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White: a nice color that stands for purity and innocence. But too much white might cause headaches; it might also make you nervous and restless. Therefore, white alone is not a very happy choice for interior decorations, although plenty of interior decorations magazines and TV commercials show us spotless white interiors. Is that so? Why don’t you take a second look to note what other colors are there used to complete the picture?

In most cases white is used a background color. We see often brightly colored paintings hanging on white walls, red roses on a sparkling white piece of furniture, other colored accents here and there to complete the interior design, to give it meaning, balance or strength. White walls are a blessing in tropical areas. White’s freshness is perfect for a Mediterranean look, for a home in sunny Tuscany, for your beach house or for other such residences. But if you don’t live in such an area, choose your colors carefully. Remember that colors influence your life, your behavior and your mood. Choose a wrong color and you might live an uneasy time without even knowing what bothers you. But don’t ever believe that neutral colors are ideal colors. Do you live a neutral life? Do you lack personality? No. You don’t! So don’t be afraid of color.

So far you know that white is classic but too much white might cease to be neutral and become and element of stress. The good news is that white goes well with any colors. A spot of red or orange to stimulate your appetite in the dining room, some blue or green accents to calm you down in the living room and bathroom, orange and yellow for your kitchen and pastel colors in your bedroom; these are the color arrangements generally recommended by interior designers. But in your home, you are the interior designer. You should choose the colors according to your personality and your feelings.

It’s maybe time for a bolder color combination? A mixture of bright and wild colors like turquoise and orange or violet and lime? Take a look at the color wheel and choose either colors that are opposite in it or that sit next to each other. Opposite colors are complementary colors and neighboring colors provide for color harmony. You can find a color wheel easily online, even virtual color pickers, but pay attention when you choose your colors based upon such tools, as monitors’ resolution may show colors slightly distorted than in reality.

Walls alone don’t make interior decorations. Accents on the walls are nothing more than that: accents. The art of interior decorations sees your living space as a whole. So choosing colors refers not solely to walls and accents, but furniture and lighting as well. If you are not skilled enough to do this on your own, if you are not bold enough to experiment, then you should probably let a professional interior designer take a look at your home and decorate it accordingly.

In most design projects, a great deal of planning takes place before the selection of furnishings. Designers consider the function of the space, the personalities and life-style of the occupants of the residence, the architectural characteristics of the dwelling, the lighting, color preferences and colors adjacent to the space-both indoors and out, the ‘givens’ of the space, including the materials used on the exterior and the interior of the building and, of course, the budget parameters. As the planning develops, furniture is considered only in a generalized way. Designers often use generic templates to space plan. What determines the style of furniture to be used? How will you know which styles to mix and how to do so with confidence, cleverness, and originality? Will you develop a single style, French country, classic modern, Asian, West Indies, neo-classical or will you enjoy working with a variety of styles?

The observation of historical development in architecture, interior design and furniture will often help you tap into a style that pleases you. None of these three elements can be studied separately, so this is a large topic, particularly for people who have little historical background or design experience in one style only. Have you heard it said that to break the rules you must know the rules? This is true in design. Unless you know the various architectural characteristics of different historical times and how interiors were designed to function in a way that complemented those interiors, you will never be able to fully appreciate how designers use their knowledge of style and history for inspiration, going beyond direct imitation with clever or respectful references to the past, while being innovative and original. Make it a point to visit historic buildings and interiors, museums and homes to learn about the historical development of design. The story of furniture is inextricably linked with the story of civilization, in our case western civilization primarily, since it was the Europeans who came to the U.S. first, bringing with them their belongings, memories and skills. The further back you go in history, the less you can know about residential interiors, since only buildings made of stone or items carefully hidden from the elements survived to give us insight into a way of life. When we look at historical artifacts, we are typically seeing what once belonged to the governing elites or the aristocracy-unless of course we look at public buildings designed for use by everyone-civic buildings, temples, churches, even baths. We only know about more modest dwellings of very recent times.

Developments in furniture styles are stimulated by the following: political or economic change, discoveries (such as the archaeological excavations of Pompeii and King Tut’s tomb); contact with faraway places-seeing something new; changes in technology and production techniques and the keen creative power of gifted designers working to meet the needs of their era for both function and beauty. Each historic style period has unique influences and particular style characteristics. As an informed designer, you want to be able to recognize and identify the various eras of design style and the characteristics of the various historic styles. Hopefully you will enjoy the exploration of style that you encounter in this section, acknowledging and appreciating the power of human adaptability and creativity in creating functional, aesthetically pleasing designs.

Interior Decorating Ideas You Can Do – And Afford – This Winter Season

Times are tough. Many of us have to really cut back on our spending this year! Does that mean we’ll have to give up on the idea of a remodel or any interior decorating ideas? Is it possible to change the look of our homes with little to no money? Well… no and yes. No matter what shape your home or finances are in, there are lots of things you can do to transform and energize every room.

You must carefully weigh your lifestyle, your wants and your available time with your budget, however. If your budget is near zero, it actually makes it a little easier, meaning your options are fewer. Its a good thing. For instance, if you have been thinking about doing something with your living room and are stressed out because you can’t really afford a those interior decorating ideas or makeover plans before friends and relatives come for Christmas, consider perusing a few thrift stores and estate sales this weekend. Find some inexpensive accent pieces (wild prints, colorful art prints, an unusual lamp) and bring your new finds home.

Go to a big box retailer and look in the paint department. Many times there are gallons of returned paint for sale for ten dollars or less. These were the wrong color or semi gloss instead of satin or whatever and the customer simply returned them. Here’s where you step slightly out of your comfort zone and take the plunge (for $5 or so)! Try and find something that compliments your new find from that estate sale. You’re going to paint one wall of your living room with that paint.

Remember the “60-30-10 Rule” when you’re implementing your remodeling or interior decorating ideas. This means 60% primary color (usually light or neutrals) 30% secondary color and 10% accent. If the room is okay paint-wise, you’ll use that for the primary color. Your $5 paint should work for your secondary and your “new finds” make up the 10%. Simply zapping a wall with a shot of wild color and adding a few accents will make a world of difference! Rearrange the furniture. Might as well, as you had to move it or take most of it to another room to paint anyway.

Take a look at the furniture. Could swapping some with something from the family room or a bedroom change things? Would a slipcover work for you? Renting a rug cleaner with a furniture attachment could absolutely work wonders, and if you’ve removed everything to paint, why not? By the way, you don’t have to bring EVERYTHING back in to the room, you know. The professional decorators will tell you that “less is more” in interior decorating.

Your bedroom is similar. It may not get the traffic the living room and family room get, but its your most private place, and therefore the most important. The good news is that you can buy a bedspread or comforter, match or compliment that with the curtains or drapes and you’re almost done! Headboard, foot, dresser and night stands can all simply be painted. Also, if you rearrange so that you can eek out a private corner, with a table, lamp and small comfortable chair (taken from the living room or family room, perhaps), you can create a room that will truly be your sanctuary.

Curtains are the creative mind’s dream. The big boxes have dozens of styles and designs for cheap. Fabric stores are always closing out fabrics and even thrift stores have drapes and curtains. Ironing a hem along the top and bottom edge of a length of raw fabric and snapping in shower curtain hooks (nice ones) will transform the bedroom. On a double curtain rod overlaying a print that compliments (in your mind) your bedspread over a dark solid fabric will give the window an upscale look and afford you an elegant privacy.

For more budget loving ideas you can do in a weekend, go to RemodelQuickTips.com and click on DECORATING TIPS in the navigation column. All the ideas and tips there are free and created for the DIY homeowner… like you!

The bedroom is in some ways the most important room in the house. It is the sanctuary away from the troubles of the world, the ultimate escape from day to day life. Behind closed doors in the bedroom, problems can be forgotten. To create a setting for restful slumber, think about what colors and styles produce the greatest happiness and peace of mind. In your bedroom, you can have the off the wall decorations you’ve always wanted. The bedroom is private, so the interior design of your bedroom is all about you.

Your bedroom does more than just serve the need for a place to sleep. It accommodates you at all times of day, providing space for reading, studying, watching TV, talking on the phone, eating, and using the computer. Because of this, the bed is no longer the primary piece of furniture in the bedroom. Bedroom desks, large nightstands, or a television might be a better focus for your bedroom interior design. If you watch a lot of television in your bedroom, you might want to consider a chair and ottoman for more comfortable viewing.

If you like to read in your bedroom, you should pay special attention to the lighting in your bedroom. Dim, moody lighting may be restful, but it will cause eye strain when reading. The lighting should be at a level where you do not accidentally shade it, and tall enough to shine light on the book or magazine. Bedroom interior design professionals suggest that when using lamps in the bedroom, the lower edge of the lamp shade should be around eye level when seated.

Remember to choose colors that you find restful when decorating your bedroom. Exciting colors such as red should be avoided unless you personally find them comforting. Strong colors have been said to promote insomnia. Designing your bedroom interior with a splash of a bright color will liven up a room, but it should not be allowed to dominate.

Layered curtains in the bedroom are and excellent interior design choice. This allows you to wake up to filtered light, open the curtains for full light, or black out the room for naps and sleeping in. Blackout lined draperies will protect you from morning sun, whereas sheers or thin blinds will filter light for a gentle glow in the morning. Bedroom interior design has many options, and can be tailored to your personal preferences. The bedroom should be your sanctuary, and it is important to feel comforted and restful when you are there.

Are you ready to redecorate? If you’re tired of looking at the same old furniture and accessories, but you don’t know how to approach changing the look of your home, you have come to the right place! Deciding how to get started on a redecorating process can definitely be overwhelming. Whether you’re trying to handle the task yourself, or if you are seeking the assistance of an experienced interior design professional, it’s a good idea to make sure your you approach the redecorating process with a solid understanding of the basics of interior design.

On Your Own or With a Professional?

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when beginning to redecorate your home is whether you are going to handle the project yourself or if you are going to enlist the assistance of a professional interior designer. If you do decide to work with a designer, ask people you trust and whose homes you admire for references. A professional designer will make an effort to get to know you and your lifestyle through a comprehensive interview before beginning t he design process. Make sure you are comfortable with the ideas and personality of the designers you are considering before you make a decision.

What’s Your Style?

When beginning to redecorate your home, it’s important to consider your sense of style. Do you want your own personal flair to come through, or do you want to focus on an established decorating theme throughout your home? You can even incorporate elements of several different styles into your home, provided that you do it wisely. It’s certainly possible to integrate different styles to create a living space that is uniquely yours.

However, it’s vital to avoid going overboard with your combinations. If you have too many large pieces reflecting different styles competing for attention in the same space, the final effect is not likely to be aesthetically appealing. Go with a single style for the large pieces, and then accessorize with elements that bring your own unique flair to your home’s décor. Make sure your efforts to mix styles have a positive overall impact on the appeal of your home rather than resulting in a confusing and unorganized appearance.

Keep Colors Consistent and Complementary

It certainly is not necessary to stick to a single paint color throughout your home, or even within a single room. However, if you do plan to mix several different colors, be sure that you consider the overall aesthetic impact. Rooms that are adjoining should be painted in colors that coordinate well with each other so as to avoid decorating clashes. Using different colors is find; just make sure they are from palettes that work well together.

It’s also important to be careful when mixing woods in the same living space. Some combinations are fine, but it’s very important to avoid going overboard. Make sure the different woods you select complement each other rather than clash. Real wood and wood finishes can introduce a warm glow into a home. However, it’s vital to avoid mixing too many different tones and shades of wood and wood finishes in the same area.

While making decisions pertaining to decoration or decorating a new home, do remember that this important decision can affect your choice for decoration for a long time. It is not suggestive to commit for unusual or bold color treatments in advance without considering if those changes would complement your placement of furniture. One of the best advises that could be given when you plan for a interior design for a newly constructed home is to make undramatic and mediocre choices of design to start with and this allows you to make any changes in the future in case you want so.

This might look not very usual suggestion pertaining to designs for new homes specifically, this coming from a person who has been working in the industry of interior designs. But, this reason is supported with a better explanation. People do get taken off when they make any structural changes by visualizing or viewing the content of furniture in open and large space easily. Consider the point that using dramatic and bold interior design colors for the wall; you are just obstructing your future plans of any other choice of color to those which will coat the bright color and hence shedding all the possibilities of going with neutral colors without skipping the restructuring the surface of the walls.

Another choice of such kind would be to consider wallpaper when you build interior designs for your new home. Having the wallpaper removed and surface being resurfaced is many a times a big headache which can be eliminated by utilizing any other alternative ways of wall finishing. The various good alternatives for such wallpaper that would add a good texture to the surface of the wall is the technique of finishing like sponging, faux finishing and stenciling. These options give you a different range of alternatives that have an equal appeal and are easier to change rather than having a permanent solution like a wall paper. If wallpaper for your room is compulsorily needed, use a border to get the look you want rather than coating the complete surface of the wall.

By adding few popular design tricks and trips while painting the walls to your way, you can see a stunning effect once when you complete it. Light colors for walls would help in brightening the dark or small rooms. Add direction and character to bigger rooms by coating them with contrasting textures and colors. Stark and bold color panels also give a defining aspect to a place where you can display all your wall pieces or whenever you good to keep your accessories.

Having treated the walls of your new home, the next article in the agenda when you plan interior designing for new homes would be placing your dangling accessories like pictures, mirrors and art dynamically. Don’t make the walls very cluttered. Select good accessories and keep those items in important places by having presentation areas and focal points that would flatter your remaining design.

New homes design for interiors is a tricky process. There are good chances that the size of the room in your new home might be slightly small or large than your previous home’s space. This is the reason for having the placements planned and the theme of every space of your new home is very much important for successful interior designs for your new homes. Have the doorways and furniture measured before you move them to have any a problem free time when you get the furniture into your new space for living. Notice carefully of the moving activities happening in and around the new homes. Moving errors that are not taken care of might disfigure the walls and floors and create errors in the new home before you actually start living in the new home.

One of the important features of distinct interior designs for your new homes would your furniture placement. The classic idea of making large spaces by have the furniture lined along the walls might be true at times but, at the other times have the room divided into two different and separate spaces by placing your furniture towards distinct focal points and hence adding versatility, space and increasing it as well.

The major point of concern while planning or designing interior designs for your new home would to be building an environment that satisfies the people who live there. Having a space that takes in every person’s life style is the common principle for a new design for your home.

It seemed a pretty normal day when Mrs. Arnold phoned Art from the Start inquiring whether someone could help her with the design of her new bedroom.

But then again everything seems perfectly normal when a Customer from Hell first calls. If only there was a reliable means of screening out this sort of customer, they would quickly find themselves put on long term hold on the phone! But no such luck.

Interior Designer as Marriage Counsellor

After initial conversations and the usual site visit with Mrs. Arnold (name changed) it became clear that something was odd. She instructed us not to speak to her husband about the interior design of their bedroom and dressing room. Nevertheless we followed instructions, produced mood boards and quotation for the customer, however we started to get a bit suspicious when she arranged our appointments for days when Mr Arnold was out of town.

After Mrs. Arnold sent us a cheque by way of deposit payment we ordered in materials but a few days later an irate Mr Arnold called telling us to stop work. It then transpired that he knew nothing of his wife’s plans and they were clearly not going to be a birthday surprise for him. He was furious that his wife was spending “his money” and it was clear that a marital row (probably not the first) was brewing.

To cut a long story short we’d been caught in the middle of a disintegrating marriage. The wife eventually moved out, the husband did not want any interior design work & cancelled the deposit cheque. We ended up wasting a lot of time with the Arnold’s but luckily we did not end up too badly out of pocket!

Interior Design Thief

Every interior designer has probably experienced the potential customer who wants to borrow fabric sample books or catalogues. Sadly a percentage will use a designer like public lending library, borrow books and then purchase goods elsewhere. Sometimes books never come back but one can ask the borrower for a financial deposit to make sure they do.

However the worst case we came across was a customer who borrowed three books on a Friday and left a cheque by way of deposit. The customer returned, as she said she would, three days later and we then shredded the deposit cheque rather than bank it.

Unfortunately two weeks later, with the customer long gone we noticed that one book was missing two fabric samples, neatly cut out. We then checked the other books and they had been treated with the same disrespect.

If only the lady had asked for fabric samples – they would have been free of charge!

Catalogue Junkie

One job we quite like is recreating a “show home” for a customer because they usually have a good idea of what they want their new home to look like.

One day Freddie came calling. He had just bought a three floor town house on a large housing estate still being built near York, and he was only a few doors away from the show home. The brief was simple. “I want my home to look like the show home” and potentially the job should have been straightforward.

Unfortunately, Freddie had already visited a well known high-street household catalogue shop and had started buying furniture & accessories that looked nothing like the look he wanted. We had several visits to his new home & each time there was more “stuff” from this same catalogue. We tried to stop him wasting his money, but everything we suggested would cause him to look in the catalogue to find a cheap equivalent or alternative.

Our comments fell on deaf ears. In the end it was a case of “interior designer or bargain basement catalogue”. Unfortunately Freddie’s love affair with his 300 page glossy catalogue won and we had wasted all our time & effort, and he ended up with an uncoordinated and ridiculous looking home and furniture that would not even fit the available space.

With three real examples of Customers from Hell, you may well ask “What does a good customer look like?”

We like customers who:

want us to work with them in a partnership

are receptive to our design ideas

are honest about their tastes and budget

value the knowledge, experience and skill of a professional interior designer.

Stephane Boudin, a Parisian interior designer is well-known as the President of what is considered by many to be the world’s leading interior decorating firm in the 20th century – Maison Jansen. One of Boudin’s greatest projects as an interior designer was the restoration and renovation of the White House in the early 1960s.

Stephane Boudin was born in 1880. His father – Alexandre Boudin was a manufacturer of passementerie and trimming. It was while Stphane was working at his father’s textile trimming business in the 1920s, that he was approached by Jean-Henri Jansen, the founder of Maison Jansen. In 1925, Boudin got an assistant by the name of Monsieur Henry Samuel. Following Jansen’s death in 1928, Stphane Boudin along with Gaston Schwartz, took control over all Maison Jansen’s interior design and decoration projects. While Schwartz contributed aspects of modernism, Boudin was the traditionalist.

Boudin helped the firm win several new interior design projects by giving importance to historical accuracy and detail, and through his adeptness at creating spaces that were both dramatic and unforgettable. He efficiently schooled the firm’s young protgs, reviewed their work on a regular basis, and arranged trips for them to Europe.

The most significant order which Boudin received was most probably the one he got prior to his retirement – the order from Jacqueline Kennedy to work on the interiors of the White House (1961-63). Jayne Wrightsman – the woman who introduced Boudin to Jackie – was personally tutored by Boudin in French decorative arts.

Jacqueline wanted a touch of the international to be added to the American look of the White House, and Boudin was entrusted with the task of making this desire a reality. In addition, Boudin and Henry du Pont were enlisted with the duty of getting antiques, and of lending sophistication and thoroughness to the dcor.

Boudin mainly focused on the American Empire style when furnishing the Red Room of the White House. He included pieces made by Charles-Honor Lannuier, a cabinetmaker. In the case of the Blue Room, Boudin laid emphasis on furnishing it with furniture of the French empire style. The style for the Green Room, namely the Federal Style, was chosen by Henry du Pont, influenced by Boudin. Boudin also introduced changes in the dcor of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room.

Another important interior design project which Boudin was entrusted with in his lifetime was to completely change the famous Leeds castle into a stylish country residence. It was the last private owner of the castle – Lady Baillie who entrusted him with this task.

Stephane Boudin retired in his seventies and passed away in 1967 – his successor was Pierre Delbe.

The Egyptian and Roman Era

There is plenty of evidence that interior design was of great importance to the Egyptians and Romans. Obviously, at this point in the history of interior design, it was limited only to the wealthy. The proof of this period in the history of interior design is in the architecture and in the various records that have been uncovered. The Egyptians, for instance, left us lavishly decorated tombs of the pharaohs, which were intended both as a final resting place and as a way to supply the comforts needed by the pharaoh in the next life.

The Romans left us evidence that their rooms were carefully planned around the way that each room was to be used. This is a key part of modern interior design. Wealthy Romans, for instance, created separate living rooms for summer and winter seasons. These were designed for optimal comfort during either the warm and cold months. There are indications that both the Romans and the Egyptians did take some care to partake in interior decorating as well, which is another important feature in interior design.

The Era of the Renaissance

The next major expansion in the history of interior design came in the Italian Renaissance. It’s during this era when all arts experienced a surge in popularity, with wealthy patrons readily supporting the arts with their finances. It was especially during this time that interior decorating and interior design began to more closely resemble what we know of it in later years in the history of interior design. Rooms began to be designed with function and form in mind. Some of the most prominent examples were the lavish interior designs of the palace at Versailles, which continues today as an prime example of royal decadence. Still at this time in the history of interior design, such things were completely out of reach of the common people.

Interior Design in the Industrial Revolution

The transformation in the history of Interior Design that opened it up to the common man was the Industrial Revolution. This massive change made cheaper goods possible for home decoration as well as created an economic revolution in the United States. Now middle-class families had expendable income to put toward extra expenditures such as interior design. During this time, interior design magazines came into vogue and the profession of interior designer took hold, and now is its own industry by the start of the 21st century. Essentially, the history of interior design has been shaped through the decades and centuries by artistic, economic, and technological revolutions throughout history.

In the past interior designers were considered to be a rather pretentious and very unnecessary luxury. This view, however, is beginning to change. The recent recession rocked the property market, leaving people in negative equity and unable to move home, however much they wanted to. This led to a huge increase in people extending and redecorating their homes rather than moving and they are doing it properly, not with cheap materials bought from their local DIY store. In short, more and more people are turning to interior designers for help and advice.

So what can designers do for your home that you can’t? The answer relates to confidence and being daring. Interior designers are gifted in that they have the vision to see how a room will look when all the ingredients- furniture, flooring, lighting and wall coverings- are put together. For many of us it can be difficult to visualise the end result and this can put us off buying a wallpaper which looks perhaps garish in the store, but would look fantastic once on the wall.

Many people feel that interior designers make the process of decorating unduly expensive. There can be no denying that they will charge a fee for their consultancy services. However, buying designer furniture, lighting and wall coverings through your design consultant can be more affordable than if you were to try to source such items yourself.

In times like this, where moving home is more difficult, redecoration and renovation become realistic options and the services of a design consultant can help give a bit of individuality and personalisation to your home.