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From the Design Files of Heather B – Moving from the Southwest to Minnesota

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Design Question

I’m from the sunny southwest and I love light and white and comfy inviting places. We’ve moved to *Minnesota!*.  The winters are long, cold, and mostly dark all the time. I miss the light and friends being able to pop over any time of day to drink some sweet sun tea (it’s a major ordeal to leave your house in the winter here).

We just bought our first house and it has good windows/natural light. The big entertainment center will go, the divider wall and entryway tile will go, and all the trim and windows are being installed white. There is gray/tan tile in the dining room and kitchen, and our floor plan is very open – you can see the dining room and kitchen from living room. We need to put down new flooring in the living area – which is where I need help, that and paint colors.

I want a wood floor in the living room and hallway. I can’t decide if I should go with a Scandinavian look with white walls and light wood floors, or do light walls and a dark wood floor. I like the look of both, and I have found lots of photos that seem to “decorate with light” and show white on white, but none with dark couches and dark floors that don’t look cave-like, or light floors with dark couches. I’m having a hard time deciding what would look best and not make my home look dark.

Design Answer

Congratulations on your new home. What a great space! I think you made the right choice to replace all the trim and the dark-framed windows with white. You should definitely make the most of them, especially as you mentioned, come winter time, you’ll be glad for whatever natural light you get in the space.

It is my understanding that you are keeping the tile that is currently in the kitchen and dining room. Because it includes lighter hues, my instinct tells me that light wood floors with white walls would work better with the tile than a dark wood floor. I think this would also be a better choice for the hallway, since from your photograph it appears dark and very closed in – the lighter color choice will help to “open” up the hallway and make it brighter. I know you said that you would be getting rid of the entertainment center, but in terms of color, it does work well with the furniture in the room. In terms of the lighter floor color, if or when you add wood furniture to the space, I wouldn’t go any darker than your dining table or the entertainment center.

If you do go with the lighter colors for both the floor and the walls, I would also consider bringing more color into space, especially warm colors like soft yellow, pale gold, even orange. You may even want to pick two accent colors, one for one wall in the dining room and another accent color for one of the walls in the living room. Because the dining room directly faces your front door, I would pick the wall with the window on it (in the dining room) for your accent color. By placing pictures on either side of the window, or a group of pictures just on one side or adding a piece of furniture like a corner curio cabinet creates a focal point for your visitors and helps to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Thanks for writing in. Let me know how it turns out. Good luck!

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Posted in Dining Room Furniture & Design, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, Living Room Furniture & Design | No Comments »

Out in the Open – Transitional Style for Open Concept Living Spaces

Friday, August 27th, 2010

If you’ve just bought a condo or purchased a loft or moved into a bachelor/studio apartment for the first time, it might have never occurred to you before how are you going to decorate a space where all the “rooms” run one into another. Do you have to stick to one wall color? How do you arrange the living room furniture? Are you going to be stuck with the kitchen in your peripheral vision while you’re watching television? Even though you have considerably less space to work with when decorating a bachelor or studio apartment than you do when moving into a condo or a loft, the principles for making an open concept floor plan comfortable and inviting will be the same. Choosing an interior design style like transitional for an open concept home, will give your living space a contemporary synergy while honoring certain traditional elements that add sophistication and a chic sensibility.

 The good news is you can choose only one for the whole space or not; it’s really a personal preference. You do however, want avoid painting the same wall two different colors even if they are a part of two distinctly different areas, like the dining room and the living room, unless it makes “sense” visually. However, picking an accent wall and choosing to paint it another color, especially a bold one, will give your transitional style living space definition, while letting you introduce more color into your interior design.

It’s important to mark out individual areas of an open concept home: having clearing defined areas, each with a specific purpose, prevents the furniture from appearing “lost” or “jumbled.” Transitional style living room furniture and dining furniture include traditional decorative and architectural elements as interpreted by contemporary design principles is a great way to decorate a condo, loft or studio apartment, because you can select furniture for the different open areas, that while still transitional in style, possess a slightly different look or feel. Even though everything is out in the open, some other ways to create the sense of separate rooms are:

  • Use a different area rug for you dining area than the one chosen for the living room
  • “Divide” up the space with strategically placed open shelf bookcases or decorative folding screens
  • Hang artwork on the walls that emphasizes what the particular space is being used for (pictures of Parisian cafes or outdoor bistros in the dining area)

When choosing furniture for an open area living space, select furniture pieces like a coffee table or an entertainment center that includes hidden storage. Dual or multi-purpose furnishings such a hallway bench or an ottoman coffee table will increase your storage options in the long run, giving you more place to tidy things away – something that is ultra important in an open design condo, loft or apartment.

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From the Design File of Heather B – Accent Color Paint Choice

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Design Question

I need advice on interior paints. Currently I have Fresh cut Grass (~ cream from Benjamin Moore) colour in my living room. I also have lot of Cherry wood furniture on dotted gum (Brown) wood floor. I like to paint one wall with a different colour. Could you please advise me which colour goes with this setup?

Design Answer

You’re definitely starting off on the right foot. When choosing an accent color for a living room, you want to take several elements into consideration: the main paint color choice (fresh cut grass); the predominant color of the furniture whether it’s construction material of the furniture or the fabric of the sofa/chairs; and the mood you would like to create with your paint choice. Another thing to remember about choosing an accent color is that many people think that it must be bolder or darker than the main color that has been chosen, but it all depends on your personal taste and the effect you would like to achieve.

Warm Colors

Warm colors are red, orange and yellow. They, of course, include any shades, tints and hues in the red, orange and yellow color families. Warm colors have specific characteristics that contribute to the overall mood of the living room and how it interacts with the rest of the living room furniture. A warm color has the appearance of “moving toward you” which is why bright reds, yellows and oranges have a tendency to make a room look smaller in the cozy sense (not the cramped sense). Because warm colors are closely associated with fire, they energize a room. 

Cool Colors

Cool colors don’t mean “cold,” but they do have the opposite effect of warm colors. Cool colors include blue, green and violet. A cool color looks like it is “moving away from you.” This will make the room seem larger; contributing a sense of distance or space in the living room’s décor. Cool colors have a comfortable soothing and tranquil vibe to them.

Even if we are conscious of the affect that color has on us, the color choices in a room does contribute to the overall mood. So, it really is a personal preference, depending on whether you would like your living room to energize (warm accent colors) you or to soothe (cool accent colors) you. However, from the description that you gave me of your living room, but without seeing any photographs, I would be drawn to warm color choices.

I hope this has been helpful. I answer your design questions every Monday, so keep sending them in! I love to hear from all of you.

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Posted in Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, How To & DIY Furniture, Living Room Furniture & Design | 2 Comments »

Board Silly – Accent Tables that will Amuse You

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

An accent table is often used to complement the décor by adding another focal point or additional layer of texture to the living room’s interior design. The distinguishing characteristic of accent tables is their beautiful and detailed design that gives any room a unique, decorative touch. Another defining characteristic of an accent table is that it typically combines functionality with style or esthetics. Accent tables can be utilized in a number of ways: as end tables in a living room; as a side table placed next to a recliner or armchair in a den; or as a conversation piece in a bedroom or guest room. Designed with a den, living room or game room in mind, some accent tables will even amuse you. An accent table that can be unfolded or opened from table to game board or one that has a game board for a tabletop lends a room a decidedly aristocratic and sophisticated air.

The Lexington Barclay Square Newbury Distressed Square Game Table is the perfect example of an accent table that elegantly combines style with function. When it’s not being used as a game table, you can convert into a dining table for four. It’s also the ideal place to put a vase or drink a cup of coffee on a weekend morning while doing the crossword.

To create a space that is both a functional workplace and personal retreat, the AA Importing Weathered Blue Chess Table adds those little touches that will individualize your den or home office. Because of the intricate, hand-painted detail of this table, it has the Old World appearance of an antique or heirloom writing desk. When not being used as a chess board or game board, just by placing an accent chair or desk chair  in front of this enchanting accent table you’ll have a place to pen a short note, update your electronic organizer or an extra place to park your laptop for a few hours.

Accent tables that also do double duty as a place to play chess or a quick game of checkers, lend the rooms they are in uniqueness and a timeless sense of elegance. Cozy up with two oversized armchairs and settle down to a serious (or not so serious) game of chess or backgammon. And when you’re done, your game table will be the ideal accent table to rest your wine glass while you continue to chat with your “opponent.”

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Artwork on a TV Wall?

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Design Question

Dear Heather B,

We have a large flat screen in our lounge with a long cabinet below. I would like to put up a painting of some sorts above or some artwork on either side. I have attached a recent photo (taken during the world cup) which was the only one I could find at such short notice.

My husband says it will be distracting and the wall colour, which is different to the rest of the wall colours is enough. But to me the wall just looks too bare and needs some life…

Let me know what you think… take me out of my misery :)

Design Answer

That’s a great accent wall colour. Well-chosen and thoughtfully placed artwork shouldn’t be distracting: the only time it is would be is when pictures are hung incorrectly; too many pictures are grouped together; or the picture frames selected are too “busy.” It’s such a great space; there are several things you could do with this wall to make it more appealing (hopefully to the both of you).

Option #1: Put two wall sconces, one on either side of the television. It will give you the option of using not having to use the overhead ceiling light all of the time. The mirrored accents of the AF Lighting Candice Olson Hollace 6 Inch Wall Bracket Light create visual interest without taking up a lot of space.

Option #2: Place a set of wall sculptures like the Infinity Instruments Wall Art Reflection Tree Decor Piece and the Infinity Instruments Wall Art Autumn Memories Decor Piece on either side of the plasma TV. It will provide a decorative element while creating a sense of movement in the room. This might sound like it will create the distraction your husband would like to avoid, but walls are “boring” when they are “stagnant.”

Option #3: Hang a larger sized picture on only one side of the television. Another variation is to hang a set of three or four small sized pictures above the TV.

Thanks for writing in. Stay tuned next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. And don’t forget to keep sending me those emails!

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Making Your Living Room Pop

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

While the living room is typically the place where you relax in front of the television, entertain family and friends, or just veg out in the recliner by the window on a rainy day, in today’s housing market many of the rooms in our homes designed to be dual or even multipurpose spaces. From an interior design point of view, the living room has always been a “multipurpose” space, in that it is intended to accommodate a variety of activities as opposed to say a dining room where eating is the predominant activity. Keeping this in mind, living room furniture like a sofa, accent chairs, a coffee table and other occasional tables should be versatile, functional and stylish but above all it should be comfortable and fit your lifestyle.

Pick a Style

To create a living room that is cohesive and esthetically pleasing, pick a style that reflects your lifestyle and personal tastes. Like stopping in to take a look at the trendy boutique in the mall before you start in on your “real” errands? Perhaps contemporary or modern is the design style for you. Do you find yourself admiring the Victorian furniture in a period film? Then traditional style will be a good choice for you. If you like the clean lines and sleek look of modern or contemporary furniture but also find some aspects of traditional appealing, transitional style is ideal, because it combines both contemporary and traditional design principles for a look that is sophisticated yet inviting. There are no hard and fast rules: maybe you’ve decided on a contemporary style décor but need to find a place in your living room for the antique curio cabinet you inherited from your great aunt. By combining different styles together that work for you, you create a look and feel that makes your home unique.

Arrange the Furniture

Once you have bought your new living room furniture or have decided what furniture pieces you will include in your living room interior design, you are ready to move the furniture into place. Decide what will be your principal focal point in the room: a fireplace, French doors, a library wall unit or an entertainment center are all ideal candidates for a main focal point in a living room. Then arrange the living room furniture accordingly, starting with the largest piece of furniture. Your lifestyle will also determine how you will arrange the furniture: if you’re a family that enjoys regular movie nights, then it will probably be important to you that the sofa is directly opposite the entertainment center and that the coffee table is wide enough to hold a couple of bowls of popcorn and a number of beverages in addition to all of the remotes.  You will also want to take into account traffic flow: this simply moves that you will have enough room to move around the room easily without bumping into things; ditto for being able to open and close the doors and drawers of case goods.

Accessorize!

 The whole point of accessorizing is to make the room personable and cozy. In a living room or family the proper lighting is important. You will need a nice balance of table lamps for task lighting and an overhead fixture for ambient (general) lighting. Choose artwork that features colors already in the room, as well as being bright and colorful. When accessorizing a living room, you want to make it homey and comfortable without being cramped or cluttered. Think functional with style like baskets for added storage on a shelf or underneath a coffee table or console table. Place decorative candlesticks and one or two detailed picture frames on a fireplace mantel. These little touches will personalize your living room and make it “livable.”

If you are in the process of furnishing a new living room or updating your living room furniture, send me a picture of how it turns. Still not sure what style you should choose? Write in; maybe I can help.

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Tight Space Studio Apartment

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Design Question

Hi Heather, I have just moved to a studio apartment in the city and I’m tight on space. As you walk in the door, to the right is the kitchenette and to the left is the bathroom. Straight ahead is the bedroom area and it’s all in one space. The furniture I have is a double bed, wooden chest, a bedside table and lamp, a computer desk and chair, a small table for 2 along with a bamboo mat.

I want a Japanese style because of the lack of space in the unit as its size is of two normal sized bedrooms. Can you help me with any ideas?

Design Answer

The first trick to decorating a small space is to think cozy instead of small. You don’t want too much furniture in the space, because that will make it cramped. But you can err on the side of caution, too, but having not enough of the “right” kind of furniture; by that I mean the right number and right type of furniture pieces that will make you comfortable and your home welcoming.

The second trick to decorating a studio apartment is to choose furniture that is in scale. Many people make the mistake of thinking “small” instead of compact. When buying bedroom furniture or living room furniture for small spaces think dual purpose like a futon, which can double as a sofa and a bed; platform bed with storage drawers or a TV stand with multipurpose shelving and/or drawers.

The third trick to keep in mind when decorating a bachelor apartment or a studio apartment is to pay attention to how you arrange the furniture. Because everything is out in the open, so to speak, you will want to choose one or two specific furniture pieces, preferably larger ones such as an entertainment center, dresser or armoire, as focal points in the room. Make sure that you have enough room to move around each piece of furniture; that you will have enough room to pull out your desk chair when sitting at the computer; opening drawers; or accessing cabinets, etc.

More Tips for Decorating Small Spaces

Japanese style is a great choice for studio apartments, because lines are simple, walls are typically unadorned and colors are earth tones or soothing neutrals.

Add a large framed mirror directly opposite either the window or the door; this will help to make the space appear larger.

Select furniture that includes some type of open design like chairs with ladder backs; headboards with a lattice or openwork pattern; open style bookcases or storage shelving units; or tables with glass tops. By selecting furniture that isn’t “solid” (as in dense) looking will also help to make your living space look larger.

Thanks for writing in. Stay tuned next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. And don’t forget to keep sending me those emails!

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Making Apartment Living Work

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

For many of us living in apartments we sometimes end up with living spaces that aren’t exactly to our liking. Whether it’s because we can’t paint the walls a bright red or there’s wall-to-wall carpet when we’d prefer hardwood floors or the furniture started out as hand-me-downs and now really needs to be replaced but there’s no extra cash, apartment dwellers often “settle” for lesser-than interiors. But even if you live in an apartment and are on a budget, there are things that you can do to breathe new life to the rooms of your home to really make them shine. Decide what is important to you – for example, spending money on one or two expensive furniture pieces might be more of a priority for you than buying a new area rug or perhaps comfort is more important than style: take into account what you like and the space you have to work with. 

Take Inventory

Do a room by room inventory. Pretend you are a visitor and are seeing the apartment for the first time. Then make a list of what you liked about the room. Take note of what you’d like to change. Examine the inventory list you made for each room. Make an action plan for pieces of furniture you no longer like or would like to recycle or move to another room in your apartment. Recycle could mean anything from giving it away to painting it or repurposing it to actually disposing of it in the appropriate manner. 

Work with the Things You can’t Change

Work with what is around you and accept the things you can’t change. Apartment living is often governed by rules we have no control over. If you are unable to paint your living room or bedroom the color you would like, you can brighten up the walls in other ways. Choose larger framed pictures or prints that are colorful. Or picking frames in bright colors for black and white prints will create interesting contrast while adding some color to the walls. You could also select multi-colored window treatments with a detailed pattern or pick an area rug with bright shades. 

Change the Things You Can

If you never liked the couch that your aunt gave you after she bought her new leather sofa, now is the time to take action. Especially if the hand-me-down furniture you inherited was originally bought for a house, replacing specific furniture pieces that are in scale for apartment living will not only lend the room a new look, it will also give you more room to move around. When you can’t buy a new sofa or dining chairs, consider purchasing a removable sofa cover or adding seat cushions in a fresh color.

Sometimes simply rearranging the furniture can improve the atmosphere of the room by making it more functional or esthetically appealing. To rearrange a room so that the space is optimized:

  • Select the biggest piece of furniture in the room
  • Pick a wall that will be the best one to accommodate it
  • Pick a focal point for the room: a bedroom’s focal point, for example, is the bed
  • Arrange the rest of the bedroom furniture in the room around the chosen focal point
  • Make sure that you can move around each piece of furniture easily and that you can open doors, drawers, etc. without bumping into anything else

Find ways to de-clutter; getting rid of things that you no longer use is particularly vital to successful apartment living. The look of a room can be greatly improved by replacing outdated lampshades, accent cushions, bedding, etc.

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Global Warmth – Global Style Living Room

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Global style is a comfortably eclectic way to decorate a living room. Because it’s a design theme that celebrates travel, you can pair a modular style sofa that has a contemporary European cosmopolitan vibe with an end table like the Butler Specialty Designer’s Edge Hammered Copper Drum Table that has the appearance of hand-crafted artifact from a far-flung region of the world. A global style living room emphasizes natural fibers, both as an upholstery fabric and a construction material for furniture. Natural fabrics and organic elements such as silks, velvets, horns, shells, wicker and rattan are used to layer the living room in texture, creating visual interest. A global style living room can range from the highly sophisticated to the casually exotic.

Decide where you would like to put the color. One of the “textures” used in the process of layering a global style living room is of course color. But too much can make your décor “shout” and while you want the space to be interesting and energizing, it shouldn’t be overpowering or busy. If you choose a neutral color sofa, then add color to the walls and tie the sofa into the décor design with brightly colored or intricately patterned cushions. If you go the other route and paint the walls a paler or neutral shade, select a richly colored sofa, armchair, recliner and/or loveseat.

When accessorizing a global style living room, select oversized pieces like a sculpture, vase or urn that will make a statement. Wall art should be large-scale and display exotic or tribal themes. Accent cushions, candles and other miscellaneous trinkets should be arranged throughout the living room in such a way that warm, spicy shades are balanced with a delightful mix of soothing neutrals and organic elements.

The living room furniture you purchase for the room should be predominately made of wood, typically exotic or tropical woods such as teak and mahogany. For an “authentic” global feel, one or all of the living room furniture pieces should have wicker, rattan, shell or stone decorative accents or panels. The Kenroy Home Capri Oil Rubbed Bronze with Shell Accents Table Lamp is a perfect example of how organic elements can be easily incorporated into a global style living room design.

A global style living room has the air of belonging to a well-traveled citizen of the world. It has an easy, eclectic look that can be as sophisticated as you want it to be. A tribal drum provides inspiration for a coffee table; a handful of shells are transformed into a stylish table lamp; natural fibers woven into an intricate zigzag pattern makes an area rug a focal point of the room. But it is the unique way that a global style living room is layered that transforms it into your own creation.

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Parisian Chic: French Interior Design

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

 Don’t mistake French interior design with French country. Often referred to as Parisian style and used as an interchangeable term for French interior décor, French interior design is a very sophisticated blend of antiques, high-end vintage collectibles and just a touch of country. It is strictly a cosmopolitan vibe with a heavy emphasis on luxury, high fashion and a soupcon of edgy chic. It’s shabby chic with a French accent. A simple, all-encompassing rule of French interior design is that no expense is spared. Having said that, keep in mind, that virtually any interior design can be cleverly executed on a budget. But it is that spirit of unbridled luxury that you will want to capture with this style: think silk fabrics; lush patterned wallpaper or textured painted surfaces; gilt picture frames; high-end artwork; statues and chandeliers that really make a statement.

French Interior Design Bedroom

To create the French interior design atmosphere for your bedroom, begin by painting the walls either in a rich cream or a bold color. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the color you choose and its intensity has a luxurious feel to it. Another option is to select wallpaper with an intricate but subtle or sophisticated floral or damask pattern.

The rest of the room should be gloriously indulgent. Furniture should have flowing, almost seductive lines; the area rug should be plush and ornate; window treatments will be a combination of silk curtains, sheers and a valance made of brocade or damask fabric. Lighting fixtures or wall sconces like the Crystorama Paris Flea Swarovski Spectra Crystal Wall Sconce will give the room a delicious “boudoir” ambiance. Wherever you can add layers of texture, it will give a more authentic French interior design to your bedroom. It can be as simple as purchasing a dresser with a marble top; selecting a bedroom vanity made of a combination of materials including decorative metalwork; or dressing the bed with a number of different fabrics.

French Interior Design Living Room

For a French interior design living room, you will want to achieve an overall look of sophistication and good taste, but one that is well-lived in and not “stand-offish.” You don’t want to overdo it, but a Parisian style living room should have splashes of gilt; you can bring gold into the room in any number of ways including picture frames, floor lamps, chandeliers or sculptures. Again, window treatments are made of silks or damask, typically hung in panels, with or without a valance.

The sophistication of French interior design can trace its origins to the ornate and decorative Baroque, Rococo and Neo-Classical styles. Start with a sofa that has elegantly rolled arms and sumptuous curves. Dress the sofa with accent pillows and accent cushions made of shiny, textured fabrics. Tassels are optional! Match it with an oversized armchair with graceful lines.

Like the Magnussen Accent Express Collection Black Provence Storage Table, an end table, coffee table or accent table could be made of dark wood and have a pedestal top with thin decorative legs. Furniture with delicious curves is a staple of this style.

French interior design is a very satisfying look for the rooms of your home. It’s the essence of luxury, sophistication and style. The emphasis is on luxuries, not just for special occasions or celebrations but as a way to celebrate each new day.

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