Mixed Metallics

A new trend that I’ve become a big fan of is mixing silver and gold. Have you seen much of that yet? You could have a silver couch with gold pillows, or a gold table with a silver lamp on it. It sounds peculiar, but if you check out these pictures you’ll see just how cool mixed metallic can look! Even if it’s the same metal in different shades, the contrasts of the colors and materials can look really fantastic if done right.

We’ll take it room by room:

Kitchen:

http://pinterest.com/pin/36732553183209430/

http://pinterest.com/pin/36732553183209430/

http://ohbythewayblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/beauty-interior.html

See how much the shiny metallics brighten up the kitchens? A kitchen is a great candidate for mixing metallic because so much can be made out of metals: refrigerator, cabinets, dishwasher, etc …

  

Bedroom

http://www.mimiandmegblog.com/2012/09/interiors-that-demand-attention.html

http://www.dooleynotedstyle.com/2012/03/silver-gold-all-that-shines.html

 

You can give your bedroom a beautiful flare either by making the furniture metallic or having silver and gold fabrics, like this one above.

Bathroom

http://www.thedecorista.com/2010/06/art-of-livingdecorating-with-silver.html

http://www.lauracaseyinteriors.com/blog/2011/12/12/accessorizing-with-silver-and-gold/

 

Bathrooms are also great candidates because you can do so much with the shelving, mirrors, light fixtures and faucets! If you go silver and gold, you could even add in pops of another color you love.

Living Room

http://www.dooleynotedstyle.com/2012/03/silver-gold-all-that-shines.html

http://www.thedecorista.com/2010/06/art-of-livingdecorating-with-silver.html

 

Bonus:

http://www.dooleynotedstyle.com/2012/03/silver-gold-all-that-shines.html

 

Metallics don’t have to just be a part of the furniture; they can be little decorations like these above! You could place these in any room in the house.

Whether it’s your fabrics, appliances, shelving or even mirrors, consider mixing some metallics for a fresh take on any room!

Bring Back the Black!

The common opinion of black is that it’s just too dark to bring into the home. Not anymore! Black is making a resurgence in kitchens, living rooms and offices, and I want to show you just how amazing it can look!

Kitchens

http://pinterest.com/pin/118430665172986265/

If you jazz up your kitchen with some bright appliances or décor, black cabinets can look incredible. See how beautifully the dark cabinets contrast with the lighter floor and cream walls? It’s a beautiful juxtaposition. 

http://mechantdesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/jm-palisse-photography.html

This kitchen is taking black to a whole new level. And yet, it works fantastically! I love the bold move of black on black, as the cabinets, appliances and the walls are dark! This one’s not for everybody, but it sure looks cool. 

http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/bydleni.idnes7.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1361008306292

I love how the white brick walls contrast with the black counters, faucet, cabinets and light fixtures. This is very mod and would look great in a city home.

Living Room

http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/bydleni.idnes7.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1361008306292

Black couches, black rug, black shelving … what a dream of a living room! It doesn’t feel quite so dark because of the great lighting coming from the oversized windows. The best thing about black furniture is that almost anything goes with it!

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/modern-living-room-snug

Many people wouldn’t necessarily think to put a black pillow on a black couch, but look how well it works! Especially with medium colored walls and a light blanket and carpet. This living room has just the right mix of hues!

https://brightnest.com/posts/walls-buh-bye-lead-paint-back-to-black/

 

Remember when black walls were highly discouraged? Not any longer! This black wall only adds to the gorgeous wall art, and it complements the colors of the rest of the room. I adore this arrangement!

Offices

http://www.styleheroine.com/page/23/

This is another black on black on black room, and I love it. You’ve got the floors, walls, ceilings, and even the shelving is black! Look how much the darkness accentuates the punchy red!

https://brightnest.com/posts/walls-buh-bye-lead-paint-back-to-black/

Almost as cool as the chalky black wall is the over-sized picture leaning up against it! If you don’t feel like going all black like some of the examples, you can easily brighten it up with lighter art or furniture. 

https://brightnest.com/posts/walls-buh-bye-lead-paint-back-to-black/

The dark shelving and ceiling look lovely against the black and white carpeting in this office. Again, the wall is brightened up by an oversized piece of art. If it’s still too dark for you, try loading bookshelves up with bright colored books, or even flowers or bright picture frames!

Black does not have to mean dark. In fact, it provides the perfect backdrop for bright appliances, pieces of art and furniture! Dare to go dark – it’s the new trend!

Fantastic Floors

If you’re doing some remodeling – or even starting from scratch – I urge you to consider jazzing up your floors! When the flooring has colors, designs and/or textures, decorating the rest of the room is a piece of cake. Fancy floors allow for the utmost simplicity to fill the rest of the room. So while the floors add a ton of personality, the walls can be more calm and open. There are limitless options for every room in the house.

I follow a pinboard on Pinterest that has the most incredible collection of floors ranging from marble to travertine to mosaics, and I want to share some of my favorites for the home with you. (Then you can go peruse the pinboard on your own if you’ve got some spare time!)

I hope these give you inspiration to spice up your space in a unique way next time you do some remodeling.

Bathrooms:

 

 

http://redesigningsarah.com/tag/bathroom/

http://remodelista.com/posts/modern-takes-on-moroccan-tile

http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/search?updated-max=2011-04-18T12%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=10

  

Kitchens:

http://georgianadesign.tumblr.com/

http://pinterest.com/pin/123708320986489006/

http://ralfefarfarsparadis.blogspot.com/2012/10/det-var-en-gang.html

Common Spaces:

http://pinterest.com/pin/123708320986614315/

http://couleur-sil-vous-plait.tumblr.com/post/42087575246

http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/rooms-that-shine-67217-7#slide-7

Bedrooms:

http://www.planete-deco.fr/

http://smallshopstudio.com/2012/12/06/guest-post-the-zhush-a-rule-to-decorate-by/

http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/blogs/stencil-ideas/7308878-four-on-the-floor-fab-painted-stenciled-floor-projects

 

Go for the Gold!

If you’re revamping any part of your home and want to make a statement, why not dare to do gold? It’s beautiful, it goes with every color, it fits in any room, and hardly anyone has it in their homes yet! I’m obsessed with the way gold was incorporated into the rooms below. It’s as if the designers chose the color first and the rooms just fell into place! 

Here are some examples of gold being used in every room in the house:

Bathroom:

I adore the gold tiles in this bathroom. Look how gorgeous the colors of the dark mirror and the flower become against the metallic wall! (Metallic colors in bathrooms is so in right now. Check out this post from last month featuring silver + bronze bathrooms).

http://www.paulagracedesigns.com/blog/

 

Bedroom:

http://pinterest.com/pin/220254237998140097/

From floor to ceiling this bedroom pops with this magnificent color. If you want to bring gold into your room but not quite to this extent, start with jazzing up a wall (with the great wallpaper below), or getting a gold bedspread and/or appliances.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crocodile-Leather-Effect-Metallic-Gold-Wallpaper-Maximum-carriage-charge-7-50-/290663159117

?pt=UK_Wallpaper&hash=item43acdfd54d#ht_1877wt_956

 

Kitchen:

These are two heart-stopping examples of just how incredible gold can look in a kitchen. Whether it be a backsplash, a lighting fixture or cabinets, kitchens can turn into majestic rooms with a little addition of gold. 

http://misswalker.blogspot.com/2011/06/milan-report-gold-rush.html?showComment=1307496747443

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/

 

Living Room:

Speaking of majestic, these accents make these sitting rooms luxurious beyond belief. You can match the furniture like the first photo, or make it contrast like the second. Either way, living rooms are great homes to gold accent walls.

http://www.fauxology.com/2011/02/good-as-gold/

https://brightnest.com/posts/7-steps-to-perfect-wallpaper-modern-paper-options/

http://pinterest.com/pin/235524255484688663/

 

Do you have any gold accents in your home? If so, please share! I’d love to hear about your use of this glorious color.

Happy decorating! And don’t forget – design the life you LOVE!