Order your made to measure and ready-made rugs and runners now for January 2025 delivery

close basket

Your favourite products have been saved in your wishlist, click the heart to view them anytime.
View Wishlist

The Alternative Blog

Sandra Baker, known as the  @_the_idle_hands to her followers on Instagram, is admired for her keen eye for interior styling, beautifully documented through her aesthetically pleasing posts on her profile and blog. Characterised by vintage florals, elegant wallpapers and pops of colour, Sandra has caught the attention of a dedicated audience. Her passion for DIY projects and her willingness to experiment with new ideas have made her a source of inspiration for many! In our latest blog post, we delve into Sandra’s creativity, explore her recent bedroom renovation featuring our cosy, undyed 100% Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka carpet, and gather her top decorating tips to help you transform your own living spaces.

Sandra Baker

Can you describe your interior style in three words?

Considered, muted colour.

Alternative Flooring x Sandra Baker of @the_idle_hands Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka bedroom carpetSandra’s beautiful countryside bedroom, featuring our Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka carpet

Our Wool Hygge collection draws inspiration from the Danish concept of Hygge, embodying a cosy, contented mood filled with comfort and joy. This name perfectly captures the essence of the collection, as each product is crafted from 100% undyed Nordic wool, consisting of soft shades that are gentle and comforting.

The range features three unique weaves, each named after Nordic concepts: Sisu, Fika and Koselig. The shades are inspired by the cosy, warm drinks that we all enjoy: Mokka, Early Grey, Kakao, Warm Milk, Kaffe (some using the Nordic spellings).

What’s important to you when you’re searching for the best floor covering?

Given that my rooms are usually decorated in patterned wallpaper, it’s really important that my floor covering complements it by being quietly beautiful. Comfort and tactility is important to me, as is finding the perfect colour.

What stood out to you the most about the Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka carpet?

I loved the texture, it was really striking and unusual. I’m always drawn to sisal floor coverings, but wanted a little more softness underfoot in the bedroom.

I thought the Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka carpet had the interesting,  textured look of sisal, but the comfort level of wool underfoot.

Alternative Flooring x Sandra Baker of @the_idle_hands Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka bedroom carpetOur softly textured Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka carpet

How has your interior style evolved over the years?

I’ve always been a sucker for florals, muted colours, and wallpaper, but my style has definitely shifted over the past few years from bolder, darker colours to lighter, fresher hues. I think being at home during the pandemic, when the mood of the nation was pretty bleak, made me want to banish the darkness from my own home and bring in the light!

How would you encourage others to introduce patterns – whether subtle or bold into their floor?

If, like me, you have a lot of patterns in your décor, whether in wallpaper or accessories, then a patterned floor covering can be too much. I’d find the perfect neutral-toned carpet and make it interesting by picking something with a texture, like I did in the bedroom. If things are more neutral in your home, then a bold carpet can work brilliantly as a focal point. A stair runner would be a perfect place to try this out for a wow-factor hallway.

Alternative Flooring x Sandra Baker of @the_idle_hands Wool Hygge Sisu Mokka bedroom carpet

What’s next on your renovation journey/DIY hit list?

It never ends! I’m planning to revamp my entire hallway, stairs and landing, which has the last of the dark paintwork in the house, and then both my daughters want to redecorate their rooms, so I’m going to be busy this summer!

Thank you Sandra, we adore your beautiful bedroom and are grateful to be a part of it!

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Sign up for Alternative News Sign Up!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive fun and fabulous interiors inspo straight to your inbox. 

By joining our mailing list you consent to having your data processed as shown in our privacy policy.

The Edit - home style by Alternative