Every space has a personality, a unique energy that makes it different from any other in the world. If two different persons begin with the same basic room and are given the same furniture and accessories, each individual will do something distinctive to the space that can potentially create a unique atmosphere. But what do you do if after a while the space seems tired and boring? Be open and adventurous. Just today we visited a client who just retired. As she transitioned into this new phase, she was looking to change things up and add some new interest. She was experimenting a bit with new colours, new fabric and textures. She even fell in love with new trim that she previously labelled 'over-the-top' and 'too-much'. We were discussing different and innovative wall art and wall art arrangements. When she is through her space it would look dramatically different. The key here is that Shanti is open to experiment with something new and fresh. You do not have to change everything around you. Just one or two will make a big difference.
Assess the space. What do you love? What are you tired of? What can't you wait to change? If you can afford to do away with what you hate, please do. Just by doing so you would literally make the space seem fresh. If the offending item(s) is something essential to the functioning of the space, like a bed in a bedroom or a sofa in a living room, choose the replacement carefully. Make sure you love it; else you will be cussing yourself for a couple years. When you contemplate changes consider the adjacent spaces. You will want to maintain the flow. Take a few photos and study them. You are likely to see problems that you miss with the naked eye. Create interesting walls. Yes you can change the colour paint. That's the most obvious. But what about adding some wall decals, stencilling, wall paper, a rug, or a faux finish? Look at your wall art. Consider pieces other than paintings. Look for three dimensional pieces, clocks, wrought iron work, and use ceiling medallions on the walls. Creating interest at eyelevel will bring the greatest return and give the space an immediate lift.
Uproot the furniture. Just by changing the arrangement of your furniture can alter the dynamics of the space. In doing so, ensure that the traffic flow in the room is not awkward. You must feel comfortable with the new traffic plan. So begin with looking for ways that the room can function better for you. Swap furniture in from other rooms in the house. Your dressing table can make a great console or a trunk can make an interesting centre table, for instance. Take the throw off the bed and use it on the sofa. Mix it up! Create interest underfoot and overhead. Is your ceiling white? Why? You are wasting decorative equity. You can be as dramatic as you dare on the ceiling. Use a colour that is a couple shades lighter than your walls, if you want to play it safe. Or go wild with contrast and complementary colour. But please ensure that the colours selected work well with the rest of the décor. Medallions are not only for the centre of the ceiling. Random placement of differing sizes of medallions, possibly in different colours can add interest in a child's room or a family room. Tie the furniture arrangement together and reinforce accent colour with a new rug. Change the focal point. Whether it is functional such as the television, natural such as a view, or non-fixed like a piece of artwork, changing the focal point can transform the personality of your space. The focal point draws you in and sets the tone for the entire atmosphere. Holidays and celebrations are great reasons to change a focal point temporarily. This varies the space just enough to bring new interest and excitement.
