Start your spring cleaning early with Skandihome
If you didn’t already know, we here at Your Coffee Break love to decorate and organize our home, office and life. When it comes to the New Year, many ladies find themselves consumed with renewing gym memberships, hiding the backlog of empty bottles of Champagne from their festive soirees, and making endless lists to stick onto the fridge. But according to us, the solution to upgrading your lifestyle starts at home, with the way that your humble abode is decorated, and what better way to kick-off 2014 than with “spring cleaning”?
Sometimes it takes a professional eye to grasp your individual needs and requirements, but with the help of Skandihome and Scandinavian Interior designer, Ellen Ripa, you can transform your household and give your home and your lifestyle that rejuvenating uplift that it needs this New Year. Whether it is through a painting touch-up, a new item of furniture, or a whole household make-over, Ellen Ripa Interiors has the skills and service to assist with your every need. As Ellen told YCB earlier this week. “Our aim is to offer a unique and refreshing solution to your home project through a high level of personalised service and cheerful attitude. We bring a contemporary look using both modern and classic pieces enabling us to creating more characterful living spaces.”
Ellen’s personal background has proven to enhance the inspiration and quality behind ERI, with the development of their outstanding Home Styling services. “From our very first meeting, we really try to grasp your needs and requirements to be able to create the perfect home for you.” She told us.
In true Scandinavian spirit, white is used as the basis for the entire scheme; this offers a tranquil and welcoming result for Spring, and abides by their prevailing motto of “less is more.” The personality and character of the individual can then be added through the careful choice of colour, textiles and furnishing. “Our base palettes are mainly whites and greys, staying far away from any shades of cream. This gives Scandinavian interiors a very crisp and fresh look, to which colours (lots of blues and greens) can be added for a more playful look.” Ellen explained. Try keeping the tone of your décor simplistic, while adding in a splash of colour from carefully selected items of furniture, for a truly sophisticated style.
“I love playing with textiles which I think add a real sense of comfort to any home.” The interior genius added. Skandihome’s range of Carolina Bedlinen is made from 300 thread pure sateen cotton, offering a luxurious sleeping experience with an elegant, refined texture. To add a hint of colour, why not select a Saga Cotton Floor Runner in terracotta blue or shamrock green.
An important thing to consider when re-decorating the home is the purpose it will serve in the future. A family home would need to accommodate for children, with a more colourful environment which is easy to wipe down and devoid of delicate items, expensive gadgets. Standout items such as Skandihome’s Lycka Blue & White Lidded Jar will add character to a room without overloading the décor with clutter. For a more personal, feminine touch to your pad, fill the Lilja Hurricane Vase with a bouquet of beautiful fresh flowers and sit them on the dining table.
A great way to set the ambience of a room is through the use of lighting Ellen told us. Each Skandihome candle is wax capped to ensure the perfume always remains fresh and has a long life if required. “The Skandihome scented candle and diffuser collection are handmade in the UK. We currently have 4 scents, (of which Lavender & Geranium is my favourite!) which are all unique scents yet subtle, gently filling your home, without being over-powering.” Another way to enhance your home lighting is with Skandihome’s Light Storm Lantern; ideal to place on your dining table all year round or to use in the garden during the long summer evenings, with a stylish, hand-painted gold trim to create true Scandi ambience.
No matter how you choose to re-decorate this New Year, it is important to stay true to yourself and your unique style. Your home is your personal space to kick off your shoes and unwind after a long day in the office, and it is important to feel relaxed. As Ellen told YCB, “A home is somewhere you want to be, a place that suits your daily habits and reflects your personality. It does not need to look pristine or be full of the latest design trends, it simply needs to be a place where one feels at ease and enjoys spending time with friends and family.”
The next 12 months look to be very exciting for Skandihome and ERI. Ellen spills about her projects come 2014: “We are refurbishing 17 rooms of The Manor hotel just outside Oxford, all with unique designs and textiles for that ultimate special feel. We are also very excited to complete a period house in Cannes, in the South of France using Swedish Gustavian furniture mixed with the classic French Louis XVI style.”
It only took one sneak peek in the new year for us to understand that Ellen Ripa and the people over at Ellen Ripa Interiors will be the ones to watch this New Year!
For more information on Ellen Ripa Interiors, visit their website http://www.skandihome.com/ellen-ripa-interiors/
