You may have seen the TV commercials where a man is cleaning out his garage and he happens to catch a glimpse of what looks like a pottery barn on the way. In the background you can hear him say, “This is not my house, this is my Pottery Barn!” That was the beginning of his transformation from a country boy to contemporary home style. When he finishes cleaning it out, he says to himself, “I sure did make some good choices when I chose this contemporary home style over country style.”
One of the things that appeals to people about contemporary home style is how easy it is to decorate. In fact, many people find it is a lot less stressful to decorate in this style because there are fewer decisions to be made. It just so happens that most of the style tips for contemporary decor come from country folks who have been able to relax and take their relaxed style and make it work for their homes. Most country folks have their biggest influences from their childhoods and their homes. Here are some contemporary home style tips for your consideration:
Accent Your Style With a Contemporary Look – First of all, if you have some art Deco lighting in your home you can pull it all together with a contemporary look. Remember, contemporary means modern without being overly trendy. Contemporary can mean different things to different people, but the idea is that contemporary decor is sleek and organized. Don’t try and mix too many different styles or fads into one. Keep it simple and clean and let your personality shine through.
Add Some Color – When using contemporary decor, be sure that you do not add too much color. There is a fine balance between too much color (washed out) and not enough color (too dull). If you feel you cannot handle too much color in your home, then stick to light pastels or pale greys. This will give you a more spacious look and keep your place looking live.
Look at the Artwork – Pick pieces that have colors and designs that really appeal to you. If you love Native American pottery, then pick pieces that have red and white florals. If you like the Native American style, then choose pieces that have earth tones and yellows. Look at pieces you really love, then look at other pieces and see what pops out. What style is pottery barn? If it looks good to you, then it is probably a good fit!
Furniture is the centerpiece – Look for pieces of furniture that will anchor your theme. An Indian pottery barn would not look good without a few Indian figurines and drums. If you want to create a rustic look, then choose pieces with wood accents. A western theme can look great with horseback racks, cowboy chairs and tables. Look for items that will blend well with your style of furniture.
Use Color Pallet Racks – When you choose your pottery, select pieces that are large enough to use a pallet rack. Then, stack them to make a colorful, dimensional piece that accents your colorful floors and walls. If you want a very southwestern feel, then add some bold, warm tones to your palette. If you want an antique feel, then go for rich wood tones.
Your decorating skills are the deciding factor in what style is pottery barn? The first step is determining what your style is. Next, choose your color palette and finally select the pieces you want to use as accessories. Remember to pick pieces that are in your price range. You can create a beautiful and functional space by following these simple steps. Once you get a feel for how this style of pottery works, you can move on to more complicated projects such as turning your space into a working pottery studio!