By Shelagh Duncan
Mirrors are not just fancy frames around a piece of reflective glass. They actually have the ability to change the appearance of any given area. A well placed mirror will make any space seem larger, lighter and more ‘together’.
Try hanging one in a hallway or a dark corner and see how it brightens and opens up the area. Also consider using more than one in a room — treat each one like a piece of art.
By Shelagh Duncan
Now is the time of year when we enjoy visits from friends and family. We all want to make their stay as enjoyable as possible, so when arranging the guest room, think about your experience in your favourite B&B or 5-star hotel. Take your cue from the special touches that made your stay so memorable.
You may not have the budget to create a getaway oasis, but with a few simple tips you can offer a comfortable, quiet place to relax.
By Shelagh Duncan
If you used to watch Frasier and remember his ‘impeccable’ sense of style, you may remember that he suffered greatly at the ugliness of his father’s grossly overstuffed, battered “man chair” for 11 years. I could feel his pain as that hideous chair created an eyesore in the middle of his very tastefully decorated condo. However, the really painful part came in the series finale when Frasier’s father moves out and Frasier finally gets to put his beloved Eames recliner in the living room. His father comes to visit, sits back in the Eames recliner and says “Hmmm … this is pretty comfortable. I would have been okay with this!”
So what makes a chair a “Man Chair?” Does it have to look like a pillow fight is going on underneath worn out upholstery?
Mexican Rugs
By Shelagh Duncan
We all like to add a touch of our own personality to our home décor. Sometimes it is not easy to know how to focus that creativity. Selecting a particular theme is one of the easiest ways to achieve this.
This month we are looking at MEXICAN STYLE. It works really well with our tropical homes and you will often only need a few well chosen pieces to make a difference.
Here are some ideas of how to add that touch of Mexico to your home.
By Shelagh Duncan
Once you have purchased your piece of paradise, and decided that it is time to think about building a home you will ask your builder “How much will the project cost?” The answer isn’t always straightforward and easy. You see, a home construction budget, in both its creation and its maintenance, is more art than science.
The best approach to identifying costs for your specific project and location is to talk with several architects, designers and builders. Each will probably give you a different “number,” so you’ll have to drill down into the detail of what that number means. Just remember that the devil is in the details.