advice Archives - Fine Finishes

traditional living room, two white/beige sofas, large coffee table, lighted by large bay window

Choosing the right-sized area rug for your space

I want to purchase a new area rug for our living room. How do I choose the right size? My husband thinks that a five-foot-seven rug under the coffee table is fine but I think that would be too small. I have looked at photos in magazines and have seen it done a few ways. Are there any guidelines I should follow?

Choosing the best window treatment depends on your purpose for covering them: 50 Shades

We have a very wide window in our bedroom with three separate panes. It’s about 80 inches (203 cm) wide and used to have about 40 inches (102 cm) of space on either side. But we installed a wall of closets to one side that are flush with the wall, which throws the window off centre. Now we can’t figure out coverings for our beautiful window. Should we do a Roman blind, perhaps? Or full-length curtains mounted to the ceiling? But we could only push those to one side given the positioning of the closet — there’s no room for them on that side. What do you recommend?

While hardware for curtains mounted on the ceiling could be installed given the space, the window will definitely appear off. The greater the contrast of the drapery fabric to the wall, the more off balance the window will become. To find the best treatment for your window we need assess the purpose for covering them in the first place.

We dress windows for a number of reasons. Privacy is at the top of the list, and given that this is your bedroom, it’s of foremost consideration. Second to privacy is light control. While having sunlight streaming in through your windows is beautiful, it also has its disadvantages. Sunlight can increase heat (especially in the summer months), the light can make sleep more difficult and the UV light can fade furniture and wood.

When selecting a type of treatment for your window, consider the area around on all four sides. How much wall is to the left and right of the frame? If you were to hang drapery, would there be enough room for the fabric to hang without blocking the view when pulled back on either side? Would anything below the window sill prevent it from closing properly, such as a radiator? Is there room to secure hardware to the wall below the ceiling?

While you have three windows, they are framed as one. My preference would be to treat it as one larger window with an inside mounted treatment. In your case should you decide to do Roman blinds, I’d recommend a blackout liner with a lightweight fabric for ease of operation. Additional mounting brackets at the time of installation will ensure that they last. You will be able to select fabric in a pattern and colour to complement your decor. I’d suggest synthetics as they hold up to the UV much better than cotton or linen.

Cellular shades are another option which are relatively lightweight and offer a variety of light control options from sheer to opaque. Due to the construction of the “honeycomb” cell they provide superior insulating factors in the colder months. Their small size allows them to be placed even in the narrowest of windows with ease. Aesthetically the come in a variety of patterns and colours to suit any style. These shades can be mounted at the either the top or bottom of a window allowing for maximum versatility. You can even opt to have 2-in-1 options — sheer on top and opaque on the bottom.

If you are looking for a design consultation please contact us to book a meeting.

Oak floor installed in chevron pattern, white modern bathtub and all around black/brown painted walls

How to choose the right colour paint for your powder room

I am looking to freshen up our boring all-white powder room. The powder room is pretty small and I’m not sure what to do with it. We have plain white ceramic tiles on the floor and a white pedestal sink and toilet. We are not afraid of colour and are open to all suggestions.

As one of the busiest rooms in the home and frequented by guests, the powder room is often times an afterthought when decorating. Thought of by designers as the jewel box of your home, it needs to have a bit of a wow factor. Averaging four feet by five feet, these tiny rooms tend to intimidate and present some of the biggest design challenges for some. Because of the room’s small size, however, it doesn’t cost as much to make a big impact with bold design statements.

For those who are enamoured with dramatic hues but are hesitant to take the leap, this is a room for you. Although a very important room, we don’t tend to spend a whole lot of time here, and because of this it is the perfect place to let your imagination go wild and experiment with colours you may normally shy away from in main living areas.

Colour can do wonders to make rooms look more spacious. There is a misconception that darker colours make rooms look smaller. Deeper hues can hide hard edges and add drama.

When decorating small spaces our first inclination is to go light — the paler the colour, the more light will be reflected, thus making the space feel larger. The fact is that deeper hues can achieve similar results — although in a different way.

Because of the depth of the colour, the edges of the room are shadowed, less defined and somewhat blurred. This absorption of light makes the walls of the room less marked, giving the illusion of more space.

If you still aren’t convinced, you can have both by installing a chair rail and using a dark and a light colour. If you paint the lower half a dark colour, your toilet and sink will be more prominent, which may not be what you want as a focal point. Painting it white, on the other hand, makes them fade into the woodwork.

For added drama add a decorative finish or stencil a motif. Few powder rooms have the luxury of natural light from a window and will always require a light fixture to be turned on when in use.

If your home is in need of a new powder room, or any other home renovation, please reach out to us.