How to Use Color Well
Always choose one color to start your scheme. That color can come from an existing piece of artwork, a rug, existing upholstery fabric, or a silk flower arrangement. if you are decorating from plans or blue prints then it is often best to start planning color from the floor up.

Decide what type of look and or color scheme, then start “layering” your color using your selected color scheme, starting with the largest areas, floor, walls and ceiling. Slowly bring in other large pieces, furniture, chairs, etc.

Remembering to balance the room. Don’t group all the same color in one area, “sprinkle” it so that it is easy on your eye.

Using patterns is often a hurdle for some people so they just don’t bother, and the color scheme lacks interest. We need to make our schemes look alive by using either pattern and / or texture.

Think in three dimensions when you plan your color, dark curtains will enclose a room, a similar tone to the walls will keep the space looking open for example. A dark color for the floor will essentially “ground” your scheme. To create a cosy intimate feeling use warm dark colors, to create light and airy the opposite, pale and fresh, cool colors will open up a room, and it will feel cool. A dark colored ceiling will lower the height of a room, and the opposite if you use white. Color can be used to reshape your room, for example you have a rectangular room, you can make it look more like a square if you paint the two shortest walls a darker color than the longer walls, this will make them appear to advance, and make the room feel more balanced.

Test your color scheme – get “test” or “sample” pots of paint and paint large pieces of card or board. Put them in your room or order a large sample of wallpaper or large piece of fabric. Leave these items in the area that you wish to decorate and look at how they change at different times of the day, due to different lighting situations. The will look dramatically different, this is when you need to decide when the room will be used the most and what color looks best in that light!

Ensure that the room or area that you are working in coordinates or is in harmony with the rest of the house. There is nothing worse than a disjointed color scheme with rooms colored haphazardly, it is very unsettling for a designer, as well as everyone else!

If you are looking to choose colors that are in vogue now, your local paint store will be able to help, paint companies keep on top of fashion colors and produce ranges of colors to suit, but if you don’t have any luck there then try the fabric stores, they have new ranges of colors for every season. The other place is of course up to date home and garden or interior decorating magazines.

Make sure the room has enough light to do your color scheme justice. A very poorly lit room will never look go no matter what you do. Lighting is the interior designer and decorators secret weapon!

Article written by Lee Brown of http://www.interiordezine.com
For more on colour see his very useful colour materclass here

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After all, theres nothing wrong with it (even if it isnt exactly designer) & you can still use it. But sometimes thats hardly the point. If you want to retire your old dining table to different pastures rather than throw it away here are some ideas

- Use it in the garage or workshop. Perfect for storing paint on, putting boxes under & working on, a dining table is useful to have in the garage.
- Give it to the children as a craft/play/homework table. Obviously this requires a playroom, but as they get older a ‘real’ table will be needed rather than one made for small children.
- Use it as a craft table yourself. Dont laugh, but crafts are making a comeback, & there are some amazing blogs with fantastic contemporary ideas.
- Put it in a home office. Home office desks are the same size anyway, & you can always buy separate drawers on wheels to go under it.
- If its wooden cut it through the middle & use it as a console table. You will need brackets to support the top where it meets the wall, & if it isnt a colour you like it will need repainting, but the advantage is that you can cut it to fit.
And if you can think of a use for your old table but havent found a new one why not take a look at our selection of dining tables here & be inspired?

Nowadays, modern bedroom furniture comes in many different styles. From ultra versatile Italian Canaletto walnut, to shiny lacquer to padded leather & fabric, you can find any style to suit your preference. Designer furniture can be bespoke and made up individually, or you can choose from an extended range of materials and finishes. Cupboards can be straight forward and elementary, or could include a slim remote control television set. Solid wood or mirror finishes; hinging or sliding doors are all available.

Apart from beds and cupboards, pedestals and cabinets are also available in a variety of finishes to complement the rest of the bedroom. Children’s bedrooms also have a large variety to choose from; cleverly selected contemporary bedroom furniture will adapt with a child and can be used even by teenagers.

A fresh new look using such modern furniture will also have a positive effect on how you feel. With the latest designer furniture you will want to be in more, enjoying your choices and as a result you will benefit from how they affect the overall look and feel of the space. Of course, be in a space you like and you’ll find it easier to relax and unwind after a hard day.

However, perhaps the best thing about redecorating with modern furniture is getting to choose precisely what you like and where you will place it in your home. Let your imagination run a little wild if you like and go beyond a traditional three piece suite, coffee table and television stand. Why not opt for something a little different in fabric, shape or colour? A change in interior design and contemporary furniture really is a chance to show a piece of your soul to those you want to see it.