One of the most popular and enduring styles in bathroom décor is the traditional style. Calming and comfortable a traditional decorated bathroom offers a sophisticated but understated look taking on the elegance of Old World Europe. Traditional décor tends to be more formal and luxurious than other bathroom styles, fixtures and furnishings have a classic but enduring appearance. Master baths, guest baths and powder rooms take on traditional style with a flourish.

When people think of a traditional styled bathroom, they often think about a bathroom decorated in classic Victorian style. This is not incorrect; there is a design element that is much more distinct in a traditional bathroom style- the bathtub. The tub is supposed to be the focal point in a traditional bathroom. An old-fashioned bathtub, such as a claw foot cast iron tub can greatly enhance a traditional style bathroom. These types of bathtubs should be your first choice in staying true to a traditional bathroom style and can be put in any area of a bathroom to create a great fixture.

A furniture-style double vanity bureau that is free standing with simple door details adds elegance and extra storage space to a traditional bathroom. A free-standing cabinet creates a custom feel not found with traditional built-ins. To add drama to the room use a dark colored wood such as mahogany for the crown modeling and wainscot panels or large mirrors on more than one wall to make the room seem larger. Countertops in a Natural stone such as Carrara marble are popular. The top should be in a light or medium neutral color with a polished, honed, or antiqued finish.

It’s important that the room is well lit.Natural light would be the best option, but is not always feasible. So, just make sure that the area is well lit with a chandelier or some other interesting but traditional light source. Wall-lamps or sconces, especially over wallpaper or wood paneling, look great and provide up lighting which helps get rid of shadows that are cast from overhead. Multiple and varied lighting choices are the best choices in a traditional bathroom just keep in mind for delicate lighting options choose warmer bulbs and avoid fluorescent or halogen lighting.

Decorating a bathroom includes choosing colors for not only the walls, but the tiles, accessories, faucets, towels, plants and pictures.  Traditional bathroom colors are neutral that can be easily worked with by choosing different tones for accent colors, bathroom rugs, and shower curtains. Some color won’t hurt and can even enhance an otherwise bland or monochrome bathroom design. Feel free to hang old or antique looking pictures on the wall, too. Decorations that are antique can help give it the traditional, homey feel.

Traditional styles have withstood the test of time. They add a touch of dignity and grace to your bathroom it’s a place where you can relax and unwind after a long day, so enjoy.

Bathtub by: Vintage Tub & Bath

Vanity by: Bath Vanity Experts

Country Dining Rooms – dining rooms are once again popular. A country dining room can be part of a breakfast nook.  It can also help take the formal out of formal dining room. It’s the hub of the country house. A country dining room design creates a space where your family can gather for home cooked meals.  It’s durable enough that you’ll be able to enjoy the conversation instead of worrying about protecting expensive china or the finish of the chairs.

Country dining room furniture is sturdy and comfortable. You can mix and match pieces like bringing in a painted, low dresser to use as a sideboard or buffet to display some of you collectibles. You can paint an old china cabinet a sage green to update it, save money and make it the focal point of the room. A country dining room table should be oversized.  The table should be a farmhouse style rectangular in shape made from natural wood such as oak, pine, walnut or mahogany with wooden chairs or old benches that are similar in style and material. You can paint the legs and chairs a different color if you want to update your dining rooms. For a more modern approach just decorate the table with a country runner so your table is still decorating even when it isn’t dinner time.

When choosing colors for a country dining room a modern country design focuses on cool colors like green, blue and cream, but these colors can be unappetizing. Or you may choose more of a French Country feel and bring in rich mustards and terra cottas. If you do use the cooler colors then go with sunflower accents to bring in the richer tones. Then use a gray or chocolate brown on the walls and bring in bright yellow and orange accessories.

Anyone who really feels that home is where the heart is may want to think about a country dining room theme. It gives you a casual feeling so you’ll be more likely to use the room; it won’t just be for holiday’s.  A country dining room is a space that you enjoy with friends or family.

Country Dining Room photo by: cosmic_spanner

Country Furniture photo by: Cottage Home Furniture

Tuscan Bedroom

Bring the warmth and romance of Tuscany into the master bedroom is an elegant and simple way to create an old world look that is relaxing and comfortable. The elegant styles of Tuscany themes in decorating have been a popular trend for many years. Known for rich colors, scrolled iron work, architecture, use of marble and natural elements, creating a Tuscany style theme in your master bedroom is not as difficult as you may think. Using design ideas typical of old Tuscan farmhouses decorating in this style is a simple and uncluttered way to bring that old world style into your home.

The Tuscan decor is one of tradition. Bedroom walls are often simply whitewashed. This is a simple process involving slacked lime and salt water. A properly whitewashed wall will be brilliantly white and without mar or blemish. Whitewashing works best on plaster or adobe walls. Otherwise, prime the wall to help any color from bleeding through, and paint the walls white. You want walls that are starkly white for your Tuscan bedroom. But the boundaries can definitely be stretched if you don’t like all that white try  using a soft, muted, natural color on the walls instead of whitewash, you can hold on to the lovely feel of Tuscany without having everything in the room white.

When furnishing a Tuscany style bedroom one considers the type of furniture which has been and continues to be used in the area. There are some unique features of this type of bedroom furniture such as being made from iron or fine hardwoods. The wood used in this design style should be polished and sophisticated yet very rustic and simple. The perfect bedside table for a Tuscan master bedroom is a simple, dark wooden table with storage underneath and a veined marble top. Finding an old iron bedstead that has been blackened is key. This sturdy bed frames are very basic with few embellishments.

You won’t find quilts on the beds. They are covered in white matelasse blankets. Matelasse is a cotton jacquard fabric and the term refers to the type of weave used in this triple-woven fabric. These blankets add calm and warmth to the bedroom and the weave creates a subtle design on the cover itself. All other linens and window treatments are natural and airy made of white cotton. White on white linens can appear one dimensional so add some interest and flair with lace trim. Try to find antique or handmade lace to give that old world flavor to the room.

The simple nature of the Tuscan bedroom decorating style means little is better than more. Choosing accessories carefully is important because you do not want to clutter up the room.  You want to find a few choice pieces that will add interest and color to the room.

Throw pillows with floral print, gilded mirrors, wrought iron wall sconces or old world paintings in ornate frames are great examples of simple accessories that will enhance your Tuscan themed master bedroom. Terra cotta pots can be used to hold dried flowers as well. Adding a few simple wrought iron candle sticks to a bed side table is another elegant accessory.

It is extremely simple to create this kind of a Tuscany inspired master bedroom. It helps to create an old world charm, a haven to retire to at the end day. It will be your very own private getaway and the moment you step into the room you will be in a relaxed and comforting zone. Keep the room simple and free of excessive clutter and accessories and you can’t go wrong. The Tuscan inspired master bedroom will be a simple haven in a complicated world.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/karen-crystal/4537166920/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/karen-crystal/

Photo By: nickiandkaren http://www.flickr.com/photos/karen-crystal/

If you want to lend a warm, pleasant and inviting feeling to your kitchen, then decorating it in the Country Style will be the perfect theme for your new kitchen. A country style kitchen is a perfect blend of old world charm and modern comfort based on the concept of simplicity. More an more people are resorting to country style kitchen design, mainly because it keeps comfort and casual living in mind.

Color is the first thing that should be considered the walls as well as the ceiling. Since, country kitchen decoration is all about warmth, warm colors throughout the area are a must. Pastel shades like butterscotch yellow, beige, cream, light peach complement the bold furniture and other decorations. Earthy shades like terracotta, light brown also go well with the country kitchen décor. Or you may also consider patterned wallpaper, with a country print, and solid colors, with a country themed wallpaper border to create that personal touch.

The floor should be easy to care for.  For this reason  if you are installing a new floor think carefully about your cooking habits and the type of traffic that will be in the kitchen. The best option would be natural wood, flagstone, or terracotta tiles in hexagonal shape. A good way to get wood flooring is to check with the architectural salvage yards and e-bay, there may be some old flooring available from old buildings that are going to be torn down.  It will give you the scuffs, scratches and nicks that are characteristic of old floors. But if you have some other type of flooring and cannot afford to change it, then adding country style area rugs or old fashioned braided rugs is a good option. If possible, get themed country rugs, adorned by sunflowers or roosters.

There are certain types of furniture that are associated with a country style kitchen.  You can get antiques and vintage items to give your kitchen an authentic look or you can use furniture created in an antique style.  A country kitchen is incomplete without a large wooden table and chairs. The chairs need not match the table, which is often in darker shades of brown; wood and wrought iron are the favorite materials. A metal baker’s rack and a cabinet with metal mesh doors are pieces of furniture you may find in a country kitchen. Matching the furniture items is not an issue when using a country style decor as the furniture is often passed from one generation to other, with newer items being added to the existing collection.

With a country Decor accessories go a long way in adding to the charm of a room.  In your country style kitchen, use lots of accessories, each of which reflects your personal taste and identity. Large earthen or ceramic vases in varying sizes can be either left empty or filled with fresh flower arrangements. A wrought iron candle holder and plate holder are items every country kitchen has.  A throw rug also adds to the beauty of country kitchen. Wooden spoons, spatulas complete the look of the table. Porcelain teapots and cookware are often displayed in open cabinets. Or for a personal touch hang family pictures in wooden frames.

Creating the kitchen of your dreams does not have to be expensive or difficult.  With a one or two new items, a coat of paint and a few changes you can create the County Kitchen you have always wanted.

Photo By:  http://kitchen-cabinets-designs.blogspot.com/2009/08/country-kitchen-decorations-remodel.html