Simple Christmas decorating

  Margaret Ryall

We all have our Christmas rituals and mine usually start December 1st..  I  always make something for my entrance first.   I am not one to overdo things.  I re-use what I have or forage in  my garden or the gardens of friends. Then I added some LED lighted twigs and silver balls and a hit of mesh ribbon.   The purple connects with my front door. The blown leaves remind me that we are between seasons.

Margaret Ryall

 Each year I allow myself one  or two new purchases and send at least one small bag of assorted objects to a local charity shop.   I'm extravagant this year with two purchases.  I've been looking for a plain wreath to change around each year and found this great one with LED lights  for 25% off at Canadian Tire.  This year the theme is snow flakes and silver... just because.

 

 Margaret Ryall

 This year I embraced our new Target ( very near my home) and purchased three  dark silver vases that you will be seeing around my house through out the coming seasons.  I love repetition in threes as you can see.   A little sparkle with red is refreshing.

   Margaret Ryall

I have a fondness for trays to corral objects into a composition.  This lovely white one was a gift from my husband last year. It has silver leaf leaves and birds on it (see below). 

Candles are always a must at Christmas time and I usually arrange those I have on a tray, add in some flowers and ornaments and call it a day.  I am still fiddling with this arrangement and I may need to invest in some new candles  because these are looking a little worn.  There's nothing like a photo to help you refine a composition.   The finials are going and I must put in one more pillar for a chubby candle.     Love plain white mini carnations because they last forever.

 

 The new  version with finials removed. Looking better.  Every time I pass by I move something!

That's it until December 14 when I usually add the second layer of decoration and put up the tree.

I hope you are putting a little sparkle in your home. 

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Open-Plan Apartment With A Very Fresh And Cheerful Interior

It’s been a while since I had to take a look at a Nordic apartment and I have to say that they’re just as beautiful as I remembered. Today’s subject is this spacious apartment. It has a surface of 73 square meters which is plenty of space, especially when you think of the fact that Nordic homes are usually airy and spacious no matter their size.

 The thing that I really about this particular apartment is the color palette. Of course, you’ll say that it’s the usual combination of white with a few touches of color.

 That’s true but I really like the fact that those touches of color are not the usual strong shades but rather light shades that add a touch of freshness to the space.For example, that area rug from the nursery is not blue but light blue and it’s strong and vibrant and the orange pendant light is semi-transparent.

 The apartment is very airy which is to be expected from a Nordic apartment. The floor has a light color and the walls are white. The living room and the kitchen and dining space are all part of the same open plan and there are no walls between them which emphasize the ease with which you get to socialize and interact with everyone in those spaces.
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 The furniture in the apartment is nicely chosen. Notice the textile sofas and the simplicity of the designs. They all work together to make this space comfortable and welcoming.{found on site}.

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One-Room Scandinavian Apartment With An Interesting Layout

Although moving into a one-room apartment is not something I would ever consider, I have to admit that there are plenty of such spaces that look amazing consider the actual size. They have homey and inviting interiors and they look surprisingly spacious. Some also have very interesting and ingenious layouts, like this Scandinavian apartment for example.

 The distribution of the spaces and the layout are definitely interesting. The interior décor is quite unusual as well. It’s a combination of modern and rustic. The exposed brick walls definitely add a rustic touch to the whole space and they make it feel more warm and cozy while the minimalist modern furniture and some of the other features create a strong contrast throughout but also contribute to an overall balanced décor.

 This is an apartment that basically has two levels. The bottom level is the main living space which includes the living room and the kitchen as well as an intimate dining area. The top level is tiny and it basically only contains the sleeping area. It has a bed and a sconce and nothing more.You can access the sleeping area via a small staircase and it’s not actually a separate room because it’s not fully enclosed. Underneath this sleeping area is a work space with a small desk and a chair.-Via

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Attic Apartment With Generous Skylights And Nice Views

I have to say that attic apartments aren’t my favorite type. They just seem like they could have had much more space inside but they don’t because of the roof. But there are also good things that can be said about attic apartments and about this one in particular. The shape of the roof gives you the opportunity to include many skylights into its design, as you can see in this case.

 The skylights let in natural light but they also connect you with the exterior at a very special level. Also, even though the roof means lack of space which could be used for storage or for something else, its presence also makes the apartment feel a little cozier and very inviting.

The walls and ceiling are white and the floor has a dark shade of brown which I personally love. It contrasts with the walls and it also gives elegance to the space. Smart storage solutions were found for everything in the apartment. You can see lots of shelves and cabinets placed in strategic areas and in all the corners of the apartment, in spaces which would otherwise remain empty.{found on alexanderwhite}.

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Former Soap Factory Converted Into Beautiful Loft Apartments In Milan

We’ve seen many old factories and commercial spaces which got transformed into private residences or apartments but we’ve never seen a soap factory in this position. There’s a first for everything so here we are, talking about what used to be an old soap factory in the center of Milan Italy. The factory is now a series of loft apartments and gives us no clue about its past and initial role.

 But let’s focus on a specific loft and take a closer look at it. This is a space transformed by industrial designer Federic Gooris and Architect Werner Silvestri. It’s a dream home for its owners and a great family residence.

 As you can see, there’s a strong industrial vibe here and that’s no surprise considering the designer that worked on the project. But the space is also modern, simple and very chic. The arches brick ceilings and the wooden floors are amazing and very charming.

What’s nice and interesting about this space is the combination of simple, raw and glamorous details. The space serves as a home and office for the family that owns it. It has an interesting layout with a glass-encased staircase with a very elegant and chic vibe. The living area is where it’s easiest to notice elements that are reminiscent of the building’s past such as the factory-style windows.-Via

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Pure White Apartment In Russia With A Tranquil Interior

This is loft_9, an apartment situated in Moscow, Russia. It’s an interesting space because of the interior design. The apartment was a project developed by ARCH.625. As you can see, the color palette the team chose for this space is not very rich in shades. It’s mostly based on white, a pure and simple color which doesn’t transmit much in terms of emotion.

 Because the interior of the apartment is almost entirely white, it tends to look a little cold and uninviting. It’s a feeling you usually get when you step into a hospital and it tends to get generalized to any other space with a white interior.

 However, the cleanliness and simplicity of this space are part of the décor for another reason. The idea was to turn this apartment into a very tranquil and serene space and white was the perfect color for that. Some contrast was needed so black accent details were introduced.

 The dimensions of the apartment were not very large so, in order to maintain an airy and open feel throughout, the different functions were not separated with walls but with room dividers. This way the zones communicate with one another and form a large social space with the possibility of enclosing certain areas for privacy.

 Another detail that makes this apartment so serene and tranquil is the beauty of the simple and clean lines and the delicacy of the curved lines featured in the form of furniture and accessories.-Via

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