Category: dark

  • Cozy Cottages: Light or Dark?

    Cozy Cottages: Light or Dark?

    Cozy Cottages

    Just the word cottages makes one think of being curled up by the fire with a great book, or of lazy mornings at the beach front.  How do you prefer your cozy cottages – in light or dark?  Beach breeze coming through an open window or thick wool blankets and crackling bacon?

    Light Cottages

    Light cottages often feature rustic charms like white walls, often shiplap, and bare time-worn floors. Window treatments are kept to a minimal to let as much light in as possible.

    cozy cottages cozy cottages cozy cottages

    Nothing in a cottage like this screams “new.”  Woods have an aged patina and everything is full of character and charm.

    cozy cottages

    images above via Southern Living

    Dark Cottages

    Snow and wind outside your door?  If you are in a dark cottage that won’t bother you.  Layers of warmth in the means of blankets, deep cushioned armchairs, and firelight abound.

    cozy cottages

    In dark cottages walls are usually painted in moody blues or grays.

    cozy cottages

    Lots of wood tones.

    cozy cottages

    Heavier upholstery and textiles are also a mainstay of dark cottages.

    images above via Apartment Therapy

    cozy cottages

    image above via Tumblr

    So – which way do you lean?  Light cottage or dark cottage?

    Craving more cottage eye candy?  Check out a past post featuring beautiful cottages and little escapes.

  • Cozy Cottages: Light or Dark?

    Cozy Cottages: Light or Dark?

    Cozy Cottages

    Just the word cottages makes one think of being curled up by the fire with a great book, or of lazy mornings at the beach front.  How do you prefer your cozy cottages – in light or dark?  Beach breeze coming through an open window or thick wool blankets and crackling bacon?

    Light Cottages

    Light cottages often feature rustic charms like white walls, often shiplap, and bare time-worn floors. Window treatments are kept to a minimal to let as much light in as possible.

    cozy cottages cozy cottages cozy cottages

    Nothing in a cottage like this screams “new.”  Woods have an aged patina and everything is full of character and charm.

    cozy cottages

    images above via Southern Living

    Dark Cottages

    Snow and wind outside your door?  If you are in a dark cottage that won’t bother you.  Layers of warmth in the means of blankets, deep cushioned armchairs, and firelight abound.

    cozy cottages

    In dark cottages walls are usually painted in moody blues or grays.

    cozy cottages

    Lots of wood tones.

    cozy cottages

    Heavier upholstery and textiles are also a mainstay of dark cottages.

    images above via Apartment Therapy

    cozy cottages

    image above via Tumblr

    So – which way do you lean?  Light cottage or dark cottage?

    Craving more cottage eye candy?  Check out a past post featuring beautiful cottages and little escapes.

  • Cozy Cottages: Light or Dark?

    Cozy Cottages: Light or Dark?

    Cozy Cottages

    Just the word cottages makes one think of being curled up by the fire with a great book, or of lazy mornings at the beach front.  How do you prefer your cozy cottages – in light or dark?  Beach breeze coming through an open window or thick wool blankets and crackling bacon?

    Light Cottages

    Light cottages often feature rustic charms like white walls, often shiplap, and bare time-worn floors. Window treatments are kept to a minimal to let as much light in as possible.

    cozy cottages cozy cottages cozy cottages

    Nothing in a cottage like this screams “new.”  Woods have an aged patina and everything is full of character and charm.

    cozy cottages

    images above via Southern Living

    Dark Cottages

    Snow and wind outside your door?  If you are in a dark cottage that won’t bother you.  Layers of warmth in the means of blankets, deep cushioned armchairs, and firelight abound.

    cozy cottages

    In dark cottages walls are usually painted in moody blues or grays.

    cozy cottages

    Lots of wood tones.

    cozy cottages

    Heavier upholstery and textiles are also a mainstay of dark cottages.

    images above via Apartment Therapy

    cozy cottages

    image above via Tumblr

    So – which way do you lean?  Light cottage or dark cottage?

    Craving more cottage eye candy?  Check out a past post featuring beautiful cottages and little escapes.

  • Inspiring home offices in darker hues

    Inspiring home offices in darker hues

    Depending on the amount of natural light, your ceiling height, and finish – you can make a dark home office an enlightening place to be productive!

    Modern bohemian and Scandinavian inspired home office

    Eek! Love this!  That Moroccan pendant AND the small pendant on the computer desk!!

    A trendy study/office nook with dark chalkboard walls and a built-in desk.

    The square built-in cubbies in this home office are interesting, and the mirrored desk and pink chair keep the dark gray in balance.

    What do you think of painting a home office, den, or study in a darker color?

  • 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.

  • Balancing Bold and Neutral in the Bedroom

    Balancing Bold and Neutral in the Bedroom

    Life is a balancing act! Especially when you start sharing your bedroom with your significant other. Sometimes there’s a time to compromise, or find a happy balance. How do you find a happy balance between neutral and bold in the bedroom?
    Neutral colors can be light or dark! First find out which one you each prefer. You can go bold with a neutral color by picking a darker shade, or added a pop of color. 
    Keep the neutral color scheme but go with a bold pattern! It could even be as simple as an accent wall.
    Pastels and neutrals go hand in hand! Although pastels may not seem like a bold move, you might be surprised how much a little pastel can do!
    Do you think you could find a happy balance between neutral and bold?
  • Black & Gold

    Black & Gold

    Black and gold are colors that tend to stay in trend. You can’t go wrong with either one and they can look really classy done well. 
    Since black can get dark and dreary quickly, I always suggest a great balance of natural light and/or white. 
    The touch of gold gives it a great shine to contrast the black. 
    Leaning, feminine art in work space with various frames:
    The combination is also great with almost any other color. 
    Gold pair’s great with natural wood as well. 

    via bhg
    There are so many ways to make gold and black beautiful, it’s definitely worth some attention!
    What do you think? I’d love to hear in the comments below. 
  • Dark Done Right!

    Dark Done Right!

    My initial response to a dark room would be to lighten it up as much as possible! There’s something so airy and light about a bright room that just uplifts my mood. Then there are some rooms that make me second guess my opinion. 
    Interior Design Ideas:
    Although white kitchens are my favorite, I love a stunning balance between light and dark. 
    If you are in love with a dark color wall, the bedroom would be my first choice! Since you spend most of your time sleeping in here, it sets the mood perfectly and there are so many light and bright stunning bedroom sets to choose from to even it out. 
    Bathrooms are another great option to try it out dark colors. With the surrounding white tiles and natural light in this bathroom, adding dark cabinets and flooring doesn’t bring down the mood!
    If you are wanting to try it out but are unsure if you’ll be happy with it, try it on one wall! Pair it was a nice neutral color and give it some time to see if it fits your space.
    Like it. Would you buy this? Corinne Madias Realtor GMAR member Trulia VIP Kw Top producer sells homes in Michigan:
    via trulia
    Who knows, you might come out with a masterpiece! 
  • Beautiful and unexpected lighting

    Beautiful and unexpected lighting

    Small spaces come with a plethora of challenges. A challenge I didn’t think of was space for lighting.  Even though our dining room and living room has been opened up into a “great room,” it’s still a great room in a 50’s rancher.  I’ve been thinking that instead of putting lamps on either side of the sofa on side tables, I would install sconces above the sofa, thus saving precious space on our small side tables.

    Here are some ideas I’ve found:

    via Home Sweet Hollywood

    via KC Interiors

    via KC Interiors

    via The Inspired Room

    via Two Inspire Design

  • Mixing Blue & Green

    Mixing Blue & Green

    There are some colors you  might not think to put to together, but when you do, it can be an amazing collaboration!

    Preppy bedroom design
    via mydomaine

    The subtle blue pairs great with the vibrant green above.

    Dining Room // Summer Home Tour 2014 at Inspired by Charm
    via inspiredbycharm

    The lime green gives this dark blue a little brightness, 

    Great green fabrics
    via vkvvisuals

    Going bright on both hues can make for an eye catching moment. 

    Labeling your toy storage is a great way for you to keep everything organized, but also teaches your kids good organizing skills too! More toy storage ideas: http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/organized-home/?socsrc=bhgpin100713toystorage&page=11
    via bhg

    Pairing these two colors made a fun boys playroom above.

    One of the wonderful things about the "eclectic collector" style is the ability to say yes to any piece of artwork or any accessory that speaks to you. Even if it's a strange color or an interesting combination of textures and patterns, chances are, you'll find a spot for it in an eclectic home.
    via apartmenttherapy

    Having hints of each color really brought this room together.

    Clean office space w/ contrasting patterned rug and brightly colored walls
    via lifeonvirginiastreet

    Would you put blue and green together?