Traditional furniture, such as the sofa above, can be updated using white slip covers such as the one used above. Use white, light gray or beige slip covers since they update the look and lighten and brighten the room at the same time. If there is a lot of colour in the room because of painted walls that are not neutral such as the above example, this becomes important to do. Painting the room in white or gray is another suggestion.
Another tip is to use current table accessories to update the coffee and end table. A contemporary table lamp, photo in a white washed frame and a white bowl lighten and brightens the side table and gives it a more contemporary feel. The white Scandinavian style vase and gray sculpture on a white tray lightens the coffee table too.
Furthermore, a white sheep skin rug also gives the room a trendy Scandinavian feel and lightens and brightens the room as well.
Finally, a contemporary cityscape wall art with white, gray, orange, beiges and browns ties everything together and further updates and lightens the room.
Redecorating with the help of Lynteriors can mean a room can be refreshed with existing furniture that may have sentimental value or for people thinking green; furthermore, it can be done within a reasonable budget. Contact us as at 416-721-6217 or asburylynn@gmail.com to find out how we can help. Lynteriors offers interior decorating services such as consultations, computer aided design to validate furniture fit for example, full service for renovations, home staging, and more.
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This Lake of Bays lake house brings contemporary touches to an otherwise traditional and rustic Muskoka great room.
Redecorated by Lynteriors
It is also unique because it veers away from the traditional blue or green accent colours of a summer lake house and embraces red orange as the accent colour in order to reflect the summer sunsets and in effect, pulls the sunset colours indoors. Incorporated into the room are contemporary elements such as white slip covers and white accessories, red-orange modern pillows and red-orange abstract wall art along with rustic architecture and classic Canadiana furniture which makes the great room a perfect marriage between new and old.
Great room before the refresh
The lodge-like great room in greens and reds are a decorating favourite for us but in the summer and fall the room can be changed up with a more modern, bright, light and refreshing look with white slipcovers and red-orange pillows and wall art that reflect the gorgeous summer sunsets over the lake and the wonderful autumn colours. Here is our great room refresh.
The honey stained wood hue and red – orange colour scheme adds the warmth my husband loves.
I am a home stager as well as a decorator so I appreciate a more contemporary style but I also like a rustic Canadiana feel as does my husband. My husband does not like the idea of a cold austere look for his lake house so it has to have warmth built into it. He also likes the stability that history and memories provides and so do I so we left the cathedral ceiling and rustic beams as it was when originally built. Cherished memories are also captured in the pieces of wood furniture in the room so we kept the honey-hued pine tables without painting them but toned down the honey-hued palette by adding white slip covers.
The white slipcovers and white accessories offset the honey-hued tables giving them an almost sculptural artsy appearance and the warm hued wood in turn adds warmth to the white slip covers.
In order to modernize the look, I first added white slip covers to lighten and quiet the visuals. White also creates a crisp, fresh, look to furniture and lends a cool airy feel to counter the summer heat. Furthermore, the slip covers speaks casual living and speak lakehouse style.
The heavy forest green and red striped sofa was refreshed with airy white slip covers which saved time and money because new furniture did not need to be ordered. It also means we can go back to the more traditional look in the winter and at Christmas if we want.
The white pillar candles of varying heights bring a touch of elegance to the room.
We helped bring the room into the 21st century further, with contemporary accessories such as white pillar candles and the modern scandi off white vase on the coffee table as well as the concrete orbs in a silver bowl on the side table that all speak to a more modern aesthetic.
The minimalist white vase and white candles lighten and brighten the coffee table
Nowadays glass is molded into sophisticated and elegant and exquisite forms like the sliver grey vase also on the side table and dry sink which also speaks modern and fresh.
The turned brushed nickel lamps are fairly simple and speak both modern, since light metals tend to lighten a room and are trendy now, but the turned classic silhuette shape echoes the turned table legs and thus speak classic too.
The vibrant red-orange accent colour also adds a contemporary layering and feel to the room and this striking colour makes a bold statement in the room. These are brighter colours found in nature. The intense red-orange pillow and wall art energizes the room and adds pops of colour.
Lake of Bays red-orange sunset over Rat Bay
The red/orange sunsets inspired the colour scheme and was used to pull the outdoor sunsets in. The red/orange accessories blend with these summer sunsets. The colours in the abstract wall art in particular, reflects the sunset colours.
Enlarged and cropped sunset over the Lake of Bays Algonquin – like hills.
When comparing the enlarged and cropped sunset photo with the wall art it can be seen that the colours are similar.
This abstract piece of art captures the memory, feeling, experience and colour of sunsets at this lake house for me.
Sitting on the comfortable casual couches with family and friends enjoying the spectacular sunset over the hills of Lake of Bays speaks of a retreat lifestyle that we as homeowners want and buyers also dream of. Furthermore, orange has a happy and friendly quality that encourage socializing which is what one wants happening in a great room.
This lake house also reflects the Canadian spirit because it juxtapositions our connection to the past and our Canadian history with who we are and what we like in the present as revealed through the contemporary accessories and colour scheme already discussed.
Antique Canadiana corner cupboard with modern white accessories
This vibrant story of our history is told in the antique pieces found in the room such as the Canadiana English country style antique pie corner cupboard. Now it stores modern white vases and candles which lightens and refreshes it. This room also houses locally made replicas of this Canadiana furniture such as the English country and Canadiana style tables with turned legs. These are unique pieces with a back story. For example my husband was born in England and I was born in Canada so these English country and Canadiana pieces reflect what we like and who we are. After all decorating is meant to reflect the owner’ tastes and personalities. Plus, the honey-hued corner cupboard was found during an anniversary trip to the Port Carling antique show. It has romantic memories attached to it.
We incorporated cherished honey-hued Canadian tables with a family history into a fresh contemporary design. They were made by a local furniture company in Huntsville when our children were young so they have family history and memories we do not want to part with.
When the lakehouse was built it borrowed the rustic elements of the local Bigwin Inn and lodge namely, the rustic rough hewn beams and tongue and groove cathedral ceiling. Rustic spaces by definition revolves around natural materials such as wood and stone. Creating the rustic contemporary style is all about blending traditional rugged earthy materials and textures and contemporary touches. Incorporating modern elements with classic rustic Canadiana elements makes it a perfect marriage between new and old.
The beams of the cathedral ceiling captures the old Bigwin architecture and history. It echos the Bigwin Rotunda but in a smaller scale. As a result the ceiling beams nods to the areas history.
The honey stained tables, floor and ceiling beams keep the great room from looking too contemporary and the white and beige slip covers and white, beige and grey modern accessories and dramatic pop of red-orange abstract art refresh and lighten the room bringing it into the 21st century and so it does not look too country cute. It is a current take on a classic style which is becoming more popular to do each day.
We balanced modern accessories with traditional Canadiana furniture and balanced rustic ceiling architecture with slipcovers that have a more contemporary hue of white so it is safe to say that this is a rustic contemporary lake house too. Lynteriors can help you with your decorating and help tell your unique story through decorating too. Contact Lynteriors at asburylynn@gmail.com
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Lynteriors provides home staging services too. Visit http://www.homeonstage.ca for more information. Since Lynteriors provides both services, Lynteriors can provide a design concept with home staging in mind if you are planning to move in a few years. Lynteriors can help you decorate your home in such a way that your style and personality shines through the decorating but it is ready for staging too.
For example if you like yellow and blue and that is the colour scheme you prefer but you know you want to move within the next few years then having the colours you like in the wall art, pillows and accessories such as yellow orbs in a bowl will allow you have have the colour scheme you prefer.
Keep the furniture contemporary and neutral in colour such as this grey sofa. Keep the walls light grey or white or neutral too. This way you do not need to rent furniture for staging and you do not need to paint your walls but you still have the colour scheme you prefer.
One of my customers stated, ” I have not hired a decorator before, so I am not sure how it all works? Well, here at Lynteriors, I would like to help you create your dream home within your budget. However, there is a process that is carried out. A process that helps you create and decorate your dream rooms. It often involves consultations and meetings.
Meeting 1– Consultation
The initial customer consultation is carried out in the comfort of your home or via virtual consultation. It is to get to know each other and for me to get to know your dream for each room. For example what colours and style you want for the room/s.
It is also to find out what your scope of service is. For example, would you want only validation for your dream room ideas but execute the project by yourself. Or perhaps you would like a decorator to help you develop a concept or design based on your dreams and have the decorator execute the project to completion. Or would you prefer some other interior decorating service? At Lynteriors, I would help in any of the above ways. This is called the “scope of the project” and, I need to know what it is. The scope of service also includes how many rooms you would like decorated too. The rooms are measured during this meeting sometimes as well. For example, the rooms are measured now if there is a desire to get the project done quickly.
Meeting 2
The next meeting is to discuss if you want or need a concept design for the room/s. Lynteriors creates drawings and a mood board if the project is a remodeling project for example. Decorators, including myself, see how all the elements of design work together to achieve your overall living goals and dreams. Proportion, light, flow, function, colour rhythm, balance-these are all factors that create that harmonious feel.
I can help you discover and articulate your decorating style. Furthermore, I understand how to combine aesthetics and room functionality and I do all this while you carry on your everyday work and life. Each room is created through your style preferences in mind and my design expertise. Finally, with my expertise in home staging, I can help you increase the value of your property.
Lynteriors will create drawings that show how the room/s will look. These CAD drawings are based on what was discussed earlier. The design concept would include the Sketchup and furniture, fabrics, flooring, paint chips, and, lighting, etc., which make up the design. Lynteriors uses Sketchup, which is CAD or a computer-aided design program. I may provide manual drawings as well, such as floor plans.
The meeting includes a discussion about if you want Lynteriors to project manage your project as well. A contract is drawn up too.
Execution Phase
Lynteriors will purchase materials and furnishings if the design proposal captures the dream you have for your room or rooms. The process moves into the execution phase. The above decorating items would be installed or delivered and set up in the space. The dream room or rooms have become a reality!
Lynteriors is based in Aurora, Ontario and would love to help homeowners in the surrounding areas such as Bradford, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, and Toronto create their dream homes. Lynteriors offers virtual consultations and digital design too for those who do not live in this vicinity. Phone 416-721-6217 to book a consultation or a discovery call.
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