The house is a place of intimacy, a precious bubble. Seeing the same decor every day can be boring. With a small budget it is possible to refresh your interior.
“My parents often took me to auction houses and flea markets, I like to give furniture a second life.” Marielle Huneau, a photographer, admits she has a weakness for old chests. “I was looking for a small desk with a budget of 40 euros. I went to Emmaüs where I found a very cute coffee table from the 1930s. The board was missing. I had a board cut to size, I planed the corners, give it that little 1930s feel- them with very soft corners, I renovated the small table by painting it bright blue.” Upon arrival, he offers his daughter a small desk with character, made of solid wood, much cheaper than a new one, within the planned budget.
Gentle colors
Decoration largely marks an era, even if fashion effects are cyclical. The trends of 2024 are “natural colors, quite soft, quite neutral, but this natural side is counterbalanced by small touches with a little more fantasy, contrasting colors or objects that offer a counterpoint”, confirms Elisa Brun, interior designer. Natural fibers are mixed with much more modern materials such as metal or concrete. One of the trends is the refinement of decoration. The fact remains that an interior that is too busy will drown out objects. A trinket that is beautiful or has a story will be appreciated on its own or paired “with one or two other elements chosen to highlight it.” Lighting and perspective will play an important role. It is even possible to put paint on the wall to give a unique place to this item that you are so proud of.
A combination of spirit
“In fact, we can mix styles, we can mix and match the spirit of the spirit in many interiors. We mix furniture from the 2000s without any problems, emphasizes Elisa Brun, the author of the book. Déco Récup DIY” (26 projects step by step) by Éditions Marie Claire. You have to know how to use the right amount, don't use too much of one or too much of the other. You have to respect the harmony of colors or shapes.” Vintage lamps or pendant lights, whose electrical energy will be checked or refurbished to meet standards, can fit perfectly into a more contemporary decor. Mirrors will bring in light and create depth in a room or hallway.
The kitchen and bathroom are the most expensive rooms to renovate in the house, due to plumbing and custom furniture. However, these are pieces that are even more susceptible to fashion influences than others. Colored dishes do not age well, unlike white dishes. Elisa Brun advises repainting the tiles if they sound dated. It is also possible to repaint the rest of the room. Changing faucets, furniture handles, sprinklers above the heating plates will give the room a look. Decorating these water features also includes furniture and adding green plants.
Why not paint just one wall out of four?
The white color on the walls remains classic. But there are shades, including white. There are some whites that are warmer than others. The undercoat allows you to transition from a dark color to a lighter color.
For small budgets and moderate work, it is possible to paint only one of the four walls in the same room. “You have to judge the shot carefully to get just the right amount of paint. You need a quality paint so you don't go over the same spot fifteen times with the roller. In the bedroom, paint the headboard or the frame around it. the bed might do. It will be quite light project, we don't have to empty the whole room, you just need to move the furniture and cover it with an old sheet or protective tarp.” We also have to keep in mind that the window wall will be the darkest in the room, “so we have to favor colors with a lower tone to avoid too dark an effect.” Some paint manufacturers offer small test pots. Interesting, but these small pots are very expensive, and the final result cannot be seen accurately.
Old furniture: we sand and paint
Family furniture can find its place in a modern interior. “In general, they are quite dark in color. One of the first goals will be to lighten them to adapt to a more modern interior, by applying a patina or a special wax.” We start by sanding the wood bare to check its natural color, condition and ensure it is not attacked by wood-eating insects, in which case it needs to be treated. This is the most demanding phase of work before painting or applying protective varnish.
The staircase is a passage that can be renovated. As the treads wear out, it makes more sense to sand the wood and keep its natural color and paint only the risers and the fence.