What are liveable interiors and how to create a space that is you

At Marina Slattery we believe in tailoring our clients’ homes to express their personality and their style in a considered way. Each home is a one-on-one collaboration where each item is chosen with careful consideration, ensuring a functional and enduring design. We believe in creating liveable interiors. Read on to find out more about us!
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What are liveable interiors?

Regardless of the style – contemporary, classic or in between – there are certain elements of interior design that are key ingredients to a successful scheme. Liveable interiors are spaces that allow you to live with ease, where aesthetics are layered upon function and infused with your personal style. Here are our tips on how to create a liveable interior that will last.
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Start with structure

A well-functioning home is a home that works for you. Interior design and architecture go hand in hand and a well proportioned space is the best foundation for a successful interior design scheme. Finding a balance starts with the room’s architectural features. For example, if you are working on a renovation, a window may need to be enlarged, a wall knocked or a door moved to gain the balance & proportion that the room needs.
When planning the layouts of your rooms, consider the scale of all items, from the size of your sofa to correctly proportioned rugs and furniture. But don’t play it too safe, varying scale within a room, for example, an oversized painting over your sofa or a dramatic ceiling light, will create impact and bring personality to your space!
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Choose quality over quantity

Liveable interiors stand the test of time and it’s important that you consider this with your design choices. By planning your space wisely, you can invest in the right products with high quality finishes to ensure they are designed to last.
At Marina Slattery, we believe in investing in the best quality floor and windows that you can afford, as well as wisely choosing larger pieces such as sofas and rugs. These styles should be timeless and made from materials that can withstand daily use. Keeping trend-led items to cushions and accessories and invest in classic furniture that you’ll love forever.
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Master your lighting scheme

Your home is a place to feel comfortable and safe; it should cocoon you when you come in from a long day at work. Liveable interiors feel inviting and your lighting scheme really plays a large part in this.. Lighting can have a huge effect on our mood and if you invest in this area, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your home more. While natural lighting is obviously key, artificial lighting needs to be considered more carefully.
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If you’re starting a new build or renovation, your lighting plan needs to be planned around your furniture layout at the very early build stage. For example, strategically placing floor sockets in a large open plan space, based on your sofa dimensions, will allow you to position a table lamp beside your sofa or place your reading lamp just where you need it!
Your interior designer will ensure that your lighting is planned around your furniture layout to optimise the comfort and aesthetics of your home.
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Prioritise storage

A liveable interior is a calming and clutter free space. Yes, we are channelling Marie Kondo here. One of the main reasons for clutter is a lack of storage, so prioritising storage space exactly where you need it at the planning stage of your build is one of our main considerations as interior designers. We work with all of our clients to design spaces that are reflective of their needs and lifestyle, considering storage in all areas designed specifically for your needs. Bathrooms are designed to prioritise storage and reduce clutter for a calming feel, wardrobes layouts designed to your exact specifications.
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Bring in nature

Natural elements such as wood, stone, wool and other raw organic textiles will bring a timeless feel to an interior, while also having the benefits of sustainability and longevity. Create a calm and welcoming connection to nature by adding plants and flowers to your rooms. This simple addition will bring life to your home and even boost your mood!
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Add your own unique stamp

The most important factor of creating liveable interiors is designing a space that you love to spend time in. Personalise your space with pieces that you love and collected items that mean something to you. We love using antiques and vintage pieces as they bring originality and soul to a scheme. A black and white gallery wall always looks elegant, we can help you by having your photographs and memories custom edited, printed, framed and hung. We love to discover treasures you may already have and incorporate them into your existing décor, ensuring that your home tells a story that is unique to you!
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Need more help with your interior design or looking for someone to design your home? Marina Slattery is a boutique interior design studio based in Limerick specialising in residential design. We aim to create liveable interiors that are designed to last. Contact us today for a consultation.

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