Warmer weather calls for an interior refresh
Words Carrol Baker
As we roll into spring, winter is but a distant chilly memory. With the warmer weather, it’s time to rejuvenate your home, adding splashes of colour, texture, and nature-inspired looks.
Recycled materials, and upcycled furniture, are making their mark, as are vibrant colours and organic textures. We are seeing bold statement pieces, curves and slimline furniture, coupled with curious textiles and bespoke bohemian accents.
Hey Sunshine
Adding summer vibes to your home means lighting up spaces and adding some splashes of colour and texture. Zoe Cash from Saint Atlas says introducing brighter or pastel accent colours can lighten a room, bringing the essence of spring and summer to your home. “For example, replace your darker-coloured linens and cushions with f orals, nature-themed or nautical-themed prints,” she suggests. “For a coastal-inspired bedroom, add some sandy neutral hues with blue and green accents, and a splash of yellow to add more warmth.”
Tonia Polorotoff from An Interior Thing says in the bedroom, lighter and softer material such as Egyptian or Pima cotton in solid pastels, waffle weave, geometric or f oral patterns gives your space an airy, fun and fresh mood. “This is what the bedroom should be all about in the spring,” she notes. “If f orals aren’t right for your style, add a nod to spring with textural details such as fringe, faux fur or ruffles to add depth and dimension.”
Old Becomes News
It’s time to dust off those pieces of furniture you’ve stored in the garage and give them a new lease on life. Zoe says antique, vintage furniture and decor is making more of a resurgence. “These pieces are often the inspiration for more contemporary furniture, however they’re more unique as they reflect their history in their aged patina and handcrafted quality,” she notes.
Some pieces might just need a wipe over, but if repairs are required, leave that to the experts. Antiques are of real value and DIY without experience may inadvertently devalue them. A beautiful, overstuff ed sofa, striking console, or antique table that is a talking point can all infuse timeless beauty into your interiors.
Snug as a Rug
Add a touch of summer feel-good vibes with the addition of a beautiful designer rug. Organic materials including jute or sisal fabric are a great option. They’re durable and cool underfoot. A stylish rug adds a touch of designer f air. Pop and Groove, two groundbreaking rugs designed by Dutch visionary Bertjan Pot, are a fabulous addition to add colour and texture. These designs blend structure, pattern, colour and technique and they’re suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Lighten Up
With clean lines and simple shapes, adding a mirror to your interiors is an ideal addition to your summer decor. Mirrors are an innovative way to invite more light into your home, and they complement any look or style. Zoe says they’re a simple idea that can make a big impact. “Creating a more airy and open atmosphere to your spring/summer home can be as simple as incorporating large mirrors to reflect light,” she says. “This also serves to create the sense of more space.”
Arched mirrors, and large ovel mirrors, also give the illusion of more depth to a space. Slimline mirror prof les with minimal embellishment is a look that’s on trend.
Spring is Sprung
Spring is a time of renewal, with pretty pastels and calming soft colours. As the long lazy days of summer approach, transition with bolder brighter colours and more dominant accents. To invite warmer seasons into your home, Tonia says introducing displays with plants and f orals is a must. “During winter you might opt for anemones and violets; spring embraces beautiful blooms such as tulips and daffodils,” she says. “We like to accentuate a space with fresh flowers and potted plants around the room. Choose seasonal blooms for a burst of colour and fragrance.”
Colour to Captivate
In the lead up to summer, the colours and tones being embraced by designers are more dominant, with a softer organic vibe. Zoe says bold colour palettes, balanced with nature-inspired tones, are definitely making their mark. “Think lush and moss greens mixed with the softer palettes of peach and lavender, or even hot pinks,” she enthuses.
Muted shades with underlying hues that capture the light are also in demand. “These can include warm neutrals of beige and taupe, with emerald greens and deep purples,” shares Zoe. “Corals, sunset orange, cinnamon brown, turquoise and navy are also having a moment.”
When you design with a fresh colour palette, many designers advocate the 60 30 10 rule. This means 60 per cent is allocated to the principal colour, 30 per cent to the secondary colour which complements the first, and the final 10 per cent is allocated to accent colours. When applied, this is where you’ll see pops of colour that tie the look together.
Collectable Art
Art can provide visual texture, can soften a space as well as add intrigue, joy, or inspire introspection as it taps into human emotions. Tonia suggests swapping out more dominant pieces of art as spring arrives.
“When decorating with art, many pieces, particularly landscapes and florals, can lean more towards a particular season, so if any feel more wintery, swap them out for something brighter,” she suggests. “Select pieces with pastel hues or bright shades to add pops of colour, texture and visual interest to your home.”
Curated Bedroom Spaces
Designer bedrooms are all about creating intimate spaces that reflect who you are. Tonia says personalised wall art can def ne your space. “Create a gallery wall with your favourite photos, artwork, or even DIY pieces,” she says. Incorporate lighter distinctive textiles in spring and summer. “Use unique or handmade textiles for your bedding, curtains or rugs,” adds Tonia. “These can lend a personal touch and make your space feel cosy and inviting.”
Add an ottoman, plush pillows and throws in spring and summer hues. Throw open your windows, draw back the curtains and invite in warm sunlight.
Take a Seat
A comfortable chair is the perfect place to sip a long cool drink in the heat of the day. It can also be a favourite place to unwind after a tough day at work or play. For the living space, GlobeWest’s new Kip occasional chair exudes coastal charm. Keti Lytras from GlobeWest says the light shade of Nimbus Blue softens interiors while adding that welcoming pop of colour. “Paired with our new Emery drum table lamp, which features a faceted glass base and tapered fabric shade, the lamp adds a breezy, airy feel to the room, perfect for summer,” says Keti.
Well Hello Nature
Biophilic design is more than just a buzz word on the lips of designers; it’s part of the way we live. It’s all about living well and connecting with nature by inviting it into our homes. Kerena Berry from Designbx says it not only improves wellbeing, it also improves air quality by introducing living greenery. “Bring the outdoors in by adding potted plants, fresh flowers, or a small herb garden to your kitchen and bathroom,” she advises. “These natural touches add colour, life, and a refreshing connection to nature, instantly transforming the space.”
Designer Damian Corney from Grafico agrees that going au naturel is definitely the way to go. He suggests grabbing bunches of blooms to brighten your space.
“Take a leaf out of nature’s colour palette by looking out the window! What you see in springtime is usually a great source of inspo. “The obvious is grab some flowers and arrange them in your space, however it’s a great colour palette to then use for other homewares such as towels in bathrooms, vases, and even artwork/wallpapers that can bring those spring tones into your spaces.”
Play with Walls
Spring and summer are seasons that are light, breezy and fun. Wallpaper is a fabulous way to brighten up a space for summer. Damian says self-adhesive wallpapers have come a long way over the years. “Being self-adhesive they can be DIY installed,” he points out. “Most self-adhesive wallpapers are removable; I can’t think of a more impactful way to refresh a room.”
There are plenty of other options to brighten up a tired space for spring and summer. “If a full wallpaper feature isn’t your jam, check out peel and stick ‘wall decals’,” suggests Damian. “They’re often used in kids’ rooms but there are designs that could be used in adult spaces, too,” he adds. “I recently used some ‘archway’ decals overlapped in different colours to make a vibrant feature on a wall.”
This article was originally published in Home Design 27.1
