Gingham fabric was first introduced in the 17th century as a striped fabric, however today it is known for its checked pattern.  Originally two different color fibers were used to produce a striped effect.  However, in the 18th century, ginghams took on a checkered or plaid appearance when produced in mills in England.  The word itself comes from the Malay language, ging-gang, meaning striped.  These fabrics aren’t just limited to country themed interiors, they can add a touch of fun or elegance as shown in some of the photos below.

Gingham upholstered chairs add the perfect balance of casualness to the traditional wing chairs and tufted sofa.

Photo: House Beautiful

Not a table cloth you will find at your neighborhood picnic, this silk gingham adds a touch of luxury to a formal dining space.

Photo: Country Living

Blue and white was the color combination of choice for many years.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Country Living

Looking for inexpensive, easy ways to spruce up your home?  There are many ways to make your home look as if you’ve done a major renovation without spending major money.

• Paint.  A new coat of paint can run as cheap as $20 or even less if you’re just painting an accent wall.  It’s also probably the biggest change you can make in a room.  The difference between a yellow room and a blue room is huge; everything from the temperature to the mood changes, and all for the price of one gallon of paint.

Photo: The Daily Green

• Lighting.  A couple accent lamps can be picked up cheaply and make a world of difference on the ambiance within a room.  Set a few lamps with low wattage bulbs around the room and you’ll instantly have a cozier, more romantic feel.  Or, if you’re feeling brave, become a do it yourself-er for a weekend and install some sconces to add instant sophistication.

Photo: House Beautiful

• Accent Pillows. Bright, colorful pillows make a big statement on a neutral sofa.  Either custom made with inexpensive fabric or found for a bargain at a discount store, accent pillows are a great way to perk up a room.  You can splurge on an investment sofa and give it a new life every year or every season with inexpensive accent pillows.

Photo: Real Simple

• Artwork.  If you think it looks fabulous on your walls, then so will everyone else.  Hang up your children’s artwork or create some “modern” pieces of your own.  Frame the works as if they were a Monet and you’ll have an instant wall upgrade.

Photo: Real Simple

A few cheap, cosmetic touches can make a huge impact on a room.  Color, art, light, and fabric are inexpensive ways to make a tired room into one that is a breath of fresh air to your home.

With summer winding down and the evenings beginning to cool down just a bit, it’s the perfect time to retreat to the screen porch after a long day.  Use your screen porch for a comfortable living area, a casual dining room, or a delightful sleeping porch.  Add a ceiling fan, accent lighting (ditch the bright overhead, it’ll just attract the bugs that manage to slip through the screen!), outdoor fabrics, and an indoor/outdoor rug to make the place homey.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Photo: My Home Ideas

Antlers, faux or real, are not just for those showing off their proud achievements.  Whether you’re a hunter yourself, or just like the natural element, check out these interiors that incorporate the antler attack!

Wall coverings have made a big come back in many interiors.  Shockingly though, they aren’t just limited to walls anymore.

Look up!  Wallpaper on the ceiling?  Applying wallpaper to the ceiling is a great way to add interest, and an unexpected surprise.  Great for those that want to get their feet wet, without committing to wallpapering all of their walls!

Who wouldn’t want to doze off to these inspiring ceilings?

This small space wouldn’t be able to handle such a big, bold pattern on the walls, but perfect for the ceiling

This kitchen adds pattern to the ceiling when left with otherwise no more vertical space.

Scared to commit to an entire wall?  This feature wall frames out wallpaper for a one of a kind piece of art

Wallpaper remnants add spunk to an otherwise boring bookcase

Beautiful hardwood looks best when you can see it and for that reason stairs look wonderful when left bare.  The shine of newly polished wood stairs in any color from a light maple to a dark ebony looks striking and elegant.  Bare hardwood floors may not be the best option, however, if you have children or pets.  Little feet and paws can slip on hardwood and without a buffer, it can be a rather uncomfortable fall.

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: Traditional Home

If you don’t want the chore of vacuuming a carpeted stair runner but love the contrast of color against the wood, then a painted stairway is a good option.  The wear and tear in the middle of the stairs where there is the most traffic just adds a shabby, casual touch, however the paint can also be touched up easily.  This can be an advantage over a carpet runner where the entire runner must be replaced.  Look for a floor paint which will be  the most durable and the least slippery.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Tiled stairs are an exotic, free spirited look that can look at home in a house with bohemian design or one with much more traditional design if the color palettes complement each other.

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Stair runners are most often seen in family homes because not only do they add a bit of color and texture to the stairs, but they protect the hardwood from constant wear.    A runner provides a bit of traction to prevent falls and buffer anything that is dropped.   Try a sisal or small scale pattern with a border for a stylish yet family friendly look.  Stripes or growing patterns play off stairs and elongate the stairwell.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Consider the look of your home and your family’s needs in deciding whether to cover the stairs or bare the hardwood.  As seen in the images above, both looks can be stylish and sophisticated or homey and casual.  Choose what works best for your household.

The green movement has made reclaimed wood a hit with every design style, whether you prefer modern, traditional, or casual settings.  Rustic barn woods have made their way in to furniture, flooring, and ceilings everywhere you turn.  Check out these inspiring rustic beam wonders, and how wood has made an impact on ceilings!

A modern kitchen is warmed up with reclaimed wood beams that draws attention to the architectural detail.

An antiqued kitchen adds warmth with waxed beams for a ceiling treatment

The bedrooms below add a touch of character with the wood detailed ceilings

A unique twist, wood beams create a pattern on this spectacular ceiling

Even this modern living space adds wood to the ceiling that coordinates with the surrounding elements of the room

These beautiful beams add a punch with their stenciled pattern.

Photo: House Beautiful

2009 design shows proved that 2010 would be the year of the craft with handcrafted, embroidered, and patchwork elements being introduced to fashion and interiors.  Patchwork has been around for hundreds of years because of its effective way to recycle leftover fabrics and materials for quilts, curtains, pillows, and accessories.  Only now the concept is spreading to an endless amount of possibilities with upholstery, area rugs, and more!

• Pattern and texture meld together in the patchwork upholstered sofa and chaise below

• Area rugs are a big hit joining the patchwork craze

• This feature wall uses remnants of wallpaper to create a layered patchwork effect.

• Recycled wood is patched together to create these re purposed beauties

• The patchwork concept has no limitations.  Even this court yard is landscaped in a patchwork effect to create an area for employees to hang out and relax on their lunch, or play life sized chess!

Bathrooms with glass or open showers are a gorgeous way to incorporate a luxurious experience into each and every day.  The crystal clear reflection of the glass or the absence of a barrier all together lets the beauty of the showers’ tile shine through.   In muted blues and soothing neutrals, these showers are a spa like way to start the day.

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Sunset Magazine

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Coastal Living

Bamboo accents are a staple in interior design.  For years, bamboo carved furniture has added a bit of the exotic to even the most traditional rooms.   Bamboo dining chairs are at home anywhere from wood stained in a formal dining room to a white lacquer in a beachy, breezy breakfast room.  In the living room, a bamboo side chair is the perfect piece to add structural lines and a bit of airiness to a roomful of upholstery.  A bamboo coffee table or bookcase is another way to add a touch of visual interest and texture.   Bamboo adorned wallpaper or a bamboo headboard would look great in the bedroom.  Even a chandelier or lamp can look fabulous made out of bamboo.  The images below show a variety of rooms all using the classic motif of bamboo to achieve different looks in different rooms.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Southern Living

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: Traditional Home