Small Changes, Big Impact
STORY EUGENIA TRIANDOS & KORINA KHAMIS
As designers, we realize how time after time trends change as seasons go. We see it in our projects and in our own homes, we eventually always get that urge to make some kind of a change! Now that a lot of you are spending more time at home, you may also feel like it’s time to freshen up your decor. Here are some simple actions that can make the biggest impact.
SWAP OUT YOUR PILLOWS
We like to keep our overall room palette neutral because we bring in patterns and colours with pillows. Switching pillow covers from season to season is a small change, but will definitely freshen up the room. Some of our clients will even purchase two sets of pillows during our Styling Day, when we accessorize their home, one for the colder months and one set for the summer.
PAINT YOUR WALLS
Investing in a fresh coat of paint will definitely liven up any dated space. Your home is usually due for a new paint job every 5-7 years. Sometimes sooner if the original colours were too trendy. Now is a great time to paint, just in time for spring, while some of you may have a lot more time than expected on your hands. If you’re feeling very adventurous, you can even try to create a pattern using either tape or stencils like we did in this nursery.
REPLACE HARDWARE
Switching out your dated hardware is probably the most inexpensive way to make a change in your space. It’s an easy transformation that goes a long way. Consider mixing metals to bring in a current trend without having to change out all of the finishes throughout your home.
SWITCH YOUR LIGHTING
Make a statement. Perhaps your dining room light needs a bigger impact or your flush mounts are outdated and don’t produce enough light. Although we normal hire an electrician, lighting is relatively easy to swap out yourself and can make a significant impact. Changing the fixture that hangs over a dining table can easily completely transform the room. Replacing the pendants over the island might give you a very different kitchen.
PLAY WITH YOUR ART
This doesn’t necessarily mean an art shopping spree, although that can be quite fun! Sometimes your art is just being displayed in a room where its beauty does not shine. Perhaps it is currently in the bathroom, but should be showcased in the dining room. Moving your art around can truly make a difference. What we like to do is remove all art from the walls and start from scratch. It can be difficult to look passed what we’re used to seeing everyday for years, so starting with a blank canvas can help overcome that hurdle.
Framing art differently can also go a long way. A more current frame or even something as simple as adding a fresh matting if the piece allows for it is a great way to modernize artwork.
Designers Eugenia Triandos and Korina Khamis, are co-founders of Hibou Design & Co. With well over a decade of collective experience, this Montreal- based multi-disciplinary design firm has become known for creating stylish and well-curated interiors. The firm provides complete bespoke residential design services throughout Canada & North America.
Visit hiboudesignco.com for more information.
