The Power of Planning, Proud Moments & New Finds

Behind the Design

Issue #3

This Week’s Renovation Progress:
The Power of Planning

So, what’s been happening with our renovation plans this week?

Well… not a lot! And that’s absolutely fine. Here’s why.

In the world of renovations, especially on social media, it can feel like progress should be constant, with big, visible changes happening daily. But in reality, renovations have their own rhythm. Some weeks are full of action, while others are spent behind the scenes, laying the groundwork for what’s to come.

And that’s all part of the process. It’s important to embrace these quieter moments and not lose sight of why you started in the first place.

Laying the Foundations: The Site Survey

This week, I completed a full site survey of our home, an essential step before I start drawing our floor plans to scale.

While estate agent floor plans provide a rough idea, they often lack precision, and when planning a renovation, accuracy is everything.

I began by sketching out the floor plan and methodically measuring every wall, taking note of ceiling heights, radiators, fireplaces, electrical points, skirting boards, and picture rails. These small details may seem insignificant now, but having them recorded will save time and frustration later when making key design decisions.

What’s Next?

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be translating these measurements into a scaled 2D CAD floor plan. This will allow me to experiment with different layout options before settling on the best one for our family.

When we first moved in, we had to rush through a full electrical re-wire and heating installation due to the urgency of making the house liveable.

Now that we have the time, I’ll be revisiting the electrical and lighting plans, ensuring they truly meet our needs.

While I expect the radiator placements to remain the same, mapping them out will help with future spatial planning - especially when it comes to furniture layouts.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing our layout options, walking you through the pros and cons of each, and highlighting the key things I consider when making these decisions.

Hopefully, this will help you think about your own home in a new way!

Behind the Scenes at Hinton House Interiors This Week

It’s been an exciting week at Hinton House Interiors!

Last Friday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday (SBS) Awards - a fantastic event celebrating and supporting small businesses across the UK.

Last year, I was honoured to be selected by Theo Paphitis as an SBS winner. With only 1% of applicants being successful, it felt like such an achievement to be chosen and to stand alongside so many inspiring small business owners at the event.

Each week, Theo personally selects businesses to join this incredible community, offering mentorship, networking, and opportunities to help them grow.

If you run a small business yourself, I’d highly recommend checking out the entry criteria - it’s a brilliant initiative!

Over the past year, I’ve had access to bootcamps, training, and business support through SBS, and on Friday 21st, I had the opportunity to attend the annual event, meet Theo, and collect my certificate. The day was packed with networking, inspiring talks, and training sessions, an invaluable experience, and I already can’t wait to go back next year!

On top of that, I was also thrilled to receive a Best in Houzz Award for 2025! It’s an honour to have my work recognised, and although I won’t be able to attend the awards ceremony next month, I hope this is just the beginning - fingers crossed for more exciting opportunities in the future!

SBS Welcome Gifts. We also got a wonderful goody bag.

SBS Event: A great day of talks, inspiration and learning.

This Week's Designer Picks
A New Find: Beautiful & Responsibly Sourced Home Textiles

This week, I received some gorgeous samples from a new-to-me store that offers beautifully crafted bed linen, curtains, and accessories.

This small, family-run business is built on responsible sourcing and ethical practices, and they’re proudly B Corp certified - which means they meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact.

Their collection is truly stunning, and the quality of their bed linen is exceptional!

I love discovering new brands to introduce to my clients, and I only ever recommend products or services that I would personally use in my own home.

Needless to say, I already have my eye on a few new bed sets and throws!

You can check them out here...

Secret Linen Store | Secret Luxury Bedding, Bed Linen, Duvets, Pillows

This isn’t a sponsored feature, and I’m not receiving any benefits for mentioning them - I just love sharing great finds!

Renovation Remedies: Practical Tips & Tricks
Create a ‘Must-Have’ vs. ‘Nice-to-Have’ List

When planning your renovation, it’s easy to get carried away with ideas and wish-list items. To stay on track (and within budget!), create a Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have List:

✔ Must-Haves - these are the essentials that will make a real difference to how your home functions. Think structural changes, layout improvements, heating, insulation, or necessary upgrades like rewiring.

✨ Nice-to-Haves - these are the extras that would be wonderful but aren’t essential. Think premium finishes, built-in cabinetry, or feature lighting.

Why this works: When unexpected costs arise (which they always do!), you’ll already know where you can adjust your budget without compromising the core of your renovation.

Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to share more with you next week!

Southampton, Hampshire UK
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