Part II – Furniture and Arrangement
How to use your inspiration photos
In Part I of this series, we acknowledged that it is perfectly okay to use inspiration pictures. Most interior decorators, like myself, will do just that and will ask their clients to do the same prior to starting a project. However, when it comes to furnishings, trying to recreate a picture that looks amazing online or in a magazine can leave you frustrated, disappointed and scratching your head trying to figure out where you went wrong.
Just a reminder, professionals will use elements of the inspiration photos when we are designing a space. This is done not to copy, but to give us a visual of your desired style. Taking an image of a room and trying to recreate it can be a costly mistake. In this part of the series, let us explore why and how you can be successful in using your inspiration photos when starting your own projects.
How to Use Your Inspiration Photo – Part II
What do you love the most?
Here is your inspiration photo. Examine it and then think about what it is that you like the most. Let's say these 3 items are the things you love about your inspiration photo and are must haves in your project.
- You love that sofa and chairs.
- You love the soft color pallet.
- You love the pops of natural woods.
How to implement the inspiration picture in your project?
No matter which picture below closely resembles your living room, let’s examine how we can introduce elements we love from our inspiration picture.
Ex. #1
Sofa and chairs
Keeping in mind that your room is much smaller, look for a sofa that has straighter more modernistic lines, preferably in a light grey or off white. The chairs in your inspiration photo are exceptionally large and would not work in this room. Again, you will need to find something smaller with straight modernistic lines. You also may only be able to fit one chair in the room. The worst thing you can do is to squeeze too much furniture into a room. If you still need some seating, think puffs or small ottomans that you can tuck away is a corner.
Soft color pallet
Play up the two-toned soft grey and white on the walls. You may want to paint the door (see 3. Below). I do not suggest painting the stone fireplace, but perhaps paint the mantel white. Opt for a solid grey rug… If you can, go larger. Furniture should sit on the rug. If it is in your budget, I would do something with the flooring near the door. Perhaps installing Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) in a style/finish close to the existing flooring.
‘Pops’ of natural wood
You could keep the door as is, providing that element of natural wood that you like so much. However, I suggest painting the door white. I say this for the same reason I suggest changing the floor in front of the door. Small rooms should have consistency in finishes. Changing the accent wall to white and painting the door white, will create a soft calm effect and make that wall seem longer. Paint the other two walls a pale grey. Allow tables and some accessories be the pops of natural wood.
Ex. #2
In this example, your room is larger and is already painted with the soft grey and white color pallet you love. Even though the floor is a darker toned wood, you can still get the same soft feel once you lay a very large silvery gray rug as the anchor to the room. Make sure that the size of the furniture you pick will fit nicely into the space and does not block access to and from the double doors.
As you can see, you can create a beautiful room from your inspiration photo. It will never be an exact duplicate, but still a room that you will love. Not only will you love it, but your newly decorated room also showcases the you that is uniquely you.
Mood Board
The items on this mood board contain all the desirable elements from your inspiration picture… gray rug, gray and white paint, wood tables and accents. Using these elements will bring your visions into reality.
Rosalie Jovanna, CID
