Category Archives: SPACES

11 Chic Ways to Bring Copper into Your Home Décor

Copper is the black blazer of home décor. Put it against anything and it instantly adds a touch of polish and sophistication. Less gaudy than the brass of the 80s and more inviting than the chrome of the early 2000s, copper is the metallic of the moment. Dulux, the British paint brand, named Copper Blush the Colour of the Year 2015. Its popularity shows no signs of waning, and with good reason. The warmth and grace of rosy copper, along with its reflective properties, add a little shimmer to any situation.

Whatever your budget or style, we’ve got ideas for how you can bring some sophisticated bling into your interior spaces.

 

1. Bright Lights. Big Impact.

Copper is at its most elegant, most potent and most electric when in the form of an elegant globe lampshade. Emanating light from within and reflecting it on the outside, a copper lamp puts the material on full display. No one does it better than Tom Dixon. The British designer is the visionary behind some of the chicest restaurants, lobbies and interiors of the world. If one of his pieces isn’t in your budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of odes to his work at more approachable prices elsewhere.

 

Amanda Nisbet Design
Image Courtesy: Amanda Nisbet, author of Dazzling Design | Designer: Tom Dixon

 

2. Functional Copper

In our eyes, beautiful objects are even more beautiful when they serve a purpose. Sure, there are some gorgeous tabletop sculptures and decorative balls out there, but many of us live in small spaces where we have to make every inch count. Enter: copper accents with a function.

 

Copper Paul Leobach
Image Courtesy: Kontextur via Kenneth Schiller

 

Copper Candles
Image Courtesy: Target

 

3. A Copper Wall

A little sheen goes a long way, but a lot goes even farther. If you’re ready to make a long-term commitment to copper, an entire wall of the shimmery material is the way to go. Architect Jeff Sherman, of Delson or Sherman Architects, outfitted the two-story wall of his master bedroom in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with multiple copper panels. He chose copper because he knew that “it would improve from contact with skin over time, rather than smudge like a painted surface.” He did the installation himself, which was no small feat. Because it’s heavy and very ductile, working with the ribbons of copper was like working with “a 25 pound fettuccine.” The effort was clearly worth it. We love the way the copper is reflected in the mirrors across the room and knowing that it will only look better over time makes it even more appealing.

 

Copper Wall
Image Courtesy: Jeff Sherman of Delson or Sherman Architects PC

4. Copper Prints

If an entire accent wall isn’t in the cards, you can still enliven your walls with a copper print. This ethereal moon phase calendar is available from Little Lark’s shop on Etsy. Once 2016 has come and gone, you can cut off the bottom portion and keep the upper square as a timeless portrait of the moon on its own. If you’re not as inspired by celestial bodies as we are, check out other sources for affordable prints online like 20×200  and Society 6 .

 

Moon Print
Image Courtesy: Christy Nyboer of A Little Lark 

 

5. Charger It Up

Do you know about chargers? They’re purely decorative plates that peek out flirtatiously from beneath dinner plates, protecting the tablecloth from spills. Perhaps you remember a version of them in brass on your aunt’s Thanksgiving table in the 90s when they became popular. In reality, they’ve been around since Biblical times, and they’re an easy, affordable way of dressing up your table without investing in a whole new set of tableware.

 

Williams Sonoma
Photo Courtesy: Williams Sonoma

 

6. DIY Copper Ladder

An elegant copper ladder is no farther away than the plumbing aisle of your local hardware store and a weekend afternoon. Brittany Cramer, the mastermind behind the blog Brittany Makes, pulled together this beautiful piece to occupy an awkward wall space in her newly renovated kitchen. The result is stunning, but functional. Even the staunch non-DIYers among us will be inspired by her ingenuity. For instructions and more photos, visit her blog.

 

Copper Ladder
Photo Courtesy: Brittany  Cramer of Brittany Makes 

 

7. Bling-y Books

While we don’t advocate judging a book by its cover, we’re willing to make an exception for those that are truly beautiful. A big book with a copper foil cover makes an intellectual statement for your coffee table. This cheeky leather notebook by Nuuna pushes the envelope with its message that “You Are So F**** Special.” If you don’t care to leave your inner thoughts out for all to see, you could turn the journal into a guest book, asking visitors to leave a favorite quote or musing.

 

Nuuna Book
Photo Courtesy: Nuuna

 

8. Copper-colored Window Treatments

What better way to enjoy a rosy-fingered dawn than through a rosy copper curtain? This semi-transparent copper-hued fabric from the legendary Création Baumann catches and refracts the light as it enters. We would also love to see the cocktail dress Maria von Trapp would fashion out of these.

 

Copper Window
Photo Courtesy: Création Baumann

 

9. Copper Throw Pillows

Embrace the softer side of copper with metallic throw pillows. It’s another way to explore the copper trend with minimal commitment and expense.

 

 

 

10. Don’t Forget the Bathroom

A copper accessories set is an instant facelift for your bathroom. No demolition required. The beautiful thing about copper with a rosy hue is that it plays well with other metallic colors, so whatever fixtures you have now, a copper soap dispenser will most likely only enhance it. We love the sleek simplicity of this set from Anthropologie.

 

11. In The Closet

If you’re not ready to take the copper plunge in the more public rooms of your home, then opt for sleek hangers in your closet. Like wearing beautiful lingerie, only you and your loved one will know they’re there. Ooh la la.

 

Copper Hangers
Photo Courtesy: The Modern Shop 

How to Bring Autumn into Your Home

The chill of autumn is in the air even while the warmer tones of fall are here to cozy up our living spaces. Here’s a list of simple ways to bring the season indoors and spruce up your home with the accents of fall.

 

Make an Autumn Simmer Pot

Immerse your surroundings in the scents of the season by tossing some apples and cinnamon into a pot of hot water and simmering to create an inviting olfactory atmosphere. Periodically add water and feel free to experiment with fruits and spices of your choice for a warm welcome at every entrance.

 

apples and cinnamon

 


 

Wrap Your Favorite Candles

A super easy décor treat that can double as a hostess gift: scented candles. Well, sort of. Start with bought candles in thick, column shapes and use a ribbon and glue to surround them with cinnamon sticks for a fresh scent at every flame. The results are lovely to look at and sweet to the senses.

 

candle and cinnamon sticks

 


 

Press Flowers and Leaves

Stroll your yard or the local park to collect interesting fall foliage, berries, twigs, and flowers. Almost anything can be pressed if you stack enough heavy books, so get out those dictionaries and delicately place your flowers in the middle sections. Close, stack with more heavy books, and wait at least a week. Arrange your pressed treats on canvas, or board with a little glue, and you’ve made lovely objets-de art to decorate on an autumnal theme.

 

pressed flowers in a frame


 

Adjust Your Color Scheme

To switch up your home for autumn in the easiest way possible, simply add textiles in fall colors. This season’s interiors are going beyond the burnt oranges and espresso browns of past trends to add mauves, crisp whites, greys, and yellows to the palette.

Experiment!

 

colorful leaves

 

Most of the fun of interior design is to indulge your own personal visions about the spaces you inhabit. So just remember to keep it simple and use these basic guidelines to get your home into fashion in a weekend.

How to Create the Perfect Reading Nook

Curling up with a good book becomes heavenly when you have a great place to curl up. The best part of a “nook” is that it’s literally all you need space-wise. Use what you have and see how easy it is to create your very own imagination station, aka reading nook.

 


 

1. Spot the spot

Take a look around your living area for any of the following: a window, an alcove, a corner, extra closet, space under the stairs. All count as excellent choices for a reading nook. Move around a few things to uncover tucked away spots. Ideally, you want a space away from TVs. If possible, use natural light as your focal point.

 

reading nook
Photo by: flickr/Wicker Paradise under license CC BY 2.0


 

2. Brighten it up

Nothing beats sunlight for daytime reading but you definitely want a good reading light for all the pages consumed after dark. Keeping your reading space uncluttered is best, so keep things minimal with a book light or a serpentine lamp (the ones with long, flexible necks). Clamped lights also offer versatility for limited options because you can affix them almost anywhere.

 

Cory Doctorow reading monkey lamp
Photo by: flickr/Cory Doctorow under license CC BY-SA 2.0

 

3. Have a seat

This might be the most important part of creating your perfect reading spot. A cozy, fluffy place to sink into, like an oversized chair, a beanbag, or even a spare mattress (with some modification) can offer a relaxing place to soak up your stories. Work with your space. Sometimes, cushions might be all you really need.

 

reading nook
Photo by: flickr/Peter Alfred Hess under license CC BY 2.0

 

4. Secure a surface

A small end table or upturned crate can give you just the space you need for a mug of hot chocolate or glass of Malbec. Some readers like to have pens and a notepad to jot down ideas while they read. If you have the space, consider a DIY bookshelf to include within your nook.

 

reading table
Photo by: flickr/Wicker Paradise under license CC BY 2.0

 

5. Remove yourself

If you need privacy or like to feel enswathed in a cocoon, consider curtains, wall dividers, or Japanese screens to partition yourself off from the rest of the room. These simple solutions can really carve out a space where you thought there was none.

 

wicker chair nook
Photo by: flickr/Peter Alfred Hess under license CC BY 2.0

 

Remember, you might need to experiment with a few spots to see what works well. That’s part of the fun. Raid the linens and hit vintage shops for more ideas about how to decorate your nook. A few interesting textiles can take you on a journey of room decorating ideas.

And, of course, now it’s time to get busy on your home library.

Designing the Perfect Home Office

If you have an office at home, chances are you spend a lot of time in it. As such, we all deserve something that plays to our natural work environment needs, has inspiring décor and allows us to be our most organized selves. Read on to find out how to create a beautiful and functional home office, whether you already have a home office that needs some TLC or you’re starting out brand new.

computer on desk
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Choosing where to put your home office

If you don’t have a home office already, you’ll of course need to start with identifying where an office will work in your home. Any spare bedrooms may be an obvious choice if you have the room to spare. But when looking at the room, assess how it will work as an office by keeping in mind lighting, positioning and space.

For instance, if it’s a choice between two rooms, you may want the room with the most natural lighting to help keep you energized. Try to choose a room that’s more removed from living areas if you’re the type who needs quiet to work. A little self-analysis and forethought will go a long way in making sure you convert the most appropriate space into a home office.

home office
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

For those without a room to spare, keep in mind the natural nooks and crannies of your home. If there’s a set-in nook area by the kitchen, for instance, that can become a mini-office space through the addition of a small writing table. Other options involve using under-stair space and sectioning off part of a basement.

You can even place a small desk in a closet so that you can open the closet door and reveal your office. It’s the perfect option for urbanites who don’t have a ton of space to work with.

home desk office
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

The desk is key

Since your desk is what you’ll be spending all your time at while you’re in your home office, you’ll want to make sure you get the perfect one for your needs. Below are some of the most common desk styles and in which situations they work best.

computer armoireArmoire desk: These are a classic type of desk that fold out of a large cabinet. They’re perfect for space that requires multi-functionality in furniture due to aesthetic preference or space limitations. If you don’t have a specific room for a home office, consider an armoire that acts both as a desk and necessary storage. Here is a compact option available at Wayfair.com.

 

marco deskWriting table: Here’s a very basic option if you don’t need a lot of fuss, or are planning to stick a small table into a nook somewhere. These are just compact tables that are perfect if you do most of your work on a small laptop. For a minimalist approach, you could find something like this Marco Desk from Crate&Barrel.

 

broadstreet deskComputer desk: These desks tend to be sprawling and have multiple surfaces at different levels. They’ll usually have a keyboard tray, space for a printer and tons of space for papers and organizational files away from the computer itself. A must-have if you do a lot of work on a desktop computer. For a good amount of working space, look for something like this Broadstreet Desk from Office Depot.

 

ikea micke deskCorner desk: These are also more commonly known as L-shaped desks. They’re perfect for putting in corners if you’re working with a smaller space or if you like to face the wall to cut out distractions. Products like this Ikea MICKE desk are perfect for tight spaces.

 

 

cabinet deskCabinet-style desk: These desks come with a built-in filing system and shelf storage. They’re perfect if you like everything filed away and orderly. Here is one for maximum storage available at Sears.

 

 

 

restoration hardware deskExecutive desk: These high-end pieces make the home office look like an executive suite (hence their name). They come in highly polished wood materials and elaborate designs. These are perfect if you have a large spare room for a home office. They’re also great if you receive people for meetings and want to show a high touch of class. A chic option could be something like this St. James desk from Restoration Hardware.

 

 

Organizing your home office

You can stand around trying to visualize a space all day, but if you’re serious about getting the most out of your home office, your best bet is to find an online tool that helps you create a visual layout. These tools are even great if you desperately need to reorganize your home office.

computer on desk
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

You can find a downloadable program on Ikea’s website. There are also options like Sweet Home 3D and the purely browser-based West Elm Room Planner. With these tools, you’ll be on your way to the perfect office for your needs in no time, since you’ll be able to play with different storage, furniture and organizational options.

The Beginner’s Guide to Feng Shui

Have you ever walked into a room and everything just felt right? Like you immediately felt at peace with the world because all of your surroundings were balanced and the room had nothing but good vibes? With how hectic modern life is, don’t feel bad if you haven’t. We’re not exactly taught how to be at one with our surroundings.

living room

We can still learn to value and balance our surroundings. The ancient art of Feng Shui can teach us how to arrange our surroundings in ways that promote peace, relaxation and balance. The art can get a bit complex, but there are simple contemporary ways for anyone to get the best of this practice.

 

Keep out clutter

One of the main components of Feng Shui is getting rid of clutter. Traditionally in Feng Shui, clutter means stuck energy and being tied down into the past. Clutter is thought to prevent new opportunities, since you live with unproductive and outdated reminders of the past junking up your space in the form of old papers and expired food on the counter.

modern bathroom

In the modern home, it’s an excellent reason to get your space in order. Mercilessly clear out anything you don’t use or even like. Dump that old box of a new fiber bar brand you barely touched, get rid of those gifts where “it’s the thought that counts,” shred old direct deposit forms and purge anything else that is cluttering your life. With less reminders of the past, you may see new opportunities.

 

Bagua basics

Feng Shui Bagua

Another huge cornerstone of traditional Feng Shui is the Bagua Map, pictured above.  It’s a map you mentally place over your home. The map shows which parts of a home correspond to certain lifestyle attributes.

For instance, the center of the space, as the map shows, is devoted to health. The north part of the house is devoted to career, and all the way around the compass different parts of the home relate to different attributes.

front door
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Now unless you are building a brand new home from scratch, you may not be able to align the attributes perfectly with the cardinal directions. To get a mental image of this map over your home, align the bottom of the map with the main entryway you use, so you’re entering through career, helpful people or wisdom. What this does is tell you which parts of your space correlate with different aspects of your life.

organized bedroom with patio

For a more simple approach, you can also do the same with a single room, putting the doorway at the bottom of the map. You can even apply it to your desktop, placing the bottom of the map where you sit.

What this means in terms of a modern and practical approach is that you can use those spaces to align your home and psyche with certain goals. For instance, getting the upper righthand corner of your home or room organized and appropriately decorated will remind you to value relationships or leave you more open to them. But what does it mean to get those areas “appropriately decorated”? That’s where Feng Shui colors and décor pieces come into play.

Feng Shui colors

Colors can carry some strong psychological associations, and the ancient art of Feng Shui is no stranger to the notion. Certain colors carry certain attributes for bringing your environment in line with your desires. Below is a basic guide on what colors mean in the framework of Feng Shui:

Green: Development, healing, harmony and vigor.

Yellow/gold: Happiness/peace.

Turquoise: Achievement and tranquility.

Dark blue/black: Truth, attention and contemplation.

Orange: Happiness, openness and completion.

Red: Motivation, action, accomplishment and passion.

Pink: Love, relationships and emotional fulfillment.

White: Clarity, focus and purposeful activity.

Purple: Thankfulness, plenty and leadership.

Living room with furnishings in a new house with nice wood floors!

Today, that translates into being mindful of what colors you paint your rooms and what colors you bring into the home in terms of fabric and décor. For instance, you may paint your dining room a shade of purple to represent thankfulness. Or your home office may be red to help you get in touch with your motivated, action-oriented side. Your sofa may have a pink throw over it to foster positive relationships. As such, all of these colors help orient your surroundings with the sort of life you’d like to lead.

Colors can also be used in relation to the Bagua Map. Going back to relationships, if you’d like to get that area in your life more aligned, you might paint a room at the upper righthand corner of your home pink or hang a pink painting in the upper righthand corner of a room.

 

Feng Shui décor pieces

One of the easiest ways to achieve great Feng Shui is to bring items that have what practitioners call good “energy” or “chi” into the home. In a modern sense, that translates into items of great personal value and beauty, like art or houseplants.

house plant
Image via Stocksnap under license CC0

There are a lot of complicated and ancient rules about how to arrange a home to attract love and money, balance a home and align a space with certain goals. From a modern, beginner’s standpoint, it’ll help to go off of intuition and personal preference.

plants
Image via Stocksnap under license CC0

In a corresponding Bagua area, place what personally represents the approriate goals you wish to achieve. For instance, in that relationship corner you could have gifts from a significant other or art depicting relationships.

The overall key to Feng Shui is to create a flowing living space that helps you live life to your fullest potential. At the end of the day, you should make your space meaningful for you.

How To Make a Small Space Feel Bigger

Unless you’re a tiny house enthusiast, most of us dream of having more space in which to live, work or play. However, budgetary and logistical constraints can sometimes prevent us from actually moving, adding to or reconstructing existing space.  The good news is that through use of color, optics and clever configurations, you can make your small space bigger.

The Use of Paint Color and Accents

While some deep hues, like rusts, reds and blues are very popular right now, if your aim is to increase your sense of space, you’ll want to steer clear of dark colors. This has much to do with how colors attract and disperse light. Simply, darker colors attract and hold light, while lighter (or brighter) colors will catch and redistribute the light, amplifying the sensation of air and space.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

While any number of lighter colors will succeed in creating the impression of a larger space, your best bet is to stick with white. White not only reflects light the most, but it is the most versatile of colors; it can be a focal point and a supportive design element all at the same time, because of its ability to lend contrast to other accent pieces, promoting the overall sense of space.

Minimalist Design

Have you heard the saying less is more? This holds particularly true when it comes to design. In minimalist design, you are stripping your space down to its décor essence. It’s about making very deliberate choices for each and every element in the room.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

If you are intent on doing an accent wall, veer away from bold patterns and instead opt for a solid color or thin vertical stripes to draw the eye up and out — still in a monochromatic color pattern. Vertical stripes can be used as well to increase the perception of a room’s width.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Each piece of furniture has to be essential. For a bedroom, for example, avoid the temptation to have overstuffed dressers, half-filled bookcases and a desk that you may or may not use. Get back to basics with a utilitarian and stylish room with a bed, something for storage (like a blanket box, hope chest or stacked bookshelves) and a side or end table with a lamp.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Don’t load up walls with artwork. Choose one or two pieces that really pop and anchor the eye in the midst of the space. Hang them a little higher than you might otherwise. Not only are you directing the eye in and up, you are creating the sensation of taller ceilings.

Mirrors

Mirrors are one of the best tools around to heighten perception of space. Hang mirrors strategically so that they can harness and reflect the most light across a room (i.e. in cramped areas, across from windows where they will get the most natural light).

mirror bedroom

Place a large mirror behind your couch or as a headboard behind your bed to really amplify the space. In lieu of artwork, hang a large mirror horizontally in living or dining areas. Hang smaller mirrors in a geometric pattern for a funky, light-filled look. Have a windowless room? Hang window-shaped mirrors to trick the eye.

Lighting Choices

The trend at the moment is to favor blingy pendant lighting. Be careful with this in a small space, because light fixtures that are too big or that hang too low can interrupt the sightline, cutting through the available space, making a room feel smaller.

recessed lighting living room

Recessed lighting (especially in task-heavy areas like a kitchen) is a great way to flood a space with light while keeping the sightline intact. If you are using wall sconces or torch lamps, make sure that the light flows upward. This has the effect of drawing the eye upward and making ceilings appear higher. If you have your heart set on chandelier or pendant lighting, opt for several smaller fixtures rather than one bigger one, so as to divert the eye outward. It’s also a good idea to select transparent or translucent shades, so as not to obstruct the light.

wall sconce modern

Furniture

Firstly, make sure that your furniture is appropriately sized for the space in question. Yes, your overstuffed couch might be the best spot ever to curl up with a good book, but it will positively swallow the space in a small room. Tall pieces of furniture will make ceilings feel low, whereas shorter pieces will expand the height. Consider open leg or glass-topped furniture. Furniture placement is important too.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Angle furniture away from the wall, which will draw the eye diagonally, creating visual flow rather than interrupting it.

The Kitchen

In terms of materials, things like marble and stainless steel will have the most reflective quality, and therefore disperse the light the best, increasing your sense of space.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Keep your countertops as bare as possible. Replace cabinet doors with glass, or remove them entirely. If possible, use built-ins wherever you can, whether it is building your microwave into the cabinetry or for shelving. A really cool built-in space saver is a slide out pantry, where you can stash your dry goods underneath your limited counter space.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Do you have space between your cabinets and your ceiling? There is another opportunity here to create the illusion of more space. Install interesting molding on top of the cabinets, in order to draw the eye upward, making the ceilings appear taller.

Balance Trendy and Classic Paint Colors in Your Home

Between character-based colors, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year and new color combinations that come in and out of vogue, there are a lot of color considerations to remember when painting your home. But many of us want a fresh look, and one that will last longer than a season when it comes to paint jobs. Read on for how to balance trends and timelessness when it comes to paint and color schemes.

paint can white
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Use Trends as a Starting Point

Trends are a great way to get guidance in a fresh look. But it’s important to remember what trends really are: fresh ways to look at style. A newly painted room is a bit of a commitment, since you probably don’t have the time or inclination to repaint your house every season. So be sure to keep your own preferences in mind, rather than only chasing trends. You’ll ultimately be the one living with the color for a while.

Image via Stocksnap under license CC0
Image via Stocksnap under license CC0

To those ends, feel free to look at what’s hot and trending for new ideas and general inspiration at places like Benjamin Moore or Houzz. That will help you play with color combinations, in particular.

Combining colors is one of the joys of playing around with a home’s wall colors. Trending color combinations are also where you’ll draw tons of inspiration. For instance, high-contrast color combinations, two-toned walls and brown/white color palettes are huge right now. You’re bound to find fun ideas you haven’t thought of yet.

interior, lovely apartment, staircase view

Knowing What Each Color Conveys

One of the best ways to achieve timelessness in a color scheme is to know the general mood behind each color. Every color comes with its own associations; and depending on what mood you want to give a room, those will determine which color to choose:

green leavesGreen: This classic color is one of the ultimate soothing hues and is a great choice if you want a room to have a natural, relaxing vibe.

 

 

 

 

blue sky cloudsBlue: Pale to medium shades of blue will create a relaxing, fluid feel. Darker shades pack an intense, regal feel.

 

 

 

 

rain dropsGray: This is a neutral color that works if you don’t want to draw attention to a wall. It pairs well with accent walls.

 

 

 

peony up closeWhite: If you’re going for a clean or modern aesthetic, you’ll want to choose white walls.

 

 

 

charcoal blackBlack: Black walls are a great option for when you want an intense feel or a statement look in your home.

 

 

 

raspberriesRed: The ultimate power color. Paint your walls red if you want a room that is energizing and dramatic.

 

 

 

japanese cherry blossomPink: Softer shades give a sweet, innocent feel to a room. Saturated hues are great for bold, artistic styles.

 

 

 

purple crystalsPurple: Deep shades give off a regal and intense look, while lighter shades are relaxing and cheerful.

 

 

 

orange windmillOrange: This is a surprisingly versatile color. You can go with lighter shades to add a subtle warm feeling, a dark orange for a dramatic and powerful aura or bright shades for a wild, artsy look.

 

 

 

wood stumpBrown: This is a classic color that you can use to create a rich sense of coziness in its medium to dark shades, or use the lighter shades for clean and neutral.

 

 

 

lemons glassYellow: Here’s another versatile color. The lightest shades will give a bright, sunny feel without being too overwhelming. The deeper golden hues will pack a bright, energizing punch.

 

 

 

A note about ceilings: Unless you want a room to have a hyper-consistent, boxed feeling, choose a different color for the ceiling. Good options that will open up the room are basic white, lightest brown and medium gray. If your walls are already one of these colors, consider an opposite color, like light brown walls with a white ceiling.

brown painted wall with white ceiling

Choosing Colors Using Photos

If you still can’t decide on any colors, there’s another way to make sure rooms are reflecting the feel you want to give them. The Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap’s Snap It Button is a wonderful tool for getting any mood reflected in a room.

You simply find a photo that has a feeling or mood you wish to convey. It could be a beach photo, a forest scene, a photo from a vacation or just a photo of your bedspread that you want coordinated around the room. The tool then matches paint colors with the hues it registers in the photo and even suggests specific shades. And because you based your paint shades off of a beloved photo and mood, the look will be truly timeless.

phone over purple sky
Image via Stocksnap under license CC0

Another option is to use Benjamin Moore’s Personal Color Viewer. It lets you upload photos of your home, and then you can insert the colors you are thinking of painting your walls right into the photo. It saves you the hassle of having to sit around trying to visualize what a room will look like and allows you to get painting that much sooner.

Test Your Color(s)

Once you’ve picked a color (or several) that accurately reflects the feel you want a room to have, now it’s time to play. A simple method for testing a color is to hang a large poster board of that shade on the wall to see how you feel about it, which you can find at any craft store. Live with it for a few days, and if you’re feeling good about it, paint to your heart’s content.

Designing Your Home Around a Theme

Looking for a lake theme? Can’t get enough American Southwest memorabilia? Or maybe you prefer beach themes, Batman-everything or a style you invented called Martian Postmodernist Funk. Whatever your interest, designing by theme can make for a unique and beautiful aspect to your home.

animal print decor

A theme is a great way to tie together individual design elements. But our tastes are as varied as our personalities. Below is your guide to applying some of the basic principles of designing around a theme within any home and interest.

Choosing Your Theme

The first step is, of course, to choose a theme. You may already have a solid theme in mind based on a fanatical interest or specific lifestyle pattern. For instance, a beach theme is a logical choice for a beach home you recently purchased.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Or you may know you want a theme, but have no idea where to begin. With the amount of décor themes out there, it’s hard to know where to start. In these cases, it helps to create a few lists:

  • Create a list of your favorite interests, and list them by rank.
  • Look at themed rooms on Houzz.com and list out some of the themes you see that appeal to you.
  • Peruse décor items and make a list of which jump out at you.
  • List what places you like to visit most, or want to visit.

You may see patterns once you complete these lists. For instance, your number one interest might be country music; you may like country home styles. Paintings of horses might stick out to you and you really like going to Wyoming. Or, if there is no consistent pattern, pick a theme from any of the lists that sticks out to you the most. And there’s no shame in not being able to decide between several themes.

ethnic pillows
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Design by Room

Now that you have a theme (or several) nailed down, you’ll want to decide how pervasive you want the theme to be. Do you want the theme throughout your whole house, or just located in one room? If you’re the eclectic type with a number of interests that pop out to you, you’ll want to strongly consider taking a separate themed room approach.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

A good rule of thumb to remember is to not overload your home with themes. Have neutral rooms to give the themes a rest, or intersperse your themed elements with some basic elements.

Placing Themed Décor Elements

Now for the specifics on how to place your décor elements. The first thing you’ll want to do is get a few décor elements displaying that theme, of course. You don’t have to run out and restock your house; just find a few visual focal points, like wall art and decorative items.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

On the other hand, if you’re basing your theme off of strong, established interests, you’ll probably have plenty of themed items around. Now’s the time to gather them all together, whether you’re removing them from where you haphazardly placed them on a wall or where you stowed them in a closet.

bicycle decor
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Intersperse your items throughout the room in a balanced way to round out the room. For instance, place a themed painting across the room from a themed throw.  Matching themed lamps look great on either side of a sofa. Think symmetry.

What to do With Collections

Don’t discount the power of collections. If you managed to amass a large quantity of bird statues, for instance, a classy way to display them is to create a themed shelf or table full of the statues. That collection will act as its own cohesive design element, and you can place a similar painting on the opposite end of the room from it to create balance.

babushka dolls

But don’t be afraid to combine items, like placing some bird statues on a hearth under a bird painting. Those items could create a cohesive display element across from pillows of the same theme, as an example.

Getting Subtle With Themed Décor Elements

If you’re not big on overt collections and large art pieces, there are other ways to incorporate a theme in a subtle, classy way. Below are just a few ideas for being subtle with a theme:

  • Get customized prints detailing a specific theme. Put them on smaller pillows as accents. National flags work well for regional themes.
  • Bring in a few small, natural elements to place on tables that play to a theme, if it fits. For instance, a bit of sandstone works great in American Southwest themes.
  • Remember that your lighting fixtures are a good way to give a subtle accent to your theme, like colonial fixtures or even pothole sconces.
  • Think textured accents. A rope accent on a coffee table could add to a nautical theme.
  • Camouflage your décor by repurposing items. Getting back to the nautical theme, buoy markers could make interesting candleholders.
  • Remember your upholstery and window treatments. You may be able to find a pattern with a small themed accent, or the color scheme could match other themed elements in the room. American Southwest styles could work well with a dusty orange fabric color. That would add a slight accent without being too overt.

With all these tips, your home will pay homage to your interests and what inspires you, without looking overwhelming or tacky. Your home will have balance, and you can be as overt or covert in your interests as you want to be. Have fun decorating!

5 Tips for Embracing Minimalist Holiday Décor

It’s easy to go overboard during the holidays. Whether splurging on gifts for others or gorging on treats yourself, excess is everywhere. To counteract the frenzy, bring a sense of calm and sophistication into your home by visually decluttering your décor and opting for a minimalist aesthetic. Step away from the glitter, put down the multi-colored lights and go for simplicity with these chic and modern holiday decorating ideas.

First Things First

There is a place for your great aunt’s nutcracker collection, purple Christmas tree ornaments and sentimental snow globes: in storage. This might sound harsh, but the minimalist approach to holiday decorating is about letting go of the conventional and commercial. It’s about creating a retreat from the over-stimulation, over-consumption and manufactured joy of the season in your home, and replacing it with real joy. Trying out more natural materials, clean lines and less garish colors can make for an eco-friendly and peaceful experience during those moments of holiday stress.

A Nearly Naked Tree

NEWTREE
Source: Fête Magazine

A wise poet (Joyce Kilmer, to be specific) once said, “I think that I shall never see/a poem as lovely as a tree.” The tradition of the Christmas tree is a celebration of nature, light and love. If you observe Christmas, let your tree breathe. It’s tempting to smother its branches with an abundance of lights and ornaments, but a little restraint goes a long way, both aesthetically and philosophically. A few strings of white lights and simple white or natural ornaments bring out a tree’s natural beauty. Leave the millions of colorful twinkling lights to Clark Griswold and Rockefeller Center, and go for a more minimalist approach with your spruce this year. Learn to love your tree in all its natural beauty.

 

 

 

 

Origami Stars

NEWWWSTARS
Source: My Decorative

Whether big or small, hanging on the tree or dangling from a window, origami stars are an understated way of channeling your holiday cheer. Plus, they’re eco-friendly; you can simply recycle them at the end of the season. If you’re not averse to DIY projects, try making a simple five-pointed star or go for this more elaborate 3D variation. If you’re strapped for time, order some of these stunning stars made from vintage genetics books on Etsy.

 

 

 

 

 

Au Natural

NEWACORN
Source: Blog Her

Look to nature for inspiration. Natural elements are symbols of growth, rebirth and the great mysteries of the world, all things that become top of mind during the holiday season. The intricate form of a pinecone or the imperfections of a cranberry are beautiful enough to celebrate in their own right, but they’re made even more beautiful when strung together in garlands. A simple strand of these beauties tacked to the wall or hanging from a Christmas tree will instantly lift your spirits and make you glad you didn’t go straight for the tinsel. If you decide to make your own cranberry garland, listen to Martha Stewart and use dental floss instead of regular string. The cranberries will slide on like a dream.

 

 

Shine Over Glitter

GEOMETRIC
Source: HRUSKAA

Just say “no” to glitter. Instead, go for elegant metallic accents that catch the light in a more sophisticated way. Open wire sculptures are an updated and modern take on traditional shapes. We love these wire trees from CB2, which would look beautiful grouped together or scattered throughout your home. Made with brass straws, this geometric wreath from HRUSKAA is a modern alternative to the traditional wreath. It’s so elegant and understated that you could even leave it up all year without bothering the neighbors.