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Sometimes we want — or perhaps, need — to surround ourselves with beauty.
Think of a home that is unashamed to be soft and pretty. Draping fabrics, soft colours, and even flowers create an environment that feels gorgeous, peaceful, and light. It’s not frivolous; it’s essential.
Bring back a bit of romance I say, and I don’t think I’m alone on this either. Times are weird, and perhaps in response, a bit of romance is the perfect escape.
When a home is nurturing, it can be wildly fulfilling. But I never recognised this until later in life, because I grew up in a home filled with blinds with frilled edges and tassels hanging from every door handle or knob. It wasn’t until I became an interior designer that I understood just how powerful these details can be.
If you want to feel comforted in your home, it’s unlikely that grey carpet, grey sofas and grey walls everywhere is going to give you that. So thank goodness the cold grey minimalist era is over, and we are swinging back around to warmth and softness!
Here’s my advice for how to be more romantic in your home.
Decorating
The ‘new romantic’ interior is all about subtle, joyful flourishes. A ruffle on a pillow, a skirt on a sofa. The look is pretty with a hint of nostalgia, yet pared back and easy on the eye.
Styling should be personal and even a little bit sentimental; no need to hide your meaningful pieces away. The kitchen can have artwork and lovely kitchenware such as copper pots on display, and look for little details like colourful towels to add flair in the bathroom.
It’s worth taking a moment each day to make your bed look and feel beautiful. A heavy linen coverlet that kisses the floor, or a fresh white waffle quilt cover with a special cushion just because it’s beautiful. All roller blinds should be banished from the bedrooms in favour of soft, floating fabric curtains or loose Roman blinds that invite a feeling of layered softness into the space.
Colour
Colours should be muted and on the warm side: pastel pinks, soft greens, and neutrals with a creamy undertone. Avoid bright whites or stark black. A harmonious room has low-contrast, tonal colours, which means colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. They relate together, and aren’t jarring.
Furniture
There’s a touch of nostalgia, but it’s not retro. More like elegant antiques with patina placed on checkerboard floors, and the occasional Murano glass chandelier. We skip the clean lines of mid-century modern to enjoy some embellishment, like a scalloped edge or curved wrought iron. Upholstery is soft, and we see sofas with a skirt detail or ruched fabric.
Every room needs something shiny to catch the eye. Adding a mirror or stainless steel furniture piece adds an edge to this romantic look, which stops it looking like grandma’s house, no offence to grandmas.
Lighting
When it comes to lighting, we can really indulge in something absolutely beautiful. Look for pendant lights made from vintage Murano glass, or wall lights and decorative sconces. Place portable lamps on kitchen benches, bathroom vanities, and the coffee table — pretty much everywhere. Floor lamps are oversized for a sense of whimsy. You can even throw in a floral pattern too!
