Beat the winter blues with lovely warm hues

CBC daytime hosts Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman have tips to beat the seasonal blues with some decorating boosts that embrace the latest trends – and you may not need to spend a dime. The décor duo from Steven and Chris say the first step is to look through what you already have with fresh eyes and think about arranging things in your home a little differently.

1. Embrace Colour: seek saturated jewel tones in amber, plum or peacock blue. Pull out all of your objects in one colour and group them. For example, take an amethyst-coloured glass vase and pack it full of deep purple tulips.

2. Pick Patterns: checks and tartans are huge this season. For that warm country classic feel, go for a tartan with rich colours. The key is to build the look – for example, a Royal 'Stewart plaid' could be great with a big wooden bowl of Macintosh apples or red candles.

3. Group Finishes: warm metallics are this season's rage. Bring out the bronze, brass or gold accessories, frames and bowls and group them together on a simple tray. Just as in fashion, we are seeing designers mixing and matching with silver and gold, so give it a try.

4. Display the handmade homespun: employ vintage with a vengeance. Bring out that handmade quilt and display it on a plain sofa or chair, or pull out that earthy pottery bowl from the craft fair. These “back to basics” are great as décor accents, but be mindful of moderation. Limit yourself to one trend – the careful contrast between old and new can be the most effective way to accessorize your space.

There are many more décor ideas from Steven and Chris online at www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris, and you can submit your own décor questions for the guys' expert advice.

Source: www.newscanada.com