A new year is the perfect time to give your home a fresh look. But are you prepared for the massive undertaking that is a home renovation? We are! Trust your project to our home renovation and interior design professionals. With a reliable team of in-house design experts, we oversee all projects, big and small. We bring to the table years of knowledge and industry experience, excellent working relationships with reputable tradesmen and the business acumen to get your project done in time and on budget. Wondering what our clients and colleagues have to say about us? Check out our rave reviews on Houzz to discover why you should contact the Interior Design Shoppe TODAY to start planning your 2017 design and renovation projects!
Small Space, Big Living: Room Dividers
The traditional holiday dinner may be over, but there are plenty of celebrations that continue into the new year and during the holiday season, many of our amah-zing clients are scrambling to make space for guests. But since we’re not wizards and can’t magically create more space, we’re sharing our favourite tricks to squeezing the most out of the square footage you already have! This week’s Small Space, Big Living exhibit ‘A’: room dividers. Thankfully, modern room dividers are a far cry from the sad paper screens you used to try and create some amount of privacy in your dorm room. These beauties are now doing TRIPLE duty; separating spaces, adding architectural elements AND increasing storage options. See for yourself!
1. The Sculptural Way
Create the illusion of separate spaces within an open concept plan by installing fixed hanging ‘rope walls’. This option won’t give you any more privacy but does help to define your individual spaces by giving guests the illusion of walls, and the added visual interest doesn’t hurt either! Check out the instructions for this DIY screen here.
2. The Rolling Way
Commitment-phobe? No problem- this mobile screen on wheels is just what you need! Add some castors to an inexpensive Ikea bookcase to whip up your own bookshelf-by-day, wall-by-night privacy screen.
3. The Stationary Way
If you need something a little more permanent, that same Ikea shelf will do wonders without the castors. Not needing the piece to be mobile will allow you to jam pack it with more stuff. HALLELUJAH! Another win? The more you stock the shelves, the less visible the adjoining room will be through them.
4. The Architectural Way
Love, love, love! Installing slender posts between the spaces that you want to separate not only helps subtly illustrate the rooms’ individuality, it also creates a stunning sightline. We love the rectangular peek-a-boos cut into each beam, allowing light to further penetrate into the dining space.
5. The DIY Way
Can you say cheap’n’chic? A ceiling mounted curtain rod and half a dozen gauzy drapes create the perfect semi-private, completely romantic space. Need more alone time? Use heavier, lined drapes to block out the view from the adjacent spaces.
Need more tips on how to guest-proof your small space for the holidays? Check out our favourite tricks of the trade on our Houzz page now! And be sure to sign up for weekly portions of our little bloggity-blog (right hand side of screen, *cough*cough*), served hot and fresh right to your inbox. Later, gators!
Design 101: Statement Lighting
For those who worship at the altar of the accessory, consider a stunning chandelier the crowning glory of any room. Out with the utilitarian task lighting and in with statement pieces that marry form and function. But how do you choose the perfect lamp for your space? Because it’s the literal cherry on top of your room, selecting the proper fixture can be a rather daunting task. To take some of the pressure off of you, we’re going to share some tips on how to source the right chandelier for your room. So, without any further adieu, let there be light (fixtures)!
1. Choose A Complementary Design
You don’t have to commit to matchy-matchy. In fact, we strongly oppose that idea altogether. But choose a style that complements your room. Your fixture should mirror some existing element of your space. Also take into consideration the architectural style of your home. While juxtaposing the style of your chandelier against the rest of your home can be eye-catching at first, choosing something that’s harmonious with the rest of the space will give it more longevity style-wise.
2. Choose An Appropriate Size
Massive dining table + teeny pendant light = no go. You don’t want your fabulous fixture to be lost in a giant space. Just like you don’t want a massive piece to overwhelm your room. Choose a light that is proportionate to your space and your existing furnishings. The fixture in the above photo is the perfect example: it complements the size of the dining table without obstructing views across the table and from the archway to the wall art on the opposite wall. Brava!
3. Choose An Appropriate Shape
This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but if you’re in a pinch this guideline is good to have in your back pocket! Select the shape of your fixture in accordance with the shape of your furniture or your room. Got a petite round dining table? An oversized rectangular chandelier will likely look out of place. Opt for a fixture that mirrors other elements of your space- square dining room, square table, square fixture. You get the idea.
4.Choose Something That Gets the Job Done
What do you need out of the light in question? If soft, ambient mood lighting is your goal, a fixture with a handful of exposed Edison bulbs is probably not going to be your friend. On the other hand, if you’re lighting a workspace, a fuzzy glow just won’t do the trick. Consider what kind of wattage and type of bulb(s) would be ideal for the space that you’re outfitting.
Everybody got it? Choosing your new light fixture is as easy as A, B, C, D- design, size, shape, task. Still jones-ing for more pro design tidbits? Cruise over to our Houzz page to check out some of our favourite statement chandelier looks. Coolio, see you in a week!
High Style Low Cost: Natural Elements in Dining Room
This cloudy weather has got us dreaming of sun-filled windows in light, breezy rooms. This edition of High Style, Low Cost inspiration comes to us courtesy of Space, Grace & Style Studios in Australia. We fell in love with the rustic charm and airy feel of this quietly stunning dining space, and think you will too. The neutral colours, natural elements and floor-to-ceiling windows offer an almost seamless transition between the outside and interior spaces, steering clear of that cooped-up feeing we all hate. We’re bringing you two versions of this look so that you can recreate it whether your wallet is feeling the heat or raring to spend. Take a look and tell us what you think!
So, there you go – absolutely no excuse for you not to be enjoying the great outdoors even if it’s from the comfort of your own home, in the winter months! Well, that’s all for now – we’re itching for the sun to come back out to play – but if you want more fantastic design inspiration, be sure you sign up for our monthly newsletter!
// Inspiration www.spacegracestyle.com.au //
// High End //
// chandelier anthropologie.com // dining table ecofirstart.com //
// saddle stool blisshomeanddesign.com //
// throw lansdownunder.com // knit stool wayfair.com //
// dining chair danishdesignstore.com // rug burkedecor.com //
// Low End //
// chandelier westelm.com // dining table ikea.com //
// saddle stool target.com // throw bouclair.com //
// knit stool anthropologie.com //
// dining chair oldbonesco.com // rug ikea.com //
Country Chic-meets-Modern Interiors
Ever wondered which design styles inspire us? While we love a good mid-century space or a Hollywood Regency residence as much as the next design junky, we always find ourselves coming back to the same style- modern country. What does this look like? Start with a clean, neutral palette, add two parts farmhouse, throw in a dash of industrial and- voila! Keep scrolling for some inspirational interpretations of this foolproof formula…
Love yourself a little rustic modern? Make sure to head over to our Pinterest and Houzz pages to flip through some of our other favourite looks. See you next week, same time, same place!
Ranchlands Remodel
We loved working with our client on this full remodel; seeing the design build from the wall studs to the finished product!
This project encompassed both traditional and modern elements, fusing them in a perfect blend that reflects our clients’ taste and complements their lifestyle.
Modern lighting beautifully highlights the cedarwood ceiling; Hunter Douglas window treatments and a new patio door allow both light and privacy.
In the kitchen, the custom cabinetry features under-cabinet and in-cabinet lighting for ease of use and a beautiful display. The kitchen island has electrical components, but can be easily relocated — just plug it in where you need it! The appliance hardware was custom-made to match the cabinet hardware, and is the perfect accent to the granite countertops with bookmatched backsplash.