Hey Jude

Special Offers at Little Funky Places to stay - Pond Cottage B&B

2011-02-14T10:01:00.000-08:00

SPECIAL SPRING/SUMMER OFFERS AT POND COTTAGE

“Not the Royal Wedding”….want to get away from the hullabaloo? Book a break at Pond Cottage. Based on £100.00 per night instead of £120.00 (min two night stay) between April 29th – May 8th. (Quote Little Funky. )

British Open, Sandwich. All you golfing enthusiasts…..haven’t booked yet? Get in now. Stay away from the fray but within comfortable travelling distance. Based on £100.00 per night instead of £120.00 (min two night stay) between July 13th – 18th. (Quote Little Funky).

The Look of Love

2011-02-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

(Article written by Jude for March/April 2011 edition of EK One.)

How would you describe luxury? How would you describe luxurious interiors?
Wikipedia’s description is as follows: very wealthy and comfortable surroundings; something desirable but expensive; something very pleasant but not a necessity in life. Generally we would agree with those things.

But…whilst luxury can and often does match all of those words I would protest that it doesn’t have to mean those things literally. I refer especially to wealthy and expensive.

Why? Because through good Interior Design it is possible to create a feeling of those things without the associated or expected cost!

Ultimately we would all wish to live in a pleasant and comfortable environment. It will take a clever eye, flair and not least of all some graft to make that look wealthy and expensive too but a good look cannot happen overnight and will not come easily to everyone.

The process is the same for all Design projects. You have to start with a vision, a concept developed from a Clients brief. If it is a look of luxury you want, a good Designer should be able to give you that…without having to re-mortgage your home.

The reality is that a lot of people are under the misconception that you have to spend a lot of money, that you have to buy the priciest furnishings and fittings, use high end products, to create that look- you don’t!

Putting a certain look together on a lower than expected budget can be challenging but can also be is far more exciting and rewarding and is not so hard to do.

Sourcing is key and putting things together properly. Even the most fancy of homes where expensive brand names have been used, where the most expensive paints, fabrics and lighting systems have been used, will very often look far from luxurious if they have been put together by someone without the skills to do the job. In fact this will often stick out like a sore thumb and the result will rather resemble a “flash” interiors store.

So…luxury does not have to mean wealth; luxury does not have to mean expensive. But to be true to its meaning it should appear to be both of those things…a good look, the look you want can be delivered provide it is done with creativity, care and expertise.

2010-12-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hey Jude - “An insider’s take on Interiors.”

Today - Kitchens.

As Tommy used to say...let me tell you a story. A few years ago whilst I was still a student Designer I undertook a large and very special project...for myself! That project transformed a house into a home and gave us a kitchen that is far more than just the hub of our home.

It is a beautiful place to be at any time of the day, the year and whatever the reason or occasion. It is not only a gem to look at but it “works” too. That may sound odd but a kitchen has to be functional.

So where did I start? With a vision. You need inspiration. That is fine for Designers but it doesn’t come quite so naturally to everyone so start looking at Design mags and books or have a chat with an Interior Designer to get you started.

The house we had bought was an old cottage with rooms to match – small. What we really wanted was a New York loft apartment in rural Kent! So the kitchen (being built from scratch) needed to be big, spacious, with height and light.

How did this become a reality? The loft idea evolved into a theme of white walls, some bare brick, vaulted ceilings, a bit of shabby chic and natural finishes and a lot of glass.

The room was bolted on to the end of the house and wrapped around the back. Still only one room deep a feeling of inside/out was created and further enhanced using folding, sliding doors to the rear and to the front. Full height, church-style windows on the other two sides of the room further added to this.

But with so much glass what about warmth? Under floor heating is the answer. It stays at the right level s throughout the year and is fabulous underfoot. For our flooring we chose polished concrete which has proven to be the perfect match.
Not to forget lighting in its artificial form: track, accent, under cupboard, directional down lighters, dimmers!

White goods are easy…there is so much choice. When it comes to units what to choose? Off the shelf, bespoke? We chose the latter, and a local cabinet maker who worked with me on the design and layout. The result combined style with a relatively inexpensive option and the best quality of workmanship.

Access. A kitchen front door making our main one somewhat redundant. Inside - we don’t have doors but openings and wide ones at that. Deliberate and which adds to the sense of space.

The room is furnished simply but quirkily and with versatility! There is more than a hint of shabby chic going on but it is white, bright and delicious. It is a kitchen and a day room. It is wonderful for entertaining and not least because of the fantastic acoustics it is a great venue for gigs!

This is a kitchen with a difference. A hub and a whole lot more!

Jude Adams.

the Little Funky Design company
- interior design with a difference

www.thelittlefunkydesigncompany.co.uk

07795 424070

2010-12-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

New blog coming VERY soon ....i have re-branded and revamped my website/s. Take a look to be going on with:

www.thelittlefunkydesigncompany.co.uk
www.littlefunkyplacestostay.co.uk
www.myspace.com/judeadamssings

See you soon!

What's an Interior Designer doing writing about gardens I hear you ask...

2010-03-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

What's an Interior Designer doing writing about gardens I hear you ask...

The great outdoors. Uplifting, inspiring, good for the soul and senses throughout the seasons - most especially as spring and summer approach.

Treat your garden as an extension of your home, possible whatever the size: small or large you can create an outdoor space with one or more rooms. As with the interior consider the design, what it is used for, surfaces and structures, heating and lighting, furniture, accessories and, of course….the planting! Not only will the right plants look fab but the scents from your garden will have a dizzying effect: imagine now the sweet aroma of jasmine, roses, honeysuckle and herbs.

Budget! Dependent upon size and what you plan to do: landscaping and planting can send costs up but a well designed garden can close a sale if you are thinking of selling. Staying put? Invest wisely in your garden by using an expert for advice and/or implementation-there will still be plenty for you when they have done.

Get creative. There are so many options when it comes to furnishings and fittings but you don’t need to spend a fortune: look at what is around you and what you can recycle – it is amazing what you can do with old sleepers and logs!

Lighting can make a huge difference. You can get wired up but do think about lanterns and solar lamps: they will add masses of atmosphere and will offer flexibility and character.

Small gardens should not restrict you. Think about more architectural plants such as banana, fig, palms, ferns, bamboos. Plant amongst the gravel. Avoid grass! It is impractical in a small area: opt instead for paving or pebbles. A small water feature is not only attractive to look at but soothing to the ear.

For larger gardens think about different areas. Perhaps you have a boggy area near a pond, would like a vegetable patch, a herb garden, some terracing, some lawn. Do you have an area that is secluded and can provide privacy, a suntrap, a sanctuary? If there is space and funds allow what about a larger water feature such as a hot tub? If so go for wood: stylish, subtle and sympathetic to its surroundings.

And finally…don’t forget entertaining and eating. A brazier come barbeque may be the choice for those sultry summer evenings when the sun has gone down, the food has been devoured and you just want to kick back and keep warm.

jude@judartdesigns.co.uk
www.judartdesigns.co.uk
07795 424070