Visualizing Wall Colour Made Easy

Hope you've been having fun fooling around with mydeco. Along with mydeco and Polyvore ( a site I shared with you in a previous blog that I use to create design/mood boards) I have discovered the benefits of Sherwin Williams' Colour Visualizer. It's a great tool that enables you to view rooms in varying colours. My clients, who are often both excited and nervous about changing the colours in their living spaces, love seeing the finished product before the painting has begun.

One such couple recently hired me for a colour consultation.

The photos below show you the options I presented to them. The furnishings and accessories were already in place when they contacted me. Which do you like best?

Like any tool, the Colour Visualizer needs a bit of practice to master. After uploading a photo, you mask off a space you want to paint. At first I simply used the brush tools and my edges were very uneven. So I started practicing with the tool that masks off complete areas and now have a good sense of how to use it efficiently. There are 2 such tools; one is labeled 'rectangle' and the other 'polygon'. You can paint the walls, ceilings, trim, doors and even furnishings. I have painted over bathroom vanities and window and bed coverings as well.

Have fun with the Colour Visualizer. If you want some colour suggestions or confirmation of your colour choices, just send me a photo. I'd be happy to help you garner Rave Re:views.

Oops! In my haste to pack for Toronto and write my last blog on March 11th close to the midnight hour, I neglected to actually post the entry. It wasn't until the following week when my husband wondered why I hadn't written a blog since early March that I realized my faux pas. Lesson learned: Don't pack and write a blog entry a couple of hours before you have get up early to catch a 6:00 a.m flight!!!

My Deco -Easy to Use Interior Design Floor Planner

I just wanted to introduce you to a site called 'mydeco'. I happened upon it while in search of

an easy online site that I could use to create floor plans. A few years ago I purchased a program when I was designing the interior of my husband's animal hospital. It was called 'Punch-Interior Design'; appropriately named because in attempting to learn how to use it, I wanted to punch my computer over and over and over again!!!! I never did master it. I tried again about a month ago, came close to punching the computer and my husband, then gave up!!!!

Now, I know that I should learn how to use a more sophisticated design program and fully intend to do so, but for the time being 'mydeco' suits me fine. Basically there are items that can be purchased or can just be arranged in a floor plan . The floor plan can be viewed both aerially in 2D or side on 3D. The colours and styles of both the hard and soft furnishings may not be spot on, but I have been able to create facsimiles that help my clients better visualize what their rooms will look like.

I am on the hunt for an easy to use click and drag floor plan/furniture placement program that can be personalized more than can mydeco . I have heard that Icovia and HGTV are two easy to use programs, but reviews suggest otherwise for the HGTV program . The Icovia reviews are hot and cold.

Unlike mydeco which is free, Icovia and the HGTV design program cost money.

Any suggestions???????

So enjoy mydeco . I don't think you'll feel the urge to punch. All you have to do is click and drag. I'm sure your designs will garner Rave Re:views!!

I'm off to Toronto to visit family and friends so I probably won't be posting again until the end of next week. Be careful.... clicking and dragging can become addictive.

Mirrors Are A Reflection Of The World We Live In

I recently read a highly informative posting about the placement of mirrors, written a few years back by one of my Canadian Staging Professional course instructors. Because mirrors reflect the world in which we live, I have always taken into account the reflection produced by mirrors I hang throughout our living space. I have a love affair with interesting looking mirrors and try to incorporate them everywhere. Stylish mirrors can be an inexpensive form of artwork as long as the reflection they produce is pleasing to the eye. That is the essence of the article written by Jackson. If only my pictures looked as professional as do his!!!!

You can't really see the reflection in the mirrors below. I'm sharing them because I love them. I love their uniqueness. I love the fact that each frame has the same brown/black colouring but that each has its own design. I love the fact that the mirror on each frame is a different geometric shape. Maybe I'm drawn to them because I'm a 'rewired' elementary school teacher. Oh! And I love their price-$16.00 each at Winners/ HomeSense. Originally I purchased two but a few days later, the set was made complete when a third called out to me as I wandered the aisles at another Winners' location.

On another note...... I am in heaven! I met a lovely family of 4 who met me through my blog and have hired me for a redesign project. The bright, articulate, song writer to be 13 year old female member of the household and I are working together to create a living space that will meet her needs and tastes.

Wall colour choice-grey. Furniture colours- white and espresso or black. Accent colour-lime green. The room already contains the coolest, vintage- look green patterned swivel chair you can imagine. Should be done by the end of the month since March break is upon us. There will be at least one cool mirror in the room. You can count on that!

Oh and the young lady's name happens to be the same as my daughter's nickname.

Must be -meant to be!!!

Do you want to garner Rave Re:views?

Design Tip : Consider a mirror's reflection before you position it on a wall.

Not sure how high to hang it? Send me a photo. I'll be happy to help you out.

Here's the link to Jackson's posting on Active Rain called Reflecting On Home Staging.