I’m the sort of person that when reading magazines takes note of the photographer, stylist, make-up artist, writer & even hair stylist. I love that stuff. I can remember who was writing articles in my Dolly magazines when I was little. I love magazines. I love articles. I love the people behind the magazines. Call me crazy, it’s just how I am.
Last weekend I was invited to a home styling session at Freedom with Megan Morton. I’d known about Megan from magazines I’d read, I also bought my Mum her book for Christmas a few years back and I actually met Megan at Ikea this year through a mutual friend… so I was excited to listen to her speak. I adore her style too… it’s so my style. Oh boy… should I stop gushing?
Megan shared 5 great tips for decorating a lounge or living room, and now I’m sharing them with you:
1. Are you an odd or an even?
Megan says this is a great starting point so figure out whether you prefer things in odds or evens. Do you like things in 2’s or 3’s? I’m an odd, so having two big pieces of furniture doesn’t really work for me, nor does decorating in bunches or 2, 4 or even 6. Work out how you like to see things, is it in odds or evens?
2. What’s your focal point?
Where do you want people to look when they enter the room? Is it going to be a chandelier, an artwork or even the couch? Work out what you want to be the focus in the room and then take the room in the direction you need to make it happen.
3. Do you want contrast or harmony?
Do you like a room that looks like it’s straight out of a catalogue {this is usually an even person’s preference} or do you want a room that makes more a statement and has a little quirk to it {for the odd loving people}? Megan suggests for those that like contrast, feel free to mix shiny and matte, old and new items and even cheap and expensive.
4. Have you gone overboard on the curtains?
Just like the Coco Chanel rule for fashion, take one thing off before you leave the house – you need to have a look at your curtains and ask, “Are they too too much?” Curtains shouldn’t take away from the room, should still allow the natural light to filter in and shouldn’t interrupt the view from the windows. Megan says, “I find that loads of houses have more curtains than they actually need.”
5. What’s your favourite colour?
“If you love green, please don’t paint a green feature wall,” pleads Megan, “Instead take the plunge and paint the whole room.” We learnt in the styling session that there’s a fine line between just enough and too much colour. So Megan has created a nifty colour equation to help the decor-challenged: Start with 70% neutral {like a neutral lounge}, add in 20% of your favourite colour {perhaps a rug, an artwork or the walls} and then 10% of another colour {usually red works best here – in a cushion, a throw or a statement vase}.
You can discover more about the amazing Megan here.
Tell me, are you an odd or an even?
I'm definitely an odd and my house is a great mix of old and new, cheap and expensive. I love finding the perfect spot for a treasured ornament collected on holidays or passed down through the family. I love home decorating so much I've even colour coordinated my bookcase!
Great post, thank you for sharing these tips! I love the one about being an odd or even person; I think I'm definitely an odd 😉 xo
Odd. Definitely odd. I love to mix it up. My current favourite part of my lounge room is my stack of retro suitcases that house all my sewing things. I love things that have a story and I love telling those stories.
Mr Cool is an even though – so there is always compromise on both our parts. I think that this means that our house is REALLY balanced – a bit of chaos (me) with a whole lot of melancholic (him).
Great post.
Mwah,
B
I'm an odd! Great tips that would've been such an amazing experience 🙂
Interesting points!
I'm definitely an even person – I like harmony, and like things to be paired – we have 2 recliners and 2x 3 seater lounges, as well as 2 DVD cabinets. We only have one display cabinet, and that has always irked me, but they don't make them anymore so I can't get a match (see? definitely an even person!). That said, I don't want my house looking like its out of a magazine – I want my house to be comfortable, inviting and warm.
our house is finally, after being here just over 5 years, becoming a home. it's very much US as in comfort levels and fits how we live perfectly.
we have mismatched furniture, furniture in rooms where it probably shouldn't be but it fits US perfectly.
~x~
Such great tips. I think I play it way too safe – lots of neutral colours in our house. I need to add more colour! 🙂
I never really thought about it. But I am odd. I laugh to myself because other people would say the same.
I don't think I ever really said I don't like two or even things around the house but as I look around I do like odd numbers.
Go figure!
Thanks for teaching me something new today!!
Im absolutely an odd person. There is something more challenging about making an odd number balance out! And thanks for quoting that point about feature walls – time for them to be laid to rest! Cute blog by the way.
Leah