House & Home

Do-it-yourself Decorating Tips

By Connie Williamson

Home decorating trends are constantly changing, which makes it difficult to keep up with the latest fashions in color, furniture, and decorating styles. Even the terminology can seem confusing - just what does "eclectic" or "shabby chic" mean anyways? Is there a decorating dictionary out there somewhere?

If you have started your design research by investing in decorating magazines, you may have noticed that what's featured as the latest decorating trend in one magazine may be very different from what's featured in another.

If you're past the magazine research stage and have actually ventured out to get advice from the local paint or decor store, you may find yourself buying items that won't fit your space, personal tastes, or lifestyle.

Just because something is popular and selling well doesn't mean that it's right for you. These tips will help you create a style that reflects your own lifestyle and personality.

Use a Decorating Journal to Evaluate your Tastes

Decorating is all about expressing your personality and surrounding yourself with your favorite things. You hold the key to your decorating solutions. Start with your existing collection and build on it.

Get a notebook to record all your decorating ideas, likes and dislikes, and projects. Decide which room to redecorate first, go in, and take a good look around. You're going to start your design journal by noting everything that comes to mind. This will include room measurements, things to do before you decorate and ideas that come to you as you work through your project.

Next, divide the room into three sections, name one section 'Love It', another 'Can Live with It', and the last section ''What was I thinking?"

Take a good look at your furniture, art, and accessories. Which items belong in each category? Once you've made those decisions, move each piece to its appropriate section.

When everything is in its proper category, start with the section named 'What was I thinking?' Box everything up and arrange to donate it to a thrift shop or charity, or trash it. Whatever you decide to do with these items, remove them from your house immediately. Eliminating clutter is that easy.

In the 'Love It' section of your decorating journal, jot down why you love each piece. As you examine each item, make a note of the style, color and any theme it may represent.

Apply this same technique to the 'Can Live With It' section. After you've made notes on everything, sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, and look for repetition in the notes created for each item. This will help you determine your personal decorating style.

Decorating Themes

As you review your notes, can you see a theme emerging? Following are the main decorating themes:

  • Casual: Relaxed, informal, comfortable. Overstuffed upholstery; textured fabric covers; earthy, neutral colors; natural materials

  • Contemporary: Sleek, streamlined; simple, bold colors; metal, glass and leather; minimal patterns

  • Country: Distressed/painted woods; plump sofas with raffled skirts; floral prints, gingham and plaids

  • Traditional: Formal, symmetrical; damask and chintz; dark polished woods

  • Eclectic: Mixing of two or more styles together

Tips for Selecting Wall Colors

Take another look at your existing art and accessories. Does one color predominate? Is your eye drawn more to one color than another?

If the answer is not obvious, observe the colors in nature, especially in spring or summer. Take a walk through a park, garden or greenhouse and experience the vast array of color in the flowers, leaves and grass. Which colors draw your eye? Be sensitive to what colors attract you most, and write how each color affects you in your journal.
By using furnishings and accessories you already own and love, you'll save time and money and have a great start to creating a look that reflects your own style and personality.

Now you're ready to choose your colors, fabrics and additional furnishings and accessories. Have fun creating your own personal style!

Connie Williamson is a certified interior decorator specializing in residential re-design and home staging. She has a unique flair for design and is the CEO of Serenity Redesign (SRD) in Edmonton, Alberta. She brings passion and her creative spirit to revamp existing space using items already on-hand. Featured articles about SRD have appeared in the Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Journal and Vancouver Sun newspapers. She's been featured by Cheryl Gillespie on 630 CHED radio and appeared on CFRN TV with Valerie Ozskowski.

Serenity Redesign: http://www.serenityredesign.com

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