TRANSFORMATION INSPIRATION
Secrets to making your home look like you hired a design pro ..........
Photo spreads in home-design magazines can be awe-inspiring. Quite often, homeowners wish they could lift the looks right off the pages of magazines and transform their homes into picture-perfect retreats. It takes an eye for design to pull a room together — even with inspiration — and make it both functional and attractive. While hiring an interior designer is one way to go, homeowners can use some of the tricks and techniques the designers employ to do a remarkably good job of improving the interiors of their homes without such help.
PICTURE PERFECT
When hanging pictures, Nancy Hatfield, Allied American Society of Interior Designers member and co-owner of Sowell’s Furniture in Searcy, said to make sure not to hang them too high, especially over items such as buffets or couches. She said most people will hang pictures at eye level, but that is often too high to create a cohesive space.
“Your artwork, if it’s going to be above some furniture, should be low enough that it makes one completed look,” she said.
EMBRACE TEXTURE
The colors used in a home can add impact, but designers often utilize various textures to create aesthetic appeal. A single color scheme can be enhanced by various fabrics. Consider a leather sofa made more
cozy with chenille pillows next to a rustic side table. Figure out ways to incorporate a few textures to add depth to the room.
Hatfield said a popular way to mix textures is to look for wooden furniture that has metal accents or hardware.
“We buy a lot of tables that are made out of old wood — very textured with grooves in it and everything — and then it might have metal legs,” she said. “I think mixing your textures in the right way will give a little bit of variety in your room design.”
BE CAREFUL WITH COLOR
Many high-end homes showcase neutral shades that are enhanced by pops of color. If you like a rich, royal purple, leave room for other colors as well. Add touches of purple in vases, throw pillows and other accessories. Also, many designers work in shades of three for room colors. There may be one main color for walls, another color for larger accents, such as couches and chairs, then a third color that pops in accessories such as flowers, pillows and collectibles. These can be any colors, but the most muted tends to be the more abundant shade. A bit of bling — glittery items and metallics — can add a touch of luxury feel to any space. A shiny table lamp, mirrors, a sparkling chandelier and the like are easy ways to produce a high-end feel. Reflective surfaces also will cast light around the room, giving the illusion of a larger space.
CHOOSE A BIG STATEMENT PIECE
Many homeowners make the mistake of filling a room with several small pieces of furniture that only contribute to clutter. Instead, look for a statement piece, which can be a cabinet, an armoire or a chaise. Mix and match large and small elements for a sense of balance.
ACCESSORIZE
Finish the room with accessories and flowers. When placing and hanging knickknacks and wall art, odd-numbered groupings often look the most cohesive and interesting. Experiment with different scales and heights for even more dimension. When inspiration hits, take some cues from interior-design pros to make spaces look like they belong on the pages of your favorite magazines.