Today’s Trend in Interior Design can Compliment your Home

Regardless of what color scheme and décor style you prefer, the current interior design trend makes good sense. A hectic, fast-paced lifestyle dictates the need for an uncluttered, relaxing environment at the end of a busy day. The home oasis is fast becoming more of a private retreat than it is a decorator’s showpiece.

Gone are the days of ornate styles and “keeping up with the Joneses” by acquiring the biggest and best. Today’s basic interior design tip: “more is less.” That’s because today’s home décor is all about creating a tranquil atmosphere, with focus on simplicity and functionality.

Contemporary designs, for instance, are no longer cold and hard. The look is uncluttered with clean lines, instead. And the good news is the current trend in interior design is less clutter and fuss; which translates to less expense, too. Here are some tips:

• Comfort, relaxation, and continuity are key elements in the current interior design trend. Uncluttered areas, open spaces. Whether a sedating, distraction free, or stimulating environment. Use colors, textures, and select accessories to create the mood and compliment décor. And aroma therapy oil can be used to compliment the atmosphere in almost any room of the house.
• Avoid “stuffing” rooms with multi pieces of furniture or bulky furnishings. Integrate the discreet euphony of a ticking clock, water sounds and visual appeal of an aquarium, or splashing sounds created by a wall or floor fountain; inviting and soothing at the same time. An aroma therapy candle or two provides subtle lighting that will enhance a room’s relaxing mood.
• Give master bedroom design spa-like appeal, while reflecting the personality of the individual: sitting areas for reading, listening to music, or de-stressing, water therapy and aromatherapy, controlled lighting. Wall colors can be understated, clean and warm. Try a bench at the foot of the bed with a lap throw in a bright design or color to add interest. What about a feather bed topper for maximum soft-as-a-cloud comfort. Or wispy window features over sleek-style cell shades that diffuse light.
• In bedrooms consider pastel colors, soft textures, subdued lighting, and the visual and scent appeal of pillow aroma therapy. This can be as simple as rectangular, oval, or heart-shaped accent pillows filled with herbs, spices, and scent-filled dried flora. Either arranged atop the bed, hung from a bed post with satin ribbon, or set kitty-cornered on a wall shelf. The sight is pleasing. The sedating scent creates a relaxing room mood. Herbs with medicinal value relax the nerves, and soothe the spirit.
• Incorporate an indoor water feature into room design. A large plant, several smaller specimens, or a mirror arranged near a tabletop or floor model water fountain or falls is therapeutic, providing tranquil sounds. Air quality and room interior design is enhanced.
• Create a stress-free atmosphere using colors; soft blues, greens, tans, and browns encompass a sense of “safeness.” Blues and greens are clear, clean colors…almost ethereal; browns and tans are earthy and add warmth. Colors currently vogue are warm, buttery colors, mossy greens, cinnamon, and soft shades of lavender.
• The trend in most room décor is subtle and neutral with accessories to add color and interest. Dens, dining rooms, and offices especially can sport deeper, more vibrant colors; walls can be saturated with accents.
• Today’s trend in interior design not only leans more towards the clean and simple, but the natural as well. Brushed nickel and metal will enhance the natural look in a dramatic way. When it comes to metal finishes, try blends of brass, chrome, and oil-rubbed bronze in hardware, picture frames, urns, and table lamps, and other room extras.

Happy designing and decorating!

Via HandyCanadian.com.

For more design tips and tricks, visit our tips and tricks section on our blog.

Inexpensive Home Makeover Ideas part 2

Cover Boxes With Wrapping Paper

You can do better than those ho-hum bins from the office-supply store. Turn plain boxes (such as shoe or checkbook boxes) into pretty storage containers with excess wrapping paper, then label them with old gift tags. You can use them as gift boxes, too.

Hang Photos and Artwork on One Wall

Your family pictures have more impact when they’re grouped together. A word to the wise: Before you do any hanging, arrange the pieces on the floor to get a sense of how they’ll look on the wall. And never mind if the frames don’t match.

Plant Herbs in Florist’s Vases

You’ve got them―stacked up under the sink, probably―so make use of them. Plant small potted herbs in vessels of various heights (add a layer of pebbles at the bottom of each for drainage). Wrap them in a heavy-stock paper, secure with twine, and label.

Stash Toiletries in Mismatched Tableware

Just because your vanity is a catchall for makeup doesn’t mean it can’t look put-together. Place a platter on top and fill it with seldom-seen china pieces, like a sugar bowl and a creamer, that can hold cotton balls, nail files, and brushes.

Turn Salt and Pepper Shakers Into Bud Vases

Screw off the caps of spare salt and pepper shakers (or empty jam jars or perfume bottles) and use the receptacles to display flowers on a bedroom night table or a guest-bathroom sink. You can also put potpourri inside.

Via Yahoo News.

or more design tips and tricks, visit our tips and tricks section on our blog.

Inexpensive Home Makeover Ideas part 1

Turn a Quilt Into a Headboard

Got a plain-Jane bed? Give it character―and warm it up, too―by draping a quilt over the frame.

Prop Up Art to Conceal Cords

Lean framed art against a wall to hide wires and outlets. Layer them for extra impact.

Stick a Plant Inside a (Non-Working) Fireplace

Brighten up that black hole with one of your indoor or outdoor plants. Choose a type that doesn’t require a lot of sunlight, like a fern or the Song of India dracaena pictured here.

Repurpose Your Bracelets as Napkin Rings

Colorful plastic bangles are great for a casual table, while metal ones complement a formal setting. You can also pin brooches down the length of a table runner and lean a place card in front of each one.

Dress Up a Dresser With Ribbons

Don’t let all those scraps you’ve been saving from holidays and birthday parties go to waste. Transform a child’s bedroom by tying colorful ribbons around the knobs on a chest of drawers―or the stem of a lamp or the legs of a table.

Paint the Legs of an Old Chair

Finally, a reason to drag out that banged-up can of leftover paint. Give the seen-better-days legs of a wooden chair a fresh coat of paint, then use the chair as a side table to hold books, throw pillows, an extra blanket, or even your knitting.

Via Yahoo News.

or more design tips and tricks, visit our tips and tricks section on our blog.

Guest Post from Arcadian Lighting – bold and eye-catching chandeliers

Today, we are very happy to feature a guest post from Arcadian Lighting. Beautiful lighting and fixtures are their expertise. Without further ado, please give your warm welcome to Jessica!

“Hi everyone! I’m Jessica with Arcadian Lighting, a website and blog all about beautiful light fixtures and inspiring interior designs. I’m delighted to be guest posting on Fluff today because I’m going to be sharing bold and eye-catching chandeliers. I hope you enjoy!

The brilliant turquoise glass light shades really attract attention on this chandelier, not just for their bold color, but for their unique design, as well.

These chandeliers in birdcages are absolutely stunning. They would make an excellent DIY project.

This chandelier is modeled after tree branches and it certainly makes a statement in this dining room. The elegant, yet rustic, quality of the chandelier picks up on the details of the tablecloth beautifully.

The bold design of this chandelier is reminiscent of organ pipes, but a contemporary twist, of course. The busy wallpaper helps balance out the room when used as on an accent wall.

A combination chandelier and pendant light really take advantage of the spaciousness of this office. The black shade with gold lining is very chic, and must reflect light beautifully from the chandelier.

A very modern loft gets a strikingly opulent old world touch with this impressive chandelier. The contrast between the bare brick wall and the sparkling crystal chandelier is an interesting touch.

A crystal chandelier in the shape of an old ship is sure to be the center of attention in any room. The rich saturated colors and sleek furniture allow the dazzling light fixture to take center stage.

The warm orange and yellow tones of this dining room perfectly complement the unbelievable glass chandelier. The vibrant light looks like an elegant burst of flame that is positively jaw-dropping. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Which of these gorgeous chandeliers is your favorite? Be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting for more illuminating inspirations and a stunning array of lighting fixtures!”

Bookshelf Modification

Although IKEA bookshelves generally look the same from house to house, there are still ways for you to “dress” up your bookshelf so that it looks amazing. Tanya of Dans le Townhouse puts works of art to use in a wonderfully functional way. In order to break up the grid visually and add some interest, Tanya created hanging canvases to cover certain cubbies. I love her combination of sharp, graphic zigzags and softer, abstract pastels; I also love that they can easily be switched, swapped out or removed as needed.

For more design tips and tricks, visit our tips and tricks section on our blog.

Renew Your Table

Old wooden tables can be an eye-sore. However, you don’t have to throw them away because there are ways to renew your table to make it unique and current. You will need patience, but as a result you can have a truly unique table. This Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired table by Jesse Dresbach, owner of the furniture-restoration shop Nine Red, combined the ultra-dark espresso stain with a rich, earthy color palette and pattern. This piece transformed from mundane to magnificent!

Coffee Time

We love stop-motion animation, especially well produced ones. Designer Ching-Wen Wu was inspired by Mike Crozier’s  stop-motion short, titled “SNASK” . Although many of the shots, sequences, and effects are almost identical shot for shot, Wu’s appears more refined. It is hard to believe that this is her first attempt at stop-motion animation. View some in the making shots here.

To see more amazing designs, please visit the amazing design section on our blog.

DIY Home Organizing Storage Solution

In a home packed with people of all ages moving in many different directions can make organizing a challenging task. Take some time to observe your home, plan for a new strategy and tackle these DIY storage solutions that will leave you better organized. We have came up with different organization strategies for different rooms.

• Kitchen Organization – Because the kitchen is such a high traffic area it’s a good idea to install extra shelving, storage and work surfaces.  A butcher block table can be used as an island with drawers or shelves attached to the bottom allowing for paperwork and small item storage.
• Living Room Organization – Pick up an entertainment unit that will hold all of your A.V. equipment neatly.  For easy access to your DVD and CD collection, have a large bookshelf set up or install wall shelving.  Make sure either type of shelving is anchored well into the wall to prevent any danger of toppling.
• Bedroom Organization – The best thing you can do for better organization in the bedroom is to install a closet storage system.  Whether you opt for wire construction or wood particle board, these systems will provide all of the space and gadgets you need. Open shelves, drawers, wire baskets, shoe shelves, hanging rods and pant and belt racks are all accessories you can include.  These systems are excellent DIY projects, but require detailed planning and accurate measurements to work best. Don’t forget that you can add closet organizers to plenty of places besides the master bedroom.  The front hall closet or mudroom will be much tidier with an organizer and your choice of accessories installed.

For more design tips and tricks, visit our tips and tricks section on our blog.

Build Your Own Light

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Now you can have a chance to build you own light. You can formed, dyed, glued or modified the 33 pieces set into shapes of your desire! Loomi is a modular, paintable, recyclable light shade made from high quality paper that’s cut into interlinking quadrilaterals. Check out this site to purchase or get more information.

 

It’s all about orange

Fluff is all about orange this November, we are absolutely crazy about orange! The Fluffians created two styalistically different, orange-themed settings to showcase the variety that can be achieved with this vibrant color. Items that were selected relate to one another and were presented in an abstract and playful way. This is what we came up with:

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To learn more DIY ideas, visit our Fluff Do-it-yourself section on our blog.