Design Dilemmas: Part 1
Last month I sent out a social media post asking our followers to send in their design dilemmas and we would get back to them with a solution! It was so enjoyable to connect with others and give decorating advice (some of my favorite activities). And because sharing is caring, I am letting everyone in on the scoop. Maybe their problems and the solutions will work for you too! You may also want to check out this blog post, Top 3 Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them!, to learn about fixing some common decorating errors.
Design Problem: Updating a home in stages and keeping things cohesive
This homeowner had several questions that involved updating their living room. They wanted to get new carpet, change up some chairs, and possibly paint the fireplace. They had recently updated the kitchen, which was adjacent to the living room so working with the finishes and style of that room, would be important. Here are a few images of the existing space and flooring transitions.
Its pretty common for homeowners to update and make finish choices in stages. When it comes to flooring, I always recommend having as few transitions as possible. I know that can be a larger investment upfront but if you can do it, it really is the best long-term choice.
The Solution:
A Flecked Carpet to blend warm and cool tones
In this situation, I recommended selecting a “flecked” carpet style for this room makeover. This style can be found in all types of carpet piles (twist, cut piles, loops, etc.) To blend the warm and cool tones of the room together, I suggested a carpet with a beige field and flecks of gray and darker fibers in it.
Creating Visual Interest
The homeowner was wanting to change out the patterned chairs for a solid color, she described her aesthetic as clean and neutral. I didn’t see any issues with doing this but I did recommend bringing in pattern elsewhere to create visual interest, such as new curtains and decorative pillows. Otherwise, things just look blah! For color choices, I suggested a strong pop of color, such as this peacock blue. I find shades of blue and green to be so versatile and complimentary to rooms with warm and cool hues. I also believe a deep color like this will help to soften the strong red tones of the fireplace!
Updating the Fireplace
In this particular design dilemma, the homeowners had different opinions about the fireplace, one liking the traditional red brick facade. My recommendation is they could paint it BUT it wasn’t necessary. If they select a deeper blue color fabric for the chairs (such as the color blob above), the red brick won’t appear so harsh. If they decided to paint it, white would be a good choice and a crowd pleaser for future resale but they would want to change the mantle. Other options for softening a fireplace such as this one, would be to do a mortar wash. I tend to like that type of finish technique in homes that are either more traditional or rustic in style.
The Confident Consultation
If you are looking for more personalized, one-on-one guidance for making design or decorating decisions in your home, make sure to check out KHID’s Confident Consultation. During this 2 hour in-home consultation, we will work together to solve your design dilemmas. We can help you in making interior paint color selections, learning how to incorporate a new design style, and selecting new furnishings for your home- just to name a few! Our goal is to give you the confidence you need to tackle your own interior design project!
