Peacock Inspired Home Accessories

Jewel tones are all the rage this season, especially when it comes to home accessories and decor. With popularity comes other sub-genres of the look, such as peacock inspired home accessories, which are also popping up in stores and in home decor magazines everywhere. Here’s the low down on peacock inspired style for your home.

All About Peacock Inspired Home Accessories and Decor

As mentioned earlier, it is highly likely that this home decor look is the result of the popularity of jewel tones, as peacocks and peacock feathers feature plenty of beautiful jewel tones. Rich emerald greens, stylish sapphire blues, elegant but deep aquamarines and so forth, have all been seen gracing the feathers of a peacock.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate this look into your home decor is through the use of jewel toned table lamps. If you can find ones with a peacock inspired look, that’s even better. However, jewel toned lamps are equally functional and equally stylish and furthermore, still compliment the look without being overwhelming. Too much peacock can become visually overwhelming, so bear this in mind.

Of course, there are other options. For example, you may want to consider using throw pillows on your furniture. Look for throw pillows either in the jewel tones that you would see on a peacock’s feathers, or keep an eye open for peacock inspired prints. Chances are, you’ll be able to find at least one of the other. If you’re really interested in a peacock print, consider making your own throw pillows for the space. Throw pillows can be used on arm chairs, beds, sofas and a number of other furniture pieces including outdoor furniture, benches and so forth, so don’t forget these other areas as well!

Depending on your level of craftiness, there are other ways you can incorporate the peacock look into your home decor. For example, you could use feathers or faux-jewels to create a peacock inspired wreath for your door. This is a great option for spring, summer and even early fall.

You’ll find that there are also dozens of peacock and peacock inspired looks for home accessories both online and offline at your local retailers. Keep an eye out for items such as throw rugs, curtains, throw blankets, statues, accent furniture, table decor, wall art and more.

The peacock look is growing in popularity because peacocks are often associated with the rich for various reasons. They, along with their jewel toned feathers, represent a sense of luxury and lavishness that many people can only imagine. Fortunately, despite their seemingly opulent nature, just about anyone can incorporate the peacock look into their home decor. Remember, the peacock look does not necessarily mean you have to incorporate peacocks or even peacock feathers into the mix.

Decorating with Folding Screens

Folding screens may seem too traditional, but modern screens can create great finishing touches to the home.   There are many creative functions and designs for modern folding screens.  Although they are most commonly used as room divider, there are various ways that folding screens can be used with some creativity. Here are some unique and fun examples!

The Asian inspired folding screen functions as a background and secondary headboard for the bed.  The green  adds a great contrast to the overall pink and white design of the room.

This translucent folding screen creates a unique separation between the two spaces while providing texture to the white area.

This creative use of the wooden folding screen adds a slight country feel to the space while adding dimension and serving as decor.

Adding patterned wallpaper can be costly and time-consuming, but a floral patterned folding screen accomplishes nearly the same effect.

This amazing mirrored folding screens adds glamour and added function to the bedroom.

Another creative use of a folding screen, converting it into an art gallery dedicated to man’s best friend.

Mid Century Modern Wall Art

Mid-century modern wall art and wall decor are attractive pieces coming back into style. We’ve spotted it in several rooms in shelter magazines and decor blogs (which give us some great interior design ideas), ranging from mid-century purist to transitional style blending modern and traditional elements.

Both a vintage piece and a new copy will equally give your wall a touch of modern flair.  Flea markets are great sources for vintage and mid- century modern wall decor, though many retailers offer a selection of decals and metal wall sculptures inspired by mid-century design.

Vintage C. Jere, short for Curtis Jere, metal pieces are highly sought after and fetch high prices, even thousands of dollars. Look for these at an auction.

Vintage Jere wall art is sculptural and like this piece, striking in its simplicity.

Above is a lovely eclectic living room with vintage Jere metal art work. A single piece of mid-century modern wall art can fill a wall.

Natural and organic elements were popular design motifs in mid-century modern wall art. Pair with mid-century furniture for a modern organic feeling and to inspire additional decorating ideas.

The starburst mirror doubles as wall art in this foyer space. Functional and sculptural, it adds a mid-century modern edge to a simple space.

A collection of circles can create a DIY version of mid-century modern wall art. Paint to contrast or blend with your wall color.

Graphic wall decals are another way to bring mid-century style to your room. Decals are available in any number of shapes and styles.

New metal wall art from Oras looks great in this all white bathroom. Love the colorful shades of blue and the linear form.

Combining wall art and mobiles is another great mid-century design element; this collection of blue circles from Oras creates a colorful focal point.

What is Texture in Interior Design?

Home decor involves a number of different elements including color, balance and of course, texture. With so many different elements, it can be difficult even picking out home accessories and decor for fear of making a mistake. Fortunately, it’s easy to incorporate texture into your space, especially with home accessories. Here is the low down on what texture is and how it is used in interior design.

What is Texture?

What is Texture in Interior Design

The key thing to remember is that texture applies not only to how an item feels in your hands, but also how an item looks. If you take silk and hold it against linen, you can clearly see that both of these fabrics have different textures. These textures will affect the look of the furniture you apply them to, so it’s important to take note of these minor differences, no matter how insignificant they may seem. After all, the linen texture may be more visually appealing, but it may cause the upholstered furniture to look overwhelming visually, especially when the linen features certain vivid colors.

Texture allows you to add visual depth to a space. While it’s great to find all of the right items for any given space in your home, you may find yourself feeling as though things look a bit ‘bland.’ This may be because you have not quite incorporated enough texture into the space. If you’ve got smooth lacquered furniture paired with glass vases for table decor, you can see the items, but they don’t draw your eye in as much as a lacquered table with hammered metal bowls for table decor might.

How Do I Incorporate Texture Into My Space?

Incorporating texture into your home decor is easy, not because it already exists, but because once you realize you need to pay attention to it and that it’s actually already there in your space, it becomes easier to mix in. For example, let’s look at the living room.

In a living room space, you have a number of different furniture pieces: the sofa, perhaps some chairs, a coffee table, side tables and a media center. There may also be book shelves or other furniture used for storage. Each of these items have a different type of texture: the furniture is likely upholstered, your side tables or coffee tables are likely made from wood, but they could also be made from plastic or glass. Wood and upholstery are two different textures that add visual interest to the space.

Moving on to the other portions of the room, you’ll find that everything features texture: your table decor, your wall art and all of the other little home accessories that you use in your space. Once you realize what texture is and that it isn’t just about how an item feels, but how an item looks visually, you’ll find that it’s easy to incorporate into your space.

As a final tip, remember that with visual texture, items that are not clear with plenty of texture, such as a hammered metal bowl, have more visual weight than a bowl of equal size and shape made from glass or plastic. This is because the hammered metal features a different and more visual texture than the glass or plastic, which gives it more visual weight. Heavier textures tend to have more visual weight, so keep this in mind as you decorate. Too many heavy textures can make a space feel cluttered.

Texture is just one of the basic elements of interior design. Other elements include balance, harmony, rhythm, portion and scale, and all of these elements need to be combined together to create the right look for any given style of home decor.

Playful Colors in a Modern San Diego Loft By Mia Rao Design

Mia Rao Design was founded in 2001 as a Chicago-based, full-service interior design firm dedicated to transforming residential and commercial interiors. Interior designer, Mia Rao creates livable modern and classic interior designs by drawing from the personal history and lifestyle of her clients. The objective for every design project by Mia Rao Design is to achieve well-balanced interiors that are both functional and unique.

It is easy to see that this is exactly what was done in the project bellow. Take in this stunning collection of photographs of this San Diego Loft that is an excellent representation of her firm and her fabulous work!

The vivid colors of the rug and couch create an upscale atmosphere in this loft living room.

The rich, dark colors of the bar stools contrast nicely against the kitchen island.

The glass doors with embedded bear-grass opens up to reveal the bedroom.

The graphic artwork complements the patterns of the Maharam textiles on the bed.

The wall light art, arching blue ceiling, and graphic art in this loft entryway all come together to evoke an artistic and modern ambiance.

The colorful sleeper sofa adds a touch of softness to this modern home office.

The cobalt colored wall brings out the details in the paintings and color of the lacquered cabinets.

Let us know which of these designs or home accessories was your favorite in the comments section. To see more of Mia Rao Design’s gorgeous work, visit their portfolio here.