We’re all familiar with tract houses: white or light gray houses with small rooms with white walls, pre-made cabinets, a postage stamp of a front and back yard. Well, you can transform one of these generic looking homes into a personal retreat that reflects your own unique identity; all you need is a little creativity, some paint and a careful selection of the right furniture.
First, decide what kind of decorative style you want to project. Do you like shabby chic? The simple and elegant lines of Japanese decoration? Rustic country designs? Maybe you like the currently popular French or Tuscan decor; or the high-tech aspect of modern industrial design. Whichever you choose, a good first step is to look through architectural design and decorating magazines to find the look you want to emulate.
Take a look at the colors designers use to create their signature look, as well as lighting fixtures, if possible – the mood of a home is a combination of color and light. The colors of the walls will serve as the basis of the decoration of your home, so choose the colors you want and place them on the walls; If necessary, take samples of the colors to your local paint store to match.
If you’re not satisfied with the prefab cabinets in your kitchen, there are cost-effective things you can do. Consider painting them, possibly adding a crackle treatment for some textural interest. You can also upgrade solid cabinets by cutting out the center panels of each door and replacing them with clear or translucent glass or acrylic. You can add relatively inexpensive stainless steel fronts to your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher to bring a high-tech, industrial look to your kitchen without the expense of replacing appliances.
Once you’ve created the color palette for each room, you’re ready to add furniture and accessories. If you want to create a cozy, rustic atmosphere, consider putting warm Southwestern colors on your walls, and then add a selection of solid wood furniture. [http://www.aspenlog.com/aspenlog/Shop?Dsp=30000&PCR=1:300000000:500]. Throw some colorful Indian rugs over the sofas and chairs, add some themed art to the walls and some pottery and colorful carved pumpkins, and you’ll quickly have brought the Southwest into your home.
Does the simplicity of Asian design appeal to you? The minimalist lines of modern homes are very conducive to this popular look. Add low, clean Japanese furniture (futon-inspired sofas, end tables, coffee tables, graduated tonsu cabinets) with Japanese paper lanterns, shoji screens, either freestanding or sliding, and plenty of pillows with silk or batik fabric. Be sure to go back to your magazines for inspiration; Colors used in Japanese-inspired decor range from soft blues and greens to bright reds and oranges.
Don’t forget to add natural accents to your Asian setting: bonsai trees, potted palms, bamboo. Also add a water feature, in the form of a tabletop fountain or a miniature indoor pond in one corner.
Make sure you don’t neglect the outdoors; Even if you have a small front or back yard, you can create a private and peaceful getaway by planting trees and shrubs to separate you from your neighbors, then adding a wooden deck or flagstone area with outdoor furniture, lighting, and a stove or grill.
The seemingly impersonal and minimalist nature of homesteading can act as a blank canvas for your creativity. So break out the paint chips, pull out that stack of design magazines, and start planning!