Décor Dilemmas……………..part 2

We selected a few common design dilemmas that are often asked of us and thought we would share more of them with you……..

Q. How can I dress up a plain staircase ?

A. Paint the treads and the handrail high gloss black; paint the risers and ballisters white. If you add a carpet runner, leave 3” of stair on either side and install metal rods for extra punch

Q. How do you create a modern design without losing a sense of the past, especially in an area with older homes?

A. Reinterpret traditional design and elements with newer materials. The proportions of the exterior should be inspired by tradition rather than recreate it. By offering modern cues, such as the mailbox or front railing, you provide glimpses of the design inside without being too jarring. Sometimes the street can provide clues as to what to emphasize: the character of the house, openings like windows, and landscaping. Create a transition: the front, which belongs to the streetscape as much to you, should harmonize with its neighbors.

Q. How do you create points of interest or focal points in an open concept space?
A. Group furniture into conversation areas in larger spaces- place sofas and chairs facing one another for an intimate grouping or back to back to create two separate points of view. Anchor one or both ends of a large space with substantial or tall items such as an oversize painting, a mirror or a fireplace with art hung above it.

Measure for Measure: Part 2

Have you ever wondered how high to hang a chandelier or what size of area rug to purchase? If so, our crash course on the rules of proportion and placement in interior design is for you…..

The rules are based on human ergonomics, so following them not only results in harmonious spaces but also helps avoid mishaps…..

DINING ROOM

Place Settings

Optimize comfort and sociability by counting on at least 24" and up to 30" per person along the sides of the dining table and at least 15" between a place setting and the end of the table to accommodate the settings for each head of the table.

Dining Table and Chairs
New furniture generally comes standard sizes, but when pairing mismatched pieces or antiques, keep the following measurements in mind: comfortable dining table heights is 30”, and there should be at least eight inches between the bottom of the table top or table skirt and the top of the chair seats.

Chandelier
Getting chandelier placement right can make all the difference to the ambiance of your dining room. Hang a chandelier so that the bottom is centered 30-36”above the top of the table. Choose one with a diameter that’s at least half the total width of the table

Artwork
The rule of thumb for hanging works of art is that the centre of interest in the picture should be about 60-66 inches from the floor, which is average eye level. In the dining room, art will be appreciated by those seated, so works can be hung a few inches lower.

Area Rug
A dining room area rug should be at least 24” larger than the table on all sides, so that the chairs can be moved in and out without getting caught on the edge of the rug

Sconses
The placement of wall mounted fixtures can vary depending on the room, its furnishings and window placement. Here, the sconses are mounted 10” from the sides of the artwork so as to not crowd it and so that their centres are about 60” from the floor, which works well with the horizon line of the painting.

Centrepiece
A centerpiece should never be so tall that it impedes eye contact between your guests, keep it less than 12”

Measure for Measure: Part 1

Have you ever wondered how high to hang a chandelier or what size of area rug to purchase?

If so, our crash course on the rules of proportion and placement in interior design is for you .

The rules are based on human ergonomics, so following them not only results in harmonious spaces but also helps avoid mishaps.

LIVING ROOM

Rug

A living room area rug should be large enough that the front legs of all the furniture in a conversation grouping are on the rug. There should be 18inches of flooring between the rug edge and the wall.

Side Tables

The heights and depths of either side or occasional tables varies widely, so a good rule of thumb is to match the height and depth of the sofa's arms as closely as possible.

Coffee Tables

The standard height for coffee tables is from 16 to 18 inches, but may go as high as 21 inches. A higher table is a smart choice if you entertain frequently so that guests don't have to bend too much to set down their drinks. But, ultimately, the height of the adjacent upholstered pieces should determine the height of the table. One guideline is that a coffee table should be about the same height or one or two inches lower than the seat height of the sofa. The length of a coffee table should be about two-thirds the length of the sofa (not including arms). The width should be determined by how much room you have between the soft upholstered pieces and the table in your seating arrangement - leave at least 16 inches around each side of the table.

Artwork

Artwork behind a sofa should take up wall space equal to on half to two thirds the sofa's total length. The width of a grouping of works includes the measurements of each piece plus that of the spaces between them. Hang a grouping of pieces with equal space between each frame- two to three inches is best. Ensure that the bottoms of the frames are between eight to twelve inches from the top of the sofa.

BEDROOM

Lamps

If you enjoy reading in bed, choose a bedside lamp that is tall enough so that the bottom of the shade is the same height as your shoulder when you're sitting up in bed. Choose translucent shades so that the light comes through the shade, as well as above and below it, for a soft, romantic mood.

Bedside Tables

The height of the bedside tables should be within a couple of inches of the height of the mattress, which can vary widely depending on the bed frame and the mattress design. Choose tables that have a large enough surface to accommodate a lamp, clock, and a few personal effects, like books, and reading glasses. Place the tables a few inches from the sides of the bed, so that reaching for items on the table is easy but there is sufficient space for bed making.

Look for our "Measure for Measure" part two in next month's newsletter ...

Decor Dilemas

We selected a few common design dilemmas that are often asked of us and thought we would share them with you ...

Q. What is the rule of thumb for hanging drapery rods?

A. They should be about three inches above and beyond the window frame. Be careful about hanging them too high ... when the drapes are open too much wall will be exposed above the window, and the look will be awkward.

Q. How do I determine the right height for hanging a picture on a wall?

A. As a general rule, centre the piece according to average eye level, which is five feet six inches. (If you have cathedral ceilings, you may want to change the rules a bit and hang some pieces a little higher.) The space where the art hangs should also be considered. For example, on a larger wall, smaller picture frames may look best in groupings. If you're creating a photo wall, you may want to mix up the heights of the pictures. These rules are just guidelines, but generally the most common mistake is to hang art too high ... you should look at it, not up to it.

Q. Blinds or Drapery?

A. That depends on your budget, your style, the shape of the window and the amount of light and privacy you need in the room. Generally, the clean look of blinds works well in contemporary spaces, and drapery enhances more traditional looks. But a combination of blinds and framing side panels is also a great look, even in contemporary spaces.

Q. What's the secret to good lighting, and what should be avoided?

A. Lighting should be soft, warm and welcoming. Keep it closer to the perimeter of the room, so it reflects off the walls and/or the ceiling. Dimmer switches are crucial - add them to any overhead lights and pot lights as well. Also use light at different levels by combining table lamps and floor lamps. Avoid any bright, direct downlighting, as it causes heavy shadows and isn't that flattering.

Look for our "Décor Dilemmas" part two in next month's issue ...

Designer Art ... Personalized For You

Want to add a splash of colour or texture to your home?

Each tile is a 5 X 5 canvas (you can customize your size as well) and it is a great and inexpensive way to add "original art" into your home.
Each 5 X 5 canvas retails for $50 and you can choose the colour palette that is right for you.

It is a great idea for smaller unique walls, bathrooms, kids rooms etc.

Arrange the tiles in groups of three, six or nine.Several smaller works of art can pack as powerful a visual impact as a single larger one. The key is to respect the area's proportions.


COME IN AND WORK WITH ONE OF OUR OWN ARTISTS. WE WILL CO-ORDINATE YOUR INTERIOR COLOURS WITH THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF CANVASES TO GET THE PERFECT "DESIGNER ART" FOR YOU!

Secrets to Hanging Art like a Pro!

Forget about ceiling heights
In general, be more concerned with how items relate to those on the ground and how that room will be experienced. In a living room, where you are most often sitting, art should hang in relation to sofas and tables.

Go Low
The most common mistake people make is hanging art too high. The goal of positioning things close to furniture is to allow your eye to join the items so they don't seem to float away.· The bottom of a piece of art should sit about 8"- 10" above a mantle (This space can be adjusted if you have items on the mantle, which will visually add height)· The bottom of a large piece of art or a grouping of pictures should sit about 10" above a sofa. The grouping should be almost as wide as the sofa but never wider · A very large piece should sit so that the centre of the piece is 60-65" off the floor.

Bigger is better
If you are worried about going too small or too big, go for big. It's rare that a piece of art is too large. We tend to play it safe and buy on the small side with the rationale that if it is not enough we can always buy something to add to it ... of course that never works.

Picture Perfect

Choosing art for your home can be both exciting and confusing!
Whether you have just moved into a new home or you just want to make your current house a home, choosing art can be a difficult process.
Below are a few simple tips that can make selecting artwork easier and ultimately more enjoyable;

Connect with It
You have to find art you like! Of course, this might seem obvious, but it can often be left out of the equation when selecting art. Don't be so willing to take other people's opinion of what is "good" and neglect to understand your own. Art is many things to many people, but when choosing how to select it, the piece needs to be yours and yours alone. It should affect you emotionally. Whether the piece inspires you, calms you, excites you or just generally makes you happy, that is where you need to start.

Explore Your Style
Contemporary, Traditional, Country, Modernist, and Exotic, these are a few of the many styles that can be exhibited through artwork. Make sure the art reflects the style and design of your home.

Scale and Proportion
Artwork is an important finishing touch for any interior. Make sure to relate the piece of art to both the scale of the wall as well as to the proportion of your furnishings ... this is a common mistake.



We have great art from 4 local artists. It is continually changing and moving, so make sure you come down and take a look at each artists pieces and see who best suits your style.