Redesign Your World … One Room at a Time

Come on, admit it – how many of you are HGTV design junkies?  And how many of you are lucky enough to have a resident carpenter, an electrician and a crew of 20 to do the work?  Or an average TV show budget of $2000?  How about someone to do your hair and make-up before that exciting room reveal?  

If you’d like to give your rooms a makeover, just keep these tips in mind when working with what you already own.  A bit of flare and some editing of accessories will turn your space into a showplace.

There are 6 basic elements used in all aspects of interior design and decorating.   

• Balance

• Colour

• Focal Point

• Harmony

• Scale

• Texture

If you correctly incorporate all or most of these elements you will have created a beautiful and functional room. 

            Balance

There are two types of balance – symmetrical and asymmetrical.  Perfect symmetry is like the human body – two eyes, two arms etc.  Symmetrical balance is typically very formal.  Asymmetry, on the other hand, refers to an imbalance, perhaps two candlesticks of slightly different sizes placed next to each other.  Asymmetry is used to add visual motion and excitement to a space, and therefore it is considered a more informal way of decorating. 

Balance also refers to the weight of different objects in a room.  This can be the actual weight and size of furniture – such as a large entertainment centre; or it can be visual weight – a patterned or very bold colour upholstered piece appears to take up more space than a solid or neutral coloured one.  If there is too much weight on one side of a room, the arrangement will feel awkward and uninviting.

            Colour

The human eye can see more than 16 million colours.  To simplify your paint choices look at your favourite piece of art, a rug or the upholstery fabric.  Choose your colours based on that item using the “60-30-10 rule”.

For example – your favorite painting contains blue, yellow and cream.  You might then choose yellow walls (60%), a blue sofa (30%) and a cream accent cushion (10%).

            Focal Point

A focal point is the centre of interest – usually the part of the room that our eye is naturally drawn to when we first enter.  If you don’t have an existing architectural detail – such as a fireplace or large bay window – you can create a focal point by strategically hanging your art or by creatively displaying some accessories on a bookshelf.  Once you have determined or created a focal point in your room, simply arrange your conversation area around it. 

           Harmony

This does NOT mean that everything should match.  It simply means that the furniture, art and accessories compliment each other in some way.

            Scale / Proportion

The size of pieces relative to one another and the size of the space is their SCALE.  Large, ornate pieces will not look right in a very small room, just as small contemporary pieces will be lost in an oversized space with vaulted ceilings.  And more importantly, the size variance of different pieces within a room should be somewhat related. 

            Texture

Texture is the one element that can instantly add interest to a monochromatic colour scheme.  Should you choose to decorate an entire room in one colour – mocha perhaps – it will be easy to add some visually interesting texture.  Linen window shades and leather pillows can be found in the same colour range but each has a very different look and feel.

Following these basic design elements will give you the confidence to experiment with your space.  Now sit back and relax and enjoy the “new” room that you have created. 

 Sandi Gerrard
Feel at Home Interior Redesign
416.795.9840
www.sandiathome.com