We love the fact that design inspiration is now more accessible and readily available than ever before. We regularly check in with our favourite online creatives and we're happy to be discovering new influences daily. In our newest blog series 'Utility Follows' we'll be sharing with you our favourite sources of inspiration.

To kick off series we've not had to look far as like us, interior designer and blogger Natalie Holden calls Liverpool home. With her blog currently nominated for 'Best Interior Designer Blog' in Amara's prestigious Interior Blog Awards we thought it was about time for a catch up. We recently caught up with Natalie to talk about her design processes, influences and personal style.

What inspired you to get into interior design?
I don't think I ever really knew what I wanted to be when I was growing up, I just knew that I loved art and hated all the academic subjects like maths! My
mum always encouraged me to draw and make things as a child, so I think she was probably the inspiration for choosing a design based career. I kind of fell into Interior Design because it sounded like the most sensible University degree option out of all the creative subjects!

Where do you start when decorating a room?
I normally start with the most expensive item in the room and then work around that. For example, if I'm designing a living room, I will look at sofas initially and go through a process of elimination with all the different brands available. You can start to narrow down the options using these three simple steps.

How would you describe your own personal style, in your home?

I like an eclectic mix of old and new. I love mixing second hand upcycled furniture with bold statement designer style pieces. By budgeting on certain pieces
of second hand furniture, it allows me to spend a bit more on luxury items in my home. You can make something old look brand new by giving it a lick of paint so that it matches perfectly with your colour scheme!

I'm a big believer that your home should tell the story of who you are and what you love. I tend to bring home things from my travels to decorate my home with and I like to think outside the box with my interior, so if like the look of something, I always try to think "is there another way I can use this...other than the most obvious choice?". In other words, I keep an open mind and don't just look in interior shops for my home.

Are there any interior trends that make you shudder?

I really dislike the blingy look with crushed velvet, mirrored furniture and diamontes! I think it looks over the top and can often look cheap. I don't really follow trends and I think you should only buy things if you like it, not just because Elle Decoration or Living Etc is telling you it's the latest trend.

If you could have just one product from Utility, what would it be?

That's such a hard question; I would buy everything in Utility if I could because it's my favourite shop! If I had to pick one item, I'd probably choose the New Works Juliet Pendant Light for my kitchen/diner because that's the room I'm designing at the moment in my new Victorian terraced house. I love the simplicity of the design! You can follow the journey of my home renovation project on my blog.

Are there any Instagram accounts that you love and think we should be following?

I'm going to give some love to the Northerners!

@n_h_interiors - My blog instagram!
@madebyhaybeno
@interiordesigncollective
@swoonworthyblog
@houseofsloane_uk

Have you got a favourite project that you’ve worked on?

I worked on a triplex penthouse apartment in Mann Island a few years ago. It was such a challenging job working with space restrictions, limited access and awkward angled rooms, however the project was so much fun and the views were impressive overlooking the three graces on Liverpool waterfront.

Finally, we’d like to do some reading over lunch - which of your recent blog articles should we start with?

Diary Dates: Essential Home & Design Events To Visit This Year

House Project: I'm Fed Up; Why Is Getting A Mortgage So Laborious?! 

The Evolution Of An Interior

Time for more? Best Interiors on Instagram | Hygge: The Art of Danish happiness | How to Declutter your home