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Keep up to date on all the latest news and views from the world of Interior Design with our blog.

Interior Design Nicky Percival Interior Design Nicky Percival

From Garage to Guest Studio (Part 2): The Finished Product

When I left you in Part 1, we were looking to secure planning permission for high-level windows and were wrestling with how to transform a dark, narrow Edwardian garage into a multi-functional guest studio. The challenges were significant: limited natural light, awkward proportions and a brief that demanded seven distinct functions within one constrained space. Now it’s time to show how we brought it all together.

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Decorating Styles Nicky Percival Decorating Styles Nicky Percival

The English Summer Palette: How to Bring Its Quiet Beauty Into Your Home

There is a particular quality to the English summer that I find endlessly inspiring, yet often underrated. It isn’t the dazzling, saturated brightness of a Mediterranean July. It’s actually something quieter and more nuanced: the gentle haze of a warm afternoon, the softness of a garden in full bloom and the way the light seems to slow everything down. It’s a season that rewards those who pay attention to it. In this post, I want to share my thoughts on the summer colour palette and how to introduce it into your own living spaces.

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Renovation Nicky Percival Renovation Nicky Percival

Three Shades of Green (Part 2) – The Reveal

When I left you in Part 1, we’d presented three green schemes to my clients, secured their choice of the sage and pink palette and were preparing to transform their beloved family sitting room whilst they were away for the summer. Now it’s time to show you how this 25-year-old space was refreshed into something that feels both familiar and entirely new.

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Interior Design Nicky Percival Interior Design Nicky Percival

Clerkenwell Design Week 2026: Highlights from an Interior Designer’s Day Out

Every year, Clerkenwell becomes the beating heart of the design world – and Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 did not disappoint. As an interior designer working across Kent and Sussex, it’s always one of the highlights of my professional calendar: a chance to discover new brands, reconnect with suppliers and get inspired by where design is heading. This year’s event showed a noticeable tilt towards office furniture and commercial spaces, but there was still plenty to delight those of us focused on residential interiors. Here’s what caught my eye.

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Renovation Nicky Percival Renovation Nicky Percival

From Garage to Guest Studio (Part 1): Transforming an Edwardian Coach House

Some of the best design projects begin with spaces that seem utterly unpromising. When a client I’d previously worked with on his coach house renovation approached me about converting his garage into a functioning studio, I knew we were in for an interesting challenge. The long, narrow Edwardian garage had minimal natural light, unused York stone steps and a large pit that had been used for cold storage. Not exactly a blank canvas – more like a puzzle waiting to be solved.

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Interior Design Nicky Percival Interior Design Nicky Percival

Three Shades of Green: Part 1 – Reimagining a Family’s Favourite Room

Some rooms carry decades of family memories within their walls. When clients approach me about updating such spaces, I’m always conscious that we’re not just refreshing the décor; we’re honouring a room’s history whilst bringing it into a new chapter. This was the case with a recent project involving the informal sitting room of a Georgian house that has been a family home for over 25 years. Here we’ll look at the background to this project and the ideas that came into play, but keep an eye out for the fabulous result in Part 2 coming soon.

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Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival

The Art of Wardrobe Design: Making Every Centimetre Count

When clients ask me to design bespoke wardrobes, they’re often surprised by how much thought goes into the process. It’s not simply about creating beautiful cabinetry to suit your bedroom or dressing room, though that’s certainly important. The real challenge lies in making the very best use of available space whilst ensuring the finished design genuinely works for how you live and dress on the day to day.


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Interior Design Nicky Percival Interior Design Nicky Percival

10 Design Secrets That Help Shape My Work

People often ask me where my design ideas come from, so recently I’ve been reflecting on the influences that have shaped my approach to interior design over the years. From the designers who inspire me to the places where I recharge creatively, these elements inform every project I undertake.

As a new year of exciting interior design projects gets underway, I thought I’d give you a peek behind the curtain of my creative process.

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Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival

How Architects and Interior Designers Can Collaborate to Make the Dream Team

As we step into a new year, many homeowners are thinking about renovations and home improvements. One question I’m often asked is ‘Do I need an architect, an interior designer or both?’ It’s a fair question, but the answer isn’t always straightforward. While architects and interior designers have distinct roles and expertise, there’s also a great deal of overlap where collaboration can transform a good project into something truly magical.

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Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival

Breathing New Life into a Well-Loved Sitting Room

Sometimes the most rewarding design projects begin with a simple desire for change. After a decade of living with the same décor, my clients were ready to transform their sitting room into a space that truly reflected their personalities and lifestyle. This project particularly resonates with me because it showcases an approach I often take with clients who know they want change but aren’t quite sure what direction to take.

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Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival Kent Surrey Sussex Interiors Nicky Percival

Small Kitchens, Big Potential: Why Size Doesn’t Matter in Kitchen Design

Not all kitchens are built for large banquet dining, but something I share with every client who worries about their compact cooking space is: small kitchens are absolutely brimming with potential. Size actually has no bearing on style. With smart storage solutions and thoughtful layout planning, even the most modest of kitchens can be turned into a space that works beautifully for your lifestyle.

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