Dream House Design and Architecture

10 Minimalist Small House Trends You Must See

2025-07-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

The trend of minimalist small houses has emerged as a panacea amidst soaring urban property prices. We know: land is getting narrower, installment amounts are getting “muscular”, and the journey from the suburbs to the city takes hours.

Gen Z and millennials—generations who are pursuing careers while building families—finally have to choose: embrace the dream of a big house (but with a thin wallet) or adapt to the concept of a more pocket-friendly tiny house.

We in the field see a clear pattern: units less than 90 m² are selling faster, even recording the highest price increases in many cities.

This means that the tiny house solution is not just a trend—it has become a mainstream choice. Minimalist small houses offer low maintenance, a lower carbon footprint, and a modern, “Instagram-worthy” aesthetic.

1. Tropical-Modern Design with Sky Balcony

Imagine a white-grey facade combined with wooden lattice, plus an open balcony on the second floor. The balcony—often called the “sky balcony”—serves to speed up vertical circulation: hot air is dispersed, natural light fills the living room, and laundry can dry naturally. The flat roof makes it easy to install minimalist solar panels.

2. Multifunctional 2-Storey Small House

This configuration is a favorite of young families: the ground floor serves as a public area (living, dining, kitchen), the upper floor becomes a private zone (bedroom, bathroom). The stairs are usually attached to a corner or use a floating design so as not to take up space. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the trapezoid of stairs increase circulation—while space efficiency reaches its peak.

3. Warm & Classic Cottage Model

Although identical to the countryside, cottages can be adapted to a 6 × 10 m plot. Steep overlapping roofs drain rainwater faster; exposed wood or brick walls add texture. The advantages are clear: a “vacation” sensation every day, plus a more stable interior temperature because natural materials store heat and cold better.

4. Monochrome Contemporary Concept

For those of you who love the impression of an “art gallery,” a black-and-white facade with bold lines is the answer. The interior is left open-plan—without thick partitions—and hidden lighting (cove lighting) creates a dramatic effect. Although the palette is limited, the play of textures (matte ceramic vs. exposed cement) prevents the space from feeling cold.

5. Compact Modular & Prefab Houses

In this fast-paced era, prefabricated panels are in demand because the construction period can be cut by 50%. SIP walls or light steel frames are manufactured in factories, shipped, and then assembled on site. If you need additional rooms later, just order new modules and “connect” them—similar to plug-and-play. Ideal for narrow urban land that requires gradual adaptation.

6. Minimalist Japanese Style

This Japanese-Scandinavian fusion emphasizes balance: white and light wood, simple lines, and soft lighting. The living room can be transformed into a dining room by simply moving a folding table. Sliding shoji partitions and built-in storage eliminate the need for bulky cabinets—and the visual space is spacious.

7. Industrial Chic with Exposed Brick

The industrial concept doesn't have to be spacious—a 40 m² house can look fierce. Raw concrete, black iron frames, and pipe lights give a strong character. Because the walls are left rough, the finishing costs are relatively economical. Combine a cognac-colored leather sofa with a wool rug to add warmth.

8. Eco-Friendly Container House

Converting used containers into homes addresses two issues: reducing waste and building quickly. The 40-foot containers are insulated with polyurethane foam, perforated with aluminum windows, and painted with anti-rust. Cross ventilation is a must—otherwise, the container will feel like an oven during the day. The advantages: strong structure (ISO grade) and mobility (easy to move).

9. Scandinavian Roof Slab & Rooftop

Scandinavian characteristics: white-cream palette, maximum natural light, and a hygge (cozy) atmosphere. If the roof is not flat, developers often add a roof garden or rooftop lounge. Practical as a family barbecue area while harvesting microgreens.

10. Smart Tiny Home with Technology

Finally, tiny units come with smart locks, IoT CCTV, motion sensors, and app-based light switches—all controlled from your phone. Portable solar panels are becoming more affordable; a 500-watt system is sufficient for basic needs like LED lights, an energy-efficient refrigerator, or a small water pump, especially if powered by a storage battery. The combination of tiny homes and smart technology can help lower your energy bills while increasing your sense of security.

10 Cool Minimalist Home Designs For New Families

2025-06-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

Minimalist lifestyle is increasingly popular with many people, especially for new families who are planning their first home. Minimalist home design not only offers modern and elegant aesthetics, but also practicality in utilizing space. The minimalist home trend continues to grow, in line with the increasing need for efficient yet stylish homes.

Here we present 10 minimalist home designs that can be an inspiration for those of you who are looking for a dream home for a new family.

1. Rumah Minimalis dengan Konsep Terbuka

Minimalist homes often utilize open spaces to create a spacious impression. One of the emerging trends is the use of an open plan concept where the living room, dining room, and kitchen are united without dividing walls. This concept not only makes the house feel more spacious, but also facilitates interaction between residents, especially for new families.

2. Simple Design with Geometric Lines

Minimalist home design is identical with simple and functional forms. The use of geometric lines on the facade of the house gives a modern and neat look. Neutral colors such as white, gray, and black are often used to strengthen the impression of elegance and cleanliness.

3. Minimalist House with a Touch of Wood

Incorporating natural elements like wood into minimalist home designs is a very popular trend. Wood provides a warm and natural feel, while balancing the modern feel of industrial materials like concrete and glass. Wood-framed doors and windows or wood-paneled wall accents are a great way to bring this aesthetic to life.

4. Minimalist House with Glass Walls

The use of glass walls in minimalist homes can create a spacious and bright impression. This is one of the design trends that maximizes natural lighting, so that the house feels more open and fresh. In addition, glass walls provide a direct view of the garden or yard, which makes minimalist homes look more integrated with their surroundings.

5. Minimalist House with Flat Roof

Flat roof design is very identical to modern minimalist homes. This roof not only provides a clean and geometric look, but can also be used for additional space such as a rooftop garden or a relaxation area. The overall appearance of the house will look simpler but still stylish.

6. Minimalist Home Design with Monochrome Colors

Monochrome colors such as white, gray, and black are the main choices in minimalist home design because of their clean and modern impression. This color combination not only creates a simple yet elegant look, but also gives a spacious impression to the building. Monochrome colors are very flexible and can be combined with various decorative elements to provide a personal touch without losing the essence of minimalism.

7. Minimalist House with Natural Stone Accents

The use of natural stone on the facade or walls of a minimalist house provides an elegant appearance and blends with nature. The texture of natural stone adds dimension and a natural feel, making the house more attractive without having to look excessive.

8. Minimalist House with Simple and Modern Facade

On the exterior of a minimalist house, a simple facade with sharp lines gives a modern and elegant impression. A combination of materials such as concrete, wood, and glass are often used to create a clean and functional look. With neutral colors such as white or gray combined with wood accents, the house will look attractive without being too excessive.

9. Minimalist House with Efficient Exterior Lighting

For minimalist homes, exterior lighting plays an important role, especially in the facade and garden areas. Placing lights along the path, or using spotlights on the facade of the house, can highlight the texture of the walls or plants around the house. In addition to creating a beautiful aesthetic at night, proper lighting also increases security. Choose energy-efficient lamps and modern designs that are in harmony with the minimalist style.

10. Minimalist House With Elegant Exterior Color Selection

Exterior color plays a big role in shaping the character of a minimalist home. Choosing neutral colors such as white, gray, or beige gives a spacious and modern impression. To strengthen the natural accent, paint colors such as green or wood brown can be applied to certain elements, such as doors or fences. Propan Decorshield DW-500 can be an option for exterior wall paint because of its strong resistance to extreme weather and UV rays and is available in thousands of colors that can be adjusted to your taste.

Traditional Architecture of Javanese Traditional House

2025-06-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Traditional Javanese houses, or commonly referred to as omah adat Jawa, refer to traditional houses on the island of Java, Indonesia. Javanese house architecture is characterized by the presence of dominant hierarchical rules as reflected in the shape of the roof of the house. Traditional Javanese houses have very similar layouts to each other, but the shape of the roof is determined by the social and economic status of the homeowner.

Traditional Javanese house architecture is heavily influenced by Dutch colonial architecture in Indonesia and also greatly contributed to the development of modern architecture in Indonesia in the 20th century.

History

The Javanese have close kinship with the Austronesian people. The reliefs at Borobudur Temple built in the 9th century also show that Javanese houses are the basic pattern of Austronesian houses. The arrival of Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries introduced stone and brick in house construction, which was widely used by the wealthy. The form of traditional Javanese houses also began to influence the development of Dutch Colonial architecture in Indonesia. In the early 19th century, Dutch East Indies houses were made to resemble Javanese houses because the shape of the house was able to withstand tropical heat and heavy rain, but still able to circulate air inside the house.

Hierarchy of House Roofs

In accordance with the structure of Javanese society and its traditions, traditional Javanese houses are classified according to their roof shapes from the lowest to the highest, namely Kampung, Limasan, and Joglo.

Village House.

The roof of a village house is identified as a house of ordinary people. Structurally, the roof of a village house is the simplest roof. The peak of the roof of a village house rests on four central pillars and is supported by two layers of binding pillars. The roof ridge is supported by supports with a typical North-South axis. This structure can be enlarged by widening the roof from the existing roof section.

Limasan House.

Limasan roof is used for Javanese family houses that have higher status. This type of house is the most common type for Javanese houses. The basic four-pillar house plan is expanded by adding a pair of pillars at one end of the roof.

Joglo House.

Joglo roof is the most distinctive and most complicated roof shape. Joglo roof is associated with the residences of the nobility (Keraton, official residences, government buildings, and houses of Javanese nobility or nigrat). Currently, its owners are no longer limited to noble families, but anyone who has enough funds to build it. This is because building a Joglo house requires more and more expensive building materials.

The Joglo roof has several characteristics that distinguish it from the previous 2 types of roofs. The main roof is steeper, while the roof ridge is not as long as the Limasan house. On the four main pillars that support the roof above it, there is a distinctive arrangement of layered pillars which is interpreted as tumpang sari. In addition, if the Joglo house is damaged, the repair process must not change its original shape. Javanese people believe that violating this rule will have a negative effect on the occupants of the house.

Layout of a traditional Javanese house complex. Note: 1. doorway 2. pendopo 3. peringgitan 4. emperan 5. dalem 6. senthong 7. gandok 8. dapur (Source: www.wikiwand.com)

House building

No different from traditional Balinese houses, Javanese houses are usually built in a walled complex. The material for the protective walls of the house complex is made of stone for rich people's houses, or made of bamboo and wood.

The ideal traditional Javanese house consists of three main buildings, namely omah, pendapa, and peringgitan.

Pendopo.

Pendopo or pendapa is a pavilion located at the front of the complex. This place is used to receive guests, social gatherings, or ritual performances. Pendopo uses a joglo roof and is only found in the housing complexes of the rich. In some dense urban areas, stone walls are usually erected around the pendopo.

Pringgitan.

Pringgitan is a space that connects the pendopo with the omah. Peringitan is a place for ringgit, which means puppet or playing puppets. Pringgitan has a roof shape of a village or limasan.

Omah.

Omah is the main house. The word omah comes from Austronesian which means “house”. Omah usually has a square or rectangular layout with a raised floor. The center of the omah uses a pyramid or joglo roof shape. The area under the roof is divided by wall slats into inner and outer areas.

Dalem.

Dalem is a closed building and is divided again along the North and South axis into different areas. In the kampung and limasan house models, this division is used to distinguish between the front and back. However, in the joglo house there are three more complex divisions, between the front, middle, and back.

The eastern front part of the dalem is where all family members' activities take place and where all family members sleep on a bamboo bed, before the children reach puberty. The middle part of the dalem of the joglo house is emphasized by four main pillars. Currently, this part no longer has a special use. However, traditionally this area is where the incense is burned once a week to honor Dewi Sri (the goddess of rice), and is also where the bride and groom sit at the wedding ceremony.

Senthong.

Senthong is the back of the house which consists of three closed rooms. The West Senthong is where rice and other agricultural products are stored, while farming equipment is stored on the East side. Senthong is traditionally a room decorated as luxuriously as possible and is known as the permanent residence of Dewi Sri. Newlyweds sometimes sleep in the middle senthong.

On the outside or back of the complex there are several other buildings such as the kitchen and bathroom. A well is usually placed on the East side. Wells as water providers are considered as a source of life and are always the first thing to be completed when building a new house complex. If the number of family members or family wealth increases, additional buildings (gandhok) can be added.

Sumber :

https://en.wikipedia.org

http://1001indonesia.net

Traditional Acehnese Houses: Names, Characteristics, Philosophy, and Functions of Each Part

2025-06-20T17:25:00.000-07:00

The Acehnese are one of the ethnic groups in Indonesia that have extraordinary cultural richness. The tribe that inhabits Aceh Province has its own regional language, traditional clothing, traditional weapons, and even its own traditional house. The traditional house of the Acehnese tribe has characteristics that are different from the traditional houses of other tribes in Indonesia.

Name of Traditional Acehnese House

The Acehnese people call their traditional house Rumoh Aceh.

Like the traditional houses of the tribes on the island of Sumatra, Rumoh Aceh is also a stilt house that has three parts. The stage in Rumoh Aceh is quite high, which is around 2.5 to 3 meters. Each of these houses always has a rambat or main room. The other rooms generally depend on the abilities and needs of the community. Later, the number of rooms will affect the length of the house and the pillars that support it. Like a rumoh that has three rooms, for example, it must be supported by at least 16 pillars. While five rooms will be supported by 24 pillars.

History of Rumoh Aceh

It is said that Rumoh Aceh was designed in such a way because it is related to the beliefs of the Acehnese people in ancient times. For the Acehnese people, Rumoh Aceh is not just an ordinary residence. Rumoh Aceh also represents the people's beliefs in God and the universe. The expression of this belief is manifested in the materials of Rumoh Aceh, all of which are taken from nature. Such as pillars made of selected wood, walls made of wooden planks, or from sago palm, and so on. Even parts of Rumoh Aceh are not nailed with iron, but with pegs or ropes made of rattan. So, Rumoh Aceh can be said to also function as a form of gratitude from the community for the natural wealth given by God.

Characteristics of Acehnese Rumoh

Rumoh Aceh has its own characteristics so that people can easily recognize it. Among the characteristics of Rumoh Aceh is the number of stairs leading to the main room which is always made odd. The odd number of steps is considered a form of religiousness of the Acehnese people. In terms of shape,

Rumoh Aceh can be recognized by its rectangular shape. The position of the house is always made lengthwise from west to east. At the front of Rumoh Aceh, a large water jug is always provided. Its function is to wash the feet before entering the house.

Judging from the motif, Rumoh Aceh generally has decorative ornaments of flora and fauna. This also shows the love of the Acehnese people for nature.

Parts of Aceh House and Their Functions

Rumoh Aceh has at least three main parts, namely Seuramoe Keue (front porch), Seuramoe Teungoh (middle porch), and Seuramoe Likot (back porch).

1. Front Porch

The front porch or Seuramoe Keue is a plain room without any bedrooms. The function of the front porch is as a living room for men, a study room for boys to study the Koran, and a bedroom for men. When there is an event such as a wedding ceremony, the front porch functions as a place for a communal meal.

2. Central Veranda

Seuramoe Teungoh can be said to be the core part of Rumoh Aceh. This central veranda is also called rumoh inong or the main house of Rumoh Aceh. The central veranda usually has two rooms or rooms facing each other. Both rooms function as family bedrooms. Newly married daughters will occupy one of these rooms.

3. Back Porch

Seuramoe Likot or the back porch is a plain room without a bedroom. If the front porch is for male guests, then the back porch is intended for female guests. The area of the front and back porches is made the same. In addition to female guests, this room is also for girls to study the Koran and for female guests to sleep. Thus, in Rumoh Aceh all male and female activities will be separated and not mixed.

Tiny prefabricated house that moves with its owners

2025-06-17T23:27:00.000-07:00

This tiny prefabricated dwelling by Estonian design collective Kodasema is designed to allow its residents to up sticks and move to a new location in less than a day (+ slideshow).

Named KODA, the mobile house prototype contains an open-plan living space and mezzanine bedroom within its 25-square-metre footprint, and also includes a built-in terrace in front of its glazed frontage.

The house is constructed with factory-made components, and can be assembled on-site without the need for foundations.

Kodasema hopes these features will keep both assembly and dismantling time under seven hours, making it easy for residents to relocate.

"Much of our quality of life depends on both our home and its location meeting our needs," said Kodasema.

"When choosing where to live however, we may take risks on both fronts. It can be difficult to make major changes to a conventional home as inconvenient and extensive repairs are often involved, or even full demolition and reconstruction."

The small lounge area sits directly behind the glazing, while the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom are set towards the back of the space to provide more privacy.

A ladder leads up to the sleeping area above the kitchen, which is just big enough for a bed.

"Its clever design provides the inspiration to make best use of every square inch of space and envisage how the built-in components, even the walls, can be adjusted to meet their purpose most effectively," said the team.

Owners are encouraged to find a site with suitable water, sewage and electricity points. But the house is also designed to generate and conserve its own energy, so it can be used in remote settings for short periods of time.

The building's quadruple-glazed facade maximises natural light while preventing heat loss, and roof-mounted solar panels are intended to return more power to the grid than the building uses.

KODA was first exhibited at the Tallinn Architecture Biennale in 2015, and has been shortlisted for the Small Project prize at the World Architecture Festival 2016.

A House Architecture + Design + Ideas

2025-06-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Text description provided by the architects. The aim of this project, at the explicit request of the owners, is to combine modern architecture with recovered elements from other buildings in a harmonious contrast between old and new.

The result is an open plan sunny architecture, flooded with light. An architecture that is sensitive to the history of objects and recover their memory in a new home.

The geometry of the house is folded to give entry to the highest quality of natural light. The lights of North, South, East and West, with their different qualities, are introduced in different areas of the house.

Old spirits of forgotten buildings come to life in a new home. The shutters of a demolished building of the Barcelona Eixample live again in the new openings. The steel plates of a dismantled steel mill are used to build the staircase. Large industrial lamps hung remember their old home in higher buildings.

And the door. A small jewel recovered from and old public building in the province of Barcelona.

In the hands of the same carpenter who restored part of the Gaudí building Casa Batlló, sign our way from outside to inside the house. It was not restored, it was adapted to make it work properly and let the signs of time, writings, engravings and incisions in the wood show life still flows in its veins.

But the house needs to talk. Needs to communicate with the environment. No fences are placed and the plot boundaries are blurred. The same trees and grass species are planted inside and outside of the plot. A few months after finishing the works was no limits between the forest and the plot.

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ARCHITECTS PORT HOUSE

2025-06-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Port House is the head office of the Antwerp Port Authority. The office building is at the Zaha Hadidplein 1, which has been named after architect Dame Zaha Hadid, who died unexpectedly a couple of months before completion of the building.

The new building symbolises the dynamic, reliable, ambitious and innovative nature of the Port of Antwerp. It is the daily workplace of 500 employees of the Port Authority and it acts as a meeting place for the many international contacts of the Antwerp port community.

The old fire station on the site, a protected replica of a former Hanseatic house had to be integrated in the new project. The eventual design is the result of several studies, such as a historic survey and an investigation into the history and heritage values of the site. The result consists of two entwined main volumes.

A dynamic beam-shaped volume rises above the existing building and in a visual sense reinforces the former fire station, now a component of the new constellation. An external bridge integrates the existing building with the new expansion.

The expansion has a glass-covered façade which shimmers like waves and thus reflects the complex interaction of shades and colours in the air. This is a referral to the building's exceptional location surrounded by water. The perception of a cut glass mass to give the new building a sparkling appearance refers to Antwerp, the diamond city.

The entire Port House – with its eye-catching and extremely modern glass superstructure – is a metaphor for a 21st century port: a port that is ready for the future.

The new Port House's main objective is to provide an answer to the Port Authority's request to group the technical and administrative services in one location. A number of services were established in the former fire station, other services were in the Hofstraat and in the old Port House at the Entrepotkaai. By grouping these services, the internal co-operation is far more efficient.

DESIGNING A CONTEMPORARY GARDEN WITH WARMTH

2025-06-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Designer Colin Miller of Envision Landscape Studio in Walnut Creek, California, shares tips on designing a contemporary landscape that is suited to the welcoming indoor-outdoor lifestyle modern gardeners are trying to create.

Taken to its extreme, the sleek materials and minimalist approach of modern landscaping can sometimes seem cold or uninviting. Yet modern design’s emphasis on crafting an organized space and respecting unadorned materials has the potential to create a setting which feels not only friendly and inviting, but also personalized and artful. Designer Colin Miller of Envision Landscape Studio in Walnut Creek, California, shares his tips on designing a contemporary landscape that is less space-age and more suited to the welcoming indoor-outdoor lifestyle modern gardeners are trying to create.

Opt for a Natural, Loose Planting StyleNeatly organized lines of stiff, sculptural plants are the norm in many contemporary landscapes, as though the architect wanted to impose the minimalist structure of the building on the exterior spaces. Yet this type of planting style seems to utterly reject any relationship with the natural world. Miller shares a friendlier approach. “There’s no reason to feel stuck with rigid, architectural plants,” he says. “When your plantings have a loose, alive appearance, they bring a sense of playfulness, liveliness, and warmth.”

In a modern landscape, there is enough organization in the hardscape that you have the option to go more natural in the plantings. “You don’t see a lot of perennials in modern gardens, and I’m not sure why that is,” says Miller. “The flower color warms things up a lot, and combines well with the color from ornamental grasses. Perennials can get a little loose and messy looking, so you need to use them very strategically, but they can really soften a corner or a walkway.”

Use Plants to Connect Your Garden With Its SurroundingsPlants with bold silhouettes have a clean look which feels appropriate next to the architecture. “We start with an organized palette in and around the outdoor rooms, then as we go farther out, we want the plantings to almost dissolve into the surrounding natural environs,” explains Miller. “In our area the gardens often have beautiful backdrops, sometimes overlooking golden California hills, or a riparian area near a creek.”

He designs the outer edges of the planted areas almost as one would weave a tapestry, creating a loose fabric of textures and colors which blurs the boundary lines of the landscape and visually claims the scenery beyond. Near a riparian zone, he pulls in rushes and other fresh, lush plants. Next to grassland, he draws upon the motion and softness of ornamental grasses. “We never want a landscape to feel like a sterile museum,” he says.

Bring Warmth to Your HardscapesA sterile, lifeless appearance is a common pitfall in modern design. There’s an emphasis on the use of “honest” materials, which is to say they aren’t pretending to be something they are not. For example, a simple concrete patio is more honest than is concrete that has been stamped and colored to look like flagstone. Yet as Miller points out, “the natural colors of concrete, steel, smooth stucco, and some types of stone have a cool appearance which can be uninviting if overused. The obvious solution is to add color, but color can take you away from a modern aesthetic.”

One simple solution he’s discovered is to use color, but with such subtlety that it barely reads as such. The Davis Colors concrete color chart has two colors, pebble and sandstone, which provide just enough lightness to make a large concrete patio feel more inviting, yet “it’s nothing too bright,” says Miller. “It still reads as concrete.” When the mild warmth of the colored concrete is carried through the landscape in the plants and other materials, as in the project above (co-designed by Miller and Joseph Huettl while at Huettl Landscape Architecture), the coloration of the patio fits intuitively and seems a perfect choice.

Oiled wood or weathered and rusted Cor-Ten steel also introduce a warm, rich tone to the landscape which softens contemporary materials in black, gray, and silver. A backdrop of horizontal wooden retaining walls or a low horizontal fence of Cor-Ten steel organize and define a space, while floating wooden benches placed within a smooth stucco wall are a decorative accent which can double as overflow seating during gatherings.

Don’t Forget Layout & LightingThe layout of the landscape also plays a part in adding warmth. “What we do is pull the plantings into the hard spaces by using planters, either elevated or on the ground plane, within patio areas,” says Miller. When the planters are raised up, the plantings within become a more tangible and focal part of the design. When confronted with a slope, Miller sees an opportunity to use retaining walls to elevate the plantings so they are a stronger visual element.

Contemporary landscapes are designed to act as an extension of the home, and with busy modern schedules, the ambience at night is as important as during the day. Cool-toned lighting gives off an eerie, off-putting glow, and should be avoided. “When LEDs first came out they were very blue,” says Miller. “But they are a lot warmer now and can look like incandescents.”

Of course, the fixtures are as important as the quality of light they emit. Recently, Miller has been rethinking the shiny stainless-steel ultramodern fixtures that have been a staple in so many high-end contemporary landscapes, because they become such a focal point during the day. “I’ve been thinking about light fixtures as though they were more of a sculptural piece and asking myself, if those weren’t lights, would I add them to the garden?” Lately, he’s been moving towards simple bronze fixtures which blend more seamlessly into the plantings.

Express Your Personality with Artful TouchesA design comes together most fully when the focal points, furnishings, and artful touches combine for a space that is customized and connected to the owners and the surroundings. However, adding personality without disrupting the minimalist aesthetic inherent in contemporary styling can be a challenge. When in doubt, Miller advises keeping it simple. “Picking out furniture that incorporates wood is always a safe way to add warmth,” he says. “It’s not going to go out of style. You have the option of adding color using cushions, but anytime you introduce color, it demands your attention and is going to be a focal point.”

While it’s sometimes fun to follow trends, the lime green and orange cushions that are so popular in modern gardens right now can easily overwhelm the design of a space. Instead, look to your planting palette for cues. Repeating a color found in an ornamental grass or flower is more personal to your landscape, and won’t be out of fashion next season.

The liveliness of nature also elevates the elegance of a simple design. “Water features are sculptural elements in and of themselves, and I always encourage clients to put fish in their water features to create an exciting ecosystem and introduce color and life,” he says. Native plants and pollinator-attracting perennials also play a part in bringing balance and connection to a structured contemporary space. The seasonal visits from hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumbling bees is a lighthearted addition to the garden which keeps it from becoming static.

Industrial House In Ecuador Inspired By Exposed Concrete

2025-06-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

This house in Ecuador features an ultra-contemporary design and is inspired by the exposed

concrete it's made from.

CYAN arq+dis recently completed OBRA GRIS (A House in Gray), a modern home in

Puembo, Quito, Ecuador inspired by the simplicity of the materials. Bypassing a

“finished” look, the architects utilized materials, like exposed concrete, steel,

and glass, and welcomed their imperfections to achieve the industrial aesthetic they desired.

During the design process, they focused on the spatial, the aesthetic, and the adaptation of the place. The layout was kept open allowing the spaces to feel connected as the homeowners like to be in contact with each other throughout the day. The couple works from home and wanted the spaces to be adaptable depending on their daily needs. They also didn’t want it to feel like there was a difference between the living spaces and the working spaces. The rooms are open, spacious and feature all the necessary functionality, this is a rough and stripped down aesthetics with much concrete and brick.

With no finishing or decorative details to cover up mistakes during the construction process, they had to ensure everything was perfect to reach the aesthetic they wanted. The sides of the house are closed off with two exposed concrete walls to create privacy between their house and the neighbors on both sides. The back and front of the house are open with large expanses of windows to enjoy the views.

The indoor and outdoor spaces are created in pure harmony, reflecting and echoing with each other.

There's an additional space for storing bikes and other stuff the owners may need.

The house features a contemporary industrial aesthetic with bright touches here and there.

The kitchen is minimalist, it features black upper cabinets, a stained wood kitchen island and gorgeous pendant lamps.

The kitchen island is also used for eating here, and there's a double work space at the end of this room.

The living room is done with a TV, a sofa and some pendants, the staircase features much storage space and there's a daybed.

Bright yellow cords and tubes are a cool bold touch to the space.

The furniture is dark and contemporary and you can see exposed brick walls here and there.

There's a large outdoor space - a terrace with glass railing that seems to be interior extended outdoors.

Rumah Gadang: The Majestic Traditional Minangkabau House

2025-06-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

The Minangkabau people, indigenous to the enchanting highlands of West Sumatra, Indonesia, boast a unique cultural identity that is intricately woven into the fabric of their traditional architecture.

At the heart of their cultural expression stands the iconic Rumah Gadang, a symbol of heritage and community deeply rooted in the rich history of the Minangkabau.

Historical Significance: Rumah Gadang Unveiled

Translated as “big house,” Rumah Gadang is the traditional abode of the Minangkabau, with its smaller counterparts sharing the same architectural essence.

The houses are not merely structures; they are living repositories of history, reflecting the culture and values of the matrilineal Minangkabau society.

Matrilineal in nature, the ownership of Rumah Gadang is passed from mother to daughter, symbolizing a lineage of strength and continuity.

A visual masterpiece, Rumah Gadang’s distinctive features include a horn-shaped roof crafted from thatch and wood.

The houses are elevated on pillars, creating a sense of grandeur and offering a spacious interior that accommodates multiple families.

Intricate details in both internal and external decorations tell stories of tradition, mythology, and communal identity.

What Ceremony Held at Rumah Gadang?

1. The Rumah Gadang is not just a physical space; it is a sacred arena for various Minangkabau ceremonies. These ceremonies are deeply embedded in the cultural tapestry of the community, breathing life into the majestic abode. Here are some of the traditional ceremonies held within the Rumah Gadang:

2. Turun Mandi: A celebration of new life, this ceremony involves the bathing of a newborn seven days after their birth. It symbolizes purification, health, and the welcoming of the newest member into the Minangkabau community.

3. Weddings: The Rumah Gadang serves as the enchanting backdrop for weddings, a pivotal event in Minangkabau culture. These ceremonies celebrate love, unity, and the forging of new family bonds, echoing through the generations.

4. Batagak Pangulu: A ceremony that elevates a clan leader, Batagak Pangulu is a testament to the Minangkabau’s commitment to preserving their hierarchical structures and honoring leadership within the community.

5. Care for the Ailing: Beyond celebrations, the Rumah Gadang transforms into a sanctuary for family members facing illnesses. The communal nature of the house fosters a spirit of care and support during challenging times.

These ceremonies, among many others, illustrate the dynamic role the Rumah Gadang plays in Minangkabau life.

The architecture, construction, and the symbology behind the house resonate with the values of community, continuity, and cultural pride.

Various Styles of Minangkabau Traditional Houses

In the captivating landscape of Luhak Nan Tigo, traditional Minangkabau homes unfold in an array of styles.

Each telling a unique tale of cultural significance. Let’s explore these architectural wonders:

1. Gajah Maharam

Embarking on a luxurious journey, this type of Rumah Gadang in West Sumatra demands attention.

Positioned facing north, its walls adorned with sasak, this earthquake-resistant beauty stands proud with a roof of zinc.

Crafted from premium woods like juar, surian, and ruyung, it boasts four rooms, each door adorned with distinct Minangkabau carvings, upheld by 30 sturdy pillars.

2. Rumah Gadang Gonjong Limo

Dancing between tradition and modernity, this enchanting dwelling graces the streets of Kota Payakumbuh, Padang.

With ‘gonjong’ on both sides, it echoes the structure of Gajah Maharam but skips the additional platforms, adding its unique rhythm to the architectural symphony.

3. Gonjong Ampek Baanjuang

A symbol of local customs, this Rumah Gadang is a must in the tapestry of Luhak Nan Tigo.

True to its name, ‘Ampek’ meaning four, it proudly wears four ‘gojong’ on its roof, boasting more than seven rooms.

A touch of uniqueness comes with additional platforms on both flanks.

4. Rumah Gadang Batingkek

Harkening back to a bygone era, the Rumah Gadang Batingkek stands as a multi-tiered relic.

Once a common sight in Padang, its tiered ‘gonjong’ structure now graces the city’s landscapes as a rare gem, a testament to the evolution of architectural preferences.

5. Gonjong Anam

In the realm of Padang-style traditional homes, Gonjong Anam stands out.

Resembling the iconic Gajah Maharam Rumah Gadang but etched with unique Minangkabau carvings, it takes a modern twist.

Wooden planks replace bamboo weaving, and ample windows welcome streams of natural light into its contemporary interior.

6. Rumah Gadang Surambi Papek

Breaking the mold, the Rumah Gadang Surambi Papek offers a distinctive experience.

Traditionally entered through the back, reflecting the Minang language’s ‘papek,’ some have embraced modernity, featuring front doors.

A testament to adaptation and time’s influence on architectural narratives.

7. Gonjong Sibak Baju

Art imitating life, the Gonjong Sibak Baju mirrors the graceful split of a garment.

Borrowing from the iconic Rumah Gadang Gajah Maharam, this Padang traditional house, crafted from wood and sasak, adds its unique flair to the rich cultural panorama.

Conclusion

The Minangkabau traditional house, Rumah Gadang, stands not only as a physical structure but as a living testament to the cultural richness and historical depth of the Minangkabau people.

Its unique architecture and role in hosting traditional ceremonies showcase the enduring spirit of a community that cherishes its roots while embracing the evolving dynamics of the present.

The Rumah Gadang is more than a house; it is a sacred space where the past, present, and future of the Minangkabau come together in a harmonious dance of tradition and modernity.

Origins and History of Industrial Interior Design

2025-06-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

Industrial interior design is a style that embraces the raw, unpolished aesthetic of old factories and warehouses.

The origin of industrial interior design traces back to the late 20th century when repurposed factories and warehouses transformed into residential spaces. This design aesthetic celebrates the raw, utilitarian charm of industrial structures. Initially an adaptive reuse of industrial spaces, it has evolved into a mainstream trend globally.

According to a recent study by, industrial design remains a significant influence, with a 23% increase in interest over the past decade.

The style draws inspiration from the industrial revolution, emphasizing exposed materials like brick, concrete, and metal. Its rise parallels the growth of urban living, making it a popular choice for contemporary homes and commercial spaces.

The fusion of vintage and modern elements showcases the enduring appeal of industrial design, a testament to its ability to adapt while preserving a unique historical aesthetic.

Key Characteristics and Elements of Industrial Interior Design

Raw Materials

Industrial design focuses on showcasing raw, unrefined materials such as exposed brick, concrete, and metal. These materials add a sense of authenticity and character to the space.

Around 70% of industrial interiors incorporate these materials to create a rugged and authentic aesthetic.

Open Spaces

The design often incorporates open floor plans, high ceilings, and large windows to mimic the spaciousness of industrial settings.

Roughly 60% of industrial-themed spaces feature high ceilings and an open floor plan, creating an expansive and airy environment.

Read also: Different Types of Ceilings & Their Uses: A Complete Guide

Neutral Color Palette

Industrial interiors typically feature a neutral color palette with shades of gray, black, white, and brown. These colors create a minimalist backdrop for the industrial elements to shine.

A significant 80% of industrial interior designs adopt a neutral color palette.

How to Create the Industrial Look in Your Home

1- Exposed Structural Elements

As mentioned above, exposing structural elements such as beams, pipes, and ductwork is a hallmark of industrial design. Instead of concealing these features, embrace their presence to add an authentic industrial touch to your space.

Approximately 75% of industrial interiors showcase exposed structural elements

2- Industrial Lighting

Industrial lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights with exposed bulbs, chandeliers made from pipes, or vintage industrial lamps, can become statement pieces in your design. These fixtures not only provide illumination but also contribute to the overall aesthetic.

Related: Principles of Lighting in Interior Design

3- Furniture with Character

Opt for furniture that reflects the industrial style, such as metal-framed sofas, distressed leather chairs, and wooden coffee tables with metal accents. Look for pieces with clean lines and a utilitarian feel.

4- Statement Artwork

Large, impactful artwork, especially pieces with an industrial theme, can become focal points in your space. Consider abstract metal sculptures, industrial-inspired paintings, or even repurposed machinery as unique art installations.

5- Mix of Modern and Vintage

Industrial design successfully marries vintage and modern elements. While raw brick walls and distressed wood pay homage to the past, sleek furniture and contemporary lighting fixtures bring a touch of modernity.

6- Vintage Industrial Decor

Old factory lights, antique signs, and repurposed machinery can add character, creating a harmonious blend of history and contemporary style.

About 45% of industrial spaces integrate furniture with a history, such as refurbished factory equipment or salvaged pieces, adding character and charm.

7- Metallic Finishes

Choose metallic finishes for fixtures and decor. Copper, iron, or brushed steel accents complement the industrial palette, infusing a touch of modernity while retaining the design's rugged appeal.Bottom of Form

Industrial Interior Design in Commercial Spaces

Industrial design can be a great way to create a unique and memorable commercial space. By using the key elements of this style, businesses can create a space that is both stylish and functional.

Here are a few examples of businesses that effectively use industrial interior design:

Cafes and restaurants: Industrial design can create a trendy and inviting atmosphere for cafes and restaurants.

Related: A Comprehensive Guide to Open a Restaurant in Dubai

Retail stores: Industrial design can help to create a unique and memorable shopping experience.

Offices: Industrial design can create a creative and collaborative workspace.

Popular Landmarks in Dubai with Industrial Interior Design

The iconic Alserkal Avenue, a contemporary art hub, repurposes industrial spaces with exposed concrete, metal beams, and minimalist aesthetics.
The Dubai Design District (d3) showcases a blend of industrial chic with modernity, housing creative spaces in warehouses.
The Dubai Opera, a cultural gem, marries industrial elements with grandeur, featuring metallic structures and expansive interiors.

These landmarks exemplify Dubai's innovative approach to industrial design, transforming former industrial spaces into dynamic, aesthetically pleasing environments, while preserving the city's unique architectural heritage.

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Industrial Interior Design

1. Balance is Key

Achieve a balanced look by combining industrial elements with softer textures. Incorporate rugs, cushions, and upholstery in natural fabrics to add warmth and comfort to the industrial setting.

2. Selective Decor

Keep decor minimal and purposeful. Choose items that enhance the industrial aesthetic, such as vintage signage, old factory gears, or industrial-style wall clocks.

3. DIY and Upcycling

Embrace the DIY spirit by upcycling old industrial pieces. Repurpose an old factory cart into a coffee table or transform salvaged wood into floating shelves. These personalized touches contribute to the authenticity of the design.

4. Greenery Softens the Space

Introduce plants and greenery to soften the industrial edges. Consider placing potted plants in metal containers or hanging them from the ceiling to bring a touch of nature to the space.

5. Personalize with Industrial Accessories

Industrial accessories like gears, pulleys, and metal baskets can add a touch of personality to your space. Use them sparingly to avoid overwhelming the design.

Unique and Meaningful Toraja Tongkonan House

2023-09-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

Every region in Indonesia has its own traditional house, one of which is the Tongkonan traditional house in Toraja. Tongkonan traditional house from South Sulawesi. Indonesia is a very beautiful country and has become a tourist attraction because it has many interesting tourist destinations that can be destinations for tourists to visit. Almost all cities in Indonesia have their own different beauty and of course you also have to know the cultural heritage of our beloved country.

One of Indonesia's cultural heritages is traditional houses. A traditional house is a type of traditional house that almost every region has its own characteristics and makes each traditional house very unique and has its own differences. One of the unique traditional houses is the Tongkonan Toraja traditional house. So that you can find out about these traditional houses, this article will discuss.

1. Philosophy of the Tongkonan Traditional House

Every traditional house in Indonesia is of course built and has its own philosophical values. The Tongkonan traditional house itself has a philosophical record that always departs from a philosophy of life taken from the teachings of Aluk Todolo. This philosophy states that traditional house buildings must have meaning that is tied to all processes of Toraja society.

The Tongkonan House is a symbol of family and dignity of the Toraja people. So if the house is sold, it can automatically be interpreted as selling the dignity of the owner of the house.

2. Meaning and Function

The traditional tongkonan house certainly has its own meaning and function. At this time, the Tongkonan house is no longer used as a residence because almost every resident who once lived in the house has built their own residence.

Initially, the Tongkonan house was created as a place to become a cultural center for the Toraja people. The traditional house will also serve as a social center and place for religious ceremonies for the existing family. The Tongkonan house itself can also be used as a banua or traditional house and even as a rice barn.

In accordance with the philosophical values mentioned above, the Tongkonan traditional house is a place that has very broad aspects and includes all aspects of life. For this reason, the Toraja people hold Tongkonan houses very sacred to this day.

Typical Parts of a Tongkonan Traditional House that Can Be Applied at Home

1. Buffalo Head Statue

One of the unique parts of a Tongkonan traditional house is that at the top of the traditional house a statue of a buffalo head is installed. There are 3 types of buffalo heads installed on the roof of the house, namely white buffalo, black buffalo and also striped buffalo or often referred to as Caucasian buffalo.

In several other Tongkonan traditional houses, there are usually additional statues such as chicken heads or dragon statues. These two statues are a sign that the owner of the house is an elder. You can adopt an interesting statue to become a beautiful decoration in your home.

2. Four Basic Colors

Tongkonan houses are made with four basic colors, each of which has a meaning. The red color means blood which symbolizes human life. The yellow color means a gift from the Almighty.

White is the color of bones which means holy or clean. Meanwhile, black means death. You can also use colors that have these meanings to paint the outside of your house to make it look more attractive.

3. Pipit Tree Shaped House

The house with the shape of a sparrow tree is one of the early stages of the development of the Toraja house. A house in the shape of a sparrow tree is a house that is on a tree and is made of wooden twigs placed on a large branch and uses a roof .

4. The shape of the roof resembles a boat

One of the most distinctive parts of a Tongkonan house and one of its clearest characteristics is the shape of the roof which resembles a boat. The shape of the roof was created as a reminder that the ancestors used boats to get to the island of Sulawesi.

The roof is one of the most important aspects of a house. Look for an attractive roof design and type so that your house can look different from others without sacrificing existing function and comfort.

5. Unique House Construction

Tongkonan houses are generally made to face the North East and are built on large plots of land. The exterior construction of the Tongkonan house is very large, but this is the opposite of its contents. The inside of the traditional house is actually much smaller and only looks big from the outside.

In other Tanah Toraja villages which are larger in size, Tongkonan houses will usually be built neatly in rows and sequences, just like the houses in the plots currently. On the opposite side, each traditional house also usually has its own rice field so that each family can grow their own crops easily.

10 Midcentury Modern Landscaping Ideas for Your Home

2023-07-26T22:16:00.001-07:00

Postwar midcentury modern homes were designed to blend indoor and outdoor living. Homeowners could view their gardens through floor-to-ceiling windows and easily interact with the outdoor environments through sliding glass doors and patios level with interior floors. Landscaping for these homes was—and remains—clean and uncomplicated, with an emphasis on hardscape and the pleasures of outdoor living. Check out these midcentury modern inspired landscaping ideas that can work in a variety of modern settings.

01 Mix in Asian Influences

Midcentury modern homes in California were often designed for the Mediterranean climate. Atriums were built at the entrance or in the center of the home. This Orange County atrium from Lee Ann Marienthal Gardens blends midcentury and Asian design using boulders, a pond waterfall, a flagstone patio, and shade-tolerant plants like Japanese maples.

02 Keep It Small

Northwest Native Landscapes used a combination of hardscape, sharp angles, and plants with textural details for a small postwar home in Portland, OR.

03 Add Sustainable Plants

\The owners of an Eichler home in Northern California redesigned their landscape to incorporate sustainable features and add native and drought-tolerant plants. Designed by one of the owners of Building Lab and his landscape designer wife, the landscape features a sloping front yard that visually connects it with the surrounding hills.

04 Oakland Eichler

Beckner Contracting restored this Eichler home in Northern California's Oakland Hills, enhancing the home's trademark carport and entry atrium with wall-hugging planters filled with agapanthus and delicate shoots of bamboo against the entry wall.

05 Incorporate Concrete Pavers

Moss Yaw Design Studio revamped a Laguna Niguel, CA home designed by Southern California architect George Bissell with concrete pavers, a low concrete wall, and planting beds with evenly spaced drought-tolerant plants.

06 Add Geometric Lines

This Palm Springs, CA, backyard from Michelle Boudreau Design features desert-friendly landscaping and geometric concrete and gravel hardscaping that complements the updated midcentury modern style of the home.

07 Make It Organic

Midcentury modern landscaping often prioritizes an organic look and feel that complements the clean lines of the architecture, like this backyard pool patio from Joshua Smith Inc.

08 Light the Palm Trees

Borden Landscape added curb appeal to this Modernist-inspired Sarasota, FL home with hardscape; Floridian palm trees; and lush, coastal foliage that is lit up after dark to create a warm and welcoming feel.

09 Let It Grow

Boston-based Flavin Architects updated a home by architect Robert Coolidge—a contemporary of the famous Modernist Walter Gropius. Viewed from the back, the home features a two-level yard, each with a private walled patio that offers intimacy and outdoor living surrounded by plenty of lush greenery with a lived-in look.

10 Draw a Line

A modern home in Portland, OR, built by Don Tankersley & Co. and designed by Situ Architecture, emphasizes natural materials and a linear design. Planting design, by Michael Schultz Landscape Design, is clean and Asian-influenced, with bonsais in wide, low pots. Accent illumination is by Oregon Outdoor Lighting.

10 ELEVATED KIDS’ ROOM DECORATING IDEAS

2023-07-25T03:11:00.000-07:00

What did your room look like when you were a kid? We’re guessing not exactly like these colorful, creative, and undeniably cool spaces. The bedrooms of these über-stylish children are lessons in judicious editing, inspired ideas, and endlessly whimsical taste. Read on for 38 inspirational spaces that are equally playful and chic.

Looking for something more specific for your little one? Check out our ideas for decorating boys’ rooms, girls’ rooms, and baby nurseries.

MAJOR GLAMOUR

Lean into your little fashionista’s glamorous tendencies with wild card furniture. The lip-shaped sofa in this tween’s space is a welcome conversation starter.

BRIGHT HUES

Primary colors rule the color wheel for a reason, so let them guide your kid’s room palette. Red, blue, and yellow play harmoniously in this bold bedroom.

BLANK SLATES

Separate but equal, the differences in these boys’ stacked bedrooms are defined by their interests—collectable KAWS figurines for one, a slew of guitars for the other.

MUSICAL NOTES

Expose your children to the icons and classics early, like this mom did with a large David Bowie portrait in this downtown New York loft. The canvas hangs right alongside her child’s own artwork.

ONE AND DONE

Chic and monochromatic, the visual interest in this Californian nursery is all in the area rug. Geometric planes of color balance out the remainder of the peachy palette.

LITERARY AGENTS

When looking for inspiration, take note of your child’s favorite show or bedtime reads. This small space is swathed in a Where the Wild Things Are–themed wallpaper, bringing storytelling to life in this New York beach house.

PRIVATE TIME

Ideal for cozy bedtimes and make-believe alike, this custom cabinlike bed frame adds architectural interest to a formerly unvaried space in a California home designed by ELLE DECOR A-List firm Studio Shamshiri.

8CASUAL COLOR

Take notes from this sweet yet sophisticated children’s room in a Manhattan apartment. Rather than paint every wall teal (or 2008’s iconic lime green), opt for a mural showcasing your little one’s favorite color. Whether it’s florals, animals, or scenes of outer space, the motif is easily painted over when they change their minds.

CLOSED CORNERS

For the little bookworm in your life, give them a private place to escape into their favorite novels with a reading nook. In this light-filled Austin home, various patterns in the same color palette coordinate without feeling too busy.

WHIMSICAL TOUCHES

Playful can still feel chic, just take a note from this Hendricks Churchill–designed bedroom. An oversize bunny lamp is perfect for nighttime, while fine art above the bed adds a playful yet scholastic touch.

15 Fun Indoor Kids Playground At Home

2023-07-23T21:14:00.001-07:00

Playgrounds have always been a favorite place of fun for children. There are many types of exciting games to withdraw their request, and a variety of activities to help your child get to know the environment. However, not all children are lucky to have an outdoor playground. Limited land and the amount of budget that must be spent are the most common problems encountered. The solution is you need to build an alternative playground that is cheaper and friendly to you. Indoor playgrounds may not be as large as if you play outside, but this playground idea is still the best choice.

Slightly different from the playroom in general, indoor playgrounds place more types of games that are usually carried out in outdoor spaces. Starting from a climbing wall, slide, swing, to play house which can accommodate more than one child. Amazingly, you don’t have to prepare a special room for this playground idea. They can blend into any space, do you want to combine them with a child’s room? Or another room in the house? There is always a place for a safer playground design at home.

Play is something that cannot be separated from the world of children. This activity has an important role for the means of kids self-development, so that children grow up safely as they are curious about various things. To a certain age, they are more in need of supervision from parents because the child does not understand where the goods are dangerous and safe for them. That’s why making a playground at home feel safer for most parents because they can easily supervise their kids.

Instead of being outside, children are certainly safer playing inside the house. So, playgrounds should be designed as attractive as possible so that children can feel at home playing all day. Creating a playground does not have to be big and majestic, the important thing is that the space must be used as a means of playing as well as learning so that children are more enthusiastic.

Here are 15 fun indoor playground ideas for your little one!

Top 7 Exclusive Luxury Furniture Brands 2023

2023-07-23T20:02:00.001-07:00

1. Boca do Lobo

To leading this Top 7 list, Home Decor Ideas selected the brand Boca do Lobo, not only for its expensive and luxury trade but mainly, because its furniture is absolutely an exclusive and emotional experience. Boca do Lobo strive to encourage sensational experiences by creating beautiful pieces which are passionately inspired and handcrafted in Portugal by a staff that loves what they do; experiences which pass on the feeling of exclusivity.

2. Essential Home

Essential Home is a mid-century design brand with a modern twist that aims to offer you a journey through time to bring you nostalgia with a smile whenever you come in touch with one of our pieces. So, bring a cocktail, sit down and expect a pop of color to come into your life with Essential Home!

3. DelightFULL

Delightfull’s lighting reflects a personality and strong emotions are present in each detail. Working with the hands, Delightfull’s designers transfer passion and devotion into everything they make and their masterpieces are born.

4. Koket

Koket’s savoire faire is intoxicating! The line is manufactured by master artisans and jewelers who leave no detail or element forgotten. Koket’s principal designers are a group of exceptionally artistic and well-rounded product designers. The brand has a collection worldwide through a selective network of interior designers and luxury retail stores.

5. Brabbu

Brabbu is a design brand that reflects an intense way of living, bringing fierceness, strength, and power into an urban lifestyle. Brabbu designs and produces a diverse range of furniture, case goods, upholstery, lighting, rugs, art and accessories that tell stories from nature and the world.

6. Thomas Blakemore

French Ormolu traditional classic table lamps, marble lamps, lapis lamps, malachite lamps, 24-carat gold plated bronze lamps with hand sewed silk lampshades. These fabulous lamps are ideal for 5-star hotels and every million dollar home should have expensive lamps.

7. Bentley Home

The exclusive collection of Bentley furniture and homeware combines Bentley craftsmanship and material selection with the exacting design of one of Europe’s leading luxury furniture makers.

Interior Design Trends That Will Shape the Next Decade

2022-01-02T00:01:00.004-08:00

Interiors are taking center stage in 2020, as more people are spending more time at home. Architects and designers are increasingly aware of their responsibility in improving their clients’ well-being and even helping them in the prevention of diseases, as they search for the best solutions for their interior design projects.

ArchDaily’s featured monthly topic for March was dedicated to Interiors and the articles related to this topic accumulated over 1 million pageviews, surpassing by 240% the number of pageviews achieved in other months in the same semester.

As interior design increasingly becomes a subject of interest among architects and designers, we reviewed the projects that have been published on ArchDaily during the last year in the Residential Architecture, Interior Design and Refurbishment categories, to see if there were some design decisions and solutions that were generating trends. We found a few that could be useful in making some predictions on how interiors will be developed in the next decade.

1. Biophilic Design

Indoor plants have become a completely new layer in interior design projects and large, oversized plants are a growing trend. In the last year though, a new concept has entered the mainstream conversation: Biophilic Design. In order to maintain a certain level of connection with nature, Biophilic Design aims to integrate nature into building architecture as a way to improve our health, psyche and overall ecosystem. The use of reclaimed wood, hanging plants, green walls and large green installations are some of the main trends that we are seeing and that will shape interior design in the next decade.

2. Natural Fiber Furniture

The use of natural fibers such as rattan and wicker in furniture is becoming very popular in interior design. This traditional material is being used in chairs, carpets and lighting, mixed and matched with more modern design.

3. “Chubby” Design

Chairs, coffee tables, couches and even lamps are showing their best voluminous curves taking us back to childhood by giving our spaces a young, fun and modern look. This new trend is led by furniture with rounded edges and tubular forms, and also known as neotenic design, from the concept “neoteny”—the exaggeration of childlike features. An appropriate concept to describe the playfulness these pieces can add to any space!

4. Arches

Archways are typical of traditional architecture and are now having a revival thanks to architects and designers adding curved doorways, rounded windows and arched mirrors to their interior design projects. Aligned with the “Chubby” and Biophilic Design trends, arches appear as a new way to add curves and more organic shapes inside our homes, not only through actual archways but also through decorative patterns painted on walls.

5. Mini Study Nooks

Flexibility at home is more important than ever now that working from home has become more common. In this context, working areas become less formal and can coexist with other living areas. This has led to the appearance of mini study nooks that are integrated into larger furniture pieces, such as hidden within closets or added to bookshelves.

6. Invisible Handles for a Fully Integrated Kitchen

We have recently been seeing how kitchen design has replaced handles and pulls on drawers and cabinets (especially the oversized ones) with invisible hardware. These range from Push Latches, a mechanical or magnetic device installed inside the cabinet that allows you to open the cabinet by pushing the door, to Integrated Handles where you can pull drawers thanks to inwardly beveled edges, and more simple solutions such as Hidden Pulls that are affixed to the top edge of each door so that just a sliver juts out. The objective is to have a minimal space with a seamless and sleek look.

7. Stairs Integrated with Furniture

As a creative way of utilizing the space left under stairs, several interior design projects have added storage spaces or even the integration of the steps into a larger furniture design, such as a working area or shelving.

8. Colorful Bathrooms

In parallel to the more frequent use of bright and bold colors in walls and furniture, bathrooms have also begun to embrace color in a daring but elegant way. Bathrooms don’t need to be bright white anymore! Architects and designers are lifting the energy inside these fundamental spaces through colors such as light pink, golden yellow, navy blue and olive green.

9. Open and Fluid Living Areas

Living spaces are becoming more open and fluid, with the formal separation of spaces becoming less frequent. Ideas such as incorporating curtains and mobile panels into open spaces are becoming very popular as a solution to hide specific areas according to how we are using our spaces at home.

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5 Kitchen Remodeling Ideas, Designs & Photos

2022-01-01T17:59:00.003-08:00

Kitchen remodeling is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home and make this common gathering place more functional, efficient and beautiful.

1. Update Hardware.

Add more personality with new cabinet hardware. Create a cohesive look and then the kitchen will look more beautiful.

2. Counter Fit

The countertops directly affect human health. As the main part of the kitchen, all dietary activities start from here. So it is quite important for you to use the countertop that suitable for you.

3. Lighten It Up

Brighten your room with light. Light the inside of glass cabinet doors to help show off what’s in the cabinet. By placing lights inside the cabinetry, you can really highlight your “fancy” glasses. This light is also perfect for creating a nightlight in a kitchen for a moody atmosphere.

4. Build-In Storage

These open shelves in the island for handy storage. It is also another consideration to bring some exposed visual interests.

5. Add Something Green

Kitchen is not only a place for cooking, but funny. Adding something green to your kitchen can help your kitchen looks more harmonious. It is good for your health. As we know, green is a color that makes people feel relax and happy. Just have a try.

Making a small change can create a big difference. Kitchen remodeling is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home. So just have a try.

Miliki Landscape Taman Terbaik dengan Inspirasi Berikut Ini

2022-01-01T17:45:00.001-08:00

Halaman rumah baik bagian depan atau belakang merupakan area penting yang membutuhkan perawatan rutin. Membersihkan halaman misalnya, jadi rutinitas mingguan yang wajib dilakukan agar hunian terlihat lebih cantik dan hidup.

Tak hanya bersih-bersih, terkadang kita juga perlu memberikan usaha ekstra supaya pekarangan rumah jadi terlihat lebih menarik, salah satunya adalah dengan membuat taman.

Banyak hal yang perlu diperhatikan ketika menciptakan taman. Landscape yang indah adalah salah satunya.

Jika Anda tertarik membuat taman di rumah berikut ini terdapat beberapa inspirasi landscape taman yang bisa ditiru.

Landscape Taman dengan Batu Alam

Agar menciptakan kesan lebih menyatu dengan alam, penggunaan bebatuan bisa jadi tips yang tepat untuk taman Anda.

Warna-warni bunga dengan kontrasnya bebatuan yang berwarna hitam, putih, abu-abu, dapat menjadi kombinasi ciamik untuk landscape taman depan rumah.

Penggunaan batu juga tak melulu untuk lahan yang luas, jika Anda memiliki halaman dengan ruang terbatas pun tetap bisa menggunakan material serupa. Buatlah spot khusus dimana bebatuan menjadi bintang utama dari taman.

Jangan lupa tambahkan tumbuhan hijau atau tanaman berbunga agar suasana jadi lebih hidup.

Jika punya halaman luas, membuat jalan setapak dari bebatuan alam juga bisa jadi ide cemerlang untuk menciptakan landscape taman yang lebih rapi.

Landscape Taman dengan Teras

Taman yang menyatu dengan beranda rumah? Mengapa tidak?

Anda tetap bisa menciptakan landscape taman yang menakjubkan seperti pada inspirasi di atas. Hubungkan bagian rumah dengan alam terbuka melalui patio,

sebuah beranda atau halaman yang ada di belakang atau tengah hunian.

Patio sendiri bagaikan sebuah transisi antara rumah utama dengan pekarangan.

Anda bisa menambahkan tanaman semak bunga di sisi patio hingga menyertakan area duduk lengkap dengan meja dan kursi.

Landscape Taman Rimbun

Jika Anda suka dengan landscape taman yang rimbun dan sedikit ‘berantakan’, maka inspirasi satu ini bisa jadi pilihan.

Penggunaan bebatuan dengan bentuk tak beraturan sebagai ‘lantai’ dari halaman rupanya membuat taman jadi lebih estetis dan unik. Belum lagi kehadiran semak-semak yang ternyata mampu membuat tampilan taman jadi lebih menarik.

Jika mau Anda juga bisa membuat ruang duduk di bagian ujung dengan menambahkan sofa atau kursi taman dengan warna yang cukup kontras. Kehadiran perabotan dengan warna mencolok dapat jadi pusat perhatian karena terlihat ‘asing’ di taman yang serba hijau dan alami.

Landscape Taman Penuh Warna

Jika taman dengan tumbuhan hijau dirasa terlalu polos dan membosankan, maka inspirasi landscape taman satu ini bisa jadi pilihan.

Semaraknya berbagai warna dari bunga-bunga mampu memanjakan mata siapapun yang memandang. Kehadiran beragam bunga tentu dapat mengubah tampilan taman jadi lebih cantik dan ceria.

Pilihlah bunga yang sekiranya mampu Anda rawat atau memiliki perawatan yang mudah. Semak bunga pun bisa jadi pilihan, perpaduan warna juga bisa ditentukan sesuai selera.

Landscape Taman dengan Kolam

Unsur air kerap dipilih untuk menambah nuansa alami pada taman. Landscape taman dengan kolam ikan bisa jadi pilihan jika ingin menambahkan sentuhan air yang menyegarkan.

Apalagi jika dilengkapi dengan air terjun kecil. Suara air yang menenangkan tentu bisa membuat taman jadi area relaksasi di rumah.

Percantik tepian kolam dengan berbagai tanaman seperti lavender, lily dan lain-lain. Isi juga kolam dengan berbagai jenis ikan seperti koi yang memiliki pilihan warna menarik.

Landscape Taman Cantik dengan Satu Jenis Tanaman

Menanam banyak bunga mungkin membuat Anda sedikit kewalahan karena perawatan yang berbeda-beda, tergantung jenisnya.

Tapi jangan khawatir, menanam satu jenis saja sudah cukup kok untuk membuat landscape taman yang super cantik.

Misalnya saja dengan memilih tanaman hydrangea. Tumbuhan ini memiliki beberapa jenis warna yang mampu menyulap halaman jadi lebih semarak.

Bunganya yang banyak dengan bentuk menarik, membuat banyak orang memilih hydrangea sebagai tanaman di taman mereka.

Itulah beberapa inspirasi landscape taman yang menakjubkan. Jadi saat akan beli rumah, pastikan yang memiliki halaman ya, agar Anda bisa mencoba inspirasi di atas.

7 Ide Desain Rooftop Garden Minimalis yang Mudah Anda Tiru

2021-12-15T00:42:00.002-08:00

Apakah Anda termasuk orang yang suka bersantai di rooftop? Jika iya, pasti Anda menginginkan rooftop dengan suasana yang nyaman. Membayangkan bersantai sambil menikmati kopi dan mendengarkan lagu nostalgia diatas rooftop tentu mengasyikan. Terlebih jika Anda memiliki rooftop dengan design minimalis menggugah hati, seperti rooftop garden. Bagi Anda sudah memiliki rooftop atau berencana untuk memilikinya, Melansir dari laman Gardening Know How, berikut ini sejumlah contoh rooftop garden yang dapat Anda jadikan inspirasi membuat rooftop.

Rooftop Garden dengan Varian Tanaman

Inspirasi rooftop garden pertama ini cukup sederhana karena Anda hanya membutuhkan beberapa varian tamanan. Anda bisa menempatkan banyak jenis tanaman yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan. Namun, jangan lupa sesuaikan tanaman tersebut dengan kondisi rooftop yang ada. Jangan sampai pemilihan jenis tanaman yang kurang tepat menjadikan rooftop Anda menjadi sempit dan terasa kurang nyaman.

Rooftop Garden Gaya Minimalis

Apa jadinya jika rooftop Anda sepi tanpa adanya tamanan? Sudah barang tentu rooftop Anda akan terasa kering dan gersang. Selain di dalam rumah, tanaman hias kini telah banyak digunakan untuk mengubah suasana rooftop agar menjadi lebih segar, nyaman dan hidup.

Jika Anda tidak ingin direpotkan dengan urusan perawatan, Anda bisa mempertimbangkan untuk menempatkan beberapa tanaman dengan perawatan minimalis.

Supaya kesan minimalis lebih terlihat, Anda dapat menambahkan nuansa alami dan natural seperti penggunaan bata merah atau batu alam. Jika memungkinkan, jangan ragu untuk memberikan pohon dengan ukuran yang cukup besar agar suasa

na lebih teduh.

Rooftop Garden dengan Kolam Renang

Tak sedikit orang yang mendambakan rooftop yang dilengkapi dengan kolam renang. Selain terlihat mewah, keberadaan kolam renang akan menambah kesejukan dan keasrian rooftop garden Anda. Namun, untuk bisa mewujudkan keinginan Anda, Anda perlu pertimbangan yang tidak main-main.

Mulai dari desain, biaya yang tidak sedikit hingga konstruksi yang baik agar tidak menimbulkan resiko dikemudian hari. Membuat desain rumah 2 lantai dengan rooftop yang dilengkapi kolam renang tidak hanya tentang meletakkan ubin, lalu tinggal mengisinya dengan air. Lebih dari itu, Anda perlu mengkonsultasikan keinginan tersebut dengan ahlinya.

Kebanyakan rooftop garden yang ada selama ini hanya mengusung tema minimalis, industrial dan vintage. Maka Anda bisa mempertimbangkan untuk membuat rooftop garden dengan mengadopsi konsep playfull. Konsep playful sendiri mengusung kegembiraan, kesenangan dan semangat. Dimana konsep ini mengedepankan keindahan dan keasyikan yang membuat suasana berbeda dari biasanya.

Rooftop Berumput Sintetis

Ingin menghadirkan rooftop yang lebih asri dan menyegarkan di rumah? Hal ini bisa Anda wujudkan dengan menambahkan rumput buatan. Anda bisa coba melapisi lantai rooftop Anda dengan rumput sintetis sebagai alternatif. Meskipun hanya sekedar rumput buatan, nyatanya rumput hijau ini cukup berhasil menciptakan suasana lebih asri dan menyegarkan pada sebuah rooftop.

Dibanding rumput asli, rumput sintetis jauh lebih rekomendasikan. Hal ini karena selain mudah dalam pemasangan dan perawatannya, rumput buatan juga aman untuk anak-anak yang bebas bermain kapanpun tanpa perlu takut rumput rusak. Untuk memaksimalkan kesan hijau dan segar pada rooftop, sempurnakan kehadiran rumput sintetis dengan sedikit menambahkan tanaman hias di beberapa sudut.

Sedikit tips, sebelum mengaplikasikan rumput pada rooftop, Anda perlu memperhatikan beberapa aspek saat memilih rumput sintetis. Seperti pemilihan jenis rumput berkualitas tinggi yang tahan terhadap sinar matahari dan air.

Rooftop Garden dengan Gazebo

Lokasinya yang berada di bagian atas rumah tidak jarang membuat rooftop terasa panas di waktu siang hari. Selain tanaman hijau yang menghuni rooftop garden, gazebo adalah sebuah solusi terbaik bagi Anda yang ingin bersantai, menghabiskan waktu atau bahkan menerima tamu namun tetap dalam keadaan teduh dan tidak panas. Didukung dengan design rooftop yang minimalis, keberadaan bangunan tanpa sekat ini mampu menghalangi panas sinar matahari dan akan semakin mempercantik rumah Anda yang adem.

Rooftop Garden Model Panggung

Apa lagi yang bisa membuat suasana lebih santai selain menikmati suasana tenang dari rooftop dengan mode panggung? Rooftop garden model panggung atau dek adalah gagasan yang kreatif bagi Anda yang ingin menikmati pemandangan dan sejuknya udara dari atap rumah Anda. Konsep dek seperti ini biasanya banyak diadopsi oleh cafe atau restoran. Namun, tidak ada salahnya Anda turut menerapkan rooftop garden dengan pola ketinggian seperti ini.

Interior Design That Will Make The Minimalist House Look Attractive

2021-12-05T16:46:00.004-08:00

having an attractive house is everybody wishes. Who does not want to make their houses look as beautiful as possible? Nowadays, there are so many attractive interior designs that you can apply to your home.

Currently, there are many interior designs for minimalist homes. But, many people think that minimalist home interior design is not something cool anymore. And this is clearly wrong. Whereas if you want to explore more, you can present an attractive minimalist interior design.

For those of you who are interested with minimalist house interior design, we have provided the best pictures of Interior Design That Will Make The Minimalist House Look Attractive. So, let’s check it out.

Only use the items needed

Only use the items needed will leave plenty of room in your minimalist home. You can arrange the item as neat as possible. Do not forget to pay attention to the aesthetic of your room. To make the room look more presentable and attractive, using the hanging shelves is the right choices. You can use it as storage.

Give a touch of green

By giving a touch of green will make the interior house look attractive and fresh. You can use the medium plant by placing it into the pot and place it in the corner of the room. To make the room look more beautiful, you can use a small plant and place it on the table. If you use the hanging shelves you can beautify it with the plants too.

Enliven one spot

The third of Interior Design That Will Make The Minimalist House Look Attractive is enlivening one spot. You can choose the corner of the room as a special spot. You can place a small couch there and place the other items such as a lamp, plant, etc. Do not forget to fill the empty wall with the display. Try to use the display that matches with your interior design.

Use carpet as a “marker”

If you have a large room but you just want to make a small living room, you can utilize carpet as a marker. You can use the medium or large carpet and place the table, couch, or other on the carpet. Easy and simple for having a minimalist living room in your house.

Hang a big mirror on the wall

To make the minimalist room look wider you can hang the big mirror on the wall. Besides, this item can also be used as a wall display. So, your room will look attractive and wider. Try to choose the mirror that simple and matches with your interior design.

Place the displays on the shelf

The last of Interior Design That Will Make The Minimalist House Look Attractive is place the displays on the shelf. This way is more simple than you hang the displays on the wall. Choose the big shelf and arrange the displays as neat as possible. This method will make your room look attractive but still look simple.

10 of the best Scandinavian home interiors from Dezeen's Pinterest boards

2020-09-16T20:10:00.001-07:00

A wood-burning stove encased in a block of concrete and timber-lined walls teamed with cosy furnishings feature inside the Scandinavian homes in this week's Pinterest roundup.

Vega Cottage by Kolman Boye Architects

Birch joinery encases two oversized windows framing views of the ocean and mountain range surrounding this solitary wooden cottage in Norway by Kolman Boye Architects.

Find out more about Vega Cottage ›

Villa Wienberg by Wienberg Architects and Friis & Moltke

Cosy neutral-toned furniture compliments the wood-lined interiors of this 1940s cottage in Denmark, which was overhauled by Wienberg Architects and Friis & Moltke.

Find out more about Villa Weinberg ›

Wiklands Backe by Sandell Sandberg

A chunky concrete block containing a wood-burning stove forms the focal point in this house in Sweden by Sandell Sandberg, which also features an open-plan kitchen with white marble worktops.

Find out more about Wiklands Backe ›

Brick House by Leth & Gori

Copenhagen office Leth & Gori paired bare plywood walls and ceilings with exposed clay blocks to create the warm-toned interior of this sustainably built house in Denmark.

Find out more about Brick House ›

Villa J2 by Jonas Lindvall

The first thing visitors see when entering this minimal white house by Swedish designer Jonas Lindvall is a smooth white spiral staircase, which commands a whole room to itself.

Find out more about Villa J2 ›

Cabin at Norderhov by Atelier Oslo

A wood-burning stove raised on a honeycomb-patterned platform creates a cosy atmosphere within this cabin on the edge of a Norwegian lake by Atelier Oslo.

Find out more about Cabin at Norderhov ›

Idunsgate Apartment by Haptic

This Oslo loft renovated by Haptic features a powder-coated white steel staircase that hangs from a ceiling beam, contrasting the colourful kitchen and dining area.

Find out more about Idunsgate Apartment ›

Villa Lumi by Avanto Architects

A sculptural staircase made from cast in-situ white concrete and lit by a roof window is the centrepiece of this house in Finland by Avanto Architects.

Find out more about Villa Lumi ›

Casa Ljungdahl by Note Design Studio

The soft colour palette chosen by Note Design Studio for this loft apartment was inspired by a brown cashmere coat, a pair of sand-coloured shoes and a piazza in Rome.

Find out more about Casa Ljungdahl ›

House Morran by Johannes Norlander Arkitektur

The interiors of this 1950s cottage near Gothenburg were finished entirely in natural pine during renovation works by Johannes Norlander Arkitektu.

Find out more about House Morran ›

CHANGE A ROOM IN ONE GO: ON TREND AND TIMELESS LIVING ROOM PAINT COLORS

2020-09-05T20:52:00.001-07:00

Deciding on the best living room paint colors can be a challenge for most people. Especially since its the one room in your home that gets all eyes as it’s a social space where you bond with your loved ones and entertain guests.

When it comes to living room color ideas, go for a shade that impresses you as it does your guests each time you enter the room. Opt for colors that can help exaggerate the size of the space while making it feel more comfortable and inviting.

To create an inspiring resource tool, we turned to our decorators to shed some light on their go-to shades to make the most of your space with the best living room paint colors to last longer than any trend.

BLACK, WHITE, AND POWDER BLUE

Of course, the classic combination of black and white has been one of the most enduring living room color schemes through the ages. But you can give it a refreshing twist by adding a rich powder blue shade to the mix.

Consider painting the walls a crisp powder blue color to coordinate with black and white furnishings in your living room. You can also incorporate shades of blue via living room accessories such as throw pillows, rugs, and decorative objects.

ROUGE AND CREAM

When it comes to living room color ideas, lighter shades of white, beige, and cream are often popular for good reason as they help make any space appear bigger and brighter. If you’re going for a creamy interior, make your living room to stand out by adding red details to the space.

Add crimson accents like cushions, side chairs, pillows, and textiles. Finish off with warm golden details and your living room color scheme will look bold, luxurious, and elegant.

FADED PINK

Whether you love it or not, pink makes for interesting living room color ideas of late. A faded, muted pink is a great way to add a slightly feminine update to a living room space, which you can bring in via patterned chairs, couches, pillows, and layered rugs.

Since the faded pink is also a versatile color, you can choose any color to pair with it. Although if you want an elegant and sophisticated feel, pair it with either cream or white with pops of graphic black.

BURNT ORANGE AND GOLD

One way to warm the ambiance in your home is to stick with rustic shades for your living room color schemes. Burnt orange and gold make for great living room colors that exude a feeling of warmth and comfort.

But make sure not to go overboard. A white interior with orange and brown furnishings can sure make for a cozy, warm, and inviting space.

CHARTREUSE AND TURQUOISE

One of the best approaches to conjuring living room color ideas is to keep your interests in mind. For instance, if you love the great outdoors, go with a turquoise and chartreuse color scheme, which features moodier blues and greens.

The combination of natural greens and turquoise is also a great way to create a calming effect in your living space while bringing in natural vibe from the outdoors.

CITRUS AND BURNT ORANGE

Mixing and matching similar hues can be a bit tricky, especially if you go for an orange shade, a color that most people tend to avoid when it comes to interior design.

If you do it well, however, citrus and burnt orange can make for a perfect color combination for living room. In fact, these shades can result in a lively mix, giving new life to your otherwise dull living space.

GRAY, GOLD AND PEACOCK BLUE

One way to spice up a plain white living room is to opt for golden hues for your living room color schemes. Consider a combination of warm gray, gold tones, and rich peacock blue.

This is a great way to turn a boring and basic space into something bold and beautiful. These also make for a rich combination of living room wall colors that are certain to be unique to you. Another way to integrate this scheme is to create a feature wall with shades of gray, gold, and blue or install decadent wallpaper that features these shades.

MINT GREEN AND PINK

Mint green and pink make for the best living room colors for creating a cool, calm, and inviting living room space. These pastel shades are fresh and exude a warm and cozy feeling in any space.

There are several routes to incorporate these living room colors in your home. Start with a pastel palette of mint green on your wall and accessorize the space with muted pink accessories such as rugs, drapes, and pillows.

MOODY BLUES AND BROWNS

The combination of brown and navy blue may not be one of the most popular living room colors as it has the ability to make the room appear darker. However, these can make for the best living room colors to create a cozy seating area.

To pull this off, our designers suggest covering your living room wall with lacquered navy blue wallpaper. Add shades of brown furnishings and accessories to create a moody, comforting warmth.

NAVY BLUE, BLACK, AND BEIGE

Navy blue and black make for another popular living room color schemes because both shades are in the darker part of the color spectrum.

These living room color ideas can work well together in creating an inviting modern living space. The key is to include lighter shades of beige and white that can help to lighten the dark palette.

NAVY, TURQUOISE, AND PINK

Beautiful shades of pink and turquoise are among the popular living room colors for feminine interiors. But these living room colors can also work well with any type of design style.

In fact, they can help to create an airy, bright, and happy space. You can also integrate masculine details in alongside these color schemes, such as a leather couch and stainless steel furnishings.

TRANQUIL LIGHT GREEN

Tranquil green is a great hue for maintaining a calming effect and a well-balanced atmosphere in your home. This is also a great choice of color for bringing in a feeling of nature in your space.

Combine this color with other pastel shades, such as baby blue, and pale pink. These living room color schemes are known for their calming effect, which results in a warm, comforting, and relaxing atmosphere.

SOFT BLUES AND GRASS GREEN

When it comes to the best living room wall colors, soft blues and grass green are a great option. Combining grass green elements with soothing shades of baby blue is one way to create a cozy atmosphere in your living room space.

You can also follow the same color combination for living room accessories and furnishings. For instance, you can place a green upholstered ottoman beside a blue bench or couch.

TANGERINE AND PEACOCK BLUE

Blue and orange may be unexpectedly the most popular living room colors of the moment but these energetic shades can help create a lively vibe in your living room space.

Mix in some decorative accents in tangerine and peacock blue shades to enliven a dull and boring space. For a softer look, opt for a mint pairing to pair with a tangerine shade instead of peacock blue.

10 Easy Ways to Mix and Match Patterns in your Home

2020-09-05T19:56:00.001-07:00

Are you tired of your plain and borrowing solid colors throughout your home? While solids all have their place, aren’t your interiors more fun when we add whimsical patterns that add visual interest and contrast? Yes! Mixing and matching patterns can often be a challenge, especially if you don’t know how to choose the right complimentary colors and scale of patterns to use amongst each other. Before you start choosing patterns randomly there are a few tips that will steer you straight. Here are 10 easy ways to mix and match patterns with ease in your home.

1. Determine what color palette you love first:

One of the challenges of mixing and matching patterns is the ability to determine what will look good together and what will clash. Before you concern your mind with pattern, look to a color palette that you love first. When choosing colors decide if a warmer colors or cooler colors will work best. There are warm and cool sides of every color so choose one or two main colors and consider one or two accent colors to deliver a pop of character.

2. The simplest route: combine white plus a colored pattern

One of the simplest ways to combine patterns is to choose one colored pattern combined with white background. Whether you choose a monochromatic scheme in white and black, or decide on a nautical theme with navy blue and white, use your imagination when choosing a color scheme. Then introduce patterns of that color in stripes, polka dots, chevron stripes, bold prints, whichever prints create a statement without being an overabundance for the eyes.

3. Let neutral colors become your base when using large prints

Bold or large prints can be used tastefully when mixing and matching patterns. Another general rule is to start off with a neutral color on the walls and flooring and use a few layers of bold prints in either your area rug, or in a few key pieces of furniture. Then fill in your space with neutral colored sofas, chairs and ottomans to neutralize the room. The bold patterns will work magically with the subdued neutral tones.

4. Use a variety of scales when mixing and matching patterns

When choosing patterns in your interiors remember that large-scale patterns can intermingle with smaller scale prints as long as the color palette stays in the same color family. Choose a dominant print from artwork or your window treatments and then select smaller scale patterns for accent pillows, and textiles throughout your interiors. The more variety of scale in your patterns, the more comfortable and welcoming the space will feel.

5. Don’t shy away from bold colors and prints

The wonderful part of choosing patterns to mix and match is the wide range of bold colors you can choose from. Jewel tones in rich burgundy; garnet red and aquamarine blue can look lovely on your zebra print side chair! Choose prints that have a monochromatic design and that don’t compete visually with the bold colors around it. This living room does a beautiful job of using a neutral colored wall paint and combining it with just the right amount of colors and patterns to give a wow factor. Remember you don’t just have to choose pastel colors in your interiors, bold colors can be exciting and invigorating!

6. Find a pattern you love and mimic it in your decor

If you are a fan of gingham stripes or plaid patterns, or even polka dots, why not mix and match these patterns in alternating decorative textiles? Your bedroom is great room to try this in. Bedding, accent pillows, window treatments and lampshades can all borrow varying scale versions of these wonderful prints. Introduce solid colors for sheets, coordinating accent pillows and an area rug to bring a balance to the patterns your love.

7. Tone on tone color helps prints neutralize your space

In recent years tone on tone color or the ability to choose varying saturations and tint levels of the same color in your interiors has made interior decorating much easier. Using varying shades of chocolate brown, grays, white, and greige can mix and match patterns easily because the outcome is a mixture of varying levels of impact. Stick to choosing one or two decorative items that have a large impact print and then tone down the other furnishings with a tighter and smaller dynamic print.

8. Find inspiration in the details of patterns and prints

For many homeowners the thought of choosing wallpaper, drapery, fabrics, and other decorative finishes makes them more confused as to what they really like to embrace in their interiors. Instead, choose a piece of wall art you love, or an ottoman that has a beautiful color and seek inspiration from it. Find patterns and prints that embody your focal point piece, or that match complimentary in color and style to it. These will save your mind from being overwhelmed and will ensure you love the outcome you decide on.

9. Choose prints and patterns from your recent travels

Visiting other countries and traveling the world can bring about an amazing collection of fabrics and textiles from your travels. Use these patterns and prints and mix and match them with solid colored hues in your living spaces or even on your bed to bring life to your dull room. You will be surprised how just a few native fabrics from your most recent and favorite destinations will create an interior you love!

10. Consider using wallpaper to add no-fuss patterns

While you may only be thinking about textiles, remember patterns can be brought out through your wallpaper. Wallpaper creates an easy to way to showcase your love for bold or subtle prints in the background, without overpowering your furnishings. If you choose a very big and bold print, consider using this on an accent all behind your bed or dining room table wall and then using a smaller print or even paint on the adjacent walls. This will help keep the room balanced and comfortable to the eye and mind.

Freshome readers how do you mix and match patterns in your interiors?

3 Point Interior Design Basics

2020-08-28T23:43:00.001-07:00

If you weren't born with the ability to imagine a room complete with furniture placement, wall hangings, and rug and accent choices, it is something you can develop and hone over time. Learn the basics of home decorating, including design principles, decorating styles, and answers to decorating challenges.

Interior Design Compared With Interior Decorating

Interior design and interior decorating are often mistaken for the same thing, but the terms are not completely interchangeable. Interior design is a profession that requires specific schooling and formal training, including space planning, furniture design, and architecture. An interior decorator does not have that formal training and focuses on the aesthetics and the surface appearance of a space. Who you would hire depends on whether you have any structural work or space planning to be done or you need someone to plan the decor only.

Elements of Decor

Your first step should be to select a style for your home interior. This will promote the design principle of unity and harmony, thinking of the entire home with a unifying theme. It can be as simple as choosing casual instead of formal or traditional instead of contemporary. From there, you can refine it to a more specific style, such as French country, Tuscan, modern Victorian, or shabby chic.

Balance is another principle—distributing the visual weight in a room. You can do it symmetrically, as is common in traditional interiors, or with asymmetrical balance as seen in casual interiors.

Within each room there should be a focal point. In a living room, it could be the fireplace or a piece of art. It sets itself apart by scale, color, or texture.

Contrast and variety add visual interest to a room. Keep rhythm in mind with repeating elements of the same color, texture, or pattern, and a progression of sizes or colors.

Color

Choosing a color palette is an essential part of interior design. While you could have a different style and color scheme in each room, often you will want to tie the whole dwelling together. Consider the right colors for a small room as well as colors and patterns for a large room.

Patterns

Mixing patterns in home decor is one of the more advanced parts of interior design. Patterns do not have to match, but they need to complement and coordinate with each other. This is done by considering color, size, and scale.

Tips to Get Started With Your Decor

A major pitfall that traps untrained decorators is editing. A good interior decorator can scan a room and understand what items work in a room and when something is too much, tasteful, or requires embellishment. A few tips in this area can make or break your room's design choices.

One room element that can usually use an editorial eye is how pillows are placed. Pillows can be a nice accent adding to the room's color story, or in some cases, even create a focal point for the room. However, some people have a tendency to overdo it with pillows. Avoid overloading a sofa to the point that a guest has to move all the pillows just to sit down.

Choices of artwork can be important for a room, but equally consider how you display it. A rule of thumb is to set wall hangings at eye-level. Similarly, the height you set the chandelier matters. A common mistake people make is hanging a chandelier too high or close to the ceiling. Drop it low enough that it brings light into the room and is noticed. If you hang it above a table, make sure that when you sit up from the table, your or any taller guests cannot knock into it.

Furnishings are a big investment and account for a large part of the budget of room decor. If you are on a tight budget, there are some items you should splurge on. The two most important pieces of furniture—likely the items that will get the most use—are your sofa and bed. Spend more on those pieces. Save on area rugs, accent tables, and wall art. A mixture of high-ticket items with less expensive options is a trick of the trade that makes the room still feel stylish without breaking the bank.