How to Create a Sanctuary in Your Home?
INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS-HOW TO: 8 SMALL BUT JOYFUL WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME ‘A SANCTUARY’ DURING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCK DOWN.
Find yourself some soothing joy and cosiness! revive yourself with a ‘snug’ within your home.
Lock downs create pressure and stress. Staring at four walls, no matter how nice can become very difficult over time. Snugs however, provide something different to a typical lounge or a sitting room. They place more emphasis on warm, comfort and protection for families. They create calm and insist on relaxation. The current coronavirus pandemic has forced people to use spaces in different ways. I’m sure either yourself or someone you know has had to re-think room use during these unprecedented times, particularly those with children!
Never again shall a generation of people take for granted the simple and best things in life, that bring the most joy: the freedom of a long-bike ride in the sunshine, eating Ice-cream in the park, hugging and visiting a loved one, going to the cinema or a restaurant, an ice-cold drink with friends and simply being connected with the world physically again!
Cosiness - Noun. a state of warm, snug comfort. Comfortableness - a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain; "he is a man who enjoys his comfort"; "she longed for the comfortableness of her armchair"
Whilst the sub-conscious mind and natural instinct within us, longs for us to be connected with family, friends and nature once more, these times will happen again soon. Until then we can find simple indoor pleasures that do not require a complete overhaul of your Interior space. Take simple interior design inspiration by creating and enjoying a calming refuge within your homes from simple everyday essentials.
1. READING ‘NOOKS’…
The most important part of creating cosiness, is it is all about what matters to you most, welcoming you on every level: be it a snug with a thousand karate chopped cushions, an Aga overflowing with freshly baked Chocolate Muffins or relaxing with the aroma of Basil and Mandarin Candles and reading a good book. Interior Design has seen a huge increase in ‘reading nooks’, the new alternative to the ‘home library. A tailored quiet zone within your home, encouraging you to sit, read, relax, enjoy some quiet time and let your mind wander. ‘That line’ in Sex and the City where Carrie Bradshaw declared ‘I love the smell of a new book’ with a look of delight is well loved, only rivaled by her limited edition and signed Manolo Blahnik purchases!
2. MATERIAL GIRL…
Materials have long provided comfort and aesthetic perfection. They are engaging in every sense of the word. Ranging from soft textures you can’t stop touching, to feeling deep comfort as you drop yourself into a couch where the fabric is a hue of buoyant sea waves enhanced by rolling, comfortable cushions. Materials like Cashmere, found in luxury blankets and throws provide comfort, warmth and define cosiness! Utilise an array of cashmere and cashmere mixed materials to create your cosy indoor reading nook.
3. NATURAL WOMAN…
Bringing nature inside can always be achieved from the vast array of available plants and flowers, these can be purchased online at reasonable prices. Even supermarkets these days’ supply beautiful botanical home wares in designer vases, which can be delivered alongside your regular grocery shopping. Interior Design has seen a HUGE trend in 2020 for wall murals in particular over sized peonies and floral decals all with moody dark backgrounds that place the emphasis on the intricate floral arrangements. You only have to ask Google about this trend and cue a thousand images of floral wall murals, this is one trend you cannot afford to miss. Paint a wall a lush serene green or add art depicting landscapes and escapism scenes from nature to bring the vibrant outdoors, in. The new ‘now age’ is seeking spiritual essential-ism with the current recent pandemic.
4. JOY TO THE WORLD…
The gift and power of music to create and improve your mood and state of mind is unrivaled. Music allows you to curate your own relaxed happy environment, so ditch the social media, sit back in comfort and relax and unwind with some of your most favourite ‘you/family time’ tracks. Alternatively, pick up the pace, excitement and have a family jig in your own spaces, get loved ones involved for plenty of smiles…. I’m sure Justin said “can’t stop the feeling!”
5. SHE SMELLS SEASHELLS…
I have yet to find someone on planet earth who does not utilise Oil diffuser sticks or scented candles in their home! Scientific studies have proven that fragrances can interact with the brain to impact our moods, stress levels, and even working capacities. The endless combinations available are far too many to name, however some of our very favourites include:
1. Paddywax Eco Collection | The Paddywax Eco Collection is dedicated to using materials and ingredients that are safe for both you and the environment. Supplied in a green glass bottle and packaged in a wooden veneer tube, they will perfume your home beautifully for a maximum of six months. Available at: www.utilitygift.co.uk
2. Nest Moroccan Amber Scented Reed Diffuser | Created with high quality fragrance oils, the reed diffuser is renowned for its ability to continuously infuse a room with memorable fragrance. The diffuser boasts spicy notes of Moroccan Amber, sweet Patchouli and Bergamot, which are cooled with a refreshing dose of Eucalyptus. Expect a long-lasting aroma that is rich and exotic. Available at: www.lookfantastic.com
3. Reed Diffuser Flowers | For something a little unique, these Reed diffuser flowers can be used with any oil in any container. Since the sola flowers are made from Sesbania skin and the reed is made of rattan wood, they function as both an air freshener and accent piece simultaneously. Available at: www.amazon.co.uk
4. Tom Dixon | Water: A blend of watermelon and amber musk | We are totally in love with everything these have to offer: they look like glass tinctures that you could imagine Coco Chanel using, when experimenting and devising perfume ingredients to make No.5! Available at: www.johnlewis.co.uk
6. THE ART OF IT…
In addition to ‘reading nooks’ the home gallery with displayed artworks from; your ‘little Van Gogh in the making’, a wall of pictures showing favourite places you have visited, places on your bucket list, or memories that you treasure, are all welcome additions to any interior space. A designated space in your home where you can take 5 minutes getting lost in those extremely happy moments. This kind of space does not need to be a well-designed perfectly framed affair, it could even been a stack of photo albums-the idea behind this concept is you embracing those special moments and mementos of your life.
7. LET THERE BE MORE LIGHT…
I apologise already for talking about this subject again…so will be brief! We know you get it that lighting makes a humongous impact on interiors…for creating mood, atmosphere, well-being. It has to serve functionally, aesthetically and be arranged in layers throughout your interior space. Yet the most important light you can utilise is the natural light available to your space. Dimmer switches can most definitely, when the mood takes you, be a best friend!
SPEAK INTERIOR DESIGN MANCHESTER
8. FINALLY LETS GO TO BED…
Last week we had some unbelievable fun focusing on Interior Design from the past via Instagram, you can find all the fun here: www.instagram.com/speakdesign1 with particular reference to the 80s, do you remember the track ‘Shake your head’ featuring Kim Basinger?.…there were some elaborate bed designs featured in our interior design of the past content, that are definitely worth a look. Investment in high quality cotton bedding, so soft against the skin, is the key to better sleep and with a good nights sleep our overall well being is significantly improved. Invest in your sleep, you will not regret it.
We hope you enjoyed reading this informative blog.
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Hello From Speak,
We relish the opportunity to create interior design inspired by nature. We love to maximise space, leverage colour, and blend architectural features with modern design.
Contact us to SPEAK about our in person bespoke interior design services or view and purchase one of our virtual Atelier Crafted eDesign services. We would love to hear from you and explore the rich possibilities! What can we accomplish together?