Colour Consultation Archives

August 30, 2017 By IO

3 Ways to Warm Up Your Decor As Summer Cools Down

The long weekend is almost here, which means summer is almost over. Of course, I never consider it to be officially over until it’s too cool outside for me to wear my sandals! Even so, I have to admit that my excitement for autumn’s arrival is building as I see gorgeous colours and textures for fall from some of my favorite fabric and decor suppliers.

Here are 3 ways you can enjoy both seasons in your home or cottage — that is until the dipping temperatures say it’s time to put away our favorite summer things and pull out those close-toed shoes and boots!

Cuddle up to fabric

Warm up to fall with fabrics in seasonal colours so rich they remind you of a drive through the escarpment in October. You prefer a more subdued colour scheme? Create a cozy feeling with textured fabrics like scrumptious velvets or chunky cable knits.

Layer it on

If summer’s all about taking it off, fall is when we layer it on. Now’s the time to invest in a good quality area rug, or layer two rugs for a modern effect! Another way you can add warmth is with cashmere or faux fur throw blankets.

Blush on

Pink has been a popular color this year (see my “Color Me Pink” blog post). As temperatures cool down, the forecast is for blush tones to continue to be hot. A fall favorite is Benjamin Moore’s Tissue Pink so look for it, or versions of it, on rugs, furniture, decor and more.

May 23, 2017 By IO

Going Coastal

I recently enjoyed some R&R along the Carolina shore. What a goldmine of design inspiration! From delicate seashells and windswept dunes to brilliant sunsets, the options to create your own seaside oasis are endless. Even so, it can be a fine line between going coastal and turning your home into a Key West beach bar. Let’s face it, parrots and palm trees should be kept on Hawaiian shirts –not in your living room! To help avoid potential décor disaster, here are a few tips on creating that laid-back beachy style for yourself.

Coastal Colors

Whether you prefer beachy hues in soft neutrals or more saturated colors, look to nature to help guide your coastal color palette:

Weathered driftwood and sandy beaches

Beautiful turquoise waters

I personally love Benjamin Moore Calypso Blue 727. Here, you can see it adds a bright, vibrant energy to this dining room, especially paired with modern green.

Soft sea glass greens & blues

Capture the colors of sea glass with these Benjamin Moore coastal colors: sea glass and BM paint colours

Keep it Natural

Nothing says coastal style like rattan, jute, sisal, linen. Luckily, there are loads of options to help inject these natural fibers into your design.

Select laid-back furniture in crisp cotton or linen fabrics.

Invest in rattan or cane furniture. Keep it comfy and classic – nothing too formal.

Treasure Chest

The options to add images and accessories that speak to your coastal style are practically unlimited. Whether it’s on a seashell-encrusted pillow or a piece of art, this is where your personality really shines through.

coastal accessories

If you’re feeling inspired, contact me today for more decor and design ideas to help bring the beach to you!

April 6, 2017 By IO

Color Me Pink in 2017

Warm up your space with one of spring’s hottest hues

April is one of my favorite months. It’s when we say “bye-bye winter blues” and “hello spring!” Luckily, one of this season’s hottest color trends makes it easy to add springtime warmth to your interior space. I’m talking about a garden of rose-toned hues.

This isn’t your typical cotton-candy pink…far from it. The rose tones of 2017 are serene and sophisticated. “Pink Bliss” from Benjamin Moore’s 2017 Color Trends Palette is a great example. From living rooms and bedrooms that glow with just a whisper of rose on the walls, to accessories and textiles, these pinks, blushes, roses and corals can be used everywhere. There’s inspiration everywhere I look. Here are a few “think pink” home runs:

A pop of pink and mix of textures and prints gives a neutral sofa personality.

Pink Bliss adds soft serenity to a bedroom.

Photo by Castro Design Studio – Discover traditional bedroom design inspiration

This chaise is pretty in pink – and super comfy!

This fun fabric updates a classic mid-century modern chair.

Two of my favorite things — this season’s hot color and Coco!

May 20, 2016 By IO

What to Expect from a Colour Consultation

There is no denying colour is one of the most effective and affordable ways to change the look and feel of a space. But with so many thousands of colours available today selecting the right ones can be a daunting task. A professional colour consultant will analyze the way colours in your home interact with one another and create colour solutions that significantly enhance your interior decor.

What Does a Colour Consultation Involve?

If you’re planning on redecorating your Toronto home hiring a colour consultant is a great idea. Many people though are unaware of what to expect from the process. Colour consultation as practiced by Isabelle Tremblay of Decor Isabelle is actually a straightforward process that begins with your scheduling an appointment and proceeds from there.

On the day of the appointment Isabelle will arrive at your home and discuss your hopes for the upcoming redecoration. She’ll analyze your current colour scheme, including furniture, flooring and all other elements that impact the overall colour experience of your home.
Based on that analysis and your stated goals she’ll devise a list of major colours you may want to use as well as secondary colours to use on things like the trim. She’ll advise you on how furniture colours interact with and influence other colours in the room as well as whether or not you may want to consider altering your lighting scheme.
During the process Isabelle may advise you on various wall treatments that could enhance the overall effectiveness of your colour scheme as well as window treatments and other elements. She’ll advise you on colours and materials in your current interior design you may want to keep and others you may want to consider changing in the service of visual harmony.
When Isabelle is finished you’ll have a comprehensive guide to the colours that will help you achieve your interior design goals as well as other steps you can take to make your interior design shine the way you want it to.

Colour: The Convergence of Art and Science

A swatch of paint in a paint store or magazine photo may look like the perfect colour but the particulars of light, furniture and other elements in your Hamilton or Burlington home may in fact render it ineffectual or worse once on your walls. It’s important to consult with someone like Isabelle Tremblay who knows the complex science of colour inside and out.

If you are considering repainting or papering your walls, purchasing new furniture, installing new window treatments or undertaking a major renovation or redecoration of your home you’ll want to secure the services of a qualified colour consultant to help bring the disparate elements together. You’ll want Decor Isabelle on your side. Call us on (416) 573-2301 to set up an appointment for a comprehensive colour consultation.

Remember: The goal of a colour consultation is to simplify the decoration process and set your mind at ease. A consultation by Decor Isabelle can help you avoid costly decorating mistakes and provide a clear center around which you can create a complete interior design scheme.