Design Element: Animal Print

Posted on January 30, 2012 by creatingyourspace

“Lions and tigers and bears… oh my.” In the design world this quote is more aptly put “leopards and zebras and cows.” Animal prints have been longstanding design elements that have become classic patterns. As with any pattern or design, these patterns come in and out of fashion. Cowhide, zebra and leopard seem to take turns being the “it” pattern when it comes to both fashion and design.

What makes these patterns real classics is that when used in small doses, they can work in both traditional and contemporary spaces. A zebra skin rug, the darling of shelter magazines a few years ago, is a much stronger design statement than a needlepoint pillow in a zebra pattern. Playing with size and scale can make these animal prints feel bold or refined. Where they are used also affects the power of their impact. A pillow or rug in animal print becomes an accent. A sofa or wall covered in animal print is more of a statement. When working with animal prints it is all a matter of scale.

This black and white living room is centered by a classic zebra skin rug. Unlike many other African animals, zebras are not endangered. The rug’s bold pattern is the only pattern in the room so the eye is drawn to it. Using only black and white furniture creates a strong graphic look to the room that feels very contemporary. If you paired a zebra rug or cowhide rug with more traditional furnishings you would achieve a very different result.

Design Inspiration: Historic Homes

Posted on January 26, 2012 by floors_admin

If you have an older home or a home design based on a historic style like Craftsman or Victorian, looking for design inspiration in historic homes is a good idea. Historic homes in your area can give you an idea of what interior design was popular in other time periods.

Looking at historic homes for inspiration doesn’t mean you should attempt to duplicate the interior designs exactly the same way in your own home. Styles and tastes have changed. While historic patterns, paint colors, flooring and fabrics can be lovely in today’s interiors, living in the past might not be the best choice for today’s lifestyle.

Inspiration means using bits and pieces of the past in new ways that suit the way we live today. Tin tiles for the ceiling, farmhouse sinks, batten and board paneling, wainscoting, and black and white checkerboard floors are all borrowed from previous generations of interior design. Look for inspiration for lighting, color palette, flooring and wall treatments in historic homes that can work with your home’s architecture.

If you don’t find inspiration in the historic homes in your area, design books and blogs can be wonderful resources for images. Books on famous American historic homes and European estates not only work to inspire your designs, but make gorgeous coffee table books. Historic homes and properties often have the best design ideas of their time. You might even be surprised at how timeless and beautiful some of the design ideas are in these historic homes.

Furniture with Texture

Posted on January 23, 2012 by floors_admin

Amongst the common design elements, we often overlook texture in favor of color and pattern. Texture is one of the key design elements in creating an interesting interior design. Along with color and pattern, texture can bring life and interest to both interior design and furniture design.

Accessories like area rugs and pillows are an easy way to bring more texture into a room. An area rug doesn’t have to be a deep shag to add texture to a smooth wood or tile floor. Even a flat weave rug has texture. Besides rugs and accessories, furniture is a great way to add texture.

Woven furniture, like the contemporary chairs pictured here, has tons of natural texture. A single woven stool or ottoman can bring texture to a room. You don’t need an entire suite of wicker furniture to make an impact; a single piece can make a big design statement. Mixing materials of furniture is a great way to add texture. Wood, glass, chrome and upholstered pieces all have different surfaces and different textures.

Upholstery is another way to add texture. Soft cotton velvets, chenilles, and wools all have a subtle texture. Layer these with a knit throw or silk pillow for additional textures.

Leather is another beautiful texture to have on furniture. Think with your fingers when it comes to bringing in more texture to your space. Imagine how it would feel to touch the piece. Creating a space that is both visually and tactile appealing means you have created an interesting room.

Using Neutral Colors in Decorating

Posted on January 13, 2012 by creatingyourspace

In decorating magazines and blogs today there is so much talk of colorful decorating and pops of bright colors. This might make you think everyone is decorating their homes in washes of strong colors and bold accents. This isn’t the case. Many people prefer to use neutral colors and whites in their interiors. No matter whether this is a preference or a fear of color, You can still create inviting and warm interior using neutrals of creams, white and browns as this living room shows.

The color palette for this room is set by the architectural elements of the fireplace and wood column. Leaving the stone fireplace and wood column natural lets their beautiful materials be the stars. The two colors are then carried throughout the furnishings, curtains and flooring to create a well designed room.

The wood of the column is repeated on the coffee table. The warm hue also becomes an accent color in the area rug below the coffee table. The rug ties in both the cream of the walls and furniture along with the stone fireplace and wood colors.

Using different shades of neutrals creates a layered look. Pattern and texture can add interest like they do in this living room. The pattern of the rug as well as the texture of the wood, stone and upholstery mix together to make for a more lively design. Adding patterned throw pillows to the seating or a bit of the wood or stone color would bring more interest to the cream upholstered sofa and chairs.

Kid Friendly Floors

Posted on December 28, 2011 by creatingyourspace

If you have children, you know that they can be tough on your house, especially floors. For a kid’s playroom or bedroom, there are plenty of flooring options that will please your style and stand up to the daily rigors of life. If your kids don’t have a designated playroom, having the right flooring in your living room and family room is even more key. Once the toys and games are put away, you’ll want to feel like you are sitting in your room and not a play zone.

If you are putting in new flooring, talk with your retailer about the best options for kids. There are many stain resistant and stain repellent carpets on the market. This means you can put carpet in a kids’ area and not fear every time something spills it will stain forever. Another option for carpeted rooms is to put a large area rug over the carpet to protect it. As the kids get older, you can remove the area rug or swap it out for a new pattern or color. With this same idea in mind, carpet squares can be used and replaced if they get stained.

Hard surfaces like tile and stone are durable but might be too tough on little knees and elbows. Hardwood is good as is cork, which has a soft feeling under foot. Again, area rugs are your friends when it comes to protecting floors.

Your kids and their favorite toys can be hard on your floors. Work with your flooring person to choose the best option that will be durable and stylish for years to come.

Room Viewed From Above

Posted on December 26, 2011 by floors_admin

This home includes an open hallway opening to the living room from the second floor, with the ceiling vaulted to two stories. A design like this involves some careful planning. The room needs to be inviting from the ground perspective but still have an appeal when looked at from above.

The designer for this room succeeded with both goals. If you walk into the room, glossy wood flooring, an inviting traditional area rug, the bank of windows and the warm gold and cream tones provide a rich interesting space.

It’s from above, however, that the room really comes into its own. From this angle, the antique light fixture becomes the focal point. Its bronze finish picks up the brown shades on the richly patterned floor-to-ceiling curtains and the dark tones of the area rug.

The fireplace to the right has a large enough profile to call attention to it even from the upper hallway and having the surround reaching the ceiling helps to connect upper and lower levels. Even the grand piano draws the eye upward from below, inviting a visitor to capture the feel of every level of this room.

The room itself it not very large, so it makes sense to choose a small sofa and coffee table that focus more on height than footprint. Bringing every part of the room together through color helps a smaller space feel larger and more congruent.

Overall, the design choices in this room meet the needs of the homeowners and visitors, providing an inviting vista from every possible level in the home.

Chic Hotel Room Provides Design Inspiration

Posted on December 19, 2011 by creatingyourspace

Take inspiration from a chic hotel bedroom when thinking about redesigning your own bedroom. This stylish bedroom is at the Hotel Yountville in Napa Valley, California. What makes this room so chic and stylish while simultaneously being comfortable? Let’s take a look.

This is not a huge space yet the layout creates both a sleeping and a sitting area. A fireplace tucked into the corner adds a romantic, country touch. The fireplace can be seen from both the bed and the seating area. The bed faces the French doors leading to a private terrace—what a lovely view to walk up to. The white painted beamed ceiling and darker floor makes the room feel more spacious. The dark walnut wood floor anchors the lighter palette of the room. The ebony four poster bed and writing table stand out in the airy room.

The colorway is kept to a simple palette of white, gray and tan, with black and orange accents. White sheers soften the dark lines of the four poster bed. Pale stone gray walls create a soft backdrop for the furnishing and accents in the room. Colorful accents in throws and pillows make it easy to change the colors with the seasons or your mood. A black floor lamp and black and white art tie into the color of the bed. Neutral upholstery in tan and pale gray linen adds texture without adding color and pattern. Natural elements, like the driftwood table and jute rug, add organic elements along with the stone fireplace.

Antique and Modern Combine with Beauty

Posted on November 28, 2011 by floors_admin

When you’re planning your home, you may think that your taste is simply defined as traditional, modern or some other standard title.

But often if you look past these labels, you may find that your modern preferences really sing when you introduce some older elements.

The unusual dark brown lattice bases to the two chairs pull the brown from the collection of small hand tools to help the room feel more congruent. In the same way, the sculptural small tables in a light gold by those chairs echo the gold and brown of the old doors on the wall.

This room demonstrates the power of combining a very contemporary approach to furniture with art from another time and place. The clean lines and soft colors of the upholstered pieces allow room for the drama presented by the antique doors and simple tools in this room.

The room’s design choices allow the art to come into total focus. This is a comfortable room, but still designed to draw the eye toward the really important elements – the homeowner’s interest in unique pieces from long ago and far away.

Notice in the second photo that this room actually contains a fairly large flat-screen television and speakers. The choice to install these in the wall, along with the neutral aspect of everything except the screen, keeps this interruption in the room to a minimum. By limiting accessories, the L-shaped room maximizes the power of its art and keeps everything else in proportion.

Create a Reading Corner

Posted on November 23, 2011 by floors_admin

Would you like to see your children read more than they do? You may want to think about making it more inviting by creating a special reading nook.

This boy has found a cozy spot to peruse his latest book. It’s just a cut-out in a bookshelf, but the carpeting is soft and the size is perfect for him to tuck himself in and have a read.

To build a nook for your child or children to read in, start by selecting a spot in the house that is quiet and not prone to distractions. This may be a corner of their bedrooms, the dining room or a section of the basement.

Once you’ve chosen the spot, consider what you need to make it comfortable and inviting. Good lighting is important. If you don’t have an overhead light, a floor lamp or even a table or task lamp could do. Look for an option that will shine light on the pages without creating a glare.

Make the area comfortable with cushions and throw pillows. If you have one, put in an easy chair and maybe an ottoman. Add a table or shelf to set books on between reading sessions. With just a little effort, you may have helped your children feel more comfortable and encouraged to spend time reading.

Let Your Small Kitchen Sparkle

Posted on November 16, 2011 by creatingyourspace

When a small kitchen sits to one side of an open living space, the general tendency is to hide it with neutrals. This kitchen breaks that rule and the design decision works.

Red cabinets grab and hold the eye when you first look at this kitchen, but there’s more happening than red. White, silver and green with touches of yellow also help this kitchen to stand out.

The extensive use of white keeps the red cabinets from overwhelming the space. White and silver are the only other tones that play permanent roles in the space, and silver is the unifying element. If you count, there are nine stainless features in this kitchen, scattered throughout, particularly around the boundaries.

Ebony wood flooring always works well with a contemporary environment. Its rich dark tones support the other color choices while grounding the room. This choice will also work well in the rest of the living space due to its versatility and automatic style.

The plant styles and positions are cleverly planned to add another color and also as a connecting feature. At first glance, the vases of greens above the sink appear to be an image or perhaps a tile backsplash. In reality, they are real plants set in an opening over the sink. The consistency of size, material and spacing turn houseplants into art. You can do the same thing if you use the same vases or pots and space them evenly.

Altogether, this kitchen invites you to cook, despite its small space. What can you do to your own kitchen – of any size – to add to its warmth and charm?

From the Floors Up

Category Archives: Interior Finishes