Home Interior Design

By Andy C. Anderson

Have you always been fascinated with Asian culture – their ways, their art, maybe even their homes? Maybe you’d like to further infuse their culture and way of living into yours? To do this, one must remember that Asian home interiors are centered on simplicity and elegance, two qualities highly valued in their cultures. Asian homes are usually kept simple, organized and uncluttered – inevitably giving off a feeling of peace and serenity. Balancing these qualities along with exquisitely crafted furniture and furnishings is essential in every Asian-inspired home interiors.

You may be asking what elements are usually found in Asian interiors, and the following are some of the most basic features we can find. Asian inspired home interiors prominently have nature incorporated into their furnishings. By nature, we mean natural plants or cuttings that are refreshing to look at, like the bamboo plants generally found in Chinese homes and the dramatically detailed bonsai found in Japanese homes. Another natural feature of Asian interiors is the water – either falling water, as in waterfall fixtures, or standing water, like the koi ponds in many Japanese homes. Be inspired by the numerous interactions between humans and nature for an Asian feel.

Another essential feature of Asian home interiors is use of dramatic, vivid colors, especially in Chinese homes. The color red, in its most striking shade, is a symbol of good luck in Chinese customs, thus explaining its dominance over other colors in their homes. Contrasted to the color black, which is the usual color of their elaborately designed furniture, the effect is highly pleasing and effective. For a more Asian feel, make use of textures too, especially polished wood and rocks. Utilizing the large grass bamboo, which is one of the most abundant natural resources in the East, can work for your design’s benefit too.

Furniture in Asian interiors usually serve more than one purpose, as maximizing space is vital in this kind of home décor. Examples of this could be a chest with drawers functioning as a storage area and as a seat or table and the Japanese futon for sleeping and seating too. As the space is maximized as much as possible, a large floor space is kept open – requiring some kind of beautiful, and at the same time, comfortable floor covering. Depending on your taste, this covering can be a tatami mat for the Japanese feel, or a plush Oriental wool rug for a Chinese interior. Choosing which is which highly depends on the colors of your other furniture; make sure they don’t clash. Read the rest of this entry »

By Mike Selvon

Some of the most popular exteriors in America are Modern, Art Deco, Victorian and Colonial Revival. Logically, many of these home owners would choose to complement the home interior design by using unified elements. If the exterior is an Arts and Craft bungalow, for instance, you may want neutral tone walls, stained glass lights and mission oak furniture. However, if you have a Cape Cod, then a country theme might be more appropriate for your interior. You can gain insight and custom designs from a trained professional to help you make the best choices.

Art Deco first gained popularity in the 1920s. While the glitz, glamour and gaudiness diminished following the Great Depression, there is still a soft spot in the American heart for the lost innocence of this classic time period. In the twenties and thirties, the professional interior designer saw Art Deco as both elegant and ultra-modern. Combining aspects of airplane design and Futurism with Old World mosaic patterns and Cubism, the end result was something very interesting that spoke to the aristocracy who wanted nothing bland or boring.

Borrowing from austere stainless steel but also exotic zebra skin and saturated modern colors, Art Deco interior design trends offer the homeowner a museum-type vibe with an array of conversation pieces. Curved mirrors, Tiffany lamps, lacquered furniture, velvet drapes, silk lamp shades, small furniture, thick carpeting and symmetrical geometric shape patterns can all add a hint of Deco to a room. “It’s about glamour and getting a glimpse of those bygone days where TV was less important and it was about cocktail hour and company,” furniture designer Barclay Butera tells HGTV.

The Arts and Crafts home interior design style took America and Great Britain by storm from 1850 through to 1920. Following the advent of mass production and rampant industrialism, artists like John Ruskin and William Morris called for a return to rustic craftsmanship. Simplicity meets high quality with clean, elegant furniture that is as practical as it is beautiful. William Morris said in 1882, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Read the rest of this entry »

By Tommy C Anderson

You may have noticed in several home magazines or home design shows that they make use of throw pillows to add color and style to the bedroom or living room. It can easily liven up a boring sofa and bed if you put the right throw cushions in there. But you can’t just put any matching throw pillows; you will need good home interior designing tips on how to pick the right throw cushions for your rooms. Here are some home interior decorating tips in using cushions the right way.

The first home interior designing tip is to use the right shapes for cushions. You will also need to check the furniture around you to assess which throw pillow will look best. For a modern couch, it will be best to have a simple throw cushion that will match your simple furniture as well. Do not think that having embellished throw pillows will always brighten up a modern couch, most of the time; it will look out of place and trying too hard.

The next home interior decorating tip is to pick the right colors. Colors always make a big difference in and this can be said in using pillows as well. Your throw pillow should match your couch or bed. The color can be something that blends in with your couch or something that will stand out. Most often, interior designers will often choose colors that are contrasting which makes the furniture stand out more.

It will also be good to use texture on the pillows you will use. This is the third home decorating tip you can make use of. Texture and pattern will give much more interest to your throw cushion, bed or couch. This is very applicable if you are using the same color with your furniture. It will stand out if you make use of textured fabrics. However, you must also avoid putting too much texture and patterns as it will make the furniture confusing and messy. Bear in mind that you are using such pattern just to add appeal to your furniture. Read the rest of this entry »