5 easy steps
January is always the month I want to organize and freshen up the house. The Christmas decorations get packed away and I love getting back to normal. I walk around the house thinking how cozy it looks, and maybe, if I just added a few more cushions, or cleaned out the book basket, it would look even better.
Here are my 5 easy steps to create a beautiful home.
1. Organize / Remove Clutter / Clean
iheartorganizing.blogspot.com
2. Rearrange furniture to create balance
elle décor
3. Paint and add wallpaper
zoffany
4. Introduce fabrics with texture and pattern
brunschwig and fils
5. Surround yourself with authentic accessories
elle décor
January is the month to get organized and be creative!
Wishing you a happy 2013!
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.
Over the moon
Yesterday at the fabric showroom, I found the most amazing fabrics. My client is going for a modern British look, yet still a bit clubby and menswear inspired. These fabrics by Abraham Moon and Sons have me swooning.
moon.co.uk
moon.co.uk
Moon has been making woollen fabrics in the United Kingdom since 1837. They still use many of their old patterns from the early 1900s. Tweeds, tartans, heather colours, checks and stripes are manufactured for both fashion and home design.
moon.co.uk
The colours are muted, yet the fabrics have such depth to them. Whether it’s a large upholstered piece, draperies, or simply a few toss cushions, they’ll add quiet luxury to a room.
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.
Let it snow….
As the snow pours down in Calgary, I feel so lucky to have chosen today to work at home. With the fire going it’s so cozy in the family room. If your place isn’t feeling warm, cozy and safe, try adding in some new toss cushions. Honestly! Whether they’re custom fabric or Home Sense, new cushions add so much to a room. A nice throw helps too…and maybe a new lamp…
ralph lauren fabric wallcovering
zoffany.com
Surround yourself with what you love. Colour is so very important, but so are textures. During the winter months it’s nice to be surrounded by velvets, wools, chenilles and cable knits. It’s all about the warm and fuzzies.
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.
Ever heard of Persian Pickles?
What’s old is new again, and in this case, what’s really old is once again trending high. The persian pickle motif is also known as the Welsh pear design. The most common name though, is Paisley. Paisley is a teardrop-shaped motif of Persian and Indian origin and has been used since AD224. Wow – that’s really old.
the paisley shoppe
avanti fabrics
Paisley shawls, imported during the 17th century, from the East India Company to Europe became the rage. Soon many European countries were copying this centuries old design, but the town of Paisley, Scotland became the foremost producers. Hence the name association.
elledecor
Paisley has influenced many designs around the globe. Paisley became very fashionable during the Victorian times as well dressed men and women wore this pattern. William Morris furthered paisley’s popularity with his wallpapers and through his work, it became known as somewhat bohemian.
contemporary chair
In the 1960s it was the Beatles who propelled paisley back in fashion. They fuelled the interest in Indian spiritualism and this included the use of colourful paisley designs.
the paisley shoppe
elle décor
Paisley is one of the most recognizable patterns in the world. We’re seeing it show up again very strong on the runway and in home decor. Considering it’s been around for centuries, it really can be called a classic.
elle décor
house and home
And just because it’s super old, doesn’t mean it’s old fashioned. Paisley works in all decors and is right at home in classic design as well as modern.
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.
Freshen it up
There are many ways to freshen up a tired space without throwing everything out and starting again. New toss cushions on an old sofa will bring some life into a living room. Add in some interesting accessories, a great ottoman and tons of texture. The character quotient will skyrocket.
houseandhome
Perhaps the most overlooked styling tool is the use of texture. In order for a room not to fall flat, there needs to be a variety of textures. The hide ottoman is such a stand out piece that makes the rest of the room look amazing. Keep in mind that every room needs a mix. In easy terms, just remember that a combination of rough, soft, shiny, and flat will pull together a room.
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.
elle décor
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.
via thingsthatinspire
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.
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.
via lillypulitzer.com
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
via elle décor
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.