Love it or Leave it | Painted Wood Floors

I often see photos of painted floors in blogs, magazines and on Pinterest. However, this is not something that I see often in person and as an Interior Designer. That has a lot to do with the Denver & Boulder Colorado markets in which I work. Many of my clients live in newer homes with new or nearly new wood floors. Painting them seems like blasphemy. Another group of clients lives in older pockets of Denver, with wonderful homes including bungalows, 1930's Tudors, and Mid-Century Modern. In these homes we are working to strike a balance between preserving original detail and modernizing the homes for life in this century. Often the floors are original to the home and again off limits to paint. But I am curious about your thoughts on painting wood floors: do you love it or would you leave it?

 

Cecconi's in London via Studioilse.

 

A simple, solid painted floor, via Bradbourne Farm.

 

A faux mosaic tile design painted on to a floor, via Henry Donovan Motif.

 

This paint pattern looks like a rug in this hallway. Via Curbly.

 

A stencil design over a distressed floor makes a dramatic statement. Via Designspiration.

 

A classic tile pattern painted onto a kitchen floor. Via Hello Tiger. 

I want to know what you think. Would you paint your wood floors? Do you love it or would you leave it? Have you painted wood floors before? Please share your photos with us here or on Facebook.

And please chime in on our other Love it or Leave it discussions:

• Black Walls
• One Pattern Everywhere
• Red Patterned Bedroom
• Animal Inspired Area Rugs
• Exposed Furniture

Or, check out the opposite of this post with Painted Ceilings.

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

Banquettes | The Built-ins

Last week I wrote about using sofas, loveseats, settees and benches as banquettes. This week I pay homage to the built-in banquettes. Enjoy!

I'll start with 2 photos from Candice Olson. This dramatic red velvet tufted banquette that goes right up to the ceiling is the banquette that started my obsession. I have a wall that would be PERFECT for such a grand statement. It's the dining room and the first wall you see when entering our home - the place to make a statement.

 

Alas, The wall has multiple light switches and an air-intake that make reconfiguring electrical and HVAC for such a built-in banquette very costly. I've repaired my broken heart and now I'm searching for the perfect sofa, loveseat or settee per last week's banquette post. Still, I enjoy and envy the built-in banquette. I hope you enjoy this collection and find inspiration for your own home!

 

Candice Olson

 

source unknown

 

via Houzz

 

via House of Turquoise

 

via Luxe & Lillies

 

via HGTV

 

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

 

via Tell Your Interior Designer

For more banquette inspiration, check out these posts:

• Banquettes
• An Ode to Banquettes

Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I’m jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.

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

Banquettes

As I've mentioned before - I love banquettes. There is something inherently glamorous about a banquette. Or perhaps it's because I imagine a dinner party of my friends piling onto a big banquette in my dining room. I can't quite put my finger on the source of this love, but it's there. Oh, it's there.

Banquettes are often thought of as built-in, such as this dramatic gem of a dining room via Toby Fairly. These built-ins can be a great solution to a tricky area.

However, the look and feel of a banquette can be easily achieved by pulling a sofa, loveseat, settee or bench up to your table, without the expense and construction mess of a custom built-in. Allow me to explain... visually.

 

A sofa fits perfectly between cabinets in a kitchen nook. via House Beautiful, February 2012 issue.

 

Another perfectly sized sofa. This one features a beautifully shaped back and another favorite: nailheads. Source unknown.

 

A very simple sofa becomes more interesting as a banquette. Source unknown.

 

This dramatic settee makes a big statement in this otherwise understated dining room. source unknown.

 

A punch of pink pattern brightens up this kitchen with the sofa turned banquette. Source unknown.

 

This clever Kitchen design features an armless sofa as banquette with a table where many others would have used bar stools. I love the originality and out of the box thinking! Source unknown.

 

An elegant sofa creates a contrast to the more rustic dining table in this interior design. The effect is stunning. via Four Walls and a Roof.

 

The Interior Designer of this hotel went big and bold. This space features a large, curvy hot pink sofa as banquette. Wow. via Ohmygosh! Design.

 

A beautiful curved sofa in a glamorous dining room, via Elle Decor

I wanted to add a built-in banquette to my dining room. However, the location of light switches and the air-intake vent make that project well beyond my budget. No problem - I now have my eye on a settee that I want to include. Stay tuned for more!

Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I'm jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.
Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Salvaged Driftwood Decor | Guest Post

Hi! I’m Joanna, a writer with Arcadian Lighting, a go-to source for all things lighting, including awesome light fixtures. I love my job, but to be honest it doesn’t seem like work at all. I spend my days searching the web for lovely interiors and terrific decorating ideas to share with blog readers like you. Thank you Tennille for allowing me to share today.

With grey being one of the dominant colors in interiors going into 2012, it’s no wonder we are seeing weathered salvaged woods, like driftwood, popping up in rooms everywhere. From farmhouse to loft, woods are light, rough and unfinished. Tables are perhaps the most popular pieces being made from driftwood, but there are many ways to incorporate it into the home. A driftwood table lamp anyone? Here are a few ideas I found from around the Internet. Which is your favorite?



This seaside cottage features a remarkable driftwood coffee table which goes nicely with the room’s style.



Three starburst framed mirrors are made from small pieces of driftwood. This would make an easy DIY project if you are fortunate to live in close proximity of the beach.



A small end table of driftwood and metal goes well with the rustic elements of this screened porch.



Rustic driftwood shelves make a nice place for showing off a vignette of books, candles and a jar of seashells.



This unexpected lighting fixture, tall driftwood floor lamp, creates a can’t miss focal point in an eclectic living room.



Small pieces of reclaimed wood are joined together to create an unusual flower vase. This would make a lovely centerpiece used in multiples down a long dining table.



A cottage bathroom gets its own touch of driftwood on the framed mirror. The contrast between the patinaed wood and the rich marble below works well.



This isn’t driftwood but you can see the many possibilities of using driftwood and other reclaimed wood around the house. I love that handcrafted hanging lantern. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Accentuate your beautiful driftwood decor with pendant lights and beautiful lamps!
Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

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