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12 Extreme Interior Designs
Their over-the-top moves may prompt disbelief, but these rooms will never go unnoticed. See how their risks can work in your home
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
"You have to risk going too far to discover just how far you can really go.” — T.S. Eliot
When it comes to home décor, this sentiment certainly rings true. Going large scale at home can be very intimidating. However, you will never know if it will work if you don't take a risk. The benefit of making a big bold design move is that your space will thrill and amaze. The potential pitfall of going too far is that you may have to pay a little extra for demolition or an extra gallon of Kilz. At least you'll know where the line is for future reference.
Here's a look at some brazen designs; in each example one fearless big move created a room that wows.
When it comes to home décor, this sentiment certainly rings true. Going large scale at home can be very intimidating. However, you will never know if it will work if you don't take a risk. The benefit of making a big bold design move is that your space will thrill and amaze. The potential pitfall of going too far is that you may have to pay a little extra for demolition or an extra gallon of Kilz. At least you'll know where the line is for future reference.
Here's a look at some brazen designs; in each example one fearless big move created a room that wows.
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| An over-the-floor and up-to-the-ceiling tribal design makes using this powder room a unique experience. It even camouflages the commode. A powder room is the perfect spot for making a bold statement; it's closed off from the rest of the house and can be a fun surprise. |
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by Charline Lancel
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| Belgian artist Charline Lancel creates large-scale artwork that commands attention and makes us take a second, third and fourth look. This particular piece uses the Diasec process; the artwork is bonded to Plexiglas. |
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| An accent wall of log slices provides a cabin feel in a contemporary way, giving this sleek media room a big dose of rustic flavor. |
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Overscale fixtures can help create rooms within an open space. This massive ring of lights hangs from the ceiling like a giant wagon wheel. Note how the large scale of the fixture helps define the lounging area within the vast, open floor plan.
Slabs of stone are no longer just for counters. These gigantic pieces have gone vertical, creating stunning walls that wow.
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Another way to go large scale is to zoom in; a closeup of a sunflower is the focal point of this powder room. The fact that the walls, ceiling and floor are all covered in the same tile makes the sunflower stand out even more.
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When in comes to large collections, keeping things uncluttered is all in the composition. This room displays a slew of vintage radios in an interesting yet orderly way. The streamlined shelves and spacing keep it from looking like a hodgepodge.
| This wraparound wall mural is a sports enthusiast's dream. Using a black and white image as well as breaking it up into slats keeps things stylish and contemporary. |
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by angela adams
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| Going big is not limited to the walls. A bold rug design grabs attention in this room and becomes a work of art. |
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| Think beyond expected proportions when you want to add excitement to a room. For example, floor-to-ceiling headboards draw the eye way up in this bedroom. Bonus: Closet storage can lie behind the headboards. |
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Using a child as a scale model makes this oversize door look even larger than it is, but even so, this is one tall entrance. A door this size takes full advantage of the beautiful grain patterns. It needed to be this big for the pattern to hold its own against the uniform wooden planks around the rest of the home's facade.
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Giant leaves provide whimsical seating in this charming garden.
Tell us: Have you made a brazen move in your home? Please share it with us in the Comments section.
More:
Design Leaps of Faith
Make a Big Statement with Oversized Art
Bright Light, Big Lantern
Tell us: Have you made a brazen move in your home? Please share it with us in the Comments section.
More:
Design Leaps of Faith
Make a Big Statement with Oversized Art
Bright Light, Big Lantern
Comments
angela adams Great book, Becky! We love seeing those "push the envelope" moves in design. Thanks for including the Jilly rug.
15 months ago · Like
PrintedArt Fine Art Photography Collection Most of these are a bit too bold to imagine living in them. However, the two bathrooms look great - in a restaurant kind of way, rather than a living space ;-)
15 months ago · Like
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Casart Coverings Fabulous examples. Of course I like them all as wall statements. How cool would it be to replicate some of these ideas on removable wallcovering; this way they could be changed out with other ideas and even reused. Thinking outside the box, here's a full wall of faux glass mosaic tile -- wallcovering that is! Not so much extreme as unexpected. 
14 months ago · Like
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zuitzy ...and I thought I was being bold by painting my bathroom the color of dark chocolate!
14 months ago · Like
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Malachai Johns I would live in any of them other than the zebra. I like zebra, but that's too much imo.
14 months ago · Like
artisticbiologist This is a great ideabook. I have some extreme design in my home. I really like free flowing colorful design. Well actually I love it, but I guess for some it would be too much, but I am very comfortable living in it. When you walk into my house, the first thing you will see is my staircase. 
14 months ago · Like
Agnamaj It's My way :)
14 months ago · Like
plaidpony not for me, i i enjoy the creativity
14 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 11, 2012.
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