Hi there (again)!
We are PorchLight Home Staging popping on to welcome you back to our blog. The way this blog thing works is that on the first Friday of every month, we will celebrate the much needed weekend by releasing our monthly blog. In these short but sweet articles, we will mesh the world of home staging (our forte) with current events and fashion trends. For this month’s edition, we are focusing on making your space look cohesive and controlled. We constantly stress thinking outside of the box when it comes to different design styles. The perfect way to decorate is by implementing different styles and then picking pieces that pull it all together. Keeping the vision consistent can be tricky, and often times, using multiple styles or colors can leave your home look disheveled or choppy. We recommend that you use 2 out of the 3 element tips below to diversify your space smoothly!
Photos Courtesy of: Architectural Digest
Color Scheme
Colors are the first thing that come to mind when people are decorating — for good reason. Color is the very first thing our eyes notice and gravitate toward even if we don’t actively think about it. The rule of thumb is to pick about 4 colors you want to bring into that certain room and from there choose the items. As seen in the dining room above, the 4 colors roughly selected are white, black, light brown/cream, and the grey/blue. These colors are used in various objects in the room and pull it all together. Let’s take a look. In the first image above, the black chairs tie in the black dresser that’s sitting next to the white crown molding that matches the smooth, marble table. This dining room is maybe a clear example of matching colors, so let’s look at something less obvious. The second image shows a colorfully loud living room that does a beautiful job of bringing all the hues together. For example, kelly green is utilized in the tray on the ottoman, light fixture, and pillow. The reds and browns tie in the flooring, the dark ottoman, and the deep reds in the couch. Lastly, the light grey couch matches the walls and the light fixture. So, at first you may think “oh boy,” but end up appreciating the thought that went into bringing out all of these colors.
Images courtesy of: Aluminur
Finishes & Materials
The least obvious elements when walking into a room are the finishes and materials and how they are used. This is a big deal when making your space cohesive because it provides a connotation that everything feels similar. The great thing about combining materials is that they don’t have to be the same, and they don’t even have to be the same color. To start, choose a few different materials that you like and use them throughout a room. The key to doing this right is balance — too much of anything becomes a bit bland. It’s a good idea to choose a few materials and then add in a variety of materials that work well and play off the primary material. For the kitchen image above, one can see the combination of marble with wood. Bring in the wood on the floors and accent pieces and then the marble on the fireplace and countertop. Another way to pair materials is seen in the seating area above. Notice how the tweed rug matches the straw chair and basket, but pairs well with the copper coffee table and metal lighting on the fireplace. Combining different materials is a great way to keep a room dazzling, thus creating an effortless balance.
Images Courtesy of: Architectural Digest
Style
The last element that you want to take into consideration is the style you choose for various pieces. The rule of thumb for styles is to pick 2 styles and mix and match them. For example, The tapestry hanging is very medieval and old-fashioned, while the chairs and table are very modern, yet it flows! This works because they are the two prominent styles in the room. Any other style in addition to the room would throw it all off. Next is an airy, modern room with traditional furniture. Why does it work? Because the designer stayed true to two key styles. Often times, we want to design our home showcasing all of out alter-egos or we get too focused on one particular style, and everything looks too bleak. We want to let ourselves be creative and think outside of the box all while keeping in on the rails. A prime example of this idea is the last image. The crown molding of the room and fire place give this space a very traditional/french feel. The couch follows that traditional aspect while incorporating a more modern bench. The art and lighting, however, give the perfect sprinkle of a modern take. It’s all about finding 2 contrasting styles and mixing them together.