Dabbieri Blog

How to Design with Romantic Materials & Textures

From soft textures and warm neutral colors to rounded shapes and patterns, designing with a romantic influence is far from a new trend. First made popular in the European Romantic era at the end of the 18th century, romantic style interior design has maintained popularity due to its soft, feminine vibe and the feeling of comfort and warmth it provides. 

Graber Window Treatments 

With so many ways to incorporate this style into your home, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. To help you create the soft, romantic space of your dreams, we’ve compiled some easy tips for utilizing materials, patterns, and textures that, while not inherently romantic, capture the essence of this trend to get you started on your design journey.

Colors & Patterns

Biyork Flooring 

One way to create a romantic feel in your design is by utilizing color and patterns. Light neutrals and warm tones such as pink, peach, and brown plus cool tones such as baby blue or spring green help to establish a bright, romantic feel when combined with other elements. When you design with romantic influence, you should think feminine, comfortable, and calming. Understated floral patterns, or flowers themselves, can help to bring in feminine energy without making the design too overwhelming. 

Soft Fabrics & Draping

Permesso Marble Dabbieri Carpet 

Soft and welcoming textiles are an important part of any romantic design. Consider using a neutral tone carpet to start the softness at the floor, and incorporating materials like velvet, silk, faux fur, and linen to carry it throughout the rest of your space. Romantic design has a feeling of comfortable luxury, so don’t be afraid to use curtains or blankets as drapery or décor. We suggest choosing a lighter color like white, cream, or a similar hue to bring in that airy, casual vibe that romantic design is known for. 

Rounded Shapes & Textures

Biyork Flooring

Rounded shapes and textures are another staple of romantic design and are an easy way to bring some romantic influence into your space. Consider adding decorative wainscotting in rounded shapes or adding archways to regular doorways. If you’re looking for an easier, less involved project, use furniture with rounded edges or circular components. The curved lines are softer and less harsh than other furniture, which is the goal of romantic design. 

For an added romantic feel, add other materials, like metal or glass, in ways that are understated, but amplify the overall design. Gold and silver are key for bringing a luxurious feel to what would otherwise just be comfortable and cozy in romantic design. You can easily include metals through classic elements like mirrors, chandeliers, and other light fixtures. Put these tips to use and you will have your space feeling the love in no time. 

How To Decorate with Contemporary Surrealism

In a world that is often overwhelmed with negativity, contemporary surrealism is a design trend made to bring optimism and whimsy into your life and home. Based on the art concept made famous by people like Salvador Dali, contemporary surrealism seeks to merge otherworldly and unexpected elements with our reality to create a sense of fun and surprise.

Biyork Flooring

This popular design trend is perfect for the creative spirit that resides within us all. With an emphasis on bright colors, geometric shapes and unconventional works of art, there are endless possibilities for bringing a sense of contemporary surrealism into your home and space. Whether you’re looking for minor changes to bring in a little bit of fun or doing a complete overhaul to create the modern surrealist’s dream, we’ve got great tips for incorporating this whimsical design trend.

Geometric Shapes

Emser tile Heksa Black Porcelain tile

One of the easiest ways to bring contemporary surrealism into your home design is by using geometric shapes and patterns. Not only do these elements create plenty of visual interest, they also add a sense of fun regardless of the color, shape or design you choose. Consider using tile to create the perfect surrealist backsplash, a printed wallpaper for a graphic accent wall or uniquely shaped décor to achieve the geometric look that marks contemporary surrealist design.

Bright Colors

Daltile Confectionary Birthday Cake Res Tile

Another easy way to design with contemporary surrealism is by choosing bright, fun colors to liven up your space. Surrealism is all about creating vibrant, visually exciting spaces that bring a sense of magic into your everyday life. Choosing brighter shades for things that aren’t typically very colorful is a simple way to introduce a pop of color and stick to a subtle contemporary surrealist theme. Think bright pink kitchen cabinets, an unexpected design painted in cornflower blue and green accent chairs. Wherever you see fit to include some vibrant hues, be sure to get creative in true surrealist fashion.

Artwork & Décor

Nourison Multicolor Area Rug

Contemporary Surrealism started as an art movement, so it should come as no surprise that artwork and other décor are great ways to bring this design trend into your home. Unexpected art installations, like a 3D wall hanging in gold, or a brightly colored abstract printed rug will bring your space from ordinary to extraordinary in an instant. Any abstract art or unique décor will help bring a surreal feeling into your home, playing perfectly into your theme. Whether you’re planning to overhaul your entire space or are just looking for small elements to add some magic to the mundane, artwork and specialty pieces are what will tie your design together and finalize your stunning, contemporary surrealist-inspired space.

How to Create an Elevated Game Room at Home

While already a classic tradition enjoyed by families, friends and loved ones, game nights at home have grown even more in popularity. From fan favorites like Monopoly and Jenga, to casual card games like Go Fish and beyond, creating fun with loved ones in the comfort of your own home has never been easier.

It’s obvious that home game nights aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. If you’re a habitual host of Catan nights with friends or family backgammon tournaments, it might be worth considering when it comes to the design of your home. Small changes can make a big impact, and of course, there are always bigger projects that can lend a hand in creating the elevated game room of your dreams right in your home.

To help you create the game room you desire, we’ve compiled some helpful tips and tricks to bring your love of game nights into your home design.

1. Choosing the Right Flooring

Choosing the right flooring for your game room is an important part of the design process. Depending on what you plan to do in the space, the kind of flooring you want to consider will vary. If you’re planning to use your game room as more of a general entertainment space, and are hoping for more of a comfortable, cozy vibe, carpet is going to be your best bet. Not only is carpet soft and comforting, but it is also durable, easy to clean and absorbs sound, so even the most raucous game nights aren’t disturbing the rest of the house.

If you’re planning to use your game room as more of a flex or general living space, you’ll need flooring that can keep up with whatever the day or night brings. From wine nights with friends that devolve into a giant Jenga tournament, to quiet nights in watching the newest Netflix hit, your floor needs to be able to withstand your lifestyle. Laminate and luxury vinyl floors are the perfect solution, thanks to waterproof technology and scratch, scuff and stain resistance.

2. Plenty of Seating Options

Volume 1.0 in Aural Sand by Daltile

One of the key components of creating an elevated game room is to ensure there are plenty of seating options for fellow players and guests. Depending on what games or other purposes you plan to use the space for, your preferred seating options may change. In a more flexible, multi-purpose space, classic couches and chairs may be the way to go. If your family is more of the coffee table board game type, consider cushions or pillows for comfortable seating on the ground.

3. Personalize Your Space

The best way to create a game room you and your guests will love is by designing it with your own personal taste in mind. Are you known for being the backgammon player to beat? Why not spice up your game room with a vibrant board in your favorite color? Just looking to create a rec space in your home, but also love baseball? Consider getting a foosball table with the uniforms of your favorite team. Small, personal touches are a perfect way to bring your personality into your space, while also helping to create a unique, slightly elevated game room to impress guests and loved ones alike.  

3 Ways to Incorporate Grecian Design into Your Home

The beautiful blue and white homes that mark the islands of Greece have long inspired interior design choices far beyond their country of origin. Grecian interior design is known for being clean, simple, and elegant with an airy and bright feel. It emphasizes merging the inside and outside, in addition to utilizing natural materials and fibers to create a Mediterranean feel within your space. 

Wood Shutters by Graber

With so many elements of Grecian design gaining popularity (think of natural materials and blending outdoor/indoor spaces), it’s no surprise that this trending interior design aesthetic is seeing a resurgence in homes across the world. If you’re striving for the simple elegance achieved in Grecian design for your home, check out these three tips for incorporating this style into your space.

1. The Colors of Greece

Natural Drapes by Graber

It should come as no surprise that white and blue are the colors most commonly associated with Grecian design. Not only do the colors blue and white make up the Greek flag, but they also mark the cliffsides of the islands both in the homes themselves and in the environment. From the deep blue skies and oceans to the white puffy clouds that float overhead, white and blue are a combination well known to the Greeks. 

Design Sketch Matte/Satin Porcelain Tile by Emser

In your home, utilizing these colors can be as simple or complex as you wish it to be. If you’re looking to do a complete overhaul of your space, consider painting the walls white, adding in lighter-toned floors, and using blue as an accent color in things like furniture, linens, artwork, and other décor. If you’re looking for something more simple, skip painting the walls or installing new flooring and find ways to add in hints of blue and white through Greek-inspired decor. 

2. Natural Materials

Dabbieri Hickory Butter Hardwood

Natural materials play a large part in Grecian design. Traditionally, things like exposed stone, clay, wood, and natural linens were staples in a Greek household, though today even one or two of these elements are enough to create the Mediterranean feel you’re hoping for in your space. 

To achieve a Grecian look in your home, consider using things like lighter-toned natural wood, jute or rattan wicker furniture and accents, and natural, sheer fibers like linen and cotton. If you’re ready to take on a major project, consider adding in an exposed stone fireplace, wall, or floor using stone-appearing tiles or actual true stones. Less costly solutions include adding in clay pots, decorative stones, or other small décor items made of natural materials. 

Emser Tile 

3. Classic Grecian Décor 

Cellular Shades by Graber

The décor in Grecian design is just as important as the colors and materials that you use. The emphasis on the natural world continues into décor, as live plants and depictions of nature are especially utilized to create an open, natural elegance in your space. This also applies to natural materials like clay and terra cotta being used for décor, including pots and planters, statues and sculptures, and even classic white Grecian columns. 

To give your space the same classic, airy charm of a Grecian home, use plenty of plants and greenery, natural wood for furniture and décor, and of course, stick to the blue and white color scheme so prominent on the Mediterranean coast. 

3 Ways to Incorporate French Riviera Design into Your Home

The French Riviera has long inspired interior design and décor. From the sparkling blue of the ocean to the stark white homes dotting the seaside, this coastal paradise is the source of plenty of design inspiration. Like many trending design styles, French Riviera is marked by the merging of indoor and outdoor styles, and, of course, is inspired by the coastal landscape the area is known for. 

This trend can be broken down into three categories:

• Neo-Classical
• Contemporary 
• Mediterranean. 

All three of these styles share their ties to the French Riviera but each uses the elements a bit differently. To make it easier for you to bring coastal French charm into your home, we’ve compiled all three styles and offered our tips on how to incorporate them into your home design.

1. Neo-Classical

Biyork Flooring

Neo-Classical French Riviera design is likely what someone would picture if they were to think about Mediterranean-inspired interiors. This design style focuses on pale greys, blues, and of course, white. All about finding the balance between luxurious elements and décor, Neo-Classical emphasizes open-concept spaces. An easy way to add a Neo-Classical edge to your space is by adding smaller elements, like hanging artwork or gilded mirrors, that tie back to the classic coastal French Riviera feeling. 

This design trend also focuses heavily on dark woods, like ebony or mahogany, especially in furniture and flooring. Larger antique pieces, like dining tables, armoires, etc. are often a staple for true Neo-Classical design, however, smaller antique elements can also be a great way to freshen up your space without making any major changes. Neo-classical style can be summed up as the modern take on vintage French Riviera home design. 

2. Contemporary 

Contemporary French Riviera design combines elements from both modern and vintage Mediterranean home design. While much of the focus in Neo-classical design is on the furniture and décor, Contemporary design is more about the way that your space feels. Mirrors, windows, and the color white are most prominent in this style, as it makes spaces appear lighter and more open. Another reason windows and natural light are important facets of this design style is that they help accomplish the purpose of contemporary design, which is to merge not only vintage and modern but also the indoors and outdoors. 

With light and open space being two flagships of the Contemporary French Riviera design, it’s no surprise that this trend tends to lean more toward minimalism. Though, even within the minimalistic tendencies of this design, there are exceptions, the most important being plants and other natural greenery. Incorporating plants help create the feeling of a blurred line between indoors and outdoors that this design style strives for. 

3. Mediterranean

Emily Morrow Design 

As the culmination of the two previous styles, Mediterranean French Riviera interior design incorporates the best of both designs. The color palette still focuses heavily on the color white, but it also includes other neutral, earthy tones that offer a stunning contrast to monochromatic spaces. There is a focus on larger wood furniture pieces, but typically only one per room or space, as the rest of the décor is used to compliment the statement piece. From intricately carved fireplaces to dark wooden four-poster beds, the focus of your Mediterranean design is entirely up to you. 

Mediterranean style also leans heavily into the coastal feeling of the French Riviera itself, utilizing exposed stone, wood, and other natural elements to make your space feel like it belongs on the shores of the Riviera itself. To make it more your own, use rugs, curtains, and other textiles to add a pop of color. Beige-toned pinks and crystal blues are the perfect shades to bring in some color while also staying true to your coastal French Riviera design roots.