Deck with a View

If you have a great view from your deck, you have an automatic focal point. Great! Enjoy your view with a stylish bar set instead of ordinary table and chairs. Most bars and bar chairs are at least 36 inches high which will allow you to dine and enjoy your picturesque viewwith ease without straining your neck.

Enjoy your space, Rena

Outdoor Design

Designing an outdoor space can be tricky. Like any space, there are challenges to overcome. However, when it comes to outdoor spaces, there are a few things to consider. Here are just 3:

1. Provide shelter from the elements (sun, wind, etc.), and bugs;

2. Choose weather-resistant, comfortable furniture; scale is important, but, the bigger the better;

3. Soften the look of the space and make it inviting with and outdoor rug and pillows; these can also add splashes of color.

Enjoy your space, Rena

Pizzaz with Paint

Painting a wall is nice, but adding stripes is twice as nice! Horizontal stripes will make a space appear wider and vertical stripes will make a space appear taller. Hue knew?

Enjoy your space, Rena

Space Queries

What if my space is too large?:

1. Use a paint that is warm or has a dark value (shade).
2. Designate as many seat groupings as you can while still allowing for easy traffic flow.
3. Provide intimacy with lamps.

What if my space is too small?:

1. Use a paint that is cool like blue.
2. Avoid over-scaled furniture or too many pieces.
3. Strategically place mirrors to double your space.
4. Avoid heavy curtains to allow natural lighting.
5. Use overhead lighting.
6. Use appropriately scaled furniture in the space.

What if my space is too narrow?:

1. Paint the space with a horizontal stripe to trick the eye.

What if my space is too long?:

1. Paint the furthest wall a dark hue.

Enjoy your space, Rena

Write a comment and tell me what you think.

Fixing the size of a Window

Tall Windows: To visually lower the window place a piece of furniture under the window to bring the eye down. If you opt to place a piece of furniture under the window, use a fitted window treatment such as shutters, shades, or blinds to avoid entanglements with curtains and drapes.

Short Windows: To make windows appear larger or elongated, install a row of fixed shutters beneath or above the window and operable shutters on the actual window panes.
Enjoy your space, Rena

Choose fabrics carefully

The style you choose to decorate in and the purpose of the space will strongly dictate the kind of fabrics you choose. For instance, if you are decorating a family room that has a southern exposure in the casual style, fabrics that do not stand up to constant use (perhaps by children and pets) would not be a good choice. Additionally, a space that receives a great deal of sunlight would make using silks and other delicate fabrics prone to fade not cost effective options. So, take some time and research the fabric before introducing it to your space. Enjoy your space, ReDecorating by Rena

Determine the style for the space

Resist the urge to jump right in. Begin by asking yourself a few questions about the space. What will I do in the space?How do I want to feel in the space?Who else will use the space on a regular basis? If necessary, ask other members of the family the same questions. The answers to these queries will help to decide if the space is to be decorated formally or casually, for instance. Of course, there are other styles to be considered.

The style chosen will determine many of the subsequent decisions such as the type of furniture placed in the room, the fabric chosen, as well as the type of window treatment that is installed, to name a few. For example, the casual style typically has simple details, textured elements and lots of horizontal lines. The furniture tends to be large in scale and upholstered or slip covered. Whereas the formal style is inspired by period homes with elaborate architectural features and special attention is placed on symmetry and lines.

Enjoy your space, ReDecorating by Rena