Many styles are reworked every few decades.  Does the 80’s sound familiar?  Think; ruffled “Pirate” shirts (or Seinfeld’s “Puffy Shirt” episode).  What was popular 30 years ago…. is back again, in a more updated form.

The same goes with Designing around the Home.

Today’s popular home decorating style is Baroque.  According to Wikipedia…. Italian Baroque interior design refers to high-style furnishing and interior decorating carried out in Italy, during the Baroque period, which lasted from the early 17th to the mid 18th century.   Rococo (less commonly roccoco; pronounced /rəˈkoʊkoʊ/, /roʊkəˈkoʊ/) also referred to as “Late Baroque” is an 18th century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly more ornate, florid, and playful. Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and  tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings.

Modern, Baroque furnishings, design elements and accessories are available everywhere and you might even find that you have something in your home and didn’t know it.

Target, has a whole line DwellStudio at Target geared towards this style; affordable for everyone.

Rugs

Mirrors

Fabric

Lighting

Feminine Baroque

Create a soft feminine bedroom with this combination of Modern and antique Baroque style.

Traditional style Baroque Design

Traditional style Living Room with gilding and heavily ornate furnishings (characteristic of the Italian Baroque style)

Modern Style Baroque Design

Hard graphic prints designed with classic Baroque style and clean edges.

Baroque With a Southwest Flair

Mixing in traditional southwest colors with the classic yet simple Baroque style shown below.

For more information on this and any other style or design….

Contact PC Design llc or email pcdesign@mac.com.

Here are some beautifully/uniquely decorated Holiday trees to get you into the holiday spirit.

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.