5 Top Home Interior Trends For The New Year!

Everyone wants to have an updated home. With the start of the new year, everyone is scrambling to know the latest trends in home interior. Whether you plan to do big renovations or you want small updates that will improve your home, there will always be something for you to do. Here are the five top home interior trends for the new year:

Colors and paints - One of the ways you can change the way your home looks is by changing the colors. According to Pantone, the color of the year is Marsala (18-1438). However, it would not look as good if splashed all over every single wall. Make it an accent color by using Marsala within the drapes, accessories, and decorations for your home. If you have a wooden-themed home, you are lucky, as Marsala is a good accent for wooden pieces. Other top colors that you can work with this year are grey, olive, and Mediterranean blue.

Sculptural candles – Another design trend this new year is sculptural candles. Candles have always been good decoration accessories to have in different parts of the house. You can add them to a side table, a dining table, or above your fireplace. This year, instead of going for plain-looking candles, try to go for structural candles in different colors and designs. Play with shapes and scents and you will be on your way to have a stylish house that will please you and your visitors.

Window treatments – Get rid of those old curtains and become more fashion forward by adding other window treatments to your home. You can choose from Roman shades, blinds, or even a makeshift shade made out of a blanket. Choose a color that will complement that aesthetics of your home. Adding window treatments will increase the elegance of your home and it is a good alternative to those old curtains.

Spa in your own home – When we talk about the interiors of your home, we must not forget the bathroom. According to the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association, one of the trends this new year is spa-like features in the bathroom. If you have a small bathroom, just add a few pieces that will make your bathroom feel more welcoming. The bathroom is a place of relaxation, so if you want to splurge, go ahead and spend for your bathroom.

Plants in the home – Some people always make it a point to have plants in their home to make it feel more lively and organic. If you are one of those people, the plant for this year is the pencil cactus. It may not have plenty of leaves, but it can make a big impact when you use it as a focal point in one of the rooms in your home.

These are the top 5 home interior trends that you can follow this year in order to update your interiors. If you follow these, you will have a beautiful home that will be the envy of your friends. For more help on the latest trends for your home, check out fashion magazines or consult an interior designer.

How to decorate a Southern California Home!

Southern California homes are stylish, casual, and comfy. Everyone’s design aesthetic is different, but well-decorated homes typically feature open floor plans, clean lines, and are filled with brightness and color. How you decorate your home is going to depend on what style home you have. In general, Southern California has the following property types:

·  Bungalows
·  Beachfront
·  Ranch
·  Mediterranean and Spanish mission
·  Modern contemporary

You will find all of these architectural styles in Southern California: from real estate in San Diego to San Luis Obispo.

How to Decorate a Southern California Arts & Crafts Bungalow

Charles and Henry Greene are the originators of the bungalow. During the early 1900s, the Ohio-native architects were inspired by the arts & crafts movement. They designed the bungalow using natural materials, so it makes sense to decorate similarly. 

Bungalows typically feature covered porches, open floor plans, and manicured gardens. Bungalows are best decorated with hand-crafted furniture, and artistic wall-hangings. Choose paintings that are bohemian in a way, such as the painting of Gustav Klimt.  

How to Decorate a Beachfront Property

In Southern California, there are no shortage of beach houses. There is so many different styles that it is hard to narrow them down. For instance, some beach homes are small, single story homes. Others are expansive mansions. One thing does remain the same - beach homes are typically outfitted with verandas, and feature large windows. Both provide excellent views of the ocean, and large windows allow a lot of natural light into the space. 

Beach homes are best decorated in bright colors, such as white and aqua. Furniture should feature a neutral palate, but you can add brighter colors with accents (just make sure they are in uniform in color).  

How to Decorate a Ranch Style Home

In So-Cal, ranch homes are often referred to as ramblers. These one-story homes often feature plentiful windows and open floor plans. There are a few ways to decorate a ranch home. The rambler style home is very rectangular, so to offset this, choose furniture that features non-linear lines and new shapes. Colors should be natural, but here and there you can throw in something dark or eye-catching. For example, you can paint a room a heather grey, but include bright red accent pillows on the furniture.

How to Decorate Mediterranean and Spanish Mission Style Homes

Mediterranean and Spanish mission homes are easy to spot. They feature terra cotta roofing, and are influenced by Spanish architecture, such as stucco finishing and covered entryways. Walls should be painted in warm, natural colors, such as earthy oranges, sandy brown, and sea green. Mosaic tiles make great backsplashes, and can become focal points in any room (use them around appliances, as well as fireplaces and wood stoves). Finish with hardwood and wrought iron furniture to keep with the Mediterranean theme.

How to Decorate Modern Contemporary Homes

The phrase 'modern contemporary' is rather redundant because both words have the same meaning: new. Despite this, modern contemporary is the name given to So-Cal homes built in the 20^th century. These homes are typically decorated in minimalist style, with clean lines and neutral colors. Shades of grey and white are perfect for the walls, and furniture should offset this color palate accordingly. For splashes of color, add plants potted in terra cotta.

How You Decorate is Up to You

This guide is simply to provide you with a jumping off point. When decorating, do not be afraid to allow your natural instincts to take over. It is your space, and you are the one who has to look at it every day, so why not infuse it with your personality? 

Top five creative design decisions for a house!

Introduction

The integration of every single item in the house from lighting control, entertainment, climate control and security generally creates a personalized experience. It therefore, enhances comfort, convenience and peace of mind for the home dwellers. According to information about linear actuators at progressive automation.com, actuators can make a perfect design for the house. From the doors, furniture, family rooms, living room to the kitchen creative designs has ensured home automation an unforgettable experience. The house can now be controlled to ensure personalize lighting, climate and even security within the home. 

Control of the house

Majority of the home owners always start a second shift of work the minute they arrive home. They patrol the house turning on the lights, checking on the home security and other different house systems. Actuators have made it more efficient, economical and simple way to take control of the home. The automation has made to possible to fit the budget and the needs of a home more satisfactory. In simple terms, actuators are able to design the house in such a way that all the systems are integrated with one another. The systems are connected to a computer or mobile networks that allow house occupants to control everything from one point.  

Top creative designs

The top five creative designs are mainly the lighting system, climate control system, security system, entertainment system and the furniture. The lighting systems operate on a time connected to actuators that enable the lighting of the house controlled at predetermined times. The house security is mainly controlled to actuator controlled cameras and at different levels of complexity. They include motion detectors that monitor the doors and windows to facial recognition devices. Actuators can design a home to meet any heating, ventilation and also air conditioning challenges. It is possible for people in the house to regulate temperatures in the house or even individual rooms. It often comes with energy saving benefits. Controlling of opening and closing or doors and windows by actuators has made this possible. Moving of furniture to desired location in the house to create space, automatic control of entertainment cabinets and an automated kitchen are the best designs created by introduction of actuator system. 

Blinds in Your Bathroom: Be Trendy!

Home bathroom privacy is very important to most Americans. When you go into your bathroom to use the toilet, you are most comfortable if you have the room to yourself. It is easiest to do your business if you do not have to worry about constraining yourself because another person is in the room. Likewise, people tend to be most comfortable if they can bathe in privacy. They can feel quite vulnerable and exposed if they think that another person is watching them when they are not wearing clothes.

It is for these reasons that apartment and home dwellers add coverings to windows in first floor bathrooms. These rooms present certain challenges when deciding on the proper covering material in full and three quarter bathrooms. Many materials will become damp from humidity so it is important to make sure that water will not damage them. Some polyester curtains may work because they dry quickly.

Another option is to hang blinds in the bathroom. The right kind of blinds can provide a fashion statement that enables you and others to feel a particular ambience when bathing. For example, you may have a claw foot, freestanding bathtub. It may sit next to a window that offers natural light, but also needs to be covered to maintain privacy. In this case, you might install some waterproof, 1” mini blinds, which are made of a combination of aluminum and stainless steel to prevent rust.

If your bathroom fixtures are antique in style, you might want to match the décor by installing faux wood blinds. It can provide an old West feel to your restroom. Make sure that you do not install real wood blinds if there is a shower or bathtub. The humidity can damage the wood, which would be a shame since wood blinds are fairly expensive.

Another way to support a fashionable bathroom’s appearance is to hang vertical blinds over the window. They offer a modern feel that maintains privacy, yet allows natural light to brighten the room, too. Another advantage to vertical blinds is that the materials of which they are constructed are often resistant to a bathroom’s humidity. You can find many attractive, vinyl, vertical blinds that have interesting textures and come in many colors. You can also install faux wood vertical blinds to add a different look. This type of blind might be a good way to go if your cabinets in the bathroom have a wood finish or veneer.

The average bathroom is quite utilitarian, which can present a boring appearance. Most people use the bathroom because they must use it rather than desire to use it. Because of the nature of activities that take place in bathrooms, it is understandable that their appearance is downplayed. That does not mean that this room has to be boring.

If you are a person for whom style and fashion are everything, you will not want to neglect applying decorative touches to your bathroom. There is no reason that your bathroom cannot be as much a destination area in your home as is your bedroom. Just as you want to feel proud, safe and comfortable in your bedroom, you can decorate the bathroom so that it is fun to inhabit. Colorful blinds, a fun shower curtain, special faucets and fluffy, colorful towels all combine to beckon your or a guest into this room and to feel good while using it.

As long as your window treatments ensure privacy, all the rest is icing and fun.

Guest post- 40+ ideas for living rooms furniture for new year!

A living room is a heart of many homes. It is not unusual to spend a lot of free time there with a book, entertaining your family and friends, or just watching TV. A living room is a common area used by all the members of the family and therefore it should please everyone. At the same time, the wide range of living room furniture on the market can be startling. That is why decorating this room is particularly difficult, but as a matter of fact, quite possible.

Living room furniture varies, depending on the preferred style and functionality. The most important place is dedicated to the recreational area:  that is, a sofa, a couple of armchairs and a coffee table. After picking these pieces of furniture, it is time to choose the additional pieces. Those are the console tables, cabinets, TV and lamp stands, sets of shelves and many others. The most important element for living room furniture is the quality of materials that are used in its manufacturing. Additionally, the general style of the room should not be compromised. Modern technologies and original design ideas create endless possibilities for living rooms in all sizes whether it is large or small, bright or calm, contemporary or classic.

If you are looking for an exquisite item for your living room furniture for an affordable price our website will help you find exactly what you need. Do not forget to stop by to check out these wonderful selection of premium, stylish furniture to decorate your living room for the upcoming year!

Urban living: Decorating loft conversions!

Finding space

Decorating and living in small spaces requires a lot of patience, creativity and planning. Everyone always likes to maximize the value of their property since there is limited accommodation space in urban cities. Most people expand the number of rooms in their home to accomplish this goal. As a result there have been a large number of loft conversions spreading across the UK. Furnishing loft conversions You may have just converted your loft in your home to create a makeshift office or family room because you needed the spare bedroom for your new little one. Your new converted family room is small and furnishing it will take some planning. The process of selecting furniture for the new converted room above the narrow staircase is proving to be challenging. You will have gone to all the shops to find small end tables and chairs that will fit up the narrow staircase initially but the ultimate challenge remains. A modular sofa or corner sofa will maximise space in the loft to create a family room and office. It may not make sense to purchase any ordinary sofa because of design inflexibility or being able to get it through the front door and up the narrow loft stairs. In addition, there may be a future need to store the sofa in order to create a guest room. A sofa solution that works would involve creating a modular or corner sofa (example below) for your new converted loft room that fits thorough the front door and up the stairs. In order to achieve this, you would need to construct and collapse the sofa with ease and simplicity. It would also be optimal for you to choose your own fabric and customize its size. Most importantly, the customization of the sofa cannot cost a fortune as family decorating budgets are limited. Placing the sofa in the new room You would also need to place the sofa in the room in a manner that maximizes space and comfort. There is nothing worse than going into a newly decorated room and feeling uncomfortable in it. Here are some tips on putting your new sofa and all of the other furniture to make the room more appealing. Easy access to the sofa If there is only one door you should have easy access to get to the sofa and leave some room on each side for people to pass through. This is important for modular or corner sofas, too. If you plan to put your sofa away from the wall, leave a few feet of space behind it for people to pass through. Use of a longer wall in the room Put your sofa against the wall and people will move around it. It will create a focal point and allow for the illusion of a larger space. The placement of furniture in the room Do not put all the large pieces at one end of the room as it will look off-balance. Try to balance each additional piece of furniture that is large other than the sofa to the other side of room to create better balance. Break up your modular sofa In order to create more balance in the room, break up the modular sofa by putting the largest piece against the longest wall to create a focal point in the room. Additional tips for making the room seem larger lighter hues:  If you love light and airy colors, then you will love the way they also help small spaces feel just a bit larger. Colors such as blue and green will also add to the effect. Monochromatic  Think soothing tone-on-tone for paint techniques, fabrics, and patterns. Creams, icy blues, pale greens, and butter yellows are just a few of the combinations that will make the room appear larger. Eliminate obstructions  The further you can see into, and through, a space, the larger and more open it will seem. Whenever possible, arrange furnishings to open up areas of floor and avoid blocking views to windows and doors. Smaller benches, ottomans, and armless chairs are just one way to accomplish this. Match furniture to wall color  You might want to consider painting some of the furniture to match. Even large chests and armoires will begin to melt into the background when finished in a color that is close to the wall tone. Add tone-on-tone stencil details to doors for added interest. More light  Uncovering windows and adding additional light fixtures will remove dark shadows in a room. There are a wealth of things you can do with a loft in order to convert it into a livable room, especially with adaptable furniture, so start researching and experimenting today. Bio: This post was created by the creative team at Nabru who specialise in making the most of limited space with their bespoke custom built sofas. With years of experience in the industry they have built up a portfolio perfect for those looking for urban living.

And the winner of the giveaway is ..........

I am thrilled to announce the winner of the recent giveaway brought to you by Pillows By Dezign!

I used random.org to pick the winner and here it is! The lucky winner who will be receiving a $150 Pillows By Dezign gift certificate is 

Linda Bradshaw!

Congratulations, Linda! I will email you soon. Thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway. Happy Holidays, my lovelies!

Reasons why shaggy rugs are perfect for winter!

The days are drawing shorter, the night is ever longer. As soon as we enter our homes, we throw ourselves in front of the fire, wrapping our cold fingers round a mug of hot chocolate. On one hand, winter can be a wonderful time; crisp, clear days, maybe the odd flurry of snow but, it can also be grey, wet and miserable.

To offset this greyness and dullness, we turn to the sanctuary of our homes, making them feel and look cozy. Of course, the answer is not just to pump the central heating up to full volume or having a roaring fire in the grate for 24 hours a day, it is about the textures within our home. The fact that we like to sink into the soft, enveloping sofa, wrap ourselves in blankets and just generally feel cocooned within the walls of our home.

But, is there ‘something missing’? Do you look at your lounge or dining room and just feel that it needs something else? Here at the Rug Retailer we know what it is and we have the answer to your conundrum- a range of perfect winter shaggy rugs from which to choose!

Warming up the look and feel of your home

So you have a roaring fire, the central heating is on, the front door is shut against the howling wind and rain, darkness has fallen and, after a long day at work, you are ready to curl up and wallow in warmth, both physical and emotional. Your lounge, dining room, bedroom needs to look and feel the part but if you are stuck as to how to make your home appear cozier and warmer, here are a few ideas.

The shaggy rug

They have impressed people for decades. And they are still impressing people today in the 21^st century. Available in a variety of colors and materials, it is no wonder that the modern homeowner is taking another look at the modern shaggy rug and winter seems to be the perfect time to introduce it in to the home.

Satisfying- giving your home an even cozier feeling for the winter months is easy when you know how! The key is to add textures and layers, two things that shaggy rugs do as soon as they are added to a room. What can be more satisfying than the sight of a well-placed, well-sized shaggy rug in a room? We suspect that it is the only thing is the satisfying feel of the rug, especially under bare feet in front of a roaring fire.

Comfort- Winters in the UK can be cold, very cold in fact. But they can also be dull, grey, damp and incredibly wet. Wind howling at the front door is not uncommon and when you have come in from the cold after a hard day’s work, or have survived the crush of the Christmas shopping crowds, you want comfort.

This can be anything from sinking into the sofa, hot chocolate in hand to sinking in to a warm bubble bath; whatever you choose to do to warm you chilled bones and aching feet, it is all about restoring the feeling of comfort and well-being.

A decorated lounge, a roaring fire and accessories, such as throws and cushions that you can sink into, all help in restoring warmth in the mind, body and soul. Who cares if the howling gale is knocking at the door as you are delightfully ensconced in your warm home, your feet warmed and caressed by you shaggy rug.

Colors, design and sizes- The versatility of shaggy rugs lay in the very fact they there are so many colors to choose from, so many designs and so many sizes from delicious small ones for by the bed, to huge rugs to act as a center piece in the lounge this winter. Mixing and matching patterns is also something that your home can benefit from this winter; why not try it?

BUT, are they really for every room in the home?

Many people assume that they only fit for the bedroom. And this may be true for one particular style. The style that we all associated with the 1970s, the fluffy woolly variety that shed its fibers over time; delightful to touch and either light in color (or dyed all kinds of shades) were not considered robust enough for the main areas of the home.

But, there is a new style of shaggy rug and this is a slightly different material, giving a slightly different look; with their fibers pulled and sitting proud, these rugs are slightly easier to keep clean too. They will take the vigor of the vacuum (nozzle only, not the rotating main power head) and can also withstand quite a lot of footfall traffic.

Shaggy rugs are a popular purchase and we think once you have one this winter, you will understand why too. 

The art of decorating with art work!

Dressing up an empty room or bare walls sets a tone to the atmosphere of the house. Starting with a piece of art is a great way to introduce color and complement the rest of the furniture. And best of all, adding art work is a great way to reflect your values.  

Make a statement  

Hanging an overscale art work draws people in and can define a room. Display China plates on the wall or on floating shelves to create a vintage/retro display. Or if you have bold colors of plates, that can add a pop to the room.

Combination of pieces

Framed or unframed accessories that you do not often use such as jewelry, a bangle that is just sitting in your jewelry box that you never wear, or a big statement necklace that is not you- these pieces can be hung against a wall or put it in a shadow box frame and leaned against a wall along the top of a shelf to boost interest to the space.

Scale

Grouping framed art work in different shapes and sizes can be as artful as an art gallery. Allow 2 or 3 inches of distance between each other, I find works best.  

Placement

The off-center placement of hanging art work can add a little fun to the space, who does not want that?

Let there be light

By adding a light fixture to highlight your art work, you increase the impact of the art by making it 'the focus' of the room. This can also change the mood of the room. By browsing different examples of classic picture lights, you can see a few different ways to achieve this.  

Art of reflection 

Using a mirror on the wall not only gives the illusion of making a space look larger, it can reflect another area of the house that makes everything connected.  

Create a story  

A mix of photographs or postcards can make a room inviting and serene.  

Do-it-yourself projects  

Children's paintings, DIY canvases, DIY typography prints, are a great way to add a dab of whimsical personality. It serves as a collage of rainbow colors that can emphasize a room. DIY projects are also easy on your wallet. A good reference for interior inspiration is Brit + Co.

Collective objects

A collection of treasures from your travels can be showcased on bookshelves, coffee table, consoles, or end tables. It also supports each item uniquely serving as a reminder of the beautiful places you have visited.

Art of contents

Paintings will add color to the room. Sculptures will add texture and with this combination, it will harmonize the content of the space. With the right balance, it should not look busy or cluttered, it should be pleasing in the eyes. Finding the right art work that suits your personality may need a little bit of patience, but it is worth it in the end.

Search for ideas online or scout your local thrift stores, flea markets- you can find inspiration anywhere. Once you find it, adding that art work to a space definitely enhances the ambiance of a home.  

What are your ways of incorporating art work in your house?

Festive Christmas wedding ideas!

No matter where you are in the world there is a lot to think about when planning a wedding if you want to avoid getting lost in the clutter of the holiday season. Between Christmas and New Years, your guests will be all partied out, so we have put together some tips to ensure that you get the feel of your nuptials just right to keep everyone smiling.

The décor

The biggest recommendation we have for you is to avoid being too Christmasey. That means no tinsels, no elves, and definitely no Santas! This is not your living room, this is your wedding. Taking the season too literally when deciding on the theme of your wedding is not the wisest idea when everyone is heading into reindeer overload.

Instead, take cues from the landscape and the spirit of togetherness:

- Consider touches like communal tables, better suited to smaller groups. This is the perfect idea for an intimate wedding of close family and friends.

- A Christmas tree is not entirely out of the question, as long as you are careful with decorations. Consider neutral tones (or not decorated at all).

- Snow can also add a magical touch to any outdoor ceremony if you can perfect the timing. The effect can also be added to by the addition of crystal tableware during the formal dinner.

- Fairy lights can add extra sparkle to outdoor receptions, but we recommend keeping the lights in one neutral color.

- Candles will add a touch of warmth and intimacy to your wedding, especially in the latter parts of the evening following a sit down dinner.

- You can also get creative with centerpieces that incorporate mistle toe, cranberries or pine.

If you are live in a hot climate, choose a venue that combines both outdoor and indoor activities. For example, Bell City boasts garden terraces that can be incorporated into the theme. Alfresco areas for locations that are hot during Christmas open up more possibilities. 

Consider having the doors open during the reception to promote better air flow. You can even scent the air with cinnamon and clove to enhance the feel of the event - this is a fantastic touch that many people forget to consider.

For some last minute extras, why not include a few festive tunes for the dance floor, or add quintessentially festive flavors to the menu. Spiced apple, cinnamon, orange and chocolate are usually a hit on any day, but especially relevant now.