Interior styling is all in the detail and the planning. If you rush ahead and decorate without really thinking of the bigger picture then you’re not doing it any justice, it will end up mis-matched and disjointed and not in a quirky way either. You have to think of the whole picture when designing a scheme from the way the light enters the room and the way it will effect the colours, to the larger pieces of furniture, accessories and finishing touches.
If there is a one-stop-shop for this whole process it has to be John Lewis. One of my all-time favourite shops, I’ve been shopping there since I bought my first flat 20 years ago. I’ve bought large furniture, electricals, my wedding gift list was there and it’s definitely my favourite shop for clothes, I’m a rubbish clothes shopper so to have it all under one roof is perfect for me. Their ‘never knowingly undersold‘ policy is perfect too, people assume it’s expensive, but they price match the high street and online so you always get the best price. 
Home Blogger event
I was recently invited to the very first John Lewis Home blogger event at the Newcastle Intu Eldon Square branch to find out about their Home Design Service. I knew they offered this service but didn’t really know much about it. Behind the scenes they have thought of everything you will need to help you through the process. In store they plan the layout carefully with schemes to suit all tastes and ages. I guarantee you’ve never even noticed their attention to detail and that all price tickets in the home departments are on the left! 
In the Newcastle branch they have a team of 12 that guide you through the process of styling and buying for your home. They will offer free styling advice for your home through an appointment system, and they also offer a full consultation service for £250. This seems like a large amount but they will help you find your style, create your scheme, choose your colours, wallpapers, sofas, beds, dining furniture, fitted kitchens, curtains, cushions, tableware, lighting, bedding and the kitchen sink, I think it’s great value for money. The best bit is that if you spend over £1500 on your finished look, which will be easy to do if buying larger items such as sofas or kitchens then you get the £250 deducted from the total, so it’s essentially a free service if you use them through the whole process. 
Homewares are grouped into several categories so that it makes it easier for you to coordinate your scheme without really thinking about it, they’ve done all the hard work for you. They call their schemes Home Design Stories and include Fusion, Croft, House and Design Project, covering global style, scandi, modern country, relaxed and homely, contemporary and originally designed products. 
The only thing I’m disappointed about is that my own kitchen was only revamped a few years ago so I don’t need to use their kitchen design service. We met the team there and they were so helpful and knowledgeable I wish I needed a new kitchen! I’m pretty sure they’ll still be there when the time comes for a new one though. 
The changing space on the basement floor changes from garden to Christmas and back again, and as I’m about to get some new decking fitted, I’m going to head back to treat myself to some new outdoor tableware to finish it off.
I wish I had space and the money for this amazing circular garden pod though! At £7,999 it’s a bit beyond my budget, but it would be a winner with my son and his friends! 
The team at John Lewis were great, I felt a little naughty walking round the store with a glass of prosecco in hand and a little like a VIP, but it was a fantastic insight into the inner workings of my favourite shops. Thanks to the team for inviting me, there aren’t many interiors-based events for me and my blog so I really enjoyed this one and meeting with other homes and local bloggers.
If you use their Home Design Service tell them I sent you and say hello from me!
All round creative junkie 