Home Design Ideas
Interior Design Suggestions for a Small Condo
Small condos are ideal first homes, retirement homes or even summer homes if they are in an ideal location that has your choice of sunny weather and recreational activities. A challenge with small condo living is always merging style with function. Creating a style that is in line with your taste but also maximizes space is a goal of condo living.
Storage
Build storage into your small condo so you can keep it clutter-free. Regardless of the style of your condo, built-in storage that is hidden lets you capitalize on your space and focus on the overall design, tone and theme of the home.
Add shoe racks to all closets and invest in storage units for under the beds. Find an ottoman that has built-in storage and add shelving to spaces that collect clutter such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Add a vertical floor-to-ceiling shelving unit with attractive doors, or if you are on a budget, use a cost-effective yet stylish piece of fabric instead of cabinet doors. This helps keep clutter hidden while adding a personalized sense of style to your space.
Paint Colors
Brighter and light colors, as well as white, are ideal paint choices in a small condo. Darker colors can make small spaces seem even smaller while lighter, brighter hues and classic white open up a small condo. If you love a particular dark color, use it for an accent wall: a single wall contrasting with the primary color of the room.
Furnishings
Keep furnishings minimal in a small condo, especially if you entertain frequently, as you want your family and friends to have room to move freely throughout the space. A couch that converts to a sofa bed, a set of coffee and end tables and a set of club chairs are sufficient furniture for a small living room. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tips for a Rustic Italian Decor
For anyone in love with an Italian influence in room decor, few can resist rustic yet romantic items throughout the space. The embodiment of sun, earth and texture, rustic Italian decor can recapture the memories of a past Italian vacation, or it can transport you with the essence of the region as decorated in your home.
Textured Walls
Although they may look difficult to achieve, textured walls are actually quite easy to create. Just layer uneven patches of spackle compound on your walls, leaving exposed under elements of the wall if desired.
The additional beauty of this design element is that it can hide a multitude of sins if your walls have cosmetic issues you cannot resolve or repair completely. For a warm finish, paint with a base coat and finish with a wash of a second paint color or glaze.
Murals
Large or small wall murals can add a richness to any rustic Italian decor. The mural could be in the form of a large wallpaper applied to a full wall, or smaller murals can be painted on tiles in the kitchen or entryway of the home. Interesting murals would be those that reflect the scenery in Italy, like a gondola ride in Venice or a Tuscan village countryside scene.
Metal Work
The addition of metal work to a rustic-influenced Italian decor brings another texture and dimension to any decorating project. From gates on the exterior of the home to intricate wall hangings, railings or accents pieces, wrought iron or other metals can add a new, large design element to the space without closing in the room since the open spaces allow the eye to see through the metal pieces.
Tuscan Design Elements
The sunny Tuscan look is a favorite with eclectic contemporary room designs. Simple plaster walls with fancy doors and other wood elements are often adorned with luscious bushes and plants for a country feel.
However, these elements are easily mixed with other styles, such as contemporary wood furniture and sculpture, in complete contrast to the old-world Tuscan style. Mix Tuscan elements with contemporary, Asian, Latin or other European styles for an ideal blend with interest that commands attention.