DETAILS That Will Help Take Your Room UP A Notch!

 

Source: phoebehoward.net via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

(Notice how each picture frame is outlined with molding to give an interesting look to this gallery wall.)

 DETAILS

"It is all in the details," is a statement that we have all heard before.

Until I started to work as a designer I am not sure I realized how important the details were. Once the room has a good foundation it becomes imperative to add just the right details as the finishing touch.

Source: chiccoastalliving.blogspot.ca via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

(Simple pieces of molding make an interesting striped treatment on the wall in this dining room. By hanging the egg prints ceiling to floor they make a more impressive statement in this simple dining room.)

When I look at a beautifully designed room I study all the details. I try not to miss any of the special nuances the room has to offer.

Source: confettistyle.wordpress.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

It can sometimes be a tricky balancing act when it comes to adding details. Too many will make a room  feel busy, or contrived. Too few, can make for a boring, mundane room without any feeling.

I love to find special touches to add to a room. You know, the just right touch that speaks volumes of the homeowner’s personality.

Today I would like to show you a few details that have caught my eye. Maybe you will find some that you can add to your home to give it that special something.

Source: decorpad.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

By using a mural with words this simple dining room becomes unique. The simple black barrel shades make a wonderful statement. 

I think this room is a perfect example that good design does not have to be expensive. It just has to be done with a restrained hand ,and in good taste.

Source: Uploaded by user via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I love this detail!! This is a great way to add wall sconces without having to hard-wire them into the wall. This would would work wonderfully for a rental. It not only add character, but a little extra lighting.

Source: homeandcourtyard.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Bored with your plain white cabinet doors? Add some color and nail-heads and you have an unusual detail that will take your room up a notch.

I will leave you with an image of a footstool, and a lampshade that I have in my own home. Simple details took items from Target, and Big Lots to a  higher level.

Source: goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Simple black trim added to my lampshade gave it just the right fininshing touch.

 The footstool with the Greek Key motif was upholstered in a not–very-attractive brown micro suede when I purchased it. I knew it would look amazing in a black and white awning stripe.

By adding just the right details to a piece of furniture, lampshade, or a room, your home will become uniquely YOURS!!!

Source: google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

To See More Details I have found to be interesting check out my Pinterest Board HERE

"Enjoy the Process," Of:

Adding your very own special details to your home!

 

   

I will be taking a brief intermission from my blog due to the loss of a loved one in our family.

Your thoughts, and prayers are appreciated more than you will ever know.

 

Where To Start In Decorating A Room

    What Is Your Design Springboard?

In my years of consulting there was one question that was asked by most, if not by all...

 Where do I begin? 

Which should I choose first? 

The sofa, rug,curtains etc? 

 I wish there was one pat answer but it truly will vary from project to project. 

I did offer a guideline that seemed to apply in the cases where the homeowner was doing an entire room with new purchases.

I would tell them to choose the least available element first. 

In other words, a rug or sofa will be much more limited on choices that you will like than maybe curtains or accessories.

 Paint is a bottomless pit, paint can always be custom mixed, so I never start with a paint unless the walls are going to be the statement, and all other furniture pieces are going to be neutral.

In bedrooms I would have the bedding chosen before we would move onto other choices. 

 In living areas, such as living rooms or family rooms. it would be the sofa or an area rug.

There were the occasions where there was a fabric or an accessory that the homeowner absolutely loved and we would use that as a jumping off point, or what I like to call a spring board.

 On many blogs you see design boards and I love looking at those. Do you ever wonder which element they started with first, what was their spring board?

 In this post I thought it would be fun to look at some rooms that are well done and think about which of the elements the designer or homeowner would possibly have chosen first.

Here is a perfect example of a room with a lovely rug. I would venture to say the client wanted neutrals and some blue in her room so the shade of blue for the fabric was the first choice.

  The reason I think that is because there can be a multitude of different shades of blue in the rug and it will still work. The color of blue on the sofa and day bed are a very specific shade of blue and they are the statement piece in the room. What a gorgeous room done by none other than Candace Olsen.

This room is done in all neutrals with a pop of black and the only lively colors are in the artwork.

 I would imagine that the rug with its interesting border was chosen first for this room.

The right hue of neutrals could be taken out of the background of the rug. The fabrics on the sofa and chair were obviously chosen for their texture and for the fact that they match the rug quite nicely.

 What keeps this room so interesting is the colorful artwork and the use of black in all the right spots. What a warm and inviting room.

Here we have a very handsome bedroom. The back wall is covered in a unique patterned wallpaper. This would be my first choice. In this room I think the spring board is the wallpaper.

 There will not be that many wallpapers that will be pleasing to you so I would find the perfect paper and work off of that.  They kept all other pieces dark and sophisticated and then added this great pop of bright yellow to liven it up.

This keeps the room from not becoming  too serious and dark. The yellow also brings out the gold tones in the wallpaper background.

This room is a good example of one that could have started with several pieces such as the fabric on both chairs or the wonderful armoire.

 Since the armoire is a statement piece with an unusual color I will guess the armoire is the room's spring board or jumping off point.

 Because this room has a country feel and also looks like a home that is on the water, all the other choices were probably pretty easy to make according to color and theme.

I find this picture interesting. Since this is such a large statement piece of art I think the room started here.

 I am not one that matches art to a room, because that can look contrived and I find art to be such a personal statement.

  You will notice just washes of the green overlaying the beautiful lavender color. Using green in this room is fresh and a natural with this piece of art.

The room is kept interesting with the use of texture and pattern in the fabrics. I like these fabrics. These are what I call non-committal fabrics. They are fabrics that will go with just about anything.

I hope this gives you a few options of how to get a jumping off point or Spring board for your next room project.

 I gave you guidelines, but never be afraid to use an accessory that you love as your starting point.  If it inspires you, you can plan a room around it and you will love the process of planning and the end result of a room you love to live in.

"Enjoy the Process" Of:

 Finding your own Design Springboard for your next project.