourite flowers?

My favourite flowers are tulips, and my favourite plants are succulents, both of which are spring-like and currently on trend. I often go to flower shows to keep up with current trends and have attended shows in Paris and Holland. I often find inspiration for my work at these shows.

Do you incorporate your personal taste into your work?

No, it is important to always follow the current trends of flowers and plants in interiors. It is also important to think ahead to the next season due to our lead times. It is important to remain unbiased, using only the brief and mood boards to coordinate the flower arrangements for a project.

What has been your favourite project to date?

I really enjoy large projects, where I need to create arrangements to the scale of the property. Recent projects such as The Chapel at Mill Hill and Windlesham’s Woodrow mansion have been amazing to work on, as I have been able to create such large arrangements and stunning centrepieces.

What is your favourite interior design style?

My favourite interior style is eclectic, such as the style used in quirky London apartments.

What are the latest trends in floral design?

Trends often depend on interior style. For example, in a rustic property, stone pots, lavender baskets and flower jugs are perfect.

Current trends are very plant-orientated, with lots of foliage and big leaves. Trends often move with the seasons: spring projects will feature spring flowers such as hyacinths, tulips and the prettier, more elegant flowers.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.

• Look, feel and scent of a room all impact on its romantic credentials (Alexander James Interior Design)
• Romance doesn’t have to cost the earth – fresh flowers can be used to great effect
• Create a mood board to get a sense of the completed room before you spend a penny

The approach of Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to give your property a makeover and bring some romance into your home.

There is a growing trend for individuals with smaller homes to seek out the professional talents of interior designers, and this is the ideal solution for those looking to add romance to their rooms.

However, you don’t have to be a pro to add some pre-Valentine’s Day romantic touches, as

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director at Alexander James Interior Design, explains,

“There are some really cost effective quick wins when it comes to adding romance to your home. Look at your rooms not just with your eyes but with all your senses. How does a room feel? What scents are in the air? Then drop in a little instant passion and love with a few additional touches.”

Fresh flowers are the obvious place to start. In this traditional Buckinghamshire home, dressed by the team at Alexander James, oversize vases of cream roses, with the fireplace in the background, add the scent of romance beautifully. Giant displays of lilies, roses and gypsophila all work wonderfully, as do simpler touches like single vases of red, pink and cream tulips.

Scented candles are another quick win. They look and smell appealing and the vast range available means that they can be chosen to suit any colour scheme. Antique silver hurricanes and glass holders with long, elegant stems both work particularly well when it comes to creating a romantic feel.

Candles are perfect for providing soft lighting, which adds a really romantic element to a room. Table lamps, uplighters and standing lamps can also be used to great effect and again don’t have to cost the earth.

“When it comes to selecting accessories, soft furnishings and artwork, picture how it’s all going to connect before you buy everything,” advises Alexander James Interior Design’s Stacey Sibley. “Put a mood board together with the pieces you have in mind – from lamps to rugs to paintings – and build a vision of how well it’s going to blend and how romantic it’s going to feel. If one or two elements don’t fit, don’t try and force them in. Find alternatives instead.”

For those going for a large-scale overhaul, Stacey advises steering clear of anything too dark when it comes to colour schemes. Pastel colours work well for romantic interiors, with splashes of bold colour used sparingly for a touch of passion. Metallic fabrics are big news this season and silvers and golds, when used delicately, can add a lovely element of romance to a room. Little touches like antique silver photo frames can also make a big difference.

“Ultimately, the room needs to emanate a sense of warmth and safety,” concludes Sibley, “but with a streak of passion thrown in as well. Creating the ultimate romantic interior is a really delicate balance but can have a fantastic impact on a home when done well.”

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.

• Create positive energy flow through furniture placement and colour schemes
• Turn to the professionals to achieve a stylish, harmonious home
• Increase your wealth through feng shui – or through interior design!

The ancient Chinese philosophy of feng shui adheres to the principle that all things are connected through qi (energy). Good feng shui can lead to good luck for individuals, families and even whole countries. Meanwhile, poor feng shui can lead to bad fortune.

Whether or not you believe the mystical aspects of feng shui, there’s no doubt that bringing feng shui principles into your home can have positive results. Stacey Sibley, Creative Director at Alexander James Interior Design, comments,

“You don’t have to believe in feng shui to benefit from its principles when it comes to things like furniture placement or colour schemes. Whether or not the placement of your sofa can really have an impact on your fortunes, it can certainly have a positive effect on how you feel in your living room. Similarly, the colours you choose for your home can enhance the living experience of the whole family.”

When it comes to furniture placement, living rooms and bedrooms can be quick wins. Place sofas and beds against solid walls to anchor them, rather than leaving them ‘floating’ in the middle of a room. Then avoid blocking natural pathways in the room and use mirrors to enhance the flow of natural light and energy.

Feng shui has at its heart the harmony between people and nature. So too do this season’s interior design trends. Natural textures and woody tones are ideal for creating a balance that soothes the spirit and sets the scene for creating happy family memories within the home.

This is demonstrated beautifully at one of the prestigious, Grade 2 listed Albury Park apartments in Surrey, where the original mansion house has been elegantly converted into apartments in Surrey. Dressed by the talented interior designers at Alexander James Interior Design as part of their ‘full rental’ service, the sumptuous apartment flows delightfully from one room to the next with rich, natural hues, tones and textures creating a positive flow of energy throughout the home.  From the artwork to the polished wooden walls and curved brickwork of the pool room, the property uses the best of nature to create a harmonious environment.

However, good feng shui certainly doesn’t mean avoiding bright colours altogether, as Alexander James’ Stacey Sibley explains,

“There are plenty of ways to achieve positive energy in your home using colour. Opt for fire colours (red, orange, yellow and pink) on the southern side of rooms and water colours (blues and greens) on the northern side. Fire colours are for more active spaces and water colours are for calmer spaces, so bear that in mind when choosing colour schemes and decorative objects to place in your home.”

While there may not be a host of scientific evidence that shows the impact of feng shui on health and wealth, there is certainly evidence that good interior design services can have an impact. After the Alexander James team dressed the Albury Park Mansion apartment, it shot up in value by 65%. Belief in feng shui aside, those looking to sell their property – no matter how large or small it may be – would do well to opt for a professional interior design service this Chinese New Year!

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.

• Impact of external influences on inner peace more widely appreciated
• Demand for professional interior design in sub £2 million homes on the up
• Homeowners, sellers and landlords all looking to use interior design to their advantage

Many people are glad to see the back of 2016, heralding 2017 as a fresh start, with all the promise that a new year brings. Achieving inner strength and peace are high up the priority list for many working diligently on their New Year’s resolutions, but there’s more to inner peace than eating kale and enjoying regular yoga sessions, as Stacey Sibley, Creative Director at Alexander James Interior Design, reveals,

“The look and feel of a property has a huge impact on how those who live there feel. An expert interior design service can transform a ‘nice’ home into a real sanctuary – a place of calm that helps you to shrug off the cares of the world the moment you close the front door. Many people work hard at self-improvement during January in order to feel healthier and happier, but don’t appreciate how much of a difference changes within the home can make.”

According to the team of experts at Alexander James, who have more than 20 years’ experience of interior architecture, the benefits of interior design are gradually extending their reach. The sub £2 million property market is booming when it comes to demand from new clients, particularly in London and other large cities across the UK. Homeowners are beginning to appreciate the serenity that interior design can bring – a message that the Alexander James team is keen to spread more widely.

Stacey Sibley continues,

“Homeowners have an unprecedented opportunity to access interior architecture expertise as the market expands to bring beautiful interiors to a broader client base. We’re seeing rising demand from individual property owners seeking to give their home the interior it deserves, as well as from those looking to maximise their home’s sale value. Interior design for rental property also looks set to expand rapidly in 2017, with landlords keen to boost their yields by offering homes that stand out from the crowd.”

The natural hues and warming tones and textures of 2017’s top interior design trends should certainly appeal to those looking to make their home (and their life) more tranquil as part of their 2017 New Year’s resolutions. Natural woods and pastel tones will create personal havens for those seeking the path to inner peace this year.

Alexander James Interior Design has showcased this beautifully at this modern, rustic barn in Surrey. The stunning building has been dressed in a way that highlights its outstanding features, at the same time as creating a serene, welcoming home.

As 2017 gets underway, those seeking inner peace as part of their New Year’s resolutions would do well to turn to interior design in order to achieve it!

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.

• Sub-£2m properties to receive huge boost from interior design in 2017 (Alexander James)
• Specialist interior design to increase by 20% in 10 years (Brandon Gaille)
• “Design is at the crux of how we live, work, and play” (ASID)

According to property industry experts, one of the leading trends in 2017 will be the emergence of interior design agencies in unexpected places. While hotels and new home developers have long employed the unique talents of those with the vision to transform their properties’ interiors, 2017 will be the year that interior design goes mainstream.

Robert Walker, Managing Director from Alexander James Interior Design explains,

“We are working with a growing number of clients who, just a couple of years ago, never imagined they would be employing professional designers to create beautiful interiors for their properties. Interior design used to be the preserve of the largest of companies. Now, there’s a growing trend for smaller developers to use interior design to boost the value of their property.

“Be they for sale or rent, dressing your units at any price level will be the path to success in 2017. It’ll be the secret weapon to achieving those sales targets.”

Developers of private rented sector (PRS) housing and high end purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) will be particularly drawn to the use of interior designers in 2017, according to the team at Alexander James.

Albury Park Mansion in Surrey highlights the value of the trend towards professional interior design. One apartment in the prestigious Grade 2 listed building saw a staggering 65% increase in value after being professionally dressed by the Alexander James team.

As well as the obvious monetary benefits, a growing appreciation of the value of interior design is another factor behind the trend. According to the American Society of Interior Designers,

“Effective interior design makes workers more efficient, helps students learn, and helps everyone get and stay healthy; it helps us have fun, age gracefully, and connect with family. Design is at the crux of how we live, work, and play.”

The growth of the PRS and the booming PBSA sectors in the UK represent a plethora of new opportunities for developers, but also increased competition. Those that stand out from the crowd are constantly seeking new ways to ensure that their properties turn heads. In 2017, interior design will play a key role in that.

Marketing expert Brandon Gaille believes that specialised interior design businesses will grow by around 20% over the coming decade, compared with a 13% increase in interior design jobs. This is reflective of the spreading interest that smaller developers, builders and private individuals have in using interior design services to create more saleable homes.

Alexander James’ Robert comments,

“There’s a real push from those with properties in the sub-£2 million price bracket to use interior designers at the moment and this trend looks set to grow in 2017. Whether it’s city apartments for sale or rent, or luxury student digs that need to beat the competition, interior designers have never been more sought after. 2017 is the year to think ironically ‘outside the box’ when it comes to interiors!”

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.