A local designer duo are encouraging us to spruce up our homes. They’ve got a huge collection of interior design materials.
I love snooping in other people's windows
I love finding out about new museums, collections and libraries on my doorstep. We’ve all heard of the museums at Crystal Palace and the Horniman. You perhaps know about the hidden gem of Kingswood House. And some people have even heard of the Puppet Centre Trust in Clapham.
But who ever heard of a library dedicated to interior design? It’s right here, in south London.
If you’re anything like me you’ve got a hundred DIY projects in the planning (although very few of my grand schemes actually reach maturity.) For me, the fun is in the research – looking for ideas, thinking about how I’d use a space, finding new and unusual materials to use.
Normally I’d be looking in magazines or peering through people’s front windows for inspiration.
This is where homelab comes in. It’s located in the offices of local design studio Begin Design, near Forest Hill station.
If you’re thinking about renovating a room in your house, then homelab is the perfect place to start. If you’re just staring out and need some confidence to make serious changes to your living space, or perhaps just want some inspiration for a new home project, then there’s a wealth of information for you here.
Interior experts James Lambrou and Derek Hall have a great resource at their fingertips in their reference library. Spread over two floors the homelab features brochures and samples of everything from floor furniture and fabric to lighting, paints and even the kitchen sink! And it’s all there for you to go and browse, with their expert advice.
Celebrating their first year in the new studio James and Derek will be giving some useful tips on design, colour, and good use of storage space at a series of free interior design workshops this month. They are:
Thursday 22 July: Interior Decoration – learn about fabrics, how to use colour, creating your ideal style, maximising space and layout
Tuesday 27 July: Kitchen Design – learn about layout and practical space, choosing the right products, surfaces and material right through to understanding your budget
Thursday 29 July: Bathroom Design – layouts, space, products, materials, surfaces and budgets
The workshops are all 18.30-21.00. To reserve a space email info@begin-design.com or call 020 8699 7750
Begin Design are at 29 Dartmouth Place, Forest Hill SE23 3AU just five minutes from Forest Hill station.
Images: thanks to L-plate big cheese on flickr with CCL and Begin Design.
