Laura de Barra - Décor Galore: The Essential Guide to Styling Your Home

Also by Laura de Barra

Gaff Goddess: Simple Tips and Tricks to Help You Run Your Home

Laura de Barra is a Cork-born property portfolio developer and illustrator working in the competitive London market. She is the author and illustrator of No.1 bestseller Gaff Goddess and has a regular She-IY column in the Irish Times . Her Instagram account @lauradebarra is a gold mine of clever repair, dcor and She-IY inspiration, and her joyful passion for her work will inspire even the most hesitant tenant or homeowner to discover they really can do it for themselves. Dcor Galore is her second book.

For Mags, who taught me the true meaning of making your space a home

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Transworld is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

First published in the UK and Ireland in 2021 by Transworld Ireland

Copyright Laura de Barra 2021

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologize for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.

Design by Bobby Birchall, Bobby&Co

Cover illustration by Laura de Barra

ISBN: 978-1-473-59632-0

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

The construction, plumbing or electrical information in this book has been compiled by way of general guidance in relation to the specific subjects addressed, but is not a substitute for professional advice on specific circumstances and in specific locations. As far as the author is aware the information given is correct and up to date as at 3 May 2021. Practice, laws and regulations all change, and the reader should obtain up-to-date professional advice on any such issues. The author and publisher disclaim as far as the law allows, any liability arising directly from the use, or misuse, of the information contained in the book.

Welcome! You look simply stunning. Vintage? I thought so. Love the shoulders.

We are going to go inside shortly, but lets perch here for a moment. Iced coffee? Fabulous. I want to take some time to tell you about what lies in store. I really think youre going to love it.

We will be taking a wonderful journey through the home, stopping in each room to gain a deeper understanding of her true function, as well as how to get the best out of the space and its contents. My aim is to open up your mind to a new way of thinking about your home and arm you with all the information you need to create a space that is tailored to those who live there. What a stunning state of affairs!

During our time together, I will focus a little on the materials and construction of some dcor items, as I hope it will help you source things that not only look great but also last, should you be opting to do any overhauls. High-street purchases can be a low-cost and simple way to add some flavour to a home, but we must be aware that what comes in will someday leave and that it must go somewhere. How long it lasts and if it ends up in landfill is down to us, the gorgeous gatekeepers. Knowing how to buy well is one way to be more responsible. Knowing when not to buy is even better. So, we will, of course, delve into how to update the look of your surroundings and the repairs that will keep what you have with you for longer.

Now (*places glass on saucer*), during this journey we will be covering updates for all budgets and set-ups. So whether youre in the market for making a room in a rental work better or if youre embarking on a full overhaul, there will be tips and tricks to help you along. You will hear me use a few terms that you need to get familiar with.

Zoning: This is the art of sectioning your rooms into areas of use. Zones can be any size, from a dining zone right through to the skincare zone your serums sit in, waiting for you each night. Zones are a glorious way to make sure that you can use your space cleverly and, most importantly, set up your home in a way that works for you. Everyone and every home is different, which is why zoning is so important. It is focused around the user and how they wish to live. As we explore each room, its a great time to reflect on your current set-up and what zones you need in yours to get more out of the space.

Routes: All rooms have routes. They are the paths most travelled through the space. Main routes are dictated by practical movements the path from the bed to the en suite, or from the hallway to the couch before one flings oneself down after a long day. These routes may seem unimportant, but they are a vital element when it comes to dcor. They will dictate where furniture is best placed, what kind of rug should go down, what will work on the walls, or even what materials are best avoided. As we visit each room, you will have the chance to reflect on the routes you have in your set-up and if they are helping you glide or forcing you to stumble through your space.

Pit stops: Along your routes there will always be pit stops. These are usually surfaces or storage. Ideally a pit stop will house something involved in the route it is on. It could be a hook that holds a dressing gown between the bed and shower, or the top of a dresser between a wardrobe and mirror upon which jewellery is stored. Pit stops, if placed cleverly, can really enhance the use of a room as well as your day, saving time and making life feel a little smoother. If pit stops are not well thought out, they end up becoming pile-ups.

The Min, The Tszuj, The Overhaul: An elegant trio. When it comes to dcor, what you can or want to do with your space will differ from person to person. It is important for me that there is a gorgeous seat for everyone at this table. This is why we will always start with the Min.

The Min is about working with what you already have in place. I believe the smallest of changes to the home are as important as the bigger ones. The Min will focus on getting the contents of the space right and making changes that have a high impact with low cost. It may suit renters really well, as a lot of these changes also dont require anything that could go against a standard lease. However, if you are planning a bigger change, I would always encourage you to consider the Min it will allow you to get the space in order and it could have a positive effect on what you end up doing next.