Apartment living has increased significantly in Ponsonby and the inner city over the last decade. The benefits are numerous and as we go into a period of social distancing, apartment living continues to offer advantages.
Easy living: The beauty of a low maintenance lifestyle close to all essential amenities means the modern urban dweller need not travel far. In fact many can walk to get everything they need or order online from a range of great local businesses and have things delivered within a day. With a wonderful range of beautiful parks, fields, walkways and coast lines, apartment living in the greater Ponsonby area can truly offer the best of both worlds. Being mindful of social distancing people can still get out and enjoy walking and exercising around a range of outdoor spaces.
A chance to reflect
In the new normal of social distancing, people will be spending more time in their homes and this can be an opportunity to plan to re-decorate spaces so they reflect your style and make your home even more of a haven.
Apartments often have more compact dimensions so having a few options that work well in smaller spaces can be a way to get inspired.
While most retailers will not be able to take orders in the short term you can still enjoy window shopping online. You can create virtual mood boards on Pinterest or use free software like Room Sketcher (www.roomsketcher.com) to really plan out your space and work out what will fit where. Here are a few we thought could offer a great way to get started.
Mirror, Mirror
What better way to reflect your sense of style and personality than mirrors. Thoughtfully placed mirrors are one of the easiest ways to make your living space feel open and airy while also creating depth. They add dimension and space to smaller rooms and can create focus and presence in larger spaces. Mirrors offer both functionality and form and the variety of styles, shapes and textures available reveal just how versatile these can be to apartment living.
ECC offers the Deknudt Decora Grunge range, perfect for people who find beauty in imperfections. The printed mirror surface distorts the reflection, making it less harsh. The faux imperfections soften the image, soften reality - something we could all use a little of at the moment. The other is the Glass Italia Kooh-I-Noor mirror featuring an irregular shape and textured faceted edges, it draws the eye into different depths and inclinations.
Homage also offers some delightful mirrors that can add character and space. The Mira range is designed by New York based Organic Modernism, exclusive to Homage and is a great example of how mirrors offer the perfect balance between form and function. The round shape and stylised hanging mechanism is both interesting and understated. Available in three sizes, The Mira range will have a size to fit all but can also be used together for dramatic effect. Grouping items in threes is also said to be a way to create the illusion of space.
Fill it up and Fit it all in
It might seem counter-intuitive but sometimes in smaller spaces going big with sectional furniture that hugs the walls can be a great use of space. It creates a sense of cozy and a welcoming feel that allows everyone to sit in comfort. Changing up to a large sectional sofa might also be a great way to maintain social distancing.
Apartmento offers the Gilbert sectional sofa that can be finished in a wide range of fabrics, ECC have the Minotti Daniels and Lawson, large sectional sofas. They are described as seating systems that aim to re-design living areas with curves and ellipses. They interrupt the linearity of the layouts and are more than just couches, they are furniture design with dynamic momentum.
Similarly, a shelf of books can take a plain wall from doing little in terms of form and function to becoming a visual focus point. A mini library can add texture and colour whether you opt for a built-in luxe floor to ceiling unit or a stylish fixed shelf. Books are great companions in the cooler months to come when we may have to spend more time inside. Homage have the Mobi shelving unit that is full of life and colour, JI Homes have the simple and stylish two metre high Versailles bookshelf and Apartmento offers the Quadra which can be customised to suit your space.
Floor to ceiling draperies are the quickest way to add instant height to any space. The key is to choose fabrics, textures and colours that enhance the overall feel of your apartment as well as choosing a style that works with your lifestyle. The experience and range of fabrics offered by Lahood Window Furnishing is the ideal place to start when you are considering updating your curtains and soft furnishings. Their website is full of ideas and inspiration, featuring products from some of the world’s most enduring textile design houses.
Colour
Colour is key and whether you go for a canvas of whites to provide the backdrop for dramatic monochromatic accents or select neutral tones that offer a subtle soothing effect, choosing colours that work with your sense of style and personality is important. Taking your time to consider colour and having fun experimenting to find what works for you is a great way to start. Colour is a decisive way to stamp your personality on your home. Porters Paints in Kingsland have a showroom that brings to life their passion for colour. Their handmade colours are beautifully curated on their website ensuring your colour choice journey is well informed and exciting. Once the showroom is open again you will be able to begin experimenting with sample pots to make your final colour selections.
Maintaining a sense of community
Apartment buildings create instant communities. They are a collection of people who share a love of the area they live in, have an in-built connection and potential support network. Living in close proximity can create an easy feeling of trust and is an obvious foundation to unite people in challenging times. By following guidelines for health and safety during the pandemic and supporting local businesses by keeping purchasing local, apartment dwellers are well positioned to make the most of the new normal.