Designer Jennifer Brouwer explains the importance of planning the little details in our homes.
How To Style A Room
When designing your home, it’s important to set
aside a portion of your budget specifically for accessories.
A common mistake homeowners make is to spend their
entire budget on larger furniture pieces and forget about the
accessories. Then, when the money is gone, they wish they
could push back the clock but alas it’s too late.
Great accessorizing, just like the décor process itself, should
follow some specific steps. It’s really about layering. Just as you
put on a dress before shoes, or wrap a gift before attaching
a card, ensure that all renovations and core selections like
paint, lighting fixtures and flooring have been completed and
installed before selecting accessories.
Next, review your space, furnishings and drapery, and
consider where you may need a little extra something.
Accent furnishings such as side tables, task lighting (lamps),
sofa cushions and artwork are what we consider functional
accessories. They can be bold or subtle, but must always work
with the room’s colour scheme.
During the selection process, refer to the floor plan and
be mindful of access points like doorways and traffic flow.
Remember, more is not always better and you must respect
the room’s traffic flow. This is not an obstacle course. Ask
yourself: “will this room act as a sitting and entertaining
area from time to time?” and “how many people can sit
comfortably here?”
A professional can help with selecting and styling your
accessories to achieve maximum impact. I often incorporate
a homeowner’s own personal items into a space by grouping
them with similar objects and colours. I’ve also used
accessories to help define an area, such as introducing an
ottoman or bench seating near the front door to define a
foyer, or a sofa table and lamps to visually separate a living
room from a dining room.
At the end of the day, remember this: accessories must not
be overlooked or treated as an afterthought. They are of
utmost importance; they make or break the look and feel of
your home.
Text Jennifer Brouwer, Photography Donna Griffith, As Seen In Canadian Home Trends Spring 2013
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