Winter Bedroom

I know for a great number of you, you are in the throes of summer (lucky you!!! ♥♥♥), but hey someone has to be in winter at that time, so it's our turn in the southern hemisphere....   Winter to me is about a different kinda sumptuousness, about layers, thick textured fabrics, monchrome tones with the added texture or splash of colour to liven things up.   These are from a feature on Homelife - don't you just love the woooly textures, layering and simplicity of this bedroom?!?! 

Images from Homelife

10 Steps to a quick home "revamp" at little or no cost

With the economy being what it is, most people are cash strapped or quite simply do not want to spend unwisely. This is of course the perfect time to work with that you already have in your home (storeroom, garage, shed.....) and get creative with revamping your space

As a number of people are in the same boat and would love to make changes but do not want the expense that goes with it, here are some quick and easy ways to revamp a room or even a home without much or too much expense. Admittedly you may need some strong muscles to assist with moving things, some cleaning materials and a few tools.

So let's get to it ... 10 easy steps to a revamped home!!!

1. Declutter: first thing, take out as many things as you can from a room - this includes accessories, rugs, furniture, art, whatever ..... if it's in the way, it needs to go! If it's things you love and want to reuse in the same room, keep aside, the rest, box up, label well and remove them.

2. A good 'spring clean" even if it's not spring: this always make a huge change to a room. Move as many furniture items as you can away from the walls (or if possible out of the room), vacuum, dust and wipe.

3. Rearrange furniture in the room. Or even bring in the table that's been lying in the garage or spare room. Try different things, ensuring that access and flow through the room is maintained. TIP: If I move something and I'm not sure of the change, I live with it for a day or two and if I still don't like it, I move things around again .... nothing is really permanent!

4. Tidy up the room and bring in accessories. if it's a bedroom then make up the bed with clean, fresh linen, add throws or blankets, add rugs, brings in scatter cushions in wonderful colours and/ or textures. TIP: Remember to use what you already have, so it may mean using the scatters from the lounge for example, if the colour, texture or whatever works better.

5. Bring in the Art: Bring in art from other rooms or move art around. Place it differently, or on a different wall. Or have some simple prints framed, or hand up mirrors rather than prints, the options are endless - see my previous post on simple art forms.

6. Work on displays - create small tablescapes with a few portraits, a lamp and some books, for example. Remember to keep like with like, it just works and looks better. Thereafter keep all surfaces neat and tidy. See my previous posts on displays and accessories.

Now if you have a little bit to spend, my suggestion is to do one or all of the following:

7. New paintwork in a clean, sharp neutral - it last longer and goes with most things, always giving a room a massive lift, and somehow everything just feels new again. If you like strong colour, paint a feature wall in a vibrant red or in a sandy brown textured paint - just something small which adds "volume" to the room. TIP: Remember to choose wisely so that you don't get tired of the look quickly.

8. If you have carpets, get the carpets professionally cleaned. Or purchase new rugs - again choose wisely in colours and patterns that go with what you currently have, but also that are timeless enough to last you through a few changes or even in another room.

9. Fabric: invest in some good quality fabric and have new curtains/ blinds made up (or if you are handy, make them yourself).

10. Accessories: purchase new artwork or have existing artwork reframed, purchase a few scatter cushions, or a new lamp shade, or even a new accessory to go with your already existing collection, a new throw or even new good quality bedding.

A Patio revamp: the furniture was moved around, items were brought in from storage and rooms within the house, a rug added, scatters in various colours ..... see next pic ...

As simple tablescape and an empty column with small mirrors - now - what a difference!!

And there you have it .... quick and simple ways to revamp a room or a home. Good luck and have fun!!!

Gena

To read previous posts on displays: click here

To read previous posts on accessories: click here

To read previous posts on art forms : click here

To read previous posts on revamps: click here

Making Space for Rest & Relaxation ....

In today's crazy world, we all have a need for some quiet time, a defined little space to chill in.    I came across these pictures, quite accidentally on the "House Beautiful Gallery", and thought, WOW, this is it, a perfect setup to sit and chill, read a book, or whatever else may take your fancy ....

Note how all three room scenes have large comfy chairs, some appearing almost "chaise-like" and large ottomans.  They are also decorated in calm, tranquil colour schemes and are very neat and "clean" in appearance.  Great for a relaxation session ...

Don't these pics just inspire you to make a quiet corner for yourself???

 

Picture Credits:  House Beautiful Gallery

Please leave me a comment (below), or feedback on the site.  Thanks for visiting!

More Layering

Here are a few more examples of how layering works and how it can be done quite effectively, just taking into account the principles outlined in yesterday's article.

Pic: Livingetc. Magazine Gallery

A modern rendition of a chic living room. Note the neat, clean lines of the furniture, and yet the room is still quite sumptuous and dramatic. A faux fur throw, a number of velvet and heavily textured or detailed scatter cushions, a red (dyed) animal hide, the venetian mirror and crystal chandelier - all work together to create a very dramatic room.

Pic: Livingetc. Magazine Gallery

A Contemporary/ classic bedroom i.e. a mix of both modern and classic touches. The layering already starts on the walls - note the "old" style paint finish, followed by the headboard, the laminate floor, lamps and shades, throw and quilt, scatters etc. etc.

Layering, an interesting concept

Layering is an amazing concept, often not fully understood. As layering applies to dressing too, I have chosen to start there. Despite our mild South African, winter climate we still have really chilly mornings and evenings. So the best way to deal with the dramatic temperature change is to wear a number of layers, which enable us to peel off during the day and add on as the day gets colder. Obviously, and this is key, if the layers enhance one another, all the more interesting.

Pic; Better Homes and Gardens Gallery

The concept is really the same when it comes to the home. Our autumn and winter season is ofcourse the best time to play with layers in decor, since the tactile and visual comfort of warm throws, blankets, rugs, rich colours and textures, is truly appealing. The secret is not to overdo any of the elements either in quantity of items or colours. Keep to a colour and rather play with complimenting or contrasting textures.

First off, decide on your primary accent colour and select a few items in that colour or tone as well as a few items in neutral shades (which go with just about everything anyway, so won't be a waste in the long run). Effectively by adding blankets, throws, rugs, different lampshades, etc. etc. to a bedroom or a lounge, for example, you are creating a layered look. Layers are always added in graduating sizes or levels of detail, for example, the larger square scatters behind the smaller rectangular ones, or a bigger (in size) mohair throw on the bed, with a more detailed faux fur throw or quilt over it. The picture below shows how this has been done in a bedroom.

Picture taken by Gena D Photgraphy - Moon & Sixpence, South Africa

Starting with a neutral shell, accents in sage green, tan and brown, and wonderful artwork in dark wood frames are added, to enhance the space. In the cooler months, the layers will be brighter and richer in colour and texture, like a red wool or mohair throw, a rich faux fur throw, burnt orange scatter cushions, a wonderful Persian rug, can be added and the room will take on a totally different look and feel.

The options are really endless. What’s important is that you play around with different items and remember to have fun whilst you’re at it!

Making Seasonal changes in the home

I’ve always loved the concept of ringing the changes in the home in line with the seasons. As the cooler months come in, we tend to cocoon and need to feel the comfort of textures and warm colours. So by making a few changes or adjustments you can create a whole new look.

Take a throw or two, scatters, a rug maybe, some candles, preferably in rich tones of reds, browns, burgundy, burnt oranges or even olive or sage greens or the current trend – purple! You then add in seasonally appropriate flowers or grasses and you’re set. I’m a grat advocate for using what you have, so look through you cupboards first. I you need to purchase items ,then shop around, there are some really good items at the less expensive home stores, and most importantly, buy only what you love – that way you will re-use the item. If you are adept with a sewing machine, with a small piece of fabric you can stitch up scatters, a throw or even a runner. The major benefit of sewing up scatters yourself (or having them made) is that you can re-use the inners of your current scatters, so in the warmer months, you only need to worry about packing away a small piece of fabric.

So let’s start…….if you are able to, move the room around – for example : if you couch faces the garden in summer, let it face the fireplace in winter. If you floor is naked, which is very appealing in summer, now is the time to put down a wonderful rug, be it an inexpensive one, a Persian, a nguni hide, anything! Remove all your bright summery coloured scatters and other things, and start playing with layers of warmer colour and interesting textures. A rich burgundy or brown chenille thrown over the side or back of a couch of chair, a number of scatters is varying tones and textures (see pic) .i.e. they don’t all need to be the same or a perfect match. Add some candles in rich colours and if scented in vanilla, ginger, coffee or one of those wonderful aromas, all the better (provided you can tolerate or enjoy rich scents of course). Add interesting vases or containers with bunches of roses (they last so much better in winter anyway), or proteas, dried grasses or even dried flowers, such as hydrangea heads (see pic)….. anything that adds interest, colour or texture.



Immediately you room is transformed into a haven of warmth and comfort, where you can relax, read, watch telly (if you do), light a fire, and entertain friends.

Have fun – winter is short in South Africa, so all the more reason to play around and enjoy the moment!

Picture: Gena D Photography