Have you ever noticed how most people stick with neutral colors when decorating their homes? Maybe it's because we grew up with a pink bathtub? or find it hard to pick colors we can live with forever? With my first apartment I discovered that finding blues that work together is really hard, when all I wanted was a shower curtain that wasn't white. Maybe decorating with texture is an alternative approach for those who aren't comfortable experimenting with color?
My focus on texture came after I noticed the absence of color in most homes, or at least the ones photographed and shared online. When researching kitchens with color and finding few photos (Ideas for Sprucing Up Kitchens), the search was on.
American Home Hilights Decorating with Texture
Fast forward a few months to the combined Home Builder Show and Kitchen Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, and it was clear that neutrals are here to stay, and textures are the way to create more interest in interior design.
Credit also goes to the Marc-Michaels Interior Design team, included on the Architectural Digest list of the top 100 designers in the world, who designed the New 2014 American Home which was showcased at this year's show. During Mark Thee's presentation on designing the house, he explained their emphasis on natural materials, textures and asymmetrical design.
So let's explore the use of textures found in the 2014 American Home, and we'll cover other show hilights separately. To get started, here are some imaginative wall textures using standard lumber in the entryway and stairs.
Here in the entryway are a variety of materials providing texture. On the left is a water feature over metal (left) next to assorted lumber projecting out in various depths (center) next to marble (right).
The stairs float next to a two-story wall of lumber, with wood railings and treads that tie everything together.
Wow, there is so much texture here it's a challenge to describe. Starting with the wall (left), you have marble and tile blending with a sloped line versus the more traditional vertical lines you might expect. In contrast are several metallic accessories with more texture, standing on the floor. A hint of color in the painting compliments the story.
Decorating with Texture in the Bathrooms
Bathrooms are challenging to decorate as they're small and you need all the space for function and supporting storage. That's why wall and floor textures are the perfect way to approach decorating bathrooms. Here you have a counter top with two different materials, and the marble under the glass sink continues down the front of the vanity. On the walls you have textured wallpaper next to a beautiful mirrored wall covering.
Here you've got wonderful textures on the master bathroom wall and floor, in contrast to the sleek white bathtub.
Kitchen Decorating with Textures
The kitchen textures were simply yummy, and while the textures were bold in their own right, they worked together to create an enjoyable atmosphere. The dark chocolate cabinets (one kitchen island is white for contrast) were topped with granite in lighter, brown colors. What was fascinating was the back (backsplash) wall had metallic tile butting up to a lighter cream wall (below).
There's a trend towards kitchen islands in a contrasting color, and now we're seeing kitchens with two islands, that can be different colors too. The chocolate cabinets shown above are to the left of the white island below, which is sandwiched between matching chocolate cabinets … and interesting how I'm naturally finding foodie words to describe this wonderful kitchen design.
Seldom do you see different wall textures like this corner of the kitchen … but then again, when you're a showcase house, you do want to show off as many new and exciting products as you can.
Decorating with Textures Anywhere & Everywhere
The kitchen is open to the family room which continues the texture them with a granite fireplace wall, and more texture to the sides including chain like curtains. The window design is perfect because it allows for lots of storage below while bringing in lots of natural sunlight.
Upstairs there's an informal den with great views, combined with curtains for texture and privacy when those living in the house want to close off the sunlight and/or nighttime lights from the surrounding community.
Of course the textures continue into the bedrooms from the fun carpeting on the floor to the padded 2 layer headboard, with the padded panels stretching from wall-to-wall. Notice a little bling with the metal, combined with a furry throw on the bed.
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