home decor

I have a love affair with wood, but I don't like the golden wood tones that come along with wood that is clear coated or lightly stained. Do I have lots of golden  wood tones in my home?   Yes, history looks after that because my home was built in the 80's when oak was the standard for hardwood floors and furniture. When all your furniture is handmade with love, it's difficult to get rid of it, so I accept my golden tones as period pieces.   As I've renovated  the upstairs portion of my home, I moved to natural maple flooring  which is about as warm as I can stand. This beautiful cardboard/ brown paper bag colour is very popular right now, and it is a warm tone that isn't too overwhelming.    The great hardware makes this chest look distinctive and sophisticated, but it's not mine!  When I designed my summer home, my mantra was think driftwood.  Everything there is new, but looks bleached and old!  There are alternatives for peopl...

The devil is in the details and simple decisions can lead to big impact both good and bad.  Since there aren't any  absolutes in decorating, things often  come down to personal preferences.  One of the the things I'm fussy about is what colour rods to use to hang drapes. There's lots to choose from. Metal hardware is available in a variety of finishes : wrought iron,  aluminum, chrome, brass, and oil rubbed bronze. Wood hardware is available in almost any finish, from natural blond to dark espresso. Styles of drapery hardware  There's two ways you can go when choosing a colour for your rod. Choose a color that matches:  other items in the room   the colour of the drapery      When you choose to match  other items in the room it is often a good idea, but it doesn't always work as you can see in the photos below.   Pinterest It is obvious that the rod colour decision was based on matching to the dark woods in the room, ...

Some colour schemes are a dime a dozen and others are just daring and interesting. Today I'm looking at salmon/coral/melon and pink/rose/magenta. Now I'm not saying I would use these colours in my own home. You can appreciate from afar without committing!  These rooms have just too much colour for my personal style.  I'm attracted to them because they are so vibrant and fresh.  Isn't it a good thing we don't all like the same colours?  How do you feel about these rooms?  If you could transport any of them into your own home would you? This colour scheme seems to be most popular in bedrooms.   Interior Designer Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs The white bedding  and accessories work well to balance the hot colours.  White has many uses in decor and acting as a backdrop is just one of them. You can't deny that these colours are great for a kid's room.  I'm really liking the hit of lime green as an accent. Better Homes and Garden...

Dining rooms have a tendency to be formal affairs with matching table and chairs. but that doesn't mean they have to be. You can shake it up with unique styles and colours.    Here are some of my favourite Wow dining "sets" from my Pinterest collection.  Make it  patterned These luxurious chairs invite you to cozy up to the table. I'm a sucker for texture, and I would totally enjoy having a meal at this table.  Think of how soft the fabric would be!   I like the fact that the chairs  are patterned on the back and  plain on the opposite side.  The tufting supports the more traditional design and the high back chairs at the ends work well with the size of the space and the curves of the other chairs. The  hobbled roman shade is is a soft but clean window treatment in this room.  Lots of ideas to steal in this set up. Repeated curves  Lately I'm very attracted to everything aqua. Doesn't this colour look great with dark wood...

 Are your selves like mine?  They start out beautifully arranged and over time bits and pieces of things end up store there, and soon you have a  messy jumble.  If you are someone who can relax in a space no matter what is going on in it, perhaps a jumble of objects  doesn't bother you.  I'm not like that.  If my environment is in a mess that is how my head feels.  Here are 5 great tips to  bring order to unruly  shelves. Vary sizes of objects    One of the simplest rules when arranging vignettes is to have a range of object sizes for variety.  Some should be small , some medium and at least one piece that is large. And remember to layer to create interest.  Put a tray at the back and then stack  books and a small object on top of them. If you layer artwork make sure it is actually visible.  There's nothing more annoying than using art work in a display and then covering it up. Use repetition Tim Barber LTD...

San Fransisco based designer Jiun Ho creates rooms that are harmonious and balanced by using textures against clean lines, simple fabrics and inviting shapes. I am attracted to his interior spaces because they re so well thought out and the scale of everything always seems right. Symmetry and restraint play a prominent role in all his work.  If I had to describe his interiors I would say they are tranquil,  classic and timeless, three characteristics that make beautiful interiors.   He describes his work as   "  ... all about style rather than fashion, all about relaxed living rather than studied formality."     The quite simplicity of this entrance is perfect.  Some might consider it too stark, but I always find clean lines and minimalism  invite one to relax. This small kitchen space uses an island to increase storage and provide an eating area. Although the cabinets are a darker colour, the lighter walls, floor and  ...