abo design co. » colour trends

Wallpaper do's & don'ts

admin — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:17:09 +0000

A client is considering wallpaper for an accent wall and recently revealed that a few of her friends have tried to talk her out of it. They think it’s passe and a nightmare to install. It is a nightmare to install if you don’t know what you’re doing. It certainly is not passe. With a plethora of selection for traditional and contempory patterns, it will take you further than paint ever can. There are, however, a few things you to consider before an installation.

Like paint, choose a colour/pattern that is in harmony with the neighboring rooms. However, if you want to make a bold statement, make sure the design is timeless and most importantly you love it: unlike paint, it is costly so choose a pattern you will not grow tired of in a year.

Good wallpaper ranges from $60-$150 per single roll. At those prices, it is recommended that you hire a professional paper hanger & choose a pattern you can live with. A good installer makes a huge difference. It is not as easy as the experts make it look. If it’s off just a smidge you will know and your eyes will zero in on it every time.

Consider lighting. If you are contemplating a textured/metallic pattern, use indirect lighting or you will quickly learn to hate it.

Considering the room you’re installing it in. I don’t recommend using wallpaper in your bathrooms due to the moisture but in a powder room where you’re not dealing with steam it can be stunning and adds a point of interest to what would be an ordinary room.

Powder Room, Brown Design Inc

Don’t substitute your crown moulding for wallpaper borders. Don’t use borders around your windows or doors. Don’t use it to make your painted wall interesting. In fact, don’t use borders period. It is tacky and just doesn’t work.

Consider the furniture in the room. Pairing modern furniture with traditional patterns results in a spectacular space. Your guests will be in awe and wonder who your designer is even though you told them you designed it yourself

Charles Rupert Designs, Victoria BC

Mix patterns but keep your colour scheme simple. Adhering to this rule will balance the space and keep it habitable.

Wallpaper your bedroom! With the right furniture pieces it is very glamourous, intimate and romantic.

House to Home, UK

Mixed Patterns, House to Home, UK

So have fun & know when you need help (before you swipe your credit card hopefully). Here are a few more of my favourite rooms:

Tuxedo ready

Coop Residence, San Francisco

Fit for a Princess

My favourite lime

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:24:02 +0000

Spring is definitely on its way…slowly but surely! I was so determined to push it through the door that I wore my lime belt (a very thin one) over grey dress shirt today…and it certainly perked me up! So here’s a list of everything lime to gear you up for the season…Becareful not to get carried away though. Lime does pack a hefty punch so beware of overuse!!!

New Yorker Lime Chair

Lime Striped Giclee Shade Table Lamp

Guacamole Sofa from Vessel

Kiwi Dinnerware from Chintz

Celery Fellini Chaise from Chintz

Schonbek Geometrix Matrix Chandelier

"Have nothing in your homes that is not useful or beautiful." ~ William Morris

admin — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:11:34 +0000

This just about sums up what interior design is all about for me. Instead of stuffing all you can into your space simply to display some sort of “status” that society has defined, try being selective. Are the accessories you have chosen something you want to look at day after day or did you hear someone famous rave about them and picked them up as a result? Do they serve some sort of function at the very least? Are they items you would be proud to pass on to others as a representation of yourself? If you answered no to any of these questions, perhaps it’s time for a garage sale and there’s no time like now. Stop putting it off. Declutter and open the door for harmony. Your home should be a place you want to go to at the end of the day when work has worn you out. Many of us, myself included, love our jobs and often cannot let go or stop to take a breather but that time will come and the last thing you want to come home to is a house full of furniture you’ve never sat on and art pieces that you cannot bear to look at. Make your new year resolution to clean up. You’ll do yourself a great favour as well as the new owner(s) those items will be going to!

This is my idea of form & function working together to create harmony. You cannot help but be calm in this room!

welcome

admin — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:05:59 +0000

thank you for visiting abo design co’s blog. My intention for this blog is to keep my clients updated on all news, events, and promotions. I will also use this as an interior design resource page. The goal is to
educate and inform. So whether it is colour or product trends, architectural styles, up and coming artists or just simply my favourite new chair/bed/art, I hope you will find what you need to spark ideas for your next renovation or staging project. I welcome your input and suggestions when it comes to topics. Thanks again for stopping by. Blog again soon!

kelly gordon

abo design co