“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Living Rooms
When Three is Not A Crowd
I was in a store yesterday and a lady was buying a number of ceramic balls to place on a tray in her entry. She was looking at two balls and I overheard the shop assistant say, “it has to be three”.
Yes, I thought, it has to be three or five or seven, never two or four or six.
Flower arrangement with three focal flowers
You see, odd numbers of items appear to be thrown together rather than arranged. Our eyes try to split even numbers into smaller groups but that can’t be done with odd numbers.
Margaret Olley's Artichokes via ANG Art Consulting
The asymmetrical arrangement of odd numbers will add visual interest to an area or collection and help create visual flow. Objects that appear in threes or fives are more appealing, memorable and effective than even number groupings.
We Three Kings photograph by Emily J Photography
Odd numbers also give dimension as we can create a front, middle and back and this creates a sense of balance.
3 cushions on a bed by Inside Out Colour and Design
We find odd numbers pleasing to the eye as well as being more intriguing.
Cushions on a sofa by Inside Out Colour and Design
If you would like assistance in making your home more intriguing, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
PS. And look, it’s my 300th post on the 30th of November. Freud would have alot to say about that!
Liven Up Your Living Room
Sydney Morning Herald is one of the main daily newspapers in Sydney. Domain is their real estate section with extensive liftouts in the paper twice a week as well as a strong online website.
A few months ago I was one of four interior decorators who were interviewed for a short video that would be placed on the website. It is aimed at new home owners who are endeavouring to create a comfortable home for themselves.
That video can now be viewed here.
It was one of those cases where I had accepted the invitation and then thought, “Why did I agree?” After the filming was all done, I decided it WAS fun.
If you would like help in livening up your living room, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
All photos by Lyn Johnston Photography, all interiors designed by Inside Out Colour and Design.
Vertical Decor
I often find, when I walk into a room, that the homeowner has taken a lot of time in placing the furniture in the room, however little regard has been given to the height of the room. It’s as if the room has been decorated by the floor plan without considering the walls and ceiling. With today’s low furniture like sofas and entertainment units, it’s not hard to fall into this trap.
This living room is a great example of what I mean. The colours and furniture all work beautifully together but everything appears to be below the waist. I’m not sure if the paintings are propped up against the back of the sofa for the photograph, but by hanging them on the wall it will give height to the room. A taller standard lamp would also help accentuate the full capacity of the room. Another trick, if the ceiling is not too low, is to use a pendant light like a chandelier which will help the ceiling relate to the room.
In a bedroom, you could install a bedhead and bedside lamps, which will create some height. The lamps should not be the same height as the top of the bedhead and artwork could be hung above the bed. Again a pendant light in the centre of the room will bring the ceiling into the room.
The idea is to create a non-linear profile in the room, a bit like the recent share market chart!
Images – I’ve had these photos in my files for a while now, but haven’t kept their source (Naughty blogger!) Let me know if you know where they’ve come from.
If you would like assistance with colour or decor for your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.
Buying Quality
Many years ago, I bought my very first lounge suite. It consisted of two two seaters and a matching armchair. It was in my blue phase and the fabric was called Windsurfers Denim. It had little tiny pink and cream triangles all over it that were meant to represent windsurfers. The proportions were good for the lounge room in my very first house in Brisbane and it suited my budget too.
New lounge suite with hand-me-down buffet
I then sold that house and moved to a brand new house on Queensland’s Gold Coast. As the house was still under construction when I bought it, I was able to choose the colour scheme throughout of tiles, carpet and paint. Knowing that I had my lounge suite, I chose a soft grey colour which worked well with the lounge. I had roman blinds in rose pink and off white stripes installed on the windows and the lounge suite looked like it had been bought for that house.
Window coverings to match the lounge suite
A few years later, I moved back to Brisbane and bought a workers cottage in Nundah. Again the lounge suite moved into the new house and the room was decorated around the lounge. This time I chose barely pink walls with a darker pink for the trim.
Barely pink walls
We then moved to the Solomon Islands and the lounge suite went into storage for four years before being shipped to Hong Kong. Again the living room was decorated around the lounge suite and I chose sheer white curtains with a blue valance for the window coverings.
Sofa with precious cargo in Hong Kong
Back to Australia and into a rental property in Sydney, the lounge suite again just fitted perfectly into the space.
Ming didn't mind where in the world he was as long as he had his sofa
Twelve months on, and we purchased our own home and moved the lounge suite one more time. Only this time, it was clashing with the existing curtains in the home. Time had finally come almost twenty years later, to upgrade the lounge suite.
Sofa and curtains collide
We looked around at other styles of sofas but couldn’t find anything we liked. I called in my upholsterer who thought we were mad to throw away a perfectly good suite. So the search for fabric started and eventually I chose an off-white embossed fabric and had the sofas reupholstered. The sofas looked like new and I’m sure will last another twenty (well maybe ten) years.
Reupholstered sofa has a new lease on life
So the moral of the story is to buy good quality in the first place and give it a facelift when it doens’t work anymore. It works out much more cost effective in the long run.
If you would like assistance sourcing lounge furniture for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
How to live with a HUGE television and not let it dominate the room
I’m often asked, “How do we decorate our living room withouth having the new TV be the centre of attention?”
via Queensland Homes
These days the television seems to have found a permanent place in the living room. Fortunately, although the flat screens are oversized, they are thin and don’t take up as much space as the older style TVs. In fact, they are so slim that they can be hung on the wall.
via Australian House and Garden
However it’s not just the screen that needs a space in your living room, it’s all the paraphernalia that goes with it:- Wii’s, stereos, playstation consoles, DVD players, VCR players, iPod docking stations. The list is endless. And then you can’t have a big TV without surround sound. All that equipment means lots of cables too and games and discs for them all.
Beyond Furniture have this solution
The trick is not to let the television be the dominant piece in the room. Hard I know, when they command attention. Living rooms combine all sorts of usage. Families get together with children and friends or it can sometimes be used by just one person for reading or a couple for conversation.
via Australian House and Garden
Give the room a flexible floor plan and furnish accordingly. Soft furnishings like rugs, curtains and fabric covered chairs will absorb the sound. A comfortable armchair in a corner with a lamp and side table will satisfy the reader and a clear floor space with cushions will please the kids. If there is electronic gaming equipment then space needs to be left for that action or at least an area that can be converted into what is required.
via Australian House and Garden - great use of island bench
Draw attention away from the screen by creating another focal point. It might be a stunning piece of artwork or a glorious coloured glass vase. Entertainment cabinets and sofas are low-line so don’t forget to include some taller pieces like long vases with ornamental grass or twigs or a standard lamp to balance the horizontal view of the room rather than just concentrating on the floor space.
Mixing other artwork around the screen "hides" it's true purpose
The big screen can live harmoniously with your décor and accommodate everyone for all occasions.
Alternatively you can instal a hydraulic lift system for your tv
With the press of a button, you can watch TV
If you would like assistance creating the perfect living room for you family, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
An Eclectic Room
I’ve had this image saved in my files for a number of years. It was designed by Shaun Jackson and appeared in October 2007 issue of Elle Decor. I find the room quite dramatic.
via Elle Decor
I love the mix of period decor, the dramatic artwork and windows, the perfect balance, as well as the seating arrangement. I always feel it’s important to lay out the seating so the room can be used for a number of guests.
I could imagine the homeowner sitting on the chair near the window having a telephone conversation, or reading. Perhaps when there’s two people in the room, having a quiet conversation, they would sit in the single chairs in front of the fireplace. Or those times when there’s a number of guests the room would be full of laughter and chatter.
The large mirror above the mantle bounces around the light coming in from the windows, as does the glass topped coffee table. There’s the stunning pendant light featuring in the middle of the room and a couple of lamps for ambient lighting as well.
This room seems to tick all the boxes. What about you? Does it appeal to you?
If you would like assistance creating a harmonious living room, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.
Choosing the perfect sofa
I am currently sourcing a sofa for clients who are renovating their home. They have a formal lounge room in the front of the house but are adding a family living area that will open to the outside terrace and pool.
Click on image for source
Like most things today, there are just so many choices when it comes to sofas. Finding one that suits the purpose can be a slow, time consuming task. However, the sofa in the family living room could be THE most used piece of furniture in the entire home so getting it right is paramount. This sofa will be a place for family to gather after a busy day. It will be a place to watch countless hours of television and movies. It will see numerous conversations of friends and family. With a family of five, the sofa needs to be large enough to accomodate everyone at one time and yet be comfy for just one or two.
Click on image for source
I thought I’d share a few things I consider when choosing a sofa for my clients. The first step is to establish the size of the space the sofa is going into. A sofa may look fabulous in the showroom but how will it look in your living room? Mark out the space in your living room with cushions or boxes to give the full impression of the bulk of the sofa.
Click on image for source
Next comes the style. There are sofas with arms, without arms, modular that wrap arounds corners, chaise so you can stretch out, removable cushions or upholstered backs, metal legs, timber legs, hidden glides…..the options are endless. The right decision depends entirely on how the sofa will get used. If it’s mostly for watching television, choose a style with deeper seat cushions so you can stretch out in comfort. In rooms designated for entertaining, choose styles with narrower seat cushions, which will facilitate conversation as your guests sit forward. It’s also wise to opt for a longer sofa keeping in mind that people rarely like to sit too close to each other on a lounge. Small areas call for a couple of two-seaters rather than one large three-seater.
Click on image for source
For a sofa that will last, you need to invest in a quality frame and suspension. The most durable are made from either steel or kiln-dried hardwood or at least have hardwood on the joins. Test out the sofa in store. If you can easily lift it at the corner, less hardy wood has been used. A good-quality sofa will feel heavy and solid.
Click on image for source
Fabric choice can make or break a sofa too. Colour, texture, fabric composition, durability will all depend on how the sofa will be used, the colour scheme of the room and the style of the room or home.
Click on image for source
A good manufacturer should have a model on display to show you which materials have been used for the frame and how they work. For the seat, coil springs or steel-sprung suspension give superior support, while the best cushions are usually made from a dense, high-quality foam with a fibre wrap. Feather-filled cushions give that luxurious softness but can be hard to look after because you’ll continually have to re-fluff them.
Click on image for source
Work out how the sofa will be used and take the time to test it out in the store. Buying a sofa can be a bit like buying a bed, you need to sit or stretch out in it the way you would at home and stay there for an extended period, just as if you were watching a movie or entertaining.
Click on image for source
Here’s my tips to choosing the perfect sofa.
- Ask yourself how your sofa will be used – watching TV, entertaining big crowds?
- Who will use the sofa – adults, small children?
- What kind of warranty is being offered?
- Will your sofa be in direct sunlight? Choose a lighter fabric to hide fading.
- Get all the measurements of the sofa you are considering and check how it will work in your space. Don’t forget to check that will fit through your doors or up your stairwell.
- Will it be easy to clean? Should you have it stain proofed?
- Is it high enough to support your back?
- Is the padding sufficient?
- Does it need a lumbar cushion added for support?
- Is the back sloped or straight enough?
- Is the padding sufficient, is it too soft or too firm?
- Is it easy to get on and off?
- Is the sofa too low?
- Is there the right amount of height for your legs?
- Is the depth comfortable, is it too deep or too shallow?
Click on image for source
Happy sofa shopping!
If you are confused by the myriad of choices in sofas or other furniture, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.
Mixing it up
Don’t you just love the new seasons and all the exciting new colours that come with it?
It can certainly have challenges though. Like how do you mix a pair of brown boots that you bought new last winter with this year’s predominently grey clothing?
The same thing can happen in your home. You want to rush out and buy up the latest cushions and throws but will they go with your chocolate brown sofa?
This was the topic of my article in the latest edition of St Ives Village Life.
You can read my suggestions here by going to the June 2011 article.
If you would like assistance mixing the latest trends with your existing decor, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Island Style
I’m currently working on the interior of a house that makes me think of this style.
Bahamas
So I’ve put together some items for their newly renovated open plan living dining area that flows to the pool terrace.
Bahamas Style
Hope they like it!
If you would like assistance creating the right style for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Console Dilemma
TGIF! It’s been a big week again with lots of things happening on all different levels. I am looking forward to the weekend, which unfortunatley goes all too quickly.
I thought I’d show you the finishing touches I have recently added to a room makeover.
You remember this one, Country to Hamptons.
Orange checks before
We painted the walls, reupholstered the sofas, purchased new coffee and side table, had new cushions made and bought new lamps.
Revamped Lounge Room
The clients had a console table on the wall behind one of the sofas and we now needed to “dress” the table.
Console Table Before
I was inpsired by this image from Taylor Howes and loved the symmetry of the two lamps and two tall ginger jars. Fortuantely, my clients did too.
Decor by Taylor Howes
I set about sourcing the jars and lamps, but wasn’t really happy with anything I could find. Many of the ginger jars were very Asian, with dragons or the longevity character on them.
Chinese Ginger Jar
The lamps weren’t right either.
I then started thinking that we would end up with four lamps in a confined area and the lounge may end up looking like a lamp showroom! I love lamps, but……
We had used this wonderful fabric for cushions on the sofa, so that led me to thinking about coral. Then instead of lamps, maybe we could use candlesticks?
Coral Trellis Fabric in Porcelain
And I found these wonderful, modern ginger jars from OB Collection.
Bamboo Ginger Jars
So that was it, I had all my pieces. Now I needed to work out how to display them. Fortunately I have a console table too, so I set about mocking up a couple of alternatives.
Option 1
I had a large and a small ginger jar but felt the height was wrong for the two of them to sit together.
Option 2
So back to the original symmetrical look.
My clients loved it and I was able to use a couple of their favourite books to prop up the bowl of coral and shells.
Completed Console Table
You too can create this look, as I have a piece of the Coral Trellis fabric for sale in The Store Room as well as the two smaller ginger jars that I didn’t end up using.
Have a fabulous weekend.
If you would like assistance sourcing items for your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.
