Archive for September, 2010

Sometimes it can be easy to opt for larger decorating projects in order to place a personal stamp on your home. While we encourage you to paste up new wallpaper, add a stunning lighting fixture or create extra cupboard storage, we also believe the small touches can personalise a space with equal impact. So, let’s talk about photos, and in particular, photo frames.

Say cheese!

Living in a digital world means we have so many ways of capturing images of family, friends and special events. So why is it that even with access to all this technology, so many great snaps are left sitting on the hard-drive of a computer or mobile phone. Take a look through your PC and identify some images you really would like on display and then print them.

You’ve been framed

Okay, now you’ve got your prints it’s time to get framing. Many people pay little attention to the surround of a picture because it’s just a means to hang it on the wall or display it on a desk. It’s the image inside that counts, right? Not necessarily. While the picture is important, the frame, and how and where you display it, also gives your photos an identity. It’s also a cheap and easy way to personalise your home.

A frame should be seen as the finishing touch to an image. There is a wide range of frames on the market with brands such as Umbra leading the way in design. Bright coloured or fun frames can be used for snaps of children or friends while more contemporary designs sit well with black and white prints.

Many people opt for a unified look for framing prints while others prefer different designs for each image. When grouping your photos together on a wall, it’s not always necessary for the frames to match. You should also keep an eye on the material of the frame. For example, if your room has traditional furnishings then it’s sometimes better to choose wood. For contemporary styled rooms, clean lines of metal or black work better. And don’t forget that your pictures don’t have to be hung in a uniform pattern. Create interest by hanging groups of prints closely huddled together.

Finally, remember to place your snaps on surfaces too. People love to pick up a photo to inspect it more closely and free standing frames on a mantel, kitchen worktop or sideboard give a home the personal touch.

Stairway, staircase, stairwell, or just plain old stairs. Whatever term you refer to it by, it’s a permanent fixture in any home with more than one storey. As a fixed feature, it’s not part of the home that can be easily altered without careful planning and a lot of adjustment to the structure of the building. A brand new staircase requires the right materials, design and construction to make a style statement, but an existing one can be given a makeover that will have an impact all of its own.

Stop and stair

Step outside of your home for a moment, then walk back in. The first thing you’ll probably be faced with is your staircase. While this fixture in your home exists to serve a functional purpose, it is also in a prominent aesthetic position so wouldn’t you want to make a statement of it?

With some imaginative design and décor, your staircase could become one of the most attractive features of your home. Most people won’t have the finances, or inclination, to construct a brand new stairway, so let’s concentrate on the old and the various ways you can spruce it up to look great.

Steps to success

Unless you live in a ultra-modern home, chances are your staircase is built from wood. The wooden steps are more than likely hidden under carpet with underlay in-between. This is common in UK homes for purposes of warmth and to also deaden the footsteps of people moving between floors.

You have a choice to remove the carpet and return the wood to its former glory with some sanding and wood stain or paint, or you can install a new carpet or even a runner. A runner is carpet that doesn’t span the full width of the staircase and is held in place on each step with a stair rod. Before choosing a flooring option, consider who will be moving up and down in the home. If it will be young children or the elderly, this could have an impact on your choice.

Most Victorian terrace homes will probably still have the original balustrades in place. If these have become split, or just in need of attention, you could alter the entire look of your staircase by replacing them with something more contemporary. However, if the balustrades are still in good health, a lick of paint or sanding back to the original wood will do wonders.

Try to make the space under your stairs work for you. Install some shelving, storage or hooks and things to help keep the house tidy. Under the staircase is the perfect place to keep the household’s shoes, coats and keys so check out the J-me range for ideas.

The highest ceiling in a house is often above the incline of the staircase so it’s the ideal location to place a stylish lighting fixture. Long pendant lights or, if you have the space, a chandeliers, will give your stairway a striking look. Take a glance at the Alma light range for inspiration.

Finally, pay attention to your stairway walls. Of course paint or wallpaper is a must, but the stairs are also a great location to display family photos due to the large wall space available. Try hanging a selection of large photo frames cascading up the stairway or displayed in a random pattern.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a large home in which to experiment with different styles of décor. If you live in a city, chances are you have a small house or even studio flat which limits the amount of space you can realistically decorate. Then comes the problem of fitting in furniture and creating enough storage for all your belongings.

There are few decorating projects more challenging than tastefully sprucing up a smaller living space like a studio apartment. If you’ve become frustrated with thinking about how you’re going to fit everything in as well as making it all look nice, fear not, it is possible to create a stylish and functional space, no matter what the size.

Bigger isn’t better

Possibly the smallest living option available outside of renting a room in a house is a one bed, one bathroom studio flat. Your living space, and by that we mean your living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom, are one and the same. Some people would argue this would be an easy space to decorate but it can in fact be the hardest.

The mistake is to style and colour the one room all the same. Try to avoid matching everything up as this will make the room seem smaller. Instead, create distinct sections which define where you sit, sleep, cook and eat. A good tip is to use wooden screens, or for a cheaper option, fabrics to separate the space. Dividing the room will give you privacy where you most want it as well as giving the impression you’re moving between different spaces. Also use rugs and mats over your carpet or wooden floorboards to define certain areas.

Small is beautiful

What’s so great about large spaces anyway? Small is cosy and welcoming so play to your strengths and use warm rich colours throughout. White on every wall doesn’t always create space so don’t be afraid to use some colour on one or two of the walls. Try creating an accent wall using wallpaper and keep the other walls a paler colour. Then add texture with throws, cushions and rugs in warmer colours such as yellows and reds.

Live small, think big

There’s a belief that living in a small space means you need to buy small scale furniture. Don’t follow this rule. Larger pieces in a room reduces clutter and frees up valuable floor space. The same rule applies to artwork on your walls. Instead of putting up smaller frames, opt for one big bold piece of art such as a old school movie poster.

Buy furniture that has a dual purpose. A large chest of drawers will give you plenty of storage but also use it to stand your television on. Your bed will likely be your sofa too but go for the biggest sofa you possibly can rather than a two-seater sofa bed and armchair combo. If you need additional seating for guests, take a look at the LoJo range for small foot stool/seat options.

Your kitchen is likely to have the bare minimum storage but you can increase space on shelving and inside the cupboards themselves with a few innovative kitchen storage products. Take a look at the Design Ideas range for inspiration.

Remember, the size of the home doesn’t matter. You can make even the smallest flat your own unique space without having to compromise on style.