by Tracey Jones – Remarkable Interiors & Stacey Kaminski – Styles by Stacey | photos by www.nuttycake.com –
1 Know Your Colour Palette! 10-30-60. Create flow by choosing one colour for the main living areas (60%), then shades and tones of that colour in adjacent rooms and furniture (30%) and an accent color to finish the space – usually décor pieces (10%). When you do this first, decorating is much easier.
2 Edit! The key to understanding design and décor is knowing when enough is enough. All furniture, art and accessories require breathing room. It’s OK to edit things out when their day is done – donate or recycle!
3 Create Contrast! Layer layer! Combine materials, shapes, textures and patterns. If you have lots of square hard edges in the room, throw in a round table or mirror. Add cozy pillows and a textured area rug to contrast hard surfaces. Group accessories in threes.
4 Go Big on Area Rugs! Furniture in a seating area should ideally touch the front of the rug (front feet on) or have just a little floor peeking through. No more tiny rug islands!
5 Furniture off the Walls! Float furniture away from the walls to create defined and intimate seating areas. (Remember “breathing room.”) Aim to be looking towards a natural or created focal point … this will keep the space connected.
6 Fake Height! Create the illusion of higher ceilings by hanging drapery above the window at the ceiling and have it just skim the the floor. Use mirrors in every room to reflect light up and down, “creating” space. Choose lower profile furniture to give the illusion of grander ceiling height.
7 Change up the Stock Pillows (that came with your sofa)! For an instant refresh, invest in sets of 20- by 20-inch feather-filled pillows in complementary solids and patterns. PILLOWS = LUXE.
8 Understand Scale! When buying new furniture, tape out potential new pieces on the floor before you buy. Make sure there is room around every piece. Scale is also really important with art. Consider the rule of thirds – a piece of art or mirror over the sofa should be 2/3 (ish!) the size of the sofa. Group art to create the scale required for a bigger wall.
9 Refresh with Greenery! Live or a good faux stem of greenery goes a long way to wake up a space. They are always the final finishing layer. Ditch the dusty dried arrangements and outdated florals.
10 Be Authentic! Your space deserves your stamp! Plan ahead to integrate everyday pieces and add in interesting and the unexpected – a special heirloom or antiques and collectibles. This will give your space personality. Add in the “I never would have thought of that piece!”
