Natural Inspiration

      NATURAL INSPIRATION

 

 

What inspires you in the natural environment you observe and experience each day? The beauty of the green earth, the vibrant colors of the flowers of spring, the white snow on the majestic mountaintops, the flow of the river ocean tide, peacefulness and glow of a setting or rising sun in the blue sky or the twinkle of the stars like diamonds in the dark of night? Let that inspiration filter and overflow into your home décor to create an interior environment that will inspire you daily. Whether your inspiration is reflected in your paint colors or the color palette of the fabrics on pillows, bedding and drapery. Or maybe it is unique accessories chosen. Even simply setting your dining room or breakfast table can become a work of art.

 

Pictured here is beautiful décor that may inspire you.

 

                                                 Floral and accessories inspired by spring

 

 

                          A tablescape that reflects the colors of the ocean, coral and sunshine!

 

 

Current and Creative Christmas - How to easily update your Christmas tree!

Current and Creative Christmas Tree

 

 

     It is very easy to update your Christmas tree this year without having to toss out every thing you have collected over time. A few simple tips will make your tired tree fresh and new, as well as interesting and beautiful  once again.

     Focus on color, texture and adding dimension to your tree. To create this look you may have to edit and add to only a few of your existing ornaments. For a new COLOR scheme, try using only one or two colors together - a combination of red and white, or champagne and copper or turquoise and silver for example. Think about using only your largest ornaments and then mix in TEXTURE. Smooth, shiny ornaments mixed with matte or glittered finishes. Also, layering textured mesh fabric or ribbon or bulap wrapped within the tree creates more depth. The most fun and current three DIMENSION effect to add are picks. Select only two or three styles of picks to use and then get 7-9 of each one to make your tree full. Choices are endless from gittered or natural sticks to snowy evergreen branches to large glittered leaves or large pinecones. Stick them in the tree projecting out and downward or make a topper extending upward toward the ceiling. Mixing natural items along with the glitz is also a new trend. Yes, burlap and glitter do look good together at Christmas! Carry these same ideas  into other areas of the house that  you decorate such as the mantle or front door to form a unified continuity in your décor and make more of an impact. Use the same colors and some of the same materials throughout. Make sure you fill your tree full, and most of all, have fun creating a new and current Christmas! Happy Holidays!



Ready Made Drapery Panels- Instant Gratification!

                                              Ready Made Drapery - Instant Gratification!

                                                                              

              
          Ready made drapery panels in all lengths and patterns are becoming much more available and of higher quality than those of the past. Fully lined panels are offered in standard lengths of 84", 96", and sometimes even 108" in length which allows several options to mount your panels in relation to the height of your windows and ceiling. Mounting the rod and panels above the window frame can give you the vertical illusion of height and makes windows appear taller.

          It is even easy to create different styles with your panels according to the top treatment of your panel. The header of the panel can reveal a rod-pocket, which in this case, the rod slides in-between the two layers of fabric into the pocket. Using a rod pocket treatment often creates a header or ruffle at the top of your rod and doesn't allow the rod to be visible except at the ends of the drapery. Another top treatment are back tabs in which the tabs are sewn to the back side of the panel and the rod slides through these tabs. Next, are top tabs attached to the top of the panel, made of the same fabric. The rod is visible from tab to tab. A more contemporary top is the grommet - a metal ring sewn into the drapery fabric across the top which the rod slides through and forms a "soft folded look". The most traditional treatment is using drapery rings with attached clips or drapery pins to attach the rings to the fabric panel. Drapery rings are available in wood and metal as well as many different finishes according to the style you want. The rings slide onto the rod allowing for the rod to show and complete the style of the room and treatment.

          Variety is also achieved by the way you decide to treat the panel when it is hung. Two panels per window can frame the window on each side hanging straight down in column fashion or can be pulled together at the top of the window and pulled apart or tied back at the lower half with a tassel tieback or a decorative holder. If one panel is chosen per window, each window can have the panel hanging straight or tied back to opposing sides. Ready made panels are also usually much more affordable than custom made draperies if you don't mind being somewhat limited in your selection of fabrics, patterns and colors. Another advantage to these types of treatments are that it is an easy, quick do it yourself project that can beautifully decorate a space and provide instant gratification.

TRANSITION TO FALL-

 20 Tips to Give A Room Seasonality

 

 As we get ready to make the transition to the next season there are several quick and easy ways to give a room a seasonal touch. Here are 20 Easy Interior Design Tips for Fall!

1. Rotate accessories - Instead of using everything at once, put a few items away until next summer. When you use them again they will seem fresh and new.
2. Use seasonal fruit and nuts in bowls or containers to decorate with.(Apples, pumpkins, gourds, corn, walnuts)
3. In place of a flower arrangement, create something with natural materials such as branches, antlers, feathers, or pinecones. Make an arrangement on a large scale for more impact.
4. Use seasonal throw blankets that are heavier, richer colors for fall and winter and store them through the warm months.
5. Pillows and accessories with deeper richer colors can also be rotated for a new look.
6. New candles or scents that remind you of the season in main living areas sets the mood.
7. Switch your family and personal photos to all black and white and group several together in a collage for more impact.
8. New bath towels and/or table linens are an inexpensive tool for freshening up. Try texture mixed together with sparkle to give a layered look.
9. As always, in fall and winter...Add a splash of red!
10. Add decorative trim to curtains, pillows, table runners or toppers.
11. Play with lighting by changing to different style light bulbs in lamps and chandeliers. Add dimmer switches to create more ambience.
12. Go high drama with dark paint. Paint one or all walls dark chocolate, indigo, or even black!
13. If you want to keep your existing wall color, paint your trim or doors dark chocolate, or charcoal.
14. Paint a piece of furniture a high - gloss pop of color.
15. Paint dining chairs black and re cover the seats with a new fabric.
16. Wallpaper a powder room ceiling for pattern and interest.
17. Add a piece of glass or mirror to a table top.
18. Skirt a table.
19. Add a bench or ottoman to a furniture grouping.
20. Hang artwork or mirrors in an unexpected location such as over a door or cabinet, or on a pilaster.

 

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition!

Some might think that repeating design elements in a room would tend to create an uninteresting space; however, just the opposite can be achieved. As shown in the interior space above, bold color and repetition create a beautiful, warm and inviting design. In this living room, artwork, lamps, pillows and color were all repeated for impact. Repetition allows your eye to focus on the overall package and creates a cohesive design that relates and makes sense to the senses. 

      Repetition of glass wall art creates a bold, eye catching focal point of interest in this display.

Repetition of color in this store display is evident in the rug and artwork as well as in pillows and accessories.
     So, in some instances, when you are at a loss pulling together a design scheme, and if all else fails... do a REPEAT!

Jewelry for your Room to Wear

             Jewelry to Make Your Room Sparkle

     More often than not, some very important details often get overlooked in our homes. The details that really add the "bling" and the character to your space are not even contemplated. These details are like putting on your jewelry to match or to complete your outfit before you leave the house. Without this jewelry there is no sparkle, no pizzazz. The jewels I'm referring to are hardware and lighting.Without door and cabinet hardware, as well as unique light fixtures, a space lacks the attention to detail that can put the decor over the top. I know, you say such small things don't make a difference, but in the total package they are the wrapping paper and fancy bow that gets someone excited to rip it open and discover what's inside! 

     Maybe you bought a house with plain round knobs on all the cabinet doors and drawers, or featured stock light fixtures. Maybe all of the hardware and fixtures were an outdated finish and you just never bothered to change them. With a small budget and a little imagination these features can be changed very easily by yourself, and you end up with a whole new look. When making selections, think of the finish, the shape, and the size, and then go bold and unique. Remember, this is your jewelry, not your khaki pants and white shirt! The finish of door hardware should be cohesive throughout the house; however, cabinet hardware and light fixtures can differ from room to room. Even if you choose to use the same finish throughout, use different style hardware for your cabinets in each bath, as well as the kitchen and laundry. Don't delay to attack this project - it will be well worth it.

Alternative Wall Art

Alternative Wall Art

     When you feel the need to fill up wall space with a single painting or mirror, try to think of "the bigger picture" and create a multi- faceted, three dimensional composition. There are so many options to choose from that add interest and character to your wall space. There are many forms of alternative wall art ranging from decorative or functional, to funky and fun.When alternative wall art is hung in coordination with traditional mirrors or paintings, a complete composition can be created. Ideas for alternative art are only limited to your imagination; however, here are some of the most popular.

• Wall pockets - Made from many different materials such as moss and wire, or metal, or wood. They are great wall "vases" for your favorite floral or natural stems, feathers or sticks, depending on your colors and style of decor. Wall pockets are a great way to bring color, texture and three-dimensional  life to an otherwise flat, dull wall. 
• Wall brackets or shelves - Wood, resin, iron, or a combination of materials, brackets can be a wonderful way to display art such as figurines, or beautiful vases, whether filled or unfilled. 

• Candle Sconces - Often called hurricanes, candle sconces add yet another element of an unusual decorative wall accent. Ambiance within  the room is also achieved with the glow of the candle inside. Hurricanes can be contemporary, very ornate and formal , or on the rustic side. Some sconces hold taper candles, votive or pillars.

• Architectural pieces or remnants - An old door or window frame, a decoratively carved piece of wood, or an old iron gate are all examples of architectural remnants that can be displayed interestingly on the wall and can become reinvented as art.

• Glass - Beautiful, colorful glass balls, platters, and plates are quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of creative, funky and fun alternative wall art available. Grouping several pieces together can make even more of a design impact.