How To Incorporate Black Into Your Decor

March 6, 2018

I’ve shared on the blog before that I’m pretty flexible when it comes to design. For the most part I believe that if you love something and it feels right then it’s right for your decor. On the flip side, there are some tried-and-true design rules that whole-heartedly believe in and feel should be a part of every good room design.

One of those design rules is Every Room Needs A Touch Of Black. In 2016 I created a Design Guide all about this rule and even shared my favorite black paint colors. As a follow-up to that design guide, today I want to share a few tips on the best ways to incorporate this color into your decor.

source

♦ Black is a classic color that will never go out of style. And because black is made up of all colors, it’s a universal color that pairs beautifully with any color hue. There is simply not a color scheme that doesn’t benefit from the presence of black.♦

source

How To Incorporate Black Into Your Decor

♦ Accessorize With Black–Even though the color has a lot of depth, it is considered a ‘neutral’ so don’t be afraid to use it as an accent in a room that has little color.

A black decorative accessory or one with a black detail is the easiest way to subtly infuse the color into your decor. Think bookends, pillows, a chandelier or a sculptural object.
Dark picture frames against a light-colored wall will draw the eye in while allowing the artwork within the frame to stand out.
A black lampshade instantly upgrades the elegance of a table or floor lamp.
For a dramatic statement in your living room or foyer, consider a black rug which will visually anchor the space.

source

Elle Decor

♦ Decorate Around Black–Incorporating a black furniture piece into a living space adds substance, depth and helps to ground the entire furniture grouping.

An armoire, side table or an accent chair are three great black furniture options to consider.
Painting your interior doors black is a quick and inexpensive way to add a bold statement of black within your decor. Go with a semi-gloss finish so the doors with have a reflective nature and any details will stand out.

tip: if the contrast of deep, rich black Is too much, look for a piece of furniture with an ebony stain (darkest brown with a hint of black undertones)–the impact will be the same.

source

♦ Accent With Black-A black accent wall or painted ceiling is not only dramatic but one of the best ways to make a small space appear larger. Forget what you might have heard about painting a small room in a light shade. In actuality, dark rooms feel larger because the room lines disappear. Black also makes details come to life, colors more vibrant and patterns pop.

source

Now that you know how to add black within your decor its time to go shopping. Here are a few budget-friendly accessories that I’m currently loving.

SHOP MY FAVORITE BLACK DECOR PIECES

Garden stools are a good accent piece next to a chair or sofa and look great tucked under a console table. I love this style and glossy finish on this shaped ceramic garden stool. {affiliate link}

This black and cream rug would look great in a bedroom, foyer or as a runner down a hallway.

I can just envision a lush green plant or beautiful orchid in this gold banded leather vase.

I love the lines and classic shape of this white lamp from Target. A pair of these would look great in a bedroom or on a buffet in a dining room.

Isn’t this botanical art from Minted just beautiful? The bold color against the dark background give it a little bit of an edgy feel.

Buffalo checks seem to be a big trend in home decor right now. This plaid armchair would be a fun accent in a living space or bedroom.

You can never go wrong adding a decorative box to your decor. I love this decorative box with agate stone as part of a coffee table arrangement.

I hope the tips and inspiration I shared today gives you some ideas on how to use black to enhance your decor.

How To Burn A Candle The Right Way

October 23, 2017

I’ve always loved to burn candles but for years I was burning them the wrong way. It wasn’t until I started working in the home decor industry that I learned the right way to burn a candle.

Are you one of those people who burns a candle and finds half the wax still in the jar once the wick has burned down? Well, you’re not alone. There a lots of people who don’t know how to burn a candle the right way. Today I’m sharing candle burning tips so you can get the most out of your favorite candle scent.

Candle Burning Tips & Tricks

Trim the wick

This is one of the most important things you can do when you’re burning any type of candle. Trimming the wick produces a cleaner burn and prevents soot build-up around the jar opening. An untrimmed wick can result in smoke and the wick flaring and mushrooming at the tip. For the initial burn and before every burn thereafter, you want to trim the wick to 1/4 inch long.

Burn the wax all the way across the top

The first time you burn your candle is the most important since it will determine how the wax will burn for the life of the candle. For the first burn, burn the wax all the way across the top of the candle. The wax should be liquid from edge to edge. It may take several hours for the full melt to occur so be patient. If you fail to let the wax melt all the way across the candle, the wax will create a tunnel in the center of the candle. The diameter of the ‘tunnel’ will not increase over time and all of the wax beyond the outer edge of the tunnel will be wasted.

tip: it takes approximately 1 hour of burn time for every 1” inch in diameter for the entire surface of a candle to become liquid

Don’t over-burn candles

In most cases, candles should not be burned for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended periods of burning can result in a flared wick and soot build-up. Once your candle has burned for a few hours, blow out the flame and let it cool for 2 to 3 hours before trimming the wick and re-lighting it.

Keep the flame away from vents and moving air

If your candle flame is being impacted by moving air, the air will cause the candle to burn unevenly. This is especially true with taper candles resulting in heavy wax drips down the sides of the candle. Try placing a jar candle inside a large glass vase or open container to reduce the amount of air that comes in contact with the flame.

Sometimes two wicks are better than one

If you need an extra wide candle for a candleholder or vase, look for a candle with more than one wick. A wide candle with a single wick will never produce enough heat for the wax to fully melt across the top so you’re destined to get a tunnel. The more wicks a candle has, the more heat it will generate and the faster the wax will melt.

Put a lid on it

An easy way to preserve the intensity of fragranced candles is by putting the lid back on the jar when you aren’t burning it. Exposing an open candle to prolonged periods of air can reduce the strength of the fragrance over time.

Stop the burn when the wax is approximately 1/2 inch from the bottom of the jar

When the wax is approximately 1/2 inch from the bottom of the jar, the heat at the bottom of the jar can actually burn the surface it is sitting on. If there is only a 1/2″of wax left in the jar, you’ll want to throw the candle away.

If the candle comes in a jar that you want to keep, there’s an easy way to remove the wax. Once the wax is cool, place the jar in a pan and fill the pan with hot water. The hot water will soften the wax so you can break it up with a knife. Once the wax is out of the jar, fill the jar with soap and water to remove any residue. Then place the jar in the dishwasher to get it sparkly clean.

Now that you know all my candle burning tips, here’s a round-up of my favorite fall candles (affiliate links included).

♦♦♦

FAVORITE FALL CANDLE SCENTS

BathandBodyWorks Leaves // Votivo Red Currant // Nest Cedar Leaf & Lavender // Voluspa Baltic Amber

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have a favorite fall candle scent, please leave me a comment so I can check it out!

Affiliate links used for your shopping convenience. I may earn a small commission through these links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting ConfettiStyle to keep great content coming!

Design Guide: 5 Rules of Space Planning

May 15, 2017

Have you ever struggled with creating the best furniture layout for your home? Well, you’re not alone. So many people struggle with how to arrange their furniture so that it looks good and works with the way the family lives.

In my latest Design Guide post, I’m sharing the 5 Rules of Space Planning. These are the rules and guidelines you’ll want to use to create a pleasing arrangement for your furniture and decor.

via

Don’t Hug The Walls

One of the most common mistakes people make when decorating their homes is to push all the furniture to the walls. The thought is that by keeping the center of the room open, the room will feel larger. I hate to burst the bubble but the opposite it true. When you push all the furniture against at the walls, a room actually feels disconnected and unwelcoming. Make better use of the space and create a cozy vibe by arranging furniture within the room instead of against it.

via

Create A Layout With Function In Mind

A truly great space is one that functions well for you and your family. Before you begin decorating, analyze how you plan to live in and use the room so that you can arrange the furniture and decor to support that. As you being space planning, think about how each area of a room and each furniture piece will be used.

Caitlin Creer Interiors

Create Pathways In and Out

You’ll want about 30 inches to 36 inches of walkway between pieces.This is what you need to be comfortable, without knocking into furniture and bumping into walls. Any type of furniture with doors or drawers also needs three feet of space to open properly. And keep in mind how you access a seating area within a room. Where possible you want to have more than one way to enter and exit.

via

Create Conversation Areas

There is nothing less intimate than a gathering of people within a room and them having to yell to have a conversation. Arrange furniture so there are cozy groupings where conversations can easily happen and people can easily engage with each other. There should be no more than 10 feet and no less than 3 feet between people seated around the room to optimize intimate conversation and everyone’s personal space.

via

Create Balance

An easy way to create balance within a room is to find the center point of the space. In some cases, this isn’t necessarily the middle of the room but most of the time it will be. Generally, this is where the coffee table or center table should sit. Arrange furniture around the center point to create a good flow and visually pleasing balance within the room. If your home has a very long, or very large living room, consider having two center points with two separate furniture groupings.

via

These guidelines will help you get started with space planning but you should adjust your decorating according to your own tastes and preferences. Use these rules to get started, but don’t be afraid to break them and go with your instincts if something feels right to you.

For more helpful decorating tips, read Key Measurement to Know When Decorating Your Home!

header image source

Design Guide: 10 Components To A Beautiful Home

March 16, 2017

Every designer you ask will have a list of key components they think are essential to the design and function of a beautiful home. And while my list may differ from others, I think all designers would agree that each of the items on my list contributes in one way or another to how a home looks and feels.

#1 A STYLE BLUEPRINT

I meet clients all the time that don’t have a good handle (or vision) of their design style. They know if they like an item or not but they can articulate clearly the overall look for a room or the mood they want a room to have. Once you define your design style you’ll be able to envision the decor of your home, down to the details.

Defining your style encompasses many different elements, from the colors and materials you like to the style of furniture and accessories that appeal to you. And don’t worry, defining your style doesn’t happen over night. Your style can change throughout the years just like you do.

One of the ways that I have my clients convey their style to me is by going through design magazines and tagging anything that appeals to them. Then I have them jot down a word or two telling me what they like about the image they tagged. The word ‘cozy’ on a room photo with warm colors may convey the colors they like. The word ‘clean’ may be associated with a room that is streamline and clutter free which tells me a lot about how they want to a room to look and feel. Once you have a stack of tagged images you can look through them and begin to see the common threads in the design style that appeals to you.