How to get the look and right feel for under R500
● A pair of bright throws, or boldly patterned pillows, cost less than R450 at budget stores.
● Drape a throw over a chair in your kitchen to make it more winter friendly.
● Go for copper accents in the kitchen in cabinet handles, pendant lights or cookware.
● Maximise on daylight. Hang a large mirror to reflect light into a room.
● Make kitchen curtains. Buy colourful or patterned fabric, hem the raw edges and use clip-style curtain rings over rods.
● Paint kitchen chairs with chalk paint using warm winter colours.
● Place a sheepskin rug on the floor, or toss a rug over an ottoman.
● Layer one rug on top of another to add visual interest.
● Place a bowl of potpourri in a room, in wintry scents such as cinnamon or pine needles. trend, and works well in a kitchen. “The kitchen is the heart of the home, and an exposed brick wall brings with it warm orange and red undertones,” she says.
If you have curtains in your kitchen, draw them at night as an additional layer of insulation and warmth.
BATHROOM
The bathroom tends to be the whitest room in the house, so the best way to warm it is to incorporate rustic elements in the decor – interesting patterns, natural-looking materials and contrasting textures.
“In tiles, you’ll see a range of nature-inspired themes and colours, including faux wood or stone-like tiles, which will imbue your bathroom with earthy textures and tones,” says Margolius. Blues, turquoise and greens are great painting colours for a bathroom, “but remember, accentuation is better than full colour”.
“Another great way to warm your bathroom is to personalise it with objets d’art – a hand-carved African stool or an interesting candle holder,” she says.
Sanitary technology has made it easy to raise the actual temperature of the bathroom. If your budget allows, you can’t go wrong with a heated towel rail, even in matt black.
“Matt black is the strongest colour trend this winter in bathroom surfaces, finishes, lights and taps. It’s a great way to add warm sophistication,” says Pieters.