Home may be where the heart is but if you're not loving yours maybe it's time for a bit of an update? A few licks of paint, some good lighting and a staple gun and you'll find yourself loving your home environment and getting the most out of your space. With Winter approaching many of us will be tucked up in our little sanctuaries more often than not so why not enjoy it. It doesn't need to cost a bomb either. Starting with items you already have and love is the best way to get your head around what type of interior you gravitate towards. Pulling out your favourite items you will find that you see a pattern emerging of what you like. On the flipside if you have things you cannot stand to look out, perhaps a trip to the salvos is on the cards? De-cluttering is liberating and will make your new interior styling look even better...
Forget the current trends and begin with pieces you already have and love
To love your interiors they need to be functional but you also need to love your pieces. This is your space. Not an interior photo shoot from a high end design magazine.
To start off I recommend sifting through your things and finding 'stuff' that actually has meaning for you. If you LOVE that old plate or vase left to you by your Grandmother then buy a wall holder and place it on a wall where you will see it every day. Perhaps painting that wall a different colour to make it a feature is an option. Go for it! It's only paint and you can always change it. Can you place a few frames or mirrors surrounding the plate or vase to turn it into a gallery style wall? Have you got a candle holder with similar colours or a pot plant or lamp that complements the colours on the plate. A few books stacked up and a glass vase and your done. Vases, picture frames etc. can all be picked up at your local Dollar store. Spray paint any frames in a high gloss black or white to make them look expensive . Put everything together in different arrangements and take photos on your phone. Remove items, add items and play around with your new look. Work out what the best look for that particular space is and you have a feature area in your home. It's that easy.
That old green glass pouring jug sitting at the back of your cupboard could become a statement piece on your dressing table used as an earring holder (o.k so I have done this myself and it looks amazing). Surround it with other knick knacks and hang necklaces, bracelets etc. A couple of candles thrown in also looks great and when they are lit the light will reflect off your jewellery adding a great mood to your bedroom. You will wake up to everything displayed and can throw on whatever earrings match your outfit. Functionality + style = LOVE!
You don't need to spend a pile of money to revamp your old dining chairs either. Head to a fabric store and pick something that looks great but is also functional. If you have small kids for example I would steer clear of light weight interior fabrics and go for a heavy duty upholstering fabric, preferably leather or something waterproof. If you have no kids around then pick whatever you like! A coat of Scotchguard will protect the fabric against any spills. Pick up a staple gun at your nearest hardware store and get stapling. Changing the fabric on your dining chairs is a great cost effective way of changing the look of your dining area. I recover my chairs every few months depending on how I feel. Having a few different coloured table settings is a handy too. Switch out your blue and grey placemats for the circular bamboo ones every week or so and your dining area will always look fresh. Add a bunch of flowers and some candles as a centrepiece and you'll never what to leave the table!
Throw rugs and cushions are a simple way to update a bedroom or lounge suite. Invest in a few sets of different coloured cushions and mix it up. Take the cushions and throw rug from your bed and swap them over with your lounge cushions and throw. Keeping a neutral coloured quilt cover set on your bed helps with this. Bright coloured sheets also look fantastic against a neutral quilt. If you’re not in to cushions swap over your quilt cover sets occasionally to change the look.
Lighting is the best way to create a feel good mood throughout your home. Pick up lighting bases at the Salvation Army, Vinnies, Target etc. and create your own unique lamp shades. You can do a variety of different looks using spray paint, glue, masking tape, lace, fabric, whatever you imagination can come up with. For e.g. place your lace over the shade and spray paint in a metallic silver. Remove the lace and you have an instantly glamorous lampshade. You can also paint the bases in whatever colour works for you.. Place lamps of different shapes and sizes throughout your home in areas where they will not only look great but will be functional. Selecting the right light globe for each area is also important. Use warm glow globe for non reading areas and a stark white for spaces used for reading. Functionality is key!
Get creative and see where the decorating journey takes you!
For those of you in Sydney, www.marrsshop.com.au will be running workshops on Interior Styling in Sydney in June 2013. If you would like more information please send me an email to erin@marrscurtains.com.au
No comments:
Post a Comment