Ask A Designer - Dark vs Light Coloured Couch

Jennifer Koper June 21, 2017

We get a lot of questions about what colour sofa to invest in. Its a big decision - see what we have to say about it!

H&H's Joel Bray and Jennifer Koper offer expert advice on selecting the right sofa for your home and lifestyle. Learn the pros and cons of light and dark-colored sofas, and discover important factors to consider for each. When it comes to choosing between a light or dark shade, it's all about personal taste.

How To Style Your Room Like A Designer

Jennifer Koper March 5, 2016

Minimal and modern styling always feels fresh, and places importance on the pieces that you use, letting them take centre stage. See what key areas in your living room need to be styled and how to go about doing it.

H&H's Joel Bray and Jennifer Koper share expert living room styling tips. Discover their secrets to creating a standout space. Joel and Jennifer start by decorating the non-functioning fireplace. By adding three mod vases and dressing up the mantel with brass candlesticks and a teal bowl for a pop of color, they're able to create a gorgeous focal point in the middle of the room.

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I love sourcing vintage pieces for projects, not only do you get an interesting or unique piece, often with a story to tell, but you save something from potentially going to landfill. Sometimes everything about the piece is right as is.. other times a coat of paint, reupholstery, hardware change or a good cleaning is the perfect combination of old and new. This night stand was a glorious shade of orange, but the size and shape was just right. A couple of coats of Farrow & Ball Schoolhouse white to match the headboard and walls was 👌 More from the condo bedroom makeover coming soon. I’m just thankful all these pieces also fit in our new place too ✨ side note, I made this channeled headboard! DIY info and video also coming soon 😀 . . . . #interiordesign #bedroomdesign #bedroomdecor #torontodesigner #interiordesigntoronto #vintagefinds #designtrends #lavender #olivegreen #diyhomedecor #diyheadboard

One week down, a million boxes to go! Planning out how we’ll make this house a home. She’s 100 years old on the nose. Stay tuned for how we edit and remix this 1920 craftsman inspired beaches semi. Loving the new neighbourhood, and the squeaky floors are growing on us (but not the colour 😂) let’s get to werk ✨

Flipping through Golden Light, The Interior Design of Nickey Kehoe. How true it is.. it’s this sentence that makes me love what I do so much. A great designer will not force their own vision on anyone, what they will do is bring to light the essence of their client and let that guide and inspire their own unique point of view. But also.. edit. edit. edit. 💁‍♀️ . . . . #torontodesigner #interiordesign #designinspiration #interiordecor #editor #homeoffice #homeofficedesign #mural

This planet is beautiful in so many different ways. Spending time outdoors is restorative, and really important to me. As a creative professional passionate about what I do, it’s sometimes hard to do or think about anything other than my passion, design. I’m grateful for the breather that spending time in nature gives me. There is no better reset for me than a multi-day backcountry camping trip – fully immersed. Almost two months ago, Jamie and I started a YouTube channel logging our backcountry camping trips. Not at all design related - other than the beautiful scenery and colour inspiration, but if you’re into camping, canoeing, nature or dog antics, I’ll throw the link up on my profile for a while 😉 #happyearthday @twopacksandapup

Old and stained Turkish kilim is back in place now that we’ve sold the place.. Let the packing nightmare begin! . . . . #benjaminmoore #darkolive #entryway #entrywaydesign #hallwaydesign #entrywaydecor #darkgreen #interiordesign #torontodesigner #torontointeriordesigner #smallspaceliving #smallspaces

Some pretty flowers for Easter Monday✨ Condo showing time is almost over! And We’re ready to stop obsessively vacuuming Emma’s fluff and polishing faucets every morning before vacating for showings 😄 . . . . #humberbayshores #humberbaycondos #torontocondos #coffeetabledecor #designdetails #flowers

With mixed emotions, it’s time for change. When we first got here, we didn’t think we would stay as long as we have. The amazing location across from the lake, parks and trails, streetcar at our doorstep, open floor plan, sunny lake view terrace and enough space for both Jamie and I to work from home comfortably, we didn’t want for anything more. But we bought a house and have to say goodbye 😢 bitter sweet. Have I sold ya? Listing in @jandrewdunn’s profile. #Repost @jandrewdunn ・・・ FOR SALE: Designer-Owned Corner Unit w/Spectacular Lake Views • 15 Legion Rd #2302 • $649,900 • 💥LISTING IN PROFILE!💥 • 🛏2 Bed 🛀🏼1 Bath 🚘 Parking ☀️2 Sunny Terraces 📏 Over 900 SqFt of Living Space • Designer-Owned & Highly Sought-After Corner Unit At Humber Bay Shores. Over 900Sqft Of Total Living Space Incl 2 Balconies - One An Uncovered Terrace W/Spectacular Lake Views. Ideal Sw Exposure W/Natural Light All Day And Beautiful Panoramic Sunsets. Luxurious Upgrades & No Bulkheads Allowing For Increased Window Height! 24Hr Concierge, 5-Star Amenities, Steps To Groceries/Lcbo, Restaurants, Trails, Beaches, Dog Parks, Ttc & City Views. This Is A Must See! #humberbayshores #humberbaypark

Spring is near – and with that, I always get an itch to freshen up inside. Could be as simple as some spring cleaning, fresh flowers or something more dramatic like updating an area of your home. Kitchens are so hardworking, but can be expensive to renovate. Try freshening yours up with the tips in the March issue @houseandhomemag’s #askadesigner Featuring beautiful inspiration photo, design by @laurenliess . . . #kitchendesign #renovation #decordiy #designdiy #kitchenupdate #kitchenrenovation #torontointeriordesigner #torontodesigner #springcleaning #springdecor #interiordesigner

Late last year, after almost seven years with @houseandhomemag I started a new chapter. I will forever hold each and every person I had the privilege to work with, and each story I was able to produce, forever in my heart. . Interior design, decorating, styling, art direction, editorial 🙋‍♀️ . [Photo: @angusfergussonphotography Design: Produced by @kaiethier & @jenniferkoper] #houseandhome #hhstyle #interiordesign #interiordecorating #patternmixing #stripes #stripesonstripes #renovation #homeimprovement

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays wishing everyone a cozy, quiet and restful time 🎄❄️✨ here is my substitute for a fireplace.. Candles on a tray 😊 (keep away from wagging tails and curious little hands). Swipe for a cheesy family photo of us right before we took off on a little winter adventure ❄️ . . . . #christmas #coffeetablestyling #coffeetabledecor #holidaydecor #coffeetablebooks #maximalist

I’’m ALMOST ready to get cozy by the tree with my loves and enjoy some downtime 😌 the countdown is on. . . . . #holidaydecor #livingroomdesign #livingroom #torontodesigner #torontointeriordesign #torontointeriordesigner #interiordesign #vintagefinds #shopvintage #christmastree #whitepine

My mini art wall.. the tv is just to the left and of course, I didn’t want to stare at the condo air return and thermostat on the same wall to the right. I added dimension to the wall with an open etagere and disguised this eyesore 👀 air returns are necessary, but always in an awkward place visually in condos, am I right? Anyway, you can still see it and it’s not blocked (it’s important not to actually block these, there is a sizeable gap between the air intake and the books and objects) but my eye doesn’t jump to the return grille and thermostat like it would if I left it bare. #designsolutions . . . . #designtips #decoratingideas #condoliving #condo #designinspiration #interiordesign #interiordecorating #condostyle #torontodesigner #torontodesigners

Literally living in this soft Uniqlo wool blend tunic sweater and new Aldo combat boots. The boots are part of Aldo’s new sustainable collection and made with traceable leather and algae biomass! 🙌 each pair helps clean and filter 29 litres of polluted water 😮 not sponsored, but gifted. Thank you @janegill_pr very comfy👌 . . . . #LTKshoecrush #loveplanet #sustainablefashion #combatboots #fallfashion

Happy thanksgiving 💛 so many things to be thankful for. This year has been difficult for everyone, but it also shed light on a lot of reasons to be thankful. Let’s end the rest of the year off well and make the best of what we have and the situation that we’re in by being grateful 🙏🏻♥️

Hand stitched some skinny trim onto the budget drapes at the cottage while we were on holiday. What would time off be without tedious decorating projects 💁‍♀️ one drape down.. 5 more to go 😬 also I finally started staining the exterior of the cottage. Note:started. Not finished. #tedious #diy #task #queen. But worth it. I mean the trim was literally under $10 for this drape.. I won’t tell you how many hours to hand stitch 🙈 maybe I’ll get faster with practice 🙏🏻 #sewing #machine #forChristmas #please #ikeahack #decorating #cottagedecor #cottageliving #cottagecore #cottagestyle

From the latest interior design trends, to designer tips and tricks; follow along on my adventures as a Design Editor at House & Home Magazine and a Designer in Toronto