Start with something neutral:  Grey is the new neutral.  Be sure to incorporate it or another favorite neutral of yours (white, beige, or even yellow) and then build your color pallet from there.  The benefit of starting with a neutral is that it immediately warms up the space and allows for a consistent feel while offering a good starting point for picking the playful color to mix with it.  Neutral go with everything so you won’t be limited!

Use color to separate spaces:  While a lot of people are scared of bold color in large amounts (like on the wall), they are not as timid about incorporating it in furniture.  For large spaces like a great room or kitchen/dining area that aren’t separated with walls, use color in the furniture to separate the space.  The living room seating may follow a red color pallet while the dining room seating falls into a blue color pallet.  Keep the walls neutral to allow for a flow between the spaces, while the color on the furniture defines each space from the other.

Use colors to create a balancing act:  If you love bright and bold color and want it as the main wall colors, be sure to incorporate a neutral somewhere to balance the space.  You can do this through soft goods and accessories so that the room is not overwhelmed with color, but still feels comfortable and inviting.

Make a statement with color:  You may be dealing with your bathroom or kitchen where tile is an option.  If so, don’t shy away from a funky tile color or pattern as an accent—wall, pattern, or stripe.  Or, you may have fallen in love with a particular patterned wallpaper that is full of color.  Use that statement piece as a starting point and go from there so that the room is in harmony rather than being disjointed.  Visitors will be able to tell when something is an afterthought and doesn’t flow with the rest of the space.

Classic colors are always in style:  Even though many people are afraid of using too much black in a room, it is still a neutral while also possessing the ability to make a statement.  A black and white color combination can work within many different styles—contemporary, traditional, transitional, etc.  It is also a classic and won’t go out of style.

Use variations of the same color in lighter shades: mixing different tones of the same color creates a color story and allows you to go bold or safe while using the color that you like in the doses that you prefer.  Mix it with a neutral so that there’s a balance, and don’t limit yourself to fabrics and walls.  Accessories like lamps, mirrors, and art can all be painted to fit within your color story.

“Bohemian Chic” as Orlando Interior Designs call it, makes a space interesting, colorful, and, above all else, comfortable.  Here are a few ways to add some culture to your dorm space.

Add Patterns!  Ikat is one of the hottest patterns out there, right now.  This affordable tapestry adds culture.  With it’s exotic feel, it’ll bring a taste of the East home.  Diamonds and chevrons (zig-zag) are also interesting patterns that will help to incorporate a global market feel.

Add Texture!  Dig up that old lace pillow sham or Grandma’s homemade quilt.  Don’t be afraid of ruffles and swags, and layer, layer, layer.  Whether it’s with bedding or window treaments, layering different colors and fabrics add texture and depth to something like a small dorm room.

Think big with small things: Accessories are small but they make a big difference.  Don’t go for the easy white desk lamp—check out thrift stores and antique shops for old lamps.  Even if the color isn’t your favorite, a can of spray paint can do wonders for accessories with good shape and bad color.  Storage, sculpture, and wall art are important too.  Find an unusual basket, a black and white vintage poster, or an animal figurine.

Don’t forget the floors!  Spice up the cold dorm floors with warm, patterned rugs.  People often shy away from tassels and fringe but these are exactly what will make a small dorm room look and feel interesting.  The Kilim style rug is  a great option for this as well.

Have fun with your dorm room—express yourself and do something different.

According to Orlando interior color specialists, black can serve to ground a room with lots of bright colors, create a dramatic mood, or create a contrast.  Black in a home will not go unnoticed.  You can use black on a ceiling or an accent wall but make sure to use a flat paint—black in gloss while be a little harsh, flat softens the feel.  Don’t be afraid to paint an entire room black or dark grey either.

For black accents, use it on molding and trim—it coordinates with common black frames and can create a clean, finished look.  Simply adding a piece of black furniture is great too.  Orlando interior decorators like to use black in tile accents or event as a stripe color.  Or, for a bold statement, use a black gloss on kitchen cabinets.  The reflection off of the common kitchen finishes like stainless steel and glass create a “fashion forward” look.

Black is back!

The great thing about beadboard…

Because of all of the detail beadboard offers, it creates sophistication in a home through its straight lines, clean, white color, and finished look.  These particular details of beadboard are nostalgic of the coastal living of New England and Nantucket which fit right in with the cottage feel that Orlando interior designers say is a current, hot style.

Beadboard options

Beadboard is very versatile.  Not only does it come in different panel widths and heights, but it adds visual interest to otherwise boring spaces.  It can be used as shelving, support hanging items, and works in the kitchen, mudroom, bathroom, laundry room, and dining room.  Beadboard can be painted for a warmer, earthier look and also fits into a rustic style.

Additionally, beadboard can be applied to surfaces other than walls.  It works on cabinetry or can be used as a headboard/footboard combo. If you want to get really dramatic, Orlando interior designers suggest trying beadboard on your ceiling!  Another option would be to hang beadboard horizontally instead of vertically, just to mix it up.

Orlando wall covering specialists say that beadboard can work for you in any type of space!

]]> http://www.floridalivingquarters.com/interior_design/blog/beadboard/714/feed 0 http://www.floridalivingquarters.com/interior_design/blog/home-offices/711 http://www.floridalivingquarters.com/interior_design/blog/home-offices/711#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:16:45 +0000 admin http://www.floridalivingquarters.com/interior_design/blog/?p=711 According to Orlando interior designers, there are several ways to make your home office appealing to potential clients.  These tips can help those looking to start a home business represent themselves as a professional and allow them to build relationships with their clients.

What do you do? Make sure your office shows what type of business you are running.  Show that you love what you do and are proud to display it.  Don’t be afraid to mix some personal style in as well, though.  You want your clients to take you seriously but know that you can be fun as well.

Get organized.  An office can be a very personal space—when a client sees you in that setting they can make a lot of judgments.  If your desk is cluttered and messy, they will most likely pin you as a disorganized person so work organization into your style and décor by adding easy ways to keep your work space clean and items easily accessible.  Orlando space planners suggest using cubes, extra shelving, and rolling file drawers for extra storage and organization.  These pieces also allow you get creative with displaying personal items.

Take a load off.  Make sure your clients are comfortable in your office.  Include comfortable seating arrangements for longer meetings.  If clients are comfortable, they’re more likely to stay longer and spend more!  Use the seating in your design.  A couple of interesting guest chairs can easily be a focal point in an office.

Behind closed doors.  Depending on your business, you may need to have private conversations.  Make sure your office allows for such meetings.  Additionally, a quiet workspace is often necessary for making phone calls or even focusing on paperwork—being able to shut the door and escape other distractions is an important part of any office setting.

Don’t play it safe—pick an unusual item that can spark conversation or has a story behind it.  Guests will appreciate your sense of humor and feel more at ease. You can also use the item as a focal point or inspiration piece to design the room around.  Get creative!

Get creative with color—your guest room is a place you can play with and change frequently, if you’d like.  Use fun color and infuse unique items to spice up the space.  Guests will like a change of pace from the everyday practicality of neutrals and “safe” color choices.-they’ll view the space as a getaway.

Stir up fond memories—use objects and patterns to give your guest room a resort feel and cause guests to think of places where they vacationed as a child.  Whether it’s farmhouse rustic or coastal cottage, it will makes guests feel as if they are on vacation, regardless of where you live.

Make room for the kids—guests may have their children with them when they come to visit, so be sure to have some accommodations for children.   This can come in the form of a bunk bed or some children’s books or toys that are available in the room.

Make it suite—If you have the space, include a seating area and/or a writing desk in the room.  These extra areas allow guests to spread out and use the space more like they would their own home.  Or, include a tv if you really want them to stay awhile!

Have a collection?  Be sure to display it!  The space above a bed is always a focal point in the bedroom.  Use your collection as a headboard by mounting items on the wall above your bed.

Like wallpaper?  Many people can appreciate the beautiful patterns and textures available in wallpaper but are scared to cover an entire wall with it.  Add a punch of color, pattern, and texture by wallpapering a closet door.  It can add that pop to a somewhat dull space and allows you to infuse a little of your own funky taste into the room.

Looking for vintage?  Shabby chic is all is a hot topic among Orlando interior designers and decorators.  For some, they want it in their entire space.  For others, just a little goes a long way.  If you are the latter, use that special vintage piece you found {and couldn’t live without} in your room.  Maybe it’s an old suitcase used as a nightstand or an old window to hang jewelry from.  If you love it, it belongs in the room.

Animal lover?  Most people have very strong opinions about animal print-either they love it or they hate it.  If you love it but are worried how it will fit into your space, add a small dose.  Orlando color and pattern specialists say animal prints can work well in most spaces when properly placed.  The bold colors and soft texture cozy up a space easily and is an easy way to show off some of your own personal flair.

Any space that you live in should reflect your style.  Be sure to find easy ways to incorporate this into the design of your home.  Then ensures that you are happy with the space and it will fit your needs for a very long time.

Splendid Stripes: pick two colors that are very close to create a horizontal stripe.  The two-tone effect widens a room by making the walls appear longer.

Trios In-Tune: Use three colors in a similar tone to break up a space without wall divisions.   As long as they are in similar color families, the room will flow.  One hue could accent architecture and the other could soften a sharp corner.  Every room doesn’t have to be tied down to one color.

Hot Hot Heat: use a combination of two bold colors in a space; one color for the walls and one color for the ceilings.  Be sure to include a neutral the break-up the brightness but don’t be afraid to go bold with color.

Opposites Attract: Colors that are opposites on the color are energizing in a space.  Use two different colors to define one space from another, even if the walls connect.  A nook, window wall, or stairway can all be set apart from the rest of room with a simple color swap.

Gone Gray:  Instead of whites and beige’s being the hot neutrals, gray has made a comeback.  While it’s a popular choice for wall coloring, many worry that it is too boring.  Solution: use two different shades of gray in the same space; a darker color for impact on an accent wall or architectural feature and a lighter shade for the walls.

Don’t be afraid to mix colors—color specialists will attest to the fact that even the simplest space can come alive with the right color mixing.

There are numerous types of maps for display-topographical, subway, maps of the world, and nautical charts.  They also come in various shapes and sizes; framed maps, wall maps, roll-down maps, antique maps, and even map wallpaper!  Maps are completely affordable, too.  Orlando decorators will search any kind of store to find that perfect accessory or wall décor.  They will often find maps available at dollar stores, teaching supply stores, and even IKEA. Poster and print stores also carry them online.

Maps can come in various colors, therefore they provide an easy way to tie-in multiple room colors, while monochromatic black and white maps are also available.  If your room theme is minimalist but you’re looking for one little splash of color, a map offers that perfect piece of visual interest to stand out.

Because maps are printed on paper, they can be used on numerous other objects; decoupage a map on a plate, modge podge a map onto a stretched canvas, or frame it (all in one frame or divided into sections in multiple, smaller frames). Make the map work for you!

According to Orlando window treatment professionals, aside from picking a fun and funky fabric to make your drapery panels with, you can also break them up with banding.  Banding can be done in a variety of ways.

One way is by using two different solid colors and creating the banding with the darker at the bottom of the panel.  The longer length of lighter color draws the eye down while the darker banding offers an unexpected visual change.  Another option is mixing a pattern with a solid color.  Pattern can be intimidating in a large drapery panel; therefore, a solid banding can help soften the dramatic effect of a pattern.  A third option would be to have the banding at the top of the panel instead of the bottom.  With this option, it would be best to have the banding be a lighter fabric so that the eye continues to move downward.  This type of panel can be used in a casual setting and works well to bring in soft light even when the panels are drawn.  The fourth option is the reverse of this—a lighter banding at the bottom, using two solid colors.  This type of panel creates a contemporary look and often causes the eye to stop where the lighter color begins.

A few variations of banding that Orlando interior designers recommend include a banding across the middle using a darker color, with the lighter color above and below it.  This type of stripe can widen a space since the panel (when drawn) will draw the eye across the room.  Multiple bands in varying widths can add a stylish twist to other wise solid panels, and you could always create a banding using patterned fabric for the less-daring.

Banding can also be use on shower curtains!  Remember, a  simple stripe, properly placed can go a long way!