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  • Domestic Anthropology

    Domestic Anthropology and Interior Design

    by Karen Knox

    Well this sounds very serious doesn’t it? What is Domestic Anthropology? It’s the study of human behaviours and how our cultures, traditions and societal changes have affected how we use our homes. I’m fascinated by people, particularly how individuals and families interact, move around one another and within their four walls. Everything I’ve learned about people’s habits, pathways and needs in the home environment...

    April 9, 2022
    comments 20
    Interior Design, Just me, Lessons in Design
  • The Victorian Kitchen and Dining Room - the one with the yellow ceiling

    The Victorian Kitchen Dining Room – the one with the yellow ceiling

    by Karen Knox

    Jumping back onto the blog today to share a recently completed project. I’ve been working on this one since the beginning of the year, the final piece of the puzzle going in just last week. With a last minute visit earlier this week to see it all finished and capture some photos, it’s time for a new project reveal! Welcome to the Victorian kitchen...

    October 7, 2021
    comments 47
    Decorating, Final Reveal, kitchen design, Project, Renovation
  • The New Build Final Reveal

    How to add personality to a new build

    by Karen Knox

    Hello everyone, it’s been photoshoot central of late so i’m back with my second post of the month. It’s another final reveal post, plus I’m sharing some tips on how to add personality to a new build property. The homeowners, a young couple were keen to put their stamp on their new four bedroom home so contacted me to help them with the ground...

    August 31, 2021
    comments 21
    Decorating, Final Reveal, Make Over, Painting, Project, Remote Design, Styling
  • The Victorian Terrace

    The Victorian Terrace – Games Room and Home Office

    by Karen Knox

    Hello there, how are you all doing, I hope you’re keeping well and enjoying the glorious British summer!? Today i’m sharing some final reveal photos from a sloooow burner project; The Victorian Terrace. A house I started work on back in April 2019. Yes, that’s how long full house projects can take, especially when you’re living at the property during the works and you...

    August 11, 2021
    comments 17
    Design, Final Reveal, Project, Renovation
  • The Georgian Apartment – Bathroom – Final Reveal

    by Karen Knox

    Hello May, how are you all doing? Your umbrella been getting a good outing this month? Today i’m back at the Georgian Apartment for for the final reveal of the bathroom. Hoorah! This is what we started with… Before A very small and narrow space indeed which surprisingly (or not) the previous owners had squeezed in a loo, basin, bath and a separate shower,...

    May 24, 2021
    comments 29
    Bathroom, Design, Interior Design, Project, Renovation
  • The Georgian Apartment Final Reveal

    The Georgian Apartment – Open Plan Living Space Final Reveal

    by Karen Knox

    Well it’s been a while since I posted about this one hasn’t it? A project I introduced back in June 2019; ya know, the one with those ceilings. It’s time for the final reveal of The Georgian Apartment. Whoop! Before – May 2019 All the major works for this room were completed in time for Autumn 2019 with a list of smaller, fiddly jobs left...

    April 15, 2021
    comments 22
    Architecture, Interior Design, kitchen design, lighting, Project, Renovation
  • The Victorian Coach House - Final Reveal

    The Coach House Living Room – Final Reveal

    by Karen Knox

    Hello! Three months it’s been since I last wrote. A whole season. A quarter of a year. 13 weeks! I thought it was about time I got back into the swing, and what better way than to offer up the final reveal of Victorian Coach House Living Room; one of my favourite rooms to work on since starting this crazy ass job six years...

    March 26, 2021
    comments 43
    Design, Final Reveal, Living Room, Project, Renovation
  • Mood Board Pink Interiors

    In The Pink – Is there a better way to end 2020 than some pink interiors?

    by Karen Knox

    Well it seems I have done all my Christmas wrapping and have a bit of time to share some pink interiors to end this year, what a rosey treat! Let’s start with this room: Before – sales listing This will soon be the guest bedroom on the top floor of a lovely big Victorian house in Ilkley. You can probably fathom it was a...

    December 18, 2020
    comments 9
    Bedroom, Decorating, Interior Design, Mood Board, Property, Renovation, Wallpaper
  • Living Room Design Concept

    End of year updates – What have we been up to?

    by Karen Knox

    Well hello there, it’s been a while hasn’t it? How are you all doing? I don’t think there’s any need for me to explain why i’ve been absent from the blog is there? I mean, i’ll just say “2020” and leave it there for you to work it all out. It seems I have some time today for some rambling, so let’s see how...

    December 8, 2020
    comments 12
    Interior Design, Living Room, Project
  • Projects in progress

    Making (lots of) Spaces with five projects in progress

    by Karen Knox

    Hello hello! Yes I know it’s been a while since I last wrote, but I have an excellent reason, I promise. In short, i’ve been mega busy keeping lots of plates spinning since lockdown has eased and now i’ve got five projects in progress. So I just wanted to check in and let you know what’s keeping me busy til the end of this year....

    September 20, 2020
    comments 6
    Design, Interior Design, Mood Board, Renovation

Recent Ramblings

Domestic Anthropology
April 9, 2022

Domestic Anthropology and Interior Design

Well this sounds very serious doesn’t it? What is Domestic Anthropology? It’s the study of human behaviours and how...

by Karen Knox
comments 20
The Victorian Kitchen and Dining Room - the one with the yellow ceiling
October 7, 2021

The Victorian Kitchen Dining Room – the one with the yellow ceiling

Jumping back onto the blog today to share a recently completed project. I’ve been working on this one since...

by Karen Knox
comments 47
The New Build Final Reveal
August 31, 2021

How to add personality to a new build

Hello everyone, it’s been photoshoot central of late so i’m back with my second post of the month. It’s...

by Karen Knox
comments 21
The Victorian Terrace
August 11, 2021

The Victorian Terrace – Games Room and Home Office

Hello there, how are you all doing, I hope you’re keeping well and enjoying the glorious British summer!? Today...

by Karen Knox
comments 17
May 24, 2021

The Georgian Apartment – Bathroom – Final Reveal

Hello May, how are you all doing? Your umbrella been getting a good outing this month? Today i’m back...

by Karen Knox
comments 29
The Georgian Apartment Final Reveal
April 15, 2021

The Georgian Apartment – Open Plan Living Space Final Reveal

Well it’s been a while since I posted about this one hasn’t it? A project I introduced back in...

by Karen Knox
comments 22
The Victorian Coach House - Final Reveal
March 26, 2021

The Coach House Living Room – Final Reveal

Hello! Three months it’s been since I last wrote. A whole season. A quarter of a year. 13 weeks!...

by Karen Knox
comments 43
Mood Board Pink Interiors
December 18, 2020

In The Pink – Is there a better way to end 2020 than some pink interiors?

Well it seems I have done all my Christmas wrapping and have a bit of time to share some...

by Karen Knox
comments 9
Living Room Design Concept
December 8, 2020

End of year updates – What have we been up to?

Well hello there, it’s been a while hasn’t it? How are you all doing? I don’t think there’s any...

by Karen Knox
comments 12
Projects in progress
September 20, 2020

Making (lots of) Spaces with five projects in progress

Hello hello! Yes I know it’s been a while since I last wrote, but I have an excellent reason,...

by Karen Knox
comments 6
The Harrogate Master Suite
August 20, 2020

The Harrogate Master Bedroom – (very nearly) Final Reveal

Hello everyone, how’s your August going? Today I’m sharing a (very nearly) final reveal of the master bedroom at...

by Karen Knox
comments 12
Next Door @ The Old Forge
July 28, 2020

The Old Forge York – Two Years in the Making – Final Reveal Part 2

Hello hello, how are you all? Thanks to everyone who read Part 1 of final reveal for The Old...

by Karen Knox
comments 4
The Old Forge York
July 15, 2020

The Old Forge York – Two Years in the Making – Final Reveal Part 1

And so, today’s blog is partly an opportunity to emotionally offload (when isn’t it?) and more importantly celebrate over two...

by Karen Knox
comments 17
Design for Diversity
July 9, 2020

Diversity in Design – Positive Changes in the Design Community

A slightly different post from me today, about something i’ve spent days researching, reading, talking to others, and re-educating...

by Karen Knox
comments 8
3 bed semi extension
July 3, 2020

The 3 Bed Semi Extension – The Site Visit

Hello everyone, how are you all doing? It’s been a while since I last posted, for lots of reasons...

by Karen Knox
comments 15
MADE Adeline Stool
May 12, 2020

Kitchen Stools – Design Crimes Part 1

Hello everyone, how are you all? I hope you’re all coping and staying well. It’s been a really tough...

by Karen Knox
comments 25

Karen Knox aka Making Spaces

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Sometimes a coffee table base deserves its own squ Sometimes a coffee table base deserves its own square. 
Yes, that's all solid marble. 
An absolute beast 💪
Am looking forward to visiting @renovating_harroga Am looking forward to visiting @renovating_harrogate later this summer and getting all the plants into their kitchen (that I should have added last time 🙄). 
Gonna see if I can twist their arm to buy a ton of ivy so I can trail it horizontally  above the picture rail like a living Victorian frieze. Twas always the plan (in my head).
For now you get this bad Photoshop of a potted plant 😂
Rug looks nice though eh? #notphotoshopped
Two big projects kicked off this week 🙌 1. The Two big projects kicked off this week 🙌
1. The Coach House project in Harrogate
2. The Arts and Crafts project in Rawdon
(Then I've got another one starting in June and another one starting in July 🤯 no pressure)
Planning and scheduling projects at the moment is like trying to herd cats 🐈🐈🐈
Builders are totally stacked, pushing projects back by a week, a month, three months... So now a year's worth projects have all now concertina-ed together into the space of the next four months. Freaking out much? 
Hopefully 🤞I will have someone joining the Making Spaces team very soon to help me through. Thank you to everyone who applied for the "Freestyle jazz post". So good to hear from everyone and read about your backgrounds and experiences. I've replied to everyone who got in touch so please check your spam if you didn't get your email. 
Swipe to see the beginnings of the Arts and Crafts project. If this project ends the way I hope it does, it's going to be absolutely beautiful 🤞
Reminiscing... This was such a beautiful property Reminiscing... 
This was such a beautiful property to work in. 
#goodbones
Bathrooms and mirrors. Can you have a bathroom wit Bathrooms and mirrors. Can you have a bathroom without a mirror? 
In this ensuite at @renovating_harrogate's previous house I specified a long horizontal piece of mirrored glass to be tiled directly onto the wall so it sat flush within the surrounding wall tiles.
By all accounts this was a real pain in the arse to do as no wall is perfectly flat so getting a piece of glass this size to sit flush was no mean feat. Looks reet though doesn't it? Almost like an opening  into another world. 
(I think it's fair to say i've been watching too much Russian Doll 🙄)
Oh and don't get me started on that towel rad. Yes, it would drive me crazy too. Nobody wants a wonky towel do they? Apart from Andy and Vanessa at @renovating_harrogate who went off script with this little plumbing OCD nightmare 😂
In an attempt to hold off from redecorating our be In an attempt to hold off from redecorating our bedroom (for at least another few hours...) I bought some new bedding. 
It's not white.
Kinda feels like I'm sleeping underneath a very large deck chair... But I like it! 
Oh and paint colour is Fox 🦊 Hedge Tan by @benjaminmooreuk
Sometimes you don't need an extension and a new ki Sometimes you don't need an extension and a new kitchen. Sometimes you just need to reinvent.
A new outfit on the same ole bones (with some clever changes to the layout of course) can be more than enough to give you your dream space. 
Copper sinks also help 😊 swipe to see what we started with.
We are hiring. Well, let me be clear. There is no We are hiring.
Well, let me be clear. There is no "we". It’s me. Making Spaces is me, myself and I. 
And has been for 8 years. 
I think I’m one of the only people left in my peer group to have not taken on an assistant, member of staff, junior designer.
WHY HAVEN’T YOU HIRED ANYONE BEFORE NOW?
1. I work from home. 
My house isn’t really big enough to accommodate another member of staff. Not unless they want to work on the kitchen table (which may or may not have some dried on cereal from the breakfast shift). BUT I’d also quite like someone to be here, working with me, so I feel like I’ve got a team and I can shout things out when they pop into my head, which happens a lot. 
2. I’ve always been a bit of a Lone Ranger and a massive control freak. Whoever comes aboard will have me over their shoulder whilst I learn how to delegate. It’s going to take me some time to relinquish my tightly held reins.
3. I don’t really know what I need.
Well I do, but I don’t know what the official title would be, so I don’t know how to advertise for it in a snappy title. So in typical Making Spaces fashion, here’s a slightly loose, free-style jazz job description:
GENERAL SET UP
Flexible, part time 
Local to Leeds (I’m in LS17) - driving licence is a plus
Self-employed basis
£ - No idea yet. Will depend on the person’s general skillset and experience
SKILLS
Technical drawings - CAD, Sketch Up, Vectorworks, Photoshop...
Spreadsheets, trade accounts, procurement 
General admin (research, invoicing)
General (emotional) support 
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
Yes please
It’s really important for me to be able to gel with whoever takes on this new role. For me to get them and vice versa. Most of my decision making is based on gut instinct. Authenticity is absolutely key. 
If you think you might be interested in helping me figure out a job title for this new role, please email your CV with cover letter to karen@making-spaces.net by Friday 20th May.
No DM’s please. 
Oh and please do share if you know of anyone who may be interested. Thank you!
It'll be a while before the master floor at @renov It'll be a while before the master floor at @renovating_harrogate will be completed. We're all eagerly awaiting phase 2 for second fix to begin. 
In the meantime here's the dressing room head to toe in @littlegreenepaintcompany Theatre Red ❤️ brave move indeed! 
Obviously still a lot of work to do (a full wall of mirrored glass fitted inside the panels along the left hand wall, lighting and flooring) but so good to see it taking shape! 
#audreysdance #twinpeaks #theredroom
I love all of my completed projects, each one take I love all of my completed projects, each one takes at least 9 months so it’s emotional (like delivering a baby. I swear I get post-project blues after a big one’s been completed!)
But sometimes... a client comes along and you just gel. Your tastes align, you both get giddy over the tiniest of details (like rad valves and door knobs), you agree on the same things and they just say 'yes'.  
This was one of those projects; The Coach House project in Harrogate. When I first saw this completed living room my eyes filled with tears. 
1. because of the way it looked
But more importantly
2. because of the way it helped my lovely client finally feel at home. I learned a lot about their life throughout this project, their travels, their life pre-retirement, the ups and the downs, and it was clear that having just one space where they could “just be” was really important at this time in their life.
Getting to create that for someone is an absolute honour. 
And today, the same client has sent me photos of their old kitchen after it had been carefully removed and Free-cycled ready for the next phase of their project to begin. A knock through and extension to create a larger, open plan kitchen dining space with new bathroom on the floor above. I’m so excited to see this project get started as it’s been two years since we first began working together. Yes, that’s how long it’s taking at the moment to get plans drawn, refined, submitted, approved, put out to tender, tender accepted, interiors spec and detailed plans drawn, specialist trades lined up and a start date agreed. It’s seriously painful. But the process made all the more pleasant by working closely with @niche_design_architects and @nestkitchens to create this space of dreams in this two bedroom cottage. It’s going to be amazing! 🤞
Bathrooms are the hardest spaces to design. An ext Bathrooms are the hardest spaces to design. An extra 5cm of floor space can make a whole world of difference. The ensuite at The Garden Shed at @tofy.uk was 0.9x2.4m. Luckily there was a pocket door which are a must in tight spaces, so plan ahead so your builder can add a pocket wall system rather than your standard studwork.
The whole of The Garden Shed, what with it being a timber framed building sat in the middle of beautiful Yorkshire gardens, is powered by electric so I searched high and low for an electric shower to work with the pretty Delft inspired tiles. The panelling and bathroom cabinet was painted in the same colour as the window frames and bedroom ceiling. Small spaces can benefit from a limited colour palette and I'd say it worked rather well here 😊 Swipe to see the space before...
I also design rooms that aren't black you know. A I also design rooms that aren't black you know. 
A little peek at the William Morris bedroom in The Garden Shed at @tofy.uk. Small but perfectly formed. Currently featured in this month's @yorkshirelifemag 👌
Dishwasher drawers and diagonal boards. Because wh Dishwasher drawers and diagonal boards.
Because why not? 🤷
📷 @beautifulhomesinthenorth
Following on from the previous post, I wanted to s Following on from the previous post, I wanted to show you how the remaining wall which spanned two floors allowed for furniture, artwork and some respite from all that lovely glazing. Swipe to see a detail shot of the bedroom directly above this space showing the beautiful bespoke wardrobes.
I remember when I first found out about @renovatin I remember when I first found out about @renovating_harrogate's plans to completely glaze the back wall of their  Edwardian house over two storeys. My first reaction was "cooool" 👌
This was quickly followed by "No!! Don't do that, you'll have nowhere for the TV, sofa or anywhere to fit your wardrobes in the master bedroom directly above. It'll look cool but it will be a pain in the arse getting your furniture in those rooms. A lot of furniture needs walls and if you take em out and replace em with glazing, then you gots no walls." 
(I'm sure they weren't the exact words, but you get the gist).
So instead of the whole back wall, I suggested glazing the corner of the house instead. It was feat of engineering but it worked, for both function and form. In fact I think this is so much more interesting (the corner glazing inspired me to run the floorboards diagonally towards the corner, leading you towards the light). But most of all, this design solution allowed the layouts and functions of the kitchen/diner and the master bedroom on the floor above to work.
Nailing the layout of your rooms internally before committing to any architectural changes is absolutely KEY. I cannot stress this enough. 
Interior design = looking at things from the inside and how they might affect the outside 👌
Swipe to see what we started with - the before shows the same corner. Bonkers 🤯
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