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  • How the Right Mirror Can Add Design Flair to Any Room

    We have all design preferences and favourite trends when it comes to revamping the home. Some of us love the idea of a vintage theme throughout the house, whereas others would like to keep things classic. Whatever your preference, you’re going to want to accessorise each of the rooms in your home. And that’s where mirrors come in! They’re so versatile, you can use them to add design flair to practically any space. Here are our top tips for using mirrors with some of the best interior design trends.

    The Minimalist

    It’s a popular interior design trend that made big waves in the 60s and kind of never left! Not that we’re complaining. If you want to add the finishing touches to a minimalist room, then you’re going to want to stick with one of two colours. Black or white. Monochrome and the minimalist style seem to go hand in hand. It also means that you don’t need to worry about making things look too ‘busy’ in each room, as the mirror will complement rather than clutter.

    The Contemporary

    If you’re going for a more modern feel in your home, then you’ll find it pretty easy to find a mirror to match. You can go for quirky designs or unusual colours, and it will still fit in nicely. However, if you really want to make the contemporary look work then opt for a frameless mirror. Something modern with unusual shapes that will certainly turn heads when people walk in.

    The Splash of Colour

    A design trend that has been going for years is the ‘splash of colour’. While the majority of the room is in neutral palettes, there will be a handful of colourful items that really pop. You can have a lot of fun with your mirror choice here! Just make sure that you pick something that complements the other accessories in your room. You don’t want a clash of colour!

    The Vintage

    The vintage look has made a serious comeback over the last few years, so you’re going to be spoilt for choice when accessorising. It seems that people can’t get enough of copper when adding to their vintage style rooms. If that’s not your thing, look for more shabby chic style mirrors. Anything that looks like it’s been worn in will work well for a vintage room.

    The Classic

    Looking for something timeless? You probably have a real thing for classic design styles. In this case, your mirror choice is pretty easy! Gold or silver frames will give off that regal feel and really finish a room off. The bigger the better when it comes to a classically styled room, as it’s a real show of taste, wealth and design flair. We’re picturing your new mirror above the traditional fireplace!

    Don’t you think it’s amazing how something as simple as a mirror can really finish a design project off? And you don’t even need to be an expert interior designer! Use our top tips when you next spruce up a room, to see exactly what we mean.

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  • 5 Ideas for Brightening up a Small Room

    We all wish we could have a huge house with limitless space in each room. However, for most of us, this just isn’t the case. There always seems to be one room that seems tiny, dark or dingy. Despite your best efforts, brightening up a small room is hard work. We’ve come up with some expert tips to help you make the most out of those box rooms (without adding an extension)!

    1. Light Walls

    It’s one of the simplest design tricks in the book, but it really does work. If you want to give the illusion that your room is bigger than it is, then you’re going to want to stick with light colours. Neutral and pastel palettes are going to be your best friend, so get painting those walls. Try to avoid anything that can make the room seem more enclosed or lack light; such as dark colours.

    2. Light Floors

    The light palette trick doesn’t need to stop at the walls! Some of the airiest rooms we’ve ever been in have white, wooden floors. In fact, it’s one of our favourite design tricks. If you can, consider stripping back any carpet and going back to basics. Sand down the floorboards and cover them in a lick of white paint. It looks absolutely fantastic and will ensure your small room feels brighter and bigger.

    3. Lights in General!

    While we’re at it, the use of light is key if you want to brighten up a small room. Well, it makes sense! Just a clever placement of a floor lamp, in your darkest corner, can really open up a tiny space. Try to avoid wall lights in smaller rooms, as these can bring the walls in further. Instead, go for dazzling downlights or focal point lamps. Your eyes will be attracted to the light, without the space feeling cluttered.

    4. Make Use of Mirrors

    Mirrors are a cost-effective and simple way to brighten up a small room. Placing them in a position to reflect light is a good start, but there are dozens of other ways to use them too. How about creating a feature wall with a cluster of quirky mirrors? Or using a large, floor-length mirror in the darkest corner? You will be surprised at what a difference such a tiny change can make.

    5. Minimalist Furniture

    If you have a small room, then the worst thing you can do is fill it with clutter. It will make the space feel cramped and dark. Instead, opt for minimalist furniture where possible. Hide away things that don’t need to be on display. We’re talking about all those ornaments! Intelligent storage solutions and some key furniture pieces will help you pull off this look. All of a sudden, it will feel as though the room is so much bigger than before.

    Brightening up a small room doesn’t need to be difficult, but it is going to take some careful planning. Work out how best to use the light you already have, and how accessories can complete the look. Before long your small room will feel like a palace!

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  • FIVE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL INTERIOR DESIGN

    The pursuit of the right context and aesthetic can be both stressful and alluring when undertaking an interior design project. However, for those about to undertake a life altering interior design project here are five steps that can lead to design success. Before we begin, your mission is very simple; maximise the interior space and find synergy between this space and your architectural design in order to realize the best arrangement of the space.

    1. Understand your outcomes

    In order to find design inspiration and to deliver upon this flair you or your design team will need to understand what outcomes you desire. You need to understand these expectations in order for you to be able to deliver in relation to these wants. By understanding what outcomes, you desire, you will be better able to interpret design needs in relation to such outcomes.

    2. Agree on a design objective

    Your objectives are different to your outcomes. Your outcomes are your design deliverables. Your objectives are your design inspirations. You need to begin the process of this interior design project by defining the design process in terms of influence in order to create parallels for objective analysis and delivery.

    3. Finding the right talent

    Knowledge is about talent. Undertaking an interior design endeavour requires talent and knowledge. Therefore, you need expertise with an understanding of design principles, planning rules and regulations, someone who understands the issues around finishes, detail, manufacturing and fabric choices to name but a few. You will need a range of talent. Therefore, you will need to find the right design team to help you deliver.

    4. Keeping yourself inspired

    It is easy to get caught up in the past or present without any clear focus on future design developments. It is crucial that you, as a project lead, follow industry developments. Read design magazines, websites and pamphlets. By attending conferences or workshops you can learn about new and cutting edge design that could impact on your design outcomes.

    5. What materials will you use?

    The only real limitation in design in the limitation of the imagination. However, the diversity of choice and design differentiation available in the retail and design spaces of our cultural capitals are enough to inspire the most diverse use of materials or resources for the best design outcomes. Therefore, by following trends and looking at innovation, you can look again at stone, wood, fabrics and wall coverings in different light as your design could be influenced by these new realities.

    By following these five steps any novice interior designer can access a range of talent, inspiration and knowledge to help deliver the very best design outcomes and objectives. By empowering yourself, you can empower your own design endeavour.

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  • Mirror Feng-Shui – can it add energy to your home?

    Mirror Feng-Shui – can it add energy to your home?

    Interior design concepts are very much about the look and “feel” of a room. It’s amazing how certain colours and textures can change the mood of a room, and how vibrancy of colour can create a room that feels full of energy. The first impression when you walk into a room can have a direct affect on how you feel. Think about how it feels when you walk into a hospital or dentist surgery for example. The cold, stark design can make us feel even more nervous. Or more comfortably, when you enter a lavish hotel reception, you’ll almost instantly feel that you’re surrounded by luxury and begin to relax and unwind. In recent blog posts, we’ve talked a lot about how mirrors can add a feeling of space and light to small rooms, and how mirrors can reflect light in the absence of windows. We’ve talked about where you should put a mirror in the room to enhance design too. But what of the Feng-Shui traditions that suggest to us where we shouldn’t put a mirror in our homes, or where we can use mirrors to add not just light, but positive energy too?

    Of course whether you believe that the placement of a piece of furniture can affect the energy in your house is an entirely personal thing. Although not everyone may feel that mirror Feng-Shui is of any value to them, there are some common sense design concepts with the advice of mirror Feng-Shui that we think are worth considering.

    Be careful around cluttered areas

    A large mirror in the lounge is the perfect centre piece and will look fantastic on a feature wall. But when placing the rest of the furniture, it’s suggest that cluttered areas such as bookcases aren’t visible in the mirror. This makes sense of course, because you’d be effectively doubling the clutter.

    Try to take the focus away from the toilet

    This makes perfect sense. After all, who wants to see themselves using the smallest room?! Bathroom mirrors are always very practical over the sink, and usually we add the toilet onto the same wall, so this should be an easy one to avoid. The Feng-Shui theory behind not reflecting the toilet is that “chi” (good energy connected with wealth and wellbeing) can be pulled in to the drain.

    Reflect upon the views

    If you are blessed with scenic views from your windows at home, you’re encouraged to place a mirror reflecting any natural water sources, trees, and vast open expanses. It’s believed that views of water will bring prosperity to your home, and that trees bring in energy for personal growth. And of course having a mirror placed in line with where natural light fills the room, will add even more to the room.

    Mirror your best meals

    Placing an ornate mirror over your dining table, whether it be in a separate dining room or in the living area, is said to encourage abundance and wealth in your home. Like the effect of doubling clutter in a negative sense, dining room mirrors double the food on the table. Just be careful to watch your waistline of course!

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