Antique furniture is a beautiful style element in any home, but it does not always match the color of walls well. Though the boring white or beige walls might not clash with the furniture, it also does not add anything to make the house look more exciting or interesting. Painting the walls to match antique furniture is not hard, but it will take a little creative thinking to ensure the colors do not clash.

Consider the Space

Before trying to match the paint color to the antique furniture, it is important to look at the space first. The space is a key element of the best types of colors to open up the room and make it feel warm and welcoming.

A space that has large windows or a large space can opt for any color, including dark shades. Smaller spaces or areas that have small windows are best designed around light, airy colors. The lighter colors will help open up the space and make it feel inviting despite the smaller size.

The space is a key part of finding the best paint for the room because it must match the needs of the area. If the room is small, a dark color will make it feel stifling and uncomfortable. A room with only a little natural light will have a similar problem due to the lack of windows.

Look at the Furniture

The antique furniture is the next step of getting a matching color. Antique furniture might vary in design based on the room and the particular piece. Matching the walls to the furniture does not necessarily mean painting it the same color, but rather finding colors that will look good with the design and shade of the furniture.

Look at the color of the furniture carefully. When looking at the color, strive to find any accents that might work well as a wall color. For example, an antique that has a slight reddish tone from using cherry wood would need colours that match the reddish shade like black, dark brown or a light beige. Avoid clashing colors like orange or pink that will only draw attention to the fact that the wood does not match the walls well.

When looking at the furniture, pay attention to the base color as well as the accents. The base color is the part main shade in the furniture. For example, an antique table made from wood might have a main color of a light tan shade while the accents in the wood rings are slightly darker brown.

Select a Color

The final part of painting to match the furniture is picking out a color. A trip to the local paint store will literally provide you with any color imaginable. Primarily you will be looking for colors that will look good with the furniture based on the base and accent shades in the furniture piece. Those who are unsure about colors can bring small samples and compare the color to the antique furniture.

Matching the walls to the antique furniture is about finding complementary colors. It does not need to have the exact same color to match; instead, it needs to look good against the base and accents in the antique furniture.

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Those with a keen eye for certain types of furniture which are anything but ordinary will have noticed a trend in design from not too long ago that is making a comeback, and rightfully so. Everywhere you look, home furnishing designs are returning to their mid-century modern “roots,” particularly when it comes to sofas. For those few not familiar with mid-century modern furniture, simply turn your TV to AMC’s drama Mad Men and pay special attention to the sofas showcased. This show captures the objects of the 1960s era when modernism was still at its infancy and was just about to go mainstream.

A Bit of History First

Mid-century modern design was a descendant of the style which was prevalent in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s, called Bauhaus style. The basic design philosophy of the Bauhaus school was to pursue the fundamental needs of society by utilizing fundamental design elements as well as fundamental materials to create mass-produced objects which meet consumer needs. Less is more and form follows function is what Bauhaus was all about. Mid-century modern design was also inspired by the minimalism of Scandinavian design.

After World War II, mass-production of just about everything, including furniture, was at an all time high. New technological advances in plastics, metals, and even wood products made it possible for this new design era to offer beauty and functionality. This is the time when mid-century modernism bloomed. Furniture was beautiful and affordable. Anyone could own it. Ornamentation was gone. There was an insatiable hunger for long lines, parabolic curves, and rounded edges.

How to Spot it on Today’s Sofas

Many of the mid-century designs and material choices are being used on today’s sofas. Mid-century design embraced the use of metals like stainless steel. The latest trend of modern sofas is to use stainless steel legs. Wood was extensively used as well. Long, slender, tapered, and exposed wood legs adorn many of today’s sofas which are also borrowed from this era. Tufting, especially button tufting gives a typical sofa a classic, yet mid century modern look. The scale of these mid-century inspired sofas is not oversized. However, they can be long and low to the ground.

Now that you know what a typical mid-century modern sofa looks like, you can find one which borrows these unique design elements that are reinterpreted for today. Pair your new sofa with other mid-century accent pieces such as bubble lamps and asterisk clocks.  With the right sofa you too can have the look of an era which had an appreciation for natural, organic shapes.

Guest Post:

Chalkboards are making a big comeback in the design world and they are taking on many different forms from doors to vinyl wall decals. By following this method of making chalkboard paint you can turn anything into a chalkboard and you won’t have to worry about it matching your décor. Add this functional and fashionable new trend to your home or office by making your own chalkboard.

Supplies you will need:

• Flat latex paint in any color you choose
• Unsanded tile grout
• Painter’s tape
• Paint brush or roller
• Sandpaper
• Chalk

1. Mark off the area that you wish to paint with your painter’s tape.
2. Measure out one cup of your latex paint and add 2 Tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Mix with a paint stirrer until all the clumps are gone. Tile grout is very dusty so I would recommend wearing a mask.
3. Roll or brush the paint on any surface you’d like. Allow the paint to dry.
4. Once the paint has dried, gently sand the entire surface with the sandpaper to give it a smooth finish.
5. Now you can condition your chalkboard by rubbing a piece of chalk over the entire surface. Wipe clean.

Your chalkboard is now ready to go! Get creative with your chalkboard paint. Paint the inside of your pantry or cupboard doors to make a quick reference shopping list or menu plan. You could also paint the top of your desk and keep a running to-do list right at your fingertips. If you live with children allow them to draw on the walls for once by painting a chalkboard on one side of their bedroom or playroom. The possibilities are endless!

Addy S. is a writer for AspiringNurse.com. For those that are interested in a midwife salary, or CRNA salary, this site can help you find out more about these careers.

image by Going Home to Roost

Guest Post:

Area rugs can be used in many ways. They can help warm up a room, deter sound, and make an impression or statement about your style. Are you considering adding area rugs to your space? If so, use the 12 tips listed below for decorating your home with area rugs.

• Choose the right shape. Oddly shaped areas rugs are a little harder to find, but can make a statement in your space. Whether you want it for a living room or a bedroom, the shape of the rug can make all the difference. Most people choose a round or rectangular shaped area rug that flows nicely with the space.
• Choose the right size. Having a rug that is too big for the room is one thing. Having one that is too small is even worse. When decorating your home with area rugs, be sure that you choose the right size to fit the scale of the room.
• Floating rugs make a bad impression. Are you making this mistake in your home décor? Avoid floating rugs at all cost. When decorating your home with area rugs, be sure that is has furniture or other accessories on at least a portion of the rug.
• Does the rug match your existing home décor? When decorating your home, you want to ensure that the rug matches your décor in both style and color. A rug that doesn’t match will stand out like a sore thumb. An area rug should complement the existing décor of your home.
• What is it made of? If you have kids or pets, you will want to be sure to pick a rug made of a material that is easy to clean. An area of rug made of shag may not be the best choice in high traffic areas or if you have kids.
• Choose a rug that will not go out of style quickly. Area rugs can get quite expensive. For this reason, you want to choose a classic rug instead of going for a trendy look that will go out of style quickly.
• Rethink white! White area rugs may look good in your space but if you have kids or pets it won’t stay white long. Instead of choosing white, go with an off-white color or a pattern that has white in it. This will save you time in cleaning an all white rug.
• Consider the purpose of the rug. When decorating with area rugs, it is important to consider the purpose of the rug. If the rug is used to anchor the room, you can add more color and emphasis into your chosen pattern. Most of the time, however, a rug is not the focal point of the room.
• Rugs and carpets don’t go together. If you have carpet, avoid putting a rug on top of it. This looks bad and can really clash if the carpet and rug do not complement each other. If you have carpet, you have one big area rug! That is enough to clean and maintain without adding in a rug.
• Cheapest may not always be the best when choosing an area rug. Cheaply made area rugs will not last. Area rugs that are priced in the mid range are often affordable and quality. Focus on quality when choosing an area rug, not price.
• Be cautious of putting rugs in the bathroom. The bathroom is often a wet, nasty place. If you do put area rugs into the bathroom as part of the décor, be sure that the area rug is intended for that use. If not, you may be at risk for mold and mildew.
• Make sure the rug doesn’t pose a hazard. Area rugs should be firmly in place. Rugs that slide can pose a problem. Be sure to invest in a mat to help keep the area rug where you place it. Otherwise, you may risk injury to yourself and to others.

Use the 12 tips listed above to help decorate your home with area rugs. Area rugs are a classic element of home décor that can make a statement. Be sure that you are using them in the right way.

This article is written by Sarah of Bamboo Rugs and Mats an online store to buy stylish eco-friendly bamboo rugs for your home.

The bedroom should be one of the most relaxing and restful rooms in the house, but it’s quite often one of the rooms we neglect. At the end of a long, tiring day, the bedroom should be a welcome sanctuary to rest your weary head and relax and recuperate. But if your bedroom feels too small or cramped then it might be overpowered by furniture, clothing or other household items and not have the desired effect.

The following are simple tips to help you make the most of your bedroom – turning it into a relaxing paradise where your worries can wash away.

1. Start with shade – if the room feels small, make use of lighter colors in decorating and accessories. Lighter colors on the walls and the ceiling will be complemented by the natural light entering the room and make even the smallest of rooms feel larger.
2. Mirror, mirror on the wall – mirrors are a fantastic way to give a false sense of space to smaller rooms, adding depth and light in all the right places. They’ll work nicely in any room of the house, but in the bedroom it’s worth considering the placement and what impression you might give to guests to your most private of rooms.
3. Do you need that much sleeping room? – the bed is most likely the main focal-point of your bedroom, but could you choose a smaller bed to make more of the space your room has to potentially offer? A large bed in a small room can make the bedroom feel crammed and uncomfortable. It’s important to have plenty of space to move around in and get dressed.
4. Cut down on clutter – we collect a great deal of belongings over our lifetime, but it’s important to only hang onto what you need or love – things that make your life better. Don’t keep things just for the sake of it. An uncluttered life is a far more pleasant one.
5. Make more of the space – a bedroom can be much more than just a room to sleep in. Putting a chair in the corner can provide a nice reading nook to relax and unwind in.
6. Maximize storage space – small bedrooms or rooms with nooks and crannies or sloping ceilings can cause headaches when it comes to finding suitable storage space. A standard wardrobe and chest of drawers can lead to the room feeling cramped or space being under-utilized. The solution is simple – fitted bedroom furniture from Sharps, that can help give as much as 3 times the storage space with a sleek, practical design which matches your décor, maximizes storage space and unclutters the room.
7. Slim down your tech – if you have a TV in your bedroom, consider wall-mounting. Modern flat screen televisions can easily be wall-mounted, saving space and making the room seem much larger for a small outlay. The same effect can be achieved by using a small MP3 player and dock in place of a full sound system or a radio alarm clock to replace a chunky stereo unit. Once these items are slimmed down, then you can consider getting rid of that TV stand, set of drawers or table that was cluttering up the room. If you’re still using an old CRT style television, think of it as an excuse to upgrade to a flat screen – modern TVs have built in Wi-Fi and web streaming, so you can not only stream online shows but surf the web too! No more using your laptop in bed!
8. Make it artsy! – a little art can make a big difference. Some light and bright art above the bed creates a nice focal point and takes the focus away from the larger bits of furniture in the room.
9. Keep it clean and tidy – it’s an obvious tip, but keeping your bedroom clean and tidy can make a world of difference. Minimize what gets left on the floor and the areas you generally walk on and avoid leaving the room crowded with unnecessary clutter. A tidy room feels far more relaxing and welcoming.
10. Let there be light! – clever use of lighting in the bedroom can make all the difference, whether you’re using spot lighting or lights in alcoves and other spots to create focal points. Tray ceilings have become extremely popular lately and offer an interesting visual focal point when combined with mood and ambient lighting – making the room feel larger and more airy.

Hopefully these 10 tips have helped give you some ideas of making the most of your bedroom space. Just remember, your bedroom is not just somewhere to lay your head, it’s a peaceful place to escape and rest.

image by freshome