Designer Samantha Pynn's tips on decorating a home with patterns and colour
Virginia MacDonald
In living colour
After waving a happy goodbye to a drab, rundown kitchen (and living room), my team and I removed the dated '70s floor and installed pine-inspired flooring (it's actually vinyl, scratch-free and a snap to install). Sleek appliances, simple furniture and lots of pattern and colour — bold navy, bright yellow and kelly green — give the once dark and dreary space a modern makeover. We even splurged on a tiny marble counter in the kitchen. The result? A cheerful home that's fresh and sophisticated.
Refresh a tired table with a slipcover
Salvage a beat-up dining table by covering it with a neutral tablecloth or custom slipcover (we made ours from beautiful wide-striped linen). Then dress it up by adding a collection of decorative bowls, vases or books that match the colour scheme in the room.
Get this look: Wall paint in Snowfall, sarahpaint.com. Karndean Flooring, Carpet One. All Fabrics, Robert Allen Design. Melrose Sofa in Linen, Sunpan Imports.
Split up furniture sets
A minimal, modern table beautifully complements vintage country chairs. Trendy striped fabric and a coat of paint give older chairs a fresh but classic look.
Get this look: Kitchen cabinet paint in Shark Waters, Para Paints. Cabinets, Ikea. Hardware, Lee Valley. Carrera countertop, Latitude. Blinds, Levolor. Emerson Curva Sky Fan, Northern Fan.
Make the most of your wall space
Take advantage of a blank wall to create storage solutions. Add a few wooden hooks to create a handy place for coats or towels. Or install shallow shelves in an old milk door (left) or between the studs of the wall—perfect for small everyday necessities.
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