Artwork for your floors...

Every room & design can be enhanced by adding a stunning patterned area carpet. Area rugs are used to anchor your space and add personality to your design. They truly are art pieces for your floor!

www.cococozy.com

Make sure to purchase the correct size...

The rule of thumb when figuring out the proper size of rug needed for your space is it should be able to fit underneath the front feet of each of your furniture pieces. It should not go from wall to wall and nor should it float in the middle of the room, only sitting under your coffee table. It is important to use the correct size of rug to open the space and allow it to appear larger.

littlenudge.wordpress.com

Spend your money on a neutral patterned rug...

In 2014, we are seeing a lot of versatile furniture & accessories that are able to stand the test of time. A neutral patterned area rug will look great with most accent colours, if you choose to change your decor, wall colour or furniture.

Here are some of my favorite patterned rugs that really make a statement! Add your rug & see your room transform!

Statement Lamps for under $100

Lighting is a huge part of creating a unique, dynamic interior. When sourcing the perfect table lamp for your space you need to consider the size, shape, colour & amount of light it gives off.

Lamps add sparkle to your room & are the perfect accessory to be changed out easily to create a completely new look.

Here are some stunning, unique table lamps that are affordable & stylish!

1. Urban Barn Nordon Lamp, $99                       6. CB2 Greyline Lamp, $99.95     
2. Urban Barn Helix Lamp, $89                          7. Urban Barn Evelyn Table Lamp, $99
3. West Elm Perch Lamp, $79                             8. West Elm Geodesic Lamp, $99
4. Pier 1 Imports Modern Lamp, $60
5. West Elm Pillar Lamp, $99

DESIGN OF THE WEEK

An elegant mix of neutrals & metallics to create a calm, soothing musical corner. Just simply gorgeous!

One sofa, Two looks

casalife

When furnishing a living space, invest in a versatile sofa that can be used in many different design styles. This Casalife Kingston sofa is a perfect example of a chic sofa with clean lines & can fit with many interiors.  I wanted to demonstrate when purchasing a timeless piece of furniture you can truly place it into just about any design and have it look flawless.

Old Hollywood Glam Look

This look utilizes a lot of glitz, glam & saturated jewel tones.

Retro/ Modern Look

The retro look consists of pops of vibrant colors, teak wood & classic designer furniture.

Rustic Bedroom Retreat...

On this cold, snowy day why not think about a beautiful, warm bedroom design! 

I love the look of this three sided open fireplace in this stunning rustic bedroom design. They open up two connecting spaces to create a seemingly larger open area. The combination of the reclaimed barnboard & sleek modern lines of the fireplace really gives this bedroom a current & trendy look.

paradissi.com

Here are a few key pieces that will help you create a cozy rustic master retreat! Keep the overall tone warm and layer many different textures. This bedroom will make you want to spend the whole day curled up in front of the fireplace reading a book.

Mix & Match

Design Trend of 2014

Mixing and Matching metallics!

Do not be afraid of adding multiple layers of different metallic finishes all in one space. There has always been an unwritten rule that you should never pair a silver necklace with gold earrings...well this rule does not and should not apply to interior design! From chrome to bronze to gold, they all compliment each other and give a dynamic look to your room. For a contemporary overall look the more metallics the better but if you are trying to achieve a classic look make the contrast a little more subtle.

These inspirational designs show just how beautiful mixing metallics can look!
 

DIY BEDSIDE TABLE TRANSFORMATION...

Everyone has that drab piece of furniture that is on its last leg and ready to be thrown out. Instead of spending unnecessary money on another piece of expensive, trendy furniture, give it a makeover with this easy DIY project.

This is my bedside table BEFORE I transformed it. I was debating for months whether to just source new tables that better suite my space or be creative and give my existing bedside tables an uplift.

STEP ONE:

I started off by lightly sanding the entire table in order to prep for the painting. I then painted the piece (two coats to cover) Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore which is a beautiful dark charcoal tone. I then sealed the table by using a clear satin Varathane. 

STEP TWO:

Once your furniture piece is completely dry, use chalk & a ruler to draw out your desired design. I went with a simple, clean line look but you can do any pattern that suites your space. Once you have laid out your guidelines you are ready to start hammering. 

STEP THREE:

Hammer, Hammer, Hammer...This part is a long process that requires some patience! You can save yourself a lot of time by buying nailhead trim for this. Unfortunately, I could not find the finish I was looking for so I opted for the individual nail heads. Fill in your entire pattern until you are happy with the design.

STEP FOUR:

Install new hardware that looks great with the new look of the tables. I chose a glass knob that adds a bit of sparkle & matches the classic look of the new bedside tables.

 

This is my end result!

I am so happy with the outcome of my project and they look absolutely stunning. They add a sense of unique elegance to the bedroom & I have truly given them new life. Don't be afraid of tackling a DIY project, you will love the result!

The many different interior wall applications...

*Paint

Paint is the most obvious application to choose when creating a simple backdrop to colorful artwork and furnishings. There are endless possibilities to the different designs that can be created using paint, whether it be stripes, accent walls or stenciled patterns. This is also one of the most cost effective ways to make a statement to any room.

*Wallpaper

decorpad.com

Wallpaper is a design detail that has come and gone in popularity but with the immense amount of patterns & colors to choose from it has yet again been a perfect option to add a pop. 

decorpad.com

houzz.com

*Wood

When wood slabs are applied to a wall it instantly takes the atmosphere to a rustic place. Whether using reclaimed barnboard or hardwood flooring both materials feel as though the outdoors have been brought in. Don't be afraid of mixing a wood accent wall with contemporary furnishings and fixtures.

*Stacked Stone

www.claffisica.org

Stacked stone is such a great application for residential & commercial properties. This product is generally used for cladding a fireplace but when applying it to a full wall it really makes an impact. There are many different sizes and shades to match any decor whether it be a white stone to create a modern living space or a multi-color stone to create a rustic retreat.

www.home-designing.com

Marble

Marble has always been a very expensive yet classic stone utilized in kitchens and bathrooms. Its natural veining has an organic pattern that is beautiful in itself. The marble creates a soft focal point and should be combined with neutral shades and natural materials. 

Upholstered Panels

This fun application is one of my favorites! There is an endless amount of options when it comes to fabric choices when designing the perfect upholstered panel look. These panels are not only very stylish but functional (used behind banquette seating or to help with sound barriers), as well.