New life for living space

A home can very easily become cluttered with furniture and items that sneak in unnoticed, so it is a good idea to try to look at each room with a fresh viewpoint. Your home is a reflection of yourself, so following your personal style will help you feel relaxed and comfortable in it.

Eid-ul-Fitr is our most important festival. Although not everybody is concerned about their home decor, some are quite enthused to bring a new look to their homes. This change can be very good if planned out well.

Take into consideration the architectural style of your home and do not be too rigid about it. Simplicity of line, colour and soft furnishing can emphasise the details in a room such as sofa, table cloth, upholstery of chair and even stools or vintage painted furniture.

The fabrics you choose for upholstering your sofa, chairs, cushions and curtain are what really make a space sing. Fabric is the life of the decorating party and enhances your home with flavour and personality. Fabric is deeply related with pattern and texture. Choosing a pattern is kind of an art work in the interior; different patterns representing different moods. 

SOFA MAKEOVER

A quick and easy way to create a different look in the sitting room is to throw an interesting panel over the back of the sofa. Find a fabric that has plenty of surface texture; we can use tribal geometrical throws or traditional Nakshi-kantha, as both are brilliant attachments for a sofa back. A mix of geometric patterning and organic, hand-drawn, hand-woven and hand-dyed designs along with the tribal patterns are based on traditional stories and design fundamentals, and so are a decorative chronicle of the life and times of the people who created them. 

Armed sofa covers

For special festivals, you can make a slip cover for your old neglected arm sofa and give it a new lease of life. We are very used to traditional European classical prints for our sofas. Sometimes, small floral printed fabric looks very romantic. Floral patterning comes in such a broad range of approaches that there's surely a style to suit any overall scheme. 

Dining-chair cover

Update your old dining chairs with smart, new covers that fit over the padded seats. Use a red-and-white classical printed cotton or stripes checks fabric for a fresh, classic look that is easy to launder.  Stripes offer an easy way to introduce patterning and pair beautifully with both a simple solid and a more complex floral print. 

Transform your dining chairs for the summer months with fresh, brightly coloured covers that slip easily over the top of formal winter upholstery. Made from rectangles of fabric, the cover is fastened at the back with a large bow to create a soft yet elegant look. When making tailored slipcovers, it always gives a new look. 

Box-edged bench cushions

You can buy or renovate an old wooden box-edged cushion sofa with new printed fabric. Open wicker benches can be given a very smart and revamped look with a colourful floral fabric to create the perfect place to rest in your veranda.

Stool-cover

Look out for an old stool in your store room and pick it for a new look. Cover it with a smart new striped cover that ties together at the corners. It will make a handy seat for the bathroom, as well as a useful surface on which to keep toiletries within comfortable reach of your luxurious bubble bath.

The home is your canvas, waiting to be filed with personality through its decor. So do not neglect your old pieces; with a little innovative care you can magically change your sitting room. I hope these ideas will inspire you to embark on a creative journey.

By Nazneen Haque Mimi 

Interior Consultant, JOURNEYMAN

E-mail: journeyman.interiors@gmail.com

Photo credit and reference: So Simple Slipcover