Elevate
Note: Originally blogged on my Substack - 07/11/2024
Last night I was admiring a new top I recently acquired on Vinted, it’s nothing special really; just a striped long-sleeved affair with a row of buttons at the neckline. But, with the addition of a very slight ruffle around the neckline, the whole design is given a new edge. Quite literally in fact! For me, this minor upgrade to an otherwise simple garment makes it more interesting to look at, more ‘fun’ to wear and just generally elevates the whole outfit when I wear it.
All this got me thinking about how I often use the term “elevate” when I’m speaking about how those little elements you add to an interior design scheme can work to pull the whole room ‘up a level’. Making a room feel just that little bit more pulled together, a little bit more special to be in and giving it that edge which says “someone thought about this space”.
So what elements do I mean? Well, taking the kitchen as a great example since I seem to be spending a lot of time thinking about them of late… it’s those little tactile details like the drawer and door handles, the worktops and the taps. The working parts which you touch and feel every time you use the space. I like to recommend you don’t scrimp on these elements - after all, you will interact with them multiple times a day, so why not make that experience as pleasurable as you can (both to look at, and to interact with).
As with all projects which come with a budget, compromises may need to be made in order to do this; for me it was choosing painted MDF over solid wood doors, which enabled room in my budget to afford the solid brass handles and quartz worktop I so badly wanted to include. I regret nothing - after three years of family use, our kitchen still looks as good as the day it was installed (when it’s clean at least!), and every day I get to feel the weight of those lovely handles and the cool touch of the quartz when I make my morning cup of tea.
So next time you’re trying to ‘finish’ an outfit or a room, ask yourself - what have I included which puts this a cut above the norm? If in doubt, maybe try adding a little ruffle at the edge. ;-)
Lucy x