HOME + GARDEN
HOW TO... BEAT THE HEAT!
WE WAIT ALL YEAR FOR THE SUN TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE AND THEN END UP WITH AN APOCALYPTIC HEATWAVE. SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE YOUR HOME( AND SLEEP) MORE BEARABLE THIS SUMMER? insideKENT ASKED A RANGE OF EXPERTS FOR THEIR TOP TIPS; HERE’ S WHAT THEY SAID.
CREATE A COOL DOWN CORNER There is a good reason why our Mediterranean cousins have siestas- it keeps them out of the heat at the hottest part of the day. One way we can embrace the same principles( even if we can’ t sneak in an afternoon nap) is to create a cool down corner and embrace the habit to use it at the same time each afternoon.
According to Kate Palmer, creative director of The Painted Furniture Company( paintedfurnitureco. co. uk), there are six key principles to doing so:
Choose the right position first- aim for a north- or east-facing spot that avoids the afternoon sun and a ground-floor corner that will hold less heat than an upstairs room; a sitting room or hallway is ideal. Lean into cooling colours- pale blues, soft greens, stone tones and cool whites all have a genuine visual cooling effect. You don’ t need to repaint the whole room; a piece of furniture in these tones can anchor the palette of your little retreat. Prioritise natural, breathable materials- linen, cotton, rattan and solid wood are your hot weather friends here. They don’ t trap the heat the way synthetics and plastics do. Think about airflow- position your corner near a window for evening airflow and a small handheld fan is a practical fix without being an unsightly design move. Keep it uncluttered- your cool down space will work best when it feels visually calm. A simple chair or daybed, a side table for an iced drink and perhaps a plant or two is all you really need. Ensure cohesion with the rest of your space- your cool down corner should feel a considered part of your interiors not something that’ s just been plonked in randomly, so pick out colours
162 • www. insidekent. co. uk