Candles are meant for a romantic dinner, but there’s no rule here. Family celebrations are the perfect reason for lighting candles on the dinner table. It’s all about the mood you want to create. Whether it’s up, close and personal, or formal.
Read MoreI love vintage home décor and furniture provided it’s not heavy and in the face. I have always wanted to get some stuff but I felt it would not suit my home. Though my house was old, it looked well maintained with a compact layout and no high ceilings. Nevertheless, there was roominess and warmth. What made me move in were these features plus the large kitchen and a light brown wood and black wrought iron staircase railing with pretty floral carving.
If you’re lucky to have a house with a true old home character or an apartment with an unusual appeal then decorate it in a way that preserves the past and brings out its modern traits. The outcome? Enhanced warmth.
Let’s look at this pretty bathroom. Minimalism in neutral colors augments the vintage design on the upper wall. I love everything in this blend of functionality and charm.
Flip this design concept and you get a small wonder. What do you think of this?
Creating an authentic style by combining vintage and contemporary pieces gives a comfortable and relaxed feeling and makes the home less formal.
Here’s a dining area crafted by matching antique and modern décor. Don’t you think the bright pink with weathered wood looks stunning?
Think about this. If you want to make a big splash, add vintage decor to your modern space. Take a look at these fascinating pieces that are meant to heighten the warmth and interest in the midst of clean solid lines.
Beaten by time, this large wooden door with elevated planters is out to get your attention and yet the modern design does not make it look out of place.
This one would be perfect above a cozy kitchen dining table.
Can you imagine these amazing wine glasses on your contemporary dining set?
Where would these antiques look good? By a corner or side seating in the living room? Or even a hallway area?
How about this arrangement with pops of color in your study?
I love this buffet in the kitchen; a one of kind exotica that could well become an heirloom. Does it seem like the odd piece in this mix of modern texture, design and color?
Now would you part with this lovely vintage chair or find a place for it in your new home?
Imagine this group of vintage maps on a gray wall above a sleek light taupe couch. Do you think the vignette would be complete with a center table made of glass and light gray metal, peach flowers in a taupe vase and a set of gray, beige and peach coffee table books?
Would love to hear from you? What are your ideas about combining the old with the new?
It is my pleasure to introduce Linda Holt and summarize her color and design contributions. A former professional photographer, an interior designer and color expert in the US located north of Boston, Massachusetts, Linda possesses two different Color Expert certifications and holds an esteemed position by serving on the Benjamin Moore Color Advisory board. She has been featured in both House Beautiful Magazine and The Huffington Post for her color expertise as well as earned a coveted spot as “designer of the Day” in Elle Décor magazine. She writes a weekly design blog and is the Home Consultant and regular contributor to Merrimack Valley Magazine sharing decorating tips and design trends.
Read MoreMy growing years in a small house gave the impression that a kitchen is about a short and sweet countertop, some drawers and shelves, a gas stove, and a small fridge in a corner. Several years later, my mother ensured that our new home had natural light flowing in in all the rooms. She picked a yellow with a hint of ochre for the kitchen that somehow looked brighter through the day. Although the space was compact, yellow cabinet doors and drawers matched with light brown wooden shelves made it appear warm, comfortable and roomy.
As I entered the kitchen each morning, I felt cheerful. Warmth and coziness were synonymous with this attractive shade of yellow.
Here’s a beautiful thought after my own heart, yet it misses something. How about you?
Good times are created not just with good food and good people but also within a happy environment. So would a yellow kitchen inspire warmth and cheer?
White would work well for a small kitchen. if we then accessorize it with colors of our choice and pretty little things, it will transform into a welcoming space.
An eclectic style would be amazing for a small kitchen space as well. What do you think?
How about a blue kitchen? Would you like to cook or serve here?
Or would you dare to be different and opt for a grey or a red or even experiment with dark colors like the pic below?
I would love to hear your thoughts. And do take a moment to ponder on this when you pick your color!
Many reasons follow, but the top one why I revel in nature is its breathtaking colors. And these myriad colors are all encompassing; from the sky to the ground and what exists within.
I see hues hidden within nature’s form and inspiring the most amazing color palettes for our living space. Let’s take a look at the pic below. The colors of the flowers and stem make a pretty palette.
And here’s how we can transform a wall with these lovely colors.
While flowers seem to be the ideal color inspiration, a dead branch and its surroundings can be just as good to create an eye-catching décor piece. What do you think of the pop of green in the arrangement?
And here again, we see great color inspiration from a mold gathering bark against a blue sky and greenery below.
The bedroom with warm colors does capture a part of this palette, but given a chance to use some more colors the results might be stunning.
Can you imagine warm dark green cushions on the bed and a pale sea green for the throw and base of both lampshades?
I would also go for a much lighter shade of brown for the bed, side tables and the couch to match the wall colors, change the white bed linen to cream and take off the brown bolster and blanket.
A patina’s beauty can’t be ignored. Below, this old weather beaten door has a pretty color palette of warm neutrals and lighter greens.
In this light contemporary living room or outdoors, the colors of the patina are energizing with a fresh appeal. Even so, the basic gray couch is forgotten as the touches of pink and deep yellow get more than their share of attention.
Just as well, the palette is enhanced in this garden design. Pink and yellow mingled in the door, plants and pathway, add to the artistry.
I see the peacock’s color palette as bold and striking. If used appropriately it can convert any ordinary space into an outstanding one.
Take a look at this eclectic corner place. Don’t you love everything here?
The darker colors of nature can do their own trick. When berries are teamed together, you see a rare palette of bright, dark and light hues.
At Matador Room, The Miami Beach EDITION restaurant, the colors of summer berries produce a moody yet stimulating ambience for those seated at this row of tables.
Nature’s color phenomena will continue to enthrall us. What is your favorite nature inspired color palette? Would you pick these colors for your living space?
