A Guide to Creating a Stylish Home
Home is where the heart is. We all tend to design our homes according to our tastes; some like it warm and cosy, others prefer it modern and edgy… Then there are those eccentric few who we at Cuckooland unite with; the noble people who opt for the quirky interior.
Creating a quirky home isn’t a simple endeavour – you must be bold, willing to break societies norms, and above all else have that special spark of creativity. Thankfully, the Cuckooland team are exceptional at inspiring all things quirky… hence our guide to creating your perfect quirky home.
To start creating a quirky home, make sure you’ve got the basics covered. The last thing you want to happen is for your home to be renovated or fixed just because of a faulty wiring. First of all, have your home properly inspected if you don’t know how to do it yourself. Check the ceiling for leaks, if applicable. Then, check the plumbing. Also, take note of the age of your home. Older homes may need updated wiring, gas and water pipes. There is nothing quirky about damp patches. Unless they’re shaped like a unicorn, these are very rare. A good, quirky home should not be dangerous for you and your family over time. Formalities out of the way, let’s start having some fun.
The Quirky Elements and Principles
When you think of quirky, always assume something unconventional. A quirky home is not for the faint of heart. It is for daring and artistic individuals. Let your imagination loose. Consider installing weathervanes if the mood so takes you; having practical, functional DIY and antique elements in and around your home is totally acceptable. With the weather and all its potentially disruptive elements forecasted and understood, lets turn our hand at being our own interior designer and begin indoors. With that said, it’s practical to know a few useful elements of interior design. Always remember, as an interior designer, your job is to shape experience based on home elements.
Balance, Rhythm, Emphasis, Proportion and Harmony
These are the four elements of interior design; Balance, Rhythm, Proportion and Harmony. Balance pertains to the stability achieved by the elements’ arrangement. Balance can be achieved through symmetry, asymmetry and radial symmetry. A symmetrical balance calls for elements that are arranged in a mirror image of each other. An asymmetrical balance lets the dissimilar elements be arranged in a way that balance is achieved through carefully manipulating the visual weight of the object. Asymmetrical balance is casual and modern and creates a dynamic feel in a home. Radial symmetry achieves balance when objects are arranged around a center point, for example, a fireplace or a heavy designer curtain. Balance creates a focal point. A focal point is the most interesting part of an interior. It draws the attention and focus to itself. For a room without a natural focal point, you can create a focal point by adding an interesting piece of artwork, painting or furniture or by adding an object that contrasts the room’s theme colour (and to be truly quirky, remember to banish boredom from the design!).
Next, rhythm is about the flow and repetition of colours and objects in a room. Then you have proportion, which pertains to the relation of the elements and objects to the room. Lastly, there is harmony, which covers the relationship of all the elements involved, including the details. You can learn more about Balance, Rhythm, Proportion and Harmony here.
Quirky Home Furniture and Accessories
Home furnitures and accessories are the essential objects that will convey your quirkiness. The design, colour and material used should match the quirky theme you have in mind. You can have colourful candle holders or framed retro pictures hung. A mint, pastel or intensely coloured nightstand can add to your bedroom’s quirkiness. You could make DIY lamps out of old film negatives or candle jars. You could mix and match old and new elements, for example, an old clock or an antique looking cabinet handle will create a nice contrast to a modern wall and cabinet, respectively. Do not be scared to use wall vinyl stickers. These stickers are gentle enough not to peel away the paint or wallpaper. The possibilities are endless.
At Cuckooland we excel in the exceptional; demanding every item in our range defines our unique and quirky nature. For more ideas browse our collection of unique home accessories at Cuckooland.com for an almost limitless supply of inspiration, and be sure to stay tuned for part two coming soon…. Cuckooland products that transform your home.
Our interior design team is always on standby to answer any questions you may have – simply call us on +44 (0) 1305 231231 Mon-Fri 9-6pm or email customerservice@cuckooland.com and our super friendly team will reply immediately.
