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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Serena Fokschaner

DARK SECRETS: Making a forever home it had to have zing | Vintage Vibes

The Heal’s dining table, and 1960s pendant lights over the kitchen island
Lighting on a bargain: the Heal’s dining table, and 1960s pendant lights over the kitchen island which could cost £1,000 each, but Sandra Harris paid £400 for the three. Photograph: Rachael Smith/The Observer

Change happens slowly in the world of interiors. But even that sedately paced sector has woken up to the demand for online learning which began during the pandemic. From project management to kitchen plotting, skilful paint schemes to strategic lighting, you can now glean expert insights from architects, planners and top-flight designers from the comfort of your sofa.

Sandra Harris can attest to their usefulness. Recently retired from a career in human resources, Harris had the time to redesign her “golden years home” in north London. With a granular grasp of detail and process, she wanted to manage the “back-to-brick” project herself. This included bolting on a loft extension and knocking out the back of the Victorian house. Clearly, professional help was required. “Not just for the planning, but also for all the 1,001 other aspects of doing a large build: the costs involved and how to allocate my budget; how to find the right architect, contractors and suppliers,” she says.

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