Blog: Velvet

5 Clever Ways To Style An Awkward Corner

Do you have that one weird corner in your home that you just can't seem to make use of the space?  Or that tight nook that is hard to decorate and you can't leave it bare?  These are what we like to call "dead zones", or better yet, "creative opportunities", if you want to be optimistic!

Dressing up these areas will not only make a difference in your home, but it will also allow you to create a new space that will make the room feel larger.

 Reading Nook 

If you love to read, then why not create your own little corner where you can escape and get lost in a good book!  All you need is a comfy and comfortable chair, some proper lighting, and a cozy throw blanket.  If you have extra space, consider adding a small table that will hold your coffee or tea and a little plant.

 

Plant Corner

You can't go wrong when it comes to plants, they're easy to work with and you can have as many or as little as you wish.  From greenery to floral, you can soften up any corner or make a bold statement with a pop of colour! Try adding tiered floor pots for some dimension!

 Console Table

If you have a space that's too small to fit a chair but you don't want to leave it empty, then consider a small console table. You can also add accessories like a mirror, a few photos, art or if you love plants, why not add a small hanging plant? This will give the corner some life as well as make it beautiful and visually appealing. 

 Foyer

Whether you have a large or a small foyer, there's often that bit of space that makes the room look incomplete. Mirrors are a great accent for a foyer; especially if the space is on the smaller side. Umbrella stands never go out of style because they're one of those items you think you don't need but end up using all the time!  

We highly recommend a small console table at your entrance to collect your keys. Short on space? Replace the table with a floating shelf!

Shelving

A series of shelves placed in the corner is a nice display area as well as a great space-saver!  Allowing the room to feel more airy and multidimensional will create a clean and functional space. 

 

Get the Look | Mid-Century Modern

Today, more than ever, the Mid-Century Modern look is more in style than when it made it's first appearance in the middle of the 20th Century! Although we all know styles are cyclical, this is one trend that shows no signs of slowing down since it casually slid back into our lives in 2005.  If you're captivated by the Mid-Century Modern style, you're in the right place! We want to help you create a cozy, sophisticated and livable space that features the essence and characteristics that fit your lifestyle! 

 When it comes to decorating your home with a Mid-Century Modern flare, there are a couple of key design tips to keep in mind.

First, keep it simple. Showcase the simplicity of your home, don't be afraid to have negative space instead of cluttering up an area of the room. This allows the attention to fall on the statement pieces around your home, which will create a strong focus in those areas.

Start with a dinning or coffee table that will set the mood for the room, followed by a set of classic chairs or a bold coloured couch.

When working with furniture, be sure to focus on the basic element and function of the piece. Clean lines, curves and smooth surfaces emit a cool, sophisticated and uncluttered vibe.

 Next, we want you to be one with nature! Bring the outdoors in with different natural elements to fill your space.  Materials like smooth metals, a variety of wood species, glass and textured upholstery will come together to create a more interesting and modern room. Be sure to incorporate greenery into your home, it will freshen up and bring an energy into the space!  

Accessories are the final touch. Simple geometric shapes are key without making your room look too busy.  It's okay to mix colours and patterns, this can reinforce your colour scheme and bring a playful environment to your space. Rugs, throws and pillows help create a cozy, comfortable space. Be sure to choose bold, abstract and asymmetrical designs when complimenting your monochromatic furniture.

 

 

Pantone's 2017 Colour of the Year

The 2017 Pantone Colour of the Year has been announced, and we couldn't be happier. This year Greenery will be a fresh addition to the palettes of the interiors of on-trend homes. It is a leafy yellow-green that is sure to freshen up the design world with a nature-inspired infusion of life. 

Surya's Frontier Rug brings in the new hue to any room. It's handwoven and 100% wool:

OFFI's Teenager Chair is a throwback to 70s styling. This indestructible molded chair is perfect for the whole family:

This vibrant and energetic French American Wallpaper works wonderfully in a powder room or on a feature wall:

For indoor and outdoor use, the notNeutral BBO2 Kids Table and Chairs can withstand even the most extreme seasonal weather: 

The Aimee Wilder Pop Floral Leaf Pouf adds some playfulness and extra seating to a modern room:

These Season Rim Bowls are made of porcelain and are safe for the dishwasher and microwave: 

On Trend for Summer

Keeping up with the latest trends can be incredibly time consuming. We've compiled our favourite picks to reflect this summer's fashions so you can just kick back and be stylish.

We love the restraint of furniture and accessories made out of metal, with simple legs and a cool, industrial feel. Versatile furniture pieces are popular at the moment, like benches that double as coffee tables and smaller scale lounges or daybeds that work in any sized space. Lighting follows organic influences and fits seamlessly into modern interiors. Patterns for wallpaper and textiles are rooted in nature and come in neutral colours.

The emphasis on calm, cool and natural is the perfect inspiration for your interior design. Create a look that is sure to soothe and help you beat the heat.

VITA Acorn Polished Copper Lamp 

ferm LIVING Turn Daybed, Cluster Tables & Outline Wall Oval

Aimee Wilder Swell Coconuts Wallpaper

ferm LIVING Plant Stands, Pots and Plant Holders

Gus* Modern Tobias Nesting Table & Atwood Lounge

ferm LIVING Punctual Shelving System

VITA Clava Dine Matt White Lamp

Gus* Modern Transit Bench

Aimee Wilder Leaf Damask Mist Wallpaper

Introducing : Lucie Kass

Carrying a new line of products is always fun, but these beauties from LUCIE KASS take our excitement to the next level! You only need to take a peek at the offerings to understand why. This Danish design company is behind the relaunch of some of the most popular Danish and Scandinavian objects from the 50's, 60's and 70's. The colours are vibrant and each one exudes an energy that will add that pop to your modern home. We especially love the way that this collection is a combination of creations by iconic designers of the past as well as inspiring ones shaping the future of style. 

2015 Modern Design Trends

January gets our minds racing about the year to come, and 2015 promises to be one of great interiors. The trend to emulate is that of scaling back and simplifying rooms. Editing your rooms will allow your beloved furniture and accessories to take centre stage. By freeing up some extra space you can revitalize your place. Take advantage of the latest and greatest the design world has to offer this year.                          

1 International Influences                         6 Black and/or White

2 Geometry and Angles                           7 Natural Details

3 Large Scale Prints                                8 Triangles, Checks and Dots

4 Lustrous Surfaces                                9 Bold Colours

5 Gold and Copper Metals                      10 Mixing Patterns

 

Let's see how you can incorporate these trends into your home :

Keep your bathrooms and kitchens fresh by sticking with black and white. From floor tiles to back splashes, white will reign this year, but expect to see black making a dramatic impact here as well. These timeless choices for more permanent design elements are wise. Designers and homeowners will strive to create a minimal look with lots of right angles and flat-front kitchen cabinetry. Black and white appliances are also going to be fashionable in 2015. 

In the bathroom the standalone tub provides a much needed sculptural element in the modern home. Put a bench in your shower stall for comfort and style. Continue anchoring your design using black and white. This contrasting duo achieves a tailored, classic effect. Always keep it crisp and clean in the bathroom. Gold will be the metal of choice for faucets this year.

International influences will invoke an exotic look in all of your rooms. Consider introducing touches from the Orient and the Middle East. Mixing items from around the world will create a cultured and curated interior. Embrace the modern gypsy style by mixing bold prints, layering patterns and using bright fabrics. 

To achieve a balanced look combine sleek, lacquered surfaces with natural wood or concrete. Bold colours are easily grounded with white and black. Incorporate lots of plants like epiphytes (air plants) and groupings of succulents in glass vessels with exposed soil to add that earthy element. Graphic large scale prints will give your home that gallery feel without visually cluttering the space. 

Our preferred quirky trend is the nod to all things intergalactic. Outer space will be providing inspiration for textiles and artwork. We think it's out of this world!