Feng shui is a set of ancient Chinese principles related to qi, or energy flow. When decorating with feng shui, the idea is to attract positive energy into the home and encourage it to move freely, while keeping negative energy out. It gets complicated, but luckily, feng shui gels very well with Western design principles, which (for different reasons) also tend to emphasize flow.

Your home should have lots of fresh air and natural light. Open the windows and curtains whenever possible, and use plants to filter the air. If natural light just isn’t available, put your lights on dimmers to give yourself more control over the amount and quality of light, and use lamps to light dark corners and prevent energy being blocked.

Feng shui and furniture
It helps to think of qi as water; if water were to enter your home through the front door, would it flow freely or are there places it would get stuck? Furniture pressed against walls would obviously block water, and is similarly believed by feng shui practitioners to interfere with the healthy flow of qi.

Sofas should stand slightly out from the wall, leaving at least a few inches free, and all chairs in a room should be angled so it’s easy for people sitting in them to face one another. In the dining room, make sure there is plenty of room between the chairs and the walls, so that people (and energy) can easily move around.

In feng shui, TVs and computers are viewed with suspicion, as potential drains on qi. It is recommended to keep all electronics out of the bedroom, and to cover the TV when it’s not in use. An entertainment or wall unit with panels that close over the screen makes an elegant solution. Round coffee and dining tables are better feng shui than square ones, encouraging conversation, togetherness and the all-important energy flow. Try the Kristal Round End Table or the Mille Dining Table to capture the ethos of these ancient principles.

Feng shui and decor
Mirrors can be used to correct bad feng shui if hung in the right position. They are considered to double whatever they reflect, whether that’s a pleasant view of the garden (positive) or a fire (negative), so the placement of mirrors according to feng shui is something of an art form. Mirrors also reflect light and seem to enlarge the room, qualities for which they are valued both in feng shui and in Western interior design. For some great mirrors that work well with this decorating style, try the Prism TV Mirror or the Shiki Wall Mirror.

Clutter is associated with stagnation and blocked energy. To give your home an easy feng shui boost, start by removing clutter. Just as the layout of your home should reflect and amplify your hopes and ambitions, so should your home’s contents. Decluttering means removing anything that doesn’t serve you from your home. For similar reasons, any artwork in your home should evoke positive emotions.

Sklar loves contemporary art, and we take a lot of pleasure in helping clients find unique pieces that perfectly accent their homes. But proper care is essential to ensuring that your artworks retain their beauty and value. Metal sculptures can be surprisingly vulnerable to damage, so it’s essential to take care when cleaning. Paintings can fade and warp if hung carelessly, and acrylic sculptures present their own care challenges. These tips will help you display your paintings and sculptures without damaging them, and clean them safely so their best qualities keep shining through.

Care of Paintings:

Light and humidity are a painting’s worst enemies, so bear both in mind when deciding where to hang any artwork. Position it out of direct light, taking special care not to hang it opposite any windows. Other spots to avoid include over a fireplace (because heat and soot tend to rise), and near any bathroom (because steam from showers can lead to dampness, warping and even fungus growth). Keep your paintings clean by regularly dusting them gently with a dry cloth, and ensure that any hooks used for hanging are firmly secured in a wall stud.

Care of Sculptures:

Copper Care
Copper should be polished quarterly to maintain a high-shine finish. If left a few months without polishing, it will develop a patina that may or may not be to your taste. Copper polishing is a simple process, and there are several products available at hardware and kitchen stores that produce attractive results, including Brasso and Copperbrill. If you prefer natural products, try applying a mixture of white vinegar and salt, then scrubbing with a soft brush.

Stainless Steel Care
Warm water and a gentle detergent is usually all it takes to clean stainless steel. Fingerprints can be removed using an ordinary glass cleaner, followed by a rinse with warm water. Avoid abrasive powder cleaners and scrubbing brushes when caring for high-shine stainless steel. Always remember to dry your artworks thoroughly with a towel after cleaning.

Chrome Care
Chrome is soft and scratches easily, so start with the gentlest cleaning method and only move up to stronger products if necessary. Wash with water, dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth in the first instance, cleaning any grooves and seams with a toothbrush. If that doesn’t get your sculpture clean enough, try using plain white or apple cider vinegar, plus another clean, soft cloth. In the event of rusting, try buffing the rust with a piece of balled up aluminum foil dipped in vinegar, or a piece of very fine steel wool. Whatever method you choose, always dry your chrome sculpture thoroughly with a towel or dryer sheet after washing, then wax with a product like Turtle Wax Chrome Polish that’s designed specially for chrome.

Bronze Care
Gently dust your bronze indoor sculptures once per month with a clean dry cloth. If you find yourself in possession of a piece that has developed a film of dirt through age or neglect, simply wash it by hand with unscented soap and distilled water, using a cloth or soft toothbrush to get into any crevasses. Specialized bronze cleaners and oils are available, but generally unnecessary. After cleaning, dry thoroughly before applying a clear paste wax.

Acrylic Care
Use a very soft cloth (for example, microfiber) to wipe your acrylic sculptures free of dust and dirt. Avoid using cleaning sprays or generalized household cleaning products on acrylic, as they can easily dull or scratch the surface — distilled water and a little dishwashing soap should remove any blots. Fine scratches can be buffed out with specialist products like Brillianize and Novus 2.

When work and life are hectic, we look to our homes to provide us with a calming refuge. But are our homes equipped for the job? Today, Sklar looks at ways to turn key areas within your home into more relaxing spaces.

Bedroom
If there’s one function a bedroom needs to perform well, it’s helping you unwind. We are excited to welcome a new design by the Montreal bed and mattress company Literie Laurier to the Sklar showroom floor, one that is sure to enhance your comfort. Their remarkable Harlequin Cirque mattress transforms any bed into an adjustable without the need to insert a bulky platform into the frame. Treat yourself to a full bedroom makeover, with beautifully coordinating pieces like Mobican’s Bora bed and Mimosa nightstands, or Nathan Anthony’s Elan bed, sectional and bench. When cooler weather closes in, add a faux fur throw or two as the finishing touch on a bedroom that’s perfectly cozy.

Living room
Build a conversation space with roomy sectionals, like the Lenox and Avery from Dellarobbia, and accent with swivel chairs like the Gina and Mila. The Chateau D’Ax Verona sectional and Bracci Zeus sectional both incorporate power recliners, letting you adjust your position without disturbing others. For those who prefer their seating arrangements a little more individualized, we have just received an exciting new selection of American Leather recliners, including the Demi, Eva, Fallon, and Elliott. Give the TV a home in a great media center, like the Mobican Cassia wall unit or Credencia buffet, and accessorize with a fun area rug, like Dellarobbia’s Wildflowers or Wander, available in your choice of custom color scheme. Speaking of colors…

Colors
The right color palette can make a huge difference to the feel of your home, conjuring moods out of thin air. For example, as the color of water and cloudless skies, blue has an obvious association with calm and relaxation. Decorate in blues with red undertones to make a room feel cozier, or opt for blues with a hint of yellow to cool it down. Earthy neutrals like brown, warm grey, and taupe can generate a warm and welcoming ambience. Green can also create an atmosphere of natural freshness and calm. Use several shades of green in one room to enhance its subconscious association with the outdoors. Finally, it may be wise to avoid energetic colors like red, yellow and orange if serenity is your goal.

Sofas, chairs and sectionals are inevitably going to suffer a certain amount of wear — a little mess is just part of life. However, proper fabric care will help keep your furnishings looking their best for years to come. The trick is to make sure you’re using the cleaning techniques and products that best suit your upholstery type.

Ultrasuede
As a manmade performance fabric, UltrasuedeⓇ requires minimal maintenance to keep it clean and fresh. It is machine washable, and liquid spills bead on the surface without being absorbed . Most water-based stains can be cleaned up with just a damp cloth, while a mild detergent or solvent will lift off tougher, oil-based messes. Air dry, then brush the nap back into place with a soft brush.

Crypton
Like Ultrasuede, CryptonⓇ is also designed to resist liquids, causing them to bead and run off before any harm can be done. Most stains can be cleaned off Crypton-covered furnishings with just laundry detergent and water. Crypton also sells professional grade stain removers, fabric disinfectant, and a pet safe cleaning spray, to tackle more challenging messes.

Fabric upholstery
Start by vacuuming your chair with the upholstery attachment, using short, overlapping strokes from top to bottom. Use a can of compressed air to spray dust and crumbs out of tufts, nooks and crannies. Next, check the care label — some fabrics are not intended to get wet, so make sure you know what you’re dealing with before going any further. Use a spot cleaner to deal with any stains, then scrub gently with warm water, a small amount of dish or laundry detergent, and a special upholstery brush. Don’t soak it — you don’t want the filling to get drenched. Finally, wipe your freshly washed chair down with a clean cloth and leave to air dry completely.

Sunbrella
SunbrellaⓇ is designed for outdoor use, and is durable enough to withstand dirt and mildew without permanent damage. Most spills can be cleaned off with ordinary tap water, with dishwashing detergent added as required. Tougher stains can be bleached away without harming the color, but before going to that extreme, check the Sunbrella Stain Chart for comprehensive cleaning instructions.

Leather
Leather requires regular maintenance to stay in top condition, but by following a few simple care rules you can look forward to decades of use. Wipe up spills as they happen with a clean, dry cloth, and never leave it wet. Dust with a dry cotton cloth and avoid water, soap and any cleaning products not designed specifically for leather. Treat with a leather conditioner every 6-12 months, and buff any small cracks or scratches that appear with a microfiber cloth. Position your leather furnishings out of direct sunlight to preserve their color and prevent dryness.

If in doubt — or if you find yourself contending with fabric upholstery that isn’t water-safe — it’s always best to let a professional handle it for you. Ask your Sklar interior designer for personalized fabric care recommendations.

Upholstered furniture tends to endure a lot of wear and tear and cleaning it can be a seemingly daunting task. The most important item to figure out when tackling the cleaning of upholstery is determining what kind of fabric you are working with so you can decide which products and cleaning methods to employ.

Do this by locating the care tag on the product. For couches, the care tag is usually under the cushion or on the platform the couch cushion sits on.

Once you locate the tag, these are the possible letters you will come across and what they mean:

W: Lucky you, you’re working with natural fabrics like cotton and linen which can be cleaned with water and water-based products. You can use a damp cloth to spot treat immediate stains, but remember not to rub on new spills as this can make them worse. With natural fabrics you can also use upholstery cleaners and their foaming attachments to clean the material.

S: You will need to use a solvent-based cleaning product to clean your couch. These are dry-cleaning products which be found at the hardware store and you will need protective gloves and ventilation when using them. These products are meant to be blotted on upholstery stains and once the stain is gone the solvent can be removed using a clean, wet, light-coloured rag.

S/W: You can use a water or solvent for cleaning these sorts of pieces, but it’s best to leave these sorts of materials with professionals to clean in order to determine the best approach. Spills on these fabrics should be spot treated immediately.

X: This means your furniture is vacuum-clean only. This label is usually seen on older pieces of furniture, so if you think the furniture is in need of more than just a vacuuming, it’s best to consult a restoration expert.

In addition to this, it is important not to forget to vacuum your furniture from time to time. Using a small handheld vacuum or the brush and crevice tools of a larger vacuum, clean the space beneath the cushions and the surrounding nooks of your sofas and chair for a look that feels brand new. Delicate pieces that you don’t use often can be vacuumed once a month, whereas furniture that is used more can be vacuumed during your regular cleaning routine.

Feel like your home is ready for a makeover, but you aren’t ready for a renovation? No problem! There are many great ways to significantly improve and change the look of your home without even lifting a hammer! Here are some ways to do it:

1. Create Dual Purpose Spaces: Think your house is too small? Think again. There are probably rooms that you aren’t using to their full advantage, and can actually combine in order to free up space. Here are some common dual purpose rooms we see our clients creating in their homes everyday.

Kitchen/dining room: The modern dining room often sits inside the kitchen or beside it (in a more open concept space). Placing a dining table in the kitchen or in the area adjacent to it means you can a) free up your old dining room and b) interact with your guests more. Turn your kitchen island into a buffet or place for drinks, snacks and hors d’oeuvres. A piece like the Connection Dining Table is ideal for the kitchen turned dining room because it lends well to almost any decor, especially since it comes with the option of a glass or wooden tabletop.

Guest Bedroom/office: More people are working from home these days, and enjoying the benefits of a re-charging mid-day nap while doing so. As a result, it makes a lot of sense to combine the office and guest bedroom. American Leather’s Hailey Comfort Sleeper Sofa is a great piece for this purpose because it has a full-size (and very comfortable) bed inside it, perfect for guests, but is also a couch comfortable to sit and work on, or lie down on for a mid-day snooze.

2. Paint: Paint is truly powerful, it can make a room look a) no longer trapped in a time warp b) fresher and Brighter. Considering how much it does, you sure get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to purchasing and applying paint to the walls in your home. White is always an interior design classic and right now you can’t really go wrong with dove greys, sands, soft blues, as well as dusty roses. For more insight into current color trends, check out our Color Forecast for Summer 2016.

3. Lighting: This is one of the most powerful tools you can utilize in your home, and can truly change the way you look at a space. Examine the lighting in a room. Do you have solid ambient, task and accent lighting? To truly optimize a room’s look some thought needs to be put into all three. Here’s how to think about them:

Ambient lighting: This is the room’s general lighting, it allows you to function safely in the space. It should be bright enough that you can perform all tasks with ease, but also low enough that you don’t have glare. Even highly decorative pieces like the Uccello di fuoco light can do the trick and provide solid central lighting for the room.

Task lighting: What you will be doing in the room? This will determine what task lighting you will I.e. if you are getting ready in the bathroom, you need lighting by your mirror to see your face.

Accent lighting: What items in the room deserve a little extra light on them to dazzle? e. artwork, houseplants, your favorite items – this will decide where accent lighting goes.

The most important thing about choosing a layout for your living room is ensuring that you stay true to your needs for the space. For example, if you plan on mostly watching TV in the room, by all means set up the furniture so that it’s ideal for TV watching!

With utility in mind, we’ve compiled some tips for creating a layout that keeps both style and the purpose of the space top priority.

The living room for television watching: If you love cozying up with blankets on a comfy couch to binge watch your favorite shows then there is no denying the need to center your layout around the TV. There are many modern pieces that allow you to do this in a stylish manner. Wall units like the Open Wall Unit are ever-popular and today you can mount your flat screen television to fit within the confines of the wall unit or have it set on one of the unit’s shelves. Surround your TV with your other beloved belongings to create a chic and eclectic look. In terms of the furniture you set up around it, recliners and sectionals are ideal as they provide maximum comfort in a space that essentially doubles as a home theatre. The reconfigurability of many sectionals means that when guests arrive you can pull the couch apart to create groupings for entertaining. The addition of an ottoman like the Jodi into the space means ample seating can be created for entertaining guests.

The living room for entertaining: If the number one function of your living room is entertaining guests then setting up the furniture to encourage conversation should be your number one goal. Having armchairs and couches like the Marilyn and the Fly Sectional centered around a coffee table like the Neolitico creates a conversation area and encourages people to chat.

The kid-friendly living room: Kids need to feel welcome in a space as much as adults, and in order to do this they need room to play.  By creating designated areas in the room for the two groups, harmony can be subtly created. This can be done with an area rug and a strategically placed piece of furniture. A carpet like the Splash is ideal for kids because its dark pattern means stains won’t be super visible if juice, milk or food gets spilled on it. A sectional like the Clint has a low enough profile that the kids can still be monitored, while a subtle boundary can be created between them and the adults.

When many of us picture ourselves vacationing we imagine ourselves eating outdoors. Make everyday a touch more relaxing by enjoying this simple luxury in the comfort of your own backyard. One way to do this is by equipping your outdoor space so that you can effectively cook and dine outside.

Here’s how to transform your backyard into a space for cooking:

1. A BBQ: This is a no brainer, you are going to need an outdoor grill. When shopping for a BBQ look for an option that has built in counter space adjacent to the grill area. Many modern options also have a burner on one side, perfect for boiling or sauteing while your grill does the rest of the work. There are a ton of innovative and surprising options available for outdoor cooking (stone ovens, sinks, fridges) but even just a simple BBQ and a bit of counter space can take you a long way when it comes to cooking outside.

2. Cook your entire meal using the grill: The BBQ isn’t just for steaks and burgers. You can essentially cook every food group using the grill, and the best part is it’s quick and easy. If you’re in search of some new ideas outside the traditional hamburger, Pinterest is loaded with BBQ-based recipes.

3. A comfortable outdoor dining space: We are big believers that outdoor furniture should be just as comfortable and elegant as indoor furniture. In fact, most of the outdoor furniture in our showroom is chic enough to be used indoors, but has the durability outdoor living requires. Create a true outdoor dining experience by treating your backyard like a dining room. Whether it’s a chic bistro table for two, or a dining set like the Ella , which comfortably seats eight, the opportunity to relax and enjoy a meal outdoors increases exponentially with great patio furniture.

When picking great outdoor furniture choosing something full scale with comfortable cushions is key, for example, the South Beach Loveseat. It’s built-in tabletops mean you can lounge and snack without fumbling for a place to rest your food and beverages.

4. Lighting: Wining and dining in the dark is incredibly difficult. Extend the window of time you can spend outside with outdoor lighting. It not only provides the light you need to be comfortable, but also adds a ton of ambiance. An outdoor fireplace like the Equinox provides light and coziness, and almost guarantees you will want to stay outside longer. The fact that it’s built into a coffee table means that it performs double duty and will be appreciated during the day as much as the night.

Even just a touch of wood can bring a lot of warmth into a room and since the kitchen is the heart of the home, it’s a great place to incorporate the material.

Whether it’s through subtle accents, furniture, flooring or cabinetry there are many great ways wood can be infused into a kitchen’s decor.

Having a beautiful wood cutting board as a permanent fixture on your kitchen counter not only comes in handy, but adds an extra layer of texture to your countertop, especially if you have a cooler countertop made of marble, or stainless steel appliances. Wooden bowls and serving spoons are also a quick and easy way to add the material into the kitchen.

Having a wood kitchen table for the family to gather around is a classic option. For a modern take on this kitchen classic opt for a long, banquet style table with clean lines like the Versailles, Wolfgang or Spyder. For an ultra modern look, pair these modern wood tables with chairs from another collection like Kartell’s Audrey Armchair. Another wonderful option is a table made from reclaimed wood. Not only is this a highly sustainable option, but its already rustic finish means you won’t have to treat it as gingerly as you would a table with a finer finish.

In recent years we’ve seen wood re-emerging as an increasingly popular flooring option in kitchens. People are often apprehensive to incorporate it into their kitchens because of the inevitable wear and tear it will have to endure, but with proper installation and care, hardwood floors, even in the kitchen, can last a lifetime. By installing underlayments made of vinyl or plastic underneath the floor you can help prevent damage in areas likely to attract moisture.

A big trend in kitchens at the moment is open shelving. If you are considering this look for your kitchen, wooden shelving is one way to go – it looks especially sharp in an all-white kitchen. If you aren’t willing to take the plunge into fully exposed shelving, opt for two or three shelves in place of one set of cabinetry or a piece like the Estoril bookcase. It will not only add additional storage to your kitchen, but will allow you to display items you love like teacups, glassware and cookbooks without having to commit to a kitchen stocked with exclusively pristine and organized accessories.

Transitional style doesn’t announce itself as boldly as some other decorative styles, which are defined by a specific time or place; think Tuscan, or Mid-Century Modern.   That means it can be a slippery thing to define.

But if you’re a fan of interior design magazines or blogs, you’ve almost certainly admired a transitional home. Their casual yet tailored look and seemingly timeless quality make them natural crowd-pleasers. Transitional is one of the most functional and family-friendly interior design styles. It’s perfect for spaces that need to serve multiple functions, while accommodating people with diverse tastes.

So, what is it? Simply put, transitional homes combine contemporary and classic design elements to create a look that foregrounds the best of both. A neutral color palette (think creams, beiges and natural wood tones) creates a backdrop that can handle anything. Ornamentation and bright colors are kept to a minimum, while lots of varied textures create interest.

To achieve a transitional look, think balance. Balance curves with straight lines, smooth textures with rough, masculine furnishings with feminine ones, and dark tones with light. Combine dark woods with pale fabrics. Offset a feminine kitchen with masculine bar seating. Accent hardwood floors with a thick, luxuriant area rug, like the Maltino.

Perhaps most important is the blend of traditional and contemporary elements. Furnish a period living room with a modern sofa set, like the Flynn Sectional Sofa by American Leather. Conversely, if your home is very modern, soften it with elements that hark back to the past. Some pieces seamlessly combine old styles and new materials, making them a great fit for transitional homes. Consider translucent polycarbonate furniture, like the Kartell Louis Ghost Armchair, or mirrored pieces like the Katie Mirrored Dresser.

As seasons and fashions change, it’s easy to freshen your transitional home by adding a small number of on-trend accents or accessories. Just don’t let them overwhelm the room! Remember, the goal is to create a comfortable, livable look that will endure, so focus on quality materials and thoughtful design.