Inspiration found through Color.
Part 1….
Trend 1: Nature Inspired.
What a relief for lovers of neutral color schemes – everyone agrees this year that understated room schemes inspired by nature will be one of the strong trends for 2009. Designer’s have been inspired this year by everything from rich ochre colors to the simple beachfront homes with bleached cream wooden shutters, weathered and worn woods, and stones in warm hues, punctuated by cooler tones of blues and greens to create a natural balance of colour and texture that is warm and embracing.
Elements of the natural world have also inspired Wallpaper palettes such as this colour palette and is combined with flame red for an injection of vibrancy. Combine the ever popular greens with fresh yellow’s and add a touch of raspberry and mint green for a unique combination.
Being “Eco-Conscious” or “Green” is a deciding factor for many when decorating. In 2009, the will be slightly more subtle. With people moving less frequently, look for fresh and bright to become increasingly more important. Expect to see “New-Neutrals” take root, as the year continues.
Natural tones will also be an enduring popular choice for furniture, with wall colours being chosen to echo the tones of the upholstery.
Living Room
Inspired by nature doesn’t have to mean “No” color in a living room ! You can choose anything from deep dark browns to rich ochres, mustard yellows, pale greens and blues. When incorporating patterns… using something light and airy as opposed to heavily patterned choices creates a visually pleasing environment.
Bedrooms
Natural schemes doesn’t mean feminine and traditional – you can give a nod to the trend within a contemporary scheme too, as in this bedroom. Combine wood panelled wardrobes or walls with natural floor coverings and furniture in woody tones, and add texture with throws and cushions in deep earthy shades. Combine with a bold accent color to add a “Punch” to the area.
Kitchens
When making selections for your kitchen in the Natural trend, think sensibly and long term. Walls can always be painted and Accent your Kitchen with unique objects such as lighting, accessories, rugs, stools and window treatments to add flair….
Dining Room
This is a particularly good look to go for in your dining room. And, if your dining room is part of your kitchen area -like in an open plan – a Neutral scheme is a must to create a relaxed and cohesively calm space.
Kids’ Room
Design a neutral scheme for a kids’ room is easy and sustainable for the long-term (not having to change the scheme every few years is easy for the wallet as well). So, whether you’ve got a baby or a teenager, hit this trend in a big way…
Bathroom
Space is always a factor, but any bathroom can be given the natural touch easily. When looking for a new bathroom cabinet, choose one in real wood. Flooring, choose a natural stone. Wall tile, choose something light and airy with some visual texture. On a budget? Paint the walls a soft shade of green or blue.
Tags: 2009 home trends, Advice, choosing colors, Decorate on a budget, decorating styles, Design Styles, design trends, Do's & Don'ts, Eclectic style, home decorating, Home Improvements, Home makeover, inexpensive tips, Interior Design, Interior design style, Interior Design Tips, Interior Styles, paint colors
Posted by PC Design on Jul 13, 2009 in
Hot new items,
Resources,
design,
trends PSST….
I wanted to share some great new items HomePortfolio is showing off for “Outdoor Living”.
****Remember....Your backyard/frontyard/porch/patio/etc...
are all area's to consider when decorating in and around your home.
Check out HomePortfolio.com to see more great items.
Tags: Advice, affordable interior design, backyards, barbeque, decorate, design blog, design trends, diy, frontgate, grills, homeporfolio, Interior Design Tips, Lighting, Lights, new items, outdoor living, outdoors, party, patio's, pc design, pools, seating, tables, water
Some Ideas for those… “Do-it Yourself” people.
Fixing a “botched” Paint Job
Have you ever felt the urge to whip out a paint can and try to tackle those walls in your Living Room? You can’t stand the current color. You’ve chosen a few swatches from the local paint store, grabbed a few rolls of “blue” painters tape and some brushes, prepped from the paint job and slapped that paint on the wall.
1st mistake….put the tape in the wrong spot on the ceiling and pulled it off only to find that you have spots of the old color coming through because the tape wasn’t on the ceiling, but also on the wall. UGHHH!
2nd mistake…the swatch looked great, but the color on the wall sure doesn’t.
If you put the tape in the wrong spot….fear not. They have great edging tools out there today that you can use once the tape is gone and will leave you with a crisp clean edge.
available at most Walgreens.
If you feel you chose the wrong color for the wall (too dark or too light) think about adding a pearlized glaze to the painted wall. Most paint stores have them and you can add it straight on top of the finished color. Think about using a rag, a drag brush or even some old grocery bags to add a bit of texture when applying the glaze. It softens the color and gives a nice depth to the walls.
check out your local Ace hardware or Home Depot for a variety. Benjamin Moore has a great variety of colored glazes to use.
Right the Wrong Floor
Do you have hard wood floors and there is a large water stain where a planter once stood? Find a fun, small area rug to create a conversation area. Put the rug over the spot, add a small table and a floor lamp. No one will ever now there is something under there, that shouldn’t be there.
Too Much of A Good thing….
When decorating a room…. always think of it like you do when you are getting dressed. If you are worried about too many accessories…. Use the rule “take on off” or in this case “remove an item” from the room. Another way is to remove all the accessories, artwork and area rugs from the area, pick out your favorite ones and start with those. Remember…. You don’t have to use everything! Put the other items away or see if there is another area in the home that is lacking and see if the items will work there.
Layers of Lighting
The classic lighting goof is trying to make one or two lights do all the work in a room. Luckily a goof is easily fixed. Add three-way lamps (with 150- watt, not 60-watt, bulbs) to tables and dimmer switches to overhead lights. Add accent lighting to a plant or painting. What you want is light coming from several places and directions. It’s that mix of directions that’s visually interesting.” Of course, the first step is to know what you want to see .
A Piece of the Past
Bringing in something new, heirloom or not, can be tricky at best, a sore thumb at worst. Don’t just add one new thing to a space. Add accents that complement it. For instance, with this antique china cabinet, think not of it having to be in the Dining Room if it doesn’t work. Use it in the Foyer or in a hallway. Pick a color that you want to use as an accent from it and accessorize the piece to coordinate. That’s easy to do without breaking the budget.
Musical Furniture
The new sofa and chairs arrive and you hate them. Before you relegate them to your next garage sale, try a little rearranging, right into the next room, if necessary . It changes your mindset. Maybe the room’s off balance, the furniture’s too far apart or one piece is out of scale with the rest (i.e., the heirloom bookcase). The best arrangement is a U-shape made with a sofa and two chairs. “The worst is the L-shape with a sofa and loveseat.
Add a bit of YOU to That Trendy Look
You’ve opted for the ethnic, bohemian look that’s all the rage, but now your living room looks like a ’60s dorm room, or a page out of a catalog. What to do? People try too hard to create a statement. They think Bohemian’s laid back and so they buy the look, the sound, the smell. That’s a big faux pas. A little bit of bohemian adds a nice ambiance, but then pull in pieces from your past, like old photos. Design is about personality. Pull something of yourself into the space. That’s how you set it apart.
Think of walls as a blank canvas
There may be nothing wrong with your furniture. Your walls may be closing in on you. Sometimes people have art hanging on every inch of space, even tiny walls. But you have to pick and choose. In the winter, put up black and white photos, in the summer pastels. But don’t feel compelled to hang everything. Otherwise your eyes have no place to rest.
Rules to live by
Most designers can’t even get their minds wrapped around hiding mistakes because they are so bent on preventing them in the first place. Below they come up with a list of sure-fire ways to minimize post-decorating moans.
- Proceed slowly. You’ve just moved to a new apartment and haven’t decided on your color scheme . Instead of a hasty decision you might regret, opt to slipcover two new chairs in inexpensive white duck cloth. You can dye them or paint them with fabric paint and have some fun. Eventually, upholster them, but now take the time to decide what colors and fabric you want.
- Make a plan. This is perhaps as close to a mantra as decorators get. If you have no organized plan, you will soon have a collection of garage sale items. You need a floor plan and a color scheme . Then you can shop the sales and pick up quality pieces. Keep a “What I love” notebook. Tear out magazine pictures of rooms you love. Start a “favorite things” box that includes materials, pictures, wallpaper, even cards you’re drawn to.
- Get some help. You don’t need a professional to decorate the whole thing. But have a designer come to your home for two hours to make some suggestions. They may suggest things you haven’t thought of: a new conversation area, a different traffic pattern, how you can use the room .
For more tips visit www.affordableinteriordesigners.com or email pcdesign@mac.com
Tags: Advice, Budget Design, Decorate on a budget, Do's & Don'ts, Home Improvements, Home makeover, inexpensive tips, Interior Design
With an overwhelming response to last weeks blog….here are some more “affordable” tips to revitalize your home for Spring & Summer.
Give your windows a temporary face-lift:
If you have “layers” on your windows (panels and sheers), take the panels off and give an airy feel to your space with simple sheers, allowing light to flood in and give a beachy feel to your home.
from heavy…
to breezy.
Lighten up your bedding by removing the heavy comforter and adding a light weight blanket or coverlet that highlights a brighter or “sunnier” color from the comforter. If it’s a solid, find something with a pattern or floral with bright “Juicey” colors to change things up.
Change out the pillows on your sofa….
Remove these dark wintery pillows….
and add these bold, beautiful Summer pillows.
Accessorize with clear glass bowls with floating candles, white vases with a single brightly colored flower and bring the outdoors…in. Flowers, reeds of grass, cattails, single bud flowers, floating magnolia’s and potted Gerber daisy’s. Anything will work as long as it doesn’t give the feel of being too heavy.
For the kitchen:
Change out dish towels, soap containers, table linens, centerpieces, chair pads and wall display to something light and lively.
hang these on the wall for a summery change.
For additional ideas email pcdesign@mac.com or visit www.affordableinteriordesigners.com
Tags: Advice, Budget Design, Decorate on a budget, Do's & Don'ts, Home, Home Improvements, Home makeover, inexpensive tips, interior, Interior Design, Interior design style, Interior Design Tips, modern design
Ideas for “Affordable” Spring Home Makeovers…..
“Juicey” Spring Colors
Spring Color ideas to paint the walls, or the floor, windows, pillows, vases, furniture, etc….
The Blue Hues
- Palace Blue— a favorite amongst designers which takes a navy undertone and makes it sparkle. A cross between a sky blue and strong navy. This is a color which works with almost any other, pink, yellow, lavender or green.
- Lavender— the regal purple of fall has been adapted to a softer lighter lilac, feminine and romantic, and slightly mystical.
- Rose Dust— a pale pinkie blue, which is a welcome break from traditional neutrals. Almost a white-washed lavender, this is one of the coolest colors.
- Slate Gray— a cool and calming nuanced neutral which provides a backdrop to any of Pantone’s 9 other colors and is a perfect pairing to lavender hues.
The Red Hues
- Fuchsia Red–—Vibrant yet seductive, powerful and robust. Fresh and dazzling, fuchsia features heavily in nail polish and lipsticks too.
- Salmon Rose— Mixing a soft salmon pink with the subtleness of oranges which is flattering to most complexions and gives a warm healthy glow.
The Green Hues
- Vibrant Green— a mossy mid-green which is bright but not harsh
- Dark Citron— a calm, almost olive color which blends perfectly with this season’s lemon tones.
- Lucite Green— a clean, subtle, soft green which adds a slight shimmer
Yellow
- Super Lemon— brings a fun, optimistic outlook to the Palette,” states the Pantone Spring 2009 report. “Its luminosity is determined to evoke a smile and attract the roving consumer’s eyes.”
Under $100……unique “Artography” at an “Affordable” price.
Upload your own photo’s for a unique visual “Artography” session.
Find a photo of something you love…You, your spouse, family, pet, building, place, etc….
Decide on the effect you would like it to have and let the world of computer magic takeover.
Check out www.photofiddle.com to learn how to create your own “Artography” collection.
Are you afraid to make a comittment to your walls?
Check out www.whatisblik.com. They have whole wall size graphics, lettering, patterns, decals, kids & adult designs for you to choose from.
Grandfather clock graphics Graphic lettering
Sphere design graphics
Looking for something on a larger scale than peel & stick decals?
Try whole wall mural sheets for under $100.
Babies nursery Dinner in Paris
Vegas... Bamboo forest (View of whole wall in room)
You might just feel like you are actually on vacation with these life like murals.
Visit www.decorplace.com for a huge selection of ideas or a few to create your own.
And finally….to add a few accessories here and there to and a punch into your spring and summer decor…check out Target.com for great priced accessories like the one’s shown below.
$9.99 for the set of votive holders Set of 4 Damask porcelain plates $27.99
$19.99 for the base…add a bold shade! Bright and bold picture frame $6.99.
Coordinate these items together or create your own palette to work from.
For these and many more ideas……visit www.affordableinteriordesigners.com/blog.
Tags: accessories, Advice, affordable decorating, Budget Design, colors, Decorate on a budget, Home Improvements, Home makeover, inexpensive tips, Interior Design, Interior Design Tips, modern design, shop at target, Target, under $50
Follow these tips to create a good home environment and making everyday life easier.
1. Home Interiors are ALWAYS a work in progress.
Keep things fresh and loose by changing things up. Perfection stifles creativity. No, one item, has a specific place.
Change out pillow covers on your sofa or in your Guest Room in the Spring and Fall (or anything else movable and easy to store for the season).
In the winter…use candles for a warm feel; and in the spring….use fresh flowers to bring the outside in.
2. A home isn’t a Museum.
Use every room for fun and gathering. If you have a room that is only used for special occasions (maybe 6-10 times per year), what do you use it for for the other 340 days?
3. Don’t over accessorize..
Follow the rule for getting dressed…. get completely dressed, then, take one item off. A space with too many items in it will look cluttered and junky…even with the most expensive of items on display.
4. SURPRISE!
Just like when you are looking in a store and you turn the corner and see a great display….that’s a surprise.
Add spontaneous items out in the open. If you are working with a neutral palette in a room, add one bold, unique looking item that will make someone say “WOW” and people will take notice.
5. Don’t think in terms of Feminine and Masculine.
Stay away from overly ruffled items, bows and too much lace. Think in terms of “soft” or “glamorous” when wanting something a little more girly.
6. When shopping for furnishings….
It doesn’t matter where it came from, YOU, just have to love what your living with.
7. Fabulous Finds.
In today’s world of “Going Green” recycled items are a must. If a friend offers something to you, that they are tired of, do a trade and (provided they don’t want the item back) re-purpose it to coordinate with your interiors or add a “WOW” spot to your home. ANYTHING old….can become new again!
Wood floor planks to Wine Rack.
Toothbrushes as wall hooks for kids.
Old armoire turned game center.
8. Think outside of the box.
Think of all the business out there and what the possibilities there products hold. Download a picture you like online and cut-out a pattern to create your own stencil. Go to a tile store and ask for their discarded or damage products (some will be greatly discounted, others might even be free) and revamp an old side table you are looking to spiff up. There are tons of mosaic ideas online. Go to a produce company and ask for their fruit crates and create vintage storage containers. Use wide, colored tape, to create stripes on the walls in a small area .
Old milk jug...turn to table base or bird bath.
Industrial Coils turned barstools.
9. Party in a Closet.
Impromptu party? Keep everything you need stored (and organized) in a closet. Bar napkins, containers of peanuts, cups, plates, candles, wine and more. You don’t want to have to run out and shop at the last minute before entertaining. When you start running low, replenish.
10. You get what you pay for.
This is tried and true! When you find good people to work with, make it worth their while and yours. It will reflect in the work and maybe…get it done sooner, rather than later. And by the way…don’t forget to tell them how much you appreciate them….It goes a looooooooooooooong way!
Want to find out more? Visit: www.affordableinteriordesigners.com.
Tags: Add new tag, Advice, Affordable, Budget Design, Budget interior design, Decorate on a budget, Do's & Don'ts, Home, Home Improvements, Home makeover, inexpensive tips, Interior Design, Interior Design Tips
As an Interior Designer, I know the trepidation people have when they are deciding whether to hire a professional to help them with a Home Design Project.
My best advice to you, the client, is to find one that you click with, that you hit it off with during the first visit. If you feel apprehensive after the meeting………take that as a No, to that particular Designer. Take a look at your budget. Can you afford a few extra dollars for some advice to head you in the right direction, keep you on track, give you ideas for the area being re-designed? In the end, doing this will help you avoid costly mistakes that could happen during a home project.
Here is a list of somethings to think about if you are still unsure:
- Write down a list of your home priorities.
- Create a workable budget (keep in mind that you need to have an additional, 10% of the budget, incase of delays, project overruns, additional items needed, etc.).
- Don’t get after all the “Trendy” designs. You can incorporate some, with smaller items, but keep your larger pieces simple (such as your sofa and coordinating seating pieces). They will last much longer, style wise, in the end if you go with classic instead of Trend. Plus……you will blow your budget, FAST if you decorate in trends; especially when you get tired of that trend!
- Shop for items in regular stores, department stores, discount stores. No one knows where you shop unless you tell them. You’ll probably get more bang for your buck when you go to the discount stores as well.
Wait for sales to get your larger pieces (sofa, chair, dining table, armoire). Most stores have large sales 2 x’s per year to turn over their merchandise for the new one’s coming out on the scene. The stores are more willing to bargain when they know they have truckloads of merchandise coming in and don’t want to pay to warehouse them
- Prioritize the rooms you are re-doing. Only get 2-3 rooms in shape, depending on your budget. Make those look “WOW”. Most people don’t have the big budget to redecorate all at once, and most Designer’s will tell you that they don’t recommend that anyway. Your taste could change after you live with a new design in one room and give you ideas for the next.
- A Designer can help you scale down on what you have before redecorating. Think of it as purging all the bad, to bring in the new, more exciting items. The Designer can be the bad guy, making it easier for you to make the decision on what should stay or go. There is also a way to collect some additional funds by taking the items you are getting rid of to a consignment or
thrift store. Another possibility is hosting a yard sale, or even a neighborhood sale. Some neighbors might even want to “trade” items, giving you a whole other avenue for shopping.
And finally……….if you were experiencing stomach cramps, doubling you over in pain, would you treat yourself or go see a Doctor?
Do you see my point?
Contact PC Design LLC today with all of your Design questions.
Tags: Advice, Budget Design, Design professionals, Do's & Don'ts, hire a decorator, Hire a designer, hire an interior designer, Home Improvements, Home makeover, inexpensive tips, Interior Design
Contemporary design can often times, be confused with modern design. Similarities between both include; clean lines, neutral colors, use of woods and metals.
There is a thin line between the two but Contemporary takes design a step farther than Modern. It takes everyday items and pushes the design limitations.
A sink in your powder room, instead of white porcelain, might be zebra wood mdf board and mounted on the wall with the chrome faucet pouring out from the wall.
It will take a handful of clear lightbulbs, gather them together and create an industrial looking chandelier over the dining table.
The style will take a zebra skin and use it as a rug on the floor in front of the fireplace.
Contemporary style takes design a step further than any other design. It tends to lean toward an idustrial, sparce look with very limited color. In fact the only color in the room, might be a large painting hanging on a wall or a large hand blown glass chandelier hanging from a vaulted ceiling in the foyer.
Contemporary furniture is typically covered in solid fabrics ranging from Chenille, leather, linen, silk, nubby wool and cotton. Some have wood or even metal legs and rarely do you see a skirt on your upholstered pieces.
Rugs tend to be used as an accent adding color or a simple, abstract design to balance the simplicity of the upholstery on furniture.
Tables tend to be glass or metal (typically chrome or steel) or a mixture of both. The glass keeps the design clean, open and simple.
There isn’t an abundance of furniture used and there tend to be a variety of seating areas; some for a group or for just a a section for a reading area. It all varies depending on the amount of space you have.
Overall Contemporary design, from the outside in, keeps the spatial relationship simple and flowing. The sterile exterior is carried inside, keeping spaces open flowing from room to room, limiting the amount of walls a home has.
Floors are often wood and sometimes, polished stone, again keeping in line with that sterile, clean feel. Countertops are granite, stainless, or a solid composite material. Cabinetry can be metal, glass, some wood as accents coordinated with stainless appliances, closely resembling a kitchen in a high-end restaurant.
Window treatments, if used, are simple in design. Long panels framing in the window, custom roman shades to diffuse light for during the day, double top treatments to create drama on tall windows that carry your eye toward the ceiling.
Sometimes, drama is added to windows with bold, geometric fabrics.
In Contemporary design, art is used as accessories, but sometimes sample knick-knacks are added here and there, but used very sparsely.
Glass art used in Architectural alcoves with lights to highlight it.
Variety of accessories used throughout homes.
If you are looking to design your home in the Contemporary style and still have questions, contact pcdesign@mac.com for more information.
Tags: Advice, Contemporary, Contemporary Design, Contemporary style, decorating styles, Design Styles, Interior Design, Interior design style, Interior Styles
High End Furniture Look, on a Tight Budget.
High-End Furniture furniture makers aren’t swayed by the Economy today, but the average furniture buyers are.
Here is an example of taking a Designer look and re-creating it, at an affordable price!
Barbara Barry Collection High-End Collection Discount “Look-a-like” Collection
Approximate Cost $28,000 Approximate Cost $3000
Wow!!! A $25,000 price difference and the look is practically identical. And most of the items in the “look-a-like” side are shipped free as well.
Wouldn’t you like to makeover your home with a High-End Designer look for a fraction of the price? Any look is reproducible………
Contact PC Design LLC at pcdesign@mac.com.
Tags: Advice, budget decorating, Budget Design, cheap but chic, cheap decorating, cheap interior design, Decorate on a budget, Design on a dime, Home makeover, inexpensive furniture, inexpensive tips, Interior Design, Interior design style, reproduce a furniture look, repurpose
Most people today, classify themselves as “Transitional” in their Interior Design Styles (or what some of my client’s call, “the Pottery Barn Style”).
Let’s delve into the meaning of “Transitional” to find out if this style best represents you!
We go back to the unforgettable, and I say this with great respect, catalog that is received in the mail by millions of people weekly………..Pottery Barn.
As quoted from their website; “Pottery Barn began in 1949 as a single store in Lower Manhattan, and is founded on the idea that home furnishings should be exceptional in comfort, style and quality. Our in–house designers draw their inspiration from time–honored models in America and around the world to create unique collections…..”.
While this isn’t a Blog about Pottery Barn, they are one of the most widely viewed home decorating catalogs in the world and are, the best, Visual example of simple, neutral and elemental design qualities out there. Other places to find “Transitional” style furnishings are at your larger department stores and larger chain furniture (some discount) super stores.
Transitional decor, blends “Traditional” Style with “Contemporary” Styles to make distinctive, classic, yet comfortable Design. The primary influence is “American” with sleek lines and rounded profiles, rich prints with minimalistic approaches and very affordable options. Items aren’t overstated for the rooms, but sized in proportion to them.
Colors associated with this style are muted neutrals; blends of creams, taupe’s, chocolates (neither to masculine or feminine). There aren’t many additional adornments to furnishings, like fringe, tassels or “frills”. Nailhead is often used as contrast for trim on upholstered pieces. Typical fabrics used are; Suede, Corduroy, jacquard, leather, chenille, cotton, twill, woven and tweeds.
Accessorizing takes a back seat in transitional design. Crisp, clean black or white framing and monochromatic artwork, hammered metals, natural wood, geometric shapes. Accessories that are ornate, fancy, elegant or over-the-top are limited to one (or none) per space. Keeping things simple, but interesting, is primary.
Transitional lighting includes, understated, unadorned chandeliers, ceiling fans with adjustable lighting, pendants that seem to fade in rather than stand out in contrast to cabinetry and lamps that carry a classic yet simple style with an updated feel.
Next, Interior Design Style Revealed………. “Contemporary”.
Tags: Advice, cotton, decorating styles, Design Styles, diy transitional design, furniture like pottery barn, interior, Interior Design, Interior design style, Interior Design Tips, Interior Styles, neutral colors, neutral decor, pottery barn, pottery barn design, suede furniture, transitional design, transitional interior design
