NO CLUTTER AND NO FRILLS DECORATING 101!

These wonderful photos come from a bright college student/photographer Kara Shurtliff, a fine arts senior with aspirations of being in the photo world when she graduates next spring. Kara mainly shoots portraits and weddings...but most recently just started shooting interiors. This is one of her first interiors shoots!

This three story home belongs to a couple and their baby daughter. The couple's style is very simple - no frills...none...clean...so clean...and no nonsense... really no nonsense. I like it.

All clutter is completely edited out...just the basics with a little design flair thrown in. As you can see, this lesson starts with basic good bones - very white walls with dark brown ebony wood floors. Then, throw in the essentials as far as furniture - sofas and chairs in white, tables and beds. Next, add in a few stylish accessories like the union jack pillow in the living room and the great chandelier in the nursery to bring in an element of posh design. Lastly, add a dose of few surprising pops of color and pattern here and there; here they sparingly added color into the mix like the red and white brocade wallpaper in the powder room, the fabulous blue laundry room cabinets and yellow round rug and the pale pink nursery and art that almost give off a slightly neon hue, to give a sense that the space doesn't just happen to look buttoned up but that it was in fact "decorated".

Below, please see a basic lesson in how home decor can be effective and not that complicated...No Frills No Clutter Decorating 101!

Lesson 1: Keep kitchen simple. White tall cabinetry flush to ceiling, stainless steel appliances, simple counter tops, white basic island stools.(above)

Lesson 2: Have fun with color in a normally drab space like a laundry room. Blue cabinets and a yellow rug make this small space a delight. (above and below)

Lesson 3: If there are any frills in no frills decorating, do it in the powder room. Red and white brocade wall paper and a Venetian style mirror make this little washroom feel delightfully designed (above)

Lesson 4: Keeping clutter and tons of design frills out of the nursery can make for a very modern and chic baby room. In this case, pale pink walls, simple art, a perfectly positioned love seat, a great white metal modern tole chandelier and of course a simple white crib come together nicely to create a very cool space for baby. Lucky baby. (above and below)


Lesson 5: A master bedroom is for sleeping not for staring at decor knick knacks. Take a basic wrought iron bed, a white almost quilted bedspread, a yellow quilted pillow and some simple side tables...and voila...you are done. (above)


Lesson 6: Add subtle accent colors and repeat them. In the master bedroom sitting area, the pillow on the chair. The frame of the artwork on the mantel. They compliment each other. (above)


Lesson 7: Make the master bathroom a spa retreat by keeping all of the bells and whistles down to a minimum. A crystal chandelier + stand alone claw foot tub + large hexagon mosaic tiles on the floor + neutral wall color + half paneled walls = done! (above)
If you follow this simple lesson plan, you too could get an "A" in No Frills Decorating 101!

Thank you Kara for these great photos! I know you will do very well after graduation in your photography career! Really appreciate it!

Dear readers, please let me know what you think about No Frills No Clutter Decorating. What do you like? What don't you like? What have you done in your home's design that embodies "no frills"? Please let me know.

Happy Monday! It is raining here btw! Way to start off the week?!#$^ Anyhooo, happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Please remember to follow me on twitter too!

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Write by: AN - Monday, October 4, 2010