A touch of the unexpected

Modern Girl StyleIsn't it always interesting  when you walk into a space and see touches of excitement in the decor? It could be a great piece of art, a collection of objects or unexpected colour combination.  This ottoman is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise monochromatic room (flowers don't count). CurblyVases massed by colour are pretty spectacular as a focal point.  Finding interesting ways to show collections can add excitement to a plain room. Benjamin Moore beautiful living files Why not choose an exotic colour and paint a cabinet, table or the inside of...

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Making Christmas Sparkle

Making Christmas sparkle is not a difficult task.  There's the little things you add to your home decor, there's music and family and friends. All you have to do is sit back and make enough time to actually enjoy it. It is too easy to get caught up in the frenzy of shopping and preparation.  I'm a fast forward kind of person, but lately I put the breaks on at Christmas, and make  every effort to notice all the small things.  the sparkle of light on an iridescent wreath; the contrast of shape and colours pleasing colours in a gift from a friend who knows me well the...

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Design solutions: What do I do with the TV?

 Here I go again ranting about my favourite pet peeve in home decor- TV's! I'm always collecting ideas about this design dilemma.  In a home theater the TV is king,  but in a smaller space meant for family living it needs to know its place.   If you want a TV to be the focal point in a room you certainly don't have to work at it because  it is  big and black, commanding attention through  scale and contrast.  I must not be the only one who feels this way because questions about where to put a TV continually crop up with clients.  Camber ConstructionThese...

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Benjamin Moore colour trends 2012

 Benjamin Moore's Color Pulse trend forecasts have won  awards and international recognition in the design world. Each forecast is compiled by leaders in the industry at  least two years in advance and other bloggers have had their go at this topic long before me.  It's not because I'm tardy, it's because I like to wait until people are thinking about change in the new year.The 2012 forecast theme Preservation reflects our current social and economic climate and connects our past with our future.  The impending palette from this forecast will be influenced by four key...

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Pantone's colour of the year

Pantone founded in 1963, began as a system to identify and match colors, which led to a standardized color book. Each year Pantone announces its colour of the year which influences various design industries including fashion, textiles and  paint.   The colour of the year 2012 is...Tangerine TangoPantone noted that Tangerine Tango  is "Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive". Certainly it is dramatic and more red than orange with lots of depth.  Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute," said  it is  "Reminiscent of...

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