Contemporary Design Furniture ideas and shopping tips
Sometimes I get so fed up with clutter, even my beloved antiques, and I just want to shove it all in storage and start all over. Every time I go to a spacious home decorated with a minimalistic modern style, I want to stay forever. So here's how a contemporary motif is done. Remove all excess furniture and knickknacks. Pretend this is an episode of Hoarders, and if you haven't experienced the horror of that show, I dare you to watch it. I guarantee it will send you into a cleaning frenzy. After I saw a few episodes, I cleaned out my messiest closet and all the storage under my bed and never looked back.
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For many, a clean and sophisticated look is all they want in their home. Modern interior design deserves the beauty of a chandelier above the dining room table or in the front hall, and there are thousands of contemporary chandelier styles available.
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If you're setting up a home theater, or maybe even a gallery, track lighting can provide the perfect atmosphere. It's the latest craze. Track lighting has superb advantages in a home theater, and the contemporary styles available are stunning. Surface mounted lights are easy to install because the heads are attached to a track rather than individually wired into the ceiling. More lights and less junction boxes installed into the ceiling will result in a smoother remodel. It all begins with an outlet adapter track to mount the lights on.
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In the 40s, society was recovering from the Great Depression and the second World War, and fashion and style came back with a bang. People finally had enough money to renovate and go shopping and they all wanted a taste of the American dream. Here in 2011, what better way to celebrate surviving our country's most recent recession than by renovating with a 1940s theme in mind!
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You can capture the beauty of Aix-en-Provence in a single room, feel connected to nature and civility all at once, and sense the nostalgia for the past that still lingers in France. But how can you really know where to begin when remodeling a kitchen to be French Country? I will aim to answer the question with pictures and examples, what is the essence of French Country?
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There are two kinds of people in this world: people who wash, and people who bathe. If you're the latter, you probably know what I mean. Whether you're taking a hot shower or a luxurious bubble bath, it isn't just about getting in, getting out, and getting clean. For bathers, the journey (the long soak, the relaxation) trumps the destination (merely getting clean). Now, as a huge fan and advocate of opulent bathrooms and home spas, I'm absolutely in love with the growing popularity of freestanding tubs - especially the trend of putting them in the middle of the room instead of sticking them against a wall.
Advantages of Freestanding Tubs
Small spaces are sometimes the hardest to design. The smaller your room, the more thought required to deal with all the little necessities - like finding the right balance of storage, floor space, and style. But in a powder room, all that goes out the window. Since you don't need a place to store your toothbrush or curling iron, a powder room is the perfect place for that beautiful-but-impractical vanity. No cabinets? No drawers? No problem! Designer powder room vanities are an ideal way to really showcase your smaller space, and give your guests a little wow factor, no matter what size your bathroom.
I'm a strong believer that lighting should always always do double duty in your home. Light is a necessity, but filling your home with no-nonsense, forgettable task lighting is doing your dec0r a real disservice. While some generic, bargain bin table lamps or floor lamps, for example, might blend in to the background, that's exactly the problem. A good table lamp isn't one that falls short of being an eyesore, it's one that enhances the look and feel of your room, and can even act as a focal point or signature piece ...
Often when you think of accent tables, you're thinking ornate pieces designed to catch the eye in a larger room. But not all home decor calls for elaborate furniture, nor does furniture need to be elaborate to be eye catching. Contemporary accent tables are stunning in their simplicity, adding both functionality and design to a modern or contemporary living room. The more modern your look, the more you want something simple, sleek, and polished to match your space's minimal decor. Contemporary accent tables are all that and more.
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Sleek, modern kitchens are the big "it" thing right now - stainless steel appliances, granite or concrete counters, and modular MDF cabinetry. But if you like something a little homier, or if you live in an older home where a modern decor just wouldn't jive, it might be time for you to consider investing in vintage kitchen appliances. Done right, a retro kitchen is warm, inviting, and looks and feels just like old fashioned home cooking. The Classic Collection from Heartland Appliance offers a whole range of vintage kitchen appliances designed to do exactly that: to take you back to home cooked meals and Sunday dinner with the family.
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It's hard to find good TV trays. Many are made of cheap plastic, cheap metal, or a generic-finished wood, which makes it difficult to find one that looks like real furniture. Especially if you have a sophisticated modern decor, even an otherwise nice light oak folding table looks out of place. But never fear - your search isn't in vain. These seven TV trays are both attractive and functional, and will work great with a modern decor.
Keep It Classic
outdoor furniture offers the best of both worlds, in flexible packages designed to fit almost any sized patio.
[caption id="attachment_3491" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Railay Outdoor Pub Table And Chair Set"]sofas, chairs, and sectionals - are unique and stylish as well as functional. They're easy to customize, and are fashion forward, fun, and just a little futuristic all in one.
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Chandeliers are typically associated with antique styles and old world design. You know the kind - big, imposing, crystal-laden chandeliers made to dominate large parlors or grand staircases and are more about look than lighting. But if your living space is a little more modern, never fear. Modern chandeliers are increasingly available, and are simpler, sleeker, and more refined than their conventional counterparts. Minimal, modern chandeliers can add both style and sophistication to a contemporary living space, without any of the overblown decadence of a traditional crystal chandelier.
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Long time blog readers will know I have a conflicted relationship with modern bathroom design. I like my bubble baths cozy and relaxing, and a minimal, industrial, modern bathroom design can all too easily feel cold and sterile. But what I do love about modern design is that it has so much more room for creativity and playfulness than any traditional decor. So despite my recalcitrance to adopt concrete floors and glass tiling, I can admit a certain affection for modern designer bathroom vanities, especially ones with metallic accents. They're a little bit different, a lotta bit daring, and, most importantly, creative in a decor that mostly thrives on sameness.
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At its core, Parisian chic design is an homage to the fashion and luxury - past and present - of the City of Light, and a way to bring a little slice of it into your home. It's one part modern, one part antique, and all about luxury and style. As with any theme, Parisian chic design is best done on a smaller scale (say, a single room) to keep it simple, keep it subtle, and to keep it from overwhelming the rest of your design. I find the best place to try out a Parisian chic design is in a bathroom - it's a great place for luxury, a great place to feel pampered, and a small enough room that you won't get lost in the little details. Intrigued? Here are a few designs - and the stuff you'll need to recreate them in your own bathroom!
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There are a lot of different kinds of patio furniture out there, and not all of them are created equal. From cheapie plastic deck chairs to fancy-hotel style outdoor daybeds, style, quality, and price can all vary quite a bit. So if you're a little overwhelmed by selection, don't worry - it's not just you. Choosing the right patio furniture for your outdoor space can be incredibly difficult, and even a little confusing. So how do you know what will look right, last a long time, and cost something reasonable? This quick and dirty patio furniture buyer's guide will tell you everything you need to keep in mind before you buy.
Choose Patio Furniture Made Of Durable Materials
Thinking about overhauling your patio but not quite sure what direction to take it in? There are a lot of choices out there, and it can be a little overwhelming to try to find outdoor furniture that matches your home, your outdoor space, and your entertaining style. This quick and easy patio furniture style guide will take you through the basics, and hopefully give you a few ideas for where to start.
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You can capture the beauty of Aix-en-Provence in a single room, feel connected to nature and civility all at once, and sense the nostalgia for the past that still lingers in France. But how can you really know where to begin when remodeling a kitchen to be French Country? I will aim to answer the question with pictures and examples, what is the essence of French Country?
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