HOLIDAY DECORATING

Posted on December 10, 2019 by rblog

The Holiday Season is upon us once again!  It is a time for celebration, to be with family and close friends while enjoying a delicious meal and the spirit of the Holiday.  It is also, the season of Winter, the time of year when days get shorter, nights get longer, and the cold air arrives.  We live more inside where the comfort of a warm fireplace and a cup of hot cocoa stir the imagination and bring on nostalgia for days gone by.  It is a chance to slow down for a moment and reflect on the year that has just passed.  The tradition of Holiday Decoration is something to look forward to every year and a chance to bring that Holiday Spirit into your living space.  It is time to honor traditions while creating new ones. holiday-season-1So, how do you bring holiday cheer into your interior space?  You can focus on just one or two rooms or your entire home, starting at the front entryway and working your way through all your spaces.  Your personal taste and space itself will dictate how elaborate your holiday décor will be.  Many of us have an arsenal of decorations at our disposal, some passed down from family and others we have collected along the way.  Do not be afraid to mix traditional décor with modern, old with new.  Using the colors of the season is always a great idea; the traditional red, gold, and green, along with white which reflects the general winter theme of snow.  Décor can be as modest or elegant as you want, and different rooms can have different Holiday themes. holiday-season-2There really is something comforting about pulling out a Christmas tree ornament that use to hang on your Grandmother’s tree and now is on yours. Bring in the holiday colors with ornaments, stockings on a mantle, a decorative wreath, custom pillows, and blankets, or custom drapes, seasonal art-work, a mix of old and new, pulling out the old decorations that help you remember the past as well as newer pieces that just make you happy. holiday-season-3The Holidays are about feeling peace and love, and the comfort of those you are closest to.  Your holiday décor reflects what the holiday means to you and the feeling you want to create in your home.  It is a combination of all the traditions you want to honor as well as the new you want to include.  Have fun with your Holiday decoration and remember, there is no “right way” to do it; if it makes you happy then it’s right.  Happy Holidays!

For more interior design tips and to Design Custom Curtains online please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com.  

Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

 

 

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COORDINATING PILLOWS AND DRAPES

Posted on November 25, 2019 by rblog

Throw pillows are a design element often overlooked.  They are most commonly used in the living room on sofas or chairs and in the bedroom on a bed, chair, or chaise.  And of course, no built-in bench or window seat is complete without decorative pillows. Pillows add another layer to the design of your space, finishing the look and giving much-needed comfort and style to the overall composition.  Often, pillows are coordinated with window treatments, either using the same fabric as the drapes or similar colors and coordinating patterns to enhance the concept of the room.  Custom pillows are easy to create and make a perfect accessory that can be changed out from time to time to give a fresh look when you want one. pillows-drapes-1Using the Same Fabric

The easiest way to coordinate your throw pillows and curtains is to use the same fabric for both.  If the window treatment fabric is a specific or obscure pattern and color, coordinating another pattern can be challenging.  Using the same fabric is an easy way to add that custom touch.  You also can combine a solid fabric with the pattern to create a high-end custom look.  You can work with a designer to create custom window treatments and pillows or shop online at a website like ours, TheContemporaryCurtain.com, where you can easily design custom drapes and custom pillows online.  It’s important to order samples so you can decide whether to use the same fabric or complementary fabrics! pillows-drapes-2Complementary Fabrics

Pillows and curtains can also be coordinated with different colors. Pairing colorful pillows with neutral curtain fabrics, such as white, off-white, gray, beige or black, is a great way to add an accent of color while maintaining a serene feeling in our space. pillows-drapes-3You can also create more visual energy in your room by pulling a solid color from a pattern.  For example, if the curtains are an earthy orange, a deep blue printed fabric with a touch of that orange used on the throw pillows would coordinate well. Using different colors and patterns on pillows will add extra texture and visual interest to space.pillows-drapes-4

Accent Fabrics

Curtains and pillows can be coordinated with the help of a third element in the room such as a chair or ottoman.  When done in a compatible fabric and color palette, it will help to pull the overall look of the room together.  Using pillow fabric that complements the upholstery fabric instead of matching it exactly will create even more texture and character.pillows-drapes-5For interior design tips and more information on custom window treatments and custom pillows, please visit http://thecontemporarycurtain.com

Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

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DESIGN TIPS FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER TABLE

Posted on November 1, 2019 by rblog

The season of Thanksgiving is here again!  It is the Harvest Season, and a time to reflect on all we have to be grateful for.  You may be thinking about that all-important Thanksgiving meal.  Ahh, the great American tradition of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and of course the all-important stuffing.  The inevitable green bean casserole which is nicely compensated for by the oh so delicious pumpkin pie.  Of course, the meal really starts with the ambiance set by the dining room design and decor.  The traditional harvest colors of orange, red, yellow and brown are most commonly used and abundantly available, however, non-traditional color themes can be just as festive.  So, how do you bring the perfect thanksgiving design to your dining room? thanksgiving-1The design will begin with and focus mostly on your table, with various secondary design elements adding to the atmosphere of the space.  The table design is all about building layers, coordinating your pieces to pull together an overall aesthetically pleasing look.  There are several things to consider when contemplating Thanksgiving Day design for your dining space.  Do you prefer traditional or contemporary interior design, simple or more elaborate design?  Let’s consider some of the design layers for your dining room table.

The heart of your table design begins with the centerpiece you choose.  This choice will dictate the color scheme and additional elements of your table.  The options, of course, are endless. One of the simplest and most readily available choices is to use seasonal vegetables and fruits.  Bringing the outdoors in for the harvest season can really add to the festive feel of the day.  Think pumpkin design for a very easy seasonal touch and flowers that include traditional harvest colors.  Use fresh produce such as squash, apples, and corn as part of your design.  Consider using other outdoor elements like tree branches, colored leaves, and green plants as part of your centerpiece.  Adding candles to the table can bring a very romantic feel to the dinner, especially if you are planning an evening meal.  Play with color, possibly picking one traditional Thanksgiving color to emphasize and accenting it with non-traditional colors.thanksgiving-2 Once you have decided on the all-important centerpiece design it is time to consider the other components of your table.  Do you want a tablecloth and runner, or maybe just one but not the other?  The fabric you choose should be complementary to the centerpiece colors and textures.  If you are creating an elaborate centerpiece, you may want to go simpler with the tablecloth and runner.  Next, consider your place settings.  What dinnerware, silverware, and glassware would you like to use?  Again, it depends on how formal you want your space to be.  Maybe you have purchased special dinnerware specifically for the occasion that you want to highlight (in which case all other design choices will center around the dinnerware).  Another layer to consider are the napkins and napkin rings, choosing napkins that will complement the colors and textures you’ve already chosen.  If your overall design plan is very simple, you might want to choose very elaborate napkin rings to add a design element that will stand out and really make a statement.  Adding place-card holders or decorative placemats is another way to add a layer of design, and again, can be quite simple or very elaborate.  thanksgiving-3Once the table design is complete, you can move on to the rest of the room.  Consider adding the same centerpiece elements to other surfaces such as a buffet.  Changing existing artwork to coordinate with your holiday decorations is another design layer that can easily add to the Thanksgiving experience. Adding custom curtains with seasonal colors will complete the continuity of the overall design of your dining room. thanksgiving-4Creating your Thanksgiving Day oasis can be as simple or elaborate as you want.  Let your imagination run wild.  It is a great excuse to flex your creative muscle and have fun designing a space that both you and your guests can enjoy.  Your design will enhance the overall atmosphere of the day, helping everyone to get into the holiday spirit, making it more fun and pleasurable for all and giving everyone a memorable experience to truly be thankful for!

For interior design tips or to design custom curtains online, please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com

Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

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THE IMPACT OF ART IN MODERN WORKSPACES

Posted on October 20, 2019 by rblog

Over the last century, there has been a shift in American society and how we live our daily lives.  The way Americans work is also shifting and where they spend their days has taken on new importance.  Slowly fading are the days of Americans spending eight hours a day in a tiny, impersonal cubicle.  In its place, the desire for a visually pleasing workspace is increasing and millennials may well be the driving force behind the movement. blog-october-2-aFor several years, studies have been done on the aesthetics of a space and its influence on the individuals occupying the space.  For example, the influence of art in healthcare has been linked to efficacy rates of patient recovery.  According to workdesign.com, “In healthcare settings, the display of nature scenes has been linked to lower levels of patients’ perceived pain, stress, anxiety, fatigue, and general distress, and is usually gauged to be a positive distraction (one that elicits good feelings and holds attention without causing stress, thereby blocking worrisome thoughts).  Patients also socialize more with each other, are less restless and quieter when nature scenes are on view”.blog-october-2-bIn the same way that art has been proven to be beneficial in healthcare, it is now proving to have great value in the workplace.  Understanding the importance of art in a workspace and the influence it has on employees is gaining momentum.  According to Minted. “Resimercial is an interior design style for commercial spaces that embraces form and function – the softness of the residential design and the high-performance functionality of commercial; comfort is the new cool…in order to attract and retain the best talent, interior designers are shifting to create commercial spaces that employees want to be in”.

Studies now show that art in the workplace can enable creativity, productivity, and overall increased wellbeing.  Karen Gelardi, creative services manager for Designtex Surface Imaging, says “Creativity is about thinking about things in a different way.  You need it whether you’re a programmer or a doctor or an accountant; by having artwork around you, your mind can wander and make new connections.  It can be soothing or inspiring.  It can lead to a different type of focus”.  Coordinating your artwork with other elements in your space such as flooring, furniture, custom window treatments, or custom pillows can complement the overall aesthetic of the workspace and enhance the visual pleasure of the artwork.blog-october-2-cResearch by the University of Exeter School of Psychology found that individuals working in a workspace with art and plants (enriched environments) were 15% more productive than workers in spaces that did not have these.  It seems employees agree as a recent survey by the Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. and the International Association for Professional Art Advisors found that 94 percent of employees agreed art enhances the work environment.

 

The evidence supporting the value of art in the workplace is compelling and appears to be on its way to becoming the norm in the modern 21st Century workplace.  As American society continues to shift and evolve, the workplace will too.  The workforce will continue to look for satisfying work experiences, including workspaces that are visually pleasing and feel good to be in.

To learn about interior design or to design custom curtains online, please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com

Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

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INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS FOR FALL

Posted on October 7, 2019 by rblog

It is Fall.  The invigorating crisp fresh air and the leaves changing from their summertime green to bright reds, vibrant oranges, and crisp yellows.  Fall, the season of harvest, of Halloween and Thanksgiving, pumpkins and apples, festivals and corn mazes, yes, it is Fall again!  What better time to update your interior design and bring a little Fall into your home?interior-design-tips-for-fall-1Fall décor can start at your front porch and be as simple as adding a new fall themed wreath to your door. A DIY wreath can work wonderfully using items like tree branches, pinecones, acorns and colored leaves. Of course, you can’t go wrong putting a few carved Jack-o-lanterns on your porch to welcome your guests, it is after all the season of Halloween. Your front hallway can reflect Autumn by adding candle lit lanterns and colored vases filled with branches and leaves.
interior-design-tips-for-fall-2One of the easiest ways to bring Fall into any room in your home is through the use of fabric.  Simply adding custom drapes or custom pillows in Autumn colors can instantly bring the feeling of the season to your space.  Try adding a beautiful Fall inspired throw blanket to your family room filled with the warm colors you love and a texture that will feel good on those chilly evenings that are sure to follow.  A new Fall-inspired comforter and bed sheets in your bedroom can breathe new life into space, making it feel warm and cozy as the nights grow longer.  Add a new table cloth or runner to your dining room and exchange kitchen and bath towels to add the colors of the harvest season to those spaces.  Changes can be big or small, subtle or elaborate; have fun with it, adding colors and textures you really love to your home.interior-design-tips-for-fall-3Another great way to bring Autumn into your interior spaces is by adding artwork with outdoor seasonal landscapes.  Change a few pieces of pottery and sculpture that reflect the season by color or theme.  Try adding baskets filled with Fall colored plants, leaves or branches to bring the harvest feel indoors.  Again, bring in pieces you really love, pieces that make you feel happy.

Adding the colors of Fall to your home is easier than you may think and can be splashed around a room by adding a variety of accents.  You can get as creative as you want.  The goal is to have fun with your design, let it be a reflection of who you are and what you love about Fall.  The options are endless; you can go all in and transform your rooms completely to a Fall wonderland or just sprinkle a little Fall color around.  Changing up design elements is a wonderful way to renew and refresh your home, allowing you to “Fall” in love with it all over again.

For more interior design tips or to design custom curtains online, please visit our website: www.thecontemporarycurtain.com

Design Team

The Contemporary Curtain

A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC

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