Chris Lu, Marketing Manager with Sabal Crafted Homes, says that the company’s objective is to be the forefront in design while also being affordable. When decorating a show home, Chris will give creative direction to the decorators on how the show home will ultimately look. In the case of Sabal’s Ion in Sagewood, Chris wanted the home to have a contemporary look. “We imagine who will be living in this home and what their lifestyle might be,” says Lu. “Our design philosophy is to be in tune with our customers while providing the latest styles and looks.” In order to decorate this particular show home, Chris worked with a design company so that the desired effect could be achieved.

Lu says that people have come to appreciate the company’s difference, however when it comes to decorating they try for moderation; not too contemporary, and not too traditional. “People like to go safer.” says Lu. He also explains that wall colour is one of the biggest factors when decorating a home, as well as one of the least expensive. As such, whether it’s a renovation or a new home, paint is usually decided upon first. “We usually recommend neutral wall colours, then accent with pillows and such to add colour.” Says Lu.

Although quite often these neutral colours are selected in order to be more flexible with the décor, some people may choose to have a feature wall painted in a more pronounced colour. It all depends on what you want to be the focus in a room. If a particular wall has an unusual shape, or you want to draw attention to that area, a more vibrant colour is sometimes used. Depending on style and preference, many things can provide a focal point in a room, or even in an entire home. Art can sometimes be the focal point, such as a painting that an owner is particularly proud of, or other times art can be used to accent a room. Lu says that artwork is usually vibrant, so in some cases the décor is arranged around it. He says in other cases however, if the room and walls provide the colour, black and white photographs throughout can also provide a dramatic effect. Either way, Lu says that when beginning to decorate a home, it’s important to start with what you already have, and work from there.

One of the more memorable décors in a show home is in an Innovations by Jayman home. The Echo includes a lower level family room that was definitely a playfully decorated room. With Mauves, bright blues and plastic and stainless steel accents throughout, this is a room that visitors don’t soon forget. Chris Kuzmanovich, Manager of the Model Merchandizing division of Wen-Di Interiors, says that although he didn’t decorate that particular show home, he remembers it well. “The inspiration for that basement came from a picture in a magazine that the designer had seen,” says Kuzmanovich. “The Echo was intended as a first-time home, and the family room is where the homeowner could have fun, experiment and really be wild when it came to decorating.” Kuzmanovich says that any time they are going to work with a show home they look at the marketing and who will probably live in that house. He says that working from the blueprints they begin to get an idea of who is going to live there, and what their character might be. Once this character or characters begins to take shape, it affects the colours, materials used for bedding and drapery, and even the blinds. “When we go out shopping, we have and idea of what we want, then when we see it, we know it, and we buy it,” says Kuzmanovich. “There is lots of planning and organization involved, but there’s also a bit of instant inspiration. Sometimes you see something that you know is just right, and you work around that element.”

Although he’s an interior designer, Kuzmanovich says that he personally only deals with colour and décor. “Colour should come out of your personality and reflect your character,” he says. “The next most important feature is lighting, which can also set mood and show character. Lighting can be relaxing, exciting, or even sexy.” Kuzmanovich also explains that decorating a show home is different then decorating for a specific individual or family. “The Difference between private homes and show homes is that builders want a wow-factor in each and every show home so that people will remember their company and their show home.”  He says that the builders want people to aspire to live there, and if they see something that they like in the design or the décor they will be more likely to consider this home as their home.

When there are many show homes in a parade, builders sometimes ask decorators or designers to choose more flamboyant decorating styles in order to ensure that their home will be easily remembered. When a showhome is only one in a line-up of many, not only is it important to offer unique designs and floorplans, but it is also important that the décor compliments or enhances these features. However, when decorating your own home, you may or may not want your own wow-factor. If you do, this may come from whatever item or feature you have decided will be the focal point of the décor, but usually it will reflect your own personality and tastes. More often, homeowners prefer a continuity in design, and a décor that makes them feel good about coming home.

A family heirloom or a favorite sculpture or a piece of art may be the centre of your decorating efforts, but colours, placement and accents are all highly personal and allow you to take creative license with your living space.