Exquisite August 16

HOMESDECOR
COCKTAIL
PARTY
SPACE
Redecorating your interior
with fresh new colours
and design ideas creates
entertaining options
BY FAITH KROO
Avoid major decorating overhauls like new flooring,
paint or furniture. Creating a space for cocktail
parties, tea gatherings and special occasions can be
as simple as utilising colours and accessories you
already have.
STARTING POINT
An interior decorator will tell you to achieve high impact
change by switching out your accessories room by room. A
good place to start is the living room because that is the space
we usually entertain in. For a fresh look swap artwork and
textiles from your bedroom. Bedroom curtains can now be in
your living room, and work with softer colours and styles. Add
mirrors and more lighting to brighten and enlarge the space.
Add reflective large vases made of crystal or cut glass filled
with bright flowers.
If you have a tired-looking, gloomy sofa, buy a bright new
throw to toss over it. Oranges, yellows and reds add a warm
buzz while elegant beige/white neutrals pair with most
paintings and artwork.
THEME AND COLOUR
What are your travel souvenirs doing in the closet? Take the
good ones out, dust them and place them strategically on
coffee and side tables, shelves and dining tables. Have a theme
like exotic Asia with your Balinese and Thai items. Or oriental
zen with your Japanese ones. You can even play around with
bamboo floor mats, carpets, rugs and wall hangings. Follow up
with little water features, exotic plants and porcelain.
Use a colour wheel you can find online. Complimentary
colours are found opposite each other, while dominant and
accent colours appear side-by-side on the wheel. It’s a great
tool that will help ensure your success.
If you plan to hang paintings or posters make sure they
harmonise with your flooring, walls and furniture. Black and
white photography works go well with almost every colour
scheme and decor feature.
Red increases blood pressure, heartbeat and energy in most
people. It instills feelings of intimacy and passion. Red also
increases the appetite, which explains why it is used so often
in restaurants, and why it can be a good choice for a formal
dining room.
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