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Over the years, geometric patterns have been one of the most popular decorative elements and can be used in any design style and blend with different colors. You can see them almost anywhere: in homes, restaurants, and offices around the globe. Geometric shape designs are eye-catching and can brighten up any space. Read on to know more about geometric shapes and how they can transform any living space into something appealing. 

Trendy geometric patterns

Geometric patterns are probably one of the most versatile decorative elements. It can be added to any interior design style. Polyhedrons are some of the famous shapes and can be used in various furniture pieces and their parts. For instance, polyhedrons can be used from table legs to lamps and photo frames. Recently, rhombuses are commonly used in kids’ rooms, floors, and bathroom walls. 

With these on the walls, you can also create a wonderful pattern. This can be achieved with the installation of wallpaper, wall murals, or posters. Among these, the display of posters is the easiest and fastest way to create a trendy wall design. 

Why use geometric patterns

The versatility of geometric patterns makes them ideal in both classical and modern homes. They can easily be incorporated to create any design style that has been popularized in their respective eras. For instance, geometric patterns are ideal if you want to revive the psychedelic look of the 60s or the digital appearance of today. 

Color and shape of geometric patterns

Any color goes well with geometric patterns. The use of bright and cheerful colors like orange, red, yellow, and purple will help create more fun, exciting, and modern vibe. However, warm colors, such as these, must not be overused as they can be an eyesore. In moderation, they can take the center stage and be the focal point of your rooms. 

The use of neutral colors like black and white will help create a sophisticated and elegant look. This combination can also help create a minimalist appearance that likewise offers a comfortable and cozy feel. 

How to incorporate geometric patterns 

Modern decorative shelves come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Personalize them with a mixture of different shelves to create a room focal point. Geometric shapes can also be incorporated with the installation of partitions and wall panels. These are subtle and understated structures that will not overwhelm your rooms. 

Want to be creative and unleash your artistic side? Paint your walls with a variety of colors and geometric shapes. Prepare the materials you need like a roll of masking tape, paintbrush, and paint color of your choice. With these, you will be able to create a crisp and clean pattern that you and your family will love. 

Geometric patterns on the floor are likewise eye-catching. Squares, hexagons, and zigzag patterns are cool and you can be creative by arranging them in whatever look you want. Rugs and carpets are likewise great to display geometric patterns. There are geometric rugs and carpets available in the market that can transform the appearance of your walls.

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. 

 

Over the years, you have taken photos of many events and occasions with your family and friends. After having them printed, they are kept in albums to be viewed later on. However, this should not be the case as the photos can be displayed on your walls to create appealing wall art. As such, your photos need not be kept in storage. Making personalized wall art can instantly represent who and what you are. With these, you can say that your home is truly yours. 

Creating personalized wall art

There is something special about creating and finishing personalized wall art. You will get the chance to display all the items and keepsakes that you love. However, the challenging part is finding ways to blend them with the existing interior design style. You also need to consider several elements, such as the general room atmosphere, other art pieces, and color schemes. Add a little creativity and imagination so that your decorating project will be a success. 

One of the interesting ways to personalize wall art is through the display of photos of your adventures with family and friends. These photos will not only display your escapades but will likewise serve as a memory lane. There are many ways to display your photos and they can even be used to create personalized posters. These days, posters may be customized for you to be able to design them according to your needs and taste. That’s one of the wonders of digital technology. 

DIY wall art ideas for your home

Many homeowners may be wondering how they can improve their home interior without spending that much. That answer is pretty simple. You can reuse, recycle, or upcycle materials that you have used in your previous projects. If you are willing to spend a minimal amount, you can also check different shops and look for valuable items that would fit your budget. Here are some creative inspirations that you can use to make your home look amazing:

1. Family photos – a gallery of photos in your home that features memorable moments with your family and friends can instantly create a nostalgic atmosphere. 
2. Children’s books – take pages from your favorite children’s books and frame them along with customized mats to dress up the frame. 
3. Polaroid pictures – the display of these photos is one of the easiest ways to create wall art. Tape of tack personal photos or postcards of about the same size to a blank wall and wrap around a corner to make an artistic touch.
4. Song lyrics – words and quotes are definitely amazing inspirations in creating personalized wall art. 
5. Plants and flowers – arrange a collection of framed flowers to create a gallery appearance. All you need to do is to press botanical flowers before framing them. You may also opt to add their scientific names at the bottom for a more impressive look.
6. Window frame – display salvaged window frames to create a great architectural display. Add a personal touch with photos and make the wall art more personalized. 

Food and drink posters are the most common prints displayed in the kitchen. In fact, they are the easiest to display in the room as they completely blend well with the purpose and function of the room. However, food and drink posters become boring in the long run. Try to be innovative and use other poster designs to give the kitchen a fresh new appeal. For the kitchen to look lively and vibrant, consider decorating the wall with poster designs that are classic and timeless, such as black and white prints.

Decorating the kitchen walls

As many of us know, the kitchen is not only used to prepare our meals. Just like in any other room, the kitchen may be multifunctional. It can be a place for entertainment in which a television set is added. It can also be a place for dining or for eating breakfast with the family. In other households, the room is also used to receive guests. 

It is important to treat the kitchen just like how we treat the other rooms of the house. At least when it comes to decorating the walls. By tradition and practice, kitchens are usually decorated with food and drink posters. However, there are other designs that can be used to break the tradition. Kitchen wall art can add visual interest and personality to the room. In addition to framed artworks, homeowners use oversized utensils, tapestries with designs that are associated with the room. Want to make the kitchen look more stylish and trendy/ use oversized letters in various fonts and colors. This decor is created with the use of thin but sturdy metals that may be light enough to be displayed. 

Poster designs to display in the kitchen

There are no strict rules when it comes to decorating the kitchen with posters. Although, there are some when it comes to how you hang and arrange them on your walls. There are many designs and themes to choose from. For instance, abstract posters add life with the colors, patterns, and designs they have, Nature-themed posters can also give a refreshing and rejuvenating vibe to the kitchen. With the images of plants, flowers, seascapes, and landscapes, the kitchen will have a calming and relaxing atmosphere that you will love. 

Go minimalist with Scandinavian-inspired prints as well as black and white posters. These posters will help you achieve a simple yet elegant room appearance that can be the highlight of the entire house. In fact, many homes these days use the minimalist design style as there are also benefits they give to the mind and body. 

Typography posters are also popular and many of them have inspirational or motivational quotes. Sometimes what we need are positive words to keep us going. The messages written on the posters, though however simple they are, can have a big impact on our total well-being. 

Prepare the kitchen for the holidays with Christmas-themed posters. Not only that these prints will bring the spirit of Christmas to your home, but they will also make the kitchen look vibrant and lovely. With the colors of the season in your kitchen, you will have inspiration and motivation in prepping the meals for Christmas. 

Christmas is never complete without a Christmas tree. Even in movies, Christmas trees are so special that decorating them involves all the members of the family. Over the years, the display and decorating of Christmas trees have been practiced around the globe. The trees used can be natural ones or synthetic. Whatever the material used, the sight of Christmas trees will bring the spirit of the holiday season as well as a nostalgic atmosphere. 

A brief history of Christmas trees

In the past, evergreen fir trees have been used to celebrate winter festivals of both the pagans and the Christians. The branches of the tree have been used by the pagans to decorate their homes during the winter solstice. On the other hand, Christians used the tree as a sign of everlasting life with God. the Romans, likewise decorated their temples with evergreen trees during the festival of Saturnalia. 

However, up to these days, the evolution of evergreen trees to Christmas trees is not yet that clear. It was assumed that it started a thousand years ago in Northern Europe wherein cherry or hawthorn plants were used. Some people, though, find it expensive to decorate their homes with trees. They then resolved in making pyramids of wood and decorate them with paper, apples, and candles. 

The first known Christmas tree that was displayed in public was in 1510 in Riga, Latvia. This was erected by men with black hats, danced around it, and then set it on fire. From Germany, Christmas trees were brought and spread to the United Kingdom by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Prince Albert recalled that during his childhood, he celebrated Christmas with a tree. Eventually, he shared this tradition with his wife and in 1848, the London News published the couple with a decorated tree. This image became common and one of the favorites of the people in Great Britain. 

Christmas trees around the globe

Though Christmas is celebrated differently from around the world, Christmas trees are probably one of the most common views seen. 

• In Rio De Janeiro, a 279-foot Christmas tree is seen floating at the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon. The tree was likewise surrounded by fireworks during the launch in November 2004. 
• One of the world’s most recognized Christmas trees has been displayed at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan since 1930. 45, 000 lights are turned on each year and are usually accompanied by live concerts. 
• In the United Kingdom, Christmas is viewed as a time of gratitude. This led to a Christmas tree being displayed in London’s Trafalgar Square. This has been a traditional annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947 as gratitude to England during their help in World War 2.
• In France, the people prefer Christmas trees to be more traditional in appearance such as the one displayed in posh Galeries Lafayette Department Store.
• A Christmas tree made of Lego bricks can also be found in London, UK.
• A Christmas tree that stands at 82-feet can be seen outside the window of the Pope’s room in Vatican City. This tree is a gift from the German state of Bavaria. 
• Since the term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, every American president has officiated the lighting ceremony of the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC. 

With a few weeks left before Christmas, you may already have completed shopping for gifts to be given to your loved ones. Decors are all around us amidst the COVID 19 virus still lurking like a rat waiting for its chance to steal food. However, it is still not too late to make your home perfect for the holidays. In fact, there are tons of ideas and inspiration that you can use to prepare your home for the Christmas celebration this year and make it look and feel festive. With the classic red and green color scheme that we have known since childhood, you can give it a twist and turn to create an eye-catching Christmas-themed interior for a perfect and memorable Christmas. 

Classic with a twist

Many people love the classic. Why not? There are many elements in the style that would remind you of your childhood. Although the concept is a bit non-specific, it still gives many homeowners and designers goosebumps as they recall their past. Classic design style suits almost anything. Black and white is probably the most popular theme that can easily give your interior a classic look for the holidays. 

Boosting the standard

When it comes to interior decoration, there will always be standards that would serve as a basis for other design styles. Sticking with the traditional is not bad. However, some people may find this a bit dull and boring as many are looking for something new and creative. For instance, the addition of Christmas accessories in candy colors will give any room a modern and stylish look. You can also add ribbons if you feel a little crafty. 

Less is more

Less is not a bad idea, unlike what others think. Here are a few minimalist decorating ideas that can truly give a great look to your home. 

• Fewer items used, the better. This is the whole idea of using a minimalist design style. 
• Buy Christmas trees that come with lights. Arranging the lights may be quite a challenge for some. With this, you will spend less time arranging the lights for your trees. 
• Do not use too many colors as this will make your home look chaotic. Use shades of a few chosen colors so that these will give you a trendy and chic interior. 
• Use fruits and vegetables as decoration. These will save you money and your home will also have a fresh and natural feel and smell. 
• Use one color of lighting for your Christmas tree as it can make a calm and relaxing vibe. 
• A simple pinecone can be used as a decoration. Fill a plate or bowl with pinecones along with candies for a more wonderful holiday vibe. 
• Use ribbons to decorate the tree or your surroundings. 

Materials for Christmas

Christmas decors need not have to be made from soft materials all the time. The use of metal pieces as the decor has proven to be a perfect choice. Metal decors look best with dark interiors as they can be highlighted. 

Flowers are still great

Want to add life to your home for the holidays? Use simple flowers or wreaths for a look that you have been longing for. You can place them anywhere and they would still look great. Add them to the door, window, or you can create a centerpiece of flowers for a warm and comfortable living space. 

Let it snow!

Snowflakes are some of the favorite Christmas decors. Hang them on the wall or the curtain and do not just use one size. 

Over the years, art has been part of our lives. It helps us improve and express ourselves, as well as to make any space look wonderful. Abstract art is one of the styles that have been loved by many enthusiasts. There are many ways to describe them and the different designs can make a total transformation to your space. But when and where did it all begin? Read on to learn more about the history of abstract art and how it evolved through these years. 

Eastern Europe

History tells us that abstract art was born at the start of the 20th century. During that period, the platform was mostly about fauvism, cubism, and figurative expressionism. As a result, abstract art is known for its freedom use of color, shapes, and the subject. The subject can be anything, from geometric shapes to humans, abstract art can be anything. The goal is to highlight the form through experimentation with colors. This exhibits the freedom of the artist to be flexible from the strict rules of creating art. 

Though the exact origin of abstract art is not that clear, there are different artists who created their own styles using abstract art. Each can be determined with their respective periods. As agreed by many experts, abstract art started around 1910. This can be supported by the first abstract watercolor by Vassily Kandinsky. The artist was a Russian painter who was associated with the avant-garde movement in Eastern Europe. He was also the first painter who used no formal composition. 

The two ideas in abstract art

There are two ideas when it comes to abstract art: rationality and expressiveness. Abstract art aims for rationality and an independent order from external reality. It is also the development of the symbolic function of color, the rhythm of forms, and their independence from a subject. For instance, artists like Kandinsky and Kupka find a wide range of emotions with the use of colors. As such, the colors they use have effects on the viewers, as if the art itself is trying to communicate. 

The types of abstract art

Abstract art is not just about freedom of expression. In fact, there are different types or divisions. Kandinsky represented Lyrical Abstraction in which the interests focused on the power of emotions and the impact of anger on humans. Malevitch represented Suprematism where forms and colors are left to speak for themselves. Geometric Abstract Art was represented by Piet Mondrian with his use of squares, primary colors, and black lines. The development of Orphism was because of the Delaunays who used sharp colors and rounded shapes to cover the whole canvas. 

The abstract expressionism movement

The new abstract art movement started in the 1940s and 1950s. This new movement was started by the Americans after the Second World War. Artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning made significant contributions to the development of the movement. The paintings of Pollock are marked by the vigorous movement of the painter creating splashes. 

From the 1960s, there emerged new trends: Optical Art and Minimalism. Optical Art was originated by Victor Vasarely and focused more on optical effects by playing with colors, shape, and light. Simultaneously, minimal art emerged that was started by artists like Sol LeWitt, Robert Morris, and Dan Flavin.