Interior Design Stories
Browse all current and past decorating ideas from Beautiful Windows Blinds.
Dramatic Windows
OPEN UP YOUR DESIGN PLAN WITH DRAMATIC WINDOWS.
Windows can make a room appear more airy and spacious, and they add so much drama! It could be the shape of the windows that’s interesting or the size (really large!) or the view outside (really spectacular!) that adds the pizazz.
Non-standard windows may already be in a house you’ve built or purchased. Or you may be planning a renovation and thinking of adding new windows. Depending on the size and shape of the window you select, specialty windows work in almost any room of your house!
SPECIALTY WINDOWS EXPAND THE ELEGANCE AND INTEREST IN A ROOM.
Specialty windows come in many styles including:
– Arches
– Circles
– Skylights
– Angle tops
– French doors
– Bay and bow windows
– Corner windows
– Hexagons and octagons
ADD WINDOW FASHIONS FOR PRIVACY, LIGHT, AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL.
At first, most people plan to keep their large windows uncovered to highlight their beauty and the view outdoors, but often window fashions are needed for light, privacy, and temperature control. It can be a challenge; however, many window treatments work beautifully for these dramatic window styles.
Depending on your window shape and location, one of these window treatments from Hunter Douglas may be the perfect solution:
– Duette® Honeycomb Shades
– Silhouette® Window Shadings
– Pirouette® Window Shadings
– Vignette® Modern Roman Shades
– Heritance® Hardwood Shutters
Beautiful Area Rugs
ADD WARMTH AND BEAUTY WITH AN AREA RUG.
Even though rugs are a design element that we walk all over, they are an important part of your interior environment and a perfect addition to create warmth, definition, and beauty in a room.
Rugs make us feel good in so many ways – by making our feet happy as we move around the house and by adding a warm finishing touch that can be playful or sophisticated, modern or traditional.
BEAUTIFUL RUGS ARE FUNCTIONAL, TOO.
Area rugs also add function: They are an acoustical damper, keeping noise down from heavy footsteps and children playing. They also work to square off functional areas of a room; for example, the conversational area of a room and the dining area.
When selecting a rug, take into account the floor under the rug, too. For example, add soft wool to hard wood, smooth silk to rough stone, or thick shag to flat tile.
AREA RUGS COME IN SO MANY CHOICES.
Consider the many choices of color, style, price and material when you select a rug, such as:
– Solid colors
– Abstract patterns
– Faux animal prints
– Ethnic looks
– Historic Oriental rug designs
– Traditional wool or silk
– Practical cotton or blends
– Avantgarde designs and materials
– Shaggy synthetic fibers
Step on it this season and add a new rug! It will add luxury and depth to your room.
Whimsical Décor
BE BRAVE AND ADD A BIT OF WHIMSY TO YOUR DÉCOR
What is whimsy? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful. Other words we can use to define whimsy in an interior design plan include quirky, funky, playful, unusual, or unexpected.
Adding a touch of whimsy to your home décor requires a bit of courage and confidence; however, it ensures that your house isn’t a “vanilla” interior like everyone else’s. It also takes some imagination, which is what really adds your unique personality to the look of your home.
WHIMSICAL ACCENTS ADD AN UNEXPECTED TOUCH
Whimsy works best in interior design when used in small quantities and in a surprising way. If you use too much, your home could look like a carnival fun house.
The whimsical element can stand out from among the rest of the furnishings because it is different in shape, style, color, design or scale – or is just totally unexpected!
CONSIDER THESE DESIGN ELEMENTS
Design elements that work well for adding a bit of whimsy include:
– Unusually patterned or textured window treatments, rugs or carpeting
– Wall art or sculpture
– Unusually shaped or colored furniture
– Unexpected wallpaper
– Stencils or murals on the wall, ceiling or floor
– Surprising fabric on a chair or sofa (or slipcovers if you want to make a smaller commitment!)
– Decorative accessories such as throw pillows, bed linens or table linens
– Display of a collection that is unusual; for example, kitschy souvenirs or unusual photos
Be adventuresome this fall and have some fun by adding whimsy!
Rosé is not just for Sipping
ADD A TOUCH OF ROSÉ TO MAKE YOUR INTERIOR CRISP AND REFRESHING
Rosé is becoming more and more popular as a light and cool beverage option. It’s also a perfect choice to revitalize your interior design plan. This soft color was popular in interior design in the 1980s and called dusty rose, and it’s now gaining popularity as rosé.
Rosé is a soft color part way between red and magenta in hue, and then toned down to a lighter shade. Just like the wine, this decorating color can range from the lightest of pinks to a more hearty shade. Other names for this color are blush, rose pink, light apricot and peach haze.
ROSÉ WORKS EQUALLY WELL FOR MODERN OR TRADITIONAL INTERIORS
Rosé is a smart decorating choice that’s a bit more sophisticated and subtle than more typical pink tones. This subtle shade of pink doesn’t have to look girly or frilly. It’s a smooth tone that works equally well for modern or traditional interiors.
Rosé goes well with many colors including violet, gray, beige, black and white. And it looks fabulous with almost every shade of blue and green, including powder blue, sky blue, mint, sage, forest, teal and acid. You can even pair it with bright red, pink or orange!
IDEAS FOR ADDING THIS SUBTLE COLOR TO YOUR DÉCOR
If you’re not sure you’ll like rosé in your home environment, try it for just one element such as:
– A small piece of furniture,
– Slipcovers,
– Throw pillows,
– Bed linens.
Or accent just one wall of a room with rosé paint.
Add a touch of soft and calming rosé to your interior this season. It’s an intoxicating choice!
The Case for Glass Tables
MAKE YOUR ROOM FEEL LARGER
It’s clear – a glass table will add interest to a room, whether it’s a dining table, coffee table, console table or occasional table. Glass is a crystal clear choice for a table because it almost disappears.
Because there’s no opaque surface breaking sight lines, a glass table makes a room seem larger and it emphasizes:
– The texture and weave of your rugs
– The beauty of your hardwood or tile floors
– The craftsmanship of table legs or pedestals
– The personality of collectibles you display on the tabletop
– Even how adorable your dogs or cats look sitting under the table!
CHOOSE YOUR SHAPE AND STYLE
Glass tables come in all shapes, sizes and styles – even ones that complement traditional interior design styles.
Instead of a typical square or rectangular table, think round, oval, hexagonal or freeform. And glass doesn’t have to be crystal clear; it can be colored in so many shades.
Also consider a two-level glass table. It’s a beautiful way to display collectibles on the bottom level, yet still have space on top for beverages, snacks and a flower arrangement or two.
FUNCTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Make sure you work with a professional to select a glass top table. Tempered glass should be thick enough for your table’s function, and should be beveled or curved on the edges. Also make sure the glass has no nicks or chips.
In terms of practicality, glass tables are easy to clean; however, they do show fingerprints and dust.
Open up your interior living space with a glass table. It’s clearly an excellent choice!
Upgrade Your Home Office
CREATE A SPACE WITH PERSONALITY
Do you have a home office that’s an afterthought, provides function but has little thought to aesthetics? That happens to most of us at some point in our lives. Why not upgrade your home office into a personalized workspace that’s embellished with beautiful furniture, color, artwork and rugs?
A functional desk is key, as is a high-quality desk chair that’s the correct height and provides comfort. But don’t just focus on function. Shop for stylish furniture that makes you feel good to be in your home office and proud to show the room to others, so you don't want to shut the door when friends and family come to visit.
CONSIDER YOUR FUNCTIONAL NEEDS
Entertain these ideas in your home office redesign:
– Customization of the space for the tasks you want to complete there, whether it’s major desk work every day or just checking your email once in a while
– Good illumination that includes ambient lighting and task lighting at your desk
– Forward thinking about all the devices you need to accommodate, including computer(s), printer(s), charging stations, file cabinets and more
– A method to hide clutter and cords
THE RESULT: A ROOM TO BE PROUD OF
More things to consider:
– Window fashions that block the glare on your computer and other devices
– Open shelving to display work-related memorabilia, as well as closed cabinets to store office necessities like paper and toner cartridges
Make your home office into a reflection of your personality this season. You may even want to change the name of your room to a study or library to make it sound more beautiful!
Decorating with Light Blue
SOFTEN YOUR HOME INTERIOR
Typically light blue, also called powder blue or sky blue, is associated with classic home design. However, this calm tone can enhance decorating styles from vintage to modern, beachy to lodge, and rustic to elegant.
Light blue can vary from pure blue to grey and tan tones. Go toward the green, and the result is aqua. Add a bit of red, and you’ll get lavender.
CREATE A SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT
Psychologists often say that blue reminds us of the sky and the sea and heaven. That’s why it feels so calming to the body and mind. Keep light blue in the soothing range by combining it with white, cream, grey and white. The softness these combinations create is perfect for bedrooms or bathrooms where you want to create a soothing atmosphere.
For a bit more contrast, pair light blue with yellow, forest green, sage green or apricot. To spice it up, accent light blue with orange, electric blue, acid green or tomato red. It also goes well with brown, tan, copper, gold and caramel, which are almost opposite blue on the color wheel. And do use light blue with all tones of woods, from darkest ebony to lightest oak.
IDEAS FOR ADDING LIGHT BLUE
Think calming light blue for:
– Paint
– Upholstery
– Rugs
– Window treatments
– Bedding
– Kitchen appliances
– Tile and stone
Light blue helps you create a cool, calm interior that soothes the senses. Add this delicate color to your interior design this season.
Leather Furnishings
Leather adds texture and color
Consider a touch of leather in your next decorating project. Leather adds great texture and color to a room, and most leather design elements are practical, too!
Beware though that leather can create a heavy look, especially in its most typical design colors, dark brown and black.
That’s why it’s best to balance dark pieces of leather furniture with design elements such as light paint colors and rugs, cushy throws and pillows, and soft fabric furniture and window fashions.
Combine leather with complementary materials
Another way to lessen the heaviness of leather design elements is to select a lighter color, such as beige, white, gray or sage green. Or you can add a tidbit of brightness with green, red or yellow leather!
Complementary materials and textures can also lighten up leather furnishings. Think:
– Plush rugs
– Glass or Lucite tables
– Metal chairs and lamps
– Light filtering, soft-looking window fashions
– Wood or bamboo flooring
– Natural grass wall coverings
Leather furnishings are versatile and practical
Leather adds beauty to most any decorating style, from a traditional dining room to a classic living room to an urban-contemporary great room.
Think about leather for these design elements:
– Leather sofas and easy chairs, and even recliners!
– Leather dining chairs
– Leather headboard
– Leather-fronted sideboard in the dining room or dresser in the bedroom
– Leather-covered walls in a powder room or home office
Make a decorating statement in your next design project and add leather!
Spa Bathrooms
SOAK YOUR STRESS AWAY
We all love a beautiful spa bathroom when we’re on a luxury vacation. Why not enjoy that luxury every day of the year while we’re at home, too?
You can create a spa experience in any size bathroom although bigger is almost always better! Think neutral colors because they lend themselves to the calmness and serenity you’d like for a spa retreat. Also consider coordinating colors with your master bedroom for a seamless transition from sleep to serenity.
CREATE A FIVE-STAR RETREAT
Here’s where you can start:
– New sinks, countertops and backsplashes
– Exquisite new hardware, including pulls, handles and faucets
– A soothing paint color that makes you feel calm
– Soft and luxurious bath textiles, including towels, bath rugs and bathrobes
– An elegant vanity, preferably a double vanity if you have room
– Stunning framed mirrors, instead of frameless wall-to-wall mirrors
– Layered lighting for both function and beauty
– Maybe even a skylight to bring in natural light
BEGIN AND END YOUR DAYS IN COMFORT
Even more ideas to enhance your spa experience include:
– A beautiful, elegant soaking tub
– A steam shower
– Plenty of towel racks, and even heated towel warmers
– Soaps, scrubs, lotions and fragrances that please YOU
– Beautiful smelling candles and aromatherapy
– A built-in bench or movable chair or stool
– Built-in storage, to keep chaos to a minimum and maintain a zen calm feeling
Plan for a master bathroom makeover this season - you can’t help but slow down and relax.
Add a Stunning Light Fixture
LIGHT UP YOUR HOME
Lighting is one of the most important elements in making your home environment function effectively and look beautiful. A new ceiling light fixture – or chandelier as they’re often called – can completely change the look of a room, making it a key
element of your decorating plan.
We think about ceiling light fixtures mostly for dining rooms, but they’re perfect for so many other rooms too, including the bedroom, living room, foyer, kitchen, bathroom, outdoor living spaces, and more.
ADD STYLE AND REDUCE CLUTTER
A stunning light fixture can create a big impact in a room and, yet, it’s somewhat unique as a design element because it doesn’t take up any of your floor or wall space. It can actually reduce clutter while, at the same
time, adding style!
For optimal beauty and function, work with an expert to select light fixtures that are the right size and hang them at an appropriate height for your application.
CONSIDER YOUR LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
Lighting strategies are quite different for dining rooms, living rooms, foyers, kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices. Lighting can work to set a soft, romantic mood, or to provide a spotlight in a specific area, or it can furnish an overall wash of brightness.
So do think about the quality of light that a fixture provides, including the number of bulbs, bulb wattage, color of bulbs and more. Dimmers are almost always a good idea since they give you options for brightness at various times of day or depending how you’re using the room at a given time.
Decorate with Natural Wood
ADD A WARM INTERIOR FINISH
Wood is a staple in interior design. It’s ubiquitous in the home environment and warms up a room with color, texture, grain and a touch of nature. Sometimes wood interior features sit in the background, and sometimes they take the stage as the focal point of a room.
With wood design elements, it’s often the overall impression that provides the beauty, as with wood floors or paneling. At other times, it’s the detailing that creates a stunning effect, as with intricately carved furniture and hand-crafted moldings.
IDEAS FOR ADDING WOOD
As much as painted finishes, fabrics, leather, and stone add to an interior design plan, almost every room can benefit from a touch of beautiful wood, whether it’s rustic or highly finished, newly hewn or repurposed.
Beautiful wood works in so many different design elements, including beams, moldings, floors, walls, doors, wainscoting, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, window coverings, and furniture.
Smaller options for wood accents are clocks, lamps, mirror frames, picture frames, and headboards.
PLACE A FOCUS ON WOOD SELECTION
The most typical woods used in homes are oak, pine, walnut, mahogany and teak. More unusual wood species are olivewood, lemonwood, and mango.
Today bamboo is popular for some home elements too because of its renewable nature, although technically bamboo is actually a grass and not a wood.
Wood, wonderful wood. Include it in your next home design project for an enhanced interior look.
Display a Substantial Piece of Art
DECORATE AROUND YOUR ART
Start a room design with just one piece of extraordinary art. The art will transform your room and help you determine the rest of your décor, setting the color scheme and tying all your interior elements together.
First, take time to figure out what kind of art you like, rather than purchasing what’s “in” at the time you’re decorating. Art is a long-term investment that you should love since you’ll live with it on your walls for quite awhile.
Visit art galleries, local art shows and museums, and make a point to look at the artwork in your friends’ homes, noting what you think you’d like in your home, and what you wouldn’t.
ART ADDS PERSONALITY TO A ROOM
The art you select is very personal. It brings emotion and feeling into your home and lets people know something about you. Most often art is hung on a wall above the sofa or fireplace, but you can be creative about where art will look beautiful in your house. Art comes in many shapes and sizes that can adapt to almost any room, wall size and shape.
Do think outside the box – and outside the frame! Not all art is hung on the wall. Sometimes a substantial piece of art might be a sculpture, dramatic rug, unusual chandelier or sculptural piece of furniture.
LIGHTING IS KEY
Consider your room's lighting before installing the piece of art. Natural light might work just fine, or add track lighting to highlight your art.
Focus on art as the first step, next time you redecorate a room, and then plan your room around the art!
