Banish the beiges
Too many times homes are done in shades of beige because it’s a safe choice. It’s a shame really, because it’s just ugly and boring. Adding some pizzaz to a room will make your life better. If you’re afraid of colour, start with small additions of it. Just as important as adding colour, is having texture in a room. This is what brings a room alive.
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Don’t be afraid to combine colour and different textures. This is what layers a room and provides visual interest. For my clients that don’t like to have a lot of “stuff” around, I always recommend wallpaper. It fills up a space without adding knick knacks.
If changing out the carpeting is not in the budget, layer an area rug over it. Rug on rug is okay to do and is an inexpensive way to change your look.
You don’t have to live in boring beige anymore. Start adding layers to your room and banish that beige forever.
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
A master’s touch
J.M.W.Turner is one of my favourite painters. His landscapes depict the power and raw beauty found in nature. He was controversial in his day, but now is known as the father of modern impressionism.
JMW Turner
This particular painting, Snow Storm: Steamboat off a Harbours Mouth, was completed in 1842. It’s a wonderful mix of colour and emotion. When doing interiors, I like to get inspired by the masters. Turner is one of the best for use of colour with a light touch.
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
High style for your headboard
This week I’m off to visit my favourite upholsterer. He’s making an 8 foot headboard for one of my clients. We want to create a luxurious feel in the master bedroom, and having a dramatic headboard will set the tone. My client likes clean lines and functional pieces, so there won’t be a lot of extras in the room.
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She was surprised at where the cost came in for the fabric headboard. Having something custom made may sound costly, but the price is actually comparable to purchasing a standard linen headboard that she saw at a home decor store at the mall.
house beautiful
And by going custom, we get the height we need, as well as a beautiful raisin coloured velvet with shimmer in it. It will truly be luxurious and a focal point. This allows us to have less in the room while keeping it peaceful and relaxing.
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Don’t overlook getting custom made pieces because you think it may be costly. Price it out and make a decision based on the facts. Not only do you often end up paying less then you think, you get something truly unique.
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
What’s on your walls?
Don’t just hang anything on your walls to fill them. Find pieces that speak to you, things that have meaning. My very favourite thing to have on a wall are photos of my children. It’s also important to me to have paintings and pieces created by artists.
Sheila Schaetzle
This beautiful painting was created by local artist Sheila Schaetzle. Check out her art for sale this Saturday, May 5th, 10 am – 4pm at ART HORIZONS Artists, displaying at Alexandra Centre 922 – 9 Avenue SE in Inglewood (across from the Inglewood Art Store).
‘A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.’
Hedy Lamarr
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
Sell your home faster, sell it for more
It’s important to package your home in a way that emphasizes its strengths and downplays its weaknesses. It’s all about creating a lifestyle for prospective buyers. You need to speak to their dreams and show them the wonderful life that awaits them in this home. Here are my top 4 ways to make your home resale ready.
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1. Pay attention to curb appeal and foyer impression.
houseandhome.com
2. Remove clutter, clean and repair.
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3. Add some colour to the walls and your accessories.
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4. Create balance in all rooms.
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The overall goal is to choose and arrange the furnishings, accessories, lighting and colours so that buyers will see themselves living happily within your space. If you would like a professional opinion on the readiness of your home for resale, please get in touch with me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
Live in beauty, feel at peace
Not all of us live in big beautiful homes full of architectural details and amazing windows. From reading design magazines, you’d think they are the only people that want beautiful spaces.I believe that everyone deserves to live in a space that feels beautiful and functions well. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
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Good design does not have to be expensive and should never be trendy or contrived. What it should do is simplify life and create an atmosphere that is comforting and functional. With life whirling by so quickly, we all need a place to feel at home. Does your home bring you peace?
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
The colour revolution continues
It’s gotten me bad. Everywhere I look, I see colour and I want it all. Lilly Pulitzer has suddenly become my new hero. Which is funny, because just a few years ago, I was researching her life and wondered who would dare wear or decorate with her fabrics? Well, never say never.. seems we can’t get enough of Lilly’s style since we’ve overdosed on black and brown.
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Lilly Pulitzer is a socialite and fashion designer. She is known for founding Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., which designs and produces clothing and fabric. Bright, colourful and over-the-top floral prints, hers is a very unique look.
from the lilly pulitzer collection by lee sofa
In 1950, Lilly Rousseau married Peter Pulitzer, and settled in Palm Beach Florida. They owned several citrus groves, so Lilly began selling juice. Because squeezing the juice made a mess of her clothes, she designed a sleeveless shift dress made of bright, colourful cotton. Eventually it was her dresses that became popular, so she focused on fashion design. Her bright colourful clothing became popular with Palm Beach Society, and today it’s enjoying a revival both in fashion and home decor.
lilly pulitzer swatch via lee jofa
Rafael de Cárdenas from Elle Decor
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Unleash your vibrant side. Whether it’s textiles or paint, get some colour into your home. Find out the colours that make you feel alive and surround yourself with them. This will be the start of the authentic you. If you had to describe yourself by colour, not too many of use would be a black, brown or the ubiquitous beige. Myself, I’ve always been a closet chartreuse, with a dash of tangerine. What’s your colour alter-ego?
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
Colour is showing up everywhere
Have you been to the stores lately? Bright colours are everywhere! In both fashion and interiors, the colours are bright, clean and eye-popping. Love this photo from the spring collection at Crate and Barrel. If you want to add some brights, try a few accent pieces such as a grouping of vases, cushions or a pair of lamps with a bright base. This year it’s all about colour. Even the gowns at the Oscars were exploding with bright colour.
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getty images
- March will soon be here, but spring is still a long way away. Try adding some colour to your home and feel the mood change. Orange, yellow, pink and turquoise…pick one, or use them all!
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Karen Fron Interior Design is a Calgary based design firm. We believe that a well functioning and beautiful home makes life better. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about using what you have to create beauty.
Retreat from the craziness
Do you ever feel that the world is just too much – the instant access to information, the buzzing noise, the speed and the endless to-do list? Sometimes it makes me crazy. That’s why it’s so important to have a peaceful retreat. Master bedrooms are often the last room of the house to be finished, yet it is probably the most important room for your sanity.
Never underestimate what some paint and a good de-cluttering can do. Add a nice coverlet, some toss cushions and beautiful lamps. Relax and enjoy your oasis.
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Barbara Barry designs
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Have a peaceful and relaxing weekend!
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.
Feel at home in your place
Hope everyone had a wonderful family day and was able to enjoy all the good things in their life.
Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the best. For me, it’s a cozy room in the house that we can just hang out in. It’s about making that room the best it can be, with what we have already. Balance and scale are more important than having the trendiest furniture. An important tip is to have a focal point, such as a fireplace, a large window or an interesting book shelf. Please don’t make it the tv. That’s just ugly.
A few well chosen accessories to bring colour and texture, always help. Need artwork? Frame photos of your travel, kids, pets or architectural details of buildings you have visited. This adds the personal touch to make the room more you.
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via house beautiful
via elle décor
Don’t wait until you can have the best of everything to make a room beautiful. Do it now. If you can’t see the beauty in what you have, then a few hours of a designers time is well worth it. There is nothing nicer than having a place that you feel at home in.
If you would like to make good design a part of your life, email me.