Minimalistic

Minimalism has been a steadfast trend for the past decade or so, and the reason for this is obvious: beyond the chic, calming exterior, minimalistic spaces have an ability to transcend their inherent peaceful aura into our own mental state, instantly instilling a sense of calm into anyone who comes it’s way.

We, for one, love all things minimalistic––if you hadn’t already noticed 😉

Here’s a quick guide on how we’d create the following look:

Bedding

Simple, timeless, crisp white linen. Check this beautiful Esther white set here

Add in Texture

Minimalism doesn’t mean sterile and boring. Create some depth by adding in a throw & throw pillows (in a subdued colour) to add warmth into the space. Find these items here, here & here!

Add Life

Plants have a seamless way of pulling a room together. We’d opt for a statement plant for the corner of the room, and a chic orchid by our (uncluttered!!) bedside table.

The Little Details

We understand practicality and convenience are extremely important for any space, but this doesn’t mean that the pieces which afford this ease can’t still be chic and on-theme.

Opt for an interesting jug or carafe to keep your water in

And instead of opting for candles, add a little drama to elevate the otherwise minimalistic space with a couple of brass candles like this:

We hope you have a wonderful time creating your dream registry!

Smeg Mini Appliances

Image Courtesy of Smeg

Smeg; the never-ending debate––the ladies will argue that these beauties are staples, and the gents will disagree. I think Smeg is the perfect hybrid of both; a high-quality essential that also happens to be (ridiculously) easy on the eyes. The price-tag, however, is not for the faint of heart. Luckily, for Silver Aisle couples, through our Pooling function, your loved ones can contribute an amount of their liking towards these pieces, making luxury a reality!

Timeless Dinnerware

Image Courtesy of Silver Aisle

Elegant, modern, luxurious. These high-quality, almost Versace-esque pieces can elevate any dinner table and will always remain on-trend. 

Batik Cushions

Image Courtesy of Silver Aisle

Traditional with a twist is what Sonali Dharmardena does best, and these cushions are the perfect accent pieces to give colour and character to your favourite spaces (and we can customize the colour to suit your home aesthetic).

Glassware Solutions

Image Courtesy of Nude Glasses

A staple for any registry –– an entire Glassware series. From Whiskey glasses to Wine, Champagne, and Tumblers, equipping yourself with these essentials will ensure your ready for decades worth of festivities!

Luxe Bedding

Image Courtesy of Legacy Linen

I would add multiple quantities of this luxurious, smooth, ivory bedding onto a registry, any day, every day! Our supplier, Legacy Linen, is a wholesaler supplying to the best resorts across our Paradise Island, and who wouldn’t want to snuggle up under this majestic duvet?

Statement Pieces

Image Courtesy of Silver Aisle

Statement pieces effortlessly transform a minimal space––and these beauties from Gandhara would complement a white sofa or a cozy reading nook perfectly.

Image Courtesy of Silver Aisle

A statement Laundry Bin?––yes, please!

High-Value Necessities

Image Courtesy of Singer

Between planning a wedding and moving into a new home, your bank account might not be loving you at the moment. This is one reason I always encourage couples to add high-value necessities like a good quality fridge, TV, Washing Machine, etc. onto their registry because the pooling function will enable this gift to actually be purchased! (and will save you a pretty penny in the process).

Experiences

After a busy few months of wedding planning and moving house, there’s nothing quite like kicking it back with your new hubby/wifey, sipping on some bevvies, and simply enjoying being together. A beverage tasting experience (from Whiskey to Arrack, Gin, and more) is the perfect Experience to include in your registry, and something you both can look forward together! 

Image courtesy of Etsy

Intimate and Personal

Your love, laughter and company on our wedding day is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to help us celebrate with a gift, please visit our registry at SilverAisle.com and use the access code
________

Please know that your presence at our wedding is present enough! However, for friends and family who have been asking for gift ideas, we’ve created an online registry with SilverAisle.com. Please use our access code _______ 

Image courtesy of Etsy

Let Your Loved Ones Know You Value Their Time

Should you wish to honor us with a gift, we hope that our online registry at SilverAisle.com will make it more convenient for you to select something that you know we will love. Please use the access code _______

We are lucky enough to already have nearly everything we need for this new chapter together! However, for friends and family who have expressed an interest, we have created a gift registry for your convenience at SilverAisle.com. Please use the access code _______ 

2. Mix Old and New Decor

There is something very special about the blend of the past and the present. A mix of modern, minimalistic pieces with carefully crafted antiques creates a juxtaposition that remains timeless; they belong together and elevate the character of any given space.

Sleek modern sofa paired with antique cupboards and signature mirrors; Location: The Postcard Galle, Interiors Solutions by Gandhara

3. Choose the right lighting

Depending on the space, the lighting requirement could be anything from minimal track bars to lavish chandeliers. After selecting the perfect light fixture, selecting the right bulb is equally important. LED bulbs are energy-efficient and they look great–––and we at Gandhara always opt for warm white light over bright white as it helps create a more relaxing, intimate atmosphere. 

Wall and table lamp lighting both in warm white; Home Interior Solutions by Gandhara

4. Invest in specialty pieces

Signature pieces like fine art and fabulous antiques are equivalent to a good wine; they simply get better with age. So, as Chandos Epley once said, “It’s better to cry once and have a forever piece,” and, we too, recommend adding that statement piece so that you will have a long lasting-love-affair with that space.

Location: Gandhara Store

5. Don’t underestimate the power of paint

Be it a wall in your bedroom or a piece of furniture, a vibrant ‘paint-over’ can make all the difference. This is also a rather economical way of giving the space a completely fresh look while going easy on your spending.

If you’re interested in adding an accent wall to your space, skim through this article which explores the current on-trend––yet ironically, timeless–– accent colours. 

Image courtesy of The Spruce

6. Coffee tables are important

A coffee table must be selected carefully depending on the space; taking into account both dimensions and aesthetic. In an open seating area, a well-proportioned coffee table could act as a statement piece; grounding the entire seating arrangement and giving a sense of place. Gandhara has a wide variety coffee tables ranging from textured and smooth, to wood, marble, metal and glass finishes. 

Home interior solutions by Gandhara

7. Get inspired by ancient buildings

Patterns in ancient buildings––from the palace walls in Marrakesh to marble craftsmanship in Rome–– add so much character that it could act as the signature feature of the space while all other furniture remain minimal and complementary. Imagine a checkerboard patterned marble floor bringing all that glory to a simple room, or a colourful zellij (a ceramic-tile mosaic) that accent the wall behind a bar.

Image courtesy of Trendir

Image courtesy of Pinterest

8. Tall furniture creates the illusion of higher ceilings

When furnishing spaces with low ceilings, we recommend using tall shelving units and cupboards. This, in turn, would make the ceiling seem much higher to the ground than it really is, creating the illusion of a larger room. Gandhara has an array of cupboards in Oak, Teak, Metal, and Ratan in a multitude of colours.

PS. This applies to curtains too; don’t hang the railing right above the window, but rather, more towards the ceiling. Ceiling to floor-length curtains will help elongate the space, too. 

Location: Gandhara Store

9. Mirror, Mirror on the wall

There is something warm and wholesome about adorning a wall with mirrors. Yet we risk creating a commercial ambiance if not careful, by slapping large mirrors onto room walls.

Don’t be afraid to take risks with bold and daring frames. By incorporating frames with different textures and colours, they simultaneously serve as pieces of art, too. Finally, be strategic with where you position mirrors. A mirror placed on a wall facing a garden will reflect that beautiful greenery into your home; creating seamless inside-to-outside space. 

Gandhara has a collection of intricately patterned mirrors in several shapes and sizes, that could add oomph and elegance to most spaces.  

Old ship windows converted to mirrors; Location: The Postcard Galle, Interiors Solutions by Gandhara

10. Trust your intuition

And finally, trust your intuition. Listening to experts is always wise, but trusting your instinct is equally important. There is more than one right option, so best go with the option you are most content with. Olivia Erwin once said “Follow your gut. If you have to talk yourself into liking something, you probably don’t”, and we heartily agree

1. Changing your perspective

It is tough to come to terms with the fact that, while the whole world seems to have come to a halting stop, your wedding plans too will have to be paused.

If your big day is nearby, this can be extremely anxiety-provoking. When the decision to postpone your wedding is made by your partner and yourself – it would be a good practice to focus on the word ‘postponed’.

You will be getting your magical day, but yes, it’s going to be later than originally anticipated. Right now things might feel bleak, but keep focusing on the idea of it being postponed and not canceled. 

2. Avoid undermining your emotions

A common sentence that I have heard from brides during this period is, “there are bigger issues in the world right now…I probably shouldn’t be so upset about this.” Feeling guilt about the emotions you are experiencing will only bring you feelings of unnecessary and unwarranted shame.

Acknowledge your emotions and allow yourself to be upset; you have been planning this day for a long period of time, you may have envisioned this day since you were a little, and it was a day especially carved out to mark the beginning of your marriage. 

Your wedding day is important to you, and allowing yourself to acknowledge that it being postponed is upsetting, is okay and necessary.  

3. Prioritize your to-do list

A good way to reduce stress is to sit down with your partner––either face to face or virtually––and come up with a list of tasks that need to be completed.

Start your list with tasks that need your immediate attention and move down to tasks that can be attended to later. Listing everything down can help you visualize the tasks before you, and break down what seems like an overwhelming, daunting mission, to smaller, more doable, tasks.  

Interested in a few practical ways to do this? Have a read through our article on how to go about notifying guests 

Courtesy of Pinterest

4. Voice your needs

Asking for help is tough but it is not recommended to take upon this big task, all on your own. Trust the people around you to provide you with help as well. Speak with your loved ones and see who might be available to assist you in making the necessary arrangements to postpone the ceremony.

Remember that one person shouldn’t have to deal with all this alone, including your family and friends in this process can help in reducing excess stress. 

5. Try writing down what you feel

Journaling is a common strategy we use in therapy when someone is going through a particularly stressful time period.

This can be useful for brides-to-be too, as it helps organize your thoughts, give you clarity about what you are feeling as well as provides you with a healthy outlet to express your emotions. 

Courtesy of Pinterest

6. Seek professional support

If your emotions are consistently distressing for a significant period of time, it is worth having a chat with a professional.

Getting support from a therapist or counsellor during a time like this can help you immensely. Therapy can help you derive a sense of control over your emotions, it can provide a space to discuss how you feel about everything going on, as well as provide you with a space to be sad without judgement, while also giving you coping strategies to navigate your current situation. 

If you would like to seek professional support, the Silver Aisle team is happy to recommend Sanchia Supramaniam, the author of this article and founder of Helping Hands Counselling Service.

You can reach out to her through Whatsapp: +94779605617, or her Instagram page @hh_counnselling

Curation

Beauty, design, practicality, and quality are a few of the words that form our mantra when it comes to curation. We take special care in selecting the brands we feature, and even more care when selecting pieces for our site––ensuring that all our products are curated to meet the wants and needs of newlyweds.

Choice

Despite our affinity to only include stunning and high-quality homeware, we still managed to source a lot of it! Silver Aisle features over 2000 products from 40 of Colombo’s most sought-after vendors. Couples are able to browse through an array of categories that cover kitchenware, homeware, bedding, and even exotic getaways wide-variety of price points.

Convenience

Did we mention that you can do all of this online? Relax with a glass of wine in your favorite loungewear, and select the items that would fit perfectly into your home and complement your style in just one click! It has quite literally never been this easy to create a gift registry (PS––in case you’re wondering, it is as easy for your loved ones to purchase a gift(s) for you too, more on that down below!)

Courtesy of Silver Aisle

Pooling

Although your family and friends would love to purchase high-value necessities like a fridge or a TV, the steep price tag naturally hinders this from happening. Through Silver Aisle’s pooling function, any item that is over Rs. 40,000 instantly becomes eligible for pooling, meaning that your loved ones can contribute an amount of their liking towards this larger gift!

Interested to know more about how our Pooling function works? Check it out here. 

Delivery

The last benefit for couples, we promise! And it’s simple: Couples can select the ideal date that they would like to receive all of their presents, and Silver Aisle will make one consolidated delivery of all of the goodies––wrapped beautifully)––for free!  

For Guests

Convenience, Ease, Peace of Mind

Buying a wedding gift has never been this easy; visit our site, type in the access code that will instantly direct you to your loved one’s registry, select what you love––or contribute towards a larger item––and proceed to checkout. Once you pay online, the rest is Silver Aisle. We wrap your gifts, include the special note you penned at the point of checkout, and deliver it straight to the couple’s door.

Say goodbye to sitting in endless traffic while trying to get to a store, say goodbye to having no clue what to purchase!