What is Interior Decorating? Interior Decorating refers to the decoration and furnishing of interior spaces in homes, offices, schools, and public spaces. It deals with all aspects of lighting, color, texture, paint, furniture purchase and placement, flooring selection and installation, fabric installations, window treatments, and accessories. It aims to give a better look and feel to your rooms as it concentrates on the aesthetics of a space, on how to pair an open floor plan with complementary furniture and decor accents, or create atmosphere or mood with lighting or wall sconces. Interior decorating “dresses” an existing space. It begins with a broad concept, such as postmodern, retro or traditional aesthetics, and works in the details of that style. SweetSuite is a magazine that will help you with your choices on what was explained above, from the start until the end. We fully understand about how you feel after you’ve finished buying your new home, or just want to have a complete change of your current setup. Worry not as you’ll end up with a look that will suit your taste!
The right design for you
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How to choose the right color
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How to decorate your home
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Interview with Olivia Maze
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Expert interior designer
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s we are all aware everyone have different tastes and preferences, either related to house decoration or anything else. So we’re here to help you make up your mind with a couple of awesome tips related to these 3 factors, colour, space and style: If you’re a person that doesn’t like to stare at bright colours for long periods of time you should obviously go for colours that feel comfortable to your eyes. Space is another factor when it comes to decorating your home. Some people prefer to live in houses with alot of space and others the contrary. Even if your rooms are rather small it is possible to make them look and feel bigger. For this try to go for more simple and smaller scale furniture, now I don’t mean to go for miniature size, cause that would just make your rooms look absurdly big or is it that what you’re aiming for? And for people that like having alot of things inside a room it’s as simple as it gets, just fill the room with alot of stuff that suit your taste, to the point where you can’t even move. Just kidding, don’t do that. Larger scale furniture is the way to go.
And for the style either modern or classy. A modern style makes the room feel fresh while a classy style not so much. It’s the style seen on most houses. A classy style might make a person feel like they’re in some sort of an important house with a “rich” atmosphere. Also for the fact that classy look furniture may be more expensive.
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his section will once again talk about colors but with a deeper perspective. Once you have figured out what style of interior you want and how much you want to spend, your next decision is: What colors should you use? Bear in mind that just because you like a color doesn’t mean it’s necessarily ideal for your project. “What mood are you trying to achieve?” Do you want the place to be bright and cheery, or dark and cozy? If it’s the former, brown may not be the right color to emphasize in your interior even if you love it. Consider your location and the amount of light you have as well. Bright, hot colors work well in warm, sunny climes, where the sun diminishes their intensity. But they may not look as good in grayer northern climes. Sometimes the best colors can be found right outside your door — in the vegetation and rocks in your landscape. While it’s often suggested that you look to your wardrobe for color inspiration, sometimes it may not be the best ideia. Just because you like wearing something doesn’t mean you’d like to live in those colors. Conversely, there might be colors you love to see in homes but wouldn’t be caught dead wearing.
Another approach to choosing color is to take the hue from an object you already own — ideally, an investment piece like a work of art or a rug. If you love the item, then you will usually love the same colors reflected elsewhere in the room. Now that you’ve chosen some colors, where should you use them? That depends a lot on your comfort level and in some cases your budget. Why budget? If you like to jump on the current trendy color, realize it may become dated quickly, and you’ll have to spend money to change it
If you want your decor to feel current longer, steer clear of fads, or apply those colors in accessories like pillows that you can change out easily.
Budget can also dictate whether you use the color on something that is costly to change, like a sofa, or on items that can be altered inexpensively, like wall paint and accessories. But you’re going to be locked into that color for a long time, she cautions, because sofas are expensive to buy or reupholster. Think long and hard about whether you can live with that color for an extended period of time. If you prefer to play it conservatively, use neutral colors for your investment pieces and overlay other colors. Blue comes through strong and clear in this room but is confined to pillows, draperies and paint — elements that could easily be changed should the owners want to redecorate. Some colors are naturally more versatile than others, a blue occasional chair will go well with lots of other colors and will give you the flexibility to change your palette without changing the chairs. An orange chair? Not so much.
Naturally, you don’t have to limit yourself to one color palette for the whole house. The important thing is to maintain a consistent feeling throughout the home and not to, say, use primaries in one room and pastels in another. It also helps if there’s a through line, like a common trim, ceiling or floor color, to unite the interior. Once you’ve chosen your color palette, the temptation is to start off by choosing your paint. Pick the paint color last, many people paint a room and have to decorate around it, which is almost impossible.
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new home is a blank canvas, you get the opportunity to transform each and every room into a personality filled space that you’ll adore. Whether you’re tired of your old space or you’re moving into a new one, decorating it is imperative to adding coziness and charm. Try changing up large aspects of your home along with incorporating small details, for the best results.
Making Big Changes
1 Paint your walls.
If you live in a rented space, this might not be an option for you. However, if you’re able to, painting the walls in your house can be one of the quickest ways to freshen up the look and add a bit of interest. Choose a color that complements your personality and fits your space. If you’re bubbly and fun, consider a golden yellow or bright green. Calm and collected? A shade of gray or blue might be more your pace. Paint isn’t permanent, so feel free to experiment with colors until you find a look you love!
Don’t be afraid to try several colors spread throughout your home; although you don’t want many different bright colors, painting each room a different color is totally appropriate. Although it’s not as in style as it used to be, you can apply wallpaper on an accent wall to add a bit of pattern, if you want. There are even wall decals that act like wallpaper but are removable, if you’re afraid of the permanence of it. If you’re not ready to paint one whole room (let alone your house!), try adding an accent wall. This is when you paint just a single wall in a room, typically one that gets a lot of attention, a bright or cheery color that matches your decor.
2 Try out new furniture.
Furniture is arguably the most important aspect of decorating; if you’re short on furniture or have been using the same pieces for many years, consider bringing some new furniture into your home. Choose comfortable pieces in colors and styles that match your personality. Don’t be afraid to try something other than what the store model has set up; furniture that truly shows your personality will fit in your space better than boring floor model furniture you pick up because it is on sale. Don’t be afraid to buy used furniture from thrift stores, it is easy to repaint and reupholster these to match your space.
Mix and match furniture rather than using only matching sets, you’ll end up with a more unique look, and probably save some money in the process.
3 Use decorative storage.
Whether you’re incredibly organized or a bit of a hoarder, nearly everyone has stuff that needs to go into storage. Rather than shoving it under a bed or in the back of a closet, try using decorative storage instead. Look for ottomans that store things in their hollow centers, entertainment centers with doors, and large bookshelves and hutches to hold your knickknacks. By using storage that’s attractive, you kill two birds with one stone. Cover shoeboxes in fabric or spray-paint store-bought storage crates to create sophisticated solutions to your storage problems.
Book cases can be used to store nearly anything, aside from books. Consider placing one in your kitchen to hold dishes or in your living room for assorted decorations. When you buy new furniture, look for pieces that have hidden storage available.
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Refurbish old furniture and accents. If you don’t have enough money to buy new furniture for your apartment, give your current furniture a makeover. In a kitchen or bathroom, try painting the cabinets a new color or staining them. Use cheap fabric to reupholster your couches or chairs, and try a stain on your floors to change the color.
Wood accents (on edges of furniture, the windowsills, trim, doors, etc.) can be painted or stained a bold new color. If nothing else, try moving your furniture into new locations and see the difference it makes on their appearance.
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Hang up some artwork. Nothing does more for a space than filling the walls with artwork, prints, and posters. Choose a selection of artwork and prints in complementary colors and themes; think nature photography, paintings, concert posters, favorite quotes, etc. Head to a local thrift store or the clearance rack of a department store and pick up some picture frames that match the sizes of your artwork. Then, hang your prints all over your home. A bare wall is a boring wall, so try to have at least a few large pieces and a few small pieces of art displayed throughout your house.
Keep in mind that you can paint your picture frames to match your artwork or furniture. You can purchase incredibly cheap prints of famous paintings online, making it easy to add lots of art to your home.
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Add your favorite pictures/memories. To make your house truly idiosyncratic and appealing, add framed photos of your favorite memories, trips, people, and locations. You can print large photographs from different experiences throughout your life to hang as centerpieces on your walls, or you can print small versions to place in standing frames around your house. People will love seeing your home filled with your favorite pictures, and you’ll always have good things to be reminded of while you sit and relax. You can find cheap picture frames for your photos at thrift stores, which can then be painted to match the interior of your house. Try hanging your photographs with assorted artwork in your home in a gallery display. This will allow you to showcase lots of your favorite pieces at once, and add a more personal touch than just paintings might do.
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Add floating shelves. Floating shelves are small rows of shelves that are attached directly to your wall, allowing you to hang prints and photos around them. These are great for placing small decorative items and knickknacks on. Add glass bottles/vases of flowers, trinkets, things you’ve collected from your travels, and other pretty things to the shelves that match your interior decorating. These are also a great way to showcase art and photos without filling your walls with holes to hang them up. Floating shelves are great for decorating a bathroom and allowing you to store towels and the like with a small amount of space. Try using floating shelves in your kitchen to store cookbooks and pretty glassware.
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Use creative lighting. Generic light covers and shades may come with your home, but they typically lack interest and personality. Mix up your lighting by purchasing new, more decorative options. Look for items to work as your primary light source that match the general style of the room, but that aren’t too bold. Small interesting lamps can be interspersed throughout your home to add light and flare to your style. If you’re interested in DIY, you can purchase old lamps and shades from a thrift store and spray paint or cover them in fabric for a fresh new look. If you’re using multiple lights in one room, try to vary the sizes, colors, and shapes of the lamps (unless they’re a matching set). You can never have too much light, so don’t be afraid of using several light fixtures in a single room or a small area.
Did you know... LED lights are flexible, can be applied to various uses and provide so many benefits. No wonder then that they are a favorite of interior home designers to be among their arsenal in coming up with the best home for you.
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Hang up some new curtains. Curtains are one of the most underused style tools in decorating a home. With just a bit of carpentry work, you can install curtain rods and add lovely curtains that match your furniture perfectly. Look for curtains that have plenty of color or pattern to brighten up your room. If you’re working in a space you’d like to keep dark (like a bedroom), you can add room-darkening curtains or drapes in dark hues to block out light. If you’re trying to make a space look bigger, add light colored and textured curtains.
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Look for matching rugs. The purpose of rugs is dual in nature: cover up unattractive or dirty flooring and add interest and pattern to your floor. Look for rugs to fill up the empty spaces in your home; these will make your house seem full of furniture even when its a bit bare. Find rugs in colors and patterns that match your decor (or go with it; too much ‘matching’ might look boring). Rugs can be places in nearly every room of your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, so don’t be afraid of getting several! You can purchase cuts of carpet and have them finished to create your own rug for your home, for cheap.
When did you start decorating homes? I’ve been decorating homes since I was 24.
What is the reason for you to start home decorating? Decorating homes has always been a passion of mine, since I was small I really liked to decorate my room with every kind of things, from paintings to simple objects laying around on a desk or a shelve.
What would be your recommendation for “what to do first” in a decorating project? It makes sense to follow the architectural style of the space. Determine the function of the room and really think about how you will use it. Then furnish it appropriately for those uses. Finally, layer on your own personal style -- not someone else’s. Aim for personal comfort as well as visual appeal level.
What are some of the decorating mistakes that you notice when you walk into a home? Things I notice right away are bad lampshades, straggly plants -- often one great plant will do instead. Also dinkiness in scale, with little teensy things dotted all over or picture frames on every surface. I really think things should be massed together for greater effect.”
What advice do you have for someone with a new house to decorate and perhaps a limited budget? Go with good classic design in terms of furniture. I always look for multi-purpose pieces, that can be used for other rooms as living conditions change. Set the scene for your own personal style with neutral walls and floors. Then add simple window treatments and bed linens to transform a space with color.”
What advice do you wish someone had given you about funishing your own home when you first started out? I wish someone had told me not to throw anything away. I sold off my grandparent’s mahogany dining room set with 12 leather chairs. Totally cool, totally my family. Guess what? I was into pine as a newly married. It’s not like buying sweaters or shoes. Where do we have this body of knowledge, this wealth of experience that tells us, if you are like me, you can’t wear V-necks because my neck is so long I look like a giraffe. I needed to learn not only what I liked but worked for me and my family. A young person should trust their instincts.
Can children be part of the planning for their rooms? Sometimes, with children who are old enough to know what their favorite color is, you can have a talk with them and make them a part of the decision-making process. When they are part of the process the room will last longer, and they won’t get tired of it. You’ve got to be democratic. There’s a way to bring children into the process by being the parent, but letting them know where you draw your line. And one day when they graduate from college they can do whatever they want!
Most of us are always eager to know what is the “latest” color, design, and furnishings trend. Can you comment on what you see in trends and how homeowners might create interiors that are up-to-date but classic. I am very anti-trend. It only gets people into a ‘dated’ look. Clients are directed to not fall into a narrow style, but to go for a more eclectic look, to collect pieces they love. Definite trends such as Mission, lodge, etc. are ‘fashion items’ just like in the apparel industry. Accents are great, but don’t go overboard...
How do you know when a color combination works? My body tells me: I get goose bumps on my arms. When I get the goose bumps, I know it’s right! I don’t tweak colors once they are picked. When I enter a client’s home, I usually have a color scheme mapped out in my head within the first 10 minutes or so, once in a while there might be a toss up between two colors but that’s rare.
What decorating techniques/ideas/ projects would you recommend to a homeowner who wants to rev up the look of a bedroom or living room for Spring, without spending a fortune? I find that all my friends are simplifying and just having the things they love around them. I find that clutter is so distracting and high maintenance. When you have a simple backdrop it’s easy to change a look with sheets, flowers, or arranging a collection in a new way. Sometimes, you don’t even appreciate what you have, when you have too much around!
What advice can you give to those who want to discover their own signature styles? Have fun with it! Look through magazines and cut out the pages you like. You can mix and match elements from each page and create your own style.
Interesting quote... A decorator, no matter how talented, can’t always get the desired results because sometimes there is resistance or maybe a lack of understanding on the part of the client. I think it is the decorator’s job to work as a guide, to bring out the best qualities and the best attitudes - Albert Hadley
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essica Brook Design Ltd is headed by award-winning interior designer Jessica Brook. Jessica is recognised by the industry for her creative approach and sophisticated aesthetic sensibility, creating elegant interiors of understated luxury, with attention to detail, emphasis on the use of natural materials, layering of texture and the combination of classic and contemporary styles. Based in West London and working on Residential, Commercial, Hotel and Leisure projects the company’ s services encompass Architectural Interior Design, Interior Decoration, Furniture and Product Design. Projects can vary from concept schemes through to full scale interior architectural refurbishments and decoration. Developing your project brief they will produce concept mood and sample boards, visuals where required, working drawings and written specifications. Over the years they have built up a strong network of consultants, suppliers and craftspeople who work with them to develop their designs into bespoke products and finishes unique to their interior. Jessica Brook Design increase the value of the investment of your project by working closely with Associate Architects, Surveyors, Contractors and other contacts within the build project, developing the overall design and working
to maintain consistency and integrity throughout its execution. The results are beautifully conceived, detailed and executed interiors with atmosphere, a sense of growth and understated luxury. Training initially as a Fine Artist, Jessica Brook has been creating interiors for over twelve years. Drawing on her experience of designing for eminent designer Mary Fox Linton after completing a Masters in Architectural Interior Design at Inchbald School of Design, Jessica Brook’s work is typified by her creative approach and sophisticated aesthetic sensibility. Discernible in each project is her attention to detail, emphasis on the use of natural materials, layering of texture and her combination of classic and contemporary elements. The results are beautifully conceived, detailed and executed interiors with atmosphere, a sense of growth and understated elegance.
FEELS LIKE B
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A sofa is one of the biggest furniture investments you’ll make and one of the most permanent. Even if you’re just buying one for a temporary fix, it’ll eventually get demoted from the living room to the family room to the basement and, finally, the dorm. Before you know it, a decade or more has passed, and that impulse purchase has become part of your life. So give some thought to it before you buy. Most cushions have a core of polyurethane foam; the denser the foam, the heavier it is and the longer it will last. In the cheapest furniture, the cushion is filled with just the polyurethane foam core. In better furniture the core is wrapped with Dacron batting. Higher-quality options include poly-down cushions, which have down mixed with the batting; springdown cushions, which feature a core of springs surrounded by foam and feathers; and all down, which is all feathers (and all work, so avoid this unless you have servants). Consider the proportions of the room and determine what height, length and depth of sofa would look best in the space. If you’re uncertain, mock up a footprint on the floor using masking tape or blue painter’s tape. Or consider “building” a sofa out of empty boxes then live with it for a few days to see how it feels.
If you plan to spend a lot of time lying on the sofa for reading or naps, make sure it has enough space between the arms. Don’t rely on overall length alone, as the width of the arms will affect the space between.
Arguably the most crucial piece of furniture (especially during the holiday season) is the dining table. Whether it’s anchored front and center in an open kitchen or positioned in the middle of a formal dining room, the dining table is a gathering spot and a focal point. But beyond being a standout furniture piece, the dining table needs to be sturdy as a rock, comfortably accommodating and, in some instances, even flexible in shape and size. If you’re going for a wood dining table, always opt for hardwood such as mahogany, walnut, maple, oak, or teak instead of composite wood, which include plywood, hardwood solids and MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). And while engineered woods such as MDF -- which is a mixture of hard and soft wood bits that have been compressed into board form -- are durable, they’re not as strong and sturdy as hardwood. And while MDF, may be stable enough for the short term, hardwood is far more longer lasting. One key fact to keep in mind is that tables with removable legs often tend be made of fiberboards, a material made of pressed wood scraps. It’s not a good option for the long-run, but if you’ll use the table only occasionally (or if you move frequently) then it can make sense to go with fiberboard. For those of you looking for something beyond traditional hardwood, we like the look of galvanized metal, grainy marble, or molded plastic. A quick tip for wood table buyers: don’t go for thick veneer because it tends to lift away from the piece over time. How do you know that the veneer is thick? It’ll feel plastic-y to the touch and have obvious “seams” where it connects at corners.
Quite often, people are not realizing what a big change curtains can make with regards to the look of their home. Instead of needing to get new furniture (such as sofa, wall painting, cupboard) or costly home improvement, a curtain may well achieve the modification you’re looking for while keeping your expenses reasonable. Because you can purchase curtains in any colors and designs, curtains can accommodate any kind of home and personal taste. Just what color styles for your new curtain have you considered? There’s a couple of tips on how to go about it and you should be aware of what appeals to you: You’ll find curtains in colors which complement perfectly with the rest of the home, or perhaps curtains that will contrast these items. Curtains in very similar colors to current furnishings are most frequently acquired, but people are frequently not aware that contrasting colors may in many cases yield wonderful results. You should spend some time prior to buying and consider the many choices you’ll have. Talk to the shop with regards to their refund policy (to be on the safe side) and talk to them about a test patch too. Then you’re able to bring this small color sample home for you to see how the color will go with your room before you buy the curtain. Prior to going to buy a new curtain you need to know what function it’ll have. You should never ever overlook that. Being aware of points like colors and the thickness of the materials will help greatly to find the proper curtain.