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in the design industry for about three years. All photos are
courtesy of the designer himself<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWriting a song is like stepping into a room that you need to fill to make it beautiful or however you want it to be. But you also have to leave space and not make it too cluttered, so the music can breathe,\u201d Str\u00f6m told me in June at a cafe in Kimihurura. \u201cWhen designing a room, it\u2019s that same concept of textures, highs and lows, creating space, and highlighting the parts of a room that you want.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ready to bring the summer into your home? Great. Because Str\u00f6m is opening up his playbook and detailing all the ways to ensure your indoors are truly chic and sum – mery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plants and Flowers smell of Growth and Possibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re starting with the most unpredictable element\u2014and we bet you didn\u2019t guess this one: flora. If it were up to us, your apartment would be brimming with plants and flowers, with the smell of earth and growing things spearing out of enriched soil. But according to Str\u00f6m, it doesn\u2019t have to be that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA few baskets here and there, either already planted and hung on hooks or positioned in designated corners of your home, are just fine for a summery look and tropical feel,\u201d he advises. He also suggests that \u201cdecor pieces with delicate floral patterns could be just the thing to bring a sense of a garden in full bloom into your home.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prints and patterns inspired by nature can also have a transformative effect on a space, enriching its look and making it feel fresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get Creative with your walls<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m a firm believer that anything can go on a wall,\u201d Str\u00f6m said, emphasizing that this tip isn\u2019t limited to just summer. \u201cThere are so many beautiful baskets and crafts that you can hang up. It\u2019s easy to find stunning artwork in Kigali that can help define a room\u2019s visual identity, but why not mix it up as the seasons change? I want you to think outside the box.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n He leaned forward and gestured behind me to a metal structure supporting a climbing plant. \u201cIf you find an old fence, you could repurpose it somehow and mount it on the wall. When I was younger, I decorated my walls with everything that meant something to me\u2014whether it was Barack Obama memorabilia, wristbands, music posters, or souvenirs from my travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I even had a pair of skis on my wall at one point,\u201d Str\u00f6m recalled with a smile. \u201cYour walls reflect who you are and how you want to be seen by the world. So, instead of just hanging up a poster, display something that holds personal meaning for you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the sunnier months, consider tropical hangings to transport your walls to warmer climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Add Artisanal touches<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re talking wicker chairs, bamboo, rattan, and wood\u2014the whole nine yards,\u201d Str\u00f6m explained. Working in a Rwandan context is particularly interesting because culturally symbolic practices like pottery and weaving already imbue interiors with an artistic and creative essence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf we\u2019re being honest, that\u2019s literally nature, and it\u2019s really enjoyable to incorporate these elements,\u201d he said. \u201cThe organic textures bring a rustic charm to any space that complements indoor greenery beautifully.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n A wooden stool, for example, a sisal car – pet, or a chair with a rattan back\u2014all handmade from natural materials\u2014may not instantly scream \u2018summer\u2019 like green plants would, but \u201cthey add a soft, warm ambiance to a space, which is what summer is all about.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maximize Natural Lighting <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This one\u2019s a no-brainer. No, really. The interior designer cited two simple yet impactful changes if you can\u2019t implement previous suggestions: \u201cPull back your curtains and open your win – dows,\u201d he advised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Natural light can make rooms feel larger and airier, so maximizing sunlight in your space is important. If you\u2019re lucky enough to have floor-to-ceiling windows, even better for that sun-drenched effect. Consider playing refreshing music or one of those TikTok sounds that automatically reimagines your life in slow mode and lean hard into the whole romanticizing-your-life feeling that the summer season naturally provides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make the most of your terrace or courtyard patch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Picture this: round tables covered with white linens, candelabras wrapped in floral garlands turning from gold to pink in the late afternoon sun, under a sky filled with stars and stripes. Friends and family gathered on picnic blankets, spending hours together enjoying each other\u2019s company, eating, playing games, and culminating the day with movie nights drowned in cheap wine and card games. Show me a better summer day\u2014I\u2019ll wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust adding a cute little table and two chairs, maybe some – thing like an awning or umbrella for shade, and some lights for the evening can transform your garden space,\u201d Str\u00f6m said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt may not be as elaborate as furnishing a home, but it\u2019s a simple addition if you have the space. Hang fairy lights from a tree or any suitable spot for a charming effect.\u201d \u201cIf you have the room, consider mixing different seating options\u2014a relaxed couch, a couple of sunbeds on the side\u2014 whatever fits,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd while you\u2019re at it, updating your crockery with bright, summary plates and bowls can instantly elevate your outdoor dining experience. Large chopping boards and bowls can also double as rustic style displays on a dining table or sideboard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decorating a home is fun. Okay, well, except for the constant need to dip into your pockets. But don\u2019t you just love picking out cute items to enhance your space, rearranging for comfort and practicality, and then simply soaking in the beauty of it all? I\u2019ll tell you what I love even more: decorating my<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64,86],"tags":[157],"ppma_author":[121],"class_list":{"0":"post-7373","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-decor","8":"category-lifestyle","9":"tag-from-the-magazine-main-story"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sensmagazine.com\/rw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/07\/F059B3B9-AC69-470E-9E46-3F26411FC011-768x1024.jpg\")
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