WHEN IT COMES TO DECOR, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS
Little changes will update your home, breathe new life into design
Little details, often overlooked by builders and novice decorators, can give your home charm and character. Not only do they step up your decor a notch, they add interest to things you might already have. Anyone living with poorly chosen decor details (such as doorknobs, mouldings or light fixtures) knows they can be like a bad tattoo — they need to be eradicated as soon as possible. Here are a few decor details that could use a review every 15 to 20 years. Don’t be afraid — making these little changes won’t only update your home, they’ll also help give new life to your decor scheme.
Interior doorknobs and hinges: Doorknobs and hinges aren’t only the functional parts of the door, they’re also decorative jewelry. Most people never update the style or finish of door hardware and live with whatever the builder originally chose. But my rule is you should change the door hardware on bedroom, bathroom and closet doors as often as you might change the style and finish of your light fixtures. Do some research online to determine which styles best suit the era of your home so that your choice will have a longer shelf life. Also, if you have original, authentic door hardware, consider updating it by having it re-plated in a new finish for an affordable way to retain your home’s original charm while also updating its look. Currently, a matte black finish is popular on traditional ornate elements.
Windowsills: Topping the inset of a deep windowsill with polished stone is a relatively inexpensive project (granite and stone suppliers often have long, thin strips left over). Cut the slab to the windowsill size and polish the front edge for an upscale look. When choosing stone remnants, consider the colour of flooring, window trim paint, and the metal finishes of lighting and hardware within the room. By incorporating those colours, you will create a cohesive look that has longevity.
Mouldings and trims: Moulding details are all the rage in home decor, even in modern spaces. Mouldings give an old-world feel to a home. To keep the look modern, paint them the same colour as your walls rather than highlighting them with a contrasting colour, which will make them stand out. Got an architectural feature, such as tall doors or windows? Use strip mouldings to highlight features and make them look more distinct. If your home lacks interesting features, create them by adding faux panelling to the lower parts of the walls. Got skinny baseboards? Here’s a trick: Add a one-inch piece of strip moulding about two inches above your existing baseboards; then paint the strip, wall space and baseboard white. It will look like you’ve got much grander baseboards.
Stairways: Other than the art placed within, stairwells can be quite boring. Dress them up with a stairway runner and rods, which have the added benefit of keeping wood stairs from being slippery. Using patterns like stripes or animal prints sets the tone for your home’s style (stripes in a casual environment and animal prints in traditional). Invest in stair rods: not only do they hold the runner in place, they also add an ornamental element. Most runner rods are available in a shiny brass finish. I like to buy old ones online (for a fraction of the price) and paint them with a spray paint suitable for metal. Crisp white rods can freshen up a casual staircase and navy blue (leave the finials and clips brass) can add a regal touch to a more formal stairwell.
Light switches and cover plates: When was the last time you changed your light switches and covers? I thought so. Updating the style and features of these often forgotten elements will help give your home a designer touch and also give you a variety of convenient features. Many new light switches offer tech-friendly sensor-dimmers and Blu-ray technology, and they come with on-trend coloured cover plates. That means they not only look good, but you never have to get out of bed to turn the lights on or off.
Presto, Chang-o: Sometimes the details easiest to change can make the biggest difference.
— Linens. Customize your bed linens by dressing up plain sheets with a ribbon in a similar fabric. It’s a great way to add a custom accent colour to your bedroom. My dry-cleaning seamstress is my go-to for these simple and affordable sewing jobs.
— Kitchen cabinets. Hardware is like jewelry for the kitchen or bath cabinets. A swap-out of knobs or handles can update cabinets instantly. Want inspiration? Look to your light fixtures for new metal finishes and colours.
— Lampshades. Got a favourite lamp with an outdated shade? Give it an updated look by adding a new cardboard shade in a modern shape like square or rectangular. Look for inexpensive, on-trend shades in the lighting department of large retail stores. Keep in mind that the simpler the shade, the more attention will go to the base, which is a good thing — overly ornate or decorated lampshades were popular in the 1980s, but no so much anymore.