SquareRooms Issue 181 Mid-Year 2020

Warm touches Soft furnishings make a room feel more welcoming. Layer them all around to boost the comfort factor. Heavy black-out drapes Nothing ruins your sleep like bright lights and sound. Black-out drapes will block rays from the sun and street lamps from streaming in. The heavy curtains also help dampen city sound to help you sleep better. Rugs It’s nice to step out of bed and put your feet on something soft. While carpeting isn’t quite practical for Singapore’s weather, a rug is much easier to maintain. We love large area rugs for the visual impact but they can be rather expensive. If a large rug is out of your budget, go for an outdoor rug which tends to be less pricey, or choose cheaper materials like jute or sisal. Alternatively, you can also use strong duct tape to stick a few smaller rugs together. (below left) Generously sized and sporting a trendy Moroccan pattern, the Aziza Rug, $169 , Castlery , is a great find. It’s handmade with eco- friendly recycled plastic and even comes with a sturdy latex backing for longevity. Picking soft furnishings Besides choosing pieces based on their appearance, texture and affordability, do consider maintenance. Materials like silk or velvet may feel great, but you need to think about how they’re going to be used. Silk is very fragile and also sensitive to sunlight so it’s not the best for heavily used cushions or curtains. Velvet is also very prone to picking up fur and dust so be prepared for daily cleaning if you go with this option. If you need your soft furnishings to match the colour of your room, pick them out first as it’s easier to find paint to match the fabrics than the other way round. (below right) Throws We love how throws make chairs and sofas seem instantly more inviting. They’re perfect for snuggling in on cool and rainy days too.The simple design and neutral tones on the Wadi Throw, $55 , Castlery , looks effortlessly elegant and will complement a wide range of decor styles. (right) Cushions Cushions are nice to hug and also give additional support where needed. The woven details on the Beverly Cushion Cover, $50 , Annette , add visual and textural interest to the room. IMAGE COURTESY OF SOMFY 36 S Q U A R E R O O M S