This time of year many design blogs and magazines present trend forecasts for the coming year. They are interesting to read, but one has to recognize they are best guesses based on the knowledge and intuition of the individual writer or design group.On every newstand this month you'll see design magazines with design trends a prominent feature on their front covers. On closer inspection you may find there isn't a great deal of overlap from article to article and you have to work to piece together exactly what the trends are. Exploration online offers almost too much information...
Should I follow colour trends?
Do you plan to change your colour scheme in the new year?source Have you been looking for a colour scheme you won't see in every other house you visit?traditional kitchen design by seattle architectDo you want to put the stamp of individuality on your home? traditional family room design by atlanta interior designer Cristi HolcombeHere's a post just for you.Striving for individuality in your home is an up hill battle as I know from choosing colour scemes for my own home. Six years ago I repainted the first floor of my house at a time when heavy earth colours were popular...
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colour schemes,
colour trends
The magic colour
Is there a magic colour that solves a lot of problems when developing a colour scheme? Read on. White furniture provides relief from vibrant colours sourceThis is a vivid colour scheme that could become a problem without the balance provided by the sofa and chair. Soft white shows the other colours to great advantage creating a clean, crisp scheme. White furniture in a dark colour scheme sourceBrown on walls can create quite a dreary colour scheme, but this room it is anything but dreary. The touches of yellow brighten it and white is quietly doing its job....
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colour magic,
colour schemes,
white,
white furniture
Season's Greetings
Breathe (2004) 10 x 30 acrylic, paper on canvasMargaret Ryall Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearfrom my house to yo...
Yellow colour schemes
Bright or soft? Pure, bright yellow is a very visually demanding colour which is difficlult to ignore- in other words, a little goes a long way. Softer yellows work better on walls so save the bright yellows for accents.Light or dark?Yellow is a tricky colour because it always looks darker on walls that you expect when you choose it from a colour card. If you have a certain tint or shade of yellow in mind it is a good idea to choose something a little lighter than you think you want. Walls or accent? When you choose to put yellow on a wall, it needs some space to shine, therefore,...
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accessories,
colour schemes
Purple Love
Purple is a colour that inspires passionate reactions. You either love it or hate it. In my case, I love it. I'm always surprised by the strong reaction I receive when I mention any tint or shade of purple as a design solution to clients. Purple combines the tranquility of blue with the excitement of red. It is said that purple is associated with non-conformists such as artists or designers. It draws out intuition and encourages creativity. Shades of purple are restful and comforting and can often be found in religious symbols. Purple has long been a symbol...
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accessories,
colour schemes
Design Tip: photograph trouble spots
Do you want to discover trouble spots in your interior design? Do you have a room where something seems off but you don't know what the problem is? Are you wondering if your room is completed?Take a photograph of the room in question and have a critical look at what is happening. There is something about the two dimensionality of photography that makes problem areas pop out especially scale /proportion. (Proportion involves the relationship of size between objects. Proportion also includes the relative sizes of surface areas of different colors). Here's a telling photo...
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design tip
Creating natural arrangements for Christmas
Arranging natural materials creatively requires knowledge of balance and proportion. Some people seem to have natural instincts in this area, but the skills can be learned from floral arranging books. source By using the following four elements you can achieve a stunning Christmas planter. 1. Droopers (Spillers)While there are many places/ways to start, I usually start with the hanging material to cover the edges of the pot. These have to be set in almost horizontally as the cedar in the above image. You want it to droop gracefully and cover the edges of...
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accessories,
Christmas containers,
Christmas planters,
DIY
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