Adding small and simple changes to your interiors could make all the difference when trying to make your house a home. GILL BURN, owner of Sussex based company, Lady Decorators, offers her expert advice.
White ceilings: Before you start adding colour or wallpaper to your rooms, don’t forget to give your ceilings some TLC. Treating the ceiling to a fresh lick of paint refreshes a room and creates a lighter mood. A white ceiling also offsets intense wall colour and will ensure bold coloured walls look crisp and sharp making the ceilings appear higher. If painting a small room, making the ceiling white opens up the space.
Stick with one theme: Ensure continuity by sticking with one theme such as bold and dramatic or muted and understated; mixing bold colours and pretty pastels can create a confused and disjointed effect.
If the chosen colour scheme leans heavily towards large amounts of warm colours, try balancing the palette with a cooler tone, for example juxtapose a sunny yellow with a delicate ivory. Using opulent textured wallpapers along with on trend paint colours is another great way of creating a luxurious feel all year round; the texture of the wallpaper complements the bold paint and creates a dramatic and dynamic atmosphere.
Boutique and delicate furnishings: Updating old furniture is also a great way of making a house a home. Painting bare furniture with a wood or multi-surface primer prepares the furniture for a fresh lick of paint which creates a vintage and elegant feel to any room. Painting an old bookcase with a bright hue that contrasts with the walls is eye catching and will help create a bespoke space.
If painting an entire piece of furniture is too much, try painting the shelves or just the outside of the shelves, this creates a modern home with a fun and warm theme. Complement the bold colours with new soft furnishings or a simple rug across the floor using the same colour palette to focus the attention.