Showing posts with label interior decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interior decor. Show all posts

Monday, March 24, 2014

How to Make Your Own Nautical Centerpiece : Themed Centerpieces

Find out how to DIY your very own nautical centerpiece from an experienced crafts professional.




Monday, July 15, 2013

beach ocean themed rooms

Wow! Check out this amazing ocean-theme bedroom and living room.




Monday, January 28, 2013

Girl's Bedroom Reveal | GHC In-Depth With P. Allen Smith

Need tips for designing a girl's bedroom? The bedroom features two focal points: the antique mahogany bed with a pineapple bedpost motif as well as a corner desk decorated with colourful objects, artwork and a lamp.




Monday, June 25, 2012

Hot Summer Color Combo: Lemon and Raspberry Sorbet

Ever thinking of having this combination in your house? Read on and you will soon fall in love with bright colors!

Article taken off houzz.com

Hot Summer Color Combo: Lemon and Raspberry Sorbet

Dripping with good taste and a lively attitude, rooms swathed in sorbet yellow and raspberry are delicious looking in summer

I've gone through quite a few pints of sorbet over the past few weeks, alternating lemon and raspberry. OK, I'm lying. They weren't pints; they were plastic tubs, and when I saw the two stacked one on top of the other it made me head straight over to Houzz to see if the yummy composition in my freezer could be turned into a room. Turns out it could, and each room I found was markedly different from the rest, not only in style but in the way the designers had made the color combination work. See if a sorbet-inspired color palette is for you.


Use the combo in a surprising space. It's not often you see candy-colored furniture in an industrial space, which makes interior designer Tineke Triggs' office all the more fun. She pulled the furniture colors straight from the suzani pattern on the chairs.


Pull your paint from artwork. It seems this designer has pulled a Bubbalicious-pink right from the painting and applied it to the door.


Experiment with different shades. A deep and darker shade of raspberry is more subdued yet still has power.


Add neutrals to the mix. If high contrast isn't for you, tone down one of the two colors and add more neutrals. Matched with a more subtle, buttery yellow, raspberry is rich and elegant.


Go crazy with color. Forget trends, forget resale and go as crazy with these colors as your heart desires. I imagine this homeowner whipping up lots of fun confections in this bright kitchen.


Honor a historic style but go wild with color. This San Francisco living room is downright delicious; the designer has honored the art deco touches but updated the overall look with bright color and fun prints, like the ones on the Donut pillow fabric and the zebra rug.


Use lots of white space. If you are using amped-up hues, a sure way to make them work is to know the importance of white space. This cheerful bedroom is about 75 percent white but makes a very colorful impression.


Go all out. If you truly love a color combination, applying it generously can either be a great success or a spectacular disaster.

To increase your chances of achieving a great success, mix in a few neutrals with your favorite pair, as you see here with the tan floors, light wood table and natural stone wall. In addition, other bright pops of color, like the ceramic tiles and vent hood, draw the eye and keep the bold yellows and pinks from overwhelming the room.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

20 Steals and Splurges for Your Master Bedroom

What to look out for when you revamp your master bedroom?

Article taken off ivillage.com

20 Steals and Splurges for Your Master Bedroom


Forget Florals

Avoid frilly and try a duvet in a solid color, or go for a more unisex pattern such as stripes.

Inspired by design great Dorothy Draper, this one has thick horizontal stripes in a bright shade.

Splurge: Draper Stripe Duvet, $280 at Dwellstudio.com

For a fun spin on stripes, go with a zigzag pattern. This one from Urban Outfitters comes in a few cool colors. With the right accents in the rest of the room, chances are you’ll both be into yellow or aqua.

Steal: Zigzag duvet cover, from $69 at Urbanoutfitters.com


Opt for Soft Lighting

To light up a room, it's important to rely on multiple sources such as lamps and installed lighting. For the bedroom, bedside lamps can create a soft glow when you're reading at night and really brighten a room when you're trying on multiple outfits in the morning. With a smoky blue crackle glaze, an off-white linen drum shade and a cool shape, two of these lamps from Crate & Barrel could work wonders on your nightstands.

Splurge: Merie Table Lamp, $199 at Crateandbarrel.com

For a similar look at a fraction of the price, pick up two of these ceramic jug lamps from Walmart. With a natural white finish and white shade, they'd make a statement without overpowering the other details in the room.

Steal: Grandrich Ceramic Jelly Jug Design, $14.98 at Walmart.com


Find the Right Nightstand

There are lots of feminine nightstands out there with thin legs and pretty knobs, but to keep a bedroom from becoming too girly, consider cubes. More modern than a traditional nightstand and a few inches shorter, this lacquer cube from Jonathan Adler comes in a bunch of fun colors and would work well with an oversized lamp. For a clean look, stick with white or chocolate. Or have some fun with lime, red, orange or blue.

Splurge: Jonathan Adler Lacquer Cubes, from $150 at Jonathanadler.com

Ikea’s lack table gets a lot of attention and for good reason. It’s under $10 (yep, you read that right) and works wonders as a nightstand or side table. Best of all, it now comes in a few high gloss colors. Red is the obvious sexy choice, while gray is soft, but sophisticated.

Steal: Ikea Lack Side Table, $7.99 at Ikea.com


Try a Patterned Rug

A bedroom rug should feel soft and cozy underfoot and this Souk rug from West Elm definitely does the trick. The company’s interpretation of a traditional Moroccan Berber, it’s crafted from high quality New Zealand wool and won’t shed.

Splurge: West Elm rug, from $199 at Westelm.com

If you want something colorful, consider Garnet Hill’s Bogart Flat-Weave Wool Rug. For a bit of pop, try coral, teal blue or yellow. For a more subdued feel, go with ivory, light blue, gray, cocoa or sage.

Steal: Garnet Hill wool rug, from $54 at Garnethill.com


Go Basic With Your Bedding

Basic white sheets are great for layering color on your bed and around your room. Serena & Lily’s Bark Gobi Embroidered Sheet Set is a sophisticated spin on a classic. Adorned with an ancient Buddhist motif that represents the endless knot of wisdom, these sheets will feel like heaven.

Splurge: Serena & Lily embroidered sheet set, from $145 at Serenaandlily.com

Gray can get a bad rap, but when designing a room that needs to suit two styles, it’s a good shade to rely on since it pairs well with brighter hues like yellow and darker ones such as navy blue. To tone down a sunny duvet or a dark blue room, try a set of these ash grey sheets from CB2.

Steal: CB2 Percale Organic Ash Grey Sheet Set, from $39.95 at Cb2.com


Choose Dark Dressers

Room & Board’s Hudson dressers suit most tastes thanks to clean, minimal style and delicate lines. Made from solid maple with a charcoal stain, they have a stainless steel base and come in six sizes.

Splurge: Room & Board Hudson dresser, from $999 at Roomandboard.com

This minimalist six-drawer dresser from Target might not have hardware, but it's full of space. Available in an espresso finish, it would work well in both modern and traditional bedrooms.

Steal: Room Essentials dresser, $154.99 at Target.com


Revisit the Vanity

Need somewhere to put on makeup and blow dry your hair but don’t want your bedroom to resemble a salon? Luckily, there are all sorts of vanities that’ll do the trick. Simple and sleek, this narrow-leg option from West Elm is both stylish and functional

Splurge: West Elm Narrow-Leg Vanity, $349 at Westelm.com

Even smaller, this vanity can double as a desk in a small bedroom and would look great painted a fun color. It also comes with a bench.

Steal: Vanity Set, $128.99, Target.com


Hit the Nail on the Bed

The bed is the focal point of the bedroom and a smart place to start in terms of design. A mattress and box spring will do the trick, but a headboard can really dress up the room and make it more mature. If you love the nailhead look, try this Target version. It comes in gender-neutral colors such as brown, khaki, or black. To really spice things up, order it in bright red.

Steal: Tudor Headboard, from $249.99 at Target.com

If you love the look of a headboard but don't want to spend big bucks, try this vinyl decal. Designed to mimic a romantic headboard, it can instantly dress up your space (and won't damage your walls!)

Steal: Olivia Headboard Wall Decal, $39.99 at Urbanoutfitters.com


Open Up Your Space with a Mirror

To brighten up a dark space or make a small bedroom feel bigger, try a full-length mirror. Cheaper than art, a large mirror can work well as a dramatic statement piece and make it easier to get ready in the morning. This sleek mirror has a simple, clean design.

Splurge: CB2 Infinity Floor Mirror, $399 at Cb2.com

This cheaper alternative from Ikea has a frame that comes in three colors. If your bedroom already has a lot of artwork, try white for a softer look. If your space is more minimalist, the orange can add a bright burst of color.

Steal: Ikea Mongstad Mirror, $129 at Ikea.com


Try Simple Shades

Floor length curtains can make a room feel romantic but if you want to keep things more casual, consider roman shades. Available in lots of different colors and fun fabrics, they can provide privacy and dress up your windows at the same time.

If you want a very specific color or a unique pattern, check out DwellStudio's roman shade designs at The Shade Store. With everything from ikat to polka dots, they have plenty of styles, but be prepared to spend big bucks.

Splurge: DwellStudio Roman Shades for The Shade Store, from $144 at Theshadestore.com

For a minimalist shade in either ivory or gray, West Elm's cordless shades are clean and simple. Try pairing them with linen panels for a more layered look.

Steal: Solid Roman Shade, from $103 at Westelm.com

Monday, March 12, 2012

Houzz Tour: Artful Vintage Style in Omaha

Retro design brings you back in time!

Article taken off houzz.com

Houzz Tour: Artful Vintage Style in Omaha

Vintage furniture and one-of-a-kind art give this Nebraska home a cozy and well-loved look

Jessica McKay designs her home around the things that she loves. From the vintage pieces handed down from her mother to unique artwork by local artists, Jessica and her husband, Christopher, fell in love with each and every piece in their home. The couple, who own Birdhouse Interior Design Consulting, live in a 1940s home in Omaha, Nebraska. Their neighborhood is made up of older homes with lots of character and charm, and the twosome decided to reflect that in their home's décor. "I feel like you honor the character of the old with great pieces from that time, then you add more interest by layering your tastes in other eras and styles over that," Jessica says.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jessica and Christopher McKay
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The couple's cozy master bedroom was originally the attic.


The McKays based many of the rooms' color palettes around specific textiles or pieces of furniture. "But sometimes I just find things I love when I'm out shopping and think, 'I'll make this work,'" Jessica says. Although all the pieces in the dining room were purchased separately, the brown, white and blue all blend seamlessly.

Light: eBay; table: vintage


Jessica likes to combine vintage pieces (either thrift finds or hand-me-downs) with more contemporary elements for an eclectic look. "I want to keep everything fresh and not like a decorated set for an old house," Jessica says.

The quirky and colorful living room is a great example of this look. Vintage accessories, modern art and colorful textiles combine in a unique and personalized space.

Curtains: custom, with fabric from greenhousefabrics.com; table lamps: vintage; Lucite chairs: Overstock.com; coffee table: custom by Peter Cales, measurecutcut.com


The McKays had this vintage chair with classic bones re-covered in gray vinyl with a brass nailhead trim. The modern color gives it a fresh new look.

Ottomans: Overstock.com


The McKays painted the fireplace a bold color to get some contrast in the room. After playing around with a few colors, Jessica settled on a glossy black to cover the dated brick and mantel.

The original artwork above the mantel is by Omaha artist Cristina Renfer Vogel, and it's one of Jessica's favorite pieces in her home. The McKays love working with local artists and host art openings from their interior design studios. Often the pair will start collecting pieces from the artists that they work with. "Nothing adds more interest to your space than original art," Jessica says. "My advice is to find artists you love and get friendly with them. Save, because art is an investment that can be passed down through the generations."

Fireplace paint: Dark Kettle Black, Valspar


Wall-mounted shelves are the perfect storage solution for barware and serveware, and provide some extra space in the couple's small kitchen.

Lamps: vintage; console: CB2; wall paint: Sable, Sherwin Williams


Although they would love a bigger kitchen — particularly since Christopher is a brilliant baker — the couple has managed to make do with the space they have. A movable island at the end of the space allows for extra storage when stationary and becomes another work surface when wheeled into the main kitchen space.

Island: bedbathandbeyond.com; gray lamp: Target


This vintage-style metal cart is a reproduction Jessica found through one of her vendors. It was picked up for a project but didn't quite work for the space. Christopher had been complaining that he was running out of room for his baking ingredients, and this was the perfect solution.


A cute little built-in nook serves as a display case and storage shelf for glasses and other serving items. This built-in is just one of the many great architectural features that came with this home. "I don't think I could live in a house newer than the '70s," says Jessica. "I want to live with a little patina and extra quirkiness that comes with age."


The basement family room is one of the couple's favorite rooms in their home. Designwise, it initially presented some dilemmas, and the budget was tight. The walls in this room were an unattractive knotty pine that the couple couldn't afford to completely replace, so they decided to paint them navy and keep the grooves white for a pin-striped look.

Vintage chairs were recovered in a Southwestern-inspired fabric for a colorful touch. "I'm originally from New Mexico, so I can't pass up a good Southwest print," Jessica says.

Chairs: vintage; couch; nfm.com; wall paint: Naval, Sherwin Williams


The couple reworked their home's attic into a cozy master bedroom with slanted ceilings and plenty of nooks and crannies. Jessica made the headboard herself because she wanted a bold material that looked like leather and couldn't afford the ones she saw out there. This DIY vinyl headboard has the same look for a fraction of the cost. The side tables were found at a garage sale and painted a bold and glossy red.

Bedding: Dwell Studio; table lamps: lampsplus.com


The leopard stool for Jessica's vanity is one of her favorite things in the house. "I'm not super girly, but something about that leopard print just screamed chic to me, and if there's any place you want to feel chic, it's where you get ready in the morning," she says.


A dormer window in the master bedroom became the perfect dressing area for Jessica. A turquoise chaise from the previous home was tucked underneath the window for a luxurious touch.

Chaise: Target; ottoman: arteriorshome.com

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Seasonal white interior design

Use white the right way in your home...

Article taken off homedit.com

Seasonal white interior design

White interior decors are actually very common. Nevertheless, they tend to seem more striking during this particular time of the year. When everything is white and snowy outside, it’s much easier to notice the resemblance with the interior in cases like this one. This particular interior design is very interesting not only because of the huge amount of white in there but also because of the way everything else seems to complement the house and the way the other colors stand out.



Usually we use white when we either have a small home and we want to make it seem bigger or when we simply want to have an airy and bright interior décor. In this case it’s probably both reasons. Notice how all the rooms have white walls and ceilings. This creates uniformity throughout the house and makes all the room seem so airy and spacious. That’s not only because of the colors but also because the furniture is minimalist and features pale colors such as grey or natural brown.











I love the way the interior of this house reminds me of a black and white movie but with small insertions of color. Also, it’s interesting how the designer incorporated natural elements inside without using clichés. There aren’t any fresh plants in there but only dead trees or leafless plants.{pics from site}

Monday, August 15, 2011

Labware Lights Series Display a Fascinating Chemistry

Searching new lighting for your house? Let this creative & interesting collection inspire you!

Article taken off freshome.com

Labware Lights Series Display a Fascinating Chemistry



The Labware Series consists of pendant lights, table and floor lamps, all in the shape of lab tubes and cylinders. Three simple elements were adjoined to shape each light: mouth-blown white opaque glass that, due to the nature of the material, makes each light unique, a hand-turned oak cork bark stopper from Portugal and braided blue flex. All the lights come with a bright white low energy bulb. The collection gathers beautifully designed lighting systems: a spherical pendant lamp, a large spherical table or floor lamp, a conical pendant lamp, a large conical table or floor lamp, a cylindrical pendant lamp and a cylindrical table or floor lamp. Designed by award-winning Benjamin Hubert, the Labware Lights won the Blueprint Award for Best New Product at 100% Design, so if you want your guests to express their admiration for your good taste, this is a collection of lights you should look into.




Friday, July 29, 2011

28 Red and White Living Rooms

National Day is around the corner, any plans for some red and white decor?

Article taken off home-designing.com

28 Red and White Living Rooms

Of late I came across so many attractive living rooms that use the red and white combination that I thought it was time to put in a post. Color-wise, White is subtle and Red is intense. Together these two colors seem to work really well. Not all the rooms that we feature today will use the two colors in the same manner or proportion. Each room solves the balance problem in its own unique way. For example in some living rooms, the color red is sparingly used as an accent while in others it dominates. Whatever be the ratio of usage, we can tell you one thing: some people have put very careful thought in designing these red and white living rooms!