{"id":7072593,"date":"2026-10-02T07:52:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T07:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7072593"},"modified":"2026-10-02T07:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T07:52:15","slug":"high-low-interior-design-charis-white-interiors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7072593","title":{"rendered":"\u2018High-Low\u2019 interior design \u2013 Charis White Interiors"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I have to admit a clear-out and reorganisation at Blog HQ was a bit overdue. There were piles of old paperwork, samples and props from years of interior styling and writing for the UK press and brands. The idea of creating more of a multi-functional space that would incorporate a serene \u2018room of one\u2019s own\u2019 was taking hold. Think Victorian day-bed for swooning after a marathon morning at the laptop. Or at least another spare bed for guests. So this summer when the temperatures were sky high, I set about transforming the smallest room in the house. And the design strategy? Well, let\u2019s just say that it was what is now being dubbed a \u2018High-Low\u2019 approach \u2026<\/p>\n

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What is a High-Low design strategy?<\/h2>\n

There has been some chatter in the press recently about \u2018High-Low\u2019 which I found an intriguing description of how to put together an outfit or interior design scheme.<\/p>\n

\u2018High-Low\u2019 is something I am fairly sure most of us already practice in our every day lives. It is the strategy employed when the budget isn\u2019t open ended and you need to make decisions on where best to spend money and where you can use a more budget friendly item alongside it.<\/p>\n

This approach was something I learned when interior styling for magazines and newspapers. Every feature had to offer readers a mixture of price points (high and low) and was also a way to attract a variety of advertisers to a publication.<\/p>\n

The first thing it taught me was to never be a brand snob and that good design and quality doesn\u2019t always come from where you think it might. Keep your eyes peeled as buyers come and go and the design fortunes of a company such as M&S rise and fall with it.<\/p>\n

M&S has always been one of my favourite go-to\u2019s for well made classic designs for fashion and the home (not just because I had the pleasure of styling some of their home catalogue for years). Because of the scale of their business, they are able to buy good quality fabrics such as wool, cashmere and linen for less. It is nice to see M&S once again attracting fashionistas to their AW26 fashion collection and me for their 100% linen bedlinen (in the sale)!<\/p>\n

So here was my High-Low approach to decorating Blog HQ\u2019s \u2018room of one\u2019s own\u2019 \u2026<\/p>\n

Colour scheme<\/h2>\n

The Lewis & Wood Alhambra 100 wallpaper<\/a> in Verdure designed by Flora Roberts<\/a> is based on a middle Eastern carpet with Arts & Crafts influences. It leads my scheme with its rich tapestry of colours from dark bluey greens to mustard yellows. To this I have added highlights of pale blue to the scheme with cushions, bobbin lamp base and a border blind. I contrasted the wallpaper with a brighter mustard paint colour and a hint of black. The black pulls together some personal accessories such as cushion fabric, an old Pooky lampshade, picture frames and the ribbon on a vintage sun hat.<\/p>\n

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Design scheme<\/strong>: Layers of contrast in a scheme are what help to make a room turn into something more special. From the use of texture, to proportions of colour in a room, hot and cool shades, quirky with classic style, proportions of paint vs wallpaper\/wallcoverings, pools of task lighting, differing scales, along with old furniture with new. The list that works for me could go on \u2026 Photo and styling: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The bed<\/h2>\n

I have my nephew and his wife Sophie to thank for highlighting this rather brilliant bed to me. I was thinking about a wooden antique bed but felt it might enclose the what is already a small room space too much. Ramnefjall Klovsta Grey\/White stripe upholstered bed<\/a> (with removable washable covers \u2013 a great plus) rather usefully also looks in certain light like pale blue\/white stripes. It wasn\u2019t available to view in-store in Reading but IKEA have it on-line.<\/p>\n

In real life it has the impression of a much more expensive bed (I am not sure IKEA\u2019s online photography reflects this) with self-piping on head and footboards. The sprung mattress is comfortable and the bedframe is an attractive piece of functional design. Zippered storage fits neatly underneath the skirted valance. I am so pleased with how the bed works with the wallpaper and paint and at \u00a3229 plus mattress it helps the budget. Thanks Ed and Soph.<\/p>\n

Wallpaper<\/h2>\n

I was so lucky to buy just over 2 metres of Lewis & Wood\u2019s Alhambra 100, wide width wallpaper in one of their brilliant sales in Gloucestershire. |I have been saving it for some time and hoped that I had enough to paper at least one wall in my home office\/Blog HQ. <\/p>\n

Sadly, I didn\u2019t have quite enough to cover the whole wall behind the bedhead, but hoped that I could perhaps, just maybe? get away without pattern matching it. Controversial I know! but I couldn\u2019t bear to live without this piece of stunning design and thought it more sustainable to use it. Because it is so arresting and intricate, I don\u2019t think the eye immediately jumps to where the wide width joins. I know I am kidding myself but can still appreciate the overall effect in my own space. <\/p>\n

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Alhambra 100 Verdure designed by Flora Roberts for Lewis and Wood. Styling and \\photo \u2013 again please forgive the wonky shots on my phone camera!: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2018Stephen Lewis, the man behind the brand\u2019 10 years ago gracing an on-set image produced by @cannonpictures for @countrylifemagazine. Everything in ALHAMBRA 100 and 50 Verdure, Lewis & Wood.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Paint<\/h2>\n

For contrast to the wallpaper, I used Farrow & Ball\u2019s Print Room Yellow<\/a> on 3 walls (with white ceiling\/paintwork) as I wanted the room to feel a bit more up (particularly in the winter time). <\/p>\n

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A Blog HQ\u2019s transformation to a \u2018room of one\u2019s own\u2019. Watercolour by Andy Hamilton, New Zealand. Photo and styling: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bedlinen and cushions<\/h2>\n

I like my beds to be invitingly plumpfy (plump and fluffy!). <\/p>\n

Buying better, means buying less and one good way of doing this is to buy 100% linen which I believe along with mattress toppers (ideally wool) helps to create and maintain a plumpfy bed. Linen needn\u2019t break the bank as M&S had a wonderful self piped linen duvet cover\/pillowcase set recently in their sale at 50% less. You will also be able to find vintage bedlinen and Kanthas that have sustainably stood the test of time at The White Door Brocante who have a Noel gift<\/a> event on the 3rd December 2026.<\/p>\n

I recommend you keeping your eyes peeled for linen bedlinen online at La Redoute<\/a> who I have also bought from. This gorgeous plaid single wool bed throw adds heaps of cosy texture, pattern and colour from a West Pembrokeshire we had holiday several years ago. The pale blue cushion is also from the past and was made I think from a piece of Mark Alexander embroidered fabric and the other cushion in black velvet ribboned stripe was a Jane Churchill fabric.<\/p>\n

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The upholstery of IKEA\u2019s stylish Ramnefjall single bed in very pale grey which looks almost like pale blue is made from recycled plastic. Perfect as it can be taken off for washing in a machine but don\u2019t be tempted to iron out the creases of the valance as it might melt! I am sure the creases will drop in time. The self-piped headboard is fine as it is stretched tight. Underneath the flaps in the valance is where I keep useful zipped storage. The jute runner is from a selection at La Redoute<\/a>. Styling and photo: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Antique bobbin hall chair as bedside table<\/h2>\n

I used an auction bought (approximately \u00a324) antique bobbin<\/a> hall chair as a bedside table, perfect for books, flowers and table lamps with their flat seat. To soften what can sometimes be an unrelenting amount of wood on hall chairs, I like the contrast of painting the lower half of the chair. I did this using an off black chalk paint by Annie Sloan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Antique bobbin hall chair as bedside table. Styling and photo: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Styling wall art<\/h2>\n

I found grouping images by size and colour helped make this small room not feel too overwhelmed. I also love adding the odd vintage fashion item.<\/p>\n

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I love how the up-light of my table lamp creates added drama to a black and white print of the corps de ballet of the Bolshoi Theatre during Act II of Swan. It came from The Royal Opera House a few years ago. Photo and styling: Charis White <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Not from Swan Lake or the river Thames but a quirky felt prop that looks over Blog HQ. In the background is a framed spread from a feature I styled for Marie Claire magazine. The shoot took place in our old garden summerhouse and was inspired by Barbara Hepworth\u2019s \u2018room of one\u2019s own\u2019 St Ives summerhouse where she had the simplicity of a single bed covered with a candlewick bedspread.
Photo and styling: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Delightful affordable wall light<\/h2>\n

This budget\/design friendly \u00a320 plug-in wall light came from Dunelm<\/a> (disappointing instore styling in Reading which maybe means they don\u2019t have enough staff to deal with the large amount of products they have. Worth looking on-line though as not everything is in store anyway). Classic in style, in a putty off white\/cream it has a silk covered wire which makes all the difference. The pretty ruched Dunelm<\/a> lampshade works well with the wallpaper and cost \u00a38. Easy to put up without an electrician or handy man.<\/p>\n

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Plug-in wall light and lampshade creating a pool of light over the bed in Blog HQ\u2019s \u2018room of one\u2019s own. Photo and styling: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Marking out the Dunelm wall light\u2019s support bracket on Flora Robert\u2019s work of art Alhambtra 100 Verdure wallpaper for Lewis and Wood.
Photo and styling: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Wall light, Dunelm, wallpaper Lewis and Wood, paint, Farrow & Ball. Styling and Photo: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Vintage and antique furniture<\/h2>\n

An essential ingredient of any room is the contrast and design of vintage and antique furniture. <\/p>\n

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Utility\/mid-century desk from Fanny\u2019s Antiques at Blog HQ. Photo and styling, Charis White: I promise the desk isn\u2019t on the wonk, the camera phone couldn\u2019t cope with taking a wide angle photo of the small room. My advice is to always use a professional photographer<\/a> for such occasions!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Small details can transform a piece of furniture<\/h2>\n

I am very fond of our honest utility\/mid-century desk (originally from Fanny\u2019s Antiques<\/a>) even if it could do with being a bit smaller for the room, it adds character and offers good storage. But felt it also needed a little attention and decorative love. So I glued this bone escutcheon onto the middle drawer. I got it from Louisa Maybury Home<\/a> years ago who has a shop in Woodstock, Oxfordshire and an online site selling stylish Indian and Central Asian home accessories and fashion. <\/p>\n

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Update vintage or antique wooden boxes, doors and desks with an escutcheon. Styling and photo: Charis White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Blog HQ\u2019s \u2018room of one\u2019s own\u2019<\/h2>\n

Packed full of inspiring pattern and colour, I hope the new look will help Blog HQ to do its best to inspire with #moretalesfromtheriverbank. If nothing else, our guests will hopefully enjoy it!<\/p>\n

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I covered an existing dark carpet \u2013 good for sound proofing and insulation with a comfortable under-foot runner from La Redoute.<\/em> Double blinds at the window<\/strong> for directing sunlight and privacy, a white 50mm venetian and an interlined roman blind from Blinds 2 go. The layered effect is sumptuous and hope the blinds might help to keep heat in or out.<\/em> Photos and styling: Charis White<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thank you<\/h2>\n

Thank you so much for reading this. I hope I haven\u2019t made you sea sick with my wonky phone photography! If you have enjoyed this and would like to receive email alerts for free future blog posts, please subscribe below.<\/p>\n

With many thanks,<\/p>\n

Charis x<\/p>\n

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Charis White, interiors writer\/stylist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n