There is Magic in Illusion: Camouflaging Problem Areas & Emphasizing Assets

It's swimsuit season, the time of year when many of us spend a lot of time and energy trying to figure out how to make our human forms look at least a little bit different from what they really are.
How many articles have you read and so-called experts have you listened to, who espouse advice about "drawing the eye" in one direction or another? Do this to camouflage that problem area, or try that to emphasize this asset.
Would it surprise you to learn that the same sort of techniques can work in your home? Dressing your rooms carefully and deliberately, with an eye to both their problem areas and their assets, will give you great results every time. 
So, how might that work? Start by analyzing your room, much the same way that you analyze yourself when trying on a new swimming suit.  Then, keep in mind that in both cases, it's all about a deft execution of three principles: eye movement, balance, and illusion. 
What are the areas that you need to de-emphasize, and what elements do you want to draw more attention to? Are there pieces of your room's puzzle that you'd prefer looked completely different than they really do, when your room is 'naked'? This week's featured living room is a good example.

Just for a moment, envision this room completely empty. Not much going on, is there? It's an OK size, but not fabulous. Nice fireplace, though it sort of screams at us from the center of that wall, with nothing else around it. 
The crown molding is a nice touch, which is good, because there's not much other architectural interest in this room. And there's lots of natural light from three windows, but they're disproportionately short for the room's height. 
So, our clients and their interior decorator began by identifying exactly those elements, both assets and challenges. In addition, they talked about their needs: comfortable seating for four to six people on a regular basis, a television, a furniture arrangement that would accommodate both children playing and adults entertaining, and a soft contemporary style throughout. 
Next, choices were made about specific furnishings and their placement, which would perform exactly the magic that a perfect swimsuit does for the less-than-perfect body type. 
For the major furniture pieces in the room, warm neutral fabrics were selected, along with frame styles which are clean-lined and tailored.  Straight arms not only play into our soft contemporary styling very well, but also lend a more spacious feeling to the room than big, bulky profiles would.
Balancing the straight lines of the sofa and chairs are the gracefully curved legs of three occasional tables. 
To maximize space usage, the flat screen TV is mounted on the wall, rather than being housed in a bulky entertainment center or console.
Though very functional, placing the TV that way could create somewhat of a 'one-eyed monster' effect, so it was balanced by eye-catching, dramatic artwork on either side.  The rest of that wall was then fleshed out with a beautiful, well-accessorized demilune console table, an accent chair and ottoman.
Of critical importance to this room is the way that the windows have been dressed.  Richly colored and textured woven wood roman shades provide great privacy and light control, while horizontally striped sheer drapery panels add both softness and contemporary interest to the room.
The clever placement of the window treatments, however, is of the utmost importance.  By mounting the woven woods several inches higher than the actual tops of the windows, the eye is drawn up, and the illusion of taller windows is effectively accomplished.
Additionally, with the installation of the drapery panels nearly to the ceiling, our attention is not only drawn to the crown molding, but the entire room enjoys enhanced visual height.
Now, rather than a stark, moderately-sized boxy room, we see one that is not only functional, but stylish, welcoming and very attractive.
To be able to translate how it got that way to your own rooms, think about those three important principles, which are very similar to those you use when finding the perfect swimsuit:
The way that your eye moves around a room is critical.  You want to achieve a graceful visual flow, which your eyes drawn to several different levels in the room, and without abrupt starts and stops.
Balance is your friend.  Balance soft and hard surfaces, visually heavy and light elements, and straight and curved lines.
There is magic in illusion. If your room has elements that are less than ideal, employ creative design techniques to make them look that way.

'Going Green' from Floor to Ceiling

Daily news reports about the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have once again reminded us about the fragility of our environment, and have renewed the fervor with which many people believe we need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. 

Whether in response to specific environmental disasters like the current oil spill or out of a general concern about the physical condition of our world, many Americans are moving toward an acceptance of the need for more environmental responsibility on all fronts.

But while becoming a more environmentally responsible society is an attractive concept, it may seem to fly in the face of one of the things that Americans do best, which is consuming products.  While we may say we want to “be green”, most of us are not willing to give up everyday conveniences and creature comforts to do so.  The good news is that we don’t have to.

Within the home furnishings industry, environmental responsibility directly correlates to how products are created, transported, consumed, and if possible recycled later.   And over the past several years, many manufacturers have implemented dramatic changes to those processes which will benefit us all in the long run.  In general, such changes involve utilizing materials and practices which have as little impact as possible on the environment.

So, how does this affect each of us, as red-blooded American consumers who want our homes to be beautiful and comfortable?  Actually, with so many products and design options now available, being “green” when it comes to decorating your home can be a relatively easy undertaking. 

Take a look at just a few of these exciting options:

Furniture.   The utilization of materials which either can be rapidly replenished, such as rattan, bamboo, or abaca, or have been harvested only from responsibly managed plantations rather than old-growth forests is an important trend within the American furniture industry.    

Additionally, new types of adhesives and lacquers allow the building and finishing processes to be done with less toxic chemicals.  The most environmentally friendly manufacturers are also diligent about how byproducts and waste materials are disposed of.  When shopping for furniture, look for manufacturers, designers and retailers who have become certified by the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), an organization which promotes development and education of green practices. 

Lighting.  There is an ever-growing array of attractive and energy efficient options within the lighting industry, so that there is almost no reason to not make “green” choices when it comes to your lighting.  If your local retailer doesn’t offer what you’re looking for, simply ask….demand will create supply!  

Fabrics.  Believe it or not, gorgeous decorative fabrics are being made from a myriad of eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastic water bottles and even bamboo.  Oftentimes, these fabrics are also treated and finished with only water based or environmentally approved dyes.

Wall Finishes.  Paints now feature low odors, faster drying times and stronger durability, all while still maintaining high environmental standards.  If repainting is in your future, be sure to ask if the paint you’re considering  has a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) rating, so that you can do your part for environmental stewardship.  Natural grass cloth wall covering is another way to add warmth, beauty and texture to your wall décor, while maintaining your green focus. 

Floor Coverings.  As with furniture, look for hardwood products which have been responsibly harvested and finished.  The easiest way to determine this is by looking for manufacturers with FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certification. 

Also consider flooring options which are created from naturally-occurring and easily renewable materials such as clay (ceramic or porcelain tile), linseed oil (genuine linoleum tile), bamboo or cork.  Even wood laminate products can be considered green, as they are created from byproducts of other wood manufacturing processes.   If you’re shopping for carpet, look for products which use fibers produced from recycled plastics or plant-based oils, rather than petroleum.

Finally, don’t forget to give major consideration to how your home furnishings have reached their destination.  The impact of transportation practices on our environment is way beyond what most of us can even imagine, so whenever possible choose products which have been produced domestically, rather than those that have required an ocean liner to get to you.

Adopting more environmentally responsible consumer practices for our homes really doesn’t have to be difficult, ridiculously expensive or devoid of beautiful options.  All it really requires is some exploration into the exciting changes that are underway, and a little education about how each of us can do our part to become more eco-friendly consumers.

To learn more, make plans to attend our “Decorating for Sustainable Living” seminar at Decorating Den Interiors in Waverly, on Thursday, July 8 at 7:00 PM!  For more information and to reserve your spot, call 352-1379, or contact us on Facebook at Decorating Den Interiors—Julie Meyers (Iowa).

Designing for the Sexes

Several years ago, I began working with a husband and wife who were embarking on the construction of a new home.  They had been planning and saving for years for this project, but when it came time to really hammer out the details of how the home would take shape, they found themselves stymied to come up with a vision of how it would all come together.
Differences of opinion about what is attractive weren't the only challenges, but were compounded by their differences in thought processes, decision-making styles and the ability to envision a home that didn't even actually exist yet. Although an exceptionally well-matched couple in so many ways, these people found themselves terribly frustrated by the difficulties of facing so many design decisions on which their individual thoughts were contrary to each other.
The issue of "Designing for the Sexes" is only partly about gender, and a lot about melding the likes, dislikes, and thought processes of two different people.  The stereotypical assumption is that women generally want what I call 'frou-frou' styling, consisting of floral patterns, ruffles, lace and other very feminine elements, while men will go for plaids, stripes, dark colors and animal mounts on the walls.  Although that stereotype sometimes bears itself out, the reality is that conflicts in decorating more often arise from husbands and wives differing about whether their home's overall style should be casual, traditional, or trend-setting, not just feminine or masculine.  In addition, the process is made significantly more complicated when, as is very often the case, one party is a 'right-brained thinker' and the other is more 'left-brained'.
People who are predominantly right-brained thinkers tend to be very creative, are attracted to things that are unique, prefer asymmetry, and can easily envision how something will look before it actually exists.  Strong left-brained thinkers are much more analytical, often unsettled by 'too much going on' in a room, and even though they may have a myriad of product samples right in front of them, will have difficulty imagining how those things will look in their room.  Neither of these types of thinking is superior to the other; they are simply different.
My husband and I are textbook examples of the challenge inherent in 'two personality' decorating.  I'm not sure if I'll ever fully recover from the time when I stripped wallpaper in our 120-year-old living room and found underneath it the signature and date of the designer who had done the room sixty years earlier.  I was elated at my discovery, and immediately planned to leave that small area untouched, surrounding it by my new wall treatment but framing out this little bit of history as a small focal point.  My very practical husband, arising early the next morning and intending to be helpful, diligently scrubbed what he saw as an obnoxious bit of graffiti right off of that wall.
So, if you are a couple who have differing tastes in overall decorating style, AND completely different ways of thinking through the decorating process, how is that going to play out in your home? First of all, you need to analyze where your similarities and differences lie.  Then, begin to formulate a plan for the room(s) you will be decorating.  Thirdly, recognize if it would be helpful to enlist the assistance of a professional interior decorator, and if so choose someone who will really listen to both of you, who understands the psychology of the decision-making process, will work hard to coordinate your preferences, and guide you expertly through the process from start to finish.

(before)

(after)

(Even with two very different decorating styles and tastes, we were able to make this room beautiful and functional for everyone to enjoy)

There are three keys to making this work and ensuring that both parties will end up satisfied: incorporating some elements from each of your decorating preferences, creating a good balance and coordination of both, and of course some compromise on both of your parts.  It's not an easy task, and must be done carefully in order to end up with rooms that have an overall pleasing appearance in addition to incorporating the tastes of two different people.  However, it can be done, and if done well will result in not only a great look, but a real feeling of personalization in your home.

Outdoor Living.....Indoors

Summertime draws us outdoors for so many varied activities and, especially here in the Midwest, we relish the few short months when we can really do a majority of our living outside. 

Not every day is conducive to outdoor living, however.  Each year, there are several days when it is much more comfortable to be inside with air conditioning, and soon enough the cold weather months will also have us seeking our climate-controlled spaces indoors.

If you're lucky, your home may be blessed with a sunroom that could provide the best of both worlds: the comfortable, airy feeling of relaxed outdoor living year-round, no matter what the weather is like outside. This week, we take a look at one such room.

Decorating a sunroom typically involves creating a space that's a bit more casual than other rooms of your house, however it's still very important to maintain a sense of flow and continuity from the rest of the home. 

In the room featured here, our client requested a transitionally-styled space, in keeping with the rest of her home, however needed to keep a few older furniture pieces which swing toward the traditional.  By selecting new elements with classic clean lines and simple tailoring, we were able to give her a very cohesive, updated look, while still keeping those special pieces from the past.

As with any decorating project, skillful use of the elements of color, pattern and texture help ensure a great outcome, and all three of those elements play vital roles in this room.

We've taken cues for our color scheme from the client's adjacent family room, in which chocolate brown and rich terra cotta are the predominant colors, and a deep, soft blue-green the accent color.

As that color scheme is translated in the new sunroom, lighter tints of the blue-green and terra cotta have taken center stage, with chocolate brown as our accent. These lighter tones allow us to have plenty of color interest, but maintain an open, airy feeling in the room. 

Pattern is important, but we don't want it to be overwhelming.  A visually soothing botanical print is perfect for the lounge chair and ottoman, and very importantly repeated as splashes on the sofa in the form of toss pillows.  Picking up our terra cotta color, a crisp stripe adds just a bit of punch there as well. 

Bringing visual warmth to the room is a nicely coordinated variety of wood tones.  From the rich coffee tone of the wicker, rattan and woven wood shades, to the lighter fruitwood finish on the coffee table and occasional chair, our eyes drink in warmth throughout the room.  And, the homeowner's wise choice of variegated hickory for her flooring provides just the right "glue" to hold all of those wood tones together. 

Next, texture is played out here in a variety of ways. By selecting a luscious chenille fabric for the sofa and an extra soft cut-pile area rug, we've set the stage for this to be a "kick off your shoes and relax awhile" kind of room.

Numerous plants not only bring a bit of the outdoors in, but also provide wonderful splashes of texture throughout, while wicker on the chairs and a rattan accent table inject just a bit of a tropical feeling to the room.  That feature is further enhanced with the woven woods on the upper windows.

Speaking of which, the way that you choose to treat the many windows in a sunroom can be critical to your room's function, as well as its look.

The beauty of a sunroom is, of course, the fabulous natural light that streams through your generous windows. That light, however, can also devour your energy budget, be very damaging to your furnishings, and can at times be uncomfortably glaring. You simply must utilize some type of energy-efficient light control treatment, but will want to select one which will 'disappear' when you don't need it. 

In this room, we opted for Hunter Douglas' Silhouette shadings.  Silhouettes provide the perfect combination of privacy and light control, softly diffused lighting when we want to see out but still cut the glare, and will completely disappear up into the headrail when unneeded.  Topping them off, our woven wood valances draw the eye up and across the room, add casual interest, color and texture, and still allow us to see through to the beautiful blue sky. 

All in all, this sunroom now provides the perfect spot to cool off after working in the garden, or to enjoy just a bit of a tropical feeling on a cold snowy day.  Our client says that it's become her new favorite spot in the house!

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FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, Hunter Douglas is offering our clients $50-$100 rebates (*per unit) on Pirouette, Silhouette, and Luminette sheer window shadings! LET THE SUN SHINE IN. ON YOUR TERMS. Transform sunlight into a magnificent warm glow and pull it deep into a room without sacrificing privacy or your view of the outdoors!

 

Mirrors Reflect Savvy Decorating Style

Most of us are keenly aware of the concept that our homes are a reflection of ourselves.  What we surround ourselves with, in the form of everything that is a part of or furnishes our living space, reflects our personality and lifestyle.
 But have your ever given much thought to how you actually use reflection itself in your home? From their most basic form, the simple plate glass above a vanity or dresser, to the more unusual and unexpected, mirrors are an extremely valuable tool to include in your interior decorating plan.

The most obvious use of mirrors greets us each morning as we brush our teeth, shave and get dressed for the day. Although their need is obvious and their styles relatively easy to select, the mirrors in our bathrooms and bedrooms certainly shouldn't be glossed over.

Be sure to choose mirrors that are appropriately sized for space and function.  Consider whether more than one person will need to use them at the same time.  Be cognizant of their position relative to the room's lighting, as well as making sure they are installed at a height that's appropriate for the people who will be using them.

In bathrooms, carefully measure the space between your vanity top, backsplash if applicable, and your vanity's light fixtures, also taking into consideration how much space you have between the wall and any shades that might be directed down towards the mirror from those fixtures.
Don't get lazy and make do with just a naked plate glass mirror, which makes no style statement at all.  A good designer can outfit even your existing bathroom mirror with a beautiful custom-sized frame, giving your bathroom a much nicer, finished look and rewarding you with great bang for the buck.

Throughout the rest of your home, mirrors can be the perfect solution for so many situations.  They can visually enlarge a space, increase the sense of light in a room and add pizzaz where other types of accessories don't work.
A beautiful mirror above the fireplace mantel is classic, but don't forget to accessorize the mantel itself.  A set of candlesticks of varying heights, coupled with some pretty pottery or small sculptural pieces and visually tied together with greenery and white lights is just one way to create a very nice tableau which will be seen twice as it is reflected in the mirror.

Do you have a spot that seems to need something, but is either of an awkward size or position for traditional artwork? A long, narrow mirror could be perfect hung horizontally if you have an empty space between fireplace and mantel or over the buffet in your dining room.
Consider a pair of the same, this time hung vertically to either side of a piece of artwork. This will visually increase the scale of an otherwise undersized print.

One area of many homes that is famously difficult to accessorize is that huge wall over an open stairway, in a high-ceilinged foyer or a great room.  Manufacturers have provided us with a great selection of beautiful mirrors which are perfect for spots like these.  One of my favorites is over six feet tall and 40 inches wide, created of a smoky antique-looking glass and finished out as if in an aged, arched frame.

Even on horizontal surfaces, mirrors can add sparkle and dimension.  Try placing a mirror tile underneath a pretty candle arrangement and some sprigs of seasonal botanicals for a simple but beautiful tablescape with double the impact of the plain Jane variety.

If your decorating style swings toward either Art Deco or Contemporary, take a look at some of the mirrored furniture--you read that right, mirrored furniture--that is currently so popular.

From occasional tables to bathroom vanities, these pieces are actually constructed of wood but covered in mirrored glass and are truly striking to behold.  Although not terribly practical for use of areas where fingerprints or potential breakage would pose a constant frustration, they could provide the perfect piece d'resistance in just the right spot, such as a powder room or guest bedroom. 

Wherever you look in your home, there is potential for the placement of a beautiful framed mirror or mirrored surface.  And, whatever your decorating style, there is a great selection of mirrors to complement it.  Have fun exploring how you might use them in both traditional and novel ways.  Just keep in mind this one cardinal rule: Wherever you place a mirror, make sure it will reflect something you want to see twice!