If you live in a city, chances are your house or apartment is slightly cramped. You need extra furniture, especially if you plan to have house guests; at the same time, you need to save space, so filling up your rooms with clunky couches and tables isn’t going to work. If only furniture could adapt, or transform, to fit the moment—and not just a horribly heavy, horribly designed and horribly uncomfortable fold-out couch.

As it turns out, double-duty chairs, couches and tables exist. Trolling the web for transformative furniture, I came across some stunning examples of changeable, collapsible furniture on WebUrbanist, a blog about urban living.

As noted above, there’s nothing worse than a sofa bed—the thin mattress providing a worse bed than a carpeted floor—so U.K. furniture-maker bonbon trading came up with a solution perfect for overnight guests: a couch that turns into a bunk bed.

Of course, modular design isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and more often than not you end up paying for the look, rather than the materials, especially when it comes to ubiquitous Swedish tastemakers IKEA; heirloom quality, not likely. However, even if you’re not quite ready to drop $4,750 on a coffee table–loveseat, you owe it to yourself to at least take a peek.

In Part I, we discussed distressed furniture as a design idea. Now it’s time to stop talking and start damaging furniture!

Distressing furniture is a lot of fun. When else do you get to drag heavy chain across tables, burn cabinet edges or drive over cabinet doors all in the name of an “authentic” look of yore.

Before beginning, there are two things to keep in mind. First, only real wood can withstand on-purpose distressing; MDF, particleboard and other synthetic materials don’t stand up to damage. Second, you’re trying to make the damage look convincing, so concentrate on areas that would naturally wear, such as near handles and along edges. In other words, don’t add a tire squeal mark to your tabletop. For inspiration, take a gander at some examples of well-worn furniture and then simulate the look.

While there’s no single method for distressing furniture, remember that a little damage goes a long way; don’t go overboard or you’ll be left with a decrepit piece of, well, garbage. Start slowly with a few scratches created by dragging a heavy chain across the surfaces, a method equally effective using coarse rocks or rasps. You’re trying to create random markings, so any heavy uneven surface works well. Continuing with the medieval methods, half-drive a few nails into a piece of wood and then simply drop it onto the object you’re distressing, or wrap a pile of screws, nuts and nails inside a cloth and then throw it against the surface. The list goes on and on.

You can also create a distressed look through paint or by lightly sanding around edges and handles (a sander, or even just sandpaper, is another useful tool to get your hands on for this project).

First-timers are encouraged to experiment with random pieces of wood before tackling and potentially ruining your furniture. And if you’re feeling nervous and looking for specifics, you can always Ask the Expert.

Take a spin along a country road in summertime and you’re bound to come across antique furniture for sale—or, in some cases, antique-like furniture: purposely distressed dressers, tables, kitchen cabinets, doors that are made to look used and abused.

Distressed furniture, whether real or faked, carries a feeling of warmth into any room, used sparingly of course; too much and your house becomes a mismatched auctioneer’s room or, worse, a set from Little House on the Prairie.

Having one or two pieces of distressed furniture in an otherwise modernized room creates great contrast and dramatic effect, showcasing the antique object, whether real or faked, as the room’s focal point. A distressed dining room table looks especially striking amidst sleek flooring and furniture; the minimalism of the modern surfaces allows the knotty, pocked-looking tabletop to shine through.

Of course, adding distressed furniture doesn’t begin and end with movable furniture like tables, cabinets and hutches. Equally effective: lining a wall with barn boards or using the boards as trim around a window frame, putting down barn board flooring, or installing a distressed wooden beam that spans an entire room.

Up next: making your own distressed furniture. Why pay for someone else’s old or old-looking furniture when you can make your own?

Almost every article you read these days uses the word “chic,” referencing everything from residential interiors to hotels to personal style. But what is “chic,” and in particular, what is “chic decor?” And how can you achieve this in your home? By definition “chic decor” means elegant or stylish decoration. An elegant home is one that has been well-planned and appointed using a number of the design principles outlined here to help you achieve this goal.

Cohesion
One of the key factors in achieving a “chicly decorated” home is cohesion. Nothing is more attractive and soothing to the eye than a home where all components of an interior (furniture, flooring, colour, etc.) relate to each other. This doesn’t mean that everything is an exact replica of each other, but rather that when it comes to choosing furniture, as an example, that the pieces harmonize with each other, and that there is a sense of continuity from room to room.

Scale
This is particularly important when choosing furniture. Each piece should relate to the others in terms of scale and proportion. Scale, of course, refers to the size of one piece of furniture in relation to others that will be adjacent to it. The scale must be similar in order to achieve the most desirable effect. Having a large scale wing chair looming over a low minimalist sofa would make both pieces appear out of context. A lower back chair, in this example, would relate much better to the sofa and create a more harmonious composition.

Repetition
Continuity, or repetition, in design creates a space that is not only harmonious, but is integrated with adjacent rooms, particularly on the main floor where the likelihood of viewing more than one room at once is higher. Repeating the style of furniture, cabinetry, lighting, window treatments and colour into each of the adjoining rooms lends unity to the disparate rooms, creating flow and elegance. Distinction can then be achieved through artwork, fabric and accessories.

Eclectic interiors can also be very chic provided that no more than two different furniture styles are chosen throughout; otherwise the look will feel disjointed and busy, thereby creating a space that is unsettling to the eye. Be extra cautious when combining styles. Consider the lines, scale and proportion and overall feel of the styles to determine their compatibility. Mixing formal Louis XIV furniture with rustic Canadiana would create an incompatible marriage.

Colour
Can you really have a chic home and use colour throughout? Absolutely, the key here is to use restful versus vibrant tones throughout. Neutrals should serve as the principal colours throughout the main wall areas as well as on soft furnishings. Accessories and accents can then be added using either complementary or analogous tones, depending on the overall look desired and the need for definition. Beware of using too many hues as this will create a chaotic interior, however, using very little colour will create a dull and lifeless interior.

Line
Chic decor means employing clean lines. Choose furniture and accessories that have a minimal amount of embellishments and suit the context of the room. Similarly, adopting a less is more philosophy is wise when purchasing items for a room. Overfilling a room with furniture or accessories only creates congestion and confusion as to the room’s focal point.

Keep the lines and embellishments simple and you will have a home that will reward you by being both timeless and beautiful, as well as the envy of your friends and neighbours.

Article by: Margarida Oliveira, designer and owner of Chic Decor a full-service decorating firm. For design/decorating services, you may contact her at: 905 337 8463. Or visit her website at: www.chicdecordesign.com

Home Renovation Guide Artile Posted by Nikki Rollins nrollins@homerenovationguide.com

Are you feeling uninspired by your boudoir? Is your bedroom more reminiscent of grandma’s abode than the romantic getaway you envisioned? Then it’s time to turn up the heat by introducing some spicy decor elements into your nest.

Firstly, an evaluation of your furniture and decor are in order. If your furniture and accessories are hand-me-downs, or look as if they are ready to be read their last rites, then it’s time to cast them away to your local charitable organization and go shopping for some newer and more attractive counterparts. When selecting new furniture, ensure these pieces reflect your aesthetic style, are well-built, provide ample storage and suit the scale of your room. Always purchase the best quality that you can afford.

The most notable focal point in any bedroom is, and should be, the bed. So consider painting the wall behind the bed a tint or tone of red as a dramatic counterpoint. Red is the colour of love and energy, and its use in a couple’s bedroom is perfect, provided that it is used judiciously (a little goes a long way). The rest of the walls should be painted in softer hues, such as sandy brown, mushroom grey or butter cream.

Selecting a bed must reflect your style, budget and suit the scale of your room (no king size beds in a small room). For a contemporary look, consider a padded headboard in a luxurious fabric. It will offer you comfort, style and texture. Imperative for any bed is purchasing the best quality mattress and box spring that your budget can allow. Pillow top mattresses are wonderfully comfortable and can make your bedtimes truly ethereal. Of course, buying the best quality linens you can afford is essential. Egyptian cotton sheets in thread counts upwards of 350 are fit for a king and queen and as this is your palatial suite, spoil yourselves and you’ll be thankful you did. Also, buy the best quality feather pillows in either natural feathers or synthetic (if one is sensitive to allergens). Finally, no bed is complete without a beautiful duvet and coordinating shams in the best quality cotton. Incorporate some cushions in silk, and voila! A beautiful bed that will beckon you to stay the night!

Overhead lighting should always be controlled by a dimmer switch. This allows you to set the mood and feel of the room. Task lighting is equally important; these would be the lamps that flank your bed on the night tables. Consider purchasing tri-lights, as they too allow more flexibility with the quantity of light. And lastly, nothing is more romantic than the addition of candle light. The flicker of candle flames cast a glow that is warm and inviting, but make sure that these are contained within glass lanterns. An unexpected fire is not the kind of excitement one desires in any room.

The rest is in the details. The right accessories will transform your space into a truly beautiful and inviting room. Incorporate elements that appeal to all the senses. We’ve already spoken of the addition of candles, and luxurious linens. Next add some wonderful artwork to your walls, a crystal vase for sparkle, and fill it with some beautiful fuchsia roses and tiger lilies for romance and fragrance. Add some mirrored objects for interest and lastly turn on some music and treat yourselves to a box of champagne truffles. Enjoy!

Article Provided By:
Margarida Oliveira from Chic Decor 905 337 8463 http://www.chicdecordesign.com
Posted By:
Nikki Rollins nrollins@homerenovationguide.com

For months, I would dream about moving into this blank slate that I could decorate from scratch. How exciting, right?

Well, I very quickly realized this was more difficult and terrifying than I ever imagined. Where do I start? Which room? How do I make sure it all goes together? Is it all supposed to look like a Pottery Barn catalogue or am I supposed to have different looks in each room? What pieces do I buy first? Why does it all cost so much?

So, I took a deep breath, and decided to do it room by room. First, the bedroom. I had a decent idea of what I wanted this to look like, so I took off to a local manufacturer and in one shot, got a bed, dresser and a couple of night tables. Done….right? Nope. Who knew that accessories were so critical? I needed pictures, little fake flowers, even a small wooden box for my dresser to make it catalogue-perfect. That only took 6 months.

Then, the living room. I decided to start with the rug. Why? Based on the advice of an interior decorator. She said to “find a rug I love and build up and around it.” Done. Who knew finding the right couch and chairs to go with it would be so hard? Brought home one set of fabrics. No good. Then another….and another. Finally, success. Only 2 more weeks to go until I have completed my 14 week wait time. Then I can start looking for a coffee table.

In the meantime, I have gotten used to avoiding the main floor of my house as there is nowhere to sit, eat or hang out. So, the decorating saga continues. I moved into my house in June, and 9 months later, I am still just so far from anywhere. I have a completed bedroom (almost - I hung up a bunch of frames with no actual pictures in them yet just to make it feel closer to finished,) a completed guest room and an office. The rest of the house is still a work in progress - one piece (at 10-12 week lead times) at a time!