interior decorating tips Archives

7 Tips to Protect Your Beautiful Home Interior

November 26, 2020

You’ve put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into creating a beautiful designer-style home interior. Just looking at the results gives you a good feeling, but now that interior decor has to stand up to its greatest test: the rough-and tumble of daily life. Keep it gorgeous for longer with these handy hints and tips.

1. Take Precautions Against Plumbing Mishaps

Running water is a wonderful thing – but not when it’s running through the ceiling and all over your stunning decor. Burst water pipes and water heater disasters can all-too easily turn your home into a flood zone causing untold damage to furniture, ceiling boards, and paint finishes. All in all, it’s best to avoid the nightmare altogether. In the first place, get expert advice on preventing burst pipes in your home. Even so, accidents can happen. If they do, it’s worth being aware that water damage restoration experts are out there. Call for help and see what can be saved or restored.

2. Protect Upholstery and Carpets From Mishaps

From careless kids to errant pets and those butterfingers moments when that glass of red wine slips through your fingers, it is possible to protect your carpets and upholstery from mishaps, thrills, and spills. Knowing that little accidents can be easily cleaned up will be a big stress-saver. When it comes to stain protection, Scotchguard is the big name that everyone knows and trusts – this is no sales pitch, but it has to be said. If you can find a good alternative, feel free! Either way, being able to relax and laugh off little slips that would otherwise cause costly damage is a plus that will make your and your family’s home life pleasanter.

3. Ensure that Wood Finishes Can’t Get Water Marks

If you feel the need to rush around with coasters before anyone rests a cup or glass on a wood surface, it’s time to think about protecting wood so that it can’t get unsightly water marks even when there’s an unnoticed spill. You don’t need to spoil that warm finish – it’s just a matter of finding the right product to repel moisture so that you and your guests can relax. There are plenty of options on the market. Enquire at your local hardware store, or look online to see what your options are.

4. Protect Walls From Scuffs and Scrapes

Presumably, you’ve taken the precaution of using high-quality wall-coatings that allow you to wash away the occasional grubby fingermark – but scuffs and scrapes are another matter. From bed headboards to doors that bang against walls when carelessly opened, it’s easy to spot the areas that are vulnerable. Protecting your interior wall finishes and maintaining those carefully chosen paint colors could be as easy as installing rubber stoppers in the right places. Look for possible problems areas and prevent damage before it can happen.

5. Invest In Sun Protection

Natural light is glorious, but the direct rays of the sun can fade fabrics and damage artworks faster than you might imagine. Keeping drapes closed spoils the feeling of airiness and freedom you get from having big windows that let the light shine in. Fortunately, there are many more ways to protect interiors against sun damage. These range from film coatings for windows to exterior awnings that let in the light but not the sunshine. While protecting your decor, they will also help to reduce your summer cooling bills.

Do you need this kind of protection? Pay extra attention to South-facing windows (or, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, North-facing windows) and see whether the sun’s rays pose a risk to the longevity of your interior decor investment.

6. Maintain Leather

Light-colored leather makes a great style statement, but it can stain quite easily. Once again, your answer lies in choosing the right products. Look out for leather furniture waxes and conditioners that help leather to shrug off stains. It’s not just a matter of spills. The dye from denim or the natural oils of skin and hair resting against surfaces can create ugly, dark marks. Choosing darker coloured leather helps, but if you’ve gone for light shades, do keep your preventative maintenance schedule up.

7. Hello Kitty

Most of the time, cats don’t actually damage furniture – but if they take to claw-sharpening on the corner of your expensive couch, the harmony between you and your feline companion will be short-lived. Scratching posts offer an alternative, but cats don’t necessarily feel the need to think the way we do. There are ways to train cats not to scratch furniture, but while you’re working on it, you might want to consider unobtrusive couch corner protectors or thick throws to protect that upholstery.

Nothing Lasts Forever: When it’s Time to Freshen Up your Interior

You’ll know when it’s time to freshen up, but do check out ways to refresh or restore items that are starting to look a little tired. In many instances, it is possible to give good quality furnishings a new lease of life. Consider doing a few simple repairs even if you want a complete change. The resale value of your furniture will be much better if it isn’t looking too tired – and the proceeds can go towards your next decorating project.

SHOP HOME DECOR NEUTRALS….

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7 secrets from an interior designer

May 20, 2020

In the digital age, it’s easier than ever to design a well-organized, cohesive decor scheme. With some internet inspiration and a few simple guidelines, you can make your home look like you hired an interior designer.

Here are some helpful tips to guide the process.

Plan Ahead

One of the key elements of stunning interior design is planning out the various components before getting started. You can do this by spending an afternoon looking at design magazines and clipping images that inspire you. You can also use tools like Pinterest to create a vision board.

Outlining the design features of your room will also help you develop a shopping list and budget. Give yourself time to shop around and compare prices.

Choose Statement Pieces

Generally speaking, an interior designer will incorporate one or two statement pieces into each room. These pieces become the focal point of the design scheme with the room working around it. A statement piece could be anything from an ultra-modern couch to an elaborate chandelier.

Remember that statement pieces are meant to stand out, rather than to blend into the background, so leave your preconceived notions about matching at the door. While the piece should fit into the overall decor, use a pattern, shape, or color contrast to help it stand out.

Keep the Layout Simple

When it comes to interior design, less is more. Having too much in one area makes the room look smaller and cluttered. Everything in your room should be functional as well as fashionable.

Take some time to declutter and experiment with the room layout. You can use a room planning app to see how everything will fit before making any significant changes.

Focus on the Finer Details

It’s the finer details that make the most impact when trying to make your home look professionally designed. For example, adding custom hardware to RTA cabinets in the kitchen completely changes the look of the room (check out RTA Cabinet Reviews). In a living room, the pattern on throw pillows can take the room from mediocre to luxurious. It’s all about the little touches.

Build Over Time

Don’t feel as though you need to handle your design project all at once. You can make small changes over time to fit your budgetary needs and overall vision. This approach is great if you’re waiting to find that perfect finishing piece for your room as well.

Building over time will also help you create a unique look as trends continue to change. By doing so, your room will look less cookie-cutter and more professionally planned.

Use a Color Wheel

A color wheel is both the simple and most powerful tool to have on hand when creating a designer-inspired room. This device can help you find contrasting and complementary colors that you might not have considered. If you have a favorite color in mind, this tool can help you build around it without risking clashing or being too matchy.

There are plenty of apps and websites online that replace the handheld color wheel, and can even print paint codes for you to take to your preferred paint store.

Prioritize Lighting

Lighting is the element that brings a room to life. Don’t just focus on the colors and patterns; consider how you’ll set the ambiance. Getting as much natural light as possible is a must. Many designers will use mirrors and reflective surfaces to improve light distribution.

Light fixtures also play into the overall look of a room. Choosing warm lighting that reduces hard shadows can make the room look more welcoming.

With these tips, you can create a house that looks as though it was put together by an interior designer. Get organized, be creative, and add a unique flair that sets it apart.

SHOP HOME DECOR….

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HOME DECOR

10 Ways to (Effectively) Add Decor to Your Home

November 13, 2018

Are you looking to breathe fresh life into in your home? Adding new decor will transform your rooms and make them more soothing and energizing. The good news is it’s very easy to add style to every corner of your home with some well-laid plans and a few accessories.

Pillows, pillows, pillows

Pillows can add personality and color to any room. They can also be quite useful. A good place to start decorating with pillows is in your living room. Does your couch look a bit boring? Adding a few throw pillows will help liven it up. Look for pillows that bring contrast to the fabric on the sofa. The contrasting colors add more visual appeal to the room.

The bedroom is the next place to experiment with pillows. You don’t have to pile a dozen pillows on your bed to make it a designer’s dream. Add a couple of pillows in fun fabrics. This can help draw the eye towards the bed, making it the room’s focal point.

Add paintings and art to your walls

Blank walls can be intimidating when it comes to decorating your home. However, adding paintings and art to your walls will give the room some visual energy and coordination.

Walk through your home and figure out where paintings will have the most impact. Common places to display paintings and art include over the fireplace or couch. Look for long walls that need a bit of color and vibrancy. A painting can even adorn a wall in a guest bath.

Frame and display personal photos

One way to make your house into your home is to bring to bring out your personal photos. These pictures of your family and friends will give your home a warm and cozy feeling for anyone who visits.

Now, displaying personal photos doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can add a stylish touch to any room. Put some of your favorite memories in identical frames. Then group the frames along the wall beside your staircase or down the hall. The identical frames provide visual coordination and style.

Add a new coat of paint

Every few years most rooms require a fresh coat of paint to look their best. However, painting an entire room is not the only way to use paint to embellish the look of your home.

Consider adding an accent wall to draw the eye to a particular place in a room. You can go with a contrasting color or just paint the wall a few shades darker. Paint your front door a brand new coordinating color. This will help draw visitors to your entry and give the house a bit more curb appeal.

Try painting an old piece of furniture a bright fresh color. You can give any room a pop of color with the furniture transformation. You can also salvage old furniture pieces that look bad but are still in good structural condition.

Place blankets in key locations

Blankets can be both decorative and functional. A warm blanket draped over the back of a sofa in front of a fire draws a person to snuggle in for the night. Adding a blanket to the end of your guest bedroom makes it more inviting for your guests.

When selecting blankets, it is important to consider their style and their intended use. A heavy blanket is great for winter nights but may be too much for a spring evening. A blanket with an antique pattern might not fit into your modern designer room.

Upgrade your countertops

When you walk into a kitchen, the last thing you want to see is peeling Formica countertops. Those old plastic coated countertops look and feel tacky after a few years. Natural stone is the preferred replacement option.

Visit a store that specializes in natural stone to get some ideas. You can find a wide selection of stones including marble, quartz, and granite. Each slab of stone comes with its own unique beauty since no two are alike. You get the fun of looking through the selection and picking out the slab that you think will fit your home best.

Create a memorable entryway

Where is the place your guests go through when they first arrive? It might be through the front door or maybe even through your mudroom. In either case, you want to make your guests feel at ease and comfortable. You can do this by giving your entryway a simple makeover.

The area should be clean and organized. Be sure to add a mirror where guests can have a quick glance. If you want them to remove their winter boots or summer sandals before going any further, give them a comfortable place to sit. Add some personal decorative touches to finish the space.

Bring in seasonal touches

When it comes to seasonal touches, a lot of people think about the fall and winter months. But, bringing in items for each season helps keep a room feeling current and fresh.

Fresh flowers and blooming branches are a great way to bring in a touch of spring. Trading your heavy winter drapes for light flowing ones are a great way to celebrate summer. Of course, shades of orange and red are perfect for autumn, while ice, snow and the Holidays round out the winter.

Add rugs to your floors

Rugs are items some people forget when it comes to home design. It may be that much of the house is carpeted or that the homeowners value a minimal design. Rugs, however, can work in any situation.

You can put rugs on any floor, including ones with carpet. A well-placed rug can bring a conversational area together. It can give guests a soft place to put their feet. It draws the eye to a particular location on the floor. It allows you to play with shapes and textures. It can also be a designer’s inspiration for the entire room.

Get creative with textures

Texture appeals to the senses. It gives a space visual dimension and brings a luxurious feel to a bland room or set the room’s mood entirely. Repeated use of texture can harmonize a room.

The fun part of texture is that you can use it evoke different emotions and moods. An exposed brick wall offers visual texture. A woven textile brings warmth. A concrete countertop lends an industrial vibe. A fluted column brings a classic touch. Linear molding soothes a person.

Each of these options will help you transform your average home into a designer’s dream. Just remember to give yourself the time to plan what you want to add to each room and which items would work the best.

And always have fun with it!

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HOME DECOR, HOME STYLING

10 Things Every Living room Needs

July 20, 2017

The living room is where you entertain, relax, read, maybe watch TV but it is the most ‘public’ space in your home and sure, you can count on the sofa, the coffee table, and a few additional seating options. But the room needs to be personalized through decorative touches. Here’s some inspiration on how to add those personal style items to your space to give it a polished look

1 – A place for your books –

Your collection of first editions aside, designate an area to feature a few choice titles that complement your style. If your space is small, try blending the book case colour with the wall colour – it will look luxurious (like built-ins) and it will look streamlined

2 – Window treatments –

An empty window space is an incomplete one. Dress the frames with a set of drapes to maximize the height of the room, providing it with a simple yet elegant finish. Drapes also add softness to a room and they frame a window beautifully. If you have blinds already add the drapes they really add a touch of style

3 – A styled coffee table –

A well-curated table keeps essentials on hand – minus the clutter. Stick to things that make like favorite books, vases, or trays. No, the remote control does not count as an essential or an accessory!

4 – Something on the walls –

We’re all about the walls. Gallery of frames. One eye-catching print. An over sized mirror. Choose to decorate with pieces that will make the space totally your style.

5 – Pop(s) of colour –

Offset a neutral palette with hints of an eye-catching hue. It’s the key to an instant uplift. Accent pillows, art, accessories and even an area rug are easy ways to add some colour to your space.

6 – Painted walls –

A can of paint really is the easiest way to add personality to a room. As for the color, well, that’s up to you.

7 – A side table –

A simple accent piece doubles as a geographically-convenient (and temporary) spot for all the necessities for a little lounge time. Plus these come in very handy when entertaining

8 – Personal touches –

Dedicate some shelf space for an edited assortment of pieces that reflect your personality. Throw some favorite framed photos to the mix as well.

9 – Light fixtures –

A little lighting goes a long way. If you don’t have a ton of natural light, then bring in table lamps to set the right mood for your space.

10 – The right seating arrangement –

Small space. Large space. We can’t stress this enough. It’s important to think about the shape of your room and its function. Arrange for how you will be using this area.

Make your living room a comfortable and chic space – if you are like me you spend a lot of time in that room so enjoy the space and make it beautiful,

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HOME STYLING, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

What is e-decor?

July 15, 2017

So what is our e-decor service?

E-decor is an interior design service that we offer for clients who love our style but don’t live in our area or clients who don’t mind doing the leg work but don’t know where to start. The beauty of this service is you don’t need to live near by, we source items that you can purchase online and have delivered to your door and you can move at your pace as your timeline and budget allow…

How does the e-decor service work?

Our e-decor service is so easy! First, we do need to know which room or rooms you want to design and decorate, we love to know a bit more about your taste and style (sending us photos of rooms you like is perfect!), we need a rough budget to work with (we all have a budget and we believe that style doesn’t come with a price tag), photos and dimensions of your room(s) (in the case of a property under construction, a floor plan is perfect), and we also want to know what purpose you want the rooms to serve, for example – TV room, guest bedroom / home office etc…

Next, we prepare a quote for you and once approved we get started! Depending on the size of the project this could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. We send you a vision board with the furniture, art and accessories – you have the opportunity to then critique and we make the changes to produce the final concept. We also provide a sketch with furniture placement and a series of styling tips (for example art placement)

E-decor is perfect for someone moving into a new home or space, some one who is short on time and someone who wants a designer space but doesn’t know where to start. E-decor is a great gift too! We love to work with clients and make their spaces come to life so they can enjoy life and their space without the stress that can come with it!

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

Paint Colour Concept for the Whole Home

July 13, 2017

When it comes to a paint colour concept you really need to think about the whole home. We just finished meeting with some clients earlier today to put together their paint colour concept – they have hired a painter to start later in the week and during our paint consultation we discussed the idea of a paint colour concept for the whole home – even though they aren’t thinking of paitning the entire home at this stage.

Photo credit : HomeBunch – This mudroom is painted in ‘Stonington Gray’ by Benjamin Moore

What is a paint colour concept?

Basically it is a plan with a series of colours for the whole home. The colours all work together even though they may be different – there is a fluidity to the whole look, so as you walk through the home room by room the colours will work in a cohesive manner.

You may not be ready right now (for a variety of reasons) to paint the entire home now but if you have a plan you can focus on the rooms to paint now and still know what the overall look and feel of the space will be. Be sure to record and file all of the paint info – so brand, name and code – you can refer to it when you are ready to paint the next set of rooms.

What to know when making your paint colour concept?

You really need to understand the lighting in your home. Which rooms have a lot of light (natural or otherwise) and at what time of day. Paint looks different in different lights – natural vs artificial, it also looks different depending on the amount of light and time of day. So we always suggest to clients to paint test swatches on the wall and take a look at them at various points in the day. Be sure you like the colour at all times of day before fully committing.

Our clients wanted a light and airy look with some ‘beachy’ inspiration without going too literal – their furniture is most neutral (think light warm grey sofas and coffee hardwood floors). the home is an older home with original interior doors and baseboards, they wanted to maintain that character but give the home a fresher and more current feel.

Here is the paint colour concept we put together for our clients:

Benjamin Moore ‘Balboa Mist’ OC-27 is perfect for their hallways and guest bedroom – it is a soft and warm grey tone and it is one of our favourites to work with.

Benjamin Moore ‘Stonington Gray’ HC-170 is another favourite of ours – it is a true gray that adds some really pigmentation on the wall without being too deep and it has a great freshness about it too. This is for the dining room (and will be paired with a farmhouse inspired table)

‘Silver Half Dollar’ 2121-40 by Benjamin Moore is a colour that’s really inspired by the beach (not just in name). We chose this for the living room – it is one of the brighter rooms in the house and they wanted a bit more colour in the room that they spend the most time in.

There master bedroom is on the top floor in an attic space – so the sloped ceilings add architectural detail to their master but the ceilings are also a bit lower – so we opted for a light and airy white. This is a clean and calming tone for the room and offers with great contrast to the dark coffee floors plus this means they have a lot of options for accent colours in bedding and more – We selected ‘White Heron’ OC-57 by Benjamin Moore.

The homeowners are happy with some of the existing colours in the home – such as the kitchen and bathrooms (so previous owners must have really focused on where to spend their money when prepping the home for the resale market as the bathrooms and kitchens all had a fresh coat of paint). So we worked with those tones along with their own tastes to create a a whole home paint colour concept.

A paint colour conept is a great way to stay focused on your style and have a designer look in your home…

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Guest Bloggers, OUR FAVOURITES

The 5 Best Houseplants to Grow Indoors

April 21, 2017

We are so thrilled to welcome our Guest Blogger – Marnie Bennett!

Houseplants are a great way to improve the look of any room in your home. They add a bit of nature to your indoor space and can make a room feel warm and inviting. There are also health benefits to incorporating plants into your house; they can remove toxins from the air and help protect you against allergens. If you’re a recent first-time home buyer or live in a condo in a busy Ottawa neighbourhood, you may not have the time or adequate space to grow an entire outdoor garden.

In this case, houseplants are a nice alternative. They allow you to satisfy your green thumb and still explore the benefits of home gardening without demanding all of your free time. These five plants are ideal for smaller spaces like apartments and condos where natural sunlight is often limited. They are hardy and difficult to kill which is perfect if you don’t have the time to care for a large outdoor garden or if you are new to home gardening and aren’t quite sure where to start.

ZZ plant-

The ZZ plant is a great choice if your new Ottawa condo doesn’t get a lot of sunlight. It can thrive in indirect light and only needs to be watered three times a month. It grows slowly so you don’t have to worry about it claiming a space for its own. It doesn’t attract pests which is a concern for a lot of first-time home buyers; after finally establishing yourself as a homeowner, the last thing you want is for pests to move in with you! The ZZ plant is stylish and exotic looking with beautiful glossy green leaves that will brighten up any room in your house.
Snake Plant –

The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a very popular plant for those who have the tendency to unwillingly neglect their indoor plants. These plants are extremely tolerant and forgiving. Snake plants do best in the sun, but they can also survive quite well in the shade. They need to be watered every two weeks and prefer under-watering to over-watering. Many people choose this plant for its sculptural appearance and long, green leaves. As an added bonus, the snake plant converts CO2 at night so it’s the ideal plant for a bedroom. It has other health benefits as well such as removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
Pothos –

Many first-time homebuyers who quickly realize they have a less-than-green thumb opt for the pothos plant, also known as Devil’s Ivy. It is easy to care for and adds a warm, welcoming touch to any room. It is also adept at purifying the air from harmful toxins. It can thrive in low light and does well with a weekly watering. Pothos plants are ideal for hanging because they are a trailing vine that can grow up to six feet indoors. However, you can prune it to your desired length and shape if you prefer a smaller, more robust-looking plant. It adds a beautiful touch of lush greenery to your home and can be a great accent piece to your new Ottawa condo or house.
Lucky Bamboo –

According to Feng Shui advocates, a lucky bamboo plant has the power to bring peace, strength, and luck into a home (a great combination for first-time home buyers!). It’s an inexpensive plant and very easy to care for. It prefers low light or shade and you simply have to change the water once every two weeks for it to survive. If you notice the leaves losing their vibrant green colour, it may be getting too much sunlight. It adds a modern look to your house and an element of architectural design. With all of these benefits plus the power to remove negative energy from your home, the lucky bamboo plant is the perfect choice to explore your interest in home gardening.
Peace Lily –

If you want some flowers mixed in with your foliage, consider adding a peace lily plant to your home. This plant has long, dark leaves and elegant white flowers. Its compact size is a perfect fit for small spaces and it doesn’t require too much sun. If its leaves turn yellow, it’s best to move it farther away from the window. It also doesn’t need to be watered frequently and it will tell you when it needs re-hydration by bending its leaves downward. With its ability to purify the air, the peace lily plant is another great option for improving indoor air quality.

With all of these great options, there’s no reason why you can’t cultivate a home garden in your new house. Even if you don’t have the space, time, or expertise to grow an outdoor garden, you can enjoy all of the benefits of adding greenery to your home with some hardy indoor plants.

Have fun experimenting and enjoy your new indoor garden!

Read more of Marnie’s blog here

SHOP PLANTS, POTS AND PLANTERS….

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INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, OUR FAVOURITES

My 5 Favourite Paint Colours (Right now….)

April 13, 2017

If you have been reading our blog (thank you!) you have noticed that I have recently posted some amazing before and after photos of a paint transformation. The right paint colour truly make a huge difference!

Paint is your backdrop, your canvas and with paint you can really set the tone for your decor style. Like all designers and decorators I definitely have our favourite paint colours but it really does depend on your light, existing finishes and the mood you want to set . I want to share with you our 5 favourite paint colours (and in no particular order)

Here are my 5 favourite paint colours (right now)…

#1. Paint – Classic Gray:

Benjamin Moore ‘Classic Gray’ is a soft and light grey tone . It is on the warm side. It is a favourite of mine – I have used it with my investment clients – to give their rental properties a current and fresh look but still bright and clean. I am also using this in one of our ‘sample board’ projects for a townhome community in the city!

This stunning living room, designed by Studio McGee, is a great example of ‘Classic Gray’ walls – see how light and warm it is! Even Jillian Harris did a Home tour video of the home she just sold as was talking about her love of Benjamin Moore’s ‘Classic Gray’. These 2 amazing designers can’t be wrong!

#2. Paint – Stonington Gray:

Benjamin Moore’s ‘Stonington Gray’ This is a true grey tone that I have used a number of times. It’s a medium tone grey that looks great in space where you want to add just a touch a depth. It’s still very fresh and clean looking too! It’s from the Historical collection and works nicely with exteriors too. Take the tour of the Stittsville Walk model home and see how I used Stonington Grey in this space.

Stonington Gray looks great in this eat-in kitchen space! It makes the space look fresh and current and with all the big windows and natural light this colour adds depth without making the space feel dark. The white light shade, trim and chairs are a nice contrast to the grey wall paint.

#3. Paint – Swiss Coffee:

Benjamin Moore’s ‘Swiss Coffee‘ not a new colour but a new favourite of mine! It’s rich and creamy warm white and it’s amazing with the whole Farmhouse style. It’s so clean and crisp and looks great as a canvas for artwork and other decor pieces. I am using this in a model that I am working on right now – that’s launching in early June (stay tuned…)

This living room designed by Onekindesign.com – it’s incredible!! So now that you have taken in the beauty of this room, here’s why we love this paint colour. It really allows the other elements in the room to be the star and it pulls everything together. The wood and the stone really stand out and give the room a big WOW factor but that paint compliments and adds a subtle warmth to the room.

#4. Paint – Revere Pewter:

Benjamin Moore’s ‘Revere Pewter’ This is another paint colour from the Benjamin Moore Historical collection. This is a great colour for anyone who is a bit hesitant to jump into a gray paint colour. This is more a member of the taupe family or a warm grey.

You can see here, in the image above, how soft, neutral and warmth this paint colour is! It’s enough pigment on the walls but not too deep or intense. It is a great neutral taupe-y tone without any yellow under tones. It’s great for gender neutral space or even a boy’s bedroom – you can all the accessories and colours you want and they will work!

#5. Paint – Wedgewood gray:

Benjamin Moore’s ‘Wedgewood gray’ is a beautiful shade of blue. Typically I am a big fan of neutral walls but if I had to pick a colour it would be something in a shade of blue. This is a great colour for certain areas of the home that you want to bring colour into with art and accessories so for instance a mudroom or front entry. There’s usually a lot of trim, flooring and other hard textures, so a bit of colour on the wall breaks it up a bit.

So here’s an entry painted out in Wedgewood Gray – it’s such a fresh and clean colour. The white trim and wall paneling really pop too. The hall tree is painted in Kendall Charcoal – both Benjamin Moore colours – it’s a great colour combination with the white and blue.

So these are my 5 favourite paint colours right now….what do you think?

SHOP FARMHOUSE FAVOURITES …

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

Makeover your bedroom with only 5 easy pieces!

January 28, 2017

easy-bedroom-makeover-using-only-5-pieces

We love a makeover! Don’t you? Many times small changes make a huge impact in your home. Changing some accessories, or a coat of paint can make a space feel brand new. Many people hesitate when redecorating because they think it is going to cost a lot. There are so many simple changes that can make a difference in your space.

Here is my guest bedroom – I have family and friends visiting all the time and I really wanted to spruce up my guest bedroom plus I wanted it too look and feel like the rest of my home.

My main accent colour is blue so the red and beige spare bedroom wasn’t really working anymore. So what did I do to transform the look of my guest bedroom with only 5 pieces….

Here is a photo of my ‘old’ bedroom. This was a colour motif from my last home but I have moved away from the warmer tones. My current house has grey and white (as my neutrals) with accents of blue and some bright pinks pops here and there.

BEFORE:

Beiges and warm tones weren’t really the style we were looking for anymore. By changing the wall colour and removing the red, the look is more contemporary and fresh. I started off by changing the wall colour – I had some left over white paint that was used in the main part of my house, so this kept my costs down – this room isn’t huge so the brightness of the white made my room feel bigger.

Next I replaced the red drapery for something more neutral and airy. Nothing custom just some simple store bought panels. That adds some softness to the room.

I kept the bed frame (although I may get adventurous and paint the frame one day) and the white bedding – that looks so clean and it’s gender neutral.

I found an interesting lamp with a funky base to replace the more traditional looking one that was in the room. The base has a soft and soothing aqua tone and the shade is white!

I then swapped out the red accent pillows for some black and white damask printed ones (I love print) and a cobalt blue. I love mixing colour and print and with the simplicity of the room I could add print and colour with ease.

Lastly, I removed the red art piece and replaced it with a calming almost beachy art piece that I positioned above the bed.

AFTER:

I kept the expenses low – I spent around $300 and the room looks and feels great! These small changes make a huge impact! My guests feel at home because this room looks like it’s a part of my home.

Remember makeovers and room updates don’t have to cost a fortune,

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OUR FAVOURITES, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – 6 Best White Paint Colour for Trim

January 11, 2017

“My house needs a fresh paint job. I feel good about picking a wall colour but do you have any suggestions for the perfect white trim paint colour?”

You are so right, picking the right white can be tricky. The look of a fresh coat of paint is spectacular and painting that trim really completes the feel. But like every other colour – there are many whites to choose from. Not knowing which paint colour you will choose, your safest best is you use a pure and true white tone, you can’t go wrong with that. We have a few favourites to share with you.

Simply White by Benjamin Moore – this was BM colour of the year for 2016.

Cloud White by Benjamin Moore – this is a designer (and painter) go-to.

Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore -just like the name, it is a decorator’s (and painter’s) favourite. It’s clean and crisp.

Ultra Pure White by BEHR – so clean and so crisp -this is one of the purest whites you will see.

Extra White by Sherwin-Williams – a great white trim choice, bright white!

All White by Farrow & Ball – a perfect white

Other trim painting tips:

Caulking – be sure that before you start painting that trim to caulk any gaps

Order – paint the trim first and then the walls

Finish – be sure to use a semi-gloss when it comes to choosing a finish for your trim. A semi-gloss adds even more brightness but also when it comes to cleaning, the dust doesn’t stick!

I hope these tips and suggestions on finding the ‘perfect’ shade of white work for you,

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