country home decor Archives | kikiinteriors.com

We Answer Wednesday – What is Chalk Paint?

March 22, 2017

“What is chalk paint? I have heard people talking about it. “

Yes – chalk paint is a term we are hearing a lot …so here are the details.

What is Chalk paint?

Chalk paint is an actual brand of paint – Annie Sloan has trademarked the brand (but there are other similar paints by other companies). But it is a paint used mostly on furniture. The paint has a flat and chalk like finish and is used to create an aged finish on furniture pieces. Plus you can distress the finish as well (very easily).

With the popularity of the Farmhouse look in home decor – chalk paint is being used a lot. To update great garage sale finds or transform pieces to give them a rustic, shabby chic or country look. Don’t you just love the charm that the chalk like finish adds to decor pieces and furniture?

Get creative with Chalk Paint:

Frames:

Chalk painting your photo frames or even old frames that you often see at yard sales or online – look so chippy and vintage with a spot of chalk paint. These look great in a gallery wall

Storage furniture:

Adding chalk paint to a large piece of furniture transforms the look of the room. This dresser looks aged and adds a romantic look and feel in the bedroom.

Vases:

Trying painting your mason jars . This is a great idea for a center piece, spring decor, weddings and Easter – the finish of the paint and the tones are perfect for the spring season!

Chairs:

I love these chairs – they look like an old vintage find from an old cafe and that robin’s egg blue really adds some personality in the space.

Chalk paint allows for you to get create with some old furniture items, garage sale finds or just updating your space! We all know what a difference fresh paint can make in a space so why not try something new!

It’s only paint…

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HOME DECOR, TRENDS

We Answer Wednesday – Farmhouse style

March 9, 2017

“I see this farmhouse style everywhere – I really like it! How can I get this look in my home without buying all new furniture?”

You are right! The farmhouse look does seem to be everywhere! The great news about this style is two fold.

One –

when it comes to the farmhouse look there are many options, levels and directions you can choose.

Two –

it is a cozy and timeless look, so you don’t have to worry about being trendy.

We also love the versatility of this style. The farmhouse look blends easily with the industrial look and also a rustic look. But you can easily blend farmhouse with some traditional pieces and some modern elements too.

How can you get the farmhouse style at home?

You are in luck – to get this look you don’t need to spend a lot. You can achieve this look with adding a few elements and pieces.

Here are some of our suggestions:

Farmhouse Art

– art, photography and even country inspired signs are an easy addition to your space to help you get that farmhouse look. We love this farmhouse sign from Wayfair – so simple and clean a perfect addition for any space that needs that country touch.

Chalkboard

– the ease and casual look of chalkboard gives a space a warmth of a country farmhouse. It’s relaxed and simple – we love chalk board paint – it’s easy to use and apply.

Galvanized metal

– easy pieces like buckets, chairs, even light fixtures in this material add to that country feel. Be sure to have a dull finish and even a few dings is totally OK. This galvanized metal pitcher – it ‘pitcher’ perfect! Add some fresh greenery or a cut bouquet and it is a simple farmhouse centerpiece!

Ladder displays

– add another rustic touch plus they are a eat way to store blankets and even books and magazines. They are great in bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms. We love this ladder display with framed family photos!

Layer textured rugs

– again keeping a very casual look and mixing up textures adds another element to the laid back farmhouse style. We love to mix a cowhide with a natural fiber like sisal or even seagrass.

Lighting

– simple lighting fixtures in a metallic and dull finish add a farmhouse character to a space. Look for pendants with simple and clean lines with a rustic feel. So much of farmhouse style is about simplicity – this pendant has a rustic feel due to the colour and finish and the design is just simple….

Textiles

– in pillows, drapery and blankets are another easy way to get this farmhouse look. Look for knits, flannel, plaids and soft stone washed fabrics. Mix them up – farmhouse is a very simple and relaxed look. Layer them and don’t get caught up in symmetry.

Add ‘practical’ pieces

– so decorate with items like laundry wash boards, old farm tools, bowls, baskets, pickle jars and mason jars. These rustic pieces play into the farmhouse feel.

Add some personality

– the farmhouse style is a relaxed look in every way so keep it casual and fun! We love to add signs and other items that have a bit of personality. small accessories in any room can add to that farmhouse feel. This kitchen utensil holder is a great little piece for a kitchen that fits into the farmhouse look.

Wood

– the farmhouse look is really focused on texture. Wood is a texture that is closely connected with farms and the outdoors. Add some wood elements to your space like bowls, boxes, trays, shelving and even a fireplace mantle. Opt for reclaimed pieces with lots of character.

With this farmhouse style you can ‘dial it up’ or ‘dial it down’ as much as you like. You can go very literal with farm pieces like signage and wire baskets OR you can take some influence from this style and play with the different textures and add the farmhouse essence into your space. We love the warm and cozy feel from this style – we hope you do, too!

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TRENDS, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – What is Shiplap?

February 20, 2017

“I have been hearing this term a lot lately and I don’t know what it is ….what is shiplap?”

You are right! This is a term that we have been hearing a lot these days especially if you are someone who watches a lot of Home design and Decor shows on TV or reading magazines.

So what is it – you ask, well there is a little bit of debate on what some TV hosts

are calling shiplap.

Shiplap is essentially a style of wood paneling – no, not that 70’s style that you may have lived with at some point in your life – this is different….

Shiplap are long and smooth plain wood boards that are installed on a wall adding a slight texture, a visual interest and with the spacing between the boards you get a stripe effect. We are definitely seeing this in the design shows especially the ones that have a slight country influence.

The debate in really on the install of these long and smooth wood panel boards.

In some cases we see these long wood straight panels that are nailed to the wall adding a slight bit of texture and a stripe effect in a room. These boards are often painted in almost a chalk paint consistency. We are seeing this a lot in homes that want a bit of a country or farmhouse look (this can also work with a home that is after a nautical feel).

Now ‘actual’ shiplap looks very similar (which I would say is why the term is being used) but the install is different. This shiplap is like a tongue and groove system giving the boards self-spacing – to get that striped look. the idea with this installation was to get a water tight ‘seal’.

If you didn’t see the install of the wood panels you likely wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Shiplap is a great way to add some texture to a space.

It looks great painted in any tone (the paint colour choice can really help determine the style you want in the room). You can opt for a flat finish paint in a warm white, soft grey or even a light blue for a country look but if you chose a darker paint like a charcoal or even a deep navy you could get a bit of an industrial feel. Of course the items like accessories, textile and lighting will also help with the overall look.

Shiplap can also be used as a great accent wall in a family room or even a bedroom. It’s a wonderful way to make an impact without over whelming the entire room. For those of you that feel reclaimed wood walls are just a bit too much this is a good alternative.

If you are looking for some subtle texture and visual interest, consider shiplap.

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, TRENDS

How to Get The Look: Modern Country

July 29, 2015

Country decorating has come a long way. It has always been a popular home decorating style but it has really changed in recent years. In the past this has included such elements of the style as handmade items, collections, and rustic charm. While country style will always epitomize home and warmth, its time to bring country design into the modern era. We call this decorating style “Modern Country“. Modern country is still charming, and rustic but with some clean lines and cool colour palettes it has a ‘cooler’ vibe. If you love that laid back rustic style with a modern edge – better know as Modern Country, here’s how to get it.

Clean it up

Traditional country decorating has been often accused of being “cluttered”. Modern country decorating is anything but! So it’s time to seriously edit and pack away all those little things that don’t contribute to the overall design scheme. Don’t go overboard though, country is about home and family, so you don’t want to eliminate everything that’s personal. Create a box of decorative items to store, and rotate favorite accents with the seasons.

Choose a simple and clean color scheme

Update your country decorating look with a more modern color scheme. Pick one color, then try combining it with white or neutrals for a stylish look that isn’t dated, and doesn’t cause confusion for the eye. Add textures to give the room great interest and contrast. Keep patterns to a minimum, and try to incorporate some of the new classics or a modern floral that uses white and one color in its design. Think tone-on-tone for a soothing look in the space. We like a great light neutral on the walls and then for accessories layers of soft greys, taupes even dried herb tones look great with this style.

Choose your inspiration

Choosing your inspiration for the modern country decorating look is kind of like choosing a theme. But instead of the cutesy country themes of the past are passe, you are choosing an inspiration that creates a feeling. Gone are the roosters and instead think of a theme inspired by the mountains in Colorado, or the high country of Santa Fe.

You can actually picture the “feeling” of the room just by those descriptive words, and that’s what will give you guidance and keep you on track. Look through photos for inspiration, that will help you stay on track but again, don’t go over board! You don’t want a theme room like “this the dairy farm room” take what you love about the feel of the country and incorporate that in the space.

Light the way

One of the fastest ways to update an outdated decorating shame is to add a modern lighting fixture. This works great with the “Modern Country” as they compliment each other well. Think West Elm, Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn.

Texture

So important in this look! When it comes to country decor it’s really about comfort and ease, so texture can really help with that. Think canvas, wool, distressed denim, flannel, distressed leather and mixing it all up on a sofa. Be sure to add other textures too like reclaimed wood, stone and brick for another layer of texture. Elements of nature are another great way to add texture to your space.

Accessorize

The “more is more” traditional country decorating look of the past is just that…it’s in the past. Choose a few great pieces to display at a time. Mix and match with other styles, offering interest and contrast, and bringing more attention to your beloved possessions. If you have a collection, or want to showcase Grandmas quilt, then showcase it. But display it gallery style and give each piece importance. Don’t just use something for the sake of having something fill a space. Treat the things you love like art.

Another great way to make a country piece look more current is framing your art. So a country landscape with a clean white over sized matte and black frame is easy and looks clean and modern.

Look for country piece like large milk jugs, butter churners, pickle jars, mason jars etc…they add great character and some texture to the space and of course, they have that country feel

Look for inexpensive antiques that can be used to create a unique wall collection such as postcards or antique flatware. Add items from nature, but be selective. Leave some space around your treasures for the eye to rest. If a wall or a room is cluttered no one can focus on your beautiful pieces – art or artifacts. So keep it simple that’s really important in modern country decor.

Relax

Above all, relax and enjoy the creative process. There are no rules in decorating that can’t be broken. Modern Country Decorating is a fantastic way to take a beloved home decorating style of the past, and give it a current twist.

Modern country might sound contradictory but it is a beautiful blend of relaxed and styled decor. We hope you love this look as much as we do!

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