Posts Tagged ‘home decorating’
In this day in age, there are ever increasing ways to design the interior of your home. It used to be that grand opulence was the only way to go if you had money, power, and prestige. Modern times see a shift in the way people want to be viewed…and view themselves. As we have become aware of this, we are trending away from decadent and towards the understated elegant combination.
Interior designers have become aware, and very proficient at understanding how this new breed of taste and style come together to form a beautiful, yet not over the top home. Comfortable, yet functional; classic, yet efficient is the new grandiose and ornate. Looking for some pointers on how to get all the details right? Ask an interior designer.
The devil is in the details. Where once, it was all about putting your money on display through gold gilded wallpapers and hand embroidered table clothes, modern times see a more minimalist approach to luxury. Color coordinating the little details, finding the right accessories, crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s is crucial.
Not to say that the traditional ways are out, “traditional” has merely been toned town, tweaked, and reinvented in a more subtle fashion.
Finding the right balance for you is important. Designing a space that reflects your personality is key to truly enjoying your home. Executing the right combination of “understated elegance” can be difficult for a homeowner, and that’s why it’s beneficial to ask an interior designer.. Design professionals are knowledgeable and work efficiently at making your dream space come to life.
Fort Knox is known for its window treatments. Iron bars create a reputation. Likewise, turning your house into Fort Knox is bound to make the neighbors talk. Let’s look at some common ways to keep the lookie-lous out and still have a versatile and presentable window.
Standard blinds. Tried and true, these are hand powered devices with a wide variety of styles and options available today.
Drapery is a traditional way to cover the windows, as shown above, they can be combined with standard blinds, or they can keep the neighborhood gossip at bay-all by themselves.
Motorized window shades are becoming popular as technology becomes more affordable. Lutron is an industry leader in lighting and shading solutions; and available at most design centers across the country. Motorized blinds are excellent for larger and harder to reach windows that would be unmanageable with the standard draw string operation.
Sometimes you want the protection without giving off the penitentiary feel; here are some creative window grill ideas:
Looking to freshen up your place but not go with the same ol’ same? Want to go green but don’t know where to start? Look no further: Bamboo’s got your back. Not only is bamboo THE fastest growing plant in the world, it also boasts a tinsel strength that puts steel back in diapers. To boost, the grass (a division of the Poaceae family) is being widely acclaimed for its broad benefits; from nutritional, to ecological, and construction based purposes.
“Yeah, but I’m designing my home, not a botanical garden.” Touché, however, most things in our homes are made with or from petroleum based byproducts. Breaking news: the petroleum is running out. So why not get ahead of the curve and start making a difference, one choice at a time. You will be surprised how many household things are sustainably and effectively made from bamboo. You might also be surprised how many don’t resemble your neighbor’s tiki bar…
Such as bamboo flooring: Hardwood floors are made from slow growing deciduous trees. The average time it takes to sustainably grow a hardwood tree destined for production is 30 to 40 years. The average bamboo plant can be harvested in 7. These floors tread lightly:
Bamboo been used in furniture for, well probably, ever. But never like this:
Cabinetry has its foot in the door, as well. There is something to be said about being The Jones’.
In fact, the options are endless. Look to see bamboo in most major department stores, furniture stores and design center’s floor space skyrocket as public awareness rises.
Over the next few years, bamboo will be expanding into many markets. Here’s a few for your home: Fabric for your upholstery/drapes, wallpaper, and paneling.
Have an old chair, pillow, or wall you are reupholstering or repainting? Why not take a note from the traditional, mix in a splash of the new, and create an aesthetic that reflects you? Paisley patterns get their name from a Scottish town, but are originally from southern and central Asia; dating as far back as 200 CE. Paisley has been a symbol for life and eternity. It’s considered good luck by some cultures to display paisleys around your home.
There are the bold and the subtle paisley designs, each with their own feel and look.
Wallpaper, fabrics, and vinyl are becoming the main materials used, but there are plenty of options out there. Be inspired:
There are many variations on the paisley design for your home:
For as long as history can remember, purple has been a color of royalty and prestige. The Royal Purple color is one of the least common naturally occurring pigments in the world. The Romans would harvest mollusks to grind them, creating a deep purple hue that was reserved for the aristocratic class. It was said that two thousand pounds of mollusks made one teaspoon of purple dye.
Fast forward a few years and purple is as readily available as any other color in the rainbow. Purple has become a common color in our daily life with sports teams. Purple is still associated with elegance and wealth; without the mollusk dye price. From a light-lavender to a near-black, the choice is now yours.
Don’t go all Willy Wonka on us. Allow for your tastes to change without buying whole new sets of furniture. If you ever decide to remodel, design your space with an exit strategy. These homes would work with many different colors of walls and the same furniture.
Purple doesn’t need to be the typical “elegant” either, get a little funky.
Not a fan of purple, but still want the royal look? Look no further than blue.
Let’s face it, walls do more than hold the roof over our heads. We use walls for many things. From coat hangers to shelves, they work for everything but walking on. What we display on our walls is completely up to us. Most of us paint them a color that reflects our taste, many others hang art, tapestries, or hunting trophies from them. But one of the most celebrated wall traditions is gluing them up with paper. Wallpaper is one of the best ways to add personality and taste to a room.
Historically, wallpaper was a luxury afforded to the aristocrats. Gold leaf, gilded, handmade, and expensive. Thanks to the wonders of the modern world, wallpaper has become an affordable and attractive alternative to paint, and available in as many flavors as there are tastes.
Wallpaper can be used throughout an entire room or as an accent. 
Your grandfather called, he wants his pastel flower bouquet wallpaper back. Think outside of the flower box: With modern fabrication techniques, you dream it, it’s either out there or will be soon.
Your grandfather called, he wants his pastel flower bouquet wallpaper back. Think outside of the box. With modern fabrication techniques, you dream it, it’s either out there or will be soon.
Wall-Texture: some wallpapers venture into the 3D. Traditionally this meant hand stamped or embossed leathers, plasters, and having deep pockets. With modern production capabilities the possibilities are endless.
Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want a wall sized photo of a favorite memory, flower, or calming wildlife scene?
Everyone has a front door. This is the threshold into our personal lives; and the first thing our friends, family, and associates see when they enter our home. Some chose homes with a great atrium, and decorate with luxury; others chose to pass this area by without ceremony. Here are some examples of well designed foyers and ways to create a space that is tasteful and functional.
Have a grand entrance? Make sure to have plenty of light. Walking into the house should not feel like walking into a dungeon. This is a great place to have a credenza, settee, and plenty of closet space to keep weather-appropriate gear for both your family and your guests.
It is common to use the back or side door as the main entry and exit, this allows for a more functional design approach. If you have a larger family, this is often the case; therefore, having efficient, yet tasteful storage solutions makes life just a little easier.
Make a statement: What is the first thing you want to see when you get home? A reflection of your tastes. Don’t be afraid to get a little funky.
Asking yourself, “What entryway?” That’s okay, this allows you to focus your attentions on other parts of the house, but don’t let your entryway get away without just a little attention. Some well placed art and a place to sit is all you need to create a warm and welcoming environment.
For many of us, the front door opens to the stairs. This can be a challenge when deciding your design scheme. Keep it simple, and unless you’re a duchess, don’t over decorate.
If you’re the interior designer in charge of the MIT Aerospace Robotics facility, chances are you won’t be focusing on which bay window to plant the daisies in. If your project falls anywhere outside of the rocket scientist’s lab, chances are you will be considering where to add some green in your space. Plants are versatile; there are many variables to consider when picking the right plants for your space.
Those same rocket scientists’ have done studies that show houseplants can greatly improve the air quality of your home or commercial space. For a space approximately 2,000 square feet, it is suggested to have up to 15 various plants. Here are a few examples of greened-up spaces that don’t require hiring your own gardener:
One of the fastest growing trends in interior design is Interior Landscaping. This is where a section of a wall is given life through planting vertically. Before you put your gardening gloves on, consult a professional. A designer will be able to give you some direction on where to purchase, who has the best designs, and what kind of plants to have for your lifestyle.
Silk plants have a bad wrap. When you mention “fake flowers” many people think of motels, cheap accommodations, laziness, and that layer of dust they collect after a couple years. This is no longer the case. Silk plants have made a comeback through a need for low maintenance/high quality greenery for commercial and residential use. Many new faux botanicals are barely discernible from the real thing.
Humanity, on a core level, is drawn towards the ocean. There is something primal about the ebb and flow of the tides, and the lifestyle that evolves near a large body of water. Whether living in the Florida Keys or on the coast of Lake Michigan, it’s easy to see what draws us there. Living on the coast gives us a sense of freedom that can be had by no one else. Let’s explore this freedom within design, and see what coastal living is all about.
The beach lifestyle is all about low stress living. Soothing environments with a pop of color make this beach house a destination of choice.
Living along the coast is a lifestyle: breeze through your hair, salt in your nose, and sand in your toes. And paying coastal prices means utilizing as much of your time enjoying the surroundings as possible. Big windows and open patios are the name of the game.
Find yourself designing your new beach front property? Consider your new roommate: Mr. Sand. Beach living means easy clean-up is a requirement. Open windows means that book you’ve been writing for 10 years can’t sit loose-stacked on the counter. A minimal approach solves many potential problems with living the vacation lifestyle.
It’s that time of year when we deck the halls, put up the mistletoe, add a splash of Bailey’s to the coffee, and relax in front of the fire with the family. The holidays are a busy time of year for most people, and spending all weekend laboring over the preparation is the thorn in most holiday lovers’ side.
Those of us that don’t have the time/energy/motivation to reinvent the wheel every holiday season have options. Interior designers do holiday arrangements that will blow St. Nick’s socks off! Here are some inspirations taken from the professionals. If you’re looking for some help getting ready for the holidays, contact a designer and ask how they can have your decorations be the talk of all your friends.
Thanksgiving is a time when people get together to reminisce, eat, and take naps. Here are some feasts that will make your Turkey Day dinner an instant tradition:
Tired of all the red? With Christmas decorations hitting stores mid August this year, by the time December rolls around, it’s easy to get burnt out on red. Here are a couple good examples of tasteful holiday cheer:
Wreaths are a cornerstone, but if you’re looking to get a little creative, here are a couple options:
Planning for a different holiday or event? Here are some beautiful shots taken before a Hanukah celebration that tastefully weave traditional elements into sophisticated living:
Want to decorate but not worried about keeping up with the Jones’? Here are some good examples of getting in the holiday spirit without overwhelming yourself every time you walk into the room:
Remember that aunt you had growing up whose house looked like a Bavarian flee market? There were nick-knacks, treasures, heirlooms, and miscellaneous odds and ends everywhere; so many that you always found something new? Every piece had a story; so of course, any suggestion to clean off the collection of vintage German pear slicers from in front of your baby picture was completely out of the question.
Let’s touch on a few points that will help keep us off the show, Hoarders and in a clean home with a clean frame of mind. Minimalism is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme sparseness and simplicity.” While being a minimalist doesn’t mean taking it to the extreme and moving out of the McMansion and into a tee-pee, there are a few principles that can effectively simplify your life.
Tired of dusting the grandfather clock collection? Take a deep breath and enjoy the clean lines and clean lifestyle a little minimalism has to offer.
Minimalist does not translate to emotionless. Add some personality with bold colors. Colors give even the sparsest space personality. This small but bold New York city apartment does. Make a statement with only the things you need, don’t sweat the rest. Too often we find ourselves locked into the mindset that more is better. Most of the time it’s the opposite: Less is more.
Decorate tastefully. Shooting for the minimal look still allows you to show off your great taste. A house without any decoration would be dreadfully boring. Pick accents that make a big visual impact, without dominating the room. Flowers and art are a classic, affordable, and renewable way to brighten up a room.
Where do I start? With the furniture. The fewer pieces of furniture, the better. Take a look at what you have in your room and analyze which pieces are used most. Do away with those that aren’t, and figure out how to eliminate the ones that are too big and bulky. Need a second opinion on how to scale your furniture down? Ask an interior designer.
Hide the storage: Clean cabinets, little to no hardware, and sharp edges will effectively fool everyone into thinking you are the cleanest, most organized person they know.
When beginning a new project, one of the first things to understand is your design direction. What is the end game? Whether you’re working on a single room or a mansion, understanding how you use your space is crucial to the future look. There are three ‘standard’ roads to go down when picking your look: traditional, contemporary, and transitional. Chances are, you have a good idea of where you stand on the scale; if you’re drawn towards the ornate, rich, classical look traditional is your bread and butter. If you find yourself at home in environments full of glass, metal, and clean lines, you’ll find yourself at home in the contemporary. But for many of us, our taste is a delicate combination of the two, defined by how we need our space to function; and for many people, that’s the lifestyle of a busy home with 2 jobs, 1.75 kids, 2 pets, and a 6 month long football season. Life is versatile, and so your space should be too. This is TYID.TV’s Guide to Style Pt. 2: Transitional. Doing our part to help you find the perfect look for your project.
The term “Transitional” style is an approach that can take many directions. This look combines the flair of modern or eclectic with classic, traditional elements. Comforting, timeless, and fresh are the design elements that so many have come to love about this style!
The classic “X” millwork detail in the built-in cabinet is accented by a vibrant, playful pattern in the drapery and pillows.
These traditional tufted occasional chairs are brought to new life with a modern, tone-on-tone fabric on the back, contrasted by a complimentary texture on the seat and back. Perfect for creating that classic look without all the visual clutter.
Transitional is unique because it can be its own theme, or a tasteful blend between the traditional and contemporary. This bathroom expresses traditional flair through the furniture vanity cabinet with a splash of unexpected using the famous Verner Panton Lacquered chair.
Classic lines and simplicity give this transitional Living Room a relaxed, peaceful setting with a splash of color through the modern artwork. It leaves the room to speak for itself, allowing the natural light to flow through the open space, shifting focus from the what in the room, to the who is in the room.
Transitional isn’t all about the furniture, color plays a big part in the atmosphere of the room, and pairing color with the right pieces can make a big difference in the feel of your space. The classic upholstered daybed is accented by the traditional window mill work brought to a new life with an unexpected powder blue finish.
Crystal chandeliers are a classic form of lighting that has held through the times. This dining room is brought a new flair by creating a modern shape with a traditional crystal detail.
Tone-on-tone textures bring elegance to this sophisticated living room. Accents of silver and antique mirror are the jewelry that make this room pop!
Utilizing all of your materials for not only their color, but their textures is the key to taking your space to that next Level. Refined bedding adds perfect details that set off this soothing Bedroom.
Accessorizing is an important part of designing the transitional space. Accents of white lacquer, like the modern console in this Living Room, create a beautiful marriage with traditional wall molding details.
Blending traditional techniques with modern lines and colors is a common transitional method when creating a room with unique look. Fresh, saturated color in the wall colors and dining fabrics compliment the antique painted finish of the Dining Table.
Taking the traditional lines of a furniture piece and scaling it up in size is a fabulous way to bring a modern element to the room while remaining understated.
Vivid colors, large scale patterns, unexpected shapes and textures – these are all elements thrown into a melting pot to create the look coined, “Contemporary”. These design details can be executed in many ways and there are NO rules in this form of expression. Using materials, lighting, and textures in unexpected ways brings these interiors energy and life!
By increasing the scale of a traditional pattern this tone-on-tone wallpaper becomes a modern focal point in the room.
Lighting can be a conversation piece and tactile sculpture. When designing a contemporary setting using a statement piece, simplicity of the surrounding environment is key.
Rethink concrete – this installation shows beautiful stamping and staining detail that can be incorporated into an otherwise, boring concrete floor.
Strong horizontal and vertical architectural lines are complimented by the wide plank wood flooring and paneling in this contemporary home in Australia.
Form + Function are two of the most important elements in contemporary design. Clean lines, unique shape, and efficient use of furniture work with the open plan of this living room.
Incorporating a suspended modern fireplace is an eloquent way to keep the view unobstructed. When you have an incredible view like this, less is more!
The sculptural light fixture in this lobby is accented beautifully with the straight, simple lines of the low lounging furniture below.
Simetry and clean, linear lines balance this living room, establishing a relaxed, Zen feel.
The use of transparent walls in this modern dining room allows natural light to illuminate the hallway and draws one to view the aesthetics.
The mustard colored egg chair by Arne Jacobsen adds the perfect splash of color in this monochromatic living room.
The textured stone veneer is a stunning accent behind the clean lined dining banquet on this dining room wall.
Mother Nature wins the design award! This living room comes to life with book-matched stone slabs as the wall treatment.
Whether it’s a scarf, stilletos, a pillow or a floor covering, animal prints lend a playful sophisticated style and a youthful appeal to all ages. Incorporating animal prints into your home is an easy way to bring visual interest and texture to your room and a chic personality to it’s design.
These zebra foot stools ground your eye and provide a great contrast against the turqoise accents througout the room.
These earth-tone zebra linens bring a little sex appeal in this mono-chromatic bedroom…purr!
Go bold or go home! Wall-to-wall zebra carpet makes a powerful statement in this master bedroom.
Snow leopard tiles bring texture and visual interest in this ultra-modern bathroom.
The zebra hide and plush sheep skins visually balance the bright yellow sofa with interest and intrigue; while at the same time, providing warmth and comfort to this room.
Upholstering this Louie XV style chair in a leopard print fabric provides an eclectic touch to this modern home.
The zebra wallpaper is a sassy addition to the refined, symmetrical room.
Traditional touches throughout are given new life with the youthful addition of leopard chinoiserie fabric.
A collection of old leather-bound books and animal hide rugs creates a sophisticated atmosphere and handsome homey feel.
Take a little safari to your kitchen and enjoy a home-cooked meal on these elegant arm chairs upholstered in a classic zebra print.
The zebra runners provide a natural balance to the ornate moldings on the ceiling and throughout this kitchen.
The zebra stair runner is practically guiding you up the stairs and directing your eye to the grid of art.
An understated touch of glamour in this classic entry is brought forth with the neutral leopard print stair runner.
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