TWELVE IDEAS from interior designers, Gloria Dawkins and Sharon Lowe on
how to spruce up your personal space.
Gloria Dawkins - Managing director, Gifts and Events Limited.
Dawkins notes that everything should be in line with decor:
Drapery: Fabric should match design for example, traditional furnishings are nice with heavy drapes made from exquisite fabric; and contemporary furnishings are excellent with blinds.
Wall hangings: These can be paintings, woven designs, sculptures, or ceramics.
Lighting: The type of lighting may vary, you may use candles, and,/or lamps. The shape of lamps, hanging or fish tank is also important. It depends on the mood one wants to set in the room.
Plants and flowers: These add warmth to any room, also the container should match the décor.
Mirrors: These on walls always give the illusion of space, making the wall look bigger. Mirrors also add interest to any room giving another dimension of objects reflected.
Decorative items: Can be anything of interest, and usually reflect personality and special interests of the homeowner; for example a ceramic piece of a bust or a head or a tennis ball and racket.
Cushions: Enhance the colours of the room - drapes, chairs or walls.
Sharon Lowe - Kingston-based interior decorator
Lowe provides the following tips for accessorising a bedroom and cautions that the bedroom should have a colour scheme.
A good task light for reading: A lamp can be covered with colours of drapes or bedding.
Family treasure: Items such as vacation souvenirs or perfume bottle. Group together small objects instead of placing them around the room as the sentiment could be lost. Place treasures on high shelves, walls or dresser tops. Note that objects grouped together should be unified whether in colour, texture or shape. Play the odds and use three instead of four.
Artwork: could be a favourite drawing from a child. You could have this framed
and placed on the wall within the bedroom. However, artwork should be placed at
eye-level.
Floral arrangement: Beautiful floral arrangements can be placed in at a focal point such on a dresser or bedside table.
Paintings: Excellent when placed on the wall over the bed board. This adds a personal style to your bedroom.
- Shelly-Ann Thompson
