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BRING ON THE BLING!
January 16, 2015
Adding a bit of sparkle should not be limited to the holidays. The dark and dull days of winter are a great time to consider adding some bling to your interiors. Shiny, reflective, sparkly or shimmery elements can transform a bland or dated space into an exciting and unique environment. Reflective metals, colored glass and shimmery window treatments can add life to interior spaces every day of the year.
For some people, the mere mention of bling conjures images of Liberace and over-the-top theatrical ornamentation. While it is true that a little bit of bling goes a long way, it’s equally true that sparkling and reflective elements offer sophisticated brilliance when used appropriately. Here are some considerations for reinventing a “ho-hum” space by adding bling in a way that expresses your personality and style.
- A great start is adding a few shiny or glowing accessories. Some easy and relatively inexpensive options include replacing old cabinet knobs with glass, mirrored or crystal alternatives, hanging a sparkling, gem-encrusted mirror on a blank wall or simply adding some new throw pillows with metallic threads or colored gemstone detailing.
- Brass is slowly making its way back into the modern design realm – however it’s resurfacing in new forms such as aged bronze or antique brass. To avoid a dated look, we recommend limiting shinier versions of this metal to accessories, decorative lighting elements, mirror frames or curtain rods which typically reflect a new interpretation of the vintage gold look.
- Opportunities for incorporating bling also extend to window treatments where metallic threads are sometimes woven into the fabric or colored gems and metallic studs are added as decorative elements. Introducing a bit of bling is a great option for adding an unexpected, noteworthy element to an otherwise traditional, tailored application. Accessories that sparkle and shine can also be used with tiebacks or as decorative studs on a window valence or the headboard for a bed.
Recessed lighting is often being replaced with more decorative, statement lighting in today’s interiors. One example is “Sputnik lights,” like the examples at right from Restoration Hardware and Houzz.com which offer modern interpretations of retro lighting inspired by last century’s space race.
- The recent prevalence of grays in interior design (see our earlier blog) has corresponded with a myriad of new metallic variations of the palette for light fixtures, kitchen backsplashes, decorative accessories and even furniture. Nickel gray provides a chic, neutral look, while attention-grabbing silver supplies more sparkle. You can even mix the types of metals you use to add depth and visual appeal for a variety of design styles and color palettes. Metallic elements can blend seamlessly with natural materials like wood and weathered brick or equally well with sleek, contemporary elements like glass and polished stone.
Bringing on the bling, even if you start with just one item, will help create the “wow” factor for your space. Just keep in mind that these shiny, sparkly attention-getters should be carefully selected to complement and enhance your individual design style. Always start with a foundation of classic pieces and then mix in a few statement items. Limit particularly “trendy” pieces to features that can be changed out fairly easily and inexpensively.
Charlotte Stoudt, IIDA, LEED AP, has 16 years of experience as a commercial interior designer. She believes that a bit of bling helps to create a lasting impression in the spaces she designs. You can see some of her latest inspirations, like those below, on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/fitnessndesign/.
