Category: Interior Design

Did you just move into a modern home? This can present a dilemma if you have some existing antique furniture. Worry not, though; there’s no need to store those vintage furnishings in the attic or public storage. While it may seem a bit counterintuitive, antique items, in fact, do mix well with a contemporary home interior.

Photo credit: Design Ultra

Misconceptions About Antiques in a Modern Homestead

Before listing home design best practices, there are some confusion surrounding vintage décor and contemporary-style decorating that should be cleared up. One big misconception is that everything has to match or be an even 50/50. Too many homeowners also believe period furniture or décor are incompatible with modern homes and vice versa. Again, this is also false notion. Rid of your mind any ideas that home design needs to be done in a certain way. Even if these notions are decorating rules, well, aren’t rules made to be broken?

With this in mind, here are a few tidbits of advice for achieving home interior harmony using antique items in a 21st-century home.

Be Mindful of the 80/20 Rule

Photo credit: Jobbind

Who hasn’t heard of the 80/20 rule? It applies across various facets of life and especially in home decorating. In the context of this post, it means you need to choose a primary theme. In this case, it would either be the contemporary element or the antiques used for evoking old-world charm. Whichever you choose as the dominant theme, the other would be the supporting element.

Unless you have multiple pieces of antique furnishings, it’s generally easier to go for 80% with contemporary and 20% with the old-style antiques. This means the bulk of the room would have a modern design with two or so antiques as an accent piece.

If you lack antique furniture, then aim for smaller vintage décor. This especially works well for home offices. Smaller vintage items may include leather-bound items, such as desk blotters, leather document cases, etc.

Leather, by the way, also creates a country-style ambiance. If you wish to create a contemporary/rustic-hybrid room, then incorporate plenty of leather.

Pair Non-Matching Items with Similarities

Photo credit: Home Stratosphere

While you can certainly match non-compatible items together, it’s recommended that you pair items that at least have one attribute in common. You may, for example, pair a vintage wooden work desk with a contemporary chair if they are similar in some way. This may include having a similar hue, being made from the same material, or having similar grain texture. There is a lot of leeway here especially when coming up with a table/chairs combo for the living room or dining room. Instead of purchasing these furnishings as a set, buy them separately or replace one of the items with an antique or contemporary item of a similar attribute.

This is a great way to add an antique item that otherwise may seem out of place in a modern interior setting.

Distribute Items Evenly

Placing all the antiques in a single area can make the whole space feel unbalanced and sectioned off. If you have multiple antiques, place them throughout the room. Let’s say, for example, that you have an antique nightstand in the master bedroom. The other nightstand in the opposite end is a contemporary piece. If you have smaller vintage décor items for the nightstand, place those antiques on the contemporary nightstand. Any modern décor accessories would then go on the antique nightstand. This creates a visually balanced room.

The exception to this distribution rule is if you have a few vintage items that you want in one place as the focal and accent area. This means you want eyes to naturally gravitate towards those items. In this instance, consider using a lot of neutrals throughout the rest of the room to help the antiques stand out amid the uniform backdrop.

Antiques have their place in any type of home or apartment. Antiques are meant to be shown, so don’t be afraid to proudly display them even if conventional wisdom may tell you that they’re out of place in your modern home interior.

Hannah Hutchinson is an interior designer based in London, currently blogging for Westland London. She’s always chasing new ideas and likes thinking outside the box when it comes to incorporating fresh ideas to her clients new homes.

For a lot of people, the bathroom is their sanctuary. It doesn’t only serve as a room to wash off, but it is your private and personal spa. It is where you can relax and relieve some stress.

So when you renovate your bathroom, you create a bathing space just for you. It can be a place to get away and just be yourself for a while.

Every aspect and element has to come together to achieve a common goal of creating your personal space. At the same time, it meets the practical aspects of bathing.

If you are on your way to building a new home or have a plan for a renovation, check these design trends this 2018 that will help you achieve your dream bathroom.

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The bathroom gets small

Recently, bathrooms sizes are getting smaller and smaller. The trend for interior bathroom designs this 2018 will be focusing on small-scale luxury and efficiency.

Efficient use of every nook and cranny is on trend. Single person tubs are getting more popular. Smaller and artfully designed toilets and sink bowls begin to replace the standard ones.

Other bathroom essentials changes from standard size to smaller ones including smaller space-saving walk-in showers, shelves instead of large vanities and cabinets. In additional if you have kids you may decorating your bathroom with kids shower curtains pieces.

Small bathrooms integrate wall patterns and floor graphics that make a room appear bigger than before.

You don’t need to miss out on your dream bathroom because of the lack of space. You can do small changes here and there and turn it into your personal sanctuary.

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High-Tech Toilets

Nowadays, homeowners are starting to get interested in integrating technology into their toilets. And what better way to do this than getting a bidet?

The 2018 bidet toilets feature automatic lid openers, seat warmers, air dryers, deodorizers and many more. Other out of this world features include a wireless music player that turns on every time the lid opens.

Technology has advanced so far that even toilets are getting more advanced. Take the Bio Bidet’s A8 Serenity from Bidet Genius’ list of awesome bidet seats, for example, has an on and off aerated water flow feature. This feature lets the user widen the spray and even add air bubbles. It also has an adjustable LED night light. The best part? It’s self-cleaning.

It’s not just toilets that are going high-tech. Innovating the whole bathroom is another option. There are smart showers that know your preferred temperature and play your favorite tunes during shower time. Automatic faucets are also available; they can turn on and off when you place your hands on them.

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Vanity Lighting

Using lighting to highlight functional space and the vanity area is an upcoming trend this 2018. You can use wall scones, light bars or small pendants to light up your bathroom.

These simple lighting options can help you with makeup application and creates better bathroom aesthetics.

Conclusion

All in all, one common thing is evident in all these upcoming trends. They are all ways to break from the usual and be unique. For bathrooms, they rely on tiles, technology, and lightings to turn bath time more interesting.

Bidet Genius

Website:  https://bidetgenius.com
Bidet Genius is an online store which caters products that are dedicated to keeping the world clean and providing the joy of washing.

Having an additional space in an apartment is a major need in metro cities as the price of bigger spaces for purchase or rent is generally quite high.

With some DIY tricks, one can create additional storage space in the bedroom. Below are 7 insanely clever hacks for bedroom storage to try:

• Drawers Attached to the Bed

The bottom of the bed being an unused space, using the same for storage is a great idea. One can easily get good drawers fixed to it, or plan to buy a bed with readymade drawers attached to it. This storage space is extremely useful to keep blankets, clothes or other items which are used seasonally.

• Use Glue Hooks Inside the Closet

The back wall inside the closet is another unused space. Accessing the back is quite difficult, when clothes are hanging in the front. . To use this space wisely, one can fix hooks on the wall and hang things which are not used quite frequently, for example, belts, handbags, scarves and much more.

 

• Fix Wooden Shelves on the Bedroom Wall

 

Beautifully carved wooden shelves can be bought from the market at reasonable prices and installed on top perimeter of the wall. Be it simple or intricately designed, installing wooden shelves add to the classy look of the room. Before planning to install a wooden shelf, ensure to take correct dimensions of the space required to be used to keep things. Also keep in mind, the wooden material used should be sturdy enough to hold on to heavy things.

• Building an Additional Rack Corner

If you are one of those who have trouble fitting all your clothes in the wardrobe. Then this is one idea that can be put to good use, take one corner of the wall and fix an open hanging rack, where you can hang all your heavy or space-consuming clothings likehats, jackets and blazers. This may seem an out of place idea, but by using good fixtures, this rack corner can add a stylish touch to the room.

• Use Drawer Organizers

Drawers have lots of space which can be used extremely well. Most of us usually clutter up the drawers by putting everything together and later searching for anything becomes a tedious task. It is good to get hold of a drawer organizer and convert a regular drawer into a modular one. With these slots, one can easily arrange and keep things neatly without any hassle of searching a product at the last minute.

 

• Use Peg Hooks on the Walls for Keys

 

Wall is one of the the best spaces in a bedroom which can be used wisely by putting some good fixtures. Buy some unique wooden or stylish pegs and fix it on the wall, this can be then used to hang all your keys in one place. These pegs can be fixed close to the door, as it will be convenient to put and pick the keys while entering or leaving the apartment. Adding some designer or quirky pegs to your room not only helps you to keep your keys arranged and in place, but also makes the room look livelier.

 

• Invisible Bookshelves

 

This idea comes in hand for those who are avid readers and are short of space to keep their books organized. Invisible book shelves could be thin plates of metal or acrylic, which can be easily fixed on the wall. They are quite sturdy and efficient to balance the books extremely well. These are quite economical and are easy to fix. It also adds interesting aesthetic look to the room as it looks like the books are floating in the air.

The bedroom is one of the most important feature of an apartment. Getting a modern apartment which caters to all your needs is not only a difficult but also a time consuming affair. Upon finding your dream apartment, comes the task of organising it while maintaining its look.Small investments of fixturescan make your bedroom a completely viable space to organize things better. Although before buying such fixtures, it is advisable to know the requirements and take the right measurements to have a hassle-free installation.

Living trends, off-late are changing at a surprisingly faster pace which is not just difficult but also impractical to keep up mostly. It is not necessary for each one of us to keep in pace with each and every new trend. However, it is time for a room redesign, if any particular room of the house portrays an old and rather worn out look as redesigning the room offers the room with a better and fresher look.

Most importantly, in any house, the living room needs to be simply amazing to look at are stay in, as this is probably the first place of the house which helps create an impression in the minds of guests about the lifestyle and aesthetic sense of the owner of the house or the people living in the house.

The thought of a room redesign, leaves the person with innumerable options which range from an expensive and complete makeover of the room to rather economical and simpler redesigning solutions. If you choose to completely redesign the room, then it would mean a complete alteration of the room’s layout. This might mean getting new furniture, new carpets, and changes in the color schemes of the house or room, including art effects, and so on. However, all these makeovers come at a huge price tag and are heavy on the wallet.

On the contrary, putting your creativity to work and making a couple of smaller changes to the existing layout can make redesigning much economical and can still offer a rather new and fresh look to the room. All these simple makeover techniques even serve as space enhancer for the room. One of the primary makeovers can start from redecorating the walls of the room. This, like many people believe, need not necessarily mean painting the walls all over again, which is in fact very expensive, but could simply mean doing up the wall with a few paintings, or making a collage of your choice on the wall.

Similarly, changing the floors can also bring about dramatic changes to the look of the room. Using carpets or painting the floor with paints is a simple and cost effective way for doing the floors. However, the most convenient, hassle-free, and simpler thing for doing up a room is to simply change the positions of the existing furniture as most of the times, this simple and hassle-free task has a great impact on the impressions of the people who have had a look at the room prior to the changes. Also, relocating furniture and to use wall mounted radiators within the room acts as a space enhancer.

Author Bio:

Julie Bradley is a freelance writer. Deeply engaged in studying education topics. I have experience in writing works for famous media and educational blogs. I have my own blog on Studymoose.com. I also help students with writing essays and dissertations. I believe that the right choice of the topic is 90% success.

 

When deciding on new flooring for your home, be sure to look into hardwood floors. They have long been a favourite choice of homeowners, and for good reason. They are a classic choice that never goes out of style while also offering a warm and natural look.

Hardwood flooring is also very durable and can last for years when it is properly cared for. Luckily this is easy to do, but it is still important to find the right kind of hardwood flooring for each space. Different types offer different benefits, so don’t be afraid to do your research and ask a lot of questions when picking it out. There are also a few important considerations to keep in mind when browsing.

Type of Wood Flooring

There are two main types of wood flooring available. The first is solid hardwood. This is a single piece plank that is formed from a wooden log. A groove and tongue is cut into the plank as well in order to allow them to latch together with ease. This is done on both the long and short edges of the plank. Solid wood is available as both prefinished and unfinished planks that come in a variety of sizes.

The second kind of flooring is engineered wood. This kind of wood is made up of multiple layers of plywood and other materials with a top layer of hardwood. The planks come in a wide range of thickness in order to best suit your home’s needs.

Both of these flooring options offer the rich appearance of wood but where you might notice the difference is in the composition of the floor. Solid wood is susceptible to the humidity of the room, meaning that it might expand and contract accordingly. It is usually safely installed on the ground floor and the upper levels of the house but might not be advisable for the basement. Engineered wood flooring tends to be more stable due to its construction. This would be the better option for bathrooms and basements.

Choice of Wood Species

There are a number of different kinds of wood used in flooring. If durability is your concern though, then hardwood is the way to go. Red oak and white oak are the most widely used kinds and offer a good level of durability, but if you are looking for something harder, than maple, walnut, and hickory are the way to go. There are also other exotic woods available to select from but budgets might get in the way of these types of wood. It it is a high traffic area of the house it might be worth investing in harder woods.

Grain, Color and Appearance

When looking for wood for the flooring, it is important to have an idea of what you want the overall look to achieve. For instance, if you want a rustic space it would be best to look into woods with a defined grain and maybe use a distressed finish. Formal spaces might be better suited for dark finishes in order to increase the overall drama of the space. Whatever you are looking for, you can find with a little bit of hunting. The overall species of the floor is a good place to start when trying to achieve this look, but finishes will also go a long way to tie the whole thing together.

Type of Finish

The type of finish used on hardwood flooring will have a huge effect on the final overall appearance of the floor. You can completely change the look of a species with different finishes. For instance a maple floor will look dramatically different with a clear finish versus a hand-scraped, wire-brushed, or distressed finish. On top of that, there is matte, gloss, and european oil finishes to take into account. This will determine the overall sheen of the wood by the end. Many suppliers also offer pre-finished wood to make their customers’ lives easier.

Cost and Installation

The overall cost of wood flooring will depend on type, species and the finish. Generally depends solid prefinished will cost anywhere from $2.49 to $12.69 per square foot, while engineered prefinished wood flooring might range from $1.69 to $8.79. Installation costs will vary according to the size of the space.

As the temperature drops and the nights roll in it’s a good idea to warm up those cold floorboards with a luxury deep pile winter rug. A nice thick luxuriant rug not only feels great underfoot but adds a nice cosy feel to any room. The question is, with so many different types of rug available, which one do you choose? To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of this season’s in-style luxury winter rugs for you to create the perfect look for your home.

Shaggy Rugs

No compilation of winter rugs would be complete without mentioning the good ol’ shaggy rug. This erstwhile favourite continues to be popular today due to its beautiful soft fibres and luxuriant feel. Shaggy rugs have come a long way from their heyday in the 1970s. Today you can choose from a choice of colours, patterns, styles and finishes.

It is the shaggy rug’s sheer adaptability that makes it so popular. Shaggy rugs are just at home in a crisp modern interior as they are in a more traditional one. And unlike other types of rug, the shaggy rug can take bold colours which are perfect for brightening up any room on a cold winter’s day.

Animal Skin Rugs

Animal furs and hides have been used as floor coverings since before recorded time. The ancient Egyptians, Romans and Byzantines all used animal hides as floor coverings to keep them warm in winter. In ancient times home owners were limited to the types of hides they could use, to what was available in their local area. But today’s homeowner can choose from a diverse range of animal hides, including Springbok and Reindeer along with more traditional coverings such as cowhide and sheepskin.

This type of rug looks best on a naked wooden floor in a contemporary interior. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, depending on the animal you choose. But perhaps the best reason to choose an animal skin rug is because ethically sourced animal hides are the most environmentally friendly floor covering available. By being a by-product of the food industry very little manufacturing needs to take place and no artificial fibres are used in the process.

Machine Washable Rugs

One thing that puts people off buying a nice warm winter rug is the fact that they are difficult to keep clean. But today’s homeowner can choose from a wide range of machine washable winter rugs which are perfect for high footfall areas such as the hall or even the kitchen and bathroom. Available in a range of styles and colours, with both plain and patterned options available, it is easy to choose a design to suit your interior.

Machine washable rugs are made from a mix of polyester and cotton which retains the soft luxuriant feel of a pure natural fibre rug but doesn’t shrink in the wash. They are also manufactured using state of the art processes which reduces the need for glues and other materials that are often affected by heat. This ensures your rug will last for many years without losing its shape or colour.

Traditional

There is nothing like a traditional rug to add a little sophistication to your interior. Traditional rugs are available in a range of styles including Oriental, Persian and Moroccan. They make a great centrepiece to any room with many styles also available with matching hall runners, providing the perfect welcome to your home.

Traditional quality rugs are available in a variety of weaves, including Hand Knotted Wool, Kilims and Woven Wilton. Each weave has its own style and character ranging from the classically understated to wonderfully ornate, but no matter which style you choose they all add a touch of warmth, elegance and glamour to your home.

Kids’ Rugs

It’s not just adults that can benefit from a nice warm rug, children can too. Children’s rugs are available in a range of themes, styles, colours and fabrics, perfect for brightening up a child’s bedroom. You can even choose one with an education theme to help inspire your child’s mind while they play. There really is no better way of finishing off a child’s bedroom than with a nice, warm, colourful and soft play rug.

As you can see there is a wide choice of rugs available to suit all budgets. So no matter if you have a contemporary interior or a traditional interior, you can be sure to find a suitable rug to help keep you warm and cosy this winter.

The kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most frequented places in the house. On top of this, it is a room where you have to get things done, often in a hurry. This is why having a proper workflow in a kitchen is important. The layout of the room will determine just how efficiently you spend your time here.

Unfortunately, too few designers and contractors think about this. Therefore, you must take things into your own hands. So, whether you are looking to design a kitchen from scratch or simply looking for some remodel options, you have come to the right place.

What Is Your Kitchen Used Most For?

Now, this may seem like a rather odd question, but it is one that needs to be asked. While one family may predominantly use this space to cook meals, another may use the kitchen as an informal dining room. So, why is this distinction important? Well, it tells you whether there are certain fixtures that you need to add to the room to enhance the workflow. For instance, are most of the people in your family cooks and do you enjoy cooking together? If so, including an island counter in the kitchen will give you more counter space to utilize.

Construct Large Walkways

This is something to keep in mind if you have a kitchen that has numerous countertops and an island counter. It is important for everyone to have more than enough space to walk around each other, without bumping into anyone else. Not only will this decrease the number of accidents in the kitchen, it will also make the room seem less stifling. While you will need to take the actual size of your kitchen into consideration, it is wise to leave about 36 inches of walkway space.

Create Designated Areas

Do you find yourself rushing from one side of your kitchen to the other quite regularly? Well, this means that you haven’t arranged all of your items in a logical manner. So, it is time to re-think your overall storage plan. The best way to do this is to imagine your kitchen in the form of zones. One area should be dedicated to storing food, the other for food prep, and another still for actually cooking the food. Not only will you be able to cut down on how much time you waste, you will also find it easier to locate various items faster.

Pay Attention to Entry Points

 

Typically, you don’t need any more than two entrances/exits into and out of the kitchen. With just these two spaces, you are able to plan out the workspace more precisely. The main goal of these areas is to prevent traffic from forming in your kitchen. People should be able to move in and out of the room without any hassle, regardless of how many individuals are already in the kitchen.

Consider Appliance Placement Carefully

As a rule of thumb, you should never place appliances of similar importance opposite one another. This is a surefire way to have everyone crammed into a small area.

Instead, spread them out a bit so that they can be easily used simultaneously without annoying anyone else. Also, you should avoid placing appliances in corners where they can be hard to reach or utilize completely.

This is how you can improve the workflow of your kitchen and to make it more efficient. In doing so, you will also make the space more enjoyable for everyone else too.