New Year, New Beginnings ...

Economy Friendly Decorating

With a few simple strategies and some great creativity, we as Interior Designers, are experts at finding cost-effective ways to take your house to a home.
Our goal is to produce the type of decorating style and atmosphere you want; for a more attractive home design; one that will fit within your budget – large or small.
An interior design consultant can help steer you in the right direction when it comes to color scheme and fabric selection. Or when deciding how to rearrange furniture; for optimal visual effect, ease of movement, and to enhance room use.

Some Designer Tips:

Decorating is an act of passion, not just pulling out your wallet - so don't worry if your budget's a little tight. Here are our tips for decorating on a budget. You'll love the results ...

1 Train your eye: Know what great high end design pieces look like so that you can have them in mind while hunting for just the right piece within your budget and remember, if you don’t see it on our floor, just ask us - our boutique is just a small showroom for all of the pieces we bring in for our clients.

2 Be patient: Wait for floor sample sales (usually July and/or January) to get the piece you really want. Don’t feel like you have to race to finish your space. You want to find the right thing at the right price, not just anything at the right price…

3 Spend some money: All on-the-cheap rooms just look cheap, not chic. Every room needs a few splurges - special pieces that announce their quality. Decide what “splurge” means to you and do it!

4 Go big with accessories: Many tiny items make a place look cluttered and inexpensive. Instead opt for important accessories like standing floor vases, plump floor cushions, pillar candles rather than tea-lights.

5 Use texture: Combine shiny, matte, soft and rough natural textures to add richness to a space. Sparkle always adds a dash of glamour.

6 Don't scrimp on the size of your area rug: Many nice rooms are ruined by the use of a postage-stamp sized rug. Can't find one big enough and don't want to spend the earth: go to a broadloom store and order a piece to be cut and bound (choose a sisal look-a-like in wool or synthetic fibre).

7 Decorate with black and white: Just like with fashion, these colours (or non-colours) never look tired and combined can result in dramatic spaces that look like their total price tag was much higher that the actual cost. It is also easy to add cushions or other accessories in seasonal bold colours to make the look your own.

8 Buy gutsy lamps: Lighting is often an after-thought when decorating on a budget but spindly, too-small lamps are a common faux-pas. Instead, layer your lighting (overhead, task, ambient), switch bulbs to halogen or natural daylight bulbs and buy lamps that have a sculptural appeal.

And remember ...

• Pace yourself; accept the fact you won’t be able to get it all done at once.
• Set a budget limit and target date for project completion; this will help avoid the tendency to keep adding to the room design, increasing overall cost.
• Concentrate on one area at a time. For instance, a single room decorating project, instead of the house as a whole.
• Have a clear cut idea of the type décor and design you want; including color scheme, decorating theme, and the type mood you want to create.
• Look at the contents of each room with a fresh eye. Sometimes by keeping and rearranging base pieces of furniture and adding a few new accessories, the desired effect can be achieved.
• When redecorating, don’t over do it. Keep in mind the main function of the room; select a style, and stick to it.
• New wall paint and wallpaper are both cost effective ways to improve home interior design.
• Accessory items (such as a wall mirror, pictures, decorator throw pillow, vases and lamps) are quick, economical decorating solutions to brighten a room for a more modern home design.