The Finishing Touches That Make a House Feel Like Home
Josette McGowan from Bella Jo Interiors shares simple ways to transform a room, proving you do not always need a huge budget to create a home that feels stylish, practical and complete.
Each month I sit down to write an article for Local Women magazine and think about what the past month has brought to the shop or studio and what customers are most looking for.
The one line I always hear is: “There is just something missing,” or, “I just don’t have a large budget but need to somehow finish off the room.”
When I started Bella Jo Interiors, I wasn’t working with huge budgets or big show homes. I was working with real families and real life. Busy mums and dads, toys everywhere, teenage kids, pets, lived-in family rooms and working homes with so much footfall and traffic throughout them daily.
Almost always, no matter how lovely or pretty you make a room, there are still things that need finishing off without a huge budget. I have listed below a few things which are exactly what you need to do this.
Firstly, lighting. Layered lighting, not just the big one on the ceiling. Try incorporating dimmable lighting as it allows the mood to shift from day to evening. Illuminated shelving is very elegant as it subtly frames what you choose to display.
Lamps, go large as a focal point, not too twee as they get lost in the room. Another option is using low-level lighting as it adds subtle ambience and is far more relaxing than harsh overhead lighting.
Secondly, correct sofa positioning. Floating rather than pushing sofas to the walls creates a more stylish finish if the room can accommodate this.
Thirdly, mixing textures. I have mentioned this in previous articles, the importance of mixing your linens, woods, stone and fabrics. Don’t be afraid to mix pattern or texture in your fabrics. Mixing different types of wood in similar tones is chic as it feels collected rather than staged. A stone vase on the sideboard or coffee table with fresh or faux greenery will always complement a room.
Custom framing always allows artwork to sit perfectly within the scheme rather than feeling like an afterthought. Style your surfaces properly. Declutter, but do not leave spaces feeling empty.
Lastly, and most importantly, always dress your windows. Whether it is blinds, curtains or shutters, this will always finish a room and fabrics will definitely soften the space. Make it homely!
At Bella Jo Interiors we enjoy the variety of working with all budgets and styles. Our interior pieces for the home are sourced with this in mind and we are always there to help with any questions or design ideas.
We like to make the shop and studio open to everyone at any time, allowing people to browse through all the fabric and wallpaper books for inspiration. We are also happy to offer the service of ordering free samples to take home and try within your own space.
As I sit here and write this, the weather is beaming sunshine outside. Finally our spring is here and in full bloom. Everybody is getting out their outdoor furniture, BBQs and spending these long evenings in their gardens.
Just about all the fabric houses are now offering high-performance fabrics. These are made from durable, waterproof materials with fade-resistant dyes. These versatile fabrics are easy to clean and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
There is such a wide range of plain and patterned designs available. These fabrics can be bought as cushions or by the metre to recover outdoor chairs or even used to make your own tablecloth and napkins, whatever you would like.
Once summer is over, put them into your conservatory or use them elsewhere in the house. Easy to clean and with so many designs to choose from.
To finish, just a little summary of what we have been doing this month and what is on the agenda for next month.
We had the opportunity to attend a design show in Belfast which allowed us to view a number of European ranges and also fall in love with trims all over again. The ranges we now have are fabulous. Stylish and fun. Cushions, blinds, curtains… there is no end of ideas to play with to add that little something special to your designs.
There was a road trip to Tipperary and Dublin and yes… it is a long way to Tipperary! We are loving having the opportunity to work with an equestrian style.
It’s definitely been a busy few weeks of ordering wallpaper. With so many to choose from either murals, plain textures, stripes or amazing prints, our customers are having so much fun browsing through the selection of books we have in our shop.
It has been an eventful month. Every day in Bella Jo Interiors brings new projects and challenges. We have also had many deliveries of new furniture pieces, artwork and lamps.
We are completing a very exciting project for a charity close to my heart next month for Lislagan Farm in Ballymoney. We have been assisting in renovating three cottages for respite and an Airbnb project.
Lislagan Farm lies at the heart of CAN’s work, providing a welcoming and inclusive space where children and adults with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions are supported to thrive through a wide range of social and leisure activities.
Lislagan Farm is having an open day on June 13. A lovely day out for the family. All very welcome.
Bella Jo Interiors
Address: 11 The Diamond, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, BT54 6AW
Tel: 077 715 38294
Email: jo@bellajointeriors.com
Shop online: www.bellajointeriors.com
