Design is relevant. To the times. To the space. And to the people.
Given our economical and sociological conditions with a special mention of climate and weather that dictates the existence and prosperity of our species, due diligence must be given to astute design.
Go Evergreen
Back to nature and basics is a reassuring thought that we are doing our bit for our future generations. Today, with the radical increase in our population and purse strings; and as we take up riverbeds and farmland in extending our urbania, our focus must remain in creating environmental friendly and ethically-rooted, sustainable structures with minimal negative ecological impact.
Use of natural building materials that may be abundant, given the geographical location of the space, that are biodegradable, most times recycled and salvaged, hard wearing through climate changes and low on maintenance, is definitely the way forward. Old home layouts with central court yards replete with earthen floors, stone pillars, tiled roofs, were cleverly constructed to let abundant light, circulate air and regulate temperature naturally. These time weathered structures aged gracefully and today stand tall to tell a natural tale. There is virtue in the ideology of reduce, reuse and recycle.
DIY: Use of laterite in hot and humid conditions, lime plaster, wood floors, living walls and roof, compressed earth blocks, hemp/timber/straw/reeds is bringing nature indoors and integrating the space into its environment.
The rich earthy tones are a positive fallout of infusing organic back into our lives, making environment friendly also fashionable. The perks, watch heady earthy colours of terracotta, cork, clay, wicker, ceramics, bamboo, sand, gravel and rust come alive.
The junta and their uncles have turned classic hating into an art form! Warm designs, rounded edges, clean details whilst moving away from midcentury and typical classical have be refined, and today repackaged as the new contemporary. Modern isn’t meant to conjure up images of cold, dark, stark and office reception! Thoughtful pairing with a touch of history, a mix of the old with sleek simplicity is a two thumbs up. Art nouveau, shabby chic and flirty Victorian styles are all the rage now. Vintage upcycling is the new buzzword. Restoring the old has its merits.
Let timeless and subdued retro resonate through your furnishings and accessories only. A discreet, smart infusion without going OTT will bring the cha cha back in the space without screaming bellbottoms! Please do not be limited to getting off on bold patterned floors. A terrifying thought, you’ll get stuck with that look when the trend wanes and have to break the bank again. Of course, wallpaper and wall texturing are both the most effective way to carry a trend in the short term. So don’t be a square. Explore geometry. Accentuate with a dash of lines, curves, angles into the monotony of plains. Remember, shapes are totally in.
Colours are integral to a space. They are the quintessential definition of individuality and self, reflecting mood and personality, and apparently like death and taxes, totally ubiquitous, I’ve heard!
Warm up your common spaces like the living, dining and kitchen and stimulate your social spaces. Warm can mean warm whites as well and not necessarily going over the deep end into crazy crimson! Unless you wash it on an accent wall in your dining space as an appetite stimulant; crimson is guaranteed to have your guests wolfing down that paella before its out of the pan!
A coat of warm amber on your walls is a wonderful way to welcome guests into your home while distressed rustic green paired with memorabilia and antiques giving the space a touch of history and gloss.
Cool colours in personal spaces are for privacy, rest, rejuvenation and tranquillity. A splash of a cool blue hue for nirvana, vibrant green for the sleep deprived, silver and metallica for the exercise buff, purple to get your creative juices flowing and brown in the boudoir for the win with unending vigour and verve in the rumble and tumble department!
DIY: Follow the 80/20 rule, if walls remain nude, colour unexpected accents like the ceiling, a lampshade, the cushions or the window sills to bring in a burst of life into a space. Trim and mouldings in a lighter shade give it some expanse as well.
Tight corners and small spaces need some pixie dust and silver to seem larger. Mirrors are the answer. Enhancing light and depth of a room, a wall of antique mirrors, grouped together, turned up on the side or layered up will instantly lengthen the size of the wall as well as give depth to the space without it looking weighed down.
Drama in the entry way, showcasing previews of the lobby, enhancing views, adding oomph to small spaces and as a statement piece, mirrors add a dramatic effect to a space. Play with them as fun artworks and decor elements with clever use to enhance the style quotient of the room. Antique mirrored kitchen backsplashes in lieu of tiles, mirrored doorways for the faux expanse, even that singular mirrored vintage piece of furniture reminiscent of an eclectic era lends an elegant charm to the space.
So, stay cool this summer, go forth and design!
The writer is an interior designer and director at Sugar My Space, Studio SMS.
