When the weather turns and colder nights draw in, a comfortable and inviting home is more important than ever. Add fixtures and fittings that evoke warmth and employ sumptuous design elements and you’ll be ready for the new season. Here we share a selection of the latest tempting trends.
The kitchen has always been the heart of the home and nothing says ‘welcome’ like an AGA. Not only a wonderful source of heat, but also a design classic. Brand Ambassador Laura James says, “They range in size from 60cm to 210cm, so are perfect for city homes of all sizes. Today, the majority of AGA cookers run on electricity and can be on when you want them on, and off when you don’t. The ovens and hotplates operate independently: on a summer weekday evening you might simply switch on one hotplate to griddle a piece of fish, but on a wintry Sunday you can cook breakfast, lunch and dinner while benefiting from the kitchen being warm and cosy.”
Nothing is more luxurious than a freestanding bath and a burnished copper piece can completely transform the look of a bathroom. Available in a variety of finishes, the Copper Boat Bath collection by BC Designs is reminiscent of a bygone era when people bathed in front of the fire. Barrie Cutchie, Design Director, says, “Copper baths are perfect for those of us who love a long soak. Copper is an excellent heat conductor and will maintain the water temperature much longer than cast iron versions. Our copper baths remain warm to the touch, even when they’ve been emptied.”
If you crave a hearth but prefer a modern take on a traditional fireplace, look no further than Modus, who specialise in hanging fireplaces. Their range of custom-made fireplaces incorporates amazing ceiling-hung canopies that will bring the wow-factor to any room. Modus also make double-sided fireplaces and wall fires. Daniel Sanders, Design Director explains, “Our overriding ethos is that a fireplace should be viewed as a year-round piece of beautiful, sculpted furniture providing maximum impact and a relaxing ambiance.”
Once the fixtures are in place, gorgeous decor is key. For wall coverings that look as beautiful as works of art, try de Gournay, the design house that has become synonymous with luxury since it was founded in London in 1986. The company specialises in reimaginations of scenery and landscapes through the centuries, seeking inspiration from all over the world. Hannah Cecil Gurney, Director at de Gournay says, “Our handpainted wallpapers and hand-embroidered wall upholsteries warm a room, enveloping the space with decorative scenes and motifs.”
Image above: Henry Holland X Floor Story
Image above: Modus Fireplaces
Once the fixtures are in place, gorgeous decor is key. For wall coverings that look as beautiful as works of art, try de Gournay, the design house that has become synonymous with luxury since it was founded in London in 1986. The company specialises in reimaginations of scenery and landscapes through the centuries, seeking inspiration from all over the world. Hannah Cecil Gurney, Director at de Gournay says, “Our handpainted wallpapers and hand-embroidered wall upholsteries warm a room, enveloping the space with decorative scenes and motifs.”
For a sensational finishing touch, add a unique rug that will stand the test of time. Floor_Story in east London specialise in bespoke pieces by talented designers such as Kangan Arora, Henry Holland and Gill Thorpe. Founder Simon Goff explains, “We have a firm belief that a rug is the beating heart of any room, a hand-crafted blanket and work of art for the floor which provides both form and function. Investing in a high-end designer rug will not only hold longevity as a product but will also make you fall in love with your space.”
A few carefully considered investments can make a real difference to the appeal of your home and, if you are thinking of putting your property on the market, provide a warm welcome to prospective buyers and tenants.
