SUMMER HOMES ARE MADE IN WINTER
YES , YOU HEARD IT RIGHT ! IT MAY SOUND COUNTERINTUITIVE , BUT WINTER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO BEGIN PREPARING YOUR HOME SO THAT IT IS RIPE AND READY TO SHINE BRIGHT IN THE SUMMER SUN .
IN HER MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A TOP CAPE TOWN INTERIOR DESIGNER , BEHAVIOUR SPECIALIST , AND OWNER OF THE KIM WILLIAMS DESIGN STUDIO , KIM WILLIAMS HAS LEARNED THAT THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING HUNKERED INDOORS DURING THE COLD WINTER IS THE DOWNTIME IT GIVES TO RENOVATE , REDECORATE , AND REJUVENATE YOUR HOME SPACES .
“ IN WINTER , WE NATURALLY TEND TO PREPARE OUR SPACES FOR COMFORT , WARMTH , AND PROTECTION FROM THE HARSH ELEMENTS . THERE ’ S PLENTY OF CANDLES , FLUFFY BLANKETS , THROWS AND TEXTURED CARPETS FOR ADDED LAYERS . EVEN OUR SEATING AREAS ARE REARRANGED SO THAT WE GET MAXIMUM EXPOSURE TO THAT CRACKLING FIREPLACE ,” KIM SAYS .
DESPITE THIS PERIOD OF COCOONING , THERE IS ALSO THE PROSPECT OF SEEING BRIGHTER , LONGER DAYS DURING THE APPROACHING SUMMER . IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW , SHE EXPLAINS FOUR OF THE WAYS SHE GOES ABOUT CRAFTING THE PERFECT SUMMER OASIS .
RECONNECTING WITH COLOUR
INTERIOR SPACES ARE NOW BECOMING MORE EXPRESSIVE AND PERSONAL WHICH HAS TRANSFORMED OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH COLOUR INTO A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY . THERE IS NO DENYING THAT COLOUR BRINGS JOY AND PEACE , A SENSE OF FUN AND LIFE .
IN A RECENT RE-DO OF THE COLEMAN AIRBNB STUDIO , I USED A SOFT PASTEL COLOUR PALETTE THAT INSPIRED FEELINGS OF BEING OUTDOORS , DRINKING IN VIEWS OF THE OCEAN AND BEING WASHED OVER WITH FEELINGS OF SERENITY AND CALMNESS .
TONES OF TURQUOISE AND APPLE GREENS COMBINED WITH A BEAUTIFUL OCEAN THEMED WALLPAPER AND POPS OF GOLD ON THE BATHROOM VANITY AMALGAMATE TO CREATE A MODERN AND PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE THAT ENGAGES YOUR SENSES BUT FEELS HARMONIOUS AT THE SAME TIME .
CREATING MORE WITH LESS LIKE IT OR NOT , THE CONCEPT OF MICRO LIVING IS HERE TO STAY , ESPECIALLY WITH THE ESCALATING PROPERTY PRICES , MAKING IT MORE COSTLY TO BUY MORE SPACE . OUR ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO SHAPE OUR EXISTING SPACES AND CREATE PREMIUM DUAL LIVING AREAS THAT TURN PREVIOUSLY UNUSED SPACE INTO PRACTICAL , FUNCTIONAL , AND INTEGRATED PARTS OF THE HOME