Decorology

Category: painted furniture

  • All about wood furniture – the basics you should know

    All about wood furniture – the basics you should know

    When it comes to furnishing a house, many home owners opt for wooden furniture to provide both a traditional and elegant environment. It has been a popular material for many years, okay, for always,  for both furniture and for use in construction – and this is mainly down to its durability. Pieces of wooden furniture often get handed down from generation to generation, becoming valuable antiques and cherished family heirlooms. Wood is not only timeless, but it is also adaptable to any style.

    via Adore Home

    via Schuyler Samperton When choosing your furniture, you will need to decide between hardwoods and softwoods (the former come from deciduous trees whereas the latter come from coniferous or ‘evergreen’ trees). Oak furniture is a popular hardwood choice, as it is incredibly strong and long-lasting, with other popular options being walnut furniture and teak furniture, both of which create a high-end look that some homeowners prefer.

    Softwoods are generally more affordable, with cedar and pine being the most popular. For people who want a light, attractive wood for their furniture, pine ranges from a pale yellow colour to a medium brown, and its fresh fragrance makes it a highly desirable option. Pine is also particularly suitable for painting and varnishing, giving more options to create different styles.

    Antique pine. Dark woods – such as mahogany, walnut and rosewood – can be used to create a rich, expensive-looking décor whereas light woods – such as pine, ash and maple – can often create a cottagey feel, say for a country kitchen. Solid oak furniture is one of the most popular options at the moment due to its durability and versatility, and it comes in various different types and finishes. Choose a reclaimed or reproduction piece to fit in with a traditional or rustic style house, or furnish your modern, contemporary home with weathered or limed oak furniture to give it a subtle vintage look. This post in partnership with Amish Furniture Factory

  • Decorating on a Tight Budget? Try these secrets!

    Decorating on a Tight Budget? Try these secrets!

    Interior design can be very expensive. Even while redecorating a single room, costs always add up quickly. Our mind begins buzzing with questions. Do I want to buy carpeting or should I install hardwood? What paint color should I choose? How much of paint will I need to cover this space? Do I have to buy new furniture? Do I have to get after hour emergency electricians? Not only these questions can make things difficult, the idea of purchasing all such items can be quite overwhelming. This is why to ease your worries, we have developed this post for you. Learn our secrets and easily decorate your house while being on a budget.

    budget decorating

    via Pop Sugar

    decorating budget

    via One Kings Lane

    Prior Planning

    Proper planning is vital for any home improvement project when working on a tight budget. You don’t want yourself in a situation where you find the perfect couch only to find out that you don’t have enough money in your account.

    Before you begin, find your design inspiration. You can do this by looking at magazines and searching on the internet. Then, break down the project into its components such as furniture, flooring, paint, accessories, and interior décor. You need to browse stores and get a solid idea on the cost of the components. Then check your budget and see what suits you best.

    decorating budget

    via 38th Street

    decorating budget

    via Pop SUgar

    Repurpose You Possessions

    Repurposing old design elements can never be exciting as installing new pieces. But, it can definitely save you a lot of money. All you need is a bit of elbow grease and some good investment in free time, and you can totally transform the outlook of any part of your interior design.

    Look around and ponder which items you can repurpose. Think whether you really need all those new kitchen cabinets or just getting them refaced would be a good idea? See whether there are hardwood floors underneath your current carpeting? Think whether you can freshen up your old bedroom suit just by fashioning it a new coat of paint. These are just small things that can really help you in the long run. They can also save you a good amount of money.

    decorating budget

    via Pop Sugar

    decorating budget

    via Home Stratosphere

    Anchoring room with furniture

    Working with a tight budget is always about prioritizing spending. Working with limited resources means you have to spend your money where you will receive the most value for it. In interior design, this means dedicating a major portion of your budget to furniture.

    Furniture will likely last for years so it’s good to spend on the quality items. If you already have furniture you can also repaint it or polish it and make it new again. Furniture is not cheap so you will be spending quite some money on it. We advise you to invest wisely.

    Furniture draws eyes towards itself. If you are investing in good furniture items, you don’t have to do much decor as it will take care of 80% of your interior décor if done creatively. After this is done, you’ll only have to add minor touches to pull the room together.

    *disclosure: this post syndicated by Gordon Powers

  • Unusual and fun ways to add a little flair and personality to your home

    Unusual and fun ways to add a little flair and personality to your home

    It’s tempting to always play it safe when decorating your home – I know I will try something a bit off-beat, but then doubt myself and try something more traditional. And while safe can be beautiful, it doesn’t usually have that “WOW” factor. Here are a few ideas, some drastic, some not, for getting a reaction when people step inside your home…

    We’ve all seen or used our own fridges to showcase photos, but how about covering the ENTIRE fridge in photos that make you smile?  Especially when contrasted with the super sleek lines of this kitchen, I think it looks pretty cool!

    Hang something BIG not typically used as art in an artistic way.  Lying in a rubbish pile you may not see the potential of a worn plank of wood, but hang it like an expensive piece of art and it can make a beautiful impact (at low cost).

     
    Use one oversized print in an oversized way!  This sofa is beautiful, but would I ever have the guts to put it in my home?  I don’t know… maybe if you’re nervous, try a big print in just one or two colors… 
     

    You’ve seen inspiration boards, well how about an inspiration WALL?  Love it.

    Fancy yourself a wordsmith?  Chalkboard paint a piece of furniture otherwise in need of TLC, and practice your craft!  This would be helpful anywhere you need to make a lot of notes, too.

    Put your furniture on diagonals.  This may sound weird, but I think furniture placed diagonally can really add movement to a space, and open it up and add a welcoming feeling.  Maybe start by just putting your bed at a diagonal in the far corner of your bedroom?

    So, what do you think?  Any of these you love? hate? tried before?

    1. Interiors Porn 2. Covet Garden 3. Home Spun Style 4. Interiors Porn 5. Sweet Home Style 6. Small Space Style

  • Does this home have too much pattern and color?

    Does this LA home have too much pattern and color?  I’ll let you decide.  I think it is astonishingly well balanced considering the amount of different hues and patterns.  Pretty much every room in the home has it’s own vibrant shade.  I thinks it’s almost perfect for what it is, it would just be too much for me in the long term. Even my own home in light blues and whites I have to keep really clutter-free in order for things not too feel too busy.

    I do find this shade of blue really soothing.  The leather woven chairs and gold velvet settee add a nice warmth.

    So, I’m not a fan of the purple piano.  The wallpaper is pretty cool though – is it just me or does it have a black to blue gradient?

    The kitchen is a breath of fresh air.

    This dark green study would be nice for evening reading, but during the day I would need a brighter space to keep my energy levels up!

    Even though the dining room is white, the vibrant green chairs call attention and echo the garden outside.

    So what do you think – do you:

    Love it? Can’t wait to move in?
    Really like it, but only to visit?
    Loathe it?

    see and read the whole story at Domino

  • Buy the items you love and make them work in your existing decor!

    Buy the items you love and make them work in your existing decor!

    I’m always finding furnishings, light fixtures, etc. that I love, but I worry about reconciling them to my existing decor.  Lately though, after a few impulse buys that have tied in beautifully in my space, I’ve realized that if you truly love a piece enough, you can make it work in your existing decor.

    Here are some examples below:

    You love…

    Boldy colored or painted furniture

    Get it here

    Make it the star, or one of many.  Colorful furniture is going to get attention.  So either put it in the spotlight by surrounding it with more muted accessories and furnishings, or make it look like it fits in with the rest by surrounding it with other colored furnishings and accessories.

    Above, it’s the star.
    via Apartment Therapy

    Here, it’s one of a colorful cast…
    via Apartment Therapy

    You love…

    Impact lighting

    Get it here

    Use it in the bedroom.

    In a dining room, you have to worry too much about how the chandelier or light fixture in question will fit in with already existing lighting and the dining room table and chairs.  In the bedroom you double the impact by A. Having an amazing light fixture, and B. Having an amazing light fixture hanging above your bed!

    You love…

    Midcentury modern

    Don’t make your house look like the set of Mad Men.  As cool as it may be, you will get tired of seeing a whole room of furniture in the same period style.  The good news is that if you pick pieces in a neutral color or finish, like these amazing chairs (white and metal), you can integrate them successfully with your existing furniture.

    Get it here

    Contemporary Dining Room by Brisbane Interior Designers & Decorators Highgate House

    Also, if you get something that you can buy in a set, ie, dining chairs, lamps, end tables, it will add to the “intention” of mixing mid century modern with your existing decor.

    Is there a piece that you just had to have?  How did you make it work in your existing decor?

  • Painting furniture

    Painting furniture

    We have a few pieces of furniture that I am thinking would look great with a quick touch of some paint and would really add some dimension to my decor. Before I get in too deep, I’d love to here some success, and maybe some not so successful stories!
    Have you done, would you do it, how did you do it!? I’d love to hear it all. 
  • A Touch of Mint – inspiring ways to use this pretty hue

    A Touch of Mint – inspiring ways to use this pretty hue

    I love the colors that spring brings, one of them being the love for mint. Here’s a little inspiration for your day:

    Building bookshelves into kitchen counters is so handy and a great space saver
    Love this kitchen..we desperately need a backsplash and this one is sooo pretty!

    via houzz

    via Pinterest 

  • Using bold, bright furniture

    Using bold, bright furniture

    Usually there’s that one piece that stand out in a room. A lot of us, myself included, use bright pops of color only on accessories – lamps, pillows, etc. If you’re feeling brave though, a bold piece of furniture can really make a room – here are a few examples I wish I was brave enough to try!

    How gorgeous is that turquoise china cabinet (check out the ceiling too)!

    A craft or kids room is a great place to try furnishings in bold, bright colors.
    There are many brands lately that are making great show stopping furniture pieces but if you have trouble finding the right piece you can always find a great DIY tutorial to change it up to your exact style.

    If you have doubts or are nervous, try a colorful piece in a smaller room, hall, or entryway.

    Have you ever or do you have a bold and colorful piece of furniture in your home?

    This post is in partnership with cultfurniture.com

  • All about wood furniture – the basics you should know

    All about wood furniture – the basics you should know

    When it comes to furnishing a house, many home owners opt for wooden furniture to provide both a traditional and elegant environment. It has been a popular material for many years, okay, for always,  for both furniture and for use in construction – and this is mainly down to its durability.

    Pieces of wooden furniture often get handed down from generation to generation, becoming valuable antiques and cherished family heirlooms. Wood is not only timeless, but it is also adaptable to any style.

    via Adore Home

    via Schuyler Samperton

    When choosing your furniture, you will need to decide between hardwoods and softwoods (the former come from deciduous trees whereas the latter come from coniferous or ‘evergreen’ trees). Oak furniture is a popular hardwood choice, as it is incredibly strong and long-lasting, with other popular options being walnut furniture and teak furniture, both of which create a high-end look that some homeowners prefer.

    A stunning dark oak French Key chest.

    Wood happily accepts paint and new upholstery can make any piece match your style.
    via Rue Mag

    via Covet Garden

    Softwoods are generally more affordable, with cedar and pine being the most popular. For people who want a light, attractive wood for their furniture, pine ranges from a pale yellow colour to a medium brown, and its fresh fragrance makes it a highly desirable option. Pine is also particularly suitable for painting and varnishing, giving more options to create different styles.

    Antique pine.

    Dark woods – such as mahogany, walnut and rosewood – can be used to create a rich, expensive-looking décor whereas light woods – such as pine, ash and maple – can often create a cottagey feel, say for a country kitchen.

    Solid oak furniture is one of the most popular options at the moment due to its durability and versatility, and it comes in various different types and finishes. Choose a reclaimed or reproduction piece to fit in with a traditional or rustic style house, or furnish your modern, contemporary home with weathered or limed oak furniture to give it a subtle vintage look.

    *disclosure: This post in partnership with HarveysFurniture.co.uk

  • Make it yours – bring your style into your home!

    Make it yours – bring your style into your home!

    Most of us would probably like to be described as stylish, though not everyone has the same opinion of what is stylish.  All the same, here are some ways to bring out or attain your style in your home.

    The Entertainer
     Some people earn the title of a stylish person by throwing unforgettable dinner parties, backyard soirees, etc. We’ve seen in movies or real-life examples how someone hosts guests in their amazingly stylish dining room with such grace, it’s impossible not to admire them.

    When we break their skill down into separate elements, we realize their success lies in smart choice of their styling their home, wardrobe, music and conversation. It takes a talent to juggle all that successfully!

    via Ariel Yve Design


    via viage

    It tends to be little details that make an event memorable, like berry and herb infused ice cubes for guests’ glasses!

    The Bold 

    Brave use of bold color is a great way to make your stamp. Vibrant colors can detract from what might otherwise be considered a shabby (and not the good shabby) piece of furniture.  Painting a distressed chair or dresser in a bold shade is a great way to express your fabulous eye for color and your bold style!

    via Accent on Design

    An otherwise okay console table make stylish with coral paint. via Picklee

    Likewise, if you don’t have the means to redecorate your home to look like it fell out of a fancy home decoration magazine, you can paint your walls with bold colors can make them fun, cheerful and attention-grabbing.

    The Creative

    Sometimes your creativity dictates how stylish you are. Consider yourself worldly, cultured, or a connoisseur of something? Why not decorate your home to reflect that fabulous brain? Your space, after all,  should reflect your personality and your imagination.

    via Apartment Therapy

    via Zar Studio

    Create a gallery wall of your favorite paintings, or paintings you’ve seen in person.  Can’t forget your trip to Morocco?  Bring Moroccan tile and woodwork into your bathroom…you’re sure to get compliments!

    The Modern Vintage

    Since vintage has become fairly popular and trendy as of late, make sure that if it’s your aesthetic, that you carefully edit your choices so your home doesn’t look haphazard. Since a lot of people are decorating their homes in this way, maybe you want to to stand out as the expert “vintage” eye that you are.

    via Glo

    via Adore Home

    Instead of having whole sets of vintage furniture, you can have one charming vintage detail to draw attention to itself. Check sites like Shop 4 Furniture for elegant furniture collection.

    Feel good in your home

    Remember that being stylish is not only about the appearances, but about feeling good in your own skin and your own home. There is no point in impressing others if you are not comfortable with what you have. You should decorate your home with what impresses you! There is nothing like returning home from work, to a warm place that is both beautiful and gives us a sense of belonging.

    This post is in partnership with Shop4furniture.net