Each room in the house has the power to evoke a mood and an atmosphere. A light green bathroom can be relaxing, creating a quiet environment, while a bright yellow entrance is warm and invigorating. The colour, texture and lighting can stimulate the senses and arouse emotions. Our homes can become a haven of peace to calm the soul and refresh the mind.

One of the most important aspects of the decoration process is to create the best atmosphere for you, an environment where you feel good, comfortable and happy.

Watch The Light

Most of us do not consider the effects of light when we decorate our homes, when in fact light is perhaps the most important factor when designing a house. Living with so many hours of artificial light, we tend to often forget the effects of changing natural light throughout the day, and how the passing seasons affect how we see color.

Natural light keeps the world alive and you must take the maximum advantage. Try to maximize the amount of daylight into your home with as many windows as possible. If your entry is dark, consider using a glass door that let diffuse light. For example, if a bathroom has a large window and gets lots of light during the day, while a palette of pale blue and purple is very pretty. We must also remember that at different times of the year, with seasonal changes, a room may take a different personality. In winter the house becomes darker, and the artificial light is used in greater quantity. We must then choose a scheme that works with both natural and artificial light, like dark purple or brown/coffee.

Artificial light is part of our lives. We must consider three main types of light. The first is the strong light, useful for tasks of life like work, cook or read. The second is an ambient light, which is the general light of a room, or it is often preferable to install a dimmer switch as it is often too strong. Finally, there is the light that creates a certain atmosphere, often sweet, romantic and intimate; that should be a very low light (e.g. candles).