Get ready to begin anew with some of the the latest home decor style and color trends for the New Year! Think lush velvets and natural woven fabrics, planters with a mix of botanicals, wallpaper in bold patterns, warm bronze metallics, jewel-toned hues and the industry’s Colors of the Year in coral, blues and grays. We hope our picks below spark your interest and inspire you to introduce some on-trend style that will make a chic statement all year long.
Product Sources: Crate and Barrel, Serena & Lily, Front Gate, West Elm
Color is one of the most dynamic and versatile design elements for adding personal style to your home’s decor. It not only sets the mood and tone, but can also bring out a room’s architectural features. Wallpaper is also back in style and can help add depth and interest to any room.
Not sure where to begin when choosing a paint color or wallpaper pattern for your spaces? The following are some tips and creative ideas that we hope will inspire you.
1. Create Your Palette
Start by considering your personal color preferences. Which colors do you gravitate towards – jewel tones, pastels, neutral?
Collect images and swatches from Pinterest, Houzz, and other decor sources. Even consider your own personal experiences: vacations, nature, artwork, etc. that attract and inspire you.
Group the colors and view them together in the room to see how they look with existing furnishings and during different times of the day (colors look different in the morning, afternoon and evening).
2. Define The Mood
Narrow down colors based on the vibe they evoke.
Decorate with intention by choosing colors that have personal meaning and give you a sense of satisfaction.
Hues from nature such as blue, green and tan feel tranquil, soothing and renewing.
Bright yellows, oranges and reds enliven a space with warmth and energy.
Darker colors convey mystery, drama and formality while lighter colors are lively and optimistic.
3. Accent Your Space
There are many ways to highlight your home’s architectural features with color:
Try lightening up a traditional brick fireplace by whitewashing it for a more modern look.
Built-in shelving can be treated like furniture by using either the same color paint or a contrast color to the walls. Make a bookshelf pop by painting the back of the shelves a complementary accent color
Try using contrasting color on stairway risers and/or spindles for a dramatic entryway.
4. Add Personal Style With Wallpaper
Wallpaper can add style and dimension to any space. Consider using wallpaper as an accent wall in a small office or powder room.
Keep the style of the wallpaper similar to your home’s decor – traditional, contemporary, rustic, etc.
You should feel emotionally attached to the design so you won’t get tired of it quickly.
In a room with many doors and windows, avoid large pattern repeats. Instead, choose a textured or solid color.
5. Still Overwhelmed?
Consider consulting with an interior designer who can help narrow down paint and paper selections based on your taste and budget.
For more info please contact Patti Stern at 203.640.3762 or email patti@pjstagingdecorating.com.
The latest issue of the Style Report, PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating’s newsletter is out – showcasing an interview with Lisa Ditullio, Century 21 a realtor we partnered with to stage a 5,000 sq. ft Southington home. Tips on wallpaper do’s and don’ts, mother’s day gift ideas and a yellow color swatch collage for spring are also featured. If you haven’t received a copy via email, click on the image link below.
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Kitchens are more important than ever when it comes to influencing buyers’ perceptions of a home as well as the perceived value. There are many ways homeowners can update key kitchen features depending on your budget. Painting, updating appliances, lighting, and cabinet hardware are just a few examples of simple fixes that are worth every penny to engage buyers.
The following photos include some of PJ & Company’s kitchen staging and renovation projects featuring some of these great ideas.
Kitchen Staging: PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
The Kitchen Cabinet Transformation Our favorite fix for dated cabinets is paint. Using bright white paint to cover outdated, dark wood cabinets gives this kitchen (pictured above) a modern facelift. Other cosmetic fixes to enhance the look include replacing cabinet hardware with sleek, brushed nickel knobs and handles. Adding a few modern accessories like the small sisal rug provides a relaxed and inviting Pottery Barn look.
Kitchen Staging: PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
Remove Outdated Wallpaper An easy way to add modern style is to say goodbye to dated wallpaper with busy patterns. Painting walls a neutral color will enhance the kitchen’s best features. Then add texture and pattern in accents such as seat cushions, rugs, window treatments and wall art.
Kitchen Remodel: PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
Update Fixtures and Appliances The right lighting is a critical part of any space but is most important in the kitchen for functionality. These industrial style pendant lights are a perfect example of a simple update that adds a twist of contemporary style with sophisticated appeal.
The single lever faucet which compliments the stainless steel stove and floating hood is another example of an upgrade which completes the state of the art look of the room. There are a range of options available to choose from which will give a high-end look that will be attractive to buyers.
Kitchen Remodel: PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
Invest in Countertops Repair or replace counters that are cracked, stained or dated. If replacing, consider one of our favorite materials, Quartz which is a popular alternative to granite and marble (used for island in above photo). It comes in a variety of colors and styles that provide both a custom appeal along with durability.
Update Flooring Nothing says dated more than worn carpeting, scuffed hardwood floors, and cracked tile. If your kitchen floor is dull and has lost its lustre, first try to wax or polish surfaces, re-grout or repair tiles. Otherwise consider replacing with a variety of affordable and durable synthetic options that are widely available and mimic the look of hardwood, stone or marble flooring.
Wallpaper is a top trend but as both an interior decorator and professional home stager I have a varying viewpoint on using it in home décor. Is it in or out? I say it’s both.
IN: As an interior decorator I love wallpaper. Interior decorating is focused on creating a space that matches the homeowner’s individual style and vision for their home, making wallpaper an exciting design choice in any room. Added to an accent wall, a beautiful wall covering can offer a stylish décor alternative to paint and creates an eye-catching design feature. Today’s options include modern designs from graphic prints including chevron and ikat patterns, colorful patterns and exquisite botanicals. One of my favorite wallpaper companies is Schumacher. Their design collections offer an array of patterns, colors and textures from hand-woven grass cloths, paper-backed natural linens, silk wovens, embossed vinyls and modern and historical prints to suit any homeowner’s taste and room décor. (Feature Image: Martyn Lawrence Bullard Wallcoverings by Schumacher)
Schumacher Offers Beautiful Wallcovering Options From Classic Neutrals to Bold Patterns.
OUT: As a professional home stager, I always recommend removing wallpaper when selling. Wall covering choices in interior decorating are custom picked for a homeowner and very personal; it’s rare a buyer and seller will share the same sense of style for wallpaper. When staging a home to sell quickly and for top dollar, we are neutralizing the property to appeal to a range of buyers. Outdated designs will distract buyers, make a room look smaller and give the home a dated feel. Instead of seeing the room’s features, buyers will be thinking about the time and effort they’ll have to spend or the cost of removing the wallpaper. Hiring a professional who can properly strip and prep the walls and paint a neutral color is a definite cost effective update that will make the home more attractive to buyers. These following spaces were all transformed into spaces buyers could envision living and demonstrate the importance of neutralizing a space before listing your home.
This bathroom offers tremendous space and storage but buyers would be so distracted by the bold, blue cloud wallpaper they wouldn’t appreciate all the room’s features or envision it as their personal space.
The dated wallpaper in this master bedroom makes the room feel smaller and is unappealing for younger buyers. Replacing the wallpaper with a neutral paint color opens up the space so the room’s size and features, such as beautiful hardwood flooring stand out to buyers.
Buyers would be so distracted by the pink wallpaper they wouldn’t even notice the beautiful window seat in this additional bedroom.
For more information on PJ & Company Home Styling’s decorating or staging services or to schedule an in-home consultation, please contact Patti Stern at 203-640-3762 or patti@pjstagingdecorating.com.
