I just got back from headlining the Home & Garden Show in Orlando, Fla. and my presentation was titled, “DESIGN 101.”
As with my column, I like to empower people to make wise design decisions.
One aspect of my presentation that seemed to resonate with the guests was using what you already have to create unique and fresh spaces.
At the end of my slideshow, which offers design guidelines and later some before and after photos showing my ideas to work, I would ask if anyone in the audience had any questions or comments.
Each of the three days people had noticed that many of my slides featured items that were repurposed. They were happy to know that they could refresh their spaces and spend little to no money!
Consider repurposing a furniture piece. This might be as simple as changing the finish of the piece, or repurposing the use of the piece by moving it from one room to another, as I discussed in my column a few weeks ago.
One thing I find many people doing is purchasing random things at home decor stores and then scattering them around the house with no rhyme or reason.
Consider a theme in each room and then purchase decor that represents that theme. When placing the objects in the space, group items together making bigger and bolder statements.
Whether it is decor to place on a table or shelf surface or art for a wall, place groups of three together that compliment each other. A green arrangement thrown into a counter display is always fresh and neutral, jon’t overdo the theme.
If your artwork is getting stale, consider moving it to another room. Again, maybe group smaller art pieces.
You could layer some complimentary colorful vases in front of the art if it rests over a fireplace and declutter that mantel shelf by adding fresh and sparse color. Consider height, such as a taller, conical boxwood green as a layer to make it interesting.
Remember, the fireplace is the focal point in the room, so make it pop!
Another fresh idea for old items is to take your grandmother’s china, add a wall mount to an odd number of plates and mount them on the wall. Dimensional art is always interesting and you can use more or less all depending on the space of the wall involved.
When you consider that your home should have some flow or continuity, you will find it easy to move pieces from one room to another and add items recently purchased to keep a common theme or color in mind.
Occasional chairs, lamps and pillows are fun to create a new look by moving them from one room to another. Give it a shot. You have nothing to lose!
If you have any design dilemmas, I will be headlining the Home & Garden Show in Augusta the weekend of Feb. 3. Come and get some design tips….and wish me a Happy Birthday! Hope to see you soon!
