When the unruly winter weather sets in, there's no place like home. And although we all love the creature comforts of the couch in front of the fireplace, we've decided it's time to make the most of being stuck indoors by creating spaces that we love being in. Here are a few tips from the winter Simply You Living to get you started.
Trendy trio
Whether you're a minimalist or prefer bold patterns and colours surrounding you, this season's interior looks offer something to suit all tastes.
We're feeling particularly inspired by the 70s trend that's currently overlapping fashion and interiors.
Colour-wise, think burnt oranges, mustard yellows and lime greens.
When it comes to textiles and wallpaper, there's an abundance of retro-feel floral prints about.
If a modern look is more your thing, elegant black and white never goes out of fashion.
We're also coveting all things natural - unfinished textures and animal hides offset with a soft, neutral colour palette do the trick nicely.
Paint vs paper
Once you've decided how you want your space to look and feel, you'll probably come up against a tough decision - wallpaper or paint?
It's a hard debate to take sides on, and both can be used harmoniously within your home.
Wallpaper isn't quite the same as it used to be. Forget about the drab colour and kitsch prints of yesteryear - wallpaper has taken on a stylish new status in the world of interiors. Think lavish textures, rich colours and vibrant patterns.
And paint has also come a long way, thanks to technology. Resene has an impressive variety of paints that you can write on and stick magnetics to, as well as an anti-bacterial paint that has been formulated for kitchens and bathrooms. When you're choosing paint, keep in mind that there's more to it than colour.
Outside and away
If you're starting to get a little antsy about being cooped up inside, turn your attention to what's going on beyond your front door.
If you've got the right set-up, you can continue to entertain outside even when the temperature drops.
All you need is an outdoor fireplace to keep you and your guests toasty.
If you're looking for a bit of escapism that's beyond the realms of your own abode, we profile some hot travel destinations in the latest edition of Simply You Living.
For those after a quick escape, we've got the best places to shop and eat in Australia's food and fashion mecca - Melbourne.
And for those who want to head to the Northern Hemisphere to enjoy their summer, Florence is the place to be.
We can't think of a better way to escape New Zealand's wind and rain than to wine and dine in true Italian style.
Got a fashion or style topic you'd like us to cover? Email editor@simplyyou.co.nz
