Wednesday, July 11, 2018

What's Old Is New Again: 5 Home Decor Trends Making a Comeback in 2018

"The more things change, the more they stay the same" can apply to many areas in life, especially home décor. Jumping on trends can be fun, but sooner or later you want your home to be a sanctuary that welcomes you at the end of the day. So while new trends are constantly emerging, there are many tried-and-true styles that are making a comeback in today’s interiors. You might say that some of these have never really gone out of style, and others are a fresh take on an old favorite.

gallery wall adds impact

It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are coming back in a big way, and I do mean big. In fact, in some circles, the gallery wall never went out of style. It’s a great way to display art, photos of family and friends, and even vintage pieces. Plus, it boosts your room’s overall décor. The individual pieces may be small, but displayed together they have a big impact.

Surrounded by black and white prints, the classic lines and plump box seat cushions of the Grandview Four Piece Sectional sofa from Bernhardt create the perfect space for watching the big game, binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix, or relaxing with the latest bestseller.

Fresh take: Mix framed art, mirrors, inspiration words, and more to create an eclectic and eye-catching display. Keep continuity with frames that match in style or color or artwork that has a particular theme.

It’s All There in Black and White

What’s black and white and red all over? It could be a classic black and white color scheme highlighted with pops of red. Although black and white has been around for what seems like forever, it is not likely to go out of style any time soon. In fact, it is considered one of the trends least likely to go out of style. Ever. Perhaps that’s because it screams sophistication and elegance. No matter how color trends fluctuate over time, this color combination will always be the best classic blend.

Fresh take: While there’s nothing wrong with pops of red, you can freshen this look with pops of lime green, turquoise, or bright pink.

It’s a Reunion of Avocado Green and Harvest Gold

Retro color palettes are making a comeback, as proven by the rising popularity of avocado green and harvest gold. It gives your home a warm, welcoming vibe with its soothing tones. Popular in the 70s, this color combo may just stick around for a while, probably because of all the nostalgic feels it brings with it.

Fresh take: Go all in with bold green paint on the walls, subtle colors in the area rug, and mix-matched chairs. Choose a retro piece in green leather and an overstuffed one in harvest gold. Set the look with a brass chandelier.

zen design leather furniture

It’s Oversized and Proud of It

With so many homes featuring great rooms and other multiuse spaces, oversized pieces have taken center stage. When you need one perfect piece in a space, an oversized piece is your go-to solution. While we may have been shying away from oversized furniture in the past few years, expect this trend to get bigger in the coming year. A glass-topped coffee table with an open framework, such as the Island Fusion Nobu Square Cocktail table from Tommy Bahama, provides functionality while taking up less visual space.

Fresh take: When using oversized furniture in a small space, pay attention to balance. Offset your oversized sofa with a chair with delicate legs, and a glass-topped coffee table.

It’s Brassy but Not Brash

It’s hard to believe that a simple piece of metal could add so much to your interior décor. Brass is as bright as the sun and as shiny as a star, so maybe it’s not that surprising after all. Its luster may have been fading, but it began trending in 2016 and expected to continue its upward trend this year. So if you were just about to cart your brass to the thrift, stop right there. Shine it up and give it pride of place.

Fresh take: Use brass lanterns as candle holders and display with greenery for a subtle look. If you want something more dramatic, hang a brass cage chandelier in the dining room or kitchen.

If you’ve always like retro style, you are in luck. Adding just a little bit here and there will give your home a nice touch of elegance that is sure to last for years to come.

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Thursday, July 5, 2018

4 Types of Lighting for the Living Room

Most homeowners spend a ton of time deciding on what type of sofa they want, the colors in the upholstery, and the paint color for the walls in their living room. They often forget how important it is to have the right type of lighting. This is a room that sees a lot of action: watching TV, reading books, entertaining guests, and playing board games. The type of lighting you choose not only helps set the mood, but also makes the room more functional.

Lighting can be magical. Good living room lighting consists of various types of lighting, placed at different levels to work together to make the entire space attractive and warm. Using dimmers can help you control the lighting to match the activity of the room.

Below are the four types of lighting that will make your living room warm and inviting.

beautiful bookcase lighting

Draw Attention with Accent Lighting

If you want to highlight a special feature of your living room, such as textured walls or a piece of art, accent lighting does the job. Use recessed lights that you can adjust to points of interest. Another option is a wall cabinet display case, such as the Cherry Creek Wall Storage Cabinet from Hooker Furniture with a built-in light that highlights selected objects.

Accent lighting adds variations of brightness that pleases and directs the eye. Accent lighting should shine about 5 times as much light on your focal point as the surrounding light in the space.

Cast a Warm Glow with Ambient Lighting

The pieces you use for ambient lighting - chandeliers, ceiling lights, portable lamps, and wall-mounted fixtures - cast a warm glow over your living room. They control glare and provide the warm illumination that makes your living room inviting and comfortable.

This lighting influences the overall quality of light in the living room, and is generally used more than the other types of lighting. This is where you Would want to use dimmers and other energy efficient solutions.

Use Decorative Lighting to Create a Little Flair

Decorative lighting gives your space interest, intimacy, and coziness. This means hanging pendants, chandeliers, and table lamps. They can dress up or dress down the look of your room, depending on your style.

Lighting for the Task at Hand

When you want to play cards, write at a desk, or read a book, task lighting helps you get the job done. This can be a brighter floor or table lamp with a swinging arm, or a direct light source. Since this a very localized light source, positioning is key.

A combination of floor lamps and table lamps, some that shine upward and some with a downward glow. When choosing the lighting for your living room, consider design and function to get the right mix.

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