Weekendin Singapore Feb '14 | Issue 11 | Page 74

intheHOME intheHOME Transform your outdoors Whether you have a blacony, patio, veranda or garden, turn your outdoor space into a beautiful cottage garden. Transform your outdoor living space by adding comfy furniture. Avoid anything contemporary. Instead look for Adirondack, wicker, or painted metal shellback chairs. The furniture doesn’t have to match: Part of the charm is how informal it is. An eclectic mix fits right in. Cottage gardens don’t look designed. In fact, they’re usually exuberant, free-flowering, and sometimes even unrestrained. To get the informal look, avoid planting in straight lines or defined patterns. Let plants cascade over paths and weave through each other. It adds to their charm. And grow self-seeding plants that pop up in unexpected places. Owl 2-tier cupcake stand, $12.95 Cupcake wrap & pix jungle pals 12pk, $12.95 Roma 2-Seater Sofa – White, $2302, available at Danish Design 2. Give Painted Furniture a Chance Forget any pre-conceived notions that you may have about colourful furniture being tacky and too over the top. On the contrary, painted furniture can introduce special charm and joy into a room, especially if it is an antique piece. Newer pieces with intricate designs and hand painted addons are also a wonderful way to bring some cottage style inspiration into your home. If you have the choice, pick out pieces that have a distressed or weathered look to them as pieces that look a little rough around the edges are the epitome of cottage elegance. You can give recycled pieces made out of driftwood and old furniture a new lease on life simply by adding a coat of paint over them. Pieces such as these make for the perfect addition to rooms seeking to achieve a cottage-inspired theme. 3. Add Cheerful Patterns & Colours Pay a visit to the next flea market in town and you will be surprised at the myriad of trinkets and vintage finds that you will be able to get your hands on. Instead of opting for neutral coloured accessories, choose some with a burst of colour and character. Most of the time, the little details can make or break the feel of one’s space. If you are aiming for a cosy cottageinspired feel, then stick to the theme and bypass anything that screams modern and opt for comfort and warmth instead. Get creative and play around with patterns and colours. Do not be afraid to mix and match but remember not to overdo it as you do not want your accessories and addons to clash with your furniture. Pick a general theme and play around with it. For example if you are hoping to achieve a beach cottage-inspired look, stick to ocean themed colours and decor. Beige, teal, grey, white, and turquoise go wonderfully together so have some fun playing around with your theme’s colour palette. At the end of the day, keep things simple and you will find that achieving a rustic cottage-inspired flair and feel in your home is not as difficult as you envisioned. Remember to retain your own personal style and you will be all set to have guests over in no time. Good luck! Weekendin 74 75 Weekendin