All posts filed under: Just me

Domestic Anthropology and Interior Design

Published 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 has been banked and informs all of my design. As the world evolves those needs change too and the world has moved on a great deal just over the past 24 months, so much so that it seems like everyone is extending, redecorating or remodelling to accommodate this societal shift. I’ve always viewed the home as a living entity, another family member; they age and change just like as we do. This anthropological interest in our domestic spaces helps me to focus on providing alternative and creative design solutions. I’m not interested in putting things where they’ve always been, because… “well that’s where the laundry rooms goes isn’t it?” Actually, if it …

Diversity in Design – Positive Changes in the Design Community

Published by Karen Knox

A slightly different post from me today, about something i’ve spent days researching, reading, talking to others, and re-educating myself about. Since the death of George Floyd in May this year, the Black Lives Matter movement has seen an awakening across the world. Over the past few weeks many industries, businesses, communities and families have been witness to difficult conversations; with the lack of diversity within the design community being highlighted. This has created a huge drive for positive change. Me not posting about BLM until now, may have angered or upset some, and for that I truly apologise. There is always so much more going on behind the scenes than I can express, but I can tell you that my reason was in no way due to apathy. I needed to write about this when I was ready, my words needed to feel genuine and the sentiment authentic. I did not want to be seen as using my platform (albeit small) to virtue signal or jump onto a political bangwagon. Everyone deals with stuff in …

The Knox Bracket – A piece of Making Spaces at Dowsing & Reynolds

Published by Karen Knox

You can now buy me!! I’m for sale! I’m a bracket! Do you remember this project from 2017? The Industrial Shaker Kitchen – Before Well, part of this kitchen update, I designed some rather special shelving that sat on some rather special shelving brackets. After – Remember? Well these shelves caused quite a stir, so much so, I told Mr Dowsing Reynolds they should manufacture and sell them as part of their hardware range. I’m bossy like that. And guess what? The eponymous Knox Brackets are now for sale on the Dowsing & Reynolds website. You can now add me to your basket, have me delivered and fix me to your wall. It’s very exciting! Knox Shelf Brackets Here’s what it says on the D&R website about my design baby: “Rewind to 2016 when our very own James and Ally Dowsing-Reynolds moved into their new family home. They don’t like to do things by halves, and so it came as no surprise to us to find out that they’d bought a doer-upper… To say the least. …

Homebuilding & Renovating – Do you need an interior designer?

Published by Karen Knox

So, do you? It’s a good question isn’t it? And one i’ve discussed a kabillion times on here before. But I wanted to show you a recent article from Homebuilding & Renovating magazine’s June edition where myself and the “work-wife”, Fiona Duke (from Fiona Duke Interiors) are asked this very question. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Homebuilding & Renovating (@myhomebuilding) Now, because like everything me and Ms Duke does, with regards to our job, career, dare I even say, calling, we always give 100%, and answering the questions in this article was no different. So much so I wanted to share this piece with you all as I thought, well what the heck, i’ve already spent bloody hours writing this up for a magazine, and it’s actually really good, some of you lovely lot might find it useful, so why not post it here? Page 1 – Fiona is asked; ‘WHAT DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DO?’ Read on… (top tip: if you click on each image it will come up full …

The Best of 2018 – Your favourite posts on Making Spaces this year

Published by Karen Knox

Hello everyone, i’m back for my final post for 2018, my 60th post. It’s been a jam packed year, with as many projects taking place at Making Spaces HQ as there have been client projects. I’m going to run down your 10 favourite posts this year, the ones that got you reading and sharing. Then i’ll end with my favourite post, because, as you well know, this blog is all about me and my opinion. Kidding obv. So counting down from 10 to 1, here are the posts from 2018 as clicked on by you lot: Third Time Lucky? August 2018 This one was a bit of a gut wrencher to write, but you guys were absolute legends, with your most wonderfully kind comments and the number of votes too. You got me shortlisted and on a train to London for the Amara Interior Blog Awards, and whilst I didn’t win, i’ll be forever grateful for your support and well wishes. Kitchen Facelift -Goodbye White Gloss, May 18 It seems I wasn’t alone in falling …

Popping my public speaking cherry #designupnorth

Published by Karen Knox

Just a quick one today peeps, i’m still recovering from that last blog post… I hope you read it as it took me an age to write. Anyhoo – just wanted to let you all know that i’m making my very first panel appearance. I know! And you’re invited. Do read on… (I’m one of the friends) If you don’t know my northern insta buddy, Nicola Broughton (aka, The Girl with the Green Sofa) then here’s the low down. It’s going to be fun. For you that is. I will no doubt be shitting myself and hiding behind a large Kentia Palm. I’m more than happy mouthing off on here where I can go back, delete, edit, re-write, but in front of actual, real life people, i’m a bit shy I am. And if I have to speak into a microphone, well then i’ll be mortified as you’ll definitely hear the remains of my childhood lisp and my hybrid north west, Yorkshire accent. Hopefully the next two weeks of elecution lessons will have paid off in time. …

Planning a build? When do I get an interior designer on board?

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve always hated the job title, interior designer, most people still don’t really know what we actually do, but as i’ve mentioned before, paint colours and cushions really are about 0.6%. Cushions in the Upper Brook Street Project I’ve noticed more interior designers referring to themselves as ‘interior architects’. I can’t class myself as that by any means, i’m certainly no architect, but I do make decisions around spatial planning, flow, lighting plans, first fix wiring and plumbing… Here’s what Google has to say about Interior Architecture V’s Interior Design: Interior architecture is the balancing of the art and science of designing an interior space taking into account all elements of the build. Interior design is a broad ranging profession taking into account all aspects of planning and designing interior spaces in the built environment. I kind of see myself as being somewhere in between the two. One of the things I get BIG kicks from is solving layout problems. It might be as simple repositioning a dining table so it runs lengthways instead of horizontally, …

Third time lucky?

Published by Karen Knox

Disclaimer – If this is your first time reading my blog, then i’ll warn you that this isn’t probably the best one to start on. I mean, you’re free to read n’ all, you’re in charge. But this post is less about interiors and more about life stuff. I write these kind of posts a couple of times a year, so if you’re not in the mood to read the ramblings of a stranger, then I really won’t be offended. Otherwise, please… I’ve been nominated for an award at this year’s Amara Interior Blog Awards. I wasn’t sure whether to accept the nomination or not as I have mixed feelings about these kind of things really. I’ve had to quash my ludicrous levels of cynicism and put down my safety blanket in order to accept the nomination and take part this year. The Drawing Room This will be the last time I throw my hat into the ring, so I felt the need to write a post about what the Amaras actually are and why …

Mad About the House comes to Leeds – #designupnorth with No House Rules

Published by Karen Knox

I went out one night last week. Didn’t get to sleep until well after midnight… and i’m still paying for it now (god, i’m so old). I don’t get out much, mainly because i’m a natural introvert, i’m normally in bed for 8.30pm and I find pyjamas just oh so comfortable. But for this recent No House Rules event, I made an exception. The No House Rules ladies, Katie and Amy (aka. @comedowntothewoods and @thisstyle_rocks) in partnership with Rose & Grey had arranged for Kate Watson-Smyth of Mad About the House fame to come to that there Leeds. I’ve been a huge fan of Kate and her work for several years now. It was one of the first blogs I latched on to. Her words, insight and general take on design certainly resonated with me. And a lot of other people too…. I remember when she followed me back on Twitter a few years ago, I was mega excited. Proper fan-girl style. Spring forward a few and our paths have crossed virtually a fair few …

Interior Design Collective - Design Surgery Workshop

IDC Design Surgery #designupnorth

Published by Karen Knox

It’s just a quickie today peeps! I’ve been writing up another (third on the bounce) final reveal post, for the Copper Bedroom (like busses they are), but i’ve had to interrupt that public service broadcast with some very exciting news: The very first IDC Design Surgery has now been confirmed!! We’re sooo excited. And true to my word, I have fought hard to host the very first of these IDC workshops up north, here in my beloved Yorkshire. These consultation style workshops are the first of their kind, as the content is planned around you and your own home projects. You tell us what you want to learn and we deliver. And when I say we, I mean me and my partner in crime and other half of the IDC dream team, Fiona Duke. There are only 10 places per workshop, we capped it at 10 as we want to be able to talk to each and every one of you and work through your home design dilemmas, so you leave feeling armed to deal …