Interior Design Blog — decorating

Dark rooms can be fantastic, but how can you correct an over-dark space to make it feel light and inviting? My clients contacted me with a problem. They have a beautiful, craftsman-style home with an eccentric kitchen that was so dark as to be almost non-functional. The kitchen had a lot going for it, so we started there. The layout was pretty good overall, professional range and the cabinetry was in keeping with the style of the home. There was some natural light, but it was being mostly lost and there were a few missing opportunities for storage that needed...

Seasonal decorating is great, because it doesn't need to be perfect and really the only objective is to have fun.I like to create a mood, but I don't like to store away box after box of stuff to get a creepy vibe going. So, here are some of my favourite tips for haunting your place up without needing to store too much stuff in your crypt year round. I am always inspired by Disney's Haunted Mansion. I love that elegant and moody look, so if you like the slasher movie thing, look elsewhere. First, I know those spider webs are...

Keeping these tips in mind when decorating a child's room will make the process easier and more successful for everyone. 1. When choosing a colour don't just hand over the fan deck to your child. There are too many choices which can overwhelm them, and too many opportunities for kids to fall in love with something you hate. Next thing you know there's going to be a power struggle and someone is going to be unhappy.  Instead, go through the colours yourself first and pick 5-6 that you would be ok with.  Present only those options to your child. I...

Although I don't decorate a lot of nurseries, it is something I get asked about from time to time. They are a temporary setup, but it's important to get a nursery right for both the baby and the parents.   I was recently interviewed on this topic and with spring coming up, it seems as good a time as any to talk about the important considerations to keep in mind when creating a space for baby. First and foremost, although it's such a strong temptation to go all out decorating this room, keep in mind this is a pretty short...

When I am working with a client to pull a space together, they are often surprised to learn that choosing paint colour is one of the last steps in the decorating process. The reason for this is simple; you can find any paint colour you can imagine, but you might find that other finishes needed in a room are much more limited.   Start with your "must haves". Do you absolutely want a quartz countertop in your kitchen? If so, there may be only 3-4 choices that appeal to you. Go there first and work outwards. Work from items where...