A note for May from Hiltingbury Interiors
Hello
What a gloriously busy month it's been! Between the beautiful weather and exciting projects, we've been making the most of every sunny moment when not immersed in creating beautiful spaces for our wonderful clients.
A Touch of Adventure
On Friday I treated my partner to a truly unique birthday experience that I simply had to share with you. You may have seen it featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces – a converted Boeing 737 that's been transformed into the most extraordinary "glamping" experience near Marwell Zoo.
Hosts Steve and Bex Northam have created something truly special here. This retired aircraft has been thoughtfully converted into a quirky overnight retreat for four, complete with modern amenities and even a flight simulator in the cockpit! The design ingenuity particularly caught my eye – the perspex flooring creates an incredible sense of space in what could have been a cramped environment, when sleeping down in the baggage hold! It's exactly the kind of creative problem-solving needed when converting challenging and unusal spaces.
The boys absolutely loved "flying" us to various destinations throughout the evening, and it reminded me how important it is to inject personality and playfulness into our homes, no matter how sophisticated the overall design.
If you are interested to learn more click here to view the Marwell Mile High Airbnb website.
A Touch of Greenery
One theme that's been particularly prominent this month is the strategic use of plants and greenery – both in residential accessorising and a moss wall in a corporate project. This led me on quite a research journey to find the perfect artificial plant supplier.
Now, as someone who absolutely adores real plants, I understand the reluctance towards fakes. However, there are certain situations where artificial alternatives aren't just practical – they're essential. Think of that gorgeous corner that gets no natural light, or high-traffic commercial spaces where maintenance would be challenging.
My Professional Tips for Artificial Plants:
Mix and Match: Combine high-quality artificial plants with real ones for the most natural look
The Soil Secret: Place faux plants in real compost within their pots – it's amazing how this simple trick enhances authenticity
Commercial Considerations: Always ensure fire-retardant options for commercial and business environments.
Sun-Smart Choices: If your space has intense sunlight (often why real plants struggle), invest in UV-resistant varieties
Container Creativity: Without watering concerns, you can explore beautiful baskets, wicker planters, and other non-traditional containers that complement your décor
We're now stocking a carefully curated selection of premium artificial plants, from delicate succulents to statement ferns, and we'd be delighted to visit your home to help create the perfect botanical arrangement for your space.
Fabric Inspiration
I'm thrilled to share to our latest fabric discoveries from Linwood. Their new collections are simply bursting with summer energy!
The Flori collection features exquisite hand-painted designs inspired by archival documents from around the world – from relaxing tones to vibrant bursts of colour that could transform any room.
Meanwhile, Dimity draws from original French archives, offering sophisticated stripes that beautifully blend bands of colour with delicate patterns. Printed on pure linen and available in 19 stunning colourways, it's perfect for those seeking timeless elegance with a contemporary twist.
Current Projects
As we head into this bank holiday weekend and half-term break, Rachel and I will be juggling work with spending time at Winchester's Theatre Royal. Our daughters are performing in Integr8 Dance's annual production, "Far, Far Away" – an original story featuring talented dancers aged 5-21.
Hiltingbury Interiors is proud to sponsor this wonderful event again this year. If you're looking for entertainment this week, there may be a few tickets remaining, with performances on Thursday and Friday, click the link to check availability. (Please note shows feature either junior or senior performers depending on day and time).
Looking Ahead
As we embrace these longer days and warmer evenings, it's the perfect time to consider how your outdoor spaces flow with your interiors. Whether you're planning a summer refresh or considering larger renovations, we'd love to help you create spaces that truly reflect your lifestyle and personality.
Wishing you a wonderful remainder of the month, and as always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to discuss how we can help make your home even more beautiful.
Warm wishes
Becci x
P.S. If you know someone who might enjoy these monthly insights, please feel free to share – we love welcoming new friends to our design community.