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Interior décor plays an important role in your home, not only to be aesthetically pleasing and to put your own stamp on the place, but it also helps to manage the space available. Marchini Curran Interiors has the task of creating the look and feel of Mayfield Watford, and we spoke to Design Director Christopher Taylor, who shared with us the inspiration behind it and how you can achieve the same look at home.
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When designing interiors we purposefully avoid trends, because these are merely en vogue and fashion will invariably date. When devising the interiors for Mayfield Watford however, we were constantly drawn back to Scandinavia as a key source of inspiration. Not only from a spatial and design perspective, creating light and bright spaces that are welcoming and relaxed, but also a psychological point of view.
Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-ga’) is a term coined in 18th century Denmark that embodies one of these intangible feelings we were aspiring to capture. The phrase is so deeply and richly ingrained in Nordic culture that it’s impossible to directly translate into English but artlessly is the feeling of cosiness, comfort and calm.
What makes the concept of hygge so tricky to describe is that it’s very personal, and so is not universal in its definition. We have however attempted to characterise the design principles that could help you achieve the art of hygge within your home.
Light and bright
Natural and artificial lighting plays an integral part in achieving a sense of hygge. Natural light should be unimpeded by strong paint colours and fussy patterns, and instead walls should remain light and neutral. Artificial lighting is equally important in creating a welcoming and cosy environment. Try switching off the ceiling spotlights and instead utilise floor and table lamps that bring the source of lighting down in the room and are therefore more intimate.
Natural Materials
To be at one with hygge, we need to feel at one with nature. The use of natural materials such as blonde woods and rustic earthernware pottery, along with sensitively placed house plants, are fundamental to achieving the desired interior.
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Texture and warmth
To counterbalance the light painted walls and floor finishes, and to stop it feeling cold and stark, it’s crucial to introduce texture and warmth. A great way to do this is in the form of chunky woollen bed throws, distressed leather chairs and loads of plump linen cushions. There’s no better way of feeling hygge than by curling up on a comfy sofa with a good book and a large cup of hot chocolate. Marshmallows and whipped cream are optional!
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Uncluttered
A hygge interior should make us feel peaceful and at ease. It’s uncluttered and borderline minimalist, and as a result provides us with a clarity of thought. Starting a new chapter with a home at Mayfield Watford is the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate which possessions are important to us, that bring us joy, and allow these cherished treasures to take pride of place.
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Family and friends
Finally, no hygge inspired interior would be complete without friends and family to share it with. Mayfield Villages has been designed with a real sense of community at its heart, set within relaxed environments that promote communication and participation. And what better way to spend time with friends than whilst enjoying ‘fika’ (often known as the “ultimate coffee break”) - but that is a story for another time!
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