home decor

  • How we create timeless interiors combining elegance and practicality

    Have you ever walked into a furniture showroom that displays beautiful pieces only to think they don’t tick your practical needs which are unique to your family? Or maybe you are catching a glimpse of the current trends but have a niggling feeling in a year or two they will look dated? 

    Here’s 5 ways we ensure our designs are timeless, elegant and practical all at the same time, standing the test of time. 

    Efficient space planning: We create layouts that utilises the structure of your rooms effectively using our extensive knowledge on the furniture sizes and types available on the market. Designating zones for different activities, if you need your rooms to be multifunctional, ensures that the space is practical for various purposes, maintaining both practicality and aesthetics.

    Streamlined design elements: Focusing on clean lines, clutter-free design and cohesive colour palettes will create an elegant and pleasant environment ensuring timeless rooms you’ll carry on loving. We incorporate smart storage solutions that keep essential items organised and out of sight, preserving the visual serenity of the space without compromising on your daily needs. 

    Purposeful furniture selection: We select furniture pieces that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space but also serve a functional purpose after speaking to you about your current and future needs. Incorporating multifunctional furniture, such as storage ottomans or bedside tables with storage for example helps maximise utility without compromising on elegance.

    High-quality materials: We look high and low among online and high-street retailers for durable and high-quality products that offer both a luxurious feel and longevity without compromising on the design. We propose items that are not only visually appealing but also easy to maintain, aligned with your practical needs and within your budget. 

    Lighting harmony: We design with a thoughtful lighting scheme that balances ambient, tasks, and accent lighting. Proper lighting enhances the functionality of the space while also highlighting design elements that contribute to the overall elegance. This will support you in setting the mood you want to achieve throughout the day and evening. We do this with flexibility so you can have full control over the tone you want to set for different occasions and use of your rooms. By incorporating these concepts into the design process, we can create interiors that resonate with your sophisticated tastes while also catering to your practical needs, resulting in spaces that effortlessly blend elegance and functionality in a timeless manner. Rooms you will keep falling in love with for the years to come. 

    CONTINUE READING

  • How we create a home that’s original and timeless to you rather following trends?

    We encourage our clients to embrace originality and timeless interiors that are true to them rather than following trends. Here is how we do it:

    1. Identify your personal style: We focus on understanding your personal preferences, interests, and lifestyle. What colours, patterns, and textures resonate with you? The way to do this best is by pausing when you see something you like and ask yourself if you like it or love it. Have you always loved it? Has it always sparked something positive inside of you. If the answer is yes, there’s a good chance you will love it for the years to come. We go through a selection of images with you to understand what sparks your joy.

    2. Curate meaningful pieces: We ask if you have any furniture, decor, and art that hold sentimental value or evoke positive emotions. Incorporating pieces that tell your story adds depth and authenticity to your space, making it truly one-of-a-kind. These will also make you smile every time you enter the room.

    3. Invest in quality: We research and find you furniture and décor items that are going to be useful and stand the test of time. This is in the quality of the furniture but also in the use you will get out of it. Other than in a young child’s bedroom, the rest of the house should be a collection of items that works for you for many years.

    4. Prioritise functionality: A timeless home is also a practical one. Designing your space to accommodate your daily routines and needs is a top priority for us. A well-organised and functional layout enhances the longevity of the design while ensuring a seamless flow in your daily life making it a pleasure for you to live in and host your guests. 

    5. Classic foundations: Creating with classic elements such as the walls, floors, window treatments and major furniture pieces can allow you to always keep falling in love with your home. These serve as a versatile backdrop that allows you to change accents and accessories over time without altering the core design.

    6. Timeless Patterns and Textures: Selecting patterns and textures that have stood the test of time, such as herringbone, stripes, and natural weaves can also help. These classic elements add depth and visual interest to your home without becoming dated.

    7. Adapt, don’t adopt: While inspiration from trends is fine, adapting them to your personal style rather than adopting them will serve you well in the long run. Incorporate trendy elements in small, interchangeable ways that can easily evolve over time.

    8. Seek Professional Guidance: Our experience helps us understand your vision so we can create a space that’s both original and timeless to you. Our expertise can help you strike the perfect balance between personal style and enduring design.

    Remember, your home is a canvas for self-expression and sanctuary to help you take on the world. By embracing your individuality and following these principles, you can craft an interior that remains beautiful, functional, and meaningful for years to come.

    Get in touch with us today to discuss how you would like your interiors to support your dream home life. 

    CONTINUE READING

  • How to shop online for furniture with confidence

    I get asked how to shop effectively online for large furniture as we all love (or not) to take a Saturday out of our schedule to walk around a retail park, sit on 20 different sofas and still come home without having placed an order. The thing is, are we taking these trips for the experience or to actually buy something? We have so many more choices online that even after 5 different shops, I know I would find it hard to settle on a sofa before taking a look on the world wide web for a wider range of options and the limitless options. I also appreciate for some, this can be overwhelming. 

    At KaVaRa Interior Design, here is what we look for before proposing any piece of furniture to our clients as we curate their options online with care whether the retailer has and doesn’t have a physical shop: 

    1. Reputation of the seller: Don’t be fooled. Just because they have a huge shop you can popped into, it doesn’t mean the quality nor service is great by default so dig into this at the early stages. Take a look outside of their website to see what previous customers have to say.
    2. Product review: Look at what previous customers who bought that exact product have to say about it. As a rule of thumb, we never propose a product that has less than 4 out of 5 stars to our clients. We read the few negative feedback (if any) attentively before deciding if we should put it forward or not. We are looking for any repetitive complaints.
    3. Product specification: such as dimensions, colour, material, assembling methods… When the product is not in front of you, you are encouraged to read more about this part and make an informed decision on whether this is suitable for your needs rather than take a guess based on its look and feel in a showroom.
    4. Competitors: Many retailers carry different brands which means the exact same product you are looking at can be found elsewhere. Do a quick search on Google to see if it appears elsewhere. Now you might find it for a different price or you might find it with another retailer that has better incentives such as quicker delivery, assembling service etc that might influence your decision. 
    5. Delivery: If you need a fast turnaround, this can be a key deciding factor and most websites will have these details clearly mentioned. If you are ordering multiple items from various retailers, make a note of the expected delivery date at check out so you can be around to receive the item as they don’t always turn up together.
    6. Return policies: how long you do you have to return something? Will you be charged for returns and how much? Are you liable for the physical return of a product and the transportation cost etc.
    7. Warranties: Does the product come with any type of cover or do you need pay extra for this? Often, it is worth paying for this and making use of it when needed.
    8. Photos: on Google Images and Pinterest, search for the product you are looking to buy. You might be able to find pictures of this posted by a previous customer and see how it looks in a real home.

    If you still want to see the item in its flesh, you can always call up the head-office and ask the nearest showroom (if there are any) that display this exact product and take a trip before placing your order. Depending on the product, you can also request samples. 

    I hope this is helpful and has given you confidence to purchase even the largest of items for your home online. It saves heaps of time, shows you many more options and makes it much easier to compare.  

    Feel free to share this with someone who might doing their home up or just moved into a new home. 

    CONTINUE READING

  • 5 outdated trends to avoid in your house

    There are some interior design trends that make me cringe. Let me share these with you so you don’t become a victim of something that’s been overly done.

    Painting one wall a different colour to the rest of the room

    This is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to add interest to a room however it dates back to the 2000s. Take 5mins to get inspired online with the countless other options.

    50 shades of grey

    The grey era is well and truly over. Unless it’s your favourite colour, I would keep away. Injecting some grey into other colours is acceptable. Going grey everywhere isn’t anymore.

    Nautical bathrooms

    Whether you live by the sea or not, this is a look from the history books. Did this trend start because the bathroom is closely related to water? Whatever the reason, it’s not the best. Far from it actually. 

    LED coloured lights

    These coloured lights don’t belong anywhere in the house, I’m sorry.

    Matching bedroom furniture

    This is another throwback to a couple of decades ago. Though lots of shops still sell these types of sets, they are a big design no no. And they never make the most of the space you have.

    I hope this has given you direction in terms of what not to look at for your home. You and your house can do a lot better. 

    Love, 
    Kaya R. 

    CONTINUE READING