5 Things to look for when Hiring an Interior Designer in Orange County
Working with an interior designer is an important and deeply personal experience. Here are some tips to help you select the right one!
Ready to make the jump into hiring someone to help you create your dream home in Orange County? Your space is intensely personal, so choosing the right person to work with needs to be equally so! Here are a few tips on how to hire the right interior designer for you!
Make Sure Your Orange County Interior Designer Matches Your Style!
Before anything, your interior designer has to be able to have the same vision as you. This doesn’t necessarily mean you two have to have the exact same personal style, but it does mean that your designer needs to:
Listen to your ideas, pain points, functional needs, and goals.
Add your personality into their design plans.
Work within your timeline and budget.
Not only have an eye for aesthetics, but also have a technical background and plenty of experience.
Some designers may specialize in only one “signature look”, but here at Viève Interiors, our portfolio spans a wide range of stylistic and aesthetic approaches! From Transitional to Traditional, and Modern to Minimalist, we have experience designing spaces in many different design styles.
2. Get References & Credentials Before Selecting an OC Interior Design Company
Put your Orange County interior designer’s experience to the test! Remember, it is OK to ask your interior designer where they studied design, or how they got their technical training. It is also recommended that you look at pedigree, past reviews, and previous projects, as well as speak with some of their previous clients. While pictures give you an idea of the final product, they don’t show your designer executing the interior design process itself. However, previous clients can provide you with insight into what it is like working with a specific designer! At Viève Interiors, clients and contractors love that we make the process of design easy.
3. How Does the Interior Designer Charge for Services?
It’s not just important to discuss how much a designer may charge, but how they charge as well! Some interior design companies may charge an hourly rate, while others charge a flat fee. If you want a high level of involvement every step of the way, then you may want a flat rate for full-service design, while someone who just needs to replace an item or two or even just a few hours of design consulting might do best with an hourly fee. At Viève Interiors, we offer either flat-fee or hourly design services to accommodate your needs no matter how big or small your project may be.
Payment schedule is also an important thing to consider when looking at your budget. Whether your Orange County designer invoices on a monthly basis, requires an upfront retainer or regular installments, make sure to find what works for you and your plans.
4. How Long Will Your Interior Design Project Take?
Of course, if you could hire the Mary Poppins of interior design in Orange County, and everything would be new at the snap of a finger, we would hire her too!. Unfortunately, the design process doesn’t work that way. The reality is that full home renovations take many months, even a year or more to complete. And, since the COVID pandemic, we are still seeing major delays in the shipment and delivery of materials and merchandise needed to complete your designs.
Make sure to be realistic about the timeline of your project and ask your designer how long it might take. Also keep in mind, everything doesn’t have to be done at once. In fact, many homeowners break their project into phases or by room. If your timeline or budget is limited, consider focusing on the key areas of your home first. Whichever way you decide to go—room-by-room or full remodel—choose an interior designer that will be forthcoming about the timeline.
5. Does Your Interior Designer Have Relationships with Contractors in OC?
An interior designer can’t be successful without great, long-term, relationships with local contractors in Orange County. While the interior designer might be steering the ship, contractors are the engine that get the project to where it needs to go.
A good contractor is worth their weight in gold, and a great interior designer has a solid rolodex of good contractors. After all, what good is the design if it never makes it off paper?
We hope that you have gained a better understanding of what to look for when hiring an interior designer in Orange County! If you have questions, or would like to book a discovery call, call 949-610-7800 or fill out the contact form and we will reach out to you directly!
At Viève Interiors, it is our mission to help homeowners love where they live because happy homes are the most beautiful homes!
Interior Design: Best Tips to Decorate Your Child's Room
Have your kids outgrown their room? Time to redecorate? Here are our top tips on redecorating your child’s room!
Our next blog in the series, “Interior Design: Best Tips to Decorate Your Home” is all about kids! As a child, I remember decorating my room with my mom and being absolutely ecstatic with how it came out—the yellow and blue flowered wallpaper (which I got to help pick out from a wallpaper book), my white desk, and my yellow Crayola crayon fish tank. It was a dream come true. While my mom and I had to wing it, you don’t! We have put together some tips to help you create a functional and beautiful space that your kiddos will absolutely love.
Maximize The Space You Have
Kids spend a lot of time in their rooms, and it’s important to make the most of what you have available. Consider a loft bed to maximize ground space. A desk or a cozy sofa underneath leaves the rest of the room open for play space. Bunk beds like the custom built-in ones we designed in the photo below is a great way to make use of space when decorating for two.
Prioritize Storage
Of course, all those hobbies and interests need some place to go. And no parent likes a messy room, so make it easy for your kids to put things away on their own by prioritizing storage space. Bins on bookshelves, storage crates under the bed, wall hooks, and hangers all work great for organizing ever-evolving toy collections, and clothes they’re quickly outgrowing.
Pro Tip: We find most people don’t properly utilize closet space. A typical builder-grade rod & shelf don’t make good use of the vertical space. In contrast, a thoughtfully laid out closet system with a mix of shelving, drawers, and hanging space is an easy way to organize and hide away your kid’s clothes, and odds and ends. Your designer can help you evaluate your storage needs and design a closet system that is functional for you, whether fully custom or an off-the-shelf option.
Display Space
All kids want to show off their interests, so give them some display space! Some shelves above a desk, a bulletin board or galvanized metal for magnets and pictures gives you an easy and inexpensive way to let your little one decide the feel of their room. Or use inexpensive frames to put up some of their favorite artwork and switch them out periodically.
Have Fun with the Walls
Wallpaper, a mural, or a unique paint treatment is a fun way for your child to express their sense of style. Look for patterns or textures that will grow with them or try easy-on and easy-off wall decals for a quick update that’s easy to switch up. Whether your child loves planes & trains, ballet, or surfing, consider oversized or abstract images of their hobby for a more high-end look. You can also incorporate peel-and-stick cork to give a functional aspect for display as well. You can find it at any local craft store.
Pro tip: The ceiling is a great spot for fun wallpaper too!
Kids change, often
The first thing we always keep in mind when decorating a kid’s room is that children change, and they change fast. As they’re growing, they’re figuring out their hobbies and interests, what they like and don’t like, and those things are going to change many times over the next few years. So, we recommend looking for classic pieces that will stand the test of time and wear and tear for things like dressers and other more permanent pieces. Then sticking with a lower price point for items that you know you will be swapping out later like a child-sized table and chairs. In short: Leave room in your budget to call your designer in a few years when you need to redecorate again!
Here are a few other creative ways to cut costs:
Refurbish old furniture. A vintage piece will not only save on cost but will add character to a space.
Combine an inexpensive ready-made drapery panel with a nice rod and rings.
Refresh rooms with new paint. Paint is one of the best bang-for-your-buck updates you can make.
Check out Target, Ikea, or even Amazon for inexpensive bedding, pillows and/or stuffed animals
Give Them a Space to Escape
Growing up can be tough and we all need to get away from time to time. Work with your child and designer to create a room where they can feel comfortable hanging out with friends or escaping to when they need some alone time! Personalizing your room as a kid is a big part of growing up and expressing individuality, so make sure to involve them as much as they want to be when decorating your kid’s room!
Want to save these kids decorating room ideas for later? Be sure to save this to your Pinterest Kids Decorating Idea Board!
At Viève Interiors, it is our mission to help homeowners love where they live because happy homes are the most beautiful homes! If you need help creating a great space that your kids are excited to come home to and call their own, contact us!
Everything You Need to Know to Decorate Your Home with Throw Pillows
Looking for a quick and cost-effective way to transform your living room or bedroom? Add new throw pillows to your sofa, bed or other furniture pieces! Changing up your decorative pillows can change the entire look of a room with very little strain on your wallet (or schedule 😉). Here is everything you need to know to decorate your home with throw pillows!
Everything You Need to Know to Decorate Your Home with Throw Pillows
Looking for a quick and cost-effective way to transform your living room or bedroom? Add new throw pillows to your sofa, bed or other furniture pieces! Changing up your decorative pillows can change the entire look of a room with very little strain on your wallet (or schedule 😉). Here is everything you need to know to decorate your home with throw pillows!
How to choose the perfect throw pillows?
When shopping for the perfect throw pillows, you’ll want to take into account the colors, textures, patterns, and fabrics in your home. You’ll also want to consider the shapes and sizes of the pillows, what filling you like, and finally, price. The perfect throw pillow should play up your style and tie your room together by using fabrics in complementing colors, and a mix of patterns, textures, and materials.
Pro tip: Think of your throw pillows as accent pieces that can bring character to your space. Aim to mix and match a variety of colors, textures, patterns, materials and sizes. We’ll show you how to do this without making it look like a jumbled mess.
What is the right color for your throw pillows?
The number one thing to think about when picking new throw pillows is color. The wrong color throw pillows can wash out a space or even worse, clash with your decor making the design feel disjointed. It’s important to blend the colors of your throw pillows with the room by repeating the colors that are in your furniture and decor in your pillow scheme. For example, if you’ve chosen bold-colored drapery, make sure to have a few throw pillows in that same color.
It can help to stick to three main colors that complement each other. Since throw pillows are usually one of the last things you or your interior designer will buy or have custom-made, this simple trick will easily balance colors around a room making it feel harmonious and complete.
Pro tip: You don’t necessarily have to match colors exactly. Opting for varying shades of an accent color can look just as lovely. To guarantee your space looks cohesive, stick with a pallet of a few colors that go well together and add in some neutrals for balance.
What patterns, textures and materials should your throw pillows be?
Patterns, textures and materials—oh my! There are so many options available that getting started can be extremely challenging. We’ll walk you through a few interior designer tips in each category to help you feel less overwhelmed.
Patterned Throw Pillows
There are a few ways to mix and match patterns:
Choose patterned pillows that are all within the same color scheme (example: all hues of blue). With this approach, you can choose as many different patterns as you like while still creating a cohesive look.
Pick up to three patterned pillows where each pattern incorporates at least one of the main colors in your space. To help get you going, pick a “lead” pattern that incorporates all of your main colors. Keep in mind that your “lead” pattern can have as many colors as you want in it as long as it contains all of your main colors. From there, you can add two more patterns that have at least one of your main colors in it.
Use patterns of different scale. Example: a large floral could be combined with a medium scale stripe, and a small polka dot or a solid.
Repeat patterns. Example: does your ottoman have a pattern? Try repeating it with a pillow!
Pro tip: Get custom pillows made if you need to!
Textured Throw Pillows
Good news—textured decorative pillows are not hard to come by! A quick Google search will show you a slew of options for any home’s style. Adding in textured throw pillows is a great way to incorporate a tactile element that stimulates your sense of touch in addition to sight. So, how do you mix textured pillows with your patterned pillows? The first rule (really the only rule) of thumb is to stay within your color scheme. Other than that, make sure you love what you get!
Fabrics for your throw pillows
Another way to spice up the look of your home with throw pillows is by mixing and matching materials. This is a way to add another level of interest. In fact, different materials have different textures, so by pulling in a variety of materials you can kill two birds with one stone. Try mixing a leather accent pillow in with other soft cotton pillows for a masculine element or add a velvet pillow in against some linen pillows for a classic lux look. Fabrics for your throw pillows come in many materials including:
Cotton
Microfiber
Suede
Chenille
Velvet
Leather
Polyester
Linen
Satin
Silk
Faux Fur
Wool
Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to buy something bold!
What sizes and shapes of throw pillows should you buy?
If you’re aiming for a more modern interior design style, you’ll want to mix and match the sizes and shapes of your throw pillows. You can choose from:
Round
Rectangular
Square
Tube/Bolster
Try using a long rectangular “lumbar” pillow or bolster pillow in front of some square pillows as an accent on your bed. If you want a more traditional style home, symmetry is key. Take your sofa for example. Whatever pillows you use on the left side of the sofa, you’ll want to make sure to recreate the look on the right side with the exact same pillows. And remember pillows should go from large in the back to smaller in the front.
What inserts should you put in your throw pillows?
Now that you’ve decided what sizes and shapes of throw pillows that you want, it's time to decide what inserts you’d like to buy. This will depend on your personal preference or any allergies among you and your family members. Some common options include:
Feathers
Down
Alternative Down (Polyfill)
Polyester Fiber
Memory Foam
Shredded Memory Foam
Gel
Wool
Kapok Fiber
For a full pros and cons list of the 12 major throw-pillow-filler insert options, check out Types of Pillows Inserts/Fillings – How to Choose the Right One?
How much do throw pillows cost?
According to Home Decor Bliss, “Luxury throw pillows may cost upwards of $50 to $250 or more, especially if custom-made. Throw pillows are often expensive due to the fabric used, shape, and design. It is possible to find inexpensive throw pillows, but the quality of construction, level of design, and comfort may be sacrificed.”
We couldn’t agree more. While spending $250+ on a throw pillow may seem expensive, it is important to remember that quality pillows will last longer and can completely transform a room.
Pro tip: Add in a few custom pillows amongst other more affordable ready-made pillows to elevate your design without breaking the bank.
Where can you shop for the perfect throw pillows?
You can easily find throw pillows in your favorite home-centered retail stores or online. However, if you’re having a hard time finding the perfect pattern or colors to tie your room together, or you still can’t quite figure out how to best mix and match, you can hire an interior designer to help you.
At Viève Interiors, no project is too big or too small. We’d love to help you with any and all phases of your design project, including helping you to find the perfect throw pillows for your living room sofa or the final touches for your master bedroom bed. Give us a call at 949-610-7800 or email us at info@vieveinteriors.com.
Save this blog post for later on your Pinterest Home Decor Ideas Board!
How to Decorate Your Home Like an Orange County Interior Designer
Want to DIY your home remodel? Orange County Interior Designers are renowned for their work. Take a look and see how we do it.
How to Decorate Your Home Like an Orange County Interior Designer
Do you want to decorate your home like an Orange County interior designer? Here in Orange County, interior designers are world-renowned for their impeccable sense of style and expert use of space. So how do we do it? Check out a few of our tips!
Know What’s Trendy
From big concept design trends like dual-use spaces and sustainable design, to more intricate design details like decorative tiles, freestanding bathtubs, curved and velvety furniture, or hidden storage—a good interior designer stays on top of the current interior design trends while also maintaining a timeless elegance in their designs.
One of the biggest trends we’ve seen in 2022 is bringing the outdoors in with warm earth tones, natural woods and woven materials. In a state where you can go from the mountains to the beach in hours, it’s no surprise that Orange County interior designers do a magnificent job of incorporating this trend. And an added bonus: including natural elements in design is not only beautiful and stylish, but also shown to be great for mental health!
For more detail on this trend and others, check out our blog, 10 hottest trends in interior design in Orange County.
This living room we designed includes a mix of natural wood tones, earthy brown leather, stone accessories and live plants.
Know How to Capitalize on your Space
One of the most important skills of an interior designer is to make the most of the space you have. Here in southern California, homes come in all shapes and sizes. Orange County interior designers are masters of making small spaces feel big and big spaces feel homey. We intentionally work with the layout of your space to achieve the functionality and aesthetic that you desire.
If you want to decorate like an Orange County interior designer, it’s going to take some meticulous planning of your space. Interior design isn’t all fun and shopping. It also entails busting out the measuring tape and taking measurements of every nook and cranny in a room. To make the best use of the space you have to carefully consider the size of every item in the room, the walkways and entrances, as well as views and some space for a room to breathe, especially if you’re in a tight space.
On the other end of the spectrum, in larger rooms it’s best to adequately fill the space so it doesn’t feel empty and incomplete. Interior design is a constant exercise in balancing form and function; like a beautiful puzzle waiting to be put together.
In this living room, we capitalized on a small open floor plan by floating a sectional sofa in the room to create a division between the entry area and the new cozy living space.
Mind Your Design Principles
Every good interior designer in Orange County (and elsewhere) is aware of the Seven Elements of Design (balance, line, shape, light, color, texture and pattern) and how to use them along with the design principles (rhythm, repetition, balance, contrast, proportion and scale). Like other guidelines, these aren’t hard rules, but are guiding principles to help you along the way. The skill of interior design is a mastery of using these design elements and principles. Once mastered, it’s fun to break the rules now and then, but make sure to consider how you are utilizing them first, so you don’t get too far off track! Carefully considered design elements and application of design principles will result in a beautifully harmonious space.
Take this kitchen we designed for example: The shape of the island mirrors the shape of the room; the horizontal line of the range hood beam creates a casual inviting vibe; the repetition of x-base bar stools creates a pattern; and a mix of matte wood textures, glossy marble, and shiny stainless steel add interest and elevated style.
Know Your Don’ts
Just like it is good practice to think of design principles as a list of design “dos,” it’s important to be aware of the don’ts of interior design as well. There are definitely some faux pas of the interior design world, and you don’t want to get caught in their traps. Here are a few pitfalls we see interiors fall into from time to time:
Designing layouts that may be aesthetically pleasing, but are not livable
Using colors that don’t complement each other
Forgetting proportion and using art that is too small
This beautifully designed could have easily lacked functionality. However, we added a storage bench at the kitchen table for a space that’s both cute and functional
How to Really Decorate like an OC Interior Designer
Of course, the best way to decorate your home like an Orange County interior designer is to hire one! We can give you all the tips and tricks of the trade to point you in the right direction, but those tips can’t replace the experience gained after years of designing different homes for clients of all types. At Viève Interiors we have years of design experience under our belt, and we’d love to help!
To schedule a discovery call, contact us or call us at (949) 610-7800.
Genevieve Chambliss, Founder and Head Interior Designer at Viève Interiors. All homes pictured in this blog were designed by Genevieve.
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When To Hire an Interior Designer: Questions to ask Yourself
Should you hire an interior designer? It can be a great investment in your home, but you should ask yourself these questions before you get started.
When To Hire an Interior Designer: Questions to ask Yourself
After the last two years, we’ve become all too familiar with the inside of our homes, and interior designers have never been busier than ever. We ALL want some new scenery! And if you’re anything like us, we know you’ve spent some serious Pinterest hours picking out looks, inspirations, and finding that perfect end table.
Maybe you’re struggling to put it all together yourself though, or you’re realizing that a home decor makeover isn’t as quick as those TV shows make it seem. We’ve talked to many clients who, though they may have had a wonderful vision, weren’t quite ready for the time commitment a successful project takes. And that’s perfectly ok! We want to make sure we’re working with you during a time where this project will be able to go as smoothly as possible.
So, in order to get not only the home makeover you’ve been looking for, but also the experience you want as well, we suggest asking yourself a few questions before we get started. Designing a home is a partnership between designer and homeowner, so we want to make sure that we all start on the same page. Trust us, when it comes to a home makeover, hiring an interior designer is worth it.
Do I have a Clear Vision?
Our clients typically fall into one of three categories. Those who have a clear vision and know exactly what they’re looking for down to the Pantone number of the paint; and others don’t know how to put together their mixed ideas from a home they loved online or a neat cabinet gadget in a friend's kitchen or perhaps even several completely different spaces they enjoyed here and there; or perhaps they’re the third type who doesn’t really know what they like or how to describe it.
The truth is it doesn’t matter which of these homeowners you are! Wherever you land on that spectrum, we’re here to help you create the perfect look in your newly renovated home. Some of our favorite projects start without much more than a few images and an idea. Being able to create the perfect space is an art—it evolves. We design with your input and we love the process! Every home, space, and client is unique, and that’s why when you’re hiring an interior designer, it’s important to find one that doesn’t just build you a space because it’s the current trend, but they build you a space meant for you.
What will my finances allow for?
First, don’t think of your budget as a limitation! We’re here to tell you what you can do with your budget, not what you can’t. Remember, remodeling your home is an investment. We know when to splurge so you don’t regret cutting corners and when to save and get “the look for less.” If needed, we can great your project into phases to work within your budget. We can start with your main rooms and move outwards, or perhaps we find a way to gradually improve the entire home over time, instead of all at once.
No matter what the size of your budget, hiring an interior designer will make sure that you’re utilizing your money in the most effective way possible. We have strategies and services suited for a range of budget levels.
What kind of time do I have?
This is the biggest reason we see people abandoning what could have been a great home improvement project: they just don’t think they have the time. And to be fair, home improvement TV shows and magazines have given a LOT of us wrong impressions when it comes to how much time it takes to complete a home renovation project, even with the help of an experienced interior designer. So, it’s important to get a feel for the scope of the project and the time allotted before we begin! This allows us to think strategically about where we want to start renovating, and how much time we have to work within.
How involved do I want to be?
A renovation is a big project, and it can be a little stressful. It can be VERY stressful if you don't hire the right interior designer. We’re here to give you a beautiful home, but we want you to have a great experience while we do it. Everyone has a different management style, and we want to make sure that we fit our strategy around what works for you. Maybe you like a hands-off approach, and you’re more of a big picture person. Perfect! We’ll do our thing, delegate to our interior design team, and meet with you for budgets and design approvals. Or, perhaps you want to be more involved in the day to day operations. That's great too! More input from you is never a bad thing, and it helps us refine even the smallest detail to give you the dream home you’ve been working for.
When am I ready to hire an interior designer?
You tell us! Take some time to think about these questions and check out our blog post How Do You Know When You’re Ready to Hire an Interior Designer? When you’re ready to transform your home give us a call! Hiring an interior designer is a very personal process, and we want to make sure we have the perfect scope of work for the project; These questions help us determine that and tailor our process accordingly. We’re here to deliver a successful project, and we think success isn’t only measured by the end result, but by the experience we give every client along the way.
Don’t think you’re ready to hire an interior designer?
No problem. We can start your project when you are ready. When starting anything new a little bit of doubt or anxiety is normal, but schedule a free discovery call to chat about your ideas or any hang-ups. We can help clarify the process and what your project will take, and answer any questions you have. Keep in mind good design takes time so it’s better to get started a little earlier than you think. We hope we can help give you some valuable information that helps you on your path to your new living space!
Want to save this blog post for later? Be sure to save this to your Pinterest Interior Design Tips Board!
Interior Design: Best Tips to Decorate Your Living Room
Interior design is all about layering and mixing things you love—colors, patterns, furniture, and decor pieces. As one of the most multifunctional spaces in your home, the living room should be designed cohesively to draw you in. Our best design tips for decorating your living room can help make that happen.
Interior design is all about layering and mixing things you love—colors, patterns, furniture, and decor pieces—in a cohesive way and if done well, it will draw you into the space. As one of the most multifunctional spaces in your home (a spot for friends and family to gather, a place to relax, etc.), the living room should be designed to draw you in. Our best design tips for decorating your living room can help make that happen!
When you’re finished reading these interior design tips, don’t forget to check out our Best Tips to Decorate Your Bathroom and 7 Best Tips to Decorate Your Bedroom to pull your whole house together.
Be mindful of the use of space.
Before you get started, think about what you’d like to use your living room for—Entertaining? Lounging? Define its functionality. Then you can start to think about what type of furniture you need to make that happen.
In the picture above, we needed to create a place for the whole family to hang out, so a large sectional sofa was the perfect choice. But with a three-piece chaise sectional like this, there was very little space left for a coffee table. We paired the sofa with a round coffee table, so the family is not bumping into corners as they walk around it. We also took note of the furry family member and opted for carpet tiles that can be easily replaced if the dog ruins any of them instead of replacing a large area rug.
Decorate for comfort.
Our next interior design tip for decorating your living room is this: decorate in a way that feels comfortable to you! At the end of the day, you want to come home to a space that feels good to you, not just what is popular or trendy. The colors and the design style you choose set the mood for your living room, and the furniture you pick determines your physical level of comfort. For this living room, we intentionally picked chairs that not only look great and set a nice casual vibe, but that also feel wonderful to sink into at the end of the day.
Design around the fireplace.
Brace yourself, we have some surprising news: the living room furniture does not always have to point toward a TV... You might find that your living room can be all the more relaxing without one. For the living room space shown above, we made the fireplace instead of the TV our focal point. We hung beautiful artwork above it and incorporated an amazing ottoman coffee table (found at a consignment store) to pull out the darker blues in the artwork and bring in just the right amount of pattern into an otherwise simple space. We also added some classy barrel swivel chairs to give our clients a cozy conversational place to hang out around the fireplace that could also be turned to watch TV when desired.
Get creative with your storage spaces.
One way to make your home look more spacious and sophisticated is to get creative with your storage spaces. For example, we absolutely love the way this custom floating cabinet turned out in our client’s living room! We felt it was the perfect modern touch to contrast with more traditional trim throughout the home. Here are a few other furniture pieces to consider selecting for additional storage space:
Multi-use bench with drawers or a seat that opens up
A storage ottoman for extra blankets or pillows
A coffee table with storage below for reading material or otherwise
An end table with a drawer for remotes or pens, etc.
Mix up and balance your finishes.
A great way to make your home feel like it came straight out of a magazine is to decorate with a mix of finishes. Hold on, hold on—before you start mixing and matching furniture with abandon (which we do recommend over purchasing a matching set of furniture), consider the balance of the finishes around the space. For example, if you introduce a light wood like the dining table in the room above, use that finish again somewhere across the room like we did in the TV console doors. You can’t see it in the photo, but our client has a white console with a black top in their entryway, so we balanced that with the white frame of the TV console. We also added touches of black with the dark coffee table and the dining chairs to balance the black of the TV and the dark wood on the floors.
Make bold statements.
The living room is a great place to make a bold design statement and there are so many ways you can do this!
Take our first photo for example. High contrast of the black brick fireplace in this beautiful white living room makes a bold modern statement which is softened by some pretty muted blues and punctuated with modern angular art.
Here we chose to hang very bold artwork and opted for a bold blue velvet sofa to match.
If you’re looking to make a statement without going too bold, try giving your living room a little pizzazz by painting an accent wall. Here we chose to paint the back of the bookshelves to match the fireplace tile. Then we tied the rug in by adding some custom pillows that pull all the colors together. Which brings us to our next tip…
Use pillows to tie in other decor elements.
Pillows have another important function beyond comfort. Throw pillows can be used to tie other decor elements (like paintings and photographs) in your living room together. Incorporating throw pillows is one of the easiest ways to add style to your living room and can make a dramatic difference in creating a cohesive and complete look. Pro tip: let your throw pillows have their own personality, but make sure to coordinate the colors in the pillows with the colors around the room and vary the scale in the patterns you use. Here we used a large striped mused with a solid as well as a small block print blue pillow.
Complete the look with accessories.
It’s amazing how adding accessories can make your living room feel complete. Here’s a snippet of a family room where we layered the coffee table with a tray, box to hide remotes, books and a few decorative objects that tied together the natural finishes and golden shimmer, all in the same spot. We topped it off with a little greenery to bring the home to life!
At Viève Interiors, it is our mission to help homeowners love where they live because happy homes are the most beautiful homes! If you need help creating a living room that you absolutely love to come home to, contact us!
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Hi friends! I’m Genevieve, ower of Viève Interiors. With an attentive ear, savvy technical skills, and a knack for style, I love helping clients create beautiful, polished and personalized homes that they love. For more information about how we can help you design your dream home, reach out to set up a complimentary discovery call.