Decide on the kind of atmosphere you want to create before you start decorating. ‘I wanted my home to make people feel like they’re somewhere special, like a cool hotel or café,’ says Kara, who moved into her apartment six months ago. ‘I find a lot of my inspiration from going to new restaurants or coffee shops to see how they’ve been designed.’ She started with a monochrome base as a clean canvas, then layered up different textures using textiles and plants. ‘I think texture is everything.’

Don’t be afraid to mix and match to create your own style. ‘I take a no-rules approach to interiors, I don’t design my space using any guidelines,’ says hair stylist Kara. ‘I buy pieces I love individually, not because they go with something I already have. My last home was like a bohemian jungle, a kind of congested, beautiful mess! When I moved here, I wanted something more clean and modern.’

Keep your home feeling fresh with house plants. ‘I’m a real nurturer, so plants make me happy,’ says Kara. ‘Their colours, shapes and textures bring life to my home.’ She loves switching things around to make it feel like her home is living and evolving. ‘Nothing ever seems finished here, I’m constantly rearranging my space. I get bored easily, so switching things up fulfils my need for “new.”’

Plan your home to make space for the things you love. ‘I love hosting dinner parties – I really enjoy the act of cooking for people,’ says Kara. The open-plan layout means the party can flow from the kitchen, to the dining table, to the living room. ‘My dream kitchen would be much bigger, quite dark, with booth-style seating… I’ve used a trolley to recreate the island unit I’d love to have.’ Trailing plants help to soften the sharp lines of Kara’s kitchen units.

Use colour and layered textiles to make your bedroom feel cosy. Kara painted her bedroom wall one night after a spontaneous visit to the DIY store. ‘I wanted an accent wall but not something typical. I couldn’t afford wallpaper, so I just bought four paint colours and did it! My bedroom is a mix of colours people might not put together, but I think it works – I’m really proud of the result.’

How do you spend your time at home?
My days are pretty structured. I wake up super-early to work out, come home and relax with coffee before work. I’m lucky enough not to have to work too early or stay too late, so I have time to enjoy my space. I’m mostly in the living room – it’s an all-purpose kind of room, where I lounge, watch TV, work out, listen to jazz and hang out with friends.
What does home mean to you?
I think home is about a feeling you get, not just a description of how it looks. I hope mine is welcoming and comfortable, but also cool and sexy. Because I’m constantly evolving and changing, I think my space reflects that. I don’t always design for functionality, more to create a particular vibe. That’s more important to me.
How long does it take for a place to feel like home?
I’m not the type of person who takes their time, I need it to feel like home right away. I’m planning in my head constantly so when I move in it’s all ready to go. It’s a combination of being a perfectionist and also super-impatient. I need instant gratification!

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior stylist: Christina Lane
Photographer: Laura Moss