Myndu Interior Design

Our next door neighbors decided that their kitchen was getting too small for their growing brood and, as soon as their youngest boy reached first grade age, they did some renovating.

They took down the walls between the kitchen and the dining room, and those between the dining room and the living room. The result is a bright airy space which showcases their collections in a cohesive display from the living room art work to the dining room stemware, silver and china cabinet, on to the new kitchen island with their vintage copper pots and pans hanging from overhead hooks.

At the party they threw to celebrate the new look, I told them that I had smelled something delicious cooking the minute I entered the door and it was making me hungry. I said this was the perk in having an open kitchen. They said the downside was that despite the overhead chimney/exhaust, some cooking aromas escape and don’t travel well to the living room.

They showed us a cooking range they had set up beside the barbecue grill on the patio, for cooking aromatic dishes like curry, dried or fermented fish, and garlic roasted peanuts.

They said that of all the cooking aromas that circulate well in the three areas, the smell of stewing beef is the best.

I totally agreed with them because, standing next to the terra cotta wall of their living room with drink in hand, the smell of beef stew wafting my way made it hard to wait for dinner to be served.

Now that you are starting a new life with your loved one, it is also important to straightened things up between the both of you in terms on how and where you will be living together. Remember that getting married means living together for the rest of your lives. Below are low-cost ways in decorating your home as newlyweds:

1. Try to set up realistic goals. Do not overspend on interior design as well as furniture pieces. Set a budget limit then go from there. You do not want to spend the rest of your lives living to pay a lot of debts on things that you do not necessarily need in the first place.

2. Try to go slow. Buy one at a time and set mini projects for your home interior. You can also start by buying cheap or second hand items on auction stores or discount stores.

3. The right color schemes can very well transform your home. You can also have themes within your interior. Like for example creating floral interior and matching your pieces with some cute floral rugs. There are also little, inexpensive things you can have for your home that add flair and create wonderful atmosphere in your room. Some of these pieces are candles, lightings, pillows and window treatments.

After moving in together creating your first home can be hard. Both of you bring your old stuff, and maybe these have totally different style, and ecletic designs can be beautiful and comfortable, but only if you understand the principles that unify different styles. Here are a few home decorating tips to help you create an home you’ll both enjoy!

First things first, don’t forget that emotions can run high when you’re talking about a favorite piece of furniture. While this may hold no meaning for you at all, it may have a sentimental value to your partner. If you are determined to get rid of it, be gentle when you tell your partner that it has to go. A good way is to ask her/him about that particular item and find out if it really has a history.

It’s better if you don’t buy anything until you’re fully moved in and have decided who’s going to keep what. Have a plan what to buy, where and for how much! Another style in the already eclectic home can be a waste of money and energy. Buy gradually as your budget allows you. And don’t forget to prioritize, because you may end up having a beautiful set of dishes but no table…

One solution to unify different styles and colors is to add elements that can bridge the gap. A mismatched sofa and chair can become one when you add accent cushions that match both. Recovered in the same fabric, these can become harmonious. You also have the option to add a third piece, if you have for example a different chair and couch: a carpet. Be sure that it matches both colors and will serve as a gap filler!