Methodical Monochrome interior: a window display for the IKEA Tottenham Court Road store [AD]

[This is a paid partnership with IKEA, images: Cate St Hill]

When I first moved to London I lived in student halls of residence just off Tottenham Court Road. Unable to put much of a stamp on my own standard issue, single-bed room, I would often wander down this busy inner city street, peering wistfully into the windows of its famous interior shops. Cosy bedroom set-ups would always catch my eye – I dreamt of a home of my own, with a huge, inviting bed and luxurious layers of soft bedding.

So, 13 years later, it’s a bit of a dream come true for IKEA to invite me to design my own window display at their Tottenham Court Road store, a few doors down from where my own London life began.

For this project, I was asked to give my take on their Spring/Summer 2019 Methodical Monochrome trend, which is all about combining sustainable and functional products with bold graphics and statement furniture to create a stripped-back, sophisticated look that caters to modern urban rituals.

For me, monochrome interiors are timeless and elegant. When I think of monochrome, I think of effortlessly chic Breton striped jumpers, classic black and white movies, optical Bridget Riley paintings, Brutalist architecture and palette cleansing minimalist spaces. A real hodgepodge of influences, but all distinctive and original, as well as sharp and stylish. In the home, monochrome for me means plain, neutral walls, black and white photo frames and graphic pops of pattern. I think monochrome interiors are refreshing because the contrast between the black and the white is so great – the two colours complement each other and create a sense of dynamism that lifts a space.

For the window display I wanted to create a cosy, urban oasis to entice people in. I hoped people walking past, perhaps tired from shopping or walking home from work, would look in and think, ‘I would really like to curl up there right now and rest a while’. That meant creating a space that appealed to the senses with rich textures and soothing elements of nature.

I started off by creating a mood board of the space. I create these visualisations on Photoshop at the start of all interior styling projects to help me imagine what the space will look like and how it will feel to be in. As the store is a planning studio dedicated to the kitchen and bedroom, I needed to work with the PAX wardrobes already in situ and create a calm setting suited for rest and relaxation.

Once my ideas had taken shape, I then worked with IKEA’s interior design leader, Clotilde Passalacqua, to bring my vision to life in the store.

The idea was to create a tranquil sanctuary that by day could be used as a practical living room and by night transform into a cosy bedroom space. I think this is true of a lot of homes today – as our spaces get smaller, especially in urban settings like London, we need to think of more flexible solutions that can adapt to our lifestyles. This look would suit a studio apartment for one or a compact living room where you might have guests staying.

The centrepiece of the scheme is Tom Dixon’s DELAKTIG chaise longue. This modular bed-sofa (so nicknamed by Dixon rather than the ubiquitous sofa bed) is designed to be customisable and adaptable; you can start with the lightweight aluminium frame and add components as your needs change or your style evolves. In Swedish the name means ‘being involved’ – DELAKTIG is conceived by Dixon as an open platform that inspires people to make it their own. You add a task lamp and side table to create a surface to work from or add armrests and back cushions to transform it into a comfortable sofa. Simply take them off and you have a flat surface to sleep on.

The TÄNKVÄRD room divider is another piece that can help with flexibility. Use it to divide open plan rooms, create a corner of privacy or hang clothes if you’re lacking in wardrobe space. Here I’ve used it to provide a textural backdrop for the DELAKTIG chaise longue.

Monochrome interiors can sometimes feel a bit too strong or masculine; I wanted to soften the clean lines and industrial features by bringing the outside in.

A key element of the Methodical Monochrome trend is sustainability.  IKEA’s anthracite KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts for instance are made entirely out of recycled wood and recycled PET-bottles; about 25 half-litre plastic bottles are needed in order to cover the matte black finish on a KUNGSBACKA door.

A great way to start to be environmentally minded in the home is to think about what your homeware is made of and look to natural materials that will stand the test of time and just get better with age. There’s a preconception that sustainability means expensive finishes and designer pieces only for those who can afford them, but IKEA has some brilliant affordable alternatives. Look to materials such as renewable rattan, fast growing bamboo, durable jute and seagrass, cotton from more sustainable sources, recycled fabrics and natural linen.

This look is all about building up the textures and layering. A durable jute rug, MELHOLT, provides a naturally varied, neutral base when paired with the softly patterned RÖRKÄR rug. Hand-woven seagrass and rattan baskets contrast with the smooth metal finishes, while cotton-linen blend throws and pure wool blankets add some warmth. Speckled stoneware vases add some curved, tactile shapes.

The scheme needs the graphic patterns such as the striped SNÖFRID cushion to bring it all to life and provide some bold focal points to draw the eye in.

Plants are another easy way to bring the outside in and create a restful space that will soothe your wellbeing and make you feel better. In a bedroom space, choose air-purifying varieties such as peace lily, English Ivy, spider plant or aloe vera to rid the air of toxins. They’ll provide a hint of colour to an otherwise monochrome look and help create a healthy, thriving space conducive to a good night’s sleep (you can read a bit about the colour psychology of green and why I love it so much here). If you don’t have much space, you could display plants on a sunny windowsill or even on top of a wardrobe.

With a few simple updates it’s easy to recreate the look of this Methodical Monochrome urban oasis – pile up cosy blankets in baskets ready for chilly evenings, organise a messy wardrobe with smart black hangers or give your coffee table a refresh and re-style.

Get the look:
1. GLADOM tray table, £15
2. SNIDAD basket, £25
3. FULLTALIG candlestick set of 3, £9
4. ULRIKSBERG armchair, £90
5. JOHANNE cushion cover, £10
6. GRADVIS vase, £5
7. JOFRID throw, £35
8. DELAKTIG LED floor lamp, £70
9. GRÅFIBBLA throw, £45
10. GLITTRIG bowl set of 3, £8
11. RÖRKÄR rug, £17
12. DELAKTIG Chaise longue with armrest, £460
13. DINERA mug, £1.50
14. TÄNKVÄRD basket with handles, £9
15. JOHANNE throw, £25
16. VITTSJÖ coffee table, £35
17. ALMALIE throw, £25
18. TÄNKVÄRD Room divider, £85
19. STRYKIS hanger, £3
20. LIVSVERK vase, £3.50
21. BULLIG box, £8
22. SNÖFRID Cushion cover, £10

One of the easiest ways to achieve the Methodical Monochrome look is by styling your space with the seasons. In my home I will often change things up or move items around throughout the year to suit the feel of what is going on outside. In the summer I’ll have more vibrant greenery, plants and lightweight textures, while in the winter I’ll get out the thicker blankets and light all the candles. If you prioritise how a space feels to be in, you’ll create something that will connect with you on a more meaningful level that just aesthetics. This started with the idea of something bold and monochrome, but evolved into a natural, green-filled retreat that instantly sets you at ease.

At the moment it’s raining in London, so I’ll be dreaming of a cosy scene like this, with a steaming mug of tea and a good book to read.

What do you think, could Methodical Monochrome be for you?