Hi and welcome!

I’m Ruth Matthews, a London based interiors blogger and author.  Design Soda was created in 2013, to document my journey creating a beautiful, small space on a tight budget. Nine years later, I no longer live in a cool part of town but I am the house-proud owner of a house in the furthest lying London borough to the South. I live with my husband, son and Cat Dinah (who often earns her living as a good photo prop!). Design Soda charts our continuing journey making an interesting family home that doesn’t compromise on style but doesn’t break the bank.  I am the author of  ‘Own Your Zone: Maximising Style and Space to live and work in the Modern Home’,  published by Hardie Grant.

Our home is dotted with natural history and flea market finds, but is not a museum piece, it’s very much a lived-in family home. This is a blog for people who like trends and good design but are averse to tearsheet looks. I believe in taking inspiration from everything and am open to all design that doesn’t look too serious or contrived. Design Soda is just at home coveting cutting edge design as it is browsing the aisles of homewares in supermarkets.

This blog is where my various interests come together, and you’ll find everything from styling, makeovers, and design, to travel, d.i.y, and sometimes pictures of the things that capture my imagination around my home city of London. As I am not entirely 2-D you can also expect to find the odd lifestyle piece that grabs my attention but for the main part we are all about Design. Oh and colour! Which is why I also co-hosted the popular Instagram hashtag #colourmyhome in 2017.

If you’d like hire me or collaborate, please contact me here. I have taken on varied roles from content creation through my blog and Instagram,  styling at London Design Week, shooting images for the Farrow & Ball inspiration brochure, shooting product for brands use, and as an e-stylist for clients. I am always delighted to work with carefully selected brands I feel are in line with my style and the ethos of the blog.

Thanks for visiting. Hope to see you again soon.

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