Rooms can be places where things get put and people sit and sleep. They can also be sophisticated; a mix of classic and modern elements which represent you as a unique individual.

There are consequences for every decision you make with a room. Each colour, each furnishing, each and every item interacts with one another and the people that enter the room.

A room should evolve, layer upon layer, to tell your story and achieve the purpose you want it to. It is the unexpected that makes a room interesting.

 

So passion counts. It counts right down to the last detail. Just like a bird building a nest, you must pay meticulous attention to each and every twig and stick – every lampshade, fabric, handle, rug – every item should have a meaning and a purpose.

The best design will be inspired by individuality and tempered by function. Here are some practical things you can do to achieve a room with individuality and purpose.

 

Advice: There are pieces that furnish a room and there are those that define it

Practical tips:

  • In an entry, a quirky piece could add some fun

  • Coffee tables should be practical, not too low

  • Pieces do not have to 'match' (see: bricolage below)

  • An accent piece should not overwhelm a space

Advice: Good proportion provides stability – it also emits a natural elegance and dignity

Practical tips:

  • Big fat arms on chairs and couches are a waste of space and aesthetically lower the scale

  • Freestanding chairs (those not placed against the wall) are more attractive if they have curved back corners - not square, plus they take up less floor space and are easier to get around

Advice: Never be afraid to add your personal touches

Practical tip: There is an old French word ‘bricolage’ which in interior designs is applied through blending styles and accessories with what is ‘on hand’. Use things you already have. Be innovative!

Advice: Always leave space for a room to grow

Practical advice:

  • Do not fill every wall or be VISUALLY NOISY (the interior design version of using ALL CAPS…)

  • Leave space for new purchases or gifts (everyone loves gifts)

  • Keep items away in cupboards and have a swap around each season

Finally, a room should hold a person, not alienate them. 

Try for a room that is a bit whimsical, light hearted and youthful.  Strive for the place to feel lived in and settled. It should not look like a decorator has just finished the installation.

But always, always remember: rooms are for people, they are meant to be useful.

Your room is meant to be a place within which you live, not just a place to be admired. 

Tags:

home improvements, reno, renovation, design, interior design, balance.

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