Decorology

Category: bright

  • Bright interiors: how natural light energizes a room

    Bright interiors: how natural light energizes a room

    Light and Bright interiors

    Bright interiors are beautiful interiors! There is nothing like natural light.  Natural light has the power to completely energize and change the mood of a room.  When we were house shopping, one of the first elements of a home I’d look for was natural light.  I’d pay attention to window quantity, size, placement, and any exterior overhang.  One of the best home improvements we ever made was replacing our small rancher living room window with a full length window.  Believe it or not, ever since enlarging that window and knocking out a dividing wall, I no longer need to use my light therapy lamp in the winter.

    Below are some example rooms that I though demonstrated the beauty and transformative power of natural light.

    bright interiors natural light bedroom

    What a treat to wake up with the morning light streaming in.  A simple white curtain allows the filtered light through and allows for privacy at night.

    bright interiors natural light living room Gorgeous interior shutters can be opened all the way, and don’t impede any light from entering through the beautiful tall windows.

    bright interiors natural light loft

    Lofts take the cake for bright interiors.  Open concept layouts, high ceilings, and lots of windows make the most of natural light.

    bright interiors natural light kitchen

    This dining room makes the most of morning light and would make a great place to wake up to coffee and croissants.

    bright interiors natural light living room

    High ceilings and strategically placed mirrors are two well-known advocates of natural light.

    all images via Disc Journal

  • A kitchen transformation: dark and cramped to bright, open, and beautiful

    A kitchen transformation: dark and cramped to bright, open, and beautiful

    This kitchen transformation is going to knock your socks off!  As you’ll see in the before pictures below, this kitchen started out dark and stifling and closed.  Interior designer Carla Aston worked her amazing magic and turned it into a bright, open, and beautiful space to be in.

    First, just a little teaser of the “after”  So pretty…white cabinets, subway tile backsplash…

    Okay…here it was before.

    Sorry, that had to be done.  All that dark granite and honey wood is too much in this space.  Let’s go back to where we can breath..

    Ahhhh, that’s so much better. Wouldn’t this be a lovely kitchen to walk into each morning?

    A love that the backsplash tile goes all the way to the ceiling.

    There used to be a doorway on either side of the fridge but Carla cleverly reclaimed some of that space for cabinets.

     The sandy hue of the counters add some warmth to the space.

    The open shelves break up the white wall and allow the owner to show off decorative items.

    What do you think?

    Go to Carla’s Aston Designed to read more about this project.

  • Lovely Bedroom Inspiration

    Lovely Bedroom Inspiration

    I love to transition my bedroom with the seasons and I am feeling like a bedroom transformation may be in order! Here is some lovely bedroom inspiration that’s caught my eye:
    Interior Design Inspiration with light pink and white accents:
    You can’t go wrong with light, bright, and cozy decor!
    See how Jen Bishop redecorated her bedroom with the help of a west elm Home Stylist!:
    I love the mix of colors in this room.
    My Chicago Bedroom // Parisian Chic, Blush Pink — bows & sequins:
    A girls dream bedroom! Everything pink and gold!
    This beautiful, old farmhouse is ready for summer with fresh flowers, relaxed decor, and plenty of sunshine. Come take a tour!:
    Check out this great rustic cottage feel! I love the simple but yet stunning decor.
    Chic bedroom features a metal canopy bed, Oly Studio Marco Bed, dressed in soft white bedding and pink and gray ikat pillows as well as a pink ikat bolster pillow placed atop a beige and navy striped rug illuminated by glass vintage barn wall sconces and a Suzanne Kasler Morris Lantern.:
    Do you want to transform your bedroom too?
  • Mixing Pastels and Brights

    Mixing Pastels and Brights

    Usually when you plan out a room you know what color scheme you are looking for and if you are going for a more subtle look or a bold look. What if you wanted both?
    I’m seeing a lot of pastels mixed with pops of color on my instagram feed and I am loving it!
    Lovely colorful breakfast/ dining in the kitchen! Pastel blue banquette seating, Saarinen inspired table and blue painted chairs with a pop of brights in the art and light.:
    The fun part about using accent pieces is that if you change your mind later, you can grab a few new pillows or a painting and have a completely different room.
    Love how textures and prints are combined here, especially on the sofa - so many accents, but great together. apartment of Swedish designer Elina Dahl:
    It is so fun when two unexpected things come together to make something so unique and beautiful.
    This is my dream Lounge room, from the Mozi Cockatoo Lamp, Deer Heads and the Horse Canvas, everything just works, it's chic, and a bit kitsch. Just the right amount of colour, pattern and texture. ~Sarah Cockatoo lamp. I want one!:
    via lushome
    Sometimes you just need to have a little fun with home decor. 
  • The many uses of a rug!

    The many uses of a rug!

    There are plenty of ways to use a rug in a home that might give you a new perspective on what kind of rugs you choose! I love a rug that has a deeper meaning than just it’s beauty. There are so many antique and vintage rugs that bring a sense of history to a room.
    Bursting With Plants, a 1910 Portland Foursquare for a Florist and Barista (via Bloglovin.com ):
    There are rugs whose sole purpose is to tie in all the different colors and styles in a room. So many rugs are designed with such beautiful colors it would be hard to not find one in your style. A great place to shop for rugs by a certain color is Nazmiyal Antique Rugs. Not only do they have a wide variety of rugs but so many different styles to choose from.
    I saw a Beni Ourain rug like this one at The Sunny Side & Co. https://www.etsy.com/shop/theboucherouiteshop:
    Some rugs are meant to make a space feel longer or wider than it is. Neutral rugs are great for spaces that don’t need any extra color but really give you a sense of home.
    House Tour: A Mid-Century-Meets-Marfa Austin Home | Apartment Therapy:
    Some rugs give you a pop of color that you need to complete a room. Whether it be bright or pastel, a hint of color on the floor can really bring a room together.
    Home in Sweden | via Per Jansson:
    My favorite kinds of rugs are ones that make you feel like home where you’d least expect it! A rough outdoor space can easily be transformed into a cozy beautiful place you’d love to spend your days with a simple rug.
    The art of rug making with Loloi Rugs:
    Picking the rug is the most important part. There is no denying a quality rug will make a room feel like it was meant to be. 
    What kind of rug are you looking for?
    This is a sponsored post. 

  • A New Jersey Victorian goes from dark and stuffy to bright and bold in this house tour

    A house tour that shows historic homes can be fresh and modern

    It’s hard not to be distracted by the fun and colorful approach BHDM design took when designing the 128 year old Victorian that was once stuffy and dark.  What really caught my eye were the amazing suzani upholstered chairs in bright blues and pinks.

    via BHDM

    I’m really liking the colorful decorative pillows.
    via BHDM

    via BHDM

    I love this wingback chair – the colors and floral pattern is so pretty.

    The sunroom offers a nice break from the pinks and reds throughout the rest of the home.
    via Lonny

    Talk about a brave commitment.  Navy lacquered walls really make jaws drop in this sitting room.  I feel like no color was left unused in this jewel toned room.
    via BHDM

    Framed hermes scarves are hung throughout the house.

    via Lonny

    The dining room is probably my least favorite.  The wallpaper is too busy for me.  But I thought it was worth sharing.
    via Lonny

    I’m sure painting the old hardwood floors a glossy chevron wasn’t an easy choice either.  Do you think it was a good decision?

    You can see all the photos of the home as well as a really good description of the design process here: Lonny Magazine Friends with Benefits

    You can see all of BHDM’s shots of this home here.

    How do you like this house tour?

  • Beautiful bathroom’s with tubs!

    Bathrooms with stand alone tubs always make for a stunning appearance! Here are some bold and some beautiful examples for inspiration on how to incorporate your stand alone tub.

    I love the way this bathtub is styled.  The art, the plant, the velvet upholstered bench.  It’s so beautiful!
    via DecorPad

    I really like tubs by a window. Can you tell?  This tub and the tub placement seems like the perfect place to spend a lazy evening.
    via DecorPad

    1 Hanson St. residence, Boston. PEG Properties & Design. EMBARC Architecture + Design Studios. Kennedy Design Build. Benjamin Gebo photo.:
    via georgianadesign

    The tub is pretty, but how about those shiny tile floors and the marble sink?!

    pinned by barefootstyling.com freestanding tub + antlers:
    via bloodandchampagne

    Rustic meets modern with this modern bathtub.

    This tub in a small bathroom was carefully measured for and the rest of the bathroom is kept sparse.  The natural light is amazing!
    via DecorPad

    If you aren’t shy and/or have a lot of privacy outside, and outdoor bathtub would be an indulgent way to spend a summer day!

    via DecorPad

    How would you or have you incorporated a tub in your bathroom?  Keep in mind that you don’t always need to purchase a new tub.  You have options for refinishing a tub or reglazing it.

  • Bedrooms I Adore

    These rainy days have me wanting to curl back into bed! What better way to celebrate a rainy day than look at gorgeous bedrooms?
    How to Solve All Your Decorating Dilemmas - Apartment34:
    Make your bedroom beautiful! Bedroom furniture, unique lighting and more from west elm. Get inspired:
    via westelm
    Are you dreaming of getting back in bed too?

  • The Best of April

    Here are the best of best posts in April! I’m so lucky to have such an amazing group of readers who come back to see what’s been catching my eyes. I hope you all truly enjoy them as much as I do!

    Nursery:
    Which was your favorite?

  • Get More Natural Light

    Natural light is something almost all of us crave. Our bodies literally love to soak up the sun, but how do we get more of when we are stuck indoors?
    Love door with glass to bring in all natural light. Too tight walkway though:
    Besides the obvious add more windows, consider replacing your door with something that will let the natural light in.
    whitewash brick Industrial Dining Room Designs London brick wall distressed wood industrial pendant light natural lighting pendant light reclaimed wood skylight white dining chair whitewashed brick wall wood ceiling beams wood dining table wood floor:
    via homecol
    If the thought of glass and doors combined isn’t your thing, imagine where you could put a skylight! This will give you the privacy and safety you are after will still flooding your home with natural light.
    Bed Bath and Beyond $500 Gift Card!:
    For those of you who can’t just add a window to a ceiling, there is always the amazing trick of mirrors. Mirrors do an amazing job of reflecting light. Place a mirror right across from where sun comes in and watch your room brighten.
    White bathroom, free standing tub, monogrammed towel, grey floor tile, glass shower, pendant lighting above tub | Lilli Design:
    Natural light and bathrooms have always had a tug of war between brightness and privacy. My favorite way to add natural light in a bathroom is high windows! Then the added feature of mirrors reflecting the natural light again.
    Olive tree in the livingroom, natural light undisturbed by blinds:
    The most simple way to add extra natural light? Make sure your windows are clean and if you haven’t considered it, you can always look into replacing your windows. There are so many new styles and designs that can give you the more natural light you crave.
    How will you add more natural light to your home?