Bedroom Archives - ELLE DECOR

6 kid’s bedroom ideas straight out of a story book that uncover the whimsy of pastel colours

Subtle and elegant, pastel tones haven’t always been the first colour choice for kid’s bedrooms. But we say, pastels are definitely not a palette to be overlooked. The scope of experimentation and calm these hues bring to a child’s room can surprisingly elevate the mood of the space. In fact, the secret to using pastel colours in kid’s rooms is the refreshing hit of whimsy it brings along. ELLE DECOR India curates the perfect edit of the most delightful kid’s bedroom ideas where pastel hues of pink, blue, yellow, and green take the centre stage.

Spoiler alert- these rooms could be right out of a story book!

Subtle and playful with AN Designs

Tiny, colourful knitted flowers lay sprinkled on the cosy comforter of this vintage-inspired, modern kid’s bedroom. With some pastel colours for subtlety, a bunk bed for jest and the childrens’ art on the walls as a common ground, AN Designs accommodates two distinct bedroom aspirations of a nine-year-old girl and 12-year-old-boy sibling duo. Although the room is cosy, it isn’t obstructive; it’s comfortable and warm. The study table and other furniture are placed neatly against each other to form an orderly symmetry and make the room feel more mature for the boy. While strings of lights, an encompassing pink, and a family of soft toys makes it more playful.

The pastel colour palette is complemented with plush soft toys and hanging banners as accessories to add some decor to the minimal room. A shelf is incorporated within the bunk bed. Featuring Nivasa Homes, The White Teak, Asian Paints, FCML Surfaces; Photography by Ricken Desai

Timeless and functional with Frolik + Co

Birch ply with a natural wood finish, White Pu, and Bamboo sofas. Natural elements come together in all forms in this unique and subtle kid’s bedroom by Rootu Kinarivala, Designer and Founder, Frolik + Co. Polished wood stands against the quirky green wallpaper that draws imagination to the beauty of a forest. The spacious room uses minimal furniture to make it breathable and uncluttered. It accommodates a small table with small wooden chairs, the perfect place for some playdate games. The high ceiling calls for a wooden bunk-bed that delightfully attaches to a slide. A couch sits under the bed with an array of knitted cushions and soft toys.

The white counter top of the table is surrounded by small wooden chairs to make it the perfect play station for the children to get creative; Photography by Umang Shah

The tropical wallpaper by Wallpaperscissor with green palm trees and hummingbirds adds some whimsy to the room. The small window allows light to penetrate through white linen curtains as a small couch sits by it for the parents to watch their children during a playdate and involve in a quiet conversation; Photography by Umang Shah

Simple and artistic with Studio Gulab

Green canopies nestle the wooden cot. Butterflies and hummingbirds fly above the crib as plush soft toys sit snugly in it. This kid’s bedroom by Akshita Ladhani, Interior Designer, Studio Gulab embraces a realistic animal-themed wallpaper to make it cosy, comfortable, and playful. The minimalist aesthetic is a great way to allow the children to move around in the room and make it look elegant simultaneously. Akshita adds some moulding and beading to the wardrobe to add some chicness and dresses the windows in sheer cotton curtains with a stripe pattern to complement the wallpaper.

A pastel pink bespoke table sits on a circular mat against pink cotton curtains. Studio Gulab plays with shades of pink in this area, variating between them. The pastel green door adds a new shade to the room elegantly; Photography by Saumya Singh

Tropical and paradisiacal with Furbishy

It’s every child’s dream to live in a treehouse amongst animals. Tejaswini. P, Founder, Furbishy, fulfils this reverie by designing this mellow but fun kid’s bedroom that’s a welcome to the (mighty) jungle. A wooden bed, resembling a tree house, sits against a whimsical backdrop of hand-painted cartoon animals that peek through creepers and walk on (astonishingly) strong branches. Tejaswini uses bamboo screens as windows and natural materials in rugs and storage bins to enhance the theme. The room adopts a soft colour scheme to imbibe some lightheartedness and also accommodates a small library. It uses various elements to enhance the children’s’ sensory experience subtly and playfully.

Cartoon animals walk on a branch in the background as a tree-house shaped bed sits under it. The room embraces pastel colours to make it whimsical and fun; Photography by Nayan Soni

A small desk sits by the window as natural light enters through curtains of fine bamboo sticks. The room embraces natural elements like wood and jute to make it distinct. Even the rug is made with intricately weaved jute as wood makes up the other furniture; Photography by Nayan Soni

Vivid and quirky with Inari Atelier & Architecture Saga

This Bengaluru home adopts a minimalistic style with a vivid, individualistic essence in every room. Keeping up with the theme is this fun kid’s bedroom designed by Deekshitha Sanjay and Ruthvik Prakash, Principal Architects, Inari Atelier & Architecture Saga. Pastel shades of blue and pink complement each other as vibrant-coloured doodles adorn the wallpaper. A tropical rug adorns the floor to add to the aesthetic. Simple and casual, the room leaves a lasting impression with its bright but subtle tones.

Vibrantly pink Flamingos, green trees, and golden pineapples sprawl across the wallpaper in doodled forms as they tower over the pastel pink bed. The blue-white side table with an arched mirror stands on the side with a hanging light above it; Photography by Nayan Soni

Unique and curious with Smartsters

Who says puzzles are the only way to activate your child’s inquisitive mind? Furniture and decor in a child’s room piques their curiosity before anything else. And so, Bikram Mittra, Design Head at Smartsters, consciously curates aesthetic, multifaceted furniture, furnishings and decor accessories to make learning fun and comfortable. Vibrant colours of the furniture contrast the pastel tones of the home’s interiors as the unique shapes add playfulness.

This study table with geometric shapes and ergonomic shelves reveals multiple colours that lend an engaging mood to the room; Photograph by Smartsters

This bespoke bed by Smartsters elicits inquisitiveness with myriad shapes displayed on the headboard and bed sheet; Photography by Smartsters

For more inspiration on kid’s bedrooms, read: ELLE DECOR India reveals the best fantasy themes for kids bedrooms

6 ways to create design calming spaces in your home with H&M HOME’s collection inspired by bright hues and playful shapes

The moment we all have been eagerly waiting for is finally here. Our favourite apparel brand has marked a scintillating debut in the home decor segment with H&M HOME—a digital store at hm.com and on the e-commerce platform Myntra on 3rd March 2022. Carrying their trademark style-forward, H&M HOME offers fashion-forward decor and accessories for every room and style.

From high-quality bedlinen and timeless dinnerware to diversified textiles, with contemporary style and attention to detail at its core, the vast assortment transforms your space into a place that feels like home. Merging modern design and quality with sustainability and affordable prices, here are 5 ways with which the collection aids in creating a personal and modern space—

Working with different style platforms, H&M HOME ensure that their design embraces everything from the eclectic to more muted and minimalistic; Photographs courtesy H&M HOME

Lovely prints such as hand painted flower patterns and a dreamy ‘sun and moon’ call for simplicity and a spiritual vibe; Photographs courtesy H&M HOME

LIVING ROOM

With a wide range of home accessories, your living space is in for a treat and a much needed makeover. Without much ado, choose your pick from colourful cushions to cosy blankets, classic curtains to stylish storage, there’s something for every decorating style.

BEDROOM

Surround yourself with comforting bohemian chic details and find pleasure in your everyday life at home. With H&M HOME, it’s easy to transform your bedroom interior through a great selection of duvet cover sets, sheets, bed skirts and spreads, blankets, curtains, pillowcases, rugs and more.

Add printed cushions made from organic cotton and store a cosy crinkled blanket in stylish baskets made with FSC certified rattan; Photographs courtesy H&M HOME

KID’S ROOM

A plethora of art, architecture, fashion, food, folklore, and the cultures of the world amalgamate into H&M HOME, identifying styles that are of the moment and adapting trends to create collections that stimulate. This is your sign to add some colour and playfulness into your kids’ room interior with their exceptionally fun toys and inspiring accessories.

Soft waffled towels in pastel tones will make your me time moment feel extra soothing while scented candles envelop your senses; Photographs courtesy H&M HOME

BATHROOM

Cosy towels, dressing gowns, snuggly bath mats, eye catchy shower curtains—you name it and they have it. Prepare your bathroom for everyday luxury with H&M HOME’s golden bathtub shelf that keeps all your home-spa essentials in place. Let your feet sink into the fluffy patterned bath mat and escalate other senses through scented oils and candles.

KITCHEN

Whether you’re planning an intimate supper, gala dinner or cosy night in with the family, H&M HOME’s tablecloths, place mats, chinaware, aprons and other decorations will make you an instant hit amongst your friends and family.

Utensil holders in ceramic will keep your gear in place and wooden boxes provide the perfect open storage for groceries; Photographs courtesy H&M HOME

OUTDOORS

Prepare for brighter days ahead and spruce up your outdoors for al fresco adventures with the outdoor home range. Be it picnics in your garden or long, lazy days at the beach, there is something for everyone!

The collection is bound to leave you reinvigorated and peaceful enabling interior lovers across the world to create a personal and modern space; Photographs courtesy H&M HOME

This March, as spring beckons, decorate your homes with soft neutrals, abstract prints, and edgy shapes. Design-driven and fashion forward, H&M HOME is offering decor accessories for every room and style.

With products for living, dining and kitchen, bed, bathroom and kids, the assortment will be available on hm.com and Myntra from 3rd March, 2022.

The Memphis Collection by Boutique Living blends artistry with allure in its range of home bedding

When home serves as a shelter to all storms, the bedroom is where you will find a preferred sanctuary. After all, out of all the rooms in a house, it is only the boudoir that is truly yours. Inspired from the works of Ettore Sottsass, the maestro behind the revolutionary Memphis Art movement from the 1980’s, the Memphis Collection by Boutique Living celebrates vibrant colours, bold patterns and abstract designs in its range.

The Boutique Living brand has been launched by Indo Count Industries Limited, a company that excels at end-to-end bedding providers for an augmented sleep experience. Boutique Living endeavours to establish itself as a laureate in the soft furnishings space.

The Memphis collection by Boutique Living adds elegance and comfort to the bedrooms; Photographs by Boutique Living

The luxurious bed linens in The Memphis collection are crafted from prime percale textile; Photographs by Boutique Living

Extending to the Indian market, a trove of creations from bed sheets, comforters, coverlets, draw sheets as well as fitted sheets from Boutique Living vows a slumbering affair like no other.

The au courant assortment of bedsheets in the Memphis collection inlays the bedrooms with bright and bewitching styles, altering the aesthetic of all bedrooms into works of art. Woven from prime percale textile, printed on a lineup of linens, the range fuses facets of vivacious pop art with silk-stocking art decor to craft virtuosity by dint of a set of sheets for one’s bedstead.

Soft pastels mixed with charming forms of stripes and polkas take spotlight; Photographs by Boutique Living

Colourful to classic greys and black, The Memphis collection has something for every bedroom; Photographs by Boutique Living

Striking shades of soft pastels blended with conspicuous charming forms of stripes and polkas orchestrate an opulent and seamless design language.

Buoyant and breathable textiles, that boast of anti-viral attributes featured in the Memphis collection from the house of Boutique Living, brings a standard of snugness and satisfaction incomparable to any other into the Indian market.

The memphis collection is not only aesthetic to look at but equally cosy; Photographs by Boutique Living

Illustrating the influence and intensity objet d’art embraces when it comes to revamping their private space, the range was intended with the image and impression that artistry isn’t in prospect only for adornment in the halls and lobbies of a home. In fact, it also doubles up as that endearing element in the bedroom that makes one feel snug and stylish in their lifestyle choices, too.

The bed linens by Boutique Living feature anti-viral attributes; Photographs by Boutique Living

Elaborating on the ravishing recent collection, Rajiv Merchant, President, Domestic Retail at Indo Count Industries, shares, ““Boutique Living has always strived to craft products that are world class. The Memphis Collection adds a touch of elegant élan to the bedroom; these premium bed sheets offer maximum comfort and memorable designs to the consumer”.

Refurbishing and romancing bedrooms with the magic of Memphis one sheet at a time, the collection by Boutique Living synonymous with artful and abstract design is a must-have in every home.

Click here to explore the Memphis Collection by Boutique Living

Pure Earth by Boutique Living is a refined bed linen range laced with organic and eco-friendly elements that every home will love

One word that has earned a permanent spot in everyone’s vocabulary today is ‘lifestyle’. In the last few years, a certain aspiration to lead an elevated lifestyle that feels good, looks good and inspires others to make similar choices has taken centre stage. And one imperative segment of this way of life is choosing greener, more eco-friendly alternatives in our daily routines. boutique living

Imbued precisely with this philosophy in concept and in action is Boutique Living and their environmentally conscious range of bed linen dubbed ‘Pure Earth’.

Boutique living organic bed linen — Boutique Living launches Pure Earth, a sustainable range of bed linens; Photographs by Boutique Living

Boutique Living is launched by Indo Count who specialise as end-to-end bedding providers focussed on creating all-encompassing sleep experiences. Boutique Living takes pride in its expertise in refined bed linen and offering the finest quality of bedding to the modern, discerning Indian consumers, who equally value their restful hours in the bedroom as much as their work hours. That’s where the brand steps in with its assortment of organic linen designs that you just can’t help but fetch one (or more!) for your bed, too.

Their repertoire encompasses some of the cosiest and chic-looking bed sheets, comforters, draw sheets, coverlets and fitted sheets.

The brand’s latest collection of sustainable linens ‘Pure Earth’ fits like the perfect piece of puzzle for homes that value nature and green practises. Available in 100 percent organic cotton linens, comfort becomes synonymous with the entire range. Draped in excellent softness, thanks to the premier quality of organic linens, every creation in Pure Earth collection shows high absorbency rates, while being light and allowing ventilation for a sound sleep. Turning attention to the alluring colour palette of ‘Pure Earth’ range, one can deck up their beds with hues such as earthy greens, blues, whites, beige, grey and more.

With a thread count of 300, the organic linens are carefully crafted with non-sulphur based materials synthesised from agricultural, herbal and food waste, including wastes from cotton seed, almond nutshells, palmetto fruit waste and more. This ensures that the major ambit of farming wastes is converted to use for the process of crafting Pure Earth linens.

Elaborating on the new collection, Rajiv Merchant, President, Domestic Retail at Indo Count Industries, says, “As a brand we not only care about our customers but also the planet we live in, Pure Earth is our attempt at blending ecologically viable merchandise with the sublime design language and impeccable quality we are known for”.

Luxurious, minimal and elegant, the linen augments the mood of the home, infused with six shades that are easy on the eye and kind on our planet. Devoid of any traces of chemicals, that is zero chemical intervention, the dyes also contain end-to-end traceable properties enabling environmental accountability. The linens are not only nature-conscious but are also easy on the pockets that every home and consumer would love to own for its favourite space, bedrooms, where leisure, creativity and work hours all come alive at once.

Click here to explore more about the Pure Earth range by Boutique Living

The Sleep Company’s SmartGRID technology is breaking new ground by combining technology and comfort to transform how we sleep

A good night’s sleep is just as important as regular exercise or a healthy diet. A human being on average sleeps for roughly about 25-26 years in a lifetime When assessing sleep, the quantity of sleep has often been the subject of many studies while the quality of sleep has not received similar attention.

As the surface that cushions us when sleeping, we seldom forget to give heed to the quality of the mattress that our body rests on. That’s where the innovation-driven brand, The Sleep Company, enters the sleep scenario.

One of the most reputable and fastest growing names in the space of comfort solutions and sleep focussed products, The Sleep Company was founded in 2019. They take pride in designing and manufacturing a wide range of products that strive to redefine the quality of sleep.

The Smart Ortho Mattress comes in three standard sizes and can be customised as well; Photographs by The Sleep Company

To upgrade your sleep quality several notches up, the brand crafts its mattresses with the SmartGRID technology, an outcome of extensive research to guarantee the customers happy hours of sleep. Dubbed as India’s first and only SmartGRID Mattress, it is designed to give softness and firmness at the same time.

The GRID structure offers 80% more airflow then other mattresses and ensures you sleep cool all night. It has better adaptivity as the GRID gives instant rebound to your body’s movements in tossing & turning during your sleep and thus helps you to enjoy a peaceful and undisturbed sleep.

Available in selections of Smart Luxe, Smart Ortho and Smart Luxe Hybrid, the mattresses offer a host of unique features in comparison to the widely used memory foam-based mattress products.

Being the first of its kind, the SmartGRID Mattress is designed to adapt to one’s body shape and provide back support; Photographs by The Sleep Company

With a thorough understanding of the requisites behind a good night’s sleep, The Sleep Company crafts customised mattresses to target specific issues. In The Smart Ortho Mattress, each layer is scientifically designed to provide relief to all pressure points and reduce back pain. The Smart Luxe Mattress offers maximum comfort and Smart Luxe Hybrid Mattress gives better comfort and rebounce to give the feeling of a luxurious seven-star hotel mattress.

Over the past year, urban lifestyles have dramatically changed, resulting in more emphasis on consumers’ health, with sound sleep being an essential. The SmartGRID technology is not just limited to mattresses but extends itself to The Sleep Company’s array of pillows and cushions. The Cervical Pillows that are designed with SmartGRID to help relieve head and neck pressures after a long day’s work. The premium range of soft and cuddly pillows featuring SmartGRID technology have a unique high-low design that effectively meets everyone’s sleep needs.

The Smart Seat Cushion perfectly fits all types of chairs and conforms to the body curve design aiding a correct sitting posture; Photographs by The Sleep Company

An innovation of disruptive technology, the portable seat and back cushions integrated with SmartGRID, perfectly fit all types of office chairs, car seats or aeroplane seats. The Ergonomically designed SmartGRID Cushion ensures that your spine is aligned for the maximum comfort and back support. These cushions definitely represent the future of dynamic seating with SmartGRID technology, cooling air channels, convenient cleaning, and a premium looking anti skid cover.

A product fitting today’s urban lifestyle, the Smart Back Cushion provides ultimate comfort for the lower back; Photographs by The Sleep Company

The Sleep Company also offers a wide and premium range of comfort bedding accessories which includes; Organic Bamboo Fitted Sheet, Luxury Knitted Blanket, All-Weather Comforter and Bamboo Mattress Protector.

A new addition to The Sleep Company is the sleek Suzzette Premium Wooden Bed curated from highly engineered wood. Paired with the SmartGRID mattress, the mattress bundle is the perfect addition to transform your room into a tech-forward, luxurious space.

The Sleep Company is all set to elevate your sleep experience with their upcoming launch of Smart Adjustable Bed, designed for all-around comfort whether you are sleeping, reading, watching TV, or just relaxing.

Click here to explore the The Sleep Company and its sleep-perfect products

Crafting the perfect bedroom dreams—BEDLAM is changing the face of luxury bedding in India with its bespoke linen bedding

Minimalism and a solid design language seem to be the guiding principles for the fairly new bedding company BEDLAM. As a brand, BEDLAM has been able to establish itself as a leading player in just one year’s time and making quiet waves in the design sphere. On visiting their e-store the first thing you notice is its branding that is distinguishable and highlights the brands understanding towards progressive design.

Founded by Tanya Palta, a fine arts photographer, interior stylist and visual curator, the inspiration came when Palta realised that there is a gap in the Indian market when it comes to quality high-end bedding.

Most lifestyle stores in India tend to focus on heavy prints, bright colours, without any transparency when it comes to information like thread count, the material used etc. BEDLAM changed this by causing the much needed disruption and staying true to its brand name, both metaphorically and literally!

BEDLAM has paved the way when it comes to bedding options that are of an international standard and aesthetics; Photographs by BEDLAM

Palta’s experience as an interior stylist and a photographer helped in giving BEDLAM its strong visual brand identity and it is no surprise that the company is so heavily invested in design. On asking Palta, the reason behind their success in such a short span, she says, “We were the first to launch linen bedding in India and even now we are the go-to brand for linen bedding. Linen bedding has been a game changer all over the world, thanks to its Pinterest aesthetics and softness and the same trend is being seen in India as well.”

She adds, “Our monogram collection is unique to us as it epitomises bespoke luxury. We have invested in cutting-edge software on-site and off-site and our customers love the personalisation we offer.”

BEDLAM’s monogram collection is unique to to the brand as it epitomises bespoke luxury; Photographs by BEDLAM

Palta continues, “I can confidently say without any exaggeration that BEDLAM has paved the way when it comes to bedding options that are of an international standard and aesthetics. Before us no one was doing linen bedding or monogram bedding. Now there have been some who imitate this, but we are still the first name when it comes to luxury bedding options like pure linen, high thread counts, hotel-style bedding etc. We made shopping for bedding cool. This is due to my philosophy to take inspiration from the cross-pollination and plural upbringing that I have experienced as a millennial.”

BEDLAM is one of the first names in the sphere of luxury bedding options like pure linen, high thread counts, hotel-style bedding and more; Photographs by BEDLAM

On asking about the Pandemic and how business got affected, she comments, “Unlike other lifestyle brands in India, we did not have to pivot our business post the pandemic as we already had a presence online and we dedicated our resources to offer a seamless online shopping experience. We also launched PURE, which is an Antiviral bedding collection. This collection is treated with HeiQ Viroblock textile technology that has been tested effective against SARS-CoV-2 (virus causing COVID-19).”

BEDLAM seems to be constantly focusing their design energies on new ventures. For winter 2021, they have released a collection of sumptuous and plush Cashmere and Pashmina throws, which are fairly priced to stay true to the BEDLAM mantra of “affordable luxury”. In the Indian design world of heavy prints and kitsch designs, BEDLAM stands out with its minimalism and muted colour palette.

Check out BEDLAM at www.bedlam.store and follow their Instagram handle @bedlam.store

How to choose a colour for your bedroom, based on your zodiac sign

The bedroom is the most personal space in our home. It’s a refuge, where we rest and revive our energy. It also reflects our personality, says spiritual healer Ashtar Tashi. If you’re looking to give your sanctum a mood-lifting makeover, she’s created a guide to therapeutic colours that best suit your zodiac sign.

Aries (March 21- April 19)

Symbol: The Ram

Traits: Passionate, competitive, loyal, creative, risk-takers

Description: According to Tashi, an Aries individual can be motivated by turning a task into a contest. “They are trailblazers and put their heart and soul into winning. They are impulsive decision makers and multi-taskers. However, they can come off as very rude individuals as they are very blunt with their opinions.” An Aries individual need to learn to adapt to another person’s way of doing or seeing things, especially in a relationship.

Therapeutic colours: Red, Scarlett and Ruby red

Taurus (April 20- May 20)

Symbol: The Bull

Traits: Trustworthy, hard-working, demanding, strong will-power

Description: Taurus is the anchor of the zodiac. They are the best lovers, and make for great friends and partners. Being an earth sign, they like having family close to them. They are stubborn, detail-oriented and can be nit-picky at times. They have trouble respecting authority and rules, so they have to learn to be flexible and go with the flow.

Therapeutic colours: Shades of green, earthy browns and white

Gemini (May 21- June 20)

Symbol: The Twins

Traits: Smart, passionate, dynamic, creative, intuitive

Description: Geminis are known to have two different sides that they show to the world. They make for expert communicators and can blend easily into any social group based on the energy and vibe they get from the members. They are the most emotionally intelligent sign of the zodiac and are hardcore romantics. They love the idea of being in love. They like to keep things fresh and have a very sunny disposition. However, they get moody sometimes which may put people off. They also have a reputation of being two-faced as they do not speak up when they are supposed to.

Therapeutic colours: Airy greys/ blues, kaleidoscopic prints, stripes, odd shapes of items around them in a variety of colours

Cancer (June 21- July 22)

Symbol: The Crab

Traits: Emotional, intuitive, generous, creative, serious, emotionally intelligent, inspiring, passionate lovers

Description: Cancerians take time to develop relationships, but once they become friends, they are friends for life. They love being at home and surrounded by their loved ones and have a very nurturing nature. They hate small-talk, which is why social gatherings can get overwhelming. They have a love for nature. People of this sign prefer being in smaller groups where everybody is thinking similarly. They need to learn to share emotions with others as they are very sensitive beings.

Therapeutic colours: Moonlight hue colours, silvery pearl, soft greys and all pastels

Leo (July 23- August 22)

Symbol: The Lion

Traits: Intelligent, proud, energetic, flashy,

Description: Leos are the natural leaders of the zodiac. They are blessed with a huge amount of self-esteem and are aware of the enviable traits they possess. They are respected and admired for their leadership skills. They love social interactions and enjoy making new friends. But, they always put themselves first and have an unfair reputation for arrogance. They love grand gestures and show the world how attentive and caring they are. They are harsh critics, but are bold and bright. Leos however, need to learn and take other people’s advice.

Therapeutic colours: Gold, red, orange, sunflower yellow and contrasting colours in the bedroom

Virgo (August 23- September 22)

Symbol: The Virgin

Traits: Smart, sophisticated, organised, passionate, harmonious

Description: Virgos make for amazing friends.They like being in control and add security to other people’s lives besides their own. They like to plan everything. They seem very shy at first but once you’ve earned their trust, they can be life-long friends and bring their walls down eventually. They project very high standards and get put off when someone lets them down. As they want everything to be perfect, it can be frustrating for them as they can’t live up to their own unrealistic expectations.

Therapeutic colours: Indigo, beige, blue, green, mustard-yellow mixed with geometric patterns and precise carvings

Libra (September 23- October 22)

Symbol: The Scales

Traits: Day-dreamers, inquisitive, loyal, responsible, balanced, altruistic

Description: Librans tend to put others before themselves and value harmony in all forms. They love being mediators when it comes to misunderstandings between others. They have a rich inner life and are happiest amongst people who they are close to, like friends, family and co-workers. They are good communicators and like making everyone happy. They are very creative and can see art in unusual places. They are never lonely as they can keep themselves entertained. But, they need to have a pragmatic approach towards work.

Therapeutic colours: Cobalt, ultramarine and pigeon blue with modern and antique accessories

Scorpio (October 23- November 21)

Symbol: The Scorpion

Traits: Enthusiastic, cautious, generous, seductive

Description: Scorpios make a statement wherever they go, aren’t afraid of controversy and don’t back down from debates. They do not like people who aren’t genuine. They are in control of their emotions but they might get caught up in their feeling at times. They put up an outer shell which might scare people away. They aren’t easy with forgiveness. They say what is on their mind even if people don’t want to hear it and do not express a lot of emotions.

Therapeutic colours: Deep purple, algae green, blue-black, black wall, purple wall with contrasting bed colour and copper mirror frames

Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)

Symbol: The Archer

Traits: Strong-willed, adventurous, truthful, trustworthy, creative, idealistic

Description: These people aren’t afraid to break away from the pack and do something different and are natural born leaders. They love solo travel and connecting with themselves. They can get too blunt at times and need to learn that sometimes, it’s nice to be a part of the pack as it makes things faster and better.

Therapeutic colours: Royal blue, royal red, rich oranges, classic yellows, deep purple, decor items from all over the world put together

Capricorn (December 22- January 19)

Symbol: The Goat

Traits: Hard-working, analytical, practical, organised, detail-oriented, polished

Description: Capricorns are fully in control of their destiny. They do not make excuses and have a reputation of being stubborn. They follow rules and thrive by being in order, strict rules and accept hierarchies. They aren’t trusted very well by people in relationships as they sometimes are only concerned about the look of things. They like to learn new things but are hard on themselves and other people. They hold long-lasting grudges against others. They have a gift of investing and saving and a good sense of design.

Therapeutic colours: Rust orange, navy blue, grey, black, gold, brown burgundy, copper and leather mixed with navies and blacks

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Symbol: The Water-Bearer

Traits: Deep thinkers, logical, progressive, short-tempered

Description: Aquarians see both sides of a problem without any prejudice which makes them excellent problem solvers. They can see possibilities even when there are none. They love to come up with new ideas and help other people with those ideas. However, they run away from expressing emotions. They are very pragmatic and practical. They can become a little limited as they tend to get lonely and go into a quiet space when they can’t handle too much of what’s happening around them.

Therapeutic colours: Metallic silver, gold, electric blue, green, purple

Pisces (February 19- March 20)

Symbol: The Fish

Traits: Emphatic, comforting, romantic, spiritual,

Description: People of this zodiac sign don’t like to be visible leaders but their presence is very strong. They are very intuitive and compassionate. Sometimes, they become victims because of being over-empathetic. If their trust is betrayed even in a small way, they feel sad and cheated. They love privacy and silence and don’t like being criticised or picked on.

Therapeutic colours: Iridescent shades, pearly pink/green/blue, dark blues/ golds, iridescent crystals, patterns of leaves and flowers and sequins

3 #MadderRed bedrooms we love

It’s time to spread some scarlet fever, at least in the bedroom. If you’re looking to revamp your snooze spot this holiday season, we suggest you really get into the spirit of Christmas and take to painting your Madder Red.

1. To deliver maximum impact, think about statement walls in the hue. Take for instance the kids bedroom in interior designer and architect Sussanne Khan’s Mumbai house. Two opposite walls in the room create intense drama. You can even choose just two pillars to bring in depth. The rest of the accessories can be in plain white or any other neutral shade to keep the red undisturbed.

2. Give the colour the royal treatment it deserves. Kill two birds with one stone – highlight a statement chandelier and focus attention over your bed, the way fashionista and restaurateur Malini Ramani has done in her home. The deep red hues permeate the space in a wholesome manner and low lighting accentuates the rich vibe. If you’re feeling bold enough, you can even experiment with gold tile mosaic wall for contrast.

3. Maximise the colour by adding mirrors. This helps create an illusion of more space, which is ideal for small homes. Take a cue from fashion designer Manish Arora’s abode in New Delhi which reflects a red rexine wall, that multiplies the effect of the colour. The quarter circle bed in a corner with striped velvet cladding provides comfortable seating. For your home, you could look at curtains with vertical stripes too!

Also read: #NewCollectionAlert: Asian Paints launches The Earth Series for exterior walls

Ivory Harmony: 4 unique all-white bedrooms that achieve ultimate peace and quiet

White can be anything but boring. In fact, a pristine snowy oasis with minimal distraction can be the perfect setting to erase stress and coax you into undisturbed sleep. Play around with the palette in extraordinary ways as we guide you through our top four inspiring light and bright bedrooms.1. Mandira and Sumeet Nath’s guest bedroom in Zoloft, Assagao In this room, white makes the perfect juxtaposition for vibrant colours like tropical greens. The walls, Belgium imported floors and the painted bench and antique bed from Dehradun, are all stark white, allowing your eye to be drawn towards the contrasting linen and painting.2. The bedroom in this eco-sensitive villa designed by Studio Note-D Irregular square punctures designed to look like photo frames add dramatic flair to the white bedroom of this villa designed by Hemant Purohit and Smita Khanna. To make for airy interiors, minimal blue soft furnishings and paintings pepper the ivory walls while mirror kota flooring and wooden furniture let the snowy colour dominate.3. The master bedroom in the Australian High Commission manor in New Delhi Wood and white make for a harmonising blend in Australian Ambassador Patrick Suckling and Natalie Daaldar’s master bedroom of the manor revamped by K2India. While a single wooden bed panel and top-to-bottom blinds complement the all white look, the pink floral bed linen and dark wood dressing table retain a traditional vibe. 4. Karan and Indrani Paul’s plush boudoir in New DelhiDesigned by Studio Lotus, this bedroom imagined as a bachelor pad oozes luxurious laid-back comfort. Everything from the headboard to the storage panel is set in one tone of white. To reflect the colour throughout, an Art Deco inspired screen stands between the walk-in wardrobe and the sleeping area while full-length windows allow plenty access to sunlight.Also read: 15 best homes that represent 15 years of ELLE DECOR India

Dreamy Prints: Turn monotone walls into statement partitions

The walls may have ears, you say, but you can give them a personality too. For your bedroom, instead of the routine single shaded walls, why not add printed partitions that reflect your taste for the finer things in life? We’re inspired by what interior designer Kunal Shah did with these two bedrooms for a Mumbai home. If you like the retro or vintage inspired look to your boudoir, go for complementing paisley, checkered or chevron surfaces.Alternately, for a contemporary looking boudoir, you can paint stripes of varying colours. A light wood bed with a jali patterned partition can work really well. If stripes aren’t your thing, experiment with a smattering of polka dots in myriad hues over a solid wall. For instance, paint the base a uniform yellow. Over it, create polka dots of various shades such as white, blue, and green and even red and orange. Use chalk paint for the circles to allow your little one to scribble away freely. Of course, you can either get them painted or choose wallpapers and save time! A slightly embossed design will add another dimension of texture to your room.