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Patterns: how to mix and match
Patterns as in all shapes and sizes. From printed fabrics to natural materials, pattern provides any space with texture and expression. It may seem intimidating to mix and match patterns, but the only proper way to master them is to thoroughly get to know them. Learn the basics with our simple tips: Mix it up If you use the same pattern in each room, they might end up looking boring and monotonous. In order not to get sick of patterns, you need to play with them. We suggest combining different patterns so as to create movement, shape and definition in your own home. You might want to go for geometric shapes such as curves, lines or grids to create a recurring theme. Size matters One cannot mix things up without considering size and proportions. Taking different sizes and shapes into consideration will boost your creativity, whilst challenging your idea of design. When going for a large pattern, try pairing it with something smaller. In so doing, you'll end up with a harmoniously styled environment. Pick a color palette Everything that has to do with design, also has to do with color. Therefore, you might need to find a color scheme that suits you and your home. It will work as a common thread to start from when choosing furniture or decorations for your living space. Try creating a cohesive look with different shades of your favorite color and see what happens: you'll be surprised. Creativity is your best friend Don't be afraid of going overboard. Creativity is your absolute best friend when it comes to patterns: you might discover things you'd never knew you'd like if you hadn't tried them. Patterns represent a way to make a statement in your own home. Is it an old school, vintage feel you're going for? Or rather cutting-edge, innovative grit? As long as your choice is cohesively applied to each space, you'll have nothing to fear.
Learn moreThe focal point in the world of design
The focal point in design is a fundamental principle that concerns any space. It's exactly where our eyes a land and around which we try to create harmony. Whether it's a kitchen or a living room, the creation of a focal point is a must. Follow the following tips to learn how to identify and get the hang of them: Identify it A focal point can be either decorative or architectural. A fireplace, a mirror, a window, or even picture can serve as a focal point. Although each room is usually endowed with one focal point only, sometimes there may be more. For example, if your home has a majestic fireplace or an eye-catching picture, use it as a starting point to choose your color palette and the placement of the furniture that surrounds it, so as to take advantage of this focal point to the fullest. Surround it When you have to choose which furniture to buy, it is recommendable to choose based on a focal point. Instead of drawing attention away from it, surround it with elements that focus on the heart of the room. Create harmony rather than chaos. To do this, orient your furniture towards the focal point. It will be spontaneous and natural for you to turn your gaze towards it. Emphasize it Placing decorations around the focal point will help you embellish the surrounding space, but do it carefully: too much stuff might be distracting and look like a bunch of disconnected elements. For example, focus on the color scheme that you can gather from a vibrant focal point such as a picture, and choose complementary colors that suit the space. Illuminate it Exploit light in your favor in order to properly illuminate a focal point and make it the undisputed star of the room with the use of well-oriented light sources. We suggest placing lamps and chandeliers close to focal points to emphasize them. You can also use light itself as a focal point and arrange complementary elements around it, such as a mirror or a flower vase.
Learn moreThe focal point in the world of design
The focal point in design is a fundamental principle that is part of every space. It is exactly the point where the eye focuses and around which we try to create harmony. Whether it is a kitchen or a living room, creating a focal point and working around it is a must. Follow the following tips to learn how to identify focal points and work with them: Individual A focal point can be decorative or architectural. A fireplace, a mirror, a window, a painting can be focal points. Although each room typically has one focal point, sometimes there can be more than one. For example, if your home has a large fireplace or a striking painting, use that as a starting point to choose your color palette and the placement of furniture around it, so you can use that focal point to your advantage. Surround it When choosing furniture, it's a good idea to base your selection on a focal point. Instead of distracting from it, surround it with elements that draw the eye to the centerpiece of the room. Create harmony, not chaos. To do this, orient your furniture toward the focal point. It will feel natural and spontaneous for your eyes to rest on it. Emphasize it Adding decorations around the focal point will help you spruce up the space around it, but do so with care: too many different clutter can distract the eye and make it look like a bunch of unrelated items. For example, focus on the color combinations you can get from a colorful focal point, like a painting, and choose items in a complementary color that lends itself to the space. Light it up Use light to your advantage to properly illuminate a focal point, so as to make it the undisputed protagonist of the room through well-oriented light sources. We suggest using lamps and chandeliers near focal points to emphasize them, or using the light itself as a focal point around which to distribute complementary elements, such as a mirror or a vase of flowers.
Learn moreHow to save money on your home renovation
A refurbishment implies a significant investment, and because of this we want to help you save money when possible, without compromising on the quality or comfort of your home. Follow our advice in order to cut down on expenses. A matter of budget The first step towards low-cost renovation is to establish a maximum budget for your needs. By doing so, you'll have a predetermined starting point to stick to whenever you need to make an investment in the renovation of your home. An appropriate maximum budget will save you a lot of effort and stress, whilst making the whole process easier for you and your wallet in the long run. Expertise Get in touch with professionals who have expertise in the field of home renovation, so as not to waste time and do not buy into dangerous scams. It may seem like an unnecessary expense to create a project with experts if you are a design enthusiast already, but in reality, it represents an opportunity to organize construction and to conceive the house of your dreams within the limits of your maximum budget. You can, in fact, request an estimate from different companies and compare them based on your financial needs. Without a professional project, however, it will be difficult to draw comparisons and save money without a proper technical guide. Contracts and estimates Once you have the final project, we advise you to make sure that everything checks out and nothing unexpected comes up. Everything must be outlined in detail. Only then you can solicit the signing of the contract, to ensure the complete safety and reliability of the project. It is always useful to have a contract at hand, so as to check that costs do not swell during construction and that the quality of the select materials is not jeopardized. Construction management If you want to avoid surcharges, you must always keep an eye on construction management. In so doing, any of your doubts can be resolved in the shortest time possible and any refurbishment issues will come to light immediately, without entailing additional costs. The professionals who will manage construction will have the responsibility to supervise everything in both your and their best interests. Snags and surcharges Set aside some money for any contingencies and extra expenses, should it be necessary for your home renovation. It is difficult to avoid issues during construction, as external factors such as soil or pre-installed, damaged or simply old setups can often be unpredictable. Therefore, we recommend you save part of your total budget for such matters. If, for some reason, nothing comes up, you can spend that money on what you please. Last minute tweaks Avoid impulsive and last-minute tweaks, in order to save money and precious time. On the contrary, make sure to check the project is flawless before construction begins. Then, it will be easier for everything to get plan without surcharges or disruptions of any kind. The fewer changes you have to make, the less likely you are to spend more than previously expected. However, should such changes be necessary, we recommend you discuss them with staff right away, in order to find a feasible and convenient solution for both of you.
Learn moreSave money when renovating your home
A renovation is a big investment and for this reason we want to help you save where possible without compromising the quality and comfort of your home. Follow our advice to measure your savings and spend them wisely: A question of budget Setting a maximum budget that suits your needs is the first step towards a low-cost renovation. By doing so, you will have a pre-established starting point to stick to every time you need to make an investment in renovating your home. An appropriate maximum budget will save you a lot of effort and stress, making the whole process easier in the long run for you and your pocket. Professionalism Contact only professional and experienced staff in the field of home renovation, so as not to waste time and not to fall into dangerous scams. Creating a project with experts may seem like an unnecessary expense if you are already a design enthusiast, but in reality it represents an opportunity to structure the work to be completed and to conceive the house of your dreams within the limits of your maximum budget. In fact, you will be able to ask for a quote from different agencies and compare them based on your economic needs. In the absence of a professional project, however, it will be difficult to make comparisons and save without real technical guidance. Contracts and estimates Once you have the final project, we recommend that you carefully check that everything fits and that there is nothing unexpected. Everything must be defined in the smallest details. Only then ask for the contract to be signed, to guarantee the complete safety and reliability of the project. Having a contract at hand right from the start is useful to check that costs do not increase during the work and that the quality of the materials chosen is not compromised. Supervision of works If you want to avoid overcharges, it is necessary that the company you choose always keeps an eye on the direction of the works. In this way, any doubts you may have can be resolved in the shortest possible time and any renovation problems will immediately come to light without presupposing an increase in prices. The professionals who will manage the direction of the works will have the responsibility of supervising and controlling everything in your and their interest. Unforeseen events and extra payments Set aside some money for any unforeseen issues and extra payments, should they be necessary for the renovation of your home. It is difficult for problems not to arise during the work, since external factors such as the terrain or damaged or old pre-installed systems can often be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that you reserve part of your total budget for issues of this type. If, for some reason, there are no additional problems, you can spend that money on whatever you like. Last minute changes Avoid impulsive and last-minute changes, to save money and precious time. Instead, make sure to check that the project is completed to perfection before starting the work. This will make it easier to complete them without extra costs or disruptions to the plan. The fewer changes you have to implement, the less likely you are to spend more than expected. However, if such changes are necessary, we recommend discussing them with your team right away to find a solution that is feasible and convenient for both parties.
Learn moreHow to reconcile vintage and modern
Vintage gives space character and depth. Modern is refreshing and gritty. Is it possible to combine these two diametrically opposed styles? As everything that concerns design, delving into the world of vintage requires intuition. Experimentation requires taking a step back to take a look at the overall view. Here is some advice to make the best of your vintage pieces: Let them breathe When it comes to vintage, it is easy to go overboard in a desperate bid to find an aesthetic balance. For your room not to look like a thrift store, let your vintage pieces be protagonist and leave them some space to breathe freely. Find balance, considering that vintage only stands out when undisputed center of the room. Experiment with materials Playing with textures and colors of various materials will make your living space anything but monotonous or boring. Our objective remains balance between two stylistically opposed worlds, whilst remaining open to creativity and experimentation. Remember to look for analogies and symmetries to mix and create a successful match. Chromatic palettes and similar textures have your back in the endeavor! Have fun with textiles Mixing and matching textiles of various kinds adds character to your room, but beware: it has to be done with care, with the overall view in mind rather than each element detached from the rest. Textiles make the atmosphere laid-back and invite people to cast an eye on the precious treasures that inhabit the room.
Learn moreHow to combine vintage and modern
Vintage adds character and depth to a space. Modern refreshes and adds grit. Is it possible to reconcile these two oppositely parallel styles? Like everything in design, diving into the world of vintage requires intuition. Experimenting requires taking a step back to see the bigger picture. Here are some tips to bring out the best in your vintage pieces: Let them breathe When it comes to vintage, it’s easy to overdo it in a desperate attempt to find an aesthetic balance. To keep your room from feeling like a thrift store, let your vintage pieces take center stage in the room and give them some room to breathe. Find a balance, keeping in mind that for vintage to be at its best, it needs to be the center of the room. Experiment with materials Playing with the textures and colors of different materials will make your living space seem anything but monotonous and banal. The goal is always the balance between two opposing stylistic worlds, but open to creativity and experimentation. Remember to look for analogies and symmetries to match with each other and create a winning pair. Similar color palettes and textures are your allies in this endeavor! Have fun with fabrics Mixing fabrics of different types adds personality to your room, but be careful: it must be done with care, thinking of the space as a whole and not of each individual element as separate from the rest. Fabrics make the atmosphere comfortable and invite you to linger on the precious treasures that inhabit it. Think outside the box For modern and vintage to feel cohesively integrated into your home, they need to be in harmony with your personality. Think about how you feel when you walk into a room with your vintage pieces: Is there anything out of place? Would you remove or add something?
Learn moreHow to light up a bedroom
Bedroom lighting is a matter of practicality. What do you use the room for? To sleep, study or work? Does it serve as changing room, wardrobe? Regardless of your usage, our goal is comfort and functionality. We all strive for comfort when setting up a bedroom, whether it's for concentration or a well-deserved rest after a long day. Therefore, lighting is fundamental: it should be soft and warm-toned (around 3000°), for it not to be heavy on the eyes. Light types The issue gets pretty complicated here. Light is endowed with natural layering once applied to spaces, and we need to make the best of this feature. Needless to say, the only way to utilize each and every light type is to know them. General light It is necessary in order to clean, tidy up and work during the least sunny hours of the day. However, this does not mean that to emit general light, you need to place light sources directly to the roof. The same effect can be achieved with the use of a lamp on the bedside table or on the headboard. Additionally, bedroom corners are a strategic spot to place light sources. It is crucial that you go for adjustable light sources that allow for flexible product usage. Additionally, bedroom corners are a strategic spot to place light sources. Wardrobe light A light source in your wardrobe can be a convenient and useful addition to your bedroom. It can be placed inside and activated with a sensor, or on the outside with an external light switch. We suggest using orientable light sources in order to optimize space. Reading light There's nothing more soothing than a nice book to read under the bedcovers. To do so, place lamps close to light sockets attached to the headboard. In so doing, you will save yourself time instead of blindly looking for the light switch. Remember: a good reading light option is an adjustable and pivotable device, so as to direct light in the direction of what you're reading. If your bedroom is not that big, you can connect the reading light to the main light with the use of an interior light switch, usually next to the bedroom door. As a result, you won't need to walk all the way to the bedside table to turn on the light. Let's take stock of the situation Despite the several light types and the function they fulfill, they can either merge with the space nearby or clash with it. Therefore, we suggest opting for warm-toned, soft and adjustable lights, so as to combine them homogeneously. Take a step back and observe how the lights interact: a few touch-ups and the job is done!
Learn moreLighting a bedroom
Lighting a bedroom is a matter of practicality. What use do you make of the room? Sleeping, studying or working? Is it a dressing room, a wardrobe? Regardless of your case, our goal is a comfortable and functional room. What we all want from a bedroom is comfort, that helps us concentrate or rest after a long day. For this, lighting is essential: it must be soft and warm (about 3000°), so as not to strain the eyes too much. Types of lights The issue gets a little more complex. Light has a natural stratification once applied to spaces, and we must exploit this characteristic to the fullest. Obviously, knowing the different types of light is the only way to use them: General light Necessary for cleaning, tidying up and working during the less bright hours of the day. However, this light does not necessarily have to be obtained by applying its sources directly to the ceiling. The same effect can be achieved with lamps on the bedside table or on the headboard of the bed. Furthermore, the corners of the room are a strategic point for positioning light sources. It is important to choose models with adjustable intensity that allow flexible use of the product. Closet light A closet light is a convenient and practical addition to your bedroom. It can be internal and operated by a sensor, or external with a separate switch. We suggest using adjustable light sources to make the most of your space. Reading light There is nothing more relaxing than a good book to read under the covers. To do this, place the lamps near the electrical outlets adjacent to the headboard of the bed. This way you will not have to spend your time looking for the button to turn on the light every time. Remember: One option for a reading light is an insert that is swiveling and adjustable, so you can direct the light source toward the page you are reading. If your bedroom is not very large, you can connect the reading light to the main light through a switch inside the room, usually next to the door. This way you do not have to walk to the coffee table to turn on the light. Let's take stock Despite the division of the different types of light and the functions they perform, they can flow together in the space or be discordant. Therefore, we recommend using warm, soft and adjustable light sources, so that they match homogeneously. Take a step back and observe how the lights interact with each other: a few tweaks and the game is done.
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