Tips on How to Hang Pictures at Home

Whether its photo frames or display pictures for adorning your walls, doing them justice would mean knowing exactly how to hang them. Whereas displaying precious artwork beautifully could seem like a major undertaking for most, it is actually a very simple task. Here are some guidelines your interior design professionals will suggest.

Choosing the right kind of artwork

There are no hard and fast rules here. Even though you might have that special liking for colonial art, you can still include them in your contemporary setup! In fact, the contrast will be quite magnificent. Simply go for artworks you would love living with.

Be Brutal about downsizing

 If you already have a stock of artwork to display, it is important to be brutal when you downsize. Some may have lost their charm with time, some may have become irrelevant. These need to be done away with. There is no point in adding to the clutter when you plan your gallery wall. Zero on the best among your collection that you wish to display.

Arrange them first

Consider arranging your pictures on the floor first before getting them on the wall. Consider experimenting with different sizes, shapes and dimensions. Choose a central focal point for your artwork and arrange the other pieces around it. Make sure you choose a scheme that complements the dimensions of the room. Elaborate arrangements work just fine with larger rooms whereas sleeker spaces will require compact designs for the right appeal.

Get the height right

Whereas the height you choose will depend on the pattern you have chosen for arranging your frames, it is never advisable to hang pictures too high on the wall. The ideal height could be between 155 to about 160cms from the ground. The idea is, you should not be looking up or down at them. It should be on the same level as your eye contact when you are seated.

Choose your spaces judiciously

 Bedrooms are meant for unwinding and relaxation. Therefore, ideally, you should be using pastel colored, pretty images for adorning these spaces. Dining rooms can be used for more serious kind of pictures. Artworks in the hallway are likely to receive least focus; therefore, simple prints can be used for adorning the walls. Focus areas like the space above the fireplace mantle should be reserved for something special like a royal oil painting and the likes. Also make sure you keep the factors of proportion and balance in mind. If you are hanging something on top of a chest or the fireplace platform, do not leave too much space between the frame and the top. In case there is space, fill it up with a clock or similar.

Ensure the positioning is right

 Whereas using a spirit level will help in positioning your frames symmetrically, trusting your eyes is best. This is a two person job. Ask someone to check the leveling as your fix the pictures.

Ideally, you must ask your interior design specialists to suggest the perfect arrangement for your pictures. You can also seek professional assistance for arranging your artwork perfectly.

 

from Articles http://www.summerhaus.com.sg/articles/2017/3/1/tips-on-how-to-hang-pictures-at-home
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Home Décor Ideas for Busy Professionals

Planning the perfect home décor can be both fun and fulfilling. It is one of those projects that can bring the entire family together. However, the problem is designing, planning and then executing a perfect home can be a hugely time consuming task. Most of us are way too busy to dedicate that kind of time. Hiring an interior design specialist may not be a budget friendly idea for many. So what can you do? Here are some smart ideas busy professionals can adhere to when it comes to home décor.

Always Keep Cleaning in Mind

 Remember, home cleaning can be a huge headache and if you are always short on time, keeping your home free from dust, allergens and dirt could be a stiff challenge. So, when you are designing, always keep cleaning in mind. Like, if you are short, consider placing artifacts at a moderate height. Use modular furniture that can be dismantled and cleaned. Consider wooden flooring for easy mopping and cleaning and so on. Use dark colors on the walls since they don’t get dirty easily and can be cleaned with less effort. For sofas, consider leather or faux leather. You can use a damp cloth for wiping the dirt and dust. Cotton and polyester should be avoided since they are notorious for getting stained.

Go Classic not Trendy

 Designing your home once is time consuming enough. Going with the prevailing trends would mean changing your entire décor when the trend transforms! And this can prove to be a Herculean feat for busy professionals. Sticking to classic designs is always better. Like for instance, choose neutral shades, stick to classic décor elements like flowers and lamps. Do not choose furniture that’s too abstractly styled or kind of over the top. It is better to stick to classic options rather than go for eclectic ones that might require frequent revamping.

Buy Multipurpose Furnishings

Furnishings are not for decorative purposes alone. They also need to be utilitarian. Although you may end up being impressed with the aesthetics of a furnishing item, it is not wise to invest in it unless it serves your purpose. Furnishings should be multipurpose. Like, a sofa set with storage and pull out guest bed provision is more suited than a sofa alone. This saves space and optimizes cost too. You also have fewer items to clean, replace or exchange, whenever the need arises.

Stay Organized to Save Time

If you are always short on time, staying organized is kind of mandatory. What you need to do is invest in closets with small racks, compartments, drawers and the like. Use these to keep your items sorted and in perfect order. This helps to save time when you are looking for stuff. Also, cleaning and rearranging becomes a whole lot simpler when you have sorted out your stuff in different compartments, racks and drawers.

In order to add aesthetic touches to your premise, add some soft furnishings like cushions, pillows and rugs. Also consider using floating candles and light weight lamp shades for adding that touch of warmth. Keep it simple and portable.

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Interior Design Tips for Recently Divorced Men

A divorce can be an extremely stressful process to go through. Disassociating yourself from someone who has been so deeply attached to your life is certainly not easy. Moreover, if kids are involved, it becomes all the more painful for the entire family. However, once the initial turmoil and turbulence has settled down, you might want to look at life from a fresh perspective. And changing the interiors of your home could be one of the best ways to make a fresh start. Here are some interior design tips that can help.

Start by Doing Away with Unpleasant Memories

One of the best starts would be to indulge in a culling operation. Pick and throw out everything that can bring back memories concerning your ex. It could be anything ranging from a large closet to a tiny photo-frame. Every single item must go. Remember, fresh beginnings cannot be made unless you do away with the past. Make sure there is nothing that causes negative vibes. Once you have chosen the articles you want to do away with, reassess the available space in your home before choosing an interior design plan.

Open your Mind to New Ideas and Themes

 It could so be that your home has always been decorated using ornate artifacts or with a predominant woody theme. These could be in accordance with your ex wife’s tastes. One good way to bring about change is to open your mind to new ideas. Think of themes that are of interest to you. Choose something that’s totally different and out of the box! You should design keeping your personal likes and dislikes in mind. This will give you a sense of identity.

Rearrange

One simple way to create the right theme for your premise is to rearrange. Shift around your existing furniture for a new look. For instance, you can change the location of your TV cabinet and even shift your bed to the living space for a while. Not having to sleep alone in the bedroom you so lovingly shared with your ex, will help.

Choose a Color that Peps you Up

Oftentimes, colors are decided upon after mutual discussion. So, if there is a specific color you wanted, now is the time to get it done. If you have always wanted turquoise red walls, go ahead and get it painted. Choosing bright and vibrant colors also helps in uplifting your mood.

Concentrate on Proper Lighting

Nothing feels better than a brightly lit room, especially when you might not be in the best mood. Consider changing the light fittings of your home suitably. Choose diffused lighting for the sleeping space and bright ones for your living room. If you have the budget for it, invest in new lamp shades and light fittings that add to the aesthetic charm of the premise.

Consider New Upholstery

Buying new upholstery will also add a fresh touch to the décor. You can replace your curtains with blinds for a new look. Investing in new towels, blankets, bed sheets, covers and pillow cases will also add a touch of variety to the existing home décor.

A divorce may not be all that stressful after all. It could also be a chance to live life afresh on your own terms. And changing your home décor could be the perfect start.

 

To read our previous article, please click here.

 

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Steps to Successful Interior Design

The first question that probably every client asks is about the duration of the design process. While most clients want a project to get over in a few days, quality interior design needs time. It is composed of several different steps, all of which have to be executed separately.

As a client, you should give your designers enough time for a great design. Meanwhile, you can keep yourself busy in gathering information and coordinating with contractors, architects, artisans and the like. Here are the steps to successful interior design.

Conveying your needs to the designer

An expert interior designer would start by knowing your exact requirements. This begins with you short-listing designers/firms that work for you and meeting them in person. They then offer you conventional design templates, which you can weigh against any bespoke design plans you might have. Always remember to open up completely to the designer. Your project defines who you are.

Defining a clear design goal

Whether you want to go ahead with a certain studio’s ‘house’ style, or propose your own plan, convey it at the outset. Getting the project delivered within the timeline depends heavily on how clear the design objective is at the beginning. A clear design goal also rules out any last-minute problems and helps the designer to assist you better.

Determining the right supplies

This is often the most interesting step in interior design. Right from the color of the walls to the bedding and the material used in the seating, a lot of thought goes into this. The marketplace will often have an extensive selection of wall coverings, fabrics, woods, and finishes. Good interior design is not just about aesthetic, but functionality and durability.

Educating oneself about trends

The design industry is a dynamic one, and technology and material are constantly changing. Clients can look up case studies on projects similar to theirs, and discuss them with the designer. Information can be gathered from industry magazines, trade conferences, and workshops. The times of depending on the industry for every input are past, and clients need to be as savvy.

Communicating throughout

Transparent communication at all levels is vital for successful delivery of design. This consists of communication between your designer and the suppliers. In order to keep track of the status of the project at all times, coordinate between the different contractors on a project site. Budgets and timelines should also be kept fully transparent throughout the design process.

Being patient with the delivery

The penultimate step will be to wait patiently for the delivery of supplies, inspections, modifications, and so on. Freight damage is common, and so are manufacturers misinterpreting the orders. However, do not worry, since damage can be handled with minor repair or replacement. Hire an interior design firm that is adept at handling any eventuality or delay and cover any snags.

Final implementation of the project

This is the hardest step in delivering successful interior design. Installation of the furnishings takes anything from a few hours to weeks, depending on the complexity and scale of the project. The best thing about interior design studios is their reliability and strong networks of suppliers and design professionals. This makes implementation smoother.

 

To read our previous article, please click here.

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