How To Add Drama To Your Space

Now that the summer has come to a close, our thoughts turn toward coming inside and cozying up for the winter ahead.
Do you have a recent decorating project you just finished, but the room lacks that certain something?
Chances are all your room needs is a little drama. Here are five simple ways to add drama and interest to your space.

Area Rugs

Stylish graphic patterned area rugs can ground a space, add dimension and texture, and make a room seem complete.

 

Throw Cushions

Cushions add colour, texture, and pattern to a space.They are decorative as well as functional. You can enliven a space and reflect your personality with beautiful throw cushions.


Chandeliers































Nothing says drama more then beautiful and dramatic lighting. A large scale pendant really creates a statement in a room.


A unique or unexpected find

A unique metal side table or a fabulous flea market find, adds interest with a touch of the unexpected.


Wallpaper

A bold patterned wallpaper serves as a wonderful backdrop and accent wall for your bed (or sofa) and adds instant atmosphere to your space. Available in endless colours and patterns, your sure to find one you love.

How To Boost Your Homes Curb Appeal

One particular house in my neighbourhood seems to stand out from the others; I admire it every time I drive by. I love the flowers and landscaping and how the home owner changes the wreath on the front door with every season. This home has great curb appeal.

Whether or not you are going to be selling your home in the near future or you plan to keep your home forever, it is important for a homes exterior to look its best. Remember, first impressions begin on the outside.

Here are a few simple ways to boost the curb appeal of your home. It’s as easy as sprucing things up, adding fresh colour, lighting and the power of flowers.



Welcome fall



  ·     Start by giving driveways, porches, and walkways a good cleaning and make sure all exterior windows sparkle.

  ·     The front door is one of your homes key elements; paint it a fresh new colour.  Try using a darker or brighter accent colour that will contrast with the siding material or colour of the house itself.

  ·     Consider installing door numbers, knockers and mailboxes in the same finish (e.g. nickel or antique bronze.) This will make an entrance look more polished and pulled together.

 ·      Trim trees and shrubs, mow the lawn and trim hedges.

 ·      Place decorative planters with flowers (possibly the same colour as your front door) at either side of your entrance way to welcome guests. Flowers that are well placed around your home make a house more inviting.

 ·       A welcome mat made out of a natural fibre and a nice wreath will add the finishing touch.

 

       Remember: Have fun, step back and admire your hard work!

A unique entrance with great curb appeal



 

 Decorator’s tip: When choosing exterior lighting, consider outdoor lanterns that are bigger( or chunkier) than you normally would choose– they will look better then smaller ones when viewed from the street.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm Singing The Blues...

Blue is one of my favorite colours for the home. A couple of years ago I changed the colour of my living room from warm terracotta to a soft shade of blue - green... This is now my favorite room in the house. There is an overwhelming feeling of calm that you have when you enter a room painted in soft soothing blue.

These days I am thrilled to see so much watery blue and turquoise in my favorite home decor stores, you can find it everywhere. Blue is seen on everything from bathroom accessories to furniture and upholstery. It is definitely gaining popularity in the home. Beautiful blue fits into almost every style and palette.

Here are a few ways you can incorporate the colour blue into your home

Adding blue accessories in your room:

If you have a neutral or beige room try introducing a combination of these accessories in a blue tone: 



Accessories in a soft shade of blue

An ottoman or accent chair

Blue glass vases and picture matting

Cushions and Throws

Introduce blue as a wall colour:

In the Kitchen - pair soft blue walls with neutral white cupboards, espresso floors and furniture.

 

In the Bath  - using light blue walls, add a warm wood vanity, silver fixtures, crystal chandeliers and shimmery mirrors.

In the Bedroom  -  beautiful blue walls combined with a ivy green accents, make a soothing blue and green colour combination.
 

Introducing blue to your home will remind you of a sunny day at the beach, summer skies and the ocean at your feet. Now how relaxing is that!

Decorator’s tip: For a country home - paint a back or side door robin’s egg blue.  A wonderful, pleasant welcome for your guests!

Lambton Makes A House Call...

Could you use a little color on your walls, but you are too afraid to take the leap?  Do you struggle when trying to arrange furniture in your home?  Do you love artwork and family photos, but just can’t seem to find a way to display them that shows off their true beauty?

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, get up off that awkwardly placed couch and head to Lambton Colleges Spring Open House.  Look for our Interior Decorating students at the Part Time Studies table and enter to win a free at home decorating consultation.  

Don’t be blinded by your paint color anymore, even though it seemed like a good idea at the time and stop banging into that side table that you just can’t seem to find the right spot for.   Let one of our talented decorators come out and show you how to beautify your home and make it function the way that it should for your lifestyle. 

You are entering to win a one hour in home design consultation.  It will consist of color suggestions, furniture placement ideas, and general aesthetic possibilities.  Your decorator will be the winner of a design competition within the Interior Decorating Program and a new graduate of Lambton College. 

Let a little Lambton into your home and we can  “make it yours” … only better!

Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner...

We all have them somewhere in our homes, that awkward corner that you just can’t figure out what to do with.  It won’t fit a chair and a bookshelf is just too bulky, yet you just can’t leave it empty.  I’ve always had an easy answer for these confusing spaces and it was a “plant”.  A plant can fill any area and give it beauty, not too mention the serenity that greenery will add to your home.  Some of us, (I mention no names) have a difficult time keeping any greenery alive, whether it’s in the garden or indoors.  In fact I have killed plastic plants if you can believe it?  I mean…”I know someone who did that”!!!  For folks like my “friend” (not me of course), you have to be a little more creative.  Oversized vases filled with branches and twigs have become a popular alternative to expensive, hard to maintain plant life.  You can buy all kinds of colorful and unique branches at any local décor store as well as some stunning vases that will create a focal point in an otherwise dead space.   Another solution is to turn that boring corner into a gallery of art or photos.  Make it a “brag wall” that you can truly brag about.  Buy a bunch of cheap frames or even second hand frames and paint them, distress them and make them work with your décor.  You can buy all matching frames, if you are more of a uniform type of person.  Pick some of your favorite art pieces, postcards or photographs and arrange them on the wall.  You can try for a symmetrical arrangement or more of a random whimsical placement… whatever is pleasing to “your” eye, will bring you comfort when you look at it.  

Depending on the size of your awkward corner, you can combine a few different techniques to fill the space.  Whatever you choose….don’t ignore that lonely corner.  It will not go away and will nag you everyday until you give it some love.  You’ll be amazed at the reward…”Baby” might even like being put in that corner!!!

Gently Used...

It’s funny how we can walk into a home, see the furniture and décor and instantly know where it came from.  It’s the same set your friend has, or the one you saw on the cover of the weekend flyers.  You need to ask yourself; do you really want to show up to the party wearing the same dress as someone else.   Be unique and think outside the box.  In fact, think outside the big box stores and try something new…or old!!!

Refinishing furniture can be easy and so incredibly rewarding.  Think about it, you get to choose a unique piece that you fall in love with and then customize it.  You can paint or stain it any color you like, change the hardware, and add some unique features.

Habitat for humanity, Goodwill and Value Village are great places to go and find unique pieces of furniture that need a little personal touch and someone to love them.   For even more excitement, try a local auction or estate sale.  You can find some amazing pieces at even more amazing prices.

We had a lovely old dresser sitting in our basement for years, but it never worked in our décor, so I dug it out and gave it a coat of antique white paint.  Then I sanded the edges to give it a little distressed look, changed the hardware and added some baskets.  It now sits proudly in my bedroom and it cost me $7.  

I hope my in-laws don’t ever ask for it back!!!!