Simply stylish
What happens when a Norwegian-born fashion retailer sets up house with a French cosmetics exec in rural Quebec? A whole lot of design magic, that's what. "We fell in love with it on a country drive ages ago," says homeowner Nina Dyson, of her 21-year-old home in the Eastern Townships. Several years later an excited agent called them to let them know the house was on the market. They bought it immediately, despite the home's dark and dated interior. "The first thing I did was order a special whitewash that's traditionally used in Norway and did all the wood —even the floors, which had coats of dark stain on them," she says. Her Norwegian roots also show in the way she's used colour and in the overall lightness of the design. "There's something about the light in Scandinavia that makes us Northerners gravitate toward the combination of white with bright colours. Maybe it's the endless summer days, the Northern lights or the dark winters, where we fill the house with candlelight, but we've learned to create spaces that are both modern and comforting." Even in the winter, with all the snow outside, Nina says her colour of choice is easy to live with and maintain. "My husband and kids love it so much, I've convinced them all to paint our city house white, too!"
Get this look: Paint, All White, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Biltmore Domicile. Pillows, Ikea. Throw, Oleana. Lanterns, Lamp, both Artemide.
Also see: 11 ways to update your home decor
Go drape-less.
There's no better place than the countryside to bring the outdoors in. The view becomes part of the interior design. Maximize the feeling by accenting the interior decor with hits of green and blue. Mirror the look with glass-fronted cabinets.
Get this look: Paint, All White, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Biltmore Domicile. Pillows, Ikea. Throw, Oleana. Lanterns, Lamp, both Artemide.
Also see: How to refinish a dresser with an ombre effect in three easy steps
Try a super-low coffee table
While it offers great display space, a large coffee table can also be visually distracting, especially when it blocks the view of a roaring fire. Avoid this trap by choosing a low modern one. Here, the cool white marble is also a welcome contrast to the rustic fireplace stones.
Get this look: Paint, All White, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Biltmore Domicile. Pillows, Ikea. Throw, Oleana. Lanterns, Lamp, both Artemide.
Also see: Sarah Richardson's design tips to make over your basement
Rethink office furniture
They may have a bad rap, but classic mid-century modern workplace pieces deserve to be brought home and loved. Pair this boardroom table with minimalist chairs in a very bold colour, and accessorize it with oversized decorative lanterns for a look that goes way beyond nine-to-five.
Get this look: Paint, All White, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Biltmore Domicile. Pillows, Ikea. Throw, Oleana. Lanterns, Lamp, both Artemide.
Also see: Home design: Simple, elegant monochromatic decor
Create an outdoor living room
A modern white couch and matching coffee table make a welcome place to lounge that extends the living space outside. The whitewashed railing and ceiling of the porch offer a crisp counterpoint to the manicured lawn; the decking is stained an earthy brown, for ease of maintenance.
Get this look: Paint, All White, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Biltmore Domicile. Pillows, Ikea. Throw, Oleana. Lanterns, Lamp, both Artemide.
Also see: Seven outdoor lighting ideas
Whitewash everything
Unify mismatching woods (in flooring, panelling and stairs) by whitewashing floors, ceilings and walls. To get the effect, apply diluted paint to wet bare wood. Bonus: This trick unifies the different tones but still provides enough colour variation to feel rich and textural and keep the warm of wood.
Get this look: Green Chairs, Arper. Desk, Ikea. Lamp and Desk Accessories, all Home Sense.
Hang a statement light over your bed
Bold lighting isn't just for dining rooms anymore. A larger-than-life rice paper ball is the perfect accessory for this simple bedroom. It adds drama and makes clever use of the home's slanting ceiling. Try a chandelier in other unexpected places, like the bathroom or kitchen, too.
Get this look: Paint, All White, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Biltmore Domicile. Pillows, Ikea. Throw, Oleana. Lanterns, Lamp, both Artemide.
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