The Little Guru

Tag: Kim Williams

Winter Design Insights with Kim Williams

Today we are featuring winter design insights with Kim Williams. Having the right fireplace in your home can bring an elemental warmth that not only heats your home but comforts the soul. Choosing which fireplace will work best for your needs will depend on aesthetics, the ambience and the size size of the space.

With the help of Kim Williams, she shares her top insights on selecting the perfect heating solution.

Aesthetics and Ambiance

Fire brings such energy into a space because it represents passion. With so many options from gas-oil hybrids, to ergonomic pellet fireplaces, there is sure to be one that fits your ideal aesthetic. Considering the style and ambience you want to create will determine which option will work best for you.

Go high quality

The final fireplace you choose should fit with your lifestyle requirements . The longevity of your design choice is also paramount on both essential materials such as fire bricks and in terms of style. I always recommend clients go for what they truly love, not just what is on-trend because fireplaces are expensive to repair or replace.

Size up your space

There are many experts whose main focus is understanding the science behind space and airflow, and how sunlight and energy interact in a space.

Follow the sun

The sun is often overlooked when home builders collaborate with architects and yet light is the most fundamental factor. Having a sunny space will make an enormous difference. If you are buying a home that doesn’t get a lot of sun, before installing heating systems, try to open it up with windows or skylights. The sun will always be the most efficient way to heat a home because after all, it is free.

Keep it connected

If a home is cold we tend to retreat to the warm embrace of our duvets rather than gathering in a communal area. A fireplace creates a warm social hub and the perfect ambience to bond as a family. When building your fireplace, consider how space will be used and use furniture that makes it easy to gather safely around the fire and facilitates being together.

Remember all the elements in the room

Making a space warm is also psychological. By considering elements such as the floors, wall coverings, lighting, colour and textures you can make even the darkest room feel cosy. To find balance among all these elements I often look to nature and incorporate earth, air, water and fire. Vibrant plants in open spaces infuse a home with life and cool ocean blues make the perfect inky backdrop for warm colours and earthy tones. Lush rugs and dim candles as well as rich wallpaper also help to add psychological warmth and insulation.

Take the fun Outside

Using your outdoor space with the kind of weather we have in South Africa is also very much an option. With us spending much more time outdoors we are seeing a huge resurgence of the fire pit. I personally love them and adore how versatile they can be – from a simple cost effective metal pit to grand sunken landscaped arenas there really is something for every budget. If a fire is not your preference, or perhaps you have a smaller courtyard garden, outdoor heaters are a lovely alternative.

Coldness can make us retreat into our spaces to cocoon away from the harshness of the world. Building a fireplace is so much more than a heating solution, it is a way to draw us together to find comfort in the bonds we share with family and help us revive our souls after the haste and confusion of a busy day.

For more tips from Kim Williams, sign-up for her blog at www.kimwilliams.co.za or follow her on Facebook and Instagram

July 6, 2021
Top Decor Trends for 2021

Nothing excites me more than decor! I have always had a love for it and tend to spruce up my home every so often. As we start the new year, I thought we could look at top decor trends for 2021 with a designer I have grown to love- Kim Williams.

True innovation often begins by looking to the past for inspiration. Few people know this as well as Cape Town-based interior creative and behavioral specialist, Kim Williams. Kim believes that only by reflecting on our design influences, can we ground our individual styles and lay the foundation for true innovation.

Top design trends to take from 2020 and how they are likely to evolve in 2021:

Biophilia

Bringing nature into our spaces provides us with a kind of visual comfort. The concept of biophilia embraces connecting with nature on all levels, from organic materials to earthy tones and colours. Natural elements permeate our spaces as we try to recreate a connection with nature.

Isola Design Studio – Image courtesy ITALIANBARK + SOMA

Modern Retro

The modern retro style has lush elements, like gold taps and classic patterns, that make spaces timelessly stylish and classic. More than that, the new modern retro puts an interesting twist on the idea of vintage as it draws inspiration from more recent decades. The beauty of the old has evolved; we see the use of pattern and the return of velvet and classical elements of retro being presented in a modern way.

Kim Williams Design

Nostalgic Design

One of Kim’s most recognizable design signatures is creating an experience with nostalgic items. This helps you can induce emotion, enhance productivity, or imbue a sense of relaxation.

Kim Williams Design

Metallics

How beautiful were the metallics of last year? Golds, coppers, and silvers all glistening and adding glam to our spaces. 2020 undoubtedly saw metals take off, especially here in South Africa, and some noticeable trends include black taps and coloured sanitaryware. 2021 is sure to continue to incorporate metallics into our more modern spaces.

New Minimalism

At the beginning of the lockdown in 2020, there was an intense decluttering process many of us went through and our need to have less stuff and have more space. Minimalism is built on sustainable, intentional living and an emotional relationship with your home. However, new minimalism is not sparse like its predecessor, but rather about reducing the number of material things we have down to what we really need.

Matteo Nunziati – Architect – Image courtesy ITALIANBARK + SOMA

Maximalism

Ironically, in 2020 we also saw the emergence of minimalisms polar opposite, maximalism. This style uses every element of our space as an opportunity to make a statement or grab our attention. Kim believes that this is because as individuals we are becoming more appreciative of our personal styles rather than simply following other’s choices. You can read more about maximalism here

Seletti Studio Maison and Objet 2020 – ITALIANBARK + SOMA

Trending

Looking back, the trends that stand out for Kim in 2020 from a design perspective were intertwined with our need to reconnect with nature and to find comfort in our homes and workspaces. I for one absolutely love the Biophilia trend and hope it stays for a very long time!

For more about Kim Williams and to sign-up for her blog here

Follow Kim on Facebook and Instagram @kim_williams_design.

January 22, 2021
Making an Entrance…

Our favourite Interior creator & behavioural specialist, Kim Williams, is making an entrance! Kim shares that every great space begins by having an understanding of how people use their spaces & how design can help them get more use from it.

Entrance halls are not only for grand Hollywood mansions, but they also offer us a beautiful space to express and introduce the unique identity of our home, as we welcome guests.

Aside from the opportunity for a functional space to store everyday items, entrance halls have gained importance as space to safely sanitize before interacting with our families.

As SA is slowly easing “out” of the chaos, a global shift back towards entertaining guests in our home spaces has come back to life. Having a space to welcome guests creates a sense of excitement. Space and a feeling of welcoming warmth.

I am obsessed with benches and would definitely be on the hunt for one for my own home!

Here is what Kim recommends when designing an Entrance:

Function

Functionality is not only about what you add into space, but more about how well space fulfils your needs. Also, the personality of your family is extremely important. Everyone’s behaviour and needs in their space are different, therefore design must be developed around your unique requirements.

Form

The overall style of the house should guide your design choices. There may also be elements that you cannot change, such as walls, windows, and natural light, or you may want to highlight an antique front door.

Flow

As our spaces get smaller, it is more important than ever that we think about how we create flow with our design choices. How we work with natural light or use of colour. Pieces of art and furniture are more than objects in a home, they add to the flow, overall look, and impression you want to experience in the home.

Old & New

The integration between the old and the new is by far Kim’s forte. By using items that you already treasure creates an emotional connection with your space, gives sentimental significance. It also safeguards your design from being too trend orientated.

Entrance halls have made their grand return to the design scene and are a great way to sweep guests off their feet. Introduce our home’s unique style and organize our everyday essential items.

We are doing a slight home reno and might use this opportunity to spruce up my entrance space! I will definitely be using these tips from Kim!

October 5, 2020
Get Your Home Workspace Right during Lockdown
The shutdown hasnt been easy. Sitting on level 4 in South Africa, we’re still getting used to spending so much time at home with our families, and many, working from home during extended lockdown.

My hands have been itching to upgrade our multifunctional room to create the ideal working space during this time. I came across the incredible Kim Williams, an interior creative and human behavioural specialist, that gives tips and tricks on great design and that it is more than just simple aesthetics.

Beautiful, functional, clean spaces have a profoundly positive impact on our psychological wellbeing. In a time where our mental health may be taking strain, Kim’s insights on how you can get your home workspace right during lockdown is invaluable.

Who is Kim Williams?

An entrepreneur and well-respected local interior creative based in Cape Town, Kim Williams, working across décor, design and interior architecture. Kim’s first-hand experience of the importance of well-functioning, energising interiors became the cornerstone of her own blueprint called the Pure Design Innovation ID. It involves a process of extracting what people want and need from their interior spaces. Kim developed this Blueprint to guarantee a focus on the client – what they want – and matching this with their unique personal style.

Three Elements Kim Recommends We Consider:
- What your space needs to do on a physical level. Who you will be sharing space with, what equipment you will need such as Wi-Fi and plugs for devices, where the space can be and how big it needs to be.
- Consider the invisible factors of shared space such as ambient noise from other people in the house and how profoundly it affects your concentration and ability to work.
- Our freedom to step out of our workspace when we need a break is limited, so it is important to create multiple work zones in the home to allow you to move between the spaces when you need a change of scenery.
Get Your Home Workspace Right during Lockdown with Kim’s top tips!

Kim’s Practical Top 10 Tips for a Productive and Functional Home-Office Space:
- Organise your space. No matter the size of your home, how you arrange it will directly impact its functionality. The way you organise your space will also differ depending on what you need that space to be at different times of the day.
- Keep your space tidy. Set it out every morning and take it down every evening to solidify the feeling of a beginning and end of your workday.
- At the end of your workday evaluate and reflect on how your space served your work, how you experienced a specific space and how you moved around the space depending on the task. Certain spaces can be associated with different mindsets and it is important to adjust what is not working.
- Schedule your use of space.
- Allocate time for specific activities. Psychologically it aids in creating a sense of discipline and routine which is key to productively working from home.
- Create a work tray for all your work tools. In a small apartment trays can be used as desks and allow you to easily move around your home for that much-needed change of scenery and they are an easy way to keep your space organized and clean.
- Dressing tables are a great size and can be moved into your dedicated workspace and used as a desk.
- Create different spaces within your home office. The ability to move to different areas assists in the thought process and allows you to rest when you take your regular breaks.
- Make the environment an attractive space to be in. Playing music, putting flowers and natural elements inside or even using different ornaments in your office all help create ambience which helps you to associate the space positively in your mind and in turn increase your productivity.
- Light and temperature have a massive impact on us, and it has been proven that if you sit in a small dark area, it brings your body temperature and mood down. So setting up your space where you can look out of a window has a significantly positive impact on your sense of wellbeing.
Energy, flow and function have long been at the core of excellent interior design. The Lockdown presents us with a fantastic opportunity to embrace the fluidity and flexibility that simple and elegant design can bring to our home spaces.

This lockdown is a chance for us to connect more deeply with ourselves and our needs as professionals. A chance for us to be more conscious of how we set up our workspaces to have a positive effect on our productivity and psychological wellbeing.

Follow Kim for some insane interior inspiration an: @kim_williams_design
May 12, 2020