Need to revamp your home and garden for summer? Interior designer and writer Danielle Proud will show you how – and in her inimitable cool and experimental style. Whether you want an Indian summer, bright boho or everyday chic, follow her tips to get a fun, vibrant look.
Experiment with your look
Change the look of an alfresco setting with mix and match outdoor diningware – goblets, flutes and tumblers in bright block colours or fun floral patterns. If you can’t find a tablecloth or picnic throw you love, try bedlinens or curtains to get that perfect print – just cut out a large square of the fabric and fray the edges or finish with ribbon.
Tip: spend a fun Sunday morning visiting car boot sales to pick up second hand and antique glassware to mix with bright picnicware – don’t be afraid to put together old and the new, it creates an eclectic look with heaps of personality!
Add some sparkle
Bring an ethereal look to your outdoor space with romantic mood lighting. Mix clusters of lanterns in different styles. Or place LED candles inside brown paper bags weighed down with sand. Depending on the size and type of your outdoor space, these look great lining pathways or leading to a door.
Summer–up an indoor space
Breathe new life into a conservatory by simply (and cheaply) changing the soft furnishings – replace cushions with on–trend pastel and rustic prints. Choose summery textures such as fresh cotton and silks. For indoor furniture, dye cushion covers in zingy colours for a breath of fresh air.
Tip: Hang chiffon or lace panels in pure white, pastels or bright colours around windows. Let the fabric puddle on the floor for laidback chic. Clip artificial birds on chandeliers to keep in with this summer’s huge trend for our feathered friends. You can pick these up cheaply from haberdashery shops, or cut out silhouettes in patterned paper, and stick to card, for a DIY take.
East meets West
Tap into the Sex and the City trend with oversized ethnic lanterns and candles in jewel colours – deep pinks, sapphire blues, jade greens and tangerine. Introduce luxurious embroidered cushions and drapes and throws in dark sultry silks. Also check out HomeSense’s gorgeous Indian silk parasols in pink and teal with silver coin fringing – perfect for adding exotic glamour.
Tip: Drape charm necklaces and chains between the arms of a chandelier or candelabra for instant boho chic.
Invest in classics
For timeless garden glamour, pick top end, sturdy oak and teak furniture sets at a fraction of the price from HomeSense. With the money you’ve saved go wild on accessories so you can create different looks. A glitzy Indian parasol screams party; add boho glamour to a picnic with plates and tumblers in bright juicy colours with metallic details. And for everyday chic, splashes of colour are key so mix and match bright and bold cushions on patio chairs and recliners.
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