Design Suggestions 2020 - Minimal; Sustainable and Hygge

A very Happy New Year to each one of you reading this !

We all make resolutions as the new year starts and for some of us it fizzles out as the year passes.. i am hoping that is not the case with me :). This year i would like to start writing blogposts more often so that i can explain my thoughts in depth.

On one hand where technology and digitisation has made our lives simpler, easier and convenient on the other hand the effect of climate change is taking a toll on the planet and we can experience it in severe ways across the globe. 
Globally we are becoming more and more aware of this issue. This year rather this decade we need to address this issue seriously so as to leave a liveable world for our future generations. 

Like many other industries the Interior Design Industry is also responsible for these environmental changes. The manufacturing and usage of synthetic materials to create cheaper products which can be replaced and changed easily is causing us to leave a huge carbon footprint. Globally we are trying to address this issue. 
This year we are working towards a more responsible design suggestion. 

The Design Suggestion for 2020 or the Design Trends for the year 2020 is 
MINIMAL ; SUSTAINABLE ; HYGGE

MINIMAL DESIGN - this is a rage now.Some are following it purely because it is in Trend and some understand the actual need for it. 
The Minimal form of design involves using clean lines, is reductive, uncluttered, monochromatic and simple. 'LESS is MORE' This is the motto of Minimalism. It does not mean throwing a few pieces of furniture or decor on a white backdrop making the space look sparse, cold and un lived. It is a careful selection of elements which give the space a clutter free, serene, balanced and elegant look. 

Every piece be it flooring, ceiling, furniture, lighting, decor, wall treatment or accessories, each of them serves a purpose and is placed mindfully giving it its due space and respect. The lack of visual clutter is the key to a minimal decor.

SUSTAINBLE DECOR

This is a term which is also becoming extremely popular in todays world. As the name suggests it is usage of products that have a longer shelf life, are made using natural materials, are eco friendly and bio degradable and hopefully produced ethically. 
Using natural wood and plywood, stone, terracotta and bamboo instead of synthetic and resin based materials. Using energy efficient lighting systems, breathable and natural wall claddings, natural fibres for furnishings and upholstery like linen, hemp and cotton.

HYGGE DECOR

Hygge is a Danish term, It means a state of mind which is peaceful, friendly and stress free. This form of design is mainly achieved through accessories and lighting. Lighting plays an important part in interiors and warm lighting makes a space inviting and gives a sense of coziness to the space. The comforting vibe of hygge is also achieved through furnishings and accessories; using throw pillows, blankets, candles and personalised decor makes a space feel warm and stress free. 

The aim this year is to marry these 3 design styles together to create a clutter free, stress free, cozy and sustainable interior space. To make your homes achieve this one can follow some simple steps. 

I am listing below the 6 key steps to creating a Minimal, Sustainable and Hygge space. 

STEP 1 - FLOORING 

Most of us live in urban homes and when we buy our homes they come with pre fitted flooring of vitrified tiles, In most cases we are unable to change the same due to the cost factor. Removing these tiles generates extreme amount of waste leading to a toxic environment. So it is suggested to keep to the tiles that have been provided. However if you happen to purchase the house whilst under construction and have the option of changing or not taking the tiles provided by the builder or are building your own home then you can choose your flooring wisely. 

 

Using stone is the best option in Interiors. As stone is a natural resource use it wisely and use the stone which is naturally available in your city and suits the climate of the place.

Marble is also a stone that is found naturally and makes a space look minimal and clean. 

The most sustainable option is to use Terracotta tiles. These are made using natural clay and are made chemical free. They are available in various shapes and sizes and one can choose the ones that suit your interiors.

STEP 2 - FURNITURE

Furniture forms a major part of our spaces. But furniture is meant for a purpose and not as a decorative piece. For a minimal decor choose furniture that has a purpose in your room or home; these furniture pieces should be in clean straight lines and have softer edges. The minimal style of design stays away from intricately carved pieces.  

While choosing furniture or getting it made make sure that it is made of natural materials like wood, bamboo or metal. If teak wood is not pocket friendly then one can use pine wood to make furniture. If you feel that maintaining wooden furniture is difficult then you can get furniture in plywood. Use natural wood or lighter wooden colours for furniture for a more scandanavian feel.

STEP 3 - WALL TREATMENT

Walls form three times the floor area of our homes or spaces. The vertical space in our homes is defined by walls and visually walls can create a sense of space or clutter if they are not treated properly. Having only one accent wall makes the space look clutter free and yet add character.

To keep the look as the natural as possible an exposed brick wall or a wall with wooden cladding looks elegant, minimal, is sustainable and also gives an inviting feel.

Creating a gallery wall or even using a vertical garden on one wall imparts a beautiful and personal feel to the space. 

While choosing paint for your walls there are range of eco friendly and breathable paints now available for home use. Sticking to pale and softer colours for walls and ceiling makes a space look clean, larger and reflects light. It also imparts a scandanavian vibe to a space  

STEP 4 - LIGHTING 

Lighting can make all the difference in the interiors and sets the mood of the space. White light gives the necessary light needed or our daily chores and yellow light imparts warmth to your space. it is best to use a combination of both kinds of light. Using energy efficient lights like LED lights are a good way to save electricity. 

Use soft diffused light creates an inviting feel. Use accent lighting creates a comfortable, cosy and a stress free soothing feeling. You can add hidden lights like the ones shown in the pictures above so that no light fixture is visible and you get a diffused soft light. 

STEP 5 – FURNISHINGS

A space feels personal and lived in only once we add furnishings. Adding cushions and pillows creates a cosy vibe but adding too many can make it look cluttered so add cushions and throws wisely. 

                                                 

For summer months add cushions in linen, cotton or hemp.Adding a jute or hand woven cotton rug along with linen and sheer drapes gives the space a homely feel. During the winters these can be switched out for woollen, flannel, suede or silk pillows, knitted blankets and woollen rugs. The space feel completely transformed and personalised with the furnishings.

STEP 6 – ACCESSORIES

Accessories are a personal choice but they play and important role in the look and feel of a space. To achieve a Minimal, Sustainable and Hygge vibe in your homes I suggest that you accessorise sparingly and with natural things. Use one or 2 big pieces to create impact. Decorate with your favourite books for a personalised look. 

Use accessories in natural materials like cement, rattan, cane, jute. Use candles to create hygge vibe. And last but most importantly bring the outdoors in. Use plants to accessorise your space. They bring in life to your space.

Following these 6 steps one can easily transform a space to make it feel Minimal, Sustainable and Hygge. 

What are your thoughts on these design styles and how do u plan to implement them in your homes?  I would love to hear from you. 

We have made a video on the above which you can watch here. 

I would love or us to connect on 

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/fulcrumhomedecor

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Fulcrumhomedecor

A young Couples Abode - Part 2

A few days ago you read about the living room makeover of Gouri and Anurag's home. Today we share with you how we transformed their Bedroom.

A bedroom is a place where one must feel rejuvenated after a long day's work. It must provide respite from the chaotic world and had to be a place for the couple to leave everything behind and enjoy each others company. 

A Beachy Bohemian design was chosen for this bedroom as it captured the essence of the surroundings very well. Their home is located in the hilly area of Pune and was an apt setting for a room with vacation vibes. The blues and the whites are a nod to the same, and reminds one of the sand and the ocean. It is a great example of creating a tranquil environment within the boundaries of a residence.

The focal point of the room was the customised wall paper. The wall paper depicts the mood of the room. It was designed to give a look of rough wood in the colours of a beach house. The worn out look gives it a Bohemian feel. The existing bed has been modified by changing the leather panel and the metal bed has been distressed with off-white paint to match the Beachy - Boho look of the bedroom . The side tables have been given a raw metal element to add to the Beachy feel and the metal lights anchored on wooden angles above the side tables complete the look.

The dresser in the room is also not a conventional one. Choosing to place it near a window was a conscious decision so the lovely light in the room could be taken advantage of. Along with the tall wooden mirror distressed painted in a vibrant blue colour we have added a chest of drawer to add as an extra storage and also as a conversational piece in the room . The accessories used are all in distressed metal and cane to keep true to the design of Beachy - Boho. 

A new wardrobe with louvers was installed which follows the Beachy farmhouse vibe. The laminate is a very soft wooden colour. The curtains for the large French window are used in colours of the ocean and have been ombre dyed to give the airy and beachy vibe. 

The cushions and bed spreads are provided to add a luxurious feel to and cushions are also designed specifically to compliment the rest of the décor.

 Every minor addition to the basic layout of the room plays a significant role in the final outlook, everything from the lights, furniture, upholstery and other decorative pieces. In this case, all the accent pieces were hand-picked to compliment the calm and serene atmosphere that has been created with great precision. So, step in and gaze at this beautiful bedroom, fashioned specially for our free spirits, Gouri and Anurag.

Here is a video of the entire process of the makeover. You will get to witness some before and after snippets of how we transformed the home. 

Do let us know your thoughts. Your comments are valuable to us. 

If you would like to get your homes designed by us do get in touch with us . 

 Fulcrum Homedecor

103, Yashoda Serenia

Wakad - Hinjewadi Road 

Near Saundarya Garden Restuarant.

Pune 411057

# 8888860571

@ -fulcrumconcepts@gmail.com

A young couples abode - Part 1

A young couple - Gouri and Anurag chose this small apartment as their first home since shifting to Pune. Situated in a beautiful society nestled amongst the hills of the city; Wearied of their hectic life previously in Bombay, they wanted a place to relax and entertain their family and friends on weekends. The couple wanted their home to be a very personal space, one that felt like their own.

The Inspiration behind the aesthetic decisions comes from their quirky and fun-loving nature. They did not want a traditional interior with traditional furniture. We needed to create a young and free space which reflects their personality. 

We invite you to step in and gaze at an eccentric home and gather a different perspective to an urban home. 

As you enter the Home you are welcomed into an L shaped Cozy and Comfortable seating.

Their party-loving and social nature was a massive influence on the living room's design. It is now an ideal area for conversation and creating memories. In front of the seating is bench which also serves as a book case for the book loving couple. A vast colour palette has been picked to paint this big span of living room and instantly grabs the attention of anyone who walks through the door.

The Highlight of the living room is this customised chair made specially for Gouri to satiate her desire for reading and relaxing with her coffee.

Another Important feature in the living room is the Bar. 

Our couple decided to forego the traditional dining table and instead wished for a live bar to match their young and free lifestyle. A bar was conjured up with a wooden finish, which makes it the highlight of the entire home. Even when one is not having a drink, it is a great place to have a chat while enjoying a snack. The darker wooden finish provides contrast to the place and the contemporary hanging lights set the mood.

Gouri and Anurag have frankly declared themselves as film fanatics. The wall behind the bar houses an extensive collection of posters from movies they appreciate and admire.

This couple's kitchen has been imagined as a happy place, somewhere one wants to visit as frequently as possible. The inspiration for this design has come from Greek culture. The usage of white as the primary colour made a little vibrant with the incorporation of blues and greens does make it feel like a mini-Mykonos here at home. As soft and subdued as the theme of the kitchen is, it definitely doesn't lack personality and class. 

However, a kitchen must be very functional too. To ensure that, an arrangement which makes the workflow easier has been put into place, so that our delicious meals can come to life with minimal effort. 

The ease of workflow is paramount in a kitchen. Preparation, cooking and washing form the work cycle of the kitchen. The washing area has been separated so that it does not interfere with the rest of the space. A large counter allows for more freedom while working there.

Piecing the puzzle! A soft coloured granite is used for the counter. The backsplash is done in tile to enhance the look. The laminates are also from the similar colour style and go together nicely.

 To have a look at the entire makeover of the Living room and kitchen do check out the entire video. 

Do leave us a comment with your views on this makeover, if you wish to your homes or a part of your homes designed do get in touch with us.

Fulcrum Homedecor 

103, Yashoda Serenia

Wakad - Hinjewadi Road

Pune 411057

Whatsapp - 8888860571

Email - fulcrumconcepts@gmail.com

Leena's Living Room Transformation

Home is where the heart is.. It is place of Love and Soulace. I feel lucky to be able to transform and provide people with spaces which they can call home.

Recently we have completed one such transformation.



Leena's entire home is a reflection of herself. The home is beautiful just like her and is a perfectly organised and neat home just like her beautiful mind.

The only space in her home which needed a little attention was the living room. She wanted to redo her living room which was pretty constrained in the number of people that it could accommodate. She wanted a space that was bright, open, cozy, flexible and had an arrangement that was conversational and comfortable for her guests and family.



The living room was freshly painted and had a beautiful entertainment unit. We were certain that we did not want to redo or replace these two structures.



We made a few changes and transformed the living room without changing a too many things and we have captured it in a video.



This is a living room makeover and living room tour that Is close to my heart because it was done for someone very close to me.











This video has been captured and edited by Abhilasha who is such a Great Friend and her eye for details brings out the best parts of our work.



This is the link to other living room makeovers that we have done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCSergKNQ8I&t=8s



Do check out Abhilasha's Channel for more videos on Home and lifestyle.

https://www.youtube.com/Looking Good Feeling Fab



Also do Subscribe to our channel on youtube to view more videos.

www.youtube.com/fulcrumhomedecor



If you wish to get in touch with us to transform your home or space

Whatsapp us on 8888860571

Email us - fulcrumconcepts@gmail.com



Leave us a comment / feedback :)

A young Couples Nest - A Home Tour

Hello there,

A home is where we feel Soulace and Comfort, a place where we want to return to after our daily endevours to conquer the world:). This place has to be special, It has to be a reflection of our personalities and beliefs.

Many a times we get carried away by a Trend or Fad that is prevalent or we see someones home and want to incorporate the same techniques in our homes. However tempted we get we should design our spaces keeping in mind Functionality, Usage, Light and our Lifestyle.

I was approached by a young couple to do up their newly bought nest. The brief was very simple, They were soon to be married and both are working, They love muted shades and colours and wanted something in simple yet elegant lines.

Once the work was complete, My dear friend Abhilasha was generous to do a video tour of the space. Attached below is the video tour of the space.

Do leave me a comment for the video. Incase you wish to get in touch with us you can email us on fulcrumconcepts@gmail.com or whatsapp me on 8888860571.



For more home tours you can go to the link below on Abhilasha's You Tube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/lookingoodfeelingfab



And to follow our videos you can go to our new you tube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ7ygFbEIRGVCLdeRgmll5w?view_as=subscriber

My 7 Day Detox - Part 2

If you read my last post you must already know that these days i am ranting about my 7 Day Detox. This post is going to be about the food i ate and what i am retaining from the diet i followed.

Since lunch was mostly salads I would get hungry in a couple of hours and i needed something to snack on and since this diet demands you to increase the liquid intake, my afternoon snack would main comprise of Coconut water and Green Tea. Along with the tea i needed something more filling so a handful of nuts or some fruit was my indulgence.

Dinner was the part which i felt a little difficult since i love eating out and i would mostly go out in the evenings. Nevertheless after the first two days i felt better after eating light. These are the few things i ate for dinner and their quick recipes.

Grilled Vegetables - As simple as the name I just put some diced vegetables in a grilling pan and grilled them on the gas top with 1 tsp of olive oil. After grilling i added a little salt and pepper and my secrete ingredient - a generous squeeze of lemon juice.Trust me it makes all the different. 

 Brown rice flakes with sauteed vegetables. I soaked some brown rice flakes in warm water and once they fluffed up i added salt and pepper. I sauteed some vegetables in 1tsp olive oil and added some sesame and flax seeds and salt and squeezed some lemon and Boy was it a tasty dish.. you must try this one !

 Tossed greens. Some roughly chopped spinach leaves, some moong been sprout, bok choy, mushrooms and onions wok tossed and sprinkled with my favourite salt, pepper and lemon juice. 

These were a few of the things i included in my diet.

Not only did i shed a few kilos, most importantly i felt extremely light, there was no heaviness in my body. A feeling hadn't felt before. There was no lethargy so my afternoon snooze was transformed into a power nap and mornings felt clean. 

Since it was only a 7 day diet it was easy for me to follow and surely because of change of food habits i did feel a slight headache at times. I sunk into bed early and woke up early as well. Overall i felt good and light. 

What i would like to carry forward from this diet are:

1. Eating light and early dinner - I felt this to be the change that i surely want to incorporate in my daily diet. 

2. Drink more than you eat - I have ignored the importance of drinking water and fluids and come summer i would have had irritability pangs because of dehydration. But not anymore !

3. Post lunch snacking - This is my binge time and come 5pm i would indulge in cakes, croissants, muffins, crackers, mug full of coffee and lots of sugary stuff. This is going to change my friend .. it will either be fruits ( i am munching on some watermelon as i write) or light tea without sugar and nuts. 

This made and i am sure will continue to make a difference in the way i feel physically and emotionally.

My Detox as i mentioned in the post earlier will be ongoing it is a constant cycle of Body, Mind and Soul Detox. I have already begun detoxing my skin ! More about it in the next post !

Do leave me a comment .. would love to hear your thoughts!