Interior Styling Tag

Crafting Versatile Furniture: The Art of Designing Multifunctional Pieces for Small Spaces

Relocating to Singapore amidst a bustling rental market meant downsizing from a townhouse to a cozy condo—a challenge that sparked a journey of design innovation. Leaving behind cherished pieces like my restored Parker chairs, a fabulous mid-century room divider, and my iconic Ball Chair was bittersweet, but necessary for our new abode’s scaled-down dimensions.

Our initial furniture choices reflected this mindset. A modular sofa, easily manoeuvrable through the condo’s lift, complemented by nested coffee tables and a cozy reading chair, found their place in our snug space.

Yet, there was a glaring gap of extra seating for guests, with no space inside for a dining table (all our dining is either at our massive kitchen island or al fresco on our balcony) and seating at our entrance for the local tradition of removing your shoes before entering the home. So, this prompted the quest for a versatile seating solution—a journey that led to the design of our latest creation.

Crafted with sustainability in mind, our multifunctional piece is made from recycled materials, including repurposed coca cola cans and clothing fibres, aligning with our commitment to eco-conscious design practices. Collaborating with Ipse Ipsa Ipsum in Singapore, we’ve brought this concept to life, merging sustainable design with uncompromising quality.

 

 

Our bench/seat seamlessly transitions from seating to a coffee table, with a flexible nested side table and accessories including a tray and magazine rack, offering versatility that adapts to different functions and spaces. Whether used near the entrance or as a centrepiece in the living room, it effortlessly blends timeless elegance with an eclectic luxe, hopefully adding personality to any space it inhabits.

 

 

 

With the design finalised and production underway, our excitement builds. Naming this piece presents its own challenge—one we eagerly embrace as part of the creative journey.

Stay tuned as we unveil the next chapter in our design journey.

 

Big love,

Aisha xox

0

10 Luxury Decorating Tips On A Budget

Everyone wants a fabulous home that they love coming home to.  

 

Often we don’t have the cashflow to make our interior dreams a reality.

 

Never fear, here we have some creative solutions to help you get that WOW factor and transform your home into a sanctuary that you adore.

 

Here are 10 of our top tricks to help you get styling…

Give your walls some love

Go statement

Art can transform your home

Hardware can make a HUGE difference

Moody magnificence  

Accessorise your home 

Window treatment is a smart choice

Decorative doors

Use minimal patterns

Declutter 

 

With a little bit of vision and resourcefulness, you can really stretch that tight decorating budget.

1. Give Your Walls Some Love

Paint colour, wallpaper and using unique wall treatments will transform a room.

“Wall finishes can vary from historical, modern, sophisticated, to industrial. In fact, you can make your home luxurious just by playing with walls; furniture is incidental. Use mouldings, cornices or ceiling rosettes. European homes are so beautifully layered and textured that they are complete even without any furniture,”Bindu Vadera says.

One of the most discussed decisions when decorating a room is selecting the right paint colour. There are certain colours that add some glamour with minimal investment.

You can go more neutral (and add the personality through art and furniture) or go bold with colour or wallpaper. These decisions depend on your colour personality and whether a minimalist or maximalist home brings you joy. You can do both elegantly and cost effectively.

Another wonderful thing is that you can repaint and change wallpaper reasonably cost-effectively yourself. Be daring, go wild and give it a (pretty risk-free) go.

2. It’s All About Those Statement Pieces

Consider pieces that will instantly make an impression. Maybe a full floor-to-ceiling mirror, a stunning piece of furniture or a fabulous rug to create a statement. Don’t be afraid to go bold. I have a floor to ceiling nude in my lounge and love how visitors react and love how it is such a talking point 🙂

 

You can find amazing vintage pieces in antique stores and online in marketplaces. Keep an eye out. I bought a Parker chair frame (below image on the right) in an antique store that I upholstered with beautiful Warwick fabrics and also bought a Eeero Aarnio Ball chair (top right) that I am obsessed with… all at very reasonable prices.

 

Do keep in mind that it’s important to maintain a balance between function and form. We are all about making your home practical and comfortable. 

 

Also, invest in high-quality fabrics and scotchgard regularly. It is much better to save up for high-quality fabrics and pieces that buy for the sake of buying. This will help your pieces last the test of everyday life.

 

Art | Natasha Wright – Under the Cracked Sun, 2020 | M. Contemporary 

 

3. The Emotional Effect of Art

 

The right art can transform your home. European palaces, Indian forts and havelis (old, Indian palatial homes) are all filled with various eye-catching portraits, sculptures and paintings that always have us looking in awe. Not that I am staying you need to fill the home with old portraits, just remember the effect an amazing piece of art can have on the soul.

 

Aside from art on your walls, consider sculptures, photography, mirrors, plinths with vases and other vintage decors. Art does not have to break the bank,  just as long as it speaks to your heart. 

 

 

Art | Cameron Haas – Untitled 53, 2021| M. Contemporary

 4. Make You Hardware Work For You.

Choosing poor quality or the wrong style of hardware can make your home (especially high usage areas such as kitchens and bathrooms) look far from luxe.

Go for the less is more approach when it comes to door knobs, pulls, tapware etc. If you are purchasing from a regular hardware store, go minimal, sleek and elegant.

 

If you are looking for something unique, take a look at smaller interior stores, flea markets and of course antique warehouses (antique stores are a go to for everything really if you are on a budget). Online is always a treasure trove but make sure you always buy a sample to check the quality before you buy all your hardware in one go.

 

Take the time to find the right minimal, statement and luxury-looking hardware at a much more affordable prices, giving your home the elegant and unique look you desire.

5. Lighting Is Everything

There are a lot of ways that lighting can influence the look and feel of a room. Make sure you have the right lighting for the right usage and purpose of the room.

 

Bright, white lighting is a quick way to make your guests feel on high alert and can make any potentially far from polished design decisions stand out even more like a sore thumb. Dimmed, minimal lighting, with a candle here and there can really get you in the mood quickly.

 

You’ll be surprised how much the mood of a room can change if you put some thought into your lighting by switching up fixtures (add some dimmers) and bulb wattage and styles. Also, don’t be afraid to mix antique pieces with contemporary pieces. Once again, you have to make sure it makes you feel good.

6. We Love Accessories

Accessories are a wonderful way to bring that elegant, bougie touch to your space. Often accessorising gets ditched in the refresh when budgets are over-extend as not an important step in the process but the exact opposite is true. 

There are many affordable ways to accessorise your home while staying within your budget, especially if you bring in layering and adding different textures, candles, cushions, beautiful books, handcrafted ceramics, dried unique floral arrangements.. just sooo many ways to add interest and beauty. We love bringing in some gold or brushed gold touches to create a feeling of opulence… however it has to be added minimally and tastefully. Accessorise with gold picture frames, mirrors, side table and object, all can add that bit of bling. Everyone knows I love an elegant touch of bling in my everyday life.

When accessorising remember the classic decor rule that helps cohesively bring your space together… 60% of the room should be a dominant colour, 30% should be the secondary colour or texture and the last 10% should be an accent (this is where we love to bring in gold).

We just love the layering of throws, cushions and the beautiful ceramics on the table. Also we adore the Vitra-Noguchi coffee table (check out Living Edge) it is a statement iconic table that is timeless.

 

Showcasing Lifestyle | Nulla Nulla | 2019

7. Window Treatment

 

One trick to making a room look glorious is to splurge on window coverings. It’s rather simple—a home without window treatments will most likely look unfinished. Fortunately, window treatments can be one of the most budget-friendly ways to add some elegance to your home, as well as much-needed privacy.

 

When selecting window treatments it is wise to look at the usage of the space and make your choices accordingly. If it is for a bedroom and you like to create a cosy dark space for sleeping look at blockout materials, if it is a dark space select coverings that allow the optimal light though. Like always, we recommend saving up for quality rather than just purchasing a quick-fix solution.

 

BTW this does not mean that you can’t buy off-the-rack curtains. A lot of stores offer solutions that have a luxury impact… even though the price is right. When it comes to window treatments, stick with materials such as natural linens and cottons (or a blend with polyester or man-made fabrics).

8. Get Creative with Doors 

 

Here we are bringing tips 1, 2 and 3 together, creative walls, creating statement pieces and the love of art. Why do doors need to be boring? Create a statement door, add some panelling, give it a unique paint treatment or create some feature room dividers to give yourself some extra wall hanging space and additional cosy conversation corners. All you need is some paint, pre-made panelling and some unique door knobs (or none at all if you want it to be hidden like the doors on the right). You can turn boring closet doors into a piece of art. This is one of my favourite home decor ideas!

Here you can see a kitchen we did in the UK where we added panelling to a kitchen to conceal the pantry and powder room.

9. Less is more

 

We all know less is more but do we know how that translates into the home? A few beautiful key pieces say a lot more that a home dressed with many not as loved, interim solution pieces.

 

Buy pieces that add to your lifestyle.

 

If you don’t need it, don’t buy it.

10. Declutter – clean, clear and organised

 

Surprisingly, one of the most affordable ways to make your home look elegant on a budget is actually free. All you need to do is clean and declutter your home. Dusting and vacuuming can actually make your home feel more hotel-like and also allows you to take care of stains and spots on table tops and rugs quickly, keeping them from being damaged and extending their shelf-life.

 

The same is true for your furniture. Another tip is cleaning windows also allows more natural light to fill the room making it even brighter and welcoming. Lastly, regular cleaning allows you to avoid clutter in your home. Not only do you feel better about your home without the clutter, but it allows the other elements you have invested in like pillows, decorations, lighting and furniture pieces to really stand out.

 

Effortless living is what it is all about.

Well, we hope this has inspired you to get a little creative with your space.

 

As always, if you need anything, we are here to help. Book in a virtual call, no obligation, just a chat with myself (Aisha) or Jana, and let us help make your home dreams come true.

 

That’s what brings us joy – enriching the way you live, work, play & connect to what’s important to you.

 

Email us for more information hello@hillsandwest.com

0
Smart Storage

8 Easy Steps To Clutter-Free Heaven – Your Go-To Declutter Checklist

Let’s start with some questions…

 

Do you have spaces in your home that overwhelm you?

Is your garage a dumping ground for, well, everything?

Does your laundry give you even more angst than the piling dirty washing?

Does your wardrobe make you cringe every time you open it?

Have you downsized or moved, to find that years later you still have boxes that have never been unpacked?

Lastly, have you ever noticed how difficult it is to be truly present in a messy, disorganized room?

 

Are you nodding and saying yes yes yes… well this list goes on and on and on for so many of us. Life has so many priorities and it is hard to focus on our own spaces.

We believe that the first step in crafting the life you want to live is to get rid of the things that hold you back! 

What if I told you that there were 8 easy steps to get you towards organised bliss? 

Steps that will help you, save time, create space, keep the kid’s rooms organised (well as much as you can – kids will be kids), keep the partner happy, puppy entertained, but most of all, you stress-free and with bouts of inner joy… what would you say?

 

Don’t wait any longer to tackle your clutter, use our tried and tested eight decluttering tips;

1. A date in the diary

2. Start with a simple category

3. Get it out and spread it all about

4. Assess and edit

5. Be smart with storage

6. Treat yourself (now we all like that one)

7. If you don’t know, don’t throw

8. Donate 

 

Yes, it is that easy.

Now you can see it is not half as scary as you thought (no folding undies here), so let’s get started with the ‘How To’;

 

1. Commit yourself – put a date in the diary

All you need to start is to allocate some time in the diary. See you are already one step towards a well-organised, productive home. 

Put a half hour to an hour, totally undisrupted, once a week, whatever fits in your life, and make it a date with yourself. Grab a cuppa, wine, play some of your favourite tunes and just start. 

When you get yourself mentally prepared with the right mindset and allocated time, you are 90% there.

Start your declutter - Put a date in the diary
Declutter Challenge | EverydaySavvy.com

2. Tidy by category, not necessarily location

 

I know this is controversial but hear me out. Often as time goes on certain things spread over the home in the attempt to quickly put it away. Paperwork in the third drawer, medicine in the bathroom/kitchen, tools in the laundry with the cleaning products, the spare room a catch-all for the antiques so you can hardly move, anything/everything that hasn’t a home finds its way to the garage or under the stairs… the list goes on etc.

 

When we talk about categories, we are talking about clothing, bookkeeping, photos, medicine, specific room furniture, toys, outdoor accessories… you get our gist.

 

It is all about selecting the category that annoys you the most (for me it is often the kitchen as I don’t know why this always ends up being the catch-all for everything) and make a plan. 

 

For example, this weekend (Sunday mornings are my sort and get prepped for the week day) I am going to tackle my beauty products as my face moisturiser ran out and I think I have a space in my toiletry drawer in the bathroom or one in my other ‘extras’ drawer upstairs and somehow it is overflowing again. It needs a good sort.

 

If you are confused about where to start, here are 30 categories/places to tackle in 30 days. You don’t have to do them in 30 days, they are just ideas to get you started.

3. Get everything out and spread it all about

 

Go around the home, all the random spaces you might have that categories’ items stored and put it all on your bed (or the floor if we are tackling kitchen wear etc). Once it is all out you have committed to sorting what is there, and you can also see everything you have. You might even find some things you forgot you had.

 

This is why we don’t do location, imagine getting everything out of your garage, you would still be there tomorrow. Pick a category or section and start once small goal at a time.

Another fun and easy step!

4. Be smart with storage

 

Having a mix of box sizes, bins, baskets, draw dividers, labels, sticky notes, hooks, catchall trays and vessels, all make sorting easier. 

 

Consider what kind of storage you need and make sure it works for your house and family. Hooks might be the solution for your everyday coats, bags, hats and dog leashes. Things don’t always have to be hidden away. 

 

Also, make the most of underutilised storage spaces such as underbed (Ikea have cheap really good underbed container solutions – actually lots of storage options) for your seasonal clothing that you don’t wear in the warmer or colder months or season duvets.

 

Have a look at what you need to store where. You may have to adjust your shelves for those tall books or vases and if you need a place to store your family shoes (if you are a no shoe household), then a nice shoe cupboard in the hallway might be the solution.

 

This then leads me into step 5!

Smart Storage

5. Treat yourself to stylish storage

Having nice storage encourages you to keep things well-organised and well… nice.

New storage items and organisers like the same hangers, stylish boxes, baskets, etc all help you enjoy the new and tidy aesthetic.

Storage doesn’t have to mean ugly plastic bins. There are plenty of stylish options (think rattan or leather baskets) that can double as décor and match your style.

Like I mentioned above, hooks or ladders are a great solution to contain your clutter. For example in the bathroom, hooks are great for hanging towels, robes, smaller items such as watches or jewellery for when you are showering or washing your face.

Here are just some of the websites we love to style up our storage:

–       Design Stuff – not only is there storage selection stunning, you should check out their other items.

–       The Décor House – Here are ideas for the bedroom but they have so much more.

–       Temple and Webster – have a whole section broken down into spaces .

6. Assess and edit (Kondo’s spark joy moments)

 

Our advice is to do this in stages:

–       First go through everything and discard anything that is a 100% sure thing to go. These are items that cannot be donated or given away. If it is broken, you have not worn it in 10 years, you need to change that wire or find that random battery… it is a go.

–       Then go through what is left a second time and ask yourself have you used it recently, does it add to your life and if you would truly miss this item if it was gone.

–       Once you have edited, you can relocate the extra items, occasional-use products, into labelled containers or the correct location.

 

Remember, you don’t have to do this all in one seating. If you know it will take longer, spread it all about in a way you can live with it for a week or until your next declutter date.  

Declutter - Keep what sparks joy

7. If you don’t know, don’t throw

 

While you are sorting, make a box with things you can’t make a decision on, write a date on this box and put it somewhere out of sight (garage or under the stairs).

 

Then if you haven’t used or looked into it for 6-12 months, get rid of it.

 

8. Repurpose, gift and donate

We love a good recycle, reuse or gift story. Try to donate as much as you can as the items you no longer use might spark joy into someone else’s life. 

Donate or consign the rest and make sure to keep a box accessible for storing donations as they come up. When the bag is full, drop off the donations so you can maintain a streamlined wardrobe and house.

Here are some great options for you:

–       You can drop off at Vinnes or the Salvation Army.

–       The Generous and Grateful are an amazing service (they are paused at the moment as moving warehouses but check it out). 

–       There are also rubbish removal services that recycle so check them out too.

“Decluttering doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process—and often, one that requires equal parts motivation and inspiration.”

While a one-time clean-out is an awesome start, consider editing your spaces at least once a quarter to keep on top of the clutter. 

 

We all thrive better when we have the space to live and think. We set goals and lists with all other aspects of our lives, work, next trip, back to school preparation, why do we not give ourselves the space when it comes to our declutter goals?

 

Start today and put that date in the diary. 

 

Our mission is to inspire you to take that first step and clear the physical and resulting mental clutter. 

 

I will leave you on this one as it always makes me giggle as I look around my office at all the books I will re-read….

 

“Remember: you are not what you own. Storing all those books doesn’t make you any smarter; it just makes your life more cluttered.” Francine Jay.

 

If the whole process just overwhelms you… we are here to help.

 

If you just don’t have the time, and hell we know how chaotic life can be, we offer a ‘Home Declutter & Life Reclaimer Package’ where we roll up our sleeves and tackle those tricky spaces for you (or with you).

 

We effortlessly transform your home into a space that reflects and inspires the way you want to live. We like to think of ourselves as ‘lifestyle crafters,’ helping you fuel your best life starting in your home.

 

Book in our free half hour ‘How we can help’ sessions to chat through your decluttering needs. We work in pairs for maximum impact and sort in 2 hour blocks at $450. Does that sound like heaven to you?

 

No strings attached, only helpful tips to help with the styling overwhelm.

 

AISHA HILLARY- MORGAN – Creative Director & Head Stylist


Aisha creates balanced, harmonious spaces that are bound together by a carefully considered design narrative, enriching the way you live.

0