Archive for August, 2011

Metal Art is Ideal for Bathroom Decor

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Contemporary decor has a definitive, signature look. It is defined by sleek, clean design; bold geometric shapes, colors that are cool and fresh, and smooth, modern metallic finishes. In a bathroom, many items have to offer a duel function: they should be decorative as well as functional. Metal art by its very nature is beautifully functional for a bathroom because it is moisture resistant; unlike wood products and art, which will warp in a moist environment, metal art and metal accessories look great year after year. Here are a few great reasons for choosing metal art and accessories for your contemporary bathroom.

Stainless steel accessories and art always look clean and sterile: Stainless steel is one of the best materials that you can choose for a contemporary bathroom. First of all, it looks undeniably modern and chic; and secondly, it does not rust or tarnish, so it always looks hygienic and sterile which is exactly what is desired in a bathroom since cleanliness and a tidy appearance make any bathroom more pleasant. Whether you choose stainless steel accessories for the countertop, like toothbrush holders or soap dispensers, or beautiful contemporary stainless steel towel racks or wall decor, a simple wipe with a damp rag will keep your accessories in pristine condition.

Metal accessories and wall art make perfect artistic additions to the modern bath: Many modern bathrooms feature plumbing and lighting fixtures made of stainless steel, silver or brushed nickel so it is very easy to create a coordinated look with contemporary metal accents and wall decor with the same metallic finish. Items like wall racks, picture frames and wall mirrors, candle holders, trays and waste baskets let you add a little sparkle to the room in a well-coordinated fashion.

Metal art is the preferred choice among contemporary professional designers: Take a look at a few modern design magazines or home decor television shows and you’ll see that materials like stainless steel and brushed nickel are predominantly used items for bathroom and kitchen decor. In a larger bathroom that has wall space above the jetted infinity tub, for example, a contemporary metal wall decor, like bold oversize candle sconces and holders are often used to create a focal point.

Metal art often features abstract motifs and designs: Contemporary metal art has a trendy, cutting edge appeal, and abstract design is a great way to capture this look. Bold geometric shapes like circles or triangles work perfectly in a bathroom because they command attention but are not overly figurative or literal; they just simply make the space look great! This abstract element is a perfect companion to other modern features and materials like sleek glass tile, modern vessel sinks, brushed nickel hardware and minimalist designs.

Choose metal art in natural forms for a spa-like bathroom: If you want a bathroom that has a natural feeling, select metal art in shapes that reflect natural elements like trees, flowers and animals. This is a wonderfully appropriate choice for a bathroom that welcomes you with the luxury of a spa retreat. It can also work nicely for a minimalist, Zen design.

Use Contemporary Art to Update a Fireplace

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

A fireplace can’t help but be a focal point: It draws you in with its warmth and comfort, as well as its style and design. However, if the fireplace is in disrepair or is woefully outdated, it will have the opposite effect. You won’t be able to take your eyes off it, but for all the wrong reasons. In a contemporary room, an outdate fireplace will be a real detriment to the overall decorative effect of the room.  Using contemporary tile and art are the easiest ways to make a dated fireplace more in step with current times.

Updating with Tile

One of the easiest ways to update a fireplace is with modern tile; glass tiles or modern metallic tiles will take a boring old fireplace into wow factor territory in no time. Granite and marble are also great choices because they look sleek and smooth and hold up well under the heat generated by the fireplace. You can mix and match tiles to create a unique look or use a single style throughout. Modern mosaic tiles are also a great way to introduce multiple, coordinated colors to the fireplace.

Tiling a fireplace is not rocket science but is not the easiest project in the world, either. You must carefully plan and measure before purchasing and installing tile. It is best to create a template and lay out the tiles first on the floor to be sure that they will fit in the allotted space. If your fireplace is currently covered in brick, you will need to install cement board over the brick so that there is a smooth, even surface for the tile. If you have any questions, check with the pros at a local home improvement store; but if you really doubt your abilities, hire an experience tile installer to do the job for you.

Using Contemporary Art to Update a Fireplace

If tiling the fireplace is not in your skill set or budget, you have other options. If the brick is hideous, you can simply paint it. A hardware, paint or home improvement store can guide you with regards to the proper type of product, tools, prep and so forth. Very often, just painting a red brick fireplace in a creamy shade of white gives it an instant update. You can also change a dated fireplace screen or doors to something more modern like brushed nickel.

Once the fireplace is ready, hanging a gorgeous piece of modern art above it will make it instantly modern and stylish. Framed abstract paintings and contemporary metal wall art or metal wall sculptures are beautiful, modern choices that make outstanding focal points. You can accent the artwork with simple modern pottery, metal cylinders, glass sculpture, candle scones and holders or other items that echo the style, shape and spirit of the artwork. A tall metallic or glass vase on the hearth with a few simple branches is a nice finishing touch. Keep things streamlined and simple and make the arrangement asymmetrical. This will prevent the arrangement from looking too traditional and drawing you back into the time warp that you are trying to escape!

Illuminating Ideas for Small Spaces

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

If you have one or more small spaces in your home that seem a bit dark and uninteresting, the solution might be to incorporate a few clever lighting ideas. Creating interesting lighting effects in small corners and spaces isn’t really as difficult as you might think it would be. All it takes is a bit of creativity and a few inexpensive light fixtures and you’ll be able to instantly transform your dark and dreary areas into exciting, warm and inviting living spaces.

Romantic Candlelight

Candles are a very versatile light source that can be used in a variety of different ways. If you plan on illuminating a small area with candles, safety should be high on your list of priorities. Sometimes small areas are just a bit too crowded to safely display a lighted candle on a tabletop or stand. If this is the case in your home, the solution could be to use wall mounted candle holders instead of a tabletop candleholder or jar candle. Candles come in a wide variety of colors, sizes and scents, making it easy to choose one that is perfect for any living space and they coordinate nicely with traditional wall art or contemporary metal artwork.

Track Lighting

Ceiling-mounted track lighting is a great way to illuminate walls, highlight artwork, and add a contemporary, trendy look to your living space. Because of the way that track lights are mounted, you’ll have plenty of versatility in regards to the angle of each individual light. Track lighting can make it very easy to illuminate even an out-of-the way corner of the room, since all you need to do is adjust the angle of one or more of the lights. Although many people immediately think of contemporary decorating styles as being the perfect backdrop for track lighting, it can actually be used successfully with a wide variety of decorating styles.

Floor Lamps

If the words “floor lamps” conjures up images of big, unattractive and bulky lamps in your mind, it’s time you take a look at some of the more modern styles. Today’s floor lamps come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, making them perfect for both large and small spaces. A floor lamp could be the perfect way to illuminate an out-of-the-way corner of the room, transforming it from unused space into a cozy reading corner. If space is tight, choose a floor lamp that has a streamlined design that makes good use of floor space. In fact, some floor lamps are designed so that they can be pushed under a sofa or chair, thus saving even more floor space.

Novelty Lamps

If you’d like to add a touch of whimsy and fun to a dark corner of your home, try using a string of lights or a stylish novelty lamp. Although novelty lamps and string lights don’t give off a great deal of light, they can be perfect for adding a welcoming touch to dark corners and spaces. Novelty lights are available in a wide variety of styles and themes, making it easy to liven up a room with a touch of personality. Whether you prefer a pretty floral themed lamp or a retro lava lamp, novelty lamps can be the perfect way to spice up a boring corner.

When planning your lighting options for dark, out-of-the-way corners of your home, it’s important to think creatively. If you embrace the small spaces of your home instead of ignoring them, you might be surprised how much personality and beauty they can really have.