We might at first consider a black and white décor scheme to be bland, cold, boring and rather depressing. If done incorrectly, this is precisely what the result will be. Thankfully, under Celerie Kemble’s guidance throughout this 256 page book, you’ll be introduced to the world of successful black and white décor as done by Interior Designers worldwide. You’ll see, via a multitude of exciting photographs from well-known people’s homes, just how this combination of light and dark can be rendered so as to produce some outstanding looking interiors ranging from bedrooms and bathrooms to living rooms and kitchens.

If you know famous decorating names such as Bunny Williams, Thomas O’Brien, Mary McDonald, Victoria Hagan, Mark Hampton, Delphine Krakoff, Brad Ford and Philip Gorrivan, to name but a few, then you will be intrigued to see their black and white design schemes presented within this book. Over 350 photos of interior spaces are presented throughout the book’s pages together with Kemble’s witty observations and expert advice on how to choose the best paints, accessories, patterns and putting it all together to form a coherent and visual exciting interior theme.

There are so many things in nature and the world around us that combine black and white to some degree or another that inspiration is not actually that difficult to come across if we keep our eyes open. You’ve no doubt thought how beautiful a zebra is or a black and white cat. The contrast between a snow covered fields with the black silhouettes of leafless trees in the background has often taken my breath away with the intricate and emotional beauty. Then there are the old black and white movies of yesteryear that we all still enjoy as well as old photographs in the attic of our ancestors from a century ago. All of these elements can provide some decorative inspiration for a modern interior design scheme and this is precisely what Kemble offers, plus much, much more.

Of course, a black and white themed room doesn’t have to be entirely colorless. Small colourful accents can really complete an interior of this type and again, ideas and suggestions for these are also included within the book.

Buy the book here: Black and White (and a Bit in Between) by Celerie Kemble

Hardcover: 256 pages.

The residential home is set in the oldest part of Jaffa above the ancient harbour and looks out across the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Although the buildings exact age is unknown it is estimated to be a few hundred years old. Originally in an increasingly dilapidated condition, the home was refurbished and designed to make it a highly attractive and appealing location for anyone to move into.

The potential was always there, with the rustic charm, the ancient and culturally rich surroundings plus of course the absolutely stunning sea view. The central aim of the redesign project was to restore the building’s interior to its original self as much as possible whilst also incorporating certain contemporary features and styles. A combination of the old and the new was then successfully achieved.

The old city of Jaffa is now part of the city of Tel Aviv and lies just south of Israel’s second most populous city. It was therefore known that it would be a highly popular locale for people working in the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The architects behind the project removed many of the interior walls to reveal the original beautiful sandstone brick columns.

An urban loft style environment has been gained by the incorporation of modern kitchen fittings, stainless steel furniture and the open-plan space gained from the removal of walls. The modern is seen in the additions whilst the old is reintroduced by the simple re-exposure of the original interior architecture. It works tremendously well.

One of the bedrooms features a transparent glass cylinder shower whilst the bedroom leads out onto an outdoor terrace. The sun rarely fails to shine in this part of the world and so the opening up of the space to daylight ensures a bright and cheerful interior.

The architects behind the project: Pitsou Kedem Architects.
All photographs belong to Amit Geron. (reproduced with permission)
Design team: Pitsou Kedem, Raz Melamed, Irene Goldberg.

However, there are a few simple steps to take to find the perfect décor scheme for an individual room or your entire home. The first thing to do is to relax and not to panic. Making rash decisions based on anxiety or excitement can lead to designs one later regrets and that cost too much money. The following is a guide to bear in mind when selecting the interior décor theme and style for any room you need to redesign.

1. Brainstorm any and all ideas that have been floating around in your mind since you decided upon the decorating endeavour. Jot them down in any form you so wish, perhaps in diagram form or purely in a regular shopping-list format. No matter how silly the ideas might sound, write them down. Something will jump out at you as being perfect for the interior you are designing.

2. Explore the surrounding region where you live or alternatively, take a vacation. The point behind this is to gain ideas from elsewhere other than in your street. A hiking holiday in the country where you stay in log cabins can fill you will a whole host of tremendous décor possibilities and none of them need to be linked to frontier design. The same goes for beach, city, cruise and desert breaks.

3. Deciding upon a financial budget for your decorating can be of great help when it comes to making creative decisions. By setting yourself a limit, you can either tick or strike off some of the more imaginative and unique ideas you might have come up with. If you’re budget is small, then you’ll know more simple concepts will be needed whilst is money is not an issue at all, then more ornate, complex and/or wild décor schemes will be applicable.

4. Talk to friends and family about your ideas and ask them what they think will look great in your home. Frequently, a close and trusted friend will see something in your interests, tastes and hobbies that would make an excellent décor scheme, and which you might have missed in your brainstorming session.

5. Browse through interior décor magazines, both online and in print. Watch programs on television related to home improvement and design. Find local furniture stores in your area and have a good look around. Next time you watch a movie, study in more detail the set designs the characters are found in. Just by being more aware when watching television, you can find some great inspiration for your home.

By following these tips you can discover the perfect décor theme for your personality and style. There are thousands of possibilities when it comes to designing a room and the sheer number of options can be daunting. That said, if you select the scheme in a relaxed manner with an eye on the budget and the main use of the room being designed, you will come up with the perfect design for you and your family.

Color

Using colors inspired by your travel destination of choice is an easy, affordable way to bring the essence of that place into your home. For example, if you want to transform your home into the breathtaking Greek island of Santorini, choose a base palette of white and add a small pop of bright color here and there like aqua blue, orange, pink and mustard yellow. If Provence, France is your ultimate destination, think of green, sunflower yellow and beautiful lavender or purple shades. You can add bold swathes of color on walls, doors and ceilings, or for a less permanent result, use textiles like pillows, blankets, rugs and window treatments with your color scheme in mind.

(photo courtesy of Home for the Better)

Details

If you have any mementos from your trip that remind you of being there, highlight them in your home. If you want to transform your living space into an English cottage, display that lovely, antique porcelain tea set you bought from London’s Portobello Road. Keep vases of fresh flowers about and create a cozy, slightly haphazard environment with artfully cluttered surfaces, filled with some of your favorite things like books, figurines, and framed photos. If an Asian-style home appeals to you, create a minimalist environment with clean, sleek surfaces and use bamboo as a natural element. You will be surprised to see how much you already have to work with, and many decorating accessories can be found inexpensively or for free, such as seashells.

(photo courtesy of Design Shoot)

The Big Picture

Sometimes a large piece of furniture can really help solidify your travel-inspired decorating theme. You can find great French, English or Pennsylvania Dutch furniture at estate sales, garage sales and antique stores for a fraction of the price – just watch the television show Antiques Roadshow and see the bargains. You can also purchase reproductions that are in the style of, say a Chippendale chest of drawers, and only experts would know the difference. Highly polished lacquered pieces are perfect for Asian-inspired homes, while light, almost sun-bleached, wood tones are very suitable in Scandinavian or beach-style interiors.

Heather Johnson writes for HoneymoonDestinations.org, the best honeymoon research and planning website. Discover some great honeymoon ideas today!

The bathroom fixtures presented in this fabulous horde by Hayon include toilets, sinks, bathtubs, faucets, shower enclosures, mirrors, lamps, storage units as well as other small accessories found in the bathroom setting. Each one has a decidedly Art Deco and retro look to them and can be found in a mixture of black and white plus various material tones. These consist of marble, ceramic, chromed steel and aluminum copper finishes. The slightly feminine forms merge classical Art Deco with the simplicity of Scandinavian décor to form the aesthetically rewarding collection seen in the pictures.

For more information and pictures visit the Bisazza Mosaic Company.

H/T: Trendir.

Winter is when the earth rests and gets prepared to sustain life for another year. The winter is a time for introspection. A time to heal the sunburns of the summer and take it a little bit easier. it gives you a chance to be alone with yourself and get your life back on a more harmonious keel. Incorporating a few ideas from the art of Feng Shui into your winter décor will help you to get centered.

1. Light – the use of lights in varied colors in different areas of the house can break up the monotony of. A lot of people suffer from seasonal effectiveness disorder and having full-spectrum lights can help to energize you on those days you are feeling especially lethargic. Put this light in a the room wher e you spend the bulk of your time. Another thing to break up the bleakness of the indoor scene is using different light sources. Open the curtains to allow in natural sunlight use the lamps instead of the overhead. Little thing like this can help you stave off bouts of depression.

2. Make a comfortable get-away for yourself an area that is all yours. Make it cozy with a large chair some warm earthy pillows and throws. Throw in a comfortable footstool and overhead reading lamp. Let everyone know that this is your space by adding your personal items to it. Being cooped up with the kids all winter will make you crazy. Make this a spot that is off limits for the period of time you need to get centered and refreshed.

3. Smells stimulate the senses you can use the smells of other seasons to bring you out of the blahs. Or better yet nothing smells better or brightens up a cold winter day like homemade soup. If you have a fireplace lithe it from time. Look around your space to see just what may be out of balance. Using the fireplace as the focal point rearrange the furniture to give the room a better flow and see if that doesn’t hit your reset button.

Amy enjoys writing about feng shui home décor. She is an avid water fountains designer and enjoys created calm and relaxing indoor spaces. To learn more about Amy’s most recently designed bamboo fountain collection, please visit her indoor fountains store.

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The book ‘Country Living Merry & Bright‘ contains 301 splendid and enchanting ideas for decorating during one of the most magical and meaningful seasons of the year. Whether religious or more secular in tone, you’ll find a wide range of possibilities that will match your particular style and requirements. Included are ideas for tree-toppers and tree ornaments as well as wreaths and garlands to adorn various objects such as beds and doorknobs.

There are also wonderful possibilities when it comes to being creative with your hands. Why not make your own paper dolls and Christmas decor? You’ll find ideas within. Then there are the much loved Santa figurines which are particularly popular with small children and will be a requirement inside many family households. Along with the Santas are other imaginative decorative elements which can be placed on mantelpieces and tabletops. The book even mentions a few recipes and dazzling tableware to complete the special seasonal setting.

You can buy this book here: Country Living Merry & Bright: 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas.

Price: $13.57

The Novogratz duo have been designing and decorating homes for over a decade and their unique style has found wide and positive acclaim. This book is the result of years of experience as the pair present a guide on how to create elegant and beautiful interiors from scratch. Part of the book is comprised of practical guides whilst the rest is filled with inspirational images, tips and humorous anecdotes about their past experiences in home decor.

For anyone who loves to find bargains in flea-markets, garage sales or boutiques, the book gives advice on what to look for and how to use what one finds in the room design scheme. You’ll also want to add your own distinct personality to your interior decor and again, ‘Downtown Chic’ goes into this. You’ll also discover the best ways to update old furniture and how to appeal to children when decorating their bedroom or playroom.

The book features ten projects which cover a variety of different interiors ranging from a New York City town-house to a beach home in the South American country of Brazil. The very popular ‘before and after’ pictures show the reader what the room looked like before and what it looks like afterwards when the intended design has been achieved. It’s often hard to believe how such an unpleasant little space can become a stunning and light-filled sanctuary. For inspiration and practical guidance, this book is very much recommended.

Unfortunately, this type of information is relatively unknown due to his tender age of 16 and parental privacy. After all, he most likely still lives at home and thus the decor in his house will be decided by the parents or professional interior designers and decorators. That said, people still like to imagine and construct what Justin Bieber’s interior styles and settings will look like in a couple of years time when he’ll have his own place and be fully in charge of fitting his surroundings to the way he wants it.

Some clever people have offered some suggestions and possibilities in relation to Bieber’s probable design style in the home. These are based partly on his fashion style and also his noted interests from magazine interviews and television appearances.

Check it out here: Designing Justin Bieber’s House.

There are also some posters Justin Bieber fans might like as well as directions to fan clubs and biographies on the web.

The location of this ocean based honeymoon suite is in the waters off the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, south-west of India. Conrad Hotels are behind the amazing location which is situated in the Maldives Rangali Islands resort. Guests will experience the beauty of the ocean from below the waves but thankfully with glass in-between them and the sharks that swim by. Also included in the entertainment are a variety of color fish including the blue-striped snapper, the parrot fish, eels and sting rays.

Whilst you and your newly-wed fall asleep each night, you can both look up at the sky, just visible above the surface and perhaps at the moon shimmering in the darkness. Just try not to imagine the glass beginning to crack or be scared by a passing shark wondering what you taste like. If you can stomach all this, then the price tag on this experience could set you back a cool $2,000, per night. A complimentary champagne breakfast does follow the next morning however.

Whilst one won’t be able to recreate such a suit, unless you are a billionaire, some inspiration can be taken from the scene as shown above. Various photographic prints, canvases and wall stickers can be employed to mirror the ocean scenes one might see in this suite. A child’s bedroom can be enlivened with a blue ocean-themed ceiling with a myriad of little colorful fishes and fantasy characters. Gaze on the scene for a while and you will no doubt come up with possible interior additions to your own room which will echo a scene from below the waves.

If you had the money, would you sleep in an underwater glass suite like this?

Source: Daily Mail.