A melhor decoração Home

1. Too much brown. And in this case, too much matchy-matchy naugahyde :

2. Too much furniture....looks like the sofa could actually catch on fire !


3. Sofa at the end of a bed - are you really going to sit here ? Having your back to the bed is just bad Feng shui




4.  Furniture lined up along wall. It looks a little like a flea market don't you think?



5. Too much wood.


ok, this one has many other problems such as clutter, mismatching styles, collectables stuffed up to the ceiling...stay tuned for Part 2 in July !!

Blogatchalater,
YP

What does scale mean and how is it relevant to your interior space ?


Tip #3 :  Think small, but many.
But be careful because with small tiles on a large area, it is easy for a space [especially a small shower stall such as this one] to look waaaay too busy.  This designer chose one, simple, smooth, dark color mosaic tile with contrasting grout. It's the lines that create the texture and pattern, not the tiles themselves :

We can all appreciate the notion that do-it-yourself projects save money...that is the intention anyways. But do you really save money in the long run ? What is your time worth ? Do you have the expertise and time and patience to solve the myriad problems that will arise ?  If not, hire an interior design professional !  Here is a list of our top 5 Big Blunders of 'Do-It-Yourself' Interior Designers :


1] Not realizing you lack the time and knowledge to design for yourself.
The reason why designers charge, is because an awful lot of time, knowledge and experience goes into every project. Paradoxically, the simplest, most elegant designs probably took the most time to resolve all the issues and to select just the right materials and products.  Under-estimating the time it will take is eroded by the fact that you will have to do a lot of research for your project, knowledge that a designer would know from the get-go.

2] Half-hearted analysis of the design problem to be solved.
Designers tend to look at the bigger picture.  Is replacing the pedestal sink with a vanity really going to solve the problem of bathroom storage ?
For example, would you have thought of this bathroom storage solution? :



3]  Focusing too much on the money you will save now [e.g. on materials, design and labor] and not enough on other, longer term costs. Things such as correcting mistakes, replacing low durability materials, replacing inferior quality products or trendy products more frequently, and realizing a reduced return on investment can cost substantially more [i.e. money wisely invested into your property can provide you with a much greater ROI when you go to sell].




4] Making mistakes by not paying attention to planning and the [design drawing] details....
especially with things like flooring, trims, baseboards, counter tops and door swings which amateurs tend to overlook.

Without a plan [ideally a scaled floor plan, and an elevation if you are installing something on a wall], how do you know if what you have in your head translates into reality? How do you know everything will fit and exist harmoniously?



5] Focusing on style and comfort, instead of scale.
Most furniture stores are large, with high ceilings. But once you get that Eames lounge chair home, you realize it is way too tight in the corner by the doorway to your dining room.  Over-crowding, or widely separated pieces [bottom image] is one of the most common mistakes, overlooked by amateurs.



 Blogatchalater

Quite possibly the most overlooked surface of all time - the humble ceiling.
1] Make bulkheads work for you by having them define a space :

2] Choose an amazing light fixture and paint color to make your ceiling pop :

3] Use finishes other than drywall :


Be creative with what you've got !



Blogatchalater...

Working with  Your Condominium Developer to Create Your Perfect Sanctuary

Having designed for a lot of Ottawa condominium buyers lately, we have noticed certain aspects of the interior design that developers seem to overlook. Here are our top 3 tips you should review and consider when buying a brand new condominium :

1] Lighting.  Please, please, please review what the developer is offering. We have noticed that all-too-often only the minimum lighting is installed. For example, bedrooms often come with no lighting....not even a junction box to add a fixture later. Make sure you have enough recessed lighting in hall ways, the bathrooms, kitchen and living room so that you can perform required tasks in these rooms such as make up application, food prep and reading.

Great examples of living room (don't forget about your artwork! ) and bathroom lighting.
How fabulous and easy it would be to do something like this :
2] Electrical, Cable, Data Outlets. Again, in our experience, this is an area where attention to detail is very low. But in the developers' defense, how do they know that you want you television above your fireplace with no cables showing ?
3] Kitchen Cabinet Configuration.  Although you might not be able to afford a custom kitchen, you will be able to choose drawers vs. doors etc. Also think about grounding your kitchen by putting lighter colored upper cabinets and darker lowers.  Make sure you take a mental inventory of your kitchen items and decide if you need the height afforded by a door cabinet [e.g. soup pots, olive oil bottles] or do you prefer the accessibility of pot drawers?




Blogatchalater !

October's Top 3 Tips : How to Retrofit your Pre-Loved Condominium

Make sure you have layered lighting in your kitchen for both tasks and ambiance

Living in an apartment or high rise condominium doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beauty and serenity of a garden. Regardless of size, any balcony can be transformed into an outdoor paradise to receive your friends and rest.

Below is a urban house rooftop garden design with contemporary style and modern minimalist furniture. This design is a collaborative effort by UK-based BlueSky Landscapes, Clair Strong Interior Styling and Simon Morray-Jones Architects.



Vertical gardening are space saving, low maintenance and environmentally friendly. Many vertical garden system features a series of modular panels – containing a lightweight soil-less growing media in which a wide variety of plant species grow.

So whether you rent or own and live in the city or suburbs, your balcony can provide the perfect transition between the indoors and the wilderness, and add a marvelous architectural element to your space.

Hope this has been inspiring. Now go have fun!