Tag: Decor

Balcony Design Ideas That’ll Make You Want to Sit Outside Forever

The weather is finally warming up, which means you want to spend more time outside. And if you want to do it in style, you’re in the right place, because we’ve rounded up dozens of balcony decorating ideas. Not to be dramatic or anything, but these chic outdoor spaces are more romantic than the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. So, to set a scene of Shakespearean proportions—except a little more modern and a lot less tragic—get inspired by these ideas and tips. Now we just need to find a Romeo…

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Furnish It Like a Living Room

The sitting area you have outside should be just as inviting as the one inside—even if it’s smaller. Decorate your balcony with creature comforts like pillows, throws, and candles. This space by Marguerite Rodgers incorporates balcony decorating ideas that emphasize coziness and conversation, like an upholstered couch, soft blankets, and mood lighting.

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Take Advantage of Good Views

If your balcony is big enough, turn it into an outdoor dining room. Here, instead of a sitting area, there’s a casual dining nook for alfresco meals. Looking out at the sea ahead and draped in a canopy of tropical plants, this balcony features minimal decor, allowing us to focus on the natural environment.

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Add a Sun Cover

The more functionality you can bring to your balcony space, the more you’ll be able to use it. To give yourself relief on especially hot days, cover your balcony to create shade and protection from the elements. You don’t have to build a permanent overhead structure—instead, secure outdoor fabric or a tarp to corner pillars for a resort-worthy look.

Article by Hadley Mendelsohn for House Beautiful

Interior designers reveal the 10 things in your bedroom you should get rid of

  • Insider asked two interior designers to share what sort of things they hate seeing in people’s bedrooms.
  • One designer said that you should get rid of or move the extra pillows on your bed and the plants on your windowsills because they can add clutter to a space.
  • The experts also said that nightstands should be free of clutter and your walls shouldn’t have too many decorations.

Get rid of those extra pillows on your bed.

Pillows are a great way to add dimension and texture to a bed, but too many of them can cause clutter, according to Jody Wallace, owner of and designer at Greylyn Wayne Home Staging & Interior Design.

Plus, the more pillows you have the longer it will take you to make your bed, she added.

Wallace told Insider that, to keep your bed looking well-decorated but practical, you might want to stick with just three pillows since it will create a satisfying balance.

Remove any plants that are crowding your windowsills.

You’ll also want to get rid of any excess plants, especially if you have many small ones in front of your window.

“Windowsills clutter quickly, so we recommend hanging small plants from the ceiling in a macrame swing to make more space,” Wallace told Insider.

She said she recommends you only keep two small plants or one large statement plant in your bedroom.

Lose the rugs that are too small for your space.

There’s a very common misconception that a small rug will make your space feel bigger.

However, the size of the area rug actually dictates the size of the visual space that you create, according to Sara Beverin, interior designer at Interior Marketing Group.

“It’s important to select the biggest size rug that will fit comfortably in your room in order to optimize the appearance of space,” Beverin said.

Keep the wall decorations to a minimum.

“Decorative wall accents with kitschy themes or ironic phrases are one of the many things cluttering walls all over America,” Wallace told Insider. “When everything has a quote or phrase on it, our brains become overwhelmed with reading information and can’t focus on the most important motifs in the home.”

Wallace said it’s best to keep your walls pretty simple by just hanging a few photos, mirrors, or sentimental items.

By Cheyenne Lentz of Insider

 

 

Holiday Blooms: Create a Living Centerpiece

 
 

In our November/December issue, Leaf and Petal owner Lydia Pursell invites us into her family’s home, dressed for Yuletide with botanical selections from her popular chain of garden shops.

During the holidays, the former magazine stylist brings beauty and fragrance into her interiors with fresh-cut garlands and wreaths. But along with these temporary additions, Lydia advises creating arrangements that can last through the winter and beyond.

Focal Point

Here’s Lydia’s step-by-step instructions for creating this magnificent focal point, below.

Prepare a container. This vintage brass treasure, perfectly sized for a buffet or a dining table, was purchased for $20 at a church tag sale. Lining the bottom with floral wrap protects the patina from potential water damage. This waxed tissue paper can also be tucked between plants as a stabilizer, but Lydia suggests using torn-up grocery sacks as an economical substitute.

 

Design for maximum interest. “The composition for most arrangements comes from the old cliché, ‘thrill, fill, and spill,’” Lydia shares. Florists recommend combining eye-catching favorites with varieties that lend height, and others that extend over the edge of the vessel. These hydrangeas and ferns, available year-round, will find an ideal holiday complement in softly tinted poinsettias.

Develop an artful presentation. This process comes naturally to Lydia. “I usually play with the placement until it feels right,” she explains. The pots growers use are not very pliable, so transferring seedlings and their soil into plastic bags allows more flexibility and increased water retention. Larger shrubs, such as hydrangeas, are better left in their original containers. Consider where the centerpiece will be displayed to determine whether you need to address only the front and sides or plan for a 360° view.

 

Extend the enjoyment. “The arrangements we do at Leaf and Petal can last for months,” Lydia says. “One or two plants may not have the longevity of the others, but those you refresh.” Realizing that varieties require differing amounts of water, she recommends testing their moisture levels every few days by sticking a finger in the soil. As some flowers begin to fade, they can be replaced with new seasonal offerings.

Source:  victoriamag.com

The Colors You’re Going to See Everywhere in 2020

From moody hues to vibrant shades, here are the colors homeowners will be craving in the year ahead.

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Any interior designer will confirm that color has the power to transform a room, whether it’s a bold accent wall or an unexpected painted ceiling. But pinpointing the perfect color for your space can be quite tricky sometimes, so we’ve decided to consult with top designers and color experts for a bit of direction. What colors will dominate homes in 2020? From rich, moody hues to elegant neutrals, here are the top colors you’ll be tempted to incorporate into your home in the year ahead.

Warm Pastels

Soft Pastels

“Pastels are still hugely popular, but I think we’re gravitating towards pastels with added warmth and earthy undertones. For overall color palettes, we’re using a mix of both spring and autumnal colors.” — Young Huh of Young Huh Interiors

Bold Monochromatics

Bold Monochromatics

“Monochromatic does not have to be pale. Colors like Cobalt Blue, Kelly Green, or even Aubergine can evoke monochromatic in a daring way, that’s full of personality and elegance.” — Jonathan Rachman of Decorist

Dusty Teal

Dusty Teal

“My new color crush is a dusty teal. It is actually an amazing neutral that pairs well with so many colors: camel, rust, navy, peach and pale woods, like white oak and birch. Plus, I love colors that are deep and calming at the same time.” — Amy Sklar of Amy Sklar Design

By Monique Valeris

Creating A Gallery Wall

Kelley Prince-Wright posted an article about decorating a gallery wall.  Fantastic post.  I wanted to expand on her idea because the changing seasons here in the U.S. offers the perfect time to redo the wall.

How to Create a Gallery Wall

Photo: @designandnicethings

There are few things more picture-perfect than a well-curated gallery wall, but my goodness, they can be really difficult to pull off! We love them because they are endlessly flexible and customizable and reflective of you, but sometimes, that’s what can make them feel daunting. Today, we’re sharing some tips for transforming your wall into a personal gallery that complements your space while staying true to the story of you.

Keep It Consistent

A unified aesthetic is key if you want to create a photogenic gallery wall. Try to imagine your wall as a literal art gallery—would you expect to find these pieces at the same exhibition?

It’s also important to keep your canvas in mind. If you have a tall and narrow area, consider mirroring the space through artwork that is framed in a similar manner.

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Photo: @jamiehousedesign

Tell A Story

The best gallery walls do more than paint a pretty picture—they tell your very own story! Place your favorite gem in the center and build outward, layering in additional pieces in a variety of sizes and styles to convey a ‘collected over time’ appeal.

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Photo: @greyslittlecloset

Find Your Frame

Frames shouldn’t be an afterthought. Put the same amount of time into selecting your frames as you did your prints—they set the stage for the art and help shape the collection.

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Photo: @littlexlittle_blog

Plan Your Placement

I’ll be the first to admit that this is the most difficult step for me! I am the queen of uneven, which leaves unnecessary holes all throughout my walls.

It’s important to play with different layouts on the floor to find the one you like best. Then, cut scrap paper to the size of each piece of artwork, and use painter’s tape to mock-up the arrangement on the wall. You’ll gain a good sense of how the artwork fills the space and can make any necessary adjustments—before you bust out the hammer.

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Photo: @the_house_that_jen_built

Challenge Convention

Think outside the box, and don’t limit yourself to traditionally framed artwork! Use a mixture of media, like textiles or sculptures, to create real freshness and depth.

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Photo: @styleithome

Showcase A Shade

Here’s a secret: a single hue in varying tones can magically tie a whole room together. The same goes for your gallery wall, so choosing a single color can serve as a common thread that will tie your collection together beautifully.

Source:  wellandcheaply.co

Favorite Fall Decorating Ideas

HGTV tells us that Season’s change; so should your decor.  Welcome the arrival of fall and Thanksgiving guests with gorgeous decorations both indoors and out.

Fall decorating

Welcome Guests Abundantly

Fall = guests, family and get-togethers. Get your front porch ready for fall festivities with a pair of planters surrounded by an abundance of mums and real or faux pumpkins and gourds. Mix in a few lanterns to add a welcoming glow to evening gatherings.

Cue the Copper

Copper has continued to grow in popularity, making the glowing material the metal of the moment. Handcrafted of solid copper, this pretty pail turns fresh-cut flowers or a bunch of branches into an eye-catching arrangement. Occasionally polish the copper to maintain its new-penny shine or allow the metal to take on a rich, verdigris patina over time.

Set the Table With Seasonal Style

Turn every day into a holiday by decking out the dining room in fall’s favorite hues. For a can’t-miss combo, pair warm shades of orange, red and yellow with muted greens and copper and gold metallic accents.

Create a Grand Entrance

Fall marks the start of the holiday entertaining season making it a great time to spruce up areas of your home where guests gather, like the foyer. Touch-up scuffs on stair risers and add an entry table large enough to display a few decorative accessories. A pair of occasional chairs or long bench provides a spot for guests to remove boots or just sit for a chat. Image courtesy of Thibaut.

There’s more to see, like a crazy amount to see at:

hgtv.com/design/decorating/design

You won’t be disappointed!