By Chris Casson Madden
With the approach of the final days of summer, I have found
myself craving some relaxation time
– a week in Vermont, perhaps, or a few days at the beach with my
sister and her 7-year-old daughter.
Or maybe, just maybe, a full-blown family reunion.
With the approach of the final days of summer, I have found myself craving some relaxation time – a week in Vermont, perhaps, or a few days at the beach with my sister and her 7-year-old daughter.
Or maybe, just maybe, a full-blown family reunion.
No such luck; but I have managed to find some downtime. And I put it to use catching up on my unread design magazines and books.
As I did so, I was reminded again how important the little details are in creating spaces that we all love.
I rediscovered that the one thing I really like about decorating and design is mulling over the details – those small things you can do in a room that are not always costly and that can be done relatively easily, but which make a big difference in the look and feel of a room.
Even though I love my treasures – furniture and accessories that have been with me forever – I have been reminded that decorating is also about change.
Keep a room looking fresh, interesting and seasonal, but always maintain a design that is both comfortable and appealing to each of the five senses.
Here are some late-summer decorating quick fixes that can give your home a refreshing look:
n Go bold, go stripes: I am a big fan of neutrals. But neutrals don’t have to be solid. Stripes, whether subtle or bold, thick or thin, horizontal or vertical, when created from neutral combinations, such as cream and white, or white and brown, can still be “quiet” enough to use in patterns to provide a soft backdrop for slipcovers, curtains or pillows. Striped wallpapers are also a nice backdrop in the foyer, in the stairway or in the bedroom. But why not create your own look? With two shades of your favorite paint color, some nonstick painter’s tape and a plumb line, you can have your own custom look.
n Float the furniture: This is an old decorator’s trick, and always serves to make a room feel airier and lighter. One way to do it is by simply moving the sofa away from the wall, allowing it to serve as a divider.
Or try “floating” your bed in the middle of the room, angled in such a way to take advantage of the landscape out your window and, at the same time, to highlight the design and lines of your bed. Another plan is to create several islands of conversational groupings by placing furniture strategically within a larger space.
n Let an accessory inspire change: When you find a new accessory (or rediscover an old one you adore) such as a lamp, vase, wooden box, mirror or silver cup, use that particular piece to inspire a new table-scape, an arrangement for your mantle or a grouping on your wall. When I found some wonderful old specimen bottles recently at a flea market, I was inspired to go home and rearrange the shelves on my secretary cabinet to create an interesting still life of the antique bottles interspersed with shells and other treasures found on my beach walks.
n Introduce a new scent: Treat yourself to a new room scent, either by adding an enticing aromatherapy candle, an exotic incense or a new bath fragrance.
n Try creative lighting: For a soft, warm and ambient glow in rooms, try a pink lightbulb instead of your standard white. Or add a table lamp on a kitchen table or a pair of lamps on the sideboard in the dining room. I’ve discovered that a standing floor lamp can be a warming addition to a dark corner of the living room and can provide needed additional reading light next to the bed.
n Organize your desk: Splurge on a new collection of all-black or all-white wooden pencils for your desk. Edit out those unsightly chewed stubs and showcase your new pencils in a ceramic vase or Chinese bamboo cup. A friend covers cardboard shoeboxes with a great-looking fabric or wallpaper to make a stylish home for all her desktop paraphernalia. And keep an eye out for tabletop accessories that will bring a personalized look to your desktop area – maybe ceramic trays, silver cups or ribbon-tied boxes.
Without spending a lot of money or time, these quick decorating fixes can add style and freshness to your home.
Chris Casson Madden is a celebrated designer and best-selling author. Her latest book, “Haven: Finding the Keys to Your Personal Decorating Style,” was recently published by Clarkson Potter. She can be reached at cm*****@*********ia.com.
