November 30, 2009
Success Begins with Good Design
Did you know good design decisions underpin every successful renovation? According to Kelly Deck at the Globe & Mail, there are design no-no’s that should be avoided. Corner fireplaces are a problem because they place a natural focal point in an awkward location. This either leads to an off-kilter furniture arrangement or to visitor disorientation. Fireplaces are best located on the long run of a wall where they centre a room and act as an effortless focal point. Unless you live in a colonial mansion, you want to eschew the spiral staircase. It wedges a circular shape into a square space, creating odd angles and disrupting flow. Install French doors only where appropriate. They belong at the entrances to formal rooms, where they facilitate a view through to the lovely décor and enable the host to sweep open the double expanse of doors in a dramatic gesture. The bottom line? Choose features and finishes that complement the fundamental character of your home.
