It's Not All Textbook

Sometimes we get caught up on the design specifics for spaces we live in.  What colors do I want to use? Will that color work with what I already have? How can I fit my furniture in the space?  There was a reason we chose to live there, there was something in this space that pulled you in.  I knew right when I walked in my apartment that this was the space.  Of course the original cabinets in the kitchen and the hardwood floors were huge aesthetic selling points for me, but overall it was cozy and quaint, it fit my personality and style.


My roommate and I are very different when it comes to design styles.  She loves bright bold colors and I am natural and classic. These can be issues when living with roommates since you want to make the space comfortable for both of you. The best part about our combination is somehow we make it work.  The apartment has a flow and a comfort to it little elements throughout the space tie the whole home together.


Here are some images where color and style when seen separately, you wouldn't think they could work well together, but, they do!

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Would you think a stacked wood wall would work with an Eiffel tower legged chair (originally designed by Eames in the 50's) paired with the vintage tulip based table and cement wall?  Probably not but they do. And they work oh so very well.  This space is a perfect example of different elements and styles working in one space. 

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parliament design offices - Portland, OR or by ooh_food on Flickr

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The kitchen below combines elements that if listed on paper I would have never put in the same space, but look at it, this kitchen is beautiful! The striking island with the chrome top is a great focal point.  The chocolate cabinets are mimicked in the floor tile mosaic.  After the mind travels all around the room, you look up and see the tin style ceiling!  This very different than classic lines of the cabinets and the modern style of the island.  This design is far from traditional but works well. The red island will be a conversation piece!

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Traditonal Home

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Just remember that people tend to gravitate towards a style.  The objects or elements in the space will somehow have similarities to them.  This can be by color, texture, line similarity. If you don't think it will all work together you might surprise yourself!  Once you combine all the elements the overall style will flow and you will love it together since you loved it all separately first! 

Give it a little more "you"

Over the last eight years I have moved eight times.  I am living in my current apartment for just over a year now.  This is the first time I have been able to stay in one place longer than a year! It feels great.  I finally have my own “home”.  For now that is.  With all that being said the picky designer side of me tried to make each of the prior spaces a home for the time I lived there.  I feel that in a lot of way I managed to do so. I have always rented so I am not able to change a whole lot.  But it doesn’t mean it has to be boring.  

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Do you ever look at the catalogs and love what you see but you are not sure how to use it?? Here are some great tips to add warmth and create those inviting spaces on your budget.

Use things you love, pick a couple pieces you have or you want and use those for inspiration.  I have had a rug for years that was given to me by a family friend.  I have always built the living room around this rug.  Not one of the spaces I have lived in has been the same, but this rug has remained.  It is a good staple and it has color!
 

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This picture is from a blog I love (DesignSponge).  In this picture you can see the color palette is neutral and beautiful.  The rug anchors the room and gives that pop.  Simple with pops of color. Absolutely love. 

Add color with accessories.  What are you favorite colors?  Does something just jump out at you in the store that you  MUST  have?  Use those and build from there (don’t forget neutrals or you house could be a color explosion).  Don’t get me wrong, when it is done right, color does A-mazing things.  After all it’s your home you need to live in it, and love it.

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This picture from the Serena & Lily catalog shows how you can use splashes of color and still have a neutral room.  Accessories really make this space. The pillows add red but also incorporate the blue found in the rug.  

(once again see how a rug can anchor the room)

Hang curtains/drapes/panels.  It is amazing what things on the walls can do.  Not only do they help with sound and acoustics they help warm the place up.  Whenever I move in to a new place I hate the standard mini blinds (more to come on that later) and I try to cover them up with drapes as much as I can.  (The room still needs some light you know?)

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I love these panels from World Market.  There is quite a bit of color in them. You can pull from these and add those colors in the space.  I am on a turquoise and yellow kick.  I love the splashes of color in a space where you least expect it.  These panels allow you to do something like that super easily.  You can also do drape clips making them a little longer and add some more hardware to the window. 

Hang pictures and/or art. Not only can you hide ugly blemishes on walls (since you can’t always fix them) pictures help the space become yours.

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In our kitchen I created a cork board framed piece that incorporates the natural feel of our living room into the kitchen.  It is simple yet different and all mine! You don’t have to make something but if you love it, use it.