SURVIVING THE WINTER DECOR BLAHS AND BLUES
A few tricks and trends that will add joy to your home until the next holiday season
I must admit that since saying goodbye to my twinkly and bright holiday decorations, my house feels, well, a bit plain and dull. Like most people, I get used to a brighter, shinier decor scheme during December and then fall into a sad state when it’s all packed up in January.
By February, the blahs have settled in and my style soul needs a little soothing.
If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering: Is there a way to get that excitement year-round?
Yes, Virginia, there is — a little velvet, fur and shiny accessories are all you need to brighten your dull decor mood. Here are a few of my favourite classic decorating tricks and trends that will add comfort and joy to your home until the next holiday season.
MIRRORS
Just like the now boxed-up shiny tree ornaments we love, mirrors bounce light and add sparkle to your room throughout the long, grey winter. But while mirrors are miracle workers for making a room appear larger, if used incorrectly, they simply double the clutter and mess.
Installing a mirrored wall as a focal point always fails. Instead, if you are going to mirror a wall, choose a spot you aren’t always facing, like behind a sofa or headboard, which will open up a room subtly without creating a creepy Hall of Mirrors effect that has you looking at yourself all the time.
Another great tip: hang a framed mirror on a wall perpendicular to a window. This bounces light deeper into the room and creates the illusion of more windows — and who doesn’t want more windows?
GL OS SY PAINT
There are two approaches when it comes to wall paint finishes — either very flat or super-polished shine. Flat, velvety finishes hide imperfections, but if your walls are in excellent shape — smooth, no orange peel bumps — go for a highly reflective paint.
A super-sheen finish will reflect natural light during the day and bounce candlelight and lamplight at night. And just imagine how your walls will sparkle next December with the lit Christmas tree!
LUX AND LUSTRE
Rich and textured fabrics are all the rage for 2018 and are the perfect way to give Jack Frost the cold shoulder. Velvet, faux fur and suede are all on the comeback for upholstered furnishings, pillows and throws, and add both luxury and warmth.
Or go for lustre with satin, which catches the eye by reflecting light, and introduces ontrend lux to a room — try new satin pillows to instantly update plain fabrics on larger pieces of furniture.
Karl Lohnes has worked as a home decor expert and product designer for 25 years.
He often appears Thursday during the 8 a.m. hour on Global News Morning Montreal
THREE WAYS TO BRING TRENDS HOME WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Use the tried-and-true 30/70
■ rule. Introduce a trend colour by adding no more than 30 per cent into a room. Pillows, lampshades, area rugs and small furnishings are an easy way to do this.
Update what you have. Add
■ new pillows to a neutral sofa, a tray on a coffee table, a new lamp shade on an existing base, side drape panels to existing window shades.
Paint always gives you the
■ biggest impact for your buck. For less than $100, you can completely change the look and feel of a room.