Get Inspired

10. July 2008 by Parker.

Looking for inspiration for your room? With a world of options at your disposal, sometimes it is challenging to find the style that is right for you. Even professional designers can get stuck on where to start, so start looking for inspiration in unlikely places. Here are a few tips on essential elements when utilizing an inspiration piece to create a room:

1.Invest in the big picture:

One piece of furniture with a costly price tag, such as my inspiration chair ($800), is simply a waste of a small budget. Use your budget to make the largest impact with wall color and fabrics. Don’t be afraid to add a variety of hues and textures to create depth and contrast.

2. Focus on details:

My client, a 16 year old teenager that loves monkeys, needed a space that reflected her personal style. By adding in splashes of pink and lime green, the room became girl friendly and trendy. A green monkey sits at his post on the center of the bed as a reminder of the inspiration chair.

3. Overlap features:

Inspiration means infusing your style into the design, rather than exact replication. Trying to find the identical chair or fabric from an inspiration piece is highly unlikely. Get as close to the look and style as you can and then move on to the next element with ease.

4. Feature color:

The parents of my client requested that the paint color be somewhat neutral as they are planning on selling their home in the next few years. To keep them happy and still give the room the effect I was looking for, I decided to paint the room jungle green and give the monkeys a place to hang. It is the variety of colors and textures that make it a beautiful and interesting room.

5. Bargain shop:

If you find an accessory you like for the space, search other stores for like items at more affordable prices. Sales and coupons can make all the difference in completing the space within budget restraints. However, do not be afraid to splurge on certain accessories that could help finish the look of the room.

With these heady tips, you can achieve a similar look without the hefty price tag. The trick is to draw inspiration from examples and emulate the look and style with more affordable furnishings and decorations. Sometimes all it takes are a few key elements to make a room look like a million dollars or, in this case $400, half the price of the inspiration chair.

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