Personalizing Your Nest
STORY SASCHA LAFLEUR
How to "make it yours" using accessories
People underestimate the power of accessories. These thoughtfully curated additions have a real impact on the look and feel of our homes, and how you live in them. Unfortunately, once the renovation is complete, and your energy and budget is spent, these critical final touches fall by the wayside, to be completed later (translation: never). Here are my must-have accessories to incorporate into your rooms, ahead that won't break your budget or your spirit!
Throw Pillows
This is a decorating staple, and a great way to bring colour, texture, softness and visual warmth to a living room, den or bedroom, transforming a house into a "home." Aside from their obvious visual and tactile benefits, pillows and throws can also elevate a simple, neutral sofa or armchair in an inexpensive and non-committal way.
When choosing pillows or throws for your space, mix and match different fabrics and textures to create visual interest. I always recommend for pillows the feather-filled variety over synthetic stuffing. Their weight allows them to settle nicely on a sofa or chair, and are wonderfully comfortable to sink into.
Area Rugs
Along the same lines as pillows, area rugs bring colour, texture and warmth to a room. Beyond cozy toes, they can visually ground a room and define different areas within a larger, open space. Despite the fact that many people consider the area rug as a "final touch," it's more difficult to pair a rug to an already defined decorating scheme. When styling a room, start with the area rug and go from there. Select something that suits the overall style of your home, whether it's contemporary, traditional or something in between.
TIP: When it comes to your area rug, size matters! Select something that's large enough to accommodate all your key furnishings, like the table and chairs in your dining area, or the coffee table, sofa and chairs in a living room.
Artwork
Art is colour and character in a room. It's an opportunity to bring your own personality into your interiors, making even the bland areas come to life. It creates a focal point where there isn't one otherwise, and it has the unique ability to fill and finish those empty or awkward areas that you just don't know what to do with. I like to add art to every room I design, including the kitchen, bathroom and even the laundry room. This little trick ensures a cohesive, thoughtful and polished look throughout the home. Consider your home's colour scheme and its overall vibe when choosing artwork for display. On the other hand, if you find yourself particularly inspired by a painting or photograph, let it guide your interior selections, from paint colours to furniture upholstery. Just be sure you really love it and won't soon change your mind!
It's not just the subject matter and execution of your artwork that can surprise and delight, but also its placement. While walls are the traditional place for hanging paintings, posters and photographs, consider leaning a canvas against the wall above your fireplace mantel, console table or side-board. Overlap two or three pieces of varying scales to create an eclectic, layered focal point.
When mounting wall art, I find people overshoot the appropriate height. The art ends up sitting at an awkward level that not only make it hard to see, but a pain to look at. As a general rule of thumb, hang wall art about six inches above the furnishing's surface, whether it's a sofa, a sideboard or a bed.
Greenery
As a finishing touch, place fresh seasonal greens throughout your space to bring life, colour and a soft, organic element. I recommend adding plants to every room, on tabletops, mantles, bookcases and in corners. If you're thumb isn't as green as you'd like it to be, or if your space lacks enough natural light, invest in some high-quality artificial "greens" or a cut flowers. or seasonal branches
Accessorizing your home doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. You'll be amazed at the difference a few of these decorating essentials will make in creating a warm, inviting environment that you'll love to call "home."
About West of Main
Sascha Lafleur is the Co-Founder and Principal Designer at West of Main Design. This international, award-winning Ottawa-based firm provides complete residential and commercial design services throughout North America. West of Main is respected for creating thoughtfully layered, traveled designs that complement their client's lifestyles.
Follow @westofmain & @westofmainshoppe
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