Colour

Accent Walls In Today’s Decor

December 13, 2011

Back in the day, accent walls were unheard of. All four walls were the same colour and, generally, it was a subdued, liveable shade only. Accent colour was only seen in decorative accessories. It was the daring homeowner who had a red or purple sofa, but was very unlikely to have a wall in a hot colour. We now live in a Golden Age of choice and clients are much more courageous than in the past, as a result of watching decorating shows on television. Our televisions are much larger and the images are in high definition, so we get a huge impact when these décor ideas are shown. We are able to see with our own eyes that these ideas really do look fantastic, and the home owners shown are often people who are similar in lifestyle to ourselves. Therefore, we are able to visualize these dramatic new ideas in our own living spaces. Read the rest of this entry »

How To Add Elegance to Your Dining Room with Custom Draperies

November 19, 2011

Nothing says “rich, formal and luxurious” like billowing silk or velvet curtains. Along with a sumptuous look, they lend softness and glamour to the décor of the formal dining room. The curtains and drapes are as important to the interior design of the dining room as the furniture, linens, and chandelier. While the lines and finish of the furnishings are a key element in the room, it's essential to have some fabric to add a touch of softness and luxury. Even if the other rooms of the home do not have full draperies, it is desirable to have them in the dining room to carry a formal ambiance. Read the rest of this entry »

How To Deck Out Your Front Entry For Fall

September 27, 2011

As fall approaches, embrace the season rather than regret that summer is passing. The weather is still gorgeous and the colours of fall are fabulous. It’s a time to sweep away the clutter of summer, get back to cooking interesting things, and indulge in a little autumn décor. Interior design moves out onto the porch for awhile.It’s great for curb appeal, too. Read the rest of this entry »

How To use Large Furniture in Small Spaces

September 24, 2011

Many of our clients live in smaller homes or condos in order to be close to city amenities, jobs, or family members. It should not be assumed that just because your home is small, that your furniture must also be small. In fact, done correctly, large pieces can actually make the space seem spacious. Using many smaller pieces can have the result of looking cramped and cluttered. A few well-chosen larger pieces can spark a beautiful décor scheme, as opposed to trying to cram in too many small pieces. Read the rest of this entry »

Easy Living Urban Country Style

September 3, 2011

There are many ways to get the Urban Country Look. There are also many ways to miss the mark and achieve only a drab, worn mish mash. A person’s home speaks volumes about that person. We love to surround ourselves with treasured objects, textures, colours and memories. Many people’s lifestyle has shifted from maintain formal rooms dedicated to one purpose, to a more casual lifestyle where rooms are more versatile and one purpose flows from one room to another. Living has also shifted outdoors due to advances in more weather resistant materials for use on decks, porches and patios. Many people work from a home office now, so spend much more time in the home than in the past. Read the rest of this entry »

Case Study: Space Planning for a Smaller Home in Burlington, Ontario

August 23, 2011

Small homes can be as beautiful as larger ones. The fact remains, however, that they are small. Today’s lifestyles are quite different from those of bygone years. For one thing, we have a lot more possessions. We have more furniture, clothing, décor items, hobby equipment and what have you. Many people simply don’t want a large home. Perhaps they have downsized from a larger home or they have decided to travel a lot. This does create the need for decorating and organizing compromises. Read the rest of this entry »

Beautiful White Rooms

August 4, 2011

We’ve all see rooms that are painted white but have missed the mark. This is not necessarily an easy style to achieve. Small spaces appear larger and the look is light, clean and airy. More attention is drawn to attention to the unique shapes, textures, and characteristics of all of the items within. Read the rest of this entry »

Wonderful French Country Interiors. C’est bon!

July 16, 2011

Whether or not you have been to France and the French countryside and experienced the lavender fields, sunflowers and sunshine up close and personal yourself, you may still be drawn to the look of French country for your own home. It is a welcoming, olde world rustic décor style that fits into a grand, old chateau, a home in the French countryside, or your own home. Read the rest of this entry »

How to Get Classic Coastal Style

July 7, 2011

Stuck in the city, working hard to get ahead, but dreaming of better things? Even if you can’t get away physically, you may be able to enjoy the fresh and charming décor style know as coastal, or beach, style in your own home. It’s a budget friendly look because it’s a little worn, a little “found object”, and it’s easy care and quite forgiving. It’s one of the few looks that really lends itself to slip covered furniture. It’s also a nice look that do-it-yourselfers with a little spare time can have input into. Here’s the dilemma. Read the rest of this entry »

How To Get The Most Out of Decorating Magazines

July 7, 2011

Lounging in the hammock or on the sofa while perusing decorating magazines is a very pleasant way to spend quality time. All these “perfect” rooms give us plenty to think and dream about. Decorating ideas abound and whether or not we make a move to move closer to having the perfect home in reality, dreaming is still enjoyable. It is, however, often overwhelming because the rooms do look so perfect. Once some forward effort is put into actually decorating our homes, we often realize just how much work and expense is involved in striving for perfection. There is a state of mind and a few techniques to make good use of this wealth of ideas and projects. Read the rest of this entry »