Enhance the outdoors with the inside

It is wonderful to make your home look natural by blending the inside with the outside. You could use natural wood accessories, fruit, vegetable and floral wallpaper in the kitchen or just replicate the colors of the environment like in the pic below.

How about lounging in this room?  Would you enjoy the view from these tall windows?

For the moment, let’s turn the old story to new. Think about enhancing the outdoors with the inside of your home?  Are you ready to give a personality to your home?

To begin with, here are some things to do to make a difference to your living

1.       Identify your home’s architectural style –Is it a modern apartment, an Arabic villa, a modern Arabic villa, a clean lines row house, a Mediterranean style villa, etc.

2.       Where do you live? – Is your home on a busy street or facing the sunny beach? Is it surrounded by a garden, pool or is it a exclusive mansion on a stretch of green and so on

3.       Remind yourself to NOT pick green for your home if the outside is green or blue if your apartment faces the beach.

4.       Identify the colors for your home - Think about your likes, dislikes and personal style. What colors make you calm and comfortable, are energizing and overall give you happiness?

If you were driving past, would you stop by to admire the scenic beauty below? The rich red appears to enhance the lushness and the effect is captivating.

Which of these houses are you tempted to take a peak?  Would you notice the grey one if it was by itself?

Take a look at this charming vignette. While the bright orange table and the ombre rattan chair hold their own, they seem to draw your attention to the surrounding green and clear blue.

The pastel shades of the bedroom below heighten the beauty of the environment. Even so, the greenery has a healing effect on the senses and the hues in the room calm the mind.  Don't you think?

How would you design your home? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Write to me - shailaja@colorsworth.com

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Blending Vintage with Modern

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I 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? 

Color Trends from the 2017 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

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Color Trends from the 2017 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

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. 

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