Scandi lifestyle expert at Contura provides easy tips on updating your interiors ready for summer (and socialising).
Summer is (finally) on its way and with lockdown restrictions easing, some of us will be looking forward to hosting guests again, or simply enjoying the longer days in the comfort of our homes and gardens.
Refreshing your interiors to reflect the season is a simple way to bring renewed life and energy into your home. This does not need to be expensive either; with a few savvy updates you can transform a tired or too-well-trodden looking room into a fresh, season-friendly space.
Catharina Björkman, Scandi lifestyle expert at wood burning stove company, Contura, says: “Updating your home for summer is all about being creative. It is tempting to head online for new furniture or to the shops for new soft furnishings, but it is more cost-effective and more sustainable to look at your existing items and find simple ways to add some Scandi cool to your interiors.
“Tackling home renovation projects can seem daunting, but the key is to break it into easy, manageable tasks and always start small. Go room by room and get the basics right first: optimise the natural light as much as possible, wash the curtains and windows (inside and out), dust and water the houseplants, paint over any scuffs on the walls and patch up any wear and tear. You will be amazed how these small tweaks make the world of difference to your home.”
If your home needs some TLC after being lived in a lot lately, read on for Catharina’s easy home renovation tips…
Put away autumn & winter items
Think about what you do and do not need for the season as the weather is warming up. Now is the time to put away and store winter things such as candles, fluffy blankets, draught excluders, blankets on the bed and any bulky winter furnishings. Do the same with winter clothing and boots, clearing these from the hallway and under the stairs, and storing them under the bed or in wardrobes in handy storage boxes. If you have a lot of boxes, it’s worth labelling these so you can dig them out easily when you need them again.
Make some soft furnishing swaps
A really simple way to bring seasonal interiors into your home is to swap the cushion covers for fresh summery linens and neutral cottons. Similarly, a raw linen table runner can add instant summer uplift to your dining table. Change any dark coloured bed linen for lighter versions and swap dark, heavy rugs and curtains for lighter materials that will feel cooler and let natural light in. Summer is less about nesting and being cosy and more about letting the light into your home and keeping cool, so make clever swaps to reflect this.
Change your art
If your art or frames are not working in a particular space or room, simply move them around to see if they would be better placed in a different location. It can take time for items to look at home in a new spot, so resist the urge to switch them straight back if you are unsure at first. If you have a gallery wall, switching around your prints, adding more, or even taking some away is an inexpensive way to completely refresh your wall – it will bring you joy each time you see it in all its glory.
Outdoor space
Whether you have a balcony, patio, courtyard or a garden, your outdoor space should be an extension of your home and be utilised well. Think about how you use your green spaces as well before making any changes: if you plan on hosting guests, then a cosy seating area is ideal; if you prefer cosying up with a book and a glass of wine in the evenings, you could make a cosy nook with cushions, blankets, fairy lights and a fire pit.
Painting the garden shed, fencing and gates is inexpensive but effective. Weed the flowerbeds, prune any overhanging branches and mow the lawn. If you’re in need of garden furniture, check second-hand websites for preloved items before buying anything new. It may need a little TLC to bring back to life, but this also means you get a more unique piece of furniture. Solar powered outdoor lighting gives a soft atmosphere during (hopefully) balmy evenings; drape strings around trees for maximum impact.
Front of house
Up your kerb appeal by sprucing up a tired or messy front garden. Sweep the patio, trim back hedges, add some plant pots (symmetrical bay trees each side of the door provides an instant uplift), repaint the gate and fence, and make sure the area stays spick and span. You could also repaint the front of the house, clear the gutters, and even install wooden racking or stores for outdoor boots, bins and bikes – just ensure this is fully weather and theft proof.
For more information on Contura, please visit http://www.contura.eu
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Notes to editors:
- Rooster PR will coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for Contura UK Country Manager, Phil Wood.
- The Contura PR team will also arrange visits to the nearest Contura Design Centre dealerships or the Contura showroom in Doncaster to see the product range.
For further press information, please contact:
Elsa Findlay | Jo Kendall | Julie Aguilera
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8930
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About Contura:
Contura is Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood burning stoves, offering an extensive range of classic and contemporary wood burners; from traditional insert stoves suitable for existing fireplaces, to freestanding statement models made with innovative materials such as soapstone.
Starting at £1,095, Contura stoves are premium yet affordable. Award winning, timeless Swedish design means the products complement or enhance any style of home, whilst also offering outstanding performance, maximum efficiency, practicality and ease of use.
Designed and assembled at the factory located in Markaryd, Sweden, and manufactured to the highest standards, Contura stoves are highly energy efficient, offering powerful convection, superior combustion technology and clean burning systems. Currently, 95% of Contura stoves are DEFRA Clean Air Act exempt and thus approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.
Contura stoves can be purchased through a network of 165 independent retailers nationwide.
Contura is part of the NIBE group, a Swedish manufacturing company producing world class solutions in sustainable energy across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
Contura is a founding member of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) in the UK.
For more information please visit www.contura.eu
