LIGHTING This diagram shows a couple of basic styles. The first is a chandelier with exposed bulbs that often put a glare in people’s faces, shadows on the table and bright spots on the ceiling. The second chandelier has uplights with frosted shades that can help to diffuse light and limit glare, though the table below may still be too dark. The third chandelier features downlights that are well-suited for providing soft light on people’s faces and pushing light down to the table below.
Don’t feel as if you need to go all-out on porch decor to get a fall lift. With just one element or two — such as a bright pumpkin on the porch or a wreath on the door — you can get a boost of color and seasonal cheer. If you’re tight on time, look for colorful elements that can bridge fall and winter.
When it gets darker earlier in the evening, a well-lit porch can make a big difference in boosting your mood and your home’s curb appeal. In updating your exterior lighting, think about including multiple light sources: wall sconces paired with pendant lights or recessed ceiling lights. Choose bold fixture designs that look good — even when unlit — and match your home’s architecture.
These playful poufs would undoubtably be a conversation-starter at any backyard party. Since faux turf is manufactured for outdoor use, it can stand up to exposure to the elements far better than most outdoor fabrics. Pick up a roll from your local home improvement store and cover outdoor cushions or ottomans for an unexpected accent.
In this room, the recycled midcentury screen block offers the benefit of shade against the solid glass window opening. The shapes of the decorative concrete block add style and flair to the room’s overall design scheme, with a geometric pattern that not only embellishes the window but makes gorgeous
Located just off the rear patio and swimming pool of a home in Palm Springs, California, this is another great example of screen block being used as a privacy wall, in this case to create semi-privacy for an outdoor shower. Screen block is a great option since the masonry will not rot or decay from the moisture of the shower.
These screen block-enclosed patios, located off the kitchen and master bedroom of this home, create an element of drama in these outdoor spaces. With the lights on at night, backlighting enhances the dramatic effect of the screen block. The blocks also divide the patio into two separate spaces, making personal niches out of what might otherwise be one large patio.
Dividing the carport from the courtyard patio, this dark, painted screen block adds a graphic flair in addition to providing security for the enclosed courtyard. Paint can personalize your decorative concrete block installation.
SCREEN BLOCK - This installation shows breeze block inset into a stucco wall, which allows light and air to circulate throughout the outdoor space while providing privacy from the neighbors. And by integrating the graphic, geometric-patterned block into the stucco wall, the block not only provides ventilation, it also adds a lot of style.
Love the old brick pillar / chimney uncovered
Here a salvaged window makes for a creative and interesting way to display a series of botanical prints.
Adhering wallpaper to just a portion of the wall can be a fun way to add interest to your room. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is widely available, so if you choose this type, changing the pattern in the future would require relatively little effort compared with the traditional method of pasting on wallpaper.
With the many creative designs on the market, a large piece of wallpaper treated like a piece of art can make for interesting wall decor. The beautiful design shown in this photo is mounted on a board and framed.
Lovely surrounds !
Black paneling makes a dramatic statement in this bedroom
Sometimes the new wood paneling looks a lot like the old wood paneling: in fact, this house from "My Scandinavian Home" was built in 1955, so this paneling isn't new at all. But what sets it apart from other old examples of wood paneling is the high quality of the wood, and the attention to detail: the subtle grooves between each piece accent the wood's natural texture.
This paneling looks like something you might see in an old English manor house, but it's lovely in a modern space. (I can also see this looking really nice in a dark grey or black.)
I love the paneling in this space which has a layer of thin wood strips that add texture and interest to the space.
LOL, a darts board used for storage, how clever !
Fun !
This staircase features a wood strip down the center of the staircase, with white painted on both sides of the staircase as well as the bottom riser. The paint job creates an effect of a natural wood runner making its way down the stairs. It’s a clever idea that has some humor to it — since runners are typically made from textiles, a wood stair runner would be an unexpected feature indeed.
Lovely idea. Use at Tee if / when I eventually get to whitewash ALL that wood...
The handrails also have built-in LED lighting. When it’s dark outside, it softly illuminates the space.
Let stairs float.
Maps can be as beautiful as any work of art, especially when blown up large enough to appreciate the details. When picking a map wallpaper, consider choosing a place that holds special meaning for you, whether that’s somewhere you spent time — or a place you long to visit one day.
If you want to make a statement with wallpaper, a wonderful place to do it is in the powder room — the small space gives you a lot of freedom to play with bold designs. Case in point: this deep blue gondola scene, punctuated by glowing orange lanterns.
The dramatic, windblown clouds in this wallpaper from Cole & Son would make a fitting choice for a mudroom (or wherever you welcome guests in from the cold). And although this wallpaper is finely detailed, the subtle shades of gray make it understated enough to work in a larger space, like the dining room shown here.
WALLPAPER The ‘Woods’ pattern from Cole & Son has become something of a modern classic. In this new twist on a favorite design, golden pears hang from the black-and-white tree branches for a fairy-tale touch. Try out this pattern in a guest room or den.
Designer Tracey Stephens was tasked with creating a retro-style kitchen, but the requirements of the technology age were not lost on the design. The kitchen includes a drawer with a built-in charger, complete with regular and USB outlets.
The stacked brick tile is traditional, while the proportions, color and polished finish are unexpected.
Sliding barn doors !
This home features a narrow light well that spans two stories. Hanging pots filled with exuberant foliage make what could have been a bare space a multilevel living plant display, which can be enjoyed from the dining room, living room and upstairs home office.
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