residential design

  • 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. 

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  • 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. 

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  • Why I started KaVaRa Interior Design

    Unlike many in my industry, I didn’t have a background in interiors. In fact, I was working in the city for a tech company within the media and marketing field. 

    My husband and I bought a family home that was a project. We spent more or less a year with the renovations. Once the builders were finished and the dust settled, we realised we had another large task at hand before we could enjoy our home, which was to furnish our place. It looked nice but empty, bland and boring. We were both working full time and had two children by then with a busy life so you can imagine the sigh at the thought of more house related work.  

    We wanted to make our place special. After all, this is where we wanted to raise our children. I knew we didn’t have have so much time in our hands to create something unique and comfortable. We were overwhelmed by the choices we saw. I knew we would run into several disagreements making the process lengthy and more painful. And let’s face it, we had spent a year moving in, not settling in properly due to the renovating and welcomed our second child in the middle of chaos, so thinking about adding more to our to-do list after the renovations were complete, was not easy.  

    My solution to this was to contact a few interior designers but we were met with disappointment. They all wanted budgets that were eye watering, none wanted to know our preferences and needs so it was apparent they were going to put their stamp in our home and no one could tell us how much their fee would be as they would charge hourly or a percentage of our total spend. 

    So, we created our own interiors very slowly, with pain and frustration. It took so long but we did it and were met with compliments. 

    That’s when the penny dropped. It was unfair that we needed the help of a professional designer but no service was available for our specific needs. I would have loved for an interior designer to be all ears about our aspirations and needs so they could use their expertise to meet our requirements. I would have appreciated an interior designer who could create a stunning and comfortable home for us, sourcing from places you and I know rather wanting to custom-make everything. I would have valued an interior designer who could tell me how much they would charge from the get-go so it’s easier to envisage the total investment of the project. I would have loved to be part of the creation process rather than have someone impose things on us and our home. So, I took the leap to give other families what we didn’t have. 

    Since launching KaVaRa Interior Design, we have remained true to these needs and we stand strong that a wide range of people can enjoy the benefits of a professional interior designer without compromises or walking into the unknown. We also believe in keeping our clients in the driving seat in the process of creating their dream interiors because after all, this is your home and we want you to feel welcome with open arms every time you walk through the door. For now, and the years to come. We want you to feel centered and proud of your home and what you have achieved. 

    If you wish to have interiors that lift your soul, book a discovery call today here so you can tell me about your aspirations, and I can tell how we can help you.

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