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Summer holidays and home improvements go hand in hand. Perk up tired projects with fresh ideas, avoiding typical design faux pas that others unwittingly fall into.
Create better spaces with free-flowing function, captivating coziness and and easy condo living.
1 Lacklustre paint sheens. Most paint professionals guide well, yet paint offenses continue.
Eggshell on walls looks best, but some experts hype satin or semi-gloss in bathrooms, kitchens or high-traffic areas like entries and kids' rooms. Beware: shine only enhances imperfections, cheapening appearance quality. However, satin trims, fireplaces and doors create a stunning durable look, making architectural features "pop."
2 Blunderous paint colours. "Mushroom" turns pink, "butter" appears yellow and "rose" resembles Pepto-Bismol. Select muddier and lighter than you think. Paint functional spaces like halls, stairways, laundry rooms and main washrooms in light, bright hues. Save darker tones for cozy bedrooms, dramatic powder rooms and living areas, where dramatic looks work better. Since paint samples are misleading, try 18-inch illustrations or trial pots to truly test colours (www.benjaminmoore.ca).
3 TV as focal point. Another unnerving design deficit is poor space planning, notably in awkwardly shaped spaces. Float more inviting furniture groupings away from walls. Be daring. Instead of walls defining rooms from the outside in, create comfortable conversation areas from the centre out.
4 Clutter. Another design oversight has mementos and knick-knacks as overpriced dust collectors. If ditching gifts makes you feel bad, photograph them, then donate them. If you can't bear to part with a mash of collectibles, combine like with like, displaying only a few. Rather than scattering accessories across horizontal surfaces, mass together smaller objects for one bigger effect, leaving naked, negative space. So-called empty areas are essential to set off other design elements.
5 Lack of personal presence. Spaces masquerading as places they're not won't truly reflect those living there. Homes are the nest in which to grow, reflecting individual passions while embracing beloved activities.
6 Denial. Small spaces are small spaces. Kids' toys in the master bedroom are life's current circumstance. Accept where you are today, without living in fantasy or memory. Embrace with gratitude.
7 Trying too hard. Attempting to match woods hopelessly misses the mark. Eclectic colour contrasts of various woods are stylish. Unite red-yellow tones with warm woods; grey tones with ashy species.
8 Artificial plants and fruit. Abandon the counterfeit and opt for the real deal. Get rid of dried flowers like potpourri and floral swags. Living things create positive energy.
9 Pictures hung high. The centre of a picture ideally measures five feet from the floor. Group photographs with matching mattes and frames for an expert touch.
10 Bingo blinds. Replace one-inch plastic blinds with two-inch woods with decorative tapes. This instant update far outweighs any other design stratagem. Many pieces complement the design puzzle - just apply the ones valuable to you!