Texture

Right now I am obsessed with texture. I am especially excited about adding texture with rugs, throws and pillows.  As I have mentioned before good design does not have to cost an arm and a leg.  I have been thinking of changing up an area rug in my living room for something with some interest and texture.  Here are a few examples of what I have seen at my local Home Sense for under $200.00.  (Love the price since it allows me to mix it up again in a year if I start a new obsession...like maybe animal print leather rugs or something!)

                                                                                                        My living room now...

                        

 

  Some textured rugs I have been looking at:

 

   

 

    

 









Texture adds so much interest into a space without having to add colour. Some things to try are fur pillows on a smooth leather couch. (Extra bonus is that this trend has really taken off lately therefore you should have no trouble finding an assortment of colours and shaggy fur).  Or, a knit throw on a simple sofa.  I also really enjoy textured art which creates so much interest against the flat drywall.  Or a shaggy carpet beneath a simple sofa and on a hardwood floor.

 

                               Shaggy Pillow                                                                                                                  Knit Throw

  

Textured Rug 

 If you're afraid to experiment with colour why not add some interest to your space with an interesting texture?

Colour Wheel Ideas

Using the colour wheel can be a really helpful tool to help pick colours for a room.  One method is the Triad Colour Scheme.  This essentially involves making a triangle on the colour wheel and you'll see that these colours will compliment each other well.  Below is a design board I put together for a class where the triad of colours I chose were purple, green and orange.  Seems like a strange colour combination doesn't it? But when they are all used togther it really works.

 

                                 Triadic Scheme                                                             Colour Wheel                                                Triad Colour Scheme

Now something to keep in mind are the tones / hues of the colours used.  You do not want to start throwing in multiple shades of orange and purple etc. You need to find shades and keep them consistent otherwise the concept may be lost in an explosion of colour.

 Here are a few other examples I found:

       Red, Blue & Yellow                                                                             Light green, Orange & Fushia
      
            Triad Garden Colours                                                                           Triad Room Scheme         

Another quick tip using the colour wheel is that if the colours are across from one another on the wheel they will be complimentary.  Here is an example in fashion:

                                             
                                                                           Complementary Scheme

Try for yourself next time you need some inspiration or are stuck trying to choose colours for your design or fashion ideas!

Spring has sprung...sort of

         
                          Daffodils                                                    Cherry Blossoms                                                  Crocus

So spring is here... depending on where you live. In Vancouver, where I am based, it keeps teasing us that it's here but then spoiling the fun with down pours of rain.  But I do see the bulbs poking out of the soil so I am hopeful its around the corner.  Have you ever noticed how rooms in design magazines look so put together? Part of that is because the room is clean and tidy.  There is no clutter! Therefore, time for a SPRING CLEAN!

My advice today is to de-clutter your space in time for spring. In order to let your room, furniture, art or design speak for itself the clutter needs to go.  Throw away old newspapers, magazines etc.  Put away all items that should not be in the room.

           
                            Clutter                                                               De-Clutter                                                 Organised               

Now, I understand that some items are needed in a room such as remote controls, books etc. - to move them out of the room would be impractical. So a suggestion I have is to invest in some baskets.  Baskets can be tucked into coffee tables, shelving units etc and can store a mesh-mash of items.  This makes the room look put together but organised.  Do not hide your beautiful space behind a bunch of clutter.

Emerald.

This year's Pantone Colour is Emerald.

Image via Pantone 

 

This means you will begin to see this colour a lot more this year.  In fashion, interior design, flatware, linens etc. An easy way to keep your space feeling fresh and up to date is to add in pieces using this new "trendy" colour. An easy way (and relatively inexpensive way) to do this is with accessories. Try adding some throw pillows, or new tea towels in the kitchen, vibrant limes in a bowl or with drapery etc. This change will give your space a quick face lift and also keep up with the trends without having to over commit.

               
                   Image via theatelierblog                                                                       Image via slim69                                                                                  Image via inside-outdesign 

                                  
                                               mage via krisztinawilliams                                                                                                   Image via paperblog

To see how much simple accessories can change a space, check out some examples below using last year's colour of the year - Tangerine Tango.  The 2013 Emerald colour is much cooler and rich feeling.  While the 2012 Tangerine gives a room a sense of warmth and vibrancy.

Image via Pantone

                      
                       Image vai Myhomeideas                                                                               Image via  Thesuitelife                                                      Image via ApartmentTherapy

          

                                             Image via kerriekelly                                                                                  Image via AllureInteriors

Another way to add a lot of impact to a room is with paint. To give a room a whole new feel try painting one of the walls with this year's trendy colour. It does not take a lot of time and its inexpensive (and can be changed back if you hate it!) Experiment!


                         
                               Image via jolenesmithinteriors                                           Image via paperblog                                                        Image via native-radio
        
                 Image via houzz                                                                    Image via furniture4world                                                      Image via colorchats.benjaminmoore 

Don't forget about fashion...I find fashion to be major influence on my interior design style. If repainting a room seems like too big of a commitment, try nail polish or lipstick or other accessories.  Maybe if the colour grows on you, you will try the leap to paint a room - do not be afraid to try something you new!
           
                                    Image via fashionpolish                                                                             Image via makeupandbeautyblog                                             Image via atmosphere-id

                                       
                                               Image via fashioninspirer                                                                                                                         Image via redditgifts

Today's Inspirations...

Growing up on Vancouver's North Shore, I was lucky to be close to the city but far enough to experience the outdoors in an urban kind of way. I find that the colours of nature and textures are often really inspiring. This week I went for a hike in the forest, a walk along the water front and saw the sights of downtown. The sights / sounds / feeling of each are concepts I like to combine in my design.

The inspiration I get from being in the forest are freshness, simplicity and texture. While there are a lot of similar colour hues (tints & shades), there are many textures available such as moss, cedar bows or leafy trees. The way I try to bring this into design concepts are to keep the design simple, use similar hues or one colour and to add interest by mixing different textures.

The ocean gives a feeling of vast openness.  This I find inspiring by not cluttering up a space.  Let the key pieces speak for themselves - don't overwhelm a space.

The city gives me a feeling of vibrancy and pattern.  I use this inspiration by adding in metallic pieces, bright colours or repeating elements such as line or shapes.

Use what is around you to help you feel inspired. Find what you like or places in which you feel inspired and pull ideas from that feeling.

Welcome to Eye Spy Ideas!

My goal is to inspire and encourage you to love your personal space through DIY ideas, tricks of the trade and what "not to dos". I hope that by sharing ideas, my inspirations and design concepts that I learn as I develop as an interior designer this will encourage you to try new things in your home and not be afraid to experiment! Your space is a reflection of you and some place you should love to be.

To me, the idea of "home" can be anything from where you live, to your office work space or an outdoor area.  It's a place where you feel comfortable and in some way reflects your personality or makes you feel inspired. As I have been learning and experimenting with interior design I am beginning to understand my personal design style - I hope to help you find yours!

Something I have learned is that good design does not have to mean "high cost". It is balancing a space and using a keen eye to put in interesting pieces /colours etc. that do not have to be costly.  In my house, I searched and searched for something different to put over my fireplace, I did not want simply another mirror or piece or art. I stumbled upon this woven grass / wood frame which adds some interesting texture and gives my living room an interesting conversation piece.  I love it and the cost? It was only $35.00 at Home Sense. Brilliant!  The great thing about using some inexpensive pieces is that you can change them up when you get bored or want a change - you aren't married to it because it cost you a fortune.