A conscious focus on tactile interiors
Simply looking at something often isn’t enough. Aesthetics are important but our curious nature often directs the most important of all our senses, touch...
Identifying if a space looks good is easy. Understanding why we feel positively connected to it is more complex...
As Humans we have evolved using the sensory stimulations we’re surrounded by and, more often than not, we subconsciously measure a space and define its value to us based on our emotive experience.
When we visually absorb textures our minds automatically lead us to thinking about how surfaces feel to touch. We make assumptions on what a texture may feel like based on memories of tactile surfaces we’ve made contact with before.
Our sensory stimulations can work for, or against us
Harnessing tactility within a space is integral in forming a comfortable environment; whether that be warm and relaxing or cool and light. When consideration for the touchy-feely elements are ignored the opposite occurs; creating a space you inhabit rather than experience.
Surface textures are a fundamental element within interior design as they form the visual temperature of a room. Smooth surfaces for example reflect light and provide a cooler, more open impression whereas raised textures, which absorb light, convey a sense of warmth and relaxation.
Look around and you’ll see tactile elements are applied in more places than you might think; walls, ceilings, flooring, furniture and even the exterior of a building all incompass textural components. Where we apply texture can change our perception of it; how light interacts with a surface and how closely we interact with it heavily influences our emotive response.
When selecting tactile elements it’s important to incorporate complementary textures, that play off of each others distinctions; creating a balanced environment. Rough surfaces for example can seem much more textured next to a smooth surface, which depending on the needs of the space; could work for or against you.
Carpet is another great example as naturally it reflects far less light than a hard-wooden floor so the furniture, wall coverings, lighting and accessories used alongside carpet flooring should incorporate smoother textures to provide much needed light. Naturally, the opposite applies for hard-wooden floors where softer components should be combined to create harmony within the space.
The tactility of natural materials provide countless benefits
The natural origin of wood makes it a warm and comforting material. Countries such as Norway, Canada and Denmark all utilise wood both within interior design and exterior architecture, taking advantage of the endless surface-texture possibilities wood can provide. These countries have also studied the effects of wood within our living environments extensively, some even recording a drop in blood pressure when used in health related spaces.
Natural stone is another material that offers a wide spectrum of choices in terms of textural aesthetics and holds the added benefits of durability, conducting heat and being naturally soundproof.
A successful interior should enhance the way you experience a space and reflect your individuality
It’s important that you’re able to fully visualise a project and as our reaction to texture is so incredible personal; it’s equally important that you’re able touch and interact with the textures we’ve hand selected for you. Carefully curating digital and textural style-boards are all part of the high-level service we provide at Rachel Usher Interior Design, whether we’re working with high-end residential homes or luxury commercial projects such as hospitality spaces and restaurants.
We’re passionate about creating considered interiors which reflect your individuality and enhance your interior experience. Our talented team have over 30 years experience and implement projects with a consistent level of devoted attention and detail; creating spaces which are more than somewhere you simply inhabit...
Curating colour for a home that will nourish your soul
Intelligent design harnesses the power of colour, forming a balance between visual-aspirations and nourishment of the soul; for a purposeful, passionate and peaceful life...
Acknowledging the power of colour, and it’s perhaps unexpected connection to our emotions, allows us to realise its full potential.
The impact of colour on our daily lives is often instinctive, subconscious and undoubtedly emotive, but why?
Colour, put simply, is energy formed from light of varying wavelengths. Each colour is materialised by its own unique wavelength and therefore unique energy; each impacting our visual senses significantly.
Dating back thousands of years chromotherapists, or colour therapists, have been known to harness colour and its energy holistically, utilising it as a non-invasive and powerful therapy for finding balance and harmony; positively affecting both the mind and body. Each colour is thought to hold its own benefits based on where they appear within the visible spectrum. Cooler colours red, orange and yellow are located at the top of our visual spectrum, providing stimulating effects. Red, activates and revitalises, orange holds the power to restore whilst yellow fortifies and brightens our inner-self. Lowest on the visual spectrum are the warmer colours, providing calming effects; blue soothes and relaxes, indigo provides purity and focus and violet is there to inspire and support us. Green is located in the middle of the warm and cooler hues, it's power considered a great balance force, harmonious by nature much like nature itself.
How we view colour and its effects should be something we carefully consider, utilising these hidden powers to create the specific mood or feeling required from a space, a mindful masterpiece if you will. The balanced and relaxing nature of green for example would be ideal for living or bedroom spaces whilst blue is possibly more ideal for creating a soothing atmosphere in a luxury bathroom.
White contains all the colours within the visual spectrum, emphasizing purity and providing clarity to our thoughts. This could be the reason why white is so prevalent in Scandinavia, home to some of the best furniture and product designers in the world who apply a heightened level of detail to their considered and simplistic pieces.
Recently however a notable shift has formed within Scandinavian culture with an evident increase in stronger, bolder hues being adopted. Their love of classic pieces of furniture and lighting and their ease of access to it has uniquely allowed them to experiment with colour without the need to redesign their space from scratch. They are able to change the mood of a space using just colour, compensating for the harsh meteorological seasons that dictate their daily lives, whilst incorporating consistently their classic items of furniture. Short days during the winter season force Scandinavians to constantly seek light, in contrast to the summer months where the days draw-out long into the night. A simple refresh of paint work at home can be used easily to balance this, creating interior harmony that doesn’t continually exist outside.
Quality in the colours used is equally important. Here at Rachel Usher Interior Design we regularly use British paint manufacturer Little Greene, who offer luxury paints whilst remaining committed to socially and environmentally responsible production. For commercial projects Paint and Paper Library is our brand of choice; their paints officially accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects. Both brands are available to order and collect from our Bawtry Interior Design Studio in Doncaster, if you’re in need of some sage advice selecting colours however, please do get in touch before visiting us.
Whilst our reactions are instinctive to colour based on their unique wavelengths and energy, curating colour combinations can be particularly difficult to navigate. We're proud to offer a colour consultation service, approaching colour in a way that’s personalised to you, informing the mood of your space and ultimately nourishing your soul.
An emotionally considered home
A successful interior scheme enhances the way you experience a space whilst reflecting your individuality. We explore the importance of design that’s emotionally considered.
Finding balance in our homes is undoubtedly important.
We’re all susceptible to our surroundings and the choices we make when designing a space do, inevitably, have a direct impact on our overall happiness and well-being.
When designing a space it’s important to look attentively at all the various elements of a room. Practicality is important but consideration of the mood and the various senses that form this are equally significant in the design process; including intangible components such as scent. We are of course, all different. Individuality should direct how each sense is harnessed to form a nurturing, emotional connection; customising the space to create a unique experience. Rachel Usher explains;
“Design affects our senses, whether that be in the way that we interact with light and space, the texture of materials or the furnishings used; all of these elements directly affect the comfort & purpose of a space, relating to how we feel and influencing our emotional wellbeing
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For most of us, escaping the stresses of daily life is the most important factor we look for in our home environments and understanding the different senses we’re surround by in our dwellings is a good place to start in creating a mindful space.
Our vision senses have the ability to change our behaviour, how we interact with light for instance can dramatically influence our sleeping behaviour; for a relaxing evening it’s best to avoid bright LED lights as the blue wavelengths keeps us alert, confusing our natural body clocks and would be better served in an office space where productivity is key. Lamps or candles that emit a warm glow are more ideal for winding down at night and the spaces we gravitate towards in the evening should take this into consideration.
Colour informs every aspect of our daily lives, our reactions are often emotional but also intuitive, without us even noticing. We’re often drawn to colours we like without considering their impact; where and how colour is used should again be mindfully considered.
“It is the interplay with our senses that creates an experience, for example the use of colour can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort if applied correctly; considering the size and purpose of the space”
Although intangible, our sense of smell has the ability to provoke deep emotions within our brain and likes or dislikes are often based purely on these emotional associations.
Harnessing our sense of smell is incredibly important, scents have an ability quite unlike anything else; to unlock memories and transport us perhaps to a time and place long forgotten.
“The scent of a space’s is as fundamental to the success of a design as the use of colour or texture”
Notably, our sense of touch is the most significant as our entire body is receptive to tactile qualities. We are directly affected by the use of different materials and respond to them, again, in an often personal way. We learn from our sense of touch and make judgments from these, developing deep associations which directly affect our thoughts and feelings.
So when designing a space, whether that be a home or social environment it’s undeniably important that emotional needs are fully considered. Our wants often over-power our needs but by acknowledging these personal feelings and reactions we’re able to ensure that both align; providing balance.
Designing an emotionally considered space is important, after all, you literally have to live with it. If you’re in the need of professional expertise please do get in touch; our interior design services are flexible, allowing us the freedom to cater to projects of various sizes. We work closely with all of our clients to realise imaginative spaces which truly reflect your vision and aspirations to enhance your at-home-experience.
