Interior Design
Screwless outlet and switch plates. Who knew not seeing a couple of screws could make such a difference? Screwless plates are actually just screw-on plates with a smooth cover that pops over the top. They go a long way toward creating a sleek, finished look and come in a variety of colors. My personal favorite brand is Lutron, but there are tons of others.
Colors, mirrored dressers
Textures, colors
A glass pendant light adds a little jewelry overhead. Together with the polished nickel sconces and new knobs on the drawers, these items accessorize the room in an elegant way
beautiful hand-blocked wallpaper from Galbraith & Paul as an accent.
Floor, wall color, ceiling
Colors / Rug. Invest in dual-purpose pieces. A slim, contemporary sofa bed is perfect for space saving and, of course, doubling up as a bed, whether for the occupant of a tiny studio or as additional sleeping space in a one-bedroom pad.
Think modern coastal. Instead of opting for the typical white, blue and red color combination found in many seaside vacation cottages, work the coastal look with a more sophisticated and less clichéd palette of smoky blue-gray with accents of muted yellow. These colors work beautifully with seascapes and displays of natural objects, such as driftwood and shells.
Paint, floor, furniture colors
Floor and wall and ceiling colors
Floor...
Polished concrete floor
The floors are polished concrete throughout. Chilly? Not with the underfloor heating Purser installed. “They’re very warm,” he says.
Floor, colors...
Beveled marble countertops, wood floors and architectural beams add an old-world vibe.
Floor and colors
Flooring
Colors / Flooring
The paneling was already in place in the sitting room, and was painted to give it a contemporary update.
Colors
“We wanted it to be elegant, calm and restful,”
Floor
Hardwood floors
One room or two? Folding doors allow for privacy and even a little soundproofing when someone in the household wants to read or watch a movie and others want to talk or play.
Floors
In the open living space, the homeowner wanted to use a lot of neutrals on the larger pieces with dashes of bright color brought in via accessories. This chair sets the tone in the small entry area, which is open to the main living area. “This chair was a hard sell at first, but it brings in so many great colors,” the designer says. “In fact, it gave us the color palette for the entire home.” Chair: Anthropologie; Ceramic Cumulus Stool: Wisteria
Curtains, tile backsplash, sink, counters...
Tip: Round tables encourage lively conversation and family-style meals. A round formal dining table needs to be at least 60 inches (152 centimeters) in diameter and can easily be 72 inches (183 centimeters).
AFTER: He used leftover Vermont marble for a counter and built shelves to create a neat little coffee station that connects to the new master bathroom.
AFTER: Mattison wanted to dress up the living room and make it special, so he added coffered ceilings for more detail and charm. “It’s not the biggest living room, so I wanted to make it jewel-like or dollhouse-like; with the cute fireplace, it becomes its own little enclave,” he says.
AFTER: Mattison felt the entry deserved something special. He had a millworker create the wainscoting with judges paneling and refinished the original wood floors.
The floors are pine with an ebony stain.
Benjamin Moore’s Breath of Fresh Air seemed to garner more favorable reviews. Houzz user nhorowi1 painted her bedroom with this color and says, “It gives the room a calming effect. It makes me feel like I’m in the Caribbean at the beach. I love it!”
Colors, couch
Book lover’s nook. Colorful books arranged on diagonally oriented shelves bring levity to this space in West Plano, Texas, and caught the eyes of Houzz users who saved this photo. The desk — which looks like it’s made from metal but is actually wood — has prominent horizontal lines and enough bulk to counterweight the diagonal lines of the shelving. A graphic rug brings its own sense of pattern and line to a space that celebrates both.
Q