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The minimalist interior design style is one of our favorites. It has the beauty and appeal that can give your freedom. Minimalism can be defined as a tool that assists you in finding the best with many opportunities available. The removal of any distraction so that one can focus on the more important things is the highlight of the minimalist interior design style. Being a minimalist is different from being simple. Minimalism means promoting the things that we value most and excluding the others that may cause distractions. 

What really is minimalism?

In the world of art and design, minimalism is expressed in a way that encompasses even beyond the social, geographical, and political divisions. The design style is very similar to modern interior design that involves only the bare essentials. As such, any living space will have a simple and uncluttered look. The minimalist design style is characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with a few colors only used as accents. The interior also has an open floor plan, great lighting, functional furniture, and a handful of essentials. 

A brief history of minimalism

Minimalism is most commonly associated with the Western art movement that started in the 1950s. The movement focused on the idea that “art should have its own reality and not be an imitation of some other thing”. The style is influenced by many things such as abstract expressionism. However, minimalism focused more on geometric shapes, subtle colors, and the phrase “less is more”. 

The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi also influenced minimalism. The concept is all about imperfection and impermanence. Japanese minimalism uses clean lines, neutral tones, carefully placed tatami mats, and natural materials. In fact, many celebrity homes use the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. 

The minimalist interior design style that we know today has a mixture of characteristics. Probably because of the different influences it had over the years. But the core concept of simplicity, clean lines, neutral tones, and unclutteredness never disappears. 

The Scandinavian decor and design style is also influenced by minimalism. It is common for Scandinavian homes to have light wood, dried greenery, and clean lines. 

Achieve the minimalist interior design style in your home

Since your home has different rooms, you can easily incorporate the design style by following some tips. For instance, the living room can look perfect with white or neutral walls, uncluttered coffee tables, soft colors, geometric patterns, and plants. These can help achieve an inviting and cozy atmosphere especially with lots of natural light getting in. For the dining room, the colors should likewise be simple. Choose neutral or black accents along with ceramic dinnerware in light hues to complete the view. 

The bedroom can be your sanctuary and should have an appearance that is relaxing and comfortable. It is all about creating a tranquil environment with the use of minimalist concepts. Use blankets and pillows in similar tones as well as a nightstand that appears simple. Be sure that they blend into the overall appearance of the room. 

Final thoughts

Decorating and styling your home is not a joke. It means that you have to be creative in your own way. The minimalist interior design style is not that hard to achieve. All you need to do is to incorporate the core concept of the style into your home and you will have the interior design of your dreams. 

The industrial interior design style is one of the appealing styles that features metal and open space. A wonderful design style that incorporates many elements of the Scandinavian hygge interior design. Read on to learn more about this design style and why it is preferred by many homeowners and designers.

Industrial Interior Design – what is it?

The industrial design style is inspired by the repurposed factories during the Industrial Revolution. It encompasses exposed architectural elements such as pipes, bricks, concrete, and is combined with the philosophy of the minimalist design. In addition to these, the design is also known for open floor plans and a cool neutral color palette. 

Although it is based on minimalist style, there is also the use of different rustic materials in furniture pieces and lighting accents. Many modern homes these days use a combination of industrial, mid-century modern, and farmhouse style to create cozy rooms throughout the entire home. 

How it began

Although industrial design style is regarded as modern, it still has its origins during the Industrial Revolution. It can be recalled that during that period, giant factories were built to store large machinery.

The First Industrial Revolution in the 1760s marked the beginning of mass production in urban Europe and the United States. Factories were the start of industrial architecture and were characterized by large, grid-paned windows to allow the entry of fresh air and natural light, lofts, open floor plans, and exposed brick walls. 

The Second Industrial Revolution in the 1870s  led to the construction of larger factories as businesses consolidated operations under one roof. Eventually, these factories required stronger construction materials, like concrete and steel. These materials were seen exposed in many instances. 

In the 2000s, New York and other urban areas were facing housing shortages. As such, the factories during the Industrial Revolutions were converted into industrial loft apartments with open floor plans. The selling points are the exposed materials and large windows. 

Minimalism and hygge also embraced the concepts of industrial design style. Repurposed materials were seen to coincide with the clean, straight lines that are common in the modern and minimalist design style. Many urban-styled homes are generally characterized by open plans, large windows, and neutral palettes, which are also common in Scandinavian homes. 

Characteristics of Industrial design style

Here are the characteristics of the Industrial design style that you will surely adore:

• The industrial design style uses neutral colors such as shades of white, gray, blacks, and brown. 
• Large natural windows are also common to allow the entry of natural light. 
• The open floor plan is also common as well as high ceilings, exposed brick, concrete floors, industrial pipes, and ductwork. 
• Repurposed materials are also important such as repurposed dining tables that will bring natural elements into the metal-heavy materials. 
• Edison bulbs that are hanging in singles or in a decorative group such as in a chandelier are also common elements. Use large metal domes, a pendant light, or floor lamps if you prefer something less bare. 
• Graphic lines can be seen in window panes, bar stools, and others. 
• Fabrics such as weathered leather or linen are added to furniture and accents, creating a cozy feel. 

The addition of nature into your home has been one of the desires of many homeowners and designers over the years. Humans love nature and the benefits that they evoke. These are some of the reasons why they want the look to be part of their homes. The natural and organic appeal of elements makes us feel calm, at peace, and inviting. These days, the problems we encounter with the environment encourage us to have a natural theme. As such, we can still enjoy the benefits of nature even if the situation of the planet is dwindling. Here are some ideas on how to bring nature to your home.

Choose the natural element that will calm you

Nature is always associated with the outdoors and it is not impossible for us to bring the elements to our homes. Some of the elements that you can highlight in your room are plants, flowers, wood, cotton, and others. Choosing the materials that reflect your personality is the first step for bringing them into your home. Decorating the walls is also a great idea since the decors can be the focal point. The key is to choose the natural elements that incorporate your style and will connect you with your interior. 

Wood as a finish

Many homeowners believe that wood is the only material that can be finished to look like any other material, like marble. You can also leave it unfinished to bring its natural beauty along with its imperfections. In fact, the addition of wood is one of the easiest ways to achieve a nature-themed interior. The material can also create a rustic feel that will make your interior warm and cozy. 

Natural wood furniture pieces

Over the years, wood furniture has been widely used by homeowners and designers. They are durable, attractive, and can be finished in various ways. If you prefer a rustic and country appeal, choose artisan-crafted furniture. You may also add antique furniture pieces to have a nostalgic vibe. If you want to have a modern appeal, select wood furniture with minimal lines that is also free from any ornamentation. 

Natural material in the bathroom

The bathroom, a perfect sanctuary where you can relax and get rejuvenated. Connecting yourself with water can calm your mind and body. The addition of natural materials can also complete the overall appearance of your bathroom. Wooden walls may give it a sauna-like appearance, while the presence of minimal fixtures and natural light can give a life-changing experience. 

Flowers and floral prints 

Wood and stones are not the only natural materials that you can add to your interiors. Flowers and plants are also perfect decorations that will bring you closer to nature. Whether you are talking about natural or artificial flowers, they both evoke beauty that will make your interior bright and warm. Of course, it is better to use natural ones as there are many benefits that can be obtained. Add potted flowers to your side tables, console table, or dining room table. You will be surprised to have that summer feel at any time of the day. 

Final Thoughts

Decorating your interior is one of the best ways to add value to your home. Nature-themed rooms are a perfect way to bring out the beauty of the environment. With flowers and floral prints, you can easily make any room look vibrant that you and your family will love.

According to Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” A good education will hone a child and the result can be astonishing. The key element to education is knowledge. Besides knowledge of certain subjects, education helps and trains us to build our opinions and have our own points of view on different matters. You don’t only learn the content of the books or the topics that the educators teach. Students also learn the most important lesson… the lesson of life. 

Over the years, educational institutions have created ways to help the learning of young minds. It is important for educators to have learning and teaching methodologies to properly instruct the students. Teachers also need materials to help them as well as the students in their classroom activities. The use of posters is one of the most commonly used visual aids in the classroom. It is an effective way to instill in the minds of students the lessons given by the teachers. Read on to learn more about the role of posters in the classroom. 

Influence student behavior with posters

Students are easily influenced by their surroundings. Studies also revealed that the appearance of the classroom has significant effects on the behavior of the learners. This is where the use of posters comes in. The display of attractive posters in the classroom will help create a pleasing environment that will be conducive to learning. In addition to these, the right posters can encourage good attendance and active participation in class. 

Active participation with interactive posters

One of the best ways to encourage student participation is to increase the activities in which they have to be involved. One of the ingenious ways to encourage active student participation is to use post-it notes. Posters can be modified by the addition of removable post-it notes. Invite students to write what they have learned on the post-it note and stick them on the poster. This activity helps reinforce the lesson for the day. 

Remind safety in the classroom with posters

The display of safety posters is one of the creative ways to enforce safe classroom practices. It is also a fact that teachers may benefit from the posters. A well-organized classroom carries little risk, thus making it safe for the kids and letting you teach more effectively. Display posters that remind about health and standard health protocols. These will be very effective especially during these times of pandemic.

Posters that show classroom rules

Rules are needed everywhere. These are to maintain everything in order. Posters that feature classroom rules will help both the teachers and learners with behavioral expectations. These are likewise effective visual aids if the need arises. 

Display these posters in a spot where students can easily see them. The posters may also be displayed on bulletin boards. Limit the text content so that kids will easily understand them. It is also recommended to use infographics to make the posters more appealing. 

More posters for learning

Over the years, posters have been used for different reasons. In the classroom, posters can totally help in the learning of kids. Young ones love colorful images that will remain in their minds. Images of animals, plants, flowers, and the alphabet are of great help in establishing the fundamentals of life for the students. 

Bedroom is a special place for every household member. It is where you can have rest and relax from the daily routine and forget about your worries. Since it is your personal sanctuary, it needs interesting decor to make the atmosphere inviting and relaxing. There is a wide range of decors that will make the necessary transformation. While choosing the right bedroom decor, you need to consider several factors, such as room size, furniture pieces, and wall colors. 

The decors you choose can instantly change the beauty of your bedroom. This is the reason why you need to plan carefully before adding any poster. Themes may vary and are available in various designs. The most important aspect in choosing the right design is how they combine with the interior design style of the whole room. Choose the poster design that will stand out or will enhance the overall design of your bedroom. Here are some ideas that you can employ when decorating the bedroom with posters.

Floral prints

Floral prints are always safe to use. However, different flowers evoke different kinds of energy. Experts suggest not to have complete freedom when choosing the type of flower. There are flowers that are appropriate for the bedroom. Here are some examples:

• The cherry blossom represents freshness and innocence and is ideal for newlywed couples. 
• Peony Flowers are known to attract love, romance, and warmth. However, avoid this flower to couples. 
• Roses help improve the relationships among the members of the family. 
• Orchids symbolize love, beauty, and fertility. 
• Narcissus is the flower that represents career and education as well as good luck and prosperity. 

Landscapes

Landscapes are fantastic poster designs that have been used in both homes and offices. If you are going to use this design in the bedroom, choose the poster the depicts good and calm weather. Images of typhoons, hurricanes, storms, and the likes bring bad vibes to the bedroom. 

Animals

The images of animals evoke positive emotions, and the urge to take care of your loved ones. Avoid posters of predators and other aggressive animals. Posters of animals with their partners are also great to display as they bring harmony and balance to your life. 

Abstract art

The good thing about abstract art is its versatility. They suit well in every room including the bedroom. Take into consideration the colors and significance of the art. We understand that sometimes it is difficult to interpret the meaning of abstract art. But that is what makes them amazing. Avoid too bright or too aggressive designs as these will not help you relax in the bedroom. 

Nature-inspired posters

If still not sure what poster to display, go with nature-inspired art. It is a universal theme and the safest design to display in any room. Just like in any theme, it is best to choose calm and placatory images. Posters with cool designs like greenery and botanical prints are proven to calm and relax the mind. On the other hand, posters of different landscapes like mountains and horizons give an impression that the room appears bigger. 

Travel posters

If you are a travel enthusiast, you can bring the adventure to your bedroom. There are many travel posters available in the market. These posters feature the different travel destinations and landmarks around the globe or the country. As such, your bedroom will have a style that will reflect your character and personality. 

Black and white prints

Black and white posters are perfect if you want your bedroom to have that classic and retro appearance. These posters never go out of style and they likewise evoke a minimalist effect. These prints are ideal if you want your bedroom to have that elegant and sophisticated vibe. 

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.  

You will be surprised that home decorating did not start recently. In fact, evidence shows that cave dwellers painted pictures on their walls. However, this came into reality in the 18th century when items became affordable for households. But before that, only the noble and the very rich can afford home decorating. This can be seen through the elegant hand-made furniture and ornate draperies. During those times, decorating the homes was a status symbol. 

Ancient Rome home decorating

The Romans were known to have advanced civilizations in which renowned architecture was built. They also enjoyed displaying their wealth through their homes and lifestyles. The houses they have and halls were decorated lavishly with murals and mosaic designs on the floor. The furniture pieces were personalized to meet their needs. It is also common to see tables and chairs have clawed feet. 

The Renaissance Design

Carpets were known to be owned by wealthy individuals because of the materials and overall design available. Since these decors were expensive, they were not placed on the floors. Instead, they were hung on walls over tables. Wealthy families also hung tapestries on their walls. The floors were covered with rushes or reeds and sprinkled with fragrant herbs. It is also common for the rich in England to use four-post beds as the curtains kept them from the cold weather. 

Elegant room appearance

During the early 18th century, there was an increase in international trade and new educational opportunities. This marked the start of consumerism. Various home decors and furniture pieces, such as wallpaper, rugs, and even pianos became affordable and available to the common people. Many rooms were painted in light colors, with floral prints on wallpapers, patterned carpets, and upholstered furniture pieces. Books were also displayed on shelves as they were still expensive during those times. 

Mass production of decors and furnishings

In the 19th century came the rise of mass production. As such, more people are able to afford home decors to make their homes beautiful. Velvet wallpapers came to popularity and these were usually seen in green and burgundy. Furniture pieces were solid but still offers comfort. They were usually made from oak or mahogany. They were likewise upholstered similar to the patterns of the wallpapers. 

Modernism

The end of World War 2 marked the rise of the Renaissance once again. That is because of home decorations. The focus was then on modernism rather than the traditional. Households in America hosted parties in which they also flaunted their shiny home appliances as part of their home decor. In addition to these, households also were filled with plastic melamine dinnerware as well as coffee tables. 

The Classes 

The home decoration was originally seen in the household of nobles and wealthy families. However, with the rise of the middle classes in the 18th century, ordinary people were able to afford simple and less ornate decors and furnishings. Homes were comprised of basic stools, tables, and benches. Families slept on mattresses that were filled with straw and thistledown. Houses focused more on function and meeting the basic needs of the dwellers instead of the aesthetics. 

Already in the planning stage for your wedding? This is probably one of the most challenging parts before the big day. You will have to choose the right wedding cake, the gown, reception area, flowers, and others. With so many choices on the table, you will surely be confused about which ones to choose. However, if you are planning to have the wedding ceremony at your home, then you also have to prepare your home big time! Do not stress yourself as there are simple and inexpensive ways to prepare your house for this momentous occasion. 

Clean your house and make it stay that way

Big efforts are needed into getting your house organized and clean especially before the big day. As it draws closer, you should be able to focus on the preparation rather than cleaning up and making things look bright. Of course, many people will keep on coming in and out of your home. This will be difficult for your to keep your home clean. A robot vacuum will be a good help in removing the dust off your floors. It does not have to be that expensive. You can get good deals online. As such, cleaning the floors would be simple.

Try to rent some items instead of getting new ones

For sure, you will have some events before the wedding day. Relatives from different places will be coming in to stay in your home. Friends will come and go for visits. Your things may not be sufficient, like chairs and tables. Avoid buying new ones and look for rentals. Wine glasses, tents, decors are likewise available for rent as long as you take time in search of them. Ask your friends if they know someone to save time and effort. Another way is to check social media as you can see a lot of rentals there. 

Relieve your guests from stress

Wedding and wedding preparations are fun and exciting. They can also be highly stressful. It is important to keep everyone relaxed and maintain a comfortable ambiance to your home. If the room temperature is warm, try adding some electric fans and paper fans to keep your guests comfortable. You may also use calming scents with the use of scented candles of oils to calm your nerves before the big day. Examples of scents you can try are lavender and cedarwood. 

Prepare simple yet sumptuous meals

Food is very crucial during these times. However, this should be the last of your worries especially if you have a large number of guests. It is also vital to prepare healthy food especially for those who are on maintenance meds. You do not want your wedding to be the cause of their health problems. Plan your meals and snacks even before they arrive. You can hire some help in preparing the meals. Prepare a snack bar where they can pick their own stress busters. It is also cute to see a colorful healthy snack bar for the little ones. 

How about pets?

Pets do get stressed especially if they are not familiar with their surroundings. Look for someone who can take care of them while you are away or busy with the preparations and celebrations. You may also bring your pets along with you, especially anxious animals. 

Decorate your home

There are a lot of ways to maintain a festive ambiance in your home. Decorating the walls is one of the easiest and fastest ways to keep them cool and lovely. Posters are some of the wonderful wall decors that can be a great help when preparing your home before the big day. There are a lot of themes available. Floral prints are also perfect to make the ambiance perfect for the event. You can also personalize it with your photos with family and friends. 

You do not have to feel gloomy if you only have a small room. Many people think that decorating a small room is only limited to just hanging some artwork on the wall or just by simply installing wallpaper. To tell you the truth, there are endless possibilities on how to decorate your rooms with a style, even if they are small. You can even make them look and feel bigger with some ingenious tricks. Yes, it is true that adding decorations is costly, but there are ways on how to make the room pleasing without spending that much. You might even be surprised if your guests adore your room design by just using your creativity, imagination, and resourcefulness. 

How to decorate a small room

In decorating your small room with style, there are things that need to be considered. Here are the things that you need to focus on in order to have an appealing small room:

1. Creating a focal point – focal point is the center of interest or activity in a room. In interior design, every room needs a focal point, a spot that will captivate the eye. Sometimes, having a good focal point will give you a bird’s eye view of the whole house. This can be anything that will capture the interest of anyone who looks at it. Rightly scaled artwork, nice vases or potteries on a mantle, decorative plants and flowers, sculpture, tapestries, you name it. As long as these items coincide with your interest, they will do well being the focal point of the small room.
2. Keeping things open – what you want to prevent is having the feeling of being cramped. It may be tempting to buy a large furniture piece like a sofa, but with the limitation of having a small space, large furniture pieces in a small room may feel and appear congested. Choose furniture pieces with small stature and would not choke the room. It is good to have pieces with see-through parts. For instance, a bed with a see-through headboard and footboard. Or better yet, a bed with no footboard, such as a storage bed. This will keep the room open, making it feel larger.
3. Boosting a small room – organize your small room to make the room more spacious. For the bedroom, you can make it dark and cozy with the use of saturated berry reds or chocolate browns. The living room can be emphasized by allowing natural light to enter the room. Natural light can be enhanced with the right window treatments or by installing light-colored wallpaper or applying light and bright-colored colors that can reflect light.
4. Add storage areas – one thing for sure, a cluttered space is an eyesore. Remember that every part of a small room can be a potential storage area. It is true that you can just stash your things anywhere, but of course, this will cause the accumulation of clutter that will make the room cramped. The underside of the bed can be a good place to stack your boxes filled with things, not in use.
5. Make every part of the room special – look for ways on how to make the small room look special. Add accents such as throws on the sofa, fabric with meaningful patterns in the bedroom. Lighting says a lot when decorating a small room. Choose a lovely chandelier for the living room or the bedroom or a sculptural table lamp. Use artwork to show off your personality. Choose something that is not expensive. It is recommended to blow up your favorite pictures and have them framed and hang them on the wall. Remember to use any decoration that will make you happy.
6. Keep it high – use floor-to-ceiling curtains to make an illusion of a high ceiling. A small change can create something big. You may also use light and crisp colors for a visually higher ceiling.
7. Keep it round – when it comes to furniture pieces, go for pieces with rounded edges, since these will take up less floor space and help widen walkways.
8. Different style – you need not have to decorate your small room the conventional way as these may not be applicable in your room. Be creative with the layout of the furniture. For instance, you can place cabinetry proximal to the wall to save space. The bed can also be placed near the wall also to save space and place the side table next.