Home is where the heart is, so it only makes sense that your house should be filled with furniture you love and designs you find aesthetically pleasing. Just because neutral colours are trendy for walls and couches, that doesn’t mean you need to jump on the beige train in your home.

It’s YOUR home, so it should shine with the colours and designs that YOU love.

While there are many ways to make your home stand out, one creative alternative from the norm could be adding bold Signature Design by Ashley statement pieces throughout your space. By doing so, your house becomes less of a suburban dwelling and more of an art exhibit. Not the boring ones where you don’t understand anything, but the ones that keep you coming back for more.

If that’s the ideal kind of nest you desire to have, here are 4 tips to spruce up your home’s interior with eclectic statement pieces:

1. One is enough

“If everything is special then nothing is special.” – Reagan Hayes, furniture and interior designer

A statement piece could be anything from an emerald green accent armchair to an extravagantly and elegantly carved wooden coffee table. Statement pieces are made to stand out, and if there’s a variety of flamboyant furniture in one room the novelty may wear off rather quickly.

Choose no more than two or three statement pieces for a room to keep it from getting overwhelmingly kitschy. Unsure what Signature Design by Ashley statement piece fits your space best? Our sales associates are ready and happy to help you make the best decision possible.

2. Don’t Be Afraid of Patterns

Some people may try to steer clear of patterns on their couches and other furniture – but we want you to embrace them! Even if you failed geometry, don’t let a few geometric patterns scare you off. They can really add an original flair to any room. If you have a room with not much going on, including a sofa with a geometric or other pattern can really make it pop.

3. Let Colour Into Your Life

Just like we said with using patterns, don’t be afraid to accept vibrantly coloured statement pieces into your life, as well! A little burst of pigment never hurts – especially if the room is a dull and neutral hue. Wake up your room with a striking red console table that will ignite your passion for your home every time you see it. Brighten your space up with a sky-blue chair that lifts your spirit every time you’re near it. Colour can change your mood, so work with it to design a space that makes you happy.

4. It Doesn’t Have to Be Huge

When you think of a statement piece, do you think of a massive hunk of junk taking up space in your home? Before you decide you don’t have enough room to fit such a large item, you should know that statement pieces come in all shapes and sizes. Something as small as an embellished table lamp could be the only statement you need to make. No need to go crazy with size – as long as it’s noticeable, then you’re set.

Interested in adding a captivating piece of furniture from Signature Design by Ashley to your home? Visit us at today choose from a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and more.

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

Source: Malcom Duffin Design

Why be boring. When it comes to creating a unique sense of style and character for your home that is all your own one very easy way is by customizing your upholstered furniture. A simple swap with fabulous fabrics can elevate a room and ensure your home is never boring (and totally you!).

Some small projects, like an ottoman, or the cushions on your barstools or dining room chairs are simple enough you can do them yourself or bring in a professional if you’re unsure. Here are some great examples of how a simple swap of fabric can make all the difference to a space or a room.

We’ve talked before about awesome accent chairs can be, and one of the MANY reasons we love them is the opportunity they provide to pick a bold fabric, either in colour, pattern or both!

This luxe leopard print chair is an awesome accent and great way to introduce a little funky without going cat crazy.

This bench and the chairs in a different fabric really make for a special place to enjoy a meal or cup of tea with family and friends.

These elegant dining room chairs have a distinct bold fabric that brings your eye right to them. They scream for attention and are a great addition to the room.

This room has a great combination of fun chairs and awesome ottoman.

This bold ottoman and striped chair offer up some great contrast and interest to the room.

Bigger furniture items like sofas or pairs of chairs are definitely best left for the professionals. When you invest in quality items splurging for a fresh fabric update and fluffing up of the cushions every decade or so is always worth it.

Here are some great examples of fresh furniture makeovers using fabric. You’ll note the opportunity to mix and match patterns and colours really shines when you decide to go big and update larger items.

These bold blue wing chairs are a stunning statement in this living room.

With colour everywhere, this room has a big impact. It is also a great example of how you can combine fabrics in multiple patterns and textures in the same colour family to create harmony. The pop of pink is perfect!

Very traditional, but very beautiful: this combination of fabrics and use of blue creates the sense of an English country manor home.

Also traditional, but GREAT use of fabrics in this lovely living room.

Source: Houzz

This small space packs a BIG punch with style. Both the living room furniture and the dining room chairs offer up fab fabrics and great punches of colour.

Source: Houzz

Inspired to be bold and freshen up your fabrics? We hope so!

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

From the covers of House & Home to the small screen sensation “Fixer Upper,” people just can’t get enough of the modern farmhouse design for homes. But why is the modern farmhouse style so wildly popular?

It’s because of the feeling the look creates.
It’s more than just the design.
It’s casual and easy.
It’s not excessive or overdone.
It’s the combination of old-fashioned looks with modern touches.

While there is no distinct guide as to what makes a house farm style, we have put together our ten elements that can help you give any home that farmhouse-style feel.

Shiplap Walls

Source: Lisa Furey Interiors

If you have ever seen an episode of Fixer Upper you know this element comes without saying. It’s Joanna Gaines’ favourite way to make an otherwise boring space go from ordinary to extraordinary. Its distinct look can make any wall look upscale yet old-fashioned. The best part about it is that it is pretty cheap to recreate in your own home. There are several DIY guides to walk you through step-by-step to ensure you can easily complete that farmhouse-style look.

Wide Plank Floors

The flooring you choose in your home is an important decision, especially when you’re going for the modern farmhouse look. Wide plank flooring, in particular rustic wood floors, is a perfect choice to round-out the farmhouse look you’re trying to achieve. Since most modern farmhouse-style homes boast open, expansive floor plans the larger planks will fit the scale of the room much better than if you were to go with narrow planks of oak or marble tiles.

Interior Barn Doors

Source: Hooked on Houses

Sliding barn doors are no longer just for keeping animals inside the barn. They are a popular accent that can make an interior space really stand out. Within the modern farmhouse design, sliding barn doors can be used in place of any interior door to separate and define spaces and can be used as closet doors, cover up bookshelves, storage spaces and media/technology units when not in use.

Shaker-Style Kitchen Cabinets

Source: Lisa Furey Interiors

Shaker-style cabinets are perfect for the farmhouse-style kitchen because of their uniquely simple yet attractive features. Painted white, light blue or sage green, and paired with basic hardware, shaker-style kitchen cabinets are the perfect finish to bring your whole farmhouse-style kitchen together.

Farmhouse Sink

The farmhouse sink goes back to the time when sinks were used for cooking, canning, and washing babies. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to go back to those times? I know I do. Farmhouse sinks are big and open, and oftentimes they have an “apron”. They’re simple, they’re beautiful and their quality is often unmatched.

Metal Elements

Mix and Match of Rustic and Industrial Furniture

Source: HGTV

One of the great things about designing a home with a modern farmhouse design is the flexibility to infuse each room with a variety of accents and furniture from two main styles, rustic and industrial. You can have a sleek leather sofa paired with soft knitted pillows or a light fabric sectional with some dark metallic pillows. Almost anything goes with this laid-back modern farmhouse style, no matter what room you’re trying to style. Just remember less is more in most cases.

Natural Textiles

A modern farmhouse room embraces cozy sofas, plump pillows and natural textiles. Worn wood with gorgeous deep grains and grooves, wall art with eye-catching vintage florals, imperfect clear glass and vases, jute and burlap weaved baskets and soft cotton throw blankets are all good opportunities to capture the modern farmhouse look.

Neutral Palette With Dark Accents

In order to keep with this tradition, modern farmhouse-style homes tend to be light with white or off-white colour that nicely complements the hardwood floors. Feel free to use colours that you personally enjoy, however, try to keep them close to the overall farmhouse colour scheme of neutral or light colours.

Animal Accents

Source: BrandSource Canada

Accents and accessories are absolutely essential to complete this look, but under no circumstances should you try to fit in too many. A well placed oversized print of a farm animal, in pastel or black and white, small wooden animal statues placed next to some greenery on a shelf are all popular and acceptable choices for farmhouse decor. A variety of textures including light-coloured furs and wool mixed with metals and woods will surely give your farmhouse design some depth.

Now it’s your turn! Take these ten essential elements of a modern farmhouse and run with them! Let your creativity get the best of you while incorporating new and old touches to every room in your house. Each room is unique and we suggest you start with the room you and your family spend the most time in, so that you may enjoy the longest.

Most people choose to do their living rooms or kitchens first. Living Rooms are simple because you can generally do most of the work yourself. Throw in some light-coloured paint, replace factory light fixtures with industrial ones and while you’re at it, shiplap that wall your fireplace sits upon. When you start to feel overwhelmed and need a little inspiration just browse through our website and let our sofa and sectional collection inspire your imagination for your farmhouse living area. We’re here to help bring your ideas to life, let us help you choose your next piece of farmhouse furniture.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

No matter how short our Canadian summers are, one hot summer trend that isn’t going anywhere is the outdoor living room. No longer just a picnic table and uncomfortable folding chairs we pull from the spider-web shed, today’s outdoor living rooms are chic and functional.

Want to step up your outdoor decorating game this year? Here are the four essentials for any great Canadian outdoor living space.

1) Say ‘Welcome’ from the Outside

From a fresh spring welcome mat at the front door to a bright floral wreath, the quickest way to step up your outdoor décor game is to decorate your home from the outside in.

2) Comfortable, Convertible, and Ample Seating for Family and Friends

Patio tables and chairs, outdoor sofas, sectionals, and ottomans, are all great (and comfortable) ways to ensure you and your guests have a soft spot to land after some fun in the sun. With bright coloured cushions, umbrellas, and throws for cooler evenings make your yard just as cozy as your living room with plenty of pillows and places for quiet retreat.

3) Personal Touches like a DIY Side Table or Planters

We all want our spaces to be a reflection of who we are, so show your colours and add some personal touches to your outdoor space. Grab some spray paint and jazz up some planters or add some stripes to a side table/extra guest perch.

Canadian blogger Ariel added some great personal touches to her outdoor pillows and planters, such creativity!

4) Greenery

Plants, grasses, and veggies galore! While the summer may be short, the ultimate celebration of summer is sipping a hard earned beverage outside (on your comfy outdoor sofa with bright cushions of course!) next to a small planter filled with herbs while looking at your garden growing.

If this summer is the summer your outdoor space is really going to shine, remember this: make it comfortable, make it yours, and you’ll make it memorable!

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert