I’ve got to admit, I’m more of a nuts n’ bolts person by nature, but I’ve picked up some decorating and interior design knowledge over the years, and especially over the last year when a couple of decorating consultant friends have been broadening my rather limited horizon.
Broadly speaking, the theme of the newly renovated space depends on two factors. First, the personality and vision of the occupants, and secondly, what you’ve got to work with both physically and with respect to the decorating budget.
Coming Up with the Basic Decorating Theme
Sometimes, the existing architecture will nudge you in a certain direction. For example, a ranch style house lends itself to a southwestern style of decorating. That’s not written in stone; there’s nothing wrong with breaking with tradition if you’re eclectic like I am.
Over the past decade, it’s become increasingly popular to retrofit inner city lofts. Since these living spaces are basically one big open room, they lend themselves to being rather stark by nature and look great with a modern theme. Think contemporary, shiny, stainless stainless steel Energy Star appliances and modern pendant track lighting.
Window Treatments and the Appearance of Windows
The aforementioned lofts are sometimes a bit lacking in the window department and make up for the natural lighting with skylights. Unfortunately, this can still be a bit claustrophobic. Luckily, there are some clever workarounds to this situation.
The easiest way to do this is to balance a room with faux windows. There are many ways to do this. Murals are likely one of the oldest methods. Maybe that is what our paleolithic ancestors had in mind when the did the cave paintings in Lascaux, France. We certainly know the Romans were big on this method.
Fast forward to 2010. It’s easy to mount an actual wood window frame on the wall and install a high resolution photo as a background. For those with really deep pockets, substituting an LED screen for the photo can add a striking effect.
Window treatments? These go from absurdly cheap homemade drapes to energy-saving Hunter Douglas Duette Architella honeycomb shades that will even score you an energy tax credit.
Well, these are just a few ideas to spark your imagination. You’re limited only by your creativity. Of course, if you’re a nuts n’ bolts guy like me, you might want to get in touch with Angie’s List to find an interior decorator and contractors in your area that come highly recommended by your neighbors.
We recently did a lot of remodeling in the living room of our house. Read that as tearing out one wall and patching the subsequent hole in the cieling. 🙂 New paint job, new curtains, including a set behind the piano to create a screen effect, large painting that serves as a window-esque focal point….the place looks 100 times better than when we moved in with a ton more room to boot.
Great article. People sometimes feel stuck in a house that isn’t their “dream home” but really there is so much you can do to improve a home that there’s no reason not to just go for it!