4 must have Holiday Colour Schemes for 2013!

Colour trends are always changing and can be seen in the more recent colour schemes found in holiday décor. The following are my 4 favourite go-to colour combinations for this holiday season.

A)  Classic – Red, White & Green

If you're still in love with traditional colours but want to freshen it up…think pattern!

This off white papered living room gets a burst of festive red color with Christmas accents!

B)  Cool & Classy – Blue, White, Silver

Create a calm look that you can trust to make a beautiful statement this Christmas and next year as well!

A minimalist dining room gets festive when blue and silver Xmas decor is added.

C)  Warm & Cozy – Earth Tones of Green & Gold

Bring the outdoors in with comforting browns, greens, oxblood and a healthy splashs of bronze, copper and gold.

A mix of Urban Country design gets a quick Christmas update with a potted tree.

D) Winter white- For all the achromatic lovers I have included some great Holliday decor ideas all done up in white!  Victoria Seguin

Loft/studio living allows the holiday decor to extend to the sleeping area of this neutral space.

Adding Christmas sparkle to your decor is easy as 1, 2, 3!

If you're like me and not one for all the bright colours this holiday season, think about creating a festive interior by adding subtle touches with sparkle and shine that you can introduce into any room in your home.

This toss cushion is from our very own DSB

ONE… Take for instance the above toss cushion that is embellished with beads for its bling. The sheen draws the eye without the need for color; and instantly A touch of sparkle and glamour are added into your decorating style.

TWO… add reflective surface such as accessories with metallics and glass. They reflect light and add shine to your space, thus doubling their design impact!  Much like the pictured candelabra placed atop a mirrored tray effortlessly increases holiday cheer.

THREE…"The best way I increase visual impact whilst using less items is to increase the size of an object so go for oversized evergreen arrangements that have huge visual presence"Charmaine Wynter The old adage…less is more applies here. Use less pieces, but make them spectacular in impact!   Tatjana Emer

Wow Christmas Mix it ups!

As festive colour schemes are no longer just basic red, white and green; at times finding a stimulating combination for the dining room place settings can be a challenge.

"Now that we have embrace hues like coral, fushia, gold, bronze, blue and silver as holiday colors, these seemingly endless palette possibilities are further increased by pattern combination options as well." Charmaine Wynter

Because we've been frequently asked "How do you combine patterns so successfully?" we've devised a basic step by step guide to aid you in creating balanced pattern combinations that will give you that perfect place setting you see in fine decor magazines every time.
                                                                                                                                                                        Three points you should remember when decorating your dining room table are as follows:

1.  Combine repetitive patterns with overall patterns to create a multi-dimensional look.
2.   Layering textiles with related colours will add interest to the design.
3.   Don’t forget that adding a solid hued place setting to your layered look can neutralize additional patterns. Victoria Seguin

Holiday Gifts...proudly given and received

In this age of philanthropy it is in vogue to give gifts of donation…you know the recipient gets a card or certificate stating that the gift giver has made a donation in the recipient’s name- to some obscure cause you have never heard of- in said amount… Or have you heard family/friends state “Christmas is for kids?”  Translation: We didn't get you anything!  Now I’m all for charitable giving and I have nothing against kids but~ I still like to receive gifts that are tangibly and are just for me. Are you with me here?

Just for fun, and honesty~ I want to see how many of you out there are real enough to state how they truly feel So… I’ve grouped gifts below-in pairs, from each group select the one gift you would prefer to open Christmas morning… post your answers for all to see in the comments.  We’ll quickly see how altruistic folks are.  What will you receive for your efforts?

                               You choose, either. 

a) Satisfaction   or  b) a $50 Wynter Interiors Gift Card

On Christmas morning which gift would you prefer to open?

1.  a) A life experience gift of Serving food at a homeless shelter Or  b) A  black BMW 

2.  a) Donation to animal shelter (in your name)     Or  b) an Ipad Mini

3.  a)  A gift swap with a needy family        

                          Or 

       b) $1000.00 Tax Free Cash

                                                            

And after that truism check, if like me, you'd like to give a gift of donation; click on this link http://www.canadahelps.org/ and select away.

Merry Christmas

Charmaine Wynter

*From all the posts received a winner will be selected by a random draw on Dec 24/13 and contacted to receive their prize of choice.  Please ensure that you have signed up as either a: Stylemaker follower, liked Wynter Interiors FB page, connected on LINKEDIN or subscribed to Wynter Interiors inc YouTube channel so I have your contact info.

"Green" Designer holiday stylish updates!

This holiday season, I've decided to try something more natural... 

Fine bamboo linen throw is an Eco conscious solution to warm with

Organically inspired if you would. Why not join me by adding style to your space with greenery?  So what will you use instead of the usual holiday tinsel and fluff? 

1. Try pinecones, cedar branches, eucalyptus leaves and potted plants such as succulents or paper white bulbs  to adorn your fireplace mantle.  

2. Combine this effort with other natural elements such as wooden close pegs displaying cherished family snapshots in black-and-white for a vintage vibe or sepia for a  monochromatic palette. Also incorporate subtle touches of texture like a white ribbon or natural colored twine ornaments. 

3. Intermix dried fruits such as, pomegranate's, orange rounds, lemons and limes wedges and your mantle top will be fragrant, as well as, appealing to all your senses. 

Now don't stop your holiday decorating there pictured is a gorgeous bedroom made festive with natural elements draped atop of the headboard adding a distinctive luxurious sensory experience to the pop of white added to the blue, gold and green bedroom color scheme. Tatjana Emer

Fun & Easy Designer Ornaments in a Snap!

Let’s face it, Christmas is just around the corner and soon enough we’ll want  the scent of all that makes the season special in our home.

I couldn't think of a better way to accentuate this season than with my designer ginger snap ornaments.  This recipe was originally a European tradition which consisted of preparing various fruit and popcorn to use as decoration for their holiday tree. My family has since modified the tradition into one where we bake cookies and decorate them to use as our one -of -a -kind, original, designer tree ornaments! It's a fun way to loosen your inner child and it makes for a excellent snack too.  

First you must find a delicious recipe for Ginger Snap cookies. Be sure not to confuse these with ginger bread because the difference lies in the flatness and firm consistency of the snap. And follow the following steps to enjoy these versatile treats.


1.   Prepare Dough.

2.   Cut into fun x-mas shapes. (tree, wreath, star, santa, snowman…)

Above: Various shapes my family has made over the years!

3.   Take a straw and make a hole at the top of the cookie before baking in order to hang on tree.

4.   Bake cookies and let them cool off when finished.

5.   Brush with corn syrup and decorate with sprinkles of your choice.

6.   String red, green or white ribbon through the hole you created before baking, tie a knot and hang on the perfect branch. Victoria Seguin

9 interior designer holiday dining room style ideas

With the Holidays just around the corner we've been invited by interior designers chat, http://interiordesignerchat.com/2013/11/10/intdesignerchat-nov-12-topic-how-to-bring-style-and-ingenuity-to-the-dining-room/ to share some holiday interior dressing tips which are special to each of us here at Wynter Interiors DSB and Stylemaker Magazine. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we've enjoyed compiling them. Charmaine Wynter

        

                                                                                                 

They asked: The Holiday’s are all about lighting; what element do you focus most on? 

Tatjana Emer responded: I like adding candles of all shapes and sizes placed in groupings or clusters to my holiday table. I place some in decorative stemware, adding a small candle gives a little more sparkle to the table top. As well, I've used battery operated green wired lights with greenery to add a festive touch to a simple wreath; it allows me to add shimmer wherever it's needed ~similar to the image pictured above.

Interior designers chat asked:  What are your favorite dining room upgrades?

Charmaine Wynter responded: My two favorite upgrades to the dining room are:           

1. A statement chandelier- I saw a blinged out, honking Chrystal piece suspended above a mid-century modern table that sat atop a polished concrete floor in a New York loft years ago and I've never forgotten the impact!  

2. Decorative moulding on the walls -and the ceiling for that matter- weather traditional or transitional it creates a distinctive luxurious feeling to the space and a finely spun hand knotted wool rug...oops that's 3 :)

Interior designers chat asked: What services do you provide for dinning rooms?
Tatjana Emer responded: At Wynter Interiors Inc, we provide complete redesign services for clients. It includes: Space planning, colour consultation, designer wallpaper specification, millwork design, semi custom furniture selection, window covering fabrication, light plans, art and accessory installation. So all they have left to do is host a party!

They asked: What entertaining tips do you suggest for dining rooms during the holiday’s?  

Charmaine Wynter responded: With many of us living in open concept spaces...some say the dining room has gone the way of the dinosaur. I disagree, while we may no longer have the luxury of an entire room...ones' knee is no place to rest a meal. So whether you have a separate room with a dedicated dining set or simply compile a eating surface made out of a old door thrown atop ikea saw-horse legs for the day-

1. A stunning centerpiece is a must- so go big for grand impact intermixing candles, fruit and flowers.

2. Lighting is key- the pendent fixture is star for the day once the table is set.  No overhead light?
Don't  worry add standing lamps placed in all four corners of your room to enhance lighting & dramatic effect.

3. Comfort is important- select your seats wisely a sore tush shorten the life of any gathering no matter how great the wine!  

THE BEST BLACK-and-WHITE UPDATES EVER!

Welcome back Black and White!

"A Modern styled lounge in crisp white with black accents is saved from starkness

 by the floor to ceiling book shelf" Charmaine Wynter

Always classic and not conforming to colour schemes trends; black-and-white have always been
“in”. This designer style movement has spread from simple black-and-white bathroom designs to a
black-and-white palette all over the house. From dining rooms to bedrooms, this color combo is back in the forefront and gaining popularity. 

"A black-and-white bedroom is set off by a mix of metallic frames" Charmaine Wynter

This neutral colour pair can be seen together in rugs, wallpaper, art and the black -and-white pattern can also be found in accessories (lamp above Sold at DSB)   In essence, it's easy to include black-and-white into your space. As a neutral, it can be added to almost any décor to add a classic element that is always en vogue! Tatjana Emer 

Quick & Easy Hall Makeover that Won't Break the Bank!

Draperies, upholstery and rugs are simple and classic ways to add pattern to any room.  But, if you’re looking to add a quirky and hip element to enhance your space

let’s put aside those traditional ways of incorporating personality into your interior design.

Instead, Why not use wallpaper on the risers of each step?

" Various patterned wall coverings were used to highlight

this staircase's risers beautifully" Charmaine Wynter

"One can also achieve a graphic statement using the same wallpaper" Charmaine Wynter

This custom made declaration was for a client 

who wanted a unique sentiment displayed -but 

with limited wall space it was incorporated here!

How to get the look:

  

Select a beautiful designer wallpaper -this one is available through DSB

.

Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for surface prep and installation

Cut to size and apply wallpaper to risers

.

Enjoy your newly decorated space!  Victoria Seguin

How to Glam Up your Interior!

As promised in my last post How to Man Up your Interior here are my sure fire tips on  How to Glam up for Gals without looking like a sissy!  

 " The room is saved from being overly masculine in design, by the addition of these white sculpted  board room chairs" Charmaine Wynter

I bet you think my post is going to be about adding pretty pink floral pictures, satin pillows, ribbons and lace curtains, poofs and frilly accents like that, right?~ Not so. 

1. Start with the basics
When designing a room for female appeal its important to think with your senses; How things look, how they feel, as well as, how they smell plays a huge role in the way a gal enjoys a room.  For her, its natural to want to touch or feel so add a throw on the end of the bed or draped over the back of a sofa she won't be able to resist touching it...which could lead to her touching you!

2. Keep colors simple
A neutral colour scheme of white, black and grey creates a sense of harmony and an atmosphere of comfort that will never go out of style and will ensure that the room can be enjoyed by both sexes. But color is a strong draw for us gals ~ So add color as accent chairs, toss cushions or as trim detail- you can always move small items quickly, to another room on poker night.

" While manly in feel, the flowers flanking the bathroom vanity offer balance to an otherwise dominant decor" Charmaine Wynter

3. Remember your lighting

What woman doesn't want to be the queen of the castle? Fella's, rid yourself of hag lighting (tiny builder ceiling lights) Instead if you dare, hang a crystal chandelier which captures light and adds sparkle making her skin look enticing and showcases her at her irresistible best.

Finally remember guys, any space can be designed in a beautiful manner but when you enter a room that smells like hockey practice it's an instant girl chaser a simple way to feminize a space is to incorporate plants to keep it smelling fresh.

I'm sure these tips are enough to get you started;  should you need additional design help Look me up at www.wynterinteriors.com  Victoria Seguin

How to decorate with Black-and-White

Whatever the draw this fall, black-and-white color combinations have once again turned into the lux interior palette for design aficionados.

" The balance of white and black, and uniformity of furniture style ensure that this is a winning interior"

Tatjana Emer

Perhaps part of the appeal of the black-and-white combination is its more subdued monochromatic character ie, black suits- white shirt, black bag- white gloves. Perhaps the appeal is its classic richness - the black dress coupled with white pearls or the black tux and white tails. Or perhaps the appeal is its timelessness- a black car always looks grand with a white leather interior....

This white trim moulding is visually balanced by the white dining set and lends an almost sculptural quality to the chartreuse chandelier.

Since the advent of color, black-and-white often connotes something "nostalgic", historic or anachronistic and now with fashion mags touting; Get back to black-and-white one can hardly miss that this winning duo are once again in the spotlight for on trend interiors.  Black and White together, are truly yet another medium in which we can showcase our artistic design sensibilities to their full capacity so now that you've looked at some of the interiors be sure to post a comment telling me your favorite. Charmaine Wynter

3 Designer secrets about Color

"We not only play with style to evoke design greatness, we also manipulate space with color" Charmaine Wynter Design Principal Wynter Interiors Inc

A boldly hued orange paint balances out Art Deco styled furnishing in this decor     www.wynterinteriors.com

Color is an extremely important and effective tool in an interior designers arsenal.  We often use bright, bold warm hues to make an object appear larger, or nearer.  We also use color to designate gender~ for instance to add a stronger masculine feel to the room pictured; we deepened the Orange paint applied to the walls. 

"Shades of spice and paprika were used to balance the black lacquer furnishing and strong Art Deco styled elements" Charmaine Wynter

Had we wanted to create a much more feminine feel we could use a less saturated Orange paint on the walls; in tints of coral, flesh tone or peach. Sakshi D. Kapoor

Budget for Success

" Clients often forget that there are many layers involved in the completion of a well dressed interior" Charmaine Wynter ., Design Principal Wynter Interiors inc

This large scale geometric rug is so on trend; all the orange hued accents freshen the neutral decor.


" Most renovator's may only consider the hard element cost associated with a redesign~like a table, or bamboo plank flooring and the related installation fees; forgetting to allocate for decorative expenses like window coverings, a area rug, art and accessories items - elements you'll use on a day to day basis long after the "hard" renovation is complete."Charmaine Wynter,Design Principal Wynter Interiors 

When setting a budget for any makeover, be realistic and make sure you have a budget allotted for luxury upgrades or incidental costs. This should be between 15-25% in addition to the total budget; since you can never be certain what you will desire during a transformation. It can be as small as unexpectedly having to change the colour of a wall for the 3rd time or much more costly such as having to replace the wrong styled dining room set that no longer fits with your decor aesthetics.  Just like any other investment, a makeover requires proper planning and budgeting; do your homework and plan an accurate budget with a little extra for backup.  Tatjana Emer 

5 QUICK ROOM UPDATES WITH ORANGE!

Falling October leaves ensure we remember the seasons are changing.  

All the rich hues of the autumn color palette make Orange just the bright color to add to your interior for a quick seasonal update.  Don't worry if you don't have the budget to go all out.

A little Orange can go a long way~ try introducing it as a large print, as a throw, or as toss cushions!  

Feeling the need for more impact?   Orange makes for a great accent wall weather used as wallpaper, mosaic tiles or simply paint.  

Want to leave a strong impression? For the less faint of heart, try painting geometric rectangular panels of Orange on a neutral background (as pictured below) to brighten and warm your place in a way that's sure to impress!

Charmaine Wynter 

3 Hot Patterns for Fall

We all fell in love with the new patterns of: Chain Link, Geometrics and Paisleys last spring.  

This Chain Link wallpaper ( available through Wynter Interiors DSB) pictured above is a great example  of a fresh take on a classic pattern. 

And still more exciting patterns are on the way for fall … Florals and Organic Shapes are next on the scene. But don't worry these new floral patterns are not like your grandma's old kitchen curtains, the flowers have been reinvented. They have been refined and for now, are mostly two toned or monochromatic in hue. 

In the above picture, an off white background  and darker tangerine flower pattern is set off by vividly colored: flowers, lamp shade and vases. Equally, a diffused yellow-orange background and a bright orange nature inspired pattern could be used to great effect to add freshness and interest to your room without being overly feminine or grandma-like. Tatjana Emer

3 Tips to Man Up your Interior!

Home decorating is no longer just a woman’s domain; men are now having an equal voice when selecting which furniture and finishes to use to personalize their interior. I particularly like to design a space that equally attracts both sexes,however, today’s tips focus on testosterone laden ideas.

1.  A subtle way to incorporate masculinity into your design is through the use of Large Scale lighting fixtures.  

2.  Add Metallic Accents-The clever use of copper in the interior of this chandelier adds a unisex luster.

3.  Using Geometric shapes-Rather than incorporating a traditional chandelier above the island, interject a sense of masculinity with a half dome version as pictured here-

Be sure to check out my following post: 3 tips to add femininity to your interior design. 

Victoria Seguin IDD., CDAD Junior Designer., Wynter Interiors Inc