Designing for the Seasons of Life. | Lauren Li

This month we welcome back talented designer and author Lauren Li for another inspiring article. 

The founder of Sisällä Interior Design Studio, Lauren has a wealth of experience creating beautiful spaces with a unique, personal expression.

Read below for Lauren's advice on how to style your home for each season of life.

 

The way that we live in our homes changes depending on what we’re doing and who might be living with us, or not. Our homes should respond to the way we live, make things effortless and easy whilst providing a backdrop to enjoy and for memories to form. This can look wildly different depending on what chapter of life you’re in. Your dream white boucle statement armchair is a nightmare to others. Your low-slung loungey sofa is your idea of sofa heaven and for others it’s their idea of hell – so impractical to get in and out of. Tomayto, tomahto. You do you.

 

And this is what makes our homes different and interesting. So it’s important to ask yourself a few questions about how you want to live in your home.

 

1. At this season of life, how do you want your home to feel? Joyful, relaxed, organised, calm, cocooning, luxurious etc.
2. Do you want to prioritise comfort, function or aesthetics? There will usually be a slight compromise somewhere.
3. How do you want guests to feel when they visit?

 

 

The Share House

The ‘share house’ phase means that we are decorating with a focus on our bedrooms. It’s all about creating a lovely private bedroom where you may find yourself studying, working, relaxing and of course sleeping. Because let’s face it, not all housemates understand that wiping their fingers covered in cheezel dust on the arms of the sofa doesn’t mean that the cheezel dust becomes invisible. So best not to invest in a sofa at this stage in life.

 

For your bedroom, you need a decent sized bedside table with storage. This piece of furniture does some heavy-lifting in your room. From storing your things to being a charging station for phone and even laptop.

 

Trove Burl Bedside – light burl. Not only is this burl finish so chic right now, this piece is so practical with two large drawers.

Artie Geo Bedside. You’ll be grateful for the two generous drawers because when you live your life practically in one room, you need all of the storage you can get. Also you can find this in the Globewest Outlet for a great price right now.

 

Lets be real. You spend a lot of time on your bed. Bingewatching and working on your laptop, scrolling on your phone and just hanging out. An upholstered bedhead means that you can be really comfortable.

 

Almos Chubby Bed – Ivory. Get really comfortable with this soft, fully upholstered bed.

Almos Tapered Bedhead. If you don’t have the space for a whole upholstered bed then this upholstered bedhead is perfect. The shape is interesting and not too imposing if the bedroom is on the ‘cosy’ side.

 

 

The Young Family

A young family needs practical and robust pieces for this chapter when there are unpredictable toddlers and to manage the (beautiful?) mess that little kids make.

 

You might take a look around your home and anything close to the floor needs to be toddler proof. Suddenly your square glass coffee table is not looking like such a good idea.

 

Often furniture like the coffee table is used for a toddler to learn to stand up against. Avoid sharp corners and choose a coffee table that is either round or has curved corners.

Babylon Coffee Table.  The curved edges of this coffee table minimises any accidents by adventurous toddlers and the timber has a warm softness.

 

Oberon Crescent Marble Coffee Table. This is the perfect height for toddlers learning to stand and kids to gather around with their games, whilst looking so chic.

 

A floor rug that is soft yet also easy to live with is a must. Look for something with a pattern that is forgiving and doesn’t show accidental spills and mishaps.

 

Tepih Lunan Rug – Olive. The small pattern created by the weave of two colours; olive and cream means that unlike a flat colour, it hides stains well. The combination of jute and wool means this is super hard-wearing too.

Bower Criss Cross Rug. The visual interest in the carved pattern of this rug in combination with the dark colour can hide all manner of mishaps.

 

 

 

The Teen Years

Teenage kids want space to hang out in the rumpus room for gaming and sleepovers. And they want privacy! Avoid the kind of formal sofa that makes you sit upright and instead look for a sofa that they can really just relax on, take a nap or just hang out. A modular sofa that is low to the floor with side tables that they can move around for snacks!

 

Sidney Slouch Modular Sofa. Just because it’s a super comfortable sofa for the kids, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. With end pieces, corner modules and chaise options it means that you can configure for maximum lounging.

Classique Pedestal Side Tale – Brick. Pair the modular sofa with a robust side table that is easy to move around as needed.

 

 

Living Fabulously

If your home is your special sanctuary that you don’t need to get ‘approval’ from anyone else but you, then oh my gosh, the world is your oyster! Practicality and ‘stain-proof’ isn’t on the top of your list so you can lean into spaces that look beautiful and makes you feel amazing to be in. You want beautiful investment pieces that help you create a chic, curated space.

 

Vista Occasional Chair – Vintage Caramel. This stunning armchair makes a statement in your home. You can admire the craftsmanship and sure it’s comfortable yet not every armchair needs to be binge-watch worthy.

Hugo Grand Right Chaise Set. The relaxed style suits having a conversation with friends yet equally it gives the comfort for lounging with a good book and glass of wine. Also you’ve earned it to have a white sofa – go for it!

 

Refeathering the Nest

This stage of life isn’t empty at all. You’re just refeathering the nest. The kids have left and you feel invigorated to move into this next chapter and you love the idea of creating a fresh space where your special pieces mingle with the new.

 

Storage is important, as you like to keep travel mementos, photo albums and all of those treasures of a full life stored away neatly.

 

Oberon Crescent Marble Buffet. Adequate storage and yet so chic.

 

Tennyson Woven Buffet. The textured cabinets add a nice detail and interest to a living room, without overpowering other pieces.

 

Natadora Furror 3 Seater Sofa. The classic lines of this sofa with a subtle reference to a chesterfield would sit nicely amongst treasured antiques.

 

Of course this list isn’t exhaustive but I hope that you can ask yourself what is important to you when furnishing your own home and make it truly personal.