In my recent blog “2013 Give your home a new meaning” I touched on some key ingredients in taking steps in moving you forward in making your house your home. If you have not read it, I encourage you to. I’m excited to share some great information with you, so let’s get started….Whatever room, or rooms you’re looking to begin your project, there are important questions you need to ask yourself before starting. I could go on with a big list, but one could find it a bit overwhelming., so I want to take a simpler approach. Remember it is a process. I will take these baby steps with you as I walk you through. Let’s start off with a few important basics around function, color, and, mood. Here are some questions that are very helpful when discovering each of these areas:
~ What is the sole purpose and function of this room? (How do I want this room to work?)
~ How do I want this space to feel? (This would be the mood of the room)
~ What colors do I like? 
~ How do the colors I like make me feel?
~ What main color would I like possibly for my walls?
~ What other colors I would like to use as accents?
~ What furnishings do I need to change and keep?
The idea is to really answer each question honestly in order to create the space that makes it feel like home. Once the answers are down on paper then things just start coming together in these areas on function, color, and mood. Working closely with a designer who truly understands and studies the clients taste, likes and dislikes can really be helpful in this arena. I have helped many clients achieve just this, which in turns makes me feel great!
Let’s start off first talking about function. Again function is how the space is to work for one’s purpose. Let me share a few extra examples one may need to ask, say it’s a family room. Is this room mostly for conversation only, or T.V. entertainment? Do I want a corner to read quietly in? Do I want to entertain more guests by increasing some extra seating? Does the lighting need improving? Everyone’s needs are different, and so will be the questions.
On to color, one of my favorites! Experimenting with color is the fun part! Colors really help set the mood for a space. Some other key questions to ask when selecting the right colors. Do I want warm colors for coziness, or lighter colors for an airy lighter look? How could I incorporate my accent colors and where? I would encourage to do paint samples on boards, and preferably not on walls. The reasoning behind this is that the walls do not move with the light. Sample boards can be moved around the space seeing the different variances. Each wall can give off different color hues depending on lighting. It’s equally important looking at the color in the evening. If you like the way it looks in the day and evening, you have a winner!
Last but not least, now we have the mood of the room. Earlier I mentioned about the feeling a room gives and has. It speaks in its own silent way with comfort, relaxation, tranquility, and peace. Mood evokes the emotion, again that feeling you have and want to achieve in this space. The mood comes forth around color, and how the room functions with it’s furnishings. Note, lighting is the key in helping the room functioning. It enhances its surroundings with furnishings, art, and accessories. The mood of the room may be making it a warm look for coziness and more welcoming, but yet comfortable for family and quest. If it’s a tranquil feeling one is drawn to for their space, then look at the colors that fit that feeling. In a tranquil space it showcases on the simplicity of the space with its clean lines, along with an airy feel of freshness and color. Starting on these 3 basic areas covers a lot in getting you on track to start feeling great in your new space. Look for my up coming blog on furthering our steps to create that perfect wonderful space that we all can call home!
Happy decorating and have fun getting started in the right direction!
Cheryl Jarvis
