September Issue 107
www.thenewsyneighbour.com
By Kathryn Hartwell
We have been renovating our home for the last couple of months now
and I truly am ready to pull out my hair. Drywall dust, ripping up old filthy
carpet and underlay, painting, trips to the dump and, of course, new product
ordering problems—this renovation has been a nightmare.
On the other hand, when the day comes that it is completely done—I’m
not sure what century that will happen—it truly will be wonderful and I know I
am going to love my new home.
Synchronicity is always in effect when it comes to my life and as I
was doing some research on colours and tips, I ran across an article on the
worst decorating mistakes people make and it made me laugh, so I thought I
would share a few of these with you.
1. This one I can truly identify with as we are in the process of choosing
our new baseboard and door moldings out of the thousands there are to choose
from. The mistake they point out is that people think they must highlight
baseboards and trim by painting them white so you end up with a racing-stripe
effect around your room. Instead, pick a colour that accents your wall colour
or paint your baseboards, walls and crown moldings the same colour as the wall
to make the ceiling feel higher.
2. Buying area rugs that are too small for your room. An area rug
should allow for only a 12 to 16-inch border of flooring around a room’s
perimeter; anything more and the rug will look insignificant. The front legs of
your furniture should sit on the area rug, so the rug doesn’t appear to float
in the middle of the room.
3. Going without a headboard. The head of the bed is the focal point
of any bedroom, but many people tend to overlook the headboard. If you prefer
not to have one, add interest with eye-catching artwork or a decorative
tapestry, or paint the wall behind the bed a dramatic colour.
4. This is one of my favourites and I see it over and over again.
People hang their artwork too high. The bottom of the piece of art should sit no
more than eight to ten inches above a piece of furniture, be it a headboard,
sofa or credenza. In a hallway or stairwell, hang the art so that the middle of
the work is at eye level--you do not want to be looking up at it.
5. Choosing paint colours first. You will drive yourself crazy
trying to find a bedspread that perfectly matches the shade of smoky plum you
already painted your bedroom walls. Instead, invest in the bedspread you have
fallen for, and let one of the colours from the pattern inspire your paint colour.
6. Displaying collectibles all over the house. Create big impact by
grouping a collection of figurines on a table or family photos on one wall.
Dotting them all around the house only creates a cluttered look.
7. Positioning furniture along the edges of a room. Try dividing a
long, narrow room by using the two-to-one rule: Make two-thirds of your room
the main seating area, and one third a space for a desk, reading chair or
piano. Don’t be afraid to show the back of a chair or sofa by using the piece
to divide a room.
These are some of the main decorating mistakes people make and there
are many others: having more than one focal point in a room, not layering
lighting, decorating around a piece you don’t love, hanging cheap drapes or
blinds, collecting too much stuff, mixing too many wood tones, hanging
oversized family portraits in main living spaces, skimping (or overdoing it) on
toss cushions or buying a chandelier that’s too small.
In the end, I have found it is best to pick the colours you love and
not too much clutter and you will love your space. And, oh lord, don’t be in a
hurry when it comes to a renovation – it will never go as planned.
Kathryn Hartwell
Reference:
Inspiringideasforeverydayliving.com
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