Happiness is what we all want in our homes. To create a space that feels safe and comfortable for those who live in it, work in it, and visit it.
Since Creating Happy Homes is the theme for this year’s East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, exhibitors have their sights set on providing you with the tricks, tools and know-how to create your own bright and beautiful version of happiness. Interior designer and regular show favourite, Kirsty Lindley of Lindley & Co Lifestyle Interiors shares her insights on the trends – Rest, Retreat, Reflect and Realign – driving interior design and décor this year, as well as a few tips on how to create and curate homes which foster these pillars.
Rest and retreat
“We all value our homes and the escape they provide from the stresses of the world. The best ways to enhance the feeling of rest and retreat is to incorporate areas of sanctuary. These areas could be a sitting room, an outdoor lounge or a small reading nook. Make sure not to include any TVs or devices in these areas so you are forced to have an ‘unplugged’ restful time to recharge.”
Reflect
Reflection is a great way to recharge your batteries, and this can be done through a curated gallery wall of memories through photos or collected pieces of object.
The colour blue
Blue always remains a firm favourite, especially in our sunny seaside KZN. Blue can have a calming nature.
“Introduce softer tones into rooms in which you unwind, such as bedrooms and living rooms. Richer tones of blue can add a feeling of sophistication, perfect for dining rooms or home offices. Softer blue tones pair beautifully with neutrals and natural textures as a pared-back contrast. Richer deep blues can be complemented with brass and bronze touches.”
Connecting with nature
Incorporating nature into our interiors has many benefits, psychological and physical.
“Internally in our homes, introducing plants brings in nature, as well as creating beautiful layers. My favourites are delicious monster leaves in a vase or a fiddle leaf fig in a large floor basket. Steer clear of using the faux version of plants. It’s also a great psychological practice to care for your plants and nurture them to grow beautifully.”
Home makeovers
Making over a home can be an expensive exercise. If you are looking to renovate on a budget, think about the smaller items that create a big impact.
“Painting walls a fresher tone always elevates a space – this can be linked to painting skirtings and doors in the same tone as your walls to create a more modern seamless look and feel.”
Sustainability and supporting local
Sustainable living and buying local go hand-in-hand. “We can incorporate more sustainable materials in our interiors by supporting the local artisans who live this ethos. Supporting our own local brands is very important to me – as an interior designer in the industry, I see how difficult it can be to compete with mass-produced, imported products. We need to support the locals who put blood, sweat and tears into their products, not only just for support, but because these items are made with integrity and the quality is second to none.”
Imported goods are, to some extent, made under strict budgets, so quality is not guaranteed. If you want furniture pieces that will last like your grandparent’s pieces did, then find a local craftsman who you can work with to create that piece. Yes, it will be more expensive but you will be getting a piece that will last for generations.
