It’s the look that’s sweeping across modern homes and office spaces—industrial interiors. This trend takes the appearances of the old and fuses it with the practicality of the new, making for a warehouse-like space that looks great and serves busy lives well. Industrial-style spaces feature clean lines and cut down on clutter, which are characteristics all of us busy moms can appreciate in our homes. If you’d like to emulate this look and bring a sense of utility to your home, read on and redesign your space in a jiffy.

Modern Industrial: How to Get the Look

Neutral Color Palettes

Neutral color palettes work well with modern, industrial designs. Repainting your walls with various grays, soft beiges, or light browns can help you better envision the new furniture you’ll need to complete the look. If you’d like to experiment with various shades, grey is a wonderful color choice to start with, as the juxtaposition of cool and warm shades can provide a simple but effective jumping off point for accent pieces.

Image via: Digs Digs

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Metal and Wood Finishes

Mixing metal and wood is a great place to start when you begin your redesign. Metallic pieces can do a lot to change your home into an industrial paradise. Rod-iron accent pieces, steel high chairs, and metal fixtures add to a manufactured style. Use a metal finish spray to upgrade pre-existing doors or accent pieces. If you don’t mind losing a bit of edge in the look and would prefer a softer industrial vibe, you can also go for more colorful metal options like copper and nickel. Wood pieces can also be utilized in an industrial-style home to add a bit of rustic appeal. Wood paneling on ceilings, distressed doors, or furniture pieces that incorporate both metal and wood are wonderful ways to start revamping any living space. Try pairing a wooden dining table with metal chairs as a starter example. If you like the look, continue further with larger pieces, and let the theme spread throughout the house; from kitchen to bathroom to bedroom.

Go Modern

One simple way to infuse a more industrial look into your home is to swap out more traditional pieces for modern accoutrements. Shopping for furniture and wall art at a website like Touch of Modern makes finding the perfect industrial-inspired pieces easy. Rustic furniture pieces and manufactured accessories combine to create an industrialized space you can be proud of. Urban concrete art and murals that make a statement are the perfect accent to a warehouse-type space, and will contribute to an overall urban look.

Image via: Architecture Art Designs

Creative Lighting Ideas

Lighting is important to showing off your new space, so you should update your light fixtures to match your newfound style. As the industrial trend has grown, so too has your selection of lighting options. Choose a lamp with a bronze finish, or install some sconces for soft lighting with a modern edge.

Don’t Conceal It, Feel It

A big portion of industrial-style design involves exposing housing elements that many homeowners and builders tend to cover up. Uncovered pipes and ceiling beams are staples of ready-made warehouse-style homes. Exposed brick can be cleaned up and used as is, or a coat of paint in a neutral color or stark white over the top can further add to your theme. Wooden beams can be weathered with home décor products to give them an intentionally unfinished look, and create a unique appeal in your home you never knew you had.

Image via: Decoholic

Home Decor Accessories Matter

If you don’t have natural brick walls or an old space to revamp, it’s easy to inject a bit of industrial air with some well-selected accessories. For practicality and looks, purchase an industrial-style bar cart for your living room and display your favorite beverages in carafes. With clean lines and metal and wood workings, this cart can easily get you on your way to your newly-themed home. Items that display inner working mechanisms are ideal for an industrial house or apartment, and the more metal, the better. Don’t go overboard with your additions and create clutter, but pick pieces that easily encompass the industrial look and let the clean lines tell your design story.

If you’re looking to revamp your home into an industrial mecca, start small by ridding yourself of older, outdated furniture, and direct your attention to items with clean, classic appeal and an unfinished look that will meld with your walls. This look is easy on the upkeep, provides plenty of budget-friendly design options, and will impress any guests.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

When my husband proposed two years ago, we were busy people in the middle of our career, education, and travel plans.  My search for a wedding planner was purely to alleviate the paperwork and tasks that I couldn’t fit into my schedule.  I quickly learned that a good wedding planner is so much more than that!

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Here are the three biggest reasons, from personal experience, that you should hire a wedding planner you trust.

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Stress

I knew a planner could take the reins on a few things, but I had no idea how much a great one will do for each bride.  I was able to enjoy the entire process, just doing the fun parts (more cake samples, please).  My family and friends appreciated that I spent quality time with them instead of morphing into a bridezilla those last few months.  I am forever grateful for the time I had with them while the planner took care of the details.

Image via A Touch of Bliss Events

Style

Most brides have a clear vision of their wedding inside their head… From the age of 8.  Even though I did not, I still had a theme in mind.  With her years of experience and current knowledge of trends, my planner turned those big ideas into a venue, menu, and details like escort cards that were far more imaginative what I would have achieved.  A great planner is a great listener; she should make your ideas better with her industry know-how, not ignore your sense of style!

Savings

When I hired a planner, I thought I was adding an expense to my wedding budget.  What I didn’t realize was that successful wedding planners will have lots of vendor contacts that often give better deals for brides referred through the planner.  I can truly say that with all of the vendor discounts I received through my planner, I saved more than the cost of her services.  Not to mention time saved combing through reviews to find reliable florists and bakers!

Overall, my day was completely relaxed and fun, and the months leading up to it were all about time with loved ones rather than planning stress.  Do yourself a favor and make the best decision of your entire wedding (other than your partner) and hire a planner!

For more wedding ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I have been very fortunate to be blessed with many “helpers” and resources behind the scenes at Stagetecture. One of them is my great Interior Design intern – Rachel Morgan here in Jacksonville, Florida. Rachel has helped me on numerous projects and she loves decor and helping homeowners with design dilemmas! Rachel continues her feature on Stagetecture called “Get the Look”. Where she has taken a theme and created a Olioboard design to help you get the look at your home.

Thanks Rachel for all that you do!

Taking a concept and making your own can be a little difficult. Sometimes you can go a little overboard and your room becomes more of an obsessed mess, than a beautiful oasis. Well here are a few tricks to get your dream bedroom. The challenge when creating a dream bedroom is where to start, and how to take your fantasy and turn it into reality. Try these tips to create a dream bedroom that you always wanted!

Created by Rachel Morgan using Olioboard

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How to Create a Dream Bedroom

First find one item you want to be your focal point. This can be a pillow, painting or even a piece of furniture. What you don’t want to do is to find too many focal pieces. By using one focal point it regulates those urges to add more.

Next is using that focal piece to bring in the other items, there is a catch, your items should be less prominent than your focal point. If you want to add interest, choose different textures.

Last is that there must be a balance. When bringing in something with great detail, bring in another item with little to no detail. This makes sure that your eyes don’t travel but instead settle on the gorgeous items you chose. So remember Focal piece, pieces that compliment your focal piece, not overwhelm it, and last balance it out.

While your bedroom can reflect your fantasies and dreams, ensure you don’t let it get out of control! Remember there is always a chance to add or detract with bed linen, wall color, accessories and more. Everything doesn’t have to be displayed day one.

For more “Get the Look” Ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Look for more Olioboard ideas on Stagetecture in the upcoming weeks!

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I have been very fortunate to be blessed with many “helpers” and resources behind the scenes at Stagetecture. One of them is my great Interior Design intern – Rachel Morgan here in Jacksonville, Florida. Rachel has helped me on numerous projects and she loves decor and helping homeowners with design dilemmas! Today, Rachel is starting a new feature on Stagetecture called “Get the Look”. Where she has taken a theme and created a Olioboard design to help you get the look at your home.

Thanks Rachel for all that you do!

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Hollywood glam to me is acquiring a rich look with using the least amount of color as possible. In this space gold, silver, and white are used to make the space look glamorous.

• The lamps, vases, mirrors, and even the tie backs on the curtain sparkle. The damask pattern is a great pattern to use in a rich space such as this.
• The complexity of the pattern gives it a sort of difficulty which screams rich. The mirrored dresser and the antique finishes give the room an old but expensive look.
• The white breaks up the silver and gold so that the space doesn’t become gaudy. With these simple finishes and the lack of color used it gives the room an extravagant, lavish feel without breaking the bank to do so.

What details of Hollywood Regency style or ‘Hollywood Glam’ do you love?

For more interiors ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Canada is much more than moose calls heard over mossy wetlands or beavers on their coins; Canada is a vast country (one that is larger than the United States) that is full of un-touched wilderness and resources. Canada is also a country full of welcoming citizens who always have a “Hello, nice day, eh?” and a warm smile to offer. After visiting this beautiful countryside, you will be inspired to infuse your home with nature-inspired elements that bring a breath of fresh air to your décor.

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Whether you are getting to move to Canada, or if you are remodeling and need international removals, or you have never been, here some inspiration for you.

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If you are unable to visit this lovely country, then here are some great Canadian inspired elements that you can add to your home today:

Driftwood and Ocean-Inspired Elements:

The Eastern and Western parts of Canada are literally ocean playgrounds. The smell of salt air is everywhere, and when tides are out seashells, mussels, sea glass, and unique pieces of driftwood are plentiful. These are elements that can be collected and added to any home, giving it not only a Canadian appeal, but a nature-inspired feeling.  Even if you live in the middle of the desert, these items can be bought at local craft stores. Shop your local store for sea shells and sand; these can be added to a large glass vase set as a table centerpiece.

Moose and beavers:

OK so you can’t escape the stereo type, there are a lot of northern Canadian cottage-style homes that are full of Moose heads and beaver pelts(I grew up in one of these particular homes) but this style can certainly be welcoming and nostalgic. If it appeals to you, then add lots of rustic wood elements to your home – think log cabin with plaid wool blankets, moose antlers on the wall and fur throws or area rugs on the floor. These all certainly say, “Welcome to the North!”

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Artisan:

Canada is chock-full of creative artisans who build unique, one-of-a-kind wood furniture; knitted items; woven blankets; hooked rugs; and wall art. Search online for some of these unique pieces to add to your home today.

If you get the opportunity to visit this vast and welcoming country- take a breath of its fresh air; consider yourself lucky; and collect a few tokens to add some Canadian charm to your home.

Eric Blair writes about inerior design and spycing up any room with the proper use of unique mirrors from InlineOvals.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

French Country is probably one of the most popular decorating choices due to its versatility and appeal of its refined yet cozy aesthetic. Who wouldn’t want to fill their homes with the feel of the French countryside? Think: the blues of the French Riviera, the rustic browns of time-worn wood, and opalescence of pearls; these all bring French Country style to mind. For ideas visit www.andsotobed.co.uk to view their French style furniture range or whether you live in the heart of the city or on a farm, here are some great tips to help you bring French country style into your home:

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Gain design inspiration:

Due to the popularity of French Country style, there are numerous decorating magazines on the market that are solely devoted to helping you decorate your homes into everything French.  These magazines are a great source to begin your search for decorating ideas; browse through them and cut out photos of everything that appeals to you.

Visit flea markets and vintage shops:

Flea markets are the Mecca of French Country style. Look for old crystal chandeliers, old mirrors, French settees, crystal doorknobs, rustic wood pieces, and vintage fabrics in damask, floral and toile prints.

Leave wood naturally finished:

It can be so tempting to buy an old antique table or dresser and strip it down, refinish and repaint it – DON’T!  The key to a relaxed, French Country style is to keep that time-worn patina of chipped paint layers, or aged copper. So kick back, put your feet up, and don’t worry about your kids denting the wood – it is all part of the aged appeal of a relaxed French country style.

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Use slipcovers:

Slip-covering is another great tip to achieve that relaxed yet cozy French style.  Search for old wing chairs at your local thrift store. As long as the body of the chair is in good shape, don’t worry about the fabric – you can slipcover it! The appeal of slipcovers is vast; they are easily washed and can be changed with the seasons or on a whim.

Overall, your best bet to achieving this refined yet casual style, is to go hunting in your local flea markets, thrift stores, fabric stores, and even yard sales. Amass a collection of your favorite rustic finds for an aged French Country home that has a little Joie de Vivre!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Creating the Shabby Chic look with a mixture of thrifted and replica pieces

DIY restoration is one of the most cost effective ways to preserve furniture. Many people see it as a chance to use their creativity to personalise a piece whilst saving money at the same time. Although restoring all the pieces yourself can be time consuming, the effort put in is rewarded by a sense of accomplishment.

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Before you can start to restore your piece however, you have to find it. This can be difficult if you aren’t restoring a piece you already have at home. Many people prefer to source antique furniture from second hand thrift stores or try and spot a bargain at a car boot sale. Once you have your piece you have to decide on a theme for it, one that is very popular at the moment is the distressed shabby chic look. AlchemyFineLiving have an interesting method on how to achieve this.

Sourcing and restoring furniture yourself can take up a lot of time, especially if you want to do a few pieces, it can take up several weeks. You could pay someone else to do the restoring but I personally think that combining an equal balance of restored and bought furniture can be the ideal solution.

You may think that to get the perfect restored look you have to either restore yourself or pay a large amount for a piece. This is not true as there are a growing number of replica stores that offer affordable prices on furniture with the French furniture and shabby chic look which can accompany your personalised furniture to give a natural flow opposed to a balance in the room.

Replicas are also an option if you don’t manage to find a piece you would like to restore, although this may come at a higher cost simply finding a replica piece can save further time which may be spend traipsing about yard sales looking for that perfect piece.

Once you have your main pieces of furniture in place it is time to pick the accents. These are the subtle touches that tie the whole room together. Hat boxes are great to give a decorative touch and give you the benefit of hidden storage. Candles are also great but if you decide to use metals, such as gold or silver, look for muted pieces that don’t give off a glare or look garish. Another creative idea is cushions, AlchemyFineLiving also have an interesting method of jazzing up old boring cushions which are on the verge of being thrown out.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match pieces to add to the natural flow of the room, European objects are great for this as they tend to have the right colours and motifs to fit into your shabby chic room.

Lucy Hunt is an Interior design and crafting enthusiast with a keen interest in shabby chic and vintage style interiors, currently doing research on behalf of Baytree Interiors – suppliers of shabby chic furniture, giftware and soft furnishings.

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

If you are feeling tired of your current bedroom style but don’t want to break the bank by starting a complete room makeover project, then you are on the right place. The cottage style is the latest trend in terms of bedroom decorating and the good news is that you can forget committing to one single decorating theme you will end up tired of in a few years. It is advisable to keep all your old decorative elements so you can give them a second life by incorporating them into a new design. A cottage style has the brilliant advantage of reconciling your eclectic tastes by allowing you to mix old and new furniture, rare and cheap accessories, simple and ornate decorative pieces.

Image via: House and Home

A cottage style offers a wider range of decorating options than any other decorating styles. The golden rule is to put together what you love, to blend old and new and create a cozy bedroom that will feel like your favourite cottage. Whether you already live in a small cottage or just want your home to feel like one, here are a few ideas to add the final decorative touch to your interior décor and bring this trendy cottage feel to your bedroom.

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1- Colours

Colours you can use to create a cottage feel will be soft and light such as pastel colours or even a monochromatic light colour scheme such as an array of greys. Off white and soft blue will evoke the cottage look and create a comforting and soothing feel. For the bedroom walls it is very common in the cottage style to work with a base of white accented with soft shades of green or calming blues and pinks. White shades also work very well for large furniture such as cabinets and wardrobes.

2- Accessories

This is the part where you can show off your collection of peculiarities and eclectic vintage pieces on a table top, according to your very own personal tastes. Along with all the objects you enjoy having around there are a few accessories that come back often and make up the cottage-style decorating: floral patterns, freshly cut flowers, wicker baskets, glass and crystal objects, high candles, embroideries and large vintage mirrors. It is also common to bring garden furniture from the outside in your home and insert them in a new design. For example hanging a wooden ladder on the wall and using it as shelves.

Image via: Georgiana Design

3- Furniture

Shutters are a must in cottage style decorating. You can use them as so many interior designers like to divert them from their main function and use them as a completely different piece of furniture. You can turn your shutters into a stylish headboard for your small double bed by simply fixing them to the wall behind.  As a rule of thumb, the wider the slats the better. Along with shutters, some of the classic forms of cottage style furniture include bead boards, wood flooring and painted wooden furniture.

In any self-respecting cottage bedroom you will have calming pastel colour schemes, pretty floral additions, wood flooring blended with vintage accessories, painted furniture and surrounded by your collection of beloved personal objects. With all those elements in mind your bedroom will sure holds the promises of becoming the cottage you like and a living space your friends will love spending time in.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

A vintage room can be whimsical and determined by personal style and taste, but it does bring an unmistakable, retro look that is beautiful and rich in culture and history. Vintage decor like furniture and bedding can transform any room into a classic, warm, cosy and welcoming place to live. If you would like to transform your bedroom and make it look vintage, there are some decorative ideas and tips you can use to achieve your goal.

Image via: House to Home

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Budget

Decorating rooms is exciting and can be totally absorbing. To avoid getting carried away and going overboard with your decorations, it’s prudent to set a budget for the task beforehand. Are you looking to achieve a contemporary vintage look with modern patterns and vintage accessories or are you looking for an all-out classic, old-fashioned look?

Do you have a certain era you want to base your bedroom decorations, such as decorate your bedroom in a Victorian style or after a 1970’s theme? Consider what exactly you want, your financial capability and make estimates of how much it will cost you to transform your bedroom. Work out an appropriate budget for your complete bedroom makeover and aim to stick to it.

Furniture

Pick your furniture and soft furnishing conscientiously, depending on your chosen theme and the vintage look and feel you aim to achieve. Make sure the furniture you choose are authentic or decorated appropriately. For example, if you are looking to achieve a Victorian look and feel in your room, you can go for a modern bed with a tapestry or velvet canopy or a four poster bed with Victorian style bedding.

Research historical facts about the era you are basing your decorations on to get ideas on furniture design and fabric to use. For example, during the era of Edward VII in England, furniture was predominantly made of dark wood, such as mahogany while in the 1930’s bedrooms tended to always feature decorative vanity sets and rag rugs.

Use the information you discover to obtain the right furniture for your era. If you are not able to obtain authentic furniture from the particular era you want, you could, perhaps, buy contemporary furniture and treat them to a vintage finish that is sympathetic to the norms of the era you want.

Image via: Apartment Therapy

Accessories

Your bedroom accessories will play an important part in bringing to life the vintage look you seek. Think old-fashioned when choosing your accessories and keep in mind your chosen decorative theme. Vintage style pillows, crocheted lace, and handmade quilts and comforters can be a good choice for adding a vintage aura to your bedroom.

Classic floral boxes for holding valuable possessions or books and rusty, discoloured or even ripped accessories like vintage photos and frames, feather boas and purses can unify the overall look and feel of your furniture and bedroom design. Antique-looking jewellery, jewellery boxes, accent rugs and hangers can complete the look and add to the beauty, elegance and comfort of your bedroom.

Lighting

The right lighting can enhance the appeal and comfort of any room. Create your desired bedroom ambiance with vintage style table lamps, wall lamps and chandelier. Get specific lighting effects with vintage style lampshades like fringe, lace and pleated shades. Also, use mirrors with exquisite designs to enhance lighting and the overall vintage vibe in your bedroom.
Michael Turner is an interior design, technology, and printing enthusiast and a UK blogger who is currently doing research on behalf of a bedding specialist.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

There is one place in your home where you consistently spend six to eight hour of your time: your bed. Whether we’re sleeping, lounging, up watching television or reading, your bed is your refuge from the outside world and the one place you can relax and regroup.

Therefore, it’s very important to make sure you are sleeping with the proper mattress for your body type, as the importance of getting a good night’s rest cannot be understated. We spend lots of time updating our rooms so they are aesthetically pleasing, and keep our mattresses for far too long because we don’t actually see them underneath the sheets, blankets, and pillows.

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With so many brands and types to choose from, mattress shopping can be slightly overwhelming. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are ready to improve your sleep at night:

Firm or Soft?

A mattress that is too soft can cause back pain, while one that is too firm can put pressure on the hips. Much like Goldilocks, you want to find the mattress that is “just right.” This means it’s supportive and firm but not rock hard, and it contours to the shape of your body.

Innerspring or Memory Foam?

Memory foam mattresses contour to the shape of your body as you sleep. The foam absorbs movement, and are good for people who have a hard time getting comfortable. They also reduce pressure points and can relieve muscle pain. Innerspring mattresses  are the most popular and widely used type of mattress, featuring coil springs. They’re also one of the most versatile mattresses, as they are available with a variety of toppers, from memory foam to pillow top.

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Full, Queen, or King?

Cramped sleeping conditions can make you lose sleep. Queen beds tend to be the most popular choice, as they fit nicely in most bedrooms but give you more space than a full. The average sleeper moves up to 30 times during the night, so if you or your partner are especially restless, opt for the biggest size that makes the most sense space-wise in your room.

Take your time when purchasing a mattress. Lay on the bed for 10 to 15 minutes in the position you generally fall asleep in to really get a feel for how it contours to your body.

Jaron’s Furniture Outlet’s are independently owned and operated discount furniture stores with two locations: Bordentown, NJ and Lumberton, NJ. With a wide selection of discount bedroom, living room, dining room, office furniture, mattresses, and more, Jaron’s Furniture Outlet offers the best values in home furnishings.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.