Determine the focal point in each room. This should be the starting point and the inspiration to create a coordinated and balanced room. Your focal point could be the fireplace, the view outside a window, or the key piece of furniture in a room.
Lighting is probably the most overlooked element in decorating. Create emphasis, drama, and texture by placing the right fixture in the right spot. Illuminate and accentuate your spaces. Lighting is fast becoming the new art form of expression so get creative!
Buy major pieces of furniture in neutral colours – save the trendy colours for accent pieces like cushions, drapery, prints & art, and paint. The neutral furnishings become your canvas and the accents you place in front of it can change with the season.
Create vignettes in empty corners, hallways and entries to soften and create interest. Place a chair and a small table together. Add a candle stick, a vase and a small tray or book on top. Fill a large vase or pot with branches to soften edges. Plug in a torchiere lamp to illuminate a dark corner.
Group collectables close together or in the same general area to create impact. If the pieces in the collection are small, grouping them will give them more weight and presence.
Hang pictures according to how they will be viewed. Pictures intended to be viewed while sitting will be hung lower than if they will be viewed while standing. Rule of thumb, the centre of the picture should be 65” from the floor.
Remember The Four P’s –Price or budget, Personal Style, Palette and Plan. Every purchase or new element introduced in the space should be consistent with these four things. Straying from the Four P's may lead to unnecessary expenses and elements that just won't work or fit into the space.
Use colour to create atmosphere and effect. A dramatic, cozy, minimalist, or luxurious atmosphere can all be achieved by using colour. After so many years of beige, the beautiful colours that abound in accessories today make it so easy to create personal spaces full of expression!
Include metals in your plan. Consider elements like lighting, hardware and chair legs in satin nickel, chrome, wrought iron, brass, silver, and copper. Go further and put it on your kitchen backsplash, your ceiling and your wall.
Have fun with decorating! It can’t all be done overnight and certainly not all at once. Budget plays a big role and wonderful spaces can take years to develop. Acquire just the right pieces, and focus on items you love so you will enjoy them for years.
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