Friday, April 25, 2014

Decorating With The Ombre Trend


Ombre (pronounced ahm-BRAY) or sometimes called "gradient", is a new interior trend which is based on a color change from dark to light tones or from one shade to another and is being used in a variety of ways in interior design. Ombre style can be found everywhere and on everything, from fashion to home decor and even walls.This new style is going strong as it seems to have alot of fans. If you are looking for something to accent a Bohemian style interior, this is your look. For example, fading from a soft ballerina pink into a medium rose can be a great addition to your bathroom, or a light malted milk shade into a mocha brown in a living or bed room. Just think of multi-shade paint swatches....they offer a great example of how to transition colors. Also keep in mind the tie dyed technique of the 60's only with variations of one color. The best ombre treatment produces a watercolor like effect. Gradient furniture and decorations can be beautifully displayed in modern and traditional houses as well due to their versatility and visual appeal. The technique might be a bit different as you will see in the pictures but the effect is the same.


I would suggest this to a client that is looking for something different. Just remember the key to this trends success is not to do too much ombré on too many pieces and get carried away.


Designers Guild

Luxurious light to dark shades creates a dramatic effect wherever they are used. It can be incorporated on various styles fading from dark to light or light to dark. You can enjoy this modern style using it from furniture and textiles to walls and other artistic decorations for your home.


If painting is not an option, Castellani Wallpapers are a great way to get the effect.


Choose two-three variations of one color. Keep it simple and keep the fade to a gradual transitional soft fade.

Olivier Lempereur


You can also shade horizontally as well.

Designers Guild

via pinterest


source unknown

via pinterest

There are curtains, where the gradient is applied like watercolor, with picturesque strokes. Gradient on these curtains will create a feeling of lightness. If you are creative you can tie dye fabric yourself! Such an option is a great opportunity to create an original and characteristic decoration of the window.



When making ombre effect on the walls, stay in the same color family such as this warm olive.

via pinterest


Remember ombre is best applied to walls as a blended, color fade. It takes a lot of skill (or a trained professional) to apply the specialty treatment of dip and dye on the walls. Usually large stripes of color, even gradient color, don't work in most homes with low ceilings. Unfortunately many do it yourselfers are painting their walls in large bold stripes to try and be part of the trend and it is just not pleasing to the eye. You have seen the pictures of purple stripes or bright orange with big white lines between each shade.
Don't Do This!It is not a good look.

Instead stick with subtle striping in colors that blend easier. They are easier to work with than bolder choices. I know some people like bold colors.....so do I, but with this technique expert advice will probably be needed to pull off a successful look.


An example of paint chip gradient. This also needs to be subtle to look good.

www.houzz.com

But while making ombre effect on the walls, it is important to remember that the darker shades should be at the bottom in rooms with low ceilings. This will visually increase the height of the space. Also the more subtle the color the better if you are using stripes.


It is expensive to have this technique painted on, and not everybody likes wallpaper. But there are many other ways to incorporate this design element into your home....like painted stairway risers.


Painting furniture in ombre style is another popular aspect of this trend.

google.ca




Great for a beach house!

Design Sponge

Purchase or create an ombre work of art!


Adam Nyholt, Photographer

Use pillows to create an ombre effect.

The Interiors Addict

On the more affordable end, this centuries-old technique of dyeing is used on textiles like frill blankets, throw pillows, floor rugs and upholstered furnishings.

via pinterest

Don't forget underfoot.

via pinterest

Textile manufacturers have not missed the opportunity to support such a fashion trend. So today it doesn't take much effort to find the right tone for curtains with ombre effect. Lightweight materials look especially effective in window decoration: silk, linen, cotton and organza.

Heincker Design


However you choose to get on the ombre bandwagon, you can rest assure it will give your interiors a unique, one of a kind look.





Click here to see the previous post!



This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer


Monday, April 21, 2014

Decorate Your Kitchen With Two-Tone Cabinets


Mixing and matching colors with two-tone kitchen cabinets is a great way to add interest and update your kitchen. This look started trending a few years ago and seems to be maintaining it's popularity. Lending to the well received idea is the fact that it is such an affordable way to give existing cabinets an instant facelift with just paint, brush, and creative juices.

My favorite configuration for the two-toned kitchen is light colored cabinets on top and dark on the bottom as the darker color on the bottom best anchors the room. However, this trend allows for your own personality and taste to shine through giving your kitchen a distinct style of its own. Another common configuration is cabinets one color and an island or other stand-out item a different color. Larger kitchens with islands are natural fits for two-tone kitchen.

Is two-toned kitchen cabinets just a trend or will it be a timeless look? My favorite kitchens have stand alone cabinets instead of traditional ones. To me it makes for a much more warm and interesting space.This trend of painting cabinet sections separately affords homeowners the chance to make their kitchens look more like these timeless images......


to help create the illusion of stand-alone furniture pieces.

I believe the two-toned cabinet look for the kitchen will stay with us as long as we pay attention to overall design and make good color choices. So I say give this easy makeover a try if you are considering a kitchen update.


Jack Thompson

Whether it is the desire to restore a vintage kitchen........

via pinterest

or bring the vintage feel to a modern interior, the warmth of painted two-tone cabinets helps to manifest the look.

Tobi Fairley Interior Design

Whether you choose bold contrasting colors or subtle shade variations, applying two-tone colors on your kitchen cabinets will give your kitchen design depth and character.


Even bright colors, not typically thought of for kitchens, seem to take on a more traditional look when mixed and matched like the ivory and chartreuse cabinets in this two-toned kitchen


The black and white painted two-toned combination works perfectly! Or you can pair white cabinets with ebony wood - very chic.



The spotlight is on vintage charm in this kitchen with red and ivory two-toned cabinetry

James E. Howard

Some homeowners prefer the darker of the two-tone combination color on top and the lighter on the bottom. This can cause the space to look top heavy so be sure and bring balance via your accessories, etc.


Sometimes you can bring the two-toned look to just a portion of your cabinets. This looks good especially in  a smaller kitchen.


Two-toned cabinet treatment is an interesting way to bring old world into a more modern kitchen. I love the cabinet!!


Another version of two-tone kitchen cabinets.......best kept in subtle colors so it doesn't look to choppy.

The Lettered Cottage

Grey and white is always a pretty choice for a kitchen sporting  two-toned cabinets.

This design trend works well in all types of kitchen ....... old world, country, tradition and modern.

Phoebe Howard


The two-toned kitchen cabinet look can be acheived with painted and natural wood as well.

Timothy Corrigan

As the average kitchen size is increasing, homeowners are choosing to add additional colors to their color scheme. Two-toned cabinetry is the perfect solution. Here is a lovely example......ivory cabinets and a celadon island.


A common two-tone configuration is kitchen cabinets one color and an island or other stand-out item a different color.


In a two-toned kitchen using a color different from the cabinets on the island can give the impression that the island was added at a later time, much like mis-matched furniture being added to the room piece by piece.

source unknown

This pretty kitchen with it's blue and ivory two-toned cabinets is enhanced even more with the addition of blue matching chairs.

via pinterest

Blue and white is always a good timeless choice for a two-toned kitchen look.

James E. Howard

This homeowner has chosen to use two-toned cabinets but in different shades of the same color. This is a good idea for those who want this look in their kitchens without too much contrast.


Charcoal gray kitchen cabinets and white island equals a lovely kitchen!

housebeautiful.com

There are many ways to incorporate the two-tone cabinet look into your kitchen. It is a lovely trend that is worthy of consideration.

Click here to see the previous post!


This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 Follow Me On Facebook Follow Me On Pinterest Subscribe to my RSS Feed Send Me An Email