Do you live in a newly built home or in an old home that lacks architectural details that give it character and personality? Have you bought a new home that feels cold and impersonal? Would you like to find beauty in every corner of your home with a modern-classic soul? As an expert Interior Designer in Sitges, from Lady J. Interiors today I give you the keys to achieve it.
I have always thought that the more beautiful the architecture of an interior is, the less you need to invest in other things to make it perfect. For that reason, today I will talk about how to elevate your interior, from the bases.
Please find as follows 7 key elements that will turn your home into an interior full of personality which makes you feel excited!
Skirting in style
Skirting not only fulfil a function (to allow for some space for the natural expansion of wooden floors or to protect the walls from cleaning processes...), but they are also a key element in the decoration of your home. They can go unnoticed, or create a piece of art on an empty canvas. Do you dare to give your skirting boards the prominence they deserve?
In the following example, a low skirting has been combined with an upper trimming creating a high skirting effect that creates a minimalist interior without sacrificing elegance. In this case, the beauty of the contrast between new and antique has also been used through the solid wood stool.
Image credit: Orac Decor
Furthermore, the skirting can blend unnoticed into the wall, or become the main character of a room, highlighting the architecture of a space, all depending on how we paint the room.
If you like interiors with a dramatic feel, try painting the wall in a dark tone, while the skirting and cornice in a light tone, like the following example. This works especially well in rooms with high ceilings, because painting the skirting in a different color gives the impression that the ceiling is lower, creating a feeling of cozyness. On the contrary, if it is painted the same color as the wall, the room appears taller.
Image credit: Farrow and ball
But perhaps you prefer the following formula, painting the skirting and carpentry in a darker tone. As you can see, the result can be spectacular.
Photo Credit: Barnaby Lane
Although... most of us prefer to live in more peaceful interior, which allow us to connect with our inner world. For this reason, I couldn't help but show you the following formula, where the walls are painted in a warm grey tone, while the skirting, cornice and ceiling are painted in white. It is a subtle and delicate combination that is far from being boring. As you can see, in this case the color palette provided by the rest of the decorative elements stands out, giving them more presence.
Image Credit: Aparment Therapy
On other occasions, the skirting highlights a wallpaper or a hand painted mural. Regardless of your case, selecting a skirting and its finish appropriately are key.
Chair rail
In the past, chairs and armchairs were placed in the center of the rooms only when they were going to be used. When not, they were kept along the perimeter of the rooms. The 'dado rail' was the trimming that protected the majestic fabrics that covered the walls at that time. Nowadays, the dado rail brings architectural interest to spaces, providing a little trip to the past.
Below you can see some examples and therefore the potential that this element can bring to your home.
If the dado rail is painted the same color as the rest of the wall, a blend is achieved between all the elements, creating an elegant and very natural space. It is the following example, where decorative trimming has also been installed between the skirting and the dado rail, elevating the beauty of this Parisian floor.
Image Credit: Davide Lovatti
If you prefer to highlight its presence a little, you can paint the lower part in a different tone, as in the following example, where the lower section of the wall is painted in a cream color, and the upper part in white. This combination creates a minimalist elegance that highlights other architectural aspects of the home, such as in this case the iron staircase and its beautiful handrail.
Image Credit: Lonny
Hey, maybe you like the idea of giving it a vintage touch but you're missing a spark of joy or a more modern touch. Look at the following example, where the dado rail has been painted green, followed by the side wall painted in that same color. By painting the dado rail in a different color we manage to elevate the view, which leads us to discover the wallpaper of the room in the background.
Image credit: Cole & Son
In this other example, the dado rail acts as a design element used in a different and visually stimulating way. The dado rail delimits the lower part of the wall, painted in anthracite, from the upper part, painted in dusty pink, which is again highlighted by the continuous black strip above the dado rail. As you can see, in this case the effect of color has been carefully analysed, creating a space that curiously works.
Image credit: Isabel Peinado
Picture rail
It's clear, in the past people used to love moldings. Not only that, but they used trimming with a purpose. This is the case of the 'picture rail', a thin trimming placed about 30 to 60 cm from the ceiling and whose objective was to hang pictures in such a way that it was not necessary to drill holes in the walls and thus be able to change the paintings when necessary (can please someone explain to me why did we stopp using them!?)
As you can see, this element even today can be functional or merely aesthetic.
What I find most interesting about the picture rail is that it delimits the wall, opening path to endless decorative possibilities.
Often the coldest countries with fewer hours of sunshine are the ones that innovate the most with color, they need a visual and emotional stimulation. For example, in the following case, the British paint company has chosen a fascinating color palette, even on the ceiling.
Image Credit: Paint & Paper
If you prefer something more subtle, Home edit has the perfect example of a classic home in pastel tones, which creates a more peaceful atmosphere.
Image Credit: Home Edit
The next example is also subtle, more feminine, and combined with period furniture creates a very delicate fusion.
Image Credit: Anthropologie
Take me to heaven: Cornices and moldings
When talking about embellishing the ceiling with trimming, the possibilities are endless. The first thing we must consider is whether we want it to stand out or be a more subtle element.
There are many cornices and trimming on the market with modern and clean lines that can add style to your interior without saturating it. And I'm sure you've already seen many of them, which is why here I show you especially beautiful examples.
The following example shows that combining styles, in this case classic (cornices) and rustic with a 'cottage' feel (furniture, floor...) is possible.
Image Credit: Devol Kitchen
The following example corresponds to an apartment in the Eixample's neighbourhood in Barcelona, the ceiling has a very artistic detail, and the hydraulic floors mark the character of the room, hence the choice of an eclectic but minimalist decoration combined with modern lamps (the wall lamp by Serge Mouille and standing floor lamp by Marset) create a space that feels very natural, not at all ostentatious.
'Image Credit: micasa
Image Credit: micasa
A touch of art: ceiling rosettes
Once the cornices have been chosen, we can give a touch of art to your home by integrating ceiling rosettes, these are very effective in elevating the style of a room.
Image Credit: Orac Decor
I suggest the ceiling rosette you choose is larger than the lamp itself, to give it greater prominence. How much bigger? In homes with low ceilings and simple trimming, it is best to choose smaller, less ornate rosettes.
The combination of a ceiling rosette, a vintage element, with a modern lamp or even a suspended light bulb usually generates a WOW factor. In the following example, a ceiling rosette with simple lines (without floral patterns...) and a modern light fixture have been chosen; The result is a classic and elegant home.
Image Credit: Orac Decor
The following example also demonstrates how classic and modern can coexist in the same environment.
Image Credit: Orac Decor
The following example is one of my favourites, combining a sophisticated element, the ceiling rosette, with the simplicity of suspended light bulbs. They stand out particularly, because they have also played with an emerald green tone on the central wall.
Image Credit: Couch Style DE
If you are lucky enough to live in a home with high ceilings, you have probably already had the feeling that they sometimes create cold environments. Large ceiling rosettes create an impact factor and help make tall rooms more welcoming. In the following example we see the same level of detail and style in the cornices as in the rose window.
Image Credit: Pufikhomes
In the following example, a French ceiling chandelier has been chosen and it is appropriate to the level of detail of the ceiling rosette, creating a fascinating fusion.
Image Credit: Paint & Paper
Door frame or entrance to paradise?
The difference is evident, check it out for yourself in the following image.
Image Credit: WindsorONE
Create a focal point with a fireplace
Can I have a fireplace without having a fireplace!? If you like the style, you can incorporate an antique fireplace mantel as a decorative element. Personally, I find them beautiful and they offer many possibilities for decorating, especially with books, art pieces and paintings.
The following example is pure art, it blends classic with modern, and it does it in a very elegant and subtle way.
Image credit: Room for tuesday
Although maybe you prefer more drama. In the following example, the classic fireplace has been decorated with dark tones and is used as a kind of sanctuary, filled with candles. In any case, the fireplace mantel continues to be a success.
Image credit: Pufikhome
Once you have the architectural elements that define the style of your home, decorating will become a lot easier.
I know what you're thinking: 'sure! With these fabulous interiors it is easy to decorate, but how do I do it in my modern interior? You would be surprised by the drastic change that can be made in your home by changing skirtings, cornices, floors, doors and strategically choosing an appropriate colour palette.
If you want to turn your home into a trip to the past, an interesting, daring and stimulating home, at LADY J. INTERIORS we know how to achieve it.
I can't wait to hear all about your project. Please share your project with me here.
