A for Accessorising. Consider grouping similar items together as a collection. When displaying your book collection, include other types of accessories on the shelves to add some interest and variety. In general, group together items in odd numbers, in differing heights and sizes.
B for Bed linen. Your bed is the focal point of most bedrooms. For a well-dressed bed, colour coordinate and layer your bed linen. Soft and luxurious bed sheets are your foundation. Add a bed skirt, comforter or coverlet, decorative pillow shams, throw pillows, and a throw or scaldino at the foot of the bed.
C for Colour. The single most impactful element in a room is colour. Ensure you love shades and intensity of the colours you have selected. You will have to live with it for a while. Do not forget the 60-30-10 rule: the main colour should take up about 60% of the space, secondary colour about 30% and the accent or tertiary colour about 10%. Vary texture, shades and tints in a monochromatic colour scheme.
D for Doors.Add moulding details to your plain doors for architectural interest. Paint your doors in an accent or contrasting colour or give your door a rich stain. Please do not highlight the door if you would prefer that they are not noticed.
by designer Ashley Whittaker
E for Entry. A mirror is a nice decorative touch for checking your appearance before you leave the house. The mirror will also help to make the space seem larger. Add a side chair and a shelf or console table for keys and handbags and some baskets or trays for the mail. This is a good location for a plant or statement sculpture. Remember that the entrance begins outside the door: the steps, porch and the door all contribute to the welcome experience.
F for Focal point. The focal point of your room has the leading role. Every room will feel much more inviting and interesting if you arrange the furniture or accessories around a focal point. Use accessories to play up your room’s best features. Further highlight your focal point by strategically placing your best pieces to support the focal point.
G for Green. Let us be environmentally friendly and aim for green and sustainable interior decorating. Use environmentally friendly paints, and renewable resources such as bamboo flooring, recycle, repurpose and up-cycle old accessories, furniture and flooring. Use lined drapery to reduce air conditioning costs. Use counter tops, tiles, flooring, fabrics, etc made from recyclable materials. Prefer energy efficient appliances and lighting.
H for Hardware. What an easy way to elevate the decorative equity of a new or old piece. Paint out or replace dated and old hardware. Consider newer finishes such as oil rubbed bronze, antique copper, pewter and brushed steel … and I am told that brass is on its way back.
I for Inexpensive. Expensive does not mean better. Just make conscious and wise choices; reduce impulsive purchases and stick to a plan. Remember, even though the more expensive accessory may look way more attractive in the store, the cheaper one that has the same colours, size and shape and will match your décor just as well. Add trim or borders to ready-made throw pillows, bed linen and curtains and use colour to your advantage. Use expensive tiles as inlays and borders.
J for Junk. Do not let junk accumulate. Clutter is never attractive and compromises the functionality of the space. Remove old newspapers, organise magazines, toss broken accessories and if it does not match recover, repaint or remove.
K for Kitchen. Your lifestyle, the number, height and size of the people using the kitchen, whether any of the cooks is left-handed, whether you entertain in the kitchen, if you use the kitchen for other activities (e.g. laundry), for instance, will determine the optimal kitchen design. Plan your storage around what you use and how you use them. Place frequently used items in easy reach; within 22 – 72 inches above the floor.
L for Lighting. Layers of light says this is a consciously decorated space. Lighting brings the room to life. Combine ambient, accent and task lighting in the space. Put dimmers on all switches. Here’s a tip – Multiply the area of your room by 1.5 for the wattage need to adequately light a room.
M for Measure. Measure your room. Measure your furnishings. Measure your accessories. Measure your patterns. Always measure to ensure you have the right scale and proportion for your space and simply to ensure it will fit!
N for Nailheads. Use them on upholstered chairs, cornices and leather covered desks. Nailheads can be very suited for a masculine space. Also look for crystal nailheads. These add a bit of bling and can be fun, youthful and feminine.
O for Outdoor rooms. Our tropical climate makes our outdoor spaces most suitable for extending our gardens into our living rooms and our living rooms into the outdoors. Decorate your exterior spaces using the same principles as for your indoors. For comfortable, 24-hour year-round pleasure, provide shading or a ceiling. Natural vegetation can provide a very effective canopy and awnings, umbrellas and shade sails can also be used.
P for Plants. Floral centrepieces are naturally beautiful and work in any style of space. Plants and flowers with clean, long lines look great in modern and contemporary spaces. Traditional spaces can handle frilly foliage and flowers. Whatever your style, flowers and plants are the perfect way to add beauty and warmth, and create a space that reflects your personality. Choice fabric, wall paper and rugs with abstract or actual botanical prints.
Q for Quality. Choose the best quality furniture, accessories and materials you can afford. Quality shows, quality speaks and quality lasts. Remember expensive is not equal to quality and inexpensive does not always mean cheap.
R for Rearrange. Look at the layout of your furniture. Does it allow for easy traffic flow? Is there a table top in reach of all seating for your guests to rest their drinks? Can everyone see the TV? In seating groupings allow about 2 feet between chairs and sofas. Avoid lining up furniture against the wall. As a rule-of-thumb, the largest piece of furniture should be placed on the longest wall. There should be a clear path of at least 4’ from the front door. Increase the functionality of your space by rearranging your furniture.
S for Sofa. The sofa is often the largest single piece of furniture in your living room. The colour and style of your sofa will influence the decorating style, look and feel of your space. Select the best quality sofa that you can afford. Use a small sofa in a small room and a large sofa in a large room. Sofas are generally 79 -84 inches long and loveseats are between 60 – 78 inches long. Your sofa should be no more than 2/3 to ¾ the length of the wall it is in front of. Otherwise it will look too large for the room.
T for Textiles. Nothing softens a space as textiles. Pay attention to the variety of the look and feel of the textiles in your rug, your wall art, your sofa, your pillows and soft furnishings and in your window treatments. Textiles offer an easy way to add style and warmth through a rich mixture of texture, colour and pattern.
U for Upholstery. Most homes will have at least one upholstered piece. This is usually your living room sofa. But there are other options available. There is the ottoman. This versatile piece of furniture is often part of a living room suite, but can be used with a tray as a table. In the bedroom an upholstered headboard is quite in place in both a traditional or contemporary room. An upholstered piece adds softness and comfort to any space. Buy the best quality you can afford.
V for Valances. Drapery panels are currently all the rage. Valances and top treatments have, however, not lost favour. The lines and styles are a bit simpler. You have the opportunity to make your statement with style, pattern and quality fabric. For a tailored look, try a box-pleated or flat valance. For a formal look, try swags and cascades.
W for Wall coverings. The colour and texture of your wall makes an impactful statement in any room. Consider options other than paint. Wall paper is gaining favour here in Trinidad as an option for a decorative wall covering. Very modern and contemporary options are available. Wallpaper borders and decals can also be used effectively in children’s rooms. Give wallpaper some consideration.
X for eXotic animal print. This trend is not for everyone. But a little animal print goes a long way. If you are daring, try a club chair or rug. If you a little timid a pillow or throw is a nice touch. Look for the tigers, leopards, cheetahs, cobras, and zebras. Pay attention to scale, proportion and colour. You do not want it to look garish.
Y for Yes you can! You can convert your space into a well-dressed one. Be inspired by your favourite decorating TV show, by your favourite TV decorator. Peruse the magazines, the internet, local furnishing and accessories stores. Enlist the help of experts: your painters, carpenters, masons, the tile guy, upholsterers, colour consultants, decorators and window treatment specialists.
Z for Zen. Less is more. Even though you are not drawn to a totally sparse look, remove clutter and free up your space. Decorate with the 5 elements of nature: water, earth, fire, wood and metal. Most of all…do not use plastic! Use earthy colours such as sky blue, sea green, deep green, white, tan, stone grey, etc. Use natural light.
Beyond Drapery Limited … for the best dressed rooms
