Want to freshen up your rooms for summer? reveals the super buys to snap up to add a new slant to your decor
GABRIELLE FAGAN
MORE and more of us are embracing casual entertaining and stylish eat-in kitchens, rather than formal dining rooms.
The social hub of the home should feel light, airy and inviting. Contemporary country – a chic update on rustic – can be dressed up or down.
For special occasions, add beautiful tablecloths and decorative seat cushions for a touch of glamour, or leave it pared-back and simple for a kick-off-yourshoes impromptu supper. Trend tip: With wooden furniture, opt for pale, lightly washed or matt finishes, where the grain is the star attraction. A sisal, jute or knotted wool rug under a table will help to define the space and bring a layer of comfort and warmth, which works well in an open-plan setting.
Room star: It’s crucial to create an atmosphere around a table, so that when you have people seated around it, the rest of the room recedes. Low-level lighting – a chandelier, or even a row of pendants – will zone the area and make it feel intimate at night. (Ideally, the bottom of the light fixture should fall around 36-inches/91.44cm above the table).
Summer treats: Dress to impress is the order of the day for tables. Interior designers rather grandly describe this as creating a ‘tablescape’ – but really it’s just about making sure your tabletop is visual feast, so that it adds to the pleasure of the occasion.
Feel free to go as elegant or as simple as you wish, but don’t neglect this opportunity to let your style credentials shine. Authentic crafted pieces and quirky touches (be inspired by the fruit bowl for summer motifs) will turn it into a talking point.
LAYERED textiles and light materials in shades of pink and white create a calming, relaxing atmosphere that’s soothing for summer nights when the temperature rises.
A plain neutral palette for the floor and walls allows the textures and detail in this room to shine. (Remember to choose breathable fabrics like linen and cotton for bedding).
Trend tip: If you’re not gifted in the green fingers department, simply fake it with faux plants – greenery is a must for rooms nowadays. Nothing says summer like beautiful blooms and lush foliage, which hints at steamy exotic settings. Adding accessories in rattan, wicker or raffia will bring a taste of cool colonial style to any setting.
Room star: Clutter is the enemy of tranquillity but equally a room dominated with bulky storage can feel overcrowded and oppressive. Imaginative storage solutions such as