insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 02 - April 2015

INTERIORS spring and summer interior trends Now that there’s a hint of spring in the air, the birds are singing longer and louder, the sun is taking its time to set, and the leaves are starting to look green again, perhaps it is time to take a look at your home and spruce it up a bit for spring. You can change as little or as much as you like, and weekend. So don’t let spring pass you by whilst you still have your winter curtains up; it’s time to match your home to the season. BY LISAMARIE LAMB kitchen The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Whether you are entertaining, relaxing, or looking after your family (and yourself), the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it’s important to get it right. There are some fantastic ideas to spruce up your kitchen this spring and summer. Bold Colours – No more wood or wood effect and no more whites and greys and browns; 2015 is the year of the statement, and there is no better way to do it than to give your kitchen cupboards a makeover. You can either paint them yourself, get someone in to do it for you, or replace the doors with brand new ones, depending on your budget and the time you have to make the changes. Balance the bright colours with something a little more neutral to really make them pop. Industrial Style Lighting – To really keep on trend, your kitchen needs to be light and bright, and the lighting itself needs to be of an industrial style. Pick black or stainless steel, wire caging, clear glass, copper or brass, and make sure those rivets are on show! Tiles – Kitchen tiles are nothing new, but now it’s time to change them up a little. White tiles with eye-catching coloured grout are especially trendy, but not just on the ﬂoor – you can tile the walls and splashbacks too. Or, how about adding a dash of colour to your kitchen sink, and tiling the inside of that with tiles that will complement the rest of your design? bathroom Your bathroom is the one place you can really have some time to yourself; therefore, it should be a sanctuary from the stresses and strains of the day. How do the trends of 2015 compare in your favourite place to chill out? Keep it Natural – If your bathroom needs to be peaceful and relaxing, then stick with the warmth of nature. You can use natural stone on the ﬂoor and/or walls, or perhaps tiles that have a wood effect. Specially treated wooden planks on the walls can also really enhance the calming vibe of your bathroom. Pop an indoor plant in the room too, and you’ll immediately see and feel the difference. Freestanding Baths – The bath is, obviously, the most important part of a bathroom, so it’s no surprise that the 2015 design trends include it. To get the most modern bathroom, you’ll need a freestanding bath, but don’t worry, there are plenty to suit all budgets. These can be a striking feature, whether you go for a sculpted design or a classical style. A recent survey suggested that freestanding baths were popular because they represented a bit of calm in the middle of the chaos of day-to-day life. Whether or not you agree with that, you can still enjoy the great look this model gives off! Living Room Features – Yes, it’s true; the top designers of the moment recommend placing living room features and furniture in your bathroom, so that it ﬂows with the rest of the house. And guess what? It actually works! A patterned rug, a sofa or armchair, art on the walls, and light ﬁttings that wouldn’t look out of place over a dining table (think chandeliers or wall sconces) will make your bathroom feel even more comfortable. 81

insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 02 - April 2015 | Page 81