First Step to Creating a Beautiful Home
- At April 29, 2011
- By Lesley
- In Featured
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As an Interior Decorator, I’m often asked to give suggestions for creating a more beautiful home, and in a lot of cases the first thing I think of is “decluttering”.
I’m serious. Many people simply have too much “stuff” and while some of it may be lovely, it’s impossible to see the most beautiful pieces because the sheer volume of items is way too distracting.
Here’s an example of a basement family room which started out with so much clutter you could barely see the T.V.:
And here’s what the room looked like after a big clear out of the clutter, a fresh coat of paint, some new furniture, and a few decorative touches:
“After” — Design by Lesley Arnould, Embellished Interiors
William Morris, a famous English architect, believed that you should not have anything in your home that is not beautiful or functional. Of course this is easier said than done but if you keep this premise in mind when deciding what to keep and what to let go of you will begin to become more discerning about the items you place in your rooms.
In her book Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, Karen Kingston wrote, “You are connected to everything you own by fine strands of energy. When your home is filled with things you love or use well it becomes an incredible source of support and nourishment for you. Clutter on the other hand, drags your energy down…when you get rid of everything that has no real meaning or significance for you, you literally feel lighter in body mind and spirit.”
I really believe if we choose carefully and mindfully the things with which we surround ourselves, our homes will be beautiful and feel more harmonious and tranquil.
Someone who really takes decluttering to a whole other level is Martha Stewart, and whether you’re a fan or not, you have to admit Martha really is the Queen of Home Organization. Check out her linen closet below:
Even if we all can’t reach Martha’s standards (and they are so high that most of us can’t) Spring is a great time to clear out some of the clutter and let the fresh air into your home. As Karen Kingston so aptly put it, “Clearing the clutter allows the fresh winds of inspiration to enter your home and your life.”
So, take the next step in making your home more beautiful by tackling a cluttered area in your home. You’ll feel better, and Martha will be proud of you!
If you need help in taking the first step in beautifying your home, please contact Embellished Interiors for a consultation.
Linen Closet — marthastewart.com
What Colour is Your “Pink”?
- At April 16, 2011
- By Jo
- In Featured
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Yesterday while I was out walking my dog, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of the most spectacular magnolia tree in full bloom, and I started to think about why I was so drawn to it and why I felt compelled to go home and get my camera to take a picture of it for you:
Photo by Lesley Arnould
The thing is, colour really does elicit an emotional response from people, and the shocking pink of that magnolia made me feel really happy.
So, if you haven’t figured it out yet, I may as well admit it – PINK is one of my favourite colours! It’s a colour that really speaks to me. Don’t get me wrong, I do not live in the pink Barbie Dream House but I have incorporated pink into my decor (where it works with the other elements) and when I walk into those rooms I get a good feeling.
You may know that Pantone announced “Honeysuckle” as its choice for Colour of the Year 2011 and it has a lot of people talking about how such a bold colour could be used in their homes.
Pantone’s choice didn’t really surprise me because pink is pretty popular right now, and although it’s not for everyone it is a fun, uplifting colour which can be used in a variety of ways to add a bit of whimsy to your space.
I recently used pink in a room I did for a 17-year old girl and she was thrilled with the results. Combined with grey, this hot pink is really sophisticated, and since only the accessories are pink, it wasn’t a huge commitment to the colour.
Room Designed by Lesley Arnould of Embellished Interiors – photo by Trevor Brady
I believe each of us has colours that make us feel great, and what is my pink could be your purple, or blue or green. What’s important is that you surround yourself with the colours that really speak to you.
If you would like help choosing colours that make your heart sing, contact Embellished Interiors to set up a consultation.
Do You Know What Your Style Is?
- At April 14, 2011
- By Jo
- In Featured
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Well here goes…my first foray into the world of blogging. I do so with a bit of trepidation, but I’m hoping that in writing this blog I will grow as a decorator, and will be able to connect with readers who may be interested in learning more about design.
So, what better way to begin than talking about Style.
Decorators often talk about style, but what does it really mean? Aside from that certain something that some people seem to have in abundance, but is hard to explain, in decorating and design there really are specific “styles” — Traditional, Country and Modern. Just to make things confusing, the terms “Contemporary” and “Eclectic” are also discussed.
As a Decorator I have found that these terms mean very different things to different people, and although there are many interpretations of these terms, here are some general guidelines:
Traditional Style – think elegant and timeless (but not necessarily stuffy). This is a more formal style, where symmetry plays a strong role. Today’s traditional is less ornate, than in days gone by but it still has a connection with classic elements from the past.
Here is an example of a traditional room which I recently designed for a client.
Designed by Lesley Arnould of Embellished Interiors
Country – casual but also has a sense of history. Don’t be afraid — country style doesn’t mean roosters! It is a more informal style than Traditional and is comfortable and relaxed. Within this style you can have English Country which has a more layered and cluttered look (and usually some Chintz) and French Country which is less cluttered and more sophisticated. In all country styles, you will find the furniture to be more rustic – painted pieces and Canadiana Pine go beautifully with country style.
Here is an example of country style, done by Sarah Richardson, a well-known Canadian Designer, who is a master at mixing old and new to create relaxed, comfortable, country style rooms:
Designed by Sarah Richardson of Sarah Richardson Design
Modern – Modern style is a clean, uncluttered style that began with the Arts and Crafts movement around the late 1800’s, and was a marked departure from the excess of Victorian times. What’s confusing about the term “Modern” style that it encompasses about 150 years of varied design including the beautiful handcrafted work of William Morris, Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley, the sinuous lines of Art Nouveau, the organic work of Antonio Gaudi, and the work of such influential people as Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Mies Van der Rohe (whose Barcelona chairs are still being reproduced and used in homes today). Art Deco is also a Modern style and we, in Vancouver, are lucky to have the Marine Building which is a fine example of this style. In the late 50’s and 60’s Eames, Noguchi, Saarinen, Nelson and Jacobsen brought us such iconic pieces such as the Tulip Table (Saarinen) and the Egg Chair (Jacobsen). At this time we also began to see the influence of Scandinavian designers (remember Danish teak)? Today’s modern designers include Phillipe Starck (Louis Ghost Chairs) and Canada’s own Karim Rashid.
Here is a beautiful example of Modern design created by talented Vancouver Designer Patricia Gray of Patricia Gray Interior Design:
Designed by Patricia Gray of Patricia Gray Interior Design
And what is contemporary style? Well, it really means “now”. In other words, contemporary style incorporates what is current at the moment.
Finally, there is Eclectic which is generally a mix of two styles. This is not an easily achieved style, and it is important that the basic principles of design be applied when aiming for Eclectic style or the rooms can end up looking like a hodge-podge.
If you would like help defining your style to create rooms that you love, contact Embellished Interiors to set up a consultation.
Embellished Interiors launches new website
- At April 04, 2011
- By Jo
- In Featured
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Lesley Arnould believes that everyone wants their home to be a reflection of themselves. By listening carefully to her client’s wishes, and guiding them through the design process, she helps them find their own style to create rooms that they will love.
Embellished Interiors launches new website at https://embellishedinteriors.ca/ – visit us soon!
Lesley holds a Diploma from the Vancouver Continuing Education Interior Decorating Program and is an accredited member of the Canadian Decorators’ Association (CDECA). She regularly attends courses, seminars and conferences in order keep up with the ever changing products and trends in interior design. She has served on the Board of B.C. Chapter of CDECA and was involved in creating the Association’s Booth at the 2010 Interior Design Show in Vancouver.