Decorating with color Archives - Versa Style Design

Aug 24 2019

How to Choose the Perfect Home Decorating Colours

Clients are always amazed when I inform them that paint colour should be chosen only when all other items have been purchased and installed in the space…including lighting. And inevitably, every client answers that they had assumed it would have been first in the selection process.

Therefore I have decided to post a blog on the topic of SEQUENCE. Yes, sequence! There is a logical order to progressing through a successful home or office improvement project and I intend to state my case. At the end you will understand the rational steps that trigger one another like a set of dominoes as you happily go along avoiding aimless wandering through stores and constant frustration. Here is the sequence for each room…

Step 1:
Choose a focal point that will stand out.

Step 2:
From the focal point, select the colour palette.

Step 3:
Choose paint colours after all purchases.

Step 1: Choosing the focal point for a room

Begin by establishing a focal point for the space, it is the star of the room so you begin here, the most challenging part, because you must love it and everything about it. What does this have to do with colour? The focal point is distinguished by its colour or its pattern. It simply stands out, it is the ‘Wow’ factor and where the eye is drawn immediately upon entering the room.

Dining rooms and living rooms

Currently the focal point in this neutral-toned dining room is the gorgeous brick wall. If however we wanted to add more personality to the room, we could add a nice area rug. This area rug might have a lot of vibrant colour, like the example at the top right, and it would become the NEW focal point of the room. But if we preferred to keep the room neutral and monochrome, then we might select the middle or bottom area rug. With one of these more subdued choices, the brick wall would remain in first position as the star focal point of the room. More options apart from the wall and area rug as a focal point: A fabulous piece of artwork, beautiful curtains, a light fixture, upholstered chairs or an outstanding accent wall.

Bedrooms

Anytime I have gorgeous wallpaper installed at a client’s, like this one from Anna French, it seems like everything else in the room almost disappears. Wallpaper can really be outstanding. Floral patterns are still an important design trend, so if you have been dreaming for a long time of having an extreme ‘girly’ room, then now is as good a time as ever. I love the harmony between the mirror, the Eiffel Tower lamp and the soft area rug, all of which are gorgeous in their own right, but are quite happy to let this floral wallpaper stand out as the star of the room.

For a bedroom focal point other alternatives exist such as beautiful bed linens and bedspreads, a sculptural chandelier over the bed, a headboard upholstered with fabulous fabric, great artwork on a feature wall, an accent chair, wonderful window treatment, a painted piece of furniture or a patterned or colourful area rug.

Bathrooms

This whimsical bathroom has gone very bold with the hat suspension lights. You can go even bolder with oversized artwork like this one of the dame in a red dress. As a matter of fact, I have fallen in love with this red dressed princess and am waiting for my own next make-over so I can find a place for her. But for the moment the hats are the focal point of this beautiful bathroom. However… if our red dressed dame ever entered, we know she would immediately draw every eye to her incomparable beauty.

Here are a few different options for choosing a focal point for a bathroom: A patterned or colourful shower curtain, artwork, bright coloured towels and bath mat, an accent wall or ceiling, an outstanding light fixture or statement tiles like these Mediterranean ones on the floor.

Kitchens

In this dining and kitchen area it is quite obvious that the focal point is the colourful back wall. And it stands out even more because it is surrounded with two neutral tones; the gentle sage and the beautiful black. This colour palette has created beautiful depth in the space drawing the eye all the way back. There is also a rich and warm ambience…very inviting.

Besides a feature wall, other options for creating a focal point in the kitchen are: the cabinets, an island in a different finish, artwork, window treatment, a fabulous light fixture, a stylish backsplash, a beautiful counter or distinctive floor tiles. Do be careful when selecting the counter and backsplash. Make sure one of them has a lot of personality, but not both…I have often seen clashing pairs, which only makes them both look bad. Usually it is best to have one stand out and the other stand down.

Step 2: From the focal point we select the room’s colour palette

As many items in the room as possible should be in a colour or shade that is present in your focal point. If you follow this sequence, your colour palette will be harmonized and accomplish its vocation; bringing it all together. The wall colour has the potential to be the great unifier of all the elements in the room. This is why the colour palette should be inspired by the existing colours in the focal point. Wall colour gets chosen at the very end because it comes in as the final hero, solving design problems and unifying all the elements.

Step 3: The paint colour…finally!

Now that we have our focal point and the colour palette for the whole space, we can pull out the paint colour samples and go ahead finding the perfect colours or neutrals for the walls and ceiling. This FINAL phase should be easier in terms of harmonizing with all the factors and elements in place. No guess work involved although you still may feel more confident using the help of a colour specialist in the space itself, especially if you have been disappointed with your colour choices in the past.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Jul 10 2019

Decorating with Black

When it is used strategically and harmonized, this subtle and nuanced shade is perfectly elegant, dramatic, luminous, graphic and chic.
In fact, painting a wall black is considered quite trendy. Black easily adapts to any room in the house as well as the outdoors and can even be used in a child’s room. Frequently combined with white it is very present in the ever popular Scandinavian decor themes. When it is applied to certain architectural elements such as stairs, fireplace walls, beams and woodwork it adds value and elegance.

Clarke & Clarke fabrics available
with Versa style Design

When it comes to black everything is possible, whether you dare to use a lot of it or you choose to add it as an accent. In the bathroom, for instance, you can choose black plumbing fixtures, black floor tiles, a black free standing bath, a black vanity or limit yourself to a black and white backsplash tile. Today it is standard practice to paint old floor boards, shutters, main entrance doors as well as certain kitchen elements in black.

Black doesn’t stop there! We find it in furniture, lighting, table linens, upholstery, curtains, area rugs and even artwork like this painting of a red dress in a black room available with Versa Style Design.

So why is it that we love black in interior design so much? Because it is a shade that literally looks great with every other colour!
Here are some decorating ideas to inspire you to integrate more black into your home.

Paint the ceiling black for a refreshing and unique look

There is a reason why most ceilings are white or cream. In effect, white seems to make a room seem larger, it reflects natural light and it makes ceilings look taller. This is a well established design trick. If white is the designer’s friend, this does not by any means make black an enemy.

Painting a ceiling black is avant-garde as well as chic, providing there is sufficient ceiling height. A satiny and slightly reflective paint finish will also help in preventing a claustrophobic feeling while reflecting back the white of the surrounding walls, such as with this vintage looking black and white bathroom. Notice how good the black door looks as well.

Paint the ceiling black for a refreshing and unique look

Apply black on textured and high-relief surfaces

You want black that really makes a statement? Combine black with relief and geometric surfaces, and create a graphic effect by surrounding it with crisp white. Even compact spaces, such as this small yard will have style and character.

Notice, once again, the black doors have been painted in a glossy finish, whereas the wall and floor have been painted matte. The green of the plants looks almost fluorescent against a black backdrop. Black and green are a wonderful combination for the interior as well.

Revisit Scandinavian style with some black in your kitchen

Black kitchens are very trendy. Both matte and glossy finishes are popular. Black is very effective in small spaces because it creates an intimate mood. This kitchen has a lot of personality with its mix of black with blond wood, graphic checker floor tiles and white cabinetry.

This is a fast and simple way of adding a touch of Scandinavian style to any room; neutral tones, natural wood and geometric lines. It is best to limit the amount of furniture and accessories so the space is clean and organized. If there is an overload of information for the eyes to take in, the space will seem small and cramped. Keep it simple.

Revisit Scandinavian style with some black in your kitchen

Black and white bathrooms are a trend

The combination of black and white in interior design is a winning duo. The total absence of colour creates a modern and refined feel, even if the style is country or vintage. Combining urban retro subway tiles with sophisticated fixtures and accessories adds an edge to the design. Notice how all the surfaces are lacquered and brilliant in order to reflect the existing natural light in this tiny bathroom. The remaining walls should remain neutral and simple. Mirror, artwork and lighting available with Versa Style Design.

Black can be used in small spaces like bathrooms provided there is a strategic balance with lighting. This is why choosing reflective surfaces and finishes are so important. For a stylish and bold look, go ahead and choose a black free-standing bath and vanity, making sure to balance out the dark with a sufficient amount of a pale neutral tone such as white.

Inject some contrast into the design scheme

Opt for furniture in vivid or pale colours as well as accessories that will soften the effect of the black and make the décor scheme more pleasing to the eye. All rooms need a focal point that catches the eye and adds visual interest with a pattern or colour that really stands out. Wall coverings and fabrics available for every style and budget are ideal for adding that wow factor to a room.

Here, the Fornasetti wallpaper, the metallic accessories and the colourful striped fabric of the accent chair work together to create style and charm. There is absolutely nothing moody or dark in this small hallway.

Consider black tone on tone patterns

Using subtle tone on tone patterns is a sure-fire way of adding visual interest to any room. A fabric or wall covering that produces a beautiful motif through its reflection of the light is a wonderful way to add style without adding a lot of colour. We can also see how much impact a single colour can have against a black background. Everything seems to pop and shine next to black! This wallpaper and fabric is available with Versa Style Design

Try painting a part of the wall

This is a great design trick…paint only a part of the wall, leaving the other part white. In this kitchen, painting the entirety of the four walls black would have been overwhelming, but painting the bottom half turned out to be just the perfect dose.

In this bright room, matte black paint is what is needed because glossy paint would create a distracting and annoying mirror effect taking away from the beauty of the black. With today’s technology, you can have a matte finish that is also highly durable and washable for rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.

As we can see here it is possible to create a delicate room with black. In this case with Benjamin Moore paint, a huge rectangle as well as the corner chest of drawers was painted. In addition to creating a focal point at the head of the bed, black serves as an all important anchor to this otherwise very pale room. Small butterfly decals contrast nicely from black to white and add a feminine touch. This is a very economical DIY project!

The basic truth about black is that there are as many nuances of black as there are whites and creams. You can also experiment with different surface finishes such as matte, lacquer, metallic, mosaic and satin… the sky is the limit when it comes to designing with black.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

Choose the Perfect Colours

Sep 14 2018

Add colour to your space without painting the walls

Painting walls still remains the fastest, simplest and cheapest way of changing the ‘mood’ of a space, but it still requires time and effort. Here are several ways to add life and personality to the room without taking out your paint brushes or getting your hands dirty.

Artwork on the wall

Bare white walls? It may seem uncluttered, but it is also very blah! Make your wall stand out with colour and character by hanging a great piece of artwork. Whether it is a reproduction that you purchased or a custom-painted piece from your favourite artists, artwork will really make the room vibrant with no effort.

You have a large empty wall and don’t know how to decorate it? Well go ahead and purchase an over-sized piece, like this one available from Versa Style Design.

Furniture with a ‘wow’ factor

On a pale neutral background, colourful furniture can really make the room pop in a wonderful way! By choosing several elements in the same colour they create continuity throughout the whole space, especially if you’re in an open-plan space.

Before you purchase that vibrant piece, make sure you will enjoy that colour for years to come, particularly if it is an investment piece, like an expensive couch.

High-impact murals

Wall murals are more popular than ever! Versa Style Design can help you with the perfect image selection, the printing as well as the installation. It is vital that you use a specialized installer.

The image options are only limited by your own imagination, and can be digitized and blown up to the size you need, providing the resolution is adequate. The ‘wow’ factor is guaranteed!

Inject colour with outstanding tile

Backsplashes, counters, wall tiles, shower tiles, floor tiles, mosaic and glass tiles….all of these are incomparable when it comes to adding character to kitchens and bathrooms.

Available in various materials, sizes, colours, patterns and finishes there is the perfect tile for every style and budget. You may see many examples in Versa Style Design’s showroom in Rosemount, Montreal.

An area rug that defines the space

Would you like to change the mood of a room simply and quickly? You probably need an area rug! In addition to injecting colour into the room, it will also make it more inviting, cozy and comfortable. Because area rugs are available in a plethora of colours, materials and patterns, it is pretty easy finding one that suits your personal style and budget. One of Versa Style design’s suppliers even offers carpeting in separate tiles that allow you to create your own unique look. Pretty amazing, right?

Fantastic fabrics

Curtains, cushions, throws, bedding… in addition to infusing colour in this gorgeous neutral-toned bedroom, each one of these elements with varied tones and textures contributes to the room’s style.

If fabrics have their place in our bedrooms, the same applies for every room of the house. Don’t hesitate in using fabrics; they really do make a huge difference.

The stairs

Steps are often neglected but when they’re not, the effect is fabulous and delightful. Always a great conversation starter. Painting or wallpapering them can also give them new life if they are a little worn down and nicked with shoe stains. Also, the colour you choose will really add style to the whole area. Have fun with this. You can use increasing colour intensity as you move up the stairs, or keep it the same, using a really exciting colour.

Long live wallpaper!

Wallpaper is another way of adding colour to a room. With the amazing options available, it’s impossible to not find one that suits your taste and style!

Wallpaper can be applied to every wall, or in a small dose to create an accent and focal point, such as a bedroom with no headboard. Anything is possible; all you need is your own imagination.

Eye-candy custom woodwork

Colourful custom furniture and cabinetry is highly in demand. Whether it is thermoplastic, hardwood, polyester or melamine, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities or simple shelving, the effect of having an eye-catching and unique colour on these items creates a truly dynamic style.

Indigo blue, green, aubergine, yellow and other juicy colours are great for home-owners who want to go bold!

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

Jan 25 2018

Decorating with colour

When standing before an infinite selection of tones and colours, how does one choose? Well, professionals in design tend to refer to the chromatic wheel of colours (developed by Newton) in developing harmonious colour combinations that just work.

With the goal of demystifying the technical jargon as well as giving you added confidence, I will share with you tips so you can succeed in using the different colour palettes available to you. I will also show you great spaces so you can visualize all the styles and colours to find the option that fits your personal style!

The Analogous colour palette

Fabric and wall-covering from Versa Style Design.

The Analogous colours are the ones right next to one another on the wheel. This living room, for example, is composed of blue, blue-green, and greens. Our eye perceives the familiarity and easy blending due to the fact that they are so near to each other in the colour spectrum.

In creating concepts, designers often use the analogous palette to create great colour schemes because of their similar or common denominator colours. The spaces just end up being super coherent with a unity and flow throughout. If your desire is for a serene and calm mood then choose the cooler side of the colour spectrum, that is the side of the blues. If, however, you prefer a warm and dynamic space, then consider yellows, orange shades . You can greatly influence the ambience and feel of a room in this way.

The monochromatic colour palette

The monochromatic color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single color. If you isolate anyone of these colour strips, you will find yourself with a perfectly harmonized monochromatic colour palette provided by the paint manufacturer. The foundation or true colour is the centre one, with either white or black added to create varying intensities towards a lighter tone or a darker shade.

This scheme looks clean and elegant and the colors go well together, producing a soothing effect. The monochromatic palette is very easy on the eyes, especially with blue or green hues. The primary color can be integrated with neutral colors such as black, white, beige or gray. However, it can be difficult, when using this scheme, to highlight the most important elements.

The advantages: You can’t go wrong; the manufacturer provided a fool proof selection process for the monochromatic palette. Also, the monochromatic scheme is easy to manage, and always looks balanced and visually appealing.

The challenges: The space may be too bland, missing that ‘WOW’ factor unless some contrasting tones are integrated such as the white that was added in this kitchen.

Blue decreases the pulse rate, and lowers body temperature. Blue also causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is great to use in rooms where relaxation is desired. People are also more productive in blue rooms, so if you need a little kick in the pants, try blue for your home office.

It is clear that the monochromatic palette is far from being limited in the options it offers to the homeowners who are ready to make a bold statement as well as to the more reserved types.

A good place to start would probably be to evaluate which pieces you would like to hold on to, and use them as a foundation for building up the rest of the concept or design. Ex: If you already own a blue sofa or armchair, why not continue with more blue like this gorgeous living room?

Complimentary Colour Palette

Two colours opposite each other on the colour wheel are a ‘Contrasting’ or a ‘Complementary’ scheme. This scheme delivers an exciting interplay of colour. Depending on the strength of the selected colours, the look may range from playful to dynamic. Areas that are most suitable to this scheme are entry areas, living rooms, children’s rooms and kitchens where you wish to create a more spirited interplay of colour.

Area rug, lamp and artwork from Versa Style Design.

Wall-covering, accessories and lamp from Versa Style Design

If you still lack a bit of confidence, contact us. We will effectively evaluate, on sight, the existent natural and artificial light which greatly influences the intensity of a colour. This will prevent surprises or disappointments as well as provide you with some pretty handy colour tools that you can take along shopping for items and choosing paint colour.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

Jan 22 2018

Decorating with Neutral Tones

Lavish, Soft, Understated, Natural, Easy-going

Cool neutrals are perfect for creating gorgeous and romantic bedrooms or ultra contemporary kitchens or living rooms, whereas warm neutrals are more flexible and adapt well to any room especially if your desire is a cozy lounge area. In this living room we can see both the warm and the cool combined.

‘Neutral’ – an interesting word when it comes to colours. In fact, neutrals can be full of meaning and character. The room featured here, while distinctly neutral, is devoted to offer the utmost in creature comforts and relaxation.

Welcoming and comfortable, a room decorated in warm neutrals will make anyone feel at home. Dark, textured accessories add visual interest and depth.

Wood’s best friend

The family of grays go naturally with wood. So naturally, in fact, that it makes you wonder if it won’t turn out too predictable. But that is where your creativity comes in. Add a hint of subtle colour or metal. Put the wood centre-stage and use the gray as a backdrop.

No room will ever look ‘too dull’ as long as you are there to mix it up.

White

Bright, Clean, Fresh, Basic, Pure

White is all about light – creating it, reflecting it and magnifying it. White is ideal for small rooms when you want to give the impression of a larger space.

White provides a clean canvas and backdrop for highlighting beautiful accessories.

Any fashion stylist would be happy to reveal to you one of the secrets of a successful monochromatic pallette: a broad variety in textures makes all the difference. The same goes for interior decorating.

Glossy and matte surfaces, straight, curvy and angular lines, and materials ranging from shiny and rigid to soft and plush, together create a lively scene. Since colour doesn’t get in the way of tactile perception, you’ll be acutely aware of the abundance surrounding you.

Contrary to popular belief, white doesn’t create a minimalist space per se. Variations of white are ideal for the soft shapes and muted decorations that make spaces feel cosy and laid back.White leaves room for improvisation. Once you venture out into off-white and cream territory, a whole new set of opportunities arises.

Be as playful as you like – the result, after all, still qualifies as a white wall.

White Meet Wood

White is not only a blank canvas or a stand-alone entity, it is also a gracious backdrop and a natural companion for wood. Wooden picture frames, a wall-mounted desk or a chest of drawers seldom look better than against a simple white wall.

The light draws out the depth of colour in the wood, emphasizing the beauty of the grain and complementing the quality of the workmanship.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

How to Choose the Perfect Home Decorating Colours

Step 1: Choosing the focal point for a room

Dining rooms and living rooms

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Kitchens

Step 2: From the focal point we select the room’s colour palette

Step 3: The paint colour…finally!

Decorating with Black

Paint the ceiling black for a refreshing and unique look

Apply black on textured and high-relief surfaces

Revisit Scandinavian style with some black in your kitchen

Black and white bathrooms are a trend

Inject some contrast into the design scheme

Consider black tone on tone patterns

Try painting a part of the wall

Add colour to your space without painting the walls

Artwork on the wall

Furniture with a ‘wow’ factor

High-impact murals

Inject colour with outstanding tile

An area rug that defines the space

Fantastic fabrics

The stairs

Long live wallpaper!

Eye-candy custom woodwork

Decorating with colour

The Analogous colour palette

The monochromatic colour palette

Complimentary Colour Palette

Decorating with Neutral Tones

Wood’s best friend

White

White Meet Wood

Versa Style Design
Lucie Pitt

Interior Design & Renovations

Design Blog

Step 1: Choosing the focal point for a room

Dining rooms and living rooms

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Kitchens

Step 2: From the focal point we select the room’s colour palette

Step 3: The paint colour…finally!

Paint the ceiling black for a refreshing and unique look

Apply black on textured and high-relief surfaces

Revisit Scandinavian style with some black in your kitchen

Black and white bathrooms are a trend

Inject some contrast into the design scheme

Consider black tone on tone patterns

Try painting a part of the wall

Artwork on the wall

Furniture with a ‘wow’ factor

High-impact murals

Inject colour with outstanding tile

An area rug that defines the space

Fantastic fabrics

The stairs

Long live wallpaper!

Eye-candy custom woodwork

The Analogous colour palette

The monochromatic colour palette

Complimentary Colour Palette

Wood’s best friend

White

White Meet Wood

Versa Style Design Lucie Pitt

Interior Design & Renovations

Design Blog

Versa Style Design
Lucie Pitt