8 No-Cost Ways to Update Every Room in Your Home
Does your home need a spring refresh? The Inspired Room blogger shares her easy upgrades that will breathe new life into your space in a weekend or less in her new book Simple Decorating.
By Melissa Michaels
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Photo: Rachel Smith
Go Bright
Bright contrasting colors are young, fresh and exuberant, but can leave your studio feeling a bit like a kindergarten. Dull down the effect with dashes of muddied pastels and plenty of white space. Add layers of visual texture with simple graphic patternsâ€â€spots, stripes, chevronsâ€â€applied in small splashes.
When it comes to color, you don't always have to rely on wall paint. Almost every element in your studio can have its own hue, whether it's a bright rug or pot of pencils.
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Photo: Sara Landstedt
Go Mono
Without the distraction of color, texture and pattern have a chance to shine. Get the most from a monochrome studio by adding bags of different visual and physical texture–coarse surfaces, touchy-feely fabrics, shiny or reflective accents. Create interest with patternâ€â€bold graphic statements or smaller, more intricate design work equally well. Add the odd natural element to soften the look.
A little black goes a long way. For a light, bright workspace, keep the walls and floors white and add drama with dark statement pieces.
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Photo: Candence Hays
Go Natural
Nature is the greatest designer. Find inspiration in the patterns and textures of organic formsâ€â€from huge floral prints to rustic antlers, botanical fabrics to living greenery. Steer clear of synthetics such as neons and shocking brightsâ€â€they can jar against nature's muted, earthy palette. Off-whites, greens, blue greys and earthy darks all work well alongside sun-bleached woods, rustic fabrics and natural-fiber rugs.
Focus on elements that echo the natural aesthetic: wood, cane, bamboo and other naturally sourced materials.
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Photo: Catherine Gratwicke, living4media
Go Industrial
Exposed brickwork, planked floors, bare concrete and galvanized metalsâ€â€the fundamentals of the industrial look. Furniture needs to be solid, unfussy and utilitarian. Color comes from your raw materialsâ€â€steel greys, worn wood and aged bricksâ€â€but if it's all getting too factory floor, inject a bit of creativity in the form of large-scale artworks and bright accents.
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Photo: living4media, Cecilia Möller
Go Collected
Patterned papers, bright wall colors or plastering your studio with images will create the busy background you need. Mix open storage and shelves with glass-fronted cupboards, plain chests and printers' trays. Have a theme or organizing principle behind your displays to stop the studio looking like a landfill. Grouping things by color, type, age, purpose or material can unite a disparate crowd of objects.
Flea market furniture, old ephemera and themed finds pull together to create the collector's look.
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Excerpted from Studio: Creative Spaces for Creative People by Sally Coulthard. Text copyright © 2017 Sally Coulthard. Design and layout copyright © 2017 Jacqui Small LLP. Reprinted by permission of Jacqui Small, an imprint of The Quarto Group, Inc.
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Published 05/03/2017