According to a recent consumer home trend survey from HGTV, 60 per cent of UAE residents are looking to redecorate their home interiors this year. Los Angeles-born, Las Vegas-raised identical twin sisters Alana and Lex LeBlanc are co-stars on HGTV's Listed Sisters, where they find fixer-uppers and turn them into dream homes. The duo give us a double dose of advice on styling your home for the current season so you can enjoy it all summer long.
Big, bold and botanical
Lex, an interior designer by trade who graduated from the New York School of Interior Design, says botanicals can easily transform rooms from humdrum to fresh and vibrant. Simple additions, such as indoor plants, can easily add life and colour to any place. Easy-to-maintain plants that thrive in air-conditioned or indoor environments include succulents, herbs, fiddle-leaf fig trees and cascading plants. For the more adventurous, botanical-themed textiles and wall coverings can easily be turned into a feature wall, and will spruce up any space, giving it a tropical, vibrant feel. Pair these lively prints with muted hues, such as grey, brown or deep navy blue, to create a space that channels sophisticated jungle fun.
Subtle touches with jewel tones
Lex also recommends deep blue and green jewel tones on walls and kitchen cabinets. For her, these subtle colour touches are a sure way for aspiring creatives to turn average abodes into fantastic family homes – a notion that real estate mogul Alana agrees with. These changes can also be done on a small budget, adding some much-needed life to lacklustre living rooms. Adding an essential splash of colour can brighten any space, taking homes from grim to gorgeous, and turning dens from dowdy to desirable. Those not able to splash out on a whole new wall of paint can update cabinets, countertops, backsplashes or even appliances to create a more contemporary look. The addition of ultra-chic furniture will help give the rooms the feel of a private retreat that you can enjoy all year round.
Function over trends
The summer sun can be brutal, so this needs to be top of mind when choosing outdoor furniture. Functional furniture layout is important as well. Adding shade elements will give added longevity to outdoor terrace furniture. Bright white upholstery and wicker furnishings work well in tandem to create a sophisticated outdoor lounge for entertaining, while LED rope lights make the outdoors inviting all night long. Also always be sure you select outdoor furniture that can be cleaned easily.
Upgrades on any budget
Opening up a room by removing a wall or two allows seamless living areas, but isn't always possible on every budget. Simple and cost-effective ways to give your home a new lease of life include adding new window treatments or curtains – particularly in main living areas and bedrooms – which automatically provides a fresh take on furnishings and boosts visual appeal. For bathrooms, you can't always create a spacious and spa-like feel with twin vanities, chrome fixtures and marble surfaces. Instead, opt for candles to create mood lighting, and dried flowers such as lavender or myrtle that add subtle aromas while introducing a hint of colour.
Catch Lex and Alana on HGTV’s ‘Listed Sisters’ on Saturdays at 9.45pm on HGTV
______________________
Read more:
Talata: the Dubai homeware brand that has taken Egypt as the inspiration
Applying these five design principles to the home
How to choose the three most important buys for your home
Tips for how to think like an interior designer
______________________
