Decorate like a pro
Tips and tricks that won’t break the bank,
Whether constructing vases out of masking tape and candle wax, taking inspiration from wrapping paper, or interpreting an album cover, a window stylist’s job is to grab attention and bring people inside the store.
So, when it comes decorating your home, why not take tips from the pros who make their living creat- ing enticing spaces, often on a tight budget.
Using their techniques, you could transform your living space into a stylish talking point. Kitchen confidential For a store window to work, Katherine Morley, visual manager at William Ashley in Yorkville, says it needs to work from far away and up close.
“Use bold colours and patterns to draw people in,” she suggests. “Then use detail and texture to enhance when they are right up close.”
Negative space and balance are key elements to window design. Similarly, when decorating a dining room, Morley suggests either using the entire space, or focusing on key areas. “But don’t overcrowd it with a number of items, or patterns and colours.”
Like a window display, Morley says a kitchen or dining area requires a theme, whether it is modern or traditional. Group elements of design such as metal, glass and wood pieces and use trays, votives, bowls and vases with simple lines.
“We often use mirrors on our tables as an anchor for a grouping of vases and candles,” she says. “The addition of mirrors is a great way to illuminate and add a warm glow to any table.”
The stylist suggests one way to refresh your home at no cost is to switch items around, such as trays and vases, from one room to another. “It’s incredible to see that an item in one space looks totally different when moved to another.”
“Be clever, fun and humorous, when possible and appropriate. People appreciate the escape from the mundane and everyday.”
Lux living Independent stylist Renee Elliott creates the window displays for Parkdale clothing boutique Shopgirls. Elliott doesn’t adhere to all the rules when it comes to design, but says balance is important.
“I like to have dimension,” she says. “So I like there to be some things that are closer to the window, some things that are far away.”
The principles of window design can also be applied to decorating a living space. “When you’re thinking of scale, it’s the same as a window; you want to make sure the pieces are scaled to the size of the room.”
Elliott suggests creating a story vignette in your living room. “Maybe it’s a story about colour or texture. Maybe it’s about vintage,” she says. “When it comes to setting up a coffee table, have really unique items or a stack of books to tell that story.”
Fabric is also a great way to incorporate design trends into your home at little cost.
“Update ottomans or pillows. Adding some elements like velvet, or a faux fur throw over a chair can make such a difference,” he suggests. “Fill your home with items you love; that’s a good way to start.” Make a statement Luxury streetwear designer Haley Elsaesser is known for her bold graphic prints and luxurious fabrics. At Elsaesser’s new store in Bayview Village, her colourful clothes are the first step in creating her eye-catching window display.
“There has to be an entire story being told through different elements, beyond clothing,” she says.
When it comes to decorating, the Canadian-born, Australian-educated designer usually comes up with a theme, or works with her current collection. “Not only does this create a cohesive look, it provides boundaries to work with when decorating,” she says.
In creating the statement wall in her flagship store, Elsaesser used a rose motif in two-tone blue to create a 3D effect. The remaining white walls are intended to draw the eye to the focal point. The designer says this technique can easily be recreated at home, selecting a striking wallpaper for one wall.
“That way, you can have fun but still keep the space minimalist,” she says. “Then let the furnishings and accessories shine.” Child’s play When it comes to decorating your child’s space, the owners of Advice from a Caterpillar, a store for children in Rosedale, start with a mood.
“For fall, think about keeping warm, reading a book, apple picking,” say co-owners and sisters Elizabeth and Emily Dyer. “Then think about how to communicate the idea.”
They say decorating a child’s space doesn’t have to be expensive: a basket of sweaters, piles of books, a tree made of fallen branches, a swing set made of wood to fit the window.
The sisters suggest using items found in nature with your child, such as pine cones, as the basis of your design. When it comes to decorating a playroom or bedroom, play with a child’s view and make a small item the focus point: “It could be three acorns in a row, or a knitted toy mouse in the top of a boot.”
The store owners say it’s also easy to add interest to your child’s space with different-sized boxes, which can be purchased cheaply or even handmade. Attach boxes to a wall or stack to showcase your child’s favourite toys or keepsakes.
Finally, pull from the stylist’s tool- box and stage a separate area so children know what to do there. “Create a comfy corner with a canopy made from a small piece of canvas or a sheet, for independent play or reading.” Create a scene Tim Oakley is the visual stylist for Sonic Boom Records, an independent record store in the heart of the west-end Chinatown. He uses the artwork from an upcoming album as a directive and creatively reinterprets it as a three-dimensional window setting.
Oakley says he is known for cutting out shapes based on the original album art, handpainting them and restaging, as with his elaborate window display for the Father John Misty album, I Love You, Honeybear.
Oakley’s version of the album cover — which features an image of the Madonna holding a child with the artist’s face — portrayed an arresting nativity scene in 3D.
“I can spend hours cutting stuff out,” he says.
Oakley relies on medium-density fibreboard (MDF) wood and a jig saw to create his displays. When it comes to constructing a signature style at home, Oakley says MDF is a great product, since it’s cheap, won’t break easily and doesn’t warp in the sun.
Another cost-effective technique is lighting to enhance a scene. “Coloured bulbs are readily available and can easily transform any space. A string of red and white ceramic bulbs will create the feeling of holiday nostalgia in a pinch.”
Oakley suggests gathering unusual materials en masse, whether it’s vintage ornaments or glass bottles. “A cluster of collected items can make a statement and tell a story,” he suggests. “Not only is it a great way to decorate, it’s a great conversation starter for guests.”