Design Secrets from the Pros
In a reimagined space, there is an easy solution to almost any problem.
Small Space
Many people make the mistake of thinking that smaller rooms require lighter paint colors to brighten them up. Actually, it’s just the opposite. As strange as it may sound, smaller spaces appear larger when painted a darker color. Darker colors hide ceiling lines and corner shadows to make walls and ceilings appear further away. It is important that you don’t paint the room black, of course, but a darker hue of the already-chosen color will definitely do the trick.
Little Windows
To gain the illusion of more windows, try adding mirrors. Larger mirrors create a sense of depth, like windows. They also reflect other windows in the space, tricking your mind into believing there are more of them and multiplying the natural light.
Less Is Always More
Put everything you want in the room you are redesigning and when you are finished, edit yourself by removing 25 percent of it. A person entering a room for the first time should be able to experience the space as a whole and not be overwhelmed by its contents. Remember, the more you have in a room, the smaller it appears.
Lighting Is Everything
For exceptional atmosphere, add a tall torchiere lamp to reflect light from the ceiling to the whole room. Recessed lighting adjacent to walls is common but will create a scalloping effect, which will in turn provide not only general lighting but accent lighting as well. Table lamps and picture lighting will illuminate surfaces and artwork for a distinguished feel.
Not Everything Has to Match
Today, pretty much anything goes as long as you do it with a sense of style. It’s not what you have in your space, but how well it is all pulled together that really counts. Surprisingly enough, a contemporary piece works great with a traditional foundation and vice versa. What you are striving for when mixing periods is balance and texture, with the ultimate outcome of achieving a sense of harmony and comfort. Remember, you can’t buy good taste!
Paint Can Make or Break a Space
Even the best furniture arrangement and the highest-priced accessories can look awkward if their background is a poorly done paint job. Drips and brush marks on windows, moldings and floors are a sign of very bad interior design. Even though paint is known to be the least expensive way to update a space, it pays to hire a professional who knows the correct coat coverage, sheen and application process. Not only will a properly painted interior look like a million dollars in even the most modest of interiors, it will also be durable enough to stand the test of time in an active household.
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About Shane Inman
Shane Inman, principal designer and owner of The Inman Company, an interior design, development and consulting firm with offices located in Traverse City Michigan and Chicago Illinois, is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design.
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