The art of bold: designing with intent

You only have to look at our socials or pop into our showroom space to see that at 53 Interiors, we have a love for statement fabrics and bold design, but what does it really mean to master the art of bold?

Designing with Intent

The art of bold is about designing with intent.

It's about uncovering your personal style, embracing your individuality and curating your home with pieces that feel like you. It's about bringing little (or big) artistic flourishes into each room, and amplifying what makes you happy - be that colour, pattern, playfulness, luxury and even minimalism - YES you can be a bold minimalist!

TOP TIPS FROM A DEVOTEE

As a curtain designer and fabric obsessive with years of experience, here are my five top tips for updating your existing scheme with bold, intentional flair.

1. CURTAINS & WINDOW TREATMENTS

Client before & after

Bold Tropical Print

Minimalist Colour Drench

Opulence & Luxury

Bold Traditionalism

Quirky & Playful

Curtains are more than a finishing touch — they can define a room. The right window treatment has architectural impact: framing the view, drawing the eye upward, softening harsh light, and practical benefits like improving acoustics and heat retention.

There’s an incredible variety of fabric choices, heading styles, and treatment types — and that’s exactly where expertise matters. A skilled curtain designer doesn’t just measure and sew; they collaborate with you to interpret your vision, select the right fabric for your space (and your lifestyle), and help your windows become an integrated design feature.

At 53 Interiors, we specialise in bespoke curtains and window dressings that balance beauty, function, and craftsmanship — because, in our opinion, a room without curtains is only half-dressed.

2. CUSHIONS

Coordinating Cushions

Sculptural Cushions

Bolsters

Animal Prints

Farmhouse Styling

Bold Mythical

Cushions are your secret weapon. They’re the quickest way to experiment with colour, pattern, and texture — and they allow you to evolve your scheme without a full redecoration.

For many of my clients, cushions are the glue that brings a room together. Whether you’re matching to your window treatments or deliberately creating contrast, a well-composed cushion arrangement adds cohesion, personality and comfort.

I personally love to go one step further — adding sculptural flourishes like rosettes or oversized bows, and always including a good bolster (or three). Head on over to the shop to see our existing range of handmade cushions.

3. LAMPSHADES

Leopard Luxury

Vibrant Velvet

Classic Contrasts

Playful Prints

Handsewn Glamour

Handsewn Statements

Lighting matters, and lampshades are often overlooked — but the wrong one can throw off the entire mood of a room.

Designers have long understood how scale, shape, colour, and material influence both the light quality and the aesthetic impact of a fixture. Thankfully, big retailers are starting to catch on — but nothing beats a handmade or commissioned piece when you want to reflect your unique style.

We often work with clients to create one-of-a-kind lampshades that echo elements from their fabrics, wall colours or artwork — subtle touches that tie the scheme together in a sophisticated way.

4. USE YOUR WALLS

Neon for Fun

A Gallery of YOU

Atmospheric Touches

Fun Flourishes

Playful Accents

Bold Original Art

Your walls are a gallery of you. Art, mirrors, sconces, clocks, collected treasures — these aren’t just decorative; they’re expressive.

I often encourage clients to think of their walls like a curated collage: telling a story about who lives there, where they’ve been, and what they love. (My own home walls are filled to the brim — doors included — with pieces that have meaning, spark conversation, or simply make us smile.)

There’s no formula here. Just find what resonates and build it up over time. It's a wonderful way to inject soul into your space.

5. UNFOLLOW TRENDS, HAVE FUN INSTEAD

One of the most refreshing “trends” in interiors right now is actually the rejection of them. The best interiors don’t follow rules — they follow you.

When you design a home around what makes you feel inspired, calm, or joyful, the space becomes timeless. It evolves with you. It reflects your life, not a lookbook.

So don’t be afraid to go bold. Say yes to the wallpaper you adore. Reupholster that chair in something unexpected. Mix your metals. Trust your instincts.

Design isn’t about playing it safe — it’s about creating a space where you feel truly at home.

If you’d like to chat about anything in this blog — or if you’re considering commissioning curtains, soft furnishings or lampshades — I’d love to hear from you. Drop me an email at jo@53interiors.com or send a message via WhatsApp: 07539 076513.

Let’s make bold beautiful — together.