Search Results for: pastel

If you were born during the 1980s or 1990s, then you may be familiar with the Memphis design movement. The design style is characterized to be bright, geometric, and heavily stylized. It may not be for everyone but the Memphis design style has a timeless appearance that serves as an inspiration for other styles. Memphis design style is one of the hottest looks in home interior these days. Read on to learn more about it and see if it suits your taste.

The features of Memphis design style

Since time immemorial, art and interior design have harmonized with each other. Although, the traits may be confusing as they can also be seen in other styles. There are still unique characteristics that are loved by homeowners and designers. Here are the key elements that you will find interesting.

• Mixed patterns – the design style is heavy on patterns and the most common are geometric shapes with whimsical organic forms (squiggles or spirals). The pattern can be added to wallpaper, furniture upholstery, and other items like planters. 
• Vivid colors – the colors are bright and electric. The colors are balanced against a monochromatic background such as white and black. The vivid colors can be yellow, hot pink, aquamarine, purple, and cherry red. 

Achieve the style with these cool ideas

Getting the style in your home is not that difficult as many have assumed. With the materials that we have today, there will be a lot of ways to be successful with your project.

• Patterned wallpaper – achieving the patterns and colors with the use of paint and brush may be challenging. However, there is an easy way to add them to your walls and this is through the use of patterned wallpapers. Before installing the wallpaper, try to obtain a test sample and see if the design blends in your home. 
• Terrazzo flooring – this type of flooring features irregular fragments of different materials like glass, marble, and others. These are combined together and set with a smooth, polished glaze. Terrazzo flooring is a perfect decor that will complement the Memphis design style. 
• Lots of accessories – add accessories to your rooms with planters, coffee mugs, throws, curtains, dinnerware, lampshades, and storage bins. These will surely make a cool toom interior and help you achieve the Memphis look. 

Final thoughts

The Memphis interior design style is all about making everything bold and dashing. The truth is that there is no strict rule when it comes to adding materials and other decorative items. Open your mind and try to be experimental. For instance, you can pair pastels and neons or add shapes that will suit your preference. Remember that the objective is to create a playful-looking room interior. Another interesting thing about the Memphis style is that you can easily incorporate other styles. Add a modern touch with trendy wall decors such as posters to give your room a fresh appearance. 

If you are worried about the expenses, there are always creative ways to still be successful. Try to search online for good deals. These items may not be brand new but they will make everything look perfect especially with good quality materials.

The Memphis interior design is making its comeback and becoming more popular than before. The design style started in the 80s and has evolved ever since. A design movement that began in 1981, it has influenced many artists and most works are featured in local and international publications. 

What is the Memphis design style?

The Memphis style is one of the most popular and prominent styles in the world. It is known for the use of neon, primary and pastel colors, geometric shapes, and bold, repetitive patterns. You cannot deny that the elements and beauty that the design style has, influenced many people and other design styles. 

The origin of Memphis design style

Memphis design movement started in 1981 in Milan, Italy. It was founded by Designer Ettore Sottsass along with other 22 designers and architects. The group was inspired by the song of Bob Dylan, “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”, which was played repeatedly during the first meeting of the group. 

After the meeting, the group went on to create furniture, fabric, patterns, ceramics, and other products. The products have the traits of Postmodern style blended with styles of the 50s kitsch, Art Deco, and Pop Art. 

Though the use of clashing colors and bad taste has challenged the universally accepted design standards during those times. However, these days, we can safely say that the designs created by the Memphis Group were groundbreaking. These ideas opened up the minds of many experts and have influenced other design styles. 

How is it making its comeback? 

Memphis design started to come back in 2005 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) exhibited a survey of the designs of Sottsass one year before he died. After his death, more individuals and experts became interested in the Memphis style. It influenced high fashion houses Missoni, Karl Lagerfield, and Christian Dior. 

In 2014, one of the founding members of the group, Nathalie Du Pasquier, designed a collection of patterns for American Apparel. In 2016, the brand Supreme released products that were designed by Alessandro Mendini who appeared in the first Memphis show. 

While it is popular in many designer clothes, the elements and traits were used and seen in various films and TV shows. Examples of which are Saved by the Bell and Pee Wee’s Playhouse. The style was likewise seen in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice. 

Characteristics of the style

Here are the key characteristics of the Memphis design style:

• Use of bright colors in unorthodox combinations.
• Loud, brash, spirited, playful, uninhibited.
• It was designed to provoke an emotional response. 
• Bold, clashing patterns.
• Black and white graphics.
• Use of simple geometric shapes. 
• Rounded edges and curves.
• Use of squiggles. 
• Materials such as terrazzo and plastic laminated in different finishes. 
• Out of the ordinary shapes in place of conventional ones. 

The 1980s interior design can be described as complex as it consists of metallic accents, prominent angles, and curves. The good thing about it is it can easily be integrated into other design styles. From bright colors to flat designs and numerous geometric figures, the 1980’s design can boost modern interior.

The modern appearance of the 80s reflected the “less is more” approach together with the minimalist spaces that highlight the clean-lined furniture. The surfaces characterized to be reflective was achieved with the use of mirror, chrome, and glass. These were used to visually enlarge the room. Gray was usually seen on the walls wherein other colors such as white could easily be combined. White was likewise popular during the decade together with contemporary lighting fixtures.

The events in the 80s

The decade was marked by socioeconomic change due to advances in technology. It is also a period of moving away from the planned economy and gearing towards laissez-faire capitalism. Many believed that this change in the global economy is attributed to the “Reagan Boom” in which there was a drastic increase in job employment and economic expansion in the United States.

Multinational manufacturing companies relocated to various countries such as Thailand, Mexico, South Korea, China, and Japan, providing these countries with economic growth and a decrease in the unemployment rate. 

This is also the decade of the end of the Cold War between the United States and the USSR that almost escalated to the use of nuclear weapons in both countries. The collapse of Soviet communism also happened during the decade, wherein the United Kingdom and the United States started a trend in international trade that would eventually be used in the succeeding decades. 

With these developments in the developed countries, the developing countries on the other hand are having financial crises and an increase of debt from the International Bank and the World Bank is evidently observed. 

The AIDS epidemic was recognized during the decade as well as global warming which has started to become a problem. 

Designing your home the 80s way

Designs that were popular in the 80s are making their come back these days and it is not difficult to integrate them into other designs. Try to adopt these ideas and create a comfortable and nostalgic vibe in your home. 

• Chintz – a printed multicolored cotton fabric with a glazed finish, used as curtains and upholstery.
• Pastel colors – soft pastels were commonly used in the 80’s interior decoration. The application of white in generous amounts could intensity the soft colors of the pastel.
• Country style – the design refers to the aesthetic that represents rural farmhouse-like design. This has gained popularity due to the simplicity it projects. Pastel and bright colors will blend well with the country-style design. Materials used in this style include rocks, wood, and other natural elements.
• Verdigris – blue-green tarnish on certain metals after they were left outdoors for a long period of time. Metals such as bronze, copper, and brass get verdigris due to exposure to moisture and air. 
• Memphis-inspired Design – this design was made popular by Memphis Milano in which includes bright looks and bold geometric patterns. 
• Open kitchens – the purpose of the open kitchen is to avoid the isolation of the person who is using the kitchen from the actions simultaneously happening in the other rooms such as the living room and the dining area.
• Shabby chic design – white and antique in appearance coupled with sofas covered with quilted comforters and simple grommets. 
• Japanese Zen – Zen is known for its simplicity and spiritual appearance with the use of elements such as pebbles arranged neatly in certain areas. 

 

Paul Klee is a talented artist who has contributed a lot to the world of art. He is also a natural draftsman who experimented with and mastered the color theory and wrote extensively about it. His lectures, Writings on Form and Design Theory, that is published in English as the Paul Klee Notebooks, are considered to be of utmost importance to modern art. Read on to learn more about the life and works of Paul Klee.

Biography

Paul Klee (1879-1940) was born in Switzerland and considered to be both a German and Swiss painter. His works were greatly influenced by different movements in art, including expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. He is a natural draftsman whose artworks have shown that he has mastered color theory. 

During his younger years, Paul Klee focused on becoming a musician, but later on decided to concentrate more on the visual arts. As a musician, he played mostly the traditional works of the 18th and 19th centuries. As a visual artist, he enjoyed practicing freedom to explore radical ideas and styles. 

During his school years, he is fond of drawing caricatures and already displaying and already displaying skill with line and volume. He also studied art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich wherein he excelled at drawing. After receiving his Fine Arts degree, he traveled to Italy along with his friend, Hermann Haller. While traveling, the two studied the master painters of the past centuries. 

For Paul Klee, color represented the optimism and nobility in art, and a hope for relief from the pessimistic nature he expressed in his black-and-white grotesques and satires. By 1905, he was developing some experimental techniques, including drawing with a needle on a blackened pane of glass resulting in 57 works including his Portrait of My Father (1906). He also completed a cycle of eleven zinc-plate etchings called Inventions. 

From 1931 to 1933, Klee taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in Dusseldorf. He went back to his hometown when the National Socialists declared his art “degenerate” in 1933. His later works reflected the turmoil in Europe in which they have a somber tone. Lines turned into black bars, forms became broad and generalized, scales are larger, and colors are simpler. 

Methods and Styles

Paul Klee was associated with Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, and Abstraction. He usually worked alone to interpret new art trends in how own way. He developed new techniques as he worked in different media including oil paint, watercolor, ink, pastel, etching, and others. He often combined these mediums in one artwork. He also used canvas, burlap, muslin, linen, gauze, cardboard, metal foils, fabric, wallpaper, and newsprint. He also used spray paint, knife application, stamping, glazing, and impasto and mixed media such as oil with watercolor, watercolor with pen and India ink, and oil with tempera. 

With his mastery of color and toes, many of his works combine these skills. Most works have a fragile childlike quality to them and are usually on a small scale. It is also common to see geometric forms and grid format compositions along with letters, numbers, animals, and people. Some of his works are abstract that may reflect dry humor and varying moods, as well as political convictions. His works often allude to poetry, music, and dreams. His later works are distinguished by spidery hieroglyph-like symbols.  

Still looking for the right design for your home? Searching for the right decor and design for your rooms may be quite confusing at times. Designing and decorating it may also be quite a challenge as there are many factors to consider. Think about the budget, size of your family, and the availability of resources. However, unique and interesting ideas can give your home the boost it needs. How about decorating your rooms based on your zodiac sign. This inspiration can surely help you create a perfect space that will be adored even by your guests. 

Be eclectic and eco-friendly with Aquarius

You may want to be free and be close to nature. Try to incorporate eco-friendly materials as possible. Like installing solar panels and rain-catching systems. These ideas will let you plan for better ways to help the environment. You will also love the idea of having a lot of space with extra rooms to help others. 

Serene rooms by Pisces

As a symbol of fish, you are drawn to designing your home to be calm and relaxing. Choose colors that will make your space cool and serene. Shades of blue or teal will do the trick and are surely great colors to incorporate in your rooms. Make the furniture pieces comfy as well with soft throws on the couch and plush pillows and blankets on the bed. Also, try to make the room design open as possible to allow the flow of air. 

Lively room appearance with Aries

Born under Aries have a big personality and they tend to chase after life and experience it to the fullest. Homes would most likely have bold colors and patterns, especially in the furniture pieces. Homes need to have extra rooms to create a more active space. You also need recreation rooms to fight boredom especially during these times of quarantine periods. 

Timeless and classy Taurus

The sigh of the bull wherein you enjoy beautiful things as well as a comfortable and stable environment. A large and comfortable couch is your best friend. The appearance of your kitchen will surely be the focal point of your home. As an earthy sign, add understated tones and neutral colors to bring balance to the entire house. 

Luxurious Gemini

As a social individual and with the drive to bring the whole world at your fingertips, you would do everything to make your space look large. The addition of large glass panels and wide windows would allow the entry of natural light. This will make the whole room look more open and comfortable. 

Be traditional with Cancer sign

Try designing your home to make it look vintage or traditional. As such, you will need furniture pieces and other items that will fall under these categories. Make all areas of your home comfortable and cozy at all costs. Your home will eventually be your sanctuary especially with lighter colors on the walls.

Vibrant rooms with Leo

Bright and bold colors and eye-catching furniture pieces are needed to make your space vibrant. Accessorize your walls with personal keepsakes and vibrant art. These will help you create a home that is perfect for parties and entertaining guests. 

Simple and stylish Virgo

Your home would likely feature neutral colors as they can easily blend with anything. Whether the theme of your room or decorative items, they will surely create a simple and trendy room appearance. Organize your stuff with storage items and areas as clutter will ruin everything. 

Harmonious Libra

You love to make all things balanced, especially the appearance and feel of your room. Add lighter and pastel colors as these will create an inviting space. There should also be a balance with the furniture, wall furnishings, and accent pieces as possible. Incorporate curtains, throws, and decorative mirrors to make the room look vibrant. 

Chic and stylish Scorpio

Personalize your rooms with a design that will reflect your personality. However, keeping your life private, introspective, and mysterious. Add darker colors such as furniture pieces and the colors of your walls. As a result, you will have a private and quiet home.

Creative and compact Sagittarius

Be artistic in decorating your walls such as creating your own wall gallery. The display of photos of your family and friends in frames will do the trick. So the next time you take pictures, think twice before keeping them in albums. Display them in a creative layout so that you will have a wall that will create a nostalgic vibe. 

Stylish and smart room with Capricorn

Add things to your home that you value most. You tend to lean towards a sleeker decor style with a minimalist room appearance. Keep your home organized and easily manageable. In addition to these, the addition of a large desk with sturdy shelves and drawers are needed to keep things in their rightful places. 

Color psychology teaches us that different colors have relevant effects on mood. In fact, colors and mood are closely linked with each other. Warm colors evoke different emotions and bright colors even create different feelings. Colors either make us happy or sad and among other reactions of the body. Studies have shown that colors affect the psychological and physical aspects of the body. 

Colors and mood

The effects of colors on mood greatly depend on different factors. Examples are brightness, shade, tint, and tone. In general, colors are divided into two categories: warm and cool colors. 

Warm colors

Warm colors, such as red, orange, and yellow evoke feelings of happiness, optimism, and energy. They can also catch the attention of anyone. What makes red extra special is that it can increase the appetite of an individual. This is the reason why many restaurants incorporate the color red in their interior. 

Cool colors

Green, blue, and purple are examples of cool colors. These colors evoke a calming and relaxing vibe. On the negative side, cool colors, express sadness. If you want to be creative, it is recommended to use purple in the room. 

Cheerful colors

Bright and warm colors are known to uplift the mood. This is also true with pastel colors, such as peach, light pink, or lilac. It has been observed the brighter and lighter the color is, the happier the emotion is. Experts also recommend combining pops of colors for happier and youthful effects. 

Gloomy colors

Dark and muted colors are considered to be sad or gloomy colors. Examples are blue, green, brown, and beige. Some countries and cultures also use these colors for mourning. 

Calming colors

Blue, green, and their pastel counterparts are known to have calming and relaxing effects. This is also true with neutral colors, such as beige and gray. It is also recommended to use only a few colors when combining them. The principle is, the more simple, the more calming and relaxing they are.

Energizing colors

Bright colors, strong colors, and neon colors can feel energizing and make you feel active. These colors are attention-grabbing and can stand out in any environment. They also have stimulating effects and likewise, evoke refreshed and energized. 

Final Thoughts

Colors are very important when designing or decorating the interior. You need to consider what a person will feel when exposed to a particular color. The effects of color can almost always be agreed upon universally. Colors and mood are related to each other. With these, you can now freely choose the colors to incorporate in your home and see remarkable results. 

Moreover, it is recommended to think of the right colors to use in a room. For instance, eating areas need colors that can stimulate appetite like red and orange. Offices or study areas need green and pops of purple to keep everyone in the room focused on accomplishing their tasks. Try these in your homes or any other living spaces

Classic, soft, and timeless. These are the best words to describe the interior design style. Shabby chic is one of the most popular design styles these days. Many find it stylish, elegant, and romantic. It started in the 1980s in the United Kingdom and was conceptualized by the British designer, Rachell Ashwell.

Achieving the design style in your home is quite easy and affordable. Time to bring out old and unused items and furniture pieces. With a little imagination and creativity, you can transform your home into something marvelous. Read on to learn more about the design style and how you can achieve it in your home. 

Features of Shabby Chic interior design style

There are similarities between shabby chic and other vintage-styled design styles, such as the French Country Interior Design. Shabby chic is actually a vintage style but with a twist to give it a modern appeal. 

The vintage or classic look of the design style is due to the use of furnishings with signs of wear and distress. Fabrics are commonly made of cotton and old French linen. It is also common to see colors such as white and pastels to have a room that appears soft and bright.

The rooms also look romantic with the presence of pillows in vintage fabric, linens, chandeliers, and other items that have a rose design. Many likewise consider the design style to be eclectic with a touch of feminine and romance. 

Why love the style?

There are many ways to illustrate and define shabby chic. What makes it unique and interesting is the experience that you will encounter. It is a design style where the old furniture pieces and furnishings become the highlight of your home. 

Shabby chic was initially used in the 80s by the British designer, Rachel Ashwell. She brought it to the United States where it gained popularity. The design style was inspired by the large country houses and other vintage designs. Especially with the use of old and worn furniture pieces, curtains, paintings, and others. 

These days, the use of recycled, upcycled, and repurposed items are common with the design style. It also makes use of colors that make any home look elegant and luxurious. 

Achieving the design style is not that complicated. There are no strict rules to follow. Check out your old decorative items and furniture pieces and use them. See if you can recycle, upcycle, or repurpose some items. You can also visit antique shops or garage sales to get some items that will complete the design style. Who says that you have to spend more to have an elegant and luxurious interior?

Tips to achieve the style

Here are some tips that you can use to achieve the design style:

1. Timeworn furniture pieces
2. Cotton and old French fabric
3. Pillows of vintage fabric
4. Vintage chandeliers
5. Use of white and pastels
6. Flowers around the house
7. Distressed wood
8. Hand-painted cabinets
9. Mirrors
10. Wrought iron furniture

Complex yet stylish interior design style. This is probably the best way to describe the interior design style of the 1980s. It is called modern retro as different elements from the past and present can be seen inside a home. With the addition of design elements and the use of your imagination, you will be able to create a home that is chic and timeless. 

The modern retro interior design style

The 1980s design style is not a plain and simple style. In fact, it consists of different elements that make it a little bit complex. It is common to see metallic accents, angles, and curves inside a home with the design style. What makes the style even more interesting is the fact that it can easily be incorporated into the designs we have today. The modern retro design style is mainly composed of bright colors, a flat design, and numerous geometric figures.

Characteristics of the modern retro interior design style

The design style has the appearance of what many say, “less is more”. It encompasses the minimalist approach that features clean-lined furniture pieces. The glossy and reflective appearance of the surface is achieved with the use of mirrors, chrome, and glass. These are remarkable items as they can make any room look visually larger. In addition to these, gray and white are common on the walls so that other colors can easily blend with them. 

A brief history of the 1980s modern retro design style

The 1980s is remembered for its socioeconomic change that is due to technological advancement. It is also a period of moving away from the planned economy and shifting towards laissez-faire capitalism. This boom in the global economy is greatly influenced by the United States. As such, there is an increase in job opportunities and economic expansion, especially in the West. 

Many companies likewise relocated to different countries, particularly to Asia. Examples are Thailand, Mexico, South Korea, China, and Japan. As a result, these countries experienced growth in employment and economy. The developing countries, on the other hand, are experiencing financial crises and an increase of debt from the International Bank and the World Bank are observed. 

The AIDS epidemic was recognized during the decade as well as global warming started to become a problem. 

Popular modern retro design style ideas

Here are some inspirations that you may want for your home:

Pastel colors

Soft pastels were common during the 80s. With the application of white in generous amounts, the soft pastel colors will be intensified. 

Country style

This refers to the aesthetics that represent the rural farmhouse-like design. The design style gained its fame because of its simplicity. Pastel and bright colors blend perfectly with the country design style. It is also common to see natural elements such as wood, rocks, and others. 

Open kitchen

The open kitchen aims to avoid the isolation of the person who is in the room. It also provides a continuous flow between rooms. 

Shabby chic design

White and antique in appearance coupled with sofas covered with quilted comforters and simple grommets. 

Zen-inspired design style

This design style is known for its simplicity and spiritual appearance with the use of elements such as pebbles arranged neatly in certain areas. 

The Nordic design style is characterized by the use of natural materials and cool shades of pastel colors. This is a design style that is known to be closely similar to the Scandinavian interior design style. The only difference is that the Nordic design style has a slightly darker edge with the use of colors like blue, green, and gray. Add different textures and you will have a room that is comfy and spacious. 

Nordic design style – its origin

Nordic interior design style has its origin from the Scandinavian region. The style rose to popularity during the 19th century. This is the period when Arts and Crafts movement had influenced the interior design industry. Nordic design style became part of different design movements. 

During the 1920s, designers from the Scandinavian region incorporated the principles of Nordic design style to modernism. Though it took many years, it was in the 1950s when the Nordic design style was widely accepted. From 1954 to 1957, the design style was observed to participate in traveling exhibits in the United States and Canada. 

The characteristics of Nordic design style

The characteristics of Nordic design style have its great influence by the Scandinavians with a touch of German. It is a combination of natural and practical ideas that are observed from everyday objects. The design style features wood, plastic, anodized metal, pressed steel, and aluminum. 

Gray and white walls

The design style primarily features crisp, clean colors, such as hues of gray, white, and cream. The colors add beauty to any room and can make them appear clean. In addition to these, the materials make the furniture and other decorative items be the highlight of the room. 

Natural textiles and plants

Indoor plants are common with the design style. Experts also have suggested that the incorporation of plants gives benefits to the mind and body. In addition to these, the plants add attractive accents to your homes. Natural textiles like burlap, linen, and cotton are likewise recommended to further enhance the Nordic-inspired home. 

Minimalist kitchens

The design style is also known for its minimalist rooms. The kitchen, for instance, appears clear, solid-colored, and clutterless. The cabinets often appear flat, plain, and simple. The rooms are usually seen in white color. 

Dark grout lines

The use of dark grout lines can give any tile a touch of pop color. The bathroom and the kitchen can have an impressive look with dark grout lines. In addition to these, white tiles can give sterility and a clean look to the rooms. 

Fireplace

Add comfort and warmth to your room with the incorporation of a fireplace. This can create a visually comfortable interior with a clean and crisp appearance. As such, the fireplace can be the focal point of your home making it look more inviting and relaxing. 

Patterns and textures

Patterns and textures in Nordic design style are usually in a monochromatic style. As such, this can be an opportunity to add a color theme. Think of the monochromatic style as a blank canvas to paint your art.