Accessories

Fifty Shades of White

August 25, 2019

Are you tempted to decorate a room using only shades of white? It’s a brave endeavor, but when done well all white rooms are absolutely stunning. They make you stop in your tracks and take a big, deep, pleasurable breath. The effect should be completely relaxing and provide an inviting space for you and your guests to sit down and enjoy rare moments of uncluttered mental and physical space.

Tips for Decorating an All White Room

First, let’s eliminate some of the negative connotations that go along with all white interiors. The most common, of course, is that they are difficult to keep clean. Keeping an all white room clean is a challenge, that’s true. They are not recommended if the room will be in the constant flight pattern of children or pets. That being said, being smart about your fabric and furnishings choices will go a long way towards helping you design an all white space that can, indeed, be kept white.

Secondly, all white rooms have a reputation for being sterile. Au contraire! This has much more to do with design and materials choices than it does about the fact that white spaces are boring. White is an accumulation of all the colors in the spectrum, so choosing varying shades, paying attention to lighting and using the right accents, your white room will be visually interesting.

Now that we’ve dispelled your doubts, let’s move on to the tips and tricks that will make your white room a showpiece in your home.

Choose the right white(s). Just as there are varying shades of blue or red, there are a variety of whites. Some are cooler and cast blue or grey tones. Others are warmer and will look more creamy. Selecting the right whites for your tastes is the first step. Typically, cooler whites are used in modern designs and warmer, creamier whites are used in traditional and transitional spaces.

A modern space will lean toward cool whites as well as linear accents and smooth surfaces with an occasional textural pop. You may opt for accents like metallics, glass or mirrored furniture that add visual interest and dimension but don’t veer from the modern aesthetic.
A traditional space will have more creamy whites and play up textures using lace, wool and distressed wood furnishings. Shiny accents and smooth surfaces are usually kept to a minimum. Vintage and antique furnishings will also enhance this aesthetic.

You must have texture. Those cold and clinical rooms we talked about above? Those are almost always the byproduct of a designer who didn’t pay attention to the textural elements. If color isn’t going to be the way you draw the eye, then texture is a must. There should be elements of soft and hard, low-profile fibers and more wooly or nubbly ones. Use a variety of finishes from high-gloss to matte sheens. Together, your varying textures will create a more interesting environment. Try to mix elements as well – wood, metal, glass, stone, natural fibers, etc.

Use stunning accents. As an interior decorator, I can never advocate “standard” accessories. I feel every piece should have a specific purpose. That being said, an all white room needs to have exceptionally purposeful accents and accessories since every angle, and every wall hanging, will draw the eye.

Making A Statement With Oversized Art

August 18, 2019

Are you done with organizing all your smaller prints and family photos on gallery walls and shelves? Perhaps it’s time to think bigger – like, a LOT bigger – and go oversized. Contrary to what you might think – it can be easier to deal with oversized art because unlike its smaller, normal-sized counterparts, there are only so many places you can install it.

Decorating With Oversized Art

The fun thing about oversized paintings, photos and murals is that they are unable to be ignored. They say, “Look at me and pay homage…” the way an average still-life or a lovely, autographed photo might not.

That being said, large paintings and art pieces become a part of your interior design rather than being an accent, and for that reason – it can take a little bit of planning, rearranging or even redecorating in order to make the statement you want to make with oversized pieces.

Clear a wall and make space. It goes without saying that an impressive work of art will requires an equally impressive display space. And, in the name of balance, it will also need an appropriate amount of white space (or whatever color wall you have) around it. Thus, you’re usually looking at the sacrifice of an entire wall, the whole section of wall on a stair landing, a half-wall dividing two open spaces, or an something like that.
Use a simple frame. In most cases, a large canvas will not require much in the way of framework. Depending on the size of the wall in question, you may not need a frame at all. Like I mentioned above, the wall space around the work of art can serve as a frame on its own. Otherwise, it may only require the simplest of frames so nothing detracts from the focus of the artwork.
Echo the art in your interior design. Of course, one of the most striking ways to make a large piece of art a part of your living space, and vice versa, is to echo elements of the work in other design accents and features. This can be done via color, shapes, pattern or theme. It can also include the echoing of texture.
Enhance your minimalist motif. Are you a modern minimalist? If so, it can be difficult to strike the balance between a room that is stylishly minimal and one that just looks empty and boring. Counterintuitively, more can be less when it comes to oversized artworks. A large canvas or a detailed wall mural will fill up the space, making your solo chair and end table, or a couple of comfortable poufs, look completely natural and not at all overshadowed by the otherwise empty floor space.
Do consider proportions. While the above is true in minimal designs, more typical home designs will need to take proportion into consideration. Large art can dwarf standard size furnishings so be aware. You may need to purchase new furniture, or do a little furniture arranging, so the furnishings “fit” the artwork.
Think about using panels. If you live in a small space, are intimidated by the scope and breadth of a single-large panel, or have windows that ruin your grand oversized art plan – not to worry. Take a different approach and look for a large piece that is intentionally divided into panels. The panels can have just a few inches or a couple of feet in between them. They can be offset at angles, which can trick the eye in a room with low ceilings – making it appear taller than it is. Or, you can place it along the wall without a care for the windows that interrupt it.
Take a softer approach. Similarly, if you like the idea of a single, large canvas but don’t want it to take over the whole room – look for abstracts or landscapes in soft, pale tones. The piece will still make a statement without overwhelming your current design.

Accessorizing Your Home

July 22, 2019

Accessories are an important part of interior design; they add color, character and – perhaps best of all – they are more temporary design elements. Unlike cabinets or countertops, kitchen layout or furniture – accessories are easy to move around, sell, donate or move on when you’re ready to refresh your look.

Questions to Ask Before Purchasing An Accessory For Your Interior Design

Here are some of the questions or considerations to ponder before deciding yes or no on a specific accessory or piece of art.

Is the foundation of my design complete?

First, it’s important that you and your interior designer have narrowed down the foundation of your design. An accessory you love now might not actually work when the bare bones of your interior design is in place. So, make sure the larger ideas like layout, colors, style, furniture placement, and so on are all finalized before you begin shopping for items to fill the empty spaces.

Am I clear on how much is too much?

The last thing you want is to purchase and display a bunch of accessories that wind up cluttering up your beautiful brand new remodel or renovation. Do work with your designer to establish how much is too much so you don’t over accessorize. Remember that “white space” is important to a design – giving the eyes a place to rest. If you fill all those valuable white spaces with accessories, your design will feel too busy and guests will be hard-pressed to relax.

Is this design timeless?

This isn’t a necessity, but it certainly helps. I find the happiest clients are those who prioritize timeless accessories and art works. While the pieces may move from one room, wall or corner to another, they never really go out of style. Not only does this help you as your own designs evolve and change over the years, it will make those accessories much more desirable if you choose to sell them or move them on to a new-to-them owner down the road.

Are you balancing functionality with looks?

Selecting accessories for accessories’ sake can be a recipe for disaster because you end up with rooms full of looks without any substance. One way to incorporate the timeless consideration is to make sure you are balancing functional accessories along with those that were made with the sole intention of looking pretty. Rather than a plant stand that is too flimsy to hold any plants, look for a functional version that actually does what it was designed to do. The more your items have a purpose, the less superfluous they will be.

Alternately, you can seek out re-purposed furnishings and accessories that have a unique new role to provide, like a refinished wood ladder that can be used as shelving whether it’s propped against a wall or suspended horizontally.

Can it live somewhere else in your home?

There are cases where a particular art installation seems to be made specifically for one spot in your home (odds are that’s a timeless accessory and you’re already good to go). However, I recommend choosing accessories that could potentially live elsewhere. That way, if you want a fresh new look in a few years – a little rearranging and an updated color palate are all you need to enjoy an updated interior design without reinventing the wheel.

Is this adding a new texture into the mix?

Texture is one of the most overlooked areas in design because people focus so much on colors, matching, style and their own innate preferences. In a modern home, for example, a homeowner may wind up with a home that is sleek, sleek and more sleek – but that winds up being a bit boring because everything is so smooth and shiny without anything different or interesting that breaks it up.

Take a look at your interior design and analyze it in terms of texture – is there a texture that is underrepresented? Overrepresented? If so, keep this in mind when shopping for accessories and try to choose textural components that fill in the gaps as much as possible.

Area Rug Do’s And Don’ts

July 10, 2019

The area rug is a helpful design tool. They soften hardwood floors, warm a room up, add color or pattern and they anchor whole living areas in open floor plans. Shopping for area rugs, however, can be a bigger challenge than you think. Questions like, “what size rug should I get?” or “is this pattern too bold?” can send you walking quickly in the other direction, putting area rug purchases on hold indefinitely.

What’s an Area Rug For, Anyway?

There’s no need to panic. A simple review of what area rugs are for, and how to implement them in your living spaces, will be enough to get you back online – or out to the stores – to buy rugs that enhance your interiors.

Let’s review the main purposes of an area rug:

To protect your flooring. In addition to providing a softer, warmer floor surface (so much nicer to get out of bed and have bare feet meet a nice, plush rug!), area rugs are often used to protect the floor surfaces below. This is especially true for high-traffic areas, like hallways, entryways, and stairs. In these cases, you will want to look for more durable rug materials, and rugs that can be easily cleaned, so you aren’t having to replace them on a regular basis.

The trend towards indoor/outdoor living has caused many rug designers to expand their indoor/outdoor rug lines. It’s hard to tell the difference these days and indoor/outdoor rugs make great area rugs for families with small children, pets, or for those aforementioned high-traffic areas.

To anchor a living space. In the world of design, area rugs are used most often to anchor a living room space. This can be your living room, a conversation area, or your dining area. It might even be the anchor for the play space in your home’s family room. It tells guests, “this area has a designated purpose” and keeps the furniture from “floating” in the space.

To enhance your decor. Finally, your area rugs should enhance the decor. They provide a finishing touch and, in a mostly monochromatic design, they may be the only pop of color or pattern. Area rugs also offer a wonderful way for conservative designers to add a wild pattern without overpowering the space.

Do’s and Don’ts of Using Area Rugs

The wrong area rug can have a negative effect on your overall design, and you certainly don’t want that. Hence, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind when you’re purchasing your rug(s).

DO splurge on high-quality rugs. There is a visible difference between high-quality rugs and their cheaper counterparts. Spend extra for a well-made product and you’ll have an area rug that lasts a lifetime, or until you’re tired of it.

DON’T buy a rug that’s too small. Referred to as postage-stamp rugs, these rugs look disproportional to space. Instead, buy rugs that fit all of your furniture, or at least the front legs of the furniture. If it’s in a dining room, make sure all of the chairs fit on the rug when they are pushed up to the table. In a master bedroom, it’s better to have one large area rug spanning two-thirds of the bed, perpendicular to the foot, than two smaller area rugs that look like bath mats on either side.

DO mix patterns. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns. Just keep the color wheel in mind and choose patterns that are in different proportions to one another to keep things balanced.

Picking The Perfect Throw Pillows

June 21, 2019

How many times have you read, “throw pillows are a simple and easy way to add color/pattern/texture to any design…” While this is entirely true, shopping for throw pillows isn’t as easy as it sounds. There is an amazing range of quality, shapes, colors and sizes to choose from. Ultimately, I always advise “taking the long view,” whereby the largest percentage of your selections can be used in versatile ways for years to come, while keeping more stylized choices to a minimum.

Tips For Choosing Throw Pillows For Any Room in the House

Here are some of the tips I use when selecting throw pillows – also called accent pillows – for my clients’ designs.

Invest in quality. By saying you should invest in quality, I’m not saying you should never buy your accent pillows at bargain stores. However, there is a distinct difference between a high-quality and low-quality pillow. The upscale versions are filled with durable filler materials that don’t lump up, bump up or scatter to the perimeters within a year or so. Higher-quality options will also be covered with higher-thread count covers that can hold up to wear and tear. While you might cringe a little at a higher-priced pillow, keep in mind that it will last for multiple years and can be recovered over and over again. So you will wind up with multiple pillows for the price of one. If you opt for cheapies, you’ll be replacing the throw pillows much more frequently.
Opt for pillows with removable covers. I recommend investing in pillows that have removable covers. This makes them much more versatile. Standard square pillow sizes are about 18-inches, larger pillows will be closer to 24-inches. You will be able to purchase pillow covers online or a local seamstress can make custom covers for you using fabric of your choosing. So, for one set of pillows and a little extra for customized covers, you have limitless aesthetic options.
Pay attention to your fill options. Throw pillows always have feather and/or down fills or synthetic fill versions. The former are pricier than the latter but are also softer and squishier to sit or lay on. Thus, pay careful attention to the pillow’s use. If it’s for looks only, save yourself a little money by selecting pillows with synthetic fill. If you plan on resting your head on it, you like to mold your pillows to your back or you use them to prop your arms as you read/work on the couch, pay a little extra for feather- or down-filled versions. If the pillow will be used to prop you up in a reclined position or will be used as a back rest for kids or adults who prefer to sit on the floor, a firmer synthetic-filled option will be preferred.
Think about color, pattern and texture. If you are at all shy about using bold colors or patterns in more permanent interior design features, accent pillows are a worthy tool. They offer a chance to try out bright colors you’ve been afraid to utilize via wall colors or larger furniture pieces. Pay attention to color and pattern – and let the pillows be practice for pattern layering! Also, think about texture. A little fur, embroidery, sequins, beads, tassels or shaggy texture on the pillows will help to round out your design.
Be odd. While there isn’t a rule about this, odd numbers of pillows are usually preferable to even numbers. The two-and-two or three-and-three balance can look a little boring and dimension-less.