IT’S TIME FOR A REFRESH

In most regions of Australia, spring has most definitely sprung. And from all accounts we’re in for a long, hot and dry summer. Climate politics aside, it’s hard not to see and feel that our summers are getting longer and hotter.

Traditionally at the end of winter, people are inspired to give their homes an overhaul. Spring is the time to clear the clutter, clean, refresh our living spaces and make plenty of room for fresh air to circulate.

It’s also time to reassess the look and feel of your living spaces. Heavy materials and furniture increasingly feel out of place in our heating environment. Aside from the visual appeal, there’s another reason why tropical-style furniture and materials are growing more popular – they reflect our environment.

Top of my list is lusting after some new, boho-inspired light furniture, especially for the bedroom. Interiors Online for instance has an entire bedhead collection that reflects today’s stylish, cool summer look from classical tropical cane to Indian carved bedheads and beautiful Provincial French inspired rattan bedheads.

One word of warning, rattan, cane and bamboo pieces are, by nature, not the sturdiest and strongest pieces of furniture. Comprised of lighter natural materials, they can deteriorate if not protected from the elements or the rough and tumble of young children.

To go with your natural furniture, summer soft fabrics are lighter, often with nature-based or nautical theme prints. You don’t need to go high end on these, there are some great cushions that can be found for less than $20 in many of the larger stores.