The leading retailer of furniture, electrical and IT products Courts Singapore recently launched a new collection of living room furniture in collaboration with world-renowned British interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Mr Llewelyn-Bowen shared with tabla! some decorating tips to make the most of your home.
Interior decorating is a bit like cooking - use colours and textures for a touch of flavour and interest. The House of Laurence cushions are a great way to do that as you can match the different materials and colours to complement your sofa and walls.
Create a point of contrast. It focuses your attention and causes the other pieces of furniture to melt into the background, making a small room appear more spacious. For example, a bright blue rug adds focus to the room.
Don't be afraid of ornamentation as they tell a story. Your home should reflect your personality and all the things you love and enjoy. Be proud to display pieces that have great sentimental value to you as they tell the story of who you are! Mr Llewelyn-Bowen finds The House of Laurence gold photo frame helps add a touch of everyday luxury into your home.
Use lights. Ceiling lights are unflattering. Light should always go up or bounce off the walls. You should try and light the corners of the room, have lighting on tables or even on the floor. That will instantly make the space feel much more seductive. When you've got light coming straight down, it will feel like your office.
Buy furniture with multiple uses. Mr Llewelyn-Bowen thinks coffee tables are unnecessary. Having two side tables beside your sofa will clear up the floor space in front of you, making your space look bigger. He also suggests getting a pouf or an ottoman as they can double as coffee tables (when you top it with a tray) or as extra seating when you have guests.
Look for furniture that suits your needs and is comfortable but that doesn't take up much space. For example, the Royal Orchid sofa from The Laurence Collection for Courts will lend an air of opulence to your room while still being very compact.
Bring the outside in. Bring in houseplants and spring plants and put them in old pots and teacups - keep them well watered and near the light.
Make the ceilings feel higher by using striped wallpaper (or by painting stripes on the walls). Vertical stripes will help to stretch a space especially when paired with floor-length curtains and lamps Create flow with an open floor plan. Zone the different areas (living room, dining room) with furnishings like the high-back armchair such as The Posh from The Laurence Collection by Courts. Having a high back creates an illusion of a screen and separates the space. Accessories such as those from The House of Laurence also help to set the mood for different zones.
Use symmetry by styling things in pairs. The symmetry from a pair of lamps either side of the sofa, a pair of large glass vases on the dining table or a pair of prints above the bed helps make a room look put together.
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