• Wednesday 10 January 2018
• 0 Comments

Time for Change

 

New Year celebrations are over and the time for change has come. This year make your house your New Year resolution.  Select a few key projects, nothing too complicated for starters, each one achieved will give you a real lift.

Now that the Christmas decorations are being stored in the attic take a look around the attic space and recycle all the unused, unwanted items stored there.  If an item is not used is there a reason for it being in the attic?   Seasonal items such as luggage, camping gear, Christmas decorations deserve their place but all excess items should go!

Prioritise areas of the house requiring painting.  Plan room by room and look at harmonising new shades of colour. January is a good time to consider re-upholstering old chairs or headboards as these will add interest to a room. Watch out for winter sales with upholstery materials and cushions of differing textures and patterns. Upholstery is a job best left to the professionals unless you have experience in this area. 

Many book lovers find it hard to part with books, these can end up piled high causing clutter, so invest in bookcases to create a library area. There are many inexpensive models on the market or, all the better, if you are a D.I.Y. enthusiast build your own. Bookcases, big or small, can be added to any type of room. Spare bedrooms can double as a library and make for very interesting guest rooms. 

Winter sales are a good time to think of replacing that shabby carpet or wooden flooring.  Why not look at new carpet designs instead of the safe predictable plains.  Many companies are now introducing contemporary designs such as this hounds-tooth pattern which looks amazing in a hallway, bedroom or living room. Check out our Kinsale store for huge range of beautiful quality carpets.

Colour of the Year

Design houses have nominated their colour of the year and inevitably these colours will lead trends in design, fashion, and interior design.  Dulux Colour 2018 - Heart Wood is a warm dusky pink.  Many people are dubious about pink but let us look at new ways to harmonise with other subtle blends for a truly designer look. 

For a contemporary approach to using pink add cool greys, muted blues or green hues. 

Use Heart Wood as a feature with crisp white, cool blue or soft greens to add warmth without being overwhelmed. 

If painting walls pink is a step to far this polka dot carpet offers the perfect solution.  Dark blue/grey detail on the woodwork teamed with white walls look spectacular with the warmth of a pink carpet. 

The Pantone Colour Institute who forecasts global trends has picked Violet as Colour of the Year 2018 but harmonises with smoky hues for a more contemporary feel. This colour chart shows how you can mix the new warm palette trends with the cooler palettes that have been so popular over the past few years.  If you are not ready for a complete change try introducing feature walls or detail from this chart and accessorise to accentuate the feature colour.

Pick up colour cards from the Dulux Mix Range and play with hues to create a unique look in your home. This year be brave and add a little colour to your home.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and happy painting.

 

 

Rita O’Driscoll

Interior Designer