2019 Living Room Trends – Endless Inspiration!

2019 Living Room Trends – Endless Inspiration!

Interior Decorating, Interior Design, Living Room

Design Trends for 2019

If you’ve been following along with my favorite Home Design Trends for 2019 Series you know I’ve already taken an in-depth look at the latest kitchen and bathroom trends. This month I’ll complete the series by educating you on this year’s hottest living room design trends. My hope is you’ll find some ideas and inspiration to make your living room the talk of the town!

I often tell my clients that if they could only pick one room in the house to pour their heart and soul into, it should be the living room.

It’s the one room that sets the tone for the rest of the house. If this is the year that your living room is getting a makeover, there are many new options.   Whether you’ve decided to go more modern or revert back to traditional, keep reading to learn what’s new in living room style!

“I always put in one controversial item. It makes people talk.” – Dorthy Draper

Spanish Style

 

For those who miss traditional décor…it’s back with a vengeance! The trend started with designers adding Moroccan and Mexican paver tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. However, we are just at the forefront of this latest style trend.   When you think of a Spanish style living room, you may envision earthy tones, bright patterns, and Moroccan colors.  However, implementing a Spanish-inspired style also includes white plaster walls, linen upholstery and natural wood elements with touches of wrought iron. This style is a reproduction of old Hollywood and incorporates some modern elements as well. So, it’s very easy to mix in some transitional pieces. In the picture above, the drum shades, lamps, and Moroccan style metal tables add just a hint of modern in this 2019 Spanish style living room.

Mix and Match it Up!


Designers are tired of the tried and true neutral palate, so they’re kicking it up a notch!  Instead of playing it safe, they are mixing it up by incorporating various patterns and textures and adding pops of color. The key to pulling off this style is to start with a large-scaled colorful fabric. This is the jumping off point…the place you will begin to build your color and design scheme. Once this is established, the next step is to incorporate a second color with accessories.  Use a smaller scale pattern (like stripes or florals) in the pillows for a cohesive and balanced look.  The final step is to add a variety of textures like leather and linen. This creates depth and sophistication.  Remember everything does not have to match perfectly… that is what makes “mix and match” living rooms so hot this year!

Wood Accent Walls


When you think of wood walls, you may think of your grandparent’s den with its outdated judges paneling. But this year wood walls are all the rage. It all began with shiplap when Joanna Gaines introduced us to the farmhouse trend. However, today wood paneled accent walls are showing up everywhere and transcending all decorating styles.  Designers are specifying all types of wood species in various patterns such as Chevron, brick, and houndstooth.  The natural element of wood is such a spectacular show stopper and is a great way to update your living room this year without breaking the budget.

Divide, Open and Beautify Your Space


The open floor plan in home construction and renovation is the new norm in home design.  Adding contemporary room dividers made of glass and steel is the ultimate compliment to this trend. These sleek and classic walls allow light to pass between the rooms while still providing some privacy and noise control. What a stylish and elegant contrast to an otherwise typical floor plan.  I think this trend is here to stay for a while and we will be seeing a lot more of these wonderful movable walls in home décor.

Go for the Bold and Unexpected


Interior design has come a long way from the white walls and the beige carpet of yesteryear. Today designers are going for bold statements that take a turn toward the darker, deeper and moodier shades of navy, black and jewel tones. If you’re looking to change your living room décor this year, paint the room in a darker hue.   Step out of our comfort zone and paint the walls and trim the same color. When painting a room all one color, select an eggshell finish for the walls, and a semigloss finish for the trim. This will create a uniformed look while adding depth and sophistication.  For more drama, select a value or two lighter on the ceiling or just stay with white.

Melanie Serra, Interior Designer & Home Stager
Melanie Serra, Interior Decorator, Certified Color, Redesign and Staging Instructor

Award-winning decorator and stylist Melanie Serra has been reviving interiors for over 17 years and has worked with clients in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Melanie Serra’s approach to interior design is fresh and innovative transforming residential and commercial interiors from Now to WOW!

Melanie Serra Interiors - 770-714-3430

Contact me today

Kitchen Trends for 2019 -Part 2

Kitchen Trends for 2019 -Part 2

Interior Decorating, Interior Design, Kitchen

Part 2 – Kitchen Trends for 2019

tile backsplash

A Fresh Look to Something Old

Subway tile is still very popular. However, pattern and installation are key. We are seeing kitchen backsplashes (and shower stalls) in herringbone, stacked, crosshatched and chevron patterns.  Darker grout in gray, navy and black make the pattern more pronounced.

Indoor/Outdoor Kitchens…

are creating a buzz! Designers are finding new ways to expand the kitchen to the outdoors.  Instead of the typical single door, they are creating disappearing walls with large sliding and collapsible doors to increase living space. Homeowners love this blurring of inside and out.

Corner countertop cabinets

Dead space, and hard to reach kitchen cabinets are being revived and transformed.  Now ceiling to countertop cabinets are being designed and anchored with a bottom drawer. These new corner cabinets create the perfect storage for those quick-grab items that were hard to find or reach.

Black is Back!

For years designers and color consultants have been confident that black can turn any room into an elegant and luxurious showpiece. Homeowners are finally embracing the dramatic color in their kitchen. Black cabinets, paired with white walls, countertops, and backsplashes are adding a high-end, sophisticated look to new kitchen designs.

What’s Your Angle?

Typically, most kitchen islands are rectangular in shape.  New kitchen layouts are being created to modify the shape of the room and to include more work and storage space.  Good design means throwing away convention and stepping out of the square …or in this case, the rectangle box.

Moroccan Tile

For the floor or backlash, Moroccan tile is the newest take on tile. Whether your style is traditional, eclectic, or contemporary, there’s a way to incorporate Moroccan inspiration into your kitchen. This timeless tile adds color, pattern a, d versatility.

A kitchen makeover does wonders to increase the value of your home, but more importantly, it’s the place where families and friends gather to do life together.

I hope you have enjoyed this month’s blog.

If your needing help with a kitchen redo or remodel. I’m here to help!

Stay tuned for my next blog where I’ll discuss the latest bathroom trends for 2019! 

Melanie Serra, Interior Designer & Home Stager
Melanie Serra, Interior Decorator, Certified Color, Redesign and Staging Instructor

Award-winning decorator and stylist Melanie Serra has been reviving interiors for over 17 years and has worked with clients in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Melanie Serra’s approach to interior design is fresh and innovative transforming residential and commercial interiors from Now to WOW!

Melanie Serra Interiors - 770-714-3430

Contact me today

Kitchen Trends for 2019 – Part 1

Kitchen Trends for 2019 – Part 1

Interior Decorating, Interior Design, Kitchen

Kitchen Trends for 2019 – Part 1

Whether your home is a simple ranch or an elegant Georgian, one thing remains true, transitional style still rules. This style is a balance between traditional and modern. While it incorporates many trends, it also freshens interiors without straying too far from the familiar. It’s timeless and ages well! Transitional kitchens are all the rage in 2019. With so many new collections of materials, colors and innovative cabinetry, this trend is here to stay.

 

Window Walls

Homeowners across Atlanta are opting to remove upper cabinets for windows walls to bring in natural light and accentuate the outdoors.  Thus, kitchen designers are creating deep drawers on the perimeter and base cabinets for extra storage.

 

Full Tiled Focal Walls

A full tiled backsplash becomes a feature wall that draws the eye.  Anything goes, from Moroccan patterns to stacked subway tile. Buying a few extra square feet vs. purchasing a group of upper cabinets, is so much more cost effective and looks very high end.

 

Go Against the Grain

Wood on wood is becoming more and more popular, thanks to the farmhouse trend of the last years. Medium wood tones are making a comeback. Wood adds charm and warmth to a kitchen and pairs well with gray and white cabinets and walls.

 

No Two Whites are the Same

There is no denying that light colored cabinets are a favorite choice in kitchen design.  Instead of bright white, opt for an off-white or cream cabinetry to create impact. In the kitchen above, the cream cabinets pair perfectly to its crisp white walls, while the wood floors warm up the space.

 

No End in Sight for Quartz

The timeless look of quartz continues to be the #1 choice in countertops. Mimicking the look of more expensive countertops like marble and slate, quartz is still the most requested material in kitchen remodels.

 

 

Bold Color Reins

Darker jewel tones such as teal and emerald are bold and beautiful!  Adding a deep pop of color will anchor the island and create a more subdued color palette.
No matter how we look at it, from want-to-be chefs, too busy families, the kitchen is the center of everything that speaks HOME. It’s the room where function and beauty go hand in hand.
Melanie Serra, Interior Designer & Home Stager
Melanie Serra, Interior Decorator, Certified Color, Redesign and Staging Instructor

Award-winning decorator and stylist Melanie Serra has been reviving interiors for over 17 years and has worked with clients in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Melanie Serra’s approach to interior design is fresh and innovative transforming residential and commercial interiors from Now to WOW!

Melanie Serra Interiors - 770-714-3430

Contact me today

Choosing the Right Gray Paint

Choosing the Right Gray Paint

Color, Interior Decorating

Gray ” it’s” the trendiest color of the moment. 

What was previously thought of as a gloomy day color, gray is now the picture of sophistication and elegance, the go-to neutral.

How do you go about choosing the right gray paint?

It’s definitely the most difficult color to pick.  It can look baby blue to beige to purple depending on the light and placement.  Here are a few tips on how to choose the right gray paint for your room! (more…)

Staging Your Home with Vignettes

Staging Your Home with Vignettes

Decorating Tips, Home Staging, Interior Decorating

What is a Vignette?

Vignette staging is a terrific way to stage a home to create buyer appeal and save the seller time and money.  This is a great way to create the right atmosphere and mood with just a few accessories.

You may be wondering, “What is a vignette?”

Vignettes are small scenes that create a focus, set a mood, and describe something in a brief but elegant way. Vignettes give the potential buyer reason to linger in a room and use their imagination to glimpse the “lifestyle” that can be theirs if they purchase your home.  They can be especially valuable in rooms that need a focal point or are lacking interest. They also show a potential buyer how a space might function or be used in areas that are not easily defined.

The photos below are examples of two vignettes that I created for my clients:

Vignettes Ideas
I’d like to share with you some successful ideas on building creative vignette displays.

These vignettes are not typical, typical is blah and ordinary. It’s important to think outside the box and create eye-catching displays that will “WOW’ the buyer.  Vignettes need to make a great first impression and entice the buyer.

 

 

 

 

 

By The Room – Vignettes Ideas

Porch or Desk

  • Set out a glass of iced tea with the newspaper and a pair of sunglasses

Back Yard

  • Set up a game of croquet in the backyard.

Kitchen

  • Set up a Mommy and me baking/cooking display
  • Create a tea party display (see the above photo)

Family Room

  • Game night-set up a puzzle, a board game, or a hand of solitaire.
  • Movie night-popcorn, movie candy-place a bowl of popcorn, a video and a couple of cans of soda on a coffee table.

Dining Room

  • Set up a wine tasting party display
  • Create a birthday party theme-Place stacks of china out on the dining table with a floral centerpiece and wrapped packages.

Master Bedroom

  • Create Elegant Evening Out / Opera night:  Place black gloves, a pearl necklace and a black evening gown next to opera tickets and a playbill program
  • Romantic lighting, Tiffany box on the pillow

Laundry Room

  • Stack white towels in textured baskets
  • Place white laundry detergent in old-fashioned glass candy jar containers

It’s so important to create enticing vignettes when staging a home.  As the seller, the feeling you will want to foster in a buyer is comfort, happiness, and stress-free living. Vignettes are a way to reinforce this response. Vignettes bring in more offers, and help to facilitate a quick sale.

Melanie Serra, Interior Designer & Home Stager
Melanie Serra, Interior Decorator, Certified Color, Redesign and Staging Instructor

Award-winning decorator and stylist Melanie Serra has been reviving interiors for over 17 years and has worked with clients in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Melanie Serra’s approach to interior design is fresh and innovative transforming residential and commercial interiors from Now to WOW!

Melanie Serra Interiors - 770-714-3430

Contact me today

What color should I paint my house exterior?

What color should I paint my house exterior?

Color, Decorating Tips, Interior Decorating, Paint

Pick-a-Paint Tips – How to pick a house paint color.

Each home has a unique calling card of its own, whether it’s a classic Bungalow or a charming Tudor. It’s just a matter of time before a house needs a fresh coat of paint to recapture its classic characteristic charm. The perfect exterior color palette goes a long way in providing curb appeal and creating a neighborhood showpiece.

How to pick a house paint color?

When you factor in the thousands of color choices and their values it can be a daunting task. On top of that, one must understand undertones and how color reacts to light, texture and weather conditions.

Selecting the wrong exterior paint colors can affect the entire neighborhood. So it’s important to get it right the first time to avoid costly mistakes and humiliation. The tips below can provide color confidence in selecting the perfect exterior color scheme.

Pick Just Three

When narrowing down your exterior color choices, keep it to just three.


Field Color – Large areas such as siding (hardie plank). The field color will be the base for choosing your trim and accent colors.


Trim Color – Corner boards, window trim, fascia, etc. Trim color can make or break your color scheme. Keeping trim lighter than the field color is always a safe bet. Pay attention to trends such as with the new farmhouse style where it is common to paint gutters, downspouts, and windows in dark brown or black. This is a great look, however, trends come and go. So, if you are planning to sell in a few years its best to select white or neutral.


Accent Color – Doors, shutters, and other architectural features. The accent color is where you can incorporate a bit of personality. An eye-catching accent color can give an otherwise muted color scheme pizzaz.

Use Fixed Elements as a Guide

This is the jumping off place to start your color palate. Use a fixed element such as the brick, mortar, cedar shakes, stone, pavers, roof shingles, wood columns etc. to establish the color scheme. There is usually more than one color (undertone) in natural materials. Once you decide on the hue, be sure to hold the paint chip next to the material to get an accurate match.


Factor in the surrounding area.

Something people often forget to do is factor in the colors around their house. Maybe you have a cherry blossom tree in your front yard that you could match your house? Or do you have a colorful path leading up to your house? The biggest thing to consider is your garage because if the house doesn’t match the garage then it can make the whole house look off. If you have an oak garage (and if you don’t I recomend looking at oak framed garages prices because they can make your house look stunning) then it’s best to go for darker greens or shades with gray undertones. There are a lot of things to consider.

Go for the Classics

When it comes to choosing a timeless color combination, nothing works better than the classic white or ivory with a black accent.

Vary Color Hues

The value of a color is the lightness or darkness of the same hue. Often people will call this a shade, but that is incorrect color terminology. Shade is a color with black undertones. Some of the prettiest color combinations are those that play with different values of the same color.

Make a Statement with Color

Color is your friend! Don’t be afraid to be brave and daring. This homeowner went bold and classic!

Highlight the Architecture

If your home’s most prominent feature is its architectural form, then use paint colors to highlight its uniqueness.

A final note….

Just as important as picking a color palette that works in your neighborhood and the surrounding landscape, testing your color choice is vital. Painting your home is a big undertaking and is not as simple as re-painting an interior room. It can be a costly mistake.

Never rely on paint chips alone when choosing a paint color for your home.

Find an inconspicuous area of your home where you can paint test swatches. Paint a large area and watch how the light changes its hue at different times of the day and in different weather conditions.

If picking an exterior paint color seems too overwhelming give your Atlanta, GA Color Consultant, a call and let’s tackle it together. During a color consultation, I create a cohesive color palette that will compliment your homes best exterior features while keeping in line with its individual character.

Melanie Serra, Interior Designer & Home Stager
Melanie Serra, Interior Decorator, Certified Color, Redesign and Staging Instructor

Award-winning decorator and stylist Melanie Serra has been reviving interiors for over 17 years and has worked with clients in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Melanie Serra’s approach to interior design is fresh and innovative transforming residential and commercial interiors from Now to WOW!

Melanie Serra Interiors - 770-714-3430

Contact me today