TEEN’S ROOM IDEAS

This post is for my young Facebook friend who asked me to give her inspiring ideas for teenage bedrooms.

Teen bedrooms are versatile room because they allow you to incorporate youthful touches, with a grown-up appeal. Depending on your teenager, if they are still a “kid at heart” or if they want a “grown-up feel” to the room will help you design your teen’s room.  If your teen shares a bedroom with a sibling it is fun to have matching or coordinating bed linen, headboards, and accessories for a gorgeous ensemble.

For a modern appeal to your teen’s rooms consider using furniture that reflects the design style of the rest of your home. Minimalistic and streamlined furniture from Ikea or other kid-oriented furniture stores can give you ideas too. Consider matching organization areas, bookshelves, and display areas throughout the room to give your teen plenty of room to store ‘stuff’! 

Boy’s teenage rooms are often forgotten about, and can have the same designer appeal as girls rooms. Ask your teen what colors they love and incorporate them throughout the room. If using a bold color on the walls, use furniture that is neutral to avoid over saturation of color and patterns.

Gender neutral rooms are great for teens that are transitioning from one style to another. For siblings that share a room, gender neutral colors such as yellow, purple, green and orange can be used for either gender. Playful colors paired with each other can set the tone for the rest of the space. For a younger girl and teenage girl, orange with hot pink for the younger, and orange and chocolate brown may be the perfect combinations!

Teenage rooms are a jump from being a kid and aren’t too fussy before being an adult! Create the perfect teenage room with these inspirational ideas. Remember, get your teen in on the design decisions too, you will be surprised how much more they enjoy their room if you make it fun for them too!

 

 

 

TRICK OR TREAT?

The air is chilly and the leaves are turning brilliant colors. Halloween is a favorite autumn holiday, a fun time for seasonal celebrations and for decorating your home with festive colors and ideas. Kids and adults alike and the term enjoy Halloween, "All Hallow's Eve" lets us explore our dark side and have some mischievous fun.

Trick or Treating

The custom of trick or treating evolved in Ireland, centuries ago. In preparation for All Hollow's Eve, the poverty stricken would call upon the affluent people and request money, gifts and food. The food was gathered for a huge feast and celebration. Now today, children and adults alike enjoy walking through their local neighborhood and collecting treats.

UNICEF

A popular tradition in America, trick or treating for UNICEF began in 1950, when Philadelphia youngsters decorated milk cartons and collected money to help less fortunate children. UNICEF increases public awareness and raises funds to provide health care, nutrition, immunizations and clean water, around the world.

 

DECORATING YOUR HOME

Decor for Halloween can be spooky and scary, or it can lend itself to be playful and fun. Many people find bringing in the signs of autumn, or celebrating the fall harvest with seasonal pumpkins, gourds, and other natural decor makes their home feel special.

Decorating ideas that you can easily make by yourself. Halloween decorations can make use of items that you already have, such as candles, beans, and other natural decor to bring about warm traditions.

 

The most celebrated Halloween decoration is the jack-o'-lantern, traditionally a hollowed-out pumpkin carved to resemble a grotesque face and illuminated by a candle placed inside.  The jack-o'-lantern derives its name from a character in British folktales. 

According to these tales, the soul of a deceased person named Jack O'Lantern was barred from both heaven and hell and was condemned to wander the earth with his lantern.  Orange and black, colors associated with pumpkins and darkness respectively; figure prominently in most Halloween decorations.

Halloween is right around the corner, but there’s still plenty of time to incorporate many of these ideas into your home. From fall colors to playful front porch ideas, Halloween is still adored by the young and old. How will you decorate your home this season? I’d love to hear!

 

GREEK KEY INSPIRES DESIGNERS

The Greek Key has been a symbol that dates back to ancient Greece and is still used in many forms of architecture, designer interiors, as well as fashion runway.

The Greek key design was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece as it represented infinity and unity. Most ancient Greek temples incorporate the sign of the Greek key. Even the shield of Philip, the second king of Macedonia, was decorated with multiple symbols of the Greek key. – Courtesy of Things That Inspire

Since I’m an Interior Designer in Greece, I thought I would show you how this one symbol has inspired so many. From metal finishes and textile fabrics to gorgeous jewelery as seen above, the Greek Key is timeless.

FURNISHINGS AND BEDDING

Furniture designer have long used this symbol for tufted ottomans, sofas, pillows, drapery and more.

I love how bedding can transform a bedroom. This bedding uses the Greek Key in a bold yet sophisticated way. Try coordinating your bedding, along with your interior decor and finishes seasonally to give your bedroom a new aesthetic.

Horchow Lamp with Greek Key Symbol

 

For added luxury to your bedroom, try adding these sumptuous linens from Bella Lino with gorgeous Greek Key detailing.

 JEWELRY

 

The Greek Key can be found in your interiors around your home, but designers have also been inspired for you to wear gorgeous jewelry adorned with it! This ring from Bin Bin is a piece that anyone would love to wear!

 Elegant Open Work Pendant 

If you love cutting edge pieces in your home and in your fashion, than this silver Greek Key necklace is for you. I love the hammered and textured finish!

HOME INSPIRATION

Designers have also taken the Greek inspiration all the way to crafting! This gorgeous gold ribbon can be used in arts and crafts, or adorning throw pillows and furniture. 

Stationery, personal letterhead and picture frames can be adorned with the Greek Key. Here around the perimeter, the symbol is almost hidden in this intricate pattern. A subtle way of Greek inspired design.

What is always impressive is when furniture designers use inspirational design elements in their work. Here, the Greek Key symbol used in the armrests is a classic and bold statement in these lounge chairs.

Greek Handcrafted Pillow 

Whether you like your furnishings subtle and traditional or modern with punches of color. There is Greek Key inspiration wherever you may turn. This bench is a beautiful representation of a subtle designer touch intertwined with the legs.

From your intimate bedding in your bedroom to your comfortable furnishings that adorn your living spaces, designers have been inspired by the Greek Key symbol for centuries. Now that you’ve seen some ideas of mine, how will this iconic symbol earn a place in your interiors or lifestyle? I bet you can’t just pick one!

 

 

 






 

BLACK TIE DECORATION

The use of white and black in decorating can create a stunning and dramatic decor. Find out how to best take advantage of the combination of these two simple colors to maximize your decorating statement.

There's a rule in decorating, which states, "Every room can use a touch of black." You might think this is strange if you have a room of pastels or jewel tones. But think a minute.

Using the color black adds a focal point of color that grounds, anchors, and adds a sophisticated look to a room. 

 

Black in accessories, light fixtures, trims, paint, or in one bold piece of furniture will help to catch the eye and sharpen any decorating scheme. It will serve as an outline that sets off specific areas or objects. Black by itself is striking and dynamic! 

To get real drama and spark, pair black with white. The use of black and white in decorating gives a fresh, clean, and unquestionably sophistication and elegance to any room. 

Black and white is a perfect color combination for any decorating style. Contemporary interiors often combine black and white with sleek metals. Country French decorating is often set off with this color combination. 

If you're afraid of using just black and white, add variety by adding areas of yellow, pink, camel, red, or purple for a striking look. Keeping black and white prominent, however, preserves the elegant affect.

The combination of black and white is a powerful color duo. Try using dark accents as major components of your space or try the interplay of light and darks combined to make your room feel balanced. Use these inspirational ideas and images to transform your home with the simple techniques of using black and white in your decor.