Pippin Interiors

Pippin Interiors Timeless designs, expertly executed

I have met plenty of people who regretted not spending more.Lighting is the one thing clients consistently underestimate...
05/06/2026

I have met plenty of people who regretted not spending more.

Lighting is the one thing clients consistently underestimate at the start of a project and wish they'd prioritised at the end. It's easy to see why. It's invisible in a budget. It doesn't feel as satisfying as a new sofa or a beautiful piece of fabric. You can't really see it on a mood board.

But it's the difference between a room that looks designed and a room that just looks decorated.

Here's the thing most people don't realise: no paint colour, no matter how carefully chosen, will look the way it's supposed to under a single overhead light. No piece of furniture will feel considered if it's sitting in flat, cold light. You can do everything else right and one bad light fitting - or one missing lamp - will undermine all of it.

Good lighting does several things at once. It makes the room feel warm. It creates zones — a reading corner, a dining moment, a place to land at the end of the day. It draws attention to the things worth looking at and quietly ignores the things that aren't.

In a period home especially, the right lighting makes original features sing in a way that nothing else can.

What I always recommend:
— Ditch the single overhead as your main source. Use it sparingly if at all
— Layer at least three light sources in every room — ambient, task, accent
— Put everything on dimmers. Everything
— Spend more than you think you need to on the fittings you'll see every day
— Think about lighting at the start of a project, not the end

That last one is the big one. Lighting needs to be planned in - sockets, wiring, switch positions. If you leave it until after the walls are painted and the floors are down, your options shrink considerably.

The clients who get this right early are always the ones who end up with homes that feel genuinely magical in the evenings. And the ones who don't - they come back to me six months later asking how to fix it.

Spend the money. You won't regret it. Nobody ever does.

If you're at the start of a renovation and want to get the lighting right from the beginning — that's exactly what I help with. Link in bio to book a consultation. E x

03/06/2026

That feeling where a room is fine but never quite feels finished - I hear this more than almost anything else. And nine times out of ten, it comes down to one of three things.

💡Lighting that's doing too much heavy lifting from one source.
🪑Furniture that doesn't suit the proportions of the space.
⚓️Or no real anchor — nothing for the eye to settle on.

The good news? None of these are expensive to fix. They just need someone to look at the room properly and tell you what it's actually asking for. That's what I do. If your living room has been quietly bothering you - DM me or head to the link in bio. Sometimes one conversation is all it takes. Link in my bio to book a consultation. I can't wait to hear from you.

It's not the most obvious choice. It's not a safe greige or an inoffensive white. It's warm, it's earthy, it's got real ...
01/06/2026

It's not the most obvious choice. It's not a safe greige or an inoffensive white. It's warm, it's earthy, it's got real depth to it — and somehow it works almost everywhere.

It’s Clove.

I've specified Clove in kitchens, hallways, living rooms, bedrooms, offices. On all four walls and as a single accent. In dark rooms that needed anchoring and in bright rooms that needed warmth. It just keeps delivering.

Here's why I think it works so well in period homes especially:

It has the kind of warmth that synthetic paints struggle to replicate - because Edward Bulmer uses natural pigments. The colour shifts beautifully through the day. In morning light it feels almost amber. In the evening it goes deeper, richer, properly cosy. It never looks flat.

It also has that rare quality of making everything around it look better. Woodwork, soft furnishings, original features - Clove seems to pull them all together without trying.

And because it's a breathable, natural paint, it's exactly right for old walls and lime plaster. No trapping moisture, no fighting the fabric of the building. It works with the house.

I always say that a colour earns its place on my list when clients stop questioning it the moment they see it on the wall. Clove does that every time.

If you're redecorating and can't find the right colour - it might just be this one.

Thinking about using Clove - or want to know if it's right for your space? DM me or head to the link in bio to book a colour consultation. E x

If you're redecorating and can't find the right colour — it might just be this one.

The feature wall had its moment. That moment has passed.The idea was always a little apologetic - as if committing to co...
30/05/2026

The feature wall had its moment. That moment has passed.

The idea was always a little apologetic - as if committing to colour on all four walls was somehow too much. So we picked one wall, painted it something bold, and left the rest safe. And the result, more often than not, is a room that feels unresolved. One wall shouting while the others whisper.

Here's what I've learned: the rooms that stop you in your doorway are almost never the ones with a feature wall. They're the ones where someone committed. All four walls, the right colour, properly considered. Suddenly the room has atmosphere. Weight. Intention.

In a period home especially, going all-in on colour is almost always the right call. High ceilings, original cornicing, deep skirting boards - these things were made to be wrapped in colour. They look extraordinary when they are. A single painted wall just makes everything else look unfinished by comparison.

The fear is always that it'll be too much. In my experience, too much is rarely the problem. Too timid almost always is. Pick the right colour and commit to it.

Not sure which colour deserves all four walls? That's what I'm here for. Send me a DM and I would love to help. E x

Interior Designer Cambridgeshire | Interior Design Tips | Unpopulär Opinion Interiors | Interior Tips |

I see it all the time.Someone falls in love with an old house. They're excited. They want it to feel like theirs. So the...
28/05/2026

I see it all the time.

Someone falls in love with an old house. They're excited. They want it to feel like theirs. So they start - new paint, new lighting, maybe new flooring.

And then the builders come in. And half of it has to come back out.

The mistake isn't spending money. It's spending it before the structural work is done. Before you know where the light falls in January, not just July. Before you've lived in the space long enough to know that the room you thought would be a dining room is actually where everyone naturally congregates at 4pm.

Period homes especially will surprise you. The bones are beautiful - but they take time to understand. Original features you didn't notice. A chimney breast that changes the whole flow of a room. Light that moves completely differently to a new build.

The most expensive renovations I've seen aren't the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones that started decorating before they were ready.

Here's what I'd do instead:

🌿Live in the space for at least a season before making permanent decisions
🌿Get the structure, heating and windows sorted first — always
🌿Work with someone who can help you see what the house wants to be, not just what you want it to look like right now

That last one is what I'm here for.

If you're at the start of a renovation and want to get it right from the beginning - my details are in the bio. A conversation early on costs far less than unpicking decisions later, trust me!

Link in bio — or DM me the word RENO and I can help you with your beautiful property. E x

26/05/2026

Your home might be costing you more than it should…

And no—it’s not always about turning the heating down!

From an interior designer’s perspective, how your home is designed plays a huge role in how much energy you use (and waste).

Here’s where I always guide my clients:

◻️Invest in quality window dressings
Curtains, blinds, and shutters aren’t just decorative—they’re insulation.
Well-lined curtains or fitted blinds help keep heat in during winter and out during summer, reducing how hard your heating (or cooling) has to work.

◽Switch to energy-efficient lighting
LED bulbs use significantly less energy and last much longer than traditional ones.
Plus, layered lighting (instead of one harsh overhead light) creates a more efficient and elevated space.

◽Think about materials
Rugs, upholstered furniture, and soft furnishings all help retain warmth and improve comfort—meaning you rely less on heating. Opt for natural material like wool which keep things cosy!

The takeaway:
A well-designed home isn’t just beautiful—it’s efficient.
Small design choices = long-term savings.

Save this for later & tell me—have you made any energy-saving upgrades at home?

Energy Saving Tips | Interior Designer Tips| Interior Designer Cambridgeshire | Design Tips |

23/05/2026

Still staring at paint swatches and no closer to a decision?

You're not alone — it's one of the most common things clients tell me before we work together. The problem isn't you. It's trying to make a decision without seeing how a colour actually lives in your space.

That's what I'm here for. One hour, your home, and you'll finally know exactly what to do. Link in bio to book. I can't wait to help you. E x

If your old house keeps showing damp patches no matter what you do… the paint might be to blame. Old buildings were desi...
21/05/2026

If your old house keeps showing damp patches no matter what you do… the paint might be to blame. Old buildings were designed to breathe. Modern emulsion stops that — and the damage builds up behind the surface. Breathable paints (like Edward Bulmer, Earthborn, or lime wash) work with the building, not against it. It's one of the first things I talk through with clients renovating a period home — because getting it right from the start saves a lot of heartache later.

Have questions about your own home? Drop them in the comments below or DM me directly. I’d love to help you! E x

| Period Property | Victorian Home | Interior Design Tips | Breathable Paint | Edward Bulmer | OldHouse | Renovation Tips | Interior Design Cambridgeshire | Character Property | HomeTips |

One of the biggest misconceptions about interior design is that it’s only about choosing cushions and paint colours.In r...
18/05/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about interior design is that it’s only about choosing cushions and paint colours.

In reality, great design is about understanding how you live and creating spaces that support everyday life beautifully and practically.

My process is designed to make the experience feel calm, collaborative and enjoyable from start to finish - whether we’re redesigning one room or transforming an entire home.

If you’ve been wanting to create a home that feels more cohesive, functional and reflective of you, I’d love to help.

Save this post if you’re planning a future project ✨

Interior Designer Cambridgeshire | Interior Design UK | Home Transformation | Interior Inso | Timeless Interiors | Cambridge Interior Designer |

Let’s normalise the idea that not everything has to be the “final” version straight away. Take this sofa, for example —...
16/05/2026

Let’s normalise the idea that not everything has to be the “final” version straight away. Take this sofa, for example — it’s been with us for years and even survived a move back from Germany. The colour may not be quite our style anymore, but it’s practical in all the right ways: comfortable, durable, and the washable covers are invaluable with young children.

Working with a designer doesn’t mean replacing everything all at once. Procurement can be phased over time to suit your life, budget, and priorities. My approach is always to work with you and your family to create spaces that feel beautiful, functional, and truly liveable.

Not sure where to begin? Drop me a message — I’m always happy to chat things through.

Interior Design Cambridge | Family Interior Design | Interior Design Tips |

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