Quirky Corners

by Sarah Shaw

There is nothing that poses more of a challenge when designing a room than an awkward floor plan or ceiling height which seems to dictate everything else.

These kinds of rooms can cause problems when it comes to choosing furniture, and in knowing how to decorate the space to create the best possible result.

The basics when considering the space are all about whether you want to highlight the oddness or disguise it.

Cover over angles and corners with a single paint colour for the walls and ceiling, or pick out sections to paint in a contrasting tone if you want them to stand out.

Single beds will fit into smaller corners than you might think, and it is actually quite cosy to have the headboard end tucked away.

Bunk beds are flexible as well and don’t have to be one directly above the other, they can be placed at angles or offset to fit, creating a pleasing and space-efficient result which the kids will love too.

Shelving could be your new best friend: use a modular system and make the most of an unusually high point in a wall to create a library, or work shelving around odd corners to create a long dynamic line around the room.

Sofa beds can work well in a guest room space, pushed back to use as a seating area most of the time and if need be to open them out fully, turned around into the largest floor area for use as a bed.

I actually think that unusual and irregular shaped rooms can really make for an individual home and can often be quite inspiring as they drive us to work harder to come up with solutions that fit.

There is nothing more boring than rooms like little boxes, all the same and with no personality, give me quirky corners anytime!

Don’t be scared, you can do it.

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Comment
By Charlotte

Hi Sarah

I quite agree - rooms that might initially appear a bit like a 'challenge' (to be optimistic) or a 'nightmare' (if you're in a more gloomy frame of mind) can actually produce the best results in the long run - and create a unique and personal living space.

Like you, I love the quirky - and while I always wish my house was larger, it can be quite nice having those funny little nooks and crannies tucked away.


Tucking seating or a bed away can create a cosy and intimate feel, which is always nice to feel when you're in your own private little space - and using lower furniture, like beds, sofas, or even sofa beds is an excellent idea for low or sloping ceilings (far better than trying to cram in a huge wardrobe!)

These 'quirky corners' are also great for storage - which I must admit we tend to use ours for! But we do have to be careful not to let the clutter build up there - sometimes it's far too easy to stow bits and pieces away in the corner so it's out of sight and out of mind, and soon a veritable mountain of clutter has built up! Whoops!

Of course, well-planned shelving can do away with this, and is an eminently sensible suggestion - if you can't find any shop-bought shelving to fit the space nicely, consider having a local joiner build custom shelving to fit perfectly.

Display shelves (perhaps with a bright accent color painted behind, as a background) can create a great feature focal point out of 'quirky corners'... or you might want to fit cupboard doors, to hide your clutter and give the room a more streamlined look.

This is also a good solution to squaring off the room, if you don't enjoy having those little nooks and crannies.

Sliding doors can also be a good solution where space is tight.

Bunk beds are also a great idea - particularly as you can often get those with desks, or storage underneath - which are all great for creating extra storage in small spaces.

Glad you are embracing the quirkiness of your corners and using it to its full advantage to create a unique space that's just right for you! Well Done!

More about decorating tips for awkward shaped rooms, and wonky houses, on my page, here...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sarah

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

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Accenting Your Fireplace for Spring

by Jessica Ackerman

There are many different ways to get your home ready for the beauty of spring, but one of the easiest is to accent the fireplace.

While you may not be using it much now that the warmer weather is arriving, you can still make good use of the space by decorating around it.

Pick a theme and style of artwork or sculptures that will work best for your decor and the available space.

Let the ideas below help you select pieces that are truly perfect for your home.

Nature Inspired

There is nothing that says spring better than flowers. Use small flower wall sculptures to decorate the space above your fireplace with ease.

You can arrange them in a variety of ways to create the look that you want to achieve.

If sculptures are not to your liking, consider hanging a landscape of a wildflower field.

Be sure that the colors in the painting or print coordinate with the rest of the colors in your decor.

If you want to use the print as the decorating inspiration, pull some of the more prominent colors from it to use as accent colors throughout the room.

Family Tree

What better place than above the fireplace to accent the joy of family in spring.

Gather your favorite pictures of the children with the Easter bunny or in their springtime best, and reduce them to hang in a family tree wall hanging. These wall hangings feature small frames off of the branches for pictures.

If you cannot find a family tree wall sculpture, consider painting a mural of a spring tree in bloom on a large canvas and using that as the backdrop for family pictures.

You could even just include family members’ names if the space is limited or you cannot find spring pictures that would work.

Be sure that the tree is in full, flowery bloom in order to achieve the look of spring that you are searching for.

Mirrors

Mirrors are another great option for hanging above the fireplace.

If you want to switch out a heavy, dark-framed mirror from the fall and winter months, it might be ideal to add a white framed piece instead.

This can brighten and lighten the room, while also giving you the extra depth that mirrors provide.

Not only is this a simple way to fill the space above the fireplace, but it also helps to make your room appear larger than it actually is.


Decorating above the fireplace is a great way to focus the eye’s attention on the look that you are trying to achieve in the room.

Celebrate the lightness and bright colors of spring by incorporating those elements into your decor.

Whether you are using tree wall hangings or a picture of your family’s favorite vacation spot, the style of the decor above the fireplace will really set the tone for the room.

Choose wisely and think outside the box. Also remember that placing a vase of fresh cut flowers on the fireplace mantel is another great way to quickly add a burst of spring to any room.

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Comment
By Charlotte

Hi Jessica - thanks for sharing your great ideas!

Your fireplace is always a focal point, and while a roaring fire makes a natural focal point during those cold winter days, your fireplace can still be a great focus of attention now it's getting warmer and sunnier...

A lighter decorating palette suits the brighter days much better than those deep, rich, warm reds and oranges we've coveted all Winter...

Now we're into Spring blooms, fresh yellows, pinks, greens and blues - and white always freshens up and lifts any scheme.

Flowers are the perfect way to bring Spring into your home, whether pictures, wall-art or the real thing, and around your focal point fireplace is the perfect spot!

Wonderful Spring decorating ideas for these warmer days!

Thank you for sharing!

Best wishes

Charlotte :)

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When To Paint And When Not To Paint

I am one of those people who very definitely get carried away with an interior design idea and likes to apply it everywhere possible.

This can be very dangerous as not only does every room in the house start to look the same but you can become a boring obsessive in the process!

I recently fell into this trap when I discovered a new love of paint finishes, and the results I must confess have been mixed.

In the past I have shied away from the paint brush – I don’t know if it is partly the potential mess or just a lack of knowledge of the different types of paint.

Having learnt some techniques though, I covered the kitchen worktops up and let myself lose on the kitchen walls.

Mixing sand into the paint was my choice on this occasion – giving a rustic, roughened finish to the kitchen walls which creates a really lovely texture in contrast to the other smooth surfaces. A success on this occasion!

It did not go so well when I decided to paint my lovely solid wood kitchen cabinets.

I was going for a delicate wash effect so that the grain would still show through but I managed to apply too thick a layer and the result looked dreadful!

Once the tears had dried up I had no choice but to set about trying to rescue my kitchen by removing the paint which only partially came off.

In the end I had to get some expert help in to save the day and a serious and expensive lesson was learnt.

For now I have hung up my paintbrush, and next time I will make sure I don’t get carried away.

Don’t let my experience put you off trying though, just learn by my mistake and practice on a spare off-cut of wood first…

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Comment
By Charlotte

Hi

Thank you very much for sharing your experiments with paint! Such a shame they didn't work out on your kitchen cabinets quite as planned...

...but I applaud you for your clear passion for interior design, and the courage to have a go!

Like many things in life, interior design ideas and experiments don't always go to plan - but that doesn't mean we shouldn't give them a go!

I think you've hit the nail on the head, though, when you say, practice on a spare bit of wood first!

This is just as important, whether you are experimenting with a new color for your room, or trying a new paint technique or faux paint finish... (it may take a little longer to get the 'knack' with these though!)

Don't worry, though, as you've discovered, very few things are permanent, and colors and finishes can always be changed and improved - even though it might end up rather time consuming and even expensive!

Congratulate yourself on your successes in interior design - mixing paint with sand to give a textured finish with a more rustic feel is a great plan, (one we've used ourselves, in fact!) and clearly you really got the knack there and did a superb job! Well done!

I love using paint to change the look of my home - it's relatively cheap, and relatively easy (if you're not experimenting with fancy finishes! lol!) and you can use the enormous ranges of color to make a big impact quickly!

...so I would definitely recommend trying paint again - but as you've so wisely recommended, doing a little try-out, or practice, first!

Thank you so much for sharing your paint experiments in your kitchen, and on your kitchen cabinets...

Wishing you much luck and success with your next paint experiment!

Best wishes

Charlotte

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At Home or At House

Do you ever get that feeling when you go to peoples houses that if you even disturb the sofa cushions when you sit down you will be on the receiving end of a seriously filthy look?

At the opposite end of the scale there are the houses where you’d rather not touch the sofa cushions, thank you very much, for fear of catching some unpleasant disease – but let’s not think about that for too long.

If a house is like a museum, can it really be a home? I always find it rather disconcerting when somewhere is too perfect, especially if there are children about: where are the toys and the trail of shoes and bags?

Who picks these things up – or do they have an uber-efficient poltergeist?!

Staying over is always an eye opener as well – pristine sofa beds with carefully thought out magazine choices and a bottle of Evian on the nightstand actually give me the heebie-jeebies rather than making me feel relaxed.

That actually sounds very ungrateful, but really, all you want is to be made to feel welcome and at home – rather than ‘at house’.

The difference between a house and a home is the personal touches which a family bring to their environment.

The books and photos, homework projects, laptops and evidence of life being lived are what makes a space alive, not how immaculate the guest beds are and how clutter-free the kitchen.

Give me a bit of mess any day and I’ll be happy!

There is no place for Stepford wives in the modern world, and definitely no room for Stepford children – they are just plain weird.

Family life is a living, all encompassing experience which cannot benefit from the constraints of a magazine-page house.

So if I have been talking about you – relax a bit and let your impossibly high standards down, you are bound to feel the benefit.

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Comment
By Charlotte

I know exactly what you mean! And I've been welcomed into both kinds of houses (although I do think I prefer the pristine type than the mucky ones! ...and do appreciate a clean and well-cared for guest bedroom, always!)

But I totally agree - although I love interior design, and using color, texture, style in my home, to express my own tastes, and create somewhere comfortable and comforting for myself and my husband to live, real-life interior design is about so much more than creating perfect show-homes...

...or should I say 'show-houses'???

Magazine creations can be very beautiful, and inspirational - and this is what they should be - but also all they should be - don't confuse inspirational with aspirational!

Picture perfect magazine show-homes are intended to inspire you with ideas for the color, style, materials and products you can use for your own home - and shouldn't necessarily, be seen as the target to aim for in your own home...

Most photos for magazines (and indeed websites!) are not real homes - they don't have real people living in them, they are a stage set, where our inspirational picture has been created.

There's no space there for your family photos, your clutter, the paraphernalia of your everyday life...

All this belongs in your real home - the home that reflects your needs, your personality, your hopes, dreams, tastes and memories - little mementoes you've collected, gifts you've been given...

These all make up part of your home, and should be treasured - they can still become part of your interior design scheme - and, in fact, truly treasured possessions can often be the focal point and inspiration for a whole interior design scheme in your home.

What this website is all about, actually, is using interior design ideas from the magazines, but creating your own interior design, that suits you, the way you live, and the things you love - interior designing it yourself!

There is a place for pristine show homes - some people just like to live this way - which is fine - if it suits their personality, then it's their own ideal home!

The other place for a pristine show home is when you're selling your home - then clearing out the clutter, and creating a shining example of an ideal home is an excellent approach - but even in this case, you're still creating the idea of a home, and not just a house, and would still use personal possessions and accessories to create a homely, welcoming and lived in air.

We always have problems with clutter building up - so we've decided to embrace the fact our home is a little cottage, and go with a real 'cottagey' feel - where a little 'clutter' (treasured accessories on display!) fit into the look a lot more easily than for a more streamlined or minimalist style.

I'm sure the ideal is a happy medium - but you're right - it can be hard work aspiring to achieve such impossible ideals - so why not cut yourself a bit of slack, and create an interior design to suit your own way of living!

Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts!

More about how to create your own interior design that works for you and your own lifestyle, here...

Charlotte :)

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Free Decorating Ideas for Rooms that Lack Personality

by Jessica Ackerman
(U.S.)

Do you have a room in your home that just seems to lack personality? Perhaps it just looks a little bland, or it doesn't seem to have any especially unique qualities.

Some rooms simply lack interesting architectural features, eye-catching colors or beautiful decor. If your room fits this description, don't despair.

It can actually be easier than you might think to spice up your room and make it more interesting. Here are a few handy tips that you can use to give any room a bit more personality.

Use Multiple Colors

Sometimes a dash of color is all it takes to make a room more interesting. Although neutral shades can be quite versatile and "safe," they often lack pizzazz.

If you want to maintain your basic neutral color scheme, try adding a couple exciting accent shades.

For example, if your walls and furniture pieces are predominantly a warm taupe shade, adding brick red throw pillows or an area rug with warm pumpkin stripes can really add a lot of visual interest.

Or, a navy blue tapestry throw combined with sunny yellow throw pillows can spice up a cream colored sofa.

When adding multiple accent colors to a room, it's usually best to choose one primary accent shade and one secondary accent shade.

The primary accent shade should be the one that is darker or more vivid, while the secondary accent shade can be a bit lighter or more neutral.

To really add a lot of personality to a room, try painting the walls with the primary accent shade.

Add Interesting Patterns

Interesting patterns can also be a great way to add more personality to a room. Although too many conflicting patterns can make a room look busy, a room that without any patterns at all can look boring.

If you have a solid colored sofa, try spicing it up with a few patterned throw pillows or a patterned tapestry throw.

Or, accentuate the sofa by pairing it with a patterned foot stool or ottoman. You can also add patterns to a room in the form of wall art.

To add interesting patterns in a more subtle fashion, try using solid colored fabrics that have an interesting texture.

If you'd like to add a large splash of design to a room, patterned slipcovers can be a great solution. In fact, slipcovers can be a great way to give a room a different look, but still allow you to change things back again if the mood strikes.

Add Lights

If a room doesn't have adequate lighting, it can seem dull and boring. To give a room versatility and personality, try adding a few new lighting options.

A table lamp in an interesting color or unusual shape can really add visual interest to a room. A pendant lamp or chandelier can also be an eye-catching addition. Or, try using a fun and funky floor or pedestal lamp to transform a boring corner into an updated reading corner.

Before you know it, your room will have plenty of zest and personality to spare.

Professional designer Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, and specializes in decorating with southwestern metal art decor and wall art for home

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Comment
By Charlotte

Thanks very much for sharing such great tips Jessica!

Some wonderful ideas for brightening up a dull or uninspiring room, that needn't cost a fortune!

Just one or two bright or eye-catching features can really make a difference, whether this is a stunning chandelier, luxurious rug, sparkling mirror, cosy cushions and throws or some gorgeous wall art.

A few carefully chosen accent colors can also help give that extra 'oomph' to a room!

An extra-special piece of wall-art is a wonderful and very easy way to instantly add your own personality to any room - try positioning a large piece over a sofa, fireplace, bed or dining table for maximum impact.

I love the wall-art on your website, Jessica, a great selection - I'm really loving the metal wall-art right now - we just got a beautiful metal wall-art butterfly sculpture for our bedroom - it looks wonderful...

...in daytime the metal is dark against the light, sand colored wall, but at night, under artificial lights, the metal takes on a light, silvery hue, and the butterflies really seem to be shimmering in the night!

I think metal is particularly good for this, as you have the extra, shiny dimension. The shiny (glossy) surface is also quite reflective of light, so can help spaces appear larger, and brighter.

Thanks very much for your inspiring ideas, Jessica.

More free decorating ideas for bland and boring spaces, here...

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Decorating the Foyer for Easter

by Jessica Ackerman

When guests first enter your home, you want to make a great first impression.

While there are ways to decorate your foyer or entryway for everyday use, there are also some fun ways to enhance the decor for the holidays.

Easter is a great time to add elements to your foyer that reflect the holiday and your decorating style.

Use the ideas below to inspire you this season.

Faithful Decor

The symbol of the cross is one that is clearly associated with Easter. This holiday, include decorative wall crosses in your foyer’s decor.

Take down the pictures that normally hang on the wall and replace them with a collage of metal crosses that you have collected from various trips or that you have received as gifts.

This strong symbol of faith will tie in nicely with the Easter holiday and make your foyer feel more decorative.

Fun Flowers

Adding flowers to a foyer is always a great idea to brighten up the space.

When you are adding floral color for the Easter holiday, it is important to coordinate it with the space’s existing decor.

Choose flowers that are not only hardy, but that have beautiful color to enhance the entryway.

If fresh flowers are not an option, consider getting a bunch of artificial flowers instead.

Many artificial arrangements can be done in such a way that they are difficult to distinguish from living arrangements.

Even a bright, green plant in a cheerful Easter theme basket or planter can be an option for enhancing the foyer’s look.

Some Bunny Loves You

Those family pictures that line the wall across from your foyer table are gorgeous, but consider jazzing them up for the Easter holiday.

Get a pair of white rabbit ears and have each family member pose in them as you take their picture.

Print the pictures out and frame them in either the same picture frames or in Easter themed frames.

Hang them back up on the wall and your foyer will be instantly festive.

Not only will it feel more like Easter, but your guests will enjoy seeing your family having fun in the photos.

Eggs Galore

Those artificial colored eggs that abound at Easter can also be used to enhance your foyer’s decor.

Craft stores and dollar stores sell colored eggs made of Styrofoam that look much nicer than the plastic variety.

Fill a white bowl up with them and place it on the entryway table.

You could also string them together with clear fishing line and drape them over the foyer mirror.

A tall, clear glass vase filled with the colorful eggs is also an option for a festive decoration.

Setting the tone for your friends and family members as soon as they enter your home encourages them to get in the spirit of the holiday.

Let them embrace the look and feel of Easter, whether you decorate with metal wall crosses or a basketful of Easter eggs.

Your home will feel much more festive and you may find that the simple act of decorating the foyer puts you in a much more excited frame of mind for the busy holiday.

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Comment
By Charlotte

Thanks Jessica - some wonderfully creative ideas - and will definitely get you in the mood to enjoy the Easter break!

I love all your Easter ideas - I think the decorative wall crosses would make a lovely display at any time of year, and a creative 'collage' or cross gallery is an artistic and unusual way of creating a real work of art out of a common home feature.

Your idea about Easter bunny ears made me smile - I think I'd be tempted to buy a few pairs, and rather than take photos, just put the ears over the photo-frames themselves. :)

Fab ideas - I think Easter will be fun at your house this year! Do you have an Easter egg hunt planned around your home and garden?

Thank you very much for sharing, Jessica.

HAPPY EASTER!

Best wishes

Charlotte x

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Texture, Finish & Gloss

One of the things which will turn a great decorating idea into a polished interior design scheme is the clever use of materials.

By that I don’t just mean fabrics, I mean everything – from the upholstery to the furniture and the floor and wall coverings.

Texture, finish and the combinations you choose can really make a difference, as well as bringing to life your selected colours.

A simple way to get a great result is to stick with a range which is guaranteed to work well together:

...for example in your spare room go for ‘naturals’ and only use cotton or linen on the guest beds with a wool carpet and unpainted wood furniture and accessories.

At the other end of the scale you could choose ‘hi-tech’ and go for gloss finish plastics with polished metal and stylish lighting.

Another great thing to try if you are feeling a little more confident is a quirky mix:

...juxtapose traditional country-style floral sofa beds with matt black side furniture and a slick gloss floor; the combination will make a real statement.

This approach is not to everyone’s taste however, so make sure whoever’s room you are working on approves first!

With fabric you can get a great look by mixing rough home-made textures with ultra smooth, or simply layering different cloths in the same colour over each other to great effect.

Accessorise carefully as well: earthenware, glass, china and stone all evoke a different feel and can work in tandem or alone to make a bold statement.

And don’t forget your artwork: oil paint on canvas compared to gloss photos or even a soft watercolour or your favourite piece of kids craft.

Whatever you go for, see it through in the details of the room and don’t let anything escape your eye!

Whether it is an eclectic mix or a simple theme seen through, you will be delighted with the results.

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Comment
By Charlotte

Thanks very much for sharing your tips, and you are right, interior design is about much more than color...

Texture, the materials you choose, and especially the styles you include do all play a very large part in the end result.

Textures are a particularly good tool to use in neutral or one color schemes, as they are a really useful way to add depth and interest to the room. Using smooth and glossy textures tends to make a room feel more contemporary - current trends for a modern look are minimalist and sleek...

Heavier textures - wools, woven fabrics, hessian, wicker, pine cones, etc. can tend to create a more rustic, natural or traditional feel.

Glossy surfaces can also create a lighter and brighter feel to a room, as they tend to reflect all available light around the room, so the result is that there is more of it!

Luxury fabrics and materials will give any room a more luxurious feel - by this, I'm thinking velvets, satins, silks - fabrics with a sumptuous and sensual texture - mix these with other luxury items - silver, gold, sparkling 'jewels' and deep, rich colors.

Certain materials and styles do seem to go well together - so these can form the basis of a look - but, again, you are right, you can get a unique and very interesting look by mixing together different styles, textures and materials to create a striking contrast.

Think about this carefully so you create something unusual and beautiful, rather than a cobbled-together jumble! It can be a good idea to start carefully, and just introduce your contrasts of style as small accents to start.

Mixing together different styles is taken to an 'art' form in an eclectic interior design style - which you can find out more about eclectic style, here...

Read more about interior design tricks with textures, here...

Thanks very much for sharing your ideas - some very interesting and useful points :)

Charlotte

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