Black and White Rooms - Classic Elegance

While use of colors adds character and personality to a space, so too does the absence of color. A black and white scheme is a very classic choice, and is generally perceived as being elegantly simple. It suits both formal spaces, as well as modern ones, and is particularly well suited for the use of geometrics and bold patterns.

It also provides a unique canvas to which you can add small, bold splashes of color, which create quite a visual impact.  This is a great color combination for those who admire classical interiors, or simple, stark minimalism. It is also good for those who want to get the popular, mostly white "Euro" style effect, but with a little added kick.

A traditional black and white kitchen is complemented by warm cherry wood floors
(by Sutton Suzuki Architects)

Black and white is a good palette for this eclectic living room
(by Dawna Jones Design)

Black and white tile floors and dark, aged wood make this traditional hallway look welcoming
(by mark pinkerton - vi360 photography)

White, black accents, and rich wood give this room an art gallery feel
(by Rikki Snyder)

Black paneled walls give this bathroom a classy, traditional feel
(by Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.)



More photos after the page break

Red Rooms - Vibrant and Passionate

As we've established, the use of color in a room can contribute to the overall mood of your surroundings. Blue can produce a soporific effect, yellow can contribute to a feeling of sunshine and warmth. 

Today, we will look at the use of red in a room.

Red is traditionally known as the color of love, life, and passion. It is the color of our blood, the foundation of our beings. Ranging from vibrant crimson to the deepest, richest maroon, this typically warm color is bold, the very antithesis of quiet pastels.

Used to varying degrees, it can compliment a wide variety of interiors, from traditional farmhouses to formal mansions and contemporary homes. However, since it is a bold, dark shade, I usually recommend it in spaces that have a lot of light, and larger rooms. When a room is too poorly lit, or small, red can actually make the room feel closed in.

Red can also be a splashy focal accent color, from painted cabinets in a kitchen to art and throw pillows in a living room. Red also makes a fabulous single accent wall color.

Let's examine the use of red in a variety of spaces. 

Red is a wonderful color in a traditional interior

(by Dona Rosene Interiors)

It also works well in contemporary, modern decor

(by Peg Berens Interior Design LLC)

It provides a bold, warm accent color...

(by Adi Tatarko)

... and also works well as a single accent wall

(by Marie Burgos Design)

It blends nicely with wood also, as seen in this rustic-style kitchen

(by Native Trails)

As always, more photos after the page break!

Rustic Country Chic - Decorating with Burlap

In case none of you have noticed by now, I am not a weekend blogger! My Saturdays and Sundays are spent loafing around with my guy... and doing all the fun chores, like grocery shopping. Hooray. I do try and make posts Monday through Friday though. :)

Anyhoo, onto our regular daily article and photos!

Burlap is a wonderful fabric. Due to it's construction, and normal usage as sacking, this material is both durable and fairly resistant to staining. Plus, it's loosely woven make-up lends a rough, rustic charm to any room. From using a small piece as an accent, such as a table runner of placemats, to re-purposing old sacks as funky upholstery or accents like throw pillows, this is a wonderful way to lend a little shabby charm to any room. Whether you are aiming for cozy French farmhouse or down home American country, burlap provides a fun and decorative look that is easy to achieve.

Chairs recovered in old coffee sacks
(http://madamepetite.blogspot.com/)

Custom Hand Painted Burlap Placements (can be customized)
(GeorgiaInBloom on Etsy)

Burlap upholstery and towels
(by French Larkspur)

Burlap-back French Versailles chair
(designformenmag.com)

Burlap bedding
(www.casacullen.com)

More photos after the page break

Let's Get Organized - Creative Closet Spaces

Often, designers and homeowners focus on the "WOW" factor of decorating a home, concentrating on furnishings, colors, styles. But it can be what is hidden away from view, behind the scenes, the more functional aspects, that can take a dwelling from a mere showplace to a true home.

Closets are one such feature. Once hidden away, these utilitarian catch-all spaces are becoming more and more visible in modern homes. A well-planned closet can be a true blend of function and beauty.

Open-fronted, built in closet
(by Astleford Interiors, Inc.)

A walk-in closet with built-ins and a dresser island
(by Munger Interiors)

Custom-made shelving, just for shoes
(by Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design)

A former closet is converted into a small home office space
(by Ed Ritger Photography)

More photos after the page break

A Short Introduction

Hello and welcome to my new blog. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Eva, and I live in the scenic Black Forest region of Southern Germany, with the man who is love of my life and one crazy cat.

The Black Forest in Spring (www.nachrichten.at)

We live in a 200 year old farmhouse, which we purchased last summer. The date carved into the lintel stone at the front of the house, above the old stable door, is 1802, but the house has been remodeled since then, most notably in 1937, and again in the late 1990s. We're in the process of redoing everything! Stripping out the old wallpaper, refinishing the remnants of the original random-width oak flooring (which only remains in the dining room and office), replacing the 75 year old windows... we have almost completed our first room, the kitchen, which we completely gutted, re-designed and remodeled to have a charming French Country farmhouse look.

So far I have no completed "after" photos of the work, but hope to very soon. In the meantime, I do have some of the "before" photos posted on Flickr, taken before we moved in:

The photos of our house in "before" mode

Now, then... the aim of this blog is to extend on my Tumblr blog of the same name... interiorstyledesign.tumblr.com . I hope to post many articles about different styles of interior design and decorating, as well as architecture, plus a sprinkling of gardening, landscaping, exteriors, and design.

I am an interior decorator as well as a residential designer, and in the near future will be offering both customized, individualized comprehensive home decorating services, as well as both stock house floor plans for sale and design services to create unique, one of a kind custom plans. So stay tuned for these services to be appearing soon, and in the meantime, I hope you enjoy my articles and photos (all photos will be attributed to their original sources if not taken by me personally).

Thank you for visiting!