From the Floors Up

Fall Decorating Trends

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8679206_SFor those of us who need to be “the” home trendsetter, here is a list of what’s hot for this fall:

Neutrals: These are also called colorless designs, this trend is using texture and shape instead of color and contrast. Think fur, chunky knit throw pillows, 3-D art and cloth wall coverings.

Museum trend: Display your collections like they would in a museum. Also called the “curated” look, this trend is displaying what you love to collect in a whimsical and quirky way. To nail this look hang portraits in groups on your wall like they do in art galleries.

Mix and match: Get rid of the idea that everything has to be matchy matchy. This fall, mix modern and old pieces of art and furniture together. Make a vignette by grouping unique pieces you have collected like globes, books, shells, and antique toys in groups of three to five. Display these items in a hall on a table or on a bookshelf.

Tell a story: Do you travel all of the time, do you love to cook, do you sew, what’s your favorite color? Make each room in your house tell a story about your passions. Bicycles in the dining room? If that’s what you love, it can totally work.

Color: Instead of muted tones, clear bright high contrast color is very popular this year. Paint a wall black or dark grey and see how that will make other colors in your décor “pop”.

Vintage:  This is also called “Americana” design and it’s making a big splash. Shop at flea markets for vintage inspired accessories that celebrate handcraftsmanship. Old toys, quilts, kitchen items, dressers and baskets are all good finds.

Finally, add some bold graphic patterns to your home. Whether you decide to wallpaper an entire room or just add some new throw pillows, patterns are back in fashion. If you are not ready to do an entire room in a pattern try using graphic wallpaper on the back of a bookshelf, or cover your dining room table with super bold tablecloth.

Hanging Art on the Walls

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16545017_SThere are a few things in decorating that can intimidate most of us homeowners. Major investments like flooring and appliances can give us pause on making the right decision for the money and our lifestyle.  Another one of the biggest decisions is choosing what to hang on the walls.

Why is art so intimidating? Is it the expense? The worry that we like the “wrong” kind of art? Not knowing what to buy or where to buy it?  Art for the walls of our homes doesn’t have to be expensive art bought from galleries and auctions. While it is wonderful to collect art, decorating our walls doesn’t need to be a huge investment in the art market.  The best rule for buying art is to buy what you love.

If you buy art that you love, it will make you smile whenever you walk into the room.  Art can also be much more personal. Framed family photos and heirlooms are lovely hung in large groups or enlarged. You can have them printed in all black and white for a cohesive look.  There are even companies that will print your photos on canvas to make your photos really feel like works of art.

Creating gallery walls is a wonderful way to display art.  As opposed to one large piece over the sofa as was tradition, creating a space to display a number of works is visually more interesting. Mix in fine art with family photos and children’s masterpieces for a personal wall of art.

Unique Antiques add Personality

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200210063-001Have you seen various antique stores in your life but have been hesitant to step in? Don’t be; they’re an interesting window to the past.

Whether you visit a small and simple shop with a few antiques and lots of things that are just old, or a place like this one with special items from earlier days well displayed, it can be a design eye-opener to see furniture and accessories from other times.

8775628Many people think antiques are expensive, and some are pretty pricey. But it really depends upon the era, the item itself and its’ condition. For example, an old Mickey Mouse train from 60 years ago in good condition with its original box might be surprisingly costly. On the other hand, someone’s old family photo from the same time simply framed could be purchased for a song.

As you start spending more time with antiques, chances are you will find yourself interested in one era, style or item. For example, one homeowner discovered the art of antique fishing lures. Inexpensive and attractive, she hung them together along one narrow space in her den. Another person developed an interest in skeleton keys and keeps them in an old basket for guests to play with when they visit.

86809985When you explore antiques, you get the opportunity to expand your design view of the world. By adding the dimension of time to your understanding of furniture and accessories, you have the chance to enrich your appreciation of other days and add the personality of the past to your home.

Wall Treatments Beyond Paint and Paper

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Beyond paint and wallpaper there are other options for decorating the walls in your home. Thinking a bit out of the box you can come up with a variety of unique and different treatments for walls. These include fabric, upholstered panels, leather, wood and stone.  Of course in the kitchen and bathroom tiles and stone are common wall treatments.

Fabric can be applied to walls in a similar fashion as wallpaper. Applying it with starch and water makes it easy to remove and a great option for a rental property. Adding padding behind the fabric and finishing with trim will create a traditional look that can also help block sound.

Upholstered panels, as seen in this room, are great for a media room or home theater where they can muffle sound from outside as well as in.  Along with carpeted floors, these panels create a sound barrier for the room. Panels can be covered in coordinating upholstery to your furniture or flooring. Leather and suede are also good options for these panels. Panels can also be cut and created in a range of sizes, from squares to larger vertical panels.

Wood panels, beadboard, wainscoting and board and batten are all additional options for wall coverings. Wood can add pattern and texture to the walls. These can be stained or painted to match your décor.

Next time you are making over a room or hall, consider one of the above options beyond a coat of paint or wallpaper for a look that is anything but ordinary.

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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