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5 Common Mistakes Made While Furnishing A Home

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Everyone wants a picture perfect home where everything is in harmony, coordinated, styled and beautifully furnished. Having a home that you love and that other people admire comes down to having the right furniture in the right place. But furnishing a home can be a more difficult task than given credit to. Most houses don’t come with the perfect combination of furniture like in the catalogues. And if you choose to style your own home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the entire process.

 

To help you out during this time of need, here are a few tips and tricks so you don’t make these common mistakes when furnishing your home:

 

Missing Pieces: Filling In The Void

 

One of the most unpleasant situations when visiting someone’s home is not being sure where to sit. It’s obvious that the sofa is the protagonist of the living room, but if you like to host friends and relatives, do not forget to strengthen its presence with armchairs and ottomans giving people plenty of options to sit comfortably.

 

It’s also not only about seating, make sure that you aren’t missing the basics like a nice coffee table or side tables so people can put their drinks or plates down if you are entertaining. These will not only allow your guests to be more comfortable but it will also serve as a decorating piece for flower arrangements and accessories. Think about the usage of the space and pick pieces that fulfill your needs and the needs of those who will be using the space. If you don’t have people over often, opt for seating that is comfortable for your family. Also keep your options open with stools or small ottomans that can be moved around easily or tucked away when not in use.

 

The Importance Of Natural Light

 

Light is such an important part of a room: particularly in small houses, natural lighting is a strength that should be enhanced. If you have a smaller space, more natural light will make the room feel bigger and more spacious.

 

If, for whatever reason, there is little natural light in your home, use materials and colors to bring out the limited light. Use polished finishes and bright colors, or accent pieces with mirrors or metallic finishes that will bounce the light around. Try not to block windows with heavy drapes or furniture, choose sheer curtains or thin paper blinds that will diffuse the light all through the space, making it feel airy and idealistic.

 

Layout: A Place For Everything

 

Picking the wrong furniture for the layout of your space is a very common mistake. It can happen to the best of us, especially if you are working with an unusual shape, like a long and narrow space.

When faced with these types of challenges, try to use the furniture to allocate the available space into usable sections and avoid blockages or dead spaces. This will help give a defined purpose to each space and will allow for a natural flow between them.

 

Misfits: Square Peg, Round Hole

 

Arranging your furniture in a non-functional way will make even the best furniture look off and unappealing. The only way to really avoid this error is to plan in advance how your furniture will be distributed in the space and the dimensions of the furniture itself before putting it in the room.

 

You want to make sure that there is enough space to walk around each element and for there to be a harmonious balance between them. We recommend the use of a blue print to help you plan in advance and to make sure you use the correct measurements. If things don’t fit, there’s no way they will work!

 

Know Your Style, Don’t Just Copy

 

Of course, aesthetically speaking, you want your furniture to reflect your style and also to be in harmony with everything else in your home.

 

Be sure to be clear of what style you are going for before going out and buying furniture. Don’t be rigid about it, give yourself room to explore and change your mind, but stick to one thing so it all looks put together once it’s in the space.

 

In conclusion, think about what the space will be used for, let the light in and plan ahead! These are our tips to help you furnish your home in the best way possible so you will enjoy your home for years to come.

 

For more ideas and furnishing options, please feel free to get in touch with one of our talented interior designers on design@platinumhouse.ae who will make you decorating project a dream come true.

 

Why Choose Personalised Luxury Home Décor?

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What does “luxury” mean? What style is best suited to your home and why should you personalise it? We identify the following reasons why you should choose to furnish your home with personalised luxury décor.

 

Many luxury furniture brands exist in the world and sorting through them is difficult, but it is even more difficult to create a unique and personalised style in your home. For many designers and architects the main challenge when designing the interiors of a luxury residence is that of selecting furniture which is not only luxurious, but also full of personality and reflects the tastes of their clients. If they do not succeed, then their clients may find themselves in a home that is extremely luxurious, but that lacks character. How does one avoid falling into this trap and why should one choose personalised luxury home décor?

 

Luxury Décor: What is changing?

 

Luxury is one of those ephemeral terms, like happiness, beauty, and style, that are rather difficult to explain and even more difficult to define. We often read and hear terms like “luxury lifestyle”, “luxury design”, and “luxury home”, but what exactly do they mean? How is luxury interpreted these days and what has changed as compared to the past?

 

Years ago “luxury” may have meant gold faucets, marble-covered surfaces, and lavish accessories, but today furnishing a luxury home isn’t so predictable. In examining how the perception of luxury has changed in recent years, here is a list of several guidelines to keep in mind.

 

Living a Designer Experience

 

In the past people tended to purchase tangible valuable objects to show off their wealth. These days people would rather purchase unique experiences that can be enjoyed in their private spaces, and luxury decor has adapted to this trend.

 

Purchasing Unique Objects

 

The current trend in luxury décor is that of purchasing from local artisans and small boutiques rather than from large brands. People want unique objects that no one else has. If you walk into a large store that sells luxury furniture, you will find the same pieces no matter what city you are in. How can an object be considered luxurious if anyone can purchase it? Luxury is, therefore, synonymous with rare and precious. It’s no coincidence that vintage pieces have become so popular.

 

Decorating According to One’s Tastes

 

Another change that has affected luxury décor is the fact that people are unlikely to be influenced by the styles and trends of the moment. They will not purchase a piece of furniture or a designer object just because it is extremely popular, but rather want their homes to be furnished and decorated according to their personal tastes and needs. In this sense, luxury has come to mean personalisation and functionality: from custom built furniture to lighting and outdoor spaces, everything must be characterised by the individuality of the people who live there and must perform a very specific function for them.

 

So Why Personalise Luxury Décor?

 

  1. The Human Touch

 

An entirely handcrafted piece of furniture will never be perfectly symmetrical, but it is this kind of imperfection that makes it authentic. If you are working on a luxury design project, selecting furniture crafted by artisans, in keeping with the tastes and desires of your client, is a must. This, in turn, will make the home one-of-a-kind and will provide the human touch that is missing from mass produced furniture.

 

  1. A Piece of Furniture is Forever

 

One of the undisputed advantages of personalising luxury décor is that of creating a unique style and environment that will last throughout the years and won’t get redundant over time. A home that is furnished specifically for those who live in it is much less likely to end up boring its owners, who will be able to add or replace objects over the years without completely changing the décor. A style that reflects the tastes of the owner, not only in terms of the aesthetics but also in terms of the functionality of the various pieces, will be eternal.

 

  1. Luxury Equals Comfort

 

Forget about homes bathed in gold and marble, which are tidy and symmetrical to the point of exhaustion. Luxury does not mean furniture that is unapproachable, uncomfortable, or that gets ruined at the slightest touch. Luxury décor has come to be synonymous with comfort. So please choose furniture that reflects the tastes and desires of the client, that is comfortable, and that makes the home feel welcoming.

 

  1. Vintage is Beautiful

 

Not “old”, but “vintage”. It was personalisation, taken to the extreme in the luxury interior design sector, that helped open the door to furniture and objects with a story. Pieces that are unique because of the way that they have been used, the people who have, and the details of their manufacture. Such pieces have become extremely sought after and have come to be considered luxury items.

 

  1. Client Satisfaction

 

Being able to reflect the tastes and expectations of a client in an interior design project is not easy. But a plus of personalised décor, created after careful study of the needs and requirements of the client, is his or her satisfaction. And of course nothing is better for building a positive reputation as an interior designer!

 

  1. Appreciation of the Final Result

 

We live in a world of social media and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your work being propagated and shared with the world. What could be more satisfying that receiving compliments and referrals from people who have viewed your previous works and are recommending it.

 

  1. To Each Object Its Own Function

 

Personalisation also means combining aesthetics and functionality in a single object. It makes no sense to include a wine cellar in the spacial design when the owners are not connoisseurs of wine, or a studio or a gym in a home where no one will use them. We seek, therefore, to give each room and each piece of furniture a specific function.

 

  1. Feel Like Home

 

A home must, first of all, be comfortable to those who live in it and to their loved ones. Personalising every tiny detail according to the chosen style will make the final effect more hospitable. Curtains, rugs, works of art, decorative objects, pillows, throws and so on; everything must be carefully considered in order to achieve the perfect result.

 

  1. Be a Trendsetter

 

For an architect, an interior designer, or a decorator creating projects that stand out in the sector is fundamental. It is not easy to launch a new style or a new trend, but the more personalised your creations are, the greater chance you will have of being followed and imitated by the industry.

 

  1. Astound Guests

 

When an interior design boasts unique pieces and has a well-defined character, your client will not only be able to relish the final result, but also astound his or her guests. This will give your design an extra edge and will increase the likelihood that other people come to you.

 

In Conclusion

 

Returning to our initial point, you now possess the tools you need in order to avoid coming up with a design that is aseptic and that lacks personality, as well as the lever for offering your clients a décor made up of brands that may be lesser known, but that are much more valuable, rare and personal.

5 Questions To Ask About Lighting Your Home

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Before you upgrade your furniture, replace floors or remodel a kitchen or bathroom, consider whether your lighting works. Lighting is a significant sign of design quality and one of the most affordable ways to refresh the look of your home. It sets a mood and helps define a style. Without it, important architectural details, artwork and focal points fall flat and go unnoticed. When done right, lighting functions as a carefully tuned orchestra, creating a pitch-perfect composition of light, layers, direction and flow.

If your lighting choreography consists of a single flip of the switch, then perhaps it’s time to illuminate your mind.
Lighting placement, fixtures and functions are the three main ingredients to think about when giving your living space a light makeover. So if you’re wondering if it’s time for an update, ask yourself these questions.

  1. Am I Lighting Unexpected Areas?

    As you evaluate the status of your lighting style, keep in mind that lighting also functions as art that helps define your style, set the mood and perform practical tasks. Think of adding light in unexpected places, such as a chandelier in the master bathroom. And consider using light in unconventional ways — such as using hanging pendant lights as reading lamps.

Painting with light is another way to add surprise. Colored LED lighting underneath the kitchen island and cabinets creates dramatic appeal. Highlight the silhouette of a cabinet with under cabinet and in-cabinet lighting.
One can also use tape lighting to achieve a subtle illuminated line of sight.

 

  1. Does My Lighting Have Layers?

    A perfectly lit room has three basic layers: overhead lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. In the bedroom one can pull all these options together; with a chandelier overhead, bedside reading lamps as task lighting, and accent lights above the headboard. Think of the functional and decorative purpose of each light source.

 

  1. Do My Lights Dim?

    Good lighting should multitask and set the mood. A dimmer is an inexpensive and essential tool that puts you in control of the quality and quantity of light. With a home automation system you can install dimming controls for a single room or the entire house and control lighting though one smart device.

 

Think of lighting like a radio. You don’t want to have just one volume. Lighting should have the opportunity to be task lighting and ambient lighting. Dimmers give the light multitasking capabilities.

To make the most of your lighting, install the highest wattage light bulb possible, then dim it down to accommodate the mood and lighting needs. Consider putting dimmers on both overhead lighting and lamp lighting.

As another bonus, dimming your lights 50 percent can save approximately 40 percent in electricity and increase the life of your bulb.

 

  1. Are My Fixtures In Line With Current Style Trends?

    One of the quickest ways to update the look of a living space is to swap decorative lighting fixtures for more up-to-date styles.

Use an attractive aye catching chandelier for the center of the ceiling. Keep the overhead light at 150 to 300 watts for optimum illumination. Mix and match your lighting fixtures. They don’t have to be from the same lighting family or design.

Crystal remains a popular choice for lighting fixtures and is used across the style spectrum.

Lighting choices can also take cues from transitional style, defined by clean lines and lighter finishes. A trend in light fixtures right now is mixed metal, dulled gold, and foiled silver over gold. The finish is popular with the transitional style because it has an antique yet contemporary look.

 

  1. Is My Lighting Focused?

    Lighting design is all about the strategic placement of light and matching the perfect light source to its intended function. Indirect lighting pulls focus, adds texture and layers the sight line.

Pick focal points that you want to highlight, then direct a light source toward them. Wall lamps are great accent lighting fixtures to highlight artwork and bring light to a space at eye level.

A chandelier in the dining room should hang 30 to 36 inches above the dining table. The width of the chandelier should be at least one half the width of the table.

Recessed lights and track lights are ideal for low-voltage direct lighting.

Translucent glass shades on pendant fixtures will reduce glare in the kitchen. Hanging overhead lighting fixtures such as pendants should sit 30 to 36 inches above the island work surface.

So finally, when was the last time you upgraded the lighting of your home? Is it time perhaps?