Meet Minnie

Hi,

I’m Minnie Claridge and I’m an interior designer. I live in a chapel on the Welsh border between Hay-on-Wye and Hereford, with my husband and 2 year old son. I’m obsessed with colour and I love drawing floor plans!

What is your design style?

My style is relaxed but sophisticated and tends towards maximalism. By ‘maximalism’ I mean that I enjoy the thoughtful layering of furniture, décor, colours and textures – but importantly, with space for the eye to rest on a focal point. I don’t like to fill a room to the brim like the Aladdin’s Cave variety of maximalism, but I don’t like an interior to look so symmetrical and polished that you can’t settle down in the space without feeling like you’re ruining the look! For me, it shouldn’t be obvious if something is out of place. I like using design to elevate the everyday so that you feel both a bit special and at ease when you’re in a room.

Who are your design heroes?

My design heroes from history are Alvar Aalto and Eileen Grey. They were both pioneers and I love the way they experimented with materials and finishes, bringing non-traditional or historic materials into interiors. The contemporary designers I love at the moment are Beata Heuman, Nicola Harding and Kit Kemp. They all use colour and materials beautifully, and I love they way they use historic or nostalgic references in their work.

What influences you?

I’m heavily inspired by the British landscape. The Golden Valley in Herefordshire where I live is very beautiful. We are in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, surrounded by mountains and farmland. I love the colours of the land, from the trees to the tilled earth. I love the textures in a storm cloud and the way the colour sits against the greens and browns of a moorland horizon. Individually these colours are just grey, green and brown, but when put together they elevate each other – often described as ‘making colours pop’. Landscapes really influence the unconventional colour combinations I use – nature never gets it wrong! I also love the patterns created by flowers and foliage in a cottage garden, where flowers of different colours and scales build a tapestry – this inspires the way I layer patterns together in interiors. Even the faded blooms of late summer can inspire beautiful colours and textures.

I have a great book called Bold British Design where lots of British designers are interviewed. It asks each of them to define ‘British design’ and the answers are varied but the common theme is comfort. That’s also something I focus on in all my work – effortless and comfortable living.

How do you work with materials?

Materials should feel luxurious without feeling precious – a few knocks makes an interior feel lived in, adding character and personality. Without this, you have a soulless stage set for a photoshoot which is not comfortable to live in. I love raw (but not rustic) materials like marble and wood, and I am fascinated by the way humans adapt natural materials to suit our needs. Gone are the days where an easy-clean surface looked clunky and synthetic! You won’t find grey carpets and sofas in my interiors, only chosen because they hide the stains. You will find modern materials that don’t get stained in the first place! But you will also find natural materials that get better with a bit of use and battering, like hardwood floors and unlacquered brass. I am also drawn to fabrics that show the mark of the maker such as painterly and block-printed linens, sashiko and crewel embroidery, and geometric cut velvets.

I love designing fabrics and wallpapers too, which you can buy from my Spoonflower shop. I love to create custom designs for my clients’ interiors and I can offer discounts by buying directly too!

How do you work with colour?

We all respond differently to colour and it captivates me how much this impacts our mood and, more remarkably, our behaviour. We have somatic and emotional responses to colour that are influenced by our past experiences, so the colours in our homes tell the story of who we are. It has the power to help us be our best selves – whether than be calm, energised, happy, productive, positive, etc. I like mixing lots of colours in an interior, but where the palette tells one clear story. I might only use a tiny amount of some colours, but I love the depth it brings to an interior compared to having everything matching. Colours come alive and develop nuance when put together. The least attractive interior for me is one with a neutral palette and one accent colour used throughout. It’s important to bring it all together in a cohesive style by mixing patterns and textures that sit well together.

How can I book your services?

You can book anything from an ‘Ask Me Anything’ design surgery to a full interior design service. I offer an online service, and in-person site visits locally to Hereforshire and Hay-on-Wye. I communicate with my clients via email, Messenger and Zoom. Contact me using the button below to request my no-obligation Welcome Pack.