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Mostrando postagens com marcador Space Planning and Layouts. Mostrar todas as postagens
Mostrando postagens com marcador Space Planning and Layouts. Mostrar todas as postagens

Top 5 Interior Design Faux Pas : Part 1



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


5 Big Blunders of 'Do-It-Yourself' Interior Designers

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

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

So someone has already selected your flooring, cabinets, tiles, etc. What can you do to make your new condo yours without expensive renovations?

1] Window coverings : 
We list window coverings as the number one item to attend to because they can take from 4  to 12 weeks...that can be a long time living with bed sheets on the windows! 

Take stock of your views and the amount of sun coming in during the day. For large condo windows a popular look is modern, sunscreen, roll down blinds which provide some sunlight control and do not take away from the window architecture or views. If you require sun filtering for south-facing units, then add lined drapes.

For a more contemporary look, Roman blinds are an elegant way to add warmth and privacy to any room.
Condo boards often impose restrictions on what you can hang on your windows, in order to maintain a uniform look for the building. You can get around this by using double sided coverings with the condo-approved material facing out.

2] Paint :
Paint can be an inexpensive way of freshening up and adding drama at the same time to a pre-loved condo.

You will want to look at the amount of natural light in each room and determine the direction it is coming from...eg Northern is cooler southern is warmer.
This will affect your choice of colour.
Then determine how the space will be used and your furniture lay out before painting an accent wall (usually the wall you see first as you enter a room.)  Get inspiration from a carpet or accent pillow.  You will also want to take into consideration the amount of contrast the colour on the wall will have against the sofa or pictures being placed on it and make sure the wall colour works with your flooring.

Have fun with childrens' rooms and laundry rooms by using blackboard paint. By the way, it comes in colours other than black.


Buy test pots to determine how the colour will look in your room...paint on a board no smaller than 12" x 18" or purchase large sample sheets and place them around the room.
Remember, painting a dark room a light colour will not make the room light.
If you want a specific look, don't be afraid to call a designer for a colour consultation...this can save you a lot of time and money.

3] Review and edit your furniture : 
You say you already own a sofa and dining table, but do they really fit the new space? We all know you can't fit a round peg in a square hole ...here is a real life application.  Additionally, the sofa and dining table are usually the 2 largest pieces of furniture and need to be carefully considered. They are also the anchor or benchmark for all your other furnishings. 
Make sure you have ample room to move around them including space behind the dining chairs to comfortably get up from. The rule of thumb is 48" if the space behind the chairs is also a passageway. Generally, passageways should be a minimum of 30".
You may not like the idea of selling your existing furniture and buying new, but when you are moving it may be necessary in order to create your soothing, harmonious, not-too-crowded [or conversely not-too-empty] sanctuary.

Blogatchalater mates !


 

Love your home inside and out!


Spring is here. It’s time to design your outdoor room !



We believe Interior design and landscaping are a major part of the overall package of how a house looks and feels. Your backyard and garden is a very special place. If you take the time to nurture it, it can be a real refuge where you can escape the pressure of modern day life. Many do not spend enough time in planning it and it becomes an impersonal and cold place – something that needs to be mowed or weeded to stop it getting out of hand rather than a haven of peace.

Much of it is in the planning and if you can afford it, it we highly recommended you invest in professionals who offer landscaping. On that note: cky design group is very excited to announce a new partner in home design Yards Unlimited, Ottawa’s award-winning landscaper, http://www.yardsunlimited.com/html/about_us.cfm

A few examples of their beautiful work.


Aim to bring your home’s interior style, your taste in furniture and your home's colour palette to your outdoor!

Stay tuned for more blogs on outdoor furnishings and balcony and roof top landscaping. 


3 key interior design tips - October

#1 Function supersedes form. 
Are you a homebody who likes relaxing & watching tv or are you a social butterfly, preferring to entertain friends & family?  Style, furnishings and material choices come after your space planning is defined. Your home should reflect your lifestyle and be designed for maximum use by you!





#2 Don't be afraid of colour! 
Colour is a inexpensive way to bring energy and excitement to any room, transforming the mood instantly.
-If you don’t want to paint an entire room in a dramatic colour create a focal point in your room with an accent wall.
-When choosing a colour just be mindful of picking up a colour that already exists in the room in a piece of furniture, a fabric or artwork. 



#3 Layer your lighting
Each room in your home should have 2 or idealing 3 layers of light.
1. Overall/Ambient: General illumination that comes from all directions in a room
2. Task: Lighting focused on a specific area to make the completion of visual tasks easier.
3. Accent: Lighting that emphasizes an area of or an object in a room. This lighting adds to the drama or style of a room by highlighting certain aspects of a room's decor. 

Subscribe to ckyscaper. More great home design tips to come!

Carrie, Karyn and Yvonne

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