Wednesday, August 29, 2018

What Are the New Neutrals for Interior Design?

If you find a neutral palette peaceful and soothing but are worried that you could wander into the world of bland interiors, have no fear. These new neutrals deliver all the impact you are looking for without causing disharmony in your home. From warm red to comforting pewter, these rich hues can color your space with a fresh splash of style.

soothing

White Neutral: The Original Neutral

White is the original neutral and for good reason – it is smack dab between cool and warm. It works beautifully in modern and traditional décor. It is a chameleon that has sublet shades as the light passes through your space over the course of a day.

The blues and whites above are a perfect example of using neutrals for maximum impact. The white Huntington House customizable sofa and matching loveseat feature pastel blue throw pillows and the aqua area rug to anchors the space.

Blue Neutral: Quiet and Calming

Aqua is the new white for country cottages and coastal homes. It perfectly complements an ocean view or the greenery of the countryside. It is a quiet wall color that blends seamlessly with the great outdoors. This blue-green pastel has personality to spare and is best paired with white trim, light floors, and accents of deeper aqua and dark chocolate.

Pewter Neutral: Warm and Comforting

The warm grey of pewter comes from a dash of beige, making this color the perfect version of greige. It feels as cozy as a bowl of homemade soup. Use this color in large open great rooms with scarlet, tangerine, or turquoise accents.

Dark Gray Neutral: Deep and Mysterious

A saturated gray-brown-black can read as black, but not as stark. An easy color to live within any space, this soft, sun-bleached shade adds depth and mystery.

Mauve Neutral: Soft and Peaceful

A light, taupey mauve is as gentle and soft as a cashmere sweater. It can turn a bedroom into a beautiful cocoon of warmth and peace. Use it on the walls and bring in gray, eggplant, ivory, or chocolate for contrast.

Red Neutral: Surprising and Inviting

A bold, earthy red, like the one common in pre-Columbian art or Turkish rugs is surprisingly neutral. It goes with anything and is great for accent walls and entryways. It fosters an incredibly inviting, warm vibe that draws people into the rest of your home.

beautiful beige leather sofa

Brown Neutral: Natural and Inspirational

When beige just won’t do, look to nature for inspiration. You’ll find greens, blues, and browns all coexisting together in riotous harmony. It is brown that brings them together. Use it in foyers, bedrooms, and dining rooms for maximum impact.

This explosion of neutrals adds tons of visual interest, yet they live in harmony within the space. The brown leather Natuzzi Editions Chair, sofa, and ottoman work with the beige area rug bring out the warmth of the white walls and wood floors.

Beige Neutral: Dependable and Warming

This dependable neutral goes well with any white, even a white that has gone wrong. It’s best on walls in a washable matte, as this color changes hues depending on the light. It warms an entryway and creates a calming sanctuary in a bedroom.

Lilac Neutral: Pretty and Unexpected

When paired with intense, deep colors such as black, charcoal gray, or navy blue, a pretty lilac is an unexpected neutral. This shade with the perfect balance of tone and saturation is like a sunset through a soft filter. Use it on the ceiling of a masculine room or as a surprise hint of color in the interior of creamy kitchen cabinetry.

Stone Neutral: Warm and Soothing

Another chameleon color, stone can be seen as taupe, gray, or green, depending on the light. It’s great on walls in a matte finish to warm up whites or on trim work in a high-gloss finish. It brings a warm and soothing vibe to almost any space.

Love them or hate them, neutrals are an important part of any colorway. They give spaces a grounded and cozy feel, while adding elegance that bright colors can’t do on their own. Whether you go bold with a neutral red or create harmony with a calming blue, these new neutrals are anything but boring. Add them to your home with abandon, you can’t go wrong.

Read Baer's Furniture Reviews and learn more. Visit Baer's Furniture on Houzz for more design inspiration.

Friday, July 13, 2018

How to Add the Color Gray to Your Interior Décor

When it comes to interior decor, gray may seem like the opposite of color. And this is technically true. However, adding gray to your interior decor is a great way to highlight any color palette, from bold to subdued. It may not seem like much on its own, but mixed with other colors, it helps to create a put-together, sophisticated look.

Here are four ways to add gray to your interior decor.

beautiful grey sofa and decor

1) Curl Up on a Gray Sofa

A dark or medium gray sofa is one of the best interior design investments you can make. It will work with bright colors and add depth to neutral palettes. For example, the Oyster Bay Ashton leather sofa by Lexington expresses breezy comfort that gives your space a casual chic feel. And because gray resists trends, it will stay classic through years of use and interior decor changes.

Go bold with high-contrast black and white geometric patterns and add pops of supersaturated color. Layer colors and prints together and let the connecting power of your gray sofa tie these colors to contrasting colors.

Or if you prefer a softer, subtler look, paint the walls a buttery yellow and add delicate prints to give the space a more relaxing feel. Layer up a mix of pillows to create a richly textured look.

2) Sink Your Toes into a Gray Area Rug

A soft, plush area rug makes a space more inviting. Add one in silvery gray, and it gives that same space an instant air of luxury. But depending on how you style it, a cool, textured area rug can do more than add interest.

Mixed with wood floors, a cool gray rug not only helps define the space, it also contrasts with the warm wood tones that bring out the best in both. Layer a gray rug over any wood tones anywhere from blonde to espresso. The rule of thumb is the light the floor the warmer the gray.

If your palette includes bold, bright colors, use a gray area rug to connect the colors without adding excess drama. Technically, gray is a mix of all colors, which is why it can be used to tie different colors together.

3) Paint the Walls Gray

Give your room an instant update by replacing a dated neutral-colored wall with a gray or greige. This color adds more richness and depth than a plain white.

While the white kitchen is a popular look, a totally white-on-white palette can be too stark for some. Soften the look by painting the walls a gentle, barely there gray. This will add depth without interfering with the neutral palette, creating a look that is eye-catching and approachable but not jarring.

Silver and gray go naturally together, and combining matte gray walls with shimmering silver metals adds instant depth. But don't stop there. Gray also plays well with warm metallics such as gold, copper, bronze, and brass. Try adding one of these metallics on sconces, pendant lights, and faucets for instant glam.

4) Break Out of the Molding Mold

White molding (yawn) is okay, but have you considered breaking out of that mold and trying gray? A gray shade on your trim or doors can give your home a stately, architectural appeal.

If you have a home with architectural details that you want to highlight, rather than using white or wood for crown molding or doors, try a gray. This will subtly underscore every architectural element.

If you have a wall with brick or stonework, try matching it up against a gray. In much the same way that gray brings out the best in wood tones, it can accentuate the warmth of stonework. It both highlights the wall as a feature and integrates it into the overall look of the space.

Get home decor shopping tips from a Baer's Furniture executive. Find more design inspiration and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

9 Tips for Staging Your Coffee Table

Looking for a way to give your family room an easy update? How about styling your coffee table? A table with an accessory and a small vase of flowers looks thoughtful, while a gorgeous table scattered with magazines just looks sad. From laying out a tray to arranging a personal collection, these tips will show you how to create a chic, stylish look for your coffee table.

1) Display a Cherished Collection

Books, pottery, or boxes can make perfect coffee table displays. Group together similar or same-colored pottery in various heights and shapes. Use a few books as risers to create height where you need it. Mix up your sizes, too many small pieces can look cluttered while too many large ones will feel too heavy.

2) Make a Grid

This layout is great for an oversized coffee table. Tape off sections into a grid so that you have a guide for positioning your objects. Place your objects within these compartments. Keep the scale of your table in mind and fill your compartments with stacked books, baskets, plants, large pillar candlesticks, or a bowl of fruit. Play with the composition until it feels just right.

beautiful

3) Add Layers with Trays

Trays are great for creating layered displays. They can hold small- and medium-sized vases, candlesticks, potted plants, and more. The also keep large coffee tables from feeling massive and taking over the space. Layering with a tray helps break up the space, gives it structure and symmetry, and anchors items that might otherwise look like they were floating aimlessly around. The Bali Hai Capri Square Cocktail table by Tommy Bahama is accessorized perfectly by the small tray, stacked books, and starfish.

4) Add Some Natural Elements

Natural elements such as antlers, vintage wooden bowls, and jars of shells give a room some history. These objects can add dimension and change the feel of a room. You can easily switch them out or rearrange them to create a new look.

5) Add Seasonal Touches

The coffee table is a great place to add seasonal flair to your family room. Add a vase of fresh flowers in spring, a jar of shells in summer, and a gourd or fall leaves in the fall. You can add holiday decorations or some subtle bling to celebrate the winter season.

6) Vary the Heights of Your Accessories

Whether you are displaying a collection, going old school with flashy coffee table books, or creating a simple arrangement with a vase of flowers and stacked books, remember to vary the heights of the items on your coffee table. This will give your space more visual interest and create a more eye-catching tablescape.

coffee table style rule of thirds

7) Use the Rule of Thirds

This age-old composition rule will come in handy when you are accessorizing your coffee table. Dividing the space into three sections can help you choose which items look best. This method is good for long, rectangular tables, such as the Pavilion Storage Cocktail table by A.R.T. Furniture.

8) Add Pops of Color

Use colorful accessories that play off the colors of your décor. Contrasting colors can give your coffee table dramatic interest. If your palette is neutral, use a few bold colors. If you have a lot of dark woods, try some metallic items on your coffee table.

9) Choose a Side

If you have a larger coffee table and want a minimalist look, you can accessorize one side. This keeps the coffee table from seeming too cluttered and gives you plenty of space for family and friends to place a cup, plate, or personal items. No feet allowed.
Learn more and read Baer's Furniture reviews. Follow Baer's Furniture on Facebook for more design inspiration.

Friday, June 29, 2018

#5 YouTube Channels for Home Décor Inspiration

Whether you are planning to create your own design or use an interior decorator, finding inspiration for your new look can be difficult. With so many styles, colors, and textures out there, where do you begin? How do you even know what to look for?

These 5 YouTube channels present tons of tips, tricks, and secrets as well as inspiration for creating beautiful spaces that reflect your tastes and style.

This Truly Inspirational YouTube Channel: Inspire Me! Home Decor

Farah, the founder of this channel, answers design questions while also sharing tips and advice. Here you’ll find dos and don’ts when designing a home, tips on decorating coffee tables, and how to tackle spring cleaning.

Our favorite tip: Buying good quality should be a priority.

quality dining room furniture

One of our favorite dos: Mix and match dining chairs, armchairs, ends and side chairs for sides of the table, such as the Oyster Bay Upholstered Arm Chairs and Baxter Side Chairs in this dining room group by Lexington.

This YouTube Channel from House & Home

Affiliated with design magazine House & Home, this channel features tons of how-to videos on making small kitchens feel larger, choosing tiles and countertops, decorating with wallpaper, and more. Not only does it take you inside unique, beautiful homes, but it also highlights the latest fabrics and accessories.

Our favorite: Interior Design – How to Make a Condo Feel Like a House, featuring transitional design pieces.

These Tips from Rebecca Robeson of Robeson Design YouTube Channel

Rebecca Robeson inspires and entertains as she discusses design principles and offers practical advice on how to handle design challenges.

bedroom set creates cohesive look

Our favorite tip: Buy a bedroom set to create a cohesive look in a small space. You get five pieces that work well together, such as the Newport Queen Bedroom group by Barclay Butera. The relaxed, refined classic coastal-chic look includes a headboard, two bedside tables, and a chest. The round bedside table adds a little twist, and if you have the space, you can include an armchair to finish the casual look.

This Official YouTube Channel of Coastal Living

Beach house tours, design ideas, and decorating tips are just a sampling of what you’ll find on this channel. If you love coastal design and are looking for inspiration, you’ll find plenty of it here.

Our favorite: Ultimate Beach House: Dining Room. Check out the dining room and see how it compares to our nautical design with coastal style furniture.

This Ultimate YouTube Channel: The Design Network

From how to style a bookcase to how to design small spaces to inspiration for every room in the house, this quirky channel has it all.

Our favorite tip: Solve design challenges by making the problem pretty. For example, use a storage box to hide things you don’t want to see, such as remotes. Keep in mind how the table will be used as you style it.

Once you’ve gotten your inspiration, head over to the Baer’s Furniture store nearest you and talk to one of our in-house design professionals.

Learn more about Baer's Furniture. Find more design inspiration and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Level-Up Your Interior Décor with One Awesome Piece of Furniture

It takes a certain eye to be able to put together a space that is both fabulous and functional, while also showing your unique sense of style. There’s a reason why so many people create Pinterest boards for inspiration. They want to create a space that is as individual as they are, but they also want to make sure it “works.”

Sometimes all it takes is a few small changes to take your space from drab to beautiful. When you want to jazz up a room or two, consider one of these tips for adding just the right piece of furniture. And if you love the results, you don’t have to worry whether or not it works for anyone else, as long as it works for you.

blue leather ottoman barclay butera

Add a Statement Piece That Makes You Smile

Adding a brightly colored piece of furniture is a great way to liven up a space without throwing off your neutral palette. Choose something with a shape or color that will make you smile every time you see it, such as this Naples Round Cocktail Table from the Barclay Butera collection.

It goes great in a space with mostly neutral, upholstered furniture. The rich leather saturated with color really makes the piece stand out, and the spool-turned legs add traditional appeal. If you prefer, you could go with a piece that is furry or a chair with a quirky shape.

soft faux fur paired with modern brando bed

Add Texture to Your Home

Just as important as adding a little color or unique shape for interest, is adding texture, especially if you are truly devoted to your neutral palette. Nothing wrong with that, but adding texture will keep it from becoming a dull monotone. You can’t beat a soft, faux furry piece, such as this Modern Bench from Universal, for creating interest in a space. Paired with the Modern Brando Bed with Tufted Headboard, you’ve got a winning combination for creating a warm, rich environment.

make a statement with the Oyser Bay collection

Add Big Statement Furniture Pieces

It’s not unusual for people to put a collection of small, delicate pieces together, especially if they have a small space. However, leggy tables, leggy chairs, and tons of knick knacks in a small space make it look cluttered and confusing.

Instead, go for a balance of large and small pieces. Include a large, roomy sofa, such as the Oyster Bay Ashton sofa by Lexington, a table with an attractive open base, such as the Oyster Bay Litchfield Cocktail table, and a few armchairs with woven texture in a modern version of a classic shape.

This example shows you how mixing furniture sizes and styles can create a look that is balanced, even in a small space. Even the smallest room needs one large statement piece, in this instance, choose a cabinet or armoire. The mixture of big and little will make your design successful, this guideline applies to accessories as well.

Once you’ve finished your room, take a quick picture of it. This lets you see the décor from a different viewpoint. It’s a great way to see where you may have gone wrong. But always remember that it’s your home, and you live in it, so make it a home you love. You can always make changes as you go until you get the look that is perfect for you.

Find more design inspiration and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz. Learn more about Baer's Furniture on Angie's List.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

How to Choose an Accent Wall

Accent walls are still very much a thing in the design world. They will always be popular because of their eye-popping flexibility and versatility. An accent wall is a great way to not only liven up your space, but also fool the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it really is.

When you are choosing the right wall to highlight and the right color to paint it, it helps to consider the room’s architectural and design details as well as basic color psychology. Here are some great tips on how to choose the right accent wall for your space.

blue accent wall with white furniture

Let the Room Speak to You

The first step in choosing an accent wall is deciding where you want that splash of color or texture. Not to get all new-agey on you, but the room will tell you where to put your accent wall. The accent wall is the first thing you see when you enter a room. Look around and see which wall draws your eye. It may have well-defined architectural details you can highlight such as wainscoting, built-ins, or an architectural nook. Or an anchor wall behind the bed. If you choose the wrong wall, the balance and harmony of the room can be disrupted.

Tip: Walls with architectural detail, texture, or even windows are ideal for accent walls.

Consider the Room’s Purpose

Color psychology proponents assert that color has an effect on people, and it does. This theory has been used in advertising for years. Some colors, such as red, are very energetic and attention-getting. Red has come to represent danger and excitement, hence its use for things such as stoplights, stop signs, and fire engines.

The color of war, blood, and passion, red stimulates the metabolism and increases both the heart and respiratory rates. This is why you seldom see reds in the bedroom, but often see it used in kitchens. When deciding the color for your accent wall, consider the room’s purpose and the mood you want to create.

Tip: Don’t limit yourself to simple wall paint, experiment with other ways to create a mood, such as stripes or a metallic paint finish.

Use the 60-30-10 Color Rule

Don’t get overwhelmed by the plethora of paint colors available when choosing the color for your accent wall. You can avoid this by using the 60-30-10 rule. Here’s how to use it:
  • Use 60% of your dominant color in your room’s décor and painted surfaces
  • Use 30% of your secondary color
  • Use 10% for your accent color
You can do a quick test of accent wall colors by painting your choices in 3x3 foot squares on the chosen wall. Then observe them in the changing light in your space. The one that best suits your home will stand out.

Tip: You can add an accent wall to a neutral space, use a rich brown rather than a bright color.

Take Color Saturation into Consideration

Color saturation is also important when creating a harmonious color scheme. Color theory recommends using a tint as the dominant color in the space, a toned color for the secondary color, and a saturated color for the accent color. This makes the accent color really pop. Tints have been lightened by adding white and tones have been muted by adding gray.

Using this theory, your accent wall should be the most vivid or darkest color in the room, accented by throw pillows, area rugs, and other décor items that integrate the color and balance it in the space.

Tip: Don’t shy away from bold color for your accent wall. Make it work by using the right accents throughout the space.

The location of your accent wall is purely personal. Your home reflects you, so your accent wall should be as special as you are. Following the how-tos above will help you create an accent wall as unique as you are, wherever you decide to put it.

Learn more about Baer's Furniture. Find more design inspiration and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Spruce Up Your Rooms with Paint and Wallpaper

Want to spruce up a room or two in your home but not sure where to start? Wallpaper and paint are time-honored, easy ways to make any space look better. What’s that you say? Isn’t wallpaper out of style? Isn’t neutral paint trending? I say, have you ever considered using paint and wallpaper together to spice up your interior décor?

Although wallpaper was once considered an artifact of a bygone era, in the past few years it has made a comeback. Wallpaper can add texture, dimension, and sophistication to a room that paint just can’t. With so many options to choose from, including grass, cork, cloth, fabrics, metallics, and flocked, the design options are endless. Here are a few ways you can spruce up your rooms with wallpaper and paint.

wallpaper adds visual texture

Bedroom Wallpaper and Paint Combinations

Accent walls are a great way to give your bedroom a little extra style, and wallpaper is an elegant way to do it. For instance, paint the walls, but wallpaper the wall behind your headboard to create a unique look that really highlights the main piece of furniture in the room.

The textured wallpaper behind the Cypress Grove Cottage Style bed by Stanley Furniture highlights the bed’s unique combination of modern and rustic style. By painting the remaining walls a soft, soothing neutral grey, the bed really stands out and the room has a simple sense of cheerful warmth.

Kitchen Wallpaper and Paint Combinations

I’ve seen wallpaper and paint combos in almost every room of the house, but not so often in kitchens. This is a missed opportunity to add a little extra sophistication to this space. Wallpaper makes a great backdrop for open shelving. Large print designs are great if you have high ceilings and a contrasting or complementary color on the adjacent walls to add to the drama.

family room wallpaper and paint

Family Room Wallpaper and Paint Combinations

By using wallpaper to create an accent wall in the living room, you can enhance an existing focal point, such as a piece of art or architectural feature. You can go subtle or bold, depending on the look you are trying to achieve. Another interesting treatment is wallpapering half the wall and painting the other half.

The wallpaper above adds texture and subtle color to the space, while the painted wainscoting keeps the look fresh and clean. This combination is a perfect foil for the textures and natural materials of the Tommy Bahama Island Estate Collection from Lexington Furniture. This effect is both modern and in sync with the more traditional British Plantation aesthetic.

Tips for Combining Wallpaper and Paint

When combining wallpaper and paint, it is important to take into consideration the properties of both materials. You don’t want your paint color to overpower your wallpaper, but you don’t have to stick to neutrals if you want a bolder look. The wallpaper and paint should work together and complement a natural way that lets both shine.

Find out more about Baer's Furniture. Read Baer's Furniture Reviews.