Faux Bois
Faux bois or 'fake wood' allows you to bring the natural world into your decor with accents, fabrics and everyday household items. It's basically an artistic imitation of wood or wood grain that ranges from very basic to bright and whimsical. Bringing the outdoors in has never been so easy!
Ideas:
Wood Prints: Update your decor naturally with wood grain printed fabrics. Look for wood grain prints or textures on wallpaper, area rugs, towels, pillows, table runners and even bedding. Many of these items come in colors outside of the brown family, so you can match them to your current color scheme.
White Wood: Wood imitations are often white to give this natural look a modern twist. The imitations are available in many different forms, from white branch accent pieces and vases to mirrors and picture frames with white branch borders.
Functional Wood: It's not just for decoration! Faux bois finishes and wood imitations can be found on and in the form of everyday items such as dishware, coasters, candleholders, table lamps and chandeliers. You can even spruce up your home office with wood grain print notepads, writing paper and binder clips.
Decorating by Numbers (And Letters!)
Decorating with big, bold letters and numbers is a hot trend that also gives you the opportunity to pay tribute to your family and home in a unique way. Examples include: posters with vintage typography, oversized letters and numbers made out of wood, metal or covered with fabric, and even printed mugs, plates and pillows.
Ideas:
Collections: Use shadowboxes or wooden type trays to display significant letters and numbers that represent you and your family. Use different colors, sizes and types and include special photos or mementoes. Hang it on the wall or display on a shelf.
Table Letters: Create personalized table settings and gifts by selecting unique stamps for each person's initials. Stamp place cards or paper placemats with their initials or simply set the stamps at each place setting.
Magnetic Decor: Add a little fun to your home office or message center by painting a section of the wall with magnetic paint. Display a collection of number and letter magnets that stick with one color and style or try mixing a variety.
Perfectly Placed: Arrange a collection of type elements, such as oversized letters and numbers, signs, printing type and blocks on bookshelves or a mantel to create an accent or focal point.
Sunny Accents
Yellow is a hot color that will add a boost of energy to your rooms and remind you of the bright summer sun all year 'round. Experiment with different yellow hues to get the look you want, and try some of these tips for adding summer color wherever and whenever you need it.
Ideas:
Bright Accent Ideas: Add a shot of sunshine to your room by contrasting canary yellow lampshades on white lamps or opt for a subtler look, with a sofa slipcover in a warm, mellow mid-tone.
Yellow Blooms: For a simple sunny display for an end table, desk or even centerpiece, find a short, rounded vase and fill it halfway with water. Float a single yellow bloom in the water, such as a daisy or rose for a modern-looking burst of color. Add a teaspoon of bleach to the water to keep the flower looking vibrant longer.
Sunny Kitchen: Brighten up the kitchen with lemon yellow placemats, linen napkins or a table runner. Complete the look with yellow dishtowels by the sink and a bowl filled with fresh lemons on the counter.
Warm Walls: Choose one wall in a cozy family room or light-filled sunroom to paint a warm orange-yellow color. It creates a focal point that matches well with honey gold wood tones on floors or furniture and white or off-white fabrics. | 