Decorating Your Home in a Vintage Modern Style

14 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Ella Andrews, Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

Tags

antique, decorating, design, fashion, home decor, interior design, modern, style, vintage

If you would like to achieve a super fashionable style in your home, we are here to help you. Sometimes originality is hard to accomplish but the combination of many styles is the perfect way to manage your home arrangement.

When it comes to decor and lovely ornaments at home, vintage style is the best way to end up having a sophisticated and truly cozy interior design. Decorate your home in this style and you will love the nice atmosphere it creates. Including other techniques of trimming and arranging and you will result in even a better home environment. Our vintage fashion style recommendation is a combination between retro and modern.

You may think that this is an absolute paradox, and it is completely impossible to be achieved, but these styles just might be the effect your are looking for in your home. The old fashioned elements are going to look absolutely stunning among all the new and contemporary trends in the furnishing and decorating process. The design will embrace almost everything specific for this romantic and a little bit nostalgic epoch in a modern and convenient way.

The furniture should be cozy and a little bit old-fashioned but that will also come with solid materials and tough damasks. Furthermore, the furniture may be vintage but could be placed in an absolutely minimalist room with sleek terracotta, naked walls and lots of spaciousness. There are many ways one can play around with this combination.

Photo Credit: Houzz

Photo Credit: SF Girl By Bay

Joining the styles can be achieved in the decoration process as well. For instance, you may still use that retro set of porcelain plates and dishes in yellow and red but you may arrange them on a more modern style shelving in your kitchen. Most importantly, you should keep the balance between the new and the old things so the design flows nicely. Choose the retro elements and try to combine them with your modern furniture in a way so they don’t lose the individual beauty.

Photo Credit: HGTV

Photo Credit: Flickr

Turn on your personal inspiration and improvise by setting your own trends in your home. Do some detailed research before you start decorating and combine the best things you have seen from the magazines and from the web. It’s helpful to keep a collection of ideas and images together so new ideas form. Good luck!

Written by Ella Andrews
{She is always searching for new challenges and presently contributes articles on house moving and storage, as well as home decoration related themes.}

Creative Shelving Ideas

08 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Liz Alton

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

closet, design, home, Liz Alton, mudroom, organization, pantry, shelving

Pantries and mudrooms are necessary evils. We love the houses that have them and whine about the apartments that don’t. But we crave those storage/wet room/drop your snow covered gear areas because they make the messiness of living (especially with pets and kids!) a little easier. If you’re lucky enough to have an entry of the “non-grand foyer” variety, finding a shelving solution that’s both functional and attractive should be your top priority. It’ll help you get the most out of the space, without worrying about it becoming a disaster. I’ve been on the hunt for inspiration and I’m excited to show you what I’ve found.

Go Go Gadget Pantry
These aren’t your mom’s pantries. In fact, the range of devices that I found that made pantries magically expand (or that at least use smart technology to maximize space) was amazing. It’s endless what you can do with a custom shelving unit.

Photo Credit: Hometrends

This solution actually allows shelves that go deep into a pantry or closet to slide right out, so the whole surface area is accessible. No more finding that weird bag of rice at the back of a shelf when you’re cleaning it out a year later.

Photo Credit: Houzz

Segmented shelving can help you maximize any pantry. This is a great combination of a corner unit, shelves that are customized to different items, and hanging baskets for bags, pasta, etc.

Photo Credit: Lynnashusna

Enter This Way
This is the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen! Does your entryway consist of a lot of stairs? Check out this option for converting those stairs into extra storage space.

Photo Credit: Honey + Fitz

If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, these old school approaches to hanging up coats and shevling your boots and shoes look really charming. They are also practical, inexpensive, and highly functional.

Photo Credit: Lodging 4 Vacations

Photo Credit: Coastal Living

Solutions so the Mud Room Doesn’t Get….Muddy
The way I remember mudrooms as a kid was an absolute mess. Dirty shoes, sports gear, and assorted things my brothers dropped going in and out of the house piled up in no particular order. Every winter, stuff was wet from snow and every summer it was dusty from the baseball field. But today’s mudroom solutions make that old vision a design Neanderthal. Here are a few fun ideas.

Use a hearty outdoor tile on the floor. Not only is it super easy to clean, but it looks great and can stand up to wear and tear. You can even go for patio grade tile if you want.

Photo Credit: The Trendy Home

A recessed closet with a shelf can combine a place to drop your bags and hang your coats, along with other storage. But it minimizes the amount of space that you sacrifice in the overall entry way.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Photo Credit: Arcadia Homes

When wall space is your primary solution, there are some great DIY options to create above the ground storage. Here are a few fun ones.

Photo Credit: Organize Your Stuff Now

Photo Credit: View Home Trends

I’m ready to get to work revamping the storage in my mudroom and pantry. What are your favorite designs that I missed?

Written by Liz Alton

American Southwest Inspired Design

14 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Jim Klossner, The Home

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

American Southwest, desert, design, earthy tones, interior design, Native American, pottery, rustic, southwest design, terra cotta, Turquoise

When I think of the Southwest, I think of orange sunsets, turquoise jewelry, and the neutral sandy colors of the desert. The rich colors, textures, and patterns of the American Southwest bring a feeling of warmth and comfort to any space. Here are some of my favorite accent pieces and design touches straight out of Arizona and New Mexico’s most beautiful homes.

Nature-inspired Color Palette
The Southwestern color palette combines earthy tones such as beige, terra cotta, and browns, with bold splashes of color that are evocative of stunning desert sunsets. Think earthy backdrops coupled with pops of bright red bring warmth into your living space.

Photo Credit: Best Interior Designs

Turquoise is another wildly color choice in Southwestern design, and is also highly entwined with the Native American culture of the region. This cabinet is a great accent piece to your space that also provides an attractive and practical storage solution.

Photo Credit: Great SW Furniture

Pottery and artistic designs are another great way to work subtle touches of turquoise into your living space.

Photo Credit: Etsy

Another great idea that I stumbled upon in my search for beautiful designs from the Southwest incorporates terra cotta tile into this kitchen design. The rich color of this tile contrasted with the cool green tone of the cabinets becomes the ultimate classy Southwestern kitchen.

Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy

Rustic Accents
Another unique characteristic of Southwestern style is rustic textures and accents. Distressed wood furniture pieces are often incorporated into spaces to give them a Southwestern flair, like this armoire and table.

Photo Credit: Taos Vacation Homes

If you are looking for a more drastic change for your space, the beams along the ceiling in this living area are a distinct way to get structural supports.

Photo Credit: Zunetop

Aged leather accent pieces provide a rustic feel and comfortable seating for your family and guests.

Photo Credit: Sesshu Design

Who wouldn’t want to curl up in a chair with a good book and a mug of tea, or just take a nap?

Photo Credit: Wild Wings

Bold Patterns
You can also achieve Southwestern style by adding bold patterns to your living area. I loved the subtle use of patterns on the furniture in this room. The understated design fits right in with the rustic style of the space.

Photo Credit: HGTV

Or maybe you love a bolder design. Adding a statement piece such as this patterned rug creates a unique Southwestern feel in this mountain themed living room.

Photo Credit: Mountain Living

If you really want authentic touches in your space, consider purchasing some colorful Talavera pottery to add to your living room or dining room. It will brighten up any space while adding visual interest and acting as a conversation starter.

Photo Credit: San Miguel de Allende Casa

Clay pots or adobe pots with tribal patterns can also be added for a distinct Southwest style.

Photo Credit: Darla Hallmark

A larger and more dramatic version can be achieved with a pottery mural, like this one.

Photo Credit: Etsy

Finally, if you love Native American patterns and aren’t afraid of a healthy pricetag, I recommend checking out these Navajo hanging wall blankets. These are bright, gorgeous, statement pieces.

Photo Credit: Etsy

You don’t have to live in Arizona or New Mexico to bring a bit of region’s flair into your living space. Distressed wooden accent pieces, nature-inspired color choices, and distinct tribal patterns can be incorporated into your home to add a Southwestern feel. The best way to get a Southwestern influence is to think color, natural influences, and don’t be afraid of anything that helps your home look a little lived in!

Jim Klossner is a home repair professional. Many of his designs are inspired by his travels in the American Southwest and beyond. Click here to learn more about his recent accommodation at the Thunderbird Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Unique Door Designs for Your Home’s Exterior

29 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Jim Klossner, The Home

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

design, double doors, exterior doors, front doors, garage doors, home, Jim Klossner, non traditional, visual impact

We spend so much time decorating the interiors of our houses. When we tackle the exterior we change the siding or shingles, paint and trim, and relentlessly landscape until the lawn is the right shade of green and the flowers are just so. But how often do we actually pay attention to the door that we’re walking through? Much less, it turns out, than we should.

Our exterior doors not only add or detract from our overall look and feel, but they represent the gateway between the outside worlds we’ve so carefully architected and our beautifully decorated nests. When it’s time to look at your exterior door, here are some of the most stunning examples we’ve seen for inspiration.

Non-traditional shapes make an interesting visual impact
Ask any child to describe a door and they’re likely describe a rectangle to you. But many innovative doors have other shapes, from elegant and stately curving archways to more abstract takes.

Arched doorways really stand out, especially when they are accented by stained glass or other glass features.

Photo Credit: Nicks Building

This is an understated and somewhat antique looking approach to an arched oak doors for your home that fit into a variety of settings, including urban buildings.

Photo Credit: Trustile

And here are some interesting abstract doors – incorporating everything from unique materials to shapes and accents.

Photo Credit: Wishka

Photo Credit: Kuhl Doors

What frames and accents the door is as important as the door itself. When we’re thinking about doors, we often overlook the idea of the entire door – including the frame – as an installation. The entire door space can create an artistic impact in your overall design.

This beautiful craftsman door features a striking frosted window with small ledge, and matching panels to either side that create a special look.

Photo Credit: Door

Here are some others with small details and bold frames that stand out for being unique or memorable.

Photo Credit: Art Factory

Photo Credit: Wishka

Photo Credit: Vision Glass

Double doors are distinctive
Some of the designs above were double doors. It’s not the first thought you have when picking an exterior door, but in addition to some practical advantages (bringing in a giant sofa, for example), the look is a stand-out. Here are some of our favorites:

Photo Credit: Art Factory

Photo Credit: Vision Glass

Don’t overlook the garage
When considering exterior doors, it’s easy to not give the garage another thought. But residential garage doors are another great way to work some flare into your home design. The good news is that the options for garage doors go way beyond the gray industrial versions you might be thinking.

Here are some great non-traditional multi-door options:

Photo Credit: Bay Area Overhead Door

Photo Credit: Sweet Marias

Photo Credit: Jay Andre Construction

Colorful garage doors are another way to lend individuality to your design efforts.

Photo Credit: Attention to Detail Greenville

Unique Door Designs for Your Home's Exterior

Let a little light in
Finally, if you’re looking for doors that will let tons of natural light come streaming into your house and give you the chance to enjoy your yard or view more, there are plenty of beautiful French doors that will do the trick.

This floor to ceiling model is ultra clean in its look and lines, and almost brings the feeling of being outdoors right into the home (same effect screen door models – at The Screenmobile).

Photo Credit: North Jersey

Paneled French doors fold back to literally become a collapsible wall, which is perfect for summer barbeques on your patio or kids running in and out of the yard.

Photo Credit: Appliance in Home

There are also classic interpretations that blend seamlessly with a more traditional house design.

Whether you’re replacing your front door or looking for the perfect piece to integrate into a grand design, paying attention to your exterior doors will give you a leg up on achieving your overall desired effect.

Written by Jim Klossner