This or That: Living Rooms

Planning on sprucing up your space for fall? One of the areas of the home that can see the most change on a seasonal basis is the living room. Throws and pillows are easy to replace, and are a great way to incorporate the latest trends into a room without making a major investment or commitment. The potential for fluidity within your living room means you can try new things out, get a little festive depending on the upcoming holidays, and continue to adapt your space as your family changes.

If you’re feeling inspired to make a change, we’ve got to ask: which of the two living rooms below would you try and emulate? Do you prefer Option A’s warm grays and welcoming art? Or are you more interested in the fun patterns and bright space that Option B presents? Where would you rather gather your family for game nights or host a book club?

OPTION A

Image via My Full House

OPTION B 

Image via Inspired By Charm

Our Choice: Option B

Although we can appreciate the coziness of Option A, our heart lies with Option B. Yes, it’s a little showy and the patterns are a lot for the eye to take in, but we find that charming. Option A is neutral and soothing and perfect for a small space, but our dream living room is a bit funkier.

Don’t agree? We want to hear from you! Connect with us on Twitter or Facebook and let us know what you think. 

Did you know that connecting with us on Facebook has perks beyond sharing your thoughts on home decor? It's the place to get celebrity style tips, home show updates, and ticket deals! Right now you can get 2-for-1 tickets to the Marketplace Events Home Show nearest you when you visit our Facebook ticket deals. 

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Make Jaws Drop With Your Living Room Decor

The most interesting and dynamic living room design and decor makes a statement and creates a discussion among friends and visitors. Consider incorporating some of the trends below to spark the discussion you want without having to do a full remodel.

Layered textures. Combining materials like metal, leather, wood, silk, and glass creates unexpected interest in a room.

Image via Pop Sugar

Play with patterns. Bold, large-scale patterns are on trend for 2015. Consider these for something like your window furnishings or throw pillows. By trying on these bold patterns through accents, it's easy to replace them in the next season if your love for them begins to dwindle over time.

Image via Pop Sugar

Mod is back. The mod influences of the 1960s are back. Embrace the trend by incorporating pops of colours, geometric patterns, chrome, and glass.

Image via Classy Clutter

Try going neon. Neon is a huge trend for 2015. To dip your toes in, without jumping head first, try hints of neon on a background of pastel. This can be a fun way to inject some more colour and excitement into your decor for spring and summer.

Image via Her Campus

For staples, think classic. For those staple pieces that will stay in your home for a long time, go for a more classic design. While it's fun to be creative, too much decorative creativity can result in constant updating to keep up with the trends. Consider spicing things up with smaller, creative accents that you can switch up as new trends develop.

For one-on-one design tips, Lee-Ann LaCroix will be at the Ottawa Home & Garden Show's Ask the Expert Zone on Saturday, March 28th from 4-7pm. It's first-come, first-served, so make sure you're first in line - and don't forget your colour swatches! The show takes over the EY Centre March 26-29, 2015. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 on Facebook and treat a friend or family member to the show!

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Favourite Five: Trend-setting Patterns

Feeling a little pattern-shy? From stripes to polka dots to paisley, choosing the perfect prints for your pad can make your head spin, but fear not: the experts appearing at the Calgary and Vancouver Home + Design Shows got graphic and gave us the down-low on their favourite patterns for Fall 2013.

1.  Geometric

Of all the geometric prints on the market, the chevron pattern wins the popularity contest hands down. With its classic V-shape, the chevron is a simple pattern with a big impact. From your home décor to your wardrobe, there is no place that chevron can’t go!

2.  Floral

Forget pastel prints from the 80s – the modern floral motif features vibrant blossoms and bold colours. Make a floral feature wall that pops and set a trendy yet tasteful precedent for your decorating style.

If you’re having trouble adding pattern to your space, look to Clare Gardner, sales and design consultant at Cardel Homes for a little advice. Channel Clare’s daring design style and combine floral, striped and geometric patterns in small, stylish doses.

Get more pattern pairing advice from Clare when she appears with Marie-Claire Williams on the Trail Appliances Main Stage at the Calgary Home + Design Show on Saturday Sept. 21 at 4pm and Sunday Sept. 22 at 1pm.

3.  Animal

From zebra to cheetah to tiger, the animal kingdom offers plenty of inspiration for chic interiors. Earn your style stripes with warm leopard and giraffe motifs. Pro tip: incorporate these patterns sparingly to avoid an unfortunate Jersey Shore-esque animal print overdose.

4.  Ikat

This centuries-old print features soft, irregularly shaped graphics perfectly suited to worldly, artistic spaces. Softer than geometrics and more subdued than animal prints, this pattern is the perfect complement to a wide range of design styles, from eclectic bohemian to mid-century modern.

5.  Plaids

Typically associated with a boy’s bedroom or professor’s study, modern plaid is breaking boundaries and proving itself a design staple beyond the norm. Try incorporating brightly coloured plaid by tossing cushions and throws into your den décor for a twist on the traditional.

Interior designer Aly Velji loves to mix up his pattern play with pops of texture.. Animal and ikat prints are best suited for textiles, but Aly also recommends using patterned wallpaper, perhaps in place of an art piece.

Aly will be dishing out more design tips on the Main Stage at both the Calgary and Vancouver Home + Design Shows.  Catch him in Calgary at 6pm on Friday Sept. 20, at 2pm on Saturday Sept. 21 and again at 12pm on Sunday Sept. 22. Vancouverites can see him on Friday Oct. 18 at 4pm and Sunday Oct. 20 at 12pm.

Now that you've got the pattern basics down pat, try putting your new skills to the test! Leave a comment below to tell us how it goes.

Before you get too wrapped up in a whirlwind of pattern, get your tickets online for Calgary and VancouverHome + Design Show today and save $3 on regular adult admission! 

    

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Fall In Love With: CHEVRON

Chevron Wall via Apartment Therapy

Lately I've noticed that stripes have taken a backseat to CHEVRON! A fun and funky pattern that truly looks great on all peices in all rooms. So from walls, to rugs, here re some of my favorite chevron decor items.

 Top 5 Chevron Decor

Check out How to Create a Chevron Wall by Sarah J on Snapguide.

The above Snapguide by Sarah J is absolutely stunning. Not only is the wall beautiful but her tutorial is helpful and will come in handy when you are taping up your walls!

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