Karl Lohnes
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National columnist for Postmedia News & Editor-At-Large at Style At Home magazine. Watch me on Global News Mornings.
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Articles by Karl Lohnes
How To Design A Multipurpose Room
Photography by Patrick Biller My new condo has a small second bedroom. I’d like to use it for watching television and as a guest room. I’d also like to do work in there when I work from home. Any ideas on how to furnish? — Sylvia G., Montreal In order to get three uses out of one room, I encourage all furnishings to have at least two functions. Choose a comfortable sofa for lounging that transforms into a bed for the occasional guest.
Q&A: How To Create A High-Impact Design On A Small Budget
Photography by Valerie Wilcox Question: We recently purchased an apartment and would like to add some affordable designer updates. How can we create the biggest impact on a small budget? —Dustin B., Halifax Answer: Upgrading your apartment’s look might seem overwhelming with all the possibilities available, so I suggest starting with the flooring. I recommend updating it with a floating floor system, which is usually agreeable with most condo boards.
Q&A: How To Host a Holiday Party In A Small Home
Photo courtesy Seventyfour/Adobe Stock Question: I live in a small house and have vowed this holiday season to entertain friends and family. Any tips? —Sara G., Hamilton Answer: Entertaining in a small space can be fun. To determine how many guests to invite, add up your dining chairs and living room seating, and that’s your maximum. Here are more tried-and true tips for hosting a successful party. 3 tips for hosting in a small space Set up buffet stations around the main space.
Q&A: How To Stage Your Fireplace
Living Room & Dining Room Photography by Carolina Andrade Living Room & Dining Room Question: I have a fireplace that’s unusable, but it’s the focal point of my living room. How can I decorate the inside? —Natalie B., Montreal Answer: An unusable firebox can still be an attractive focal point in a room. Here are a few ideas for fixing it up. Arrange a collection of hurricane lanterns in the opening of the fireplace and you’ll have a beautiful, artful display of small dancing flames.
In the Kitchen | Style at Home
In the Kitchen 13 items Kitchens are the heart of the home, where function meets creativity. From preparing meals to gathering with family and friends, they serve as a space for both practicality and inspiration.
Q&A: What's The Best Wallpaper For Ceilings?
PHOTOGRAPHY / GAP INTERIORS I’d like to wallpaper the ceiling in my bedroom. What style of paper looks best on a ceiling? Jason S., via email. The best pattern will be one that is unidirectional and looks the same from any angle. This will ensure that the wallpaper will look the same from wherever you are in your bedroom. In an average-size room, ensure that the repeat of the pattern is 12 inches or less. A pattern that’s too big will overwhelm the space.
Q&A: What Needs To Match In My Kitchen?
KITCHEN PHOTOGRAPHY, ASHLEY ADAMS. DESIGN, BIRCHVIEW DESIGN Question: I’m in the process of designing my new kitchen. Are there guidelines regarding what should match? Dustin B., via email Answer: Start by choosing your cabinetry style and finish. Next comes appliances, countertops, backsplash, hardware and wall colour, in that order. The cabinetry sets the tone and style of the kitchen.
The Best Canadian Companies For Your Home
British Columbia Dimo DAYBED, from $8,200; D4 LOUNGE CHAIR, $3,800; Montauk, montauksofa.com WHO? Atelier DIMO WHAT? Beautifully handmade wood furnishings inspired by Danish Modernism. WHY BUY? Old-school quality furniture-making methods result in precise, pared-back modern pieces destined to be future heirlooms. Alberta CABINETRY DOORS in Denim Blue, from $151, Kitch; DESIGN, Kresswell Interiors, kresswellinteriors.com WHO? Kitch WHAT?
Q&A: Painting Your Floors
Rust-Oleum HOME Transformations FLOOR COATING KIT, $140, Home Depot, homedepot.ca I live in an older home with very worn wood floors in the kitchen. I have painted the cabinets a mossy green and want to paint the floors. What colours should I use?—Tina T., via email Painted kitchen floors can create a wonderful casual vintage look. I suggest painting a classic black-and-white diamond or stripe pattern to add verve.
Q&A: Extending The Life Of Your Patio Beyond Summer
We’d like to use our small patio for entertaining right into the fall season. The patio is 10 by 15 feet. Any help would be appreciated.—Annie B., via email Summer is a good time to start planning how to extend the use of your terrace into fall. Here are a few ways to create a comfortable lounge space for entertaining and dining right into the chill of autumn. • Opt for functional flexibility with two smaller 36-inch square tables instead of one large table.
Q&A: Repainting Kitchen Cabinets
Grip walnut DRAWER AND DOOR FRONTS, from $114 each, BoKEA, bokea.co This article is featured on: In the Kitchen Question: I bought a house three years ago and it has an IKEA kitchen. I’d like to upgrade the look. Can I paint the laminate cabinets?—Sharon I., via email Answer: Painting outdated wood or laminate kitchen cabinets will give the room a casual vibe, and it’s one of the easiest ways to change the look of your kitchen. But, in my opinion, it won’t really upgrade the look of the cabinets.
Q&A: What Colour Should I Paint My Garage Door?
Question: Can you help us pick a paint colour for our garage door? The 1954 house originally had a cedar garage door, like the cedar on the house. Our entry doors are on the side of the house and painted in Coral Glow 026 by Benjamin Moore, but—unlike the garage door—they aren’t very visible from the road. Currently, the garage door is painted the same colour as the foundation, but the front of the garage is brick.
Q&A: What Colour Do I Paint My Walls?
Question: I have 10-foot ceilings in my small townhouse. I love the current look of deep, dark colours (I have darker wood floors and love them), but I’m afraid to paint the walls a dark colour. Won’t it make my rooms look like tall boxes? Is there another way to incorporate deeper tones?—Nathalie D., via email Answer: Here are a few ways to incorporate darker colours into smaller spaces or rooms with high ceilings. Choose one room and paint everything in the same deep tone.
Top 5 Must See Booths at the Toronto Interior Design Show 2024
Each year the Interior Design Show returns to Toronto to highlight the best in global and Canadian design for the home and garden. From inspiring exhibits, designer talks and displays, attendees can learn and see the very best in products and services to make their homes a showcase of style. This year celebrates the Interior Design Show’s 25th anniversary.
Decorating Q&A: Adding big style to a small room
Q: How can I add big decorator style to my small family room? We’d like to decorate a plain family room but don’t want to invest in expensive permanent changes, as it’s a two-year rental.—Cheryl A., Edmonton A: Here are three areas of decorating to concentrate on for your short-term family room: Create a Focal Point Every room, no matter the size, needs a focal point. In the family room, it’s often the television or the fireplace.
Ask us: How tall should my Christmas tree be?
Question: I moved into a condo with nine-foot ceilings and would like to purchase an artificial tree with lights. How tall should it be and how many lights should it have? Angie, Calgary, via email Answer: If you love the look of a big, grand tree, then choose one that matches your ceiling height. But do note, most trees aren’t exactly the height the box specifies. In your case, if a nine-foot tree seems daunting, opt for a 71⁄2-foot tree, which is just over two-thirds the height of your room.
We answer your decorating questions about storage and colour-coordination
S@H: Living in a small space requires planning (and a few storage hacks) to stay organized. These easy DIY fixes will keep your space orderly and reduce clutter for a bigger feel. Closets: Add white wire shelving one foot above the floor and one foot below the ceiling inside each closet. If you need more space for folded items (rather than hanging ones), use fabric hanging baskets for extra vertical space.
Karl Lohnes solves your decorating challenges. Wallpaper, Flooring & Garage Doors
Ask Us You’ve got design questions. We’ve got the answers. Designer and Style at Home contributor Karl Lohnes solves your decorating challenges. Q➊ My large living room, dining room and hallway have textured wallpaper that I would like to update. Removing it would be daunting and the plaster walls – the house was built in 1963 – could be damaged in the process. Is it possible to put wallpaper on wallpaper? --A.
So, you’ve got a stylish home — but is it comfortable?
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2022 April-May Issue
2022 April-May Issue 18 items Discover all articles and recipes of 2022 April-May Issue
2022 March Issue
2022 March Issue 9 items
Karl Lohnes: Safety first around the pool, but make style a close second
With public pools open but pandemic anxiety still a factor, backyard pools are surging in popularity. Pool sales are up and companies that would have installed all their projects by end of July are booked to complete work well into the fall. I’m hoping there are a few friends who might be part of this plan; and I hope I get on their guest lists. For those of us without the backyard space (or big budgets), there’s always the lawn sprinkler or a bucket of cold water to cool off our feet.
Karl Lohnes: Tips for comfortable dining under the sun and stars
Early summer is perfect for enjoying a cool morning latte on the patio or winding down the day with a twilight glass of wine. As we start safe physical distance backyard visits, I am looking forward to setting a table for friends and family. I love to cook and entertain, but I guess I’m a city boy, because I don’t love being outside when it’s too sunny, hot or buggy.
Karl Lohnes: Follow these two trends to design stylish outdoor comfort
I’ve never been a particularly outdoorsy type, but this year I’m anticipating summer so that I can enjoy another aspect of being at home: my terraces, which, come summer, become extensions of my living space. As with any room, decorating your outdoor space should reflect both your style and how you want to use the space, whether it be for lounging or dining. And, of course, there are summer trends and styles to consider.
Karl Lohnes: Chevron has zigzagged back into flooring trends
Chevron and herringbone are the big trends in wood flooring for the home. The two are twins — not identical, but often mistaken for one another. There are subtle differences. Herringbone is made up of identical rectangular pieces laid in a broken or staggered zigzag pattern. With chevron, individual pieces have slanted ends that fit together to produce an inverted V shape resulting in a seamless zigzag. That seamless fit gives chevron its simpler, more modern design.
Karl Lohnes: Home decorating resolutions for the new year
First on the list is being realistic about what I’ll be able to achieve. As usual, I’ve got many ambitious decorating resolutions, including a basement organizing project, a small foyer renovation and a grand master bedroom redecoration. But like most people, I’m bound not only by budget, but by the time it takes to organize these projects. That seems to be the biggest issue for me these days, as I look forward to another busy work year.
Karl Lohnes: Match the hostess gift to the holiday gathering
Like the holiday song says, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! And the next two weeks will be filled with visits, dinners and parties. Since I am not a wine drinker, I’m not the kind of guy to bring a bottle of wine as a hostess gift. Instead, I like to put thought into the hostess gift I bring. This year, I’m bringing a gift that suits the style of soirée. If the host likes to entertain in a particular way, they might like a gift that enables them to do it again.
Entertain with style and ease this holiday season
By now many of us have the house decorated, the tree up and the holiday baking complete — just in time to start holiday entertaining. This year, I am planning to host smaller groups for cocktails, brunches or dinners. For me, this is a wonderful, easy and stress-free way to entertain, while getting to spend quality time with visitors.
Entertain with style and ease this holiday season
By now many of us have the house decorated, the tree up and the holiday baking complete — just in time to start holiday entertaining. I am not one for hosting large parties, and if I attend one, I usually sit happily in the corner chatting one-on-one with other guests. This year, I am planning to host smaller groups for cocktails, brunches or dinners. For me, this is a wonderful, easy and stress-free way to entertain, while getting to spend quality time with visitors.
Karl Lohnes: Gift suggestions to help celebrate time at home
By now I’ve read gift-giving articles, blogs and seen many TV segments telling me what holiday gifts to give to fashionistas, camping enthusiasts, commuters and so on. I’ve decided to do something a little different: Write an annual gift-guide for me! Yes, here’s a list of what I’d like to help me achieve my goal for 2020, which is to spend more quality downtime at home reading and watching movies. With everyone’s busy schedules these days, you might feel the same.
Karl Lohnes: Best designer tips for choosing your Christmas tree
The next month is an important one for those who celebrate the holidays with a Christmas tree. Whether real or faux, O Tannenbaum takes planning. From where to place it (which often involves moving furniture around) to choosing the right size and style, a little planning ahead of time makes a fun time of decorating and enjoyment. Tall or short, thin or fat? A taller tree — real or faux — should reach six inches from the ceiling.
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