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Posts Tagged ‘bohemian interiors’

Bohemian: Anything But Basic

Monday, January 9th, 2017

Universal Furniture Living Room Wild Flower Console 450803: Metals are huge in Boho interiors so utilize them to your advantage.

To many people, Bohemian design could appear mismatched or chaotic. Just picture the piles of multi-colored window treatments, cushions, Oriental accessories, unique bedding sets, and jewelry and you’d know this is no simple interior design theme.

So what really is Bohemian interior design?

Looking at different Boho interiors throughout the globe, you are sure that you would never be bored if you embrace this style. Don’t expect monochromes in a boho room. What you should expect are your eyes jumping from one furnishing to the next as the friendly and warm eclecticism will make you marvel.

Boho design lacks requirements and restrictions. Just be original and overwhelming, be individualistic, artistic and be able to express yourself. These are the aspects that will make you a Boho enthusiast.

The Bohemian Origin

Comprehending boho means knowing where it came from. This is simplified La Boheme or the French word for gypsy. The gypsies are the perfect examples of people who live a bohemian lifestyle. Artists during the 19th century also were bohemian.

Boho also came from Bohemia which is a territory that was inhabited by gypsies back in the day. These nomadic spirits set their own rules for hundreds of years and they had their own style. It is no surprise, therefore, that artists were also referred to as Bohemians.

Maitland-Smith Accessories Bohemian Read Leather Box 1120-564

Boho Is Colorful

One of the wonderful features of boho design is the fusion of colors, textures and patterns. You will also see a lot of cultural influences which also exist in other parts of the planet.

Bohemian is unpredictable, bright and unique.

To pick a boho color for your room décor, be sure to find a fundamental color then search for contrasts. So, a blue couch would look great with a golden yellow pillow.

Boho Furniture

Boho interiors also suggest an ambience of relaxation and creativity. Comfort is the keyword that also describes the furnishings in this home. Say yes to colorful, upholstered pieces and all were chosen because of the level of comfort that they could offer.

Invest in cozy chairs with armrests, deep sofas, side tables, ottomans and other comfy seating units. Leather couches are also ideal for all Bohemian interiors.

Arrange your old book collections into distressed shelves. Wooden sideboards, shabby chic armoires and wicker pieces are all welcome. It is also a good idea to buy wrought-iron furniture and accessories.

Impressive Boho Décor

Getting an impressive boho décor to work with the rest of the furnishings might mean traveling to different destinations (or at least knowing a lot about other cultures). Items from your travels will become quite useful as wall décor or they could be placed atop the fireplace mantel or console table.

Use rugs, pillows, upholstery and curtains that have interesting textures. Fuse cotton and fur, silk and velvet, tapestry and batiste. There are even some who go as far as combining bright-colored cushions and patterned carpet.

Do you wanna go Moroccan? Then this kind of interior would also work well in a Bohemian setting. Use the iconic rugs and carpets as well as metal credenzas.

What about boho chic? These days, this is a remarkably trendy style. Here, you will find quality materials, textured surfaces, the most glamorous pieces, lamps, pendants and crystals, even faux vintage items.

Green boho is something that’s sustainable and is wary of nature preservation. People who prefer this sub-style choose to use natural materials like silk, cotton, leather, stone, tiles, brick and metal accents. Form a kaleidoscope of these elements and you’d be achieving the ultimate Bohemian look.

Another boho style is the Bohemian hippie. This is enthusiastic, bright and still original. Use funky florals, patterns, animal prints, fringe, lace, textiles and detailed accents.

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Maximalism – Why It’s Not Just the Opposite of Minimalism

Friday, May 27th, 2016

1120CR Kit Club Chair by Cynthia Rowley

1120CR Kit Club Chair by Cynthia Rowley

If you want some time away from the minimalist perspective being offered by modern living, then you will find refuge in maximalism. This is the grand antidote to clean lines and the simplicity of neutral color palettes and streamlined furnishings. Maximalist dwelling places are daring and dramatic yet still welcoming. Your eyes will never be bored as there is a visual feast in every room.

One Rule: There Is No Rule

Maximalism is all about conveying your personality through your home. It can be fun, romantic, rustic, even dramatic. Say goodbye to design rules as they are not that important in this kind of style. In fact, the only rule that you need to remember is to say throw any rules outside of the window.

Maximalism means playing with design elements in your own terms. Play with colors, patterns, scale and textures. Do not be contented with little embellishments, go to the hilt and decorate to the brim.

You can always evolve as there will always be room for improvement inside a maximalist home.

Leave Very Little Space

The maximalist is always a busy person. Her home comes in visual layers that build up in phases or stages. You could begin with some anchor pieces in neutral hues. Begin with chairs, sofa, a table, dresser, and blinds. These are the anchors upon which all the other interior design pieces will hold on to.

Keep in mind that a maximalist must be sociable, too. This means that you should have lots and lots of seats. Surround these seats with elements of blue, green, red and gold. These will look great when used all together on  wallpaper.

FFDM's Antebellum Collection features bulky furniture pieces that will fit right into a maximalist home.

FFDM’s Antebellum Collection features bulky furniture pieces that will fit right into a maximalist home.

Experiment with Colors

The maximalist is never bound by anything so go ahead and experiment on the different hues that you can use inside your home. You’re not bound by the pastels required of a preppy home or the black and red fusion of Gothic design.

Don’t be afraid to use dark or bold shades. Walls painted with dark colors and furniture pieces in equally hot hues will spell drama at every level. Again, there is no need to be bound by tone, harmony or contrast.

Find out what sort of mood board you can work with. Blend different colors and discover what results excite you the most.

A Lot of Mixing

Bohemian and eclectic are two of the closest words that you can use to describe maximalism. You don’t have to stick to one era or style. Mix to the max! There, that’s your rule.

Do the patterns clash? Who cares? Patterns everywhere will make a maximalist home crazier.

What about textures? The secret is to build the layers. Bring in wool, sheepskin, velvet and silk. Of course, you mustn’t forget the walls. Wall texture can be added if you hang a rug or embossed wallpaper.

Maxed Lighting

Maximalism can also be reflected in the type of lighting that you use. Go for clusters of light instead of the usual, single pendant lighting.

Lighting can add a different level of visual interest in a home so play and tweak the lights that you will use. Bring in the floor lamps, colorful chandeliers, and table lamps. Look for pop pieces that are the exact opposite of classic beauty and elegance.

Up to the Ceiling

A maximalist won’t stop designing her home the moment the rooms are filled with furnishings and colors. Look up and you would find out that there is still so much to do.

Get wallpaper to cover your ceiling or find the paint that suits your taste. Patterned wallpaper, for instance, will look great with light walls but they are also sure to stand out with dark paint.

Make your choice now, maximalist.

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Goin’ Aquatic: Living with Marine Colors

Sunday, January 17th, 2016

 

Just add sea foam and some bubbles and this setup is ready to impress anyone. The lovely credenza comes from FFDM's Palm Island Collection.

Just add sea foam and some bubbles and this setup is ready to impress anyone. The lovely credenza comes from FFDM’s Palm Island Collection.

Imagine constantly seeing the colors of sea life – greens, blues and a tinge of purple. Put these colors to your home’s walls and you have provided a stark contrast to your unique accessories, bed linen and fixtures. A color palette that could work inside the bedroom is anything aquatic such as sea foam green, blue and amethyst. Throw in some flamboyant patterns and you can almost see Sebastian singing Under the Sea.

If mixing these aquatic colors is not your cup of tea, then you can also go with one strong marine color such as royal blue. For instance, use this color on your bathroom walls and floors. To make the color pop, add a shower partition complete with cute sea creatures or flowers with the shades of yellow, blue, green and lavender.

The Sea-Inspired Bedroom

Using aquatic colors does not mean that you have to immediately resort to block colors. One way to make the palette more interesting is to throw in some colorful quilt on your bed while the pillowcases and the bed sheets still come in earth tones. This colorful addition will create the needed balance inside the now bohemian fresh bedroom.

Now imagine that you are designing the room of a young man or a bachelor. Primarily blue walls instantly indicate that the bedroom belongs to a male member of the family. You can tone down the blue color of the walls to make room for some plum-upholstered seats or any such interesting pieces. Add a pop to the room by installing a royal blue light bulb.

The Fresh Kitchen and Dining Area

Timeless marine looks can provide a laidback feeling to any home. Add greeneries to maintain the fresh air inside, or place pictures of flowers and the usual seashore palm trees on your kitchen walls. Adding these fresh concepts in your kitchen will make your cooking more enjoyable.

As for the dining room, you may use retro fabrics to achieve that blasé look. Add a modern touch by having custom tables. You may also set up a beachy desk area right by the corner of your bedroom.

Tommy-Bahama-Home-Living-Room-Golden-Isle-Sofa-1604-33-at-McCreerys-Home-Furnishings.

The Tommy-Bahama-Home-Living-Room-Golden-Isle-Sofa-1604-33 is perfect for any beach home.

The Beach-Like Living Room

Putting a series of loveseats or a sectional sofa can easily provide room for a crowd. Use rattan or any woven pieces to add a hip ‘60s look to your beach theme. Island living requires simple yet versatile pieces of furniture and a collection of accessories such as clam shells, coral reef parts, and other seashell decor.

Use bold greens together with oranges inside your living room. These will work well with opalescent stripes on your walls or some bird prints on blank walls. Welcome your guests to this lovely room filled with colors that literally pop.

As to the living area’s furnishings, let them be awash in blues. Wingback chairs and upholstered sofas would blend well with an oak coffee table and a collage of your family photos or some sort of vintage artwork.

To make this room more appealing, use a lamp atop a side table. You can also replace the lamp with a model sailboat especially when you have a good view of the ocean from where your living room is situated. Add Roman shades, jute rug, and an upholstered chair with white framework to make the green walls stand out.

What is a marine-themed home without a touch of green? Uttermost-Accessories-Costa-Del-Sol-Potted-Greenery-Botanicals-60090-at-McCreerys-Home-Furnishings

What is a marine-themed home without a touch of green? Uttermost-Accessories-Costa-Del-Sol-Potted-Greenery-Botanicals-60090-at-McCreerys-Home-Furnishings

Of course, going aquatic also means letting in a lot of sunlight. White can also be a cool color for marine-inspired living rooms so long as they are blended with blues and greens. White reflects light better so use it lavishly.

The aquatic or beach theme is one of the freshest styles that any homeowner can set up in his dwelling place. What could be airier and fresher than this concept?

 

 

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Go Creative, Go Bohemian

Tuesday, January 12th, 2016

 

Sloan Chair without Nails and 5682-08 Sloan Ottoman without Nails in Fabric 917-60

5682-10 Sloan Chair without Nails and 5682-08 Sloan Ottoman without Nails in Fabric 917-60. This chair shows that Bohemian is all about vibrant colors.

Bohemian interior design involves the infusion of hippies, travelers, even gypsies. These are the very people who are out to have fun. They also live the most colorful lives as is evident in their style and their homes.

The bohemian interiors are lived spaces. There is nothing drab about this style as it is colorful, full of ornaments, exclusive, and electrifying. Bohemian accessories should be able to showcase a special appearance. The decor is not just amazing to look at in bedrooms and living rooms but also in other areas of your home like your kitchen, even the bathroom.

The Mingling of Creativity and Art

The bohemian style is exclusive because it displays the effects of art and creativity. It can lift a boring facade without you putting too much energy. Just hunt for the right furniture pieces (and colors) that are most suitable for this design.

Step number one is to pick the right color scheme for your home. Whatever hue you settle with, make sure that it has the capacity to deliver a harmonious effect on the walls, floor, accessories and the furniture.

This Hooker Furniture Home Office Accent Desk is what you need for your Bohemian home work space.

This Hooker Furniture Home Office Accent Desk is what you need for your Bohemian home work space.

There are a few more daring interior designers who choose bold and dark colors for the bohemian look. There are actually a lot of options on your color palette. Combine different colors till you reach a blend that you like. Some of the more interesting hues include rust, brick red, sunny yellow, deep brown, plum, violet, gold, burnt orange, magenta, emerald and camel.

There are also a few color schemes that you should avoid for this design. Colors such as pastel, neon and those shimmering shades (‘cept gold) should be avoided like the plague.

Now for the furniture, you can choose to combine different kinds of furniture to make a room more exciting. A leather sofa would be perfect for your bohemian living room. As for the seating area, be sure to deliver a non-cluttered impression.

This very bohemian rug is the Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Biltmore Select Bidjar Rug 1773RS02000300450.

This very bohemian rug is the Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Biltmore Select Bidjar Rug 1773RS02000300450.

The decorative appeal of this interior style lies heavily on the accessories that you will be bringing in. Choose unique accessories such as artwork coming from Africa, India, and the Middle East. Enhancing the flavor of your bohemian style is as easy as adding an eclectic taste. It wouldn’t be wrong to display accessories that have been inspired by Boho arts including tea seats, musical instrument, easels of vintage artists, some hookah pipes, too.

When it comes to bohemian colors, the most used are warm earthy colors as are metallic hues. So think of gold, terracotta, brown and other hues belonging to this family. Look for jewel tones such as fiery orange, purple, or electric blue. Always think warm when looking for the right bohemian color. White should never be a part of this design.

Bohemian is for people who want their homes to look vibrant, filled with culture and the most appealing pieces. It flees in the presence of modernism but it embraces what’s carefree, unusual and relaxed. Fuse lots of patterns and experiment with the loudest colors. Layer those throws on your sofa, use colorful area rugs, and hang never-before-seen tapestries.

Bohemian means you learn to mix and match. Find natural materials such as sisal, burlap then fuse them with chenille and silk. These materials should look slightly worn. Pillows, lampshades and curtains could have fringe.

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