Design Tip Tuesday - Artwork Arranging

When I'm styling a space and need some art to decorate with, I don't immediately turn to paintings or framed prints - I try to think outside the box as well as always keep in mind the client and what they're tastes are and what they enjoy doing (or have done).

Image Via abode love

Art can be a beautiful painting that speaks to you, a photo that takes you back to a certain place or an object that holds special meaning to you. Art is anything that makes you happy and stirs an emotion within. Keep an open mind about what art can be.

To me, a perfectly decorated room is one that tells the story about my client, and nothing does this better in a room than the accessories - artwork included. I often try to incorporate objects that are special to clients onto the wall ... perhaps I'll frame an object that has sentimental meaning to them or incorporate the object onto the wall even without being framed - a hat perhaps hanging on the wall. 

Whatever you decide to place on the wall, unless you have an entire wall dedicated as a gallery, you need to hang your art in relation to the room’s surroundings. You don't have to necessarily match art to your furnishings, but make sure they relate and create a connection - either by subject matter, style or colour to create a unity. 

Image via Brabourne

Match the shape of the art to the shape of a wall – hang vertical art and groupings on vertical wall spaces and horizontal art and groupings on horizontal wall spaces.

Image via Little Things

Art over the fireplace should be sized to fill from 2/3 to the full width of the mantel – do not extend mantel art beyond the mantel’s width and art less than 1/2 the width of the mantel will look too small proportionately.

Image via House and Home

Art should be no higher than 5″ to 9″ from the back of a sofa or chair or the top of a table in order for the furniture and art to read as a visual unit. A single piece of art or a grouping of art should ideally cover approximately 2/3 of the width of the furniture it hangs over. In order for the proportion of the art installation to work well with the furniture it should never be wider than the furniture and never less than half its width – aim for 2/3.

Hang art to increase the visual weight of a piece of furniture. If you have a bookshelf that is tall and a bit narrow, hang art on both sides to increase its visual width. If more height is needed on a wall, top a piece of furniture with a piece of art.

Image via decorpad

Create groupings in which the individual art pieces relate to one another in terms of subject, colour, material, or framing. For example, don’t mix colour and black and white photographs in the same grouping – stick with one or the other. If grouping floral images arrange them so the colour is balanced throughout the installation.

Image via time worn

When hanging multiple pieces make sure the frames are the same or complement each other well.

Image via ipo Pinterest

Hope these quick art tips inspire you to create some great 'art' walls in your homes!

Happy decorating!

Design Tip Tuesday - Choosing the Right Dining Table

The dining room table is the setting where many special moments are celebrated and many a special meal is shared. With a few easy tips, you’ll be able to find a table that is perfect for all these occasions.

Space - Start the process by measuring your dining room to gain a sense of what size table may best fit the space. If you have a sideboard, curio cabinet or other pieces you wish to place in the room, you must factor their impact on the table’s size into your decision process. Accessibility to these pieces and ease of family and guests to navigate the room, are essential influences on table selection.Size -

After the measurement process is complete, selecting a table that reflects the room’s scale and your family’s needs is next. If your dining room is smaller, make sure not to buy an oversize table as movement will be restricted and cumbersome to family and guests. If your room is large, select a table is not dwarfed by the surroundings or the room will feel impersonal and lack a sense of warmth and comfort. Remember, choose a table that reflects its intended usage and serves your family’s needs first.

Shape - A room’s shape will help to determine an appropriate table. A room with equal proportions (square) benefits greatly from a round or square table. A room with uneven proportions may benefit more from a rectangular or oblong table.

Material - There are many materials to choose from. Wood, veneer, iron, glass, etc. When deciding on a material, consider the size of the room, the amount of use as well as the decor throughout your home. Glass is a low maintenance, easy clean up surface whereas wood offers a luxurious look but is higher maintenance and will benefit from a table pad to prevent any markings from hot serving dishes.

Wood, veneer, iron, and glass are some of the materials to choose from with each adding its own personalty and character to a room. Wood is luxurious and rich while glass can appear open and airy. Consider the other pieces you may be pairing the table with along with the forecasted maintenance of the piece.

Design - The dining room is an extension of other rooms within your home and should reflect the design features found throughout. Choose a table that best matches your home’s character and the room will come to life.

Dining room furniture is an investment.. Ensure that you plan well from the beginning and you will succeed in creating a space that you will enjoy for years to come.

Happy Decorating!

Lenore

(Image: Table)

Behind the Scenes II - A Powder Room Makeover!

I'm working on a tiny space in a clients home ... a powder room. Now most people think that there isn't much you can do with a small space like this which has only two main fixtures in it - but I'm here to prove you wrong!
I've got big plans for this tiny space - we're going to inject lots of drama  and bring it to life ... come along for the ride!

I'll reveal the plan for that pedestal sink in the follow up post.

Happy decorating!
Lenore

Design Dilemma!?!

As soon as someone finds out what I do for a living, I can tell that they want to ask me something. Some are more reserved and don't ask, others don't waste a second and are already digging deep into their bags looking for that paint chip colour they've debating on for months.
This happened to me at a store last weekend and it got me thinking of a new feature for my blog - 'Design Dilemma".
What's this feature all about? Well, it's an opportunity for my readers to submit questions about their spaces and any decorating dilemmas they may have. Maybe you're trying to figure out what style couch to purchase, maybe you're just not sure where to begin with a project. Whatever the dilemma, email me or post a comment and I'll do my best to reply. Replies will be posted as blog entries. You can email dilemmas to designdilemma@ldesigns.ca.
Looking forward to this feature and hearing from all of you.
Happy decorating!
Lenore