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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Most Common Decorating Challenges: Design Tips To Help You Tackle Your Summer Decorating Projects With Confidence

Photo Credit: FamilyHoliday.net


Summer is in full swing and for many of us this means tackling some of those home decorating projects we tend to put off during the more hectic fall and winter months.  As a decorator, I am asked advice from my clients on a variety of subjects but, some things always cause people more difficulty when it comes to decorating their home than others. I have put together a short list and some tips to help you with your decorating adventures this summer:




Designing The Monochromatic Room  


Interior Design by Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

Designing a monochromatic room can be daunting but, when done well, the result can be spectacular.  Tips for decorating rooms in one color:
  • The exact same color does not need to be repeated over & over throughout the room. Use various shades or tints of the same color. The elements of this dining room all have various shades or tints of the same hue.
  • Adding lighting from various angles will provide a range of shadows that give the room more depth. Here, overall lighting is provided by the chandelier that is placed on a dimmer and, additional accent lighting is provided by the wall scones and candle lanterns on the table.
  • Utilize patterns, in this case circles and diamonds, to break up the monotony. Design is all in the details so try to repeat these patterns throughout the room. The diamond pattern is repeated in the sconces and fabric on the back of the two captain chairs. The circle pattern is repeated throughout the room.  In the medallion wallpaper.  The curves of the chairs, dining stools and table legs. Then again with the shape of the mirror and chandelier.

The Dark and Uninviting Basement

Interior Design by Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

Basements can be dark, dreary and hard to decorate. But, with the right light, colors and accessories, a basement can become just as beautiful as any other room in your home. Here, recessed pot lights were added in the ceiling to create optimal overall lighting throughout. A light wall color paired with bright colorful fabrics and artwork all work together to help uplift the space. Window treatments in a fun pattern help elevate a small and otherwise unattractive window while grass cloth wallpaper bring in natural texture and interest.


The Double Duty Living & Family Room

Interior Design by Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

A living room is often a gathering spot for the family to relax and spend time together. Create a casual & practical space with the use of durable fabrics, sturdy furniture and extra storage for games & toys.  Here, an investment was made in comfortable, quality crafted Canadian made furniture upholstered in durable heavy weight fabric.  When choosing upholstery, look for flat weave natural fabrics such as a twill, velvet or wool with a touch of synthetic fiber such as a polyester or viscose woven in. They will hold up to a lot of use and disguise stains well.  Always request a stain resistant finish.
Rugs are lifesavers for protecting the floors from kids! Jute and sisal are most durable but, can be rough underfoot. Here, a softer wool blend with a repeated overall pattern was used which wears well and helps hide stains.
Extra storage is always a good idea in a kid friendly living space.  Opt for easy accessible storage like these cubed ottomans. They are easy for kids to find what they are looking for and then put it away in the end. 

Hope you enjoyed this post and found these tips helpful. Hope they help make your summer decorating projects easier and more stress free!  Follow Wish Decor Blog for more tips and ideas to help you with all your decorating needs.  Like us on Facebook for daily tips and inspiration.

Happy Decorating!
Niki



Friday, January 15, 2016

Quick Reference Guide to Essential Interior Design Measurements

It is a new year and many of you maybe thinking of doing some remodeling when it comes to the decoration of your interiors. The key to a good and successful design is allowing for proper measurements. Measurements matter, and they matter a lot.
Here is a quick short list of key measurements that make the difference between a room that looks great and flows and works nicely, to one that is overstuffed, cramped and painfully non-functional.


4-6" - The ideal height above a dresser or console table at which to hang art. Above a sofa, you can go up as high as 7-8".  Most people hang art way too high. Offenders, you know who you are..

Photo: Centsational Girl
Photo: Sarah Richardson


36"- 42" - The bottom of a dining room chandelier should hang 36"- 42" above the table.  Almost everyone hangs the dining room chandelier way to high.

Photo: Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

24"- This is the minimum space behind a dining chair and the edge of the rug upon which the chair sits. 30-36" is ideal and usually much better.  So make sure when buying a rug for your dining room that you are purchasing at minimum an 8'x10'.

Photo: inesblank.com

36"- This is the minimum measurement you should have between the different elements in your room to allow for adequate traffic and passage flow in key traffic areas throughout the house.   It is the standard measurement used in all kitchen and bathroom planning and many times 42" is used whenever possible.  36" is the standard opening for doorways and passages.

42" - This is the ideal space between a bed and a dresser or a buffet server and a chair.

Photo: Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

8'-10'-  This is the maximum comfortable distance between people in a seating area for a comfortable seating a conversation grouping.

Photo: Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

3X- To find the maximum TV viewing distance, multiple your diagonal screen size by 3 and this will give you the maximum viewing distance between your sofa and your screen.  If your TV is 50" you should not have more than 150" or 12'.5" of distance from your screen.



Photo: Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

26' - The measurement of a functional "work triangle" in a moderately sized kitchen.  When planning out your kitchen, the sink, stove and refrigerator should form a work triangle of no more than 26 feet. Each arm of the triangle should be between 4' and 9'.  If you have a galley kitchen, ideally, you should place your sink in the middle and then aim to have 36" between the fridge and the sink, and at least 15" between the sink and the range.

Photo: Wish Decor www.wishdecor.com

6"- Ahhh! This is usually the amount of space people will often struggle to find when planning a kitchen, or even a living room layout!

A beautiful and functional design is all in the details and, there isn't any detail that is more important than having the right measurements.  Measure, measure, measure!
Follow my blog for more free design and decor tips on creating beautiful and functional homes.
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Happy Decorating,
Niki