(my) Home

What makes a house a home

Your home tells the story of who you are. It is a unique extension of your personality, it should enhance your wellbeing, compliment your lifestyle, even put a smile on your face…

When it comes to what makes a house a home, we all have our own unique answers. For some, it is the memories made within the walls - the laughter and tears that have been shared with loved ones. For others, it is the comfort of being surrounded by familiar belongings and personal touches that make them feel truly at ease. Perhaps it is the smell of freshly baked cookies or the sound of a crackling fire on a chilly evening that signals to us that we're home for a bit of hygge time. Whatever it may be, there is no denying that there is something special about the feeling of coming home to a place that is truly yours.

Most people use the words house and home interchangeably. A house is a building, the structure, the roof, the bricks, the mortar. A home is quite different. A home tells a story and builds an emotional connection. I like the analogy of comparing a house to being the bare bones a structure, whereas a home captures the soul. Or as they say… home is where the heart is.

Interior design is very psychological, it is all about how you make people feel in a space. In my interior designs I typically include items based on aspirations and experiences — that includes 1) a statement item, 2) something grounding and cosy, 3) something that is organic and worn, and 4) something from my travels.

It is about finding those anchors and key pieces that reflect your style and personality. I love to create that visual dialogue between all the pieces that ultimately tell the story of your life. This is what makes a home curated, unique, and all about you.

(My) Home

When it comes to interior design, everyone has their own unique style. For me, I love fusing warm modern minimalism with the quiet luxury style — with a contemporary coastal feel. I find that this fusion creates a calming and inviting environment, and conveys a sense of contemporary sleekness. The warm tones and clean lines of modern minimalism pair perfectly with the pops of colour and natural textures of coastal design.

I adore organically shaped, simple design elements that are both functional and elegant. In my own home, my ambition is to create a bright modern living space with a relaxed and laid-back coastal flair. A space that is contemporary whilst keeping it timeless and effortlessly stylish with series of sensations to be experienced every day. To me, interior design is all about inspirational living.

“I make no apology for imperfection, in fact I cherish it. It is beautiful in its own unintended way.”

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“I love things that age gracefully. It creates a contrast between the polished and the worn. It adds beauty in a sincere way. The worn and the new compliment each other in a very symbiotic way.”

A fusion of coastal simplicity

I have always been drawn to the calming and minimalist vibe of contemporary coastal homes, but lately I've been falling in love with the updated and warmer version of this style: warm coastal style minimalism. The simplicity of the style, with its focus on natural materials and clean lines, creates a serene atmosphere that feels like a breath of fresh sea-salted air. It's like bringing a piece of the beach into my home without the sand...

Simplicity is one of my cornerstones. I incorporate functional pieces whose design stands the test of time. Homes don’t need to be complicated to be visually interesting. I do feel that my lifestyle is reflected in my home; it celebrates casually elegant living, a space that feels uplifting and grounding — all at the same time.

My style is inspired by my coastal adventures and travels, bringing together carefully curated contemporary pieces, organic materials and unique finds that have a story to tell, and traditional craftsmanship. I incorporate natural materials as much as possible - giving a feel of stylish simplicity and allowing the senses to connect with the coastal landscape — and in that sense, reinvigorating the sensation of living. My style embraces the eclectic, layering fabrics, blending patterns and working these into a cohesive style.

My home is about a way of living and finding beauty in imperfections. At the end of the day, design really is all about connection, it’s all about relationship. I very much consider my home as a retreat from life. A home with heart. A space that encapsulates my spirit and allows me to form a deeper connection to the coastal life. To me, home is very much a place where life is not just lived, it is defined.

Let me give you a tour of my home…

A Balance between Functionality and Aesthetics

By keeping things minimal and focusing on only what is necessary - or serves a purpose (either in a functional or in an aesthetic way), it allows me to truly appreciate the simple things in life.

Incorporating warm colours and texture, like natural wood and woven fabrics, adds depth and personality to the space without overwhelming it. Plus, minimalism allows for more room to breathe and clear your mind, making it the perfect style choice to create a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I opted for unfussy, distressed and reclaimed wood furniture for a weathered driftwood look. I was daring in my choice of sofa - making a chic statement in seafoam green (which is also super comfy!) — which I paired with a woven jute rug to create an informal, relaxed look. The brushed cotton linen mix of the sofa creates the perfect blend of natural fibres; a soft and strong fabric that is durable and doesn’t stretch or sag.

Natural woven textures add a rustic feel bringing out the innate authenticity of the space. I am in love with driftwood… It is just a wonderful material to add a feeling of relaxed coastal charm. Off the beaten track beach finds such as sea shells with their jagged edges, pebbles and beach combing treasures with not-so-perfect finishes enhance the coastal look and feel; and I embrace all their beautiful imperfections.

I tend to add visual interest through the use of textures and materials. I favour a simple soothing colour palette of shades of white and warm neutrals to create a timeless look. I also introduced a touch of sea foam green and hues of blue - the colours of the sea to compliment this palette, I have incorporated pastel tones that have beach connotations like aquamarine, softs pinks and corals. This creates a fresh look that is versatile and instantly lifts my mood.

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“I refer to it as ‘approachable elegance’. My style of warm minimalism creates a calm and lived-in environment. For me it is about drawing attention to the whole, not the part. It really is about everything working together in harmony and style.”

Creating a neutral palette and layering natural materials helps me achieve a cohesive and tranquil space that I call home. Incorporating focal points can give a space an interesting perspective. Focal points can be anything from a statement piece of furniture to a bold accent wall or even a stunning piece of art. The key is to draw attention to that feature and make it the centrepiece of the space. By doing so, you create a sense of visual interest and add depth to the overall design. I love my over-sized skilfully woven rattan pendant light; it creates a real focal point. The natural tones give the space a relaxing vibe.

To ramp up the coastal chic factor, I added carefully chosen over-sized and hand-made vessels. Creating my own abstract wall art stamped a contemporary vibe onto the decor.

I love rustic and architectural elements, and I adore my vaulted ceiling with the blonde exposed beams. In my book, this is bare and natural elegance visualised. My challenge was to find materials that could be ‘repurposed’ and used in new ways. Wood in its raw state that reveals its natural imperfections of knots and grains really doubles as a finish and as a feature. Wood furniture reveals the craftsmanship at its finest, with all its imperfections on display.

I love to create contemporary art with a textural and organic feel. There is just something so organic about texture that adds depth and dimension. It is this very juxtaposition of the old and new in my home decor that creates a visual dynamic.

“My home is a combination of casual meets collected, every inch of the space is curated in such a simple and timeless way. My home reflects my lifestyle: relaxed and casually elegant.”

I am drawn to the modern mediterranean coastal style which I have adopted in my own home. This style is warm and inviting while still being minimalistic. It combines the best of both worlds; combining coastal life with modern minimalism. To me, this style speaks to my soul and is truly a reflection of my personality.

Your home is a reflection of your individual style and personality, so it’s important to take the time to reflect and find pieces that really speak to you. Whether you prefer a more eclectic style, minimalism, rustic charm, or something in between, putting together a cohesive look can help make your house feel like home.