The Layering Edit
Can we collectively agree to live by Shrek’s greatest teaching: layers aren’t just for onions?
Victoria Scott
One of the things I’m most passionate about in interior design is layering. Whether I’m designing a home bathroom or a hospitality suite, I believe the most compelling spaces are built through thoughtful layers of materials, textures, and, crucially, lighting. Together, these elements create depth, tell a story, and transform a space into something memorable, functional, and enjoyable to experience.
Baby Blair’s Room
When designing my wee boy’s bedroom, I knew I wanted to create a space that felt playful, colourful, and full of personality, while still having the longevity to grow with him over the years. A striped wallpaper was always going to make an appearance (if you know, you know), but I didn’t want that to be where the fun stopped.
The ceiling is often a forgotten canvas, yet it accounts for such a significant portion of a room’s design. Incorporating it into the scheme was always going to enhance the layered approach, adding another dimension of pattern, personality, and visual interest. Working within a tight budget meant being creative with where I invested, so when I came across a celestial-print wallpaper for less than £15 a roll, it felt like a no-brainer. Rather than limiting pattern to the walls, I used it to clad the ceiling, introducing another layer of interest and a sense of whimsy to the room.
As for the ceiling lighting, a standard lampshade was never going to cut the mustard. After a little hunting, Facebook Marketplace came up trumps with a pair of imitation designer light fittings that look like molten lava when lit and miniature planets when switched off, a happy coincidence given the celestial theme overhead. At just £20 for the pair, they were an absolute steal, proving once again that creating layers of interest doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune.
Paired with blue woodwork and coving, the different elements work together to create a space that feels joyful, imaginative, and full of character. It’s a room that sparks curiosity and encourages play, and one that I hope he’ll continue to love as he grows, not least because wallpapering a ceiling is an experience my mum and I aren’t in a hurry to repeat.
When curating layers to bring a space to life, don’t feel every layer has to carry the same price tag. Often the most successful schemes combine investment pieces with clever budget, antique and marketplace finds. There’s a well-known saying about mixing sugar with… something else, I can never remember exactly what, but the principle holds true in interiors.
Splurge vs Save – Striped Wallpaper
Splurge: The wallpaper I initially fell head over heels for was Little Greene’s sumptuous ‘Broad Stripe’. With its timeless appeal and beautifully balanced proportions, it’s easy to see why it’s a designer favourite. However, at £87 per roll, it wasn’t quite in keeping with the budget for this project.
Save: Enter Dunelm’s ‘Bold Stripe Wallpaper’. Delivering a remarkably similar look for just £12 per roll, it offered all the impact of a classic stripe without the designer price tag.
The Verdict? Sometimes it’s worth saving on one layer of a scheme to free up budget for others. After all, successful interiors aren’t defined by how much you spend, but by how thoughtfully you layer the elements together.
APEX Strength Training, Kilmarnock
If my son’s bedroom was a lesson in playful layering, my next project demonstrates how the same approach can be used to create atmosphere, depth, and a strong sense of place. After all, layers aren’t just for children’s bedrooms… or onions.
When Pamela and Kenny approached me to help elevate the interior of their well-established personal training business, I was delighted to get involved. While the brief was relatively open, they knew they wanted the space to reflect the premium service they provide and create an environment that felt every bit as considered as their client experience.
The flavour of what they wanted was already there; my role was simply to refine the vision, add depth, and, of course, introduce a few carefully considered layers.
Before we delve into APEX, I’m prepared to die on this hill: gloss-painted woodwork has had its day. It has certainly served us well in high-traffic spaces, but for me, it now instantly dates an interior. Instead, I’m increasingly drawn to its more refined cousin; the ultra-chic matt finish. Not only does it feel more contemporary, but it also allows the other layers within a scheme; texture, materiality and lighting to take centre stage.
At APEX, the glossy woodwork was one of the first elements to leave the building. In its place came matt finishings, layers of texture, carefully considered lighting all working together to create a more elevated aesthetic while remaining true to the brand.
In the building that APEX calls home, natural light is limited, so as I wanted to introduce planting to soften the bold aesthetic, faux options were always going to be the most practical choice.
For me, greenery adds another layer to almost any interior. It brings texture, softness and a sense of life to a space, helping to balance the clean lines and create a more welcoming environment. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t appreciate a maintenance-free alternative?
Splurge vs Save – Faux Plants
When it comes to faux planting, quality really does make a difference. While budget options can provide a welcome dose of greenery, investing a little more often results in a much more convincing and impactful addition to a space.
Splurge: Areca Palm
Blooming Artificial – £70.00
With its realistic trunk detailing, varied leaf tones and impressive scale, this Areca Palm brings all the benefits of biophilic design without the maintenance. It’s the kind of faux plant that regularly has people reaching out to check if it’s real.
Save: FEJKA Artificial Areca Palm
IKEA- £40.00
At a significantly lower price point, IKEA’s FEJKA palm offers a simple and affordable way to introduce greenery into a scheme. While it may not have the same level of realism as its premium counterpart, it still provides softness, texture and visual interest where budgets are tighter.
The Verdict? If there’s one area I’d encourage clients to stretch the budget, it’s artificial planting. A high-quality faux plant can transform a corner, soften architectural lines and add another layer of texture to a space. That said, a well-placed budget option is still infinitely better than no greenery at all.
By adding an unexpected layer behind the signage in the form of a backlit mirror, the space immediately felt softer and more welcoming. The warm glow helps to balance the darker palette, creating an inviting focal point for clients as they move through the studio.
Much like the interiors, APEX’s approach to training is built on thoughtful layers. Their offering extends beyond exercise alone, combining expertise, accountability and community to create an experience that genuinely supports clients in achieving their goals.
To find out more about how APEX can help you get stronger, healthier and more confident, visit the APEX website or connect with the team on Instagram at @apexstrengthtraining. Their approach is built on a simple philosophy: strong is for everyone.
Whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining an entire space, thoughtful layering has the power to transform not only the way an interior looks, but also the way it makes you feel.
If you’d like help creating interiors that tell a story and are designed to be enjoyed, not endured, get in touch via Instagram: @victoria.scott_
