Tricks Of The Trade
We’re bad at gatekeeping, take a look at some of our favorite design hacks.
Arrange furniture in the center of the room.
It sounds silly to say it, but it’s worth saying! Don’t shove your couch against the wall. Sure, in a cramped city apartment where space is at a premium, it’s necessary to play tetris with your living room furniture. However, chairs, sofas, sectionals, side tables, and coffee tables require center stage. They should be showcased, freestanding, in the middle of the room. This is one of the easiest ways to take control of a space and make a statement.
What to do about dated stone.
The 70’s brought us lots of incredible looks; sequin jumpsuits, leather living rooms, everything worn by Cher. The stone facade is not one of them. We come across these uneven, shallow grouted, multi-toned walls from time to time as fireplace surrounds and it’s always a challenge to turn them from Medieval castle to warm and cozy. On a recent project (pictured above) we opted to over-grout the stone with a light grey grout, and use a beautiful moody soapstone to pull attention and give richness to the wall. Cut outs for wood also bring us into the current decade, and where possible a well-styled shelf or two can add balance.
Paint works wonders.
No, really. It does. We cannot stress this enough. Going from dark to light or beige to a bold, moody, almost black changes everything. It’s the simplest (and most economical) way to totally transform a space. And the best thing about it – it’s not forever. In a few years, if your tastes evolve or you buy art that necessitates a new palette, paint again.
Take the plunge with tile.
Unlike paint, tile is a commitment. Once those babies are on the wall, they’re not coming down, not for a while anyway. Whenever possible, try to order samples so that you can feel the materials that you’re working with and see the colors in the space. Be sure to consider grout color and how to finish edges. This will all need to be planned before you begin. The installation itself can be labor intensive. But don’t let that intimidate you. In our experience, natural textures like zellige, terracotta, and brick add the most warmth and character to a space. We’re seeing more matte and natural colors take the place of shiny large format tile.
Courtesy of 348 Willow Glen
Show leather some love.
Don't be afraid to incorporate leather given its versatility and ability to compliment every style. From bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and even bathrooms, bringing in this warm, rich material can make a big impact. Leather has been used in homes throughout history and is associated with warmth, durability and versatility. It pretty much belongs everywhere. We love classic camel and black but blush or cream are other interesting options. If you’re not used to working with this material or aren’t ready to make a big investment in a sofa or club chairs, start small. Consider leather pendants, stools, or tableware and layer the leather pieces in with other organic materials such as linen, cement or stone for an earthy feel.
