As you have probably guessed by now, summer houses are always a good idea no matter the setting. They are brilliant versatile additions to any garden no matter the size. They provide extra living spaces to homes big and small. They are also corners that provide you with a beautiful view of the outside, and guess what? They are also super easy to dress up and style from within. In short, a summer house can be done up any way you like to suit any purpose to have in mind. In can be a reading nook, a home office, or even a pottery studio if that is what you are into. Plus, it will be the focal point of your garden, beckoning the visitor to enter and discover the treasures within.  In this article, we are going to share with you six design tips to consider when decorating your summer house.

No Garden is Too Small

You don’t need a large garden to make space for your summer house. In fact, a garden of any size has more than enough room.

If you are thinking of incorporating a summer house into your small garden, consider placing the summer house at the back of your garden. This way, you can keep the doors wide open and use it as additional seating space when you are entertaining. Also, consider painting your summer house white as dark colours tend to make small areas feel even smaller.

Convert Your Shed

Having a summer house does not need to be an expensive endeavor. If you already have an old shed or two, why not convert them into a space that you’ll love to spend time in. As a matter of fact, sheds are beautiful garden buildings that can be made into art studios or home offices.

Just imagine how much inspiration you will find as a result of being so close to nature!

A Winning Combination of White and Wood

Most summer house interiors can be given a facelift with a lick of white paint.  White paint can literally transform a summer house into a modern space whilst still preserving its rustic charm.

If you are going to for this look, do make sure to preserve just a little bit of the original wood colour for some warmth. Once you have finished painting, accessorize your summer house with lots of neutral cushions, throws, lanterns, and some greenery. You’ll never want to leave!

Furniture That Goes Both Ways

Having a terrace outside your summer house means more seating options for yourself and your family. Plus, it makes entertaining an easier feat because you are working with a larger space. If you do have a terrace, remember to buy furniture that goes well inside as well as outside. You want to be able to move the furniture around as and when is necessary, say when you have guests, or the weather outside gets too warm.

Gift Yourself a Home Office

If you spend a lot of your time working from home, why not gift yourself a home office with a view? Having a dedicated home office in the garden will allow you to create that mental energy that can help you focus away from all of the distractions of home. Additionally, since your home office will be an independent fixture, it will be a lot easier for you to create boundaries between home and work.

Dress it up!

You can dress your summer house up by adding as much colour and pattern as you want to suit your style. Rugs, throws, cushions, and candles are all things that will add pattern, colour, texture, and character to your space.

By making your summer house an expression of your personality, you are creating a place that is uniquely you.  You summer house will give you a sense of hygge whenever you need a corner to create or unwind.

So there you have it. Six design tips to inspire you to create the summer house of your dreams. Remember to shop around your garden first for a shed that can be converted. If you are building one from the ground up, choose a spot that will allow your summer house to become the focal point of your garden. Once your summer house is up and running, you are ready for the fun part; decorating! Have fun accessorising your summer house, and make it a place that inspires thoughts, ideas, and creativity.

The post Six Design Tips to Create a Summer House That You Will Love appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

The simplicity of modern design has given this style a never-ending importance. Modernism is catergorised by fuss-free clean lines and a less-is-more approach. Minimalism in modern homes means the absence of clutter and excessive details that are deemed unnecessary. Everything is designed and placed with efficiency in mind.

Now if this is a style that speaks to you, then read on! Below are 6 key elements of modern interiors to get you inspired. We hope that these pointers will help you create your own modern masterpiece.

Neutral Walls

Modern homes are known for their light and neutral walls. After years of ornate Victorian embellishments and wooden paneling, the modernists moved to light and neutral walls to keep the space looking bright and airy. Since modern homes had large windows, choosing the colour palette of the interiors depended on the window views.

If you are looking to achieve a modern look in your home, stick to light neutral colours. Whites are greys are good choices for the exterior and interior of your home. If you have large windows and want to add a burst of colour, choose a colour that can be seen from your window view. If the view from your window is a forest, pull in the colour green to add a bold statement. This will mean that your statement colour complements your space.

Open Floor Plan

Old-fashioned homes are famous for having separate rooms boxed off from one-another. On the other hand, modern homes are known for their open plan layouts. The living quarters of kitchen, dining area, and living room, generally exist in one big space. The benefits of having everything together are endless. For starters, it gives modern homes a spacious and airy feel because there are no more walls. It also means that there is larger space for entertaining guests.

If you are in the midst of a renovation or if you are building your home from the ground up, consider the open floor plan for your living quarters. This will give you a larger floor area. Similarly, it will allow natural light to flow into your home without the traditional restrictions of walls.

Modernist Art

Originally an art movement, modernism emerged as a rejection of realism and obsolete traditions. Modernists artists expressed themselves through abstract art and vibrant colours. Unlikely artistic forms capture the spirit of modernism.

Displaying the right kind of artwork can make a huge difference in the feel of your home. Choose large abstract art with minimal frame to accessorise your space. Alternatively, you can choose smaller art to adorn larger spaces, but remember to choose minimal to no framing for that modernist clutter-free feel.  

Clean Lines

Modern interiors emerged as the opposing style to the embellishments of Victorian, Gothic, and the Renaissance. This meant that modern architectural structures and furniture had clean, straight, and sharp lines. Nothing was excessive. Rooms were designed and accessorized intentionally.

Choosing modern designs for your home can transform your space from dated to clean, spacious, and intentional. Always choose shelves and cupboards that are inset into walls, as opposed to protruding out. Opt for cylindrical columns and stay away from ornate architectural features such as trim and mouldings.

Clutter-Free

Since modernism rejected traditionalism, modern homes became clutter-free after decades of fussy spaces. Everything has a place in a modern home. Cabinetry and built-in storage systems are used to keep everything looking neat and tidy.

For your modern home, make sure to declutter spaces such as walls, shelves, and mantelpieces. Remember that less-is-more in a modern home. So keep your accessories to a minimum and pay attentive consideration to the storage and display of your items at home.

Minimalism

Minimalism flows on from the concept of less-is-more. This is why straights lines are used and architectural detailing is almost non-existent. Whilst minimalism sounds like an easy concept to apply, it actually takes a lot of careful planning to ensure that a home includes only what is absolutely needed. Whilst minimalistic homes can appear empty, in reality they are actually a lot more comfortable than they seem.

Applying the concept of minimalism will ensure that your home is designed with efficiency in mind. The level of comfort of having only what you absolutely need will do wonders for your wellbeing as well as your home. 

To summarise, keep the design of your home simple, neutral, and clean to in order to create your modern masterpiece. Keeping these tips in mind when designing your modern home will ensure that you are on the right design path.

The post The Best Modern Design Tips to Inspire You appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

In this article, we will share a few easy mural ideas to inspire you to paint your very own mural. If you are still on the fence regarding your artistic skills then fear not, drawing basic shapes is all the artistic flair we need here! Remember exactly why you are doing this, you are creating memories for your children that they will fondly recall for years to come.

Mountains!

Mountains, as well as being extremely beautiful, are perhaps one of the easiest murals to paint, and it’s easy to see why. A mountain range would look beautiful whether painted in a nursey, a girls’ room, a boys’ room, or even a shared room. You can go with any colour you like; greys or beiges would make lovely neutral tones, whereas blues will add a lovely burst of colour.

To start painting your mountains, use good quality painters tape to tape off your forefront mountains into big triangles. This will ensure that your lines are straight and crisp. Once you are happy with forefront mountains, add some rear mountains in the background with some more tape – they should look like the tips of smaller triangles peaking through. Make sure your tape is firmly stuck to the wall, you don’t want any paint leaking out.

Now you are ready to start painting! If your mountains are going to be blue, paint your forefront mountains the darker shade of blue and your rear mountains a lighter blue. When your mountains are dry, you can even add further details like snowcapped peaks or brushstrokes to a mountain or two to add some texture.

Now sit back, admire your masterpiece, and think of all the conversations and dreams these mountains will inspire.

Flowers

Flowers are a lot easier to draw than one might think. Since most people can draw basic shapes, most people can actually draw a bunch of flowers. It is also noteworthy to mention that mural painting does not call for anatomically correct flowers. Rather, we are looking for an artistic interpretation of florals.

If you want to give flower painting a go, start off with a pencil and draw some flowers on your intended wall. You can even go one extra step and paint your background with a combination of light pastels. Then paint in your flowers with a paintbrush using the same colours as your pastel background. If any of your flowers turn out wonky, turn them into bigger flowers, leaves, or just paint over them. Remember, it is just paint.

Geometric Shapes

Painting geometric shapes such triangles does not require any drawing at all. It is literally as simple as tape and paint. To create your own statement wall, pick three to four colours (if you are brave enough, ask your child to choose the colours) depending on the interiors of the room. Once you have chosen your colours, tape across the wall in a crisscross manner to create triangles of different sizes. Then paint the triangles with the colours you have chosen. Remove the tape once you are done to reveal your art. 

We hope this article has inspired you to paint a mural wall for the littles in your life. Now if hand painting just isn’t for you, then perhaps you would like the idea of stencils – Etsy has a tonne of options. Simply paint a background colour then use some stencils to create your mural.

Now that you know how easy it actually is to paint your own murals, what patterns would you choose for a kid’s room? Would you try the hand painting style, or do you like to play it safe with tape? Let us know below.

The post Painting Murals in Kids Rooms: The ABCs of How to appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

Branding

Your branding does not stop at your logo and your website. In fact, those are just the starting points. The heart of your branding should focus on the interior and exterior of your office space. Consider the goal and mission of your company and make sure that they are reflected in the design style you choose. This will help your employees, work colleagues, and clients grow a sense of attachment and loyalty to your brand. It will also help your brand standout.

If you are running an e-commerce company, modern and trendy with bold colour accents might be a look that suits your business. On the other hand, an architectural firm may choose the contemporary interior design style to reflect their practice and business mission.

Make it comfortable

Whichever style you go for, make sure your final space has a comfortable and relaxing feel to it. With many people nowadays working from home, the office environment you create should resemble the comfort of working from home. Choose different seating options such as sofas and ottomans, desk spaces, as well as collaboration zones. Giving your employees the ability to choose their workstation for the day can greatly increase how productive and efficient they are.

When buying office furniture, make sure that the pieces you choose are ergonomic and comfortable. With employees spending long hours sitting at a desk, the office chair may be your single most important investment. Whilst It might be tempting to go for the cheapest office chair available -especially if you are on a budget-, remember that in the long run you will actually be wasting money. Think about the rollover effects of sitting on a badly designed chair for long hours. The backaches and neck pains caused by sitting in an uncomfortable chair may mean disgruntled employees and low productivity. On the other hand, an ergonomic chair and an adjustable desk will mean that your employees can change position whilst working so that they don’t spend too much time in one position. It will also send a message to your employees that you care.

Lighting helps productivity

Office workers spend a large portion of their day in front of computer screens. This can induce headaches and increase anxiety and irritability, but do you know what can help? Natural lighting! Whilst being a free mood and productivity booster, natural lighting actually exists for a reason. This is because our precious eyes are designed to work with changing light levels throughout the day. They are not meant to suffer the consistently harsh and rigid artificial lighting offered by the majority of workspaces. Think of the difference natural lighting would make to your office environment in terms of mood, morale, and overall efficiency.

To increase the amount of natural light in your workspace, consider removing barriers and interior walls and go instead for an open plan. This will allow a greater amount of natural light to flow deeper into your space. Another helping factor is space. A roomier space is a brighter space, whilst cramped quarters tend to be dark and depressing.

Spaces to collaborate

Creating collaboration zones for people to meet, gather, and bounce ideas off each other can help your business thrive. A smart office layout means that a collaboration zone can happen despite the size you are working with. Once your collaboration zone is up and running, consider adding things like writeable walls, cozy round tables, and a kitchenette. These small additions can make all the difference for ideas to come pouring out.

Creativity Boosts Productivity

Break-out spaces are needed to clear one’s head and boost creativity. Make sure your office includes relaxing corners where employees can take a break, eat their lunches, or simply relax and chat. These spaces are key in nurturing communication, boosting creativity, and giving your employees a space to rejuvenate.

To summarise, office design has come a long way from cramped cubicles and harsh lighting and we’re not complaining! Modern office design takes into account the physical and mental wellbeing of employees as it should. It focuses on cultivating creativity, communication, and strong brand culture which are essential for any business to thrive.

If you are looking to design your own office space, schedule a consultation with us today. We will help you create a beautiful space that everyone will love!

The post The Best Office Design Tips appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

But before we get into the trending neutrals, let us remind ourselves of the year we’ve had, and the lifestyle changes we’ve had to make. With global lockdowns forcing more and more of us to adapt to working from home, our homes have evolved. Previously, our homes were spaces that were meant for rest and respite, but now they also serve as our workspaces. Perhaps an unwelcomed edition to the sanctuaries of our homes.

But..

This is where this season’s neutrals come into play! Warm tones create a cozy environment that pulses with life. Soft muted colours inspire a calm serene atmosphere, just like a breath of fresh air. In this article, we hope to inspire you with some of the most fashionable neutral colours 2021 has to offer.

Grey

Greys have always been in fashion over the years, and 2021 is no exception. This season has seen a rise in the popularity of warmer grey tones, replacing last year’s cool greys. This light warm greige provides the perfect clean backdrop for other colors, and instantly makes any space feel large and airy. 

Try painting your living room with this light greige to give it an instant facelift. It will reflect light, making your home feel more spacious. Pair it with muted colours for a classic timeless look, or accent it with bold vibrant colours that express your personality.

Alternative to black

A softer alternative to black, this deep earthy brown will contrast nicely against light neutrals and muted colours. It adds that final touch of elegance to any space. It also provides a depth that evokes a sense of stability, making you feel safe and secure in your home.

If you want to incorporate this rich colour into your home, try painting your bookshelves this deep brown to add depth without being overwhelming. Likewise, using this colour on your fireplace will contrast with your light walls, while keeping the style classic. When it comes to deep colours like this, always remember, less is more!

Shades of yellow

2021 is the year of pastels, and muted yellow really seems to be making a splash with interior designers. This pale yellow illuminates the spaces whilst blending harmoniously with other neutrals. It creates a cheerfull atmosphere and infuses summer into your home in a sophisticated way.

Try using this colour in place of white to bring life into a dreary space. Dim narrow hallways can be brightened up, just by using a cheery pale yellow instead of a dull white. You’ll be amazed at the difference this simple change can make!

Green

Interior designers have long used green as a way to bring nature into peoples homes, and this light sage green is no different. A beautiful serene colour, it brings the outdoors inside, and connects nature with the urban space. It also infuses a sense of tranquillity into the space, and instantly transforms a cluttered space into a calm peaceful one.

Create a calming environment for your work, by painting your office sage green. Painting an accent wall is the easiest way to bring sage green into your home. To complement your sage green accent wall, add plants and green accent pieces to achieve a harmonious monochromatic effect. Simple, chic and serene!

Brighten it up

First Light was Benjamin Moore’s colour of the year last season, but it has stayed in fashion, and for good reason too. This light gauzy pink brightens up spaces and creates a soft dreamy atmosphere of serenity and optimism. It’s practical as well, as it can be combined with both cool tones and warm tones to achieve different effects.

This colour would work wonderfully in communal spaces, like your dining room or even your living room. Accent it with earth toned tables and chairs, to bring out the warm undertone of the pink for a monochromatic style. Conversely, you could combine it with light greys to subtly contrast the warm undertone of this pink.

Teal

While last year’s colour of choice was navy blue, 2021 has seen teal capture all of our hearts. This cloudy greyish blue is both modern and timeless. It will liven up any space and add a pop of colour in a subtle and sophisticated way.

To incorporate teal into your home, consider painting your kitchen cabinets a medium teal colour. This will add visual interest to your kitchen. Accent the teal cabinets with wood counter tops to balance out the colour.

Rosy Peach

Gone are the sterile neutrals of the past. This muted warm rose walks the line between soft and bold. Cocoon yourself with this colour for a comfy and cozy environment. It also pairs beautifully with other warm neutrals, to create a space that radiates warmth and life.

Warm rose really is the perfect colour to paint your bedroom. Earth toned furniture, like wicker baskets and rattan chairs, will complement the warm tones of the rose, and add depth to the colour.

We hope that these neutral colours have inspired you to create an atmosphere that will turn your house into your home. If you feel overwhelmed by all the choices, pick a light colour to use as a base, then pick a deeper colour to add contrast, and finally, choose a brighter one to add a subtle splash of colour. Let your take-home be this; the paint colour you choose should reflect who you are as a person and the way you choose to live.

The post The Neutrals of 2021 appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

In this article, we are going to offer you interior design insight to help you create a delightful retail experience for your customers. This delightful experience you aim to create will be the result of a smart store layout design on your part. It is a design that will attract more customers into your shop. It will entice them to browse through the products you are selling, and it will then encourage them to move towards the checkout counter and make a purchase. Remember, a clever design of your space can make a huge difference in respect to whether you sell your products or not.  

Firstly, Tell a Story

We see more and more small businesses skipping the use of display windows. This is actually an enormous missed opportunity. Curb-side appeal including display windows are essentially your first chance to engage with potential customers. Get creative and use your display window to tell a story about your product. If your merchandise is expensive, use your display window to convey the image of luxury. Displaying a few key pieces will give the impression that each piece is unique. Similarly, if you want to give potential customers the impression that they are getting a good deal for their money, a little bit of clutter in your display windows will help you achieve just that.

Give Them Space

When a customer enters your store, the area they first step into is called the ‘decompression zone’. This is a transitional area where your customers are transitioning from the outside world into the store environment you have created. This is where customers will make mental judgements about your brand and whether your products are high-end or bargain finds. Since your customers are busy transitioning, they will likely miss any merchandise you place in this area – so keep this area free of products. Focus instead on creating a good first impression and introducing your brand.

Help Them Turn Right

After transitioning into your store environment, most shoppers will turn right. The first wall your customers will see upon turning right is called the ‘power wall’. This ‘power wall’ is a display area that should make the biggest impact on your customers. Perhaps you could use this area to showcase your new or seasonal products. You could even use it to tell the story of one of your products. The important thing to remember is that this wall must capture the attention of your potential customers. Accordingly, give it special attention when designing your retail space and help it standout.  

Traffic Route

Lead your customers down a guided tour of your merchandise. Consider the placement of shelves, furniture, and display racks in your shop, and use these pieces to create a clear route for your customers to follow. Also use different flooring or textures in different parts of your space to invite customers to continue exploring – manifest the saying, ‘Where the eyes go, the feet will follow’. This will ensure maximum exposure for your products and a full immersive experience for your customers.  Ensure that the route you create takes your customers through the whole store thereby increasing the chances of them buying something.

Additionally, taking your customers down a planned tour is a very good way of controlling the traffic in your store especially during peak hours.  

Engage Your Customers

Now that your customers are walking down your planned tour, keep them engaged by placing little surprises at the end of aisles or in the middle. This means that are being led somewhere. Choose little surprises that you can strategically place like baskets of seasonal merchandise, discounted pieces, and end-of-stock items. You can even lead your customers towards a feature walls or an eye-catching display area. The point is, adding an element of exploration and discovery will add to the charm of your retail space and keep your customers from losing interest.

Your Checkout Counter

Having led your customers on this engaging tour, they are now ready to make a purchase. But where should you place the checkout counter? Whilst this is a decision that can take up a lot of precious mental energy, your ultimate decision should take into account the natural finishing point of the guided tour we spoke about.

Despite the checkout counter being the last point of engagement for your customers, there is still so much you can do to boost sales. The shopping does not have to stop! Make sure the wall behind your checkout counter is engaging, and I know we have said this before, but use this wall to tell another story! You can also encourage impulse buying by placing low-cost merchandise near the counter. This will encourage customers to pick up one or two more items to buy.

A Journey Worthwhile

21^st Century shoppers are looking for a whole retail experience, and a good interior design of your retail space can help you design that perfect retail experience. Think of it as a journey you are taking your customers on. There should be a starting point, some exploration along the way, an element of thrill, and finally, the treasures! But here is a word of cation though, retail interior design is never about arriving, because there will always be tweaking and modifying to be done. Nonetheless, bearing this equation in mind will help you always keep customer experience at the center of your design.

We hope this article has inspired you to create that perfect retail experience for your customers. Remember, it is all about the journey! And if you would like the help of a professional interior decorator to help you plan the retail space of your dreams, please do get in touch!  We would love to help you.

The post How To Create a Winning Retail Store Interior appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

Once you have decided where your home office is going to be, consider your work needs. Does your work involve sketching or is a laptop all you need? Does your work require the use of more than one screen? How many hours a day are you going to spend in your home office? From there, you will have a clearer picture of the kind of furniture that will work in your space. Now in order to help you design and plan the layout of your home office, we have gathered 6 of the best home office design tips for you to bear in mind. Our aim is to help you create a home office that inspires creativity and productivity.

Reflect Your Personality

The best thing about a home office is that it is YOUR space, so dress it up as you please! Create a home office that is uniquely you, a home office that reflects your personality and inspires you to do your best. Go ahead and paint the wall behind your home office that bold colour that you have always wanted. Decide on a design style that speaks to your heart. Is a modern home office something you would like to consider? Or is rustic more you? Another good way to bring your home office to life is to add vibrant and quirky accessories to your space. Think garlands, large mirrors, inspirational art, or even flowers.

Make it Cozy

If your home office space is slightly larger than a corner, adding a sofa or an armchair will give your space a sense of ‘hygge’ or coziness. You can even add a rug, some cushions and throws, and a bit of greenery to take your home office to the next level of ‘hygge’. Your armchair corner will mean that you have an alternative place to work from, and it can also function as extra seating if you are hosting a work meeting. Even without meetings, it is the perfect corner to unwind, read a book, or take a call.

Vertical Space!

Using the wall above your desk for storage is especially useful in small spaces. If you are tight for space, consider incorporating shelving to the space above your home office. Use these shelves to store books, files, and folders. Not only is this vertical space useful for storage, but it can also be utilized to display art or vibrant accessories.

Help Your Posture

When choosing furniture for your home office, consider buying ergonomic pieces that will help you retain good posture and back health. Trust us when we say that nothing kills productivity like having a backache. With this in mind, invest in a desk that will allow you stand if your work requires you to spend long hours in front of a screen. We would also argue that ergonomic desk chairs are a must if you want to maintain good back health. And whilst it might be tempting to go for cheap furniture that looks good, nothing matters more than your health.

What Are Your Needs?

When planning the layout of your home office, pay attention to your business needs as well as the needs of your family. Are you going to host meetings? Will you be making a lot of phone calls? Is the home office going to be a shared space between yourself and your children? Listing down your needs and preferences will help you plan a space that is accommodating and functional. Perhaps you would need a large table with chairs all around. Or maybe your home office would need to be somewhere quiet so that you can make phone calls in peace. Alternatively, you could have a ‘project room’ if the space is going to be used by the whole family.

Is The View Nice?

Having a beautiful view from your workspace is like having free art. In fact, it is way better. Being able to see the outdoors from your office will add a sense of peace and tranquility to your space. It will also give your eyes a beautiful break every now and then if you spend long hours in front of a screen. Additionally, greenery has a calming and relaxing effect on all of us. But if you don’t have a nice view from your office, then fear not. You can always bring the outdoors inside with lots of potted plants.

In short, your home office is a unique space for you to showcase your personality and inspire creativity. And remember, no space is too small for your home office. So long as it can fit a desk and chair, you’ve got a winner! Start off your plan by writing down your business needs and take it from there. We believe in you, and if you would like us to help you design a home office that you will love, then schedule a consultation with us here.

We cannot wait to help you.

The post 6 Home office Design Tips to Help You Get Down to Work appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

Off-white

Whilst stark white is like milk, off-white is your double cream. It’s warm, inviting, and pairs very well with wood accents. To nail this trend, consider using stain for your door and garage instead of paint. This will bring your wooden accents to life and add a beautiful layer of character to your exterior. We think that this trend is here to stay and we could not be happier.

What is The Perfect White?

Now if off-white and wood isn’t your vibe, perhaps you would like the classic combination of crisp white exteriors with a burst of colour. Whilst this combination isn’t a new trend by any means, it is a timeless marriage of colours that gives your exterior a fresh inviting look. If you are considering this trend, be sure to paint your door as well as window shutters a bold striking colour to add that pop. Your home will be the talk of the neighbourhood!

Light Grey

We love the modern look of a pale grey exterior. Light grey is a beautiful alternative to the common beige and adds some colour to the street. It is neutral enough to be added to any exterior and pairs very well with a range of colours and styles. If you are going with grey, choose a shade that has both warm and cool undertones depending on the lighting. This colour will add a layer of style and sophistication to your curbside and who doesn’t want that?

More Than Just One Colour!

Why pick one colour when you can go for two? We think that more and more contemporary homes will go for two-tone exteriors and we couldn’t be more thrilled. To nail this emerging trend, paint your exterior two complementary colours. They can go side by side or one on the top and one on the bottom. This will give your exterior a contemporary modern look with a touch of industrial.

Black

Black as an accent isn’t a new trend at all, but we are seeing more homes use black as the main colour. Whilst it is a bold decision, black can actually make your exterior standout. It also pairs perfectly with a range of colours that you can use as accents to complement the black.

Blues And Greens

When used as accent colours, pale blue or green can add such a whimsical touch to your exterior. Use a neutral main colour such as off-white or ivory, then paint your shutters and door a pale green or blue. This combination produces an exterior that is warm and inviting yet unusual at the same time.

Beige

You read that right! Beige is still in trend in 2021 and in all honesty, nothing says cozy and welcoming like beige. It is anything but dull. Think about it, it is neutral enough to be used a main colour and it also adds a classy edge to any building. If you are looking to get on board the beige trend in 2021, stay away from beiges that turn yellow, and go instead for a beige that turns off-white in different lighting.

So there you have it! Seven exterior paint colours that are trending in 2021. If done right, painting the exterior can give your home an entirely different vibe. It can transform your home from dated to fresh and inviting. Picture a face lift but all it really is a good lick of paint!

Now we would love to transform your exterior for you. If you would like to unlock your home’s full potential and give your exterior a timeless feel, contact us for a consultation and we will help you choose on-trend colours that you love.

The post 7 Exterior Paint Colours That Are Trending in 2021 appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

If you are looking to master the Scandinavian design in your own home, then look no further. In this article, we are going to help you understand the various elements of Scandinavian interior design so that you can recreate this style in your home.

But first of all, what feelings should Scandinavian Interior Design evoke?

Take a look at any image of a Scandinavian interior and you are bound to immediately sense a lot of COZINESS, a great focus on WELLBEING, WARMTH, SIMPLICITY, and a touch of NATURE indoors. Scandinavian interiors have skyrocketed in popularity and it is easy to see why. It is affordable, tidy, and clean, yet comfortable, warm, and inviting.

Maximise NATURAL Lighting

Nordic homes are famous for having large, unobstructed, and clean windows. This is because sunlight is rare in Nordic Countries. With almost zero sun coming in during the winter, it is easy to see why Scandinavian design is all about natural light.

Create WARMTH

Since Nordic weather conditions are harsh for most part of the year, people spend a lot of time indoors. Consequently, creating a warm home environment is very important. When we say warm in this context, we are referring to ‘physical’ warmth as well as the ‘cozy’ kind of warmth that a space can feel.

To keep warm during the harsh winters, Scandinavian homes usually have corner fireplaces. The seating in the room is then arranged around the fireplace to keep everyone cozy and physically warm.

Now psychological warmth is an environment that can be easily created. Warm lights, candles, and lots of throws and pillows, are all things you can add to spread more warmth in a space. Since Nordic homes are famous for layering various textiles to achieve that ‘hygge’, you can recreate the same by layering rugs, adding sheepskins, and lots of natural textiles.

Wooden SIMPLICITY

Historially, the Nodics designed and made furnishings from the limited raw material that was available to them. These historical origins have remained and can be seen through the simplicity and functionality of modern Scandinavian furniture. Warm wood tones are commonly used, but wood is never stained or painted. Instead, the natural grain always shows through. In fact, various warm wood tones are used to add an additional level of coziness or ‘hygge’ to the room.

If you are looking to incorporate the Scandinavian design into a space, make sure you choose natural wooden furniture pieces that speak simplicity and functionality. Simple and practical furniture is widely available and will help you nail the Scandinavian design in your home. 

NATURE Indoor

Respecting nature is a large part of Nordic interiors. This is why wood is left untreated and using natural stone is very common. Scandinavian designers have always taken inspiration from their natural surroundings. When designing furniture, they prefer to use materials that are available to them. The idea of respecting nature explains why Scandinavian design relies on the natural colours of materials.

To bring some nature into your home, consider adding sheepskins (they are COZY and NATURAL!), lots of plants, and always try to use natural textiles. Woven baskets are a great storage option, and untreated wooden furniture is classic Scandinavian.

Muted Colours

Scandinavian walls are almost always white. White is an elegant colour that seamlessly blends in with the natural materials used indoors. It also keeps the home looking bright and airy, and it reflects the natural light which is so important in a Nordic home.

To complement the white walls and natural wood, your furnishings and textiles can be added in soft muted tones such as white, off white, sage green, or taupe. Sticking to soft colours will help you achieve Scandinavian design colours in your home.

A Touch of Old

Nordic furniture is the opposite of fussy. Pieces are simple, functional, and always cozy. An item can be added because it inspires happiness or nostalgia, adding to the general ‘hygge’ of a space. This is why it is common to add a few classic or vintage pieces to a home to evoke a sense of ‘whimsical’ and layering. Mid-century furniture pairs very well with the Nordic style, and so do certain industrial pieces.

If you wanted to try and add a bit of vintage to your Nordic home, try placing Mid-Century armchairs around a fireplace. Another option would be to place a large industrial pendant from a ceiling. Simple additions like these can help you add a beautiful mix of periods to your Scandinavian home.

A Bit of Colour

If you would like to add a pop of colour to your Scandinavian home, consider incorporating colourful art. Displaying your art in a gallery style will help you achieve that sharp burst of colour you desire, whilst staying true to the spirit of Scandinavian design.

We hope that these Scandinavian design tips have inspired you to add some ‘hygge’ to your home! If this is a style that makes your heart sing, then remember to always choose natural, simply, and a lot of cozy! If you need a starting point, you cannot go wrong with white walls, natural wood, and plenty of plants. Once these three elements are firmly in place, take your Scandinavian design onwards and upwards.

The post Master Scandinavian Design In Your Home appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.

In this article, we are going to highlight a few important features of the industrial interior design. These 6 tips below will help you incorporate industrial design elements into your home.

Add Exposed Metal and Rustic Wood

Industrial homes contain an abundance of exposed metal and rustic wood to achieve that ‘warehouse’ look. Leaving raw elements such as metal beams exposed will instantaneously give the place an industrial feel. In fact, painting your metal beams against a bright white ceiling will further highlight the industrial finish of your space.

Now let us talk furniture. Industrial furniture is furniture that harmoniously combines metal and wood together. Finding furniture that mixes these two elements together will help you achieve the desired industrial feel. Alternatively, you could even match both wooden pieces and metal yourself. For starters, a rustic wooden dining table will pair very well with metal chairs. Shelving with exposed metal legs can help you complete your industrial look or add a touch of industrial depending on the look you are going for. And remember, the wood you choose for your space need not be the same tone or texture. In fact, different shades and textures of brown will add more industrial character to your place.

Chairs -what about them? Industrial chairs can be used to add a massive industrial statement without being overpowering. Pieces such as the vintage Draftsman’s chair or metallic stools can add a lot of industrial vibe to your space. If these vintage pieces are out of your budget, then consider modern recreations of these pieces. Most modern furniture retailers have beautiful options.

Even better than buying furniture with distressed wood is making it yourself. Reclaimed wood or pallet wood can be made into a coffee table or side tables easily. A little bit of DIY means that you can achieve the industrial look at a fraction of the cost of buying it new.

Keep Your Colour Palette Neutral 

The Industrial design colour palette is rich with earthy tones. To create a colour palette for your industrial space, start with various shades of brown and tan to create a warm feel, then add some white to give your space a clean look. Black can be added as an accent to create some contrast.

If you did want to add a pop of colour, try adding either brick red, dark green, or burnt orange, but do use your pop of colour sparingly. One colour is more than enough to add the emphasis that you desire whilst staying committed to the industrial style.

Expose Your Brick Walls!

Whilst brick walls are covered with drywall in many new buildings, exposed brick walls are essential to give any space that rustic warehouse feel. If you are in the middle of renovating, consider leaving one of your brick walls exposed. You can even leave a portion of your wall exposed instead of the whole wall to create a focal point. In addition to adding an industrial design element to your house, you are also saving some money! So, it really is a win-win all around.

A Bit of Vintage

Nothing says industrial more than vintage factory and warehouse pieces. Adding a few distressed furniture pieces or vintage accessories such as lighting can finish off your industrial space nicely. A good place to start looking for vintage finds are charity shops and flea markets. Whilst shopping, remember to keep an open mind. If a vintage piece does look a bit rundown, don’t strike it off immediately. A little bit of restoration DIY such a coat of paint or new handles can do wonders.

A favourite industrial vintage feature nowadays seems to be lighting. A worn antique light hanging from an industrial-looking ceiling adds the right bit of weathered to the space.

Distressed Leather

The industrial design style is about balancing the perfect mix of modern and antique. If your walls are crisp white or if your space has modern elements, consider adding a brown distressed leather piece to add an industrial flair. Alternatively, distressed leather sofas can also add a lot of warmth to an otherwise cold industrial space.

 Which Lighting is Good?

Whilst antique lighting options are becoming popular, other industrial lighting options are brilliant additions to an industrial room. Since the industrial style is all about exposing raw elements, a simple lightbulb can be the statement piece you are looking for. Wrapping the lightbulb cable round a metal ceiling beam can add a lot of character to your space.

So there you have it! 6 tips to help you include the industrial style into your home. What more, many of these tips are cost-effective, functional, and easy to recreate. As you can see, the industrial style is about creating the perfect marriage of old and new. Originally used in lofts and factories, it has become a popular style that can work very well in a variety of spaces. It is also perfect for renters. So, what do you think about the industrial design? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Are you ready to bring it into your home? Remember that the industrial style can take many different forms and it is an interior style that is accessible to all. By following the tips, we have mentioned in this article, you too will be able to create that beautiful raw, unfinished, industrial space.

The post The Best Tips to Help You Design Your Industrial Space appeared first on Inside Design Wexford.