MAKE HOME DESIGN EASY
Autumn is a Second Spring Where Every Leaf is a Flower…Albert Camus
Want to Rev Up Your Rooms?
Try Using Color - Here's How:
- Paint the ceiling – try pale pink for warmth and surprise, or sky blue for a feeling of the outdoors – gold or silver leaf adds drama
- Buy a colorful quilt, frame it, then hang it on the wall for instant color
- Paint the floor – French blue, dark green, Chinese red, even black – you can also stencil a border in an overall pattern which is darker or complementary
- If the room is neutral, accessorize in a strong color – use pillows, stacked boxes, bowls and vases filled with flowers
- Try a colorful accent wall to give added dimension to the room
- Add interesting lampshades – there are some made of paper, fabric, beads - even feathers
- Incorporate painted furniture from Sweden, Austria or Germany to add an elegant touch of color…
- Or buy a piece from a thrift shop and pinstripe it!
- When the setting is drab, try introducing a rug – it will ground the room and add depth and drama without overwhelming the space
- Reframe and remat a painting or print that matches with one of the rooms’ dominant colors
- Slipcover a sofa or chair in a clean, bold colored canvas with a contrasting welt. Slipcovers are a less expensive investment than reupholstering, so you can have a little fun experimenting. Try bold checks or stripes in crisp, clean colors or a favorite large scale print.
|
Decorate Your Mantel...
Pull Together the Look of Your Choice by Using this Focal Point to Its Best Advantage
The fireplace is often the most important architectural feature in a room. With proper attention to scale, balance and texture, any and all decorating schemes can be effectively centered on your fireplace. Whether your taste runs to country, traditional, cottage or modern, the mantel can provide an opportunity to accentuate the character of your home.
| If Country... |
- Assemble collections of items linked to different rooms of the house
- Group antique rolling pins and ironstone soup tureens in a kitchen
- Incorporate antique game boards or vintage birdcages in a family room
- Bring natural elements into the room and use architectural details like corbels and finials
- Find inexpensive folk art and craft work at flea markets and fairs - seek out local artisans for interesting objects
|
| If Traditional... |
- Hang large gilded mirrors, prints, or paintings to create an opulent, traditional look
- Use pairs or equally “weighted” objects at each end of the mantel
- Install wall sconces or candelabras with crystals give the room old fashioned charm and provide glamorous sparkling light – try adding silver and brass as well
|
| If Cottage... |
- Mix and match, but organize into collections or with themes – keep the subject matter consistent even if the proportions are not
- Add an eclectic note to the arrangement with greenery and fruit bowls mixed with more uniform things like antique glasses and transferware
- Try driftwood with shells, starfish and sea glass to complete the picture at a beach house
|
| If Contemporary... |
- Keep lines simple and clean – try one great item like a clock, sculpture, or hang black and white photos
- Place objects asymmetrically if you like – a geometric vase, modern sculpture, art deco clock or lone candlestick can provide the perfect finishing touch
- Select colors that are either monotone or bold in contrast – don’t forget that transparent forms like candlesticks, white porcelain or brightly glazed ceramics can also create interest in the room
|
|
