Seasonal revamps

INTERIORS

Seasons come and seasons go, yet the décor of our homes tends to remain the same. Giving your home a makeover doesn’t always have to mean a change in wall paints and new upholstery. All you need is a bit of ingenuity to change the look of your interior décor as the seasons change. Each season brings with it a different experience in your home and readjusting your décor can help you see your home and feel it in a whole new light each time. Here are some ideas on how you can go about it.

A simple rule of thumb is, when it is cold, add elements to your décor and when it turns warm, get rid of as many as you can. Come summer and it’s time to roll those Persian carpets and runners away.

Let your floor see the light of day. Floors tend to remain cool during the day and what better than to come in from the heat and run around bare-foot on them.

Also pack away of your heavy blinds and bring out the nice lacy, pastel shaded ones. These let in the sunshine but keep the heat out. They give a lovely burst of colour to each of your rooms. Bring in some nature elements, fill glass vases with some creepers and place them on window sills, coffee and dining tables, and in bare looking corners. Another idea would be to have tall glass vases filled with multi-coloured stones and placed on window sills where they constantly bounce off the light of the sun.

The summer season is also holiday time and this is when you can bring to the forefront all your curios in the showcase. What better way to get into the holiday mood than being reminded of all the great vacations you had.

If you have family photos put on the mantle or on the landing, choose those that are taking during vacations, on beaches and bright sunny locations. They lift the mood of the house all the way.

What happens during autumn?

Summer gives way to autumn and a great way to showcase your home at this time is to bring in hues of brown. Replace your pastel curtains with lace and layer that with a brown and golden streak curtain. During the day you could tie up the brown curtain and in the evenings, as the chill sets in you could let it down. Bring out the runners that you had stored away. Place one under the coffee table, at the foot of your bed and running up the length of the staircase, right down the center. Use sofa backs that are slightly thick and which allow you to sink into them when you sit back. Also throw in a few cushions to complete the look. Empty your glass vases of their greenery and fill them in with a dried flower collection and place packets of potpourri around the house. Bring out some candles cutwork bases and place them on the mantle and on your side tables. The light they throw about can be real soothing and warm. Replace vacation photos with family portraits.

And then of course comes winter. This is a time to fill up the house completely. Bring out the carpets and the thick drapes. During the day, tie up the drapes so that some sunlight comes through and in the evenings draw the blinds so that the house can be kept warm.
Alter your room lighting a bit. Use warm lighting set in sconces. Along with your sofa backs and cushions, add in a warm wrap on either arm rest of your sofa. For those who really want to curl up, this will help them feel all the cozier. Go in for darker shades of browns, maroons and even blues. Throw on a woollen blanket on your table and a protective plastic covering over it. This brings a sense of warmth to the table as well.

The simplest way to go about these changes without investing too much of varying sets of drapes and carpets is to buy those that are reversible. While one side can be used for summers, the other can be used for the colder climates. Replace the content of your vases, photo frames as well as the accessories to your furniture as seasons change. Your guests will be amazed at how your home seems different each time they visit you.