TEAR FILES

I had a class last year and we had an assignment called "tear files".  This assignment lasted the entire semester and we basically had to go through magazines and find pictures of bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, etc.  We had to "tear" them out and put nicely in a binder.  I have continued to do work on my tear files, it's become like a hobby.  I have found that the best places to find interior design magazines are in bookstores.  They have a lot of variety, they range from contemporary, to rustic, to traditional.  This is not only fun to do but it helps you to more understand what you like and it can give you ideas for your own home.

                                 

This is what I've done for my tear files just to give you an idea of how I did it. If you have questions or want to put more sections in let me know and I can email you what sections I have in mine.

DESIGN STYLES

I have decided to make a blog about interior design.  Throughout this blog I will share my ideas and opinions of what my taste is in designing homes.  The first thing you should do before you design your home is to find the style that fits you.  There are a lot of styles out there and it's sometimes hard to know what you should choose, so I have thought of several styles to post and I'll define each and show example pictures of each.

 CLASSICAL

The classical styles comes from Greek and Roman design. It is based upon order, balance, and perfect harmony. Classical design does not include any modern elements or current influences. Instead, classic interior design is steeped in tradition.  A primary element in classical style is the use of a focal point around which visual balance is achieved. A grand, marble fireplace flanked on either side by matching, gilded light sconces and crowned with an elaborate, gold framed mirror would be good example of classical balance.

French

This style is ornate, fanciful, and decorative.  Colors range from rich, sun drenched Mediterranean hues to softer, muted shades.  Often one color or fabric is repeated throughout the space.  Extensive use of gold, bronze, and gilt.  Antique or heirloom furniture, layered with dramatic window treatments. 

ARTS and CRAFTS

  Popular between 1910 and 1925 it is a style that has left a legacy through the ongoing popularity of Mission Style. It is characterized by simplicity of design, hand-crafted objects, and local materials.  Frank Lloyd Wright was a very well known architect at the time.  You can find more examples of his work online by googling his name.

ART DECO

A decorative and architectural style of the period 1925-1940, that featured mirriored accents, sleek lines and wood furniture with chrome hardware and glass tops, and characterized by geometric designs and bold colors.  Art Deco interior design features elements that are very streamlined, geometric and often even curvaceous, it also has a very unique look. Some might call it “classic retro style”.  

TRADITIONAL

Furnishings are usually 18^th century English, 19^th century neoclassic, French country and British Colonial revival.  The use of classic styling and symmetry to create a calm, orderly décor.  Color palette is usually in the mid-tones and fabrics are muted, usually simple florals, solids, stripes or plaids.  It is the most popular decorating styles.  The shapes in this style setting are typically very graceful. Curving lines are very common. Furniture is often constructed of dark wood and finely crafted detail. Think Queen Anne Style table legs and rolled sofa arms, for example.

Coastal

Inspired by the ocean, light and breezy feel by the way of airy fabrics for window treatments, and the emphasis on natural or beach-themed accessories such as lighthouses and seashells. Navy and white with gold accents are classic colors for this style.

TROPICAL

It emphasizes natural textures and an easy, relaxed atmosphere.  For a backdrop consider a neutral color scheme. You can add stronger touches of accent color. The goal here is to establish a light and airy feeling.

RUSTIC

Inspired by the wild, this style is unrefined and time tested. The look is warm and relaxed. When you need to unwind, rustic style will wrap you in a cozy embrace.  When it comes to a color palette consider an earth tone scheme.  Browns, tans, greens and rusty reds look great in a rustic interior design scheme. If you want to add some brighter color, consider doing it with accessory items.

TUSCAN "OLD WORLD"

It’s a warm, old world look that makes you feel instantly at home. Hardwood or stone tile covered floors complement the Tuscan look. Using wood beams overhead further establishes the atmosphere.  

Shabby Chic

Cottage-inspired look includes weathered white-painted furniture, painted motifs, floral prints in muted colors, white slipcovered sofas and vintage accessories.  A sense of brightness and airiness is always evident in these types of interiors.

Asian

This look fuses natural fiber elements, bamboo and colors taken from nature to create a serene, calm environment.  Furnishings are lacquered or hand painted with ornamental designs.  Brightly colored accessories or statues of animals or mythical creatures.

Eclectic

This style borrows from several other design styles and evokes imagination and surprise with unexpected contrasts.  The style is not simply throwing together everything and anything, but relies on design aspects such as color, pattern, texture, and composition.  

CONTEMPORARY

This style features clean lines.  I like to think of it as simple and sophisticated.  Black, whites and other neutral tones tend to dominate the contemporary style scene, but you can leverage well-planned, accent features and accessories to provide dramatic punches of color. Choose clean-lined, modern furnishings and accessories.  Windows in a contemporary interior setting often work well unadorned or at least edited in style.  

MODERN

Clutter and chaos are out; straight lines and organization are in.  Modern rooms tend to have straight, plain furniture often in dark wood tones or black. The darker colors give rooms a sophisticated, classy air. Generally there are few decorative items sitting on nearby tables; instead, there are a few select pieces that are displayed prominently in a room.   Modern rooms also tend to use stark colors. Blacks, whites, red, and greens are popular colors for modern rooms. These colors pose an interesting and classic backdrop to the special items that accessorize the room.  Less is More!