Canvas Corp
Design Tips Blog

Creative, fun design solutions that inspire.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Design Q & A

Q. I am updating our second bathroom and our vanity needs help, it is made from particleboard with a hardwood veneer laminated onto the particleboard, can I use your Furniture, Cabinet and Trim Paint?

A. Yes, our paint will adhere to particle board and veneers. We suggest an initial thin coat that you allow to dry a minimum of 24 hours and if you can avoid showering in the space to eliminate as much moisture as possible. You can add one to two more coats of paint, depending on the color you are covering. We have painted with both a roller and a paint brush and both perform well for projects like this. The paint will also adhere and level around the hinges, so they may be painted as well.

Design is in the Detail

Hanging art, photographs and other wall decor is one of the key elements of finishing any design project. When the wall hardware does not match the other metal finishes in the space, it stands out like a sore thumb. We found that many designers and decorators had the same dilemma and they have been known to spray paint the hardware before hanging it. Now there is a solution: Decorative Wall Hardware in six great finishes copper, black iron, antique bronze, brass, nickel and pewter. Each kit comes with a just the right variety of hardware items.

Environmentally Smart Design
To create a cohesive wall of photos, bring together a series of outdated photo frames. Don't worry about the color or finish, just focus on the right sizes for your photos. Flea markets, garage sales and maybe even your own closet are great places to find old frames. Choose one paint color from our Furniture, Cabinet and Trim Paint collection that works with your décor. Black is always a safe bet, but consider one of our other neutrals. Paint all of the frames with the same color, turning them into a collection verses a random group. Hang them on the wall or place them together on shelves. One can of paint smartly saved many cast aside frames.

Creative Home Decor
It is holiday time and I love to decorate. We have six trees decorated this year, each with a different theme. If you are ready for a change, think about updating your Christmas tree decor. Consider a new color scheme; there are so many different options available or a theme that represents you and your family, such as skiing, the beach, nature, cooking, wine or the garden. To give your new tree dimension, incorporate small and large objects together, work in multiples and choose colors that work well together to create a cohesive look. Your tree does not have to be filled with traditional ornaments that match your theme. For example, if creating a beach theme, introduce star fish, rope, sea shells, and then fill in with ornaments that compliment your colors. I created a Lake House themed tree with a friend of mine and you can view: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/25979/lake-house-themed-christmas-tree . You may even want to put your tree stand in a bucket and fill it with sand.

Inspiration to DIY Design
Today's home market has made it difficult to simply sell and move, so it is time to get creative and inspired to do some things around your home. Every design project should start with a simple plan, if you start without one you will end up purchasing furniture, accessories and materials that you may not even be able to use. Start simple. Choose a space that you know you can start and complete. If you undertake a large project that is too overwhelming, you may reduce your success rate. I suggest starting with a guest bedroom, child's room or home office. These are three spaces that are fun to decorate and can come together quickly. Step 1: Look for inspiration in magazines and catalogs, or ask your children what they love. Step 2: Gather samples of paint colors, fabrics, flooring, etc. for the space. Choose colors and textures that you are drawn to, some may end up being the main color focus and others accent pieces. Step 3: If you are going to add furniture, window treatments, paint a mural, now is the time to do that research. Locate pictures from magazines, catalogs, and the web, or sketch them yourself so that you have an idea of what you will need. Step 4: MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE! You should know the size of everything in the space before you begin: the room, the windows, doorways, closets, bed, dresser, desk, etc. Step 5: Create a floor plan for the room. Choose the location for existing furniture and accessories, and plan for new objects in the space. Step 6: Pull all of your information together and determine the final design for the space. Step 7: Design your space.

We love this process and created a collection of products to help it run more smoothly. Our Design Project Organizer is a blank organizer that is ready to be filled with everything you collect during the design process and our Room Spacing Kits help you create a design board similar to those created by interior designers that will help you visualize the furniture plan, how the colors come together, and the design style that appeals most to you. This board is also a great help when sharing your design idea with others in the family. A picture says a thousand words and with a plan and a roadmap you are ready to embark on your first project.

This modern bedroom design board was created with our Bedroom Room Spacing Kit