Many homeowners today are choosing interesting decorating styles for a chic look. Some people like clean lines while others like to display their collections. For some an interesting theme might be the way to go, others are more eclectic. Here are some popular decorating styles you might consider for your home. Retro – Today there is a lot of nostalgia for the past and decorating in the style of the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s is quite popular. Go with vintage colors and try to buy vintage items for unique flair. Safari – Animal themed accessories and prints can give your home a tropical jungle appeal. You could go for tiger and zebra striped fabrics. Contemporary – Go for a minimalist feel and get rid of the clutter. Sleek lined furniture and accents are best. Colors can be beiges or the contrast of black and white. Chrome and mahogany go well with the contemporary look. Cottage Chic – The cottage style is relaxed and alluring. Here you want to use lightly patterned fabrics with lots of pillows. Rattan or wicker completes the look, or use an overstuffed sofa with a slipcover. Accents should be either garden or seashore themed.
Till Next Time!
January 22, 2008
A patio can be a fun outdoor area that can act as an extension of your living space. In order to enjoy your patio the most, it needs to have great style – here are a few great patio ideas that might help you create an enjoyable outdoor living space which might have you finding yourself spending more time outdoors than in! Patio Style Because your patio is an extension of your house, you should make sure the styles of the two match. Your patio design should match the style and age of the house. If you have an older home, a formal style patio might be a good idea. If you have a modern home, then reflect that modern sleek style in your patio design and accessories. Your patio is an additional room so you should take pains to match it to your overall household style. Plants Plants are important decorative items and what better place to have them then the patio? In addition to your plantings in the ground, you want to add plants in containers and planters that you can set right on the patio. Use large containers and planters of different shapes and sizes and group them together for effect. A little tip when grouping containers – always use an odd number like 3 or 5 together. Patio Accessories Patios can be as simple as a seating area or as complicated as an outdoor kitchen with a fire pit, outdoor bar and luxury seating. What’s right for your patio? It really depends on how much room you have as well as your budget. Some things to think about including in your patio are a water fountain, a fire pit, solar lighting, an outdoor kitchen, seating, an outdoor bar and a hot tub. Patio Furniture The style of your patio will dictate the style of furniture you purchase but you can buy anything from white plastic to stained redwood. You want your furniture to last, so buy the best quality that you can. Make sure you buy furniture that is easy to clean and will withstand the outdoor weather. Patio Surface Before you do anything, you should choose the surface for your patio. Again, you want to keep it in a matching style to your home so if you have a more formal or brick face home then brick might be a good choice. A garden style patio might be perfect with pavers that look like flat stones. Along with different shapes and sizes of pavers you can use marble, flagstone and sandstone. In addition to matching your home style, you want to consider durability and ease of cleaning when you are shopping for patio materials. Coming up with great patio ideas is as easy as going down to your local home improvement store and looking at the selection of patio blocks, pavers, furniture and accessories. Then take your ideas home and design a patio that will give you an extra outdoor room to enjoy. Click here for more patio ideas
Make your home your own!
January 15, 2008
Decorative accessories are to your interior design theme what jewelry is to an outfit, and your Art Deco decorating theme is no exception. To get the style of the Art Deco era, you should choose unique with geometric flair decorative accessories with a stark geometric allure. Purchase captivating accessories such as pillows, artwork and knick knacks which round out your Art Décor design style to make the look pop.
Prints and paintings add a unique characteristic to any room, but you should learn how to hang it properly for the ideal impact. When hanging art, think like a gallery and keep the middle of the piece at eye level. When displaying a group of prints, paintings or photos, try figuring out the configuration on the floor to get it looking the best before you start hanging them. The Art Deco decorating theme can be enhanced by Art Deco travel posters or advertising which you should plan to place simple black frames.
Some accessories that can help improve the ambiance of the Art Deco era include chrome items, plants, and leaded glass. Choose accessories that mirror a common theme that adds to your room decor. You don’t want to be too eclectic or the look you are working so hard to achieve may become diluted.
Decorative pillows can instill a soft touch to your design theme. You can realize a use for pillows in every room including the bathroom and kitchen. To insert an art deco interior decorating aura to your den or living room, adding pillows to your sofa or chair can really work wonders. Displaying decorative pillows piled at the headboard of your bed is sure to give your room a pleasant professional ambiance. Adding pillows in the bathroom is one thing a lot of people don’t consider but you can easily set one on the hamper or in shelves or racks with towels. Picking pillows that have tufted buttons and fringe will help add an interesting touch.
Knick Knacks add dimension and style to your design approach. To accentuate your art deco interior decorating, use knick knacks with a unique with geometric flair style. Arranging art deco style porcelain figures displayed in curio cabinets or adding alabaster lamps, statues and bookends about the room. Using pieces which reflect your personality will inject a bit of your own individuality to the room. Think about shopping at thrift stores or garage sales for those different items that won’t cost a lot.
Adding furniture and accessories with geometric lines to your Art Deco decorating theme will completely help the room look professionally done. It’s vital, though, that you have a good idea of the types of pieces you seek so you can stick to selecting specifically those which suit. When adding accessories, proportion is vital so be sure you purchase items in the sizes you need. Making note of proportions insures that you will come up with a professional look in any design theme!
January 14, 2008
The cottage decorating style is very popular and it’s not a surprise as the attractiveness of the country cottage is enticingly powerful for folks caught in the confines of the urban cities tightly squeezed accommodations. After all, who wouldn’t want a home that is a bit less involved?
While you can’t be of shucking everything you own and heading off to the country, why not have a country retreat at home by adding a bit of cottage decor.
Cottage decorating is spacious. Declutter your space – eliminate everything you no longer use. Throw them out! Everything that is large enough may be used to store the things you keep. You could use old bread boxes, hat boxes and other containers as unusual storage. I use my waste can as a file for legal stuff; however the taxmans lectures are forcing me to rethink the wisdom of that particular decision.
Get good quality yard sale or flea market finds that need fixing and do it yourself. Showing love to vintage pieces of furniture is at the heart of the appeal of cottage decorating. Think of simple, bold colors consistently over the whole space. A popular color for cottage style is white. An all white color sheme is fresh and clean, and can make it look like you have more space and acting as a great pallet for your personal touches and accessories.
Throws, pillows and quilts in vibrant colors work wonderfully in any cottage. Use your creative personality to add your own individual appeal to the decor. Additonally,, with savvy shopping, you can save money on decorative items. If you need works of art, think about getting pieces at Art festivals and colleges where you can buy them pretty darn cheap, and you’ll take home great pieces from unknown artists who may pay off later on
Do not be scared to dig for old stuff, cottage decorating is not a style that can be purchased flat-pack from The department store. Old vases, needlepoints, artwork can all add to the shabby chic appeal. And you will be assured your furniture and accessories aren’t the same ones you see in every other home
Finally, but most notably to cottage style decor, bring the feel of a country day to you. Add softness and country appeal to your residence with a container garden. You could grow herbs right in your window – they are good to look at and you can utilize them to spice up your meals also. .
Cottage decoration permits you to get the most of your furniture and accessories. It emphasizes vintage used items that still looks great. The warm and cozy country cottage in the city is a wonderful decorating style to come home to.
January 14, 2008
