The Monday closest to January 24 has been designated by a British psychologist as the most depressing day of the year. While a number of factors play a role in selecting the date, it’s generally the time when people in many areas in the country, feel housebound during the winter. They start to get cabin fever and go a bit stir crazy being stuck indoors all winter. Interior Designer Diana Hudson Kresnye of Devine Designs in Chesterland, Ohio suggests making a few changes in our homes to help fight those winter blues.
“Anyone who lives where there is a distinct winter season knows how depressing it can be to look outside at a world that’s nothing but shades of black, white and muddy browns. That’s why January is the perfect time to make a few changes in your home that will make a big impact on you psychologically to help beat the winter blues,” the designer says.
Hudson Kresnye, who is certified by the Society of Decorating Professionals as a Color Expert, suggests introducing warm, happy colors into your home. “We have extensive research that demonstrates the power of color on our moods. It’s amazing how just making a few changes in our homes can really impact the way we feel.”
The designer offers five design ideas for beating the winter blues. Her first suggestion is “easy and inexpensive” – take a day over the weekend to give a room a quick facelift with a can of paint. “In Northeast Ohio I go into many homes where the rooms are painted white,” says Hudson Kresnye. “That makes for a very cold, and often depressing, environment – especially when you’re surrounded by the starkness of winter.”
She suggests that a coat or two of paint can add instant warmth to a room. “Yellow is a wonderful color to add to any space where you need some life, warmth and cheer.” However, Hudson Kresnye says that yellow can be a tricky color to select. She recommends two selections from the Benjamin Moore Paint collection that she calls “the perfect yellows:” Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4) and Weston Flax (HC-5) both from the Historic Collection.
Next, the design diva suggests adding “easy pops of color” by changing out the pillows on your living and family room upholstered pieces. “Just because a sofa, chair or loveseat came with matching pillows, it doesn’t mean you have to use them. Spice things up a bit by switching out pillows,” Hudson Kresnye says. According to the designer, 2008 trends are toward big, bold floral graphics, stripes and solids, “You can turn your beige sofa from boring to soaring with a few new pillows.”
Hudson Kresnye’s next tip for beating the winter blues is about correcting an often-seen decorating mistake – window treatments hung incorrectly. “This ‘no-cost’ tip can make a big impact on the amount of light coming into your rooms,” says Hudson Kresnye. Window valances should be hung so they just cover the trim molding and blinds when pulled all the way up. “The goal with window treatments is to frame the view and to let as much light in as possible,” she says. Side drapery panels should extend at least 15” beyond the actual window.
The designer offers another “no cost” suggestion – rearrange your furniture to take advantage of sunny days. “Soak in the sun on those rare sunny winter days,” she says. The designer says that you should make sure to apply UV protection to furniture moved to east or west windows since sunlight can fade the upholstery.
Lastly, Hudson Kresnye suggests bringing some life into the space with greenery and florals. “A fresh bouquet of flowers will breathe life and color into a room that’s frozen and stale in winter,” says the designer. “Grab a bouquet of flowers the next time you’re at the grocery store." She says to your local gardening center and buy a dozen narcissus bulbs to force. "In six weeks you’ll have fresh blooms and amazing fragrance wafting through the air."
In addition to adding fresh flowers, the designing diva suggests changing out those dusty ficus trees sitting in the dark corners of your rooms. “Ficus trees are out – palms are in,” states the designer who spent 10 years living on the West Coast. “Throw out those dumpy, dark ficus trees you got on sale at the local craft store. They are bad. Replace them with palms that are at least six foot tall. Palms add architecture and drama to rooms with their beautiful arches and graceful curves.” She recommends finding palms at stores like World Market and Home Goods.
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Devine Designs Media Contact:
Diana Hudson
Phone: 440.729.1900
Info@DevineDesignsHome.com
www.DevineDesignsHome.com
DIANA HUDSON KRESNYE of Devine Designs has been bringing her own brand of magic to homes across America for the past 15 years. She is a certified stager and redesigner. Devine Designs provides a range of services from real estate staging to room redesign and traditional interior decorating & design. Devine Designs is based in Chesterland, Ohio and can be contacted at 440-729-1900 or www.DevineDesignsHome.com
