Artspace's Abbie shares the inspiration and practical ideas behind the thoughtfully designed space
What does it take to create a interior that's both stylish and achievable? We spoke with Abbie, Interior Design Manager at Artspace and the creative mind behind our new SNG at Montem show home, to learn more about the ideas that helped shape the space. From the influence of the local area to striking the right balance between style and practicality, she shared how the show home was brought to life; along with some simple styling tips to help you create a home that feels uniquely yours.
What was the inspiration behind the design for SNG at Montem and how did that initial idea evolve into the finished show home?
Our vision was to create a confident, characterful apartment that felt contemporary and aspirational, while remaining comfortable and achievable. We began with a rich, earthy palette and subtle mid-century influences, then developed the scheme by layering in expressive artwork, tactile fabrics and more industrial details. The finished home feels collected and individual rather than overly coordinated, giving it the warmth and personality of a real home.
How did the local surroundings, community and character of Slough influence your design?
Slough is vibrant, diverse and exceptionally well connected, so we wanted the apartment to reflect a modern, sociable lifestyle. Its urban character inspired the use of black metalwork, natural timber and touches of exposed-brick texture, while the warmer colours and playful artwork celebrate the energy and cultural diversity of the local community. We balanced these stronger elements with calm neutrals to create a welcoming retreat from the pace of everyday life.
Was there one particular piece of furniture, artwork, fabric or material that helped shape the rest of the design?
The ochre sofa became a key starting point for the open-plan living space. It’s warm, optimistic colour immediately gave the room a strong identity and helped establish the wider palette of olive green, warm neutrals, natural wood and black accents. The gallery-style artwork above it then brought the colours together and added the eclectic, collected character we wanted throughout the apartment.
How did your choice of colours, textures and materials help shape the atmosphere of the show home?
We used a rich but grounded palette of ochre, olive green, warm taupe and soft cream, punctuated with black for definition. Textural bouclé, woven fabrics, natural timber, patterned rugs and metallic details add depth and stop the neutral elements from feeling flat. Together, these choices create an atmosphere that feels warm, sophisticated and inviting, with enough contrast to give every room its own personality.
What factors influenced your product selection?
Every product needs to support the overall story of the home, but it must also work for the space and the likely buyer. We consider scale, comfort, durability, proportion and how each item will be viewed as someone moves through the apartment. We also look for pieces with a distinctive detail, whether that is an interesting silhouette, tactile finish or unexpected colour, while ensuring that the complete scheme still feels balanced and approachable.
How did you balance style and practicality when designing a show home that needs to appeal to a wide range of buyers?
We selected practical furniture with comfortable proportions and finishes that could withstand everyday life, then elevated the scheme through artwork, lighting and accessories. Larger investment pieces are relatively timeless, while stronger colours and patterns appear in elements that can be updated more easily. This allowed us to give the show home a memorable identity without making it feel too specific to one type of buyer.
What’s your favourite detail in the finished show home and why does it stand out to you?
Our favourite detail is the gallery wall in the living area. It combines different colours, subjects and frame styles, giving the room an immediate sense of personality and making the scheme feel as though it has evolved naturally over time. It also draws the eye towards the seating area and connects beautifully with the ochre sofa and olive-green backdrop.
What techniques did you use to create different zones within the open-plan living area?
We used furniture placement, lighting and rugs to give each area a clear purpose while retaining an open flow. The rug anchors the living area, while the dining table and pendant lighting establish a separate space for eating and entertaining. Repeated colours, timber finishes and black accents visually connect the different zones so that the overall room still feels cohesive.
What do you hope people feel when they first walk in?
We hope people immediately feel welcomed, inspired and able to imagine themselves living there. Although the apartment has plenty of personality, it is also designed to feel relaxed and comfortable. The aim was to create that balance between a memorable show home and somewhere that genuinely feels like home.
Are there any styling tips from the show home that readers could easily recreate in their own homes?
One of the easiest ideas to recreate is to choose a small palette of three or four colours and repeat them in different ways throughout a room. For example, a colour from a statement sofa or artwork can be echoed in cushions, ceramics or books. Mixing textures is equally effective: combine smooth surfaces with woven textiles, natural timber and tactile fabrics to give a room depth. A curated gallery wall is another simple way to introduce personality - vary the artwork and frame styles but repeat one or two colours to keep the arrangement cohesive.