Ready For A Staycation?

          Traveling to distant far-off places is always an exciting idea, but with expenses, work, and responsibilities it is difficult to find time to travel. Adding accents from different cultures around your home can give you the feel of a different space without ever leaving your home. Asian, Mediterranean, or Tropical inspired decor enables you to spend a lot less money than traveling to create a cool new atmosphere for your home.

Many parts of Asia are known for beautiful gardens and architecture, unique to their culture. You can add a few elements of Asia to create a pleasant, tranquil living space.

• Colors:

  • Red and gold are popular in Asian culture. A vibrant red for the walls or gold accents can be valuable additions to any room.

  • Bamboo and natural materials can add to the room’s atmosphere, as well.

• Furniture:

  • Often times, Asian-inspired furniture is simple and made from a natural material, such as, wood or bamboo.

  • Using the practice of feng shui, you can create balance within your space.

    • Reilly Painting’s Martha Royan, an interior designer and a feng shui expert, can work with you to design your ideal home according to feng shui principles.

• Accessories:

  • Sake jugs with simple designs and Japanese writing are great accents you can place around a room.

  • A traditional Japanese hibachis can be used as planters to hold orchids.

  • Japanese granite lanterns are great for indoors or on the patio.

The Mediterranean is known for its vibrant colors and rich history. This style originated in the countries Spain, Greece and Italy, and is often referred to today as "Spanish modern."

• Colors:

  • By painting a room or two with a beautiful bright color, you can get the Mediterranean right in your home.

  • Mediterranean colors mirror the ocean and sky with warm terra cottas, lavenders and yellows.

  • Texture is a key component by layers of paint and glaze rubbed onto plaster or sand-textured walls.

• Accessories:

  • Mosaic tile is a common Mediterranean theme. You can bring these tile designs into your home on the floor or a kitchen backsplash. If you don’t want the hassle and expense of tiles, you can always simulate the look of tile with a stenciled mosaic border.

  • Burnished bronze accessories and ornamental light fixtures both exemplify a Mediterranean look with a little bit of Moroccan influence.

• Furniture:

  • Mediterranean-style furniture is often times short with decorative ornate legs.

  • Pieces range from simply functional to extremely formal.

Everyone loves spending time with their feet in the sand, relaxing on a tropical beach, so why not add some elements of the beach to your home. Blue and yellow paint can make any room reminiscent of the ocean with the right accessories.

• Colors:

  • Typically, light blues, greens and yellows are used to echo the calmness of the beach.

  • Adding some shell or fish stencils to your walls can also be an appealing addition.

• Furniture:

  • Wood furniture is common among beach themed rooms.

  • Beach themes patterned textiles are also a great addition to a chair to add a little whimsy.

• Accessories:

  • Shells in a bowl of sand can be a perfect accent as a table centerpiece.

  • Coral, starfish and shells can be dispersed sparingly throughout the room.

  • Appending small rope and boat accents on the walls can complete the nautical look.

  • Many home decor stores carry nautical themed accessories you can use to make any room a day at the beach!

So, if you want a beautiful new space or are looking for a few accents here or there to mimic your favorite vacation spot, we can help you achieve the look you want. Contact Reilly Painting and Contracting today to find out what we can do for your home.

Photo courtesy of Flickr