Pasadena Magazine is the bi-monthly magazine of Pasadena and its surrounding areas – the diverse, historically rich and culturally vibrant region that includes Glendale, the Eastside of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley all the way to Claremont.
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/648495
room. Whether you've grown tired of a classic Chesterfi eld or a mid-century masterpiece, there's a way to update the look rather than kicking your sofa to the curb. Instead of buying a new couch, a simple fi x can be as easy as add- ing a slipcover, from a high-end furnishings re- tailer such as Colorado Boulevard's Restoration Hardware. Their slipcovers come in a variety of fabrics and patterns and can alter your living room's appearance in minutes. Reupholstering your current couch can also create the look of a brand new couch—without the steep price tag. The artistically inclined may want to "DIY" entirely with a fi nd from the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Just make sure the sofa has good "bones" and use an upholsterer you trust. 4. Add a little paint for a big impact. Nothing says makeover like a fresh coat of paint—color has the ability to profoundly infl uence the ambience of your room. Red and orange add energy while blue is calming. Grey is a sophisticated albeit neutral color for those wanting more "warmth" than a stark white hue provides. If an entire, dramatic new look is what you're going for, by all means, get the color of your choice and paint the whole room. But, for those looking for a more subtle pop of color, try painting one side of the room or even the ceiling. When a white ceiling is paired with matching white walls, the room feels more open and airy. For added contrast and quirkiness, try a brightly colored ceiling paired with white walls. 5. Let there be light. Without lighting, your space would look dark and dreary, but aside from that obvious fact, lighting is a key factor in how your home looks and feels. Natural lighting looks best but if a skylight is out of your budget, settle for adding lights in otherwise dark corners of the room. Replace dusty, faded lampshades instead of the whole lamp. It's a cheaper alternative and you can rest easy knowing if (or inevitably, when) you get tired of the look, you can change it again. Depending on how dated your ceiling fan looks, consider switching out the glass light bulb covers too—it's a small detail but even a miniscule sign of antiquity in a modern space (and vice versa) will stick out like a sore thumb. Next time you're fed up and just need a change, don't despair. Give these tips a try. With a little effort and creativity, you can make your home feel like a brand new space. 82 FEBRUARY 2016 L I V I N G B Y D E S I G N REAL ESTATE space_Feb16.indd 82 1/20/16 2:54 PM