‘The natural world inspired my cosy scheme'

To turn her stark living area into a snug sanctuary, Rukmini Patel filled it with warm, earthy colours, organic materials and foraged seaside finds

- Rukmini Patel

Buying a new-build meant that, rather than any big DIY jobs, all Rukmini Patel needed to do was put her stamp on it. But she found it unexpectedly challenging, nevertheless. ‘It’s harder to inject character into a blank canvas than people realise,’ she explains. ‘With no period details, you need to add interest with colour, pattern and texture.’ Her neutral living space – part of an open-plan living, kitchen and dining room – felt stark and unwelcoming, so she drew on her experience as an interior designer to draw up a plan for making it more homely and personal. ‘To make your home more individual, it helps to reveal your personality. There’s no need to be shy, just be yourself,’ she says. ‘And remember that quiet, peaceful interiors can be just as beautiful as bold, dramatic choices. Your solution should be whatever suits you and the people you live with.’

THE PROJECT

Rukmini knew she wanted lots of natural elements in her scheme. ‘Lockdown made me realise how important it is to connect to nature,’ Rukmini says. ‘I found myself strongly drawn to earthy colours and natural textures during that difficult time. I think I began to realise that they have healing qualities and I was determined to bring some into my home.’ So, she decided to take cues from nature for every part of her living room scheme, from the paint on the walls to the smaller accessories, collecting materials and ideas over time. ‘I wasn’t afraid to use some quite strong colours, as I wanted the result to be modern and contemporary. I took my time, though, as I wanted the results to have an organic feel.’

WHAT WE DID