Springing for your home redo
DESIGN: Updating your decor for change of seasons doesn’t have to cost a lot, lifestyle expert says
Spring is here and for many of us, the new season is a time when we yearn to redecorate our homes, repaint, refresh and renew our living spaces.
But if you’re on a tight budget — as so many of us are these days — you may not be able to redo your home from top to bottom.
With that in mind, Canadian design and lifestyle expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault has some advice on how to update your home for spring on a budget — whether you’re in the market to redo one room or just a single piece of furniture.
First, she says, check out the new trends, but don’t worry about following them all. Just find what’s right for you now.
“The key is to do it comfortably. Bring in those little hints that will complement the season and give that fresh look to your decor, so it doesn’t look stale,” says Allaire Perrault, a regular contributor to City TV series Cityline.
Consider adding new cushions on your bed or sofa. Or artwork. Or new lampshades, she says.
“One trend I’m seeing is this really painterly, artisanal watercolour approach to florals,” she says. “We’re seeing it on fabrics, pillows, wallpaper, all kinds of things.”
But you don’t need to spend a lot to get the new look,
“Just pick up a blank canvas, and play with some watercolours, and create your own beautiful piece of art. You don’t have to be an artist. It’s just such an easy, affordable way to update your place.”
Indeed, “never underestimate the power of paint,” she stresses.
“Paint tends to be one of the least expensive ways to update your home, but it also has the biggest impact.”
Allaire Perrault credits her parents with much of her eye for style and her DIY sensibility.
“They were not too proud to buy something at a garage sale and reinvent it for their own home,” she says. “I grew up with the idea of upcycling, making the best of what we have.”
She loves redoing tired wooden chairs and tables with a fresh pop of colour.
She also loves personalizing notquite-right light fixtures.
“I had a client who found the exact light fixture she wanted, but she wanted a dark bronze finish. I ordered it, painted it in the colour she wanted and had it installed. She had no idea you could do that with paint and she couldn’t believe how good it looked.”
And for a very affordable price, she adds.
“Great design is not about how much money you have. It’s not about what you can buy,” Allaire Perrault says. “It’s about how creative you can be with your budget, and how you can adapt something to fit your space in a beautiful way.”