All posts by Camille Furst

Simple Colors, Bold Impact

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Although the interior design trends are headed toward bolder, more vibrant colors, neutral greys and tans are always in style. ‘Neutral’ doesn’t necessarily mean boring: here are three different ways to make a room with less vibrant colors still have a bold impact.

 

 

1. Dynamic Lighting

 Although rooms with neutral colors can be warm and inviting, it can also end up being boring and dull. To prevent this from happening, look toward dynamic light fixtures. Avant-garde light fixtures like the chandeliers in this space offer a bright and eye-catching design. The additional brass fixtures diversify the textures in the space. Although almost all of the colors are neutral, the design of the room is anything but dull.

 

Photo courtesy of Sweetpea Willow

Photo courtesy of Brabbu Design

Don’t count out natural lighting, however. Bright sunshine can bring the neutral colors to life. The high glass doors allow for the natural light to shine through, and create a more lively and vibrant room in the process.

2. Contrast of Colors

 The trick with designing rooms with neutral colors is a variation of those hues. Too much of one shade can make the entire space blend together, creating a boring look. Different shades of the same tones, however, can create a more vibrant style while also keeping a calm and comfortable atmosphere.

 

Although keeping with the neutral tones, this room stays bright and lively with its variation of those colors. The dark gray cabinets and chairs against the white brick walls creates a striking composition that’s both comfortable and eye-catching.

Photo courtesy of DelightFULL

Photo courtesy of Wallsauce

3. Varied Textures

 

To allow more variation in a space without getting too busy with the colors, look to diversifying the textures. Include different fabrics, tiles, stones, wood and more to add a more attractive style. The leather couch, painted mural on the wall and glossy wooden floors add variation to this space. But no matter which are used, the diversity of the textures will always give the room a beautiful, elegant design.

Photo courtesy of DelightFULL

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Antique Furniture with a Modern Twist

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With clean, sleek and modern furniture being the current trend, those with different styles can feel left out. But if your preference is furniture that’s more antique, you can have it both ways. These pieces can add beautiful conversation pieces for each and every space, while also staying on-trend.

This antique table adds so much character and charm to the space. With a unique design and intricate detail, the table adds a pop of color and a one-of-a-kind piece to bring the room together. Benches on the side create clean lines that add a subtle modern twist. Add a decorative lamp and some miscellaneous decorations on top to complete the look.

Photo courtesy of Covet House

Photo courtesy of Wallsauce

For more of a juxtaposition between the antique and modern styles, look toward bold representations of each. The mural on the wall is of Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. As one of the most famous pieces of classical art in the world, it adds a beautiful antique look to the space. Pair it with a modern couch and coffee table for a beautiful composition of both styles.

For a more antique look with less modern accents, look to rustic furniture, walls and floors. This space has an old world charm, and the cabinet’s bold yet faded color add to this style. The rugged wooden floors consisting of different hues contribute to the rustic charm as well. Add greenery and a beautiful mirror to bring the space fully together. The cabinet below has more modern accents to balance the antique style. The bold, retro lamps and decorative wallpaper create an eccentric character to the room.

Photo courtesy of Orchid Furniture

 

Photo courtesy of Orchid Furniture

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Designing Under Slanted Ceilings

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Slanted ceilings have made their way outside of the attic, now in living, dining and bedrooms. Designing under these slopes can be tricky, but there are ways to get around it — and even use them to make the room more elegant and spacious. Here’s how:

1. Light and Airy

Whenever you’re tight on space, adding a coat of white paint to the ceilings and walls can make all the difference. Not only does it add a simple and natural tone, but it’s malleable to design the room to your style. 

 

Photo courtesy of English Blinds

Photo courtesy of Oak Furnitureland

The blank canvas that comes with white walls and ceilings allows for limitless creativity. Create a nautical look for a more relaxed vibe, or add bold colors to make the space stand out. With a white canvas, slanted ceilings can do no harm.

Photo courtesy of Melody Maison

 

2. Lighting the Room

 

Lighting a room can be the most difficult challenge when designing a space under slanted ceilings. Many don’t think they can use any overhead lighting, since the ceiling is on a slope. In reality, however, it isn’t impossible — it’s all a matter of picking the right light fixtures.

 

This is a simple yet elegant style for light fixtures that work perfectly on slanted ceilings. The wires can slightly slightly bend, so that they hang naturally.

 

Another great way to add natural light under slanted ceilings is with skylights. They flood the room with natural light in the daytime and add a unique and stylish look to the space.

 

3. A More Natural Look 

Sometimes, however, it’s better to let the slanted ceilings add a unique design to the room, rather than hide them with an all-white hue. Adding wooden beams can do just the trick. When the ceilings aren’t too low, wooden beams won’t emphasize the height, but add a beautiful finish to the room instead. Light or dark browns for the wooden beams create a beautiful, natural look that goes with any style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Covet Valley

Photo courtesy of Covet Valley

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Adding Some Sunshine

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Adding yellow accents to a room can be tricky: while it can transform a dull design to a bright and airy space, anything too harsh can cause the opposite effect. Luckily, there’s a foolproof way to designing a space with the color, and it can be a breath of fresh air whenever you walk into the room.

Photo courtesy of The French Bedroom Co.

Photo courtesy of The French Bedroom Co.

When it comes to bedrooms, it can be difficult to choose the palette. While yellow walls may be too overbearing, yellow anywhere else may not be enough to do the trick. That’s why these two bedrooms have designed their spaces with two main categories: a bright yellow and a neutral color, such as grey, white or brown. They both balance each other out perfectly, with the yellow still adding that pop without being too harsh. The combination of hues adds to the comfortable and stylish decor, creating a space that’ll both brighten you up in the morning and be a calm retreat at the end of the day.

Photo courtesy of DelightFULL

Creating a living room with just a hint of yellow can add the perfect accent. This room that’s almost completely blue has a beautiful addition found with the bright yellow chair. It creates the perfect balance between the colors, creating a space with a unique and alluring charm.

The main trick with designing a room around the color yellow is to pick the right tones. The yellows shouldn’t be too harsh or overbearing, otherwise it will bring an unappealing style to the space. Meanwhile, the main colors of the room should be more neutral yet distinct from the yellow. Clear whites and dark browns and neutral grays play well here. 

Photo courtesy of English Blinds

Photo courtesy of Orchid Furniture

Incorporate fresh plants to add another hint of color without making the space look disorganized or messy, and you’re on your way to creating the perfect space that’ll brighten up your day the moment you walk in.

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Tips for Your Tot’s Bedroom

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When designing a child’s bedroom, the typical idea is to create a space with a bright, happy atmosphere. Finding the line between fun and playful to childish and unfashionable can be a thin one. It’s important to keep this space clean and stylish, without making it too modern or uncomfortable. Here are a few ways to find the perfect balance:

Photo courtesy of Noa and Nani

 

1. Storage Space

 

The many toys and games a child has creates the need for just as much storage space to organize it all. To keep the clutter away, choose a bed frame that includes built-in storage underneath. The mess that’s usually found under a child’s bed is now tucked neatly away in drawers, to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

 

2. A Colorful Canvas

The key to decorating a child’s bedroom is balancing the tones and color schemes, in order to create a happy childlike atmosphere. Look toward colorful pieces to balance out more subtle tones. This way, the space will look warm and inviting while not feeling cluttered and chaotic. A bright, colorful rug like the one below can add a fun, youthful piece to an otherwise modern room. Shelving is also a great way to add color to a child’s room. While not too overbearing in its appearance, the bright color is a modern and stylish way to keep a kid’s room on trend.

Photo courtesy of Go Modern

Photo courtesy of 111 Leroy

Photo courtesy of The Alyn

3. Balance Between Modern and Warm

 Designing a child’s room is also finding a balance between modern and functional while creating a warm and welcoming space. The goal is to avoid scattered and outdated designs. A designer’s trick is to use both warm and colorful tones with function in mind. Deep greens, browns, reds, and blues create a sanctuary that’s both stylish and comfortable. In this bedroom at the Alyn, shown below, a neutral color palette alongside other playful elements to maintain the balance.

 

Photo courtesy of 100 Barclay

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Stained Glass is Back With a Modern Twist

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Over the past few years, stained glass has gone from a dusty antique item in an old home to modern works of art. With the industry making a comeback into the luxury scene, interior designers are challenging themselves to design a space around the ornate glass. Here are a few different ideas:

Photo courtesy of Bespoke Glass

Photo courtesy of Florence Broadhurst Fabrics

Stained glass can add a pop of color and make your space feel both cozy and modern. The green colors on this partition add a bright finish to the room, making it the centerpiece for all the other furniture to gather around it. While still looking modern, it brings back an old-school style to provide a sense of comfort as well. Nowadays, adding a piece of stained glass to a home brings a unique style unlike any other — one that brings you back in time, while also staying ahead of the times, too.

Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the Blake Hotel adds a unique style to the space by featuring the work of Bespoke Glass, a studio-based business in Brooklyn, New York. The different shades of blue colors and the glimmer of the glass adding a retro look that transports you to a different time in the past, while also staying current and on-trend. The placement of the blue pieces adds an edgy and one-of-a-kind appearance. Not only is it a partition, but it’s a work of art in its own right.

Photo courtesy of Reed McKendree

Photo courtesy of Bespoke Glass

By changing the designs stained glass was normally confined to in the past, studios and interior designers around the globe are beginning to take out the dusty antiques from their storage bins and create works of art instead. With so many different styles and colors, the possibilities are endless.

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Bayfront Estate in Florida Offers French Charm

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In Sarasota, Florida, this home is elevating the standard of luxury, waterfront living. 

1309 Vista Drive in Sarasota, Florida, is a gated French Country private estate located right on the bay. It was built in 2015 on the 1.5-acre-plus property.

Located in one of Sarasota’s most coveted neighborhoods, Harbor Acres, the property is just as close to the bay as it is to the bustling downtown district filled with restaurants and retail stores. The perfect blend of old-world charm and modern Florida luxury.

The interior of the home includes a La Cornue gourmet kitchen, imported French stone floors and cabinetry. But the quality doesn’t end inside — with over 244 feet of direct bayfront on the property, you can enjoy the water every day of the year.

1309 Vista Drive in Harbor Acres, being a perfect blend of French charm and modern style, is the quintessential home of the neighborhood and surrounding area.

Photos courtesy of 1309 Vista Drive.

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Lagoon Transports You to the Caribbean

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For those who love consistently warm weather throughout the year, Florida is known for its tropical, relaxed atmosphere. The palm trees and sunny days transport you to the Caribbean — especially in a residential amenity like Laguna Solé.

Laguna Solé is a massive 7-acre, man-made swimming lagoon large enough to fit 21 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The crystal clear water imitates the Caribbean while its ultrasonic filtration system uses 100 times fewer chemicals than a regular pool.

The lagoon is located in the heart of Solé Mia, known for being the “city within a city” that’s being built by two of the most powerful real estate dynasties in America, the LeFraks and Soffers. The LeFraks developed LeFrak City in New York and Newport, New Jersey, while the Soffers are known for developing much of what Miami is today.

The lagoon is accessible by residents and guests of the Shoreline, Solé Mia’s newest two residential towers located right next to the lagoon.

The $4 billion city of Solé Mia is known for its residential amenities that are elevating the standard of residential living — and Laguna Solé is the most recent and extravagant example.

Photos courtesy of Solé Mia.

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Styling a Room with Darker Walls

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While dark-colored walls can add a depth to a room, it can sometimes be tricky to style around them. Every dark-colored wall brings a heavy tone with it, and it’s important to know how to design the space so has a balanced tone. While it’s a designer’s challenge, here are different rooms that prove it can be done:

Photo courtesy of Brabbu Design Forces

Photo courtesy of AUDENZA

1. Brighter Colors, Warmer Tones

When designing any room, it’s crucial to look at the colors you’ll be using and make sure they balance each other out. This is especially so for rooms with dark-colored walls. While they add a great tone to the space, too many darker tones can make a room feel cold and uninviting. 

The perfect balance of colors involves a mixture of both darker and lighter colors, such as this bright red chair in front of a dark green backdrop. The chair adds a pop of color, making the dark colored walls feel warm and inviting.

1. Light versus Dark

Balancing the lighter and darker tones can be a challenge, since having too much of one can overwhelm and wash out the other. These baths represent the perfect balance of tones. The darker walls counteract against the polished bathtubs and light fixtures. This not only adds a great balance, but brings a rich and inviting depth of color to the room.

Photo courtesy of Garden Trading

Photo courtesy of Original Style

Photo courtesy of Original Style

3. Allowing Tones to Stand Out

When it comes to dark-colored walls, an immediate response may be to counteract the heavier tones with lighter statement pieces. While this can create a beautiful design, it’s important to allow the rich, dark colors to stand out. In this kitchen, there are minimal pieces that are lighter in color, allowing the walls to be full in color and provide a warm and cozy atmosphere.

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Bringing the Outside In

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With the push for wellness-oriented spaces around the globe, interior designers are looking for different ways to incorporate this rapidly-growing industry to their styles. While including more plants and flowers into the home is known to brighten up the atmosphere, some designers are taking this theme to the next level. Here’s how:

Photo courtesy of Maison Valentina

Photo courtesy of VG New Trend

Photo courtesy of VG New Trend

When it comes to lighting, many chandeliers are starting to incorporate elements of nature to bring a more natural, elegant look. Both of these chandeliers are surrounded by vines and flowers, allowing the natural elements to be woven into the design. While critics may argue that the “unrefined” elements of nature decrease the elegance of the chandelier, these rooms prove them wrong. While remaining luxurious, the chandeliers’ design provide a warmer and more relaxed atmosphere.

Natural elements can also be incorporated into the wallpaper of a room, adding a bold yet comfortable piece to the space. Regardless of the individual’s style, nature-oriented wallpaper can be incorporated.

For a more feminine look, a bold, floral wallpaper does just the trick. The bright colors add a fun and relaxed style, while the natural elements of the flowers freshen up the atmosphere of the room.

Photo courtesy of Wallsauce

Photo courtesy of Wallsauce

If you’re looking for a less feminine wallpaper, however, incorporating nature to the room is certainly still possible. The darker wallpaper in this bathroom, although much less feminine than a floral backdrop, still adds natural elements to give the room a fresh look.

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