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Posts Tagged ‘minimalist style’

What House Will You Build If You Bag the Lottery?

Monday, April 8th, 2019

Fine Furniture Design Art Deco Collection.

There are many factors that affect the odds of a person winning the lottery but, statistically, a person’s chances of hitting the jackpot (picking the right six numbers from a pool of 49 choices) is at 1 in 13,983,816 or, approximately, 1 in 14 million.

 

That’s an awful lot of numbers with just one shot at winning but, hey, what if you really do become a winner, have you ever thought of how you’ll spend your money? Most people think of building their own house but what style do you have in mind?

 

Traditional Style

 

This is the interior design for people who want the classic details in their home. These are the dark, finished woods, different textures, exciting color palettes, and curvy lines. The ornate details include velvet, brocade and silk.

 

An exciting way to dress up your home with traditional style is to add depth, use layers, and to add a sense of dimensionality to whole ensemble. Both rustic and French country styles could fall under this style with the first being focused on stone and wood features while the other uses warmer tones of red, yellow and gold.

 

Modern Style

 

Modern is not an exact term actually but it often refers to a house that has clean lines and a basic color palette. Materials that are commonly used in such a home are metal, steel, and glass.

 

The furnishings in this home are also simple yet sleek. Don’t try looking for clutter here because you won’t find any (well, at least that’s the general notion).

 

Contemporary Style

 

A lot of people interchange modern and contemporary styles. But if you look more closely, you will find a lot of differences.

 

Contemporary interior design, in a nutshell, is a style that’s based on what’s hot right now. Modern design, on the other hand, strictly implements interpretations of the styles beginning from the 20th century.

 

Contemporary design is also more fluid, thus, you can be more creative on this realm. It could include curvy lines in one home whereas the next home could be more simplistic.

 

Scandinavian Style

 

This is the interior design that pays homage to the simplistic approach to life that the Nordic peoples do. The furniture pieces here are simple but all works of art. There is function for each piece, although, they remain aesthetically interesting.

 

A lovely offshoot of this style is the shabby chic style where white and neutral elements are also given emphasis.

 

Minimalist Style

 

This concept is getting more and more popular each year. It has elements of modern interior design with its color palettes being airy and neutral. The furnishings are also streamlined with nothing being excessive or flamboyant.

 

Minimalism can be defined in two words – clean lines.

 

Mid-Century Modern Style

 

If you’d like a throwback sort of look, sometime in the mid-1900s specifically the 50s till the 60s, then you could go nostalgic. Add a fuss-free look with pared down forms, egg-shaped chairs, and organic shapes.

This is a style that can easily complement any house structure.

 

Industrial Style

 

As this style’s name implies, it is a design that’s inspired by warehouses and urban lofts. You will see a lot of unfinished elements. There’s a kind of rawness that gives emphasis to wood, bricks, even the ductwork. Think of metal fixture pendants, high ceilings and old timber and you’re right at home with the industrial style.

 

If you’re feeling up for burst of color somewhere, then you could use abstract art or flamboyant photography to complete the look.

 

Transitional Style

 

This is getting to be more popular each year, too, because it can work for any house. This suits the homeowners who are still unsure about the eventual interior design that they would use for their place.

 

Transitional design could use modern elements like glass or steel while still using plush furnishings. This style also makes use of neutral colors to create a relaxed space that’s inviting and warm.

 

There are other styles that can make you happy when you finally win the lottery. There’s Bohemian, eccentric, Hollywood glam, Art Deco, Victorian, and many more.

 

Just be sure to choose whichever style speaks to you.

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The Straightforwardness of Minimalism

Friday, November 23rd, 2018

The Thomasville Bedroom Bedside Table 45511-731 fulfills the streamlined look that is a requirement on minimalism.

Many of the homes these days – even the smallest ones – offer luxuries that people from the past can only imagine. Nowadays, whatever the mind can conceive, architects, engineers, and interior designers can build. But when you come to think of it, the actual needs are quite simple. A roof over one’s head and walls roundabout, even flooring that’s not cold are basic necessities that are common for both chic and simple homes.

So, simplicity means building or creating things that are no more than what’s necessary. Simplicity also means having little to zero clutter. While science tells that people who tend to clutter are smarter, studies have also proven that women cannot live in a cluttered environment because their cortisol hormones tend to spike because of stress.

If you don’t like being stressed with a lot of mess in your home, perhaps, you might want to consider minimalism.

The Minimalist You

Your personal style, once you decide to become a minimalist is pared down and simple. You should know the things that you cannot live without and those are the only things that you should keep.

The pared down style means ditching anything that’s garish and superfluous. You would be amazed on how simplicity can actually look sleek and sophisticated. It may be monochromatic or not but it is always laidback.

So, let’s begin. Let’s start with your Day 1 as a minimalist.

Clear Your Home of Clutter

If you look around and you see piles of papers (which are mostly junk mail and bills anyway), keys, empty cups, and just about any object that you can think of, then it’s time to get a trash bag.

Segregate the stuff that you can give away and those that must already be thrown.

Cleaning the clutter is just the beginning. Now the next step is to look at your dining table. This is that one piece of furniture that tends to gather the clutter. Yes, it can be a clutter magnet.

Embracing the minimalist style means you have to clear the dining table at once. Ask which ones can be eliminated and which ones should already be stored. The non-essentials have got to go.

Choose a Base Color

Minimalism – just like any other interior design – must also have a base color. But for your chosen style, color suggestions include subdued hues such as pastels, the shades of white, beige, tan, and cream.

This does not mean that you have to be boring or bland, though. You can have a white room but be creative in setting it up. Giving it a yellow undertone will make it more appealing and interesting. Blue undertones, on the other hand, will make white appear cooler and crisper.

A house with lots of natural light often looks warmer. If this is the case in your home, then better use a cooler white shade in order to balance the design. Homes that are lit artificially with fluorescent or LED tend to look warmer so use the cooler undertones.

Stop Impulse Buying

Since you’ve just cleared the clutter, you wouldn’t want to add to the clutter again, would you? Colleen Madsen, a realtor from Salt Lake county, suggests the so-called One-In-One-Out practice. This works by having one item taken out of your home the moment one piece also comes in. The sizes of the two items should be relative or even better, the item that will be taken out must be bigger.

Talk of Textures

Be careful in mixing textures. Mixing a lot of textures at once together with varied surfaces and materials of different colors will result in a migraine-inducing scenario. This you wouldn’t want.

If you used a white base, then look for layers of dove gray, beige or tan. What works best are the colors that you already see to be blending well in nature.

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The Holistic Minimalist

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018

Notice the straight and simple lines of thisAmerican Leather Bedroom California King Bed MEN-BED-CK.

Minimalism is a word that is recently taking the world by storm. This carries with it a lot of ironies since it means living in a stressful world but with less stuff.

Books, documentaries, and podcasts have all been raving about minimalism and how it can actually alter the life of someone who is willing to free-fall.

A lot of minimalists swear by the philosophy of living a life that’s free from excess and worldly possessions. They testify on how having less stuff actually gave their lives more meaning.

It’s No Fad: The Benefits of Minimalism

You may think that minimalism is just a millennial fad but it is a lot more than this. When done with the right reasons, it is a means to make your life more significant.

So what are the benefits of living a minimalist life?

First, those who sign up to live a minimalist life get rid of their financial worries. They also get rid of all forms of clutter in their lives. They learn how to classify the things that they really need from the things that do not add value to their existence.

Minimalists also spend more time on experiences and less time in the acquisition of material things. Eventually, they feel a lot happier and freer. 

Minimalism Means Green

Minimalists also sign up to become green enthusiasts. In fact, sustainable living or green living is equated to minimalism. Green living means buying less and having less waste.

Minimalism also means seeing consumerism for what it is. This has contributed to the issues on earth’s climate and other such problems. If you want to live ethically, then minimalism is the best way to go.

Stanley Furniture Living Room Floating Parsons Console Table 704-45-05

Start Now

So how do you begin living a minimalist life?

First, learn to reduce, reuse, and recycle. You must say no to excessive purchases. You must also promise to decrease the amount of waste that your home produces. And you must swear to recycle and reuse stuff. Composting is something that you also say yes to.

As a minimalist, you must also unplug. Save energy and money when you unplug those electronic devices that consume electricity even when they are just plugged.

Assess your possessions. Find something that you will keep (this is typically something that you will use in the next three months). If you pick an object that you won’t use continuously in the next three months, then it’s okay to finally let go.

This 90-day test is far from easy, though. For instance, you may not use your book collection in the next three months but this does not mean that you should let throw or sell them straightaway.

Another tip here is to live in a smaller place. More probably, you won’t need a big apartment with less stuff. Plus, studio apartments and condo units are a lot cheaper than renting a huge house. Tiny homes are quite popular these days so it’s time to join the bandwagon.

Smaller units also require fewer utilities. Just compare the heating needs of a bungalow with that of a studio apartment.

Another step in minimalism is to buy fresh food weekly. Always buy in bulk so that you’d save more.

Own less furniture, clothing, and appliances, too. This means owning the pieces that are right. Always prioritize quality over quantity.

Buy a laptop that will last a number of years; this has to be a piece that won’t have you worried that it could break down any time. As for clothing, buy the pieces that will also last many years. These are the staple pieces such as a pair of jeans, a few shirts, and a pair of boots.

As for furniture, find the pieces that have multiple uses (e.g. an ottoman that is also a storage unit).

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The Consistent Palette: The Reliable Hues That Designers Simply Love

Monday, May 29th, 2017

The Meritage Collection (FFDM) showcases here the reliable neutral hues beautifully layered in this dining room. 

One of the biggest aspects of design that stylists stick to is the creation of a color scheme that actually makes sense. This palette may be altered slightly as the home takes on a livedin appeal but you will see that the hues throughout the home will always have a close relationship with each other. When this is achieved, then you know that the designer has done everything to harmonize the design elements in your home.

Radiant Scandinavian

Scandinavian or Nordic interiors focus on the essentials. What they offer are functional, simple yet beautiful elements. You will see plenty of sunlight, muted hues, wooden flooring and soft furnishings throughout a Scandinavian home. This is a style that has gained popularity and is showing zero signs of ever slowing down.

If you want to use the Scandinavian style in your home, be ready to embrace white as your fundamental color. This will be your base hue and you will also use it on subtle layers. Be sure to put together these layers so that they achieve a simple and easygoing look.

Say no to clutter then just use a few decorative items to personalize your habitat.

Say No to Schism with Minimalism

Taking the minimalist approach to styling your home is a technique that has been used by many interior designers over the years. This is no surprise since it is a style that is easy to maintain and it shows an uncluttered space.

When you use this approach, bear in mind that styling a home isn’t tantamount to adding stuff. In fact, you can remove clutter and just simplify. A lot of home stylists can work with the stuff that you already have. They can also help you remove items that no longer have any use. From then on, you can just simplify.

You must also be strict with your color palette if you want to live a minimalist lifestyle. Adding a lot of objects and colors is the easiest way to overwhelm your space so stick to the tones from the same color family.

Also, be sure to use simple shapes and lines, none of those geometric and heavy patterns and intricate details. Use plants and art to make the space more interesting.

Anchor the Room with Art

You can use striking black-and-white photographs as a styling element. Think of soft, muted tones or desert landscapes. Such subjects are a wonderful way to amp up the excitement in your home without you spending a lot.

You can buy original art or ask an artistic loved one to paint one on a special canvas.

Jazz Up with Plants

Have you observed that no real estate property is listed without even a slight hint of green plants? Home stylists just love to use indoor plants in brightening up homes. These green living things naturally move something within each one of us. Studies have also proven that plants can increase productivity and creativity.

Choose from succulents, cacti, orchids and peace lilies. There is an indoor plant that will be suitable to your personality as well as your maintenance style.

Matchy-Matchy No More

If there’s anything that you would steer out of, it would be the default design technique of matching design elements. A reliable color palette is neither boring nor matchy-matchy. The use of a limited color palette throughout your home will make it more unified.

Keeping your style more interesting is as easy as adding a different tone as the area differs. The same base color can also be used in every single room with the rest of the design elements taking on a darker or lighter hue.

Just create a flow from one room to the next. Be confident with the color choice that you eventually make as this whole house color scheme will surely work for you.

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Attractive Minimalism: The Beginner’s Roadmap

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

American Leather Living Room Right Arm Chaise MYR-SCH-RA is minimalist with clean and crisp lines.

Being a minimalist is not a way of life for everyone. This is a design that’s meant for people who want to spend less, own less and who want to do less. When you’re contemplating a life of minimalism, then you get on the path to simpler lifestyle. No single practice can make you a minimalist in an instant.  There are those who actually made a dramatic leap to the extreme by giving way most of what they own and moving into an open space home. If you can imagine a life where you just have a sofa, a mattress and a notepad, then hop on to the world of minimalism.

Set a Minimalist Goal

This timeline should be able to define your minimalist life and home. You can’t have a minimalist home without altering your lifestyle. So, does minimalism automatically default to having a minimal amount of objects? Well, yes.

This means that you must learn to declutter the entire home and you must learn to live with less stuff. This also means you have to commit to no longer buy stuff that you don’t need.

There isn’t a single, correct way to being a minimalist. Every person has his or her own definition of what’s fundamental and stress-free. Take the time to define minimalism for yourself. Focus on what you need and what you’re more passionate about. As you do this, you will soon feel that you’re ready to let go of most things that you don’t actually need.

Have a clear goal, one that’s broken down to attainable steps. As much as possible, create alerts on your online calendar. These days, it’s not enough to just write down goals anymore, you have to create an alarm that will nudge you in the right direction.

It’s a Must to Declutter

This is quite obvious but it is also one of the most painful steps in truly achieving a minimalist lifestyle. Begin slow but with real intent. Donate or throw out stuff that you obviously no longer need. Next, hide every little thing that you haven’t used for months to give yourself ample time to decide whether to throw them away or not.

Keep reminding yourself that stripping yourself of things that you don’t need is the right path to a minimalist life. If you can live with just a bed and a laptop in your apartment, then go for it. You are the boss and you get to decide which minimal things give you happiness.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Minimalism also means being able to recycle most of the things that you have. You learn to segregate wastes, buy only things that are organic and use renewable materials only. Educate your home members to recycle so that it becomes a family effort.

If you have been blessed with wooden flooring, do not be pressured to cover it right away with beautiful rugs. Go minimal by showing off the bare look of your wooden floors. If cold toes worry you, then consider installing an electric heating system instead.

Minimalism needs a lot of storage and the Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Swan Room Divider w File Storage fills this need to a T.

The Go-To Furnishings

Couches pretty much are the pieces to own in a living space. If this space is going to be used for lively activities, then you should consider investing in individual chairs. If the space, however, comes with a breathtaking view, then your minimalist setting is the perfect frame for the scenery outside.

A sectional couch can be the go-to piece when you have a large space to fill. You can create a functional space using only a sectional, coffee table, one ottoman and a pair of side tables.

Do you have a rug that’s a star in its own right? Then allow this to be the focal point in your home. Keep the furniture around it all clean and simple.

 

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What Makes a Modern Home?

Thursday, June 16th, 2016

1586-90001-BLK2 The Poet Eight-Drawer Dresser

1586-90001-BLK2 The Poet Eight-Drawer Dresser

Modern design embodies a lot of elements which is why it is not easy to define it. In the most basic terms, though, this is the reflection of modern art movements inside homes. There are different central features and design themes that can be considered modern.

Modern designs were society’s objection and rejection of the ornate styles like Renaissance, Gothic and Victorian. Furnishing designs that you could include are Art Deco, Mission Style, and Shaker.

Modernism Means Clean, Straight Lines

Modern design – since it was designed to become the antithesis of complex themes, heavy textures, wood tones and carvings – is supposed to have nothing but linear designs. If anything geometric is to be placed, then it has to be controlled and scarce.

Modern furniture and other design components include clean lines with no frills. It differs from contemporary design which can include sweeping lines and curves. The lines in modern design are more crisp and sharper.

Materials that you could pair with your furnishings include oversized tiles, sanded wood flooring with minimized grain and smaller shelves and bookcases. The open space layout is most welcome as is the lack of molding and trimming on doors, windows and walls.

Say Hello to Metal

Stainless steel and chrome are two of the biggest elements used in modern design. In fact, a modern home would be less, well, modern in the absence of metallic pieces. Stay away from traditional metals, though, such as wrought iron. Instead, go for the cleaner, most polished metals.

For your home to be considered modern, be sure to use a lot of stainless steel and chrome. Have the exposed chair frames and table legs covered with any of these two metals.

Chrome is also used extensively in other home components such as doorknobs, faucets, lamps, cabinet handles and railings. It is known for its polished beauty and a slightly blue undertone.

Less Is More

Modern homes are also minimalist homes. The basics of being a minimalist are the absence of complex details, less color, and just the right amount of textiles. Even in the absence of a lot of things, it is safe to say that minimalist homes are well-planned homes. They are actually comfortable since all are streamlined for efficiency.

The minimalist and modern approaches share one other great aspect – zero-clutter. Clutter could mean different thing to different people but if you want the modern design, then just retain the essential pieces. This means saying no to pottery, vases, trinkets, and a lot of throw pillows.

Necessities are books, keepsakes and electronics. While these are still needful, they are almost always kept out of sight through proper storage.

Modernism Is Bold

Many homes designed in modern styles make use of neutrals, black and white. Yet this does not mean that you should shun using brighter colors. You can break the monotony created by the neutrals by setting up focal points. The primary colors are often used sparingly.

Hang a colorful wall art, a bold-colored sofa, brightly-colored pillows, or an accent wall.

Modernism, Modern You

In essence, all the things that you see in modern design are the result of modern thinking. Modernists were allergic to excessiveness, too much intellect, and cultural norms. They wanted to push off boundaries with regard to creativity and culture.

The modernists’ movements also included saying no to organized religion and the belief in a god. To them, modern norms had to be created and more suitable norms be instilled, hence, the birth of futurism, cubism, Neo-Dada, Bauhaus, abstract expressionism, and others.

To the world they shouted – Make It New. So, are you ready to apply what you have read?

7067-001CR Wallis 2 Cushion Sofa

7067-001CR Wallis 2 Cushion Sofa

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Minimalism As A Way of Life

Friday, May 6th, 2016

The soft, clean lines of the Century Furniture Bedroom Upholstered Panel Side Wings 849-170W make this piece the perfect set for your minimalist dwelling.

The soft, clean lines of the Century Furniture Bedroom Upholstered Panel Side Wings 849-170W make this piece the perfect set for your minimalist dwelling.

Simplifying one’s life is not an easy task. Not a lot of people would delve into it and would go out of their way to change other people into their simpler way of living. In the process of learning minimalism, though, you will learn that the little changes you make in terms of habits, attitudes, even your environment, can have a huge impact in you as an individual.

Every Little Bit of Happiness

Minimalism can begin with these simple steps –

  • Say goodbye to your TV. You will save hundreds of hours every month if you stop watching TV every day. You will also be less exposed to commercials which only prod you to buy unnecessary stuff.
  • Read stuff online. Instead of accumulating magazines and newspapers, read them online instead. This will save lots of trees and keep your home free from clutter.
  • Keep only the simplest furniture. Say no to bulky, foamed pieces.
  • Remove excessive decor. Also, you can store stuff in cabinets, drawers and shelving units.
  • Always clean up. Daily sweeping is much better than massive weekend cleanups.
  • Get rid of stuff that you no longer need. Keeping things that you no longer have any use for is unnecessary.
  • Organize your clothes inside closets. Do this also with your watches, jewelry, scarves, and bags.
  • Buy clothing that you will really Some people buy clothes in a whim. If you don’t frequent parties, then just buy clothing that you will use at work and at home, plus some.
  • Eliminate bathroom clutter by buying multipurpose products (shampoo and conditioner in one, moisturizer with sunscreen, etc.).
  • Keep the leftovers so you can cook a different dish using it next time. Properly plan your meals and as much as you can, cook in batches.
  • Throw any gadgets that no longer have any purpose to you or your work.
  • The countertops should be kept clutter-free. Cooking food becomes a lot easier if everything is in its proper place.
  • Use the printer as little as possible. Digitize your work instead.
  • As much as you are advised to store your clothes, gadgets, jewelry and other stuff inside cabinets, you can also apply this to your files. Use an external hard drive or cloud storage for all your files.
  • Know that perfection does not exist so learn to accept things that are good enough. You can never have a pristine home all the time; having a tidy one should be good enough.
BLOG 8. Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424 is a home office piece that you cannot do without.

BLOG 8. Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424 is a home office piece that you cannot do without.

Minimalist Furniture

What makes a minimalist setting stand out despite its absence of frills and bulky stuff is its simple elegance. The creation of a minimalist space is not difficult. All that it requires is knowledge in balancing certain interior design ingredients.

A Good Command of Harmony

A space that does not have too many items in it requires stricter design rules. You have to be more careful of elements such as proportion, balance and harmony. The furniture that you choose should be in proportion with the rest of the room’s contents. This means that no single thing in a room should be too big or too small.

Quality First

Minimalism speaks of quality before quantity so invest in high quality furniture, lighting and accessories. Look for unique finds and take time to shop around. Plan every piece that you will include in your home. It could be as little as the frame of an artwork or the richness of the fabrics.

Calming Palette

There are, of course, minimal spaces that showed color but, as a whole, if you would review the concept of minimalism, it should be simple and down-to-earth. As much as you can, stick to neutrals and calming hues. Any color that depicts the beauty of nature is highly recommended.

The Winners Only Bar and Game Room Black Cushioned Barstool DDT245024E eats up just a portion of your dining or kitchen space.

The Winners Only Bar and Game Room Black Cushioned Barstool DDT245024E eats up just a portion of your dining or kitchen space.

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