Decorating with Black

Black has an amazing power to solidify any color scheme, pull together wayward, mismatched pieces of furniture, and give your home a touch of true Hollywood glamour. Check out these top 10 tips for using black in your décor.

1. Keep it minimal - Too much black in any room is too much. Add white and other colors to play up the contrast and keep the room pleasing and balanced.

2. If you like contemporary décor - You'll want to have at least one main piece of furniture in black - couch, ottoman, chair, armoire, etc.

3. If your taste is more cottage décor - Add a few weathered pieces of black furniture. They'll ground all the pretty whites and pinks and add a grown up sense of style.

4. Red, white, and black - Considered the most romantic color palette, is an almost fail-safe scheme. Use bright white trim to contrast the brilliant red, while the black acts as the anchor.

5. Let your sense of fun and adventure come through - Try a bold wall color. Be sure to tame it with touches of black in your accessories, side chairs or smaller upholstered pieces.

6. If you're nervous about adding black - Start small by coating minor architectural details in black such as picture frames, accessories, pillows, towels, etc.

7. Punch up your bland color scheme - If your room needs 'something', but you're not sure what, look to black to create a much-needed design statement in any room.

8. A Classic - Want a pop of interest in any room? A black-and-white tiled floor should do the trick. Almost any color will combine easily with this look, and the furnishings can be as glamorous as you'd like.

9. Stylish Flooring - Black in an area rug is a great grounding element. Just be sure to use the black elsewhere in the room as well.

10. Rinse and Repeat - Repeat the use of black throughout the room with window treatment trim, pillow accents, iron light fixtures, etc. for a well-coordinated use of the darker tone.

There's a real boldness and zing when decorating a room using black. Go ahead, start using more black in your décor. It's great for adding sophistication, style, or a sense of whimsy. Don't you just love the look?

Photos courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens


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Holiday Decorating - Use What You Have

I thought this was a great alternative to finding and hanging a wreath (found at Country Living). Very easy for those of us with no time to make wreaths, but still want color at the door! Take a look at some other wreaths I found (on Martha Stewart Living).

10 Easy Tips For Bedded Bliss!

Many moons ago when I discovered down comforters, I became a big fan right off the bat. One of the first things I discovered is how easy it is to make the bed. Just fluff and smooth and you're done. Secondly, I learned how simple and inexpensive it could be to dramatically change the look of the room by changing the bedding. I change mine out with the seasons and sometimes for no reason other than I'm bored with what I've been using! I like to use varying combinations of duvet covers, throws, shams, beautiful blankets and more. Take a look at the bedding tips and tricks below to help inspire you to make your bed (and your room) beautiful every day.

1. Simplify the bedding: Skip the top sheet and use a down comforter with a duvet cover. Give the comforter & the pillows a quick shake and a smooth every morning.

2. Use a spritz of a nice linen spray: It's a treat to slip into a fresh smelling bed.

3. Freshen your pillows: Once a week fluff them in the dryer on a low or no heat setting.

4. Even if you share a bed, make your side: I bet your significant other will soon follow suit.

5. No dual duty pillows: Make sure your decorative pillow shams have inserts that are made-to-fit the sham, then leave them there. Try not to use the same pillow to sleep on at night, then hurriedly try to stuff it into the sham when making the bed in the morning.

6. Time yourself making the bed: I bet it takes under 3 minutes. A blink in time even on a rushed morning.

7. Backtrack to your bedroom: After you've made the bed, go back to your room and take a check of your mood. The sight of your room will give you a little spring in your step.

8. Treat yourself to great linens and have them professionally pressed once in a while: There's something about crisp, freshly ironed sheets that makes the bed feel a bit more luxurious.

9. Consider this longstanding French tradition: To ensure the longevity of your bedding rotate your sheets, with a set in the closet, a set on the bed, and a set in the wash. This ensures that no one set receives more wear than another.

10. Add fresh flowers: Like fresh linens, fresh flowers make a room feel a little more lively, inviting and decorated.

For more information or to schedule an in-home appointment to talk about luxuriating your bedding, call 949.494.3345.

© 2008 Barbara Deckmeyer

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