Maximising Summer Light
It’s that first whiff of jasmine that always does it for me. It’s a surefire sign that no matter how long and cold and dreary winter has been (indulge me if you don’t live in Melbourne like I do), the end is in sight, and warmer days are coming. This always prompts a flurry of action – I need to prep my home for the warmer months. This concept of ‘seasonal adjustment’ is something we can all do to help usher in the new season, so read on to read my best tips for making the most of the impending sunshine.
LET IN THE LIGHT
Obviously, the best way to let summer sunshine in is through your windows – and the more options you have available to control that light, the more comfortable your home will be. Block-out blinds will protect you (and your furniture) from harsh sunlight - but once they’re rolled up, you will need to filter the light for privacy as well as more practical reasons. I love a combination of sheer curtains such as the Austere in Dew and the Contemporary Block Out blinds in Thunder.
THE BIG PICTURE
Huge floor to ceiling concertina doors that fold away to seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces are often on the dream-list of many Australians. But what if you want that open-air feeling without the harsh sunlight? Veri Shades® are the perfect solution. These are not your old-school vertical blinds.
Instead, they come with no weights or chains, you can walk through Veri Shades® freely – whether they are open or closed. The two-sided individual folds of fabric transition from translucent to opaque at the turn of a wand, or they can be motorised for ease and functionality. Controlling the amount of light you let in through large doors and windows has never been so easy.
STYLISH SHUTTERS
There is a very good reason why plantation shutters have been around for hundreds of years – it's because they work, and they are a streamlined and elegant window covering option for either period or contemporary homes. In cooler months they cover your windows with an extra layer of insulation, whilst in summer, they will let the breeze in whilst you can control how much light gets in, as well as maintain your privacy. The Carpet Court Fauxwood shutters are constructed from exceptionally low maintenance PVC that is easy to clean, and these plantation shutters also have heat and moisture resistant properties. They are also custom made – so every shutter will be the perfect fit.
SMART MOVES
Motorised blinds are incredibly convenient – and given you can control up to 15 blinds from one switch, you will save a lot of time running around opening and closing every blind in your home each day! But something I learned recently made me realise just how brilliant the Carpet Court motorisation can be – and that is you can pair your automated window furnishings with a smart home system and control your roller blinds remotely. So, if you left your blinds up in the morning expecting a cloudy day and suddenly the sun starts shining more than you anticipated you can simply lower them remotely. This is also a great way to enhance your home security by making it look to outsiders like someone is at home. Genius!
FINESSE YOUR FLOORCOVERINGS.
Deliciously dark and moody interiors continue to grow in popularity – we are seeing lots of ‘colour drenching’ where the same hue paint is used on the walls, ceiling, woodwork trims, and even carpet. Dark carpet creates such a beautiful vibe, but if you feel the need to lighten it up in the warmer months, try adding a rug (yes – a rug placed on carpet is a 100% legitimate styling option – I love it!). As an example, the beautiful deep green of Hideaway Lodge in Oasis could be overlayed with the Emerson Rug in Seasalt to lighten up the space.
SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT
There are some other handy decorating tricks for setting your home up for the warmer months. One is to lighten the winter-cosy mood by changing up your room layout. I live in an apartment and each spring and autumn I swap my lounge and dining furniture around. We can then huddle around the fireplace to binge watch the TV in the cooler months, and the dining space is over by the windows. In summer, we switch it up so we can then bask in the lovely northern light by the windows and dine in the cooler area. This is also very financially savvy, as we only tend to heat the spaces that we spend the most time in. Changing up your smaller styling accessories such as cushions can also help bring the spring and summer joy indoors.
