3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL IN 2020
Arden wallpaper by Melissa White.
Now who doesn’t want their home to be as beautiful as it can be in 2020? What then, is the first step to get us there?
The first step to making things refreshed and beautiful is by assessing what you have in the your home to make more beautiful. The first part of the process could fall under the banner of de-cluttering, as we really want to purge all of the things that no longer bring us joy and have outlived their welcome in our homes.
I’m going to start this journal by saying that this will not be a how to on labelling jars and how to fold clothing so you can fit a million t-shirts into one shallow drawer. I’ll leave that to Marie Kondo! What I am going to do is talk about some of the basic principles that I know ring true as well as the benefit of getting rid of the old with purpose for introducing the new. I'll start with what i call my golden rules of consideration, before we get into the top three ways to make your home fabulous in 2020!
Principles: My golden rules of consideration
Rule 1: Simplicity is the ultimate Sophistication
This Leonardo Da Vinci quote rings as true for me as anything I know. When you rid yourself of all the crap around you, there is this instant feeling of expansion and really, a feeling of sophistication. Why sophistication you ask? I can only speak from my perspective, but it’s like going into the home of that friend you know who always seems to have their space together. Their rooms are organised and not normally a bordello of crazy clutter and hell in a hand basket disarray. It’s hard to feel organised and in control if you are living in disorganised confusion. If you scout around online, being sophisticated can be described as ‘becoming more complex, developed, or subtle’. There is a definite subtlety to any person who isn’t tripping over their mess and appears to have created space in their homes and lives for clear thought and confidence. Yes, being organised and uncluttered is definitely more sophisticated! If only for the fact that we feel a lot more organised, clear and confident as we clean out the rubble of our old lives and move into a brighter new one.
I remember my years in Corporate and starting the day with a less than organised desk. It’s automatically difficult to organise and plan a fruitful day if you are shuffling around old papers and tripping over wastebaskets and pens. It normally only took 10 minutes to get my desk organised before my head would become rapidly clearer. Have you felt this too?
By having a clear, clean worktop my mind was suddenly able to prioritise clearly how I was going tackle the day and always made a big difference on how others would perceive me as well. Think about how you feel when you come across someone who has a messy work environment. It instantly makes you feel that they may struggle to do their job properly or handle anything too complex. It’s the same when we visit others who are immersed in clutter in their homes. We wonder how they can think straight. Perhaps we also know this ourselves from experience in being cluttered in our own homes. In any case there is a solution, it just takes some planning to clean in up and clear it out :)
Rule 2: Keep only what you love
Again, not wanting to be Marie Kondo, but you have to admit the de-clutter queen has it nailed in her simple, yet most effective strategy. She asks us this simple question-Does it bring you joy? If you answer yes, you keep the item. If you hesitate or say no, you donate it or throw it away. The KonMari method is simple yet effective, and stops you spending a lot of time justifying how an object may be useful to you at some point and therefore decide to keep it. Marie’s direct yes/no question of whether something brings you joy is a simple, emotion-based question that can be answered almost instantly – That item either makes you feel joy or it doesn’t.
Rule 3: Be who you truly want to be
This takes a little courage, but it’s a terrific way to live. Think about the ways you would like to express yourself in your home. Have you always wanted to paint the dining room red? Do you envision creating a gallery wall that incorporates your own artwork amongst professional pieces you have collected over time ? Your home is for you, and unlike having to show face in a corporate environment that pleases others, the only person or people you need to please is you. Think about how you can express the unique you in your home. It’s your respite in the world and you deserve to enjoy your individuality in it. How about making 2020 the year to make it happen?
Now that we have a couple of benchmark principles, let’s focus on 3 essential ways that can change your life if you more or less followed the above.It’s in these areas you may find you are feeling clearer and ready to tackle 2020.
Top idea 1: Make your favourite space in your home epic.
Ok this is a big one. Often we have a budget and we want to sprinkle it over so many areas of the home that nobody knows you’ve done anything at all. Well, except you. And you are still not happy about it. Scrimping and spending minimal money on a number of smaller projects in your home never gives payback. It looks half done and most of the time, is a total waste of money. Consider instead, choosing your favourite room in 2020, and decorate it to the absolute ‘T’. You will be able to show it off and personally feel a real sense of achievement. Here’s a couple examples of rooms created with knockout results.
Picture.Adam Scougall Design-bedroom with all the trimmings
The Coastal bedroom
In the above bedroom, everything was planned from scratch. It’s the only way to decorate properly. I chose a beautiful wool carpet in just the right shade of sand. We painted the walls in Dulux ‘Natural White’ and hung beautiful curtains that felt as if the blue waves of the ocean had been ‘dip dyed’ into the woven fabric. Stunning sand linen was the basis for the headboard, with it’s horizontal lines creating simple, architectural detail to the head of the bed. The bedding was completely customised, with gorgeous fabrics from Unique Fabrics my choice for the bespoke coverlet. Mirrors were custom made to the perfect size to sit behind the sublime bedside lamps. Simple white floral photographs were selected and expertly framed to add a delicate interest above the bed. Probably the only area we didn’t add that extra layer was on the walls, where we used paint instead of a textured wallpaper. In any case, every element of this gorgeous master bedroom was thought out in the beginning, and the results truly reflect the preparation and sound investment in making this room a wonderful destination to reside in at the end of any day. Stunning riverside views also help set the scene for the rooms happy inhabitants!
Picture.Thom Filicia Inc-living room with all the trimmings
The Layered Living room
This fabulous living room stands out for a number of reasons. Firstly, every surface has been considered in making this room unique. There is nothing cookie cutter about this relaxed room by design legend and television personality Thom Filicia. From the geometric wallpaper to the customised fabrics and spot on art selections, this is one room designed down to the last detail. A winning space!
Top idea 2: Celebrate your walls
Fabulous wallpapers are the way to go this year. Chosen appropriately wallpaper is a game changer for a gorgeous space. Below are some of my favourites for 2020.
Picture: .Adam Scougall Design
‘Peoples’ wallpaper by Harlequin.
Fun & quirky, this paper makes a modern and artistic statement in a simple way. This powder room was the perfect vessel to celebrate the paper. The pooch wall art was my little end touch to add that ‘who knows why but it works’ factor.
Picture: Adam Scougall Design.
‘Elementi’ wallpaper by Zoffany.
The nod to grasscloth is actually a vinyl wallcovering. It’s durable but still beautifully atmospheric, with it’s subtle flecks of platinum silver against midnight blues and grey creating a lively touch to any wall. I love the way my clients still life artwork floats purposely on top of the papers diving texture and flow.
Top idea 3: Create a streamlined entertainment centre
When you look at your television area, do you have cords hanging out everywhere? Is your TV teetering on a too small and dated entertainment unit? Do you have CD’s and DVD’s [remember those?] adding to dust and unsightly views? Too many controls that you don’t even know how to use? Below are some recommendations in creating an entertainment area that is functional, organised and [even-gasp!] beautiful.
Before designing new joinery for an entertainment area [or even before buying a ready made unit] make a list of all of the technology you will need to accommodate. This is everything from your audio equipment [speakers,amplifiers etc] to your foxtel or apple TV unit. What you need to accomodate is the first consideration, before working out how you can hide or store it. Too often this isn’t considered in the beginning, and unsightly results follow.
Picture: Kelly Hoppen Design
Consider mounting your television to the wall. You will probably need an electrician to chase your cables up behind your wall if it is made of gyprock, or if your walls are cement, they may need to create a channel which is a little more complex. Either way speak to a good one who has experience in mounting TV’s and you will be given the best option for your home.
Picture: Kelly Hoppen Design
Make your television screen blend in by introducing open shelves. In the above images by UK designer Kelly Hoppen, she has designed a series of open shelving combined with smart joinery storage cabinets. LED lighting has also been introduced underneath the open shelves to provide ambient lighting. Collections of styled books and accessories make the shelving feel relaxed, comfortable and modern.
AS