Nothing highlights a space more than a striking, multi-functional modern armchair that speaks of your home’s personality (as well as yours). Designing your home in whatever style you want or dream of – whether you are going for a chic, shabby, contemporary, romantic or eclectic look – is exciting, fun and inspiring.

Finding the right furniture is key in decorating your space, and creating your nest. Of course, you won’t want to splurge on any piece that will simply not serve its purpose in your home, or not fulfill your needs.

Comfort, style, design and cost are crucial factors you have to consider when designing your space. Thanks to the abundant choices today of modern furniture, getting a sofa, daybed, loveseat or lounge chair is quite easy.

But, putting it all together with your existing furniture and decor can be quite challenging; yet rewarding when you manage to achieve the desired look that you’re aiming for. This is when your creativity kicks in – mixing and matching furniture with accent pieces, playing with colors and fabric, and choosing a focal point to make your space truly stand out.

Here are some design styles and gorgeous modern armchairs that might just suit your dream decor.

Funky Look with Mott Chair
If you are aiming for a funky look whether for your living or dining space, the best décor idea to consider is putting dramatic and neutral colors together. Adding funky accent pieces as well will totally achieve this look.

This gorgeous modern armchair by Nuans Design is perfect for that funky and chic look for any space. It comes in eye-catching colors, ensuring that it will stand out against neutral or light colors and will surely bring drama to your space. The Mott Chair is extremely comfortable to sit on with its removable upholstered seat; and its steel base’s simple and clean lines will make a modern home truly appealing.

Garden Style with O’PERA-K Armchair
Yes, you can put your garden inside your house. Ridiculous? Not really. Designing your space is your prerogative; and creating a garden look inside your home is all about you. Besides, if you have a green thumb and you love the outdoors, why not take your design to the next level by having a garden-inspired space?

If you’re already convinced of creating a garden-style home, Plastix/Papatya’s O’PERA-K Armchair is the ideal furniture for this kind of space. This trendy, comfortable and sturdy armchair is perfect for indoor and outdoor use. Made of molded polypropylene with a transparent polycarbonate back, this chair will spruce up your indoor or outdoor space with its intricate design. What’s even better is that the colors are permeated through the material, assuring you that they will still look perfect even after years of hard use.

Mediterranean Style with Dupont Swivel Chair
If you love Europe and its countryside, Mediterranean style is the ideal look to go for. This design style is, simply put, charming. If you want to go for this look, don’t forget to use natural hues to make your space look bigger and brighter. But, most importantly, to make this look really work, you need accent pieces in dark and bright colors such as red.

Another stunning collection from Nuans Design, the Dupont Swivel Chair will absolutely complement your space. This dramatic armchair, especially in Red Wool, will serve as a striking contrast to your space’s neutral colors. Its upholstered seat cushions and chrome plated swivel metal base is the best accent piece for your home.

Classic Contemporary Style with Angel Armchair
This interior design style marries the classic and modern look. If you feel that the simple, contemporary look is too harsh for your taste, go for softer color contrasts that will highlight the art on your walls. When using this style, make sure to avoid using colors that will hold your attention on one piece. Instead, use colors and pieces that complement each other, lending a warm and homey ambiance to your space.

Here’s the chair that will complete your home’s classic contemporary look. Designed by Ruud Bos for Kubikoff, the  Angel Armchair will suit your space’s modern and classy look. It is suitable for indoor and outdoor use; and is also the perfect accent piece in your living space. This molded polycarbonate chair is designed to cradle the body; and is meant to last even after years of hard use because the colors are permeated through the material.

Eclectic Style with Diamond Rocker Chair
True to its name, if you are into mixing and matching various furniture, colors and other pieces, then this design style is right for you. If you opt for this look, feel free to play with colors, fabric, design and style. While this look may be overwhelming for some, you can pull it off by choosing materials that are not really bulky so as not to make your space look and feel cramped.

This classic and beautiful rocker chair by Kubikoff can be used to accent any interior design style. Simply elegant, you can use this for your reading nook or an accent piece in your eclectic-style home. The Diamond Rocker Chair has a polycarbonate shell in clear transparent or white.

Urban Style with Opal M Swivel Chair
Another home design style inspired by a city, the New York style suits any modern space because of its use of neutral paint colors, contrasting furniture accents, as well as space-saving furniture.

To match your New York style dining space, Plastix/Papatya’s Opal M Swivel Chair is your best bet. Since you want furniture with dramatic hues, this modern armchair lends an intriguing tone for your space. Available in transparent and solid colors, this molded technopolymer chair will make your dining space brighter and more vivacious. This chair is anti-UV stabilized, making sure that its vibrant colors will last even after years of use.

212Concept
No matter whether you’re looking for the chairs above or furniture by leading European designers or simply want a new and exciting piece by the young talents of the current generation of designers, 212Concept wiil help you find it. To browse or shop modern furniture from Kubikoff, sohoConcept, Nuans Design and others visit 212Concept.com.

Time and hard work will continue to pull this beauty together. And you can rest assured that I’ll be sharing with you as soon as it’s ready! Until then, here is a sneak peek. Enjoy!

New Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware

Do I see Open Shelves in the Kitchen??

New Carpet – a custom dyed shade of gray. When they don’t have a color you like, custom dye is always an option.

Gold On  The Ceiling… Because Gold is staging a comeback and I am embracing it!

New floors – ebony-stained wood with a new graphic rug (and my camera-shy pup/assistant.)

A few finishing touches are in place, but much more work to do. And a coat of new paint – Sherwin Williams “Anew Gray”.

To see more about the journey to the new home:

• Designer’s Home| Welcome to My New Digs
• Things I Really Love About My House

“Linoleum flooring is made from natural materials like linseed oil, recycled wood flour, cork dust and limestone. Linoleum is naturally anti-bacterial and biodegradable. It is a perfect choice for a “green” floor in one’s home.” (Armstrong)

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is the sheet material that is often imprinted with a pattern to mimic tile. It comes in 6′ and 12′ widths on a roll. It is the most economical flooring available and therefore is often viewed as a negative.

I don’t know why, but every time someone refers to linoleum in a negative, they are actually visualizing or referring to vinyl.  So let’s talk about the positives of linoleum.

Linoleum

Quick Facts About Linoleum

•  Linoleum is one of the oldest ‘natural’ floor types still in use which dates back one and a half centuries to its creation in England.
• Linoleum floors were very popular until just after World War II when the cheaper priced synthetic, flexible vinyl was the new thing
• Today, with the emphasis on eco–friendly, green flooring products, linoleum is staging a comeback.
• Linoleum is made entirely from natural raw materials and is comprised of things like linseed oil, rosin, and wood with jute backing.
• Linoleum is available in a rainbow of colors, patterns and beautiful designs and is even available as a “do it yourself” installation project.
• As flooring, linoleum is durable with an expected lifespan of 40 years.
• Since it is made of natural and renewable materials, it is entirely biodegradable when discarded.

In addition to the above list, linoleum is a fully customizable product. There is no end to the creative designs that can be achieved through linoleum.

Elle Decor

Armstrong Flooring

House Beautiful

Armstrong Flooring

Linoleum (lĬnō´lēəm), resilient floor or wall covering made of burlap, canvas, or felt, surfaced with a composition of wood flour, oxidized linseed oil, gums or other ingredients, and coloring matter. In the manufacture of linoleum, linseed oil is exposed to the air in a succession of thin films until it is of a rubbery consistency, or it is thickened by heating until it becomes a spongy mass, after which it is ground, mixed with pulverized wood and other ingredients, and then applied to the foundation and rolled smooth. The final process is a thorough seasoning in drying rooms. In inlaid linoleum the pattern is built up from the base in the colors of the design and is therefore permanent. Linoleum is made in several thicknesses and in the form of tiles. It is sometimes surfaced with a durable pyroxylin lacquer. Although large amounts of linoleum are still produced, other materials such as vinyl are now more widely used as floor coverings (Linoleum, 2012)

“linoleum.“ The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2012. Encyclopedia.com. 2 May. 2013<http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Flooring Repurposed as Table

In 2008, we replaced a wood floor with tile in the kitchen. This flooring change was done to expand the kitchen nook by several square feet and because the flooring and cabinets were too similar in color and we desired a bit more contrast.

I kept the wood for 4 years, waiting for inspiration to strike. I knew I would dream up a clever way to reuse this wood…someday.

Eventually Inspiration struck in the from of a repurposed table top. I found this image on Pinterest and the idea took off from there.

To bring this vision to life, I contacted  my favorite custom furniture Designer and Builder in Colorado: Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture. Ryan went to work on the details of the design.

The completed table is lightly distressed and has a grayed, slightly weathered finish. The herringbone pattern is beautiful! I could not have been happier with the result. Thanks, Ryan!

Giving New Life to Vintage Chairs

As the Dining Room started with upcycling, I thought I’d continue with an environmentally conscious room. Instead of buying new chairs, I found a unique set of metal neoclassical revival chairs on 1st Dibs. The chairs are circa 1950′s and are cast metal, allowing the lines of the chairs to curve and taper in a way that carved wood could not, yet has details to mimic carved wood.

I immediately loved the lines of the chairs. The pea green paint and silk fabric were a bit “easter egg” for my taste. Instead, I opted for black paint with silver highlights and a combination of fabrics from Kravet and Osbourne & Little.

The new Dining Room!

I love the final results and look forward to seeing these beautiful pieces in the dining room of the new house soon.

Do you have a story about creatively repurposing or upcyling products in your home? Share with us here or on Facebook.

]]> http://www.beautifulhabitat.com/dining-room-project-repurposed-table/feed/ 0 http://www.beautifulhabitat.com/chairs-in-your-bathroom-design-guest-post/ http://www.beautifulhabitat.com/chairs-in-your-bathroom-design-guest-post/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 15:31:33 +0000 beautifulhabitat http://www.beautifulhabitat.com/?p=2257 Hello, everyone! It’s Mari here from Arcadian Home blog, a wonderful place to find, among many other inspirations, a fabulous array of ideas for lighting your home, from foyer lights to floor lamps. I’m so excited to be visiting with you at Beautiful Habitat today to share a guest post about chairs in the bath.

To fuel your interior design dreams, I’ve brought along eight images of bathrooms that include beautiful and comfortable chairs. Please enjoy!

Thanks for letting me stop by!

~ Mari

Not all bathrooms with a beach house vibe are done in coastal blues with seaside references everywhere. This sedate design has only subtle coastal touches—shells in a glass container on the counter and four diverse shell collections in identical black frames on the wall. At first glance, this comfy chair in brown appears to be aged leather, but it’s actually a lovely velvet fabric.

An elegant marble bath with sparkling white free-standing tub gets a splash of color with an ornate chair upholstered in a beautiful green and white Greek key patterned velvet.

A plump armchair and ottoman upholstered in periwinkle blue Tides fabric gives a nod to the sea in this white and pale turquoise bath. I love the little glass pendant light with metallic gold detailing.

Seating comes in the form of two chairs in this lovely eclectic bath—an ornate French armchair in the corner and a stylish slip-covered high-backed armless chair at the vanity.

Brown is beautiful here—walls, ceiling and chair are beautiful in this chocolate hue. Golden accents and 80′s pendant add a lovely glamorous look.

A brown chair offers a place to relax in this great eclectic bath. The space is an appealing mix of traditional, rustic and contemporary.

A small table and chairs offers a place for tea at bath time in this formal bathroom. The black sinks and tub are so perfect, as are the legs of the console.

Absorbent terry cloth covers the armchairs and ottoman in this stunning bath. Decorative trays hold toiletries here and there about the space. I love the architectural details and subtle blue touches. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What do you think of these bathrooms? Leave us your thoughts below and be sure to stop by our blog for more home decor, lighting and interior inspirations each day.

New wall to wall carpet is a big ticket item and a decision that most of us do not take lightly. The lifespan of your carpet may likely be longer then most of your furniture. There are also so many styles, colors and brands. Here are a few tips and trends to keep in mind if you’re in the market for new carpeting.

Carpet Trends as I see them (at least in the Denver market) in 2013:

Dark and Bold

Carpet colors have gone considerably darker than over the  previous decade and more. In the late 1990′s and through the early 2000′s light carpets ranging from ivory to beige to tan were hot. The lighter colors helped to keep a space more open and bright, while simultaneously shrinking into the background. On the down side, those lighter colors are harder to keep clean. There has been a shift to darker carpet tones, whether a chocolate brown or a charcoal gray. And bold carpet colors are appearing too.

Gray

Gray is hot everywhere – furniture, fabrics, flooring, books. It’s quickly replacing beige, tans, and browns as the hot neutral. Don’t panic if you’re surrounded by browns. They are neutrals, and a good neutral will always hold their own.

Texture

Texture and patterns are making a comeback in carpeting. This is usually created with a combination of looped and cut pile stands, creating a design and texture although the material and color are the same. And I say making a comeback, because I distinctly remember the patterned carpet of my youth. The looped valley’s and higher cut pile made interesting obstacles for my toys circa 1983.  Textured and patterned carpet creates a great look and adds interest to an often overlooked surface. It can actually become a focal point in the design, rather than a bland surface on which to place furniture.

Plush never Fails

If you are afraid to commit to a texture or worry that this trend may not have the lifespan that you want, plush carpet is always a good bet.

Do you have a design or decorating question? I’d be happy to feature your question and provide guidance. Ask here or on the Beautiful Habitat Facebook Page.

Stone:

Both natural and engineered stone are other popular materials for kitchen countertops. Natural stone typically gets pretty pricey, and it is vulnerable to scratches or chips and cracks. This means that there is usually some maintenance involved, normally in the form of a sealant to prevent permanent damage. Engineered stone is easy to get a hold of, but it can also be expensive depending on how realistic you want it to look. This stone is also in danger of scratches and may require slight maintenance for those repairs.

Granite:

While this is not the most inexpensive material for countertops, granite is extremely durable and will last a long time. This kind of countertop is going to be best for someone looking for a material that can handle wear and tear. Granite can endure hard usage while also not requiring much maintenance.

Laminate:

Laminate is great choice for most kitchen countertops. It is extremely popular due to its low cost and strong durability. Laminate can handle lots of usage and will last for a very long time. Given its ability to outlast lots of wearing, laminate will not scratch easily and depending on the pattern its aesthetic appearance will stay new looking. Like granite, it won’t take much maintenance.

Stainless Steel:

This is targeted for a very specific style of kitchen. The good thing about this material is that while it can scratch from very hard use, it is durable and requires little upkeep. This material is also very heat tolerant and sanitary. The look of stainless steel on kitchen countertops is very unique, so this is seen less often because it isn’t as versatile for matching.

Wood:

This option is very appealing to those looking for an eco-friendly material. The pricing of wood countertops varies based on the kind you want. The biggest issue with this type of countertop is the upkeep. Wood countertops will require resealing periodically and if not completed frequently enough, the wood may obtain water damage. Wood countertops will also show scratches so it is not recommended for those who want to use their counters directly in their cooking and prep.

These are the most commonly seen styles for kitchen countertops. Be aware of how the edges of your countertops are designed because a lot of jagged edges and shapes can cause more wear on the material. A smooth flat edge will get the best results for wearing on the materials. Most importantly, choose the right countertop material for your kitchen needs and style.

Wade Myer is a recovering contractor who has turned to writing due to injuries. Wade loves helping his readers with home design tips. He currently writes on behalf of Steiner Homes who builds Crown Point custom homes.. In his spare time, Wade enjoys spending time with his family and relaxing.

The renovations are just getting underway. But before too much is changed, I’d like to introduce you to the home in it’s current state. Welcome to the new home!

Foyer

The foyer really isn’t in terrible shape.  Expect to see new flooring, lighting, paint and decor (these pieces don’t belong to me…).

Kitchen

The kitchen is a bit sad and the first area slated for work. White kitchens are classic and often work so well. However, I’ve decided to spice this one up with some new cabinetry that will not be white.

These appliances are original – circa early 1990′s and are going away.

The kitchen has a great large window. Who could complain about a nice view and all the natural light while in the kitchen?!

Dining Room

The dining room has beautiful wood work and details. The red paint, faux marble painted ceiling and light don’t do it for me. Look for fun changes here. I have a beautiful custom table by Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture in Loveland, Colorado. I can’t wait to get it into this room.

Powder Room

Why, yes, that IS a pink toilet with a wood seat and that IS a counter top with an integrated seashell design sink. Jealous, are you?

Laundry Room

This is perhaps one of the most depressing laundry rooms I have ever seen. Doing laundry is a depressing enough affair on it’s own. This just makes me sad – and the entry from the garage goes through this room. I know I can’t come home to this every day. I am really going to have some fun with this room.

Master Bathroom

I saved the best for last. Feast your eyes on this pink, black and gold beauty! I am so excited to get my hands on this room. Unfortunately it’s not slated for work for a couple of months. This is going to make for a dramatic before & after.

 Stay tuned for updates on the progress and the Home Tour after all of the renovations. I’ll have posts here and on Facebook. I hope you’ll find some inspiration for your own home!

Décor ideas in any room essentially aim for one of two goals, fashion or function.  For any design specialist their goals are to achieve a merging of the two goals and hopefully reach the ideal of a room that is both fashionable and functional.  With a kitchen you definitely want to choose a lighting scheme that leans towards function, because the last thing you want in the room where all your food is prepared is improper lighting.

Sunlight

It makes for the cheapest and most environmentally green ways to light a kitchen.  Nothing makes light like the sun does.  Open up your blinds and let the sun shine.  Unfortunately some kitchens are designed with small windows or low levels of exposure that keep sunlight out.  There are a few cheats you can do to bring sunlight into a kitchen.

Of course the best way is to just install better windows with a greater amount of exposure.  However, this may not be the most cost effective way, as window installation could be a major project and rather expensive.  It may also be an option unavailable to you if you are in a rental property.

Barring that option, you can try to bring a bit more light in through other ways.  Open up windows fully in adjacent rooms, paint walls in light colors, and you can even use large mirrors to try and direct some of that sunlight towards your kitchen.

Hanging and Overhead Lighting

The typical kitchen design often includes an overhead light source.  These may be overhead light fixtures such as a fluorescent installation, or an arrangement of bulbs.  Hanging lamps are another way that offers an attractive design that can offer great functionality in a kitchen.

The ideal placement for any hanging arrangement should be one that descends over and directly lights the important areas of your kitchen.  Areas like your sink, food prep counters, and your oven range are all proper candidates where you should install a hanging light arrangement.  You’ll want them installed above head level but close enough that the benefit of their light is centered exactly where you need it, such as over a serving counter so you can easily see if those steaks are cooked to your perfect medium rare (or any other preferred doneness).

Recessed and Under-Cabinet Lighting

One of the most popular trends in home and kitchen lighting design is the use of recessed and under-cabinet lighting schemes.  These lighting designs are commonly seen in art galleries, helping to illuminate portraits and sculptures.  Their use in home design intends to bring home some of the elegance of an art gallery.

They can certainly help a kitchen achieve a very streamlined look, bringing home the feel of a professional restaurant’s kitchen.  For the do-it-yourself crowd installing these are often to be considered quite easy to do.

Remember the function

Remember that the placement of any lights in a kitchen should focus on the functionality of the room and do little to impede it.  It’s the reason that most lighting designs use hanging or recessed ceiling lights. The last thing you want in a kitchen is a lamp on your counter, you may accidentally tip the lamp and you certainly don’t want to be serving your food with shards of glass.

Of course, how you design a lighting scheme in your home is something that should be catered to your tastes as an individual.  Energize your kitchen life and bring a little bit more light into your home, by yourself or with the help of a professional.

Ross Donald is a freelance writer and design expert with the home and outdoor lighting specialists at LightingSale.com.  Ross loves working with people to design their ideal home and understands how important it is to feel both safe and comfortable in your four walls.

via Bryn Alexandria

via Beautiful Habitat

via Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper

via Ashton Sebastian

via DecorPad

via Bryn Alexandria

via Willow Be Inspired

via Lonny

via Real Simple