Historical colors

Jun15

In the case of a low-budget renovation, where only a wall painting is possible, or wallpapering, maybe changing one or two furniture, colors have more important role. Their power is frequently underestimated, some people are afraid of them also. They are afraid that a stronger color might be boring soon, so they decide to choose white or pastel shades. The desired style is tried to be reached by excessive amount of decorating objects.
It is quite easy with classic historical styles. Every era had characteristic color hues which determined the mood of interiors of that time. Of course, all the colors of the rainbow were used then also, though there was always a shade of color which was among the most popular in its era. If these colors are used during renovating, a success can be reached with less effort. Although the mixed paint by a color code is more expensive than the ready-made versions, it is worth to spend it for the effect. In the case of wallpaper, pattern can be so important too.
Some extracted examples: using of ebony black, gold and golden yellow was typify Empire style. Vine red, olive green and warm dark browns were common in Victorian style interiors. We associate to bubble gum pink, butter yellow and light turquoise blue from the 50s. Edwardian style is characterized by magnolia, bluish grey and off-white.
Don’t afraid of color painting the ceiling, doors and windows or even moldings, beside the walls. Draw inspiration from the pictures of interiors of the given era. Surviving buildings are commonly restored with using historically accurate colors, so we can see the total effect. Let’s be daring because painting is the easiest and cheapest way of makeover, so even if we make a mistake, it is remediable easily.
Ask for help of a color adviser/interior designer if you have doubts about the proper color-usage.

Color pairs 6.

Jun5

Color pairs: blue-green

Ship as home

May29

Comfortable ship apartments in classic style

Variations 5.

May20

Variations for a theme: cities

My project 1.

May15

One of my prior projects: 38 sqm block apartment in calming blue
Further pictures: https://classicinteriors.hu/en/references/21-references/35-references02

Old objects’ new functions

May11

In most of the homes there are many old objects in the attic, in the basement and hidden in the garage which are though not attractive and not useful, they are not thrown out because „it will be good for something” or just simply because of laziness for walking to the dump with them. Nowadays it is more and more fashionable to give new life to old household objects and after a makeover giving them a completely other function as originally they were designed for. Here are some examples which fit firstly to country styles or Scandinavian-like interiors but can be fit to any environment up to taste:
If baskets are hung on an old ladder, it can be a perfect storage in a gardrobe or bathroom. Putting shelves between the steps of a single ladder, it will be look very good in the living room as a bookshelf. A smaller ladder can be a nightstand also.
Let’s pad the old leather or textile-leather suitcase, fix short legs on it and it can be used as a coffee table. If a big soft pillow is placed in it and its lid is fixed open, it can be a comfortable bed for our pets. We can spare the price of a side table near the reading armchair with putting some old suitcases on top of each other.
Old wooden window frames from a wrecking can be reused as mirrors for example above the console table in the hall or above the fireplace. Putting mirrors in the old doors instead of the inner panels, they will be full-body pieces in the gardrobe. They can be interesting headboard also with which a simple bed can be popped up.
Old wooden crates and boxes fixed on the wall can function as perfect bookcases. If there is a collection of many smaller wooden boxes, fix them on the wall in a shape without their lids, this way they can be showcases for smaller memories also.
An old metal bucket can be reused as a vase for flower bouquets or plants can be directly pot in them too. Log can be stored in them for the fireplace or can be transformed to industrial style lampshades.
The possibilities are almost countless. If you have an old object which you would like to make a part of your home again but have no idea, ask for help of an interior designer for planning.

Candles

May6

Romantic ambience lighting with candles

Shabby chic

Apr27

Shabby chic is an interior design style which is very popular nowadays. It can be relatively easily realized in any home.
A shabby chic interior is feminine, light and has a little bit warn effect, despite of this, still elegant. Dominant colors are white, grey, powder blue, pink, crème, light green and beige. Furnishing is made of wood, chairs are upholstered comfortably soft, or even wicker braided. Basically it has French style characteristics. Although the overall effect is rural, yet it fits well even in an aristocratic environment. The double doored large wardrobe, the Bergére armchair and the great variety of fabrics provide the luxurious, but still muted feeling. Feels like if we spend our holiday in our country castle.
We can produce the furnishing ourselves for this style. Let’s paint the old furnitures purchased at a flea market with off-white and generate the antique feeling using some umbra brown. Another method, if the paint is burnished back at the edges, at the handles and at the bottom of the legs. This simulates the worn effect gained by the heavy years of usage. At accessories, avoid using strong colors. Flower bouquet is always an important decoration element. It can be placed in practically anything, like a watering can, a jar or old cookie box. Select pastel coloured flowers, which fit to the rural atmosphere, like lavender, roses, tulip or wild flowers. Prefer natural materials at fabrics, like cotton or linen. Use patterned material or plain weaved ones occasionally with toile pattern using only two colors. Use them brevely, combine several hues of a given color. For metallic accessories, silver or gold color is the best choice.
If you like shabby chic, but don’t know how to start, ask help from an interior designer.