Homeowners have probably wondered what the best decorating ideas were for their abodes since the days of the cavemen and cavewomen. Consider, after all, the cave paintings! But we at Alair Homes know that modern homeowners have such a bewildering amount of options that it can lead to something like paralysis. But here are a few decorating ideas that are always timeless and chic.
Indeed, Make It Timeless
Well-built, classical pieces of furniture never really go out of style. The trick is to mix up period styles in ways that allow them to complement each other. For example, a living room may have a pair of Louis XV bergeres, a 1920s davenport with a biscuit-tufted back and a skirted love seat from the same period combined with a modern coffee table made of a single piece of plexiglas, Parsons style end tables each holding one of a pair of modern, mercury glass lamps. Above everything hangs an old-fashioned Maria Theresa chandelier. Artwork can include an abstract painting above the davenport and a smaller, Impressionistic piece in a classic golden frame near the room entrance.
Display What Is Loved
These can be true antiques like Victorian porcelain boxes arranged on a mirrored tray, a collection of shells in an urn, or photographs of family, friends or loved places arranged on the wall beside a staircase. A wall in a room can be a place for a collection of mirrors of different sizes and different eras, and a mantel can be a place to show off pretty jugs and ceramic teapots.
Choose Colors and Textures Well
Many decorators do up a room in a dominant color and place dabs of a complementary color in strategic spots that draw the eye. The same is true with textures. A cushy pair of armchairs upholstered in soft blue cotton are contrasted with the color and textures of the beige colored jute wallpaper and ecru colored gauze curtains.
Tailor the Room
A tailored room appears to be one arranged and decorated according to some golden mean, which makes it automatically pleasing to the eye. Textures, colors and even the dimensions of the room can help a homeowner decide whether that room should be traditional or contemporary.