Everyone Deserves A Little Bit Of Nordic Style By Zoe Clark

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Jeffrey Scott Thomas

What comes to your mind when you think of Scandinavia? Apart from polar nights, long winters, and a penchant for technology, Europe’s far north is also famous for its stylish interior design. An expression of effortless elegance and inimitable unity of function and aesthetics, Nordic décor does away with superficial ornaments and visual noise, and it is also very simple to achieve. Everyone deserves a little bit of the Scandinavian no-nonsense vibe in their living area – and here are a few ways on how to carry out a budget-friendly home update following in the Nordic footsteps.

No carpets, please!

Although winters in Northern Europe are known for biting winds and extremely low temperatures, carpets and rugs never gained widespread popularity among Scandinavian homeowners. To recreate the Nordic feel, pull back the carpeting and expose hardwood floors. Often coated by a matte varnish or painted white, bare floorboards in Scandinavian homes require less maintenance and are much easier to clean than lavish carpeting, so you will be hitting two boons with one simple décor tweak.

White and crisp as snow

The dominant colour scheme in Scandinavian homes relies heavily on neutral hues. Although one would think Northerners are sick of seeing white expanses all around them, walls and furnishings in Nordic homes are often executed in white to maximize reflection of natural light during long glum winter days. Pastel tones such as beige, grey, baby blue, and light green can be used as sparing accents to break the décor monotony, but their deployment is usually limited to bed linens, cushions, tableware, or an odd accent wall. If you are looking to add an accent or two, reworking your upholstering can be the easiest and most affordable.

One with Nature

Scandinavians are fond of nature, and they often add potted plants to their living areas as cute reminders that grim winters will eventually end, ceding the throne to verdant spring. Tiny botanical gardens in a vacant corner of the room will increase visual interest of the Nordic home, while cute cacti lined up on bookshelves or desktop, storage baskets made from natural materials, a bunch of flowers on the dining table, or a few succulents on the windowsill will help break the monochromatic look and spruce up the vibe in the room.

Clean lines and soft edges

Even tableware in Scandinavian homes is pared down and subordinated to function rather than visual extravaganza. Nordic-inspired plates, trays, and mugs embody the straightforward, simplistic attitude of Scandinavia: no needless distractions, use of natural materials, and accent on purpose and longevity supplement the classical feel in a Scandi home. Often crafted from clay, wood, or brass, kitchen utensils and containers mimic the austerity of nature in the Nordic regions while still conveying a powerful message about simplicity and everlasting minimal style.

Let there be light

Since Europe’s far north suffers from dire lack of natural light during winters, Nordic designers love to experiment with shapes and sizes in lamp designs. In this way, function marries form in often fascinating pieces of light art: contemporary and sophisticated, lighting fixtures in Scandinavian homes have aesthetic value and often add a note of playfulness and creativity without compromising the Nordic emphasis on purpose, colour balance, and plain décor.

A Scandinavian garden tale

The Nordic look can be transplanted into the backyard to a highly pleasing effect. White garden furnishings, wooden benches, simplistic yard art, minimalist statues, and tables topped by large beeswax candles will help recreate the feel of a Scandinavian fairytale al fresco. You can also adorn the garden table with weatherproof fabrics in neutral hues for a Nordic-inspired outdoor makeover, and display foliage in horn-like pots, vases, and plant hangers like a true Viking.

Charming, simple, and easy to replicate, Nordic décor revolves around practicality, unity with nature, and minimalist elegance. A return to the basics and evergreen design, Scandinavian look is true eye-candy, and if executed with care, it will make you fall in love with your space like no other décor out there.

Images via Stadshem

Caribbean Appeal: Make Your Home an Exotic Haven By Lana Hawkins

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Jeffrey Scott Thomas

Caribbean Appeal: Make Your Home an Exotic Haven

Embrace the exotic appeal of the Caribbean, let your household be imbedded by colorful designs, natural fabrics and the complete bohemian rhapsody of the Costa Rican appeal. Dive into the alluring tropical vibe of this sensual design and create a true lush getaway, right there in the serenity of your home. Let these ideas inspire you to redesign your home in an enthralling manner:

Lots of Color

One of the most distinctive features of the tropical design is definitely its use of color. The areas such as Costa Rica are used to colorful motifs and an extensive use of bright and vivid tones in their home design. The more the merrier they say so do not be afraid to give your household a fresh splash of color. Earthy and natural tones such as light orange, beige, turquoise, white and brown are greatly appreciated as background colors or mere foundation, as it is expected to enliven the space by adding various colorful details.

Add Some Texture

Another thing that can help you keep things interesting is introducing certain textures and patterns in your home design. Animal prints, foliage patterns and leather wall tiles can help give your home the tropical flair it desperately needs. Using natural objects such as feathers, horns, shells and stones as decorative pieces can also play a huge role in adding texture to the space. It is also a good idea to implement different kinds of lighting, as illumination can interact with certain objects and create wonderful illusions of texture.

Go Natural

In order to achieve that true tropical appeal, it will be necessary to rely on natural fabrics and materials. You will surely notice that wood is one of the materials that prevails in these tropical home designs, while the use of wicker, rattan and teak furniture is also quite praised. The use of these materials has the ability to capture the true coastal vibe of seaside countries and create a sense of tranquility in the space. Handmade quilts from natural wool, fur covers, grass roofs and handicrafts made from straw are some of the most praised characteristics of this lush appeal and are known to bring that distinctive rustic vibe to the whole setting.

Let It Thrive

Costa Rica is widely recognized as one of the countries with an enthralling biodiversity, where you can find a high amount of endemic plant and animal species. It is not surprising to realize that their homes are usually embellished with countless of tropical plants, native for this area. These tropical beauties create a majestic blend of colors and captivating scents that form a lush rainforest in your household. Native ivy can be used in various forms in home design, while nothing can beat the oversized, luscious foliage of the cheese plants. Begonias, lilies and dieffenbachia plants are also native to Central America and will surely transform your home into a tropical getaway.

It’s All About Art

Art is quite a significant part of the Costa Rican culture and as such has found a place in home design. Most of their artwork is focused on native motifs such as the ocean, local people and endemic animal and plant species. This is why it is not uncommon to embellish their homes with colorful paintings or even handmade sculptures and statues. Stained glass is another art form quite popular in Costa Rica and is defined by earthy tones and sensuous lines.

Get Inspired

Inspiration comes in many different forms, but if you are willing to embrace the majestic appeal of Costa Rica in your home, it is a good idea to seek ideas from various sources. Internet has plenty of blogs and websites where you can draw inspiration from, especially if you search for images of local properties and homes in this Central American country. There are all kinds of properties and houses you can actually buy in Costa Rica, if the opportunity arises for you to visit this rugged country.

Aren’t you tired of the same old sterility and minimalism of today’s home design? Neutral colors, clean lines, geometrical shapes and a completely depersonalized space. It is time to give your home a refreshing makeover that will turn it from a minimalistic manor in a true tropical sanctuary.

Author’s Bio: Lana Hawkins is a student of architecture from Sydney. She enjoys writing about inspiring home décor and landscaping ideas. Lana loves cooking for friends, and spending her time outdoors.

5 Tips To Outfit Your Home & Furniture In The Most Stylish Modern Upholstery & Designer Fabrics

Posted on October 15, 2016 by jasonphillips2109

What do most people want to change when redesigning their homes? To begin with, they want to change the curtains to give their homes a new vibe. Second, they want to re-accessorize to bring in some new light, and last but not least, they probably want to replace the furniture too. However, not everyone can afford to spend a few thousands on a new sofa. Fortunately, there’s so much that you can do with little money. Bring your home back to life with the following 5 tips – they’re all convenient, so you won’t have to worry that you’ll be left penniless when you’re done.

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New accessories

Brand new accessories in the form of paintings, rugs, plants, candles and blankets are excellent choices whenever we want to revamp a room on a budget. Believe it or not, a new carpet placed under a coffee table adorned with fresh flowers can have an amazing effect. Your living area with scream relaxation and it will instantly appeal to everyone’s senses. Invest in a blanket too, and make sure it is made of a qualitative, soft fabric. Cotton is an exceptional option, although more affordable materials such as organic polyester and bamboo can have an equally pleasurable effect.

Smart choice of patterns

Patterns are yet another affordable way of revamping your home’s current style. Aren’t you tired of that beige that’s eating the life out of your home? Sure, neutral walls are great, but it might be a good idea to rethink your choice of curtains to add movement into your place and make it stand out. There’s no need to spend a fortune on a complete remodel; but some tweaks here and here can make a huge difference. Stripes for example, are in high demand this season. Use them for your throw pillows, blankets, table linens and curtains. Keep a pattern to add fluidity: for example, horizontal lines for pillows should be matches with horizontal lines for the curtains and rug.

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Update window treatments

Updating window treatments can be a smart move whenever you’re trying to re-stylish your home on a budget. Replacing old shades in the kitchen with chic shutters, investing in more colorful curtains in the living area and bedroom, and replacing knobs and handles can instantly make your home look and feel better, more modern. Designer fabrics in general, can be expensive. But there are deals you can spot if you subscribe to famous websites and stores that sell them. Quality should dominate within your home. Damask, Egyptian cotton, and mohair, and organics are cherished by homeowners eager to make their homes more comfortable and up-to-date with the most recent trends.

Shelving instead of bookcase

Old-fashioned bookcases that are bulky and take up a lot of space are no longer in trend. It is because they take up too much space; they’re not practical and cost a lot of money. A better alternative is to turn your attention to shelves in the living room and bedroom think outside the box when having shelves installed on the wall. A smart and chic option are shelves made of glass. The translucency of the glass will welcome in more light, not to mention that the illusion created will make books and accessories look like they’re floating.

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Colorful blankets

New blankets can have a powerful effect in a home that looks dull and unappealing. In fact, this is a great way to reconsider your style and give a living room an upbeat vibe. Go crazy on the color, but make sure there’s balance. Choose your patterns carefully. For example, if the shades and curtains have horizontal stripes, it might be a smart choice to purchase blankets with stripes as well. Your home will look a lot “taller” and the blended colors will add comfort and will make your space seem more vivid and lively.

Updating your home’s current décor and style is required every 5 years. You want your place to be comfortable, but at the same time feel vibrant and appealing. Colors, patterns, new curtains and designer fabrics can all do that. But then again, they must be chosen wisely.

Proper Way Of Using Vintage Finds In Decoration By Diana Smith

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Jeffrey Scott Thomas

Even though early 2000s and 2010s are the era about which many greatest Sci-Fi authors wrote about, when it comes to decoration, vintage and steampunk are all the rage. One of the reasons behind such popularity of this style is that it is extremely versatile. For example, if you were to decorate your home in a contemporary manner, you would have to get your hands on some purpose specific items like tech gadgets, and furniture mostly made from plastic and glass. On the other hand, vintage allows you to decorate with things you find on an attic or buy at a garage sale. With this in mind, here are a few ways of using vintage finds in decoration.

Shabby Chic and Rustic Home

One of the greatest aspects of the vintage style is the idea of shabby chic. What this essentially means is that when buying an antique furniture, you should be concerned with it looking authentic rather than it looking undamaged. This led people to stop painting old nightstands, while some took it even one step further. Rather than buying genuine vintage items, some people started painting furniture to look more antique on purpose. Others, however, decided to take a different approach. As soon as they get enough shabby chic items in their home, they start adjusting the rest of the household to this style. This usually included painting other wooden surfaces like doors, window frames and even floorboards white.

All About That Lace

If a vintage army ever had uniforms, it would definitely be made of lace. In fact, lace is the only thing you just cannot add too much in a vintage setting. There are so many awe inspiring ideas, like making pendant lighting from lace or even decorating your candleholders with it. Of course, making small lace ornaments and adding them to pillows, walls and lamp shades also goes, but don’t forget about your persona as well. Like a fashionista chameleon, try to fit in this vintage shrine of yours and reintroduce lace into your own armoire. Those who take a bit more out-of-the-box approach are even known to make lace jewelry such as earrings and necklaces.

French Country or Vintage Glam

Saying that you want a vintage style in your home is pretty much like saying that you want it to have walls- it really doesn’t reveal much. How tall? How many? What kind? Sure, you may want your home to appear like from another century, but do you want it to look like a French countryside manor or a Victorian villa. For the first impression, shabby chic in combination with natural hues like lavender, burnt rust and hunters green will do you just fine. On the other hand, vintage glam takes a bit more effort. Here, you will have to exploit all that shimmering metallic color palette has to offer. Your closest two allies are pale gold and cream, while satin is your weapon of choice.

Let There Be Light

Finally, no matter what you do with the rest of the home, proper lighting fixtures can make or break the entire impression. This is why going with modern lamps or contemporary downlights simply won’t do. The safest choice you have is to go with elegant yet subtle led wall lights. When buying, however, try to avoid looking at them as a separate items and try to focus on what they will look like in your household. In fact, this advice is something you should take in general, not just when buying lights.

Whenever you encounter a perfect vintage item, you need to ask yourself two questions. The first one is ‘does it fit with your home’. If the answer is no, then you need to ask the following- ‘can I make it fit?’ Some finds are just so perfect that it can be worth your while to redecorate your entire place just to integrate them.