One of the things I have always loved most about designing interiors is the way the final layers can completely change a room.
You can have a beautiful sofa, a lovely rug and all the right furniture in place, but it is often the cushions, artwork and smaller styling pieces that make the space feel warm, balanced and finished.
The tricky part is knowing how to pull those final pieces together.
Over the years, I have had so many clients tell me they love individual cushions but have no idea what to put with them. They might find one beautiful patterned cushion, then get stuck trying to choose the next one. Should it be another pattern? A plain? A different colour? The same colour? And how many cushions are too many?
It can quickly start to feel much more complicated than it should.
That was something I really wanted to address when creating Hay & Co Studio.
Rather than designing each cushion as a standalone piece, I approached the collection in the same way I would approach an entire room. I thought about how the colours would connect, how the patterns would sit alongside one another and how different scales could be layered without the overall look feeling too busy.
Some designs are softer and quieter, while others bring more movement or personality. There are patterns that work as the starting point for a scheme and others that help balance everything out. The aim was to create enough variation to make a room feel interesting, while still ensuring the collection felt cohesive.
I wanted someone to be able to choose the cushions they naturally loved and feel confident that they would work together.
Of course, styling will always be personal. Some people love a more layered look, while others prefer something simpler and more restrained. There is no single formula that suits every home. But having a collection that has been designed as a whole makes the process much easier.
It takes away some of the uncertainty.
You can mix patterns because the colours already relate to one another. You can layer different designs because the scale and balance have been considered. And you can create something that feels collected and individual without having to search across endless stores and suppliers.
For me, Hay & Co Studio is not about creating a perfectly styled room. It is about making it easier to create a home that feels warm, considered and complete.
The hard work happens in the design process, so the styling part can feel simple, enjoyable and instinctive.