Which Style Are You?

When it comes to decorating there are a lot of styles to choose from for your home.  Although everyone knows the common decorating styles like Modern, Contemporary and Traditional, there are quite a few most people have never heard of, but may have come across on TV, in magazines or on travels around the world. This blog will explain a little about what factors make up each style and will hopefully help you identify which style or styles your home has.

Modern Style

With a Modern style rooms are often left quite simple. Rooms have limited furniture pieces and the decor is often straight lined. Finishes are often metals and polished floors and tiles. You may also notice that modern style rooms often have large windows with none or few curtains and blinds. Modern style has also been referred to as a 'futuristic style'

Modern Style

Contemporary Style 

This style is quite similar to Modern style yet it uses softer edges and curvy lines instead. It allows for a variety of textures. Contemporary rooms have a lot more furnishings and accessories, yet living rooms remain open concept and will also have large windows with few curtains. 

Contemporary Style

Transitional Style

This style falls in between contemporary and traditional, and is often a more common style in households as traditional furniture pieces used are commonly inherited. When it comes to transitional you get away with using a lot more accessories like throw pillows, combination of window coverings and the use of a lot of different styles of furniture. This type of decorating creates a warm atmosphere in a household. It allows you to combine old and new.

Transitional Style

Traditional Style

This style is very popular, especially among older generations. When it comes to traditional a lot of wood is used, excessive carvings in fire place mantels and furniture is often found. There is a lot of detail found in traditional homes and it often goes beyond the furniture, the house itself will have a lot of traditional features such as crown moldings, original hardwood and trim that may have wood inlay and designs. The furniture is often a combination of upholstered seating and exposed wooden frames that may also feature carvings. Windows can be heavily draped in layers. Traditional detailed rugs are often found within most rooms. 

Traditional Style

Eclectic Style

This is one of the most difficult decorating styles yet it allows for the use of almost anything. Eclectic style is a combination and collection of a variety of colours, textures and shapes and sizes. The style basically combines all of the other styles previously explained. This style is often applied by people who travel and collect all sorts of items around the world. 

Eclectic Style

Bohemian Style

This one is similar to eclectic as it uses a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. Often found within this style is the use of a lot of fabric. This is done by using pillows, curtains, rugs and also the hanging of tapestries. Bohemian style rooms are often very colourful. 

Bohemian Style

Urban Style

Last but not least is the urban style and has been rising in popularity in the last few years. This style is often used and found within cities in apartments and lofts. This style leaves a lot of materials exposed such as ceiling work and brick walls. Metals can be found right at home here, stair railings are often wrought iron and furniture often has exposed metal frames. Wood is commonly used in addition to the metals to create a nice balance.  Accessories are present but are minimal. 

Urban Style

Having addressed some of the most common and popular styles, I hope it has given you an idea on where your personal style fits in. If you're decorating style isn't like the styles I have explained don't feel alarmed, there are countless of other styles out there that I haven't mentioned but would take me forever to explain and I wouldn't want you to get bored ;) Just remember that everyone puts their own twist on a style, and as long as you have accomplished that, your style is the best style for your home! 

Till next time! Oh and don't hesitate to let me know which style you are most similar to, and for those who are curious; my personal style is transitional, I love the flexibility this style gives!

A Splash of Colour

Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner, it's the perfect time to bring in pops of colour into your home decor. In today's blog we'll be going over a few different ways you can bring colour into your decor. It is always a great idea to fresh things up so you don't get bored with your current decor, and in spring and summer you can easily get away with adding bright and bold colours. So why not have a little fun?

crazychickdesign.com

1) Add some throw pillows with bright patterns and colours. Whether you like orange, pinks, blues, or yellows, buy some throw pillows and some room decor accessories in similar shades and add these throughout your home. It will brighten the place up and make it a much more uplifting environment.

HomeGoods

 2) Add Flowers or plants. This may seem simple but it works, and its only temporary so don't be afraid to go bold. You can add as  much variety in sizes and colours of plants and flowers as your heart desires. Plus what better way to breathe new life into your room with things that actually live?

   

                                 

3) Some other ways of adding colour can be through rugs or throw blankets. These can be more costly but may also be used throughout the whole year if its colour or shade coordinates with your permanent decor within your home. A combination of the two is also effective as shown in the image below. The rug is left a neutral shade but its pattern provides interest, its pattern also coordinates with the throw blanket over the arm of the sofa, with a bold colour and similar pattern. 

beeyoutifullife.com

And don't forget about the rest of the house, hang some bright coloured towels in the bathroom, a welcoming door mat, a throw blanket and pillows for in the bedrooms. The possibilities are endless! 

Happy Decorating!

~Ilana

10 Common Mistakes Made When Decorating Your Home

Today's post is going to address 10 common mistakes homeowners make when decorating their home. Even the best decorators and designers make these mistakes from time to time, so here is how to avoid to make them! 

1) Never Paint First

http://www.alejandrespainting.com/interiors

Probably the most common mistake that almost every homeowner has made is painting. We all get it, you buy a house and while all the rooms are still empty why not immediately go ahead and give the walls a fresh coat? As time effective as it may seem in the beginning, you're actually giving yourself a much harder time decorating your home in the long run (if you want all your pieces to coordinate that is...)

Get a plan started on your home design, and think about the fabric colours on your furniture, and the prints and designs on your throw pillows, paintings, and other accessories. If you don't already have these pieces, purchase those first before purchasing paint. Matching a paint colour to existing throw pillows and paintings is a whole lot easier than trying to find throw pillows or paintings that have a coordinating shade to your paint colour.


2) Have Variety in Furniture Scale.

SLC Interiors

Another common mistake made in home decor and design is using the same size and scale throughout the room. A smart tip I had come across was to decorate your room with a ;city scape' in mind. Decorate with pieces of different heights and widths to create a balanced look. If everything in the room is at a similar height, or everything is at a similar width it makes the room look off, and in the case of having only used big pieces of furniture it can make a room feel visually crowded. 


3) Don't Buy Everything at Once.

Decor shopping is fun, but also costly. Quality pieces are not cheap, so take your time choosing pieces for your home. If you buy a nice painting at one store, and then go in the next and see another that you like, you may be forced to walk away without the painting you wanted the most. So to avoid this, browse around, see what is out there before you decide what to buy.  If you do see something you love, of course you can still buy it, but try and keep the receipt in case it doesn't work out in your decor. Also, try to budget ahead of time on how much you are willing to spend in each area of decorating your home. Establishing a budget may also be a helpful factor in deciding to purchase or not to purchase and won't allow you to over spend. 

4) Create a Focal Point.

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It is true when they say that every room should have a focal point. A focal point helps establish the rooms purpose and it helps you decide where to place furniture. For example; In a living room or family room setting a fireplace or TV is often the main focal point, it will be the first thing your eyes are drawn to when walking in the room. Furniture like couches and chairs face this focal point and help define it. A focal point is also a place for the eyes to rest. If you have too many focal points in one room it can make a room become confusing. In bigger rooms you may have two focal points, but try to remember that a focal point establishes a purpose and assigns a function for that space. Other examples of focal points besides a fireplace or TV are often paintings.


5) Get Rid of Things You Don't Like.

www.houzz.com.au

This is something everyone will deal with at least once. Most of us have pieces of furniture that was handed down to us that we feel obligated to keep. If it does not fit within your style or decor and you don't like it, don't use it. Instead give it away to another family member who might love the piece, or paint it and transform it into something that may fit within your decor style. If you don't love the piece, you do not have to use it. However if you do have an antique piece of furniture that you absolutely love but don't know how to properly incorporate it into your decor you can consult a designer or decorator who may offer you tips and examples on how to incorporate it in your home. They often charge a flat fee for a consultation but may also charge hourly.

6) Arrangement - The Magic Number of Three.

www.designinghome.blogspot.com

A lot of little decorations come in sets. Or if you are a collector you may have a lot of similar pieces. Often people place these individually around the house or room, as they feel they can't all be grouped together. In design there is "The rule of three" and it actually allows you to group similar or the same items in groups together. Especially if they are all different heights it makes it very visually appealing. 

7) Get a Second Opinion.

This one is very important, with anything that takes a long time to do, sometimes you can get so caught up in it that you can miss the mistakes you've made or become blind to certain things a "fresh pair of eyes" may catch instantly. I personally always ask friends for their opinions on things I do as I sometimes get lost in it all. So if you feel like something is missing from a room you've decorated, or you think it is completed, ask a friend who hasn't seen it every step of the way to browse around. They may catch something like a chair that looks out of place, a piece of furniture that is hidden from view from most angles of the room etc. things you would have never considered, and remember, it is always okay to ask for help as well!

8) Never Buy a Whole Set of One Furniture Line.

safarimp.com

I see this very commonly in houses of friends and family, or pictures people post of their homes online. They go to a showroom like Leon's or Ikea and purchase a whole set of one furniture line. Yes all the furniture pieces "match" and go together now but you're home will look like it is part of a showroom. Plus it is boring to have the same shade of sectional, lazy boy, ottoman, love seat all in one room. Especially as these are big pieces of furniture, it will make the room feel bulky, and as I mentioned earlier at Mistake #2, most pieces in a furniture line are the same scale. Instead opt for a couch or sectional from one furniture line, and add two side chairs from a different line in a different scale and colour. 


9) Don't Ignore the Traffic Flow.

https://www.nda.ac.uk

A traffic flow is very important in a home, it is the way you walk around a room to get from point A to B. Traffic flows are automatically created by the way you place your furniture. This traffic flow could currently work very well or very bad in your home. You always want to make sure your traffic flow is natural, A small obstruction in the traffic flow can make a big negative impact on how people get around the room. You always want to keep a direct path from entrance to exit. You don't want to force yourself and visitors to go around that chair and behind the couch to get across the living room. For example; if you have a living room with sliding doors that is used, you do not want to block this by a big couch, even if it is the spot where the couch would look best.


10) Show Your Personality.

With all the decorating shows and home decor magazines nowadays it is very easy to get lost in it all. You may have seen a living room image on Pinterest and can't wait to recreate it's decor set up. You want your home to be unique, and to represent you and your family. It is fine to have a well furnished and decorated home as long as it obvious that a family actually lives there and feels at home. You don't want your house to feel like a show home. Fill your house with items that you've collected from your travels, or things your children have made, pictures of your family and pieces you absolutely love. Combining these items with a well decorated home will leave an impression with your visitors at the end of the day but also will make your home feel inviting and comfortable. 

The First Impression

We all know that making a good first impression when meeting someone is key to a good relationship, or getting a job etc. I believe first impressions are also very important when decorating a house, and first impressions of your decorating style is at the front door; your foyer. 

I believe the foyer is a key spot for design, everyone will see this part of your home and besides family and friends, other people will see not much more. Thus I believe it is a good space to spent time on, those who will not see the rest of your home will form an impression of your entire home based on just this room, and therefore making sure it leaves the impression you would like your visitors to have is important! The foyer is actually one of the rooms I am most excited to decorate! 

I believe foyers can say a lot about the house and lifestyle of the homeowners, if the foyer is messy and overrun by clutter, coats, shoes etc. than that could promote your home as unorganized, lack of storage space or cluttered. Rather if it is organized, pleasantly decorated your home would look organized, and feel welcoming. 

To get your creativity going or to inspire you for your own entry way I added some pictures along with my thoughts about each:

www.stonegableblog.com

#1: This foyer belongs to Yvonne from StoneGable blog, I am absolutely in love with her foyer and had to share. I love the colour green and plants so this foyer was a big hit with me. I think the wreath in front of the mirror is a great idea. If I had this foyer I would change the wreath with the seasons.     

www.houseofturquoise.com

                                           

#2: The next foyer belongs to Erin from the HouseOfTurquoise blog, and again I am in love with the colours. My favourite colours are green and blue, and everything about this entry way promotes welcoming to me. It only has a few pieces and is kept very simple. I love the accent colour on the door also, its an effective way of tying in the exterior with the interior of a home, and let's not forget that ceiling... it completes the whole look!

www.homeportfolio.com

#3 Lastly is a more contemporary/ modern approach that is also very simple. I like the neutral tones used. This foyer uses a lot of shapes like on the floor tile, with the stool bases and the mirror which I think is very unique. It isn't my personal style but I still wanted to share as it may be some of yours!

What I would suggest including in your foyer is a spot to sit down to take shoes or boots off. A bench, a chair, stool or ottoman work great for this. If you do have a mudroom area in the home you will a lot more freedom with decorating in the foyer as you won't necessarily need coat hooks, shoe storage etc.

Let me know which foyer out of the three you liked best. Till next time!

-Ilana

Jewelry Organization

A little while ago I started organizing my jewelry and that of my sister's. We both have lots and lots of jewelry that needed to be organized desperately. I figured I would share our organization solutions with all of you so you may organize your own jewelry in the same or similar way! :) 

PROBLEM: My sister, Kim has a extensive selection of earrings and has a bit of a earring obsession ;) thus all the more reason she needed an organization system that allowed her earrings to be displayed in an organized manner, as previously they would be piled on top of the others in little boxes and bins and resulted in a time consuming task of trying to find a matching pair. 

SOLUTION: We purchased a cork board frame at Walmart, it allowed us to poke in pins from which then pairs of earrings can be hung. As shown in the photo above you can organize your earrings in a visually appealing manner. :)

PROBLEM: Next up is my mixed collection of jewelry including bracelets, earrings, rings and necklaces. I had a lot of bracelets, way too much to organize, so I actually stored 40% of the bracelets I never wore in a box. I also have a lot of stud earrings which are hard to organize and easily lost. 

SOLUTION: I had always had this jewelry display box so I put it to use. I sorted through my current jewelry and got rid of or stored the jewelry I never wear but wanted to keep. Next up I cut up some black card stock that would fit the square trays in my jewelry box, I cut the card stock in a way that allowed it to tilt up a bit so it can stand a little, like a picture frame would (Like a picture frame, I attached a flap to the back so this would remain tilted). I poked some push pins into the box beside the mirror and hung some of my earrings there as most hang on my sisters display. All my jewelry pieces except my necklaces now have a spot! :)

PROBLEM: So of course I ran into a necklace dilemma as I wanted my necklaces to be hung, but didn't have the space in the jewelry box to hang them nor did I have enough wall space for a cork board frame.

SOLUTION: So instead I bought some push pins and stuck these straight into the wall. Yes i know, this is a crazy idea if you love your walls...which I do, but I felt confident that I could pin them in the correct spot the first time around and so I did. ;) I am pleased with the final look and it has become a piece of organizational-art in my eyes! (Don't know if organizational-art is a thing, otherwise it is now, aha!)  

PROBLEM: So last of all I wanted my sister to display the rings she owns, and wanted to make it look visually appealing, another organizational-art situation I guess... ;) She had some empty space on her shelving to allow for this.

SOLUTION: I had purchased mirrors from the Dollar Store a while back and purchased clear ring holders from Amazon. Combined with some decorations in her room they make for a nice display, i especially love the reflections of both the rings and sunglasses within the mirrors!  

I hope you enjoyed reading about the way I organized our jewelry and hope you feel inspired to organize your own! Below are some links of the items I purchased mentioned throughout the blog post. 

~Ilana

RING HOLDERS | CORK FRAME (SIMILAR) | 

Welcome to "The Creativity That Built Me" Blog...

If you are anything like me you probably have hundreds...if not thousands of home decor and inspiration folders on Pinterest, numerous stacks of home decor & design magazines lying around the house and always the urging desire to re-decorate that room for the tenth time or to enter that home decor store one more time to do up some inspiration. 

If you are anything like me, you'll feel right at home here, where I will be sharing my home decor obsessions, ideas, inspiration posts and information I have gathered from my two year study of Interior Decorating. 

~Ilana 

PS: I wasn't kidding about the hundreds of inspiration folders on Pinterest... feel free to pop by and check out my numerous folders on every topic you could imagine ;) and those are just 6 of 'em. 

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