Page 18 - Dr Pamela Peeke

Feathering A New Nest

Decorating a new abode post-divorce is a recipe for self-discovery

By Joanna Pompilio

To say that life post-divorce is full of complexities is an understate- Work with what you have
ment. Decorating a new abode shouldn’t be one of them. What
is commonly referred to as “divorce design” can be liberating and Start with the pieces of furniture and the accessories that remain
ultimately, a healing process. Think of this as a fresh start to create from the previous home. Just one piece can be the starting block
a personal sanctuary. to create a new color scheme or particular look and is often easier
than starting completely from scratch.
Make a game plan
Try using existing furniture in a new way to give it a fresh look. A
It is tempting to give an entire house or apartment a makeover. small sideboard makes an ideal large bedside table or hall piece. A
Instead of dealing with the entire home, plan from room to room to bench from the end of a bed could be the perfect coffee table. This
keep your sanity and budget intact. When first looking at an area, is the time to reinvision the function of your favorite pieces.
try to visualize how it should look when it is completed. Consider
what the space is used for and how much foot traffic it regularly Decorate the room that is the heart of the house first. Whether
sees. For a new place to fit most of the action happens
with any lifestyle, all these in the living room, kitchen
things must be considered or a bedroom – the furnish-
to ensure maximum usabil- ings in the room most lived in
ity for every room. become the building blocks
for decorating the rest of the
Are there any collections home. Focus on how every
that could be displayed day is spent in that beloved
prominently? Is there a space.
favorite fabric, painting, or
piece of furniture? Often-
times, small but precious Maximize Space
items serve as a catalyst
for the rest of the home’s For some, moving into a
design. An entire theme smaller space means facing
18 can be built around those new decorating challenges.
little somethings that are
When choosing furniture,
so special, utilizing similar keep the scale small to pre-
colors, themes and styles. vent overpowering the room.
An empty room with no Remember, small spaces
focus can be overwhelm- should be bright, and clutter-
ing unless there is a strong free. Folks in small spaces
sense of style and direc- often try to get the room they
tion. This is a time when want by moving furniture
browsing through books by to the edges, but this kills
a favorite architect, picking warmth. Furniture should
up magazines on interior float in the room, so gradually
design, and perusing those move it from the walls. Start
favorite stores will come in by moving it at least a foot
handy. away, then take a step back
and examine if it needs to be
Start by keeping a picture moved another few inches or
file of all unique pieces dis- feet depending on the look
covered by happenstance. desired.
Hit the high-end furniture
stores for ideas and mo- Light gives life to rooms,
tivation. Don’t feel pres- when windows are obscured
sured to buy at this stage, by plants and furniture it dark-
although one exquisite ens the entire mood of the
piece of furniture is often area. When the curtain rods
all that is needed to turn a extend beyond the window
room around. If the budget frames, the curtains allow in
is tight, check out flea markets, antique stores and garage sales. more light and draw the eye outward. Windows are the eyes of the
Take a camera along and be sure to write down store names, prices room, and when they are covered your place will seem smaller.
and dimensions (all of which usually happen to be on price tags, so
snap away!).

Issue 2, 2009