Interior Design Stories
Browse all current and past decorating ideas from Beautiful Windows Blinds.
DECORATING WITH HEADBOARDS
A beautiful headboard adds instant style to your bedroom.
Making your bedroom a calming oasis has many aspects. The most important design element is the bed, and often the most noticeable thing about your bed is the headboard! That’s why it’s smart to focus on a headboard – and possibly a complementary footboard – when you design your bedroom look.
A headboard can command attention and add beauty or it can be so subtle that it almost disappears into the background. The choice is yours. Headboards (and footboards) come in many different materials, sizes and styles. Plan your headboard to complement the rest of the furniture in the room.
Think about the size of your bedroom to make sure your headboard is the right scale. A large or tall room will need a substantial headboard, while a small room needs a headboard in a smaller size.
Headboards can be made from many materials or a combination, including wood, leather, iron, brass and bronze.
Upholstered headboards are quite popular today, and can be designed to look tailored and modern, with sharp, square corners, or feminine and soft with rounded shapes.
You might decide not to even have a headboard. Instead you can embellish the wall behind your bed with artwork, shelves, a hanging tapestry or patterned wallpaper. Or think about using lots and lots of pillows standing upright on your bed as a substitute for a headboard.
Add a beautiful backdrop to your bed this season! It will add instant style to your bedroom.
PASTEL COLORS
Pastel colors make your room feel lighter and more delicate.
The balmy days of summer feel like the perfect time to lighten your home with pastels. And remember, these beautiful shades are not just for the warm season; soft pastels are a look that can last all year long.
Consider these pastel hues for a home update and refreshing change: lavender, lilac, tangerine sherbet, apple green, lemon ice, sky blue, strawberry cream, soft yellow, pale green.
Pastels, also called spring colors or sherbet colors, are soothing, but at the same time energizing. Their fresh and natural feel brings light and softness into a room.
In addition to using pastel home elements in solid colors, think patterns, too. Perfect pastel patterns include florals, stripes, dots, birds, botanicals, latticework, or abstract designs.
Pastels work great for these home design elements:
– Paint and wall stencils
– Rugs and carpeting
– Slipcovers and upholstery
– Bedding and towels
– Table linens
– Wall coverings
– Throw pillows
– And sheer draperies and shades that filter light to enhance the muted and ethereal mood of a pastel interior.
Add delicate, delightful pastels to your design plan to refresh your home throughout the year.
INDOOR-OUTDOOR SPACES
Blending your interior and outdoor living spaces enhances summer enjoyment.
Creating an outdoor living area that feels like an extension of your indoor space makes for a seamless and unified transition.
If you focus on your outdoor living space as much as your indoor design style, you’ll gain a welcoming look that makes it easy to glide effortlessly from indoors to outdoors and back. You’ll find that you use your outdoor space more, whether it’s a deck, terrace, garden or large backyard.
So many materials work well both for indoors and out, including teak, stainless steel, rattan, wicker, easy-care fabrics, glass and more. Focus on beauty, as well as function, for your outdoor living elements, so they don’t look like an afterthought, but rather a design style that’s coordinated with your interior décor.
Some design ideas to link your adjacent indoor and outdoor spaces include:
– Use similar colors, materials and styles inside and out.
– Introduce a few soft surfaces outdoors, such as rugs, throw pillows and soft upholstery.
More ideas are:
– Hang soft, translucent window fashions that make the outdoors look closer.
– Add matching accent pieces indoors and out, including table linens, lanterns, candles and flower arrangements.
– Plan adequate sun covering outdoors, using umbrellas, awnings or a built shading structure, so you’re willing to keep the windows and window treatments open without sun damage to furniture and floors.
– Use ceramic stools, durable tables and easy-clean dining chairs that you can move in and out as the need arises.
Bring your outdoor and indoor living spaces together for summer relaxation with family and friends.
THE BEACH HOUSE LOOK
How to create a beach house look.
Have you always wanted a beach house even though you don’t live anywhere near a body of water? Or maybe you already live near the water and want to make your home look more like a beach house? Either way, you can create a relaxing, fun interior that looks like it belongs near the beach.
Beach design colors can be vibrant and tropical, calm and neutral, or nautical blue and white. Even aqua and white or orange and white can create a beach feel. You can also use lots of beiges and light blues to reflect the colors of the sand and sky.
Here are some specific decorating ideas to create a beach house feel:
- Choose pale-colored woods for floors, furniture or walls to reinforce a light and casual theme.
- Rattan, wicker or bamboo furniture brings a beach vibe, as do rag rugs.
- Driftwood can be displayed as an art object or used as a table base.
- Look for furniture or storage units made from lobster traps or salvaged wood from boats or piers.
- Purchase window fashions that let in lots of light, and use artificial lighting that’s bright and warm.
More ideas:
- Add touches from the sea, such as coral and shells made into lamps, chandeliers, boxes and decorative items.
- Install boat fittings in your kitchen or bath, such as hinges, lanterns and pulls.
- Use fabrics, throws, pillows, table linens and bed linens with beach motifs, palm trees, surfers and boats.
- Add artwork that depicts the sea, birds, fish or surfers.
-You can even display a real boat in your house!! Or a model of a boat.
METAL TRIM ON FURNITURE
Adding metal trim to your furniture creates a timeless look.
Metal trim is a classic embellishment for furniture and more. Brads, nails and tacks were used as early as the 17th century and maybe even before, in almost every country in Europe, and in the United States, too. Think of them as jewelry for furniture – adding a beautiful necklace around the edges.
Metal trims work just as beautifully today as when they were first invented. They add a sense of craftsmanship and can complement almost any style of décor, from the most traditional to ultra contemporary.
Decorative brads, nails and tacks are mostly used on upholstered furniture, but can also be applied beautifully on headboards, upholstered walls and doors, and even as an embellishment on table tops, table fronts and table legs.
You can make a subtle design statement by using metal trim as a stripe on the edge of upholstery or you can go wild, using the trim in patterns or a patchwork design. Leather especially lends itself to metal trim, but many other fabrics can be adorned too, including velvet, tapestries and other heavy fabrics.
Metal trim comes in many shapes and sizes, with or without facets, and with matte, glossy or distressed finishes. Shapes include square, round, diamond and pyramid. Brads, nails and tacks can have a variety of metal finishes, including silver, antique gold, nickel, brass and even black. The newest of all are trims made from stone and crystal.
Add some decorative metal trim to your décor! It is a timeless look that’s modern even today.
DECORATING WITH COPPER
Decorating with copper adds unique style
Usually when we think about a metallic finish to add to our homes, we consider gold, silver or bronze. Copper is a welcome change and provides a surprising, unique look. While silver is a cool metallic color, copper (like gold and bronze) is a warm color that provides richness and creates an inviting mood.
Even within the color called copper, there are many variations. In general, copper is a cross between rich orange or gold and deep pink. Copper can range from a light honey pink tone to a dark ochre hue.
Metallic copper can be finished in several ways – from bright and shiny looks to oxidized and rough surfaces. And copper is not just a product made from metal; it’s also a color that can be used in upholstery fabric, window fashions, and bed and table linens.
Copper looks fabulous with almost any neutral. It’s especially effective paired with blues, greens, brilliant jewel tones and silver gray. Copper is versatile too; it works well with the most modern of design styles in addition to complementing rustic looks and traditional design plans.
Think of these design elements to add in a copper tone:
– In the kitchen: stove, hood, countertops, faucets, backsplash, appliances, tiles
– In the bathroom: faucets, backsplash tiles, bathtub, sinks
– In the dining room: chandeliers, flatware, wallpaper
– In the living room: lamps, coffee table tops and end table tops, pots for indoor plants
– And in most any room: paint, upholstery fabrics, window fashions and accessories
Add the lushness of glowing copper to your decor this year. It will add unique style and create a warm mood.
COLORFUL ACCENTS
Colorful accents can cheer up your house – and your life!
Colorful accents add warmth and energy to a room. They actually make your house and your life feel more joyful! Your choice of colors in interior design elements is almost unlimited.
– Zesty tropical shades like turquoise and hot pink
– Primary tones of red, yellow and blue
– Trendy colors like acid green and tangerine
Are you afraid to be so bold? “Just enough” is a good strategy for adding color. So, if you're nervous, start small – or start in a small room - with:
– One painted wall
– Throw pillows
– Bed linens
– Table settings
– Accessories
– Artwork
Feeling braver? You can add larger touches of color in upholstery fabric, window coverings, rugs, wall coverings and furniture. Follow these tips to make sure your bright colors are energetic, but not chaotic:
– Balance bright colors with white or black to make them pop.
– For a softer look, complement bolder tones with neutral beige, cream or gray.
– Think complementary colors, one soft and one bold; for example, sage green with bright red or powder blue with electric orange.
– Start with a favorite piece of art that has splashes of bright color and let that define your bright palette.
Get rid of the blahs in your house now that winter is over. Add bright and cheerful colors to lift your spirits and create a vibrant interior look.
RELAXED FURNITURE
Relaxed furniture can help you slow down and unwind.
Home is where relaxation should be key, especially since most of us live busier lives than ever before. Designing your home for maximum relaxation is a great strategy to help you find peace and calm when you enter your home environment.
Focus on purchasing pieces of furniture - especially your upholstered sofas and chairs - that help you create a soft and gentle living space:
– Less structured
– More rounded edges than square corners
– Well cushioned
– Soft, sensuous fabrics
– Comfortable construction
– No-fuss, informal slip covers
Finish off your relaxed furniture with other home elements that can help you feel more relaxed including:
– Soft lighting
– Calming paint colors
– Natural materials and colors
– Puffy throw pillows
– Silky rugs (maybe even a shaggy rug or faux fur rug!)
– Soothing scents created by candles and fresh flowers
– Translucent window fashions
In the bedroom, soften your bed with an upholstered headboard. Add a sumptuous duvet, lots of comfortable pillows and lighting that can be dimmed.
Adding relaxed furniture and accessories can help you feel calm and rested – and actually make you feel more at home in your home.
NEW COUNTERTOPS
A new counter can top off your kitchen or bath beautifully
Changing your countertops can make a visible difference in the look of a room. Depending on what you select in material, color and pattern, the new countertops can add personality or they can blend into the background to call attention to another design element. The choice is yours!
Durability is probably more key in this home design decision than almost any other because most of the time countertops get lots of use. Some surfaces are easier to maintain than others, and some can be resurfaced while others cannot. That’s why it’s best to consult an expert when you select a countertop material.
So many material choices are available, including: concrete, granite, marble, butcher block, engineered surfaces, stainless steel, soapstone, limestone, zinc, copper, tile and glass.
Some surfaces are more costly than others, so your budget is an important consideration. And your choices in color and pattern are almost unlimited.
Consider using two different countertop materials in your kitchen, one near the cooktop and sink, and another on an island.
Various countertop materials can lend quite a different feel to a room. For example:
– For elegance, think marble.
– For cozy, think butcher-block wood.
– For vintage, think tile.
– For country, think limestone.
– For avant-garde, think concrete.
Add the perfect finishing touch to your kitchen or bath with a beautiful new countertop.
MODERN ART
Modern art adds a focal point and conversational interest
Art in any style is a welcome enhancement to a home. In addition to adding beauty, a piece of modern art can create drama, interest and emotion in a room.
The colors, shapes, brushstrokes and composition evoke a feeling, with their movement, energy and form.
Often people add art as the finishing touch to a room. Another very effective design strategy is to start and color around it.
Modern art can be created in any medium, in most any size and shape. It can be calming or energizing, monochromatic or brimming with color.
When we think about art for our homes, we tend to think about wall art – flat art painted with watercolors,
oil paint or acrylics, and most often we hang art on a wall above the sofa or fireplace. There’s so much more to modern art, including sculpture, collage, found objects, ceramics, and glass.
The most prominent piece of modern art in a room can be something we don’t even think of as art – such as a sculptural chair, a dramatic rug, a striking chandelier or an unusual coffee table.
Focus your rooms with a piece of modern art this season. It will reflect your personality and pull a room together beautifully.
VINTAGE FINDS AND ANTIQUES
Vintage finds and antiques add depth and personality to your décor
Have you inherited an antique from a favorite relative or purchased a vintage piece from a local flea market or on a foreign vacation? Not sure how to integrate it into your home design? Don’t despair.
Antiques and vintage items can be added to most any decorating style beautifully – and you’ll be saving a family heirloom or preserving a special memory. The surprise influence of an antique adds depth to a room and helps make the décor more interesting.
Here are some tips about incorporating antiques into your decorating plan:
– Adding just a few antique items will make a room feel layered and personal.
– Adding too many pieces can make your room look chaotic or junky or even like a museum, instead of a home!
– Collections of vintage objects can make a beautiful art display, on walls, shelves, tables or in specially designed cases.
Think about using antique items for a different purpose or putting them in an unexpected place:
– A vintage mirror can be hung in almost any room.
– A vase can be repurposed as a beautiful lamp.
– A large serving dish can be made into a planter.
– A buffet table can be used as a bedroom dresser.
– A couple of dining chairs can be moved into the bedroom to create a reading nook.
– A bedroom bureau can be repurposed as a beautiful entry room anchor piece.
A SHOT OF ESPRESSO
Add a positive jolt to your décor.
Espresso – just the name makes you think of richness and intensity. Brown, and especially the shade of espresso, is a rich, earthy color that can anchor an entire room with spirit and coziness.
Because espresso is also about nature, it makes people feel comfortable and cocooned. In fact, it’s generally thought that shades of brown promote a feeling of warmth, protection and relaxation.
Espresso goes with most any interior design style from ultra contemporary to mid-century modern to comfortable Victorian, depending on the home furnishing pieces you select.
– Think soft and supple espresso leather for a masculine lodge look.
– Consider floral prints with espresso coloration for a Victorian feel.
– Contemplate jungle patterns filled with espresso shades for a bohemian vibe.
Espresso works well with many colors, especially when it’s coupled with crisp white or a warmer off-white or cream, which makes the rich brown shade pop.
It can also be beautiful with:
– Earth tones like amber and rust
– Soft pink or powder blue
– Yellow and gold tones
– Silver and grey shades
– Even hot pink, electric turquoise or acid green
Make espresso brown a focal point for major parts of your décor, such as painted walls, carpeting, rugs, sofas, countertops and more. Or use espresso as an accent, in solids or stripes and patterns, with throw pillows, backsplashes, window top treatments, artwork and more.
This winter, energize the look of your home with the addition of home furnishings in dramatic espresso.
