Not so Neutral Neutrals

Wow it's been crazy around here!  SO this will be a quick post on something I've noticed on several projects lately.  I wonder if maybe you have too at some point but couldn't put your finger on it.
 
You walk into a newly built house or a new renovated space and think, this is nice enough but something isn't quite right.  You just can't put your finger on it.  Some how things don't quite flow together.

If you've felt this way then there's a good chance that space had conflicting neutrals. 
But aren't neutrals neutral?  Yes and no.  Black, white, grey, and brown are supposed to be neutral but there's kind of a catch. 

You choose a beige sofa, chairs, walls, and rug, altogether they should create a nice neutral backdrop, right?  Not necessarily.  This picture is a prime example.  While it's definitely not the ugliest room ever, it definitely feels "off".

Unless a neutral is in it's basest form they have added other colours to it.  So why is that a problem and why does it look off?  Conflicting undertones.

For example beige comes in several undertones.  You may have chosen some nice brown/beige tile for your backsplash and decided to keep things neutral you'd go with a beige wall colour too.  But when you get it up there it just doesn't look right. The wall colour looks blah.  Is something wrong with the paint?
Most likely it's because your tiles are yellow beige and your walls are pink beige.  Pink beige will look dirty next to yellow beige.

Just check out this paint chip.  A light brown/beige (Lennox Tan BM).

 

When you put it next to a yellow beige...kinda dirty and blah.

 

 

 

 

 You can see the same thing with these couches and chairs.  The pinky beige sofas looks kind of dull next to the yellow beige chairs.

Source: mariakillam.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

The same thing will happen with your finishes.

So when you're picking finshes please keep undertones in mind.  Just because you're picking all brown or gray stuff it won't aways go together.

If you're picking finishes and on the fence about hiring a decorator, just remember a consultation or two with me is much cheaper than ripping out and replacing flooring or furniture that looks off in your room.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone!!!

Inconvenient Built Ins - Working With What You Have

Emily A Clark is having a link up party today where bloggers can show off and share some of the projects they've done where they worked with what they had.  She's had posts on this topic for a few months, showing ways she and some of her readers have worked with things like beat up hardwood floors, less than desirable furniture, long narrow living rooms, etc.

So todays post is was a last minute throw together of a project where I worked with what I had.  When we redecorated our office/guest room into a nursery for our little girl we were faced with a bit of a challenge.  While the room was larger than the nursery in our old house this room had lots of "things" in it.  Three windows in the corner, a closet door in the middle of one wall, the door on another, and built ins.

We have a lot of built ins in this house.  A doctor had this house custom made back in the fifties (so I'm told) and just about every room on the main floor has some kind of built ins.  While some are nice, others are pretty inconveniently placed and make furniture placement difficult.  That was the case in the nursery.  I loved the bookshelf and drawers in the corner but didn't love the desk that was attached to it.

 

 

I wish I had a before picture of the actual desk but I didn't think ahead at the time and was just eager to get rid of it.  When we started the room my plan was to remove the desk altogether.  It was covered in a peeling shiny (but scratched up) black laminate and constructed of ugly pine.  It even had one of those slide out keyboard shelf things.  I wanted it gone!

 

 

However when it came time to take it out it wasn't just some boards attached to the side of the bookcase and mounted on the wall, it was literally part of both.  If we were going to take it out it would've been major surgery and left the side of the bookcase marred and meant a lot of patching and possibly drywalling the wall behind it.  Since that work wasn't in the timeline or budget we decided the best route was to try and spruce it up a bit. We tore off the laminate, removed the keyboard shelf, and sanded everything really well.  A few coats of primer and paint later we had what would be our baby's change table. 

 

 

 

It actually ended up being a perfect length for the change pad and had enough room behind it for all of the diapers, wipes, lotions, etc. to sit conveniently and space underneath for the laundry basket.  It was one less piece of furniture to try and fit in (since our change table was too large to fit in that space anyways) and when she no longer needs a change table we can take the pad off and bring a chair up so it can be a desk again. 

 

I can't wait to see her sitting there drawing masterpieces... or doing homework!

Check out the link up party!

 

 

 



Using a Decorator on a Budget - One Idea

It's quite common for decorators to be called in half way through a project when a the client gets stuck.  As a decorator I have no problem coming and helping at whatever stage they need me at, however, projects like these are often more challenging.  Why?  Often clients have made quite a few decisions, made several purchases, already had their trades out to do some of the work, and the decorator comes into a "hodge podge" of decorating, so to say.

 

 

Source: mcmillinhomes.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Probably the biggest challenge for a decorator when coming into half done projects is that quite often one or two (or several) of the purchases or decisions made by the client really don't work and we are asked to try to salvage the pieces. This usually results in more cost for the client (having to repurchase items or get trades out to fix problems) and/or a less than beautiful result (and who really wants that after they've spent all the money and time on it) If they had had a decorator out before making purchases or starting work they would have had the finished product they wanted for less money.

One way I have found that may save money for some people, and avoid the "hodge podge" rescue, is to do the leg work yourself!

Decorators charge for their time and mileage.  Gathering all of the samples and pictures they bring you to look at takes a lot of hours and leg work. So if you're willing to do the running around you may be able to save some dough. 

Source: bhg.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

My suggestion is, if you're thinking about doing some redecorating, before you start anything, think about what you really want and what you really like. Fill your pinterest board, your houzz ideabook, or a binder with clippings and pictures of things you like.  This way when you meet with your decorator s/he can much easier see what your style is and what you want your project to feel like. (If you have no idea what you like then that's a whole other story and you'll probably need some help figuring that out) When you've got a collection together have your decorator out for a consultation.

Most decorators offer a one or two hour consultation for a fairly reasonable rate and you'd be surprised what you can get accomplished in a short amount of time.

Source: ej-fransen.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Tell them up front that you're on a budget and want to do the shopping around yourself but you need to know what to look for and what to avoid.  When you've shown your decorator your ideas ask them what you will need to get the look you're after.  They should be able to give you a good idea of what to look for and possibly even the best places to find it. Make sure you take notes and ask lots of questions!

Source: peeltile.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Once you have that information start your window shopping and sample gathering. Go to stores and get sample and good quality pictures of all of the options you find. Make sure you get prices, sizes and all the information you can on all of the items you're looking at. Don't forget to check prices at different places. Don't buy anything yet!!!

With all of your samples and pictures together have your decorator out for another consultation. Using everything you gathered they should be able to help you choose what will work together and get you closer to the desired look the first time around.

Source: southernliving.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

I think that extra hour or two at the start of the project is well worth it!  Often when I add up the extra money clients end up spending fixing mistakes or the headache and disappointment living with those mistakes (which they will probably get fed up with after a year or two and redo anyways) my fee for that hour or two at the start of the project would have been covered many times over.

If you're starting a project and need a little guidance I'd love to help!  If you have any questions about my services and how I might be able to help you, contact me at realinteriors@hotmail.com!

What's Old is New

I was visiting my mom last week and was browsing through an old binder she'd kept of decorating ideas clipped and ripped out of magazines and books.  How she managed to organize anything like this when she had four young kids I have no idea!  Most of the clippings were from the late 80's and early 90's and I couldn't believe how many of the ideas I loved and were things I'd seen all over pinterest, blogs and magazines.  So I took a few pictures with my phone to bring home and share with you guys just for kicks!

Here's some of the retro pictures followed by a current one.  Take a few of the dated decor items out of the retro pictures and they would almost pass as the current (besides the fact you can tell I took a picture of a picture with my phone of course,lol)  Enjoy :)

Black Painted Trim

 

 

 

Source: meghancarter.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Classic Furniture In Modern Patterns

 



 

 

Source: vanessaandvalentine.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Geometric Floors

 



Source: theenchantedhome.blogspot.ca via Kirsten on Pinterest

Dark Painted Cabintery

 



 

 

 

 

 

Source: lonny.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Rustic Wood Tables

 



 

 

Source: thebooandtheboy.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Geometric Rugs

 



 

 

Source: insideavenue.polyvore.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

 

 

Cool Kids Storage and Stencilling

 



 

 

Source: picnic.typepad.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Mixing Modern and Traditional

 



 

 

Source: bhg.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

 

 

Ethnic Rugs and Mixing Industrial/Modern with Warm Woods





 

Source: houzz.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Chevron



 

 

Source: etsy.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

And just for fun...

 

 

I remember doing aerobics with my mom and the ladies on the videos wearing these outfits,lol 

 

What trends have you noticed from back in the day making a return? I'd love to hear about some of your favorite returning trends! Or maybe some you wished weren't back?

 



Tips For Furniture Buying - Think Outside the Set

I mentioned once or twice in the last post how the "set" of furniture at the store isn't always your best choice.  In fact it quite often isn't.

Source: bhg.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

When you go furniture shopping you see a bed you love and it comes with a dresser, mirror, chest of drawers and bedside table.  The sales person tells you he'll give you a great deal to buy them all and it's pretty hard to turn down.  Or you need a new sofa and you think you might as well get the loveseat and oversized chair since they all go together. I get it! I've been there.  But believe me when I say you may have a headache to deal with when you get home and can't fit all those things in your room or you're now completely bound to one awkward arrangement because that's  the only way those piece fit in the room.

Source: calllmeclassy.tumblr.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

My challenge to you is to think outside the box a little when it comes time to buy your next piece of furniture.  Don't feel bound to the "set"!  It does take a little more work and thought to pick pieces individually but in the end you have a room full of pieces of furniture you love, that function well in the room, and a look that's unique.

Source: housebeautiful.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

The living room above is a great example of picking pieces that work together to create the best floorplan possible.  Instead of just buying the matching loveseat and chair with the sofa (which would've meant several less seats and an awkward arrangement) they took full advantage of the room and bought two of the same sofa, two of the same chairs, plus the tables match as well.  Now you have lots of seating, nice flow, and a unique room.  The two chairs in front of the window take advantage of the light and view.  I imagine they would be a great spot for reading or a more intimate area to host a friend for coffee.  The couches are perfect for larger gatherings and the chairs are still close enough to be included in the group.

Source: designmaze-tim.blogspot.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

In fact if you look at your favorite magazine or decorating website you'll probably notice there are lots of matching pieces of furniture, in that they often use two of the same piece, but I can't remember the last time I saw a room featured in a magazine that had a matching couch, loveseat, and chair.  Most decorators and designers realize "sets" don't take best advantage of  most floorplans plus they just don't love the look.  If we have the option of starting from scratch it's doubtful your decorator will ever choose a "set" for you.

Instead of a loveseat, if you have room, get another couch.  If you don't have room, two chairs are much more flexible and most guests enjoy having their own seat as opposed to having to snuggle up beside another guest on the loveseat.

I could go on and on but the point is, when you're thinking about getting some new furniture and you're in the planning stage, don't feel bound to another "set".  Really think about what would fit comfortably and what would best meet your needs.  The bonus is you'll end up with a much more custom look than your neighbour that will function better for your family.

Need some help making the right choice?  I'd love to hear from you! realinteriors@hotmail.com

Tips for Furniture Buying -Planning

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Buying a piece of furniture isn't as simple as going to the store and picking out what you like.  I can't tell you how often I have been in a home or hear of someone buying a piece of furniture and bringing it home to find, it doesn't fit in the door, it barely fits in the room, or it doesn't relate to any of the other furniture.

Source: interiordesignhq.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

I'm sure we've all seen the room where they marched off to the store, bought the whole set (because it all goes together and it's such a good price) and brought it home to cram in their tiny room.

Source: pearlhomedesign.blogspot.ca via Kirsten on Pinterest

PLEASE stop doing that!  Before you even set foot in a furniture store you need to measure your room.  Get out a tape measure and a piece of paper and draw your room labeled with your measurements.  If you happen to have a piece of graph paper, even better.  Draw your room to scale (every box = 1 sq ft).  Also measure the doors into your house and the room your furniture will go.  Can you actually fit that king mattress around all those tight corners, down the cramped hall and into your 10 by 10 bedroom?

Once you have all of your measurements think about what your needs are for the room.  A living room for example.  Do you host a lot of people in that room or is it just for you and your family?  If you host a lot of cocktail type parties in that room your needs will be very different than if it's just you and your family of four watcing movies. 

Based on your needs make a list.  Seating for 8.  Storage for 150 movies. Side tables large enough to hold table lamps. etc

Now if you want you can make a first trip to the store to get some ideas and measurements or take a look at some furniture store sites to get measurements.  With those ideas and measurements cut out some "furniture" to move around the picture of the room you drew.  You could also make giant cut outs with craft paper to use in the actual room or make outlines on your floor with painters tape but I find the drawing method much easier.  Don't make your floorplan based on a "set" of furniture (couch, loveseat, and chair for example) make it based on your needs.

Source: the-house-plans-guide.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Once you've come up with a floor plan that best suits your needs and you can see what comfortably fits in your room (and what size of furniture you can get through your door) then it's time to go to the store and actually start shopping.  Remember to take your tape measure along to double check sizes.

Source: southshoredecoratingblog.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

I'll have some more tips in my next post!

If that's more work than you're wanting to put in or you think you'd like some assistance making the right choice, I'd be happy to come help!  Email me realinteriors@hotmail.com

Black and White Rooms

I find I've been attracted to really dark wall colours lately and on that note I've been contemplating a change for my living room. 

Source: housetweaking.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

I really like the colour of the dark blue feature wall that's in there but I've had the blue grey that was on the rest of the walls for awhile and I'm ready for a change.

 Plus when we mount the tv above the fireplace it leaves the feature wall in the wrong spot.  I'd be highlighting a wall that really isn't where the focus of the room is.

So if I don't change my mind before I get a chance to do the painting ;)  Then I'm thinking the fireplace wall will become the feature wall in a dark charcoal.  I'll keep the fireplace, trim, and built ins all the white they already are and probably do the rest of the walls white to balance the dark. I've also noticed a lot of my pins lately have bright white walls (white walls are popular again!). 

I love the black and white with a hit of a warm wood or leather and I think my orange brown sofas would look really nice with the white and charcoal.  I scored a couple of metal frame chairs to recover for either side of the fireplace for dirt cheap so I need to pick some fabric too!

Here's a few of my charcoal/black and white pins that are my inspiration!

 

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: blueprintbliss.blogspot.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: lifeingraceblog.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: gallery.apartmenttherapy.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: norskeinteriorblogger.no via Kirsten on Pinterest

 

Source: incend-io.tumblr.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

 

Source: onehour.tumblr.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

 

 

Source: houzz.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Anyone else enjoying the classic black and white scheme lately?