It’s always a wonderful idea to subtly evolve and restyle your living environment with the seasons, reflecting our changing thoughts, inspirations, and lifestyle choices throughout the year. Small but deliberate adjustments – like shuffling around artwork and furniture and mixing in new accent colours in accessories, plants, cushions and throws – can transform your home’s dynamic and create a space that feels ‘new’ and inspiring, without necessarily changing very much at all.
Add artwork to instantly refresh the space
A painting by Nancy Cadogan hangs above Katharine's Ralph Lauren rosewood bar
Emily Swift Jones' abstract metallic painting brings energy and life to the space
It’s amazing how just a few cushions and lampshades can change the overall atmosphere and vibe of a space. Moving art around also makes a tremendous difference, and is my absolute top tip when restyling. I added a turquoise piece by Nancy Cadogan above my Ralph Lauren rosewood bar and it created an entirely new dynamic. I also swapped a darker painting in my dining room for a metallic abstract work by British artist Emily Swift Jones which is much lighter and fresher for spring. This one change has completely refreshed the room.
To restyle your home without getting other’s help, you can also consider creating a new feature to draw the eye. Perhaps a large statement mirror, a collection of plants, a new sculpture or accessories or a dramatic floor rug. One single, intentional object can create a shift in the focal point of the room and transform the whole space.
Pick a colour story and go from there
Chicken and duck porcelains add a touch of deliberate colour
Teal blue accents create a point of interest and add colour and life to the living room
Every colour story needs an anchor point, so decide what this could be and work from there. In my kitchen, some chicken porcelains add a splash of colour, and I try to have colourful flowers from the garden too. In my entrance hall, a single ikat silk cushion brings a burst of colour in an otherwise neutral space. Restyling a dining room is really simple and effective, just add a new colour accent in your placemats, china and candles – I recently added teal blue accents to mine. Kim Seybert in the US does a fabulous selection of coloured candles while Mrs Alice in the UK is superb for elegant placemats in original colours.
Invest in statement pieces that bring you joy
An antique turquoise chinoiserie bureau is a statement piece that adds colour and ample storage space
As work-from-home has become a new normal in recent years, I would recommend investing in pieces that would make our work-from-home experience more comfortable and exciting. A good desk is critical: I am particularly drawn to mid-century and the art deco style, as they are stylish but allow for ample storage. 1st Dibs is one of my favourite websites for finding unusual desks or lamps. A good lamp can be key to creating a style statement, and also for effective task lighting. In my own home, I have an antique turquoise chinoiserie bureau piece which I love because I can close its doors and hide all my stationery when not in use. To add colour and interest, consider a statement piece of art or an elegantly styled wall of display shelving, which will elevate the space instantly too. Finally, picking a chair that supports your back is absolutely critical – I love working sitting in a Kneeler chair.
Editor
Katharine Pooley
