Michelle Shakallis Interiors

Michelle Shakallis Interiors Michelle Shakallis Interiors specialises in residential interior design working with private clients in Kent

15/06/2026

I design a sink and a hob into clients’ kitchens all the time as they really want them, but would never put in my own island.

Here’s why. The island is the sociable heart of the kitchen. It’s where people gather, where the kids do homework, where you lay out a buffet or make a friend a cup of tea. That only works if the surface stays clear.

A sink fills it with dirty plates, a draining rack and splashing. A hob puts your guests in the splatter zone with an extractor roaring over every conversation. Both turn the best surface in the room into a working zone.

So in my own home, the sink and hob go against the wall. The island stays open, clean and ready for anything.

Do you regret putting a sink or hob in your island? Or are you planning to? Tell me below.

Luxury interior design, Kent. Period properties, arts and crafts homes, family houses. Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge.

12/06/2026

Details matter. The difference between a room that looks right and one that feels right is rarely obvious.

It’s a colour used twice instead of once. A lamp that fits just right. A picture that feels considered in the space.

These are the details that matter and make a room feel finished.
If you’d like help getting yours right, the link in bio will take you to a complimentary discovery call.

Luxury interior design, Kent. Period properties, arts and crafts homes, family houses. Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge.

10/06/2026

The quality of a room comes down to the quality of what is in it.

My advice would always be to wait a little longer for the piece that is made properly, or buy something solid second hand. Either way, you will never regret choosing well-made over cheap.

This is , one of the suppliers I come back to again and again. Natural materials, solid wood, honest construction. You always know exactly what you are getting.

We have all bought flat-pack furniture and felt that sinking feeling the moment the doors do not align. Life is too short and it will end up in landfill.

Luxury interior design, Kent. Period properties, arts and crafts homes, family houses. Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge.

08/06/2026

How much will it actually cost?

Whether you are thinking about a garage conversion, a loft, a single-storey extension or going full double-storey, the figures vary enormously. The gap between what people expect to spend and what it actually costs is real.

Swipe through for honest 2026 build costs for Kent
homeowners, plus how much each option typically adds to your property value.

Full breakdown on my blog. Link in bio.

Luxury interior design, Kent. Period properties and arts and crafts homes. Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge. Bespoke design, Kent.

03/06/2026

This arts and crafts home office feels like an extension of the person who uses it. Every item in this room was chosen with intention for how this client uses the room and the style they wanted to create for their home.

What does your home office say about you?

Luxury interior design, Kent. Period properties and arts and crafts homes. Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge. Bespoke design, Kent.

02/06/2026

These art print are for this project in Folkestone. The blue seascape will be in the living room with the stunning sea views and the green and ochre piece will be in the bedroom which overlooks huge green trees.

I always love to connect what is going on outside with inside, especially if the location is as stunning as this!

If you like these prints and want to know who they are by let me know.

Luxury interior design, Kent. Interior designer for period properties. Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge. Bespoke design, Kent.

30/05/2026

When I’m designing a kitchen, drawers come before cupboards every time. Everything is visible, accessible, and nothing gets lost at the back of a dark cabinet. It simply works better.

The problem comes when you need to fit a dishwasher. A standard pull-down door immediately breaks the clean run of a full-drawer kitchen, and that’s a compromise I’m not willing to make.

The solution here is a drawer dishwasher with faux drawer fronts, sitting flush with the rest of the units. The line stays unbroken. You’d never know it was there.

Would you choose this over a standard dishwasher?

Luxury interior design, Kent. Interior designer for period properties. Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge. Bespoke design, Kent.

27/05/2026

This is a big transformation for not much work. There was nothing wrong with the kitchen, it just wasn’t their style and didn’t feel like home to my clients. It is a big expense to rip out a kitchen if you are happy with the layout, simply because you don’t like the colour.

I changed the colour to a warm sage green and added antique brass handles. The wood on the peninsula adds another touch of warmth to the space. The black flooring was updated with rustic tiles and the lighting changed to suit the space.

The clients are very happy with the result. I have lots more to show you from this project. Let me know what you think? Would you change the colour of the kitchen you already have?


Luxury interior design Kent, interior designer for period properties Kent, Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, bespoke design Kent.

25/05/2026

Bathroom storage is a must for me. This lovely client had only renovated her bathroom a couple of years before. The colour was nice and the tiles were pretty but the functionality just wasn’t’t there. This was an expensive mistake.

The problem was there was no storage, the bath was too big for the space and there was a large window in the shower, which was getting rotten from the constant moisture.

Bathroom planning is so important. You need to plan your storage and lighting and just because you love the idea of a roll top bath, it doesn’t mean your space can accommodate one. Also if you are not brave enough to remove a window, let me know and I will come and tell you that you absolutely can! I am all for natural light - but if a huge window is in the way to make your room function better and you already have one, then go for it!

If you would like help with your planning your bathroom, drop me an email. [email protected]



Luxury interior design, Kent, bathroom design, layout design, home renovation.

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