Tired of walking into the same living room at home every day? Maybe it’s time to move things around a little; change that throw on your couch, jazz up the entire room with some colour or add a new home accent. And if you have the time and resources, then go on and revamp the entire room, or your home, even. Product designer Parminder Pal Singh, better known as Bubbles, who recently showcased his home décor collection at Amethyst, suggests minor but smart changes to change the look of a room. “While changing your sofa every year might not be an option, why not go ahead and add a personal touch to your home with accents that are a reflection of your personality?” he says.
The brain behind Madheke and Taamaa, luxury and lifestyle brands in the home segment, Bubbles says his collections too spell the distinction in tastes people might have. “While Madheke is a luxury line with more expensive materials and straight lines, Taamaa is more for the modern-day executive. It has a younger feel and a lot more colours and brighter finishes. Taamaa borrows motifs from Japanese designs and has more Zen-like products, while Madheke is all about surface ornamentation that adds value to it,” he explains.
Work with basics, he suggests. “Stick to neutrals and add colour through accents — cushions, throws, rugs and even artefacts. Also try to de-clutter your space. Opt for one statement accent to lift a particular section of your home rather than crowding too much together. It helps to let the focus remain on that one object — maybe get two statement chairs and place them strategically to perk up the space, without actually overwhelming the whole look,” he adds.
If accessories for side tables are your style, then he suggests opting for sculptural forms. “Pick up something that catches your eye and you would be pleased to own.” Another way to change the look of your home would be through panelled walls. “They are catching on in a big way; wallpapers with textures and panelling are a great way to change the look of your interiors. But do choose carefully; match it with your existing furniture, make it look like art. It helps to think of the room as a whole when you are picking elements for it; the key is to strike a balance,” he explains, adding, “For instance, in a photograph, composition is key. The same applies to décor; it is important to choose and compose rooms in a certain manner. It is not necessary to have too much, but it is important to have the right things in the right places.”
Talking about the current trends in the home segment, Bubbles says, “Metallics are coming in, in a big way. Not bling, but statement works. Furniture is also taking on more feminine touches, silhouettes and colours. It’s no longer about straight lines.”
“There is a huge demand for good pieces of furniture. Fully-upholstered beds are a rage with fabric either pleated, box pleated or quilted. Sofas with ribbed cushions, Victorian glossy cabinets with exotic veneers and military profile, and easy chairs fully upholstered with graceful silhouettes and smart legs rule. Make a trendy statement with a piece of furniture made of recycled materials, and this can end up forming the base for the entire look,” says Archana Bansal of Twotone Designs.
She goes on to add, “The season’s trend is depicted in almost all aspects of interiors — right from furniture to wall paints and everything in between. Art deco, old look with a mix of new, all white with hints of pop or even neon shades, are all some of the diktats. The materials are lavish with brass, gold, velvet and metallic leather in the lead. Cobalt blue and canary yellow are the hotties you want to drape over the walls. Indigenous art and cultural motifs repeated for accents, wall treatments and rugs are all the rage.”
If a new look for your home without actually moving too much around is on your mind, then Archana suggests bringing in a piece that stands out. “Depending on the setting, there’s a lot you can do. For instance, if it is a sitting area that already has a three- and a two-seater, I would bring a single ornate mop or silver-leafed chair or even a pair of them. I would then change the walls and cushions. If there is no space available, then I’ll probably change the curtains, upholstery and cushions, and go for a newer colour palette, materials, rugs, artefacts, accent pieces and so on. It could even be a very smart console.”
Given that Bubbles has worked in close association with top labels like Ralph Lauren, Luxury Living, Armani/Casa and Oscar de la Renta, Bubbles knows just what works in the international market. And in that respect, he says India is still far behind when it comes to interior design.
“We’re still at a nascent stage in terms of the exposure the Indian clientele has to the international home segment. But then again, even internationally, the home segment is usually a season or two behind when compared to fashion,” he says, adding, “Yet, unlike with fashion, one has a freer hand when it comes to home designing. You have the liberty to create a style and personalise it and let your home reflect your personality. The options are endless.”
Dress your home
- Go from Zen to luxurious by investing in loose pieces of furniture, like coffee tables and end tables. Also opt for luxurious materials for soft furnishings.
- Introducing a trendy wall storage can do a lot for the space as well.
- A very simple yet important way to change the space is accent colours. Whether you want to make the space warm and cozy, or cool and relaxing, you can do it all.
- A change of colour on the walls can also significantly change the look of the room. There are numerous panellings available, which are ready to fix and change the look of a room drastically.
- Another fabulous way to instantly brighten up the look of your space is through soft furnishings. Other than the regular stuff available, you can also go in for more customised, sturdy, stylish or blingy accessories.
