Love it or Leave it | Black Walls

Black - the darkest of dark colors. In many cases it's a staple - a stable and safe bet. In other applications it's bold and daring. Would you paint your walls black? Would you dare cover the largest surface in any room in black? Black walls - do you love it or would you leave it?

Let me know your thoughts - love it or leave it?

Maybe black is just too much for you, or not your color. Check out my previous post Interior Design Trends: Dark Blue Walls. It's lovely.

Timeless Floral Decorations for a Modern Home

Choosing the right floral decorations will add the perfect ambiance to a modern home, and can turn any room from ordinary to extraordinary. Bring pictures of each room in your home with you to the florist. The visualization of each room will help a person and the florist order flowers in the shapes and colors that will accentuate a special space and style. While the florist is busy designing a floral masterpiece, a person no longer has to wait around until it is created. Most will choose to have their flowers delivered, a convenience that is very much appreciated in these busy times.

Modern Home Flowers and Design Choices

Elegant flower choices like orchids, gerber daisies, bird of paradise, and calla lilies will beautifully compliment a modern aesthetic. Choose vases and containers with sleek, clean lines. Bold metal containers will add drama and sophistication to a flower creation. Once a person selects the perfect flowers and container, the arrangement should be displayed so that it becomes the focal point of the room. If the interior colors are white or tan, choose florals or containers in bold, dramatic colors. An interior decorated in bold colors would look beautiful accented with light or pastel colored florals.

Floral Decorating Ideas for Modern Interiors

Place a line of bold, square vases across a fireplace mantle or at the center of a long table. Fill each vase with clear marbles and water, then add a single flower to each vase. Calla lilies are a great choice for single flower arrangements. This timeless floral design will add warmth to a modern design, while complimenting the style and decor of the room.



A bird of paradise flower arrangement in a bold metal container will add a dramatic look to an entryway in a modern interior, and it is a great way to welcome guest as they enter the home. If the entryway is large enough, place a bird of paradise floral decoration on each side of the front door for a bolder, eye-catching look.



Beautify a bathroom by placing a small square vase on the sink or at the top, center of the tank. Cut the stems short so that the flower heads hit just above the vase. Tie a bow matching the flowers around the center of the vase. Add a drop of potpourri oil to the arrangement water. This is a natural and unique way to add a lovely aroma to a bathroom.



Fruits mixed with flowers is a floral design that would beautifully compliment a dining room or kitchen in modern home design. Place a flat bowl or basket filled with fruit on a table or counter. Lay flowers on and throughout the fruit for a bold, stunning look. Another design option is to have the flowers placed at the center of the flat container, then frame the florals with the fruit pieces.



Every room has an awkward space or small corner that needs that little something. A tall vase with a dramatic floral arrangement would be the perfect decor choice. Choose vibrant colored flowers placed in a clear vase, or select a colored vase with ivory or soft colored flowers to make the space pop.



A candle centerpiece is another floral decoration that would beautify any room with modern decor. Place some moss inside a large flower pot. Place a trio of pillar candles in the center of the moss, then make a border with roses around the edges of the pot. This floral decoration looks stunning on a fireplace, entertainment center, or a corner in the room that needs a decorative touch.

About the Author

Patricia Hall works part-time for a florist and flower delivery but loves to surround herself with flowers at any given point of time. Even in her free time she loves to involve herself with everything flora and fauna.
'To me there is nothing more beautiful and global as the language of flowers - it is the easiest to understand all around the world in the same way. That is one reason why I truly admire flowers for what they represent in some ways - unity of all mankind!'

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Modern Take on the Barn Door Look

 

I recently completed this project and am so pleased with the results. It's unlike most Beautiful Habitat projects that I feature here in that it is a design for my own home. This makes it part Beautiful Habitat "work" and part DIY project. To be fair, The design was all me, the build was all my husband. I'm so happy that he's handy!

First, let's define the goals of the project.

1. We are incredibly blessed to live with dedicated open space behind our home. Privacy is not an issue, and we also have great views. Therefore, we want something that can provide some privacy, light and heat control, but still provide some visibility.
2. We have a more modern or urban aesthetic, yet lifestyle of the suburbs. We enjoy creating ways to urbanize our suburban home.
3. Both as an Interior Designer, but also as an individual, I am drawn to unique things and I especially wanted an original and creative way to treat the standard sliding glass door.

The Project:
The first and most important step is always a good design plan. This included a number of sketches to work out the design and the measurements. The door had to be large enough to completely cover the sliding door and window above, 6' W x 8' H.

One of the longest parts of the process was staining the boards, particularly because a bitter cold front moved through Colorado, forcing me to move the staining into the basement... We also went with a 2 step staining to get the warmth and aged-look we wanted.

Next came the layout and actual build.

The door is done! Now time to get it hung...

Hardware

We chose hardware from a company called Real Sliding Door Hardware.

We made the door handle from pieces of plumbing pipe found at any hardware store.

1. It followed the urban and industrial aesthetic that we wanted
2. Because the door is 6'x8', the handle needed to be substantial to feel balanced with the door size. Finding a substantial handle is difficult. Finding one that doesn't cost a fortune is nearly impossible.

On to hanging... This was the most stressful part of the project!

 

Once the hardware was up, it was time to stain again. Why didn't I stain this with the other boards? The cold Colorado weather prevented me from staining in the garage. The 12' L of this board prevented it from going down to the basement. Therefore, staining in place was the best option.

Modern Barn Door Is Complete and hung!!

 

Above, the door is closed.

 

And a view with the door open.

 

And partially open. Maximum functionality here!

I hope you've been inspired to think out of the box in your home! What project would you like to try?

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com