Dabbieri Blog

How to Get California Modern in Your Home

If you’re dreaming of the West Coast and its beautiful beaches and warm weather, you should give California Modern a try in your home. This calm and breezy look can be created in any home, no matter where you live.

California Modern is known for its beachy neutrals, such as soft blue, sandy browns, and crisp whites, as your main colors. For accent pieces such as a rug or artwork, bring in soft pinks and oranges in a fun pattern, reminiscent of California sunsets.

Lightweight fabrics are ideal; woven linens and cotton sheets will instantly create that laid back, cool California vibe. Don’t forget to add plants for a touch of greenery and to give a bohemian feel.

Clean lines and big open spaces are common in a California Modern design. Don’t overwhelm your space with décor and furniture, and make sure that your room's design has a clean flow to it.

A California Modern home will feel light, bright, and breezy, and with a mix of beachy neutrals, brightly-patterned accents, and natural materials, you can do just that.

Creating a Serene Home Environment

There’s no doubt that we all carry stress throughout the day. It could be personal, physical or even work-related, and it is so important that we surround ourselves with as many stress relievers as possible. We can be active, meditate, go to yoga, and read, but did you know that you can also create a home that is serene and soothing enough to help relieve and prevent stress?

Lighting

In any home, natural lighting is very important, as it creates a calming effect. Natural light means windows, which sub-sequentially means the outdoors.  Having a dedicated space in your home that allows you to view nature from inside will be a big mood boost. Sun, greenery, and fresh air from an open window can all help you unwind and relax.

Color Palette

Choosing a color palette that is calming is recommended. Stick with muted neutrals, as bolder, brighter colors will have more of an energizing effect in your home.

Functionality & Organization

Make sure that your space is designed in a way that works for you. Any décor, furniture, or personal items that don’t serve a purpose will feel like clutter and cause stress, whether you know it or not. Don’t be afraid to rearrange your space in a manner that will better suit you. Get organized and give everything a home.

Open Spaces

Choose large, open spaces over small, tight spaces. An open floor plan where all rooms tie together and flow can create an open and airy feeling that is desired.

What makes your home feel serene?

Designing with Geometric Shapes

If you’re a fan of modern style in the home, then it’s very likely that you are a proponent of geometric shapes. Not only do geometric shapes and forms add interest to a space, but they also can create order and cohesion. Let’s take a look at a few ways that you can bring flair to your home with geometrics.

Squares, circles, lines, triangles, ovals, and cylinders are several geometric shapes that you can choose to incorporate in your home. When it comes time to design your space, you can mix and match with straight and curved shapes, or stick to just one.

Straight lines add a more formal feel to a room, while curved couches, chairs, and tables add a touch of softness.

Where you choose to incorporate geometrics in your room will depend on your comfort level with the intensity that the shape will bring to a space.

You can subtly add shapes through the use of area rugs, artwork, lighting fixtures, and mirrors. Furniture such as couches and chairs, tables, and wallpaper require more commitment, but just remember that the shapes don’t have to be cold or intense. In the room below, you’ll notice that straight lines and curves are used in the art décor and furniture.

Whether you bring in velvet, modern couches reminiscent of the 1960s, or add abstract art to your walls, there are plenty of ways you can spruce up the personality of your home with geometric shapes.

What is your favorite way to bring geometrics into your décor?

 

Soften Your Home with Pale Blue

As we slowly start to transition from winter to spring, we will begin to see a switch from darker colors in the home to lighter, brighter colors. If you’re looking to create an airy and welcoming space, we love the idea of incorporating a pale shade of blue that borders white. 

This soft, beautiful color can easily be brought into your design through the use of textiles. Soften a dark or neutral couch by adding light blue throw pillows or blankets for a cozy and relaxing beach feel. Chairs, pillows, bedding or even large statement pieces like a couch or shelving unit would work well, especially in a coastal-inspired home.

You can also use this pale shade of blue in artwork, vases, bowls, or any kind of standalone accessory. Pair it with increasingly deeper shades of blue to add a bit of depth to your space. In the kitchen below, you’ll notice that there is an ombre effect that ranges from white to sky blue, with the pale blue falling in the middle.

Lastly, you could paint your walls with this soft color, as this does work really well as a neutral base for a room. Whether you want to incorporate tan and soft green into the space, or go bright and bold, you can’t go wrong with either.

These are just a few steps on a trail of a thousand. Get creative with the color, and start bringing it into different corners of your home.