We definitely are moving soon! My tummy does flip-flops when I think of the new furnishings that will make the place homey. I get really giddy. Here are some things I learned to help ease decorating jitters:
Play the word association game. What are the first colors that come to mind when you hear the word “quiet”? What about “cleanse”? To both, H answered blue. I answered white and green. Given that, I know our bedroom’s theme will be blues and whites, the bathroom blues and greens. I think I’m going to have a bit of trouble with the bathroom since the fixtures are coral-colored. Maybe I’ll have a beach theme? Pretty workable I think.
Pick a favorite item and get inspiration from its mood and tone. We fell in love with a couch that had a sturdy dark chocolate brown body. We’re now working our living room’s theme around that. Then I have a little room all to myself (well, I’ll be sharing it with the linens). The colors of the little nook will be based on this pic I cut out of a magazine:
(Sorry if it’s out of focus. )
I love pink, green and white together. It’s very fresh and feminine — love it!
Explore, canvas, ask. I’m not a huge fan of window-shopping but getting as many ideas as you can from furniture stores truly is helpful. At the very least it’ll give you ideas of what you don’t want. I’ve scoured so many back issues of Country Living I have paper cuts. Cut out pictures that strike you and keep them as reference. Ask your trusted friends for references when seeking suppliers.
These are the things I’ve learned so far. If any of my design-challenged fellows are reading this, I hope this has helped ease our decorating jitters!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Jerome Daclison
January 30, 2006 at 6:27 pm (18 years ago)Pink and greens for the living room? Start with paint. If your sofa is in a deep brown color, find curtains that will pick up the brown as well as splashes of pink and green. For accents, use wooden tiebacks to pick up the colors of the brown couch. As you said, work around the pink-flowers-in-the-basket chuvanes (nice pick ha). One thing you have to think of is if you really want it to be too feminine, sweet, romantic cottage-y feel. Ang husband, baka ma-out-of-place. What does he love to do? Interests? I suggest you give him deep reds–pillows maybe (good to induce sexual urges in the living room)–and a handsome reading corner for him too. If space permits, don’t place furniture (specifically couch) against the wall. Final notes: less is more, create “themed” vignettes to display collections, add books. Enjoy decorating!
Toni
January 30, 2006 at 6:47 pm (18 years ago)Jerome: The pink, green and white scheme will be for my little nook, not the living room.
Thanks for the tips! I like the deep red pillows idea hehehe.
JO
January 31, 2006 at 1:58 am (18 years ago)wow! you’ve got lots of work ahead of you… I know it looks like there’s so much to do, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy every minute of it. After all, its your home sweet home!
barbara
January 31, 2006 at 10:45 am (18 years ago)few more tips that might be handy –
1. cushions – of any colour you want will go with that dark chocolate couch – you might incorporate your pinks and greens for the cushions instead para naman may continuity with the other rooms diba?
2. flowers – always does the trick.
3. art – how about some art.. more like, why don’t you get a blank white canvas and experiment.
sometimes a blank canvas is quite interesting to look at too.
4.rugs can always accentuate any place – stick with your neutral colours for this one – you dont want everything to be too busy.
5. candles and lamps.. little things – but i must say really effective and can be quite dramatic and homey effect.
6. indoor plants – check out a plant called mother in law’s tongue, yucca plant or any succulents.
7. big vases – always makes it feel homey with fresh flowers – ceramic or glass should do the trick
you made me smile reading this post – cos im in the middle of decorating too.
check out some plants here and what i’ve done with my lounge room (excuse the stars hanging – christmas time kasi when i took the pic):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/papelpapel/sets/1556702/
enjoy decorating! it’s very therapeutic for the good soul
toni
January 31, 2006 at 3:33 pm (18 years ago)JO : yeah! lots of work ahead of me, but i’m sure i’ll enjoy it!
barbara : wow thanks for the many tips! truly helpful! i don’t think my hubby would like pinks and greens in the sala though, heehee. there’s a plant called mother in law’s tongue? sounds weird haha! thanks for the link to your fotos. your greens rock!
pinayhekmi
January 31, 2006 at 9:34 pm (18 years ago)I’m not much of a decorator. I say pick colors that won’t show dirt as easily! Haha. Congratulations on the move!
My only tip would be to pick a focal point in your room(s) and built around it.
pasion
February 1, 2006 at 11:10 am (18 years ago)how exciting! i love to decorate and have some funny attempts at home. may not be pmagazine worthy, but definitely gives me some satisfaction … bec its my brainchild!
i find it easier to work around a certain piece, a focus piece. i have an orange sofa with dark brown wood … and everything seems to revolve around that in the living room.
Toni
February 2, 2006 at 1:16 pm (18 years ago)tintin: Exactly! When H and I choose a color, that’s my first consideration — hindi dumihin!
pasion: Wow, everyone is giving tips on that focus piece. Thanks thanks!
ces
February 6, 2006 at 10:18 pm (18 years ago)hi toni…
been in your site for the second time and i’d say..this is a great one! mind if i link you in?
about your design dilemma.. you’re on the right track…blue and white..blue and green..pink and green…that pretty photo..but hey! anything that makes you happy, do it! with a little considerations on your hubby’s opinions though..you know what! i realized just now, i’m so selfish! i painted the master bedroom, pink! and bright at that! lol! but yes..i’m adding a touch of green soon..just bought a green curtain panel to add masculine touches to that pink wall!!!
my only tip:if you chose that espresso finish on the couch [btw, body means the cushioned seat and back? or did you mean the frame/base?] base or frame…make sure that most, if not all timber furnitures and accessories to follow are of the same finish…i guess this has been my very basic style when designing…helps in tying in all the pieces
Toni
February 8, 2006 at 5:04 pm (18 years ago)ces : Thanks for dropping by again! 😀 I don’t mind being linked at all. Go ahead! I’m flattered! And oops by that espresso finish I meant that frame/base. Got my terms mixed up. Thanks for the tips!