Dress up your home without spending a fortune.
Home furnishings and decorating doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor, because even small and inexpensive items can turn your abode into an attractive, warm and beautiful one. With that in mind, we thought it was high time we got some expert advice on easy yet effective ways to update your home over the forthcoming colder months from Thomas Lundgren, CEO of one of Abu Dhabi’s trendiest shops, The One.
What are the main trends for winter this year?
We’re seeing a contemporary take on the colonial look along with the French 1920s theme of glamour and opulence. The rebelliousness and eccentricity of the bohemian 1970s rock ’n’ roll movement has returned along with clean, modern and masculine styles.
Are certain types of accessories in style this winter?
As always, when we go into winter, fragranced candles are a must. There is also a greater focus on wall art. The trend is to have more of it and for it to be bigger in size, as well as grouping small pieces together to form a bigger collage or picture wall.
What are the main colours that will dominate winter this year?
Combinations of greyish blue, brown and beige are popular. Coral, green, gold and hints of pink are also coming through which are fun and these are not your traditional winter colours. [Expect to see] the more wintery tones of dark red, green, blue, black and then a monochrome base with chocolate brown and navy.
What sort of furniture trends will people see at The One this season?
Pieces with character that are different or unique, like one-off, man-sized wood sculptures or leather chairs that look like you’ve inherited them.
Can you tell us some inexpensive ways to update your home?
You can achieve a lot with little money if you change your scatter cushions and your throws and invest in quality scented candles and good atmospheric lighting for your home. These pieces do not need to cost you an arm and a leg. Updating small occasional products like mirrors, side tables and coffee tables as well as rugs will make a big difference.
What advice would you give to people who are looking at completely updating their homes?
Plan the look you want to achieve. Begin by deciding on the style. If you’re not sure what colours to go for, start with a neutral colour palette and add accent colours by way of accessories. Always follow your style through and don’t mix and match too much.
What are some common mistakes that people make when decorating?
People often mix too many different styles or they don’t follow a colour pattern. Another common mistake is hanging wall art too high, which makes it look like it’s not part of the overall interior design. Pictures need to feel ‘connected’ with the furniture: 20cm above the sofa is a good rule of thumb. Another one to avoid is using light bulbs with too high a wattage, creating harsh light that is not pleasing to the eye. Switch to energy saving light bulbs.
Are there any particular pieces of furniture that make a good feature for your home?
Since the living room is the heart of the home, stylish yet comfortable sofas are the most important feature pieces. In terms of statement making accessories, go for one-off wooden sculptures and don’t forget indoor plants – the bigger, the better.
If you don’t have a huge budget, what should you splurge on and what should you save on?
Splurge on quality pieces. Invest in a really good mattress, sofa and dining chairs. You will want these pieces to last you years, so comfort and craftsmanship are key. Save on quantity. When it comes to furniture, don’t impulse buy. If you purchase cheap pieces, the likelihood is that they won’t last very long or you’ll get bored with them and want to throw them away.
Tell us the must-have items for this winter?
A warm and cosy atmosphere at home starts with good lighting and a nice ambience. One idea is to buy candles and aroma diffusers from the same fragrance family so you can cultivate your own personal fragrance throughout your home this season.
Head to www.theone.com for more info and store locations
A guide to decorating
Want to dress up your home but don’t know where to start and don’t have the cash to throw at an interior designer? Don’t panic because Time Out’s inside expert, Angela Beitz, unveils some of her design knowledge.
Separate a large room into zones.
Make the room more homely and accessorise with comfy chairs, a rug, a lamp and artwork. For a coordinated look, pick materials for the whole room from a single collection. Zara Home and Home Centre have lots of options.
Flowers are a cheap way to bring vibrancy to any room.
So next time you’re buying the groceries at Spinneys, pick up a bunch of seasonal flowers. The One also do a fabulous range of fake flowers that look amazing.
Feature chairs are a strong trend.
Highlight a shapely chair with piping and by upholstering it in a bold colour. If you’re hesitant, choose a shade several tones lighter than your original colour choice. Marina offers a large range of bespoke sitting chairs that are worth taking a look at.
Use wallpaper like art.
It’s less of an investment – all you’ll need is a roll or an extra-long offcut for a similarly framed piece.
Make stylish pendant lighting the focal point of a dining room with low-key blinds and furniture.
Use two-three pendant lights along the length of a rectangular table or a single pendant over a round table. Hang them low to create an intimate atmosphere but high enough so you can talk with each other easily. Don’t turn your nose up at Ikea. They have a wide range of lighting products that are great and won’t cost a fortune.
Create a mood board or book.
Assemble paint colours, swatches of wallpaper and fabrics, pictures of furniture and accessories, and see how they work together. Arrange the samples in the same proportion as they’d appear in your design to ensure a realistic impression of the finished room.
