Star struck

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Blend in elements of nature to add zing to your house

Bindu Gopal Rao

Recollect your childhood days when star gazing was a routine. Probably that brought a smile back to your face, and it is exactly these elements that can be incorporated into your home as well. Adding the cosmic elements into a home can be done in many ways. The sky is the limit, quite literally. An effective way is to add elements as part of ceiling lighting.

The combination of cove strip lighting and LED white lights are some of the simplest and best ways to create a cosmic setting within interiors.

You could also use a cosmic print on your beddings, and have you walls plain.

However, don’t end up sticking neon stars on the ceiling and call that cosmic design, you may feel free to experiment with the lighting options.

“Small and special, star cross knobs can replace the drawer/door knobs without overdoing the theme. Metal and glass or studded acrylic or distressed mirror pendant lamps in shape of stars, moons and galactic particles lights in a bunch would look great in a corner of a room, suggests Radeesh Shetty, founder, The Purple Turtles.

According to Parushni Aggarwal, creative director of Studio Creo, “a shadow table lamp with stars or planets cut out, so that they project everywhere in the room when lit is a good idea. It can be placed in the bedroom or in a corner of the living room for a maximum effect. A ceiling light installation in the shape of a crescent, best installed over a dining table is another way to add cosmic elements.”

Textures and colours

Cosmic elements in your décor, apart from making for great statement and focal points can yield ‘heavenly’ results when incorporated in the right manner. When adding cosmic elements, it is all about mixing high impact metallic shades and glossy surfaces. Variety, texture and lighting are some key factors to consider while opting for cosmic designs.

· The first rule is to not go overboard but at the same time not play too safe either.

· Use a specific theme and stick to the respective complementary motifs. “For instance, if you decide your focal point to be a spaceship or a satellite motif, go light on accompanying star-based or planetary motifs. Opt for textured wall products as opposed to smooth wall finishes as this greatly complement cosmic themes. If not the walls, you can still experiment with, rugs, cushions, statement wall accessories, tiles, crockeries and tabletops,” says Mahesh Anand, president of Nippon Paint (India).

· Cosmic design has been incorporated into everything from wallpaper to tabletop. To give a celestial theme to your bedroom, you can opt for stunning bedsheets and other items like cushions, rugs and clocks with a beautiful galaxy print.

“The key factor for a cosmic element in our home décor is the glitter effects. To get an impact of exploding stars, a wide colour palette like vibrant and acid with pink and purple, greens and turquoise is used. For a dramatic contrast, use of black and dark blue colours will prove to be a perfect backdrop. For maximum impact, make sure to keep the rest of the room minimal,” says Anjali Jain, owner of Kala Drishti.

“Add a stellar moon lamp or starry fairy lights, which looks as alluring switched off as it does when it is lit will add a magical and uber-chic appeal to the setting. Elevate the set up with quirky cosmic-themed décor elements like a rustic telescope or crescent-shaped mirrors. Pair shimmery cushions with your plush black sofa to curate an airy, space-like appeal whilst still maintain an understated aura around the theme,” says Saloni Khosla of Bespoke, Pepperfry.

The balancing act

Space performs as a foundation on which the entire interior design plan is built. “A space that is essentially filled with furniture/scheme items is a positive space and an empty space is a negative space. We must plan and be clear on what cosmic elements we would be using in our design,” says Ksheer Vasudha Kumar, architect and director, Navin’s.

Even though you might be very inspired by cosmic elements, there are things to consider like using the right elements help you do up your home with the right balance.

“By adding different classic cosmic elements and aspects to your home decoration you can achieve balance and restfulness. In order to do that you must do your thorough research as well as the areas that you would want to focus on,” says Kuntal Aggarwal of Resaiki Interiors

Futurist trends and concepts are slowly inventing a new style of design. “Stairs of homes are a great place to explore this kind of form exploration. Stairs are usually transition spaces that have the potential to express bends, folds, movement and a lot of other things,” says Malcolm Daruwala, Principal Architect, Seedle by DC Group. Well, time for a karmic makeover.

Tips

· Add the motifs in controlled portions and as accents as it can get overbearing on larger areas.

· If you have a small living space then focus on one wall of the room.

· Keep the room minimal otherwise, space will look congested.

· Try keeping forms pure and elegant be mindful about things at all scales from macro to micro.

· Make function and utility the driving force to determine these forms.

· Allow for spaces to breathe and seek the importance of simplicity while trying to make an impact.