Unique Decorating Ideas

Good design is all about making a home look like a work of art, but there is a fine line between incorporating some thing fun into a room and overdoing it. Pattern and color should play a big role in defining an design identity, but too much can make things look busy.

Try to liven up a bland space with some fun graphical art. You can inject style into an area by incorporating a new pattern or hanging a print.

Use style to dictate pattern.
Sometimes its hard to determine what patterns will go with a look. Some conventions are easier to stick to than others. For instance, picking the perfect upholstery fabric for a modern retro space is easy. Almost everyone can identify a kitschy design from the 50s. However, styles like bohemian chic are meant to pull many different looks together and still be cohesive. A wrong choice can turn what was supposed to be a bold centerpiece into a disaster.

This is why it is so important to look for inspiration in similar designs. Looking at all the ways a room can be done the right way will keep you from doing it the wrong way. There is nothing written in stone when it comes to finding graphical elements that work, but there are definitely mistakes to be made. Avoid choosing the wrong combinations by researching what works.

Match, but don’t get matchy.
There is nothing worse than pattern overload! It makes things look overly designed and turns something that could be beautiful into something hideous. The worst part is that too much of something can make a room downright uncomfortable for visitors. As I’ve said before, the point of interior design is to make a room enjoyable.

Even if you can’t get enough of something, don’t bludgeon your guests with it. Your beloved style element will stand out more if its placed by itself. Something like a simple print can make a big impact when it is placed properly and not overdone.

As always, start simple.
Not sure how to add a graphical statement to your room? Start with patterned throw pillows or wall decals. You may find a new affinity for visual art. Also, these touches are cost effective and can easily be removed if their not what your looking for.

As Mother’s Day rolls around, loving children scramble to find yet another gift for mom. We cruise spa menus, flip pages in glossy magazines, and endlessly surf websites in pursuit of the perfect expression of our love and appreciation. Unfortunately, many of us are unsure of what to give the women who gave us everything. Fear not, last minute Mother’s Day gift shoppers; the world of interior design may be the perfect place to find unique gifts for mom.

Whether or not your mom has shown interest in décor before, something nice for her home is sure to put a smile on her face. Try thinking about her style and things she might enjoy before you run off to get her the hottest new accessory.

Mom’s Style, Not Yours
The first step to picking gifts for mother is figuring out her style. Even if she has never been big of decorating, chances are she will have left you hints around her home. Chances are she will have tipped you off to whether she leans toward the rustic or modern. Try staying within the confines of her taste to find unique Mother’s Day gifts. It is easy to make the mistake of trying to spruce up your mother’s home without getting her something she wants. If she likes French Country, get her a tasteful traditional quilt . You may hate it, but it’s not your home!

Make it Special
The most important part of Mother’s Day is making mom feel appreciated. It is one holiday where sentimental gifts can go a long way. For example, my mom loves odd antiques and objects from the 50s and 60s. My brother and I went diving through our favorite antique store last Mother’s Day to find her the perfect gift. After many hours of searching, we found a metal bedside clock we though looked a lot like one our grandfather had used while they were traveling with the Army. It was from the late 1950s.

Of course, she loved the clock and proudly displays it by her own bedside. Because we took the time to choose a piece of décor that had significance to her, the gift went over very well. When looking for unique gifts for mother, try to focus on finding beautiful objects that have deeper connections. How about reupholstering a chair she got for a wedding present?

Tell Her You Love Her
As always, tell mom you love her this Mother’s Day. You may get her a fabulous print for her home office, but don’t be shy about making her a card. She still wants something personal.