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Decorating in many shades of gray adds layered elegance.

9/4/2015

Gray is a versatile and sensuous color to include in your home decor.

Gray is a very flexible interior design color because it comes in so many variations; in fact, there are probably at least fifty shades of gray!

People most often use gray as a neutral, instead of beige, white or cream. You can go cool or warm, depending on the version of gray you select. There are so many shades, and very few of them are simply a mix of black and white. Usually gray includes tones of blue, pink, green, yellow or other colors.

Gray can come in varying intensities too, from the lightest dove gray to dark steel gray. And don’t just think of gray as a solid, smooth color when you use it in design. Part of the beauty of gray is in its texture; think wood grain in flooring and furniture, texture in tweed or silk fabrics, and matte or lacquer finish in paint.

Gray is subtle and goes well with a lot of colors, letting the other hues get all the attention. Think French blue, pink, gold, black, brown and white for accent colors. For the most part, gray is a peaceful color that adds serenity to an interior environment. However, gray can be edgy and avant garde, like when it’s used for concrete flooring or counter-tops.

Many elements in your home lend themselves to gray as a neutral. These include:

Wall paint
Tile and stone
Upholstery fabric
Window coverings
Rugs and carpeting

As an accent color, use gray for throw pillows, table linens, lamps, artwork, bed coverings and more.

Thinking of going gray in your home? Give us a call. We can help.

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Decorating with less will give you more! A more beautiful interior, that is.

9/4/2015

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That's the philosophy of a minimalist decorating style.

Minimalism is a streamlined and organized look that makes you feel calm and relaxed. But don’t worry; a minimalist interior isn’t entirely bare! It still includes beautiful furniture, flooring, window fashions and artwork. Within the idea of minimalism, there are lots of choices of your look too, from beachy vibe to Asian zen to high-style sophisticated.

Some people think the best thing about minimalist décor is that you have to get rid of the clutter! That’s why cabinets, closets and other out-of-sight storage are key. And minimalist décor is easier to clean since there are fewer elements to dust, mop and vacuum.

Minimalist colors are usually muted and monochromatic. White is the most common color for minimalism, but you can also use soft earth tones like beige, taupe, tan and gray. In minimalism, a variation in texture usually takes the place of a variation in color.

Use these tips to create a minimalist style in your home:

Make one element the focal point in a room, then the other pieces can support it.
Have mostly clear surfaces, with very few, well-selected décor items atop tables and floors, such as one sculpture or one vase of flowers or one photo of your family.
Hang a limited number of pieces of artwork on walls. Leave some walls without artwork, and the art you have will stand out even more.
Almost always use solid colors, not patterns. Then use textures to create the visual interest in a room.
Use calming colors for furniture, flooring, window coverings and bed linens.
Start by making just one room in your house minimalist and simple to make sure you like the minimalist style.

Make your home more peaceful by following a minimalist design strategy.

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Decorating in many shades of gray adds layered elegance.

Decorating with less will give you more! A more beautiful interior, that is.

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