Ciao Interiors Blog

The Green Room

Heather — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:51:51 +0000

Green is a calming color, perfect for any room in the home. It is the color of health, renewal, and rebirth. Depending on the hue, you can set it against white, black, or brown and have a crisp, contrasting look. Whether you choose a moss green or a bright spring green, green is a healing color that will leave you peacefully invigorated and refreshed.

Photo: Southern Living

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Real Simple

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: White House Museum

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Gingham: Not just for picnics and handkercheifs

Shaina — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:26:14 +0000

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: Country Living

Weekend Trip to the Missoula Farmers Market

Heather — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:17:39 +0000

Every Saturday, from October to May, the Farmers Market in Missoula, MT is the place to be. You can find a wide variety of fresh, colorful produce grown by local farmers, many from the large Asian community in Missoula. This delicious organic produce is just as good as anything you’ll purchase in your neighborhood supermarket, yet this produce supports local small businesses and gives you the satisfaction and feeling of community that results from a trip to the Farmers Market.

This local farmer, a man named Jerry, grows a type of green beans that you wouldn’t normally see in a grocery store. With their just harvested taste, all you have to do is slice on the diagonal, add a drizzle of olive oil and a few spices, and stir-fry. What an easy, fresh, delicious meal!

The Missoula Farmer’s Market also provided props to be used in Ciao Interiors’ upcoming September Parade of Homes house. This is the house that we have featured several times over the summer, detailing its construction and use of local materials. Natural props are a wonderful touch that give an organic, lived in quality to the home. The dried poppies and stalks of wheat will make a fabulous centerpiece for the dining table, and the various vegetables will look great displayed in the kitchen.

If you are ever in the Missoula, MT area, be sure to check out the Missoula Farmers Market. However, if your travels don’t bring you to the area, there is sure to be a farmers market in your own town with a stunning array of home grown vegetables from local farmers.

dressing up with tablecloths

Shaina — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:08:55 +0000

A great way to update a space, tablecloths add the perfect touch when you need a little pick me up. Whether you want to add a litte funk, dress up, or down your space, throw on your favorite print or texture for an instant makeover!

Decorating Tips on a Budget

Heather — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:22:42 +0000

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.

Rug Layering

Shaina — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:33:02 +0000

Why be limited to just one? Perfect for those of you that just can’t get enough, rugs that is. Check out these interiors that show off their rug pride.

Natural fibered rugs can be not so soft to the touch. Add a soft texture on top for a pleasing experience for your feet!

Is your favorite rug not quite the right size for your space? Don’t just toss it for a larger one, instead layer it on a large solid area rug for added drama and emphasis

Below a floral area rug adds a nice contrast in pattern

Screen Porch Inspiration

Heather — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:03:18 +0000

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

Antler Attack

Shaina — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:48:39 +0000

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!

Creating Allusion with Drapery

Heather — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:32:51 +0000

Window draperies are excellent in correcting a myriad of decorating shortcomings. You can make a room seem taller and open or intimate and cozy just by using different styles of window treatments and different fabrics.

The best way to add height to a room is by hanging the drapery at the ceiling rather than at the top of the window. This creates a longer line and draws the eye upwards towards the ceiling.

Photo: Traditional Home

If you are dealing with small windows, don’t waste precious window real estate by covering it up with drapery. Extend the drapery anywhere from a few inches to almost a foot beyond the window frame. There will be an illusion of a wider window and you won’t lose an ounce of sunlight.

Photo: House Beautiful

To create a stylish, luxurious look, you will have to use up to three times the width of the window in fabric. It can range anywhere from two to three times with two being appropriate for a more casual, non-pleated look and three being necessary for a more formal or pleated drapery.
For a cozier, more intimate look, use more fabric widths. The fabric will draw the room and embrace it with pleats and folds. This is a great look in a large room that needs to be drawn in, but can also work in a smaller room that you just want to look inviting.

Photo: House Beautiful

Don’t go too short. The drapery should be floor length with just a bit of extra where it hits the ground. Think of a too short drapery as a too short pant, it’s just not the finished look that you are going for. This also adds to the height of the room as it creates a continuous line from floor to ceiling.

Photo: House Beautiful

You can create a glamorous, opulent look or a breezy, casual feel all while making your ceilings seem taller and your windows wider.

Wallcoverings, not just for walls anymore

Shaina — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:59:41 +0000

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