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Decorating For The Whole Family
Decorating For The Whole Family
If you live alone, as I do, selecting the perfect furniture for your home is fairly simple; if I like it, I buy it…BOOM…DONE!
If, on the other hand, you a have a spouse or family, it can make choosing furniture for your shared living spaces a bit more complicated. Everyone has an opinion; spouses, children, parents, in-laws, siblings…sometimes even your neighbours. They all want to give you their opinion on what you should or shouldn’t put in your home.
When choosing furniture for your home, especially in shared living spaces such as the living, dining, family room, and kitchen, it’s important to ensure that all members who will have use of that space get a voice on what you choose…after all, it’s their home too!
It’s all about BALANCE.
Here are a few tips that can help you to choose the right furniture that will make everyone happy:
- Keep larger, signature pieces (such as sofas) neutral in colour, as it works with both feminine and masculine decor.
- Balance light and dark values when choosing accent colours. This creates a palette that feels both light and airy, as well as dark and bold.
- Mix textures and patterns. Combine florals with geometric patterns on items such as toss pillows, bedding, drapes, and area rugs.
- Keep it simple! Choose transitional or contemporary furniture with clean, straight lines. This creates an uncluttered decor and will stand the test of time with changing trends and tastes.
Although decorating for the entire family may seem like a decorating dilemma, it’s really quite simple. You just need to remember to find a happy medium; consider the energy you’re hoping to achieve and who will be using the room.
Everyone’s opinion is important; your spouse, kids, even the family dog…your neighbour? Not so much!!
Article Written By: Beatrice Espinola
Design Consultant at Decorium
How Do You Want Your Room to Feel?
It’s not always “what do you want your space to look like”, but rather “how do you want your room to feel?” Interiors are more than just how the space looks. Do you want your room to look comfortable and calm so at the end of the day you can relax? Perhaps, you desire a coastal beachy feeling in the room.
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting a client who lived in the Caribbean for thirty years and now she resides in a condo living on the 30th floor in a high rise. She overlooks Lake Ontario and loves the breathtaking view of the water. She fell in love with a blue sectional for her space with toss pillow in different shades of blue, because it reminds her of being at home. It’s possible to create a feeling with colour.
Would you rather be at the cottage? If so, you can incorporate some rustic items in your space to make it feel more like you’re there. Would you like to be in Florida? Try putting some green palm trees in your space. No matter the style of your furniture, if a room has a good feel to it, it will always be an inviting home.
To quote the Beach Boys song In My Room, on the album Surfer Girl
There is a place I can go to veg or chill!
Article Written By: Ellen Zworth
Design Consultant at Decorium
How to add colour to a room
When you want to decorate one of your rooms, the big question you should ask yourself is: what colour should I choose?
Even though your choice will depend on the room you are working with – as certain colours are more suitable depending on what you are planning to use the room for, like resting , sleeping ( blues, greens), entertaining, eating, studying ( bright reds, yellows, oranges), – there is always a way to add some color.
The safest way is to start with neutrals. It is timeless and sophisticated as well. Next, you’ll want to choose a punch of colour, by selecting an accent wall, introducing colour with toss pillows, throws, area rugs, accessories, art work, etc.
Another way to add colour to a room is by taking the upcoming season into consideration, because there are specific colours for every season we go through.
A big Holiday like Christmas or Chanukah can always give us some inspiration to add a little extra colour to a room.
It is always easier and less costly to change accessories than furniture. It keeps you in a good mood and it is uplifting as well. Change is always good.
Article Written by: Adriana Glait
Design Consultant at Decorium
Accessorizing with tiles
Tiles have made a huge comeback in many different shapes and colours: subway tile, mosaic tile, grid tile, geometric: diamonds, squares, hexagon, penny tiles…. You can use them in the bathroom, kitchen, hallways, back splashes, even walls.
Choosing your tiles means expressing your own personality, your style and your way of living.
The truth is, tiling is such an artful expression, that not too many accessories or extra pieces are needed to pull the look together.
Tiles look great paired with organic textures and wooden elements. For ex. macrame, terracotta vases, foliage-plants/leaves or any such greenery that brings the outdoors in.
Tiles are designed to be a focal point, and therefore you do not want to over accessorize.
Depending on the chosen tile, either the furniture or the tile should be the focal point.
You want to avoid the furniture competing with the tile. For example, terracotta tile pairs well with a more organic textured sofa, like linen. On the other hand, a vibrant mosaic tile could pair well with a velvet sofa –in such colours like emerald green or vibrant blue.
Pick your focal point and design the space with colors and textures that work in conjunction with tile, while enhancing the tile.
Article Written By: Renata Biala
Design Consultant at Decorium
Brass, a hot trend this year.
This year, brass is the key colour. It brings own elegance and warmth to your decor. Today’s most popular brass finishes are soft with a bit of patina. It’s warm sheen can make a room seem livelier, and cozy at the same time.
You can use brass for:
– pictures
– mirror frames
– light fixtures, kitchen accents
– drawer handles
– occasional tables
– vases and more!
Brass pairs well with lots of colours, like cream and grey. My favorite combination is Brass with any shades of Blue.
The best thing about brass is that, when done in a tasteful manner, it never goes out of style.
Article Written by: Renata Biala
Design Consultant at decorium
Mirrors
When decorating our homes, there are so many items to think about. Some are functional, some are fashionable, and some we just can’t live without to make our homes feel complete.
MIRRORS are one of these things.
From the great Palace of Versailles, Maria Antionette was definitely onto something when she created the Hall of Mirrors. However, if your home doesn’t have soaring ceilings or gigantic windows, there is no better decorating trick to make a space seem roomier and amplify light, than a well-placed mirror. It can also be used as an eye-catching focal point in any room.
Here are a few tips on how to decorate your home using mirrors:
- Use large mirrors in a small room – this can reflect light and give the illusion of more space.
- Make it a focal point – an oversized floor mirror, resting against the wall, can really dress up a space and add instant visual square footage.
- Mirrors on a gallery wall – this adds visual interest and reflects natural light if placed across from a window.
- Go bold with shapes – don’t limit yourself to round or rectangular mirrors, get creative by choosing geometric shapes, such as stars, and bold frames to create impact.
- Place mirrors smartly – make sure it reflects a nice view or bounces light in the room.
- Use mirrors in narrow hallways and staircases – this adds depth and can create a smooth flow from room to room.
- Place mirrors in the entrance way – this brightens up the entrance of your home and gives a welcoming feeling.
So, mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? With no shortage of design and styling ideas, mirrors are magical and are one of the few decorating elements that can work wonders in every room of your home!
Article Written By: Beatrice Espinola
Design Consultant at Decorium
Accent Chair Styles
One way to add comfort , function and style to your living room is with an occasional accent chair. The same profile chair can have three UNIQUE looks.
If your taste is Traditional, then you can have a classic button tufted back. If you prefer a transitional look, then you can choose a tight back. Another style that is on trend right now is a channel back. If you like a sleek and stylish chair, you can try looking at any of these styles in leather upholstery.
There are numerous fabrics, leathers and wood finishes to make these chairs just the way you want them to look. Make a statement in your living room by customizing a one of a kind piece. if you don’t know where to start, here’s a tip… one colour that is trending right now, and in high demand, is blush pink. With so many options to choose from, you can really create a look all your own!
Article Written By: Ellen Zworth
Design Consultant at Decorium
Downsizing
Moving can be very frustrating and difficult, especially when you’re downsizing from a bigger home.
Typically the first couple of things people discover when downsizing, is that the new storage space is not big enough and the furniture that fit your old home, seems too big and not suitable for the space you have now.
Whether this is an issue or not, depends on how you look at the whole picture.
The best part about this type of endeavor, is that you finally get to see and go through all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the years, and get rid of the things you find useless.
Decorating your new space could be challenging but exciting at the same time. There is a lot of pieces designed specifically for the “smaller spaces solutions”. Even sectionals can be configured to fit a smaller room, like a two seater with the a chaise.
By adding a stylish modern chair you will create a sensible and beautiful living room. Lastly, don’t forget to add a colorful rug and some lighting to brighten up the room.
New place! New beginnings!
Enjoy!
Article Written By: Alla Wolfson
Design consultant At Decorium
How to effectively stylize odd corner spaces
With a little bit of creativity and imagination, every odd corner in your home can be transformed into something purposeful. Corners can be cleverly occupied and used, or totally awkward and wasted. Eliminate the awkward and make sure your corners are serving you as best they can.
Below are few effective furniture and or accents which you can add to your odd corner spaces, to make them more functional or simply to just stylize the space and not leave it empty.
Stylize with unique accents:
Uniquely styled accents can be part of these corner spaces, which can make bold statement to the dead space. Area around the staircases are either curved or straight angled, however, placing a round curved chaise or a bench with an accent table or lamp can simply add life to this corner.
Gallery of picture frames:
An interesting collage can be created with the use of family picture frames or abstracts frames, with the extension of frames on both the sides of a corner wall. Combining with bold colorful wall art within the collage, or a clock, can be an interesting eye-catching addition.
Indoor plants:
Either one oversized indoor plant or a set of three with different heights or size can also be a great space filling addition. Tall plants create a beautiful scale around the staircase area, while grouping small plants together, makes a beautiful home garden.
Building corner with shelving units:
Shelving units stretched on either sides of the corner wall can add convenient storage space as well as a pretty accent display wall. Putting a shelf in your kid’s room can be a useful storage tool, while placing it in the library or home office can make it a wonderful display shelf.
Article Written By: Rajvi Patel
Design Consultant at Decorium
How to Choose the Right Lighting
Choosing the proper lighting for your living space is a key element to making your room look it’s best. Proper lighting enables you to perform tasks more effectively, makes you feel safe and comfortable, and helps set the mood in your space.
Lighting, when it’s done right, is rarely noticed, but when the lighting is poor, you notice it immediately.
When choosing the appropriate lighting fixtures, it’s important to determine what your lighting goals are. Here are a few tips on how to incorporate the 3 layers of lighting in each room:
- AMBIENT (indirect) Lighting – This is the most common type of lighting and is usually the first lighting chosen for a room. It’s used for ambiance and overall lighting of a space, by filling it with a flat, natural light.
- Lighting Types: recessed ceiling lights; chandeliers and pendants; wall sconces and wall lights.
- TASK (direct) Lighting – This is usually a smaller, more focused light, used to illuminate a space where you are trying to work or perform a task.
- Lighting Types: under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen; floor lamp next to a reading chair; vanity light above a mirror in the bathroom; desk lamp.
- ACCENT Lighting – This is used to add drama to a room and to illuminate pieces you want to display or highlight, while leaving other areas in shadow.
- Lighting Types: table lamps; picture lights; recessed or track lighting with adjustable fittings.
Whether you’re planning a whole-house makeover, or just want to improve the lighting in a particular room, a good lighting plan will enhance every room in your home and make it feel warm and inviting.
Article Written By: Beatrice Espinola
Design Consultant at Decorium,
