Modern Bedrooms

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

I must admit, I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to decor, but I do love elements of modern design. I love the simplified lines if the furniture and the bold, graphic patterns in fabrics. I like the idea that a traditional material like brass, can be brought back to life as a fun side table, or a make a statement, as a streamlined chandelier. I think design principles don't really change too much in different style rooms. You always need pattern, contrast, texture and some sparkle. That's how I approached my design for a modern bedroom.

I really liked the bold patterned fabric and it's great colour palette. I took the base colour taupe and used it as a simple headboard and side chair. Then the green became accent pillows, piping on bedding and a funky table lamp. The actual fabric itself would make a great bench at the end of the bed, as well as more side pillows and even curtains. The second fabric is more of an accent piece, to liven up the room. I would keep the bedding either white or ivory to keep things light. Then, maybe make the drapes a floaty linen or cotton blend with some woven blinds for texture. I like that the brown in the fabric comes out in the wood pieces and that the brass chandelier adds some sparkle.

I'm also drooling over these two gorgeous bedrooms!

Courtesy of Elle Decor

Courtesy of Kelly Wearstler

Glamorous Rooms

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Nothing says glamour to me, more than gold and silver. It's all about opulence; animal print, silk, velvet, mirror and crystal. I love the idea of using very simple, subtle artwork. Nudes and black and white sketches all give a luxurious feel to a room. However glamour can be over the top, but I think the best rooms are understated and refined... Layering in materials that give an expensive touch and a touch of sparkle.....Let's face it, we all need a little indulgence now and then!!

Blossom Mirror - Horchow

Crystal Pendant - Lampsplus



Zebra Rug - WSHome



Bold Colour

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If there's one place to be bold with colour, it's a child's room! I love the board above for it's bold colour. (Somehow it doesn't show as well on here though.....) The picture above the bed is actually a wall mural. I love the bright colours and whimsical birds. I also love the image of the bird houses. What an interesting and fun idea for wall decor. I can imagine these would be easy to make with a quick trip to the craft store. I guess you could make them from card and coloured paper, or buy some cheap pre-made wooden bird houses and paint them yourself... so darn adorable!!

I love the mixture of patterns on the bedding and the bold statement it makes. The braided rug pulls everything together. The painted coral bed??? Yes please!! Also, the painted chandelier and comfy, cottage style chair and ottoman for story time..... ahhhh.....

I love these other wall murals from Layla Grace. If my daughters walls weren't textured I would snap these up for some instant colour. I know she'd love the horses on the carousel.... we can't escape that, every time we hit the mall!! lol. P.s.. sorry I used the word love so much in this post... couldn't help myself!

www.laylagrace.com

www.laylagrace.com

Swedish Style Interiors

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Sorry the scale is small, if you click on the link
 above you can have a closer look!!



Swedish Interior Design is all about bringing in light and creating an airy, casual elegance. The summers in Sweden are short, and the winters long and dark. To combat the lack of natural light, interiors need to be bright and sunny. The colour palette is fairly neutral, (predominately white) creams, pale blues, silver grays, light pinks and soft greens. Fabrics of choice would be cotton and textural linens, gingham, stripes and  plaid. The aim of a Swedish Interior is to reflect natural light. Large mirrors and pale wood floors (often bleached, white washed or pickled) all enhance the look. Lighting is also key in a dark room. Wall sconces, table lamps and chandeliers all brighten the space. Crystal, carved antique, and painted chandeliers are commonly used.

I collected some images, that to me, capture this gorgeous style. I can imagine the pretty celadon gingham, as a stunning upholstered headboard and the inspiration for a chic bedroom!



www.swedishinteriordesign.co.uk



Image courtesy of House Beautiful



Image courtesy of House Beautiful



Bedford Gingham Celadon - Calico Corners

Layering Texture

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl
This is board is to show textures and pattern.
It's not meant to all go together!!


One thing I have noticed about the best neutral interiors, are the variety of textures. I know I've rambled about it before, but layering textures in a neutral room really gives a lot of visual interest in place of colour. Think about texture, whether it be in a brightly coloured room or a neutral one.

Some great materials for adding texture are; sisal, jute, sea grass, wicker, silk, linen, crystal, seashells, coral, driftwood. Most of these are natural materials, gotta love Mother Nature!!

Play with fabric patterns too. I did a blog article about mixing fabrics a few weeks ago. About how most designers limit themselves to three fabrics... check it out!

Contrast also plays a big part in any room. Just look at the example below, the room is almost all pale, then the coffee table adds some punch in the center! (Love Phoebe Howard!!)

Courtesy of Phoebe Howard



Courtesy of Phoebe Howard

Courtesy of Phoebe Howard

Another West Indies British Colonial Style Room

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Well, seen as my first few posts about West Indies Style Interiors were such a big hit, I thought I would try another board on here. I started with the fabric choices first. I loved the Citrine fabric, because it gave the feel of animal print, without actually being so. I like the idea of using it as a curtain fabric, because it is fairly neutral and I feel like the print would give the best bang, in a larger quantity.

The fabric Pabo Seafoam, was actually the first fabric that caught my eye. I felt the colours were subtle enough to give the idea of being near the ocean, without being too obvious. I thought about using this as an upholstered piece, such as a bench at the end of the bed, and then also as an accent pillow fabric.

The last fabric, Jangle Silver Sage, picked up on the colours in Pabo Seafoam. I think bringing in a geometric fabric updates the room. This would make a nice runner for the bed, throw pillows or an alternative to the curtain fabric choice.

The bed is from Thomasville Furniture. The have a great collection, inspired by Ernest Hemingway. It envelopes this style completely. From the rich, exotic wood tones, to its carved details. I added the brass folding table as a nightstand because it has that "travelled" feel. The plants are definitely a must have for this sort of design, they add to the tropical feel with their lush leaves and bright petals.

Botanicals, maps, yachts, palms, animals and plant studies, all make for great ideas for artwork. Carved wood panels, shutters and even tribal/ethic art pieces also add to the feel.

Shonnard - Thom Filcia Fabric
Citrine

Pabo Seafoam



Jangle Silver Sage
All fabrics from Calico Corners



Design Crush - Kelly Wearstler

http://www.olioboard.com/users/sallyjl
I had a go at a Wearstler inspired entry way!
I love the graphic patterns and modern take on the
Hollywood Regency style chrome chairs.
The sample above the garden stool
would be for fabric on the chairs.
The light fixture would have to be over sized
 to give a some great sparkle and drama

http://www.kwid.com/

Kelly Wearstler is such a design icon. I would call her the Rock and Roll star of Interior Design. She definitely has her own unique style. In a recent interview for Traditional Home magazine, she said that "when she enters a room she wants to see the drama." I definitely see the drama in her stunning creations.

What I love most about her work, are the references to bygone years. For example, the above stairway immediately reminded me this Art Noveau staircase from the turn of the century. The sinuous lines are updated in a more graphic form in Wearstler's design. But the idea is very similar. Whereas the Art Noveau version is more vine like, the modern version is more haphazard.

From the Victor Horta home in Brussels.



http://www.kwid.com/


Chinoiserie, is a French word, meaning "Chinese-esque." It is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China, by asymmetry in format and whimsical contrasts of scale, and by the attempts to imitate Chinese porcelain and the use of lacquer like materials and decoration. It is a mixture of Eastern and Western stylistic elements for both the decoration and shape. Taken from an excerpt from Wikipedia.

Although some of Wearstler's work encapsulates this style. She adds such an unexpected shot of 21st Century! She mixes graphic fabrics with traditional materials. The accessories she uses are bold and over sized.  To me her designs are playful and energetic, dynamic and fearless. She fuses together Interior Design of the past, into the Interiors of the future.

http://www.kwid.com/