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5 decorating solutions for one traditional mantle

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com – 5 decorating solutions for one traditional mantle

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com 5 decorating solutions for one traditional mantle

Mantles can bring out your inner decorator or cause you frustration. I hope at the end of this post your inner decorator will be leaping. If you don't have a mantle, but have a buffet, console table or even a wide window ledge all the principles/design tips still apply. for additional information about decorating above a fireplace check here.

Come along to a traditional home that is getting a foyer facelift.

Fireplaces and mantles are usually a focal point in a space. Often there are other architectural details that ensure it is a dominant feature. In this case, there are two archways on either side of the fireplace, one into the living room and the other into the dining room. While the fixtures in the home are traditional, the homeowners have mixed in contemporary furniture while still honouring the original feel of the house.

Original photo from homeowner

Initial observations:

The mirror:

reflects the chandelier adding interest
has simple traditional styling that relates well to the the other architectural features
will reflect what is put in front of it adding visual depth
frame has same tones as floor only darker
fits the width of mantle, but seems to overpower it (less so when you are in the space)
is heavy and mounted on original plaster walls, it stays

Thanks to the program Olioboard, I can import the original photo from the homeowner and layer options on top of it. That's designer's dream when presenting ideas to a client.

With the central position of the fireplace between two archways, a symmetrical design would be a fitting line of design. l

Solution One:

Emphasize a vertical layout using art to bring the eye up.

Including art work with a white matt connects with the mantle colour (try to match the white matt with mantle, yes, this one is a tad too bright). You can play with the style of art work. Sometimes adding a modern piece is a way to combine styles.

traditional mantle, mantle vignette, art, decorating a mantle

Thoughts:

I like the simple calla better because the lines are vertical and the simplicity of composition and colour scheme is calming and works better with whatever objects you choose to put beside it. I like rounded shapes next to verticals or if not rounded, something with soft, irregular edges. My choice would be the vases rather than the topiaries because I like a lighter, softer look.

Here's the same idea with a more traditional painting without any white. The look is dark and a little overpowering and with no overlapping it looks a tad to boring. All of this can be adjusted of course. Which painting works best?

Solution Two

Bring your eye in from the sides of the mirror by creating two strong verticals.

traditional mantle, mantle vignette, flowers, decorating a mantle, sculpture

This is the opposite of the first solution but you are still using verticals to direct the eye up. Having the flowers in a dark/clear frame connects with the darks in the fireplace, and also with the white in the mantle. The vases are contemporary as is the sculptural piece but they all "play nicely together".

Solution Three

Go neutral contemporary and layer symmetrically.

traditional mantle, mantle vignette, decorating a mantle, vases,

This arrangement still brings your eye in from the sides of the mirror and emphasizes the vertical, but it is an overall softer look.

Solution 4

Pick up the colours in the fireplace and layer symmetrically with a mix of traditional and contemporary.

Solution 5

Use battery operated console lamps and soften the arrangement in the centre.

traditional mantle, mantle vignette, decorating a mantle, asymmetrical design

Just for fun...

the girls in the house would pick this one!

and I am more comfortable with asymmetrical designs.

There are so many options and each has its own reasoning. In the end it all boils down to personal taste. Which would you choose if you were the homeowner?

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Just Blush!

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com – Just Blush!

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com Just Blush!

The Oscars are always a spectacle, sometimes inviting, sometimes confusing or repellant depending on your life view. I have my issues with them, but that's not what this post is about.

In addition to rooting for my favourite actors and movies, Oscar night is a great opportunity to see how fashion trends (always connected to decorating trends) play out on the red carpet. The best and worst dressed are a matter of opinion. This is obvious when you read several sites and compare the observations with your own.

Blush pink and its variants was the stand out colour for me. Even some of the gowns described as white had subtle pink undertones.

Blush Pink appeared in late 2014 as a trend in fashion and decor and is continuing into 2015 especially in the European market. It is a delicate hue that looks especially good with soft whites and/or pearly grays.

blush pink, decor trend 2015, blush pink furniture, blush pink accessories,

This style board gives a good representation of how the trend plays out in furniture and accessories.

And in fashion ...

from the merest hint of blush

Kerri Washington

Viola Davis

Karolina Kurkova

Jennifer Aniston

Oprah

Zoe Saldana

Jennifer Lopez

to its darker depths

Gwyneth Paltrow

and more vibrant applications.

The pinks have it.

Could you live with a little pink in your life?

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Adding greenery to contemporary decor

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com – Adding greenery to contemporary decor

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com Adding greenery to contemporary decor

After a dreary northern winter I begin to long for a spot of green in my decor. I've even given my blog a new green look.

Last spring I wrote about my lucky bamboo, my default plant that resulted from an aborted shamrock search. Poles apart, I know! Choice is often limited when you live on an island; you can convince yourself it's what you wanted all along.

I've been enjoying my bamboo and it seems to love my house.

I went to look for one for a friend for Christmas. None to be had, but I could find a shamrock. Go figure.

What a difference a year makes.

There's nothing like a plant or a grouping of flowering branches to bring a space to life. Even the most neutral colour schemes sing when there's a little green around.

Can you have too many plants? Yes, in my opinion. You don't want a jungle. One or two plants get noticed and more than that becomes a bit of a mess. You may disagree.

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Lighting your dining table

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com – Lighting your dining table

The right lighting can make a room sing, but often our rooms are off key. When you have a house of a certain age (30 years for me) there comes a time when you know you have to update your look. When I started to change the lighting in my home, I began with the two over my tables because they would have the most impact.

dining table, lighting, drum pendant, contemporary,Designing Home, Margaret Ryall

Kitchen table

When you're buying lighting to hang over a table you should consider these factors:

Height of ceiling

A taller ceiling often requires larger fixtures; many new home builds in my area now have 9 foot ceilings.

Size and shape of table

Your fixture should complement not overpower your table. You can also have lighting fixtures that are too small for a table. I am particular about what shape fixture I mount over a round table; I like to repeat the shape with a circular format, but that's just me.

Height of homeowners

It is a fact that tall homeowners have a greater chance of continually bumping into lights hung too low over a table when they are setting or removing dishes. Some people are so tall your would never mount pendants high enough!

Height above table

The specifics of how high to hang your fixture can be confusing because you will find a range of suggestions depending on which sites you consult. Don't let that deter you. My adage is "Common sense prevails".

I tend to think in terms of a range while taking other factors into account including: personal preference, the height of the homeowners, fixture size, style of fixture, ceiling height, task to be illuminated etc. Read on for examples.

Light Planning and Styling Guide

The general recommendations for hanging a fixture over a table is 28 - 32 inches above the table if you have an eight foot ceiling. This graphic from wegotlites recommends 30 inches from the table for an 8 foot ceiling. I placed my kitchen table pendant at 32 inches from the table top so I wouldn't continually bump it when working. It works most times, but when I reach in too far I still bump it.

Art by Mike Gough

My dining room pendant is 34 inches from the table. Being able to view my art collection to best advantage in very important to me, so I moved the dining room pendant up an additional two inches from the hanging height in the kitchen so visitors can view the art over the buffet without disruption while sitting in the living room. You may not find this consideration in any lighting guide!

Another set of guidelines recommend measuring from the floor to the bottom of the shade and suggest 60 - 66 inches as reasonable. Most tables are 30 inches high. That would put the height from the floor to my kitchen shade at 62 inches, and my dining shade at 64 inches, both are within this guideline.

If you have ceilings higher than eight feet, go up 3 inches for each additional foot above eight feet.

Size of fixture

For most applications the diameter of your light fixture should be at least 1/2 the width of your table or even up to 2/3 the width of your table. My kitchen fixture is exactly one half the width of the table at 18 inches in diameter. That's the proportion I like. I could have gone with a diameter of up to 24 in. without it looking too large. My dining fixture is only 16 inches in diameter, but looks larger.

Sizing based on room dimensions

graphic lighting your dining table, Designing Home, Margaret Ryall

Light Planning and Styling Guide

There is another guideline for determining the size of your fixture. Add the length and width of your room together ( eg., 11 feet +14 feet ) and convert the sum to inches (25in.) and that should be the diameter of your fixture.

Of course that is not a hard and fast rule, but it will provide a light fixture that is a focal point for the room. This formula works better for a statement fixture in an entrance or stairway. You can see how it could get out of control in a dining room. Eg. 15 feet + 20 feet would give a fixture diameter of 35 in. That's the width of most dining tables.

Function of fixtures

The illumination given off by drum shades is soft and calming, but bright enough to provide lighting for an entire room. When a large drum pendant is hung over a table it not only anchors the vignette, but if placed on a dimmer the fixture can provide brighter light for any tasks done at the table and softer light while dining. While I don't have anything against chandeliers, I don't have any in my own home.I'm definitely into clean lines and a very sparse contemporary feel.

I am planning another post about lighting selection for various rooms as I get ready to replace the fixtures in my summer house. Stay tuned.

What variables do you consider when hanging a light over a dining table?

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Using mirrors to solve decorating problems

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com – Using mirrors to solve decorating problems

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com Using mirrors to solve decorating problems

Sometimes I have to remind myself of the power of mirrors to solve common decorating problems. Here are seven fantastic uses of mirrors that might not be on your radar.

1. To reflect light

This is one great space for a number of reasons, but the mirrors make it in my opinion. Not only do they break up a dark wall and provide height to match the window, they reflect light in what might otherwise be a blah room.

2. To create a window in a windowless room

mirrors, windowless room, living room mirror

dining room mirrors, windowless dining room, 3 large mirrors

There are often sections of a space that are dark and windowless. Mirrors can give the illusion of a window and light without having to make architectural changes. In both rooms above the mirrors also add dramatic focal points.

3. Add drama to an open space

foyer mirror, large foyer mirror, lucite table and mirror

This high ceilinged space demands a large scale treatment. This mirror fills the bill when it comes to matching the scale of the space. The choice of a lucite table ensures that the lines of the mirror remain dominant.

4. To replace art

Sometimes a mirror when used well can replace art over a bed or mantle. In this space the sculptural light is reflected in the mirror, providing an interesting visual focus.

5. To highlight art/collections

mirror behind art collection, three mirrors living room

6. To create impact

repetition of arched mirrors, mirrors living room, mirrors impact

One of the best ways to create impact is through repetition. Imagine the scene above if you just has three or four mirrors.

7. To balance large windows

mirror with large window, large mirror living room

I love how the mirror is large scale, soft with its rounded top, and the height relates well to the window. The gold relates to the lamps and the table which also mimics the rounded top of the mirror.

I am definitely interested in any solution that helps balance heights/scale in a room. One of the best things about this mirror treatment is how it relates to the window next to it and the furniture in the space. You read the fireplace and mirrors as one unit. The fireplace alone is small and delicate. Keeping the mirror frame lighter and gold helps it to relate to the other furnishings in the space.

Seven reasons why you should have a mirror in your home apart from the obvious. Who knew? Are you a mirror lover? I'm sad to say my mirror choices are purely functional. What about yours?

Please find links to photos on my Pinterest board Mirrors.

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Have you tried Neybers?

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com – Have you tried Neybers?

Rooftophomedesign.blogspot.com Have you tried Neybers?

We all have our ways to relax; one of mine is experimenting with design using different design apps. Several weeks ago I found Neybers. Have you heard of it? You can spend way too many hours perfecting a design, and there are so many designs to look at.

Modern magenta, Margaret Ryall using Neybers

What is Neybers?

Neybers is an interior design app created by amagumo games and available on ITunes. Users can decorate rooms with images of thousands of real products from international interior design brands. There is also a social component to Neybers, allowing you to follow other people, like specific designs, and make comments. It is a fun, easy app meant for everybody.

Using Neybers

Choose a room backgrounds/template that can be decorated by clicking to select wallpaper, paint and flooring. Windows and doors can be added, cloned for multiples, and sized. You can even choose a scene to put behind a window! If you change your mind mid design you can go back and adjust any of the room template options.

Once your room background is set you import images of furniture and accessories. These are items from real designers and brands, many with a modernist bent that can actually be purchased. All information regarding designer, source etc. is available for viewing. The more creative you are, the more ways for can find to use the available items in your designs.

Added items can be move around, sized and moved forward or back in the picture plane. There are lots of orientation choices, and I love the fact that you can change the perspective of many items right in the program. Other items have various orientations you can choose from. All items are searchable, but you can also view them by category, colour and style/genre.

Once your dream room is created you have the option of bringing it to the next level with filters for a vintage, grayscale lighter or darker look. Acid, bleach or vignette are also available.

You next step is publishing to the app, and if you wish, share it on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or by email or IMessage.

Perhaps one part of the design appeals to you more than another. No problem. I Just move the viewfinder over the part you want and press the button.

And viola here's what I am publishing. Only part and I've included the darken filter to make it a little more moody.
After three weeks of using Neybers, here's my review of the positives and annoyances:

Positives:

There are many! Neybers:

is easy to use, and is a great way to pass the time if you are interested in design;
is free to download;
encourages total creativity if design is your field, don't have to consider client budgets, likes and dislikes, etc.;
provides opportunities to work out space layouts, but not to scale;
has a social component if you want to participate in it;
allows you to create and store an unlimited number of rooms with or without publishing them to the Neybers community;
has many options for finding objects; I particularly like the colour and genre categories;
allows you to see what others are creating, and many boards are strong in design and show creative use of available materials;
offers easy to manipulate stock background templates;
presents many pieces of furniture in various orientations allowing you to place furniture in a 3D space (side orientations);
allows manipulation of the perspective of wall art, curtains and some furniture;
provides many choices in wood flooring in room templates;
lets you share your designs quickly and efficiently;
offers new items on a continuous basis, but slowly.

Annoyances

Every app has them, and Neybers is no different. My commentary must be tempered by the fact that I am an interior decorator and artist with a keen sense of colour and design.

This is my personal set of irritations after using the app for three weeks:

limited sampling of furniture and accessories if you are interested in a certain style, but lots of styles are represented;
being an accessory junkie, I'm always looking for new options: pillows, curtains and art items need more variety;
wall treatment choices in room background templates are very limited and consist mainly of wallpaper which I would rarely choose in real life;
choices for wall colours (painted look) are not subtle (mostly garish really), which usually leads me to choosing wallpaper;
no cropping; if it had cropping abilities it would be just awesome;
it is really difficult to put together a design with perfectly matched undertones mostly because of limited choice in wall finishes and accessories;
the terminology for categories takes a little getting use to, and some objects are not in the obvious place;
there's less selection if you are interested in more traditional design;
some of the really desirable accessories to finish a design must be purchased from Neybers by buying coins, or won by completing tasks.

Here are several other colourful, modernist designs I created with Neybers.

White on white, Margaret Ryall using Neybers

Leading with orange, Margaret Ryall, using Neybers

Go on, if you have an IPad give it a try; it is fun.

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