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HOW CAN ROOMS FEEL LIKE SPRING
When asking clients how they
want their rooms to feel, many of them reply they prefer a light, and
airy feel in their homes. If you are one of those people, how does your
décor, no matter what the theme, stack up to this notion?
Erie is a long way from the ocean breezes of Miami, so we
need definite steps to counterbalance the gray winter and the northeast
tendency toward darker woods. Wall color is a good place to begin.
Many homes have the wood paneled rooms, wildly poplar in the
1970s and 1980s, that lack the quality of the custom architectural look,
that tend to make rooms dark and cave-like. To create an airy feel in
such rooms, you must consider painting the paneling a soft, creamy
neutral, or at the very least, you must bring in recessed or track light
in the ceiling to wash light on the walls.
Many clients, especially men, have difficulty with the
concept of painting wood or brick. Often it is just a reluctance to
change what we are accustomed to, but there is no real value in dated
and dismal walls, cabinets, or dingy brick. Not all building materials
are meant to be timeless. Staying on trend with today’s look adds value
to your home.
So the feeling of light begins with light, whether natural
or artificial. If your rooms are shadowy because of eaves, awnings,
additions or trees, then you want light walls that reflect as much
sunlight as possible. Use colors like creamy tans or golds, or misty
blues or greens, or any color that has a lot of white in the undertones,
rather than black. Compliment the ceiling lights with sufficient table
lamps, at least three in each room, and additional accent light where
needed.
Airy begins at the window, with sheer side panels that would
catch a breeze on a summer day. Off white cellular blinds are soft at
the windows, but keep them pulled up often when privacy is not an issue.
Flooring has an airy feel if the carpet, wood or tile is
light toned rather than dark. Solid area rugs, or those with minimal
pattern, especially the current craze for sisal and jute variety, will
complete the foundation of an airy room.
Adding white, or very light, ceramic groupings of boxes and
vases, is an excellent final touch. Group creamy pillar candles on
mirrored or metal trays for the coffee table, and buy creamy silk
lampshades, including some for the chandelier. Lucite or glass lamps
will open up and lighten the space.
The lightest feeling is a room without clutter. Store away
the magazines, DVDs, and keep most photos in albums, rather than many
frames. Use a few larger accessories rather than many small ones.
Seagrass and rattan furniture, cushioned with cotton and linen fabrics,
have a natural, airy feel.
Add a vase full of fresh tulips or daffodils, and you’re
well on your way to spring.
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