Do you love floral patterns, but want to avoid old-fashioned looking decor? Not all flowers are created equal. Don’t worry, modern floral wallpaper designs are not your granny’s floral patterns. There are many ways you can make a home look chic and updated while keeping a floral charm. Here are some ideas:

Monotone prints for subtle floral designs
A fresh take on floral designs includes monotone prints to avoid splashy and overwhelming florals. Bold patterns can still look modern when rendered in tones that are similar in color. A grey and white print of poppies looks updated — instead of outdated.

{Grey on grey monotone wallpaper is modern with a classic nod. Photo from Sherwin-Williams}

Plain furniture against floral patterns

To avoid overwhelming guests to your home with a heady bouquet of florals, choose plain furniture for a room with a bright floral print. The contrast of neutral furniture will make floral wallpaper pop without adding business to the room.

{Pairing simple, solid colored furniture with a heavy patterned wallpaper allows both to sing. Photo from Houzz.com}

Floral wallpaper for kids’ rooms

Floral wallpaper can also grow along with children in the house. A floral print for a girl’s room can be feminine in pink, but still have grown-up shades of black and green. The perfect print in florals can be appropriate for a young lady without being too girlish.

Panels can break up floral patterns

Have you fallen in love with a bold floral print but worry it will be too much for a whole wall? Keep in mind you can always break up the floral print by adding panels that will frame the florals like artwork. If you have a room that is already paneled, florals can add visual interest.

{Panels covered in wallpaper are a small commitment with a big impact. Photo from HousetoHome}

Make the room appear taller with climbing patterns

Just as a rose climbing a trellis makes an appealing picture in the garden, floral wallpapers that appear to climb up the wall can make a room appear taller. Heighten the effect by choosing wallpapers patterned with morning glories or other flowers that grow upwards.

For more tips on choosing just the right floral wallpaper for your home, contact me today!

Have you introduced floral wallpaper in your home? How do you like it? Please leave a comment below.

I am a sucker for mid-century mod furnishing and accessories. On a recent girls’ weekend to the Revel in Atlantic City I loved this seating area in the hotel’s lobby. I could almost picture Don Draper sitting there with a drink!

{This mid-century mod furniture in Atlantic City’s Revel hotel made me think of Don Draper!}

Mad Men is one of my favorite shows on TV right now. It’s known as much for its historical accuracy and visual style as it is for its storyline. How can you not just fall in love with the fabulous 60s-themed costume design almost as much as the characters themselves?

I have watched Mad Men from the beginning and am still captivated by the set design each time I watch. I visualize how I can use some of those throw-back accents in the rooms I am currently designing. The pieces of nostalgia, whether they are from your own childhood or your grandparents’, add that spectacular vintage touch with an air of comfort and familiarity.

Wherever you are in the show though, or even if you’ve never seen it, you can certainly incorporate the mid-century modern style into your home décor.

{Monochromatic rooms with gold and brass accents help bring that Mad Men style into your home. Photo from HouseBeautiful.com}

While some things, like heavy drapery, yellow linoleum, and rust-colored carpeting, can be left in the ’60s, there are many facets of the era that you can easily incorporate into your modern day design for a fresh “mid-century chic” look. Items like credenzas, coffee tables, mod lamps, and geometric art are great ways to incorporate the Drapers’ style into your home.

{Mixing vintage elements like geometric art and ’60s style seating with modern coffee tables and accents creates the perfect balance for this clean Draperesque living room. Photo from WashingtonPost.com}

You can also bring some of this vintage sophistication into your bedroom with key pieces like this velvet tufted headboard or this geometric gold sunburst mirror.

{Bring a touch of glamor, sophistication and a modern feeling to your bedroom with a tufted headboard. Photo from UrbanOutfitters.com}

{This gold sunburst mirror is a style icon from centuries past and is still a welcome modern addition today. Photo from Rejuvenation.com}

{Clean, classic and green transforms a bedroom in an elegant vintage haven. Photo from blog.builddirect.com}

As you can see there are numerous ways to bring the Mad Men into to your home. AFP Interiors is here to help design your Baltimore-area home interior, whether you prefer an understated design or the full vintage feel of the Drapers’ home. Contact me to discuss your ideas and I will work with you to bring them to life.

Do you watch Mad Men? Have you been inspired by the ’60s décor?

I have a slight television addiction when it comes to some shows and Downton Abbey is one of them! I miss it so much right now, but enough about me. I’ll put through somehow! If you haven’t jumped on the hit PBS series Downton Abbey bandwagon yet, I highly recommend checking it out. Not only am I fascinated by the complex and captivating story lines, I am in awe over the Edwardian interior décor. The details are wonderful eye-candy.

{Adding saturated colors, a touch of gold or glamorous chandelier can make you feel like you have a slice of Downton in your home. Photo from highclerecastle.co.uk}

And while 20^th Century aristocratic style isn’t exactly for everyone, I think it is easy to take some cues and add some subtle touches of elegance to your home in Maryland if the style interests you.

For instance, deeply saturated colors take center stage on Downton Abbey, particularly burgundy red, paprika, and gold with highlights of emerald, navy, and celery green.  Utilizing these colors in luxurious fabrics like velvet and silk, in the form of draperies or upholstery, can add a deep richness to your home.

{Dark, ornate picture frames can give your home a touch of Downton! Photo from blinds.com}

In the series, wood takes on a vital role in furniture and detailing. Adding an antique piece of furniture to a room can create a warm ambiance. Even a subtle touch, such as adding ornate frames to a room, can capture a sense of decadence mirrored by Downton Abbey.

{Dramatic wallpaper on one wall of your bedroom can add a touch of Downton Abbey to your master suite! Photo from apartmenttherapy.com}

Another trend you can incorporate is the use of wallpaper inspired by the show. Although most of us can’t afford to live in a real castle, adding luxurious touches to the bath can add a pop of vintage charm.

Wallpaper and paint manufacturer Farrow & Ball features several patterns that would be right at home in Highclere Castle, the real-life setting of the lavish miniseries. Both the St. Antoine damask pattern and the Peony pattern are subtle yet charming ways to create this luxury feel.

{This floral wallpaper would feel right at home in Downton Abbey or maybe in YOUR powder room? Photo from houzz.com}

As you can see there are numerous ways to bring a little Downton Abbey to your home and life. AFP Interiors is here to help design your Baltimore-area home interior, whether you prefer an understated design or the full elegance of the British gentry. Contact me to discuss your ideas and I will work with you to bring them to life.

Do you watch Downtown Abbey? Have you been inspired by the décor?

Kitchen appliances and products are changing and updating so quickly. Refrigerators now have screens in the doors so you can watch TV or view your favorite recipes (I love this feature!), ovens are using steam to cook, dishwashers have drawers and faucets come with sensors so you don’t have to touch them to turn the water on or off. And you thought faucets just looked good while providing water, right?

This week we celebrate Earth Day, so I thought I’d focus on a big trend in remodeling — going green.

Almost any product you want your new or remodeled home has an energy-efficient version. Originally some of the products were clunky, cumbersome and just not very ideal. But today’s products are amazingly efficient and quite attractive. If you are working on a kitchen upgrade, no matter how large or small, I encourage you to give me a call or leave a message below to discuss kitchen faucets with a touch of green.

In the home, the use of water is never-ending and the use of an eco-friendly kitchen faucet can be a dollar saver as well as a water saver. When you begin to research green faucets for your kitchen update, there are a couple of design options to consider.

Auto-Shutoff Feature - This faucet turns itself off when you walk away from the sink. You’ve probably seen this type of faucet in a public restroom. If you have your hands full with a heavy soup pot and turn away to put it on the stove, the water will automatically shut off. It’s triggered by sensors, springs or valves that turn the faucet off after a certain period of time.

{Go green while maintaining a modern look in your kitchen. Photo from modenus.com}

Low-Flow Feature - This feature is similar to those we’ve seen in shower heads for some time. You can install a low-flow aerator on your current faucet that will reduce your water consumption by about 30 percent. But a new faucet makes more sense.

When you research faucets, be sure to look for the gallons per minute (gpm) figure which will tell you how much water flows through the faucet in a minute. A regular faucet is rated at about 4 gpm. Good eco-friendly faucets are rated at 1.5 gpm and should serve your needs very well. You can find them rated as low as .5 gpm, but this may mean waiting too long when you need to fill a sink for dish washing.

When you’re searching for a water saving faucet, you will find all the familiar styles and features that you usually would look for in a faucet. They can be single-handled, two-handled and have soap dispensers and pull out spray heads. While these green faucets can be a little more difficult to repair because of the additional parts they require, and are initially more expensive, the savings in scarce water resources more than compensates.

{A streamlined faucet with green features is a “win-win” for your kitchen. Photo from blancobydesign.com}

These are just a few of the consideration for selecting the best eco-friendly faucet for your kitchen remodel. I would love for you to contact me to discuss additional ideas for your kitchen upgrade and other ways to go green in your home and protect the environment.

How have you gone green in your kitchen?

Last week, I discussed how plants can really transform a room. Today I’m turning to flowers, and more specifically, the importance of selecting the right vase. The right vase is like selecting the right tool for the job — it makes a difference!

As the year warms up and your gardens grow, the opportunity to use beautiful displays of flowers in here. A large selection of cut flowers are available everywhere from your yard to florists and grocery stores. But making these stars of the spring and summer look their best requires more than just the blossoms. Here are a few hints to selecting the right vase to showcase them:

• Always remember that the flowers are the reason for the vase. So the vase needs to be the backdrop rather than the star. A beautiful decorative vase in a bold design might be better for a stand-alone statement, while a glass or white vase will let the flowers speak for themselves.

{The flowers and greens are the stars of this show. Photo from apartmenttherapy.com}

• The size of the vase should be paired with the size of the flowers being used. In general, the flowers should be about 1-1/2 times the size of the vase. Keep the stems as long as possible and then you can trim them to fit the size of the vase when arranging them.
• Where you plan to place the vase in your home also affects the size you should use. Ask yourself if the bouquet is making a statement or being used as an accent. If making a statement, use a tall glass cylinder on a large cocktail table or dining table. If using the flowers as an accent, such as on a mantle or nightstand, use a small round bubble bowl and smaller flowers. If the flowers will be in a high traffic area, a wider based vase will make the arrangement less tipsy.
• Choose vases that reflect your decor. If you like a country look or shabby chic, a metal watering can or copper coffee pot can stand alone when the flowers have passed their prime. If more contemporary styles suit you, look for sparkling clean glass or sleek-shaped ceramic vases.
• If the top of the vase curves inward, it will hold the stems more upright. If you prefer a more drooping look, find a vase with a top that curves outward. These two style shapes, in several sizes, will fit the bill for most floral arrangements.

{This white vase is the perfect complement to these purple blooms. Photo from fineartamerica.com}

If you aren’t sure where to find the perfect vase for your floral display or if you have another decorating challenge, contact me, april@afpinteriors.com. I will work with you to create the unique and stylish home that meets your needs in all ways.

How do you like to showcase flowers in your home?

Now that spring is in full bloom, have you thought about bringing some of the greenery and blossoming spring flowers indoors for a seasonal pick-me-up? Plants and floral arrangements can literally bring a breath of fresh air from the outdoors. It’s a very easy way to wake up your home for the new season.

Working with clients to find the right display for foliage and floral arrangements is one of my favorite springtime activities as an interior designer because it’s a great way to personalize your space. Here are a few tips to get your creativity flowing:

African violets, a plant easily found at any supermarket, can be planted in a decorative urn for a unique take on the common flower. Plant several African violets in one pot for a landscaped look.

{Pretty african violets wake up this sunny table. From Remodelista.}

For a casual look, scatter succulents in earth-toned pots around the room in odd-numbered groupings. Most succulents, such as cactus plants and aloe plants, are low-maintenance plants that require direct sunlight. Keeping the pots in neutral shades fits with the desert origins of most succulents.

Another idea is to fill in empty corners with trees that grow well indoors. For flexibility, pot the tree in a pot that rests on a wheeled base so you can easily rearrange for vacuuming or other cleaning. The fiddle-leaf fig tree requires moderate sunlight and can flourish indoors.

For an exotic flourish, don’t be afraid of the temperamental orchid. The gorgeous flowers can transform a bathroom or other room into a tropical oasis. Orchids are potted in rocks instead of soil, and have to be watered on a regular basis. Let the water drain through the rocks for best results, which mimics the orchids’ native habitat of a tropical rainforest.

I love to add flowers to the sink area when I’m entertaining. It makes an ordinary room very special for guests!

Ferns can also add a surprise of lush texture to a bedroom, as the ferns require indirect sunlight. Ferns need occasional maintenance by trimming stray fronds, but otherwise can flourish with minimal care. They can also be potted in hanging pots or regular pots, depending on the space.

{The simplicity of these ferns is refreshing in this pretty bedroom. From Real Simple.}

Not quite sure how to showcase your garden delights? I would love to show you how a few simple touches can make all the difference. Contact me today and we will get started!

It’s officially spring, but it’s snowing in MD today! What a perfect time to freshen your home with vibrant hues that delight you as the weather (hopefully) turns from chilly to balmy. The spring colors for your walls that shine most for 2013 are a little bit traditional and a little bit lively. They will give you the freshness you are looking for and also have a calming influence to keep your home relaxing and inviting. Sounds perfect, right?

Selecting sensational colors for your home is my specialty. I love finding the right blend of colors that will speak to you and your family and pull your furnishing and decor together. Here are a few of my favorite spring 2013 color trends to get your creativity flowing. Use trends as guidelines and inspiration — but remember to only use colors you love to in your home.

One of the hottest colors for spring is warm orange. This shade has been around for awhile in home accents and clothing. Orange can be a quiet mood enhancer when done in lighter shades, or a more upbeat influence when used in more intense hues. It works well when paired with blues, slate grays or off whites. How much or how little it appears in your room will dictate the effect it has. Use an accent or two on a table top to make a new focal point or paint an entire room to revamp the entire look of your space.

{Warm orange on your walls will create a GLOW in your home. From Tistory.com}

Mint green is a more traditional color that can be used more abundantly in a room. Painting all four walls will refresh the look while also maintaining a relaxing vibe. Pair mint green with shades of pink, lavender or brown. Soft grays also provide a warm backdrop for shades of mint.

Cobalt blue is a dark, saturated blue that emphasizes sophistication. It is best used sparingly, but the effect of cobalt blue around cabinets in a kitchen or in a bathroom always makes a statement. Blues coordinate well with shades of orange, bright white or grays.

Pair cobalt with a softer, lemony version of yellow — this traditional spring color of chicks and eggs is one of the primary colors across the color wheel from blue, and they always work fantastically together. The lighter shades of yellow are stronger this spring than the more intense colors of the past.

If you’re looking for something to tie all these disparate colors together, try soft shades of icy gray. Gray works as the neutral shade that runs throughout your home and keeps the space from looking disorganized and unruly. You can accent with your favorite new spring shades and make your home look chic and fresh.

{Soothing, soft gray walls are fresh and calming. From HGTV.com}

For help choosing the perfect shades to brighten up your home for spring and throughout the year, contact me! My approach to home design will ensure you obtain the home of your dreams, one that suits your lifestyle and tastes and always says “welcome home“.

The minute the weather warms up I can’t wait to update my seasonal decor items. I  have a few display pieces that I swap out as the seasons change. This also applies to table linens and tablescapes. It’s time to lighten and brighten for the season and I have some lovely tablescape photos to share with you. So whether you are setting your table for an Easter or Passover celebration, a special birthday or just a Saturday night dinner party, use these ideas as inspiration — or just to make you smile! Happy (early) Spring!

{This understated table is brought to life with a delightful and unexpected accent. From MyStyleShare.com]

The spring season’s color pallet is light and hopeful, a contrast from winter’s that is so often jeweled toned and indulgent while looking back over the past. With spring we get to look forward to all things bright and new. A great Beatrix Potter look is achieved here with earth colors of green, yellow and brown, twig chargers and a fresh carrot name tag on each plate.

{I love the use of colored stemware to add to the overall feel of this table. From BetweenNapsOnThePorch.com}

Beginning with a moss table runner and including the tiny egg ornaments clustered at the base of a pot of daffodils, this table is simply charming and just so fresh. You could add a colorful plate to really mix things up!

{Rustic elegance is served here! From Remodelista & Gwyneth Paltrow}

{An unexpected plate on this lovely table. From Remodelista.

I absolutely LOVE this table. It appears effortless and simple, which makes it very welcoming and pretty! What stands out for me is the egg used as guest nameplates. I can see these eggs being personalized in all sorts of ways, in addition to using a sharpie. What about stamping or colored inks?

{Glitter place mats add glamor to this Easter table. From Pine Creek Style.}

Not a fan of an all-pastel table? This tablescape uses glitter, sparkle and cream to add a touch of elegance to an Easter table. You could also use this same motif for any spring celebration. How lovely!

{This monochromatic table makes a statement! From Eddie Ross.}

WOW. This exquisite tablescape is built around several shades of blue. Glitter eggs, foil wrapped chocolate eggs, as well as the inspired use of pattern in the tablecloth, chargers and plates in addition to the grand vase centering the table are a treat for the eye. There is a lot going on with this table but all the elements in play seamlessly come together around the color blue and the proper mixing of patterns, to enhance the formal but fresh look.

I hope these lovely tablescapes have inspired you to set a table worthy of your celebration and guests – including yourself! What is you favorite tablescape element shown here? How do you set your table for spring?

Happy decorating!

There is nothing so disappointing as having a special dinner reservation at a romantic restaurant on Valentine’s Day to then have something unexpected spoil the mood – the parking wasn’t available, the people at the next table were talking too loud, the waiter had an attitude – there are so many things that can go wrong that it makes the thought of staying at home so much more appealing, so perfectly intimate. And because there are so many easy ways to strike the right mood for love in your own dining room it makes going out unnecessary.

{Lots of flowers and a lovely mix of glassware and color make this a romantic spot for a meal. Design by friendshiplifeandstyle.blogspot.com}

Lighting is critical to set the mood and candles are a staple in the romance handbook. But make them unexpected with a dozen tea lights scattered across the table instead of a few candlesticks. Use color; your favorite, his favorite or classic red, in your tea-light holders to set off the color’s soft glow. Use your dimmer switch to turn down overhead lights and turn on your ambiance lights now as well, for a soft glow all around.

(You do have dimmer switches in your home, right? It’s an energy-saving must, but that’s a subject for another post!)

{Pretty, rose-covered lamp shade, from www.anthropologie.com}

The use of color goes a long way to create just the mood you want. Red is traditional for good reason, it’s the color of love, danger and desire, but don’t limit yourself. Deep passionate purples and rich, royal blues that hint at the erotic also seduce. Incorporate your color in details within the room. These could easily be elements of your tablescape, such as scattered crystals, flower petals or even better, an item of personal significance to you as a couple. Include something out of the ordinary to make the evening memorable and special.

{You don’t need red to be romantic. This is a lovely table for two, by betweennapsontheporch.net}

Use fabrics liberally by draping your table with silk that puddles at the floor. Imagine how gorgeous a silk tablecloth puddled at your feet can be, bathed in candlelight!

And don’t think your tablescape is the only place you can add romance. Move the furniture. Consider moving a small table for two in front of your lit fireplace and capture the glow of your roaring fire. Decorate the mantle with your special theme as well. Your bedroom is also a great spot to set up an intimate table for two.

{Dining in your bedroom is very romantic! This lovely table is from betweennapsontheporch.net}

If you prefer not to move a table, then put a screen up to create a more intimate space in which to eat. Pulling any day-to-day clutter and excess furnishings out of the room may seem pretty mundane, but this will make a much used room feel special.

Fresh flowers are a must for a romantic room, preferably given by your partner, but you can also purchase a bunch for your table arrangement. Cut your stems short and keep them close to the table so you can see each other across the table.

{Low vases of flowers create a nice heart shape on the table. Image from homedecorluxury.com}

Ultimately it’s the loving details that only you can bring to the room that give it the intimacy and romance. Whether it’s a sprinkling of conversation hearts across the table or a nod to a special event in your life, a centerpiece that incorporates elements of your activities together, a shared joke or aspect to the future that you are both looking forward to, this will be remembered in a beautifully romantic room.

And if you do decide to go out to that restaurant, use any or all of these ideas anyway so the mood is sure to continue after you get home.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression and this applies to your home too. The first thing your guests see when they enter your home is your entryway. What does it say about you? I think it should reflect your personality and design style. It should make you smile. Maybe start a conversation. Too much to ask of an entry area? I don’t think so!

{This sophisticated entry uses a simple and classic color palette and furnishings to welcome guests. Design by www.dcdesignhouse.com}

Here are some inspiring entryways and a few things to consider if you are revamping yours.

• Color – select a color that conveys the mood you’d like folks to feel when they enter your home. Calm & peaceful = soft tans, greys or maybe greens. Energized and happy = reds, bold blues or oranges. Consider what works with the rest of your home, but make a statement if you are daring enough! Color can be brought in via furnishings and rugs, so if your walls are best neutral, consider adding color in smaller ways to make your statement.
• Door – paint the interior of your door a “wow” color or add a special stained glass. Don’t miss the chance to make it special.
• Function – do you need a spot for coats, books, keys and mail? A spot to sit and get ready to head out? A mirror for a last minute check before going out into the world? Consider your needs before making any purchases. Form and function can live happily in your entryway.
• Lighting - you need to see and chances are there is lighting in your entryway. Does it tell your story or is it what the builder put in? If you can’t make an update to your lighting, consider painting the light you have. It may be exactly what your entry needs!

{This yellow bench, from Crate & Barrel, surrounded by blue walls is a cheery “hello” to say the least.

{This cozy entryway, with wallpaper, lamps, a framed mirror and painted door, sets the tone for the rest of the home, design by www.milkandhoneyhome.com}

{A subtle mix of colors and textures invite you into this home. Fresh flowers are a great touch! Design by d3interiordesign.blogspot.com}

{I expect to have some fun in this house! A bold color palette creates a lively entryway. Design by www.greenboxart.com}

{Personal touches are a great welcome to any home. These family photos make this entryway unique. Design by www.mochatini.org}

What is your favorite thing in your entryway? I have a rustic table with special collections on it, a silver lamp and a wall full of my kids’ artwork to greet me. What might you do to dress up your entryway? Share your ideas and thoughts with me today.

Happy decorating!