Styling a New Build Home
Ash (@insidesixtythree) is a firm favourite amongst many of us on Instagram, not only for his handy styling tips but also for his infectious laugh and personality. In 2019, the product designer and his partner moved into their new build home in Derbyshire and have since been updating it to reflect their scandi meets industrial style. His account is a testament to his opinion that you should never fully furnish a home before moving in. Instead, Ash encourages homeowners, and particularly those who have purchased new build properties, to truly experience how they use the space and then furnish it accordingly. Our conversation focuses on this notion, as we talk about how to transform a blank canvas into something that is truly your own, the best investment pieces and so much more.
Tell me about your interior design journey and how you got started?
My Instagram account started when we reserved a new build plot in 2018. I’ve always been interested in interior design but never had the opportunity to pursue it, so I created the account to document the building process, share my interior wishlist and browse for inspiration. After moving in, it became somewhere to showcase the new furniture we have steadily bought.
How would you describe your design style?
Honestly, I don’t have a particular style but perhaps scandi with a mix of industrial - it’s all about feeling at home and cosy. When studying at university, my dissertation was about emotional durability and what influences a consumer to be attached to a product, so this is something that I have always been keen to capture when furnishing my home. You’ve got to love something to bring it into your home, and so many people forget that.
What were the most important design elements that you wanted to achieve in your home, both aesthetically and practically?
We were conscious of using lighting in the best possible way to create an ideal atmosphere in each room. I’m a massive lighting geek and it was the one part of the house specification that we had the clearest idea of. To get some inspiration, we attended the London Design Festival in 2017 and visited places such as Buster and Punch, where we fell in love with the caged wall light which is now proudly displayed in our entrance hall.
Investing in good furniture pieces for our home was also incredibly important. We visited places such as Redbrick Mill in Leeds which has lots of different interior brands under one roof to get a good idea of various competitive brands and to compare their quality and comfort. This is how we ended up buying our Heals blue velvet sofa because by trying out some different options in real life there was no comparison!
What is your creative process when you put a room together and where do you find your inspiration?
I find a lot of inspiration through the usual places such as Instagram and Pinterest but also by scrolling through websites. I tend to find a key piece that’s going to make the room and then build around that, creating some quick photoshop mood boards to ensure the look is right. For example, I knew that I wanted a plank style dining table so sourced one from Curiosity Interiors (which I would highly recommend) and then built the room around this item and feel.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced by moving into a new build home, and how have you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was probably going through the new build process which at times was very difficult! But ultimately, I think it’s making a new build look different to everyone else's. You are choosing your kitchen, bathroom and flooring options from the same catalogue as so many others, therefore it is important to add your personality for example by incorporating statement pieces such as lighting and a combination of materials on other surfaces. New build homes can very much feel like a white box, which of course is exciting but also rather overwhelming so it's all about picking those pieces that can make that room reflect your style.
And of course, what are the biggest accomplishments you’ve achieved in your new build home?
I’m pleased with how the downstairs spaces have turned out, each space genuinely makes me happy which is exactly what you want from your home, especially when guests come over and say the same thing!
What is your favourite room and why?
Our lounge is my favourite space, it has so many great items in it. It adapts incredibly well to suit our mood, so in the morning feels fresh and bright and transforms in the evenings to feel intimate and cosy. I love the ritual of turning our MENU JDWA table lamp on each night which has pride of place on our sideboard and manages to make the room feel so cosy and warm.
If I were on a budget but wanted to update my house, what are the five things I should invest in first?
It’s got to be lighting first, it can make such a big difference to the atmosphere.
Then I would invest in a good sofa, it not only needs to look good but also needs to be comfortable.
Accessories that you genuinely love or have meaning to you, don’t just buy them to fill a space.
Flooring is so important as it can dramatically change a room's feel.
Cushions with a high-quality feather inner, you won’t regret it!
Tell me about your favourite…
Design Trend: I love the ‘skandunstrial’ look that is gaining popularity
Materials: wood and natural fibres always
Interior Shops: Heals, H&M Home, Zara Home, Bolia and Nest - ps. check their outlets!
Who are your favourite accounts to follow right now?
Hannah @theoldchapel
Clare @theharboroughome
Nadia @artynads
What’s next for you?
At the moment I work in package design but I would love to eventually set up something that is interior based, whether it is creating a homeware store or going down the designer/maker route. It would also be great to eventually launch the watch brand I created during my university degree - the idea of my products being on someone’s wrist is amazing!
All photographs were provided by Ash, be sure to follow his interior journey on Instagram!