From the Floors Up

Interior Design Styles Trending Around the World | Part Two

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Looking at the trends happening in other countries can give us an idea of where styles are going in our country. Today, we are going to exam a few of the trends happening throughout the world to get a better glimpse of cultural influence in interior design. Let’s take a look!

France – Patterns

Layering unusual patterns is very trendy right now in France. Since patterns demand attention through repetition, it is not uncommon to see several unique and diverse patterns in one room. Where it may be standard practices elsewhere to keep patterns uniform, stripes, floral patterns, polka dots, and many other unique patterns are added to the same space to give the room its own individuality and flow.

Greece – Minimalism and Marble

Greece has currently been incorporating minimalism into their interior design. The clean and unobtrusive nature of minimalism can create a very elegant and open environment. We are also noticing much more use of marble in their designs. From floors, countertops, and even décor, marble has slowly become a staple in current Greek design.

Hungary – Rooted in Culture and Moving Forward

Hungary is a European country rooted in a strong culture. After World War I, Hungary lost 71% of its territory, but this did not stop the country from keeping strong to its roots. We see a strong traditional European design moving forward with touches of modernism.

Italy – Fine Craftsmanship

Italy is all about appreciation of fine craftsmanship. In fact, many popular design themes found throughout modern Italian design are no exception. You will see a keen eye for detail through rugs, woodworks, furniture, and textiles in every home today.

Japan – Wabi-Sabi

Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese way of living that appreciates the beauty within imperfections. This concept has been being influenced by interior design. Not every element of a home must be finished or complete. The beauty of the flaws can help with the acceptance of peace in each home. Today, we see more Wabi-Sabi influence in modern Japanese interior design.

These are just a handful of the design themes that are growing popularity throughout the world. With the United States being such a melting pot of cultures, it is not unusual for us to experience many of these trends as well. What designs surprised you? Let us know below in the comment section.

Interior Design Styles Trending Around the World | Part One

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The world has so many different cultural influences on design. We usually look at what trends in design as most influential in the United States today; however, the world is full of design. We took a look at various countries and examined what design styles are trending right now. Follow this series to see what interior design styles are trending around the world as you may be surprised to learn what your neighboring country love to use in design. Let’s get started!

Australia – A Splash of Color

Australia is a very wealthy country with a low poverty rate. The Color of the Year, Living Coral, was highly influenced by Australia’s coral reefs. In fact, since it is a very large country, many trends are generating throughout the land. Right now, we are seeing more color being added to spaces through the use of décor. Also, gold is trending as an accent for drawer hardware, door handles, and trim. You would not be surprised to see pastel colors being added to many homes, keeping them lively and colorful!

Brazil – Cement Tiles

Cement tiles are decorative tiles, typically with unique patterns to them. Their designs alone can feel whimsical and eclectic, yet when all put together can add a classy look to an atmosphere. Today, it is becoming more and more popular to add hydraulic tiles to design in Brazil.

Canada – Rustic

Canada is a vast country stretching over 5,500 miles. Generally, Canada has colder weather, which can lead to spending a lot of time indoors. Rustic design is a very cozy, and nature-influenced design. We continue to see rustic design thriving throughout Canadian interior design since homeowners tend to spend a lot of time inside of their homes.

Denmark – Hygge with Greenery

Denmark is known to be the happiest place on earth, which may contribute to there sense of hygge. Hygge is a Danish word for well-being embedded into your lifestyle. They bring this into their home design by grounding their design in comfort. You can also help create this sense of happiest in your home by adding outdoor elements. This is why Denmark’s design is flowing with greenery and hygge in every aspect!

England – Elegant and Modern Collide

This eclectic styling is becoming very popular in England right now. England has been rooted in a very traditional and elegant style for many years; however, we are beginning to see the youth put their influence while keeping many conventional stylings. This design has already started to create a very eclectic style in England to-date.

Are you surprised by some of the trending design styles in other countries? Be sure to share your thoughts below in the comment section, and make sure to check out the rest of the series to discover more trends. Thanks for reading!

Surprisingly Effective Color Palettes

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Colors can have a dramatic impact on our living space. Each color has the power to influence the overall mood of the atmosphere. In fact, designing a room comes down to colors. We tend to use color palettes to give rooms a more diverse feel and capture the impacts of each color. If you went into a dimly lit, dark restaurant with red accents, you might feel a romantic vibe, whereas a brightly lit, blue and white atmosphere will have a completely different feeling. Typically, colors that are near each other on the color wheel can complement each other quite nicely. You can easily create a cool-tone or warm-tone atmosphere by choosing the corresponding colors. However, colors that are opposite of each other can also work together. In fact, here are three surprisingly effective color palettes you can consider adding to your own home:

Peach and Forest Green

These colors are nowhere near each other on the color wheel. Even the shading of peach and forest green is very far from similar. However, with peach’s youthful, springy feel accompanied by a more formal green, these two colors work wonders together.

Green is excellent at adding vitality to a space and freshening it up, but when you darken this color by creating forest green, it can dampen some of those desired effects. That is why mixing peach with forest green, creates a highly desirable effect.

Blue and Rustic Orange

Blue and rustic orange are another unique color combination. Blue is known to be a very passive and tranquil color, whereas orange is used in more Rustic or Mediterranean style homes. These two colors complement each other in a unique way. The rustic orange feels creative yet serious, helping to ground the free spirit of a bright blue room.

Teal and Red

The last surprisingly effective color combination that we had to explore is teal and red. Teal is a blue-green tone that is calming yet rejuvenating, whereas red is known to be bold and aggressive. These two colors are known to balance each other out while creating a colorful yet neutral feeling environment.

When exploring the color palette, do not be afraid to get a little crazy. You never know when two colors can effortlessly complement one another.

Shabby Chic Christmas Décor

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We spend a lot of time and effort in designing our homes and tailoring them to our style. Having a Shabby Chic style can say a lot about you. This pastel, vintage wonderland can create a soft and dreamy oasis. Everything in your design has a purpose and place to help achieve the vintage look. However, traditional holiday décor may not always go with your home theme. While holidays décor is timeless, Shabby Chic has a very distinctive color palette and styling. Adding a forest-green tree with red bulbs can seem to clash with your home design. So, this year, why not make your Christmas décor accommodate your home? Investing in Shabby Chic seasonal décor is just another way to take more pride in your style even during the holiday seasons.

Christmas Tree

What is Christmas without a Christmas tree? While traditional styles may call for a rugged pine, your home will thrive with a more frosted look. Look for a frosted white, all-white, or silver Christmas tree this holiday season. You can decorate this beautiful tree with silver tinsel, pastel bulbs, and your favorite antique ornaments. This conversion from the traditional tree to a Shabby Chic appearance will make it hard for you to take down the décor after Christmas passes! Consider even the wrapping paper you use. Go with wrapping paper designs that complement your design in order to take your Christmas tree scene to the next level. Top it off with some white lights and a floral tree skirt to help complete the whole look!

Christmas Wreaths and Garland

Another aspect that is part of every Christmas design is the wreath. If you have already converted your Christmas tree to a Shabby Chic style, consider changing out your Christmas wreaths and garland. Having them be uniform with your tree can help accessorize your design. Plus, adding some Christmas bulbs and accessories to spruce up the look never hurts. In fact, you will find that these are great ways to help keep your design flowing throughout your space.

Other Décor

Also, your whole home is an outlet to express yourself. There are thousands of décor options for Shabby Chic homes to use during Christmas. From antique fireplace mantel décor to cute laced stockings to candles, you will have endless options to express yourself. Remember to keep your theme focused and agreeing with your current design. Do not over clutter your home during the holiday season so you can keep it feeling homey and well-kept.

All these little tricks will help complete your home. Remember, you can decorate your home how you want. If you love Shabby Chic, take pride in your design and let your Christmas decor also feel beautiful.

Do you love Shabby Chic? What are some of your favorite Shabby Chic holiday decorations? Let us know below in the comment section, and for more holiday ideas, make sure to subscribe!

Rustic Christmas Decor

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Do you love Rustic design? Many homeowners and businesses love to incorporate this authentic, homey style to create a cozy environment. It takes the strengths of nature and facilitates them throughout your space while the earthy tones help ground the design. This rural design style is charming, and unpretentiously uses many raw elements of nature and ties them together in the design. If you love Rustic design, you should consider incorporating it into your Christmas décor. Not only is Rustic a homey and welcoming design, but it can be a perfect complementary style to the already cozy Christmas atmosphere in your home. Here are some great ways to make Rustic design part of your Christmas décor:

Christmas Tree

Your Christmas tree will be the focal point of your Christmas design. With Rustic design already being grounded with country-style living, this green pine will be the staple piece to harmonize your designs. A real authentic tree would be ideal for helping capture the true smell of pine and raw nature. Just make sure to decorate your tree with all the Rustic décor you can. Add some earthy tones to your tree like beige tinsel and brown Christmas bulbs for an earthy feel. Also, pinecones are an excellent addition to make your tree feel even more authentic.

Fireplace Mantle

In many Rustic home designs, fireplaces are classic focal points of living rooms. They help create the Hygge and comfort in your home. Plus, winter is a perfect time to have a fire and really facilitate this feature in your home. Try to decorate your fireplace mantle with some very Rustic-inspired Christmas décor. Garland and pines are excellent. You can also look for some cozy-looking stockings to hang from your fireplace mantle. Creating this scene will make your space feel very comforting and cozy while perfectly complementing your Rustic design!

Seasonal Décor

Hygge is a Danish word that encompasses the quality of comfort in your home. Create Hygge by making your Christmas feel cozy. There are hundreds of additional Rustic Christmas décor pieces to add to your home. From soap dishes and candles to wash clothes and blankets, the possibilities are endless. Take pride in your Christmas décor and allow it to help accent your Rustic design.

As Christmas quickly approaches, it is time to start thinking about putting up your yearly décor. If you love Rustic décor, this is the perfect time of the year to incorporate it into your home. Have your Christmas feeling cozier than ever with a true pine tree, a beautifully decorated fireplace mantle, and other miscellaneous Rustic Christmas décor.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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