Mabel Fox Blog
Inspiring Interior Design Ideas and Tips
The Latest Trends, Expert Advice and Creative Solutions for Your Home
Where to Invest and Where to Save
Renovating your home is one of the most exciting (and let’s be honest, stressful) projects you can take on. Whether it’s a full remodel or just updating a few spaces, one of the biggest questions my clients always ask is: “Where should I spend more, and where can I save?” The truth is, a beautiful home doesn’t always come with a jaw-dropping price tag, it’s all about knowing what to prioritise. So, let’s break it down!
The Art of the Entrance: Designing Hallways That Leave a Lasting Impression
Your hallway is the first "hello" your home gives to anyone walking through the door. It's that all-important first impression so why not make it a good one? With the right mix of clever design, beautiful finishes, and personality, your hallway can set the scene for the rest of your home. Here are our favourite ways to make your entrance feel less like a corridor and more like a moment.
Conversation Pits Are Back
As an interior designer, I love when form and function come together seamlessly, and conversation pits are exactly that. They’re social, sculptural, and surprisingly versatile, whether you’re planning a living room renovation or reimagining your patio area. Let’s talk about why this design gem is trending again, how to make it work in your home, and why everyone’s falling (back) in love with the pit.
Renovation with Intention: An Interior Designer’s Guide to a Home That Feels Like You
Renovating your home is more than just picking paint colours and swapping out cabinetry. It’s a chance to reimagine how your space supports your lifestyle, reflects your personality, and brings you joy every day. As interior designers, we see renovations as a layered process, where practicality meets personality, and every decision adds to the story of your home.
Designing with Texture: How to Layer Materials for Depth and Interest.
Let’s talk texture, the secret ingredient that takes a room from “nice” to “wow, I want to live here.” While colour and layout often steal the spotlight, texture is what makes a space feel elevated, feel lived-in and layered. Think of it like seasoning in a great recipe: subtle, but oh-so-important.
The Importance of Furniture Layout
Ever walked into a room and instantly felt at ease, like everything just flows perfectly? That’s the magic of a well-planned furniture layout. Whether you’re furnishing a new extension or giving your current rooms a refresh, the way you arrange your furniture can make all the difference in creating a stylish, functional, and inviting home. Take a look at our expert tips to help you arrange your room like a pro!
How Hiring an Interior Designer Can Add Value to Your Home
Hiring an interior designer isn't just about making your home look beautiful; it's a smart investment that can significantly enhance your property's value and functionality. Let's explore how professional design services can transform your space and offer some friendly tips to get you started.
Why Hiring an Interior Designer is Worth it: Four Key Benefits
Designing a space is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. You have a vision, a dream of what you want, but bringing it to life? That’s where things can get tricky. This is where an interior designer steps in to help. Wondering, “Why should I hire a professional?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are four reasons why bringing an interior designer on board is a smart investment.
Cosy Up this Winter with Hygge Scandinavian Design
As we step into January there’s no better time to transform your home into a warm, inviting sanctuary. One of the best ways to do this? Embrace the art of Hygge Scandinavian design. Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a Danish concept that celebrates cosiness, comfort, and connection. When paired with Scandinavian design’s clean lines and minimalist aesthetic, it creates a home that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.
Top Interior Trends for 2025
As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your space and explore exciting new looks. As an interior designer, I love seeing how trends influence fabrics, colours, and furniture, sparking fresh ideas and creative possibilities. Whether you’re planning a full renovation or simply looking to update a cosy corner, these are the key trends to watch for in 2025.
A Collaboration Made in Heaven
In today's fast-paced world, local businesses are increasingly recognising the value of collaboration…us included. Rather than operating solo, companies are embracing partnerships that leverage each other's strengths to achieve mutual success. When two businesses combine forces, the result can unlock new opportunities for both parties. This is particularly true when local businesses collaborate, as they can offer a more personalised, community-driven approach for their customers that national chains often lack.
How to Create a Warm and Inviting Guest Room
As the festive season approaches, many of us are preparing to host family and friends over Christmas. If you’re secretly panicking about how to prepare, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. With a few careful design touches, you can create a cosy, inviting space that feels like a home away from home.
Maximising Small Spaces Smart Storage Solutions and Space-Saving Ideas
Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or functionality. In fact, compact living can be a chance to get creative! With smart storage solutions and clever space-saving ideas, you can make your home feel cosy and well-organised. At Mabel Fox, we know how important it is to make the most of smaller spaces, take a look at some of our tips below.
Top Tips for Designing the Perfect Kitchen
As the days grow shorter and autumn approaches, many of us start spending more time indoors, dreaming about redesigning our kitchens. After all, with Christmas just around the corner, our kitchens become the heart of the home – where we cook, entertain, and make memories with loved ones. So, if you’ve been thinking about investing in a new kitchen, now is the perfect time!
Creating a Study Friendly Space for Kids and Teens
As summer winds down and the back-to-school season approaches, it’s the perfect time to create a study area that inspires focus and creativity for your child or teen. At Mabel Fox, we believe a well-designed study space can make all the difference in a childs productivity and overall well-being. In this blog, we’ll share our top tips for designing a study area, focusing on elements like colour theory, lighting, and furniture choices.
Bringing the Outdoors In This Spring
As we transition from winter to spring, we find ourselves eagerly anticipating the seasons positivity and charm. With longer days and the warmth of the sunshine, there's an undeniable desire to merge our interior spaces with the great outdoors. In the spirit of embracing this season of renewal and rejuvenation, let's explore how to seamlessly blend interior and exterior spaces to create a harmonious flow throughout your home.
Transform your home this winter
At Mabel Fox, we believe that creating a cosy and inviting home is essential, especially during the cold winter months. In this blog, we'll explore some of our favourite winter interior design tips, focusing on elements that add warmth and character to your space.
Design your interior using solid wood
In the world of interior design, there's a timeless material that has been a staple in home design for centuries and will continue to always have a place in the home - timber. Its versatility, warmth, and organic beauty make it a perfect choice for adding a touch of nature to your interior spaces. In this blog post, we'll delve into the art of designing with timber, exploring various ways to incorporate this natural element into your home for a cosy, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing environment.
Selecting a Contrasting Colour Scheme for your Home
Picking a contrasting colour scheme is a great way to inject your personality into each room, but how do you go about picking a colour scheme that works perfectly? While harmonious colour schemes create a sense of tranquillity, engagement and comfort into your home, clashing colours can make a space look unorganised, unloved and chaotic. Because of this, choosing a colour scheme can be a daunting task, but not to worry, Mabel Fox is here with some key tips to help you when selecting an exciting yet soothing colour palette for your home.
Playing With Proportions
Designing a room with larger dimensions can be challenging, as the vastness of the space can often make it difficult to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. However, with the right design concept and strategies, you can transform a large room into a welcoming and functional space. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks for designing a room with larger dimensions.