The 5 Interior Design hacks I can’t live without

Written by roomjunkie on May 23, 2015. Posted in Blog

My 5 best Interior Design hacks

View this email in your browser

This morning I was thinking about the things that make my design life easy, and also about the hacks and helpers that I literally couldn’t live without. Here they are in ascending order of importance in my life. Hopefully, they will help you too!

1. BIN Primer by Zinnser

This may not be the sexiest design secret that I will ever share with you, but it may be one of the most useful!

BIN primer by http://www.zinsseruk.com/ is the ultimate shellac-based primer, sealer and stain killer. It is perfect for use on interior surfaces and spot priming of exterior surfaces. including glass, and it blocks stubborn and persistent stains.

It has a high adhesion shellac formula which seals porous surfaces, even sealing bleeding knots and sap streaks. It works brilliantly on water stains, fungal degradation, mould, nicotine, oil stains, marker pen stains and more. It also blocks all kinds of odour (from smoke and fire damage, to smells from pets and cigarettes).

You can use it on interior ceilings, walls, doors, fireplaces and any paintable surfaces and also for spot priming on exterior metal, trims, PVC and timber.

I always have some in my cupboard and have have used it on every single item of furniture that I have ever painted. I know that advanced technology has now produced self priming eggshell paint, but I will always consider BIN primer to be my best friend!

2. The Houzz website

Many of you have already discovered http://www.houzz.com and use it to inspire you, as you create your own room designs.

Simply put, it is an online platform for home renovation and design inspiration, bringing homeowners and design professionals together in a uniquely visual community.

No matter what space you are working on, or what your personal style is, you will always find something to inspire you on Houzz. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a bedside locker, the perfect taps or a whole room redesign, it is simply the best place to discover products and to become inspired.

I am very proud that Room Junkie
http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/roomjunkie/roomjunkie was invited by Houzz UK to participate on their site. I need to spend some time on upgrading my profile by adding lots more photographs and reviews. This is on my immediate “to do” list!

I frequently visit this site to find new products and to help my creative juices flow. It has become the Google for interior design, and I would find it hard to live without it.

3. A signature scent

This is something that I started to do a few years ago, and it brings a lovely sense of comfort to our home.

Memories are tied up in familiar scents, and I just love coming home and smelling Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir, which instantly says “welcome home” to my family. I burn the same fragrance throughout the house, and although I aim for subtlety not an overpowering effect, you are always aware of the underlying gorgeous smell.It probably eliminates any doggy smells too!

Whenever I am away from home, I bring a travel sized candle with me. It helps me to relax and unwind.

So, pick whatever signature scent you prefer, and try it out in your home. The secret lies in having the one scent throughout your home. It will definitely contribute to a pleasing familiar sense of contentment. Your family will thank you for it.

4. Big mirrors

Never , ever underestimate the transformational power of a large mirror.

Whether you want to create a feeling of more space, or you want to open up a dark room, or bring an attractive outdoor view indoors, nothing will do this more effectively than the placement of an appropriate mirror.

It doesn’t have to be expensive either. You local glass shop can make one to whatever size and shape you require.

You can often pick up a mirror with a plain frame quite inexpensively in second-hand or charity shops, or even in your local chain store, or DIY shop. A lick of paint to the frame is all you need to transform it, and maybe a little BIN primer!!

The first time I ever used a huge mirror, was when I took part in RTE’s Showhouse challenge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D0cekdpjCo

I completely covered the wall behind the bath in a huge mirror. It was a tiny bathroom, and because the house next door did not have a mirror, mine easily looked twice as big!! #Winner

5. Paint

Whether you want to create excitement in a feature wall, or to transform old mismatched furniture, nothing will ever beat the inexpensive application of a few coats of paint to radically alter the look.

When the budget is low, paint is always my secret sauce to bring about a designer look.Remember too, that you can now paint pretty much any surface, even fabric, so unleash your imagination and grab that paintbrush!

If you are near Donegal, here is a link to all the information about the next Interior Design Masterclass, which begins next Wednesday night May 27th.
http://www.roomjunkie.com/new-interior-design-evening-masterclass/

Also, if you would like to attend a Masterclass in your own area, please get in touch. I am planning on doing a nationwide tour!

http://www.zoffany.com

Need some Help?

Are you in need of some design inspiration in your own home, or maybe you just don’t have the time, or don’t know where to start?

If any of this this sounds familiar, then perhaps I can help. Why don’t you contact me to arrange a free, no obligation, telephone consultation?

E mail - anne@roomjunkie.com

Phone – +353 87 6867665

https://www.facebook.com/RoomJunkie

https://twitter.com/roomjunkiecom

All of us have the brightest light shining inside us. It is our personality, our creativity and our love.

This week, take some time out just for you, and let your brightest light shine hugely.

Stay fabulous,
Anne

Continue Reading

How to choose the perfect paint colour

Written by roomjunkie on May 17, 2015. Posted in Blog

How to pick the perfect paint colour every time

View this email in your browser

Some tips to help you create the perfect colour scheme

If you genuinely feel uncertain about choosing the perfect wall colour, I would encourage you to try out this fool proof tip. Use your fabric to help you pick your colour scheme!

One of the easiest ways to pick the perfect paint colour for your wall, is to take inspiration from your fabric. If you match your wall colour to the base colour, or the background colour of your fabric, you will NEVER again choose the wrong colour paint. Sometimes, in a heavily patterned fabric, you will find this colour on the reverse of the fabric. You can use a lighter or a darker tone of the colour, depending on your personal preference, but I promise you that it will always work.

In the photo above, which is my of my Family Room, I picked a paint colour that is a shade deeper than the background colour of the curtains. I then chose orange as my primary accent colour, with chocolate brown as the supporting act. The accent colour does not have to be terribly dominant in the fabric, however, that one colour will make a strong statement, when carried evenly around the room. This creates pleasing balance, and a room that hangs together very well. The deeper chocolate colour grounds the scheme, and adds extra depth.

In this Living Room, the wall colour was inspired by the striped cushion, with a deeper tone of the grey chosen for the walls.

Look carefully, and you will see that the accent colours of lime green and tangerine have been deliberately carried around the room, creating perfect colour balance.

You don’t always have to pick a pale colour for your walls. This deep grey works even though the ceilings are not high, because it is perfectly complemented by the white architrave, ceiling and fireplace. It also enjoys good light from the three windows. However, it is the strategic placement of the accent colours which really make this room sing.

This fresh New England style bedroom was designed by matching the paint colour to the blue flower in the curtain fabric, for the accent wall, while keeping the other walls exactly the same colour as the base colour of the fabric. The addition of taupe as the accent colour really defines the scheme. When working with blue and white, I always add a little taupe, it is my “secret sauce” tip for success with this particular colour scheme!

A little “cookbook” tip when decorating a room is to divide the colours used into 60% of the dominant colour, 30% of the secondary colour and 10% of the accent colour. The wall colour is generally the majority colour, the upholstery or rug the secondary colour, with the accessories and cushions making up the accent colour. This always works, the colours are well balanced and there is a strong shot of accent colour to provide interest. The above three rooms follow this percentage rule.

Top Three DIY Tips

Upholster a chair

Take an old chair, and strip off the fabric.

Keep the upholstery trim and tacks to re-use when you are finished.

If you wish to repaint the chair, now is the best time to do so.

Using the fabric that you have removed as a template, cut out your new fabric, and position it neatly. Using a staple gun, fix it in place.

Reapply the upholstery trim and you are finished. Now, how difficult was that?

Paint old furniture

The cheapest and easiest way of revamping old furniture is by painting it.

If you need to prime it first, my favourite primers are BIN and Bullseye 123 both made by Zinsser.

Then add a coat or two of satinwood or eggshell paint. You can use a small roller to speed things up.You can replace your knobs like I did here, or paint your original knobs.

Autentico Paint do a self priming, self sealing superior eggshell paint, which is enjoying great press at the moment, and which comes in loads of gorgeous colours.

http://www.autentico-chalk-paint.co.uk/

Paint over ugly tiles

If you have inherited old, dated tiles,you can easily transform them with a paint like Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint.

There are plenty of colour options, although I would advise that you stick to neutrals, letting your accessories provide a splash of colour.

The paint is waterproof and mould resistant too, so is suitable for using in kitchens and bathrooms.

This is so much easier and cheaper than changing your tiles.

“Unleash the Designer in You”

Your Interior Design Masterclass

Here is a link to all the information about the next Interior Design Masterclass which begins next Wednesday night

http://www.roomjunkie.com/new-interior-design-evening-masterclass/

This week,remember to ignite your own spark, and leave a little sparkle wherever you go!

Stay fabulous,
Anne xx

Continue Reading

New Interior Design Evening Masterclass

Written by roomjunkie on May 17, 2015. Posted in Blog

Evening Classes.

Want to become your own Interior Designer?

View this email in your browser

Does this sound like you?

Be honest, are you a bit addicted to Houzz and Pinterest? Do you buy all the house magazines, watch all the TV shows and constantly have hundreds of ideas buzzing through your head?

You know that you have a good eye, you know what you like, but somehow you simply lack the confidence to trust yourself. Maybe you don’t always get it quite right either and you don’t know why.

If this is you, fantastic, HELP is at hand!

“Unleash the Designer in You”

Your Interior Design Masterclass

This is where I will show you how to

1. Find your own unique style, mix up different styles and develop the confidence to get it right every time.

My first design project was to turn a bare shell into a Showhouse for Shane Filan of Westlife, with the RTE cameras filming throughout. Regardless, I had the confidence and self belief to pull it off.

I want to share with YOU my simple secrets for successful design, and how YOU can also develop the confidence to achieve this for yourself.

2. Perfect your colour scheme every time.

This is vital to the success of every room. It is where I always start and there are many tricks to ensure that you never make a mistake with colour ever again.

3. Layout and Lighting

Each is equally important and you simply will not have a room that works if both are not perfect.

There is no point in having a beautiful looking design if it does not function well. Thankfully, there are many tricks that I can teach you, so that you can do this effortlessly.

4. Professional staging.

This is what separates an average design from something truly stunning.

There are so many tips and secrets that I will share with you, after which you will instinctively know how to finish off your room like a professional, from hanging pictures to arranging flowers. This is also extremely useful if you are preparing a property for sale. I call it the Showhouse effect.

5. Managing your project.

I am married to an Accountant and I have learned that the most important aspect of your design success lies in successful money management.

Thankfully, there are many ways to stretch your budget and I will share all of them with you.

I will also show you how to successfully schedule the works and how to keep one step ahead of the tradesmen.

I will also teach you how to manage all the various trades, what you need to know and what to do when things go wrong, because invariably things do go wrong. However, every scenario is fixable and forgettable!

6. We will wrap up with a Question and Answer Session for the final 30 minutes of Week 2, where you can discuss your own design projects.

This EXCITING evening event

takes place on

Wednesday May 20th & Wednesday May 27th

at

The Silver Tassie Hotel
Letterkenny

from 7pm untill 9pm

and the cost is €69.

This includes Tea / Coffee

An eBook containing detailed course notes, photographs and “how to” videos

the eBook “101 Interior Design Secrets”

exclusive Lifetime membership of the private Room Junkie Masterclass Facebook Group

and the best evening out you have had in ages!

Warning!

This is only for you, if you have a genuine interest in Interior Design and you really want to build your knowledge and confidence to a level where you will consistently and competently create the perfect room.

Numbers are strictly limited, so to register interest, or to find out more information just email

anne@roomjunkie.com

or call 087 6867665.

Stay fabulous,
Anne xx

PS Don’t forget to share the news with any of your friends who may be interested.

This has the makings of a great girls gig, but the boys are more than welcome too.

Continue Reading

Masterclass Evening Classes

Written by roomjunkie on April 29, 2015. Posted in Blog

Evening Classes.

Want to become your own Interior Designer?

View this email in your browser

Does this sound like you?

Be honest, are you a bit addicted to Houzz and Pinterest? Do you buy all the house magazines, watch all the TV shows and constantly have hundreds of ideas buzzing through your head?

You know that you have a good eye, you know what you like, but somehow you simply lack the confidence to trust yourself. Maybe you don’t always get it quite right either and you don’t know why.

If this is you, fantastic, HELP is at hand!

“Unleash the Designer in You”

Your Interior Design Masterclass

This is where I will show you how to

1. Find your own unique style, mix up different styles and develop the confidence to get it right every time.

My first design project was to turn a bare shell into a Showhouse for Shane Filan of Westlife, with the RTE cameras filming throughout. Regardless, I had the confidence and self belief to pull it off.

I want to share with YOU my simple secrets for successful design, and how YOU can also develop the confidence to achieve this for yourself.

2. Perfect your colour scheme every time.

This is vital to the success of every room. It is where I always start and there are many tricks to ensure that you never make a mistake with colour ever again.

3. Layout and Lighting

Each is equally important and you simply will not have a room that works if both are not perfect.

There is no point in having a beautiful looking design if it does not function well. Thankfully, there are many tricks that I can teach you, so that you can do this effortlessly.

4. Professional staging.

This is what separates an average design from something truly stunning.

There are so many tips and secrets that I will share with you, after which you will instinctively know how to finish off your room like a professional, from hanging pictures to arranging flowers. This is also extremely useful if you are preparing a property for sale. I call it the Showhouse effect.

5. Managing your project.

I am married to an Accountant and I have learned that the most important aspect of your design success lies in successful money management.

Thankfully, there are many ways to stretch your budget and I will share all of them with you.

I will also show you how to successfully schedule the works and how to keep one step ahead of the tradesmen.

I will also teach you how to manage all the various trades, what you need to know and what to do when things go wrong, because invariably things do go wrong. However, every scenario is fixable and forgettable!

6. We will wrap up with a Question and Answer Session for the final 30 minutes of Week 2, where you can discuss your own design projects.

This EXCITING evening event

takes place on

Tuesday May 5th & Tuesday May 12th

at

The Silver Tassie Hotel
Letterkenny
from 7pm untill 9pm

and the cost is €69.

This includes Tea / Coffee

An eBook containing detailed course notes, photographs and “how to” videos

the eBook “101 Interior Design Secrets”

exclusive Lifetime membership of the private Room Junkie Masterclass Facebook Group

and the best evening out you have had in ages!

Warning!

This is only for you, if you have a genuine interest in Interior Design and you really want to build your knowledge and confidence to a level where you will consistently and competently create the perfect room.

Numbers are strictly limited, so to register interest, or to find out more information just email

anne@roomjunkie.com

or call 087 6867665.

Stay fabulous,
Anne xx

PS Don’t forget to share the news with any of your friends who may be interested.

This has the makings of a great girls gig, but the boys are more than welcome too.

Continue Reading

Wallpaper Tips for the Adventurous

Written by roomjunkie on April 23, 2015. Posted in Blog

Roll on the style with some wallpaper

View this email in your browser

5 Top Wallpapering Tips

One. Do not be afraid to use a large pattern in a small space.

I used the first wallpaper in the lobby of a Hotel Spa, the second I am using as a feature wall in a small Guest Bedroom and I am dying to find a home for the abstract number three!

These three wallpapers are all by https://www.harlequin.uk.com

Two. Make a strong statement by combining simple painted panelling with a bold wallpaper like this one from https://www.zoffany.com

Stunning!

Three. Make a low ceiling appear higher by hanging a vertically striped wallpaper like this one from https://www.harlequin.uk.com

Four. Use up leftover wallpaper to create feature panels,to cover lampshades and to create original artwork by pasting on to an artists canvas.

Wallpaper by http://www.farrowandball.com

Five. Ditch the feature wall altogether and wallpaper all the walls to make a fabulous statement like these rooms from https://www.zoffany.com I so want the first one in my own hall!

Here is a little video I made showing you how to give your home a high end finish with the use of cushions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyJal12Mpo4

“Unleash the Designer in You”

Your Interior Design Masterclass

This EXCITING event

takes place this

Saturday 25th April from 12 midday to 4pm

at

The CoLab, Port Rd, Letterkenny

and the cost is €69.

This also includes a light lunch

PDF course notes

the eBook “101 Interior Design Secrets”

exclusive membership of the private Room Junkie Masterclass Facebook Group

a goodie bag to take home

and the best day out you have had in ages!

Dream, Believe, Achieve……
You know you can.
Stay fabulous,
Anne xxx

Continue Reading

Contact Enquiry Form

The 5 Interior Design hacks I can’t live without

How to choose the perfect paint colour

New Interior Design Evening Masterclass

Masterclass Evening Classes

Wallpaper Tips for the Adventurous

Here is a little video I made showing you how to give your home a high end finish with the use of cushions.