Shades of Grey Can Transform Your Space into a Romantic Playground

Burlesque Table

Fifty Shades of Grey paints an opulent portrait of a steamy sexual relationship, but you don’t have to desire your own “red room” to incorporate some of Christian Grey’s lavish lifestyle choices into your personal space.  The fact is, just about all the décor you see in the industrialist’s lofty apartment is available from Elegant Interior Designs and can help set the right mood for romance.

A sensual space arises from a combination of furnishings, fabrics, art, layout, lighting, and colors.  Curved lines, like those of the Desire Sofa and Chair seen on-screen, can evoke the contours of the human body and deliver comfort, visual appeal, and a sense of extravagance.   Circles and amorphous shapes, maybe best illustrated by Grey’s Burlesque Table subliminally promote a free-flowing environment…one in which anything can happen.

Desire Sofa & Chair

Lighting, for its part, should be provocative rather than harsh, and if you can dim those lights, all the better.  Strategically placed floodlights and accent lights can create a climate conducive to seduction while putting the focus on other design elements.  Decorative sconces, such as the ribbon-like Chloe sconce seen in the film, can also add a dramatic flair to a subtle form of lighting.

Chloe Sconce

And dark, tasteful colors can provide aristocratic elegance to any space.  Grey is the new black, and shades of gray can create a mood that no white can duplicate.  Greys also make a dramatic backdrop for colorful art and other decorative pieces.

Vivre Sconce

Finally, don’t let your desire for desire overshadow your personal tastes.  Your style might run toward the flamboyant – like Christian Grey’s eye-catching Guilt Mirror – or the more staid, epitomized by the Sinful Cabinet.  You might go for spare seductiveness, embodied by the Exotica Dressing Table seen on-screen, or something more statement-making like the hexagonal Hypnotic Chandelier.  Other Grey-like pieces that can inject your individuality include the captivating, industrial Vivre Sconce or the nature-evoking Sequoia Table.

Most of us aren’t kinky titans of business, but you can implement these design choices; all you need is a romantic’s sensibility and an eye for things that make you feel good.  Many of the furnishings seen in the film are also available in a variety of fabrics, colors, or materials, so you’re not bound by some Hollywood set decorator’s vision of sensuality.

Of course, a creative designer can help you put it all together.  And if you just have to have that exact piece you saw on screen, Elegant Interior Designs can help with that too.

BEFORE and AFTER: Living Room

MAY 2013 – Pamela Kofsky of Elegant Interior Designs won Honorable Mention for the Interior Design Awards in Philadelphia for Singular Residential Design. In this category, a total of 2 awards were given. Below Pamela shares the story of the design process, before and after photos along with the room layouts.

“Honorable Mention” Residential Design

“My client dreamt of a new living room in her house that reflected a “club” like feel for entertaining.  The challenge was to create a whole new look on a limited budget while incorporating many of their heirloom antiques into the space.

The client felt that their room lacked personality, with the stark white drapery and tired-looking furniture.  Everything fell into place, however, as I resolved which pieces to utilize.  In replacing the seating, I was able to warm up the space with custom upholstery and pillows.  New draperies, new paint, and window seating gave the “club” like feel the client yearned for.  By creating this new window area, I was able to eliminate clutter and provide additional seating.  This decorating project came down to editing and refreshing the space with new accessories.

The client was ecstatic.  The final product exceeded her expectations on all levels!” – Pamela Kofsky

BEFORE/AFTER VIEW:

 BEFORE/AFTER VIEW:

Floor Plans, Before & After:

Sexiest Masculine Bathrooms

Who would have thought a bathroom could be sexy and masculine simultaneously?  We did!  Check out these bathrooms fit for celebrities. Let us know which celebrity you would match to the style bathroom. Below are a few of our favorite looks with our thoughts on which Hollywood celebrities might choose. We would love to hear your thoughts.

INDUSTRIAL LOOK – Bradley Cooper, fast track to A-list star.

Fall in Love with Fifty Shades of Grey

Valentine’s Day is this week and we just love how there are over Fifty Shades of Grey that are trending in design right now. Why not share with our readers why we fell in love with grey, I don’t mean Christian Grey but the color grey.  So for those ladies and gentlemen looking for a new look in 2013 here are a few things to get you excited and talking about grey.

• MASTER BEDROOM: Why not start in the bedroom, after all it is Valentine’s Day! Below’s image from Houzz is an example of using the entire pallet of grey including black in a master bedroom design.  Update your master bedroom by integrating silver lamps, picture frames, a chandelier, bedding or curtains.

•  MASTER BATHROOM: A great place to relax and step away from the business of life. Redo your space with a complete overhaul or simply update your faucet, mirrors and lighting fixtures. A quick and easy makeover is a splash of color and new linens but why stop there? Create a complete look from top to bottom.

Fifty Shades Darker

If you are one of our newsletter subscribers you were greeted with our “Fifty Shades of Grey” newsletter at the end of last year. Many of our readers loved the idea and play on words so we decided to continue the theme just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Fifty Shades of Grey is now Fifty Shades Darker as we explore the colors of grey to black used in interior design styles. Yes, you read that correctly black in design. The color black is an excellent way to add drama to a room, make a painting or sofa pop, or attract your eye to an area in the room or home. Here are 5 ways to incorporate black, the darker shade of grey, into your home this month:

1. Accent Lamp – Contrary to what you might think the use of a dark or black lampshade can drastically change the mood in a space to warm and inviting.
2. Kitchen Chairs – Trends have shifted in kitchen design. Many kitchens now feature an island with granite countertops and accent stools. Adding black kitchen stools or chairs can add a bang to your island effect.

“Fifty Shades of Grey”

Grey is by no means a new color, however we are seeing a lot more of it in design, patterns and materials throughout the design process in both fashion and interior decorating.

Adding Shades of Grey to your Home:

A light or dark shade of grey will make for a great accent wall in a living room, kitchen, office, bathroom and even the nursery. Using the concept of an accent wall select a dominant color on 3 walls and on the 4th wall, usually the featured wall with a piece of wall art or furniture use a darker shade of the color.

Other ways to incorporate softer or bolder shades of grey is through accent pieces and accessories in the room and home.

• Place Settings
• Throw Pillows
• Area Rugs
• Picture/Art Frames
• Vases

How about these amazing photographs from Houzz.com – featured below a few highlights from tile to accents to accessories to wall color.
Where would you like to add a splash of grey in your home?

Top 10 Trends in Interior Design by 2020

Ever wonder what Interior Design Trends will be in the future? We asked ourselves the same question and with a little digging we found a survey with opinions from across the industry. Here is an abbreviation of the survey:

 1. Americans will be living in smaller spaces and with fewer rooms by the year 2020, say more than 76% of IFDA members.

2. Formal living rooms are going extinct, according to an increasing majority of design professionals

3. Dining rooms will become multi-purpose spaces, incorporating home offices, study areas for children and entertainment centers.

4. Separate rooms are disappearing: they are blending into spaces that serve many different purposes, believe 91.5 % of the design experts

Paint with Color – Designer Tips

Did you catch September’s Newsletter? If so, then you must be anxious for the Painting Color Tips by your very own Pamela Kofsky, Color Consultant. Pam does offer a la carte services including a color consultation when selecting wall color for your next room.

Purpose of Space

• What is purpose of the space?
• What mood are you setting?
• Is this a high traffic area?
• Will the kids or pets make contact with the wall?

Selecting a Paint Color

• What is your color palette for your room/space?
• What are the other items in the room or space?
• Are you looking for a solid color or a two toned room?
• Are you looking at a WARM color palette or a COOL color palette?
  • WARM = Red, Orange, Yellow
  • COOL = Blue, Green, Purple

Selecting a Finish
Know your options, each option reflects light differently:

• Semi Gloss
• Gloss
• Matte
• Eggshell
• Flat
• Satin

Bedroom Bliss: MASTER SUITE

No Kids? Why not treat yourself to a modern upgrade? 

Is your master suite is stuck in the 70s, 80s or 90s? If you have waited long enough your bedroom might be back in style but it might be time to update the textiles in the room. Yes, you can work with existing furniture in your room and still have a successful makeover.  Focus on items that wear or may be outdated. Consider alternating existing room features: from wallpaper to paint, carpet to hardwood, floral to patterns, mirrors to framed art.  Don’t forget new linens, new wall color and finish, wall art, accessories and even refinishing your furniture a lighter or darker finish.

Tips for Getting Started:

•  Keep vs. Sell/Donate
•  Create a Color Palette
•  Furniture Placement/Room Layout
•  Flooring vs. Carpet
•  Wallpaper vs. Paint

 Things to Consider:

•   Lighting and Room Ambience – Softer Lights work Well
•  Explore Window Coverings, Shades, Blinds to Control Morning & Evening Light
•  Is there room for a sitting area or an extra room to convert to a sitting area?
•  Can you maximize natural light in your room?

Remember: A bedroom is meant to be a place of rest and comfort.

For Kid’s Room Ideas Check out our Kids Room Blog!

** Need help getting started? Seek Professional Help and you can Enter the Summer Room Makeover Contest!

Bedroom Bliss: KIDS

Believe it or not, another school year is just around the corner. As time flies and you may be realizing that your kids are all grown up.  Maybe the dinosaur, trains, or space themed bedroom is outdated, especially now they are entering middle school.  Below you will find tips for updating any bedroom space. Remember when it comes to your child’s room trends come and go quickly. If you are selecting a theme choose carefully unless you are OK with constantly updating the room to fit the age range.

 Tips for Kids Bedroom Makeover:

•  Bold Colors
•  Shapes
•  Patterns
•  Customized Wall Decals (Removable)
•  Window Treatments
•  Reversible Comforter

For Master Suite Ideas Click Here

** Need help getting started? Seek Professional Help and you can Enter the Summer Room Makeover Contest!