Every space has a personality, a unique atmosphere that makes it different from any other in the world. This is created from a variety of constituent elements including smells, temperature, architecture, and visual decorations. However, over time, a space can grow stagnant and stale. The same old look and feel, unchanging, refusing to evolve with stylistic trends or the needs of its occupants, can leave an area feeling bland and uninspired. Luckily all it takes are a few decorative touches, and a little creativity, to breathe new life into a tired and familiar space.
Unless you’re going to overhaul the entire space, you need any home décor elements which you bring in to flow naturally with the style and colors of the other pieces in the room. This means that you have to step back, and take a broad look at the overall nature of the space. Then, once you understand it as a whole, start imagining new items which can be incorporated in, or used to replace older, worn out pieces. In this way you will be able to match any new decorative endeavors to the already existing fixtures in the area.
If the room has a focal point, changing this can be an easy way to completely makeover the feel of the space. A focal point is usually an object that is either very large, or very prominently displayed within a setting. Some common elements include locks, portraits, works of art, or oversized furniture pieces, depending on where and how they are displayed within a space. These objects tend to draw the eyes, prompting people to be more aware of their presence then they are of other pieces in the room. This makes them instantly important, allowing them to set the tone for the entire atmosphere in some cases.
Walls are one of the easiest and most dramatic ways to breathe life into a room. You can elect to paint them, or use wallpaper, to bathe the area in an entirely new glow. On the other hand, works of art, unique wall clocks, or interesting hangings, can also be used to change the nature of a space. The fact that these pieces are on the wall allows them to be placed high up, and in a position where it’s easy to see them as soon as you enter the space.
If you have hardwood or natural stone flooring in the room, then a carpet or throw rug can be a good way to shake things up a bit. More subtle than the walls, floor pieces can stretch out across wider spaces, allowing you to infuse an entirely new color, or pattern, into the area.
All it really takes is one prominent piece of home décor to really change the nature of a space. Something that draws the eye, that speaks to you and others. It could be anything, but if it is powerful, and prominent, it can make the entire room feel like it is brand new.
Sat, July 31 2010 » Decorating Articles, Decorating Tips & Ideas » No Comments
creating an inviting kitchen
The kitchen is a room with a very specific purpose, food. However it is also a source of warmth, good smells, savory treats, and all of the love that goes into the preparation of nourishment for the entire household. As such it often draws people towards it naturally, acting as a kind of social center for the home. This aspect can be enhanced using a variety of decorative and organizational tricks, which can make the space seem more comforting and inviting to the people throughout your home.
While the kitchen may be a highly functional area, there is some room for decorative endeavors. These small touches can serve to add personality to the space, changing it from a stark environment, to one with a bit of vibrancy and life.
You should be careful to limit any decorative pieces cluttering up the counter or floor space within this room however you do still have the walls to decorate in any way you see fit. Portraits, landscapes, or family images are very popular ways to add a personal touch to the space. Images of food, or other delicious, nourishing treats, can also reinforce the inherent nature of the space.
One way to add color to the space is through items such as throw rugs, or curtains. These inherently functional pieces are also quite visible, and actually add to the usage of the space. Some good kitchen colors include the whole range of earth tones, as well as various greens, and shades of white. Blue hues tend to repress hunger, and so should be avoided, and darker colors such as grays and blacks will just make the room feel claustrophobic and hot.
If you want a more dramatic effect, the walls themselves can be painted, or wall papered, to bathe the room in a particular pattern or color. However you have to be careful about which tones you use in the kitchen, as certain colors will tend to make the space feel warmer, which will in turn cause people to avoid the space, and can also interfere with the chef’s ability to work. Generally you should avoid black and red tones, as these will produce the greatest feeling of heat within the space.
Another great way to make this space seem more inviting is to add a kitchen table and chair set. This makes the kitchen a destination, not just a transient space to enter and leave. It gives people somewhere to sit, to congregate, so that they don’t have to wander aimlessly about the space, getting constantly in the way of the chef on duty. The very existence of such a set will invite people in, luring them with the promise of comfort and welcome, and giving them a place and reason to stay a little longer.
If you kitchen isn’t sized for a full table set, you can use lunch counters or a small bar setting to achieve much the same effect with only a minimum of space sacrificed. Place a couple of bar stools adjacent to these pieces and you have a destination where people can sit and eat, that doesn’t take up all that much room within the kitchens necessary floor space.
Creating an inviting kitchen is about developing an environment that makes people feel comfortable. Using color and decoration, you can give the space personality and make it feel more like a destination than just a place of work and toil. Providing a place for people to congregate and sit will also help set up the space as a functioning social center, where others are encouraged to come and enjoy one another’s company.
Wed, June 9 2010 » Decorating Tips & Ideas » 1 Comment
create a tranquil environment
Different colors have different meanings, and people will react to various shades and hues in vastly different ways. Some tones are more soothing, while others are energetic, and almost frenetic. By understanding the nature of color in relation to energy, you can decorate spaces that are soothing and comforting in some situations, or invigorating and exciting in others.
The first thing you should be aware of is the tone of the colors you use. Darker colors will tend to make a space feel more relaxed and subdued, while lighter colors will inevitably make the space seem more active and vigorous.
Lamps and other lighting sources are especially powerful in these situations, as the color tinted glow they cast will spread out like a blanket of hue across the room.
The exception to this rule comes in the form of contrast. When you have very dark colors paired up with very light ones, you end up with a kind of dynamic tension that causes the space to seem more energetic than it otherwise would. However if you use colors that match one another in shade, with only a slight difference in gradient, you can make even bright colors seem more relaxed and low key.
To some extent, the symbolic power of colors comes from the natural manifestations that they may represent. For instance, a deep blue might remind you of the depths of the ocean. That color represents a spirit of tranquility that will surround the room in a feeling of waves slowly washing across the endless surface of the depths, casting a quiet, relaxed ambiance across the setting.
Green tones are also generally considered to be soothing, with many shades simulating the look of the deep woods, or the serene heart of a teaming rainforest. However you have to be careful with green, as lighter hues can also give off a sickly, nauseating energy that can make an environment seem uncomfortably active, defeating the whole purpose of your color strategies.
By contrast, red tends to be an energetic color that evokes images of crimson warfare, fire and flames rising into the sky, and lava eruptions spewing forth from the peaks of mighty volcanoes. If you are trying to create a tranquil environment, red tones should generally be avoided as much as possible.
The one exception to this is in a slightly graded earth tone design. Earth tones consist of browns, reds, gold’s, and amber colors, which simulate the look of falling leaves in autumn. Here the gentle gradient allows you to use certain red colors in soothing settings, despite the dramatic overtones that they often have. The generally warm and comforting nature of the brown and tan colors in such a pattern will also tend to relax the nature of the design tempering the violent overtones of their red and golden counterparts.
Creating a tranquil environment will require you to understand the meaning and symbolism of various colors, as well as the nature of contrasting and complimentary tones. In order to do this you can look to the way colors manifest themselves in the most serene places in the natural world, and use this as a guide to using shades and tones within the home.
Mon, June 7 2010 » Decorating Tips & Ideas » No Comments
Make the most of your outdoor living spaces – treat them to a redesign!
It’s SPRING! Being outdoors is the antidote to cabin fever you’ve been craving. Whether you have a small balcony or patio, or a deck the size of a small airport landing strip, you can take advantage of the space you have and turn it into your own private escape with an outdoor room makeover.
This is the first of a series of outdoor room redesigns meant to illustrate common situations and how they may be transformed. This is a true redesign-the makeover was accomplished using only what existed in the home.
Before – A medium sized deck with basic outdoor furniture was arranged with a large open space for gathering. Seating lined the railing and was available to be pulled into the space as needed. The reality was that it never moved. The color of green unified the various pieces but also contributed to the rigid feel. The grill, serving cart, table and chairs were crowded together in the far end of the deck in an attempt to make them more convenient and to create a dining area. The remaining space was certainly large but awkwardly arranged and the homeowners felt it was uninviting.
After – To make the most of all of the available space, zones were created for grilling, dining, entertaining, serving and for conversation, with plenty of room for moving about.
The electric grill was relocated to provide a safe buffer zone between it and guests. The serving cart became accessible to both grilling and entertaining areas, ready to be rolled into the dining area when needed. A conversation grouping makes better use of the open space and beckons visitors. It can be easily expanded by bringing in the dining chairs, something guests were hesitant to do when the space was empty.
Weather resistant accessories were selected from the home’s furnishings to add color, comfort and interest. The green of the furnishings became the perfect neutral backdrop to the patterns and textures. The eclectic mix created a better transition between the feel of the house and the outdoor room. The result is an extension of the house that is multi-purpose, functional, attractive and welcoming.
Pam Faulkner
Faulkner House
Interior Redesign, LLC
703-689-9886
www.FaulknerHouse.com
Tue, May 4 2010 » Redesign Articles » No Comments
Maureen Reddy, of DaVinci Designer Gallery, proves once again that a properly staged house will translate into a successful sale. Homeowners enjoyed a full price offer at the first open house and $20,000 more than the pre-staged asking price. When will Realtors and homeowners get it! Home staging is an integral tool when selling a home and can bring the homeowner up to 500% return on their invested staging costs.
The site of DaVinci Designer Gallery’s latest successful staging project was located in Woburn, MA, in a dated townhouse that needed some updating and visual appeal.
After assessing the upgrades, formulating a plan, and scheduling the trades, the 3 day day project was set into motion. Rooms and decks were painted, carpets were professionally cleaned, and the problem kitchen floor was addressed. Rooms were refunctioned and updated furnishings, art, area rugs and window treatments were installed.
Before the staging process, the Realtor Bill Skerry of Remax First Realty, Newton, MA, was considering putting this property on the market for $299,000. After the staging was completed Bill and the homeowners agreed that the asking price would be set at $319,000.
The home sold for full asking price at the first open house (with a back-up offer). The following facts should be reviewed by homeowners who are preparing to sell:
1) The Realtor provided the homeowner with a professional home staging report by DaVinci Designer Gallery in order to educate them on how to add value to the property. This report cost $350.
2) The homeowners spent just under $4,000 for the staging. This equal less than 2% of the value of their home.
3) The homeowners enjoyed an approximate 500% return on their staging investment, $20,000
4) The homes’ visual presentation added to an immediate sale.
Wed, April 14 2010 » Staging Articles » No Comments
Home stager, Maureen Reddy, of DaVinci Designer Gallery has created a keynote presentation that delves into the psychology behind home staging. This program, geared toward Realtors, explains the success of home staging from a human behavioral standpoint.
The presentation unites the understanding of preferred environments with the principles of sales in order to account for the home staging industry’s positive outcomes. The Realtor is provided with the psychological “how and whys” of home staging, the concepts of visual presentations translating into dollars, preferred environments, and one’s identity with products.
Maureen Reddy, has a vast and varied background in the worlds of
advertising, visual merchandising, interior design, and home staging.
The 20+ years of experience in these venues afforded her a pool of
information with which to draw conclusions, formulate statistics, and
provide information on successful sales.
This unprecedented presentation allows Realtors to extracted relevant
information that they can use to educate clients, provide quick and
profitable sales, and forecast their own sales achievement.
“This 30 minute program develops the Realtors understanding of home staging psychology and how it directly relates to sales. It is imperative that the real estate sales force is aware of how environment drives human behaviors.” says Reddy
Thu, February 11 2010 » Staging Articles » 2 Comments
