We Answer Wednesday - How to Layer your rugs

"I see cowhide rugs everywhere.  I purchased one but it's too small for my living room.  How can I use it ?"

Cowhide (real or faux) is a great way to add some natural animal elements to a room and also some texture.  We love how every cowhide is unique - it's adds a cool and organic element to a room.  But you are right the size can be tricky especially in a larger room. 

Try this - it's actually a great trick for any area rug that you want to use that's too small.

Layer it!

Yes, that's right - layer it!  OK let us explain.  The cowhide is going to add a great graphic pop or natural texture to your space.  Underneath the cowhide use another rug in the correct size - in a neutral tone (we highly recommend a rug that is close in tone to the wall to wall flooring).  We love the look of another natural textured rug like a sea grass or sisal or recycled leather but it doesn't have to be. 

Here are some examples:



Here the black and white cowhide is layered over a natural sisal - the mix of textures adds an extra element to the room.  Also the black and white pillows add even more visual interest in the space.

 Try layering multiple rugs in one room.  Keep the largest one in a neutral and then the medium one is next and lat the smallest.  Feel free to lay them in an off set manner.  They don't need to be completely centered and perfect. We like the look in this clean and modern space.  The walls being white allow for a 'busier' floor.  Notice the cream rug is layered with a black and white stripe and a cow hide.  It adds such a sophisticated feel to the space.




This is also a great way to update a space that has wall to wall carpet

 

You might think that this technique doesn't make a difference but it does!  The larger rug pulls the eye out and wide and the smaller rug adds a pop of colour/print so the room still looks big and spacious whereas just having an area rug that's too small will make the room appear small as well. In order for this to be effective - the largest rug must be of the proper size for the room.



You can also angle the rugs - they don't have to be straight on and centered. This can work in any room, too! 



This is a great way to still use your favourite area rugs even though they are too small  !

12 Home Decor Ideas for Under the Stairs

For anyone that has a set of stairs in their home you have likely wondered if there was something you could do with that space - it seems like such a waste! Well there are some really creative and useful things you can do with that space under the stairs. Whether you are looking for a weekend project or a great idea to add on to your renovation to-do list - there is something on this list for everyone!

1. Reading Nook: this is a perfect little reading hide away for any member of the family.  Add a custom cushion for seating and lots of pillows for comfort. You can add some shelving for books and some art for a personal and decorative touch.  Don't forget some light - a pot light or a sconce is perfect for a space like this!




 2. Work space: this isn't a substitute for a full home office but it is perfect for a small work center at home for catching up on bills and emails or a great homework station.  Hiding your desk under the stairs keeps papers and files out of plain sight but you still have easy access to the space.

 

3. Closet: often home owners use the under the stair space as storage for items that are not needed on a daily basis like season clothing or decor, but why not make that useful everyday storage? Having easy access to our needed items but keeping them tucked away is a great idea for the space. This is also a great idea if you don't have a front entry closet.




4.  Powder Room: Short on space? Adding a powder room under the stairs is a great way to use this space whether it's on the main floor in the basement - this is a great renovation for your property in terms of use but also for resale of your home.



5.  Book case: are you a book lover? Need more space for your books? Use the stairs for extra book storage - it's simple and tucked away.  You could keep children's books on the lower shelves for easy access.  Add some baskets and you could storage puzzles, small toys or even board games.  Extra storage is never a bad thing.



6. Dog House: Or pet space!  Even our fur babies need a place of their own, so why not a little retreat under the stairs?  You can have their toys, beds etc....some home owners have even built in a gate or crate into the space to keep the pet area looking neat and tidy.




7. TV cabinet: Most of us don't like the TV to be the focal point of any room and those TV units can be so big and bulky.  Depending on your room arrangement you might be able to create a TV unit under the stairs like the one in this image.

 

 8. Bar: Love to entertain? This a perfect idea for the host or hostess - create your own bar (or wine storage) under the stairs.  You could even have a beer fridge and shelving for stemware.



9. Sports equipment storage :  this idea isn't as glamorous  but for the active this is great!  If you don't have a shed or garage for items like bikes this is for you.  Trying hanging your bike under the stairs.  It's out of the way but easy enough to access it when you need it.



10. Mudroom: If you have kids and don't have a proper mud room this might be all you need.  Use that nook under the stairs to create a mud room space for the kids day to day things - jackets, hats, back packs, shoes and more.  Under the stairs keeps it out of sight but not so much that the kids can't find their things. Try adding a bulletin or even a chalk board to keep track of events and appointments as well.


11. Laundry Room: Doing a remodel on a smaller space? Need a a better laundry room? Under the stairs could work for you! Stacked laundry machines can fit nicely leaving you room for storage of the cleaners and a folding space too.  This is perfect to add to the space if you are renovating as you will need the plumbing to be installed so if you are in a renovation and need a laundry room this might be all you need.



12.  Playroom or Kids' Clubhouse: Harry Potter may have lived under the stairs and it wasn't pleasant but you really can make a beautiful and fun clubhouse for the kids only under the stairs! You can get as creative as you like with this one!  Kids love to hide and play and under the stairs could be the perfect spot for a little playhouse!  You can paint it - add toys, books, bean bag, large pillows, sticker on the walls, have a door or curtain - it's entirely up to you!

We Answer Wednesday - 10 Best Timeless Patterns

"I love the idea of adding some pattern to my home but I am so afraid to commit.  I really don't want to spend on something that won't be in style for a while. Any suggestions on pattern that won't go out of style?"

You are right making a commitment especially one with a bigger price can be nerve wracking but have no fear there are some classic patterns that you can add to your space that will not only compliment but will add a level of sophistication to your home.

Pattern textiles are perfect for upholstery, drapery and accent pillows.  Be sure to speak with your local textile expert to ensure that you have the right fabric for the use.

 

Here are some classic fabric patterns that you can bring into your space without any regret.

Pinstripe: Much thinner and more subdued than a normal stripe, these patterns add a faint, menswear detail to upholstery and pillows.  But any stripe is a classic but we love the look of this menswear inspired look. A stripe can be paired with other patterns as well - Mixing patterns adds real sophistication and a designer look to a space. This modern chair in a navy pinstripe fabric with shiny gold arm looks incredibly chic!



Toile de Jouy: de jouy fabric originated in France in the 1760s. The original patterns usually depicted pastoral scenes; today there are many pattern choices and colors available.  Other patterns include more exotic Chinese themes became popular, as did famous moments from history. All were hand-drawn in a curvaceous style with fine detail that was then etched onto wood blocks and printed onto the fabric. Certainly a more traditional option but if you use it and pair it with the right pieces it can work with a rustic country space - pair it with furniture that is clean and streamlined, so it doesn't look fussy. Or use it as an accent wall with wallpaper



Fretwork:  These are geometric, interlaced patterns with sharp angles. Similar to the repeated nature of latticework but the design can be more complex, like a Greek key. There are many patterns with a geometric repeating pattern that fall into this category - your choices are endless and so are the colour options.  This works beautifully in any space including bedrooms and even nurseries but it also pairs well with other prints - we love it with florals.



Tree of Life: These sprawling nature-inspired prints are characterized by scrolling vines, flowers, leaves, and birds. The patterns are typically very large in scale and are great for draperies.  Not sure if florals are your 'thing'? Try incorporating them into art.  A simple fabric swatch or wallpaper sample in a frame with matting and frame - looks clean and modern and adds a pop of pattern with zero commitment and very little cost. Seen here this botanical fabric has been used as a wall panel for a pop of colour and great visual interest in this room.  Plus see how it works with the trellis (fretwork) ottoman



Damask:   A reversible fabric commonly woven in silks and wools and printed on linens and cottons. The repeating medallion-like designs are often done in a single color with the ground (base cloth) in a flat finish and the design in a sateen. Modern print versions are interpreted in more high-contrast color combos. For a while Damask wall paper accent walls were all the rage - we saw them everywhere - that trends has softened a bit (high contrast less popular and more tone-on-tone is what we are seeing) but the pattern itself is a classic and it also pairs well with any fretwork.  A Damask accent chair with a Fretwork area rug is a gorgeous combination. Damask can be fussy is paired with fussy and formal things.  See the image below - using Damask in a roman shade is a clean and modern use yet it has great visual interest in this clean and modern space. We also love the pairing with the strip area rug.



 Ogee: Described as a bit of a mod look - another repeating pattern - it looks like strings of stacked onions.  This pattern comes in various scales and sizes and of course, colour combinations.  This is perfect for drapery but we love it as an accent pillow.  See the image below for an example of Ogee - the grey on grey in this print is so sophisticated but still visually interesting. 



Suzani: likley a term you haven't heard but you will recognize this tribal influenced pattern. These patterns are based off of the tribal textiles of Central Asia, Suzani's feature colorful, circular shapes intertwined with vines, flowers, leaves, and fruits. Often seen in vibrant and bold colour combinations - so this is a pattern that makes a real statement! It's perfect for little pops like accent pillows or bold splashes like an accent chair or bedding. To maintain the focus on this bold print, keep the other piece simple and clean.  In the image below, the headboard and other bedding is just plain and simple, the bedside lighting is also simple, even the art is under stated - the bedding coverlet makes the statement and the overhead fixture makes a splash just a smaller one.  But this entire room works!



Ikat:  This is technically a term for the resist dyeing technique used to produce the painterly patterns seen on these fabrics. Similar to a tie dye, but ikat threads are dyed first, then constructed into cloth yielding the meandering look which is insanely popular right now.  It is a combination of this organic almost tribal feel paired with the geometry of fretwork or even a more floral damask feel - the line work is softer in appearance due to the technique, so if you don't like really clean lines this might be a good option for you.  Plus the colour possibilities are endless.  And it pairs beautifully with simple stripes. We love these Ikat upholstered dining chairs seats - the colour combination is fresh - it has a softer damask look which adds a bit of a casual nature to the room but still so chic.



Chevron: A repeating V or zig zag pattern, almost like a clean stripe just with a slight modification.  In recent ears - this pattern was seen everywhere from drapery to pillows to nurseries.  We saw this in every colour imaginable but the grey and white was probably the most popular.   It is still a classic even though it is no longer trending. It looks great as an accent pillow. Seeing the chevron in an area rug adds a pop to the room but because it is in neutral tones it isn't trendy. and this simple and neutral chevron is a great backdrop if you wanted to add some other patterns to the room like pillows for instance.



Animal print: some say that an animal print is tacky but that is more about amount and application.  Animal prints in a neutral colour wave are a great way to add some fun or glamour into your space without bold injections of colour.  Animal print is  also true to nature so it works with anyone opting for a more natural look.  Many animal prints mix well with other prints so you really can have a lot of fun.  Don't go overboard with animal print everywhere and on everything - that's when it gets tacky!



Polka-dots: Are another classic print - this works really well for kids rooms in a fabric or even vinyl decals on the wall.  This print can be bold depending on size/scale and colour combination but it can also be subtle.  Plus it works well with other prints -the polka dot sheets are a great backdrop for this WOW headboard - the polka dots add a bit of fun and whimsy to the room instead of a solid sheet.  You could also opt for the reverse - polka dots on the wall and plain sheets.




 When it comes to adding some print and pattern into your space, start off slow (especially if you aren't adventurous), add some accent pillows or bedding first - this is pretty low risk and easy to replace if you don't like it.  Next try a dining chair seat in upholstery (this is also a great and simple DIY project).  If you are loving the addition of pattern in your space - take the leap with drapery and an area rug.  Pattern is nothing to be afraid of - have some fun!!