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Look for Less: How to Get a Designer Look in an Average House

Jul 21, 2010

You know that person… the one who hits thrift stores once a week and seems to always find the good stuff? And they have a fabulous house full of stuff you'd swear came from a high-end antiques store or a slick catalog, but they say it all came together naturally, on a dime? This photo could well have been taken at the home of such a lucky person. But is it luck or skill? A bit of both, but usually more of the latter. Understanding some basic design principles is the key.

 

Let's use this room as an example and dissect it. It looks pretty "designery," right? It's the kind of place you'd take pause to notice.

 

Photo: Jessica Linn for Canadian House & Home

 

Analyze it and you'll see that the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts.

 

Architecture: This room does have a fireplace. But outside of that it's pretty architecturally average, and it's small. So it doesn't have any advantages in that department.

 

Color: Again, nothing shockingly special or "designer" about the color scheme. Basic cool neutrals with a little grey, gold, white and plum.

 

Flooring. Points for nice, neutral hardwood. But hardwood flooring is no longer a luxury: With popularity comes lower prices.

 

Furniture and accessories. Look at each piece. A lot of it is pretty standard. I see things that could have come from a discount furniture store, Ikea, Grandma's house, the thrift shop.

 

 

So how did these normal pieces come together to make a room that has that finished feeling? Some basic design principles are at work here.

 

Balance. The room looks grounded in this arrangement. One side is not visually heavier than the other. Using pairs of items can help achieve this. One pair of chairs sit together, another apart but symmetrically arranged around the centerpiece, which is the coffee table. The lamps are not identical, but their shades are.

 

Proportion. Pieces are scaled appropriately for the room size.

 

Direction. The fireplace is the focal point, and the eye is led to it by its color and proportion. The furniture arrangement hinges on creating visual direction toward the fireplace. Even the mantel arrangement has a leading line toward its high point.

 

Contrast. Monochromatic schemes can be beautiful but take a skilled hand to execute them correctly. It's safer to choose dominant tones and then throw in some contrast. Here, the dark colors of the fireplace are repeated in the narrow stripes on the armchairs, and black drapery hardware and picture frames add a little "eyeliner" to the room.

 

Unity. Look at each color and see how it's sprinkled pretty evenly throughout the space. White on the drapes, tables, armchairs. Gold in the sofa, rug, baskets, and books. Plum on the wooden chairs, artwork, and sofa pillows.

 

Surprise. All it takes is a piece or two that are full of personality and style to put your stamp on a room. Here, the Chinese garden stool makes a statement and personal accessories lend warmth.

 

 

How to Spend a Lot of Money on a Room that still doesn't work

To contrast, I'm sure you've seen rooms like this one, decked out with mouldings and fancy windows, filled with expensive designer furniture and still lacking a feeling of cohesion and warmth. Which room would you rather relax in? 

 

The Design Don't: What's wrong with this room? Pretty much everything. It's imbalanced, way out of proportion (furniture and fixtures too small), has no direction toward the natural focal point (fireplace), lacks contrast, and is devoid of surprise and personality.

 

Need help seeing your own old stuff in a new light? I have services both local and online to help homeowners anywhere find a new love for their old stuff. Online, try my Mini Makeover eDecor Plan for $95. In the Traverse City area, I'll visit your house and we'll work together for 2-3 hours to rearrange, repurpose, and reinvent a room during an Interior Redesign Session. Book an appointment in July and get $50 off! More details here. Questions? Think your room is beyond all help, short of a sledgehammer? Just email me. (Hint: It's not!) —Diane

TAGS: interior redesign room redesign use what you have decorating designer room on a budget dime thrift store discount furniture finds accessories basic design principles

 

 

 

 

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Look for Less: Beachy Bedroom

Jun 29, 2010

High time for another Look for Less room, don't you think? This colorful, summery bedroom inspired me. I instantly thought of ways to get this look by modifying inexpensive pieces. Here's how to do it!

 

Photo: Grey Crawford for Coastal Living.

 

WALLS & CEILINGS

A pale wash of Sherwin-Williams Spare White on walls with Snowbound on ceiling and trim will give you this bright, airy look.

 

FLOORS

In a bedroom there's no need to buy a large rug because much of it ends up beneath the bed. Instead, buy less expensive runners: one for each side of the bed. Try this striped runner from RugsUSA for $49 each.

 

 

 

BEDDING

This look couldn't be easier to replicate. Start with a plain white coverlet or duvet, or sew two white sheets together. Purchase a damask-design rubber stamp and dip it into fabric paint. Use a yardstick to evenly space the design, or keep it easy and random. Try the Savvy Large Damask Stamp from SimonSaysStamp.com, $10.

 

WINDOWS

Custom Roman shades with twill tape? That'll run you. Instead purchase simple white roller shades and attach grosgrain ribbon with fabric glue. Try the very inexpensive custom-sized shades at PayLessDecor.com.

 

SIDE TABLES

Go thrifting for this table! Forget color— you're going to paint it white anyway. (Go for a high-gloss finish.) Look for clean lines and a stacked or stepped look. If you're handy with wood, buy this simple plan for a tiered table, $5 from WoodworkersBookShop.com.

 

BENCH

This is a storage bench, very handy. You can also add storage by covering an old coffee table with a slab of foam and a homemade cover. Box shapes are easy for even novice sewists. Snap up this beautiful Goya Rattan fabric from Fabric4Cheap.com for only $8 a yard. If you're not the sewing type, rush to get this storage ottoman on clearance from Improvements. $75! (Was $140.)

 

CHAIR

Again, thrifting will be a good option for this classic accent chair. Key features to look for are a curvy shape, low arms, and fancy legs. Add nailhead trim yourself using a rubber mallet.

 

LIGHTING

These lamps are another easy DIY project. Chances are you have a pair around the house that will look fresh with a coat of spray paint and new drum shades. Try Rustoleum Gloss Sun Yellow. The chandelier adds texture and character with its tropical bamboo look. Snag this fixture (left) from Seagull Lighting's Fairmont Golden Isles Collection at this Ebay store for $54 including shipping. (List price is $275!) Look for vintage options on Ebay by running a search for "pagoda chandelier" or "bamboo chandelier".

 

MIRROR

Size is key here— go big! A beaded or carved frame is a plus, and can be given this look with a silver leafing kit like this set for beginners from Golden's Antique Supply, $16.

 

ART

Art should be personal, and it should be chosen because you love it. That being said, hang what you want. But if you want a look like these coral silkscreen prints, try Saturated Coral I and Saturated Coral II, 16"x16", $45 each unframed or $120 each with mat and frame suggestion shown, at art.com.

 

Do you have a dream room from a magazine that you'd love to recreate for less? I can help! Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: look for less bedroom coastal beachy tropical summery summer aqua green gold yellow blue design on a dime ideas budget room decor decorating design coastal living bedroom

 

 

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Look for Less: Outdoor Room in a… Garage?

Apr 29, 2010

I keep running into inspiring spaces in the photo galleries at the Canadian House & Home website. I was going to make this post about furnishing an outdoor space like a porch or sunroom, but when I found this photo it sparked a whole different idea that will probably be more useful to more people. (And maybe a little controversial, too?) Not everyone is blessed with a room to link the indoors with the out, but lots of people have garages.

 

 

 

Granted, this room has been intentionally designed as a livable space that connects a pool and outdoor dining area, but I don't see why someone craving a little sheltered comfort in the fresh air couldn't set up a temporary living space in their garage. After a thorough cleaning and maybe a paint job, find your bargains below to recreate this room on the cheap.

 

The fun, modern furniture in the inspiration photo came from Design Within Reach. Here's a collection of much more affordable pieces that can perform equally well indoors during the cold season.

 

 

Sofa

Lubi Daybed in Mocha from CB2, $799

(The original: Twilight Sleep Sofa from DWR, $1,680)

 

Chair

Bertoia Wire Diamond Chair Knock-off from inMod, $175

(The original: Bertoia Diamond Chair from DWR, $971)

 

Table

Adesso Regency Bent-Metal Coffee Table from Brandsplace, $100

 

Stool

Sally Stool from Chiasso, $58

(The original: Philippe Starck's Prince Aha Stool from DWR, $110)

 

Rug

I'm going to veer from the plan here to inject some color… and to showcase this huge wool rug for an amazing price!

Hand-tufted New Zealand Wool Rug, 8'x11', from Overstock.com, $405

 

Want some help arranging an outdoor space of your own? Whether you're starting from scratch or working with what you have, I can help! Email me for more details, or check out the breadth of my services here. —Diane

TAGS: converting garage to living space outdoor room indoor outdoor living room look for less room design blog bertoia diamond chair fake knock-off philippe starck prince aha stool cheap alternative

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Look for Less: "Custom" Bathroom on the Cheap

Apr 16, 2010

{Short & Sweet Friday}

 

PHOTO: Michal Graydon for Canadian House & Home.

 

I was inspired by the budget-minded yet stylish solutions in this bathroom renovation. Canadian House & Home senior editor Meg Crossley designed this look for her own basement bathroom. Inexpensive stock elements take on a luxurious custom look with savvy paint usage.

 

The vanity came as a unit from a big-box store. To create the custom feel, panel moulding was installed on the walls and in front of a dingy old bathtub. Crossley painted it all in the same beautiful shade of powder blue. Brilliant.

 

What sorts of projects are you tackling this weekend? I'm going to get some projects finished ASAP so I can go out and soak up this beautiful early spring. See you next week! —Diane

Have a friend who might enjoy my blog posts on budget decor, home style, repurposing and revamping? Suggest they become a fan of my Facebook page, where each blog post shows up in your daily news feed. You can also follow the same posts (sans enticing photo) on Twitter: @dwelement. Or RSS feed. My FB Fans are my favorites, though, and I reward them occasionally with Dwelement giveaways. Watch for one next week! —Diane

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Look for Less: Sophisticated Princess Bedroom

Feb 08, 2010

Last week I posted some inspiring images of little girls' princess-themed bedrooms that Mom and Dad can live with. While it's cheap enough to go buy a gallon of Pepto-pink paint and an Ariel bed-in-a-bag, you'll be re-doing the room in a couple of years when your daughter's interests start to mature. Instead, how about doing some creative bargain shopping and DIY projects that will satisfy Her Royal Highness now, and easily adapt to a more mature look later?

 

I've chosen my favorite from the rooms I posted last Wednesday and scoured the net for stuff to give you a similar look for less. Here's the inspiration room:

 

 

PHOTOS: decorpad.com

 

 

And here's how to do it for real, with a little bargain-hunting and some DIY ingenuity. Plan on buying the bed and bureau/side table from thrift stores. This white painted look couldn't be easier to create from found pieces. The rest, find here:

 

 

 

The SHOPPING LIST

PAINT: Cover walls and trim in Sherwin-Williams Snowbound, a pure white with a very subtle pink undertone.

VOILE DRAPES FOR THE CANOPY: These simple tab-tops in white are only $8 each from Brylane home.

BEDSIDE LAMPS: Find a pair of figural lamps at a thrift store, like the one shown above. The gaudier, the better! They don't need to match, but the scale should be similar. Don't worry about color— just cover them in a few light coats of white spray paint. For the shades (DIY below), Rose Damask by Ava Rose from Sew, Mama Sew. On sale for $6.65 a yard. One yard should be plenty to cover two lamp shades.

SUNBURST MIRROR: This gilded accent piece is a steal at $25!

BENCH: The Ikea Bjursta has the simple lines of the bench in the photo for $90.

FLOOR LAMP: This satin-nickel lamp adds a touch of glam. At $143, it's not cheap, but it's an investment piece that will work well in any room of the house.

RUG: How about this princess-worthy 7x9 wool scalloped rug for $250? Or place the smaller version bedside for only $75. Wool is worth the investment. Here's why.

SOFA: In the realm of affordability, it's hard to beat Ikea sofas. Pick up a Karlstad in white for $379, then add a dusty rose Panama cotton slipcover from Bemz.

MONOGRAM DECAL: I like the simlicity and power of a single letter. Try this one from Etsy seller circlelinestudio, available in many colors for $24.

 

 

The DIY Projects

CANOPY: Using PVC piping and elbows, make a rectangular frame that's just a bit smaller than the bed. Buy flat black or bronze-look metallic spray paint for plastic and paint the frame. Slide the drapery on to cover the corner elbows, and suspend it from the ceiling with durable fishing line or decorative chain found in a lighting store.

BEDSIDE LAMP SHADES: Purchase two inexpensive lamp shades that are the same size and shape. Using a fusible tacky backing (such as Wonder Under) apply pink-and-white fabric to the lamp shades. Finish edges with grosgrain ribbon.

BEDDING: If you can't afford hotel-style embroidered bedding, do what I did several years ago when I wanted this look in my guest room. Buy a plain white duvet set (like this one from Overstock.com for $30) and attach grosgrain ribbon with fabric glue. Most duvets have two vertical seams at the perfect placement for the ribbon, so you have a built-in guideline.

BUREAU/SIDE TABLE: Brush white paint onto a curvy bureau, table, or sideboard. Cover the surface with fabric according to instructions here. Apply fancy monogram decal (above) or, if you're good at lettering, freehand it. Make it large enough to have an impact from a distance.

 

 

Getting the Royal Look on a Budget

• Shop secondhand and forget about finishes. It's all about curvy lines and ornate detailing. Paint is cheap.
• Establish a flexible color scheme. This increases your options for bedding and accessories.
• Avoid children's furniture if possible. Invest in solid adult-sized pieces that won't need to be replaced in a few years.
• Large-scaled, antique-looking art like the framed floral in the inspiration photo is unexpected in a child's room and instantly gives it importance.
• Invest in storage so the room isn't constantly littered with toys.
• A few glam touches go a long way, so there's no need to buy a lot of fancy accessories.

 

Want a complete design plan for your kid's room? I can show you exactly what to buy, give you hints for saving money with DIY projects, and help you turn your child's favorite interests into the room of his or her dreams. eDecor Plans for kids' rooms are $500 and include a space plan, 3D Views so you can visualize the finished room, an Inspiration Board with all of the furniture and accessories and links for buying them online, a To-Do List that takes you step by step through the process, and 14 days of unlimited consultation after delivery. Just email me, I can help! —Diane

TAGS: interior design decorating princess room little girl's bedroom sophisticated upscale on a budget diy pink white canopy fantasy room design plan moodboard

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