While we men are happy to splash out on a bespoke suit, wear a classic watch and fragrance, get groomed to the fingertips and buy the sports car du jour, we have a tendency to slack off when it comes to our homes.
We either copy and paste an entire look from a respectable interiors journal or end up making our home a monument for in-trend designers. Worse, we let it rot in bachelor pad sleaze (yes, the round bed and leather sofa).
Your house is your private space, it must make you feel at home and accentuate you. There is a fine line between great and mediocre home interiors and it is called personality. It's not easy to achieve, but fear not let us tell you how to put your unique stamp on the four walls you call home - and that's something you just can't buy off the shelves.
Decide on an interior scheme
When it comes to interiors, have you stopped to think what you really like? We're not talking trends, but aesthetics. Do the straight lines of contemporary attract you or the starkness of the modern? Or are you into baroque gilding? If you are not sure, we suggest you browse through a couple of interior magazines and cut out pictures of schemes, furniture and accessories you like. It could be a style-based selection, colour or even pattern. Now lay these out on a board and try to group them. Once you have your groups ready, see which one you instinctively gravitate towards. With that clear, you can shop for pieces that best match that look more effectively. This is the first step to making your interiors as individual as yourself.
Don't be afraid to experiment.
Once you have your mood boards ready, you will have a good idea about what styles go together, which clash and which need to be approached with a little more courage. Now gather that wit and put stripes against polka dots, brown with aqua and metallic against linen. Mix and match styles, eras and whims. Don't worry, there is no formula to getting it right, just be tasteful, use your common sense and you are on a winner.
If you want to play with different wallpaper styles, upholstery and curtains, the best way is to touch and feel them! We suggest Feshwari for its exhaustive catalogue of amazing prints, textures and finishes. Feeling feverish? The easiest way to mix and match, and yet have the freedom to keep it all changing, is through cushions and carpets. Try Warps and Wefts for some funky options..
Break out of the mould!
Sometimes it takes a bold move to make a statement. When it comes to your interiors, you may find yourselves gravitating towards styles, forms and colours that are outside your comfort zone. Steel your heart and take the plunge. All it takes is some thought and clever space planning - what would have otherwise seemed out of place can become the star attraction. So get about adding that one conversation piece as an accent. Not only will it feed off its surroundings, it will give back the love.
If it's a conversation starter you're after, Aati will have the perfect piece for you - and with its amazing selection of furniture, including designer tags like Fendi! Marina and THE One also have options one can use to offset schemes to dramatic results. Add one piece - there is enough scope for some truly eclectic namedropping without breaking the bank.
Funk up the kitchen
A man's house is a lot about those big toys - the gadgets that make your house tick - and it's definitely not that rotating bed. It could all be about how well your kitchen is kept. For starters, go for the same body finish across the toaster, microwave and washing machine etc. Brushed stainless steel and white are classics. Choose iconic brands in measured doses. The Porsche retro toaster or the Smeg Union Jack 70s fridge are perfect conversation starters. Do the opposite in the bathroom - keep your electric shavers, trimmers and hair dryers away in a cabinet, no matter how fancy they may be. Porsche and Smeg aren't the only options. Look for funky kitchenware at Singways and Artikel. Check out @home for more stylish options.
The Telly
The TV can be an eyesore - even the most fancy of TVs is eventually a big black hole (albeit rectangular), when switched off. Wall mounting is in, and it's space effective, but not too appealing - unless it is the only thing in the room ruled by a stark lounger and minimal chic. Try to balance the telly with picture frames, bookcases and graphic wallpaper - anything that gives you other points of interest on that wall when the TV is off. Splash out on a hi-tech feel on a budget with a ceiling mount projector instead of a DVD player. And finally, put your TV to good use - watch some interior design programmes on lifestyle channels.
For an effective yet economical way to address the TV situation, head to Ikea. Pick up their wall mounting shelves and cabinets or some beautiful picture frames. If you have the budget, treat yourself to some bespoke cabinetry that frames or even hides the screen. Make it personal
What sets apart two men wearing the same shirt? It's how they accessorise and make a high-street trend personal. The same applies to interiors. Think about your last hotel room or serviced apartment - the bookshelves are usually empty, the walls too. At most there would be an abstract print. Now think about a home - it's about personal items that set you apart from the crowd. So make sure your favourite books, art pieces, coffee table books are visible.
