Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter |  |
- Top 10 Home Trends for the New Year
- Bright and Cosy Villa in Norway in Perfect Harmony with the Environment
- Luxurious NYC Penthouse Apartment with Astounding Space Design
- The Pros of Cons of Painting vs. Wallpapering
| Top 10 Home Trends for the New Year Posted: 30 Dec 2010 01:12 AM PST At the end of every year it is interesting to see what home interior trends have persevered and what trends look like they will continue into the New Year. This year has been exciting uses of bold prints and colors, repurposing interior decor, and maximizing outdoor spaces. In 2011, I think these trends will continue but also a need for eco-friendly interiors will escalate and interiors will continue to be shared and broadened worldwide. For the top interior home trends for 2011, here are my picks of what the New Year has to offer. 1.) The urban oasis: It was once thought that those who lived in urban environments had to live in lush penthouses to get a comfortable and sophisticated home in the city. With the onset popularity of urban lofts, the desire to live in industrial and chic decor will continue next year. Softer textiles may be brought in to soften hard finishes, while those that enjoy the exposed materials will still enjoy urban living at its finest. 2.) Home getaways: The New Year will bring on new ways to make your current home a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the world. From outdoor oasis areas with lush greenery, to recreating vacation memories in your décor. The trend will be to continue making our homes feel relaxing and serene. 3.) Repurposing will outweigh brand new: With the onset of finding better ways to re-use and re-purpose, being green in 2011 will outweigh buying brand new. While a shiny new glass table may be beautiful, the shift for décor to use glass from a previous purpose will prevail. We will not stop buying new décor, but the satisfaction of repurposing is always a better feeling, and will look great too! 4.) Natural environments: As our world gets busier and busier, the return of home environments giving us a place to escape has been well sought after for years. In the New Year, home owners will find more ways to bring tranquility to their interior and exterior environments. The use of natural materials and finishes will always be a trend that doesn't go out of style.
5.) Family conversation areas: As families grow and the years move on, there is a steady incline of increasing family conversation areas and spaces. Kitchens now incorporate an eating island area so kids can do homework and watch mom cook. Living spaces are becoming more open to engage members of the family in different rooms. In the New Year, look for more ways for engaging in our interiors. 6.) Bold colors and strong patterns: This year we saw the return of bold colors and strong patterns. The appeal of turning a wall into one large mural of vibrancy is huge, and I think it will continue into 2011. Creative murals, stickers, paintable wallpaper will make it easier to achieve bold results, with little effort. 7.) Mix and match of color saturation: In interiors the interplay between dark and light colors is a beautiful trend moving into the New Year. No longer is it uncomfortable to lump drastically light and dramatically dark colors in one space. The interplay of contrasting colors, especially of the same color will be expanded more in 2011. Get the look in your home, its gorgeous! 8.) Bringing the outdoors in: If you look at architecture throughout history, the windows of our homes are getting larger and larger. The appeal of letting in more natural light, enjoying beautiful vistas outdoors, and letting nature be the back drop for our interiors will continue in 2011. While we love to decorate, the outdoors offer an ever changing ambiance that human décor cannot compete with. 9.) Maximizing small spaces: The trend of home buying is going towards smaller homes that are well organized and laid out as opposed to the huge houses of years ago. In 2011, the need for conserving space and taking advantage of every square inch will be imperative for families to live in smaller spaces. New organization methods will evolve for the small home in the New Year.
10.) Innovation and technology: We are a technology driven society and home interiors will not take a back seat! We already can control our lights and security system with a touch of our smart phone. In 2011, the trend will be in more automation, control, and streamlining everyday home products into the next best home invention. Home interiors are ever changing, but they still carry similar threads that keep them connected to years in the past. In 2011 the push for more sustainable and green home practices, and keeping our homes looking beautiful and relaxed will be at the forefront of trends. In your home, see what you have changed over the last year, and consider making new shifts for 2011. Each year brings on better interiors with traditional memories; see which ones you can create. Freshome reader's, add on to our list of what home interior trends will be in 2011! Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below !
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| Bright and Cosy Villa in Norway in Perfect Harmony with the Environment Posted: 30 Dec 2010 12:04 AM PST Experience has taught us that when we see an unusually gorgeous interior design, we must look beyond the overall aspect and appreciate the details. This next house is designed and decorated around the idea that heaven is closer than you think. Using white as a background and bright shades of grey and beige, the Norwegian villa found on Finn has a miraculous angelic feeling. Everything from the playful display of wood strips that dress the outside walls to the crisp and fresh interior design merges into an outstanding, lovely home. The two floors, plus the ground floor, give enough space for the inhabitants to live a comfortable life.
Laid on 412 square meters, the villa features entertaining and private areas. On the first floor we can find the 2 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms, a hall and a washroom. The second floor is structured in such a way that the rooms offer relaxation and entertainment. Here we can find the living room and kitchen, but also the two terraces that insure fresh air and meditation surrounded by the view and the crisp breeze. This layout was chosen in order to protect the privacy of the family living here and offer a great entertaining space for guests. This is why the upstairs can also be reached from the outside staircase. Enjoy the pictures and don`t forget to let us know your favourite details. – via Decoist
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| Luxurious NYC Penthouse Apartment with Astounding Space Design Posted: 29 Dec 2010 08:26 AM PST This next exquisite penthouse comes from the amazing collection of Sotheby`s for sale portfolio. Located in New York City`s gorgeous TriBeCa neighborhood , the luxurious penthouse apartment has an extended space that measures over 10,000 square feet, all designed and carefully maintained so that the luxury can be recognized in every corner. Even from outside, one can see the huge glass windows that flood the interior with pure sunshine and absorb any worries. The ample space was used to create astounding rooms. The kitchen has a breakfast room, insuring an interior design that will leave the gourmands breathless and the 1,000-bottle wine storage will make wine conosiures reach Nirvana. A cosy fire from the fireplace will accompany your meals and the evenings will have a different meaning while enjoying the sunset on the terrace.
Three private terraces surprise the view with amazing panoramas of the city that never sleeps. The full floor master suite has its own fireplace, for those romantic nights and cold winter evenings. Another female friendly heaven comes from the sky lit walk-in closet. Continuing further into the penthouse, we can see that the master bathroom is separated from the Jacuzzi area. Everything in this penthouse offers a feeling of grandeur and the elevator that connects the floors makes the stairs seem like a surprising interior decoration constructed from stainless steel and glass. Laziness is not an excuse for the future owner, because the luxury penthouse apartment has its own roof gym. Just think about those moments when you come home to this astonishing place and you are greeted with a smile by the doorman and then go up to read a book from the beautiful library.
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| The Pros of Cons of Painting vs. Wallpapering Posted: 29 Dec 2010 07:23 AM PST The walls of your home have the advantage of changing and transforming your space with the help of paint or wallpaper. A dramatic room can instantly be made soft and airy with the application of light pale paint color. While a room that feels too big can instantly feel cozy with darker wallpaper with a striking pattern. There are pros and cons of using paint or wallpaper. Factors to consider are ease of application, cost, and versatility to your space. Whichever you choose your walls will benefit from the addition of paint or wallpaper.
o WALLPAPER: CONS: Removing existing wallpaper can be a tedious task that requires patience and the right tools to be effective. Stripping wallpaper can be done with chemicals or stripping tools, but care must be taken or damage can result to the wall. Consult a home improvement store for specific instructions for your application. o PAINT: PROS: If you are painting over a damaged wall, prepare imperfections with spackle and let dry 24 hours in advance. Applying primer paint in advance to painting over darker color paint will make your painting preparation easier. Painting requires considerably less preparation time than wallpaper.
o WALLPAPER: PROS: Very durable and will hold up to wear and tear of children, high traffic areas and many varieties are scrubbable. CONS: Since wallpaper is applied with an adhesive, high moisture bathrooms and kitchens may cause wallpaper to peel away from the wall. o PAINT: PROS: Depending on the sheen/finish paint is a good option for areas that need to have an inexpensive and easy application. Semi-gloss to high gloss paints are durable and are usually reserved for trim, exterior doors, etc… Satin, Eggshell and occasionally Flat sheens are used on interior walls. CONS: When walls are damaged, scraped or hit, paint can chip and repairing and repainting will be necessary.
The wonderful world of wall finishes is vast and customizable. Whether you choose wallpaper or paint, either one will give your home subtle or bold color and character. For the appeal of both, try paintable wallpaper or stick with paint or wallpaper. The option is yours and that's why home decorating is so exciting! Freshome reader's what finishes have you used on your walls? Does the idea of do it yourself projects using paint or wallpaper terrify or excite you? Let us know! Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below !
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