Hello Reynard, thank you for the free trial. I am a big fan of your work. I just bought a small 50 sqm apartment and i cant wait to collect all your tips and advice from your videos.
Hi, this is a really informative video. Unfortunately, it's really hard to hear you because of the sounds of the music (plink, plink, plink) interfering with and distracting from your words. I had to turn off the video before you got to item 4 because of this. Plus jazz is not the most popular style of music and is annoying. I urge you to skip the music, so we can hear you. I will check back on your future videos. Thank you for the information, items 1 - 3.
Good tips! One mistake I used to make was buying cheap MDF furniture that looked stylish. It’ll look good for a little while but it isn’t built to endure everyday use. Buy stuff made of solid wood, metal, or glass. Affordable options at consignment stores.
I have a Veneer Tall Thin Dresser and a 3x6 Desk with the same Veneer that I purchased 20 yrs ago from a "modern" furniture store that was cheaper than Ikea prices but doesn't look so cheap. I still have those pieces and they still look and function great whereas I painted most of my solid wood pieces. It all depends on the grain and type of wood. Wood and Stones and even Granite goes in and out of style.
@@igloozoo3771 yeah, I have some hand me down tables from my grandfather using walnut veneers. Underneath the veneers is cheaper plywood. The construction is still solid. What I was referring to with the MDF stuff is it really doesn’t hold up to everyday use: opening/closing, as a work surface, etc…
I disagree partly. I'ts a question of quality and construction too IMO. An Ex partner pf mine who is an Industrial Designer, made an MDF wardrobe and bookcase on wheels (painted red on the outside) for his studio apartment, which he gave to me when moving out of his university time apartment. I still own them, several moves (3 apartments and 1 house later). They have served me very well.
Also keep in mind that a ton of furniture is made from this stuff because it's way easier to work with. Especially Mid-century pieces that everyone here is probably shopping for. Small stuff like chair legs/drawer fronts are usually solid but big sections are usually veneered over particleboard/ply. Having a hard "solid wood only" rule is gonna make you pass up perfectly nice stuff. Remember to use coasters
Goodwill Chic. Nearly all the furniture in our home is secondhand and we are complimented on our style every time we have friends over. I pick quality pieces, of course, but the style is in the arrangement and color. Typically a friend will say they want to know how I "do it". They seem to mean that they don't know how to outfit their homes to look like THEY live there and no one else. Unique, personal, interesting. Secondhand furniture and decor are a simple way to do this because uniqueness is built in. LOL
I had an art project a few years ago that involved a painter friend of mine making a painting in real time during a theater performance. To be big enough to see on stage, the canvas was 1.5x2m, and I ended up keeping it. It's fantastic, anchoring every space I've put it in (fortunately, we finally moved into a place with high enough ceilings and big enough rooms that it doesn't completely overwhelm).
The number 1 rule is to do what you like. Designer ideas of what is good can be informative and helpful, but you should never overrule your own preferences in the space where you're living. If you're trying to sell, or display for others (RU-vid, magazines, vligs and blogs, house tours), then follow designer advice. But if you live there and like common prints art, hang it. If you like small rugs or short curtains, it's your space! And never apologize for living within your budget. Debt isn't fashionable. One more comment--buy your art from your local artists! Go to art openings and summer art fairs. Lots of great, beautiful, and unique stuff.
Most people have zero design perspective until you show them how much difference your mood is when you show them a nicely designed space. These are usually the people who think Art is for pretentious hipsters and serve no purpose.
As far as I can tell, everyone is trying to sell their house. They choose safe, neutral colors. People are living in houses designed for the next tenant.
I think this video is addressing people who do what they like but still don’t like the final result and cannot specify or spot what is wrong. They might do their best to create a nice space for themselves yet they’re unhappy with the result and feel it looks ‘cheap’ but they just can’t see why. There are so many people unhappy with the aesthetics of their home but don’t know what to change to make it look and feel better, I think this video is a huge help for them to make instant change with budget-friendly modifications and start to feel good in their home.
Great tips, I do all of these, especially nothing unattractive is on show, everything visible is curated. I would add: 1) don’t shove all furniture against the walls leaving a huge space in the middle of the floor, but instead pull it into conversation groups, and 2) don’t hang art up near the ceiling, but at eye level for what activity will be happening in the room, i.e. sitting, walking through, lying down, etc. These two I see in British homes constantly.
I didn't know why my coffee table looked so awkward in the space. Thank you for giving me actual size I needed to have instead of just telling the scale needed to be "right". This is real information I can use to get the look I want! Thank you!!!
Reynard, I really appreciate your videos. I’ve watched a lot of content on interior design, but very few provide the practical advice accompanied by excellent examples and also get into some specific details. Your comments about personalizing artwork as well buying things that too small for the space are spot on! Looking forward to your future content.
In Sweden we typicly put the curtain rod as far up as we can or even better use a tracksystem mounted to the ceiling. Width wise we often let the curtains hang on the side of the window only just covering the window frame. This gives the most light, the ceilings look taller and the large amount of fabric contributes to a cozy and warm atmosphere.
Thanks for sharing great tips! I took 2 photos from my holidays on my camera phone and had them framed on giant canvas no one else has these prints and it reminds me of a beautiful memory everytime I walk past
Art designers have a place But yours comes from the heart Where you let you identified Yourself It could be your tru reflection Indicative of health creativity and harmony
Excellent advice Reynard! The education on the curtains was golden; it is amazing how proper height and length can completely coordinate a room into a vision of peace and calm. Thank you so very much! ❤️
If there are electric baseboard heaters under the windows curtains can't be hung to the ground so they have to be shortened to the window sill, or never closed.
Excellent advice Reynard! The education on the curtains was golden; it is amazing how proper height and length can completely coordinate a room into a vision of peace and calm. Thank you so very much! ️
Firstly I would like to say your videos are my absolute favorite. They make putting together my home seem so doable especially for someone who lives in a practically empty home for lack of design skills. Thank you
Reynard, as always, your tips are amazing!! I love your explanation regarding the quotes. They can easily look tacky and cheap. you are such an inspiration to make my space better! -HDG
Thanks for a great video once again! But please could your address the issue of how to hang curtains if there are radiators below windows as is the case in most UK homes, something that most designers fail to address.
I sent ist to my boyfriend for watching. He isn´t into interior design and is wondering what i do, want and why. It´s a great to do, nice to watch and also understandable for dummies and newbies! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for this gem of a video ♥ Right after watching this video I exchanged my 'safe' generic wallpiece (back) to something unique that I have. I had it like this before, but I was frustrated of everyone asking questions about it. Not just the regular 'did you make, or, where did you get this'. People see the name it's signed with and it's suddenly everything they can talk about and I find myself unable to change the subject to more important matters! I love the painting for what it is. Decor. Beautiful Decor. And after The Worldwide Big C-'situation' I don't entertain as much people like I used to anyway ☺Which gives me more time for video's like this, so of course I subscribed.
Finally, this is the design advice I've been looking for. Not about differences in taste, just practical steps to open the space and make it inviting. Thanks!
After years of my wife having little design ecstatic, 1) Never have anything matching 2) never have (snow) white furniture. My wife’s “style” put everyone off…including me. Our living room looked like a mausoleum in heaven. I hated it. Talk about feeling uncomfortable. Good thing we are divorced now. (I go so far as to NOT have matching plates, cups, mugs, silverware, with a beat up dinner table. Spill a drink, break a cup?…who cares? They are cheap and replaceable. The more different the better. Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon glasses, along with “classy” drink ware…perfect. No one is intimidated by that.
I just found yr video. & I do tend to follow everyone of the design suggestions you’ve made but alas I’m one of those folks that likes MATCHING furniture pieces in my rooms. To me it looks cohesive & less fussy.
Wow! I never knew any of this; how come I didn't hear any of these concepts before even though I have looked at all kinds of sources over the years. Great content - more like this please. No wonder my rooms never look quite satisfying. Stuff's too small! Subbed.
Loved, loved, loved this video. I've not heard the math on curtains (which I'm soon to replace, so this was timely) or pictures. I would love to learn more about pictures - colors, sizes, frames. I'm going to check out more of your videos. Thank you for this!
Your examples r so GOOD! Many design channels mostly talk about what to do. So helpful to hv do and dont photos! Ty so mch! Just found ur channel and subscribed!
Thnx Reynard for sharing your valuable knowledge with us 🤩...your communication is simple n comprehensive🙃... At times a person just hs single small room n having larger furniture mks the space overwhelming n cluttered leaving hardly any space to move around(just a thought of a layman 😬) Be Blessed Be Happy Always 😘🥰🤗🧚♀️🦄🌈🧿
I mostly agree with point 4, although I think the actual issue with open design kitchens is they're misunderstood. The kitchen, to me, should be the most functional space in the house. If you're leaving your most used pans easily accessible so you can grab what you need easily, when you need it, then go for it. The problem is when people do things like having a completely open kitchen where you proudly display the electric knife that is used once a year for cutting a turkey. I'd go so far as to say plates and bowls can be left out if they're used all the time, if you choose to do it. They're misunderstood imo because people will take "open kitchen design" to mean they can just leave everything on display, which I disagree with.
I hate open kitchen concept. It’s the place where someone cooks, I am very creative and messy while cooking, sometimes when I finish cooking I will not immediately clean everything. Imagining having open concept- I probably wouldn’t cook at all 😂
Thank you for such a straightforward video with many examples! I have never considered the different vibes of curtain lengths. Thanks!! Just went shopping and did not buy the set from the furniture store!
Love this video and great tips that I have been failing in all! lol Could you make a video on the last portion of the video regarding complimenting colors. I struggle to find what colors and patterns compliment each other without over doing it or having a very monochromatic look.
When I first saw this recommended in my feed, I was like 'oh no, not another wanna-be interior designer guru'. But I actually liked your video! It was peacefully done. Eventhough you covered things already mentioned by others, the way you styled the video was non-judgemental. It was helpful. I usually get recommended videos from youtubers who are about to blow up real quick... so congrats and all the best. Subscribed!
I agreed so much w mistake #1, it upped ur credibility in my eyes lol. The rest were all helpful! I was wondering how to make my apartment seem bigger and cozier and i cant wait to use all this info :)
Really nice video with great ideas, now only if i lived in a house with someone who PUTS AWAY THEIR SHIT after using it, i could actually have a cohesive looking space. I love my parents, but they are chronic hoarders, every space in their house was littered with stuff. I managed to keep my room tidy, but didn´t have a budget to make what i truly wanted. Then i moved into a rental apartment which i also keps neat and tidy, but it was in an old building with old furniture, and i didn´t want to change much because i knew that i wouldn´t be staying there for long. Then finally saved up enough money to build my own house. Yes, build - not buy. My wife and i worked with the architect, meticulously planned every square meter of it, and i thought i can finally have my lifelong dream of living in a nice, curated, cohesive space. I dug foundations, installed plumbing and wires, glued tiles ang floors, plastered and painted walls. Had a woodworker custom make furniture for us.And when we finally moved in, my wife started leaving everything she has just out in the open. Bought some cute mugs - sure, just put it on a shelf next to the other 14 cute mugs. Done crocheting? Leave all the yarn on the kitchen counter, it's not like anyone would want to make food there. Leave your wallet, keys and bags there to while your're at it. Finished choosing your jewellery? Leave the box out in the open too. You decided to wear a different coat or shoes today? No, you don't need to put away the other one, just hang it in the entrance until spring. Or just leave it hanging there indefinitely, because you'll buy a new coat in the spring anyway, and forget that the old one is still hanging in the entrance under 5 layers of your other coats, vests and jackets. Meanwhile your closet is half empty. And i won't even start talking about the bathroom with your makeup and skincare mess. Oh, and god forbid i try to to tidy up the rooms, organize it a little, put some of your stuff away into cabinets - nobody is allowed to touch your stuff. And then i'm the messy one because i leave some breadcrumbs on the kitchen floor when making a sandwich. I leave breadcrumbs there, because there's NO FUCKING SPACE TO MAKE A SANDWICH ON THIS GODDAMN COUNTERTOP!!! Sorry, rant over, it was nice to let off some steam. i've seriously considered filing for a divorce for the past few months. Or throwing everything that she doesn't pack away in the trash, and then letting her do the paperwork when she gets mad enough.
Hey Tom, It was really interesting to read your comment. I guess I am on the other side of the world and English isn’t my motherlanguage, but I’ll try to tell you: I am one of those „messy“ women to. Sometimes, the chaos on the outside shows the chaos on my inside. My boyfriend (for 10years) also struggles with it. It helps me when we just start tidying up together. When he starts, I start too. Sometimes it’s really hard and I can absolutely relate to your comment - I just wanted to say: If your wife chooses to leave you with that feeling, it’s not okay. But maybe she doesn’t know how to start. Wishing you all the best ♥️
Beautiful images and excellent pacing throughout-I learned so much in these 9 minutes. Thanks for sharing these smart and mindful tips with us, Reynard! Subscribed. 🙂
Window coverings- Shirred, ringed, or grommeted curtains: Buy 2-3x the finished width of the rod. 60” window: 12-18” minimum on either side for a finished width of 96”. Buy at least 200” width, or 4 panels 50-60” wide each. The sheerer the fabric, the more width you will want for a truly finished and custom look. Shirred curtains (the ones with the rod pocket) typically don’t move or at least are not designed for movement. These are usually used underneath another curtain or drape to allow filtered light when desired but also provide some privacy. Other types Pinch pleated: width of the window plus stack and returns. 60” window should have the rod mounted 80-84”w minimum then buy your panels for the finished width plus 4” on the far right and left panels for the return. Even in a room of standard 8’ ceiling height, get the 95” long panels and mount the rod at the top of the ceiling. For taller ceilings (9-10’) mount rods no more than 12” from the ceiling. Allow enough length for a kiss on the floor or a slight puddle depending on the aesthetic you are going for. And keep in mind the functionality needs: room darkening, multiple use room, formality, entertaining, access to outdoor spaces, airflow. Note: pinch-pleated window coverings are typically called drapes, but may be called curtains; all other fabric window coverings are usually called curtains. Keep in mind double hung rods with interior sheers and then drapes, as the return to the wall will be deeper.
That's one hell of a nice video! Very picturesque schemes chosen to demonstate your poing. And hats off to your genuinity .. laid your heart out with the key elements that go into it. Thank you
This was a great video! I really enjoyed how you kept it simple but provided great information. I appreciate all the specific measurement tips in this video!
Valuable tips, thank you! Especially the 'matching furniture look' is something I don't like - it makes the space too monotonous. Also good advice on storage. I found out I had too much 'openness' to my space - everything was stored in sight. This is resolved by buying a Kallax closet with some closed storage boxes in it. The spaces immediately feels more peaceful, balanced and 'homy'! Contrast and balance is really key in all sorts of design and art.
Re curtains: I don’t know if this just a British thing, but lots of homes in Britain have radiators beneath the windows. So if you hang long curtains you will be blocking off your heating source (at least during the evening).
i have short curtains for the winter (thick, heat-insulating) and thin, decorative long ones for the summer. the short ones are of course not that stylish, but they are part of my winter decoration.
Just discovered your channel and couldn't be happier 😁 Your videos are so aesthetically pleasing and practical at the same time. Keep up the good work😁👍
This was a great video! I really enjoyed how you kept it simple but provided great information. I have 5 airbnbs and i'm continuing to grow. Trying to learn how to design it myself is a must! I don't quite have the eye yet and hoping to hone this skill a bit more!
Idk I find artwork at 0:41 much more unique and appealing than the one at 1:12. I also like how the Paris picture nicely matches with the sofa and pillows. I've heard that colors used in artwork should somehow be presented in other objects of the room (not necessarily the same color tone). I am not a designer but based on this principle the room with colorful pictures needs to be colorful, which is not the choice for everyone
🤣 "if you have the budget" THIS is the main reason everyone's house looks like it came out of a Walmart catalog: NO ONE has the budget, EVER! Only businesses and rich ppl, bc interior designers budget concept eludes them 😅
Great video. I think you were mistaken when you used the word "artworks" though. I'm pretty sure it's used in the singular even for discussing multiple things. For example, "I enjoyed seeing the artwork at the gallery."
It‘s a bit more complicated. When you use the word „artwork“ in the sense „drawings or pictures that are used in books, magazins, and newspapers“, it‘s uncountable (= no plural, like you said), e.g. „All the artwork was done by the author.“ But, when you use it to refer to „an object made by an artist“ - like he did in the video - it‘s countable (=has a plural form). In the later sense it’s only (or at least chiefly) used in the US; maybe that‘s why it sounded wrong to you?
Who makes all these rules? Of course some designers play their part by being useful but if I want to put a piece of art on a wall that I like or I want to hang a curtain just below my window sill then I don't think anything is wrong with that.. the same way that designers will make their rules and tell you what is good and what is not, then heck! You can also make your own damn rule yourself and live in your house/home as seem pleasing unto you. Nothing against designers by the way. This is just my personal thought.
Thanks a lot for the video! Now I'm moving to a new flat so I'm more prepared now to do the right deco! I have one request, can you make a video regarding decorating a flat depending on the color of the floor? My new flat has a black carpet so I'm struggling finding the right furniture color 😅
Twice I've had apartments with A LOT of black: one was the floor, and the current one is, believe it or not, the ceiling. Both times I've treated the black as if it was neutral. Really. After all it goes with everything. The only caveat is that THAT MUCH BLACK swallows up soft colors. So: easy solutions are lots of colors in lots of patterns, or BIG splashes of solid color. Both are dramatic and fun. Good luck!
