Sunday, December 15, 2013

Plaid.....Decorate Menswear Style



Whether you want a combination hunting lodge and stately home, an old fashioned gentleman's club from another era, the feeling of merry old England, or a cozy cottage from the Scottish highlands, menswear plaid will fulfill all your dreams. And ladies if it is a more feminine plaid interior you are after there are beautiful fabrics to help you achieve that look as you will see in this post. The wonderful thing is plaid is trendy right now and looks wonderful in modern traditional and contemporary interiors as well.

From the Celtic plaids to the plaids of the Scottish clans there is sure to be a plaid to fit your design style.








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When the winter weather hits, there is nothing more relaxing than snuggling up into something warm and plaid. Plaid is actually derived from the Scottish Gaelic word plaide, which means "blanket."

A small touch can bring an English feel to any room

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Or maybe Scottish!


The Aran Isles Sofa     Who is more synonymous with plaid than Ralph Lauren?

This is a real menswear room. You have mixed plaids, checks, and an argyle border.

Bronson Van Wyck

Plaid comes and goes in fashion and home decor trends. But it is timeless during the Christmas season.

There are numerous ways to accessorize with plaid.

Horchow

If you want try your hand at adding plaid to your home, start with the bedding. This is easy to change out and there are a number of styles/varieties for you to choose from.

Plaid patterns warm up any space they are introduced into, whether they pop up on a throw, a pillow or fabrics on furniture.

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Make some slipcovers to use when you need a plaid fix.


If walls of plaid is too much of a good thing for your taste, the other option is to accessorize. Today's plaid fad is a re-working of the timeless tartan in elegant and exciting color combinations to suit any interior. Tartans are available in wool, cotton, silk and linen. Throws, cushions and home accessories available in these fabrics.

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The whole decoration style should make you feel peaceful and comfortable, as if you are living in a remote English village.


Plaid is a great choice for the Equestrian interior.

houndstoothinteriors.com

When incorporating plaid into a room through window treatments, keep your sofa solid and add pillows and other accessories with the same colorings as the plaid.

 Ralph Lauren again!!

A bold element like this zebra rug can liven things up in a conservative plaid interior.



Plaid chair is a standout in this Diamond Baratta Interior

If you truly like the peace and serenity plaid provides, consider plaid wallpapers. This features is of course more permanent, but when done correctly can create an excellent ambiance within any room.

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This comfy plaid chair, is perfect to snuggle up with your favorite blanket and a good book.

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Make a headboard from your favorite plaid, throw on some blankets and pillows and there you have it!


Plaid pattern can be complemented and softened by a floral or toile print.


By all means don't be afraid to mix plaids. How interesting is this as opposed to all being upholstered in the same pattern.

Elle Decor


While many people like the idea of using plaids in their home decor, it is a bold step that may leave them wondering how to decorate.The key is to pair strong patterns with less busy prints and colors throughout the room. Coordinate other colors in the room with those present in the pattern.
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Plaid can also be formal and feminine as demonstrated by these pretty plaid upholstered antique chairs.

www.horchow.com

Like I said before, bedrooms are a great place to experiment with plaid.

Thibaut

Thibaut

How pretty is this pattern mix? Florals and plaid coordinate well.

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christian lacroix interior

Remember you are not bound to traditional red plaid. This combination of plaids is wonderful and is balanced by the bold purple pillows that bring the curtain color out into the room.


Finding the right combination may take some experimentation, but you may wind up with a look that is both chic and unexpected.   Mix up your patterns!


 Plaid can be combined with other designs to interrupt the color and linear flow of a room. The result is that your plaid pieces stand out and look truly refreshing.

quintessenceblog.com

This plaid bath even has a coastal look. Plaid is more versatile than most people think.


For more of the menswear style click Decorating With Tartan Plaid......Especially At Christmas, and Decorating With Houndstooth

 You might also like Decorating With Buffalo Checks For Charming Interiors






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Lisa Farmer

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Decorating In The Gothic Revival Style



When Gothic interiors are mentioned, the first images that come to mind are black, dark, depressing rooms. A recent reemergence of vampire lore into popular culture has once again linked this style with dark imagery and blood red accessories. But these images couldn't be further from the reality of just how beautiful Gothic interior decorating can be. Gothic interior design is a dramatic and beautiful style, with it's origins in medieval interior design and architecture. Sometimes called “New Antiquarians", today's hipsters in their 20′s and 30″s favor Medieval and vintage Victorian eccentricity in their interiors. If you're a fan of architectural detail, rich color, and accessories of a grand scale, you may be surprised to find that Gothic decor is all of this and more.

This movement began in the mid 1700s, when an English author named Sir Horace Walpole decided to renovate his country home at Strawberry Hill with Gothic elements such as arched windows and battlements. By the 1800s, this style had become quite popular, and many English houses had taken the form of old churches and castles. Even Queen Victoria adored the fanciful Gothic Revival style. Gothic furniture was extremely popular during the Victorian period in the U.S. in the mid-1800s.  

Always mysterious, romantic, and extravagant, it is bold and lavish, with an undeniable old world touch. But, it doesn't have to cost a lot to pull together. By incorporating a few key elements together, you can enjoy a gothic interior in your own home. My advice is stay away from trendy and death inspired decor and go for the true Gothic look. It will pay off in the end.







Photo used with permission. Source: Gothic Revival Victorian Home Decor by Chazz© 2011 Restoration Fabrics & Trims LLC. All Rights Reserved.


Wall hangings are essential, tapestries if possible. If not, you can cheat with dark red velvet curtains, tasseled tie-backs, brocade throw pillows, or a gorgeous velvet duvet cover. Also look for historic art.

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The reintroduction of medieval styles include the reprisal of Elizabethan chairs, chests and beds.

decoration-ancientandmodern.com


One of the defining characteristics of Gothic architecture is the pointed or ogival arch. A very narrow, steeply pointed ogive arch is sometimes called a "lancet arch". Also notice the quatrefoil windows which are an element of Gothic design.


Lancet arch chair backs trimmed in nail heads with a forged metal design. This is something you can do yourself to create the Gothic look for a chair.

Neuschwanstein Castle

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Ribbed vaults and pointed arches, were also used in the Romanesque style. The way they were combined made Gothic architecture unique. The ribs that held up the vaults were aligned so that they made diamond shapes on the ceilings

Photo used with permission. Source: Gothic Revival Victorian Home Decor by Chazz
© 2011 Restoration Fabrics & Trims LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In Gothic interiors you will see leaded or stained glass windows.


Look for ancestral paintings and pictures. Also velvet or brocade upholstered furnishings are popular. I love the way the lighting fixture is treated in this picture. It is something inexpensive to do that will give your room a Gothic feel.

thelittlereddiary.files.wordpre

Collectibles play a huge role in Victorian Gothic decor.The current rise of medievalism, at least within the context of interiors, is part of the expanding interest in the eclectic. This decorating style affords you the opportunity to express yourself.

derrymoore.com

Look for globes, taxidermy, old books and bookcases, and musical instruments, candelabras, wall tapestries, pewter wall sconces, metal bowls, heavy drinking goblets, decorative urns. Antiques, and medieval swords and shields are just some of the objects that can successfully be used to accent a Gothic interior.

dailyimprint.blogspot.com

Interesting gallery walls and curiosities are very important elements of the Gothic interior.


Antlers and taxidermy trophies lined medieval Gothic halls. The Victorians also enjoyed a passion for taxidermy, especially birds.


Rich upholstered furniture and heavy draperies are key elements of Gothic decorating. Heavy fabrics work best with this style and can include crushed velvet, leather, brocades, damasks, and tapestry fabrics.


Don't think red and black are the only colors connected with Gothic style decorating. Emerald green is also a good choice.

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And deep purples and blues are beautiful in a Victorian Gothic room.


Decorative paintings on the walls, scenic murals, trompe-l'oeil architectural features, or stenciled heraldic designs can add Medieval Gothic drama to a room.

Charlotte Brown

Try your own hand at stenciling. It's easy and inexpensive. During this period designs focused on foliage patterns and vines.

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Gothic style dining room at Cher's Malibu home.

Gothic arched door, windows, and clock.


Wood ceiling beams, unique columns, carved wood bookcases, lead glass windows, and stone fireplaces are all great complements to a Gothic decor.


Stained glass of course is quintessentially Gothic. Also look at using embossed wallpaper. When painted brown it can resemble leather.

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Beautiful tufted furniture is a good choice for the Gothic home. Notice the butterfly collection.....very Victorian
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Entertaining Gothic style.

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Multiple random oriental rugs is a nice look for a Gothic space. This wallpaper and border is a perfect  choice.

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Oh my!!!


Look for furniture like this that incorporates the Gothic arch, trefoils and quatrefoils, and the fleur de lis motif.

Tony Duquette

It is important to remember that there are various styles of Gothic decorating, so the finished look can be as dark or light as you desire.

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Gothic style parlor.

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Bath with beautiful quatrefoil designed window.Characteristics of the period include trefoil and quatrefoil shapes and pointed arches. The quatrefoil pattern is very popular at present and can be found on many new home accessories.

This dining room at Lyndhurst is definitely decorated in Gothic style.


habershamhome.com

Trendy black cabinetry looks right at home in a Gothic kitchen.

Another good kitchen. The diamond motif ceiling has a medieval quality that makes it perfect for the Gothic home.

Habersham




Here is a lovely old Gothic style home just waiting for some TLC.


Even if you're beginning with a modern interior rather than a scaled-down reproduction of Reims Cathedral, you can still create an imposing and mystical Gothic environment with furniture, surface detail, color and accents.
All styles of Gothic Decorating revolve around the same theme....just add the elements that make it unique to you!!!



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This blog post was published by

Lisa Farmer



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