All décor magazines are full of great pictures of rooms so many of us can relate to. I recently picked up a magazine on my visit to Virginia as it inspired me at a glance. Flipping through the magazine at home inspired me even more and I realised the importance of accessorising. You can have the most expensive furniture but if you don’t accessorise adequately the room will look incomplete. Its not the quantity but the quality of the pieces selected that makes the impact.
On my recent visit to The Art Shoppe, the versatility of the store was more evident with the selection of furniture styles, materials and colour options available. In addition to the furniture their selection of accessories was quite interesting. I’ve chosen a few pieces that caught my eye and I couldn’t stop thinking about how I’d like to use them.

When selecting the accessories keep in mind the mood of the room, classy, casual or artsy. Think of colours you need to bring in to balance the other materials already in the room. Remember if you already have a red wall, a silver accessory will compliment it but bright art would be too overpowering. I once painted a wall charcoal grey as I got a silver leaf, which I envisioned in front of a dark wall. A friend recently commented on how it was a perfect combination.
To help you find the right accessories for your space, here are 5 quick tips:

1. Know what you want, wall art or a small piece on the coffee table. Think of a possible colour you want to bring into the room to create balance. If the room is too warm bring in light cool colours and a material that is cool.

2. Don’t rush into buying an accessory, take your time and look for the right piece of art that speaks to you. Visit art galleries or random antique stores for inspiration or even a well-known furniture store has an item just right for you.

3. Look for accessories that are good value for money. Original art appreciates over time so it makes more sense to spend $1,000 on original art than $500 on a print.

4. Think long-term when selecting a piece, especially when it’s expensive although I go with my initial gut feeling. The object should be usable in other rooms of the house if need be. I move things around all the time to give a fresh look to the home. Something as little as changing the art in frames or reframing old art can make a huge difference.

5. Mix expensive pieces with a selection from a thrift store and make your own unique collection. The idea is to let your personal style shine through, be confident with arrangements that resonate with you.

If this article has inspired you to finally tackle the monotony of your home, feel free to comment or call us at 416-629-2040 if you need help with your next project.