SquareRooms Oct 2017 [Preview]

I N T E R I O R S

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I D E A S

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S O L U T I O N S

www.squarerooms.com.sg

With this issue:

THE NEW DULUX INSPIRATION GALLERY

MAKE A

splash

UNEXPECTED COLOUR COMBINATIONS FOR CREATING BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL SPACES

ARTISTIC IMPRESSIONS

Creative feature wall ideas + wallpapers that wow

TIME TO RELAX OCT 2017

ISSUE 150 S$5.50/RM10

Gadgets to help you chill out at home

HOTNEWS

SCANDI COOL

Cult Danish furniture brand HAY’s much-anticipated collection for IKEA is finally in stores. Combining unexpected materials, colours and production techniques to form a series of elevated basics, the YPPERLIG range is at once timeless and chic with their graphic lines and saturated colours. The collection includes large pieces, like a three-seat sofa, as well as smaller accessories like vases and cushion covers.

Available at IKEA stores, www.ikea.com.sg

AFFORDABLE LUXURY Home-grown online retailer, IUIGA, bares it all with their transparent pricing system – see what you are actually paying for the manufacturing and distribution on its website before making your purchase. Their home and living products all come from the same manufacturers used by popular brands and are sold at a fraction of the price. These include stainless steel cookware, cotton bed linen and an array of organising accessories.

Available online at www.iuiga.com

S I M P LY G O R G E O U S High-pressure laminates brand Panaplast has come up with a collection of design-forward timber and stone-lookalike materials that celebrate the minimalist-chic sensibilities of Japanese style.

Comprising of 27 timber decors and three stone decors, the brand’s 2017/2018 collection steps away from thematic trends and moves towards a timeless look that conveys the art simple living.

Available for viewing at EDL Division, 43 Sungei Kadut Street 1, tel: 6367 0055, www.panaplast.com.sg

16 OCT

GET YOUR HDB RENO INSPIRATION HERE WWW.SQUAREROOMS.COM.SG

Feast Your Eyes On This Gorgeous Nature Inspired HDB Flat

A Resale HDB Apartment Gets A Dramatic Facelift

Get connected today!

@SquareRoomsMag

A Look Inside An Ultra Luxe Contemporary Style HDB Home

SquareRooms

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STYLE

COLOUR YOUR WORLD BREAK OUT THOSE PAINTING SUPPLIES AND BREATHE LIFE INTO YOUR HOME WITH THESE EXCITING COLOUR COMBOS

IMAGE COURTESY OF URBANARA

TEXT Stanley Lim

26 OCT

ROLL IN THE DEEP

At first blush, a mixture of purple, turquoise and blue can seem overwhelming, or even garish, to some homeowners. But this can be fixed by turning up the saturation levels of these hues to give them a more grounded vibe. In addition, decorating with this daring combo brings the advantage of injecting boldness into your interiors, giving them a classy look all year round.

IMAGE COURTESY OF ARTHOUSE

NATURAL APPEAL Saturated hues are great for adding a burst of exotic charm, especially when combined with layers of natural motifs and wild patterns. For extra effect, include plenty of natural light and opt for white textiles to put the focus on these eye-catching decorative details.

OCT 27

STYLE

COLOUR CHART Violet Tyrian purple Navy blue Dark cyan

DULUX COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2018: HEART WOOD (10YR 28/072)

Exuding warmth and comfort, this gentle grey-pink tone will make you feel instantly as ease. Match it with wood tones and leather for a relaxed look or pair it with bolder shades of ink blue and purple for a shot of cool edginess.

IMAGE COURTESY OF DULUX

Blue lagoon

BOLD MOVE The idea of adding a dark blue highlight to a backdrop of greyishpink tones may be unexpected, but this combination works well due to the attention-drawing contrast between the two.

IMAGE COURTESY OF ARTHOUSE

If you are a fearless colour lover, furnish your home in bright or saturated shades to give your personal sanctuary a distinct personality.

DRAMATIC EFFECT Pairing teal with turquoise is a fitting way to create drama in a bathroom as this combo calls to mind the dark depths of the ocean.

28 OCT

IMAGE COURTESY OF DFS FURNITURE

COLOUR BLING Dial up the style factor by bringing in jewel toned textiles that stand out against a calming neutral backdrop.

OUR PICKS

LÄBORG RUG, $49.90 at IKEA

ROMERA ARMCHAIR, POA at Essential Home BORMIOLI ROCCO DIAMOND CUP, $5 at HipVan PATIM TABLE LAMP, $320 at Originals

RICE 6 MELAMINE DISH, $35 at TakaTomo

PATIM TABLE LAMP, $320 at Originals

BOULEVARD ARMCHAIR, $1,950 at King Living

6.

OCT 29

STYLE

VIVID DELIGHT

Paired with each other, shades of light blue and pink create a trendy combination that is great for a fun home update. The gentle, but undeniable appeal of this tranquil palette can too be found in its versatility, which is in turn evident through its usage – both as an alluring accent and as a stimulating backdrop.

IMAGE COURTESY OF ROSE IN APRIL

HALF-AND-HALF As near opposites on the colour wheel, pink and blue are suitable hues for colour blocking, which involves pairing contrasting tones to create complementary combinations.

Add personality to an accent wall by delineating it with one of each colour for a clean contrast that comes off as both chic and neat.

36 OCT

COLOUR CHART Oyster blue Iris blue Serenade pink Pastel pink

CROSSING LINES If going all out with a pastel colour scheme seems like a risky decision to you, try incorporating them in small doses as shown by this tastefully decorated study, which features a pair of pink criss-cross patterned accent chairs as well as a stately bookcase with pastel blue backing.

IMAGE COURTESY OF WALLHUB

IMAGE COURTESY OF ENJAMIN MOORE

Rose pink

BREAKAWAY SHADE Using pastels (or any other colour type or combination for that matter) as part of your home’s decor doesn’t mean that you have to adhere to it all the time. Feel free to change things up as you see fit. For instance, a bold blue armchair can make for a striking addition in a pastel-filled living space.

OCT 37

SHOP

40 OCT

EYE OPENER Experimenting with bright hues may seem intimidating, but embrace them and you’ll be rewarded with a strikingly impressive interior.

FUN WITH SHADES BREAK AWAY FROM BORING INTERIORS WITH FRESH PALETTES THAT INSTANTLY INJECT LIFE INTO YOUR HOME STYLING Nicco Lim ART DIRECTION Ken Koh & Linda Setiono PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION Harvey Norman

Millenia Walk Flagship Superstore

Copper side table, $399, Ottaviana pitcher, $162.90, Ottaviana tumbler, $57.90, Kami bath towel, $59, Criss + Knit cushion, $59.90, Abril print, $299, Quicksand natural angle print, $839, Oslo floor lamp, $369, Ulm chaise lounge, $1,999, and Patch pink cushion, $59, all from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk Flagship Superstore.

OCT 41

SHOP

IN THE PINK If there is one shade that can bring in feminine flair, it’s definitely pastel pink with its rosy hue.

42 OCT

GET FRESH Blue-green tints are great colours to have if you wish to create a refreshing vibe at home.

(Clockwise from left) ALF Canova dining table, $3,119, Fresh tumbler and coupe, both $9, Proctor pineapple, $16.90, and Spotty desk lamp, $109, all from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk Flagship Superstore. HAY tray, $30, from Grafunkt. Metro buffet, $2,499 from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk Flagship Superstore. Wire baskets in mint, from $36, from Oh Happy Fry. Antwerp dining chair, $299, and velvet cushion, $69, both from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk Flagship Superstore.

(Opposite page, clockwise from left) Faith rug, $259, and Moss armchair, $899, both from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk Flagship Superstore.

HAY cushion, $150, from Grafunkt. Venice marble tall vase, $28.90, Palermostone finish boxes, $59 for two, luxury velvet cushion, $69, Lisbon terracotta vase, $87.90, Cheeky Toucan classic canvas, $299, decorative vases, from $28.90, and Chaffey resin parrot, $80.90, all from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk Flagship Superstore. HAY side table, $460, and HAY cushion, $275 from Grafunkt.

OCT 43

SURFACE

WONDER WALLS FIND OUT HOW TO PREP, PAPER AND PRIMP YOUR HOME TEXT Fidz Azmin

IMAGE COURTESY OF TATUM

Time-starved home dwellers looking for a fuss-free option to style their space need not look any further. Wallpapers allow house-proud owners to tailor their interiors specific to a theme – and their taste. No need for renovations. Just take the day off to roll up your sleeves and paper on your pattern of choice on a wall or more. We’ll lead the way.

50 OCT

W O R K

A CLEAN SLATE Always begin with a smooth and squeaky clean foundation. Like makeup, a flawless base creates a flawless finish. To achieve a flat surface, first sand walls lightly. Then, scrub them down and wash away any residue with a wet sponge soaked with mild detergent.

For timeworn walls, remember to remove any loose plasters or adhesives and be prepared to repair defects prior to installation. This process may get messy, so it’s best to lay dust sheets across your floors. On a side note, we recommend roping in a reputable installer if you’re planning to paper more rooms.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TATUM

GOOD MEASURES When it comes to installation, accuracy is crucial. Take down the measurements of the entire length, width and height of the room or wall, including the window and door openings. This helps you ascertain how many rolls of wallpaper you need to purchase. But mistakes are bound to happen, especially if you’re new at this. To prepare for any blunders, round up your measurements. Ordering a couple more rolls of paper ensures you have extra to work with – just in case.

tip!

Get to know what you’re dealing with before going shopping. Apart from patterns, wallpapers also come in a variety of forms. Vinyl coated paper, for example, withstands moisture well and is fitting for places like the kitchen and bath spaces.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TATUM

P R E P

OCT 51

SAVVY

ZONE OUT

SIT BACK AND RELAX WITH THESE COOL HOME GADGETS

IMAGE COURTESY OF SAMSUNG

TEXT Stanley Lim

Let’s face it – finding an escape from the stresses of daily life may be more trouble than it’s worth. Whether it’s planning for a holiday or hiring the right caregiver for the kids, taking a break is a challenge in and of

54 OCT

itself. The next best solution?

Create your own relaxation corner with these home gadgets and simply zone out. From massage appliances to cool tech toys, we show you what's great for a quick break.

H E A D - TO - TO E R E L A X AT I O N

Need a relaxing backrub? Let these massage appliances do the work and give your hands a break.

N OV ITA EM1 0 0 EY E MA SSAGER

OTO E LVI QUAD M ASSAG E CHAI R

From $168 at Novita e-store and retail outlets

From $2,180 at OTO e-store and retail outlets

Relieve ocular fatigue with Novita’s EM100 eye massager that soothes strained and tensed muscles around the eyes through various massage technologies, including vibration, air pressure and infrared heat therapy.

With a backrest height of less than 1m, the OTO ELVI Quad is a spacesaving appliance that offers the same level of comfort as a full-sized massage chair. Don’t you think it’s a great option for a compact apartment?

WIN!

Find out more at www.squarerooms.com.sg

OSI M U VI SI ON E Y E M ASSAG E R From $79.90 at OSIM e-store and retail outlets

Good eye care is the start to personal well-being – so make ocular fatigue a thing of the past with the OSIM uVision and its soothing vibrations that improve blood circulation around the eyes.

OG AWA MA STER DRIV E MA SSAGE C HAIR From $6,980 at Ogawa retail outlets

Designed to provide spinal massage and care, the Ogawa Master Drive massage chair provides maximum coverage, from the neck down to the hips, thanks to its 1.35m M Sensing L-Track that accurately targets 36 acupuncture points.

OSIM U C R OWN 3 HE A D MA S S AG E R From $449 at OSIM e-store and retail outlets

It never hurts to unwind with a head massage – and the OSIM uCrown 3 does just that with its strategically positioned airbags, which emulate traditional Chinese hand massage techniques that target soft spots.

OCT 55

SPACES

elegant

ALLURE An Executive Condominium apartment gets a luxe makeover made up of one-of-a-kind design ideas TEXT Rossara Jamil PHOTOS Minimo & Minimology

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

3-bedroom Executive Condominium unit

LOCATION

Fernvale Lane

RENO PERIOD

11 weeks

HOME TO

2 adults

58 OCT

LIVING ROOM

Elden Lim of Minimo & Minimology picked out furniture pieces that work well with the interior dimensions.

His attention to line work can be seen here in the horizontal and vertical lines of the partitions and console in the living area, and in the slim shelf on the dining area wall.

OCT 59

SPACES

60 OCT

Dining room wall

Custom-made fabric wall covering KITCHEN (above)

While vinyl flooring is used in most of the home, black mosaic floor tiles signal the transition to the kitchen.

Elden installed a glass door to keep cooking fumes confined within the kitchen.

A peek into the kitchen reveals marble backsplash and countertops.

H

otel designs are something that many couples look to for inspiration when renovating their homes. But what exactly does it constitute? A variety of styles can fall under this broad term.

But at its heart, the hotel treatment counts on comfort, quality materials, stylish furnishings, and a careful balance between luxury and refinement to achieve a polished look and feel.

Aside from wanting the sophisticated hotel ambience, the couple of this three-bedroom home, who are both teachers, also spoke with interior designer Elden Lim about their plans to grow a family and their passion for videography.

Elden, who is the creative director and founder of Minimo & Minimology, explains, “They intend

OCT 61

SPACES

LIVING ROOM

With striking grain patterns set against the stark minimalism of the place, drama ensues.

Lined up in order on the feature wall, the entertainment system reinforces symmetry in the space with its linear silhouette.

The shoe cabinet was custom made with sufficient leg space to allow the homeowner’s iRobot to roam about freely.

74 OCT

less is

MORE This minimalist home may be pared down, but it’s fitted with everything its owner needs – and more TEXT Fidz Azmin PHOTOS Mesh Work Studio

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-room HDB unit

LOCATION

Lengkok Bahru

RENO PERIOD

Approx. 6 weeks

HOME TO

1 adult

OCT 75

SPACES

Countertop & backsplash

Italian quartz D RY PA N T RY CUM MINI-BAR

Too precious to be concealed, Cassandra’s treasured collection of drink ware was amassed from all across the globe. Her keepsakes include a sake set from Japan, a makgoli bowl from Korea, as well as shot glasses from Spain, the United States, and New Zealand.

76 OCT

S

imple, uncluttered, and free of chaos – the appeal of a minimalist interior lies in its restful air and the lack of visual noise. Designing one isn’t merely about stripping it down bare.

More importantly, it’s editing the space to attain function in the simplest of manner. Case in point, this four-room HDB apartment that belongs to public servant Cassandra Goh. While her 30-yearold resale flat was in relatively good shape, she preferred a home that was more suited to her way of life. A renovation was in order.

“Landren from Mesh Work Studio was recommended by a friend,” says Cassandra, recalling how she found out about the interior designer in charge of her home’s renovation.

“I met up with six other designers but I chose him because he had interesting ideas and proposed designs based on what I wanted.”

The homeowner’s packed schedule meant she required a place that was easy to upkeep. And as she had always loved the minimal Scandinavian look, Landren designed one that resonated with her needs and preferences. Unlike most all-white interiors though – a mainstay of the minimalist style – this apartment isn’t your run-of-the-mill monochromatic home. Exotic wood veneers were used to craft the feature wall as well as shoe cabinet in the living room; the inimitable grain patterns adorning the room with texture and colour and tempering its otherwise austere appearance.

Kitchen floor

Italian made woodgrained tiles KITCHEN

More than a prepping and cooking station, this kitchen island is where memories are made. The home chef loves holding regular cookout sessions with her family and enjoys cooking for her friends when they come over, and this is where they gather as one. Augmenting the uncluttered aesthetics of the kitchen island are fittings purposely picked in stainless steel to blend harmoniously with their surroundings.

OCT 77

SPACES

a bold TAKE

This five-room HDB flat takes the timeless look to the next level with its unconventional details TEXT Jolene Limuco PHOTOS Khoo Guo Jie for WHITE

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

5-room HDB unit

LOCATION

Tah Ching Road

RENO PERIOD

Approx. 6 weeks

HOME TO

2 adults, 2 children

88 OCT

Daniel floor lamp from Castlery LIVING ROOM

Belying its simple foundations are clever solutions that elevate this living room’s look.

These include a textured hand-painted feature wall and short walls at the windows that neatly hide away the floor-length curtains. Because the homeowners wanted pops of colour in their home, interior designer Darren suggested placing brightcoloured furniture here.

OCT 89

SPACES

DINING AREA (below)

The dining room is kept simple with an extendable oak dining table and matching chairs. To keep things neat, Darren created slatted door panels to hide a shoe cabinet and the entrance to the household shelter.

S T U DY (opposite page)

The home office’s bookshelf was custom-made to maximise storage space. The rest of the furnishings are purposefully loose and replaceable to allow for potential changes in the functional needs of the family.

90 OCT

W

ith its uncluttered appearance, neutral palette and uncomplicated furniture and fixtures, this 1,205-square foot Tah Ching Road HDB flat is the model of a contemporary chic abode. But it took the homeowners, a young family of four, and their interior designer Darren Tee of WHITE a while to get the look right.

Darren reveals that the couple approached him with a rather straightforward request for a timeless look – something that will stand the test of time without looking dated. But after a few rounds of discussions, the principal architect and interior designer of the home-grown interior design company

discovered that the family did not like the usual design elements associated with a “timeless look”.

He elaborates, “They did not like ‘safe’ colours like grey and beige. Instead, they wanted ‘happy’ colours like orange, yellow and red to be included in the design proposal.”

To solve this conundrum, the interior designer came up with a solution to incorporate bright colours by way of loose, replaceable furniture into a predominantly monochromatic base. For visual interest, textures, like high gloss acrylic finishes and rough-textured walls were included to elevate the basic look of the foundation.

One such unique feature can be seen in the dining and living area. Running the length of

the communal space is a short false ceiling, which adds some visual interest to the space while allowing for additional high-level indirect lighting to be installed. This was visually grouped together with the adjacent wall with dark grey borders to give the feature a graphic effect. The rest of the living and dining area was kept simple with oak vinyl flooring and a selection of loose furnishings sourced from brands like Castlery, IKEA and MUJI as well as at online marketplace Carousell.

Another interesting feature found here that seems to enhance the look of the neat-looking living space are the short walls framing the windows. Because the homeowners wanted 0 per cent light pollution from the windows, Darren devised a way to create portal frames – more commonly seen in hotel rooms – to house the curtains. The designer explains, “These short walls will cut down the amount of daylight filtering into the home. Visually, they also tidy up the edges of the curtains and make them appear neater.”

Also keeping things neat is the built-in cupboard near the entrance, which contains a shoe cabinet and household shelter door.

The panels may look unobtrusive but with their spray paint finish and slatted design, they add an interesting visual texture to the dining area.

The uncomplicated look continues in the study and bedrooms. Built-ins in the form of bookcases

OCT 91

Your essential interior decor guide stunning Ideas and inspiration for a stylish home

Available at major newstands for only

S$9

8

interior trends you need to know now

www.squarerooms.com.sg SquareRooms

@SquareRoomsMag

From the minimlist-chic style to the colourful eclectic theme, we show you how to achieve your dream home.

For the third year running, we set out to find our favourite homes in Singapore for SquareRooms Home Search 2017 and there were many impressive interiors that wowed us.

H ME SEARCH 2017 MY

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From classy mid-century modern dwellings to tranquil spaces filled with Zen-like calm, this year’s submissions blew us away with their original style. After much deliberation, the winning homes have been chosen. Here’s a hearty congratulations to all SquareRooms Home Search 2017 winners! We’d also like to say a big thank you to all participants and sponsors for making this contest a success!

Check out the winners on the next page.

Organiser

Sponsors

OCT 103

Winner CYN CHUA

+ 4-ROOM HDB FLAT + BENDEMEER ROAD

Everything about this home speaks of class and sophistication. From the choice of materials and evocative colour palette to the midcentury style furnishings and expansive walk-in wardrobe, Cyn’s home looks more like a luxurious boutique hotel than a humble four-room HDB home.

104 OCT

THE WINNER RECEIVES OVER $4,300 WORTH OF PRIZES FROM EVERY THREAD COUNT, MARTLEWOOD, NOVITA AND OGAWA.

H ME SEARCH 2017 MY

First runner-up

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MY

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THE FIRST RUNNER UP RECEIVES OVER $2,400 WORTH OF PRIZES FROM EVERY THREAD COUNT, MARTLEWOOD AND NOVITA.

SOH SHAO HOON SARAH + 5-ROOM HDB FLAT + STRATHMORE AVENUE

THE SECOND RUNNER UP RECEIVES OVER $1,400 WORTH OF PRIZES FROM EVERY THREAD COUNT, MARTLEWOOD AND NOVITA.

Second runner-up ROBERTSON TAY

+ 4-ROOM HDB FLAT + CLEMENTI AVENUE 4

OCT 105

PROMO

win! a hotel stay WE ARE GIVING AWAY HOTEL STAYS AT 3 OF THE MOST STYLISH HOTELS IN SINGAPORE

Worth more than

$ 1,500

PARK HOTEL ALEXANDRA 2D1N Premier Room weekend stay with breakfast and exotic cocktails for 2 Escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Singapore at Park Hotel Alexandra. Located at the heritage enclave of Queenstown, this stylish hotel is perfect for that well-deserved weekend break.

There are endless ways to indulge here, whether it is staying cocooned in the luxurious rooms, lounging by the infinity swimming pool overlooking the Southern Ridges, catching up with loved ones over a cup of specialty coffee at The Coffee Belt or treating yourself to a premium meat buffet at The Carvery. While you are here, be sure to check out Aqua Luna.

The stunning chill-out bar is a picturesque spot for sunset cocktails.

For more information, visit www.parkhotelgroup.com/alexandra

106 OCT

Worth more than

$600

MERCURE SINGAPORE BUGIS 2D1N Executive Loft Room weekend stay with breakfast and evening cocktails for 2 at Privilege Lounge Located right in the heart of Singapore’s arts and heritage district, this new design-driven hotel is perfect for a relaxing staycation. Whether it is cosying up in the stylish, art-filled room, immersing in nature at the outdoor terrace or chilling out by the seventh floor infinity swimming pool, you’re sure to leave this chic hotel feeling rejuvenated. All 395 heritage inspired guest rooms and suites at Mercure Singapore Bugis have been decked out to reflect the Lion City’s rich cultural background. The hotel also boasts three stellar F&B concepts, including contemporary Cantonese restaurant Song Garden, all-day-dining eatery Royale, and chill-out lobby bar BARtistry.

For more information, visit www.mercure.com

PARKROYAL ON PICKERING, SINGAPORE

Worth more than

$500

2D1N Orchid Club Deluxe Room weekend stay with breakfast for 2 An architectural icon situated near the Central Business District, Parkroyal on Pickering, Singapore is a peaceful hideaway inspired by nature. Designed by the awardwinning architectural firm WOHA, the five-star hotel is a true urban oasis with its undulating terrace-inspired hanging gardens, reflecting pools, waterfalls and cascading vertical greenery. Come here to escape the daily stresses of urban life and get back to nature, all without leaving the city!

For more information, visit www.parkroyalhotels.com/pickering

HEAD OVER TO WWW.SQUAREROOMS.COM.SG/PROMO TO FIND OUT HOW TO WIN! TERMS & CONDITIONS: Promotion ends 26 October 2017 • This promotion is open to all Singapore Residents only • Only winners will be notified via email • Prizes are limited to one per household • SquareRooms’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained • Prizes are not exchangeable for cash • SquareRooms and sponsors reserve the right to replace prizes with other gifts of similar value • Key Editions Pte Ltd reserves the right to publish and/or use the details of the entries for future marketing and promotional purposes

This promotion is brought to you by:

SINGAPORE BUGIS

OCT 107

SHORTCUT

CHEER UP Chase away the blues with colourful accents that will glam up even the plainest home IMAGE COURTESY OF English Blinds

112 OCT

Whether it is a pair of psychedelic cushions, vibrant curtains or a vivid throw, brightlycoloured accessories offer a paint-free way of injecting life into your home. But more importantly, they make it easy to change a room’s atmosphere, especially if they are the primary source of colour within a neutraldominated space. Opt for a mix of loose accessories in cool shades and bright hues of red and yellow to create a balanced look within a room.