A Mix of Traditional + Contemporary = Transitional

Back in December, I was a Guest Blogger at Green Door Designs and wrote about my personal design style and aesthetic.  I recently revisited the post, and wanted to share it with you...

I appreciate all design styles, but my personal favorite is a transitional look, which is a mix of traditional elements combined with a little modern edge. The transitional style is truly the best of both worlds...it combines the stream-lined, minimalist look of contemporary with the detailed and more ornate look of traditional.  With a transitional style, you really can't go wrong...there are no rules, no restrictions.  Let's take a look at some examples...

{Eloquent Transitional}

This transitional look created by Designer, Sarah Richardson, says it ALL!  The oriental style rug fits in so eloquently with the wood & glass minimalist style table.  The deep navy colored block print fabric looks amazing on a more traditional style dining chair, which then coordinates beautifully with simple, yet sophisticated banded window treatments hanging on a minimalist rod.  I could go on and on about this amazing space....

{Chic Transitional}

This transitional space, designed by Cheryl Womack and featured in Atlanta Home Magazine combines the traditional aspects of Murano glass lamps and an antique dresser, with modern fabrics on the window treatments and crisp, white linens on the bed.  Simply chic & elegant!

{Eclectic Transitional}

This interior space is a favorite of mine.  You can truly find every design style in this living room, BUT it all works and is achieved by using a cohesive, neutral color palette and adding a POP of color here and there.  This space is also a nice example of how to create two intimate spaces using smaller rugs to divide and break up one large room.

When you're feeling a little reluctant about mixing styles, don't worry about it....the most important part of design is to incorporate pieces that you love, and it'll all come together!  Sprinkle some old in with the new, and you'll get a mix of {Transitional}

What is your favorite design style?

Images courtesy of Sarah Richardson, Cheryl Womack, Atlanta Homes Magazine, Traditional Home

Faux Animal Heads For Your Interiors

I had definite mixed feelings on writing a post about using faux animal heads in our interior decor.  Thinking about animal heads, brings me back to my childhood when I walked into a  friends house, and was welcomed everytime by what felt like the wilderness.  Those poor little animals now mounted on polished wood, made me heart ache. 

The interior topics that I usually cover, I feel passionate about and want to share with others to use and incorporate in their homes.  But even though I may not like something, it doesn't mean I shouldn't write about it.   So how do you feel about displaying a "head" on the wall?  Do you think it's a {trend} or a {well-deserved design element} that will withstand time?    Let’s explore some interior spaces  to visually see if & how faux animal heads can enhance a space and be a true conversational show-stopper!

I recently incorporated an animal head in one of my interior design concept samples and thought it really pulled the space together to create a cohesive aesthetic.  

Maybe not so bad....these spaces are quite chic and I DON'T feel like I'm in the {wilderness}...Do You?

Available in a range of styles, materials, colors, and textures....you'll find something that suits your interior style!  Check out these cute finds by Ruby's Lounge

The mix of modern and traditional elements, creates such a sophisticated interior.  And to top it off, the textured wall with the cardboard made faux animal head is a MUST HAVE!

I love how the antlers are 'watching over' and 'keeping guard' of the space.

Use ONE, Use MANY.  If you're looking for some antlers or faux animal heads to decorate your space, take a look at these: Ballard Designs & Williams and Sonoma.

These 'heads' are popping up everywhere ~ Take a look at them displayed at the 2010 Las Vegas Market.  This is a picture that Julie of Belle Maison snapped.  Stark white profiles on an apple green wall...So CHIC!

These beauties don't have to cost a fortune either...MYO ~ here is a tutorial by Just Something I Made.

 My thoughts are making a shift....I have to admit, I'm kind of digging the FAUX look.  Animal heads (real and stuffed) have been a favorite of hunters for years, but the faux look is HOT right now!  Will it be short lived or is this 'trend' a keeper? What do you think? 

Images Courtesy of  Country Living, Apartment Therapy , Inhabit, House Beautiful, Lonny Magazine, Jeffrey Bilhuber, Thom Filicia, It's Great To Be Home

 

Making an Architectural Statement on your Ceiling

Happy Monday SAS Friends! I hope you had a great weekend.  Since it's winter and cold in the northeast, I've been tackling many of the projects on my never-ending to-do-list.  One {BIG}checkmark OFF the list was accomplished this past weekend.... It ended up being more than planned...when isn't it?!  I was hoping to make the big reveal today, but it's going to take a few days to add the finishing touches.  But let's start off this Monday with a true architectural {SHOW STOPPER} that will transform any space.....

Instantly update your interior decor and make an architectural statement with the addition of ceiling beams. Beams on the ceiling are often thought of as a rustic aesthetic, but that's untrue.  Depending on the finish, size, and design of the beam, along with your interior decor, beams can complement any style.

Ceiling beams don't have to be real or structural.  You can easily add faux style beams to any ceiling to transform the overall architectural look.  Many homes built within the last few years, have open floor plans where spaces blend from one to the next, resulting in one large {white}ceiling.  With the use of ceiling beams, the space can be more defined and add visual appeal to any large unadorned surface.

Without the addition of ceiling beams in the above living rooms, the spaces would have been ordinary in their white color palette. By adding the architectural interest of natural wood beams, the focal point is now eye popping and interesting!

Either rustic or distressed, architectural ceiling beams and detailing make a space feel cozy, yet spacious.

No matter the style of your kitchen, ceiling beams will enhance the character of the space.  They will add charm and interest that wouldn't be achieved solely with the cabinetry.  

If you want to achieve a more ornate, decorative look, introduce additional mouldings to further enhance the ceiling beams.

For a modern space, add a clean, minimalist style beam that complements your other woods, will enhance the overall look and heighten the space even more....DRAMA!

WOW ~ These decorative ceiling elements are incredible!  They provide amazing visual interest to a cathedral style ceiling.  This space is unimaginable without the beams. 

Even though it's nice to dress up your ceiling, beams don't have to be the focal point of the space.  Use a tone-on-tone color or beam depth that is less than 4" and you'll still achieve an architectural statement, but at a lesser degree.

If you are interested in adding some architectural interest to a room in your own home, check out this step by step tutorial at DIY Network. 

With pre-planning and patience, adding ceiling beams to your room can truly transform your space from ordinary to extraordinary!

What space in your home would you like to add some architectural interest?

 Images Courtesy of Corbis Images, Frank DelleDonne, Flickr, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Patricia Gray

New Year, New Home: Beautifying Your Laundry

One space in your home that you (most likely) use ALOT is your laundry room {or laundry area or laundry closet or laundry nook}.....you get the picture.  For me, I do TONS of laundry (more than I'd like to admit)   After the kitchen, the laundry room is most likely the second space that you spend the most time ~ especially if you have kids ~ so beautify it...VAMP IT UP!!  In many homes, the laundry room area is small and doesn't allow the proper room to sort, wash, and fold!  The unfinished closet or hidden space in the basement, just isn't cutting it.  Let's turn it around ~ Embrace our laundry area.  Since it's inevitable that we all have to do laundry, let's make it an enjoyable, fun spot in the house!

I'm not guaranteeing you will love doing laundry, 

but at least you can be a little happier doing it.

My laundry room space closet is nothing to speak of, but I HAVE tried to maximize the space with going high has you can go...one of my favorite mottos and can be meant for so many things in life.  In this case, I'm talking about installing shelving as high as possible.  Like many builder spec houses, our laundry closet had one white wire shelf about 5' off the floor.  That's it??  That's nothing, YUP...definitely not enough.  In a previous post, I mentioned this laundry update.   By using bins and baskets, I've been able to maximize the use of this space AND make it look PRETTY!   Add pictures or 'laundry' signs, or even a pop of color...you'll enjoy this unexpected treat every time you clean those dirty clothes. And sometimes there's nothing you can do about ugly pipes :( ....just EMBRACE :)

  

Let's check out some laundry ROOMS that I just....ADORE!

When designing a laundry room, think of the space not only to wash/dry clothes, but as an {organizational command center}.  By incorporating base and upper cabinets, you can store miscellaneous items, as well as multi-task, & keep things organized in one designated spot!

 A great location for a washer/dryer in any home is at the entry / mud room. The kids come in from playing outside in the snow...put the clothes in the dryer...PERFECT.  You're outside gardening...put your clothes in the washer...IDEAL.  Again, incorporating cabinetry is a great way to build-in your washer and dryer, but also to organize.

 Have FUN with color....Create the unexpected!

How elegant is this space?! ...I'd hang out here ALL DAY!   I love how the accessories ~ the topiary, glass filled jars, and the laundry sign ~ are used to 'dress up' a typically drear part of the home.

Building your washer and dryer into cabinetry is ideal if the laundry room is being shared with bathroom or other space where you may not want to see this huge appliance.

Retro Fab!

POP it with COLOR!

This is somewhat a 'typical' looking laundry space, yet it's so efficiently and beautifully put together.  Everything needed for laundry and more, is neatly stacked and placed on the shelves.

Front loaders are an ideal style of washer and dryer to have, since it allows space on top for a countertop to sort and fold.

Think {Built-ins}! If your washer and dryer are not located in the 'best spot' of the house, build them into cabinetry...you'd never expect this stunning hutch housed the washer and dryer.

Simply have fun with your laundry room decor.  This space sure could have been boring with white cabs, white walls, and white appliances, {BUT} by introducing a plaid wallpaper, adding some country pictures, and changing the hardware to bright red knobs, this is a room that anyone would enjoy doing laundry in!

Images courtesy of Hampton Design, House & Home, My Home Ideas, Martha Stewart, Southern Living, Desire to Inspire, Real Simple, BHG, Decor Pad

Here's a sneak peak of what I was working on yesterday....

hmmm...what can it be???  any ideas?  

Stayed Tuned!