425 Design Duo
Robin Daly studied interior design and is a third-generation co-owner of her family business, Daly’s Paint & Decorating. Christian Ursino has more than 25 years experience in all aspects of interior design.
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We live in a world where we expect to personalize everything, from our cars to our coffee drinks — “Yes, I’d like a venti, half caf, one sugar, extra hot with a straw and sleeve, please.” But when it comes to our living spaces, some people have trouble figuring out what they want.
As helpful as it is to have stores and catalogs provide us with room vignettes to aid in furniture selection, most of us don’t want our homes to be mini-versions of those stores. The challenge is to combine enough elements from different places to create a signature look that’s all your own. In a real sense this usually means purchasing furnishings from different stores and combining different styles and periods.
How? Actually, it’s really easy. Choose things for your room that reflect where you’ve been and who you are. Here are some ideas to get you started on your own custom look.
Wallpaper
Can we talk? Wallpaper is amazing these days! Ranging from classic grass cloths to custom-made burnished metallic panels, wall coverings have entered a whole new realm of design. And we’re thrilled. One contemporary way to use wallpaper is to treat it more like art and install it in panels. This draws the focus to the design and puts it front and center. Great places to use wall coverings are entry halls, bathrooms, dining rooms — besides using it as a feature you can install it on every wall, on the ceiling, even horizontally.
Personal Items
These are things that you have gathered over the course of your interesting life. Oftentimes they tell stories — imagine an heirloom teacup sitting on a tray with a book or candle — you haven’t overwhelmed the space with lots of knick-knacks, but you’ve got an item that represents an important part of your family history and gives you an opportunity to share that history.
If you have arrived at this point without a lot of “stuff,” then consider finding books that express your interests in travel, art, literature, cooking, etc. Not only do they add a decorative element, but they offer a glimpse into your life. Plus, a stack of art books makes a great landing spot next to a chair for the occasional cocktail party!
Paint
There’s a reason paint is one of the main tools in a designer’s tool bag — it’s the simplest, least-expensive and most-effective way to transform a room and make it your own. It’s absolutely customizable and a great low-risk investment for your home. You can do it yourself or hire a good painter. Either way, buy good paint!
Lighting
Chandeliers can stir up memories of Thanksgiving dinners at Grandma’s, provide elegant mood lighting in a living room — conducive to cocktails and conversation at a party — or be the jewel in the crown in the powder room. We have yet to meet a little girl who doesn’t fancy the idea of her own personal chandelier in her room, pink and sparkly, all the better! If shades are part of the mix, your choices are endless, providing another great opportunity to put your room on the map.
Art
Artwork is like a good tube of Chanel lipstick — you don’t need a lot, it just has to be good quality and well-placed. Art doesn’t mean it has to be a painting, it can come in many forms; it can be found objects, textiles, sculptural pieces, framed or unframed, large or small. If you have really good art that you are particularly proud of, it’s worth the investment in proper lighting.
For the full story pick up the latest copy of 425 magazine. Subscriptions are available by phone at 425.646.1380 or you may order your subscription online.
