Art creates focal points

Does the perfect home exist? Perhaps, but then it probably wouldn’t be up for sale! “Using art in a home that has a few unexciting elements can help bring out the best in a space, and draw attention away from its grey areas by turning them into vignettes,” Bluethumb’s interior specialist Alex suggests. Using several pieces in a cluster to create a gallery wall is another option bringing the buyer to focus on a particular feature while diverting them away from others. ​Online curations​ centring on themes or styles can boost inspiration when installing art at home in preparation for a sale. Whether one piece is displayed or several, the important thing is that the art selected flatters the room while downplaying the undesirables.


Tropical prints are big this Summer! This piece by Donna Maloney energises a room by mixing bold leafy greens with house plants.

Play with scale

Play with scale
Play with scale in your home by contrasting low-line furniture with tall indoor plants or lamps, as seen in both of these rooms, or using a rug to make a small space feel larger. Really looking at the scale of your furniture (is it all the same height? Are there any standout pieces?) is a great way to add drama or interest to a room. Another way of doing this is using a statement artwork to draw the eye to the centre of a room. Try Artfinder for affordable original artworks that can be shipped direct to your door.

Tips on painting furniture

Paint is one of the inexpensive ways of transforming that old piece of furniture into a master piece! Check out the Better Homes and Garden website for ideas and tips.

Open fire = WOW!

If you are lucky enough to have an open fire place like this, I suggest that you light it for your open homes and inspections. You're buyers will certainly be impressed.

Great lighting!

How great do these lights look above the kitchen bench. Lighting placement is crucial in the kitchen area. These pendant lights also make a real statement.

Instant impact

You can never go wrong with a great mirror.  Definitely creates a real statement. If you want instant impact place a big mirror above a dresser or sideboard for a quick wow! A mirror can also make a room appear larger and capture views that will enhance the interior of your home.

Cool as!

A house really doesn't seem finished with out some sensational art works adorning the walls. A large piece of art makes a great statement piece and you can take it with you when you sell. I just love this look, very cool indeed!

Quirky?

Take a look at some quirky and interesting pieces

                                                Cards anyone

                                           Wow  

Awesome lighting

                                            

                              Now thats a statement piece! Sure to impress any buyer.

Occasional WOW!

A brightly coloured chair will always make a statement. If your living spaces are lacking that wow factor invest in some new occasional chairs. They will brighten up your room instantly. They will also add that spark of colour to your photographs and the best thing is when you sell you can take them with you to your new home.

Paint Statement indeed!

Paint is the safest first step in adding some personality to your home. The mantra “it’s only paint” is all you need to start your venture. Choose a wall and take a leap of faith. If you’re a little more adventurous, make your paint work for you in a more creative way; a swirl, large stripe, pattern or writing could be your next step.  If you are not feeling that adventurous add a large clock and there you go an instant statement.

       

  

Rug up for Winter with Guest Blogger Shaynna Blaze

Freedoms guest blogger Shaynna Blaze 

I love when the seasons begin to change. Driving through the streets or walking in the park, I can’t help but notice the bursts of colour in the landscape, and it always puts a smile on my face as I discover new inspiring shades. Autumn signifies the end of the warm balmy days, the air turns crisp, the daylight hours become shorter and we start to take our living and entertaining indoors.

Autumn may bring a cool change, but is balanced with the visual warmth on the trees and the ground as they fill with falling leaves of bold russet, reds and golden hues of yellow, orange and brown. This palette is what makes this time of year so visually rich, and using these colours in your home will turn your interior into a welcome relief from the cold outside.

The entry to your home is all about creating a warm welcome, and in autumn you want to feel like you are stepping into a cosy environment. Take the lead from the rich browns of the bare trees and use a colour like Taubmans Endure Chocolate Brown, which will give life to a small area. Contrast with Taubmans Endure Crisp White to create a fresh appearance.For other rooms such as lounge and living areas, draw inspiration from the falling autumn leaves to create a cosy winter interior palette that will instantly transform the space. Using a bold red, such as Taubmans Endure Red Alert or orange, such as Taubmans Endure Two To Tango, signifies passion while also creating a sense of intimacy in a large room. Mix with timber furnishings, as the earthy tones won’t create a stark contrast against the walls and will inspire a serene mood within the room.

 Yellow can be a tricky colour to work with as bright colours can overwhelm a room. Look for yellows that have a depth to them such as Taubmans Endure Golden Orb, as this toned down hue will create a cosy mood within a space. Alternatively you can use pops of bright yellow such as Taubmans Endure Lemon Zest, in your accessories and furnishings to remind you of the warmth of the sunshine that will return after the Winter months.

Funky 60s

A mainstay of the Freedom furniture range, the Sixties Buffet is their take on mid-century modern; capturing the simple design aesthetic of Scandinavian style with a perfect balance of form and function.  I just love it because it is both practical and timeless, and every detail is considered – from the slender tapered legs to the two smooth sliding doors which hide adjustable storage shelving.  A must-have statement piece for your living or dining room!