Recipe for stunning style

Jane Rockett and Lucy St George share their vision for imaginative, inviting interiors with Gabrielle Fagan

Interiors emporium Rockett St George, is renowned for its quirky eye and distinctive, glamorous look – and capturing these vibes in your own home has never been easier, as brand founder Jane Rockett and Lucy St George have shared their secrets in a new book, Extraordinary Interiors. Here, Jane and Lucy talk to us about staying inspired, and how to recreate their style in your own home...

How do you create a really unique interior?

“Our answer is always the same – you are completely individual in every way, so the secret to creating a unique look is simply to express your personality in your home,” says Jane. “Whether it’s objects you have made yourself, family pieces, vintage kitchenware or precious children’s art, it can all look fabulous when displayed well.”

TIP: Always curate (sort the wheat from the chaff) and display your chosen pieces well, and remember, less is more. Feel free to change collections to reflect different seasons, or just because you want to shake things up.

How do you decide on a decor theme?

“We love white rooms with beautiful monochrome accessories – they are stylish, calm and timeless. But nothing gets us more excited than gorgeous dark walls.

“Historically, dark paints were at their most popular during Victorian times, but they look fabulous in modern, traditional, rustic and urban interiors,” says Lucy.

“A lovely dark wall will make all your favourite accessories pop – wood looks gorgeous against a strong backdrop, bright colours sing and plants simply glow.” TIP: Wood-clad walls add warmth and texture, but wood-effect wallpaper is also an option. Always consider the direction of your room before choosing a paint colour, as the light will affect the look.

South-facing rooms enjoy warm, natural light and can take most colours, while north-facing rooms need a warmbased colour with underlying brown and yellow tones, rather than cool, bluebased hues.

How do you choose a focal point for a room?

“We talk a lot about ‘style spots’ – a focal point that grabs the eye. It’s a grouping of furniture, artwork and lighting that fits beautifully together and creates impact,” explains Jane.

“When planning a room, we encourage people to split the space up into sections, such as the fireplace, the seating area, the entrance and so on, then to consider each one as an individual style spot.

“It’s always worth shifting furniture around and trying out different combinations for a week or so, to see if a new arrangement works better. It’s amazing how this can change the energy in a space and create a fresh, positive atmosphere.”

TIP: Display a collection of pictures, photos, album covers or even handbags on a wall. Before hanging framed pieces, lay them out on the floor to devise a layout and make sure they work well together.

Space artworks at least 4cm apart to give each one room to breathe, and put your favourite (or largest) in the middle at eye level, then build outwards from there.

l Rockett St George Extraordinary Interiors: Show-stopping Looks For Beautiful Rooms by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George, photography by Debi Treloar, is published by Ryland Peters and Small, priced £19.99.

Available to readers for the special price of £14.99 (inc p&p). Call Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quote ref: LZ9

The secret to creating a unique look is simply to express your personality in your home