Summer is the season of vibrant colours. Re-style your homes, keep the heavy upholstery aside, bathe the walls in strokes of spring-summer shades, set the lights proper and impress all with the vision of a summer-kissed decor.
From selecting an appropriate colour scheme, picking up season-friendly fabrics to something as specific as re-doing the garden furniture for a more 'casual' look, a summer home makeover can work magic.
Interior designer Honey Jolly gives us economic ways to add zing to your home during summer.
What colours to pick To bring brightness to the room, playing with colours is most important and Honey Jolly informs, Emerald green, peach, light blue and sapphire, mint green, exotic coral shades, vivid turquoise, luscious creams, ivory and whites are the recommended picks this season. However, a riot of colours may end up becoming an eyesore to visitors at home.
Keep it simple and floral Designing homes in summer is an exciting proposal provided we steer clear of overt interplay of bright and bold. Elegance matched with aesthetics make for an intelligent combination. She asserts, It is advisable to go for curtains with an understated floral design on a natural and mild-coloured background so as not to overwhelm the room. Compliment your sofa with cushions in green and shades of pink with an intricately crafted lampshade sitting right next to it. Asymmetric or graphic prints can enhance and adorn both bed linens and furnishings like storage chest, wall-mounted bedside mirror and lampshades.
Go eco-friendly Being sensitive to the environment is another pragmatic decision while doing up the house. Wooden furniture, cork flooring, use of untreated wood on wall decorations, 3D wall panels (made out of fibrous extracts of sugarcane) are some 'green' options people today are open to explore as viable decor ideas. According to our interior designer, simple and eco-friendly interiors with a dash of colours in furnishing lend an inviting feeling. She adds, Printed accent pieces of furniture in playful colours can add an extra edge to a neutral interior. Organic and indigenous materials are chic accessories that give an ultra-modern look to the home. Abstract paintings, geometric designs with delicate and quirky motifs, vintage blooms on cushions, rugs of different colours underneath the dining table complete the summer look of a home.
Bring plants home this season Ardent gardeners can spend fulfilling time redefining the concept of kitchen garden. Relaxing amidst greenery in summer seems a luxury. Our expert tells us to go minimal with the outdoor furnishing in case of space crunch. She says, Multi-purpose garden furniture allows an easy storage of gardening tools in drawers which can at times double up as a dining table. Guiding us on the decoration, she adds, You can hang wind chimes on the patio and vegetable garden. Birdhouses are more than a source of ornamentation. Presence of birds infuses life into the garden decor and creates a natural and peaceful ambience for the owner in summer days.
Light it right Choosing the right lanterns and lights is a critical step for a kitchen garden to survive in the season. Select candles for calm nights and opt for lanterns if there's a breeze about. Solar powered lights are a good choice as there aren't any cables, batteries or plugs to worry about. Large garden candles will burn for many hours and are available in all sorts of aroma-therapeutic scents, Honey mentions. You can also try hanging silk flowers on a wall, roof or even tree. Resorting to a little deception with fake flowers can add the look to your garden and keep the guests guessing! she concludes.
Be creative, make for yourself a summer home.
BDST: 1655 HRS, MAR 19, 2015
