The thought of redecorating a home is enough to send anyone into panic mode, especially with Chinese New Year just around the corner. Well, lucky us then because interior designer, Chloë Elkerton of fab design duo, E&A Interiors, shares with us her expert tips on how to spruce up your space and get the home you’ve always dreamt of.
Can you share with us a checklist on what to do when redecorating your home?
1. Have clear idea of the look and the feel that you’re going for. You need a starting point: it can come from an image in a magazine or even a family heirloom passed down from your grandmother. And it’s important to stay focused. Nowadays, there’s so much inspiration coming from Pinterest and blogs and it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
2. Set a budget and a timeline.
3. Obviously, do a floor plan of your home and take into consideration the furniture pieces you currently have.
4. If you hire an interior designer or contractor, let them do their job. That is key.
How can we make big changes to our home without spending a ton of money?
Instead of buying new furniture, look at the pieces you currently have and see how you can refresh them. Look past the nasty fabrics. Focus on its shape and work with that instead. You’d be surprised how a coat of paint can really transform an old piece.
I’m not a fan of following trends. They tend to go out of style very quickly and that can be expensive in the long run. If you really want to follow a trend, do it in small ways – with accessories like cushions, candles, and rugs.
Is it necessary to throw out old furniture for an overhaul?
You don’t have to get rid of everything but you must be selective. Unless you really love something, get rid of it. It’s not worth spending money refurbishing a furniture piece that you don’t really love.
How can we incorporate bright colours into our home for Chinese New Year without going overboard?
Accessorise! Make a strong visual impact using flowers. Another way is to incorporate wall art, like a wall panel covered with a beautiful Asian toile fabric.
Do you recommend wallpapers for a home?
Many have a big misconception about wallpapers but actually, it’s really easy to maintain, to install and to remove. You can’t underestimate the impact wallpapers can have on a space, especially for kids’ rooms. If you don’t fancy wallpapering an entire room, do a feature wall or create a wall panel by applying wallpaper on a mirror.
E&A Interiors has great selection of wallpapers, like Galbraith and Paul, a husband and wife team who produces beautiful designs with a hand-painted quality. Another favourite of mine is Elizabeth Hamilton for textured wallpaper – it’s a great way to add a cosy feel to a room.
What is the art to mixing patterns?
That’s something we at E&A Interiors are known for and can help you with. The key is to play with the right tone and right scale for different prints. For an idea on how to pull it off, check out the work of Kit Kemp, a hotelier and interior designer. The way she plays with colours and patterns is just amazing.
What are your biggest dos and don’ts when redecorating for Chinese New Year?
Don’t go overboard and spend lots of money redecorating your home just for Chinese New Year. In this case, less is definitely more. Be really selective and make small, yet effective changes. If you’re going to buy something, buy something that you really love and not just because for Chinese New Year’s sake.
Thanks, Chloë!
This article was sponsored by E&A Interiors