Making Your Home Space an Extension of Yourself
26 February 2009, by Isabella
Because of the current economic times, more of us are spending more time at home. The following are tips to help you improve the ambience of your home and to have it be a reflection of you.
Enhance Lifestyle, Boost Seasonal Mood with Smart Updates to Home and Office
Beat the economic-downturn blues with three design tips from leading international designer Lauren Rottet to make spaces inspiring and personal.
The interiors we live in have a powerful impact on our mood and well-being, particularly in winter when we spend more time indoors. Despite today’s challenging economy – and perhaps because of it – improving the ambiance of our homes and offices is a simple way to fight the doldrums and boost morale.
Internationally renowned architect and designer Lauren Rottet, FAIA (www.rottetstudio.com), says simple design elements such as natural light and architectural style can contribute to a place’s positive atmosphere, improving one’s state-of-mind and overall lifestyle. Although Rottet designs prestigious buildings and interiors around the globe, her easy tips can make any work or living space a personal sanctuary – without breaking the bank.
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Embrace architectural style
A space’s intrinsic architectural features serve as an interior design roadmap, reflecting regional style, climate, culture and way of life. Rottet encourages letting the building’s structure and design details dominate, creating authentic ambiance.
For Georgian Colonial architecture, for example, accentuate the formal ambiance of prominent fireplace mantles and decorative columns. With Mediterranean architecture, let courtyards and arched doorways and windows brings indoors and outdoors together.
“Style is the inherent personality and natural context for individual decorating expression,” says Rottet. “Highlight the features of your space and embrace its architecture.”
- Enhance natural light and view
Sunlight and outdoor views are vital for successful interiors – and practically free.
“Natural light makes any personal space feel warm and comfortable,” says Rottet. “And by making outdoor views part of the interior composition, we instantly add dimension to a room.”
Whether windows are large or small, with southern or northern exposure, light and views can be dramatically altered through shading, drapes and other window treatments.
- Feature art and self-expression
Interiors are an opportunity to express personal style.
This can be as simple as deliberate placement of personally selected objects – paintings, lamps or memorabilia – transforming the space into something unmistakably one’s own.
“This is the most important design message,” says Rottet. “When a space feels personal, it generates positive feelings for those within – which means a lot in these trying times.
Categories: Bedroom, Fabrics, Home Improvement, Kitchen, Lighting, Organization, Paints, Saving Money, Walls, Windows
