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HOME DECOR

5 Ways to Breathe New Life into Your Home

March 28, 2015

After spending such a long and cold winter indoors, you might be looking at your space and think… well, this space looks little tired. A little dated or a little worn? Here’s 5 great ways to breathe a little life into your rooms and they are all quite easy and won’t break the bank!. Nothing drastic! Just a few thing you can change up or add to any room that
will be a breath of fresh decor air!

1- PILLOWS.

Can we talk about pillows. They are decor magic!! Pillows can brighten up any space! They are an easy, cheery face lift for sofas and chairs. Just think of all the options! Even think about changing pillows with the seasons and holidays. Don’t be afraid to get a little bold with pillows. A pop of color or fun is a very good way to freshen a room up!

2- SOMETHING ORGANIC.

A big vase or container of flowers will certainly make a room come alive!!! Even a grocery store bunch of flowers looks amazing with a little extra care and arranging! But, don’t overlook indoor plants. I feel they have gone out of vogue lately. Add a little pot of ivy or a fluffy pot of herbs and they will literally give life to a room. If you don’t like to care for plants then go faux… but look for great fakes! You don’t want to add any tacky looking fakes to a room!

Even try adding elements like drift wood, looks great as a centerpiece or on a coffee table. Antlers are also a big trend right now. Organic pieces can work with any decor style and they add a great texture element to any room.

3 – WINDOW TREATMENTS.

This can be expensive especially if you go the custom route but if you go out and purchase curtain panels that are pre-made, it can make a huge impact in your space. Just be sure to hang them property! By hanging them properly you can make the windows and the room look bigger and brighter.

Even if you have a great view that you love don’t forget, a window treatment frames the window and softens it and calls attention to what lies beyond. There are so many great, inexpensive curtains that are fun and sassy and updated and will give your room a real upscale look!

4- ART.

Art is such a personal thing. Some people like every wall covered with all sorts of pictures and things. And some don’t. I fall somewhere in the middle, like most of us. Art is a broad term that can cover so many wall decor pieces – like hanging old windows on a wall, a plate wall, wall decals, photographs, big clocks and more….. Look at your art… and look at your walls. Can you do a little updating? Here’s where you can get very creative!

5 – ADD COLOUR, LAYERS AND TEXTURE.

This is probably my very favorite way to add interest to my home. Not only can we feel texture with our hands… we can also feel it with our eyes. A room can seem flat and even a little boring if we don’t fill it with lots of different textures! Soft, smooth, nubby, shiny… are examples of what textures should be in every room! If you love a neutral space, play with texture to get a ‘designer’ look and feel. And when we layer those textures it is pure magic! To see a DIY about layering decor.

Now, head on over to the room you think needs a little decor love and ask yourself, “HOW CAN I BREATHE NEW LIFE IN HERE”?

Use these 5 tips to breathe new life into your room!

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HOME DECOR

Decor lesson: How to Mix Patterns using the Buddy System

March 26, 2015

We all grew up hearing about the Buddy system but this buddy system for home decor is a bit different…..

We love playing with colour, pattern and texture but sometimes finding the right balance can be a challenge. Our clients often ask us how to mix patterns, mixing colors and patterns can be a snap. Use the Buddy System!

What is the Buddy system?

Simply put, the Buddy System means that when mixing multiple textiles, make sure every fabric has a buddy, in color or pattern (and ideally both). The process works particularly well for bedding,
scatter cushions on a sofa, or anywhere you might want to mix many textiles. This is a sure fire way to get a designer look in your space. Mixing different patterns has such a sophisticated style.

1. The purple in the floral headboard closely matches the purple in the spotted cushion.

2. Likewise, a neutral taupe features in both the smaller spotted cushion, and the paisley print one.

3. Speaking of, there are two spotted cushions here.

4. The prints of the bedspread, blue striped cushion and purple spotted one all have a blurry, ikat-y feel to them.

5. The pillows and sheet are a set, so they match in both color and pattern.

6. It even goes beyond the textiles: the bedspread mirrors the chair in both pattern and color.

Now you have a room that looks totally personal to you but also very stylish with a designer influence. If you want to mix patterns in your living room, just use the Buddy system with your pillows, rug and drapery (or where ever you want your pattern). Pattern is a great way to add colour and visual interest plus it can lighten up a space – too many solids can make a room feel and look heavy, and lacking in sophistication.

You can see the Buddy system in the image below – the aqua in the sofa and the lamp add some bold colour to the room. The navy/white tribal side chair and the navy/white stripe pillows are ‘buddies’, too. The pops of pink in the floral arrangement and the art are also buddies. The brass accents in the side tables are also a pair even though the tables are different and then the white drapes, rug, walls and lamp shade are buddies too.

This is how to mix prints like a pro – now go try this at home!

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Home Decor: What to do when something’s off….

March 25, 2015

If you’ve ever had a room hovering at “almost there,” you know how frustrating of a situation it can be. The room doesn’t look bad, it just doesn’t quite sing. It’s missing something, and you can’t put your finger on it. You might find these six things to try helpful when a room just isn’t coming together like you thought it would!

1. Compare it to your inspiration

Whether you tried to copy a room you saw on Pinterest piece by piece, have always just wanted a room that feels like Nate Berkus designed it or looked to a piece of art for color palette inspiration, go back to that inspiration and compare. What do you have in your room that’s not in the inspiration? What don’t you have? It might be a case of you trying an extra element that’s fighting the harmony of the original inspiration, or you may have forgotten to include a vital element that makes your inspiration work.

We are all naturally drawn to symmetry and balance, so see if that is the issue. We recommend an element of pattern, colour, texture and shine in every space.

2. Try taking things out

Take out a big element. Yes, even something big like curtains or art. Now step back and look at the room again. Even if the room feels a little emptier, you might be able to see the potential of where the design needs to go . You might not be able to see what your room is missing because there’s something that doesn’t belong in there already, blocking your ability to see the room’s potential.

A lot of interior decor is trial and error so it’s normal to not get it perfect the first time. Often you need to play around to see what you are ‘feeling’ for the space.

3. Focus in on a spot, corner or wall that you do love

Why do you feel like that spot is working? What is it that you love? Take what’s working and spread it out around the room a little more. Maybe it’s a color you only used a touch of that could be maximized more in the space. Maybe it’s a style of furniture you played around with on a small scale that the room could use more of.

See what adding more of what you love in the room does to the feel of it. Take inspiration from what you love even if it is right in front of your nose!

4. Shake up your style

Grab something from another part of the home, from a friend’s home or find a free thing — just make it something that seems surprising to add to the space. As we’ve mentioned before, sometimes bringing something that you think obviously doesn’t go can produce one of two equally favorable outcomes: either it surprises the heck out of you by working in the space, or it points you in the right direction to go in by being so mismatched!

Can’t find an item that catches your eye? Grab a scarf in an unexpected colour (or grab a few) maybe the room needs a real pop. Do something interesting – display your most prized and beautiful pieces (even shoes or jewelry)

5. Take a picture (or two or three)

And then leave the room you’re trying to figure out. Like, go to a coffee shop or somewhere else. Look at the photos you took on your phone and scroll through them. Look at the photos on a small scale; small thumbnails that let you see the whole space.

Put some mental distance between the fact that this is a room you live in and see every day and instead view it like a room you’d be spotting on a blog somewhere. And then immediately listen to your gut on what you think the room might need (or need taken out).

6. Doodle

Those pictures you took earlier? Print them out if you can (or turn to a digital photo manipulating tool) and start doodling. Drawing patterns. Drawing furniture pieces. Squares where you think more art could go.

Doodle stuff you wouldn’t do in your right mind with actual items. That you can’t do financially. Play. And when you hit on something that feels like it clicks, figure out how to make it work on your budget and in your space!

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

All About Wall Decor Ideas

January 5, 2015

Wall Décor is something we feel is crucial to every home. Whether you have modern décor, a country home, or a very traditional style of decorating, wall décor is what really pulls a space together. The amount of wall décor in a given home may vary depending on home style and personal taste. Many people have a hard time choosing the correct art to suit their home décor style, or lack the creativity to incorporate something other than photographs or pictures into their space. Wall Décor options are endless!

Here we will give you some suggestions on some wall décor variations other than the traditional artwork.

1. Mirrors

Mirrors are a great addition to any space. The variations and options of mirror shapes, sizes, colours, textures is so vast – you can find anything you want. Mirrors can go in many places in your home as well. If you have an empty wall above your sofa, a large rectangular mirror in a great metallic or three smaller starburst mirrors in scattered pattern are a fabulous option.

2. Open Shelving

Open shelving is a fantastic way to fill an empty wall. Depending on what your style preference is, there are so many colours and wood shelves that will really add another dimension to your space. Open shelving is a great way to display family photos, accessories and whatever other small items you’d like to showcase in your home. Open shelving can be one shelf or a variety of shelves in different shapes and configurations. Open shelves look great in almost all rooms of the home, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, etc.

3. Wall Decals

Wall Decals are used most often in children’s rooms, and they’re great because if a child grows out of them, it’s not a matter of changing the paint so often. There are also many options for wall decals for main living areas, whether it be a lovely quote or a pattern of some sort, wall decals are a fantastic option, especially for people who are living in rental homes/apartments and don’t want to spend the money on paint, these are stickers that peel off without leaving any damage.

4. Gallery Walls and Unique Art Arrangements

A gallery wall is a great way to showcase a variety of elements you love, whether it be frames of family photos, quotes, small mirrors, an accessory, or just decorative frames. Creating a gallery wall in your home is a personal touch that makes any space feel like home. Be creative with what you add. Whether you like the look of a uniform wall with all the same frames arranged in very straight and evenly spaced, or if you like an eclectic mix of some of your favourite things, this feature is bound to be a focal point in your home.

5. Large Accessories

Deer heads, clocks, stars, metal wall art, various geometric shapes, porcelain birds etc are all great things to add to your space. Add what you love!

This is your home and you need to love it. So, make it yours!

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HOME ENTERTAINING

How to Set Your Table for a Dinner Party

September 12, 2014

Many of us are spending more and more time entertaining from home as opposed to going out.
With budgets tighter, staying in is a much more bank account friendly option these days. Inviting friends over for dinner parties is more in fashion than ever! There are many aspects of a having dinner party…One of them being the table setting! In this blog, we will help you set your table for a dinner party, and of course, show you how to make it beautiful!

Your table setting is a great place to let your personality shine through. Do you love colour? Use it! Are you into geometric patterns? Great! Use them on your napkins or placemats! Love bold prints? Add a fabulous printed table cloth!

There are so many fun ways to make a great tablescape.

First of all, let’s start with table linens.

Are you using a table cloth? Or are you looking for a more modern look and just using decorative place mats? Maybe neutral tones on your napkins? Either way, having one or all of these options will be great! The napkin can either go to the left of your plates or on top of the plate, folded nicely!

Now that we’ve laid the linens down (napkins, placemats, and/or tablecloth)

We need to add plates. Depending on how formal you want to be, this will coincide with the amount of plates you need to add. (See the below diagrams and see which appeals to you… formal or casual.)

The above photo shows a very formal dinner setting. For casual entertaining, we recommend using a charger and a dinner plate on top. A charger is a large, decorative dinner plate that usually goes underneath the service plate (the one we use for eating.) A charger just adds a punch of colour or texture or pattern to the place setting.

I recommend having an extra plate available for a more casual setting for salad and/or bread. It’s
more convenient for your guests. With a formal setting, this is a must-have.

Next, onto flatware.

For a formal setting, you will have 3 forks, at least 2 spoons and one dinner knife as well as a bread knife. The forks will be three different sizes, one for salad, one for dinner and one used for dessert. The two spoons needed are a soup spoon, which is slightly larger than the dessert spoon.

For casual entertaining, one of everything is perfectly acceptable. An extra dessert fork and spoon is a nice touch though. Supplying one fork, spoon and knife for dinner is just fine.

Next, you need glasses.

For formal entertaining, a white and red wine glass is placed on the top right of the place setting along with a water glass. After the meal has begun, most guests will chose either a white or red wine and the unused glass can be removed. Once dinner is complete, the addition of a cup and saucer is brought to the table for coffee or tea.

Casual entertaining includes a water glass and a wine glass. Depending on your guests or your glass collection you may only want to offer a neutral wine glass. There are many different types available that are great for multi-purpose and casual settings.

And last but not least…

You’ll want to make sure you have a beautiful centerpiece. This goes for both formal and informal dining. A centerpiece is a necessity! There are so many different centerpiece options: you could use flowers, candles, or unique conversation piece. Just make sure it isn’t an eyesore and complements the existing table setting. If you’re unsure of what to use – get some beautiful fresh flowers. You can never go wrong with a beautiful bouquet!!

Don’t let dinner parties stress you out – have lots of food, great conversation, good company and lots and lots of wine – that’s a sure solution for a fantastic dinner party!

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BEDROOMS, HOME DECOR

Budget Friendly Bedroom Updates

August 21, 2014

So often we hear of people who are getting bored of their surroundings. Many can’t afford to completely gut and start from fresh with their existing style and are looking for fun, inexpensive updates to spice up their bedroom décor.

Here are a few budget friendly, simple fixes for those who need a little change!

Change out your existing drapery.

There is so much great pattern and colour out there that this is an easy and effective change. Ready to hang blinds and drapes are in tons of big box stores and come in great fabrics, colours, patterns and at an incredibly affordable price!

Purchase new lamps or lamp shades!

This is a great and inexpensive swap as well. Of course, there are some lamps that are crazy expensive, but there are also a lot of really affordable options. So many great stores offer colourful lamp bases, colourful shades and shades with patterns. These touches will make a difference, even though they may seem minimal. A new lamp or lamp shade will freshen up the space.

New throw pillows and throw blankets.

Add pattern! Change your existing colour scheme! Do both! There are zillions of options for great throw pillows, and will be a welcome addition to your existing décor. Remember, we are freshening the space, and this is probably the most inexpensive way to do so. And don’t be afraid to mix colours and patterns! The easiest way to do this is to have one common element through your selections. Maybe they all have the same pattern but come in different colours, or have the same colour but come in different patterns. The combinations are endless!

Paint an accent wall!

Of course, a new paint job is also a fabulous option, but depending on the size of your room, this has potential to soar into the hundreds. Painting one wall can add new life to the room and is not overly expensive. This can most likely be done with one can of paint and will make a huge difference. You can chose to go bold and make a drastic change, maybe paint some stripes into a pattern on your wall, or maybe chose a shade that is a tad darker than your existing colour. Either way, change is change! It will be different than what you’re currently bored of and that’s what we’re trying to achieve, right?

New comforter or duvet cover.

This is an easy change. It will run you less than a hundred dollars if that’s what you are aiming for, and the bed is typically the main focal point in the room. It will be hard not to notice (and LOVE!) brand new bedding!

It doesn’t take much to get a fresh new look (and feel) in your bedroom!

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HOME DECOR, HOME STAGING

Home Decor vs Home Staging

May 16, 2012

I get asked this question all of the time especially from clients looking to sell their home. Just this week, in fact, I had to deal with some sellers who were confused (and a bit argumentative) that the terms home staging and home decor were the same thing – they are not!

Most people are very surprised to hear that they are almost the opposite of each other.

Preparing a home to sell is very different than preparing a home to live in.

So this image is a great looking living room BUT if this person was selling, we would highly recommend painting those walls in a more neutral and lighter tone. We would also suggest removing the personal photos from the side table.

Home Decor –

When you move into a home (and everyone does this, it’s totally normal) you want it to work for your lifestyle and reflect your personal tastes. You likely bought the home in the first place because it accommodated your lifestyle. Maybe you don’t need a kitchen nook but and office or a piano would be better for you, maybe you love bold and bright colours all over the walls, maybe you don’t have a dining set but a pool table instead – those are all your taste and lifestyle choices – that is home decorating.

Buyers are looking for light, clean and bright homes with neutral and quality finishes.

Home staging –

When it comes to selling your home, buyers will focus on the crazy colours, the choice and location of furniture even though they are just buying the home not the contents inside.

Visualization is so important. The buyers need to see themselves in the space and mentally move in. So keeping it clean, neutral and some furniture (in a simple set up) that can help buyers visualize their furniture in (hopefully) their new home. The furniture, art and accessories should compliment the home and not be the primary focus – what are you trying to sell ? the home, or the furniture?

If you are selling your home and want top dollar (who doesn’t) you must put some work into it – re-paint in a neutral tone, clean the house, place furniture in areas or in a formation that would work for most buyers – this is called home staging.

Neutralize and De-personalize-

Remove the personal touches from your house. That includes: bold paint colours and accent walls, personal family photos that are on display, religious items, collectibles and any unusual furniture arrangement (see the comment about an eat-in kitchen as an office). You need to make this house as appealing as possible and buyers will see it in photos first and those photos need to shine!

For selling your home (and staging your home) this dining space looks great! It’s light, neutral and minimal decor. The drapery is pulled back and letting the light in.

Going overboard with decor –

I also get sellers who want more and more furniture and art and accessories – every corner and every wall space covered or filled – again that’s not home staging. Yes, once the new owners move into any space they will fill it up with items and accessories of their choice but when a home is shown/viewed by potential buyers and there isn’t any wall space or any room to move – they feel cramped and overwhelmed.

No one ever says to their agent – “It’s cramped, dark, dirty and feels small – I love it!” If you follow your home stagers advice your home will be more sale-able – it will appeal to more buyers and you will get good offers.

This personalized family gallery wall is so cute but NOT for selling your home. You don’t want buyers to feel like they are visiting, you want them to imagine their life in the house. So personal decor like this gallery wall would have to be packed away. Instead replace it will landscapes or simple photography (not family images) – the gallery formation is fine and it’s still a popular look – just be aware of what’s on display.

Mass appeal –

I hear from sellers all of the time ‘well, this is how I would do it if I were living here’ – that’s great but you have decided not to live here anymore SO you need to move on and allow someone else in and live how they would live in the space.

A home stager is an impartial party who can help you place furniture (or just give you ideas) to create flow and mass appeal, they can also recommend paint colours for creating a calm and soothing space, they can also give you great ideas to create curb appeal.

How you live in a home and how you sell a house are very different….

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

How to Furnish a Room

May 28, 2010

How to a furnish a room? This is probably one of the most common questions in interior decorating but many are intimated to ask. There are many ways and many reasons to furnish and arrange a room in a certain way. Many people are intimidated at the idea of furnishing a room, this is probably one reason why home staging is so successful – it takes the guess work away!

The basic pieces:

Furnishing a living room is like filling a wardrobe with clothing you might wear everyday. Just like you would with clothing, start with the basics, so when selecting your furniture start with sofa(s), chairs, side and coffee tables. Make sure the items are classic in shape and colour and of course, take proportion into consideration.

Now that you have your foundation pieces, you can start to dress your room up with details that add personality and interest.

The room’s advantages:

When furnishing a room you also have to consider the room’s most beautiful elements and deciding on how you want the room to flow. Is there a fireplace you’d like to be near while reading on the sofa or club chair?

Or, is there a window with a fabulous view that you want to call attention to? These are called focal points. Be sure to choose pieces that you can arrange in a way to take advantage of the room’s assets.

The arrangement:

The most common pieces placed in a living room are:-a sofa, two arm chairs, two side tables with table lamps and a coffee table. How you arrange these pieces can add some uniqueness and personality to your space.

Try an L-shape formation (the sofa facing the fireplace and two arm chairs side by side on one end of the sofa, end tables on either side of the sofa and the coffee table right in front of the sofa).

The U-shape formation (sofa facing fireplace, coffee table right in front, side table with lamps on either side of the sofa and armchairs on each end of the sofa just facing each other).

These are pretty typical formations. But here are some other suggestions:-

Face to Face (place the sofa on the right side of the fireplace facing the window, and the two arm chairs side by side facing the sofa and coffee table in the middle.)

Diagonal arrangement (use the U-shape formation but place the sofa on an angle and every other piece accordingly – this is a great way to take advantage of a window in the spring/summer and angle pieces in the direction of the fireplace in the fall/winter).

See below for some other room planning ideas for a long living room. When it comes to planning out your furniture layout – hoe you want to live in the room plays a huge factor so be sure to pay attention to that!

The accessories and styling:

Dressing up the room is how we make the space ours. Adding those elements like colour, texture and shine. Adding decor pillows, throw blankets, artwork, mirrors, knick knacks, lamps, and other unique touches. Side tables and coffee tables are functional and fashionable but keep them clean from clutter, a rule of thumb no more than 3 pieces on a table. So a lamp, a small plant and a small dish is more than enough.

If you want to display some of your collectibles this rule applies too – too many objects make a space cluttered an no one can see your beautiful pieces. The sofa is also a piece to present colour and texture. Try mixing different textures and patterns to create a warm and cozy area for guests and yourself.

I personally like to start with a neutral foundation piece (cream, beige, camel, grey or espresso) are good tones to start with, they are classic and timeless and you can add any colour you wish.

Don’t be intimidated to furnish your own space, it is fun! Afraid your place is too generic? That’s where unique pieces you love, colour and texture come into play. Use books and magazine for inspiration.

Take your time it does not have to be finished over night.

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