I know that many of you may not be fans of wallpaper, preferring to paint your spaces instead, but let me reassure you that wallpaper is not the product we associate with our grandmother’s homes!
Read moreAre Living Room Accent Walls ‘In’?
I often get questioned about whether accent walls are still au courant and my answer? Depends. I know, before you roll your eyes, consider the following: accent walls are ideal for either downplaying a less than ideal feature or emphasizing a focal point.
Read moreLight Up Your Living Room
This week I want to talk about lighting, another element of home decor that can be confusing and frustrating. Like many aspects of design and decor, there are “rules of thumb” with respect to lighting to ensure rooms are comfortable and functional.
Read moreSelecting the Perfect Area Rug
I love area rugs as they can add much to your spaces, from colour to texture to ‘temperature’, that is warmth or coolness. I have found in working with clients to update their spaces, there are some misconceptions about size which often results in a space that just doesn’t quite hit the mark
Read moreLayout Your Living Room to Suit Your Style
When it comes to planning updates to your living room, the first considerations are typically paint, decor accessories, draperies, flooring and perhaps new furnishings. One of the considerations often overlooked but equally important is the layout of the room.
Read moreSteps For Rearranging Your Living Room
Are you getting tired of the view and perspective in your living room? Do you want to improve the flow of the space or make it appear more open and spacious? Whatever the reason, rearranging your space might be in the plans this week (or is now!) and is any easy way to update and refresh it without having to spend a cent! To assist you in making the most of your space, I am sharing the following tips for rearranging your living room space.
Read moreTrends Made Simple
Happy New Year! This time of year is always energizing as we head into a brand new year – a blank slate with so many exciting possibilities, projects and plans. This is also the time of year the décor magazines, websites and blogs are filled with ideas and opinions about what is ‘trendy’ for the coming year with respect to style, architecture and colour – are you inundated and overwhelmed yet?!
The subtle or not so subtle message is that our current décor is no longer stylish or relevant and it’s time to refresh it all. The subtle message is that if we don’t implement the trending design elements, our décor will appear outdated and inappropriate. This drives me crazy!! I don’t know about you but my budget doesn’t allow me to start afresh every year. Think of the environmental nightmare were we to do just that and the absence of our personal style and flair?
So how do we avoid becoming ‘sheep’, yet continue to stay somewhat up-to-date and stylish and reflect our own décor style with flair?
Solid Foundation
First, start with a solid foundation. It is important that a room have good ‘bones’ and structure. Basic elements such as a sofa and chairs and side tables, should be classic and timeless and allow for small and subtle changes to be easily made around them. If these elements are neutral in terms of style, shape, colour and finish, it is easy to incorporate elements of trends such as colour, pattern and texture. Trendy styles quickly become dated and are costly and disruptive to update.
Photo Courtesy of E. Armstrong
Colour
Every paint company selects a ‘colour of the year’. Again, this should be an inspiration and if it is too intense for your décor or taste, consider a slightly lighter or less intense shade. If you want to make some simple updates, consider where you could use the colour to maximize impact at minimal cost. Consider pillows, a throw, lampshades, candles, decorative accessories or table linens. A trending colour can also be used on an accent wall or in draperies if you are prepared to take on a larger project and update.
Fabric
Trending fabrics and patterns can be reflected in pillows or draperies or your bed linens. I also love the randomness of contrasting patterns (having everything matching is predictable and uninspired). Think stripes or checks with floral, chevrons with polka dots or geometric patterns with stripes or polka dots. The continuity and cohesiveness of these contrasting patterns comes with ensuring the scale of the patterns is consistent in size, that the tone or hue of colour is compatible and that the size of the item - for example pillows - is the same.
Hardware
New hardware on doors and cabinets is an easy and economical way to update the décor in your kitchens and bathrooms as trends change. If you are doing a major renovation or building a new home, basic cabinets are timeless and classic and easily adapted to décor trends.
Rugs
Replacing a tired or worn out area rug with one in a trending colour and material is another quick and practical way to update your décor. These are easy to add to every room in the house and can be coordinated with linens, pillows, throws and décor items such as candles and decorative accessories for a rejuvenated and updated look.
Mix It Up
I love the unique decor that comes with mixing contrasting materials and styles. This is an effective way of mixing your current décor with the trending elements that you love. Again, continuity and cohesiveness can be achieved by selecting a limited number of materials (I’m referring here to wood, ceramic, granite, metal, concrete, glass, etc.). Too many together can result in a space that appears disjointed and chaotic. The same applies to patterns and colour; ensure the tone and hue of colour are consistent and patterns are of similar scale to create a relaxing, comfortable space.
Photo Courtesy of E. Armstrong
Combining differing styles can be a unique and funky way to reflect your style preferences and personality, so have some fun! I have seen French country chic with a touch of industrial or coastal with overtones of Boho – it can work and result in stunning and sophisticated rooms!
Have Fun!
These are just some of the many ways in which trending styles and colours can be integrated into your existing décor in a simple and stylish way. Refreshing the look of you home does not necessarily mean a big price tag; you can reflect your décor personality and flair in a unique way. And most importantly, have fun! Create your own look, reflect your own style and remember comfortable and elegant interiors can be achieved through simple updates.