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10 Ikea items that are designer approved!

A year or so ago, I talked about 15 Ikea items that, while remaining affordable, could give that refined touch to the home without making it clear where they came from…

Well, today, I would like to add new products, always designer approved!

1 – APPLARYD

This sofa is relatively recent, and as you can see, it does NOT look like an Ikea couch at all!

It has a remarkably minimalist and essential line, and its black steel raised feet lighten it and make it modern and elegant.

Perfect for scandinavian, modern, and contemporary styles.

It exists in two and three seats, and there is the possibility of a three-seater with a chaise lounge.

In Italy, it exists in two versions, gray or beige melange, but abroad it is also found in terracotta red and blue velvet.

2 – REGISSOR

This sideboard exists both low and as a window cabinet, and there is a white and brown variant.

The lines here, too, are essential and clean, with a handle built into the door, and the raised legs give that light touch.

It really adapts easily to any environment.

Both the cupboard and the window cabinet turn out to be very spacious.

Small idea, which is presented in the store: add light to the window cabinet; this elevates the perception of the cabinet even more, especially if you have unique objects inside; by doing so, you can make it the focal point!

3 – FROSET

It is a really versatile chair, suitable for nordic, japandi, modern, and contemporary styles; it can be put in the room as an extra seat but as an armchair in the living room, too, especially if it is small.

Its organic, essential, and light line does not weigh down the environment; on the contrary!

It exists in natural wood, black, and red.

The black one could be the accent piece that creates some rhythm in the house!

4 – SANELA CURTAINS

As you know for me, curtains are vital, because they dress the environment.

I have also often talked about double curtains, one filtering to let light through but protect the privacy and one blackout or semi-blackout for giving some contrast and rhythm.

If you like the idea, Sanela curtains can really go for you: they have a nice texture and are beautiful to look at.

They exist in a wide variety of colors; undoubtedly, there will be one that suits your home.

It is a versatile tent because it easily fits on both rods and rails.

Of this same fabric, then there are also pillow covers, so both in the hall and in the room, it might be a good idea to get at least a couple of pillow covers in the same color as the curtain to make a reminder!

5 – MANALG

The nod to nature is now a growing trend, so Ikea has added pieces made of natural fibers like this wall lamp!

It is a handmade lamp that radiates light up and down and lets it filter through its fibers.

Basically, it is suitable for rustic and japandi styles.

And it brings warmth into the home and is undoubtedly an original piece!

6 – TUFJORD

This bed frame has an organic and enveloping shape!

Its steel legs lighten the structure, which already has an essential line anyway.

It exists in sugar paper color and green velvet.

It is adapted to modern, contemporary, glam, and art deco styles!

7 – EKOLN SERIES

A few weeks ago, I mentioned how important it was to have dispensers all the same in the bathroom instead of a thousand colored bottles!

Here Ikea offers a series in which there are not only dispensers but also other bathroom accessories.

This series is really very elegant with opaque colors, and can be the right solution and at an affordable price to decorate like a pro!!

8 – HULTARP

To stay on topic, this series can really elevate and make the kitchen super functional!

Once you’ve chosen the rails (which exist in black, brass, and steel), then all you have to do is look for the right accessories that allow you to have the things you often use on hand but displayed stylishly!

9 – KONSTFULL

Again in the video a few weeks ago, I talked about the importance of small arrangements of flowers and branches, even if they are fake!

Here Ikea offers a stunning vase for this purpose!

The shape is original, but what makes it distinctive is the frosted glass work that allows you to glimpse inside but giving it an abstract effect.

That is perfect precisely if you have fake flowers because it is usually just the stem that betrays artificiality, so however it will show and not show!

Adding a little water will really make a difference!

From the same series, there are also cylindrical and spherical shaped vases with very natural colors such as smoky and forest green… it can be a lovely and elegant idea to create a composition of these vases!

10 – GLASSES

When you get to the glasses section, it is good to stop for a moment because some pieces are quite beautiful!

In particular, I point out storsint, which has glasses for all kinds of drinks (even beer) and a nice decanter too. Of the series, I find the cocktail glass and the champagne glass particularly interesting.

For water, are lovely Ivrig and dyrgrip, which also has captivating red and white wine glasses!

As a champagne glass, I still report storhet!

I want to say one more word about Ikea furniture… Don’t disdain those pieces of furniture we all know by now because, with a pinch of imagination, you can change them into something unique and original!

There are many ideas online on how to “hack” Ikea furniture: a simple Besta, for example, with different feet and knobs, can really become unrecognizable at a price that is always affordable!

I hope this article was helpful and you love it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your home, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough, do not wait any longer and book your consultancy!

14 November 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

How much does home staging cost?

interior design

I often hear the question: “How much does home staging cost?!”

Albeit it is not easy to give a precise answer because the figure depends on so many factors: the size of the house, whether it is inhabited or not, the location of the house (i.e. ease of use)… let’s at least try to give ranges.

Let’s start by saying that we can divide home staging into three types of interventions:

inhabited home;
Uninhabited but furnished apartment;
empty property.

In all cases, they are considered in the prices:

the inspection,
the identification of the target audience,
color consulting,
the Project
the photo shoot.

INHABITED PROPERTY

Having made this necessary introduction, let us start with the simplest intervention on paper, named inhabited property.

A consultation will tend to be enough here, with which we will assess: possible interventions in the colors of the house, possible moves of some furniture, what accessories to use to give it that extra appeal.

It is difficult for the home stager to have to bring materials except for the photo shoot.

for that reason, this intervention could then be around 500 euros.

UNINHABITED, BUT FURNISHED PROPERTY

For uninhabited but furnished houses, it will be necessary to assess the type of furniture present.

Of course, one will always try to keep as much as possible, but something will likely have to be eliminated.

Any work to be done, such as painting the housing, will be decided.

Finally, the materials needed to complete the set will be added (which will remain in the apartment for the agreed time, of course).

So let’s say the starting point could be as low as 1300 for a two-room apartment.

EMPTY PROPERTY

Finally, concerning the empty property, as can be imagined, there is more work to do.

In fact, it will be necessary to determine, transport, and place EVERYTHING needed to give a correct idea of the spaces.

(If you want to see an intervention on empty real estate, I’ll take you with me here!)

Of course, here again, there is the rental of materials for the agreed-upon time to consider.

We can reasonably expect the price to start at 2100 euros for a two-room apartment.

As you can see, it is not easy to say how much home staging costs! And as mentioned before, these are approximate prices, which also change depending on the house value: as you can imagine, the material brought in for staging will be quite different if it is a luxury house!

BUT THEN I FURNISH AND SELL FURNISHED…

That said, I would like to take the opportunity to consider a possible objection that might come to your mind:

“But, especially on an empty house, wouldn’t it be an idea to furnish it directly and try to sell it furnished?”

I want to talk about it because it is actually an objection made to me some time ago.

I had submitted an estimate of 2600€ for a three-room apartment and was immediately answered that with 1000/2000€ more, the apartment would be furnished and offered for sale with furniture included (of course with a higher price)!

An objection I respect, but in case you feel the same way, I would like to analyze with you whether it is a functional and cost-effective solution.

Let’s say you are in the same situation: let’s analyze this case together.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE TARGET?

First, do you really only need €5000 to furnish that kind of house?

If the square footage is not a lot, it might well be.

The problem, however, might arise with the kitchen.

Even going to low-cost chains, the ones that give you kitchens “with blocked compositions,” you would have to be lucky to have the correct square footage and attachments where you need them.

Because, at the slightest change, it would become a “custom” kitchen that would raise prices!

(In the specific case, there was a corner to put the washing machine, so it definitely had to be studied).

EVEN IF YOU CAN DO IT…

Let’s be optimistic and say you manage to stay in the 5000 euros, now I’ll explain why it’s a risk to furnish to sell:

selling furnished will lose possible buyers because many already have their own furniture, and especially because everyone wants a home that represents them (they would find furniture not chosen by them here);
to furnish at that price, you have to buy basic furniture, otherwise, it’s not worth the risk, and this will reduce the potential customer’s interest more;
you will have to decide the style and colors, and once again, you will cut off a good chunk of people who were potential targets.
In fact, if you choose a “strong” style or particular colors, you will lose the interest of those who do not like that style or those colors!
If you try to stay as neutral as possible, on the contrary, you will lose those who like bolder styles!
I know, now you’re thinking: “But home staging is very neutral, then even with this method, I lose potential customers”… that’s not the case because the house is sold empty!!!
So the observer perceives the spaces and perhaps takes cues but knows that he will then do as he pleases!

These three points should give pause for thought: FURNISH TO SELL AT LEAST HALVES THE TARGET!!!

WHAT ABOUT THE TIME?

But there are other aspects to which I want to bring your attention.

We said that economically we could furnish with 5000€, but how much value do you give to YOUR time?

Oh yes, because if you have to furnish, you will have to go to the various stores to decide what to buy and place orders.

Not only that: you will have to wait some time before this furniture is delivered and assembled (and the house will remain stopped).

In addition, you will have to give this house a minimum of appeal: bedspreads, pillows, curtains, chandeliers, a few paintings…

These are all things you will have to bring and put in.

How long does it take? Time to find everything, buy and arrange the complements… can we say at least a day? I think I am also optimistic!

So basically, to this 5000 euro investment, you have to add the time it takes to look for furniture and accessories, the waiting time for delivery and assembly, and the time to make the house look nice!

If you don’t want to do it yourself, you will have to pay someone to do it for you.

WHAT IF THEY DON ‘T WANT THE FURNITURE?

Also, once everything is done, if you find someone who would like to buy but absolutely doesn’t want the furniture, what would you do?

If you leave the task of doing everything to the buyer, you will necessarily have to lower the price!

On the other hand, if you take care of it yourself, you will be forced to pay someone to come and disassemble and take away the furniture (increasing costs), and find a place to put it all away (which has a price)!

Indeed, you could try to sell everything, but it is not that simple, especially if you intend to sell the furniture before the delivery of the house keys.

Besides, we are always talking about low-end furniture to stay within the prices!

Assuming you have another apartment to sell, you might think about reusing them there and selling that one as furnished…

But, again, the problems will not be few.

For example, you are unlikely to readapt the kitchen (at the very least, if you are lucky, you will have to change the countertop).

Furthermore, how will you sell the house? As “furnished new”?

Remember, again, that we are talking about basic furniture, so it is easy to ruin it on the second assembly…

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED…

All this considered, taking your time into account as well, not only did you pay significantly more than 5000 euros, but:

you may have to pay a mover to take everything away,
a possible warehouse to pick up the furniture, waiting to sell it,
or invest more time preparing a new house, where you will have the same target reduction problems as the first one!

Is it worth it?

In the above approximate prices, as mentioned before, are included:

identification of the target audience,
study of a project for a MIRATE set-up,
time required for transportation, installation, and dismantling (as well as the photo shoot)!

I am convinced that it is paramount to see home staging as an investment, not a cost, an investment that will lead to selling your home sooner and at the best price.

What do you think?

I hope this article was helpful and you love it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you have a house to sell, or if you feel that your house, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough do not wait any longer and book your consultancy!

7 November 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

How to always have a scented home: 6 tips

interior design

Having a scented home is very important for one’s well-being; in fact, scents, like light and colors, act on our psyche, making us feel good or not.

We experience the home with all the senses, so also with the smell, and a scented home will elevate the perception of rooms by giving them a touch of style and sophistication.

So today, I’d like to see with you some ways to keep your house smelling fresh all the time; some of them will seem obvious, but I’d prefer to mention them anyway!

1 – ALWAYS VENTILATE

That may even seem trivial as far as being obvious, but changing the air by opening windows is the most important and the easiest thing to do!

It is paramount to do this daily, perhaps in the morning when the smog is not yet too intense.

Also, do it every time you have cooked; actually, it would be a good thing to keep them just open while you are cooking, in winter if you have windows set up, you can open them to flap so that not too much cold can get in, but smells can get out.

2 – ATTENTION TO HUMIDITY

The kitchen and bathroom are the two rooms where moisture is most likely to be created:

– in the former, especially when cooking;
– in the latter, either when showering or hanging out the laundry (for the lucky ones who have laundry rooms, the moisture will be created there!).

It is essential, here too, to ventilate because humidity brings some unpleasant smell and stale air.

Another small caution is to pick up the laundry when it is fully dry because if it is even a little damp, this moisture will give the clothes an unpleasant smell instead of a good scent.

In the closets, it is also advisable to put bags of dried lavender or Marseille soap flakes, it will scent the laundry even more, and the scent will invade the room whenever you open the doors and drawers.

(credits: casa e giardino; giocandles.com)

3 – NEUTRALIZE BAD ODORS

Unfortunately, many things can leave unpleasant smells in the house; earlier, I mentioned cooking and moisture, but there are really many others: shoes, garbage, dirty dishes, and pets…

When you arrive home and take off your shoes, it is a wise idea to let them air out on the balcony for about ten minutes and then store them in shoe racks or boxes, thus preventing them from leaving odor around.

For the same reason, always taking out the garbage bags and cleaning the bins, as well as the refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine become paramount to having a scented home.

For those who have pets, it becomes a priority to frequently clean the kennel or cage, change the sand in the litter box, and pick up the food bowls when finished because these are all things that leave unpleasant odors, you may not smell it anymore, but any guests will.

(credit: Dana Miller)

4 – CLEAN FABRICS FREQUENTLY

That may be something we pay a little less attention to, and if we change the bedclothes often, maybe we don’t do the same with bedspreads, curtains, pillow slipcovers, etc.

All fabrics you have in your home absorb odors and release them in turn!

So here is why washing curtains, blankets, pillows, slipcovers, etc., frequently becomes essential to have a home that always smells good!

That also applies to rugs and sofa covers; actually, the latter should be bought with removable covers for this very reason.

I know it is a bit tedious and time-consuming work: however, it could become a great opportunity and excuse to change the face of the house!!!

You could, in fact, having a removable sofa, take a second cover of another color or material, the same for the curtains, pillow slipcovers, blankets, bedspread, etc…

Every time you have to wash them, you could change them!

By doing so, you will not have to stay with a “bare” house due to the time of washing and drying, and precisely you will have environments that change often!

That might make this cleaning a little more fun!

(credit: marbec.it)

5 – PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND ESSENCES

There is nothing better than plants and flowers to scent the house!

Of course, we have said many times it is not always possible to have fresh flowers in the house, some do not like them, but there are some effective tricks!

The first is to have bowls of potpourri, to change frequently.

Or to create compositions of fake flowers on which to put two drops of essential oils every now and then!

For the kitchen, it will suffice to have a few jars of herbs that will give off their wonderful fragrance.

For the bathroom, I’ll give you a cheap and super effective little tip, put a few drops of essential oil inside the toilet paper roll: try it to believe!!!

(credits: littleyellowwheelbarrow.com; living.corriere.it)

6 – PERFUMERS AND CANDLES

Last but not least, use perfumers and candles!

You can find candles of all scents and shapes on the market!

That will not only smell good but also create atmosphere and give warmth to the room!

Then, of course, as just mentioned, there are also perfumers, and, again, there are many kinds.

There are burners, the terracotta ones, at the top of which you put oils that evaporate because of the candle underneath.

These, like candles, also give that extra touch because they create a little atmosphere.

Then there are essence diffusers: those that keep in the plug and the ultrasonic diffusers that give off fragrant vapor.

Finally, there are room sprays.

My advice is to keep the scents the same in the various rooms to avoid mixing too many fragrances that might then annoy!

Better to change fragrance every now and then than have different scents at the same time!

(credits:charmeandmore.it; maisons du monde)

I hope this article with tips to have a scented home was helpful and you love it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested!

I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your home, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough, do not wait any longer and book your advice!

31 October 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

Decorating a home like a pro: 7 tricks

interior design

A couple of weeks ago, we looked together at some tips for decorating a home in style (you can find it here),

Today I would like to give more tips on decorating a home like a real pro!!!

– AVOIDING VISUAL CHAOS

Avoiding visual chaos will definitely make a big difference in the perception of your space!

By visual chaos, I mean anything that is unnecessary or can be a disruptive element, one on all television and computer cables!

But not only that, any toys around if you have small children and all those non-purely decorative items like remote controls can be!

Try to hide, settle everything that is not “needed”!

For TV, computer, or video game cables, there are conduits that you can also paint with the color of the wall if needed.

For toys, you can put them away in boxes or baskets, the latter decorate and give warmth to the room, you would have the classic “two birds with one stone”!

(credits: aliexpress.it; etsy.com)

Put the remotes arranged on a tray or buy those pockets that you can put on the sofa’s armrest.

(credits: marthastewart.com; greatusefulstuff.com)

In the bathroom, you might think about getting all the same containers to fill with shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap so that everything is coordinated and there are fewer colored bottles.

The same goes for the kitchen, for those products you may have on the countertop!

Doing this makes everything more intentional and studied like a pro!

(credits: nestingwithgrace.com; etsy.com)

– USE PAINTER’S TAPE!

Does that sound like strange advice?

In fact, it may not be usual, but it could make a big difference in decorating like a real pro!

Now, if you were to do color blocking on some wall or decide to paint only a portion, you would use this tape to mark off the part to be colored, right?

Well, think about also using it to calculate the footprint of the furniture or to hang a picture or even a wall sconce.

It’s a tremendous help because it allows you to really see what a piece of furniture might look like there, whether the rug is the right size, whether the picture is proportionate and at the right height…

All with an investment that could be called zero!

We talked about moldings and paneling to add sophistication to the room… Do you want to know how it would look? Well, draw it with the tape, and you will see it immediately.

There is nothing like seeing something with our eyes to see if it is for us or not, so draw your ideas with tape to see if it really works!

By the way, regarding paintings and wall sconces, if you poke holes in the tape, you will protect the plaster from those micro flaking, which can happen by driving a nail or using a drill.

(credits: thesunnysideupblog.com; littlehouseonthecorner.com)

– DOUBLE-SIDED RUG TAPE

If you use rugs, this tape really becomes indispensable!

First of all, blocking the rug with tape will prevent it from shifting and thus moving from where you have placed it (this is avoided or at least greatly limited if heavy furniture or furnishings is blocking it)

The main reason is that you will prevent corners or edges from rising this way, making the rug less attractive to look at, but more importantly, risking then tripping over it!

That also applies if you put a rug on top of each other, as is very fashionable in America.

It is a double-sided tape that is really easy to remove and precisely avoids that unsightly twisting of the edge or corner!

(credits: amazon; Home interior)

– VASES WITH FLOWERS AND BRANCHES

If you are not sure how to decorate a surface or what object to buy, the simplest and most impactful solution is to use vases with flowers or branches!

They bring color and vibrancy to the environment.

Adding something organic into the home is always a positive and stylish thing to do, and for decorating like a pro is really a must-have!

While it is true that in the case of plants these must be real, when it comes to small and potted arrangements, an exception can be made!

Let’s face it, flowers are an investment you can’t always make, not only financially but also in terms of time; going to the florist often may not always be feasible.

The same goes for looking for branches: if you don’t have a garden (and even then), you may not have time to go search for them.

Nowadays, finally, there are also really well-made fake flowers and branches that look real, so if you don’t overdo it, you can make decorations like that!

Then to give an extra touch of authenticity, if you put these flowers and/or branches in glass vases, add some water, and you’re done!

(credits: grace oaks designs; afloral.com)

– BLANKETS

Last time we talked about throw pillows, but don’t underestimate the decorative touch of blankets!

Blankets give that touch of warmth and color to any room.

You can put it on the back of the sofa in case it isn’t pretty to look at or, otherwise, to give it that extra interest.

You can lay it on the armrest either neatly folded or a bit like it was thrown for a more casual look.

Still in the living room, you could put one or more blankets in a basket beside the sofa.

(credits: sigridandco.com)

Even on the bed, putting a blanket over the bedspread, more or less width and more or less folded or ” thrown”, will give it an extra touch.

Blankets are really a classic that a pro uses to decorate the home and give it warmth and elegance!

(credits: wovennook.com; sherricalnanhome)

– ATTENTION TO THE LOCATION OF FURNITURE

It is paramount to create a comfortable, as well as a beautiful, environment, and this can only be done by functionally arranging the furniture.

In the living room, arranging the furniture in such a way as to create a conversation area is particularly relevant.

If the seats are all facing the same side, there will be a sense that something is missing.

The excuse of the small living area is not valid, because we have seen that even there, you can still add a seat, even if it is just an ottoman!

Doing this will make the environment much more inviting!

(credits: Margaret Boatner; theblushhome.com)

– EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, GIVE NEW LIFE TO ENVIRONMENTS!

It might also be interesting to refresh your rooms, giving them a new life!

You can do this in essentially two ways:

– occasionally, try to move some furniture to give a new layout to the room; you could also find more functional solutions!

– If you don’t want to twist everything all the time, however, you can decorate, for example, according to the season!

We’ve talked about it for fall, but it’s not like you necessarily have to fill the house with decorations, as you maybe do at least at Christmas… in fact, you’ll merely need to change colors, textures, and patterns here and there.

The simplest thing is to change the slipcovers of pillows and perhaps the blankets.

If you have double curtains, you could change the colorful ones, or have some paintings to which you could merely change the inside print!

These are all things that don’t take up too much space but will give you different environments with delivered different feelings and emotions.

(credits: sherricalnanhome)

These are little tricks a pro uses to decorate homes, always making them dynamic and never ordinary.

I hope this article on how decorating like a pro was helpful and you love it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your home, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough, do not wait any longer and book your consultancy!

24 October 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

Color of the year 2023, here the proposals of leading brands.

interior design

We are now in the last part of the year, and like every year, we start talking about home color trends for the coming year, each brand proposing its color of the year 2023.

While waiting for the very familiar color of the year 2023 by Pantone, let’s see what other brands in the industry are offering us!

This year too, the call is to nature, although no longer only on the green, is very strong, but some dared a little more!

– BENJAMIN MOORE: Raspberry blush

Benjamin Moore offers a vibrant and charismatic color this year, a coral mixed with red.

“Raspberry blush enlivens the senses with electrifying optimism!”

It is a powerful color, far from the neutrals proposed in 2022, which will give a touch of character to rooms.

You can use it in small doses, but you can also dare on doors or furniture up to walls!

Fun fact: To commemorate this year’s selection, Benjamin Moore collaborated with electro-funk duo Chromeo to highlight the optimistic tone of the palette and the dynamic role that color plays in personal expression, just like music (you can find the track on their website)

(credit Benjamin Moore)

Benjamin Moore proposes a whole palette of colors, which, for them, will be the trend of 2023.

As you can see, the colors, if you exclude conch shell and new age, are all quite bold and intense.

When using these colors, I recommend calming them down with neutrals, like the four proposed by Benjamin Moore himself!

(credit Benjamin Moore)

– SHERWIN WILLIAMS: Rendend point

Sherwin-Williams offers a warm and intriguing color that goes well with all styles.

Basically, it is a neutral color, an earthy color with a hint of pink, a color that helps you feel rooted!

It is a soothing color, so it is also suitable for the bedroom, giving a touch of personality.

It is versatile, so in addition to fitting all styles, it also goes well with most colors, although it gives its best with white and other warm colors!

(credit Sherwin Williams)

Fun fact: Sherwin-Williams worked with Etsy to find a selection of items that would go well with this color.

Sherwin-Williams also offers a whole palette of colors that you can safely pair together!

(credit Sherwin Williams)

– PPG: Vining ivy

PPG stays in shades of green, although this year’s is a bolder green!

“It’s a deep, shaded Caribbean aqua with turquoise undertones” that goes with any style!

It is an elegant color that becomes truly gorgeous when paired with warm wood tones.

Relaxing, refreshing, and revitalizing, you can use it in all rooms, either as furniture or on walls!

(credit PPG)

This year too, PPG offers three color palettes that include Vining ivy:

– Serenity

It is a color palette that combines pastels, watery tones, and warm neutrals, all calming and soothing colors that bring serenity precisely!

(credit PPG)

– Duality

It is a palette that plays with contrasts: there are, in fact, pastel colors and very bright colors; it is for those who like to dare and give a touch of powerful character!

(credit PPG)

– Origin

It is a palette that takes inspiration from the natural world, picking up the colors of nature, forests, earth, and sea…

(credit PPG)

We can also find this color in one of the three color palettes proposed last year:

– Invaluable

Dark, refined hues, in short, an elegant color palette that winks at traditions!

(credit PPG)

– BEHR: Blank canvas

The Behr brand chooses, as the color of the year 2023 Blank canvas, a warm, buttery, and enveloping white.

It is a calming and soothing color that you can use with all styles and in all rooms; you can use it alone, but it will be an excellent glue for many other colors.

It is less rigid and austere than pure white, it nevertheless retains its brightness, so it’s excellent on walls.

In an exclusive interview with AD, Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr, described the shade as “that perfect artistic color to allow people to start expressing their creativity.”

(credit Behr)

Behr, too, offers a color palette that can be used in conjunction with the blank canvas.

They are all dusty colors, many of them echoing the colors of nature and the earth.

(credit Behr)

– SIKKENS: Wild wonder

Sikkens, too, draws on nature with its Wild wonder, a color that echoes that of wheat.

A warm, positive color that reconnects us precisely with nature, bringing calm and serenity.

That, too, is a color that goes with all styles and can be used in all rooms, from the furniture to the walls, for a definitely relaxing and bright environment.

(credit Sikkens)

This brand is no exception and creates no less than 4 palettes around its color of the year, all inspired by nature:

– Lush colors:

Resumes forest shades “help us make our homes feel part of the world”.

(credit Sikkens)

– Buzz colors:

echoes the bright colors of the meadow and flowering fields; they are shades that “give energy, harmony, and joy”

(credit Sikkens)

– Raw colors:

echoes the hues of the harvest, conveys “the wonder of nature’s products, and can give a sense of richness and creativity to the environment.”

(credit Sikkens)

– Flow colors:

echoes the hues of the sea; they are delicate shades “capable of conveying a sense of balance in our hectic lives.”

(credit Sikkens)

– FARROW & BALL:

As always, this brand offers more than one color each year: this year, as many as 11, all inspired by moments of joy, comfort, and refreshment.

Bamboozle is the somewhat bolder and more vibrant of these colors; the others are a bit more neutral.

All of them, however, including bamboozle, fit well with any style and can be used together to create an original palette that will give your home some character!

(credit Farrow & Ball)

I hope this article was helpful and you love it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your home, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough, do not wait any longer and book your advice: just contact me!

17 October 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

Decorate home in style: 6 tips for doing it best!

interior design

Today, I would like to share with you some tips and tricks used by interior designers to decorate home with style!

A few suggestions are really very simple and usable right away in your home!

– SCALE AND PROPORTIONS

It is paramount that furniture and accessories are correctly scaled to the size of the room and in proportion to each other.

Furniture or elements that are too large will give a feeling of an overstuffed and confusing environment.

Conversely, too small will be lost, giving the feeling that something is missing.

So to furnish and decorate in style, it is really essential to measure the space and buy items with the correct size for that specific place and in relation to the rest!

(credits: artheco.it; Bronxes Studio)

– BALANCE AND SYMMETRY

Our eyes really like symmetry: it is something that subconsciously calms us!

Decorating your home in style using symmetry is undoubtedly a great thing to do…

BUT, as always, without overdoing it, because then it can get boring!

Perfect symmetry, if repeated over and over again, loses its appeal then, making the environment flat.

The key word is always BALANCE, so don’t be afraid to use asymmetry you only need to balance it visually!

Now let me explain:

If, for example, you decide to put a picture above the couch but not centered, you can balance on the other side with a beautiful floor or wall lamp.

Balancing visual weights will maintain a balance even without perfect symmetry!

The important thing is not to decorate only one side of the wall or place all the furniture in one area of the room without balancing it with something: otherwise, it will look like something is wrong.

(credits: neptune.com; Knoll)

– ATTENTION TO THE USE OF COLORS

The right or wrong use of color will make a big difference in decorating your home in style.

Color has deep psychological significance and is a fantastic ally for our homes.

You can use it on walls, furniture, and decorations, such as pictures, pillows, and vases…

Unless you want a total white or total black or total grey home, you certainly use some colors: in fact, neutrals are colors because they will have a definite undertone (actually, unless you use pure colors white, black, and gray, do too).

You can have a monochromatic home, that is, using the same color everywhere, changing the saturation and intensity: this creates rhythm and does not make everything flat.

You can also use color just in small touches, so in a room, which tends to be neutral, add a few colorful elements here and there (a pillow, an ottoman, an armchair… for example!).

Then, again, you can use different shades of this color to give that sophisticated and stylish touch.

Of course, you can also use more than one color by creating a well-thought-out color palette that allows you to have a balanced and harmonious environment.

If you are afraid to use color, proceed in small steps, with small elements first!

(credits: mooielight.com; Sean Litchfield)

– ALWAYS MAKE COMPOSITIONS IN ODD GROUPS

When making your decorations on a coffee table, a console table, the shelves, or a bookcase, always make compositions with an odd number of elements.

If you put only two elements next to each other, there will be a bit of a feeling of something incomplete; something put there somewhat randomly.

One is an odd number, so, especially on the dining or coffee table putting only one object, perhaps a vase with flowers, may be an option; the only caution will be that it be proportionate to the surface on which it is placed.

The fact remains that three is always the perfect number, although nothing prohibits making five-element compositions as well.

Small clarification, if you put books on top of each other and place an object on there, the whole thing will be considered as one element of the composition!

When making these groups, to make them attractive and sophisticated, always remember to play with different sizes, materials, colors, and finishes.

The elements should create a triangle or diagonal, as always, to give rhythm and dynamism.

Also for compositions, pay attention to the things mentioned in the previous point, namely, the proportions between the elements that make up the composition itself and this in relation to the place where it is placed!

(credits: boho-farmhouse-decor-home-tour-2020; Scout & Nimble)

– THROW PILLOWS

Throw pillows are a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to decorate your home in style.

It will also allow you to change the face of your environments whenever you want!

In fact, once you have bought different-sized and shaped interiors, you can purchase different slip-coverings that you can replace at every change of season, for example, or whenever you see fit.

The slipcovers do not take up too much space and, as just seen, allow you to renovate your home with ease.

I recommend considering throw pillows as any decorative object and so, also with them, as mentioned in the previous point, make compositions in groups of three, or at any rate, always in odd numbers on the couch or bed.

Therefore, even with throw pillows, it is good to use different sizes, colors, patterns, and textures in the composition to give some rhythm and dynamism.

Be careful how you mix patterns, keep in mind the colors, but also the scale of the designs so that each piece blends well with the other (I talk in detail about how to mix patterns here).

Avoid, unless you are in an armchair, leaving a pillow alone, it would seem to be put there a bit haphazardly!

A well-designed composition will immediately give a sophisticated and elegant effect.

(credits: Enorm d’Acheteromme; lifeoncedarlane.com)

Little Tips:

– to get pretty filled pillows, get interiors a little bigger than the covers.

– if you like to give a magazine look to your pillows, get interiors that you can shape well (not too dense, to be honest), and then once it’s pretty filled, you can karate chop it with your hand in the middle!

It is very trendy, but, actually, it gives that feeling of something more studied.

(credits: Etsy.com)

– WALL DECORATIONS

Decorating walls with style is not as easy as it looks, and mistake is really just around the corner!

On the wall, you can put mirrors, pictures, or photographs; you can put one or two pieces or a whole gallery, and, in all cases, the first thing, the most important, is to hang at the right height!

Mirror or pictures, or, better, the center of them, should be hung at eye level, being around 145 and 170 cm from the floor; it will depend on your height, of course!

If you hang the picture or mirror too high, it looks like its own thing, separate from everything else.

In the case of a composition, this measure should be taken for the center of it.

The distance between the various elements on the gallery wall is also significant, which must always be the same and is around 5 cm, both in height and sideways.

If the paintings are too close together, it will create confusion, while if they are too separate, they will look like stand-alone pieces and will not form a cohesive and harmonious composition.

(credits: etsy.com; posterstore.it)

Small cautions:

Regarding mirrors, as seen on other occasions, you can also dare to use huge mirrors, perhaps resting on the floor; they will double the light and give an incredible touch of elegance and style.

For paintings, on the other hand, I recommend avoiding buying elements mass-produced because they will not bring originality.

Of course, I understand that one cannot always afford an auteur painting, but if you look well, you might find a large number of emerging artists who have really cool and distinctive works.

Another way to have original paintings is to create them yourself: if not painting, you can use fabrics, for example… don’t limit your creativity.

The important thing, however, is to look for elements that represent you and tell who you are so that you can decorate in style, your style, your home!

(credits: Sarah Richardson Design; hepsiburada.com – Voovart)

I hope this article was helpful and you love it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your home, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough, do not wait any longer and book your advice: just contact me!

10 October 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

Wallpaper: how to choose?

interior design

It’s been some time now that wallpaper has been back on trend, but, as you know by now, it’s nothing like what our grandparents used!

With modern technologies, there are wallpapers of different materials which can now be adapted to any environment, even unthinkable ones such as kitchen and bathroom, even in the shower interior!

Even in terms of colors and patterns, there really is such a varied and wide choice that getting lost is a snap!

How to choose the best wallpaper?

EVALUATE THE MATERIAL

The first thing to figure out is WHERE we want to put the wallpaper; this is important to understand the most suitable material!

As I mentioned earlier, today, wallpapers are made of different materials, not only pure paper; in fact, there are also fabric wallpapers, vinyl wallpapers, fiberglass wallpapers, etc.

Depending on where the wall to be decorated is, there will be the best material:

– for example, to use wallpaper as a kitchen backsplash, the ideal is to use fiberglass one, in the bathroom, and even in the shower vinyl or PVC paper will be suitable.

– in all other rooms that do not have as much humidity and thermal stress, all kinds of paper will do, although perhaps the best is a nonwoven paper composed of fabric and vinyl, making this paper durable, washable, and also very pleasant to the touch.

(credits: wallsauce.com; Lime Lace)

(credits: london-art-naiadi-wallpaper; Jenn Feldman)

ATTENTION TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE ROOMS

For the correct choice of paper, it will be essential to consider the condition of the room where you want to put the wallpaper.

Patterns, especially, should also be chosen according to the size and lighting conditions of the room.

For example, if the room is small, better to use wallpapers with light contrasts and designs that are not too small to avoid over-saturating.

You could even dare with decidedly oversize patterns because that also tricks the eye and makes you perceive larger spaces.

In small spaces also better not to put the paper on all four walls.

The thing that actually, I personally advise against regardless, is to avoid “trivializing” the choice of wallpaper, but mainly because the eye also needs solid colors to rest!

However, it is clear that, in huge environments, you can dare a little more!

(credits: archiproducts; cartadaparatiartistica.com)

For the other walls, you can use colors similar to the paper ones to harmonize it better or neutral and simple colors to enhance it more.

Wallpaper is a great way to emphasize a wall, and create a focal point, so choose the most important wall in the room, the one where you want to draw the eye!

N.B. the focal point doesn’t have to be the wall…it could also be the ceiling!!!

That would undoubtedly give a strong personality to the environment!

(credits: wdesigncollective.com; Magnolia Network)

FOLLOW THE STYLE

Having figured out the best material, the room configuration, and on which wall (or ceiling) to put the paper, you can choose colors and patterns!

Wallpaper is a piece of furniture in its own right; it must coexist with the rest harmoniously.

Then it will be necessary to look for papers with colors included in the palette selected for the house and from the patterns that can enhance the chosen style.

For colors, the “rules” for choosing solid colors apply, so in addition to referring to the palette, it will be based on the feelings you want to experience.

Light-colored papers will visually enlarge spaces, while dark ones will create more intimate environments.

You can also combine it with the other elements using the color wheel and its various combinations (I’m talking in detail about this here).

(credits: wallpaperdirect.com; cutewallpaper.org)

As mentioned earlier, for these reasons, it will be paramount to look for something that enhances the style you choose and can perfectly complement your type of decor.

In general:

– Black and white papers fit well or poorly with all styles and match any floor easily

(credits: estahome.it; uwall.it)

– Geometric wallpapers combine well with modern and contemporary style

(credits: ebay.com)

– jungle-style cards go well or poorly with all styles, even maybe it may sound strange to you!

(credits: artofit.org; tecnografica.net)

– Damask and floral cards give a retro and romantic touch.

(credits: nattyandpolly.com.au; leroymerlin)

I recommend you to think carefully about your choice so that you don’t have to get bored soon, and by the same token, get something you love madly!

(credits: mobilipolizzidesign.it; sancarwallcoverings.com)

WARNING…

If you decide to use wallpaper in your home, as always, I recommend not to overdo it; not only is it better not to paper all four walls, but it is also good to avoid putting it in every room of the house.

That is because otherwise, this choice will become less distinctive and original!

Also, if you choose striking patterns, don’t repeat them too often because instead of characterizing the environment, they can annoy the eye.

(credits: stan-concept.com; bricoflor.it)

Many brands study custom designs so that the pattern is proportionate and in scale to the size of not only the wall but also the rest of the room.

Finally, I recommend not skimping on choosing suitable wallpaper; if you choose low-quality materials, it will be ruined soon!

If you want to make the investment, do it well by choosing the most suitable material!

(credits: tecnografica.net; edilcomes.com)

I hope this article was helpful and you loved it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your home, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough, do not wait any longer and book your advice: just contact me!

3 October 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

Bed headboard, 8 different possible choices

interior design

A defining element in the bedroom is the headboard because it somehow determines the style and mood of the whole room.

I have already covered the topic of the bedroom with tips on how to decorate it in general and how to decorate the bed wall in particular; today, I would like to focus on this detail, which can actually make a real difference!

Of course, there are bed frames that already feature a headboard, and honestly, you can really find all kinds and tastes of them.

But, if you are an imaginative person and want to customize the headboard to your liking, you can do so, just buy a sommier bed, that is, a bed that has only the base!

Let’s now see some types of headboards to choose from!

1 – WOODEN

Wood is a versatile and, if desired, low-cost material for a headboard.

The easiest solution is to use wooden planks vertically or horizontally!

(credit: shop8.onlinestoresoutlet.ru; colorsandcraft.com)

You can use bamboo rods or thin logs, or even, you can use pellet pallets.

With pallets, you could also create side niches using their thickness.

(credit: booking residence-capraggia.de; shop04004.shadrychant.com)

In all cases, you can leave the wood raw, pickle it for a shabby style, or stain it with the colors you have chosen as a palette.

You could also make a low boiserie that takes the length of the wall, or even, for an original idea, you could think of using one or two old doors!

(credit: mondadori editore; var-dags-rum)

2 – PADDED

You can find pre-made ones on the market, you can have it made by an upholsterer, but if you want to, you could make it yourself by creating something really unique!

All you need to do on your own is a wooden panel, some foam, and the fabric you like.

You can make it smooth for a more modern room, but if you have craftsmanship, you can also do some work like the quilted effect for a classic bed!

(credit: Holms Homes; overstock)

It must be well-padded for a more elegant and refined effect.

You can choose a headboard in fabric, velvet, as well as leather, or faux leather for a more impactful effect!

There are also modular panels and modules on the market for a unique and original bed headboard!

If you like, you could even cover the whole wall with these modular modules!

(credit: archiproduct.com; Alessandra Fedorova)

3 – WITH CUSHIONS

If a fully padded headboard seems too much, but you like the idea of something soft, you might want to think about hanging pillows!

They will be cushions (two separate ones or a single one doesn’t matter) with large loops to be stuffed into a rod and hung on the wall!

The rod can be a simple curtain pole and can be of wood or metal: the important thing is that it is at least as long as the bed.

(credit: @sarahmontgomerydesign; drom living)

4 – WROUGHT IRON

It is not mandatory to have the entire wrought iron structure: you can only have the headboard!

Here too, there is plenty of choices, from simple and linear headboards to very elaborate ones.

You can also have a padded wrought iron headboard or attach cushions to it, to maintain the charm of the iron as well as the comfort of the padding!

(credit: cosatto; aliexpress)

5 – MASONRY

It is possible to create a small counter-wall, in masonry or plasterboard, which can be as long as the wall, or just a little wider than the bed, at the desired height.

In this counter wall, you can make niches that can act as bedside tables.

If this wall is high enough, you could think of a long niche at the top.

(credit: Jover Construcciones; @vevamall)

Finally, the thickness of this wall will serve as a shelf to rest what you prefer, from decorative objects to lamps!

Of course, these niches can also be illuminated, thus creating a bit of play and atmosphere.

(credit: estudiomatmata.es; Ons Haarlemse Huisje)

6 – WITH FURNITURE

Do you like the idea I gave you before but don’t want to do the masonry work? You can use a piece of furniture!

It can be a low, perhaps modular bookcase: you would always have the top shelf and space to use as a nightstand, actually freeing up space near the bed.

(credit: iStock; uoifa.com)

7 – DRAWN

Why not draw it? Nowhere is it written that the headboard must be something physical!

If you are an original person, you can draw a headboard of the shape and size you want: using stickers or washi tape.

(credit: clemaroundthecorner.com; audreysjl)

This solution would allow you to change the headboard whenever you want, just detach the tape and create a new one.

You can use the stencil and, again, give your headboard the shape you want or just use color blocking!

(credit: Sarah Cooper; historiasdecasa.com.br)

8 – WITH TILES

That is not a solution you often see, but you can also make the headboard of your bed with ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware, the same used for the coatings of bathrooms and kitchens.

Like the masonry option, this is a more “invasive” and, I dare say, definitive solution, but also of considerable scenographic impact.

The modularity and various tile sizes allow you to create a wide variety of wall designs.

Here you can really give space to your imagination!

A not insignificant advantage of this solution is that it is really easy to clean, thus being very hygienic!

(credit: beriestain.com; Patchwork Harmony)

Which of these ideas did you like the most? Let me know in the comments!!!

Whichever type of headboard you choose, remember that for a regal and distinctive look of the bed and the room in general, the headboard will have to be huge!

I hope this article was helpful and you enjoyed it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share the article with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored and it will help me get my name out there.

And if you need advice for your home, do not hesitate to contact me!

18 July 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

12 tips to make your living room more luxurious

interior design

Who doesn’t love the idea of having a luxurious and sophisticated living room?

But is it necessary to spend crazy amounts of money to have such a living room?

No! It is not mandatory: some tips and tricks will help to achieve great results without having to “splurge”!

Let’s see them together

1 – COLORS: START FROM A NEUTRAL BASE

Luxurious environments, regardless of style, have in common that they use neutral colors, at least as a base.

Neutrals make spaces relaxing, elegant, and sophisticated, and because of their versatility, they match any style!

Use neutrals for walls, floors, and larger furnishings, then give them a pop of color with smaller furnishings and decorations!

I remember that when I talk about neutrals, I am not just talking about white, gray, and beige, but any color to which a lot of white (to get a light neutral) or a lot of black (for a dark neutral) is added.

Adding white or black to the color will allow color lovers to not give it up!

The neutrals thus obtained will lose their exciting component but will maintain the mood of that color that will still remain in the background.

If you want to learn more about neutral colors, I describe them in detail here!

(credits: rh.com; interiorbutikker.no)

2 – BOISERIE AND MOLDINGS

Moldings on the walls help give some movement and depth to the room, especially when you have neutral-colored walls.

They also provide textures and warmth, make the room more “rich”, and create visual interest.

Simple and linear moldings go very well with modern or contemporary styles but also with the minimalist one.

The slightly more elaborate ones will go better with the classic style!

You can use low paneling, about a meter high, this has a high visual impact giving importance to the room, especially if colored differently from the wall.

If you make this paneling a little overhanging, you can use this shelf to put decorative objects or frames on it!

Alternatively, but also in addition, you can use full-wall moldings to create frames that will give a very stylish and sophisticated effect.

It is better, in this case, to keep the same color between the wall and the boiserie.

(credits: Sergey Krasyuk; leroymerlin.fr)

– CREATE A FOCAL POINT

The focal point is an essential element in interior design: it catches the eye by creating visual interest!

It is always relevant, but it becomes even more so when you want to make your environments sophisticated and luxurious!

In the living room, the focal point can be the sofa wall or, if well-designed, the TV wall!

For the lucky ones, of course, it could be a beautiful fireplace or a window with a stunning view.

It must be something that “dominates” the rest of the room and around which everything else revolves.

You can use a different wall color to make what is placed next to it stand out.

You could also use a particular wallpaper, a large mirror, or an important painting.

The focal point doesn’t need to be the wall; it could be the sofa itself or a piece of furniture perhaps of particular value (not necessarily economic value!)

(credits: Shiri Ganesh Home Solutions; Etsy- ArttideArt)

4 – CONTRASTING SEAT

Buying coordinated furniture, we have seen it before, is a “mistake” that people often make, for fear of making a wrong…

So people often buy the sofa-armchair set and, in fact, miss out on great opportunities.

For a more luxurious, sophisticated, and studied living room, it is a good thing to have one or two seats contrasting with the sofa.

Different shapes, textures, and colors will break the monotony and make the environment even more interesting, giving it character.

If the seat is totally different from the sofa, “justify” it by picking up the color in the covers of the decorative pillows: this will harmonize the whole thing!

(credits: article.com; textureliving.com)

5 – MIRRORS (AND PICTURES)

Mirrors amplify space and natural light, making the environment more refined, elegant, and luxurious.

Ideally, put them near a window to amplify the light as much as possible; however, be careful what it reflects, that it is a tidy area, or you will duplicate the clutter!

Dare with even oversized mirrors resting on the floor: you’ll give an extra touch of character; by doing so, the mirror could become the focal point of the living room!

That also applies to paintings: compositions of several small-medium-sized paintings are all right, but if you want something to make the living room look more luxurious and sophisticated, then dare with large ones!

They have a higher visual impact and make the environment less stuffy, more linear, and clean!

(credits: living-corriere; Meridiani living)

6 – CURTAINS

Curtains, in general, dress a home by bringing warmth, texture, and color.

They become significant when you want to add a touch of elegance and luxury to your living room.

They don’t have to be super expensive because it’s their scenic effect that changes the perception of the environment!

The best choice, in this case, is drapery curtains, perhaps a double curtain, with a filter curtain and a blackout curtain always open at the sides.

The double curtain brings a bit of contrast and color, making the living room even more elegant and luxurious.

For a perfect result, the rod should be as close to the ceiling as possible to enhance the heights and give more breathing space to the window.

When ceilings are really very high, the rod should still be placed at least 15-20 cm above the window.

It is also important that the stick is wider than the window by at least 10 cm on each side so that the curtain, when open, does not block the passage of light.

The curtain then can rest lightly on the ground or barely touch it; short curtains shrink the room and look “unfinished”!

(credits: pinimg.com; Tom Stringer)

7 – RUGS

I know this point is controversial because many people do not like rugs, yet, in the living room, it is an essential element to make it elegant and sophisticated.

The rug brings warmth and texture, but most importantly, it ties the elements together!

A large rug that encloses the sofa, seats, and coffee and side tables will create a conversation area, a more intimate and welcoming environment.

I’m talking about rugs here!

(credits: theblushhome.com; @homepolish)

8 – PILLOWS

Dressing the sofa with some decorative pillow (and maybe a blanket) is extraordinary for a luxurious living room!

The pillows, such as the curtains and the rug, bring texture and color, and this creates rhythm and contrast.

It is important to alternate between large patterns, solid colors, smaller patterns, and even geometric designs (I’m talking about how to mix patterns here).

Also, use different textures by alternating smoother fabrics with rougher and more worked ones; this tip will make the sofa look more sophisticated and elegant.

A little trick for pretty puffy pillows: get the inside of a material that can be easily “molded” like down and then always take it a little larger than the lining (example: 45×45 pillow with 40×40 lining).

(credits: studio mcgee; french.alibaba.com)

9 – LIGHTS

Artificial lighting will play a significant role in the final result!

First of all, there must be good general light for visual comfort, but ambient and task lights (perhaps near the sofa for reading) should still be added to the general one.

Having multiple types of light helps create contrast and depth.

Where possible, use dimmable lights to manage the intensity of the light as needed!

Then, in choosing lights, be daring, as with mirrors and pictures: get large, distinctive chandeliers or floor lamps that immediately grab attention!

(credits: nomadbubbles.com; Bronxes Studio)

10 – SEARCH FOR PARTICULAR ITEMS

When looking for decorative accessories, avoid ordinary objects; instead, search for unique and out-of-the-ordinary items.

For example, look for vases and candle holders with unusual shapes and finishes.

Buy also trays and create inside your compositions: giving it a sort of border, you will set it more importance.

Remember to create compositions with an odd number of objects, which have different heights and sizes, and distinct colors and finishes.

Another trick that gives a touch of sophistication and luxury is to use, here and there, the principle of symmetry; for example, on the sideboard, you could put two equal lamps on the sides and a beautiful central painting.

It is not to be done constantly and at all costs: on the contrary, it would become boring, but the principle of symmetry immediately gives the impression of something sophisticated!

(credits: etsy.com; east.co.uk)

(credits:pinimg.com;sarahshermansamuel.com)

11 – PLANTS, FLOWERS, BRANCHES, AND ESSENCES

Plants bring a touch of nature into the house, and this is really very important; they also purify the air and elevate the perception of the environment!

They immediately give that touch of elegance and sophistication!

Fresh flowers are also great, but for a more low-cost elegant effect, you can also decorate with branches!

Even these bring movement and freshness with simplicity!

The perception of spaces is not only visual but also concerns what we feel with touch and smell.

The scents of fresh flowers immediately elevate the perception of the environment, but of course, you can also help yourself with candles and diffusers.

Perfumes do not have to be aggressive, it goes without saying, but adding them in the living room will immediately make it more refined and luxurious.

(credits: @homepolish; tileclub.com)

12 – ORDER!

It seems obvious, but clutter is the exact opposite of luxury, even the visual one: a living room too full of things is not good.

We need to embrace a little more of the rules of minimalism, including “less is more”!

Then use storage furnishing to store things that are too much!

Poufs, coffee tables, benches, or baskets are excellent allies for this purpose.

(credits: coffeetableonline.com; wallmart.ca)

I hope this article was helpful and you loved it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your bedroom, or some other room in the house, does not reflect you enough, don’t wait any longer and book your consultation, all you need to do is contact me!

26 January 2022/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet

How to decorate a bookshelf: 10 tips for a wow effect!

interior design

How to decorate a bookshelf?

That is a question asked in the community of my YouTube channel, and today, I have decided to answer.

Whether you’re an avid reader or not, the bookshelf is a piece of furniture found in every home!

It can be a full-wall bookshelf, a divider bookshelf that visually separates two areas of the same open space, or just a series of shelves.

It doesn’t matter: we all have this space in our homes!

The problem is that it’s often not highlighted to its full potential, and books and objects are placed without criteria.

So, let’s see how to decorate a bookshelf to make it truly pleasant to the eye, a little work of art!

– START FROM SCRATCH

That is obvious if you buy a new bookshelf, but if you want to give an existing one a new look, remove everything and start from scratch!

Removing some items and adding others can create chaos and confusion.

Of course, you can take a photo before clearing everything off, so if the final result doesn’t convince you and you want to put everything back the way it was, it won’t be difficult!

HOW TO ORDER THE BOOKS?

Let’s start with a bookshelf primarily filled with books; there are many ways to arrange them:

– ALPHABETICALLY BY AUTHOR

This method makes it really easy to find what you’re looking for.

Start with the author’s name and then the book title; in the case of a series, you’ll have all the books together.

To add a touch of movement and color, you could place decorative wooden letters corresponding to the author’s name!

– BY LITERARY GENRE

If you enjoy different genres, you can divide your books based on their subject matter.

Here, too, you can add an object or image to bring color and movement and “signal” the type of genre!

– BY COVER COLOR

You can also choose to arrange your books according to the color of their covers, creating shelves with a terrific visual impact!

Finding a book might be more challenging, but the look will be stunning!

In all three cases, remember that books should be placed either horizontally or vertically, never at an angle, to avoid damaging them!

(credits: journal.homemania.ru; Emily Solilak; See Jane Work)

DECORATE THE BOOKSHELF WITH MORE THAN JUST BOOKS

It is not mandatory to decorate the bookshelf with only books; quite the opposite, especially if it is in a living room or a double-sided bookshelf, it is possible, and even preferable, to pair other items with the books:

– vases

– paintings, photos

– various objects

– plants

For a bookshelf with a WOW effect, here are some suggestions:

– THE 1/3 RULE

With this rule, you should use 1/3 of the space for a large statement piece, 1/3 for books, and 1/3 for smaller objects.

You don’t have to apply this rule to every shelf: it’s perfectly fine to have one or two shelves just for books!

If followed correctly, however, this rule will create visual movement and give the impression of something absolutely sophisticated!

(credits: roomfortuesday.com; HomeLilys; Jersey Girl in the South Design Company)

– START WITH LARGE OBJECTS

Always look at the bookshelf as a whole, not just each individual shelf.

Try to place large items so that they communicate with each other through height, shape, material, or color.

Don’t place them in the same spot on different shelves; instead, create a zigzag or triangular arrangement.

(credits: domino magazine; but.fr; guggenheim-venice.it)

– ADD BOOKS AND SMALLER OBJECTS

Once you’ve placed the larger pieces, add the books, always keeping in mind a common thread between the various items and across the shelves.

Finally, place the smaller elements, following the same principle and being careful not to overdo the quantity!

(credits: Nancy Artsy Chicks Rule; arredamentiriva.it; leroymerlin.com)

– CREATE SMALL COMPOSITIONS

Create small compositions with objects consistent with each other, but ensure they have varying heights to create movement.

For example, you could place a vase, basket, painting, or photograph together!

You can also use horizontally stacked books to elevate an object, changing its height!

Make each shelf unique, but remember to check the bookshelf as a whole.

Balance the objects, colors, heights, and materials/textures, echoing them across multiple shelves.

(credits: briahammelinteriors.com; farmhouse-decor-home-tour-2020; Kelly-Wearstler)

– DO NOT BE AFRAID OF EMPTY SPACES

Don’t feel anxious about filling every inch; on the contrary, leave some empty spaces here and there on the various shelves.

That will create more breathing room and, more importantly, highlight what you’ve placed on the shelves, which would otherwise get lost!

(credits: prattandlambert.com)

– ADD PLANTS

Indeed, it’s a great idea to decorate your bookshelf with something alive, bringing a bit of nature into the mix!

This detail will instantly add a touch of elegance and uniqueness to your bookshelf.

It could be a vase of flowers, a vase with some branches or leaves, or even an authentic plant!

Again, don’t just add one; skillfully repeat the touch of green across multiple shelves!

(credits: Heart & Paper Studio; cutypaste.com; mistudiodesign.com)

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful.

If so, don’t hesitate to share it with someone you think might be interested; I would be honored, and it will help me get known.

If you feel that your home, or any part of it, doesn’t reflect you enough, don’t wait any longer: fall in love with your place again and book your consultancy!

28 June 2021/0 Comments/by Virginie Simonet