What do you do with a spare bedroom that you don’t want to turn into a full-out guest room?  You turn it into a pretty sitting room just for you!  In this  Aurora, On project we are busy working away doing just that.  We wanted a pretty room for ‘her’; a room she could disappear into to read a book.  But we also wanted a room that the  grand kids could stay in when they want to sleep over.  Hence, the daybed/sitting room was born.

Here is the concept board we started with:

We presented two different schemes.  We liked the overall feeling of this one.  The yellow accents and floral fabrics felt fresh; and the tufted daybed was a perfect solution as a pretty place to rest one’s head or to have the grand kids sleepover on. Our preferred floor plan included one larger etagere and a single ottoman rather than two.

 There are plenty of  small decisions made along the way: one ottoman or two? tufted or not? two smaller etageres or one larger one? two chairs or a bench and a chair? and on and on… Decorating is rarely cut and dried and this can get overwhelming sometimes for many people.  It’s a process from start to finish where the look is tweaked as you go, sometimes for aesthetics, sometimes for functional purposes.

Fabric selections from Robert Allen, Kravet and Maxwell

Fabrics is where we always have fun, particularly when the client isn’t afraid of mixing patterns.   The power of fabric is amazing! It can totally transform a piece of furniture.  With just one broad brushstroke a look can be changed from playful to formal.  In this case our client wanted casual and happy.  I think the addition of the colour yellow can make any room happy:)

One of the final changes we made along the way was the rug.  Once we selected the beautiful grey paint from Benjamin Moore’s new Colour Stories collection, we decided the rug needed to be yellow.  So we found a  yellow/cream flat weave area rug for some cheer and again, casualness.

Our final accessory board above shows the final touches we hope to add.  Some pretty bling is evident on the chandelier and mirror and some yellow and white ceramics for the etagere.

The plan is to photograph this room when its done, so you’ll see what this all translates to in a few months.

If you would like some help to guide you through this decorating process give Lumar Interiors a call or contactus@lumarinteriors.com

Apparently both.

Acanthus and Vine

When tapestries weave their way on to the fashion runways of top designers, you know they are going to be big in home decor too.  The two industries are more closely related than ever with trends in each almost occurring simultaneously now.  (check out one of our favourite websites to follow www.fashiondecor.com)

Not that this classic art form hasn’t been around forever; its just hitting an on-trend vibe right now.  The November issue of Elle Decor  states in its ‘Trend Alert’ page, “The art form that was all the rage in the 16th century is having a moment in the 21st, weaving its spell for a new generation”.

Trend Alert in November issue of Elle Decor

And indeed an art form it is.  On our recent trip to Paris a new appreciation of this Old World medium was formed.  Seeing these magnificent story telling pieces was awe-inspiring.  In its hey day they were used for both aesthetic and practical reasons.  The huge tapestries were easily rolled up and travelled with kings and nobleman as they moved from one residence to another.  They were draped on the walls of castles for warmth in the winter and were lavished with decorative motifs and stories.  Sometimes they had family emblems and coat of arms woven in; other times they recounted stories of war and conquer; and yet other times stories of romance.  The phrase, ‘the tapestry of life’ has much more colourful meaning now.

The Five Queen’s Bedroom in Chateau de Chenonceau, France

The oversized tapestry in the room setting below creates a dramatic backdrop for the gorgeous red Kravet sofa.  Not quite the scale of the tapestries in the bedroom Catherine DeMedici designed for her daughters above, yet show-stopping in this contemporary room.  Its old-world feel warms up the space and yet works wonderfully with the more contemporary accents in the room.

Old World Tapestry in New World Decor

Some might call the tapestry in the room above an element of surprise.  We just think it adds another layer of interest to the tapestry of life.

Call Lumar Interiors to find out how we can enrichen your living space or contactus@lumarinteriors.com

Her first collection for Kravet was good – but the consensus in our office is this second one is GORGEOUS!

Stunning Collection from Candice Olson

You may have heard a lot of talk about colour being ‘back’ lately.  Well it is.  Colour is out in full force.   However, we tend to be forgetful of pattern and texture. These two elements is what complements everyone’s style and is essential for interest and depth in a space.  So if you prefer neutrals with a hint of colour you will love Candice’s new collection!

Candice Olsen fabrics on furniture

Stunning fabrics add texture and warmth!

Candice Olsen’s new line of fabrics allows for a comfortable and durable home as well as an elegant and tasteful one.  The collection  includes soft textured solids, damasks, velvets, stripes, geometrics  and some glitter!  That’s what Candice is all about:  mixing matte and shiny, old and new…

Call us if you’d like to get a better look at it or contactus@lumarinteriors.com

Shall we talk frankly…..custom cuhions are crazy expensive.  There.  We said it….done.  But aren’t they gorgeous?

detail work

They are like icing on the cake….

Impeccable detail

They can pull the room together…

via belle maison blog

Notice the colours criss-crossed around the room above including the ceiling colour.  The sofa just wouldn’t be the same with out them.  In fact, we rarely take the cushions that come with the sofa in the same fabric.   They add nothing to the room. We love the interest that contrast colours and textures add.   Although I’ll tell you a secret.  Sometimes I have the clients take the boring matching pillows if its a family room sofa and specify that those are the only ones they are allowed to lie down and drool on.  Hence my nickname for them the ‘drool cushions’.  Let them get ratty and not our gorgous $150 ones.

Kravet fabrics and trims

And yes, sometimes the pillows can cost half the amount of the drapery….Why is that?  They are made one at a time by a professional seamstress and possibly take 2-3 hours of her day.  They are not mass produced by the hundreds on an assembly line in less than an hour.  We have to buy single inserts to make them which costs more….not 1,000 at a time.  And if you upgrade that to a feather insert, that costs a little extra.  You have to buy at least 1 1/4 yards for 2 average size pillows  and if that fabric is $100/yd…well, you can do the math.  Then 2 cushions take about 4 1/2 yards of trim.  That can be anywhere from $10/yd to $50/yd on average.  So you see, they can really add up.  But I look at it as really nice costume jewellery.  You take care of it when it costs more and it just makes the outfit!

They are always part of the package that we present.  It’s also where you can splurge with that crazy expensive gorgeous fabric.  You only need a little bit and it makes the whole room pop.  (Of course, the price of the pillows does too)  You can’t look at the cost of the individual pillows.  Consider them part of the total cost of the room to make it sing….

via Gregg Riggs Interiors

Take away those purple and gold pillows on that white sofa and well, you’d have a nice white sofa.  But with the pillows it creates a beautiful melody….

Visit our website to see more examples of custom pillows or to contact us for a consultation.  www.lumarinteriors.com

Christian Loubitan shoes fall campaign

I really don’t understand how one can distress over what to wear but not what shoes to finish the outfit with.  Similarly, so much attention is given to the main pieces of upholstery in a room, namely the sofa, but not the chairs.  I’d give up a sofa in order to get to play with two chairs…A chair can just bring it together.  It can really move a space from boring or ‘safe’ to personality and ‘wow’.

Pillows and chairs are where I like to add colour or pattern.

Casual and inviting

You can add chairs for comfort.  There is nothing like curling up in your favourite chair to read a book or browse through a magazine.

Tailored and understated by Kravet

They can add very sculptural lines (which I love) or straight lines (like the one above).  If a room is turning out to be too masculine, add some round lines to soften it.  Or if its becoming too feminine add some straight lines to give it strength and tone it down.

Like sculptures in a room

Or how about a wild statement chair for the foyer…you can put this in a very clean-lined space and it will really stand out or you can put it in a more ornate space where it will just add interest.

Formal Eye-catcher from Currey & co.

How about this cool wing chair – over the top.  LOVE the fabric.   Certainly not a shy piece.  But if it’s you – go for it.  Don’t be concerned with whether you’ll tire of it or whether its the current ‘cool’ trend.  If you love it and it makes you smile, you can live with it for 10 years at least.  Time flies as you know – you’ll be surprised how long you’ve had it and enjoyed it!

Formal with a dash of eccentricity

This chair makes me want to drink a cognac and smoke a cigar in a gorgeous library.  (Not that I do either)

Can’t decide between a solid and a patterned fabric?  Use both!  Again,  a great way to bring out an accent in a room.

Handsome detailing using 2 fabrics

Want to turn heads with some sexy looking chairs? (see, just like shoes) Check these out.

Chic from Christopher Guy

Look at the beautiful detail work on this chair.  Note the sculptured lines along the bottom.  It just takes the slipper chair up a notch.

Slipper chair with beautiful detail

So, you see, I think the chairs just finish the look.  Just like a gorgeous pair of shoes.  They can be casual or formal or sexy or earthy or colourful….

Gold, cream and coral stripe to pull it altogether

Like shoes, you can never have enough beautiful chairs…..

Shoes for all kinds of occasions....

If you want some help finishing your room with a gorgeous custom chair, contactus@lumarinteriors.com for the best selection in town!  We can help you figure out exactly what that outfit needs: pizzazz, subtlety, colour, pattern……endless options.