Category: Decorating Guides

Whether you are redecorating an current home or decorating a new home, as you decorate walls with colour, don’t forget about adding texture to walls as well. While colour can create walls pop with attention, texture can provide a subtle background to the colour that enhances and beautifies. Add texture to a wall by using several procedures. After incorporating the texture, add colour also and also the finished effect guarantees to be a wall that will grab attention and create your space exude style.

Protect woodwork, window frames and door frames by applying masking tape along these borders to stop paint and texture products from staining these adjoining surfaces. Cover the floor with the tarps.

Before applying the texture, prime the wall surface first. Pour the primer to the paint and use it using the paint roller. Allow the primer to dry completely before you proceed.

Mix the drywall joint compound which has a little bit of water in the skillet to thin it slightly. Add a little bit of water gradually until you get the consistency you need in order to produce the texture you want. Mix enough compound to cover the entire wall.

Apply the thinned drywall joint compound into the wall at a 1/8-inch-thick coating, working in small 2-foot segments to employ and texturize. Use the joint compound using a paint roller and then use a tool to make textures or designs in the wet compound. As an instance, use a large comb to make lines or use a whiskbroom to make thatching.

Continue working in tiny sections until you use the texture to the entire wall. Allow the joint compound to dry completely on the wall until you paint over it (at least 24 hours).

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Mediterranean fashion is influenced by the cultures of the southern European and northern African countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. Greece italy and Morocco are cultural and stylistic originators of Mediterranean style. While Mediterranean-style architecture is typically found in warm-weather climates, inside Mediterranean design can be used to add warmth and color to homes everywhere no matter climate. To achieve a Mediterranean look inside a home, use the colours, fabrics and furniture types most closely associated with the region.

Paint the walls in colours. The website Home Decorating Reviews suggests using colours like sea green, sand and earthy orange. Such colours are inspired by the sea, the skies and other all-natural elements of the Mediterranean atmosphere. Use multiple colours in the same area or even on precisely the same wall, and also add texture together with techniques such as sponge-painting.

Place decorative tiles along the walls. Pick ceramic or wrought-iron tiles which have detailed designs. Protect expensive or delicate tiles by exhibiting them on shelves rather than attaching them to the walls with nails.

Furnish spaces. Select couches, chairs and tables with short legs and intricate carvings. The website Redeco recommends furniture in wrought iron or wrought iron for a more real Mediterranean appearance. Stained glass and tile accent pieces are appropriate.

Place accent cushions. Select cushions that complement the colours of the furniture and walls. Pick fine fabrics such as silk and choose cushions with beadwork, fringe or embroidery.

Place metal accessories mantles and tabletops. Candlesticks, incense burners and figurines made of bronze, iron or aluminum are proper Mediterranean accents. Place well-made, intricately designed accents sparingly in the rooms that are desirable. In case you’ve got a fireplace, then think about a wrought fireplace screen.

Hang neutral-colored or black white curtains. Pick curtains which will not compete with all the other colours in the room. The website Home Decor Resource encourages homeowners to use gauzy drapes that can contribute a light, airy feel to the area.

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Although short lived, the art nouveau movement still leaves an imprint on design now. From the late 19th century until the early 20th century, designers and artists developed this style of design, decorative arts and style, incorporating sweeping, female contours. The movement aimed to be completely original, not mimicking anything from the past.

While the art nouveau style was acclaimed at first, its popularity quickly waned. Critics accused it of being overelaborate, lavish and expensive. The movement that followed, Arts and Crafts, addressed a number of those criticisms.

Despite this, art nouveau’s attractiveness is undeniable and is still valued today. Whether you’re seeking to genuinely embrace this look or simply add a touch or two, here are eight ways to work art nouveau style into your home.

Caroline Beaupere Design

1. Carved wood. Art nouveau artists, designers and craftsmen rejected traditional impacts, moving their designs toward an original and much more modern style. In the home, intricate carvings from the Victorian age gave way to a curvilinear look, together with sinuous lines and nature-inspired motifs.

Get this look: Replicate the style with an updated twist with the addition of moldings to newer furniture. Look for the local hardware store to get trimming pieces and use them to horizontal surfaces on tables, dressers or frames. Feeling really adventurous? DIY veterans can trace an art nouveau motif on wood and use a Dremel kit to carve out the details for an authentic period look.

Gast Architects

2. Metalwork. The art nouveau style was immediately adapted for ornamental ironwork and cast metal, in which its undulating, asymmetrical and organic lines located favor with rich homeowners.

Get this look: Whether their work is either custom or prefab, ironwork professionals often provide art nouveau–style alternatives for your home. Look for brackets, railings, gates and other architectural elements. If you’re short on money, look for salvaged elements, which are often less expensive. Consider employing an antique gate to get a headboard or a piece of wall art.

Marsh and Clark Design

3. Stained glass. Artist Louis Comfort Tiffany helped bring art nouveau stained glass to mainstream interiors during this age. His curving, sinuous designs adorned windows, lamps and other lighting fixtures.

Get this look: It’s easy to think of glass as a traditional feature, but in the right program, it can work beautifully in modern and contemporary interiors. Look for the curving lines of art nouveau and apply the stained glass in limited applications — such as to get a light fixture or a window, as in this bathroom.

Red Rock Tileworks

4. Tiles. The latter half of the 19th century saw a decline in tile manufacturing. Compared to wallpaper, tile was expensive and hard to install. But the substance’s popularity resurged in the 20th century. Molded tiles together with art nouveau themes became readily available and less expensive.

Get this look: Art nouveau–style tile works nicely in modern and traditional homes. Don’t feel like you need to put up an entire wall of tile — small quantities can have a powerful effect when used sensibly. Pick a few to get a boundary accent indoors or outside your home.

Margo Downing Interiors

5. Textiles. Although art nouveau was lavish, it was often inspired by nature. Original art nouveau fabrics usually comprised blossoms and blossoms in woven or printed designs. In both muted and dark color palettes, these fabrics included rugs, rugs and window treatments.

Get this look: Textiles will be able to enable you to add just a touch of art nouveau or finish a top-to-bottom makeover. Look for nature-inspired fabrics, pillows or upholstery in muted color palettes with curving, wavy lines. If you’re looking for an unconventional means to work with fabric, consider hanging framed panels as art or even covering an entire wall.

Quoizel

6. Lighting. Art nouveau stained glass pendants, iron chandeliers, leaded glass Cabinets and acid-etched lampshades all represented the elaborate and organic-inspired patterns of the age. Mixed substances — usually metal and glass — were combined in feminine forms.

Get this look: Most decorating approaches can accommodate a touch of nouveau-inspired lighting. You don’t need to choose traditional or antique pieces to get the look. Sconces, pendants, chandeliers and table lamps with just a touch of curved iron or acid-etched glass can indicate art nouveau style with a more modern touch.

Graham & Brown

Diva Wallpaper, Beige – $85

7. Wallpaper. Cheaper and accessible than tile, wallpaper was a popular fixture in homes during the art nouveau period. Palettes may be bold or dull, all in the rhythmic patterns of the age.

Get this look: You don’t need to go far to find great art nouveau–style wallpaper now. The graceful lines are a favorite look with most major retailers.

Don’t rule out wallpaper if you don’t need the wall-to-wall look. Consider using it on a single accent wall, as matting for art, behind a collection of mirrors or as a remedy beneath a chair rail.

AllPosters.com

Reverie Print, circa 1897, by Alphonse Mucha – $35.99

8. Artwork. Printed bits are a touch of this art nouveau style, as it had been the very first design movement to mass create images for commercials, labels, posters and magazines. Many of those printed bits are available now in classic and reproduced forms.

Get this look: Check out swap meets, art fairs and antiques shops for some fantastic vintage finds. Reproductions are readily available, too.

If you’re searching to make a bolder statement, then locate a massive art nouveau–motivated stencil to use all on your ceiling or wall.

More: Art Nouveau Style Creates Verve With Curves

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Homes in Texas come in most design styles, but its classic appearance still embodies a romance with all the Old West. This varied appearance blends Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Anglo-American and European components using earthy finishes, timber, cherry, leather, iron — along with a rebellious streak. You don’t have to live in the Lone Star State to be inspired by the distinguishing features from these Texas interiors.

The Cavender Diary

1. A colour scheme. A down-to-earth, rustic colour palette defines that this Texan interior. Dusty reds, blues and whites (like on the Texas and American flags) complement hot wall colors.

Get this appearance: Light foundation colours work best in the hot Texas climate, so stick to lighter colors on your walls and use bolder colours for entertaining punches in cloth, art, accessories and furniture.

Zoe Murphy Compton Ltd..

2. Textiles and furnishings. Organic materials like wood, leather and iron emphasize the warmth and relaxation of these spaces. Traditionally, Texas craftspeople made furnishings by hand out of local pine, walnut and cedar. Furniture was upholstered in hides or in sturdy textiles with geometric patterns or Western scenes.

Get this appearance: If you are wanting to save a little money to acquire this Southwestern appearance, reupholster a footstool or side chair in cotton or burlap. Sloping up a thrifted wooden chair using sandpaper and dry brush a layer of paint on top for authentic and reclaimed style.

Rachel Mast Design

3. Rodeo flair. During the late 1800s, rodeos became a favorite test of skill across the western United States. Lots of Texans still hold fast to this cowboy tradition, and it’s frequently represented in iconic art, accessories and textiles in the house.

Get this appearance: Look for rodeo silhouettes of a cowboy and bucking bronco in photographs, prints or paintings. Metalwork and antiques can pay tribute to the tradition, too — old spurs and boots can make a fantastic entryway accessory.

3 Fold Design Studio

4. Limestone. Native Texas limestone is your top stone quarried in the state, and it’s widely used for both interior and outdoor functions. Designers frequently use subtle stone colors like shell, cream, buff and gray in both traditional and modern settings.

Get this appearance: Consider using limestone for a stacked-stone fireplace or a wall, backsplash or flooring. Try accenting a little corner or terrace with limestone border tiles.

Wright-Built

5. Tin roofing. Metal roofing’s reflective surface helps preserve a home’s temperature in the hot Texas weather. Galvanized roof systems have been frequently used in old Texas houses — they withstood the elements beautifully and frequently rusted over time, including personality.

Get this appearance: Reclaimed galvanized sheets can add a gorgeous patina to every part of your home. You’re able to salvage old panels or purchase new ones and use a rust kit from the hardware store to oxidize the metal.

Legacy DCS

6. Reclaimed lumber. Reclaimed lumber and barn timber include history and warmth. Old-school Texan homes embraced this hot and weathered appearance, with old barn wood liner cabinets, walls and flooring.

Get this appearance: Fortunately for us, pieces made from reclaimed lumber are no more difficult to come by, as a wealth of designers and furniture manufacturers really like to use this substance.

More salvage style thoughts

7. The Texas star. Featured about the state flag, this star is over conventional Texan houses. It’s a sign of Texas’ individual spirit and ethics, and houses often display it through the flag, as a sculpture or in carved details, tile work, signage and more.

Get this appearance: Branch out beyond framed flags and textiles, and use the Texas star as a theme on a wall, carpeting, tabletop or tile depth. I really like this homeowner brought the star outside in a rustic, patinated metal.

The Cavender Diary

8. Longhorns. The Texas longhorns are descended from the first cattle brought to America from Christopher Columbus. These cattle are frequently associated with the love of the Old West and are becoming an iconic element of Texas culture.

Get this appearance: These accents look great over fireplaces or as part of a gallery wall, and you can also find ceramic and papier-mâché designs. No luck finding something sculptural? Try out a longhorn pillow or stained motif instead.

More: Texas Design Corrals a Assortment of Styles

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Mediterranean cuisine, which includes dishes from Greece, Italy, northern Africa and the Middle East, is one of the most dynamic and popular kinds of food for restaurants. While not as important as the food itself, the setting of a Mediterranean restaurant can help diners feel at home and immersed at the dining room experience, which may be anything from a relaxed, elegant day to some fast, lively meal.

Architecture

The architectural design of a restaurant can be an immediate indication of its Mediterranean motif. Arched doors, high ceilings and a large entryway all imitate the classic Mediterranean design. For your building’s outside, exposed rock or stucco can give the impression of a rural trattoria in Italy or some local eatery on the Greek islands. The same goes for Spanish tile roofing and arched or round windows.

Decor

Mediterranean decor fluctuates widely and gives you many opportunities to decorate your restaurant in your own style whilst staying true to the motif. Traditional Greek- or Roman-inspired statuary is just one simple way to signify that a Mediterranean motif in the foyer, setting the visual tone for the remainder of the space. Earth tones, for example tans and browns, can help signify the down-to-earth character of a Mediterranean meal, while pastels and trendy colors can create a more upscale beachfront setting. Ornate rugs, candles, urns, iron mirrors and heavy wooden furniture can all fit inside the Mediterranean fashion.

Family Style

Including a family-style dining area into a restaurant recalls the special relationship individuals from the Mediterranean area have with food. Encouraging diners to face one another and share huge portions of food will enliven the disposition. An alternative arrangement could be family-style dining at large tables in a separate party room or outdoor dining area, with traditional tables elsewhere. This can divide the quiet, romantic side of Victorian dining in the festive setting.

Walls

A Mediterranean restaurant walls are just another prime opportunity to set up or expand the motif. Architectural or landscape subjects are common among Mediterranean art, with still life and cafe scenes also suitable. The walls themselves can be finished or left as bare stone or brick for a more rustic feel. Tapestries and painted stucco offer additional wall treatments that can have a more formal, finished appearance that’s still inside a Mediterranean motif.

Landscaping

Prior to entering a Mediterranean restaurant, diners can be treated to a preview of the ambiance inside. A garden pathway with palms trees, hardy shrubs and evergreen bushes at a temperate foundation will consume comparatively little water and introduce a Mediterranean landscape to complement your restaurant’s exterior design. Stone features and decorative columns recall Roman or Greek ruins and also help form a classical motif. A indoor fountain can serve as a visual centerpiece in the dining room as a waterfall or outdoor fountain is able to create an outdoor seating area even more attractive.

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A wave of classic Turkish rugs in surprising colours has landed on our shores, and interior designers are utilizing them in areas from traditional to modern. The carpets are well-worn antiques which have been redyed in eye-catching bold hues, tasteful grays and even black, to freshen up the appearance and mix new and old. “Overdyed rugs are among my favorite ways to add a pop of color to a room,” says interior designer Melanie Coddington. “They’re a fresh, modern take on the classic rug.”

“These carpets are true antiques from Turkey, and they’ve naturally worn over time,” explains interior designer Emily Basham-Hoelscher of Urbanspace Interiors. “They sometimes further distress them using resources to make them more interesting, then they use organic vegetable dyes to get the deep pigment” Each rug is a unique work of art. Take a peek at how performers are finding just the best overdyed classic rugs for a vast array of rooms and fashions.

Callaway Architects

Vibrant pinks and purples amp the colour in this transitional dining area. The patchwork pattern divides the scale of the massive area rug to smaller pieces.

“The patchwork assortment are stitched together and can be customized with colour sewing,” Basham-Hoelscher says.

Urbanspace Interiors

The carpets work well with just about any fashion. “They work superbly in more traditional settings, because they have the decoration and history of the originals but add a unique touch,” Basham-Hoelscher says. “And they are amazing in modern surroundings, because of their vibrant, graphic character and nod into the past.”

Similar carpets accessible through Urbanspace Interiors.

Reiko Feng Shui Design

Urbanspace Interiors

Tip: When looking for a patchwork overdyed classic rug, Basham-Hoelscher recommends locating one in which you can see the stitches at the top. “If the stitching is beneath, it can produce embarrassing puckering,” she says.

Elad Gonen

Coddington Design

“I picked this emerald-green rug since I loved how it complemented the hues in the curtains and wallpaper with no too matchy,” Coddington says.

Coddington Design

The rug also stands up to the wear and tear of a toddler and a dog, and is not difficult to maintain in this family residence.

Shirley Meisels

Interior designer Shirley Meisels loves these carpets for many reasons. “I really like the colours, and they seem great with traditional furnishings,” she says. “They also comparison warm and with up modern surroundings”

Shirley Meisels

Meisels also notes that they are great at hiding dirt, making them her favorite choice for entrances and other areas with a great deal of foot traffic.

Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

Basham-Hoelscher notes that these rugs have worn well for many, many decades, and since they are made from wool, will last for several more. “The only place I would not recommend is bathrooms or outside,” she says.

Similar carpets accessible through Postcard in Paris.

What do the experts say to people who wholeheartedly think the classic version is better? Besides “To each his own,” Basham-Hoelscher adds: “Many of our clients and customers believe that they get the quality of something made so well that it’s stood the test of time, but also has had new life into it” It is a unique combination of new and old that matches today’s variety of fashions.

Similar carpets accessible through Urbanspace Interiors.

RugSpecialist

Patchwork Rugs Produced From Overdyed Vintage Turkish Carpets

Browse oversized antique rugs

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When it’s been years since you’ve considered a space heater, it’s time to provide these little workhorses a fresh appearance. The designs on the market nowadays are sleek, stylish and efficient, enabling you to conserve energy and keep your sense of style.

Why use a space heater? Turning your thermostat and using a space heater to give additional warmth in the room you’re using can be much better way to warm your property. To get the most from your space heater, be sure to close doors to any rooms not being used.

Florent Bouhey Fayolle

Sun Container

French pupil Florent Bouhey Fayolle made this “sun container” to collect energy from sun during the day and heat the atmosphere once the temperature warms. It’s not yet available, but it’s encouraging to see elegant green innovations like this one being designed. I hope we will see more mobile solar technologies like this later on.

HORNE

Cabernet White Wine Glass – Holmegaard – $40

The Max is a cute space heater and fan combo with character to spare. Available in red, yellow or white, it’s a fun, contemporary apparatus it’s possible to use year-round.

HORNE

Stadler Form Anna Ceramic Heater – $99.99

With its slim profile and white and silver finish, this heater from Stadler Form appears like it’s a part of a fancy audio system. Past the elegant look, this heater contains a powerful ceramic heating element and contains an automatic safety shutoff feature.

Amazon

Econo-Heat E-Heater, White – $84

This sleek little wall-mountable heater could be painted to match your walls, making it virtually invisible. Additionally, it’s safe for children, and you don’t ever have to worry about it tipping over.

Amazon

Crane Space Heater, 600/1200 Watt – $34.99

I love the decorative curves and chunky flow of the miniature heater out of Crane. Some reviewers warned that the device gets fairly hot to the touch, and thus don’t use it around children or pets. It could be just the thing to receive your master bedroom or home office nice and toasty, however.

Japan Trend Shop

Plus Minus Zero Fukasawa Heater – $294

You would never guess these vibrant little pods are heaters. Produced by Naoto Fukusawa, the Plus Minus Zero heater comes in 3 colours. Be advised that it ships out of Japan, so shipping costs may be steep.

Amazon

Sunpentown Mini-Tower Ceramic Heater – $49.88

This small, slender Sunpentown tower can easily be tucked on a shelf or counter to heat the room with oscillating heat. Safety features include overheat protection, cool-to-the-touch casing along with a tip-over switch.

Dyson

Dyson AM04 Fan Heater, White/Silver – $299.99

Dyson’s futuristic-looking fan heater projects enough heat to heat a whole room in winter and can be used as a powerful fan in summer.

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A chocolate some socks and Santa just won’t do. For all those design hounds in your own life, stocking stuffers must be cute, clever, stylish or beautiful. Preferably all four at once.

Here are 10 ideas for the discerning design fan on your list.

The Urban Set, School Blue, by CircaCeramics – $65

A little bit vintage-y, a little bit colorful plus a great deal of cute.

Anthropologie

Squirrel Nutcracker – $18

Why go to your normal old soldier nutcracker when you’re able to split your nuts with a nutcracker concealed as a squirrel?

Fishs Eddy

A coaster place for architects and interior designers.

Bulbrite 134020 40-Watt Edison Quad Loop–Style Bulb – $3.99

Old-school lightbulbs for that Thomas Edison glow.

Mini Air Plant Pod, Gray, by Seaandasters – $11

This little beauty is like a room.

Design-nerd chic at its very best.

See Jane Work Basic Pencils – $7

White for the modernist, orange to the Jonathan Adler fan, blue to the girly girl, green to the midcentury enthusiast and black to the real designers.

Chevron Washi Tape by Swigshoppe – $2.99

All designers love chevrons, and most of DIYers love washi tape. All these are facts of the world.

Colombina Salt and Pepper Shakers by Alessi

Alessi salt and pepper shakers that look like white stones. For the minimalist in your lifetime.

West Elm

Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap – $6

You might wash with this. Or you might just use the box.

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What is darkly romantic? It’s a style that evokes overcast afternoons cocooned under thick blankets perfumed with incense. Colors are deep and saturated and range from black and navy to silver and gold. Walls are adorned with moody artwork that sends your mind wandering, and the air seems full of keys. Rooms are sensual — simple or luxuriant — and have a vibe that feels equally soft and subtly hazardous.

Rich textures and fabrics are layered to make a decadent, introspective atmosphere. On the point of hot sadness, accents have an edge or otherworldly quality. Applying to a lot of styles, from traditional to modern, lavish and low shapes, ambient lighting and glints of metal and mirror create a darkly romantic surroundings that invites you to forego pretense and relax into a daydream.

Paul Craig Photography

What it is not, however, is a Gothic macabre dungeon. Think sexy not frightening, and fascinating not intimidating. It’s not about a topic so far as a sense — a sultry, dark undertone to the regular rooms you occupy. Go ahead. Here is the way to get darkly romantic in your home.

Why it works: Darkly romantic spaces envelop you in a sense of mystique and elegance eliminated from the daily challenges of the world. They embody a sense of introspection and long-lost memories. It’s a misty-morning perspective of the world from a window framed in velvet curtains.

You’ll love it if … Your favourite time of the day is your dusk before nightfall, you’re entranced with shadows thrown by flickering candlelight, you read Pablo Neruda poetry and retain old love letters stashed for rainy afternoon recalling. You’ve got a somewhat subversive side that plays well with your own well-tailored exterior, and the idea of bold, bright colours or country cottage chic gives you the shivers.

Jason Dallas Layout

Style tip: Pick a palette. A darkly romantic space is based on a foundation of deeply saturated colors that set the tone for those kinds of furnishings and accessories that will work best.

Although dark colours work the most magical, lighter colours, such as the toffee colors chosen for your bedroom revealed here, can also be effective if paired with darker tones in precisely the same color family, like espresso-colored timber or chocolate-tone negative tables.

Once you’ve chosen your foundation colour — the beginning point for your room — layer in furnishings, fabrics and lighting in precisely the same colour family to achieve a calming, cocoon-like feel.

Here, the patterned carpet adds curiosity while the moody lighting keeps it hot.

www.timorousbeasties.com

Experiment: Go darkly romantic in subtle ways. A bit of noir can alter the mood of a space. Try a lampshade with an unexpected interior print which leans to the left of sweetness. Here, the conservative exterior belies the prickly purple thistle inside.

DUEALBERI

Rose J’Adore Fine Art Print by A.F. Duealberi – $25

Change your artwork. Start by altering like for like when it comes to artwork. Replace prints or acrylic paintings of roses such as haunting modern-day photos of these blossoms. Melancholy flowers are best in small bunches instead of on a pub wall and can promote a daydream-like texture in a space.

Ballard Designs

Languishing Drifters Giclee Print – $249

Go daring with large scale prints. Black canvas prints like these add a bit of darkness. Instead of gently colored botanicals on a cream background, the giant sea monsters shine against a jet black background, drawing you in with their fluid and dangerous shapes.

Studio William Hefner

Style tip: Pick mirrors with a feeling of past. Mirrors define the style of a space through their dimensions, shape and patina. At a darkly romantic space, mirrors should feel like they’ve come from a bittersweet fairy story.

Antiqued or distressed mirrors look as though they’ve seen a lifetime of reflections. Black dots, scratches and missing areas are all part of the charm. Mirrors who have dropped their silver mercury coating or paint onto the trunk have an almost inexplicable patina.

Foxed mirrors also are a beautiful selection for a darkly romantic fashion. Less intense than a mirror that is distressed, foxing is a “fogginess” that occurs in older mirrors when moisture gets involving the mercury silvering and glass, causing reflections to appear in soft focus.

Slesinski Design Group, Inc..

You might also have an antique-style mirror custom-made. Scour antique stores and flea markets for lovely old plaster and gilt frames that will give a mirror that an instant sense of history.

Many glass stores carry a selection of classic and distressed mirror glass which can be trimmed to fit a frame or application of your choice.

Experiment: Try using distressed mirrors in an unlikely location, like on this particular kitchen backsplash. It adds an unusual richness and dark love in a place you would least expect it.

Lucid Interior Design Inc..

Style tip: Dim the lighting. Lighting changes the mood of a space more than any other aspect. At a darkly romantic distance the light is usually low and ambient, making everything look more luxurious. Your selection of lighting should offer a warm glow which complements a burning fire or the flicker of candlelight. Placing your existing lights on a dimmer switch is a good place to get started. Also make sure your space has lighting choices, like table lamps, floor lamps and sconces, that permit you to control the ambiance.

Flat 46 for the House

Shadows on the walls and ceiling will inspire you to another world since the shapes shift and move. While the Forms of Nature chandelier by Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz may be a bit too spooky for some others will be transfixed by how the tangled branches and roots throw 360-degree shadows. When hung in an area full of lush fabrics, sparkling crystal and profound, inviting furnishings, this piece is truly transformative.

Flat 46 for the House

Experiment: Open-work lighting fittings such as the one pictured here would be the best for casting shadows. To get a bulb which faces downward, you should use a mercury-dipped bulb (available at the hardware store for about $5). They not only prevent you from having to delve right into a bare bulb, but they also compel the light upward through the lamp and create stunning shadows.

Gaskin Designs

Style tip: Strike a game. I feel as if candles were created to set a romantic mood. Some of my fondest memories are long, languid nights in Amsterdam spent listening to audio from the light of a million candles. In my experience, Europeans always have a bag of tea lights at the ready for any type of get-together. Every trip to a buddy’s inevitably led to a glass of wine as well as the lighting of candles. Grouped together they’re pure magic. Lining the windowsills, ledges and book shelves, they immediately make a room feel as if any keys shared would be ones worth maintaining.

West Elm

Manzanita Candelabra, Silver – $99

Though a lot of individuals prefer LED candles because of their longevity and for security reasons, in my view nothing beats the flickering of a candle that is real. If you are concerned about the candle wax dripping onto surfaces, then try drip-less candles or place them in candle holders, either on trays or on top of location mats as a precaution.

West Elm

Ceramic Matters Candleholder, Aloe – $899

Look for candle holders which have a little advantage to them, such as the branch taper holder pictured or ceramic white aloe.

Grouping pillar candles of various sizes and heights together in a very low marble bowl or on top of a cake plate is also amazing. The bulk of flickering candles is magnificent.

Flat 46 for the House

Experiment: Personally, I really like the look of melted candle wax dripping down the sides of candles and pooling across the group. It’s a modest medieval-castle, but that is the beauty of this. Try massing candles together in a rock planter filled with an inch or so of sand to maintain them in position. Enable them to drip, mix and perform their thing. (I group pillars in an antique stone birdbath beside my fireplace hearth.) When the candles have finally burned down, replace them without taking away the wax. Over time, when the wax becomes too high or threatens to float anything they’re sitting, clean out the wax and begin anew.

Kohler

Style tip: Sneak in a little serpent. The rendering of a serpent adds a dark beauty to an area that images of different animals simply cannot. A snake could strike fear or revulsion in a lot of individuals, but in style they include a somewhat subversive tone into a distance because they’re so unexpected and reaction to their image is obviously rather strong.

This bronze serpentine sink in Kohler is a unique way of incorporating a darkly romantic touch to the toilet, among the most widely used rooms in the home. The delicate amalgamated bodies are extraordinarily comprehensive and would be stunning paired with slate gray partitions and, of course, candlelight.

Experiment:If you want your serpent a bit less front and center, try serpent bookends. Nestled on a shelf, the silver kind will be more sculptural than literal.

Accents Lighting

Style tip: Take it out. A darkly romantic vibe isn’t just for the inside. Make that edgy loveliness outside, where you can take advantage of the dusky night skies, crisp air and moonlight.

All the indoor components are equally as significant outdoors. Whether your outside space is big or small, then you can create an intimate space with a small bistro place tucked in a quiet corner. Insert a few hanging lanterns, a plethora of candles and a few soft and lush throws so which you could wrap yourself in heat should the nighttime get too cold.

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Any space could be darkly romantic. What sets the style aside is the subtle feel of mystery and intrigue it provides. This outdoor space is a fantastic case with its dark paint color, billowy netting over the bed and placing among the greenery outdoors. It’s an area that invites naughtiness (in addition to naps) and in the day, a good dose of tea lights would turn the space into a sultry little version of heaven.

Flat 46 for the House

Experiment: Mix candles and candle holders on an outside dining table, very low ledge or even in among the plants. Drape a couple of coloured blankets over your outside chairs and place some softly scented flowers in some mismatched crystal vases onto the tabletop. The love comes in the setting — candles, textures. The darkness comes in the nighttime itself.

More: Quiz: What’s Your Decorating Style?

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Kids everywhere are again packing lunches and lunches their No. 2 pencils. The traffic seems to be thicker thing in the morning as the streets bustle with carpools and yellow school buses. I drove my kids to their first day of school recently. It was an important day for the daughter, since it was her first day of high school. She was quiet on the way, sitting in her newly pressed uniform. Eventually she asked, “What was the high school like, Mom?” I simply laughed and explained, “I had fun, learned a lot and met new people.”

As she jumped from the car, I watched her walk onto campus and into the next stage of her life. What happened to these kids I knew in high school all those years back? Did their high school years leave a lasting impression? Did their courses that are favourite shape the interior of the homes — and their own lives?

Well, you know I needed to take a look on . These spaces have signs of high school courses that are classic. Do they remind you of anybody from your own high school years?

Mr Perswall

The Art of Learning Wallpaper – $55.81

Math. Ah yes, the math whizzes. I remember them well. I wasn’t among them. A mysterious bunch, they always seemed to possess magical powers. This math-inspired wallpaper adds whimsy and amazing character for this home office. Without doubt, among these whiz kids lives here.

Emily Winters

Chemistry. This fantastic kitchen looks the same as a chemistry laboratory — quite clean, with all the “workstation” featuring vintage stools and science beakers as vases. A space for a chemistry enthusiast.

British literature. If you’re among these English lit groupies in high school, here is a project for you. Honor a favourite literature passage by stenciling it into overscale print on a wall. This looks ideal for family rooms or bedrooms. This idea will personalize a space and show your English-student pride.

Schwartz and Architecture

Biology. Remember that kid in mathematics so in control of the subject that the teacher asked him to instruct part of the course? I think we discovered him. This specimen collection is brightly displayed with shelves and apothecary jars. The frosted glass pattern is a genetic code.

Benedict August

World history. OK, now here is a subject I love. This wonderful background is the best background for all background lovers or people who love to travel. It looks great in a bedroom or home office.

Monica Ewing

Art. Everybody loved art course. The art teacher was generally bizarre and wore handmade jewelry. There was a bunch of kids who excelled at art; the things they created from scratch were simply incredible. Notice this particular shower mat made from wine corks. I think I discovered one of these kids right here on .

Martha O’Hara Interiors

Home economics. The home ec classroom consistently smelled yummy, and everything was really neat and clean. Placing things in their proper area was part of the program. This homeowner receives an A.

Crisp Architects

Physical education. Our gym never looked this good. The gym was obviously where all of the athletes wrapped outside and practiced. A love of exercise and sports seems to be a priority within this fantastic home gym. Just 15 minutes per day of exercise can make a big difference in your energy level. Bear in mind that lesson out of P.E.? Whoever lives here took that lesson to heart.

Kate Jackson Design

Theater arts. The theatre arts kids put on excellent productions in high school. A visit backstage always revealed costumes, sets and lots of chaos. Of course, I loved the sets. I am sure many of these kids grew up to possess artistic hobbies and careers. Whoever lives here is set up to make and to earn a daily costume shift also. Notice that the excellent spool holder that currently retains bracelets.

Funky Junk Interiors

Wood store. Remember these wood shop pupils? They were a tight group and always had sawdust in their shoes. I think among these pupils lives here. A group of vintage rulers is exhibited on stair risers. A vintage gear completes the look.

Library. The bookworms within our school loved the library span as well as hung out from the library at lunchtime. I think one of these kids lives here now. Hallways are an ideal spot for a library. Add a fantastic rug and remember the stepladder for those publications on the top shelf.

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