Month: November 2016

Whether you live in a loft, by a lake or in the suburbs, there’s an easy formula to create cottage charm.

It helps when the room’s architecture is truly imperfectly vintage. But, as very few live in a historic home, there are specific design steps you can take.  A space will emulate a cottage feel when wood finishes are a mix of natural and painted. It also helps when colours are softly aged and the furnishings are “imperfectly” matched. It’s best to select organic materials like cotton, wool, stone, and wicker.

Keep the design focus on comfort and shop flea markets for vintage accents. Do this and your home will be like living at the cottage in no time!

Over the past ten years, grey has become the modern-day neutral and has replaced beige as a go-to base colour. Its versatility makes it easy to create a timeless look or a contemporary chic look, with either a mix of other colours or just other shades of grey.

Greys can be used to create an entirely neutral space, or they can act as a neutral to tone down or easily match other colours. Either way, grey is a great way to create a timeless space, and are perfect for anyone that appreciates minimalistic style.

To decorate with grey to get the look you want, all you have to understand is which version of grey is suitable. It’s not always easy, so read our 3 tips for Decorating with Grey and feel free to send us any of your questions!

3 Tips for Decorating with Grey:

1. Start by choosing either a warm or cool undertone
2. Layer different shades of grey
3. Decorate with complementing colours and furniture

1. Choosing an undertone

When renovating or designing a space, it is easiest to start by deciding on a warm or cool undertone So if you want a warm living room, use yellow, orange and red based colours only in your design and décor.

Because grey is not a colour and neither black or white, it’s easy to assume that any grey will go with any colour. But greys have either a warm or cool base. A yellow-based grey has a warm undertone, and a blue-based grey has a cool undertone.

Warm, yellow-based greys leaning towards a taupe colour create an inviting, cozy, and timeless space. They are neutral and modern, yet have a warm feel. For a cooler, sophisticated and modern look, choose a blue-based grey. But stay away from greys with too much of a blue base to avoid a look that is too institutional and cold.

2. Layering your greys

Just like there are different grey undertones, there are varying shades of grey. After all, our eyes can distinguish over 500 shades of grey. From light dove to charcoal grey, all shades can be used to create a beautiful neutral space.

For a minimalistic, airy space, use light greys and whites. Lighter colours make a space feel more open, and a little more fresh. If you’re looking to use a silver or medium grey, white trims, accent walls, cabinets and countertops will brighten up your space.

Often used as an accent colour, dark hues create a beautiful, bold look. They make rooms warm and cosy but also bring a sense of richness. If you’re looking to make a striking statement, don’t use dark hues only as an accent. Instead, make them your space’s main colour.

Light hues are typically used to complement bolder hues and dark hues are usually used as accents. But grey is such a neutral colour that, no matter the shade, it can be used. Use light grey hues alongside dark grey hues to create a grey palette. Or, use light grey hues as a neutral in a colourful palette. You can even use a dark hue as an accent colour in a light colour palette.

3. Complementing colours and furniture

However you choose to use grey, we recommend using more than one shade. You can do this easily by using white or black or another shade of grey paint around your home, or with furniture.

Colours

According to Karen Haller, grey doesn’t draw any attention to itself. This makes it a great colour for areas of business or simplicity. She says virtually any colour can be matched with grey doesn’t have a personality of its own, and allows for other colours to stand out. To take away personality from a colour, add some grey. This way you have a more neutral version of the colour of your choice.

Because grey is a colour that doesn’t have much personality on its own, it has somewhat of a reputation for being depressing. Don’t let this stop you from using it around your home. Grey can be made cheerful with the right accent colours, for example, any wooden furniture or white mouldings or pops of colour in décor.

Furniture

Choose furniture in different shades of grey to layer on the neutral colour palette. Bold, dark grey couches are a great way to continue your colour scheme and also hide stains and wear and tear.

Wood is also a grey essential. Add some natural wooden tables, chairs, floors or even flower pots. Natural wood warms up grey tones and adds some colour without taking away from a simple, modern colour palette. Other natural materials like leather, cotton and wool are a great opportunity to mix in some more colours or layer more greys. Plus, they create a cozy feel in an otherwise modern space.

Are you looking for the perfect grey floors? Or floors to go with your grey space? Visit a TORLYS dealer to explore our different collections and for some advice on decorating with grey.

Is it Modern or Vintage? 

Depending on when you were born this living room is either freshly modern or very vintage! Either way, the décor celebrates mid 20th-century contemporary design; it’s bold, original and unique.

Clear saturated colours are used for flooring as well as the accessories and artwork. White walls, chrome lighting, and grey upholstery provide the perfect neutral backdrop. The “off-center” hanging of the artwork breaks all traditional rules of design.

This décor is not for the timid or linear thinker but its worth a try if you feel the need to make your own personal statement. Interior featured in Design Milk.  

Modern luxury. Just the words themselves sound fancy and unattainable. Luckily for you, we have some design tips on how to achieve the look in your home.

What is Modern Luxury Interior Design?

The meaning of modern is present-day, contemporary and current. Translated to interior design, modern style is a combination of clean lines, elegant finishes, and uncluttered décor. Rich, bold colours, luxurious creams and whites, and natural elements such as wood and leather create a minimalistic yet grand look.

There are many design styles that can be described as “modern”. Not all luxurious interiors require sparkle and glitz. Our favourite modern luxury spaces start off with monochromatic layers of rich, creamy whites neutrals, and rich materials like leather, hardwood, polished chrome, and either marble or quartz.

Modern Luxury Design Tips

Even though the words “luxurious”, “rich”, and “grand” are used to describe this design style, you can achieve this look without breaking the bank. Just know the design elements and know what items are worth splurging for.

Modern luxury design elements:

• Uncluttered surfaces
• Clean lines
• Airy flow
• Abstract art
• Natural materials

How to get the look:

Uncluttered surfaces.

Look for furniture that doubles as storage. For example, an ottoman or coffee table that holds your board games blankets. Use open shelving to showcase your favourite decorations. Hiding any cables or wires also helps declutter a space, keeping things clean looking and fresh. This also includes hiding any technology such as heating/cooling systems, remote controls etc.

Clean lines.

Kitchen cabinets and countertops with straight, simple edges. Simple furniture and curtains without any frills. Use slender furniture that is not bulky, and especially avoid couches with rounded armrests.

Airy flow.

Open floors plans are increasingly popular and most new homes are designed to have the kitchen, living room and dining room as one large space. The larger a space looks, the grander it feels. If tearing down walls isn’t an option, use the same colour scheme throughout the rooms you wish were combined. Combine your open floor plan with some natural light and your home will have a sense of openness and luxury. Transparent windows, skylights, glass tubes, and even panoramic floor to ceiling-sized windows are great sources of organic light.

Abstract art.

Bold pieces of art are a great way to add a splash of colour to your home. Find the perfect piece for your at an art gallery, or search online to for posters by talented artists around the world.

Natural materials.

The use of natural elements like wood, stone, cotton and wool will bring a modern, yet warm feeling to a home. Hardwood floors or floors with real-wood visuals, marble or quartz countertops, cotton drapes and wool blankets will complete a modern, luxurious look. Still, keep your floors bare: Covering up your natural floors will take their essence away and prevent their elements from doing their magic. Although polished chrome and gold aren’t natural materials, they add great beautiful contrast and complement organic materials perfectly.

Try it yourself!

Don’t let modern luxury scare you off. All these design ideas are achievable on a budget. Look for inspiration, find what you like, and follow the steps. All you have to do is choose one style of furniture of the other. Keep clutter out of sight, and create an airy, clean, minimalistic vibe. Remember, keeping things minimalistic and uncluttered is key.

New floors are a great way to make your home more modern. Explore our collections online or visit a TORLYS dealer to find the right floors or your space!