Simply Irresistible...Designs!

July 6, 2011

Painted Ceilings

Since we talked about painted hardwood floors yesterday, I thought it would be appropriate to now...look up...at our ceilings, which take up as much space in the room as our floors. Have you ever really thought of that? The days of basic white ceilings has passed us by. It's true! In our design business I don't feel like the room is complete until the ceilings have been considered into the design plan. They should never be overlooked, just as any other element in your room shouldn't be overlooked. Whether you go a few shades lighter in color than on your walls, a few shades darker, or decide to "pop" an incredible different color...it will make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of the room in the end. Now, this is not to say that you can't have good design with white walls and/or white ceilings...you can, but adding a little color up top is also a great idea. Let's take a look to see what I mean...

This scrumptious blue ceiling certainly does the trick to bring the eye down and makes it feel a part of the "total package" here. Complete serenity here, wouldn't you agree?

Here a lighter shade of blue is used to contrast a bold black and white pattern on the floor.

Another example of same thing done (and look at that "pop" with the green chair and green bucket for the pens and pencils!!)

How about this very dramatic effect with a black ceiling...along with black trim and black also on the floor. Do you like? It is actually balanced out with white on the walls here.

I think this combo is heavenly with the dark floors, b/w wallpaper, and then topped off with a yellow ceiling. Notice that the ceiling color used here is slightly lighter than the shade of yellow that is used in the draperies and accessories.

Talk about POP...here it is. A huge color effect to this otherwise white room! See how the purple was also carried out in the artwork on the wall...and again on the table top. Remember the good rule of thumb...repeat the color at least three times in the room!

Here is yet another huge pop of color on the ceiling, that just happens to be purple as well. I see the color repeated again in the chair cushions....where else do you suppose they added it in?

Ah...and here's a bit of our patriotic colors (how appropriate for this week!). I simply love the boldness of the blue on this ceiling, which is a lighter shade of the throw pillow. I would bet that the same blue (as in the pillow) is used for the dust ruffle on the bed...or maybe chairs in the room. Can you tell how adding a color on the ceiling just throws in a whole new "look and feeling"...as opposed to just a plain white ceiling? Imagine this ceiling as white...which would YOU prefer?

This room in designed in basically the same color...just using differing shades of the color throughout....what do you think? Like or dislike? Or do you prefer the use of other colors with it? Just curious about YOUR tastes!

OK, here's your chance...showcasing a third color, in contrast to the others, on the ceiling...and in high gloss I do believe. I do see the color repeated in the artwork and I'm sure it is used elsewhere in this room too. Talk about a bold statement on the ceiling....whew! Any thoughts? I'd say this one is a "high energy" room for sure. Me personally, I could handle the colors in the room very well, but I couldn't take the boldness of this color used on the ceiling. Now that's just my personal design preference!

Kid's rooms make a great place to add a little spice to the ceilings. I love the simple stripes in white, brown and green here that is then accented with the blues around the room. I especially like how the green is used on the back wall of the shelves...as it pulls that green down from the ceiling to eye level as well. This is a room any kid would enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed looking at painted ceiling ideas today. See how important it is to include the ceiling in your design plan from the beginning? It will make all the difference in the world to the final outcome and feeling of the room too. If you are still unsure of how to coordinate your colors in the room, be sure to invest in an interior designer. It will be well worth the investment! Let us know if we can help you.

Make it a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits: Veranda, Southern Living, Elle Decor, Sherill Canet, Sara Story, Making Arrangements, HGTV, Margaret Donaldson, House Beautiful

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

July 5, 2011

Painted Floors

I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing Fourth of July holiday and are ready to get back "in the swing of things" today! OK, I must admit, I am posting today about something that I am not 100% sure I could do in my own home...so I'll want to see what you would do.

Did you know that painted wood flooring is a centuries old thing? Well, believe it or not it really is. People use to do this to bring in a little artistic design flair to their rooms because having carpet, or even a rug, was a true luxury and not affordable by the average person. This look is making a come-back in design so today I wanted to just show you a few of these great artistic designs...

I love the simplicity of these blue and white stripes in this kitchen

A bold statement, but quite the "look" with this black and turquoise

How about this lovely design...and color?

Dramatic...don't ya think?

I am loving the painted zig-zag pattern

This pattern and color absolutely makes this bathroom...love it too!

Painted floors can even take on a whole new look in a rustic surrounding...nice! I believe I'd have to say that the floor itself was the focal point of this room.

Ooh, I like this pattern lots! (and PINK chairs too - Yummy!) This was in my painted flooring research so I assume this really is painted to stand out like a rug.

A sleek modern look with a bold geometric black and white painted floor...I like the way it ties in with the crown molding and built-in.

How about just a plain white painted floor? This would certainly open up any space and make it feel larger.

Painted wood floor - hallway by accent on eclectic.

Great use of paint at the bottom of stairs...now that makes a statement!

A bright, acqua, painted floor sets the color stage for the rest of this living room's blue accents

I will always love a basic blue painted floor, cottage style, as it reminds me of the ocean!

So...here's my question to you. Could you, and would you, PAINT your wood floors? If so, which look appealed to you most? I am just curious since I told you I just don't know if I could really do it myself. I love the looks of these, but just not sure I could go through with it for myself. OK, maybe, just maybe if it were a beach cottage I could. Share your thoughts...please!

And, be sure to make it a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits: House Beautiful, Veranda, Hirshfield's Color Club, Mary McDonald, Making it Lovely, Elle Decor, Jonathan Adler, Flicker, Coastal Living

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!