If you would have your rooms interesting as well as beautiful, make them say something. This can be done by a hired decorator or you can do it yourself. If your budget is as tight as mine, you have no choice but to do it yourself. Actually, I have done this for years and I have found it very satisfying and exciting. Watching your room turn from ho-hum into 'wow' is an amazing feeling. The work itself can be frustrating at times but the accomplishment is grand. The more you can do by yourself, of course, the more money you save.
Before you buy anything, try to imagine how you want each room to look when completed; get the picture well in your mind, as a painter would; think out the main features, for the details all depend upon these and will quickly suggest themselves. This is, in the long run, the quickest and the most economical method of furnishing.
Chances are you are not a professional decorator. The amateur can learn to mentally furnish rooms. Spend some time looking through magazines and visit some furniture showrooms. You might even go through a few 'mobile home models' or new home models for ideas.
It is a fascinating pastime when one gets the knack of it. Beautiful things can be obtained anywhere and for the minimum price, if one has a feeling for line and color, or for either. If you feel you were not born with the art instinct, it may be quickly acquired. Try some things and see how they feel and look to you. Experiment with accessories and colors. Soon you will develop a real knack or instinct and you will be enjoying decorating like you do a new hobby.
Watch this video on How to Pick a Color to get ideas.
Progress is rapid and certain in this fascinating amusement, if a few of the laws underlying all successful interior decoration are kept in mind.
Two of the most basic Laws of decorating are:
HARMONY in line and color scheme;
SIMPLICITY in decoration and number of objects in room, which is to be dictated by usefulness of said objects ; and insistence upon SPACES which, like rests in music, have as much value as the objects dispersed about the room. Color and flow (flow meaning the usefulness and ease of use besides the similar design of the pieces) need to go together.
What does this mean?
Treat your rooms like "still life," see to it that each group, such as a table, sofa, and one or two chairs make a "composition," suggesting comfort as well as beauty. Never have an isolated chair, unless it is placed against the wall, as part of the decorative scheme. Be aware of your space. If your room is very small, you will not want to use a very large sofa or huge dining room table. The furnishings should fit the room without giving the feeling of being in a storage room.
Harmony of design can easily be accomplished by using colors in the same color range on your color chart from the local paint store. You an also accomplish harmony by using one or a simple combination of two types of furnishings. For instance, mixing Chinese Old World with Old Time Country would not be your best option.
When arranging your furniture, decide the main focus of the room. All the pieces should draw your eye to the main focus.
Watch a video on using table clothes to decorate on a budget.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
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