A touch of the unexpected

Modern Girl Style

Isn't it always interesting  when you walk into a space and see touches of excitement in the decor? It could be a great piece of art, a collection of objects or unexpected colour combination.  This ottoman is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise monochromatic room (flowers don't count).

 Curbly

Vases massed by colour are pretty spectacular as a focal point.  Finding interesting ways to show collections can add excitement to a plain room.

 Benjamin Moore

 beautiful living files

Why not choose an exotic colour and paint a cabinet, table or the inside of a bookcase?

Tobi Fairley

Spectacular draperies can make a room.  This tight colour scheme becomes interesting when various patterns are added. The bold stripes in the drapes are very eye catching.

pinterest

 A stenciled wall  is sure to be a focal point in  any  room.

source 

If you're going to hang photographs you may as well go for it and create a gallery wall.

 

Making Christmas Sparkle

Making Christmas sparkle is not a difficult task.  There's the little things you add to your home decor, there's music and family and friends. All you have to do is sit back and make enough time to actually enjoy it. It is too easy to get caught up in the frenzy of shopping and preparation.  I'm a fast forward kind of person, but lately I put the breaks on at Christmas, and make  every effort to notice all the small things.

 the sparkle of light on an iridescent wreath; the contrast of shape and colours

 pleasing colours in a gift from a friend who knows me well

 the reminders of great dinners with friends

 a flower that inspired my first series in art

a  reminder of a trip to Ottawa where I actually got lost in an Ikea store

twigs from my daughter's garden

  the lamp I spent two years looking for, greenery from my garden, my husband's guitar he made 

music from my sister

 a gift from a friend who has moved to the opposite side of Canada

 finding small pieces of slate and turning them into unique Santas

 my son's ornament collection one for every Christmas, laid out for his nieces to play with, the odd guy playing the guitar is a  mummer, part of Newfoundland tradition

new  candles waiting for friends to arrive

 

my granddaughters

grimy fingerprints

and even the snow falling outside.

What puts sparkle in your Christmas?

Design solutions: What do I do with the TV?

 Here I go again ranting about my favourite pet peeve in home decor- TV's! I'm always collecting ideas about this design dilemma.
 
In a home theater the TV is king,  but in a smaller space meant for family living it needs to know its place.   If you want a TV to be the focal point in a room you certainly don't have to work at it because  it is  big and black, commanding attention through  scale and contrast.  I must not be the only one who feels this way because questions about where to put a TV continually crop up with clients.

 Camber Construction

These dark bookcases  provide a frame for the TV and it is tucked nicely into other aspects of the room. I don't know why  so many TVs have shiny black frames! Then you need an equally dark wood to balance it.

usona

Finally a gray/silver  frame.  This is a similar set up, but I personally prefer the overall lightness of the bookcases and TV within it. If you use a similar set up it is important to leave open space around the TV.

alldoing

Consider placing your TV on an entertainment console.  In this way it is visually part of the structure.   Your neck will also thank you for your efforts.  Continually jutting your chin up in the air to watch a TV hung too high on a wall is not healthy for your neck.  Then there's the practical aspect for people who wear bifocals.When you tip your head up you are looking out through the wrong part. 

 Crawford Architects

  And my most favourite of all is the magic disappearing TV!

 source

In a minimalist decor, the TV is often treated  starkly.  The white framing which stands out from the wall makes it look like a picture.  The extra storage behind is very functional. 

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Here's another modern solution where the TV is treated like another accessory and the black banding on top and bottom connects nicely with the TV. The stacked art/photos replicate the rectangular shapes. Very pleasing overall. 

 And there you have it- installment 2 on that pesky TV.  Hope there was an idea you liked.