I love creating spaces that welcome guests and family for parties, dinners, and celebrations! A living room or family room in your home should invite people to gather, to sit and talk, and to feel comfortable. I have 5 can’t-fail tips that make your living spaces so enticing that your guests won’t want to leave!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see the full project here.

Don’t Make a TV the Focal Point

When a television is the first thing you see in a living space, it can be off-putting! Especially when it’s switched off and is just a big black box. I like to use art as the focal point of a room - it tells a story about who you are and what you like. Art can be a great conversation starter, and it makes a room feel much more welcoming!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see the full project here.

Offer Plenty of Seating

No matter what size room you have, it’s great to offer a lot of seating for your guests. In the rooms I design, I’ll add ottomans that can double as stools, or accent chairs that can be pulled over to conversation areas. The more the merrier is the rule in this room!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see full project here.

Light It Up

Layered lighting is fantastic in an entertaining space! You want the option to have a bright room for a celebration, but softer lighting for conversation. I always plan overhead lighting, natural light, and plenty of lamps in my projects. Be sure you have enough tables for drinks and plates, too!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see full project here.

Soften the Look

Extra comfort and texture are key to a welcoming space, so be sure you add plenty of pillows and throws. That way your guests will be able to settle in and feel right at home!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see the full project here.

The Final Touches

Fresh flowers are the perfect way to create a celebratory look! I love to have fresh flowers in my spaces even for a night in with my family! Other great touches include accessories and books. They’ll give your guests clues about who you are and what you like - and they give you plenty to talk about!

Use these ideas to create welcoming spaces that are perfect for entertaining! And invite me, too!!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Given how cold and snowy this winter has been, I’m excited about the trend toward big bold floral patterns on walls and fabrics! It’s the perfect design for spring - and beyond! I’ve always loved a pattern of flowers, but there’s something about an overscaled look that just takes my breath away.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I fell in love with the Thibaut wallpaper above, with its classic navy-and-white palette. A powder room is the perfect place to experiment with a more dramatic look like this one!

Rollout Wallpaper

I literally stopped in my tracks when I saw this huge realistic wall of flowers at a home furnishings show here in Toronto! How stunning is this wallpaper from Rollout? It is absolutely gorgeous when you see it in person!!

Victoria Larson

Victoria Larson took more of a painterly approach for her floral pattern on a grasscloth. It’s got a lovely dreamy quality to it!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I’m so in love with these big blooms that I’m offering the look on pillows on my online shop! This combination of navy, light blue, and lavender is a great colour mix! Click here to get this pillow for your own home.

What do you think about this floral trend? Does it have you dreaming of warmer weather? Me too!!!

Until next time,

-Cynthia