a:Color to Coast Interior Design

Ideas for Interior Home Design


By Alex Strzetelski


Often is the time when we walk through our homes and think “what if.” Imagination starts to take over and change begins to creep in where once it was feared. Change is not something that most people enjoy. Change where the change can be turned back is ok. Change that is small and can be controlled is ok. Change that is irreversible is a scary thing. Change for the sake of change is a good thing that helps us move forward and grow. At least we like to think so.

With this in mind, where do we start to make changes? Perhaps you would like to do something small like a pillow here or there. Then again, maybe a new piece of furniture is in order or a redo of a room that is in need of help. Thinking about it is fun but where to begin? Try adding a few of these ideas to your wish list and maybe you’ll be inspired.

Interior color design

Color is always there. It isn’t thought about all that much, but it is there and having its way with our moods. Each has a particular affect on us so it should be one of the very first things to consider when changes are afoot.

Some say that we do not really see color but rather “feel” it. To get a “feel for color we can reference our friends at the University of Kentucky (USA) who go the scientific route by following the brain pathways to the hypothalamus for the color feelings we get. The following outlines what they have found.

White:
The color of white is a pure and unadulterated color even if it does contain the entire spectrum. Oddly, with all the wavelengths emanating from it we do not have to work as hard to decipher it giving us an orderly and restive feeling.

Yellow:
With a high frequency the color yellow gives us a creative feeling and energy. In offices where a creative bend is needed yellow is a good choice when accented with some other trim options or furniture.

Red:
Red is a hot and dangerous color often associated with love. It does not take much red to get its point across so having a balance of some sort is a good idea.

Blue:
The color blue lends a sophisticated consistency with a certain amount of truthfulness. If you are associated with this color people will feel confident about your truthfulness and ability to get the job done.

Green:
The color of green is a fairly calming color that puts people on an even keel. The feeling of “just being” is often associated with green. In some cultures it is revered while in others it is associated with death. This is an interesting range giving the long nature of the colors wavelength.

Purple:
This particular color has a variety of feelings associated with it depending upon the hue it takes on. In a darker form it may be associated with a fairly arrogant person while in a lighter form a meek personality.

Orange:
The intensity of this color goes past that of yellow. In certain placements its affect can become rather manic in the amount of personal energy that it brings out. Some unsubstantiated studies indicate that orange can have longer term consequences for newborns that have the color in their nursery.

Brown:
Obviously associated with an earth tone, the color brown yields a stable feeling in people. Close to the ground with a quiet strength is often used as a description. The color can also be associated with education and a certain amount of studiousness.

Black:
The slowest of wavelengths, black is a very cool color that projects a certain amount of power and control when used in a calculated way. To much black can often be associated with morbidity.

The feelings that people get when exposed to these colors are generally when the color is presented alone. The feelings are no less there when other trim colors are added but rather offset to obtain a unified balance. Finding the correct balance is the skill.

Finding balance with interior design feng shui


Generally, feng shui rest upon the premise that a balance between elements should exist. If one line is hard and straight it must be balanced with a soft and curvy line of approximate softness.

Entry and exit


We can begin our interior decorating feng shui at the front entry of a building. It does not need to necessarily be a home. A structure of any type works just the same. The door itself is a hard and ridged element. Ideally, it would not be there at all but since it is it should be a mixture of soft and hard. Perhaps a solution to this blockage would be a hard wood for security but with some soft inlay woods. The point being that an easy flowing entry is desired from an inner energy point of view.

Choices


Interior design feng shui also does not enjoy choice. Many structures offer an immediate choice when entering into it. Up stairs, down stairs, left or right. Not one of your better feng shui ideas. Energy should flow straight ahead and not be blocked inside the structure. Once inside the structure furniture should be a balance between hard edges that are often classified as male and curves which represent soft and fluid lines or female.

Balance

Finding a balance with these interior design feng shui ideas is the key. Try to eliminate the hard edged choices of an element. If you cannot, balance the element with a softer choice. Always try to avoid a blockage to movement like a sofa sitting in front of an entry or exit. It forces a choice and stops the energy flow.
Interior space & more interior spaces

An environment that suits our inner being is a crucial element in our daily functioning. Left to shop at yard sales only, our true selves will come out. Given our choice of location a few other ideas will come out. Left to a more common perception of what an interior room should be and you’ll find some of these ideas.

A Comfortable Tuscan Home Décor

The time honored Tuscan home décor always make a visitor want to stop and linger just a bit longer. But how do you go about making your home have that wonderful casual and relaxed feel. Try a few of these ideas for an integrated Tuscan feel.

Accessories for your kitchen

Yes, those wonderful burnt amber yellows work wonderfully to frame a kitchen destined for a Tuscan home décor makeover, but what about the accents? Try finding some antique looking clay pots for wooden cooking implements or maybe a marble cutting board to match your hand painted tiled countertops and back splashes. Just a few pieces can do the job.

Wine on the patio

The image of a patio with Tuscan home décor accents is enough to send anybody heading to the home store by way of the wine store. For a covered patio try oversized pillows in earth tones. If you’re more adventurous try 12x12 Spanish tiles on the floor with stucco walls. Floor plants will go a long way.

Classic Spanish tiles

Working toward a classic and classy end for a tile project will almost always lead the customer to Spanish ceramic tiles as a finalist for the end project. These tiles are remarkable in many respects and are known for:

Intricate patterns
Remarkable color combinations
Hand or custom painted tiles
Historical leanings

Any region that is remotely close to the Spanish trade routs of the past has found a way to capitalize, add and learn from Spanish ceramic tiles. Islamic design is, perhaps, the leading example of this. Drawing from influences of the region finds a living history of Islam and Spanish tile design. Ultimately, however, Spanish ceramic tiles have maintained their basic foundation and not become adulterated as other elements adopt its classic basic structure.

Color choices

Where other parts of the world claim to offer the most varied color combinations and vibrancy in tile coloring, manufacturers of Spanish ceramic tiles are well within their right to claim supremacy. Generally, it may be said that the manner with which the number of individual colors are put next to one another accounts for this, although the history and craftsmanship of the style may have quite a bit to do with it.

Enter with style

Seeing a Tuscan home decor as you enter says a relaxing time is about to be had. Wall accents and a wrought iron table with some flowers are a great way to start. Relaxing wall paintings of the rolling Italian hills are another great option.

Freshening up

Nothing says a bathroom can’t go Italian. Tuscan home décor elements in a bathroom can mean a nice clean tile mural of Tuscan orchards or a small inviting Tuscan town. You may be able to do the job yourself. There are plenty of sites on how to do the job and you’ll get just what you want.

A little here and there

There is no need to go full bore into Tuscan home décor. Try a few elements here and there first. Before you know it, you may be looking at redoing the floors and walls.

Breezy Coastal Decorating


Living at the coast or along a large lake naturally lends a nice light feel to a space even if it is empty. Designing for spaces in these areas livens up ones thoughts and awakens coastal decorating juices that lie dormant in most people. Decorating for a coastal space doesn’t necessarily mean being totally light and airy but it also does not mean dark and leathery.

Light and lacy

Although there are many ways to approach coastal decorating taking a queue from a nice summer breeze is a good placeto begin. The breeze is so nice that stopping it within the space is a “no-no.” Use materials that flow like the air. A drape that can catch and let go of the breeze is a common example and a good one because it works.

A light boat with an anchor

Using coastal decorating ideas demands a bit of a nautical metaphor. In this instance, try using light colors in a space with something that is darker and heavier as an anchor. The anchor might be a table or thin legged desk placed away from the main space. Essentially, this lets the space feel light but doesn’t let it appear to float away.

Outside in

In most coastal decorating situations, integrating the outside with the inside is a primary goal. If a deck or patio constitutes the outdoor space try using the colors of the interior on an umbrella or cushions located on the patio or deck. This is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways of developing a unified project.

Breathe it in

When considering coastal decorating ideas think about taking in a big beep breath of fresh air and holding it in. When you let the fresh coastal air out what would you rather see? Think in this way and a perfect coastal retreat is waiting for you.

Patio Decorating for Everyday Living

Looking through decorating and home style magazines one is likely to think that everybody is using crystal and teak on their backyard patios. The norm, however, is far from this as “big box” stores continue to offer patio decorating substitutes that get the job done. Some practical ideas for backyard patio design and use revolve around comfort, practicality, layout and design.

A practical layout

Even before a backyard patio decorating scheme can be put into place a general idea of where things are going to go should be considered. Is there a location for the eating area with a separate space for condiments, serving trays and additional drinks? Is there a safe place for a cooking grill where people won’t get burned or “smoked out?”Is there a place away from the eating area or playing children for casual lounging? These are all things to consider in a practical layout.

Casual furniture

Furniture has come a long way over the last decade or so. Patio decorating is no longer a few chairs and a picnic table. Fabrics for chairs and benches can be luxurious and plush while not retaining rain water. Textures and colors cover the entire spectrum including stain resistance. Lack of choice is definitely not an issue in this regard.

Overhead coverings

Another fabric area that makes patio decorating much easier, and functionally practical, is the retractable awning. These overhead units allow for an open sky when there is less sun while providing cover for full sun protection. In many instances, the awning can even be motorized for opening and closing at the touch of a button.

Storage

Unless a $7,000 grill unit is the choice, having adequate storage is often an afterthought. In the layout phase think about a unit that might fit near the grill for napkins, knives and plates. The patio decorating process may seem overblown but a few thought-out elements can make or break the whole experience.

Interior design bathroom trends

The days of a “plain Jane” bathroom are long gone when Bathroom Interior Decorating plans are drawn up. Not long ago a person would enter a full bathroom to find a tub and shower, toilet, sink and a mirror/cabinet. Today, Bathroom Interior Decorating has taken on the task of redesign with a list of options that stagger the once quiet and efficient bathroom of old. There are really only two overall choices that need to be made; style and options. Style is fairly straight forward in today’s Interior Bathroom Decorating: contemporary (modern), traditional or storage. It is the options that really get the mind swimming.

The contemporary, or modern, style is finding new favor in many fashionable cities around the world. Bathroom Interior Decorating has brought clean lines in a light and airy feel to the bathroom. Tubs are, generally, an art object with a prominent placement. Materials tend toward washed and sealed stone for walls and clean thin walled porcelain looking accompaniments for basins and toilets.

The traditional Bathroom Interior Decorating style continues at a stable pace. Basic pedestal basins and sturdy tubs in a narrow room are still standard. In a more upscale location the same items may be used although just in a larger space with fancier wall and floor treatments.

Storage is just that, storage. For the bathroom that is more make-up and conditioner storeroom than anything else a wooden cabinet system is called for. Fairly basic in nature, this bathroom can turn into a forest of cabinetry if one is not careful.

The options that go into Bathroom Interior Decorating are the real star of the show when doing a bathroom makeover. In this area, the choices are so numerous that it is more a question of when is too much too much. If the basics are started with, there are standards that have been offered for some time. These would include: heated floors, towel warmers, fog free mirrors and water resistant non tile materials.
Newer options can include: flat streaming temperature controlled water for the tub; voice activated temperature control in the shower along with varying pulse settings, iPod docking stations on the paper dispenser and intelligent design for the toilet.

For each option a user almost needs a college degree to operate the systems although they are getting easier. The intelligent design toilet is a bit unnerving. The seat rises and falls with your approach and departure, air and water jets can be set for whatever cleaning setting pleases you and in some cases it speaks to you; which could be done without.

Materials, in general, have become more specific in their use and synthetics are the dominating element in the room. For the most part, materials in Bathroom Interior Decorating have come to the point where one is hard pressed to tell what is actually natural and what is synthetic. If given the choice go with synthetic. The once stodgy and functional bathroom may still be functional but it is anything from stodgy.

Interior Decorating a Long Narrow Hallway

Standing at one end of a long hallway tends to lead to a feeling of being glued to the floor. To lessen this feeling there are a few ideas that can be followed in decorating a long narrow hallway. Each idea is fairly simple and, for the most part, plays on the psyche of the person about to take the first step. Ideally, they will not even know that they are being manipulated.

The end is the means

Whatever it is there needs to be a reason to move down the hallway. Decorating a long narrow hallway gives many options in this regard. A simple visual cue is the first idea. A small table with a plant on it is one such cue. The desire to see the plant draws the person forward. A darker wall treatment is another cue. The darker color will signify and end to the journey drawing the person toward the end.

Along the journey

For a darker color to be used at the endpoint a lighter color will be needed for the walls along the journey. Lighter colors in decorating long narrow hallways are many but in this particular instance a color that is less confining will be needed. In other words, it should not be to close to the end wall color.

Floor coverings

The last thing decorating a long narrow hallway wants to do is hold up the progress a person is making along the hallway. For this reason, use a low pile carpet or non-gridded flooring system. Tile will act like a maze locating the person in space. This will inhibit forward progress.

Keeping busy

Placing a few pictures along the walls is a good way to keep the person unaware that they are making the journey. But keep them staggered to keep the person moving. Also, never use furniture in decorating a long narrow hallway as this will stop the person visually and physically.

Just a few subtle tips and the person involved in making this trip will get to the end much more relaxed and happy. With a little luck there was little or no physiological trauma involved.

Home safe home – Interior design with your family in mind

Some days it doesn’t seem safe to walk out your front door. What many people don’t think about is that, in many cases, it might be safer than staying home. Life is, obviously, full of hidden dangers that we have little control over. There are several dangers in the home, however, that we do have quite a bit of control over. Not to be overly paranoid, but there are far too many ways to injury oneself in the home. Some of the more common family oriented dangers to consider when making design changes might include: cabinets containing drugs and cleaners, theft, fire, flood, air quality garage door mishaps and window blind strangulation.

Cabinets & cleansers/drugs

This danger is one danger that almost every family is concerned with and knows about. It only takes a moment for a small child to ingest a cleanser found in an ajar cabinet. Making sure there is a closing latch on all cabinets is a must, and not just on floor level cabinets. Children do become monkeys and can get into second level cabinets too. Also, if there is an “at risk” child in the house be aware that prescription drugs are popular with teenagers (parties where each person empties a vial of pills into a bowl are common today) and bathroom cabinets need to be locked.

Garage doors and blind cords

Installing a pulley system on blind cords is a must, especially with crawling children are in the house. Cords left lying on the floor are ripe strangulation hazards. Garage doors should have electronic stopping mechanisms for homes with animals or anybody for that matter in them.

Floods

In most recent years large storms have been in the news. These storms reduced homes to rubble. Most flooding incidents, however, can be remedied with a simple “sump” pump designed into the basement. Even if it wasn’t originally designed into the home they are easily installed in existing homes. If the home is in a flood prone area have an evacuation plan and remember your pictures.

Fire

According to Allstate insurance company there are far too many ways for an innocent fire to begin. When designing your home be aware that candles and wood stoves are a leading hazard. Allow for a good buffer zone around wood stoves and make safe and strategic places for the safe lighting of candles. If a redesign is in process make sure that there are exits onto roofs for a quick and safe exit. In any case, make sure that windows are not painted shut during the process. Smoke detectors, in some cases, need to be wired into the homes electrical system while in others they do not. If a building permit is needed be sure to check the code.

Air

One of the easiest safety fixes in a home design makeover is the installation of a carbon monoxide detector. These “silent killer” protectors will alert the family if the heating system begins to omit poison gasses that humans cannot detect. Tragically, most homes do not contain these detectors.








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