Create inside peace

WHEN you’re embarking on a renovation or redesign, ask yourself: ‘What choices can I make to promote a feeling of sanctity?

What natural elements, time-worn finishes and architectural elements salvaged from old buildings can I incorporate to add layers of depth and character?

BATHROOM AS SANCTITY

Master bathrooms have also become a common place of respite, with trends toward personalisation and spa-inspired amenities. “Bathrooms have become even more sumptuous,” Berkus says.

For homeowners on a budget, an easy way to create bathroom serenity is with candles, fresh flowers, relaxing music and recessed lighting.

Berkus also notes a growing trend toward upholstered bathroom furniture such as quilted chaises and tufted settees next to the bathtub, to add another tier of warmth and relaxation.

USE SOCIAL NETWORKS

Visual social networks such as Instagram and Pinterest can help homeowners curate their interests, hone their design aesthetic and create a home environment that reflects their personality and tastes.

“Our design consciousness has been elevated based on our access to information,” Berkus says. Websites have also served as visual tools to help clients communicate to interior designers what they want their decor to exude, “whether it’s something that reflects who they are as a person, their cultural heritage or time in their lives that was meaningful.”