I love how homes come alive during the holiday season. Christmas decorations bring sparkle and colour, Christmas trees take pride of place in living spaces, families snuggle up on the sofa and amphitryons work hard in the kitchen to put on a feast.
Yesterday I finally got into the holiday spirit and drew my Season’s Greetings card.
But when the decorations come down, our homes can suddenly feel they’re lacking something, and many will be looking for the cosiness that the holiday temporarily brought.
Earlier in the year I wrote about things you can do to help you beat the January Blues and many of these tips can be used ahead of Christmas too.
It won’t come as a surprise that January is one of the busiest times of the year for interior design. Maybe you already have some projects of your own in mind but if you’re after ideas for improvements that will inject more joy and life to your home, here are a few things you could plan for.
Idea #1: Create a burst of energy by re-decorating a small room, like a cloakroom, with some finishes that take you out of your comfort zone. There are some brilliant wallpaper designs that will have you and your guests gaze at all the details. Brand Mckenzie’s or Mind the Gap’s designs are spectacular for this type of project. Do contact me before you order though, as they can be quite pricey.
Be bold, it’s only a small space. Even lining the back of a wardrobe with a vibrant wallpaper can make the morning routine a lot more exciting.
Idea #2 - Re-discover the pleasure of a fireplace with bio-ethanol
Long gone are the days when an electric stove (or even worse, a video of burning fire flames on a loop) was the default option to introduce the incredible sense of comfort and warmth of an open fire where a real fire couldn't be fitted.
Bio-ethanol fires are available in a wide range of formats, including open fire grates which you can use in a redundant chimney breast, traditional free-standing stoves or more modern wall hung ones. They can literally be placed anywhere with no work required. Inserts can be used within a media wall or on a kitchen island. I use them in many projects as they are so versatile and particularly helpful in smoke control areas like London.
Here is an example of a bio-ethanol fire in action.
Idea # 3 - Add some bespoke storage solutions
Unless there is a place allocated for every single item in your home, it will always be a bit messy. There’s nothing wrong with that, a home is meant to be lived in, but functional storage can make your life so much easier. Whether you live in an older property or a newly-built one, there will be awkward spaces that aren’t used to their full potential and where bespoke storage solutions can be hosted. If you’re a handy DIY-er you could look at hacking some IKEA furniture, but alternatively, using a carpenter to build a made-to-measure solution really is a worthwhile investment. If you don’t know how to get started on this and want to visualise some options, I can help.
Idea #4 - Make an entrance
Maybe it could be time for your hallway to be shown a bit of love. Hallways are so important and yet, they tend to be neglected and become a place ridden with shoes and overloaded coat hangers. Smart storage, a resilient wall covering, colourful artwork or large mirrors are many of the things that can help a hallway become the space it deserves to be. Hallways are connected to the rest of the house and a vital actor in delivering that most important ‘red thread’ that runs throughout the design of your home.
Idea #5 - Upgrade your window treatments
If you think about it, windows are one of the largest surfaces in your rooms. They provide such a great opportunity to add some texture and softness to a space. And of course, they also offer thermal efficiencies. If you’ve been living in your home for a long time, maybe it is time to look at refreshing those? Even replacing your curtain rails and tie backs can give your curtains a second life. You could also consider replacing plain roller blinds with Roman blinds in a nice fabric.
Idea #6 - Create a cosy bathroom
Bathrooms are primarily functional rooms and they can be tricky to style. However, there are some very effective ways to add some warmth and liven them up. So for a light-touch refresh you could look at introducing new soft towels and a new blind, plants or accessories made of natural materials that will help deliver that important connection to nature. Adding some funky artwork is also a great way of making a bathroom feel less clinical. If you want to go one step further, adding texture to one or several surfaces works wonders. There are many innovative decorative panels or wall coverings that can work in moisture prone areas and will immediately transform the space, giving it a lot of depth. And of course, get rid of that brilliant white ceiling ;)
Idea #7 - Give a child the room of their dreams
Now, this is a subject close to my heart as this year alone I created no less than 4 children rooms with a mezzanine level and other unique features. And I have another one in the pipeline. I love designing for children as they tend to be braver in their choices than we adult are and they use the space in different ways than we do, meaning there is so much scope for creative solutions. And they can’t hide their excitement when I present the designs, something that I obviously love!
Idea #8 Create a view with a mural
Honestly, I am amazed at the choice of murals available these days. Printing techniques have improved so much over the years, porcelain tiles or laminate flooring are miles better than they used to be, and so are murals. You can create literally anything, scale the designs to work with your space and add so much depth and interest to a room. And then you can redo it a few years later and totally change the space again! Just browse a few websites such Bobbi Beck, Hovia, Wallism or Photowall and I promise you will feel inspired and be searching for a wall (or ceiling!) to transform. You can also create a feature by lining a long row of tired wardrobes doors or the back of bookcases.
Idea #9 -Treat yourself to a new sofa or a comfy armchair!
I’m not one for throwing things away or fast consumption but sometimes things need to be replaced. Sometimes things unfortunately aren’t built to last, other times we get tired of them. And if you feel guilty that you’re replacing your sofa too early, there are many people who will happily take your pre-loved items off your hands. I work with most of the leading (and smaller) suppliers so do not hesitate to contact me for advice (and better prices).
Idea #10 – Don’t limit yourself to small improvements
If you have a room that is looking tired and you feel that 2024 is the time to remodel it, go for it! You can refresh a room even on a small budget. There are many affordable design strategies that will enhance the feeling of space and deliver the atmosphere you are after. We spend so much time in our homes and a well-designed space is proven to reduce stress and anxiety so you don’t need more excuses than that 😊
Until next time,
Delphine
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