All About Interiors » A full-service, interior design and decorating firm in Connecticut

11.11.13

How to create a Spanish style decor

Spanish style decor in your dream home can be a reality in 3…2…1!

Michael Joseph, an accomplished freelance writer and 12 years in the interior design field, knows a little something about living in a Spanish style home. Michael, is an expert in this style decor and in addition, he lives in his own beautifully styled Spanish home. Let’s welcome him with HUGE love as he generously shares his knowledge of this unique and beautiful style. Thank you so much Michael!

A warm, welcoming Spanish home. Who doesn’t want that? Here are quick and easy ways in which you can make your Spanish dream home a reality. Don’t know where to start? Read on my friends…

It’s really so simple, I could cry. If (like me) you’ve always wanted to convert your home into a Mediterranean dream abode, then this is how you can make it happen. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just bought a new home or if you’re renovating your current one, your Spanish dream home is about to become a reality.

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Curved archways and entryways:

I’ve lived in a Spanish Colonial Revival home for fifteen years now and it is every bit the home I’d always imagined myself living in. One of the few things you’ll find in just about any Spanish-style home is curved archways and entryways throughout the home. Now you could always hire a contractor to build you an arched entryway, but if you’re handy, knowledgeable and you like to take on home improvement projects, go ahead and build your own curved archway. This article on how to build your own drywall arch might come in handy.

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Decorative wrought-iron

When you walk into my house, one of the first few things you’re going to notice is our wrought-iron chandelier. And this is what is typical of most Spanish revival homes- wrought iron. You could get wrought-iron chandeliers, wall sconces or if your budget allows it wrought-iron railings around the house to give it a typically Spanish feel.

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Brightly colored tiled stair risers

I think brightly colored titled stair risers are a great way to add fun and excitement to your home. I’m a big fan of hand crafted and painted Catalina tiles, but by all means, choose patterns and styles that you like the most and have them installed to your stair risers. Don’t worry about sticking to a particular pattern; mix things up by all means.

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White stucco walls:

You can’t really talk about a Spanish-style house without thinking beautiful white stucco walls. These walls are seen in most Spanish-style houses (mine too!) so if you want the authentic look and feel of a Spanish home, this is a good place to start.

Dark wood arched windows

There’s something about dark wood that just draws me in instantly. I love the rich and warm feel of them and coupled with arched windows? Well, that’s my heaven right there. Champion Window and Doors builds customized windows to match your architectural style. You can have brand new windows in a matter of days, completely transforming your home.

www.terramano.net

Terracotta tiles:

The only thing I love more than hardwood floors are brick-red terracotta tiles. At our house we have the antique dark terracotta tiles from Ann Sacks. Just gorgeous! Start by re-tiling your kitchen floors and then move on to the other rooms when you have the time or inclination.

One of the ways in which you can lighten up your living space is by throwing in some color in the form of bright upholstery and plush pillow covers. A splash of flowers in ceramic vases and decorative wrought-iron lamps are a good place to start. You can always add to your home time passes and in no time you’ll find that your Spanish dream home has indeed become a reality.

Thank you so much Michael for kindly sharing your knowledge and expertise with us, we welcome you back anytime!

Happy decorating~ Melanie Langford, CT Interior Designer at All About Interiors

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10.28.13

Headboards in Harmony

Headboards in harmony with the style or theme of your bedroom are incredibly important because they often are the focal point of the room. It is what you see first when you enter and it usually will leave a lasting impression if it’s a fabulous one. Last week I wrote about creating a cozy bedroom, one step towards bedroom bliss is having an amazing, eye-catching headboard. I have compiled a slew of headboards that are beyond beautiful, any of which, you can certainly feel free to “duplicate” the idea in your own bedroom makeover. Or, of course you can contact me to do all the work for you… now doesn’t that sound nice?

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I absolutely love this vintage headboard which automatically draws your eye toward the bed. You can use this headboard in a master bedroom suite or a guest room either way it says romance, shabby chic and classic style.

Source Pinterest, designer unknown

This is another example of a classic, romantic headboard that although the tufted upholstery is leather, the style lends itself towards traditional with Victorian undertones. How fabulous would this headboard be mixed in with a contemporary styled bedroom, though?

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Speaking of tufted headboards, this one demands attention with it’s attached built-in and height. This transitional bedroom uses the headboard and built-in as it’s focal point. Well done!

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This over sized glamorous headboard can be seen at l’Hotel le Royal Monceau, Paris. Ooh, la la! Très bien!

This opulent headboard with ribbons from Horchow is divine! I would put it in a more transitional or contemporary setting, myself but hey it’s your bedroom, knock your self out! (not literally)

Another beautiful headboard from Horchow. Wouldn’t it would look wonderful in a guest bedroom? I love how it’s gender neutral and could go in just about any decor.

This is another gorgeous headboard by Horchow. (There is nothing cheeky going on here, I’m not getting kickbacks to promote their products, I just happen to think they have lovely headboards) Okay, now that we’re clear on that… let’s move on, shall we?

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Last but certainly not least… I am absolutely swooning over this little niche that fits this custom iron gate headboard. (The ceiling isn’t too shabby either, eh?) What a statement piece for this beautiful bedroom.

So there you have it, eight different ideas for headboards that will draw the eye and demand attention. I hope you have been inspired to rejuvenate your boudoir into a cozy retreat for yourself.

Until next time… happy decorating! ~Melanie

Contact CT Interior Designer, Melanie Langford of All About Interiors to schedule your “Rent A Designer’s Eye” appointment or Full Interior Design Concierge Service

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November 9, 2013 - 9:53 am

Sandy @VTWorks - All wonderful ideas Melanie, nice post! Hope you are enjoying the weekend

10.14.13

Decorating a bedroom: 7 tips on creating a beautiful retreat

I am about to openly share what designers already know, regarding how to successfully go about decorating a bedroom. You can personally thank me later (anything chocolate would make me a happy camper)!

A well decorated cozy bedroom has specific components that make up the room. However, you need to start somewhere and the planning phase is a great place to start.

Pinterest- designer unknown

Plan

Collect ideas as inspiration so you will discover your likes and dislikes. Determine how you would want it to feel. For example do you prefer a formal elegance or a casual kick off your shoes and curl up with a good book. There are many resources that can help you research your tastes such as Houzz or Pinterest as well as various magazines on the bookstore shelves. Once you’ve determined your style and how you want it to feel, you need to measure accurately to ensure no costly mistakes are made.

Pinterest- designer unknown

Purpose

Are you looking for a night time get away? A place to retreat at the end of a long day and watch tv or spend time quietly. On the other hand, is the purpose of this space strictly for sleeping and an (hopefully) a not so occasional romp in the hay? Once you determine the purpose, you will need to choose a style or theme.

Pinterest- Designer unknown

Style

Your bedroom should reflect your personality and lifestyle. You can create a “personality” of the room by coordinating all the colors, furniture pieces and lighting so that upon entering, it tells a story about who you are and the lifestyle you lead.

HGTV-Libby Langdon photo by Noel Sutherland

Colors

Consider warm and inviting colors that are calming and reflective of your style and personality. You will be a much happier person if you choose colors that are flattering for you. Trust me on this one! You most likely dress in this room or at the very least, you want to look your best… get my drift? Choose wisely.

House Beautiful

Furniture

After you’ve measured and chosen a style, think about storage. Is there enough storage to house all your millions of shoes, clothes and accessories (I do believe a woman can never have enough shoes or storage for that matter). Think about how much furniture is needed and don’t forget to allow for enough space to walk around. Are you looking for a lounging or sitting area? If so, try to envision where that could be.

Candice Olson

Lighting

Lighting is very important and should be well thought out. You will need task lighting such as bedside lamps for reading (or getting up in the middle of the night without stubbing a toe). Ambiance lighting such as sconces on dimmers for those romantic nights you just want a touch of light. A main light fixture which can also double as a focal point. If you live in a warm climate, you may want to consider a ceiling fan. I recommend you choose your light wisely and make sure it fits in both size and style.

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Accents

It’s all in the details, the right accessories, artwork and bedding can make or break the look. Some purchases to consider; Custom window treatments such as curtains or shades will not only be able to give you privacy but also introduce color, texture and pattern into your room. Bedding: A duvet or comforter and fluffy pillows will also do the same so consider adding these to your shopping list. Decorative pillows to coordinate with all your fabrics will add that “wow” factor and custom look. Wall art, picture frames and mirrors are all items that are needed to complete the look. Consider a full length mirror for dressing if that is what you require. An area rug can also add color and pattern as well warm up the feet when you step out of bed. Lastly, accessories that pull the look of the room together should be considered. As I said, it’s all in the details and can either make or break a room.

Buyerselect.com

Hopefully you are not only inspired to redo your master bedroom but you now have the know-how to get started. That being said, if you live in the CT area and are in need any assistance, feel free to contact me to schedule a “Rent A Designer’s Eye” consultation or have All About Interiors do all the work for you while you get on with your very busy life.

Until next time~ have a stylish week! Melanie Langford

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9.30.13

Choosing The Right Paint Colors

Choosing the right paint colors for your room can be tricky. Paint swatches should come with a warning label. ”Warning: You can become light headed and quickly overwhelmed if you don’t know what you are doing.” Thank goodness there are color experts, like me out there who can talk you down from that color crazy ledge that you are hanging from. Okay, I get it, there are some of you out there that are DIY-ers so even though your head is spinning, you want to take on the brave challenge of choosing a paint color yourself. Well, I at the very least, have the responsibility as a professional designer, to share my knowledge with you regarding paint color and how lighting effects it.

There are many steps that need to be taken into consideration before you even start to look at a paint swatch. Even trickier is choosing the right paint color for a dark room. Here are a few helpful hints that will make the process easier for you.

Lighting

1. Both natural and artificial light need to be taken into consideration in determining the max amount of light in a room.

HGTV

Observe how much natural light your room receives over the course of an entire day. The lack of natural light can cast shadows and drastically affect the appearance of painted walls, thus using dark tones in these rooms can mean trouble.

Next, turn on all the lights in your room and determine the maximum amount of both artificial and natural light combined in the room. If it receives natural light, do this step both during the day and at night because it can change dramatically. If your room receives no natural light doing this once will sufficient. Once you’ve determine both types of light, rate the amount of shadow present.

Wall Coverage

Houzz

2. The more wall space obstructed by decor, furniture, cabinetry, or wall features the more flexibility you have in picking a wall color for dark spaces. Is your bathroom wall mostly covered in tile or your living room wall mostly built-ins? It is important to take into consideration how much wall will be covered with obstructions because that can give you a bit more flexibility in choosing colors.

It is also important to take into consideration the amount of furniture or decor that will be in front or covering the wall. If the amount of coverage is high, then your color options will be more varied. If you have a dark space with a lot of visible wall then the range of colors to choose from will be more limiting.

Houzz

3. The more saturated a room is with light the further down the palette row you can venture!

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Saturation

Take a peek at this example of color chips. If you notice, the colors in the top row look a lot brighter than those towards the bottom. That’s because the colors in the top row are the truest hues. This means that they lack the presence of black. You might also have noticed more and more black is present as you work your way to the bottom row where the neutrals reside. If your lighting in the space is poor your bottom rows will cast even more shadows and be even darker. However, if your lighting is good… knock your socks off!

4. A darker room will limit you to the top rows of palette (see below palette) as well as the bottom, brighter hues in each individual chip!

California Paints

According to California Paint, “if you found your room at maximum light is still cast in shadow in the 25-50% black range and your walls have little visible disruptions, you should keep to the top row with the truest hues. Let’s break it down to the 7 different tints of each hue. It’s a common misconception that light tints towards the top of the chip are appropriate for dark spaces. Unless it is a bright and clear white, you should avoid these tints and opt for the bold, lively colors towards the bottom.”

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The Perfect Shade

5. Using light tints, especially those with a presence of black such as Lemon Chiffon Pie or Sour Lemon will increase the intensity of shadows and make the room feel dimmer.

The hues towards the right are a perfect match for dark rooms. It will add warmth and stand out among the shadows.

I hope this blog was helpful in some way but just in case you are still dangling from that ledge with your head spinning 180 degrees… Contact me for a “Rent A Designer’s Eye” color consultation in CT.

Until next time~ Happy decorating! Melanie Langford, All About Interiors

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October 6, 2013 - 10:50 am

Sandy @VTWorks - Great post about color Melanie, and it’s true, so easy to become overwhelmed. Love the gray in that first picture, so pretty! And the bold red in the kitchen space, strong yet fun!

October 7, 2013 - 2:05 pm

Melanie Langford - Thanks Sandy for stopping by! I love visits and input from all! I love the red with it also I think it mixes so well with the grey! As we know, choosing the right paint color can be quite confusing. Thanks again for your support.
Hugs
Melanie

October 8, 2013 - 8:48 pm

Kate - Would love you to look at the Paint My Place App - bye, bye paint Chips! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paint-my-place-realistic-color/id633043691?mt=8

October 14, 2013 - 8:38 am

Melanie Langford - Thank you for sharing, this looks like a great & useful app! Happy decorating! Melanie

9.23.13

Decorating For Fall

Decorating for the fall season is on my mind because technically, the calendar says I should since the first day of fall is this week. Being a “summer” girl, I’m not so psyched about the cooler temps and waking up to frost on the ground. However, that being said… Autumn in New England is most spectacular, with various color bursts anywhere you look. I absolutely love taking long drives in the CT country this time of year and witness the gorgeousness that mother nature provides us.

So decorating for fall inspires me and reminds me that even though my toes are cold in the morning, it is a wonderful time of year to display the vibrant colors that we see outside, inside. You spend a lot of time in your home, it should be well decorated and reflect your personality whether that be traditional, whimsical or eclectic. My motto is… A well decorated room should always feel and look comfortable, well put together and invite lingering and conversation. Does yours? If not, get off your butt and do something about it!!! (or at the very least, call me, I’ll motivate you)

I wanted to share with you some of my absolute favs for fall decorating. Hopefully you will be inspired with these wonderful and inexpensive ideas.

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The mantle is a wonderful focal point to display a beautiful fall arrangement or vignette.

Southern Living

Fall decorating doesn’t have to break the bank. Simply go out to your backyard and pluck some flowers and fill hollowed-out pumpkins, squash or gourds with beautiful flowers, grasses and leaves to make a nice arrangement. I love these!

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Here is another example of a great inexpensive idea. One that, personally I do each year with my munchkin. Go for a nice walk and collect some acorns, fill an apothecary jar and voila, you have a nice display. You can also fill with beans, popcorn and lentils.

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Don’t forget to add a bit of whimsical decor to your hutch in your kitchen. It makes your kitchen decor come alive and you will have a whole new fresh look for your room.

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It may be obvious, but decorating the outdoors for curb appeal is also important. Here are some fun fall decorating ideas. Don’t you love this wheel barrel arrangement by Tiff? I think it’s spectacular!

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I love this photo I found on Pinterest from Traci at beneathmyheart.net

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Okay, so now you have some great ideas for both outdoor and indoor decorating. When it gets closer to Halloween, I’ll post some super cute pumpkin decor ideas. Stay tuned and come back often!

Until next week… Happy decorating! ~Melanie Langford

FYI: Should your CT home be in need of an expert interior designer to create a comfortable and beautiful space that improves your quality of life, click here to contact All About Interiors.

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