Tag Archives: theme

How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets

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One very overlooked place to decorate in your home is just above the kitchen cabinets. Usually between the cupboards and the ceiling is a wonderful opportunity to be artistic. Your first chore would be to install some lighting. You can get lighting bars that are great at creating low lighting.

You can treat this like any shelf. It is a great place to showcase a collection. You can use items that have a particular theme or color. For instance rows of blue glass looks great here. You can also showcase old plates, floral plates or anything that you treasure.

A collection of flower vases or crystal looks nice in this area as does rows of interesting cake pans or candlestick holders. Cake decorations or cookie cutters can also make an intriguing display.

This type of area looks nice if decorated with some unexpected greenery. Try trailing ivy along the window for a beautiful effect. You can as add balls of twine, boxes of grass and charming wicker object.

Do not be afraid to play with color. You can use fresh colors like blue and white or olive and cream to add charm to that space. Keep in mind the appearance of your counter for a great effect. For instance if you have a green and white color scheme line up all of your white and green china with a cream vase with green plants, some ivy, some green glass and some green and white candles.

One way to make this are work is to group objects in different heights. You can line similar objects up all in a row and then play with the odd numbers to arrange objects in different heights. Do not be discouraged if it does not come together the first time. Keep arranging all the objects until they look right to you.

Remember too that although the cluttered look can be tempting it is not always appropriate. Sometimes less is more.

You have a taller ceiling and more space, you want to use items that are larger in scale so that it feels balanced. If you put smaller items in a large space it will just feel cluttered. If you have a smaller area and you try to fit in items that are too large it will feel off balance. However remember too that part of make this work might be using assymettry as well.

Decorating With Tropical Chic

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Tropical chic is a popular, exotic way to decorate any room. Jungle themes, vivid colors and natural woods are part of the look. The style is reminiscent of the wild while at the same time becoming sophisticated and peaceful. Different textures of wood are mixed with intricate animal and plant patterns to create a visual interest that makes you feel like you are lounging in the middle of a tropical forest.

Common motifs on fabrics using this style include stylized palm trees, banana leaf prints, pineapples, coconuts, monkeys and large exotic blossoms. Furniture often is made out of rattan or wood and then covered with large cushions covered with grass clothe, leather and prints. The furniture tends to casual, comfortable and unstructured and slightly larger than usual.

When animal or floral patterns are not used then paints and fabrics tend to be in neutral tones such as ivory, cream, beige, khaki, camel, tan deep brown, mustard yellow, crimson, avocado, light sage, mustard yellow, crimson and banana yellow. Accents are in crimsons, corals, dark brown, black and gold. Patterns are big and not tiny or demure.

Another characteristic of this look is giant looking furniture that seems that it might embrace you… Wicker, bamboo, iron and rattan are created in a larger scale so that people look like they are disappearing into the comfort of the room. Rugs and curtains tend to have Zebra, giraffe or leopard prints.

Window coverings should be natural. Linen panels, plantation shutters or bamboo or matchstick blinds suit the look of this room. This matches grass cloth mats, wicker baskets and folding screens that are also a signature part of this look.

The artwork that looks best with this décor is usually one that is done in demure browns, oranges and greens. Forest scenes and animal scenes are typical. Go for large simple vases filled with sheathes of bamboo or large single blossoms of exotics such as the Birds of Paradise or Orchids.

When it comes to a dining room tableware might be made of bamboo and the plates out of natural colored stone wear. Rattan or textured colored placemats can complete the look. Rattan or bamboo tables painted black or natural with thick glass paned tops are also characteristic of this look.

Stand alone large plants such as palm trees in pots are an inexpensive addition to a room in which the Tropical Chic theme is attempting to be expressed.