insideKENT Magazine Issue 36 - March 2015 | Page 96

INTERIORS INTERIORS AROUND THE WORLD BY LISAMARIE LAMB Now that there is a hint of spring to everything – the dark days are pretty much behind us and the sun is ever-more present – many of us will be thinking of doing the big spring clean. Sprucing up the house after the winter period is therapeutic, and it can really make a difference to your mood and happiness too. But what about making that annual spring clean into something more? Is it time you had a complete interior makeover? If you’re up for the challenge and want to make your home into something new and exciting, there are plenty of designs to choose from. Below are some from around the world that are gorgeous to look at, practical to live in, and perfectly possible to accomplish no matter where you live. Oriental For the ultimate in calm and tranquillity, Orientalstyle interior design could certainly be the way to go. After all, in today’s high octane, fast-paced world, it would be wonderful to come home to a little haven of peace, wouldn’t it? Oriental themes are inspired by nature, so you will often find scenic landscapes in the home, and, to fit the theme, these are usually painted onto walls as a mural. The colours should be kept fairly neutral, with nothing unbalanced to catch the eye – at least on the backdrop. When it comes to accenting the wall, or adding a hint of colour to the room, a little here and there works wonders – think cherry blossom pink or bright red. Black is another great colour to pair with the creams and off whites of the main theme – black picture frames, windowsills, or a splash of art could all work well. Balance is the keyword with Oriental-inspired interior design, and this can be achieved in a number of ways, from creating room partitions to adding glass walls. It all depends on how much 96 you want to do, and what your budget is. Car fully e placed hanging lanterns are just one way to achieve balance in a room, but there are many more. Finally, water is cool and calming, and is an integral part of Oriental design. It may not be possible to have a large water feature in your home, but they come in all shapes and sizes, and you should be able to find one that suits you and your style.