From the Floors Up

What Décor Does Your Design Style Demand? | Part Three

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Interior design is a science and an art. It balances aesthetics as well as functionality. Some styles and themes have been created throughout time, which have mastered not only the look but the functionality. They are thoroughly created with guidelines and structure yet give homeowners the freedom to create and design their own version themselves! The structure and guidance can create a science where the freedom to express and break the rules can come down to your own artistic touch.

When designing a room, there are many elements used to create the space. From colors, flooring, lighting, furniture, and even architecture, we see many design themes that flourish with these features. As we have seen in some of the prior themes, the décor you choose can help express yourself while also enhancing your overall design. We previously looked at some of the most popular designs and saw how some styles could use fine details to capitalize on our design themes. Well, we realized there are still many popular themes to explore. Here are several more themes that you may have in your own home:

Southwestern

Southwestern design is a blend of Latin American culture and West Coast styling. It uses earthy tones and accent colors of turquoise, reds, oranges, and yellows. With enriched textures and upholstery, this design prides itself on traditional Latin American styling. Help enhance your space by adding clay vases, culturally-influenced patterns, and vibrant accent colors to pop against your earthy toned atmosphere.

Eclectic

This style can be the easiest yet the most challenging. Eclectic is a style that blends and mashes many designs together to create a unique, artsy styling. From the most contemporary elements to the eldest antiques, every piece of décor has a purpose and meaning. All colors are welcomed; however, this design can be the most challenging to prevent from becoming too chaotic. Additionally, it is not uncommon for a dining room table to have several different, unmatching chairs. The pride of every piece’s individuality works together to create harmony. Remember, nearly all décor is welcome, yet understand how everything works together and flows.

Traditional

Traditional interior design was inspired by the 18th and 19th centuries. These designs have very bulky and ornate furniture. While these pieces can take up a lot of space, they are very well-crafted and made to last. This design is a very orderly and relaxed environment. Symmetry is at the forefront of the styling. Two matching chairs, two matching end tables with duplicate lamps are very common. Keep this in mind with your décor. While nothing is really a focal point, focus on balance and symmetry with your antiques to master this style.

Interior design themes are great to use in our own homes. We all love different styles for many different reasons. So, make sure you get the most out of your designs by adding the right décor since it is the best way to express yourself in your design.

What Décor Does Your Design Style Demand? | Part Two

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As we explored in Part One, every style gives us different guidelines that we can use to keep our styles focused. Different themes have become staples in home designs for their abundance in popularity and versatility. What creates a design theme are not only the colors, furniture, and flooring we select, but also the décor we use. Décor can be your way to give a personal splash of taste to your own design. So let us take a look at several more common design styles and what decor pieces each one needs.

Shabby Chic

Shabby Chic is a very airy, feminine design. This design uses antique and distressed furniture. Usually, its woods can be painted with distressed or whitewashed colors. Colors added to this design are done through pastel tones. These muted tones are pastel pinks, turquoises, and greens. Whether pastels or antique woods, both are great accent choices to enhance your décor.

Boho

Bohemian design is very lackadaisical and carefree. This style is colorful and loves to put comfort first. The décor is more spiritually-influenced or features textile patterns. This look is a great style to use tapestry or other unique textiles like carpets and throw pillows. Flourish your Bohemian style with patterns and repetition to help create a more uniformed space.

Industrial

Industrial or Urban style designs are typically found in lofts or inner-city areas. Unlike other designs that push more elements of nature, Industrial design is all about finding the beauty in the architectural structure of the space. Exposed beams, brick walls, pipes, Edison bulbs, and concrete are common styling influences. The raw, exposed construct is featured as the main highlight in these designs. Edgy, colorful artwork is perfect for these environments. You can also choose furniture that is more unfinished and exposed. Additionally, metals play a massive role in Industrial styling! Be creative and consider adding artificial décor pieces made from metals or repurposed goods.

Every design theme brings different visual and functional effects. Fully understanding how to accomplish a theme can allow you to decorate it properly. Try using some of these tactics in your own home to help better emphasize your preexisting design themes.

A Zen-Inspired Design

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Zen is the philosophy of encapsulating the peace found in nature and bringing it into your home. While this minimalistic style is visually aesthetic, it also can create the perfect relaxing environment. When you think of a Zen-inspired atmosphere, you probably envision a spa. With some simple tricks, you can capture this peace and relaxation and put it into your own home. Zen is the structure of tranquility in a home, so here are several ways to help create this feeling in your own home:

Flow

To create flow in your atmosphere, you will need to make a less obtrusive environment. This reason is why most Zen designs are very minimalistic. Doorways are an extremely vital aspect of allowing energy to travel between the rooms. A good Zen atmosphere will let doors be unobstructed. It does not take much décor to help create this flow. Try to stick to a very nature-influenced design.

Natural Elements

When adding elements of nature, try to add stones, water, bamboo, and candles. Even scents and aromas can have an impact on mellowing out the atmosphere. A truly Zen-inspired design has peace at its core. Try to involve all the senses from music to the warmth of the room. All these small details can allow your atmosphere to feel authentic.

Reflection

Have an area to reflect and relax. Some individuals will allow this spot to be outdoors since natural elements have some considerable influences on the design. You can create this by making a Zen Garden. Most Zen gardens will have simple seating to reflect. Plus, they incorporate running water as well as stones. Creating this tranquil garden outside your home is a great way to capture the values of Zen.

Zen takes the elements found in nature and emphasizes them in helping you find peace. Therefore, make sure to incorporate nature into your design. Peace can be found through your color choices, fragrances, space, and lighting. Allow minimalism to work its magic in your home by giving everything more meaning. Remember, the less you use, the more impactful the object you do choose can have.

Interior Design Styles Trending Around the World | Part Four

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Every culture and country has a unique perspective on interior design. While some countries share similar preferences, many trends come and go at different times. Variables such as wealth, locations, social influences, and events can all contribute to these design trends. Today, we are going to further explore the world of design and the interesting trends each country has.

Portugal – Personalization

Portugal has gone through many changes in design styles and trends. They all seem to come and go. Now, Portuguese, more than ever, are using their interior to express themselves. Interior design is an outlet and a way to put your own personal touch into your home. Currently, the country is very influenced by tailoring their own homes to personalize them to the individual.

Qatar – Luxury and Ornate

When it comes to beautiful and intricate design, Qatar does not hold back. Their trending design is lavished with luxurious and ornate details. From fine art, intricate wallpapers, the highest quality flooring, and pristine furniture, they make sure to leave no stone unturned.

Russia – Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern is a style that came about in the early 1930s and lasted until 1965. It brought forth a cleaner cut and open layout style of living. With a neutral color palette and less obstructive atmosphere, functionality was key. Russia is continuing to add this styling into many of their homes. With functionality at its core, it will never truly be outdated.

South Africa – Patterns and Prints

South African trends continue to keep elaborate prints and colors. Patterns are a large part of South African culture. It is no surprise that we see the trends of many textiles in the home, including these designs. Curtains, rugs, and blankets will all have African-style prints and patterns to give pride to the culture.

Thailand – Indoor/Outdoor Living

Thailand’s culture is at one with nature. Much of their current interior design influences indoor/outdoor living. Most homes have easy access to outside of the home, with elements of nature being brought inside the house. Woods, plants, water, and stone can all be found in many of Thailand’s trending styles.

Interior design trends fluctuate throughout the world. We are privileged to see many trends within our own culture. There are still some more countries to explore, make sure to check out the last part of the series to see the latest trends around the world.

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design

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The Japanese term Wabi-Sabi means to find beauty, even in imperfection. Sometimes in Japanese culture, when pottery would break, they would repair the broken pieces with a lacquer. This lacquer had gold and silver powdered into it. It made the cracks that once were broken, more prevalent, and easier to notice. However, they were even more beautiful because they had been fixed with gold. This style of finding beauty in imperfection was carried into interior design. Embracing the home with all the imperfections and taking pride in them rather than hiding them.

Minimalist Approach

Wabi-Sabi takes pride in a clutter-free atmosphere. To make imperfection shine, you do not want to draw away from them. From a crack on the wall to unfinished ceiling architecture, there are hundreds of ways homes can have imperfections. Your goal is to embrace and enhance them. Be strategic of what furniture you bring into your home. Light color schemes can help enrich the atmosphere without taking from it.

Embrace Imperfection

Imperfect hardwood floors, cracked concrete, or paint splashed on a brick wall can all be subtle imperfections. They can come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and natures. Identifying them and embracing them is vital. This does not work in every home, yet when you have a home with these characteristics, they should be recognized. Seeing these imperfections as a character is key to understanding the beauty of Wabi-Sabi.

Incorporate Imperfect Furniture

Add what makes you happy. Not all your furniture needs to match. This styling has room to express yourself. Add antiques or homemade furniture. If you love a picture, hang it up. The joy of Wabi-Sabi is having a calm and simple atmosphere. Your space does not need to be beautiful, but it should be recognized that you take pride in it. Adding plants and enhancing that cozy comfort is all part of creating the atmosphere. Add mismatched chairs, antique furniture, modern sofas, and rustic vases. The style is collected not solely through a uniform look but the pride you take in your space.

Wabi-Sabi means to embrace the authenticity of the area. Let it feel lived in yet not too chaotic. This Asian interior design style should flow and all details to shine; however, it is never perfect. Finding pride in your home is key to mastering this style. No two Wabi-Sabi spaces will look exactly alike!

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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