My top 4 bold color choices for a Chic and Cozy home
Who doesn’t love a tea or coffee station!! All the goodness of your favorite café right in your own home.
I know I do but I don’t have the biggest kitchen so building a tea/coffee station there and losing some counter and cabinet space was not an option. It’s neither practical nor functional.
So here comes my IKEA KALLAX. I used it for storage purpose before and last year it already got a mini makeover with wallpaper and knobs. And it was the perfect fit for my tea station.
Before jumping into how I built it, I’ve listed 5 of my best tips on how to do it in a smaller space here.
Here are the things I did…
1. Since it is an extension of the living room, I wanted this space to blend with the rest of the area and not become the focal point. So I chose the color palette, décor items and other finishes accordingly. I kept it quite neutral, minimal and purely functional
2. I wanted mainly a functional area that would look classy and elegant at the same time. I’ve incorporated the modern clean lines of IKEA KALLAX with the glass and wooden pieces to give the timeless look. I personally love glass cups and mugs and I think they will never go out of style.
3. To give this space personality, I’ve put a wallpaper; it’s a peel and stick and it is a perfect backdrop to my tea station.
Then comes a pair of sconces, these are not hard wired and I used battery operated lights with a remote and it worked like a charm. The linen shades add softness and detail.
No place is complete without an artwork and here I chose a vintage downloadable print from Etsy keeping in mind that it does not clash with the whole setup.
The cup rail is from IKEA too which got a makeover with some dark bronze paint and silver and gold wax.
4. I kept everything else that were essential but I do not want to display, below. Just had to invest in some good organizers, baskets and trays.
And I’m really happy the way everything turned out; it looks beautiful, functional at the same time and so much more organized now.
Here are my top 5 tips on how to build a tea / coffee station outside a kitchen
1. Paint a wall nook/corner or put up a favorite wallpaper like I did here. Adding some floating shelves which would not only be functional but will also serve for displaying vases and artworks. It’s everything about adding your own personality to the space.
2. Look around your home, if you have a piece of furniture like a sideboard or bar cart which you can use here. There are some sideboards which are specially built for this purpose; I’ve listed a couple of them here . I personally like anything that has drawers and storage and preferably has a working surface.
3. Make sure there is enough lighting. We don’t want to fumble for a cup of bedtime tea at night. The light could be a pair of sconces, pot lights or under cabinet lights if there are cabinets. Talking of lights building a tea station around electrical outlets is important as there would be appliances and of course lights.
4. Invest in some pretty cups/mugs, pots and canisters. Some good trays, baskets, tea bag organizers, syrup bottles always come handy. I’ve listed some of their links here . Then some artworks, books, candles and vases help to put the place together.
5. Keep it cohesive with the rest of the space. Since we’re building it outside the kitchen; it’s generally in the dining area, living area or wherever you want. So keeping it cohesive with the rest of the space is important.
Last but not the least I’d like to add that tea/coffee station is all about personal preferences, some might like one thing more than others so there is no right or wrong about it and just make it fun and what suites you and your family
Let’s talk entryway or foyer !!
The area of the house that people first see when entering, so it should have the personality and style and be functional, cozy and inviting at the same time.
Here are my 6 simple and easy steps to get your favorite entryway done in no time.
1. Focal Point
Like any other space, let’s start with the focal point. It can be anything from wallpaper to any wall treatment, artwork or mirror to even a piece of furniture. And whatever you choose, it should reflect you so anyone coming through the front door gets a glimpse of your style.
Here this gallery wall of vintage prints looks so beautiful and inviting
2. Lighting
Lighting plays an important role in creating the mood of a space. I prefer to have different layers of lighting and in an entryway a pair of sconce or table lamp and a chandelier (I like flush / semi flush mount ones) creates the perfect ambiance that I want.
3. Seating
People need a place to seat while putting on shoes so it is quite an important part while styling an entryway.
It can be a beautiful chair, a bench or ottoman even better a storage ottoman to hide some clutter; anything that’s functional and complements the other details.
4. Storage
Anything and everything looks good in those beautiful baskets. So to avoid clutter in the entryway invest in some good ones which will not only add texture but will also be functional. In addition to baskets, I like to keep bowls or trays as catch all, some cubbies if required and like I mentioned in the previous point a great way is to keep storage ottomans.
So according to your family’s needs pick out the best option to give your entryway the clutter less and effortless look.
5. Rug
Rugs give color and texture to a space at the same time feels cozy and inviting. Choose one that complements the color palette and overall design style.
I prefer a rug of low pile in an entryway, it is practical and looks good too.
6. Accessories
Accessories are like the cherry on top. These little details put together the whole space.
The accessories that are commonly used in an entryway are mirror, artwork, vases, fresh / faux flowers or branches. Nothing seems more welcoming to me than a good scent so investing in some good candles or diffusers is a great idea.
I’ve listed some of my favorite furniture and décor pieces here
Practically speaking, not all are blessed with a big entryway but there are ways to make those tight spaces functional and beautiful
1.Make it Bold
In a small space instead of going against it, embrace it. My favorite way is to make some bold design choices like some dark and moody paint color or a moody wallpaper all around. Along with some bespoke lighting it adds drama and elegance.
In this picture, it is a narrow galley foyer where the addition of this bold wallpaper gives this small space its much needed impact
2. Utilize Vertical Space
Wherever there is a shortage of space, it’s a great idea to use the vertical space a.k.a. walls. Put up some cute hooks for the coats, scarves and stuff. Adding some floating shelves is a good idea too. Building some built-in storage space with a seating bench is both functional and beautiful.
3. Use Mirrors
If it is a small space, another great idea is to add mirror. It makes the space look bigger and brighter. The one thing I’ll take care is what the mirror reflects like a beautiful chandelier or some artworks.
So with all these points you can get your dream entryway that is Pinterest worthy….Happy decorating !!!
Shopping is a very important part of home décor and interior design. Shopping decisions can make or break a space. jump right to the topic
Shopping, when done right not only creates a beautiful, functional and cohesive space but also helps to remain within the budget and in this post, I’m going to cover some of the important decisions to make before shopping.
So here are six of my top tips that I always keep in mind while shopping for both my clients and myself.
1.Making a budget
Making a budget is the first thing that I do to make sure to avoid any “not so good” experience afterwards and most importantly, stick to it.
While making the budget it should not only be about the bigger pieces but considering the smaller décor pieces as well, otherwise those little details would look more of an afterthought.
2. Where to splurge and where not
There are certain things where I like to splurge and certain items that do not.
Let me explain a little; for example, in a bedroom I always love to splurge on the bed, mattress and sleeping pillows (we all love a good night’s sleep isn’t it). So keeping a little bigger part of the budget there ensures comfort and peace of mind in the long run whereas the decorative pillows, throws and other knickknacks (those that we change seasonally) doesn’t have to that expensive.
So, splurge on those items that are functional and you’re willing to keep for a longer period of time and vice-versa.
3.Avoid buying everything from the same store
One of the important things that I try to do always is not buying everything from the same store or more importantly buying those furniture sets to avoid the matchy-matchy look. Buying from different stores (but sticking to your style, that would be my next point) creates a beautiful, interesting and cohesive space.
And if you’re really tempted to buy the bedroom set next time, try not to keep everything from that set in the same room, instead say keep the dresser in the guest or kids room.
4.Know your style and stick to it
When you know your style, shopping and creating a beautiful home becomes much easier. It doesn’t matter what the style is, traditional, modern or an eclectic mix of styles. Once you’ve a clear vision in your mind create a mood board in Pinterest or just save some inspo pictures and that will help a lot in making your shopping choices.
And once you make it, try to stick to it; just because a certain green armchair looks great in someone else’s room, doesn’t guarantee it will look great everywhere.
5.Plan the layout
Planning the perfect layout ensures better use of the space, better traffic flow and makes the space look visually interesting too. One other thing it does is deciding which item / furniture pieces goes where. For example, how big the sofa should be or is there space for a side table and so on.
Talking of layout, and important part is measuring and that is my next point.
6.Measure and measure
While shopping, measuring tape is my best friend.
Measure the space, measure the item and also the distance between wall and furniture or between furniture pieces; so yes a lot of measurements. If measurements are not correct it will result in a out of scale space.
When measuring, it is important to measure the packaging as well to make sure it fits through the doors, otherwise it can be a bit of problem.
SO HAPPY SHOPPING !!
1.Know you style
Knowing your design style is equally important both for renters and homeowners. All the points that I’ll be discussing here are based on this. Most rental properties do not come with any architectural details or any style of it’s own. So figuring out how you want your space to look is the starting point of the process. This also ensures a cohesive look. This will point you to the correct direction while choosing the furniture, lightings and all the other accessories.
2. Smart Storage Solutions
Almost all the rental properties come with very limited storage, so we’ve to make our own..
- Declutter often and shop wisely
- Opt for furniture pieces with more storage rather than open units. furniture with drawers are my absolute favorites
- Pretty boxes and baskets
- Benches and ottomans with storage
- Utilize the space under the bed if there is enough room
3.Make a focal point
You might not get a focal point like an architectural detail or a fireplace if you’re renting. In that case we’ve to build one. It can be a furniture piece or an artwork, even an wallpapered wall; anything to which the eyes are drawn to.
4.Light Fixtures
We all know when we’re renting, we are not a big fan of the existing light fittings. So we’ve to make our own. Firstly creating layers and multi directional lighting, floor lamps, table lamps, plug in scones, battery operated picture lights all are renter friendly. In some places, the landlord can also allow to change the ceiling fixture (of course you’ve to change it back when leaving)
5.Furniture layout
Just like knowing your style, this one is equally important for renters and home owners alike. Deciding the correct furniture layout ensures better use of the space, improved traffic movement and creating a cozy and beautiful home that reflects your own personality.
6.Window Treatment
Most rental property doors and windows come with blinds that are not aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Instead of living with those vertical blinds, you can take them down, keep somewhere safe (you’ve to put them back when leaving) and install your own window treatment. Instantly it will make such a change, you’ll love it.
7.Wallpaper / Paint and contact paper
Almost all landlords allows you to paint as long as you paint it back the same color when you leave the rental. So grab your favorite paint color and give the space your personal touch.
Another option is peel-and-stick wallpaper and murals. There are so many options and they look beautiful. You can definitely find something of your style and these are really easy to install. The best thing is, they don’t damage the walls at all.
8.Kitchen Island
We all love a good kitchen island both for function and aesthetics. But most of the rental properties do not come with one. So if you want one and have that amount of space in/adjacent to your kitchen, you can put one of your own. There are a plenty of options in the market which does not need any installation like some kitchen carts on wheels or you an use a table even. I’ve put some product links here
9.Textures and artwork
Make your rental property cozy and personalized through your favorite textures, artwork and rugs. Choosing your favorite piece of artwork can serve as the focal point of the space and give the room it’s own personality. To know more about how to choose the correct artwork, read my blog on the subject here.
A beautiful rug on floor ties the whole space together and brings so much coziness too. Add you favorite throw, pillows, baskets, vases and other decorative objects to bring style and warmth.
10.Bring some greenery in
Last but not the least, if you have a green-thumb you can add some indoor plants to your space and bring some outdoor in. It will make a huge difference. Even if you’re not that good with plants, there are many that requires minimal maintenance or you can go for some faux options as well.
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