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Ideas For Bedroom Wallpaper
Wallpaper seems to be making a comeback…but not in every room.
We’re not too excited about wallpapering our kitchens or family rooms, but wallpaper in the bedroom is becoming very popular among designers and homeowners.
Many homeowners are choosing to wallpaper just one focal wall — usually the wall behind the bed. This is a great idea if you have a bed with a not-so-grand headboard. For the greatest impact, select a wall covering with a big, bold pattern.
Wallpaper in the bedroom is no longer a thing of the past, and it’s definitely not just for kids rooms. Today’s styles are both classic and contemporary, and the right selection will bring a welcome pop of color and pattern into your space.
{house and home}
{house beautiful}
And don’t forget the closet…
{No wall space in your closet? Paper the ceiling! Photo by elledecor.}
For more ideas, visit ‘Bedroom Wallpaper.’
Colorful Words Of Encouragement
This is a photo of my most recent purchase which now hangs in my office. It reminds me to stay positive and prayerful when I’m not feeling very…positive.
I wanted to share it because I think we all can use some encouragement from time to time. So, whatever it is that you’re striving for — no matter how frustrated you get, no matter how tired you get, no matter what other people are doing, and no matter how old you are — find your purpose, let your true colors shine, and never give up!
Pretty Purple Centerpiece
I was in the grocery store the other day, as I am quite often — having three teenage boys and all — when a bunch of pretty purple carnations caught my eye.
I rarely see purple carnations in different color tones bunched together like that {unless I’m at the flower wholesaler}, so I grabbed them up and created a simple centerpiece using a $5.00 vase that I found at Marshall’s.
Pale lavender, lilac, aubergine and magenta make a very pretty palette for parties, weddings and showers. Or, if you love purple, you may just want to buy a bunch of these carnations for yourself. Note: Flowers are not just for special occasions.
If you can’t find purple carnations, you should be able to special order them at your local grocery store or florist. You can also purchase them on-line from fiftyflowers.com.
photos by Porter House Designs
Ideas For Painting Your Trim
My clients often ask me for advice on painting trim and molding, so a couple of years ago I decided to write a post about painting picture-frame wainscoting. To my surprise, it has become the most popular story on my blog, so I thought it was time to do another post about trim.
{Cleverly ‘camouflaged’ picture-frame molding by mhouseinc}
Painting any type of trim can be a challenge, especially when you want to do something other than white. But it really just comes down to amount of impact you want your trim to have. Do you want it to stand out and be a focal point in your space? Or would you prefer that the trim blend-in and quietly reinforce the room’s color scheme? If you answered yes to either question, then take a look at the following photos for inspiration:
In the room pictured above, the crown molding blends into the room because it’s painted the same color as the walls. Design Tip: For a subtle distinction, paint the trim in a different finish, such as a lacquer or high gloss finish.
Your trim will pop the most when you paint it with a vivid hue that contrasts against a more understated wall color or wall covering.
Design Tip: Create an elegant, monochromatic look by using two or three colors from the same color family, as shown in the photo above.
{domino}
For more tips on painting trim and molding, check out Ideas For Picture-Frame Wainscoting.
Color Trend: Black And Bright
Black rooms {and black accent walls} have been gaining in popularity over the past couple of years.
Black walls have been on a slow ride to the top, and with good reason: It’s a bold choice. Plain and simple. Black was my first choice when I recently re-styled my sitting room {shown above}. I painted just one accent wall and left the other ones crimson, at the request of my husband. Even painting one wall black was a bit scary…
…but I love it! Using black is very tricky. Unless your room gets a ton of natural light, has ample artificial lighting or is open to other rooms — I strongly suggest painting just one accent wall. Yes, this is where an accent wall really makes sense. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an extremely dark room.
Some designers like to use white furniture and fabrics in black rooms. That’s OK, but I think using bright, vivid colors looks much better and it’s way more fun! In my sitting room, I used my red chairs, and brought in splashes of orange, pink, yellow and wasabi green.
Here are a collection of other black rooms that I love:
If you decide to paint a black room or wall, here’s an important tip: Unless your room is very low-traffic — meaning no one will ever go in there — do not use a flat finish. Black paint in a flat finish is like a chalkboard. You will not be able to even brush up against the wall without a smudge showing. For the best results, use either a high-quality, cleanable matte or satin finish. And bold as it may be, you’ll love having a black space in your home!
Color To Watch In 2012: Yellow
If last year’s color sightings are any indication, 2012 could be a huge year for yellow.
This radiant color has already graced the cover of House Beautiful’s February 2012 issue. That’s a prime example of how home design often follows fashion:
Yellow was spotted all over the runway during New York Fashion Week back in September, and this sun-drenched hue quickly moved into celebrity wardrobes…
…Including the closet of Malia Obama, who is becoming quite the tastemaker herself. She wore this gorgeous yellow, satin dress to the Christmas In Washington event.
Yellow has the amazing ability to add sunshine where there is none…
{michelle hinkley via houzz}
…And it makes a sunny space feel even warmer and more inviting.
{style illuminated}
Yellow also represents the first flowers of spring.
{My spring daffodil centerpiece}
And yellow shines on swank accessories of all kinds.
Are you warming up to yellow? If so, you can learn more about how to pick the right yellow in my featured Ideabook over at Houzz.com. Enjoy!
Red Winter Centerpiece
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! My holiday guests were greeted with this winter centerpiece that I designed using roses, carnations and sprigs of holly from my yard. The ceramic vase was made in Italy, and it belonged to my husband’s grandmother.
By using such hardy flowers and greenery, this arrangement will last through New Year’s Day.
Red is a wonderful {and very romantic} color choice for winter floral displays. This type of centerpiece is perfect for winter parties, weddings and Valentine’s Day.
You can usually find red roses and carnations in the grocery store, and if you don’t have access to a holly shrub, any type of evergreen will do. Have a Safe and Happy New Year!
Go Dark With Wallpaper or Paint
I’ve gone over to the dark side this week by sharing tips around the web on how to use dark colors in your home.
{wintercreative via houzz}
Over at Houzz, you can find my Ideabook on using wallpaper to create dark and dreamy bedrooms.
{habachy designs via houzz}
Then, at Sherwin-Williams STIR I’m dishing out ways that designers can help clients feel comfortable using darker paint colors {but I think this info is useful for anyone — not just designers}.
Dark colors and wall coverings bring elegance and sophistication to your home like nothing else can. Be daring in 2012 and give ‘em a try!
More Christmas Colors!
Still deciding on a theme or colors for your holiday decorating? Well, you’re in luck! Today I’m sharing six more Christmas Color Palettes for your inspiration. Enjoy!
photo sources:
1. House To Home
2. Home For Christmas
3. Kelly Porter
4. Home For Christmas
5. Kitchen Decorating
6. Eclectic Revisited
CLICK HERE to see more Christmas Colors.
Why You Should Have A Gray Room
I’ll admit it. It took me a long time to warm up to gray.
At first I couldn’t get passed associating gray with dreary days and overall gloominess. I’d seen gray spaces that I really liked, and I’ve even written about gorgeous gray rooms — but I convinced myself that gray would not work in my home because it wouldn’t vibe with my warm-autumn palette. But as I write this post, I’ve just bought a gallon of gray paint {Pussywillow by Sherwin-Williams} and my dining room, and maybe the study will be painted gray before Christmas.
{Niki Papadopoulos via houzz}
Gray has shaken off its bad rep for being drab, and it now represents glamour and sophistication. Gray is truly the “It” neutral of the moment and it will definitely remain a hot hue going into 2012.
Gray’s wild popularity has most likely been fueled by our technology-driven society {think sleek laptops}. In its other forms, gray appears as chrome, stainless steel and white gold — materials that represent a chic modern lifestyle.
Gray is definitely on trend, but that’s not why I embraced it. The more I saw gray rooms, the more I liked what I saw, and I began to notice a warmth in some of the tones. I started to really analyze this color and was struck by its many unique variations.
Not every gray works for every space. With it’s myriad of undertones, gray can look blue, green, purple, pinkish or brown. So, selecting the right gray can be tricky. The key is to compare a few different tones and then select the one that will best work with your furnishings and colors without it being too dominant. That’s because gray represents a strong emotion {i.e ‘feeling gray’ and ‘gray skies ahead’} so it’s important that your choice of gray doesn’t overwhelm the space.
For example, in my home, Pussywillow {shown above} will work because it has silvery-beige undertones which gives it just enough warmth to complement the amber colors that will surround it. It will make a better background color in my home than a bluer, cooler gray would.
The other great thing about using gray for a neutral backdrop is that it looks good with every other color on earth. The same is not always true with beige. For example, certain shades of yellow and beige combined can look like something gross. On the other hand, put any type of yellow with gray and the result is stunning:
{I also love gray with red. Photo from decorpad}
There is definitely a gray for everyone and every style. I’ve heard from some of you who live in rainy/cloudy climates {like Seattle} who say you would never consider a gray room, but this color can work for you, too. Just look for the lighter tints and embellish the room with vibrant accent colors. You’ll be surprised.
These days when it comes to color, using gray is the best way to update your home and give it a current look right now and for years to come {or at least the foreseeable future}. That’s why you {and I} should have a gray room.
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