| The luxury lifestyle does not require a mansion. | | | | room?Where are the traffic patterns in the |
| You don't have to wait until you can afford a | | | | room?What is the focus in the room?How can I |
| huge house on the beach to live in a beautiful | | | | establish the axis of the room?The balance lines |
| home. Remember the luxury lifestyle is about | | | | are easy to determine. Draw 2 faint lines accross |
| quality things and people. Small cosy houses can | | | | your floorplan dividing the room in half length wise |
| be made luxurious for a small amount of money | | | | and breadth wise. This will divide your room into 4 |
| through clever interior design. Remember the self | | | | quadrants. This is important because you need to |
| made wealthy don't spend money when they | | | | have an equal "weight" of furniture in each |
| don't have to. Living a luxury lifestyle is not about | | | | quadrant in order for the room to be |
| throwing money away to look cool, it is simply | | | | balanced.Traffic patterns are also easy. Leave 36 |
| about raising your standard of living. If you can do | | | | inches clear in front of each door opening to allow |
| that inexpensively, so much the better.In this | | | | space for the swing of the door. Also keep 12 |
| article I will introduce you to the basics of interior | | | | inches clear in front of the windows for access. |
| design which I studied when I was renovating | | | | Traffic patterns tell you where not to put |
| houses. The key to a successful renovation is to | | | | furniture, mark these on your floor plan.Now, |
| make cosmetic improvements, not structural | | | | what about the focus of the room? Is it a |
| improvements, to a house. Building new rooms, | | | | fireplace? Bay window? Blank wall where the |
| adding another level to a structure or moving | | | | home theater screen or an artwork will go? Plan |
| walls around is very expensive and moving walls | | | | your furniture layout to take advantage of this |
| especially can weaken the structure. You want to | | | | focus.Establish an axis for the room. You now |
| improve a houses WOW factor to make an | | | | want to draw an imaginery line up the middle of |
| impression. Here are some tips...Painting - A new | | | | the wall from floor to ceiling through your focus. |
| paint job will do more to improve the look of | | | | Continue this line across the ceiling and down the |
| your home than anything. It is a relatively simple | | | | opposite wall to the floor. The idea is this, you |
| job too, so you can save yourself a fortune by | | | | want the focus balanced from floor to ceiling. If |
| doing it yourself. Give the surfaces to be painted | | | | your focus is a fireplace this would mean putting a |
| a good clean up with sugar soap and scrape of | | | | picture or something above it to fill the space. |
| any loose stuff. Bog up any cracks or any | | | | You also need to balance both sides of the room. |
| depressions to make the surface smooth, then | | | | So you would have to put something on the |
| paint. Whether you use an undercoat or not | | | | other wall of equal visual "weight" along the axis |
| depends on what paint you use. Get advice from | | | | line. Everything is about balance.You are now |
| a interiors shop. The underlying principle for all | | | | ready to start planning where your furniture will |
| renovations including painting is KISS, Keep It | | | | go in the room. You need to place the furniture in |
| Simple Stupid. Keep your color schemes simple, | | | | the room so it takes advantage of the focus and |
| use neutral colors, they reflect light better making | | | | so it serves the function of the room. Arrange |
| rooms look bigger and they look cleaner. Be | | | | your furniture so that all 4 quadrants have equal |
| consistent throughout the house.Kitchens - Don't | | | | visual "weight". This does not mean you need to |
| go crazy, these can eat heaps of cash if you are | | | | have a mirror image of furniture in the quadrants, |
| not careful. If your kitchen is falling apart then you | | | | but it simply means you don't want every piece |
| have no choice but to get a new one. If you can | | | | of furniture in one quadrant or one half. Visually on |
| avoid it though, don't get a new one just | | | | your floor plan the room should look balanced. |
| cosmetically touch up the one you have. New | | | | Draw representitives of your furniture on your |
| benchtops, tile splashbacks, door handles, | | | | floorplan to scale. Try various ideas. Decide which |
| cupboard handles, tap handles, a paint job and | | | | one you find most appealing.Lighting plan - Do not |
| floor job will make a huge difference and won't | | | | try to light the room. Light objects in the room. |
| cost the earth.Bathrooms - Another money pit. | | | | Firstly your lighting must permit people to perform |
| Light and bright is the secret here. Just like the | | | | the specific tasks of the room. For example using |
| kitchen if it's falling apart, you have no choice but | | | | lamps for reading, playing cards etc. This is called |
| to spent the big bucks and replace things. If you | | | | task lighting. You also need sufficient lighting so |
| can get away with it though, change your | | | | people don't bump into things. This is called |
| benchtops, door handles, cupboard handles, tap | | | | ambient lighting. You can use lighting to influence |
| handles and floor tiles (wall tiles can be a huge | | | | the mood. Bright lights for an upbeat mood, low |
| expensive job, avoid changing if possible) Get a | | | | lighting for a more intimate and romantic mood. |
| new paint job, a new toilet seat, toilet roll holder | | | | As with everything else the different elements |
| and towel racks. This will transform the room and | | | | (elements, pardon the pun, I'm so clever) of your |
| won't cost much.Flooring - Makes a huge | | | | lighting plan must be harmonious with each other. |
| difference. New carpet, tiles or linoleum will | | | | Lighting decorative objects with spot lighting is |
| transform a room. Also consider, if you have a | | | | also a nice touch. Don't forget to take into |
| timber floor of good enough quality, ripping up the | | | | account where the electrical outlets are. You want |
| carpet and polishing the floorboards. This looks | | | | to keep unsightly electrical cords as short as |
| fantastic and is inexpensive.Doors - Change the | | | | possible and hidden if you can.2. FurnitureWhen it |
| door knobs throughout the home for a classier | | | | comes to choosing furniture there are a few |
| style and make sure you stay consistent | | | | points to consider.Is the piece suitable in function |
| throughout.Window treatments - These also | | | | and cost?Is it suitable in mood and style? Does it |
| transform a room. Make sure they fit in with the | | | | have the right look?Is it suitable in quality? Is it |
| rest of the room.Landscaping - Can cost you a | | | | similar quality to the other furniture pieces?Does |
| fortune. All you really need to do (unless your | | | | the piece have suitable proportions? Are the |
| yard is a write off) is rip out all the plants except | | | | different parts in pleasing harmony with each |
| for the larger established ones. Install some | | | | other?Is the piece the right scale? Is it harmonious |
| edging, re lay some turf where necessary (if you | | | | with the size of the objects and space around |
| have dead spots where grass won't grow, you | | | | it?Are the fabrics appropriate? Bright, intense |
| can pave that area which is expensive or extend | | | | colors and bold patterns increase visual "weight". |
| the garden over this area and plant shade | | | | Muted, neutral tones and solid colors reduce visual |
| resistant plants), replant the garden with colorful | | | | "weight".When it comes to arranging furniture |
| plants and add mulch to your garden beds. Plant | | | | follow these guidelines:The shape of the sides of |
| tall plants at the back of perimeter gardens or the | | | | the piece of furniture should match the shape of |
| middle of central gardens and have smaller plants | | | | the wall. Don't put round tables in the corner of |
| in front. Try to get a few different shades of | | | | rooms.Avoid placing rectangular furniture at an |
| green in the leaves of different plants. Try to | | | | angle to straight walls.If the space on the wall is |
| plant a range of flowers so you have something | | | | horizontal, a horizontally shaped piece of furniture |
| blooming at most times of the year. Flowers can | | | | will look best there.If the space on the wall is |
| give your garden a pleasant smell as well and | | | | square, a square shaped piece of furniture will |
| attract birds. River pebbles or conrete treads are | | | | look best there. |
| also an inexpensive alternative to paths.Painting of | | | | Vary the heights of the major pieces in the |
| the exterior - Makes a huge difference to the | | | | room.Spread your colors throughout the |
| WOW factor. Probably best to get a professional | | | | room.Here are a selection of some of the major |
| to do it though, they own scaffolding, let them | | | | furniture styles from throughout history and how |
| risk their necks.Decking and verandahs - Cheaper | | | | to spot them.Early American styles - The lines of |
| than adding rooms to your house but adds square | | | | this furniture is very simple. The workmanship is |
| footage to your living space. If you live above the | | | | unrefined and rustic. It is small in size, has a |
| snow line this may not appeal, but for warmer | | | | square frame structure, is usually painted and has |
| climates outdoor living spaces are wonderful for | | | | square shaped legs with simple decorative |
| entertaining. Tile over concrete porches.Fences - | | | | turnings.Mediterranean styles - This is heavy |
| If you have an existing fence, give it a new paint | | | | furniture. There is nothing delicate about it. It is |
| job. If you don't have a front fence put in a white | | | | solid, squarish and built to last. It is usually made |
| picket fence. Add an attractive letterbox.Get a | | | | of ornately carved wood. The Spanish |
| new front door - These really add or detract | | | | Mediterranean furniture often featured leather |
| from the look of your home.The bottom line is, | | | | that was decorated with metal nailheads.French |
| you don't need to change where you live | | | | styles - Louis XIV style (1643 - 1715) has |
| necesarily, just how it looks. Spend your money | | | | massive scale, X shaped stretchers that support |
| on luxurious homewares not on expensive | | | | the legs, a bacically square form and the seat & |
| structural changes. Read on now to learn about | | | | back were upholstered. This style had detailed |
| how to layout your home and how to decorate it | | | | ornamentation.- Regence style (1700 - 1730) was |
| to raise your standard of living and to add to | | | | a transition between Louis XIV and Louis XV. It |
| your luxury lifestyle.1. The Basics of Interior | | | | had cabriole legs (curved legs) and a curvature on |
| DesignThere are 3 basic guidelines for successful | | | | the top edge of the seat back.- Louis XV style |
| interior design.A successful room is functional.A | | | | (1730 - 1775) had curved shapes and forms, |
| successful room expresses a mood.A successful | | | | extensive rococo decoration (elaborate decoration |
| room exhibits a sense of harmony.Function - Ask | | | | incorporating a shell mofif), romantic imagery, |
| yourself, what are the intended functions of this | | | | delicate shape & design and no leg stretchers.- |
| room? A room must serve it's intended function. | | | | Louis XVI (1775 - 1789) had straight slim legs |
| No matter how beautifully you decorate a room, | | | | (usually fluted and topped with a box shape |
| if your scheme can't fulfill all the functions you | | | | containing a carved rosette), rectangular shapes |
| require the room to perform, then the room has | | | | or mechanically produced curves, classical motifs |
| failed. If a dining room is not convenient to eat in, | | | | (such as columns, urns and lyres) and delicate |
| then it fails. If a bedroom is not convenient to | | | | construction.- Directoire style (1790 - 1804) had |
| sleep in, then it fails. Does your living room have | | | | simple elegant lines, patriotic motifs (including |
| appropriate lighting for reading, if that is one of | | | | military motifs, agricultural motifs and crossed |
| the functions of the room? Are there tables in | | | | flags), classical motifs (inspired by ancient Egypt, |
| easy reach of the seating to put your drink on? | | | | Rome and Greece), curled chair backs and scrolled |
| You get the idea.Mood - What is the mood you | | | | sofa arms, outward curving legs or classic fat |
| want this room to express? Are you after a | | | | straight legs.- Empire style (1804 - 1831) had a |
| sleek, modern, sophisticated look, or a rustic, | | | | heavy masculine look, polished veneers more |
| casual, warm mood etc? Every aspect of the | | | | often than carved wood surfaces, excessive use |
| room you create must maintain the same mood. | | | | of ormolu mounts (often large and badly cast), |
| Mood refers to the general look or feeling you | | | | chairs with wooden backs and upholstered seats, |
| want the room to express. The color schemes, | | | | inspired by classical Greece (including the boat bed, |
| furniture, window treatments, floor treatments | | | | recamiore day bed and tripod stand), mirror back |
| and lighting styles etc. must all be consistent with | | | | console table, motifs inspired by ancient Egypt, |
| this look and feeling.Harmony - All the separate | | | | Rome and Greece as well as patriotic and military |
| elements in a room must work together in | | | | motifs.English styles - William & Mary style (1689 - |
| harmony. All elements should feel appropriate and | | | | 1702) had hooded tops (tops in the shape of |
| nothing should feel out of place. Every element | | | | single or double round arches that look like dutch |
| should be harmonious in mood, scale, quality and | | | | roofs), curved X shaped stretchers, inverted cup |
| color. We have already discussed mood. The scale | | | | on straight turned legs, besides these features |
| must also be harmonious, this means all elements | | | | they had basically straight lines.Queen Anne style |
| should be the same scale as each other and the | | | | (1702 - 1714) had cabriole legs often with shell |
| same scale of the room itself. No huge chairs in | | | | motif on the knee, fiddle back splats and basically |
| small rooms or small chairs in huge rooms. No | | | | curved lines.Early Georgian style (1714 - 1760) |
| huge chairs with small chairs etc. The quality also | | | | was the same as the Queen Anne style but with |
| needs to be harmonious. If you are using | | | | extensive addition of carving, particularly eagles, |
| expensive high quality furniture then don't use | | | | lions, satyrs and cabochons. This carving was |
| them with cheap looking curtains etc. And lastly | | | | made possible by the introduction of |
| the color schemes must be harmonious. The color | | | | mahogany.Late Georgian styles (1760 - 1811) was |
| schemes in your furniture must not clash with the | | | | a collection of styles. In this era individual |
| color schemes in your rug etc.In every room you | | | | cabinetmakers developed their own styles. Some |
| design for yourself you must follow these 3 | | | | of these were:Chippendale - He tried many |
| guidelines.Now let's discuss the 4 steps for | | | | different things so it is hard to pin down his |
| designing a room.Sketching a room.Drawing a floor | | | | "style", but look for rococo motifs with open |
| plan.Furniture layout.Lighting plan.Sketching a room | | | | carved backs, Chinese motifs, Gothic motifs and |
| - At this stage you just need to do a rough | | | | curved open pediment tops.Adam Brothers - Had |
| sketch of your room and write down accurate | | | | straight legs that were often fluted but with no |
| measurements for length of the room, breadth of | | | | boxed rosette like you would find with the Louis |
| the room and ceiling height. Height of mouldings | | | | XVI style. Also look for oval shaped chair backs |
| (the boards along the floor and between the walls | | | | with spokes, lyres or other classical motifs like |
| and ceiling and the boards around doors and | | | | vases and urns.Hepplewhite - Had curved chair |
| windows etc.), and the dimensions of your doors | | | | backs (featuring shield, interlacing heart and oval), |
| and windows need to be measured and noted. | | | | straight legs (but with no fluting like in the Adam |
| Measure how far windows and doors are from | | | | style), spade foot and serpentine front on |
| the corners of the room and from the ceilings | | | | casepieces.Sheraton - The apostle of the straight |
| and floor. Are there any features in the room (air | | | | line. Straight legs (no fluting but frequently |
| conditioner units, fireplaces etc.)? Measure these | | | | reeded), lightness and eegance.Regency style |
| and write it down. Note where the electrical | | | | (1810 - 1837) was similar to French Empire style |
| outlets and switches are. Note where any lighting | | | | but used different symbols.Victorian style (1837 - |
| fixtures are.Conduct a room condition checklist. | | | | 1901) was an attempt by the nouveau rich to |
| Write down what everything is made out of and | | | | emulate the luxury of an earlier time. It was |
| what condition it is in. Everything except the | | | | materialistic and ostentatious. It ultimately became |
| furniture I mean. Does anything need to be | | | | a caricature of itself. Don't let this happen to |
| repaired? Note down what the window types are. | | | | you.20th Century styles - are often produced out |
| Are they aluminium sliding windows, wooden | | | | of formed wood, metal and plastics. We see |
| casement windows etc? Now take photographs | | | | these styles all around us. Four major styles were |
| of every angle of the room for reference.Drawing | | | | and are:Art Nouveau - attempted to reject the |
| a floorplan - Buy some graph paper from a | | | | machine age with carved wood and lines imitating |
| stationery supply shop. Re draw your rough | | | | nature with convoluted curves and shapes. An |
| sketch to scale on the graph paper. A good scale | | | | example of this is Tiffany lamps.Art Deco - |
| to use for most rooms is 1/4 inch = 1 foot. You | | | | glorified ornamentation. Heavily influenced by the |
| need an accurate floorplan so you can do a | | | | cubist movement of the day. It had geometric |
| furniture plan later. Show on your floorplan where | | | | forms and shapes.Bauhaus - embraced the |
| the doors and windows are, also to scale. Don't | | | | machine age. It rejected all ornamentation and |
| show your measurements on the floorplan it will | | | | elevated function as it's ideal. A very minimalist |
| clutter it too much, keep all your measurements | | | | style.Post Modernism - is more of an architectural |
| on your rough sketch. Indicate on your floorplan | | | | style really but makes it's presence felt in |
| which way is North. This is important as it tells | | | | furniture design as well. Basically this is what is |
| you where the sun will rise and set in relation to | | | | being produced today and it takes many different |
| your rooms windows. How will the sun light your | | | | forms being explored by many different |
| room? Will the setting sun need to be blocked by | | | | designers.Dr Gregory Lipke is the CEO of Cyber |
| heavy drapes? Will you use the morning sun to | | | | Publishing Ltd. He has a Doctorate of Business |
| your advantage to warm the room after a cool | | | | Administration & a Bachelor of Science as well as |
| night?Furniture layout - There are 4 questions you | | | | years of experience in Private Investigation, |
| need to ask yourself when deciding where to put | | | | Personal Protection & Security. He is the author |
| your furniture.What are the balance lines of the | | | | of Your Luxury Guide . |