Going retro and getting it right

Retro design is a popular and personal design. Nothing quite brings one back to their roots, their childhood memories of grandma's kitchen like retro design can. However, like with most design decisions, going retro in a room requires a little research. You don't want to just jump in because you stand the risk of having the end result look like an indoor garage sale and not the warm nostalgic space you envisioned.

Research
Do your homework for the specific time period you are interested in. This may require hitting up on various informational sources, including but not limited to, Antique malls, libraries, museums, and even grandma's house. In fact, if you take grandma along with you on your quest for authentic retro decor, she may be able to help you a lot with figuring out what is a great piece to add to your overall look. Research popular colors of the specific era you want to capture and don't limit yourself to just kitchen gadgets, there are a lot of vintage fabrics out there that you may want to look into such as table linens, window treatments etc.

Mixing old and new 
There are a lot of new appliances out there that have a retro feel to them. Don't be afraid to mix and match along the way, keep the focus of the overall feel of the space in mind and don't obsess over every little detail being completely authentic. There are new lines of retro inspired replicas and design accessories emerging every day that have some up to date advantages that shouldn't be overlooked. It is better to go with some of these updated options when dealing with anything electrical.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day
Be careful, it is easy to get overwhelmed when trying to bring a vision to life in decorating and design. Start off small and add as you go along. If you try to do too much too soon, you will most assuredly run out of money, patience and energy. Part of the appeal of retro design is it has a time worn, well loved and comfortable feel. This can't be achieved in a day, but takes time, love of the style and a good eye. Relax, enjoy the experience and let the design occur naturally, not under pressure. You want the look to be authentic not intentional.

Going too far 
One thing you don't want to do with your retro design is go too far. How can you go too far? Well, too much matchy-matchy deliberate accessories will  again, offset what you are trying to achieve and actually work against the design aesthetic, especially if you are trying to really capture a moment in time with your design. Better to have a few well chosen pieces, than to have a whole room where each element was bought from the same store, with the same logo, or color.

Also check out : Retro RefrigeratorDealer.com

Take a look at these wonderful retro finds that can really give you a jump start on your retro design scheme:

Pier 1 Imports store offering 25 percent off

If you are in the market for kitchen and dining items, your local Pier 1 Imports store has

a great sale on select kitchen and dining essentials that will make your home beautiful and functional.

Whether its aprons, dinnerware or even adding to a salt and pepper collection, don't miss these special

deals. If you live in South Carolina, you can find a Pier 1 in the following areas, Columbia, Summerville, Anderson and Spartanburg. To get an idea what great décor and accessories you can buy, see: Pier 1 Imports. The Pier 1 Imports online store allows customers to shop online, and pick up at the store.
For those that are looking for more than just kitchen and dinning room decor and accessories, Pier 1 offers a wide range of great decorative items for every room in your house. Whether it is decorative pillows for the sofa, window treatments, area rugs or even furniture the choices are unique and special. See the slideshow!

Other articles by this author:

• Designing and decorating odd-shaped rooms
• How to give open spaces their own style
• Pier 1 Imports can add style to your garden
• Create a "Memory garden" for Mother's Day

Questions from my readers: Where did I go wrong with my grey room?

Image by dawnella66 via Flickr

Dear Dawn,
First of all I really enjoyed your blog on interior decorating. Here is my question. I read your article about "grey" being the new "beige" and thought it'd be a great color for my bedroom. So I went and painted it "grey". Now it looks blah and sort of "institutional". Where did I go wrong?
Thanks for your help,
Bethanny

Dear Bethany,
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading my articles on interior decorating. First let me say that while "grey" is currently a popular neutral, it is just like every other neutral, a little bland on its own. Its really the accent colors that make or break a neutral in the home. Grey is a nice soft color but to make it come alive it needs a few lively friends in the room. There are a few accent colors that naturally look great with grey. Those colors are chocolate brown, black, and bright white. These all compliment grey very well and look best as trim, wood finishes and furnishings and decorative accents.
First, lets take a look at trim, although your trim work in the room is white or light colored, it probably could use a fresh coat of white. I'd go with a satin or even a high gloss bright white. Next family photos and artwork on the walls look great if they are framed out in black or chocolate colored contemporary frames. You'd be surprised how sharp these contrasting colors look with grey. Great choices for metal accents is Pewter, or brushed Nickel or Oil rubbed Bronze. By adding bold and bright contrasts to your newly painted grey room you will see a room transformed into a posh, sleek and anything but "institutional" design.  For more information please see: Grey, the new Beige in home decor, Good luck!

~Dawn

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When design must meet lifestyle

Image by dawnella66 via Flickr

Many homeowners find themselves struggling between trying to create a home that meets their living needs while incorporating design and decor that will please them on an emotional level. Add to that a limited budget and you have for a less than ideal home life. So how do we find ways to make our lifestyle work and look good with such limited resources? 

It all starts with what you already have. That brass light fixture in the garage doesn't have to be a thing of  the past,  a simple can of spray paint can bring it back into the right century. Change out the light bulbs and glass globes/shades with updated ones. Take a visit online to Ebay and Amazon and type into your search "vintage". Chances are you will find hidden inexpensive treasures that you didn't even think existed anymore. Let your mind go where it will.

It's all about big ideas. Big ideas always seem to translate into big money, however the best ideas are the ones that cost little or nothing at all. Go around your home, delve into the old attic, look for those things you thought were "dated" and see if they can't be re-purposed. Think out of the box, take a risk. Lets say you love Roman themes..who is to say that the garden statue wouldn't be just as lovely inside as out? Or that the old bird bath, with a glass topper wouldn't make an extraordinary night table? 


Image by roberthuffstutter via FlickrImproving your surroundings at home, believe it or not have  a big impact on how you feel. If your home isn't feeding you well from the outside, it is a reflection of your  unhappiness on the inside. Try rearranging furniture, adding or taking away furniture and accessories.  The change in the energy will make all the difference and as always, remember to take care of yourself. Pamper the person on the inside in the simple comforts of life.  Isn't that what your home is supposed to do? After all it is more than shelter, or a place to hang your hat, it is the womb we can always retreat to.

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********How to avoid big mistakes in home decor

We have all been there, we went out and bought up every Holstein cow canister, or country geese salt and pepper shaker, complete with matching curtains, and place mats, only to see a few years later someone on TV say, that look is dated. This article will help you avoid that again.. Only do the work you are qualified to do when renovating or redesigning. Saving a few bucks doing the work yourself, only to find out you did it wrong can be cost a fortune to have redone, you end up being in the hole. Try to do a sample first.
If you are not a professional, do not by any means listen to any designer that tells you to avoid beige, whites and neutrals.
These are safe color choices for those who are not trained and are usually regret free. If you are aching for colors, use them with accessories like pillows, prints, etc.
Avoid theme rooms that are permanent or costly to change. A Lion King bedroom for your son can be extremely costly, and in 1 to 2 years he will be a fan of something else. Use removable decor for youngsters. They will change their passions often. Paying a large sum of money for something that will be painted over later is a waste.
Avoid current fads in color, and decor. A few years back everyone was nuts for Holstein cows, and lets not forget country geese and country blue was everywhere. Not long after that, burgundy and hunter green anything was all the rage. Please. please, anything large in your home should be neutral, accessories like throw pillows, curtains, area rugs can be more personal and colorful. Just make sure when trends change, you aren't in a corner with going too far with a fad.
Do not think that every piece of furniture should be set at an angle. This is something a lot of designers love to do, however if your room is small this arrangement will make the room seem smaller and it can very well throw off the balance, and this can make the room feel odd. The same goes for area rugs. Designers do some odd things, don't do everything just because they do it on TV. There are bad designers out there and I have seen them on many shows, leaving the client crying.
If you got a one shot chance at making a big difference in your home, kitchen is the number one most important room. The three biggest factors for consideration are counter tops, flooring, cabinets. If your kitchen is all set, please update those bathrooms. All else can wait. It is almost wasted time and money when home owners do the easy things like changing wall color or having different flooring installed and completely neglect kitchen and bathroo

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