Winter Hibernation? Bring it on with Colour

Designing rooms that have a sun-kissed glow, in the dead of winter, starts with colour. Nothing brightens a space more than tangy tangerine, rich reds and bold purples. While we don't recommend painting your entire abode in these vibrant shades, we suggest accenting a space with vivid patterns, floral prints and plush mats with splashes of these sunset colours.

ORANGE CRUSH

This mercurial tint brightens a room with little effort. Naturally edgy and energetic it brings life to a dull space. To minimize this hues intensity, add some neutral shades.

CUSHION COMFORT

Set the mood with a soft, plush mat that provides cushion underfoot. Texture truly has the ability to combat the winter blues and a mat with padding brings depth to a space while keeping you cozy.

PURPLE PASSION

Once upon a time this shoddy shade was seen as retro; however purple no longer sports a dated look, but rather takes on a youthful appearance. Bold and lavish it continues to pop up in current colour trends. Versatile and contemporary, it enhances a lackluster space with its bold vibe. Pair this passionate hue with a neutral palette to intensify the colour.

 

DAZZLING RED

Bold and beautiful, a dash of red adds an intense flame to a space by dressing it up. We suggest sticking to deeper reds as they look rich in comparison and can easily transcend into other seasons.

 

Wonderful Wall Art

It was with great sadness that we recently heard the oh so familiar croon "So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye..." unfortunately it was not coming from the seven Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music but rather we heard these sad partings from Jessica, Lemon Tree Creations blogger/creator. To remember this amazing blog, we are recapping our favourite post; giving our readers a way to recreate this…all the best to Jessica in her future endeavors!

A home-made wall treatment, that uses doormats to create art, not only customizes a room but adds a personal touch.

Erin, from Lemon Tree Creations, demonstrates her crafty skills by designing a mural-esque décor piece that transforms her living space. The oat colour chosen was a perfect contrast to the avocado stained walls. We absolutely love this idea and encourage others to take on similar projects. 

Doormat Wall Art: Lemon Tree Creations

Here are three easy steps to mimic this art-nouveaux:

1.      Choose an ornate looking doormat in a small to medium size. We suggest Multy Home’s 18x30 Wrought Iron import mat. Similar to Erin’s design, the whimsical pattern creates a focal point that lends a hand in stylizing any space in the home.

     2.     Wood or Canvas? Both are beautiful choices: canvas adds texture while wood naturally looks rustic.

     3.     Sand, stain or paint the surface than lay the mat down and spray the chosen colour on overtop. The result: a fashionable art-deco piece that will personalize and transform a room's overall look. 

Doormat Wall Art: Lemon Tree Creations

Doormat Wall Art: Lemon Tree Creations

Out with the Old, In with the New

When a new year starts, we are always so eager to see what trends are creating buzz in the design world. This year, modernity has definitely taken a new approach with zigzag patterns increasing in popularity, eco-savvy décor projects making a stand and geometrically chic rugs that capture all that is hip in 2012. As usual, we remain right on target with designs that truly showcase the trends making headway this year.   

Naturally whimsical, the herringbone design is definitely a favourite. We love this classic look and suggest pairing it with a mat that has the same pattern.

HGTV's Style Sheet

 Go Green

An Ikea picked bamboo plant was a must-have … last season. This year, let’s move away from the small and lanky, to the tall and green. Having large indoor plants is definitely a trend we are on board with. Yes, it requires a tad more in upkeep, but the rewarding design element makes it well worth it. To minimize plant maintenance, try using Multy Home’s eco-friendly garden stones. Made entirely from recycled rubber, it protects floors from water and soil spillage; a definite must-buy this year.

HGTV's Style Sheet

Geometric Getaway

Last spring, chevron was zigzagging all over the place and now geometric patterns continue, with bold stripes, asymmetrical squares and bright shapes. This definitely hit a chord with us, so we developed some designs that hit the mark with this evolving trend, which, by the way, we absolutely love. 

For even more designs, we recommend checking out Elle Décor’s “Pattern Under Foot” and, of course, our Pinterest page.

Oh, Martha...

When discussing anything ‘living’ we definitely need to think about Ms. Stewart: Ms. Martha Stewart that is. Her paint colors are absolutely stunning and are sold at The Home Depot. To make your decorating experience more fulfilling, here are some motivational looks to keep you on track. 

The Official Martha Blog

Décor Pick Me Up: Dazzle Your Rooms in Rich Blues

Chase the winter blues away with a Navy colour palette-the rich look naturally brings warmth to a space, while leaving you feeling cozy. Try these nifty décor pick-me-ups and chase your blues away while remaining right on trend this season!

Fashion Meets Function

High-traffic areas in the home can cause significant damage to floors, in particular, hardwood. We suggest putting a runner down in a soft blue. The functionality makes it a perfect solution to any kid or pet-friendly home. The plush material adds texture and accents a room that is often overlooked.

 

Don’t Overlook the Outdoors

Having outdoor mats that greet your guests in the same fashion your front entrance does, is tricky. Choose a mat with colour-outside the traditional black-it will add subtle drama and differentiate you from the other homes on your street.

 

Change it Up – Bring in the Old!

Impulse purchases are often done when you envision an item in a particular place in the home. After a few months, change it up! Reuse items, but in another room. A simply re-shift can create the allusion that an item is new.  It saves money, but allows you to still redecorate!