How to Mix Styles for the Brooklyn Brownstone Look

As a historic borough and the epicenter of the affluent artisan movement, Brooklyn is home to a unique design style that effortlessly combines pre-war architecture and organic, modern décor. Interested in recreating the look in your home? Read on for our tips!

In this Park Slope brownstone, The Brooklyn Home Company highlighted the wall paneling by lining each rectangle with a tone-on-tone Greek key wallpaper pattern. Though all the original moldings are preserved, the space feels fresh and current, thanks to graphic prints and bright colors.

If you don’t happen to reside in a 200-year-old building, you can still get the look! Molding panels are relatively easy to install, and using them to frame out wallpaper is a budget-friendly way to add a luxe, custom element to your home.

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Blair Harris Interior Design kept the parquet flooring and marble mantelpiece in this Cobble Hill townhouse, but modernized the space with mid-century elements like a wood and brass wall unit, a brass six-arm chandelier and a Danish-inspired coffee table. The neutral armchair and linen-slipcovered sofa keep the room from going too mod, and the botanical wallpaper provides a light and airy contrast to the dark built-ins.

Mid-century modern décor looks fabulous paired with pre-war details, but if you don’t want to dive all the way into the 1950s/1960s look, transitional furniture (a mix between traditional and contemporary) will even things out.

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This relaxed-chic home is technically in Chelsea, not Brooklyn, but it so clearly personifies the traditional-meets-organic vibe that we had to include it anyway. The 1950s rattan ottoman, Scandinavian chairs and custom marble coffee table are perfectly balanced with an antique mirror, oversized original windows, and a white oak sofa.

When mixing different styles of furniture, it helps to unify the pieces with at least one element. In this case, it’s the height – everything is low and laid-back.

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When the color palette is limited, it allows for more creativity in patterns and styles, as seen in this sun-kissed townhouse. Natural light pours in from both ends of the building, and the warm woods, antiqued gold tones and soft yellows feel right at home. With only black and white as accents, it’s easy to combine a tribal rug and a crystal chandelier. They’re united by the consistency in hues.

To replicate this look in your home, choose one consistent color family for your furniture and finishes, then layer in contrasting elements like art and throw pillows to your heart’s content.

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Which one of these stylish spaces is your favorite?

Photo Sources: The Brooklyn Home Company, Blair Harris Interior Design, The New York Times Style Magazine, Domino.

Related Articles:

How to Mix Bold Patterns to Express Your Individuality

Charlotte Moss’ Exclusive Tips: How to Combine Design Styles Like a Pro

A Grown Up Brownstone in Brooklyn Heights

Roman and Williams-Designed Brooklyn Brownstone is an Eclectic Mix of Curiosities

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Game of Thrones: Decor Inspired by the Women of Westeros

Now that the Game of Thrones Season 5 finale has come and gone, it’s time to reflect upon the events of the past 10 episodes. The men of Westeros had their important roles to play, but this season, it was the women who really moved the plot forward. We were inspired by their courage, their resilience, and … OK, fine – their fashion sense, too.

Read on without fear of spoilers. We’re looking at decor inspired by the women of Game of Thrones.

When this deadly Dornish trio isn’t out seeking vengeance, the Sand Snakes dress in the style of the region: light, loose garments in shades of yellow, orange and pink. Adornments include delicate beading and woven ikat. We can see Obara, Nymeria and Tyene resting in this room after a long day of stealth, sun and revenge.

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Having graduated from the leather garb required of a Dothraki Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen has recently started dressing like a queen. In her case, this means contemporary gowns with clean lines and monochromatic elegance. Daenerys is too busy ruling Meereen to find time for accessories, you know? We think that if she were decorating her living room today, she’d keep it simple and functional with a few stylish elements, like the modern damask wallpaper above.

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Hailing from a fertile region called Highgarden, Margaery Tyrell and her family are represented by the sigil of a golden rose. Margaery’s gowns often feature a subtle floral design, and she displays her wealth with luxurious blue silks and brocades. We’ve never seen Margaery’s childhood bedroom, but we imagine it might feature botanical prints, an elegant mirrored nightstand and abundant flower motifs.

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As the former queen of Westeros and a daughter of the powerful House Lannister, Cersei is formidable and fearless. She’d have no qualms about mixing red snakeskin hood chairs with damask panels, metallic Art Deco wallpaper, and a peacock blue settee. Can’t you just see her holding court in this bold dining room?

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If you could emulate the fashion and taste of any Westeros woman, which would it be?

Photo Sources: Decorative Bedroom, NOQTR, Veranda, Lisa Gilmore-Sarnowski. All Game of Thrones photos via HBO.

Related Articles:

Mood Board Monday: Game of Thrones Inspired Decor

Decorating with Trellis Patterns Inspired by Exotic Locations

32 Brilliant Home Decor Items Inspired by Game of Thrones

What Game of Thrones Decorating Style Are You?

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Aquamarine, Turquoise & Blue-Green Decor for Summer

Pantone’s lead color for Spring/Summer 2015 is aquamarine, and what could be a better choice as we all begin to crave a day on the water? We rounded up some blue-green products for bringing a serene, tranquil vibe into your home.

A large-scale ikat is the main pattern in this eclectic dining room, with all the other textiles pulling colors from within it. A brown rug grounds the space while soft blue-green trim draws the eye upwards, recreating the feel of the great outdoors.

In this casual lake house, the blue-green grasscloth on the walls creates an interesting texture behind the grid of simple botanical prints and evokes visions of the pristine water just outside the doors.

The teal, aquamarine and sand hues on this powder room accent wall transport us directly to a sunny, tropical beach.

2014 Sneak Peek: New Collections with Ethnic Style

Lee Jofa’s Karenza Collection

What happens when you mix traditionally inspired designs with today’s top interior design trends? — Lee Jofa’s Karenza collection! A refreshing line of fabrics in bold color and versatile textures, these patterns reflect the current movement of combining eclectic patterns. We like Muscat & Mevlevi.

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Christie van der Haak for S. Harris

Esteemed artist Christie van der Haak goes from the canvas to the loom with her new fabric collection for S. Harris. Reflective of traditional African textiles, Christie’s patterns are a vision in symmetry & meticulous design. She invites you to “transform a residence into a palace,” with prints like Naila.

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Ankasa for Beacon Hill

Sachin & Babi Ahluwalia, the designers behind interior decor brand Ankasa, have been a force in the design world for over a decade. Recently, the duo collaborated with Beacon Hill to create modern fabrics that showcase the exquisite embellishments and rich global perspective of India. Go neutral with Sedona Ikat or colorful with Mela Stripe.

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Kravet’s Jaipur Collection

Infused with the elements of tribal textiles, Kravet’s new Jaipur collection features a full range of brightly colored prints like ikats, suzanis and Jacobean florals. These versatile cotton and linen fabrics are a cinch to decorate with, as they are designed to be mixed and matched. Try Mengikat with Ajanta.

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Photo Sources:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

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How To Mix & Match Patterns In A Dining Room

Create an inviting dining room that reflects your individual style by mixing and matching different patterns.

1. Balancing Act: Offset The Scales

Photo via HGTV

Hanging an over sized fretwork wallpaper and upholstering chairs with a small trellis print works beautifully in this space.  The tawny color of the chairs picks up on the gold of the wallpaper and the ceiling, and brightens the room. When selecting two strong geometric or trellis patterns, make sure the colors complement each other and the scales are different sizes. Upholstering the back of the dining chairs with a floral softens the room and introduces accent colors. To design a cohesive room, choose a floral fabric that has hints of the same aqua as the wallpaper and use a hot pink trim on the drapery to tie together the floral fabric and artwork.

Recreate your own lively dining room with these fabulous fabrics, trim, and wallpaper:

Schumacher’s Union Square – Citron Fabric

Clarke & Clarke’s Romana – Fuchsia Fabric

Fabricut’s La Luna – Candy Trim

Nina Campbell’s Stradivari – 04 Wallpaper

2. Playing With Patterns

Photo via HGTV

Center an eclectic and sophisticated dining room with a large, bold ikat fabric. Upholstered onto both sides of the chair, this large ikat provides the color palette for the walls, drapes, and rug. Chose an ikat with several neutral and accent colors. The painted tree enhances the red and yellow accent colors and the aqua molding picks up on the hints of blue green found in the fabric. The rug and the furniture will complement the natural ground color. This idea is perfect for a dining room that opens up into another space since there are many color options to coordinate. Add accent pillows of the same ikat from the dining room to the connected sitting area to unify the adjoining areas.

For a similar look, pair a large ikat with a wallpaper featuring a tree motif and turquoise linen drapery:

Kravet’s 31336 – 915 Fabrics

Fabricut’s Clifton – Caribbean Fabric

Kravet’s 31316 – 916 Fabric

Schumacher’s Twiggy – Raspberry Wallpaper

3. Change With The Seasons

Photo via Roomations

A bay window is perfect for alternative dining seating; Simply push the table against the window seat and add chairs with seat cushions that match the pillows in the window. Soft grey grasscloth wallpaper and black and white floral drapes create a contemporary palette that allows you to switch out colorful pillows and chair cushions each Season. Spice up the black and white decor with zebra accents.

Utilize your window seat for a casual dining area with these black, white, and hot pink fabrics:

Fabricut’s Peony Rose – Graphite Fabric

Fabricut’s Luxury Silk – Azalea Fabric

Robert Allen’s African Safari – Zebra Fabric

Phillip Jeffries’ Bermuda Hemp – Elephant Wallpaper

Mix and match your favorite colors and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind dinging room with decor as unique as you! Shop fabrics and wallpapers online at DecoratorsBest.com.

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4 Tips To Transform Your Attic Into A French Garret

Do you have an attic in your home that you have yet to decorate? Or do you live in a tiny studio apartment?  Channel your inner Bohemian and transform your space into a garret fit for a French artiste. Garrets are traditionally small living quarters that were generally in attics and inhabited by poets, painters, and writers. Here are some ideas on how to create your own garret:

Sometimes its nice to escape to your own space where you can relax and read a book, and a refurbished attic is an ideal spot to do so. Emphasize the unique quality of angled ceilings by using a statement light blue wallpaper. To get the eclectic artist ambiance, use a mix of of patterns. Here the warm color of the tapestry fabric mixes well with the cool color of the small tiled wallpaper pattern. The painting over the fireplace is the focal point and utilizes both color shades.

Photo via Architectural Digest

Cole & Son Wallpaper – Piccadilly – Soft Blue

Scalamandre Fabric – Highland Fling – Browns and Blue

Painters living in garrets displayed their own art. Recreate history by hanging an array of pictures on one wall. To continue this diverse look throughout the rest of the room, mix textures and patterns such as velvet and florals, tying it together with a few throw pillows.

Photo via HouseBeautiful

Fabricut Fabric – Babette – Rose

Highland Court – 180895H – Apricot

Greenhouse Fabric – 99392 – Bluebell

Guest Bedroom

An attic is the perfect place for a guest bedroom. The French Country look is a great way to provide down-home hospitality, which the following two bedrooms exemplify. Try using patterns with small florals, plush quilting, and ticking stripes in the same color family or mix it up by using complimentary colors.

Photo via http://www.chicagohomemag.com

Fabricut Fabric – Toulouse – La Mer

Pindler & Pindler Fabric – Ikat Dot – Orchid

Fabricut Fabric – Flamme De France – Hemp

Photo via http://www.interiorholic.com

Fabricut Fabric – Bouton De Rose – Bleu

Fabricut Fabric – Quilted Velvet – Serene

Robert Allen Fabric – Oxford Unquilt – Powder

Like the French Look?

Check Out

Fabricut’s French General Collection

and

Ralph Lauren’s Left Bank Collection