Inspiration is a wonderful thing. There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of walking into a beautiful model home and instantaneously connecting with the space.
You’ve heard the whispers: “I could live like this.” “I wish my home looked like this.” “I could move in today.”
My response? You can live like this. Your home could look like this.
However, implementing inspiration requires change and the ability to be open to new ideas. Although change is never easy, I often find that resistance to change is the biggest roadblock to a client’s ability to truly achieve their interior design goals and dreams.
In a well-designed model home, there is an emphasis on several key components.
Proper placement of furniture
Notice that not every room is filled to the max with furnishings. Open spaces allow the room to breathe, feel larger and in essence, become easier to live in. In a master bedroom for example, consider maximizing your closet space with built-ins to eliminate the need for dressers and chests. This will allow the opportunity to introduce a luxurious upholstered settee, a decorative chair and a beautiful end table, creating a master suite as opposed to a bedroom filled with a suite of matched furniture.
Balance is key
Not every seat in a model home is positioned directly in front of a television.
Sure, we all watch TV and it’s important to have several well-positioned comfortable seats for viewing, but unless the sole purpose of the space is to emulate a movie theater, a well planned room rarely consists of a semi circle of overstuffed marshmallow-shaped seating pieces.
Model homes are fashion forward. The room’s visual balance and beauty is the element that made your heart race when you first walked in the door. Think of it this way, a beautiful interior is much like your wardrobe. If one is intent on living their life in sweatpants, they shouldn’t expect to receive a fashion award.
Bold impact
Let me start with a disclaimer. I understand the appeal of neutral spaces, yet rarely will you walk into a model home and experience a sea of beige and brown. I’m all about a foundation built around a beautiful neutral and many model homes will be built on the same foundation.
However, walk into a staged interior and notice the unapologetic use of bold color in saturated tones on accent walls, pillows, rugs and decorative objects. While it’s critical that the choice of color works with the theme or overall design, implementing different intensities of your chosen accent color will create drama. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything needs to “match.”
One of my favorite mantras… Matching is for amateurs, blending the unexpected is what creates magic.
A deep teal accent wall compliments the color palette of the room. Note that the teal is used only on the wall and appears nowhere else in the space.
Less is more
Don’t misunderstand what this means. A successful room requires multiple layers. This is where scale and proportion come into play. When in doubt about accessorizing your interior, always opt for fewer items that are larger in scale. For example, when accessorizing a bookcase, create maximum impact by mixing in large scale bowls or urns among your books. Avoid little trinkets, tiny picture frames, etc. The end result will be fresh, modern and clean as opposed to outdated and cluttered.
Instead of being filled to maximum capacity, books are artfully displayed amidst decorative objects. Bold color is introduced in the back of bookcase, window cushion and accent pillows.
When it comes to designing the interior of your own personal space, be open-minded. Try a fresh approach. Give yourself the gift of allowing your inspirations to become your realities.
Warmly, David
By David Lyall, IDS Interior Designer
