Interior Design Blog

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This blog provides an overview of the latest updates to the Interior Design Tutor website. It is also the place where I share my personal insight on inspirations I discover in the world of interior design.

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An English Countryside Interior

I became interested in interior design at a very young age after reading some magazines my mother had ordered. While working in England as a secretary,

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Cottage Chic

Check out this fun space by Dering Hall. The clean, cottage dining room pops with some amazing color and texture.

An eclectic arrangement of décor softens the white crispness and creates a sense of casual coziness.

Note how the dining table has a mid-century modern edge but still blends beautifully with the more rustic elements in the space.

It’s a red, white and blue extravaganza!

Photo Credit: Dering Hall

Now That’s A Mirror!

A mirror doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. Sure, it’s handy for checking the status of your mug in the morning, but it can also be a great design feature in your home.

A mirror can make a space feel larger because it reflects light and acts as a virtual window to what feels like an adjacent, open space.

Created in many shapes and sizes, mirrors run the gamut from rectangle to round to star-shaped. But occasionally you may find one that is a real stand-out as an artistic element.

This hefty reflector caught my attention because it is both beautiful and strongly architectural. It commands the attention of this space and then accepts it with a stately elegance.

Photo Credit: Restoration Hardware

A Holiday Touch in Your Bedroom

As you begin to decorate for the holidays, don’t forget to add a festive touch to your bedroom. This is often an overlooked space because the focus tends to be on the more common areas of the home like the kitchen, living and dining rooms.

In the bedroom example seen here, the designer has incorporated hints of the holidays without overwhelming the space.

Crisp white sheets, botanical prints and berry-red bedding recall the imagery of a winter forest. A large glass vase on the nightstand is filled with ice-like ornaments and a bouquet of greens that pick up on the theme of the bedding while adding a subtle festive touch. The French doors have been adorned, each with a small wreath held by a simple gold ribbon – an illustration of how just a few simple items can change the whole character of a space.

When the parties are over and the guests have gone home retreat to your own private space that is a reflection of the warmth the season brings.

Photo Credit: Pottery Barn

Great Holiday Decor Ideas for a Festive Interior

Make your home warm and inviting this season. Here are ten holiday decor ideas that are sure to add some comfort and joy.

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The Painted Kitchen

This kitchen caught my eye with its muted green palette and pops of orange. It’s a refreshing alternative to the typical white or wood tones that, though nice, have for so long been standard fare in kitchen design.

The style of cabinetry has a traditional aspect to it, but the fabric-free windows, color scheme and the clean lines of the open cupboards give the space an exciting, contemporary feel.

The floor runner brings all the colors together perfectly and may very well have been the inspiration for the scheme to begin with. The bookcase wall is a nice touch as well.

This space actually reminds me of a relaxing coffee shop. And why not? The kitchen is probably the most lived-in space of today’s home. Making it a comfortable, practical and beautiful place should be the goal of every designer.

Photo Credit: Traditional Home

Patterns Galore

The prospect of combining a variety of patterns in a space leaves many do-it-yourselfers cold. But a palette of patterns is what makes a space interesting. The key is to make them work together harmoniously. You do this by varying the type and scale of the patterns you incorporate in your space.

This beautiful room by Stroheim illustrates a proper combination of patterns. An airy floral motif is repeated in the wallpaper pattern used above the chair rail. Below the chair rail is a denser-looking, wide geometric stripe. The chair upholstery features a stripe as well, but notice how this stripe pattern is much smaller and tighter in appearance when compared to the larger stripe on the wall? The carpet, though textured, essentially reads as a solid.

Because each pattern is varied in scale from the others (and also part of a coordinated color palette), the overall appearance looks ordered and put together. This is the key to successfully mixing patterns.

Photo Credit: Stroheim