TrinhGia architect blogs: 2009-04-26

Mexican Interior Decoration, South of the Border Style

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 8:26 PM in Decoration style | comments (0)

Viva la Mexico! Nothing inspires a fun and exciting whirlwind of thoughts quite like a trip to another country, especially one that is adjacent to your own and known for its exciting use of color, tradition-filled people and use of inexpensive and plentiful materials to make beautiful but affordable artwork and supplies.

Mexican culture was also heavily influenced by both its natural Indian ancestry and Spanish influences which creates a great range of indigenous styles.Having this long and exciting history to draw upon allows Mexican artists to use Aztec, Spanish, Villa or Serf motifs and styles that are all drastically different and yet all typically Mexican.And best of all no matter how exotic you get it won’t break the bank since exchange rates and low cost of production insures reasonable prices for Mexican goods.

Typical items that help set a Mexican theme include blankets, pottery, hand-made wicker and thatch items, kiva ladders, ponchos Mexican-themed artwork but due to the rich nature of Mexico’s past more exotic Aztec and pyramid-themed items can also be used.

As for wall colors and textures one almost has to decide which of the various aspects of Mexican culture they wish to represent as ranges from stone and plaster up to classic Spanish style villa finishes all can be used with or without paint depending on the look desired.

The most common look associated with Mexican décor however is the stucco and wood beam look that is also popularized in many southwest décor themes and usually uses pale shades of white and yellow or reddish tints with unfinished woods.

Other more interesting variations may use lighter shades of orange, red, yellow and even blue with salmon being a particularly popular choice due to the wide range of accents that can be brought to bear against it.Trim is normally white or bare / bleached woods and use of niches and stone accent works over windows and in walls is common in higher end variations of the theme.

Another common element in Mexican-themed designs is the use of inexpensive hand-crafted “Mexican tiles” which typically use bright colors and simple patterns to invoke a relaxing and fun atmosphere with a few imperfections and variations that lend a touch of humanity over the more sterile picture-perfect tiles that are stamped out of machines these days by the millions.

In fact a key attribute of Mexican design is the imperfections that hand crafted elements bring – whether it is the blanket being used as a throw or table cover, subtle changes in colors and printing on tiles or variations in the painted stucco walls or furnishings Mexican décor has at its foundation a relaxing lack of adherence to rules.

In kitchens black wrought-iron and hand-hammered copper pots with Mexican tiles and bright colorful paint help set the tone that this is a fun room designed for the whole family.White trim and use of unexpected items like horse blankets or ponchos as window treatments can help add spice while lighting fixtures should provide bright airy feelings without being too high-tech or ostentatious.

Using low-powered DC track lighting is one approach, or more traditional Spanish-influence chandeliers may fit in better with your design theme.Sinks are best fitted with nickel or unpolished brass fixtures that are of high quality but simple design, and can either be porcelain or stainless but not detract too much from the overall theme.

Living areas can be quite eclectic with a Mexican décor – using items such as an oxcart of chicken coop as an end or coffee table for instance lends a touch of whimsy and country style as well as creates a focal point.

Old rusted metal signs and folk-art pieces scattered about amidst leather-bound books and pieces of wall art ensure there is plenty to capture one’s interest while simple wooden or stained concrete floors with hand-woven rugs set a western theme and ensure your guests know this is a room to be lived in and not a showplace in which they will fear to tread.

Many higher-end Mexican homes feature a breakfast nook which they call a ‘Antecomedor’ which is typically a small room next to the kitchen where informal meals or snacks are eaten or where overflow from a busy kitchen might be placed during busy periods.Different from formal dining areas it is normally set up as a cozy and charming room, often with access to the outdoors via a porch or swing-open ‘french’ style doors.

Due to these rooms occurring in higher-end homes only a more fancy decorating style is typically used in Antecomedors, beginning with vivid yellows and crèmes or salmon’s.Higher-end wrought iron table and chairs with padded upholstery seats and elegant crystal ware is not out of place here, so long as the overall feeling of the room supports it.

Colorful themed prints with rustic wood frames or palm and rope with large plants or bowls of fresh fruits and avocados can help finish out such a room and may create such a fun place to eat that more formal dining areas will fall into disuse!

Mexican ‘hacienda’ style follows the more high-end Spanish villas rich culture which often features flowing fountains, plastered brick walls and open-air porches with heavy wooden beams providing shade from the noon-day sun.This style is often embellished to break away plaster from the bricks and give an ‘old world’ quality that is almost Moorish and more subdued then typical Mexican styles with more muted color choices and higher-end fixtures and furnishings.

The hacienda style is especially suited to bedrooms where the rich pampered feeling of oversized beds and overstuffed pillows with large arches and light and airy architecture can make for a refreshing space to sleep and recuperate.

Bathrooms (baños) are also an excellent room in which to use Mexican décor – with the popularity of using furniture as washstands in bathrooms now reaching an all-time high it is often easy to forget that this tend comes from the traditional hacienda and Spanish influence where wash basins in bedrooms were the bathrooms.

And of course one must not forget the Aztec and Mayan themes that can be used in bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces.With its rich jungle palettes and heavy reliance on stone, weapons and antiquities to help set a theme of almost Grecian splendor in a somewhat barbaric setting where human sacrifice and slavery resided hand-in-hand with some of the greatest mathematicians of the old-world these variants can be well suited to clients and people with a more mystical bent.

No matter which of the many variants of Mexican culture you choose to employ, or mix thereof a Mexican themed décor is sure to provide both comfort and relaxing spaces at a cost that should be well within most people’s budgets.

Mexican home decorating is an excellent option for people who enjoy a lively interior. Its colors and patterns are cheerful, arty and steeped in tradition. Many people appreciate the fact that Mexican furniture and accessories use natural materials and have handmade flourishes. You can use accessories to give the home and garden a bit of Mexican flair, or find whole sets of furniture for the living room, bedroom and kitchen that have been handcrafted in Mexico in traditional styles.

Features

The classic feature of Mexican interior decorating is its palette. Earth tones such as adobe, rust and clay provide a unifying backdrop against brighter Caribbean-style shades of sunshine yellow, deep indigo and sunset tones of crimson and orange. Bright patterns are also typical, especially on window treatments and tablecloths. The furniture tends to be of rustic style, made of solid wood and attached with metal hardware. Ceramic tiles are popular in the kitchen, including elaborately painted sinks. In warmer climes, the Mexican tradition is to blend indoor and outdoor spaces, with inner courtyards, long porches under tile roofs and walls that open up to a garden. Hammered tin, wrought iron, glass and pottery are popular design elements.

Benefits

Among the benefits of Mexican home decor is that it blends well with other styles. With its natural materials and solid construction, it is family-friendly. Knickknacks, family mementos and art collections look wonderful against the backdrop of niches, shelves and shrines. Those who like do-it-yourself projects can sponge-paint a fireplace mantle or construct an altar to stay consistent with Mexican style. The furniture and accessories are affordable, accessible and available online and at import stores.

Effects

The popularity of Mexican home decor has resulted in some pieces gaining in value and popularity. For example, talavera tile pieces, made in Puebla, have set the standard for hand-painted pottery. Major pieces by artisan workshops, such as large vases and serving platters, cost hundreds of dollars. Zapotec rugs, made in Oaxaca, are also in demand. The best examples are from the village of Teotitlan de Valle and feature all-natural dyes. Other trendy decorating elements are painted ceramic masks from Guerrero, woven paintings by the Huichol Indians and black pottery from the southern Mexican village of San Bartolo de Coyotepec.

Considerations

To decorate based on Mexican style, you should not fear color. The style is not for those who prefer pastels or sleek white minimalism. Not only are the colors and patterns bright, but you are expected to juxtapose one against another. If it seems like too big of a leap, palette-wise, you can add key elements, such as bright throw rugs, painted end tables or embroidered textiles. Throw pillows, big wooden frames, blue glass vases, margarita pitchers and carved wood chairs are other easy additions.

Expert Insight

Kathy Cano-Murillo never met a glue gun she didn't like. She is the author of several books on Mexican-inspired crafts, such as "La Casa Loca: Latino Style Comes Home, 45 Funky Craft Projects for Decorating & Entertaining" and "Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life." These books are jammed with colorful photographs and step-by-step instructions for incorporating Mexican and Chicano pop culture and folk art into decorative elements. She also maintains a website (see Resources below) with inspirations and projects.

Decorating in the Art Deco Style

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 11:32 PM in Decoration style | comments (0)

Interior Decorating Styles >>

Art Deco style was developed following World War I, offering people a glamorous style for a new era. The excitement and optimism of post-war Europe and America formed the basis for this glamorous and elegant style of decorating.

Art Deco style blended fashion, architecture, fabric and jewelry design, furniture, and interior design with sleek, smooth lines. It combined modern materials, movement, and the industrial trends of the time.

Read about how to incorporate the Art Deco style into your home.

Art Deco Furniture Art Deco furniture is streamlined in design. It is modern and sleek but comfortable. Many designs of furniture are made with a flat bent chrome base that gives the piece a rocking effect. Wood pieces are highly lacquered in black. Decorative black lacquered panels are used as room screens. Highly lacquered wood frames are upholstered in lustrous white leather. A stepped-up arm is typical. Woods used include exotic Brazilian rosewood, ebony, birds-eye maple, and light maple veneers. Upholstery is typically of velour, giving the stark form comfort and a sensuous hand.
Colors for Art Deco Interiors Because Art Deco interiors are minimalist, colors are used sparingly. Most color schemes include black, combining green and black, red and black and white and black. Accents are of chrome and gold. Pale blue or dove grey provides a softening effect.
Flooring for Art Deco Rooms Classic white or black marble flooring is typical in an Art Deco interior. Checkered tiles of black and white squares are common. Rugs are placed over the sleek flooring, commonly brown, black or dove gray with serpentine swirls or period geometric flowers adding design.
Art Deco Lighting Lighting in Art Deco interiors include ceiling lights, floor lamps, table lamps and wall sconces. Most styles are streamlined in design. Bronze and glass are used extensively incorporating flowers and geometric shapes in the design. Floor lamps include tall torchieres in wrought iron or chrome with hand blown glass shades. Some are also of black wrought iron. Table lamps of bright nickel with white, clear, frosted, or colorful glass shades are common. Wall sconces can be bronze, aluminum, steel, or silver plated base metal with opaque white or colorful glass shades.
Textures in Art Deco Interiors Most surfaces are sleek and clean, lacking texture. Velour is used extensively in upholstered furniture and leather gives a simple sleek look on surfaces. Wood veneers add depth to wood pieces and add design to otherwise plain pieces.
Accessories Accent Art Deco Design Form is important in Art Deco interiors. Mirrors made of nickel, chrome, or silver are decorated with motifs of deer, peacocks, roses, and geometric shapes. Bronze sculptures are sleek covered with colored or pearl beads. Desk sets of pen and pencil on a base are streamlined in design. Door handles and candlesticks molded of nickel, chrome, or silver have woodsy or chevron shapes. Frosted glass or black and white marble are used for vases. Inlay is common and adds color and design. Cameo glass vases show under layers of color exposed by etching away top layers of white or clear glass.

Art Deco style was modern for its time and many elements of the style carry over to design elements of later eras.

Tuscan Style Interior Decorating

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 1:55 PM in Decoration style | comments (0)

Interior Decorating Styles >>

Homes decorated in the Tuscan decorating style are inspired by the elements of nature. Crumbling stone walls, intricate wrought iron accessories, sun-washed hillsides, rustic stone farmhouses, marble flooring and sturdy hardwood furniture are just some of the wonderful elements of this decorating style.

Because almost anyone can visualize himself in such a peaceful setting, it's no wonder that Tuscan style decorating is so popular for today's homes.

The appeal lies in its simplicity. By combining comfortable, worn, loved pieces, a room becomes warm and inviting. There's no attempt at pretense here.

From ancient Roman times, people moved to the beautiful hills of central Italy to remove themselves from city life, escape the intrigue of politics, and embrace the idealized culture of the country. They enjoyed the beauty of nature and incorporated the elements into their villas. These same elements are what makes Tuscan style decorating so appealing for our homes today.

Using sturdy materials that stand the test of time, the look of Tuscan style decorating is rustic, warm, and inviting. Nothing should look shiny and new.

Using the natural materials found in this area of Italy, the Tuscan home is built of sandstone or limestone, available in a wide range of hues. Marble is found in abundance and is used for decorative details, flooring, arches, and pillars.

Homes have an enduring quality about them and look solid and substantial. Terracotta roof tiles] can be seen everywhere in Tuscany, and should be incorporated into any home being designed in the Tuscan style.

Deep-set windows framed by sandstone are often protected with rustic wooden shutters.

Outdoor spaces are critically important, and a home incorporating Tuscan style decorating must include a patio, loggia, or portico. Walls built of sandstone bricks frame today's home, where in ancient times they served as a defense.

Water is a critical element in Tuscan style decorating, and many homes have a water fountain in the central courtyard surrounded by beautiful, wildly growing greenery. Marble statues grace outdoor spaces. Tall, graceful cypress tress sway in the breeze.

Walkways, driveways, and garden paths are set with stone or brick. Nature takes its course and grass grows up between the stones. How charming!

The outdoors is brought into a home decorated in the Tuscan style. Woods, stone, and color are important elements.

Natural stone walls are left natural. Stuccoed walls are colored with Venetian plaster, color washing or faux painting techniques to give a worn, well-loved look.

True old Tuscan style rooms can have low ceilings and can be small and dark. But today's Tuscan rooms use wooden beams, plastered ceilings, and can have an open, airy feeling. Windows are left uncovered to take advantage of natural light.

Wooden surfaces such as cupboards, door and window frames, shutters or ceiling beams are often left with a natural patina.

Colors in Tuscan style decorating come from the earth. Terracotta, brick, ochre, greens, and golden yellow are seen everywhere. Blue and green are added to contribute a visual cooling effect in areas with hot weather. Surfaces that have been painted add a dash of color even when the finish wears off.

Often walls are painted with a soft white or gray, while accent colors and natural woods and stone provide the interest. Ceilings have dark open timbers. Venetian plaster is a technique for adding texture and color to new walls.

Homes incorporating a Tuscan style decor often use flooring of wide wood planks, timber boards, rough stone, unevenly-colored terracotta bricks, or clay tiles. Antique rugs add warmth and color.

The furniture in a Tuscan style home is usually of straight, simple lines made from rough-sawn local woods. Accents of tile, wrought iron, and marble are common. To achieve the worn look, new pieces of dark woods or pine are often "distressed" at the factory.

Open cupboards and armoires are found in almost any room and are used for dishes, linens, and clothes. Door fronts are often left open with chicken wire.

No Tuscan style kitchen is complete without a long, family-style wooden table.

Open shelves and free-standing cupboards provide storage in a Tuscan style kitchen and a place to display ceramics and pottery. A kitchen sink is made of natural stone or porcelain. Cabinet and sink hardware are often of dark wrought iron. Install a copper range hood surrounded by tumbled marble tiles at the stove area.

Display copper pots from a wrought iron rack, use terracotta containers as accents and storage, and add color with majolica dinnerware.

Incorporate Tuscan themes in accent touches in your kitchen with displays of pasta in glass jars, a braid of onions or garlic, jars of olives, and flowers.

The natural elements of stone, wood, water and color are essential in any Tuscan style home. By using all of the elements, you're sure to achieve this look that feels warm and welcoming.

Mission Style Furniture

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 1:37 AM in Decoration style | comments (2)

Interior Decorating Styles >>

Mission style furniture is also known as the Arts and Crafts style of furniture that dates back to 1895, when Joseph McHugh termed it to represent the straight line rustic style furniture that he began manufacturing during that time. We are currently publishing a series of articles related to the mission style to better help you decorate your home that appeals to the straight line wood-centric tone of the furniture pieces. There will be a series of articles published under the Styles->Mission category of the Visiondecor blogsite to help you decorate your living room, bedroom, dining room, and home decor with mission style furniture. And as you will see, mission style furniture will help you define your character of decor as a symbol of a historical movement.

A little bit of background: But before we get too specific, let’s get some background information on the mission style. This style was part of the Arts and Crafts movement which was inspired by the writings of John Ruskin and the romanticism that surrounded craftsmen that took pride in his own personal handiwork. The Arts and Crafts movement occurred both with the British and in the Americas, and it is great to know that furniture that dated back into such important eras of history are still popular today. The irony of the mission style in arts and crafts is that it originally was a search for uniqueness and authenticism in the products made during the era of the Industrial revolution that produced duplicates of products that lost its spirit of individuality. So, ironically the mission style furniture icon of the Arts and Crafts movement has been reversed of its original meaning in that it is now mass produced and merchandised, and thus losing some of its uniqueness that people originally sought. Nevertheless, it is still a beautiful piece of furniture designed as such to add nice lines and art to a person’s home. And one important thing is that in the simple manufacturing process that these items are made today, much of the furniture is still handcrafted other than the machinery used to cut and handle the raw material of wood. Better yet, the items are made with more environmentally friendly wood production which avoids the need to waste solid wood pieces when crafting the wood frames. The current products are crafted by hand for the shape and style of the furniture, yet finished to perfection using modern staining and painting technologies to make strong, stylish, yet un-wasteful furniture.

Recognizing the Mission style: The style that has lasted through the times, mission arts and crafts has blended well from the 19th century all the way to the current 21st century in terms of interior design and decor. Popular items that can help you recognize the mission style are the straight lines and slats on the beds and tables of the mission items such as those shown below:

Many people mistakenly assume that this is a contemporary design, but I guess this is just a revival of the traditional design that has lasted well over a century. Popular finishes of the mission items include oak wood, dark oak, cherry, and, to meet the contemporary needs, also in cappuccino (a dark coffee color).

Most Mission pieces are now manufactured with solid birch woods with hand craftsmanship that allows it to be produced in an environmentally friendly process and at an affordable price. Many furniture stores offer the items in solid wood as well, but the prices can be 5 times as much. But preliminary research has been done to show that stylish and good quality mission furniture can be purchased at affordable prices, where you should be reasonably paying $275 for a coffee table, $240 for a night stand, and $450 for a bed.

All in all, I would say the search for uniqueness in a modern world continues from its 100 year old Arts and Crafts movement to this day, as people continue to express themselves by finding things with that thinking at its roots. And although mission style furniture is mass merchandised today, it is still a symbol of character and expresses ones decor to their own choice of style that helps define the uniqueness of style in oneself.

French Country Style Interior Decorating

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 12:56 AM in Decoration style | comments (0)

Interior Decorating Styles

Mystery, romance and comfort are the core of French style. French style interior offers an elegant and cozy atmosphere in home. Dreamy light colors for walls and linens add float curtaining and lots of delicate accessories are some basics of French style interior.

French Style Furniture

Light carving on furniture frames and slight designs add more beautiful look to your furniture in French style. French country style uses upholstered furniture with carved wooden frames and carved legs, upholstered seats, backs and arms with colorful velvet.

Carving on cabinet lines is used in French style furniture. Drawer and doors in wrought iron hardware are also essentials of French country style. You can use silver or white colored wrought iron furniture to show French style interior in your home. You may include four poster bed, dressing table, wardrobe, mirror, chests with lightly carved lines on frame to show a great diversity of French style bedroom.

French Style Accessories

In French country style to accessorize your home; decorate with some beautiful accessories with roosters on pillows, wall paintings and place sculptures in white color. Crystal chandeliers with glittering droplets and metal finish give a beautiful look to the ceiling.

Lavender plants in the room are especially showing French style. All these accessories in French style room make the room you love and want to live in. Venetian glass is also a beautiful decorative choice not just for wall mirrors but for candle stands and picture frames too. A silvery appliance includes a modern range of French style in kitchen. A range cooker is ultimate choice of French style kitchen. Slate, black granite countertops are essentials of French style kitchen. French style interior is incomplete without a fireplace in living room.

The use of a stone fireplace increases French style in your lifestyle. You can also decorate your fireplace with mantel around. Iron accessories and copper flower pots should be a decorative piece on your fireplace mantel. Color you mantel with sunny yellow and soft gold shades to give a better look to the fireplace.

French Style Color

Soft color tones such as Lavender, goldenrod, deep rust, and azure blue, ivory, palest shell pink, marshmallow pink, dusty lilac, minted apple, shining light colors with silver and glass accessories and reflective finishes achieve classy French style in the room. Colors may reflect the sun, the sea, and flowers found in French countries.

French Style Fabric

French country style includes soft fabric on upholstered furniture. Satin and silk make a wonderful choice for cushions, upholstery and curtains. Furry bedside rugs add a luxury to the room in French style. Luxurious velvet, silk and satin provide perfect textural contrast with light reflective shine, so you can use them on scatter cushions, bedspreads and padded headboard and even on an over bed tester-style canopy to provide a French style to your home.

French Style Flooring

Laminate wooden flooring; limestone flooring is used in French style home. Limestone comes in a range of creamy tones and is ideal choice for creating a very sophisticated look and to decorate your home in French style. However it does need regular maintenance to protect it against damage. It is the best idea to avoid this flooring in family bathrooms because of its porous nature.Crisp black and white tiles laid diagonally make a chic choice in your French style bathroom. If you want softness to your floor, try to use luxurious velvet Saxony carpet as a wonderful flooring choice, especially for your bedroom.

Country Decorating Style

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 9:01 AM in Decoration style | comments (2)

Interior Decorating Styles

country decor The search for country things -- painted and unpainted furniture, quilts, baskets, folk art -- began in the '20s and '30s when a few savvy collectors realized their merit.

By the late '70s, there was a full-blown craze for ladder-back chairs and other items associated with the country look.

All of America had been introduced to the enduring beauty of handmade rag rugs and quilts. It was the beginning of a welcome, livable approach to decorating, and it helped fan a new enthusiasm for antique-hunting, flea markets, and tag sales that is still evident today.

Well-known decorators like Sister Parrish had incorporated country pieces into their designs for years, but now everyone was on the bandwagon.

Versatile treasures like tilt-top tables and Windsor chairs were suddenly in vogue in upscale Manhattan apartments.

In the years that have passed, country elements have grown no less popular. A more sophisticated and refined approach now exists, but the appreciation for handmade, well-crafted furniture and accessories has continued and broadened with each generation.

Visited over the years by countless influences and assimilating design contributions from around the world, "country" has evolved into an umbrella term encompassing American, English, and French styles as well as those detailed below.

Even rustic Adirondack chairs, the colorful Native American blankets and rugs of the Southwest, garden furniture from across the Atlantic, and early 19th-century porcelain china have found a place in country style.

Components differ according to a variety of factors like personal taste and region, but every country room, whether trimmed down in a more contemporary mode or rich with layers lovingly collected over time, exudes a comfortable, relaxed spirit and so can yours.

Apple-Pie American The simple, unpretentious look of American country is easily adaptable. Create warm, cozy rooms as the early settlers did, or like a flag unfurling, aim for open, more modern country spaces. What can be the starting point? Colors like our Founders knew -- cheery barn-red, yellow, dark green, gray, buttermilk, rust, and straw -- or marriages of neutral walls with trim done up in heady colors such as blue and wine-red. For a contemporary country look, especially in a small space, paint your room's walls, trim, and ceiling cream or soft white.

old and new country decor

Floors? Refinish wood floors to reflect light and show off their grain, or paint a classic pattern of diamonds as a stunning foil for a carefully composed vignette of classic 18th- and 19th-century American antiques. Pre-finished look-alike wood floors -- available in a variety of wood types -- are an up-to-date alternative for heavily trafficked rooms like kitchens and living rooms. Floor-cloths, flat-weave rugs, and thick rag rugs help pump up the interest level.

Let the breezes tug at the hems of simple window treatments. Roman shades or half curtains in natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool are alluring. From seat cushions to table napkins, you will find simple, off-the-loom patterns work best. For instance, look to plaids, checks, and stripes, in hues like spongeware-blue, lime-green, and butter-yellow.

Furnishings are restrained but welcoming for friends and family. Sofas and chairs should be constructed for years of sitting; dining tables should be generous enough for a crowd; beds should be indulgent: piled with blankets and pillows in winter, stripped down to fresh-off-the-line cotton sheets in summer.

Choose accessories to foster an American country attitude: patchwork quilts to hang as art, baskets, hand-carved toys, tinware, and chunky creamware pitchers and bowls. Clean-lined Shaker or raised panel cabinets, a mix of glass and solid doors together, or a combination of wood-tone and painted cupboards will keep the momentum going in the kitchen.

Show off your collection of black iron pans or copper pots without letting them jumble; a few favorites are best. As for the bath, claw-foot tubs and old-style sinks are readily available today. Or a standard white tub encased in tongue-and-groove paneling or slate is another idea our ancestors would applaud.

Lay durable ceramic tiles in country-like checkerboard designs on walls and floors; include Shaker-style peg rails to hold towels and robes; and designate wooden cabinet hideaways for everyday toiletries. As night falls, light the candles in a wrought-iron chandelier. American country style is a celebration of simplicity.

Get the Look

Recruit reproduction Windsor chairs to paint in new country colors.
Hunt for old burnished wood pieces to lend authenticity.
Anchor small items on trays or in baskets.

How could French country -- also known as French provincial -- be anything less than charming? France is renowned for its food, its wine, and its appreciation of the good life and all things romantic including its well-loved 18th-century toile de Jouy (commonly referred to as just "toile") patterns peppered with endearing images of pastoral life. Today, in a rainbow of colors as well as hip black and white, toile is available as everything from wallpaper to accessories.

Build a living room around a striking black-and-white combination or a bedroom featuring a soft blue toile the color of a wildflower. Because toile generally has only one color on a neutral background, it mixes pleasingly with patterns.

Layer in striped, checked, or solid accent pillows that use the dominant color from your print. Typical French-country window treatments include lace, cotton, or simple panels of unbleached linen hung from iron rods; in a more formal country room, try striped taffeta in a sunbaked shade like tangerine. White or color-washed walls in soft tones like peach, honey, and dusty rose combined with a terra-cotta-tiled floor are guaranteed to evoke a French mystique.

For furnishings, look to gently curved armchairs, a decoratively carved or painted armoire (the most important furniture piece in provincial homes, armoires can be traced back to the 14th century and can serve today's needs by housing your TV), a farmhouse dining table, and simple ladder-back chairs with rush seats.

If you have trouble finding antique versions of all your wanted French decor, furniture manufacturers offer a wealth of fitting reproductions including beguiling sofas and love seats to combine with antiques and tag-sale finds.

To imbue a kitchen or bath with the flavor of Provence, choose cabinetry with an antique white or mellow wood finish. And suspend a chandelier with dainty fabric shades from the ceiling. Consider adding French elements such as paintings or prints echoing the impressionist's palette, hand-painted tiles, murals, glazed or unglazed pottery, and delicate bed linens to complement a carved pine or fruitwood bed.

Get the Look

Include one or two more formal pieces along with casual furnishings.
Re-cover the seats of curvy armchairs with cheerful checks or stripes.
Hang a collection of pretty porcelain plates on the wall instead of a painting.
Incorporate more curves, such as a wire lamp or plant stand, a still-life of finials along the mantel, or a half-round table with cabriole legs.

Tea for Two English country is confident; patterns, colors, furniture styles, and periods are mixed. Nix anything that appears too new; time's patina is perfect. Sun-bleached chintzes in all the colors of a summer garden and slightly worn rugs -- piled atop a sea of sisal or a bare wood floor -- mimic a Cotswold farmhouse.

english country decor

Evoke a British mood by painting walls the color of thick cream to maximize light. For richness, introduce jolts of ocher (deep reddish brown) or cantaloupe. Wood paneling up to dado (the lower part of the wall) level is very pretty. Paint or wallpaper the upper portion of the wall with thin stripes, a small geometric design, trellises, or flowers.

Create a subtle link between the wallpaper and the slipcovers with color or pattern but nothing too studied; the most charming English country rooms look as though they have slowly evolved. Tartans, tweeds, paisley shawls, chenille, cashmere, or simple gingham, the choice of fabrics allows something for almost every taste. Window treatments can be straightforward, unlined curtains or, for a more formal country-estate scene, a valance pared with drapery panels.

What furnishings do you need to complete the English country look? Consider timeless varieties such as comfy sofas and armchairs in the living room, a chaise by the bedroom window, or a scrubbed pine dining table. Coordinate heirlooms with flea-market finds, and arrange informal displays of collectibles. In the kitchen, fine-grained hardwood cabinets would cheerfully complement freestanding pieces like cupboards and hutches.

Get the Look

Pluck your color scheme from a collection of English chintzware porcelains you've amassed on a shelf.
Designate a tray-style table as a coffee table.
Order roomy slipcovers for comfy down-filled seating.
Replace the inset of a kitchen door or dining room cabinet with shirred gingham.

A Farmhouse in the Hills Tuscan country is a seductive mosaic of pattern, texture, and color. More tactile than any of the other styles, the Tuscan or Mediterranean demeanor features rough-plastered walls in sun-washed hues and hard floors of terra-cotta tiles, stone, cement, or unpolished marble. It's a look that favors warm climates, but due to modern technology, it's possible even in northern regions where ambient heat can render floors as warm as toast.

And, these days, paints of many colors are available to replicate the effects of sun and age.

Furnishings and accessories are carefully chosen and kept to a minimum in Mediterranean homes. A dining room, for example, may hold only an antique table and a handful of carefully edited, mismatched chairs.

Offsetting the minimalist arrangement could be opulent window treatments (velvet drapes with sheers, for instance) or a tapestry wall hanging reminiscent of an ancient mural. Cook up your own Roman spell with pictorial wallcoverings depicting rural scenes. Unpainted furniture, pottery, baskets, and candle-holding sconces give more flavor to the Tuscan home.

Get the Look

Stage a utilitarian centerpiece; for instance, fill a large iron basket with fresh fruit on a tile counter.
Order a deep soapstone sink.
Lay a tapestry runner down the length of a rustic table.

Rustic Bravado Similar to American style but more eclectic, rustic country includes exposed roughhewn wood beams, open rafters, and wide-plank floors. It's a pioneer cabin kind of ambience that calls for a fire on the hearth, a supply of cozy textiles, and a warm palette of earth tones accented with autumnal hues like red and gold.

Many of the treasures you would find in a lakeside camp or mountain hideaway are here: a freshwater pike mounted over the fireplace, a pair of snowshoes in the corner, a fishing rod by the door. Vintage signs and old photographs adorn the unpainted, wood-paneled walls. In addition to twig rockers and settees, there are comfy sofas and chairs slipcovered in plaids or large, cotton checks. Windows are bare or fitted with simple burlap panels or wood shutters. Accessories? Look to hand-blown bottles, pressed ferns under glass, birdhouses, and, the topper, a real canoe hoisted to the ceiling.

rustic country decor

Inspired by Southwestern decorating, forgo paneling for stucco or plaster walls, and stockpile colorful Native American blankets and rugs. A terra-cotta floor and a few pieces of ebony wrought iron nod to the region's colonial Spanish influence; a bleached cow skull is a tribute to Southwest painter Georgia O'Keefe.

A ski lodge could take it up a notch, substituting leather-upholstered seating and faux-fur throws (to toss on chairs and beds) for hooked rugs and afghans. If the structure permits, make everything from your four-poster bed to the potted cactus in the dining room over-scaled to dish up home-on-the-range, big-sky magic.

Get the Look

Collect vintage Pendleton and Beacon blankets to display on sofas and over chairs.
Lay folksy patterned rugs beside beds and in front of sinks.
House electronic gear in a distressed cabinet or an antique pie safe with tin-paneled doors.

Like country decorating, contemporary decorating can be warm and inviting. On the next page, learn about this sophisticated style that -- nowadays -- frequently embraces environmentally sound design principles.

Moroccan Home Decorating Style

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 2:23 AM in Decoration style | comments (1)

Interior Decorating Styles

Moroccan Home Decor: Beauty From The East

The stunningly attractive Moroccan home decor is the popular trend in several areas around the world including the United States. In part due to the versatility of Moroccan decorating and the handcrafted nature of the furniture, people everywhere are decorating their homes with decor from Morocco. From lamps to area rugs, anyone who is looking for a theme they can make their own will find what they need in Mediterranean design. Looking for that extra punch in your interior decorating? Try Moroccan home decor and you will not be disappointed.

The Essence of Moroccan Decor

Morocco’s furniture and decor is made by artisans and decorated by artists with a flair for distinctive design. Furniture and accessories can be used with the decor you already have and be just as impressive as it would be if it were all from Morocco. The mosaic tabletops and lamps made of sheepskin and henna evoke an air of artistry and warmth that surpasses the design of so many other cultures.

Sophisticated Moroccan Area Rugs

If you are looking for just a few pieces to add life to your home, a good place to start is with one or two Moroccan area rugs. These are undeniably eastern in influence but given specific Moroccan style with color and patterns, that lends interest and sophistication to a living room or den. If you do not want to place your beautiful area rugs on the floor, most Moroccan designs make a good tapestry for a bare wall. When all you can do is purchase one piece of Morocco, an area rug is an excellent choice.

Moroccan Mystery

The Moroccan Bath A wonderful story of a ladies time spent at a Moroccan bath.
Moroccan Design Some fantastic images of Moroccan designs.

Glamorous Moroccan Room Dividers

Another accessory worth consideration is a room divider or screen made of wood and decorated with henna. These are attractive on their own but the function offered by a Moroccan room divider is worth a quick mention. Use a room divider to form an area for privacy. Home offices are often separated from the rest of the house with such an accessory and Moroccan screens are particularly glamorous.

Unique Moroccan Lighting

The punch cut metal of lamps and lanterns make Moroccan lighting particularly unique. Light streaming through stained glass that leaves images and patterns on walls that provokes feeling of being in another world altogether. Chandeliers, lanterns, wall sconces and lamps are all equally good choices in lighting. From simple curvy floor lamps to multi-pointed stars, the assortment of Moroccan lamps to be found online is astounding.

Romantic Moroccan Mirrors

Mirrors made of wrought iron or wood with camel bone that has been painted or dyed are perfect for entranceways or bedrooms. If you have an appreciation for color, the mirrors from Morocco will not disappoint you. You will not find more colorful mirrors with personality that matches what you will find in Moroccan home decor.

If you have never seen what is available through Moroccan home design, check out the photos that are available in online stores. There is no doubt that the perfect Moroccan accessories are waiting for you. It does not matter what your tastes are, when it comes to furniture and area rugs from Morocco, there is something to found for everyone.

Contemporary Style

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 9:47 PM in Decoration style | comments (2)

Interior Decorating Styles

Contemporary style is simple, clean and offers an uncluttered look. Individual pieces of furniture are essentials of contemporary style. The lighting fixtures are installed to highlight specific element or piece like paintings, pictures etc. Track lighting and recessed lighting are used to light a room in contemporary style.

Contemporary Style Bedroom

The bed placed in the middle of bedroom gives more spacious look. Dark color woods, glass and contemporary sofas and dark metal accessories are used in contemporary style bedroom. Contemporary furniture shows symmetrical arrangements of their designs and patterns. A pair of side tables, a piece of artworks, paintings, some useful items like clocks, books and lamps etc is placed to beautify the room. The white, black, chocolate, brown and accents like red, yellow and green enhance the look of bedroom walls. Track lighting is an essential element of contemporary style bedroom. Heavily textured fabric gives warmth to contemporary style bedroom. You can use rugs in white, black, beiges colors to give contemporary look to your bedroom.

contemporary style bedroom

Contemporary living room

The people who want to enjoy comfort, elegance and innovations of their living room tend to go for contemporary style living room. The living room furniture includes low level sofa and table with glass, TV stands, colorful cushions, stools covered by leather in various shapes like square, cubes etc. accent tables and chairs, wicker furniture, wicker coffee tables etc. offer contemporary style to your living room. Floor lamps and track lighting are mostly used in contemporary style interior. Soft colors for window treatments, pillows in heavily textured fabrics like wool, cotton, linen, silk, and jute show textured appeal.

contemporary style living room

Contemporary Style Kitchen

To give contemporary look to your kitchen go with luxury gloss, wood finish and high tech appliances like pull-out drawers. Contemporary kitchen provides a clutter-free space in your kitchen. The door of the kitchen should be flat and handle free. Free standing kitchen is also an element of contemporary style. The cabinets from floor to ceiling give a clutter free space in the kitchen. Stainless steel and white appliances gives contemporary look to your kitchen. Ceramic tiles, linoleum, vinyl are the best options for kitchen flooring. You can also use granite and stainless steel countertops for contemporary kitchen.

contemporary style kitchen

Contemporary Style Dining Room

Contemporary style dining room gives cozy look to your dining room. The dining room includes a variety of chairs with contemporary wood and metal chairs having contemporary fabrics such as leather, cotton or velvet.

A china cabinet also looks good in contemporary dining room. These cabinets are used to show collection of dishes and storage space in dining. The dining room furniture is simple, in straight lines and in trend also. The plants and flowers are placed in containers in dining room. The frame of pictures and paintings in matte black, dark wood and with metal finish gives an art finish to your dining room.

contemporary style dining

Contemporary style bathroom

Latest accessories and fixtures give contemporary look to your bathroom. Glass, ceramic, stainless materials are used in contemporary bathrooms. Washbasins are also available in a variety of colors and shapes such as round, square and rectangular. Showers in place of bathtub are used as an element of contemporary bathroom. Vanity cabinets should be according to the size of your bathroom and the color should match with color scheme and other fixtures of bathroom. Mosaic tiles of white and off white color provide contemporary style to your bathroom.

contemporary style bathroom

Modern Style Decorating

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 9:08 PM in Decoration style | comments (0)

Interior Decorating Styles

With roots in the German Bauhaus School of Design and Scandinavian modern design, the modern decorating style is a fresh, sleek furniture and architecture style from the 1930s.

The neutral palette allows the objects in the design to take center stage. The surfaces in a modern interior are smooth and refined. A focus on geometry and angular shapes is also a characteristic of modern design.

Light, sun washed colors are another way to make the room feel comfortable. Keep fabrics on the light side and consider mixing in some pale floral patterns to the mix.

Decorating Styles ! Wood Furniture Care ! Leather Furniture Care

First popular in the 1950s, modernism generates the smooth, nearly classical look so attractive to city dwellers. Clean lines distinguish the style. Modernistic sofas are stylishly square, not boxy.

Chairs have “S” curve backs. Purchase these furnishings upholstered in luxuriant fabrics such as brushed velvet and textured cotton of earth tones or retro acid hues.

All natural wood floors are common, with the clean lines, bold colors and orderly look of modern design. Don’t misjudge the power of a rug when carrying through this type of design.

Area rugs help highlight the daring look and colors of the modern interior decorating style. Choose a rug where your accent colors are dominant.

Geometric shapes, flowers, animal prints – whatever element you have chosen to be your main theme also needs to be integrated into the room using the accessories and/or the rug.

Modern rooms have a clean and uncomplicated feel. Modern highlights new materials and technology such as fiberglass, plastic, Lucite, gent plywood and others.

Furniture may be minimalist, organic, high tech and even ultramodern. It uses less texture than contemporary design and is more about form and creative impression rather than function.

You can make a dim, grimy basement a cool place to hang out with a timeless and modern decorating scheme. You can have a modern decorating theme in your basement no matter what your budget: you may just need to make a few changes to your wallpapering, and get some wall art and pillows to give it a mid-century feel.

Fixtures, floor coverings, decorative items, wall coverings and furniture such as sofas, chairs and tables may all need attention as you change your décor.

There are some people who adore the total sterile effect some modern minimalist interior design styles can have. However, you can use color to soften the rather severe feel of today’s modern designs.

You are sure to find that there are a lot of pleasing shades of brown, beige, taupe and sand that can breathe a little life into the room. You can also soften the look with shapes, for example a rounded vase or chairs with a slight curve to the seat.

Decorating in the Traditional Style

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 8:33 PM in Decoration style | comments (0)

Interior Decorating Styles

Traditional style interiors are comforting and classic. You may have grown up in a home that was decorated with traditional style furnishings.

What is traditional style decorating and what is it not?

Traditional decorating is calm, orderly, and predictable. There is nothing wild or chaotic in a traditional room.

Furnishings are classic and might feel outdated. Nothing is a surprise. Pieces match and are consistent.

Furniture and accessories are place in pairs and centered in the room. There is nothing out of place or of a different style. Everything has the look that it goes together.
Traditional rooms are not ostentations but rather somewhat casual. Furniture pieces are often reproductions. Modern, eclectic pieces have no room in a traditional space.
Traditional style homes feel comfortable for any age group. It's a familiar look that you'd see in magazines or furniture show rooms. A traditional room is not a place to showcase a piece of modern art or stainless steel furniture.

Here are some of the elements of a traditional room.

Upholstered furniture in a traditional room exhibits classic lines and understated details. It is functional, unfussy, and restful looking. Edges are soft, smooth, and blend into the whole.
In general, a traditional room will use a mix of vertical lines with more restful horizontal lines. Gentle curves are seen in furniture, pillows, and accessories.
Fabrics in a traditional room are generally neither too shiny nor too textured. Florals, plain colors, muted plaids, understated stripes, geometrics, tone-on-tone and small all-over patterns are common.
Color in a traditional room is often in a mid-range of tones, though very dark and very light colors can also be used. Pretty multi-color florals are often the basis of a traditional color scheme that uses the lightest color on the walls and deeper hues for upholstery and flooring. Avoid neon brights and jarring combinations.
The overall ambiance of traditional decor is homey, understated, and non-jarring.
As in formal settings, furniture in a traditional room is often arranged on straight axis within the room. The sofa will directly face or sit perpendicular to the fireplace and a bed will back up to the center of the longest bedroom wall.
Wood furniture will usually have a mix of straight and curved lines. There may be light carving details as well. While wood pieces will often be finished with darker stains, a traditional room might also use lighter woods as long as the lines of each piece are classic.
Interiors in a traditional home will often feature trim and molding that is painted glossy white. Crown molding is common and adds to the formal look. Walls might have a chair rail and simple molding details, with wall surfaces done in a flat painted finish or wallpaper. Ceilings are often white and may have simple beams.
The dining room in a traditional home is generally a separate room, often with some built-in corner cabinets for china storage. A large area rug sits on top of a hardwood floor. The table is rectangular with a set of matched chairs placed evenly around the perimeter. A matching sideboard, buffet, or china cabinet is centered on one wall.
Dressmaker details are not particularly important in a traditional room. Trims, tassels, and fringes are used sparingly if at all, in favor of a simpler, calmer look.
Window coverings in traditional rooms show classic style. Look for narrow shutters, traverse draperies, and under treatments of pinch pleated sheers. Cornices and valances may also be featured.
Accessories include pairs of lamps, urns, plants, mirrors, framed prints, china, vases, and collections of books. Pairs of objects are usually arranged in balanced symmetry.
Light fixtures exhibit classic styling. Lamps with silk shades, wall sconces, and floor lamps might all be used. Shades should be fairly plain and in ivory or white.
Traditional dining rooms can show off a variety of china, glassware, and silver. Plates might be a classic gold-rimmed style or a simple floral design. Use either beautiful tablecloths or pretty fabric placemats and napkins.

Interior Decorating Styles

by KTS. Trịnh chiến Thắng | 8:16 PM in Interior decor | comments (1)

When it comes to interior decorating styles, there are more styles than there are countries in the world. So it's no wonder that people are often confused when talking about the topic of interior decorating styles.

Different Interpretations, Different Results

Adding to the confusion is the fact that decorating styles are often a matter of interpretation, and different interior decorators and interior designers may interpret a room's style in different ways. On a larger scale, the interpretation of decorating styles is greatly influenced by one's culture.

For example, an American's interpretation of Moroccan style decorating may actually be quite different from an interior that you would actually see in Morocco. This is simply because here in the United States, we begin with vastly different "building blocks", so to speak. Our homes are designed differently from the ground up, and therefore, our end result will look quite different. However, it is possible for a home in the United States to be influenced by Moroccan style.

No Hard and Fast Rules In Interior Decorating

While there are seldom hard and fast rules regarding different styles of decorating, there are certain characteristics that are common to each style. Use the links below to read about each of these common interior decorating styles, to learn the similarities and differences between these styles, and to find your own decorating style. But remember...don't be tied to "the rules"! If you find more than one decorating style that you like, simply combine them into a look that's all your own.