ABC`s of Design

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Here are 26 design ideas and concepts to keep in mind when taking on your next decorating project. Many elements combine to create a spectacular room. Choose the elements that are important to you and help you express your distinctive style. It’s the details of decorating and design that inter-mingle to create beautiful spaces. The more you pay attention to details, the more your space will look like a pro did it. BEFORE A is for Art – Art is the quintessential means to personal expression, and usually an impossible task for someone else to choose a piece fitting your particular taste. If you analyze the price, it costs almost the same to frame a beautiful poster or print as it does to purchase an original piece of art. So branch out and take in what is offered at local galleries and art shows. B is for Black – or at least dark brown. It helps anchor the eye, giving you something to look at as soon as you enter a room. Black or brown is a wonderful colour to create unity and rhythm, helping your eye move from one object or feature to the next so you can fully take in a space. C is for Contrast – Contrast creates activity and interest. The more formal you want your space to be, the more contrast you create. Combine a creamy beige or white background with pieces in black or chocolate brown. This will enhance the contrast and make each piece more visible and dynamic. D is for Drama – The WOW factor! It can be created by using a bold colour for accents or colour blocking, or by emphasizing a large scale piece (like a fireplace) or adding some fantastic lighting. It is the feature that makes you stop dead in your tracks. E is for Eco-friendly – Design is going green. Recycle your old carpet – yes, there are places that do that – or use recyclable products like marmoleum, made from 100% natural linseed oil. Check out all the eco-friendly ideas at www.builtgreenalberta.com F is for Function and Form – Determine the function(s) of your space, and the form will automatically take shape. If the room is multi-purpose, create zones for each activity then develop your plan from there. See P for what your plan should include. G is for Groupings – Create impact by grouping your pictures and collectables. Create new compositions by placing smaller pieces closer to larger ones. Small items on their own – a picture, a vase, any accessory – can look lost without relating it to something else. H is for Honest use of materials – Allow the intrinsic beauty of wood, metal, stone and other natural materials to come through. Keep coatings clear and light. Let the structure remain exposed. I is for Inspiration – Find your decorating inspiration in a wonderful fabric, or beautiful picture, or in the many show homes in town. Once inspired, break down the details of the style, colours, accessories, shapes, etc. This will give you a recipe to follow so your project can take shape. J is for Juxtaposition – Play with the scale, proportion and balance of your furniture and accessories. Move things around and create something unexpected. K is for Keepsakes – Keep what you love because if you love it, you will enjoy for years to come. L is for Light – Use light to illuminate space, create shadows, highlight features and add drama. Flexibility in lighting is essential – ensure each lighting feature is on a switch of its own. M is for Mix-it-up – combine styles, and fearlessly place your rustic armoire next to a contemporary chair. Blend your collections and see how truly unique your style is. AFTER N is for Neat – Organizing has never been so chic! Bins and boxes in every shape, size and colour make it easy to ensure everything has a place and everything is in its place. O is for Optimum – Strive for the ideal; it may not always be achievable but it’s always a good goal to keep in mind. Having the ideal furniture piece, floor plan or fixture ensures relative permanence – it means you’ll like it for a long time and won’t feel compelled to change it very soon. P is for Plan – Develop your decorating plan. Make sure it includes price, personal style and palette, and every decision you make should be in line with these three things. Q is for Quality – Whatever your budget, buy the best quality you can afford. The performance and longevity of that piece increases with the price tag. You do indeed get what you pay for. R is for Re-upholster – Take your favourite vintage piece and breathe new life into it. With the range of colours, textures and fibres available in fabrics today, you can find exactly the right look to coordinate that piece perfectly with your décor. And you’ll keep it out of the landfill. S is for Sparkle – Every room is in need of a little sparkle. Use mirrors, crystals and glass to add some shimmer and elegance. T is for Texture – Provide depth to your surroundings, and vary the textures in your furnishings and accessories. Blend silk with chenille and suede, and leather with linen. U is for Unity – Small details, like trim and colour palette, establish unity and make for cohesive spaces. If your trim is white on the baseboards and oak around the doors, unity is interrupted. If you have an open concept floor plan with multiple flooring surfaces, you may be “unity challenged”. V is for Vignette – Use a small table, a vase, a lamp, a candle stick, a small plant, some books and trinkets to fill a corner and create warmth. W is for Window treatments – They can really make a room! They provide privacy, lighting control, softness, texture, colour, and a vertical or horizontal line. This is one detail that should never be overlooked. X is for X-traordinary – These days, anything goes. Use your flare for the unexpected, your ability to combine styles and colours, and your desire to create something unique. In the end, decorating should be an expression of YOU, and you are truly extraordinary. Y is for Yours – Whatever you do with your decorating, make it personal, make it yours. Follow a few of the rules to get you started, then don’t be afraid to add your spin on the details. Z  is for Zen – Personal spaces should bring you joy, peace, calm, hope - some rejuvenating quality that replenishes you and fills you with ease.  G