The Interior Lovers

In this episode we discuss the gargantuan Maison et Objet trade fair as well as their Designer of the Year Matthieu Lehanneur. The uber sexy (according to Naomi) multidisciplinary designer,who has created all number of things, ranging from the 2024 Paris Olympics torch design, street furniture in Paris to the latest electric car by Renault.  

We chatted monochromatic schemes and texture, the latter of which was exhibited in a very noteworthy ways: there were crocheted rich tapestry like textures, magnetic 3D elements, lots of playful interactive design, exceptional artisanal elements, optimistic colour and trompe-l’œil effects featured everywhere from wallpaper to fabric to furniture.  Tiger print was evident in many forms, and silver also featured quite prominently.  

There appeared to be a reinvention of older traditional brands using a more contemporary, naturalistic approach.  So, curl up with a pain au chocolat and a noisette (the French version of a macchiato) or a glass of champagne (which starts flowing at 11am in Paris) and we hope this pod fills you with oodles of inspiration.  

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For regular updates on colour, design and lifestyle inspiration, follow Sam and Naomi on Instagram:
The Interior Lovers: https://www.instagram.com/the.interiorloverspodcast/
Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sam.grigginteriors/
Naomi: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunneinteriors/ 

And for some more visual inspiration, follow us on pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/TheInteriorLoversPodcast/?actingBusinessId=1135892474674481329

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Welcome back to The Design Lovers Podcast!  
In this episode we delve into the world of Tablescaping. Who do we do it for?  Creating ambiance for our guests or decorating table for the special occasions? Like so much it’s subjective.  Formal or informal?  

What comes first: the food or the table?  There is so much pressure to create amazing tables, whilst it should always be about creating a memorable experience and elevating your time around the table.   Using candles and random objects adds interest and elevates the table, as can tying flatware together and using unexpected items for your place settings.  Keep it practical however and  don’t block your neighbour with flowers or candles! 

The world is your oyster so far as tablescaping is concerned, just have fun with it.  

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For regular updates on colour, design and lifestyle inspiration, follow Sam and Naomi on Instagram:
The Interior Lovers: https://www.instagram.com/the.interiorloverspodcast/
Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sam.grigginteriors/
Naomi: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunneinteriors/ 

And for some more visual inspiration, follow us on pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/TheInteriorLoversPodcast/?actingBusinessId=1135892474674481329

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In this episode we chat all things old versus old.  
What is new?  Mass-produced pieces from larger companies, large global brands, also artisanal hand-crafted new pieces.  
So what is old?  Most people classify vintage as between 20-50 and 100 years’ old, whilst antiques are 100+ years’ old. Yet the word vintage has a certain cachet and is quite loosely used. For example if something is simply second hand it doesn’t necessarily mean it is vintage.  

Upholstery isn’t inexpensive; it is definitely a process to renovate and there are many criteria to consider.  Design is subjective and we delve into cutting edge design, and how buying new has many advantages.   

We discuss story-telling: whereby antique, collectables and vintage pieces have a story, and how mixing style periods creates a more layered room filled with conversational pieces.  

Recycled and repurposed materials are also interesting to incorporate into a design – again utilizing pieces which hold meaning to the individual, and creating unique thoughtful spaces.  We touch on replicas and chat about slow design and how care needs to be taken particularly when buying items online.  

Email us your design dilemmas on
[email protected]

For regular updates on colour, design and lifestyle inspiration, follow Sam and Naomi on Instagram:
The Interior Lovers: https://www.instagram.com/the.interiorloverspodcast/
Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sam.grigginteriors/
Naomi: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunneinteriors/ 

And for some more visual inspiration, follow us on pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/TheInteriorLoversPodcast/?actingBusinessId=1135892474674481329

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In this episode we have a tête-à-tête about statement/stand out pieces.  One single piece can unquestionably be the star of the show: representing the beating heart of the concept for a room; in contrast, the décor itself can also be the one making a bold statement.  

So what kind of statement are we making?  A visually curious statement, an element of curation or a deeper energy or message…. We cover collecting items on our travels and how exciting our purchases can feel, yet can sometimes feel non-contextual when we return home.  For projects, insisting on having a statement piece could feel a little contrived.  Is wallpaper a statement?  

Sam has some fascinating pieces and they hold meaning and add some drama, including large crystals, baskets from deepest darkest Africa and a rare Indian mirror.  Naomi’s confesses to having quite a few statement pieces: a random orange lucite chair, some voodoo fetishes from Benin and the odd crocodile!   

Email us your design dilemmas on
[email protected]

For regular updates on colour, design and lifestyle inspiration, follow Sam and Naomi on Instagram:
The Interior Lovers: https://www.instagram.com/the.interiorloverspodcast/
Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sam.grigginteriors/
Naomi: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunneinteriors/ 

And for some more visual inspiration, follow us on pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/TheInteriorLoversPodcast/?actingBusinessId=1135892474674481329

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In this episode we have a rather animated tête-à-tête about design Tik Tok trends and the emotions they conjure up in us.  Naomi has never been on tik tok and is probably missing out on a trick tbh, so this is quite an education for her!  Sam’s research into some Tik Tok hashtag stats is staggeringly mind-blowing:  #Interior Design has 42 billion views;  #Homes of tiktok has 267 million views; #Dark Academia 5 billion views; #Cottage Core 16 billion; #Scandi Maximalism; #Grand Millennial (41 million views in US alone!!).  

In a non Tik Tok world, so far as trends are concerned, these exist for many reasons. Predominantly commercial we believe that whatever you do in your home, however you choose to decorate it, a home should enhance the way we live: good design is about language, not style.  
Some of these trends are transient and seasonal yet unlikely to be sustainable or long-lasting.  Tune in as we explore tik tok tribes, tik tok hobbies and how they came up with the names and the role voyeurism plays.  Conversation pits are also discussed – and now Naomi is on the fence as to whether she still wants one!  We both grew up pre-social media yet Sam was a trailblazer for cottage core with her Laura Ashley bedroom as a teenager, whilst Naomi’s bedroom was a vibrant saturated red – who obviously knew nothing about colour psychology then...  

We debate which hashtag we fall under and have a good laugh about it – we think Naomi is a coastal grandmother/granny chic, whilst Sam wonders whether she is eclectic chic, yet doesn’t really like the chic label!  

As always, we recount some hilarious design anecdotes.  So grab your Dalgona Coffee (aka "creamy coffee"), which apparently has a collective 741.8 million views on TikTok, and was one of the first pandemic-era drinks to go viral back in March 2020 and indulge in our conversations.  

Email us your design dilemmas on [email protected]

For regular updates on colour, design and lifestyle inspiration, follow Sam and Naomi on Instagram:
The Interior Lovers: https://www.instagram.com/the.interiorloverspodcast/
Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sam.grigginteriors/
Naomi: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunneinteriors/ 

And for some more visual inspiration, follow us on pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/TheInteriorLoversPodcast/?actingBusinessId=1135892474674481329

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We’ve all convinced ourselves to buy investment pieces, be they fashion, interiors or other items, so how we can reign in our expensive wish-list items and what shouldn’t we compromise on when optimizing our homes.  

Splurge: a lasting staple or a trend-influenced purchase? …. 
It’s a fine line isn’t it, but with interiors we need to ask ourselves whether it will stand up to the everyday vigours of life, especially when it’s something which is a fundamental piece of furniture, such as a bed or a sofa.  It’s all subjective, isn’t it, depending on one’s budget, splurging is something that would definitely be a stretch on your budget.  Naomi would always convince clients to invest in the most expensive countertops they can afford as well as good quality taps/faucets. Finishing touches really elevate the design, such as architectural details like handles and switches.  We’re in unison that the one item to splurge on is good quality paint as you won’t regret it.  Some people wax lyrical about some of the high-end brands, yet you don’t need to break the bank. 
We talk environmental plant-based options and where they work best.  Sam recommends going as high as you can when specifying wallpaper, and always overbuy the same batch, yet she can’t endorse spending $1000 a roll!  

On the flip side we explore where we can skimp and save on the hidden elements and, undisputedly, kitchen carcasses are pretty standard.  We agree that many lower-end vanity units can be pretty nasty and don’t endure the test of time, so be creative and save by incorporating a vintage dresser instead, and adding an interesting bowl.  
Top tip on the luxury linen bedding front: an organic option from a High Street brand is also on today’s agenda!  On the tiling front there are so many different ways to tile, using even the most simple of tiles, choosing harmonious palettes and even creating interesting effects using patterns.    

There’s a blurry line between splurge and save – you can often save money on big investment pieces during sales or buy expensive paint or wallpaper, yet do the installation yourself so therefore saving in that regard.  We certainly don’t think being frugal is  necessarily a bad thing: however, occasional splurging (especially small splurges) is not a bad thing either.  Horses for courses as you say …

We can always count on Naomi to detract from the subject in hand, and here she goes into length about her recent Copenhagen Bath House visit (where they’ve recently installed acrylic baths)!

Remember. if you have some Design Quibbles, then do send them over to us and we’d love to discuss them in a future episode.

 Email us your design dilemmas on 

[email protected]

 For regular updates on colour, design and lifestyle inspiration, follow Sam and Naomi on Instagram:

 The Interior Lovers: https://www.instagram.com/the.interiorloverspodcast/

 Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sam.grigginteriors/

 Naomi: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunneinteriors/

And for some more visual inspiration, follow us on pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/TheInteriorLoversPodcast/?actingBusinessId=1135892474674481329

Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s episode we take an initial look at the very complex subject of colour psychology – it is a science.  We discuss how the study of colours affects perceptions and behaviour.  We chat about at how colour is used in branding and how these colours impact consumers’ decisions and impressions.  

Every colour has qualities which trigger physiological, sensory and even certain emotions in people, we delve into how colour influences people and how cultural background, age and gender can also impact the way we interpret colour.  

Who knew that red is the first colour that babies see!  We are both green-ophiles and it’s understandable why it is the colour which has the most variations that the eye can see.  

We discuss how Angela Wright revolutionalised the colour theory and how her findings are as relevant today as they were decades ago.  So, take a seat, grap a cup of herbal tea and get comfy whilst we probe into the science-based subject of colour psychology, searching for inner peace, and understand how colour really has a fascinating impact our lives.  

Email us your design dilemmas on
[email protected]

For regular updates on colour, design and lifestyle inspiration, follow Sam and Naomi on Instagram:

The Interior Lovers: https://www.instagram.com/the.interiorloverspodcast/
Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sam.grigginteriors/
Naomi: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunneinteriors/ 

And for some more visual inspiration, follow us on pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/TheInteriorLoversPodcast/?actingBusinessId=1135892474674481329

Send us Fan Mail