We all need a fresh start sometimes, but renovating your entire space isn't necessarily the answer. Often, it's best to start small. And while it's normal to crave a bit of a spruce as the seasons change, knowing where to begin can prove quite difficult. That's where Brittaney Elise comes in.
Brittaney is the principal, founder, and CEO of West Coast design firm BE. by Brittaney Elise. Having designed for celebrities, business leaders, and high-end companies for years, she knows her way around a full-scale, luxury remodel. But she also knows how to make a well-designed space even better – and small, impactful spruces that don't require renovation often fit the bill.
If you're looking to give your home a quick refresh before summer's through, you're in luck – Homes & Gardens sat down with Brittaney, and she shared her top four go-to spruces. From quality window treatments to a signature scent, here are the expert-approved home decor ideas you'll want to take home.
1. Invest in quality window treatments
Brittaney's first tip for a stunning home refresh is simple: invest in high-quality window treatments: 'In my experience, it's an area that people dread spending the money on because they can be pricey – they don't have to be, but they can be. But they do instantly transform a space,' Brittaney tells H&G.
For the best effect, Brittaney suggests placing the curtains, drapes, or blinds of your choice a bit higher than the window frame – in fact, she says the higher the better. While the norm used to be placing window treatment hardware just above the window, she says this 'little trick' makes any space look lighter.
'If you just extend further beyond that, as close to the ceiling as possible, you’re going to dramatize the space. It just makes it feel elevated and more wealthy. Window treatments, I think we all can agree, make a huge difference. They're worth the investment,' she says.
2. Bring the outdoors in
House plants and floral arrangements are welcome additions to any home, bringing loads of extra character and life in an instant. But Brittaney suggests something different for a long-lasting, low-maintenance spruce that'll still elevate your space with ease: foliage.
'I love dry foliage, just dry greenery. They last longer than flowers, and that shade of green – that olive, that neutral hunter green – is so pretty when it dries out. Larger branches like that are going to instantly transform a space,' she says.
3. Find your signature scent
Scent is extremely underrated when it comes to interior design. A welcoming, warm design scheme relies on all five senses, and a luxurious scent makes a good living room great in seconds. Brittaney says this feature is so important that 'it's worth it to invest in a more expensive candle,' referencing high-end brands like Diptyque and Le Labo.
'Anyone who owns any of those candles can say when they light them in their home, when they have guests over, it instantly elevates and transforms the space. It's appealing to a different sense,' she says.
BE. by Brittaney Elise has a candle of its own, too, in a sandalwood vanilla scent that took Brittaney four years to perfect. 'Anyone who gets their hands on it is obsessed with it,' she says. Recently, the firm also partnered with Last Candle Co., a company that sells refillable candle holders in luxurious stone materials like marble.
'This is an example of another statement candle piece that I think is worth the investment. You have this stunning marble piece, and you've got different scents that you can change throughout the year,' she says.
4. Make a statement with the lighting
'My last one is going to be light fixtures,' says Brittaney. 'A statement lamp, a statement chandelier, pendants – they make a huge difference in a space.'
For impactful punctuation in any space, look to the lighting. A well-considered, planned-out lighting scheme makes quite the difference, and just one well-placed fixture can change the entire design scheme.
Whether your style is sleek and contemporary or vintage and eclectic, seek out a light fixture that tells a story – your space will be left with a gorgeous focal point to admire.
Home refreshes don't have to be costly or all-consuming – as long as you bring in design features that make your home feel more like you, you're on the right track.
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