‘Des Chats-Dessins sans paroles’ (Cats- Pictures without Words) is a book of 1897 by Swiss-born painter and printmaker Theophile Alexandre Steinlen ( 1859-1923). Based in Montmartre, Paris, Steinlen frequented the Le Chat Noir cabaret. There he met Toulouse Lautrec, Adolphe Willette and Aristide Bruant. He was hired to create a lithograph for … Continue reading "Théophile Alexandre Steinlen’s Illustrations of Cats in Fin de Siecle Paris"

Maximalism is a design style that uses an abundance of wonderful items all on display at the same time. Bordering on cluttered, maximalism is all about surrounding yourself with the stuff you love. Here are a few tips & tricks for how to decorate in a maximalist style without your home looking too messy.   Embrace Bold ColorsOne of the most popular elements of maximalism is the use of bold and vibrant colors. Use colors that make you happy and wake you up in the morning instead of colors that are "safe" and boring that everyone else uses in their homes. Don't be afraid to mix and match colors that are not often paired together.  Uniqueness is appreciated in a maximalist style. If you're not sure where to start, pick one large item with many colors (such as a large rug or piece of art) and decorate your room using the colors in that item.  Select at least 3 colors and repeat those colors in at least 3 places in your room.  For an added designer touch, also add in colors that are lighter or darker versions of your 3 colors for added depth of color.  For example, one of your colors might be turquoise.  You can decorate your room with turquoise lamps, some art with the color turquoise, and some turquoise candle holders.  In addition to turquoise, you can add accessories in the color aqua (which is a lighter version of turquoise) and other accessories in a dark turquoise color. Do not have an equal amount of each color visible in your room else your room might look overly styled and not natural.  For best results, select a certain color to be 60% of the color in your room, another color to be 30% of the color, and the 3rd color to be only 10% of the color in your room.   Mix and Match PatternsMaximalism is all about mixing and matching different patterns to create a one-of-a-kind look. Avoid mixing and matching patterns from the same store - select items from different stores so you don't end up with the same style as your neighbors. Don't be afraid to decorate using stripes with polka dots, florals with animal prints, and/or geometric shapes with abstract designs. When it comes to mixing patterns, there are a few key tips to keep in mind.... First, try to choose patterns that are a similar color which will help to tie the different patterns together and create a cohesive look. Second, mix patterns of different scales, such as a large-scale floral with a small-scale geometric print so the patterns don't try to compete with each other.   Use Texture to Add DepthMaximalism is not just about using a wide range of items with different color and pattern, it is also about using a mixture of textures. Rooms without much texture tend to feel sterile and boring, so feel free to add as much texture as you want. Some popular textural fabric include velvet, leather, wool, and fur. You can also use textured wallpapers, rugs, and/or pillows to add warmth to your room. Also consider addig some rough textures to contrast with your soft textures, such as wicker, exposed brick, and vintage hard back books with fabric or leather binding.   Mix and Match Furniture StylesMaximalism and eclectic furniture go hand in hand. Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles of furniture to create a space that's unique and full of your own personality & style. Consider pairing a vintage sofa with a modern coffee table or mixing mid-century modern chairs with a rustic dining table for a one-of-a-kind unique aesthetic. When mixing furniture styles, make sure to consider scale and proportion since your items should feel like you picked them exclusively for your home, not just thrown together hand-me-downs. Using an eclectic mix of furniture is a great way to ensure that your home does not look like your neighbor's and it is uniquely yours.       Don't Forget the ArtUse unique, collected, and/or bold pieces of art to add personality to your maximalist space and repeat your color scheme. Consider using oversized pieces of art to make a bold statement. You can also use a gallery wall, which is a collection of different pieces of smaller art that is hung together to create the feeling of one larger piece of art. Also consider using sculptures in your room, which are especially dramatic with an uplight. You can use basically any art piece that you love, but make sure that you love it and didn't just buy some generic piece of art to fill the space. Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles of art, as long as they create a cohesive look and feel. When hanging your art, make sure to consider the height at which you hang your art.  In general, the center of your art should be hung around eye level, which is typically around 60 inches from the floor.     Add Layers with AccessoriesThe use of many accessories is vital in maximalist design. Select accessories that repeat your room's color scheme and style to create cohesion.  Feel free to paint items that you already own but whose color doesn't quite suit your needs.  Metallic spray paint is a favorite for bringing new life to old accessories. Use accessories in a variety of textures and materials to create visual interest and depth. This can include different materials like wood, stone, metal, paper, and woven items. Include unique vintage and antique items of interest that not only look good but are a good conversation starter. Collect your home accessories over time, not just in one shopping trip to one store, to ensure that you find unique items that you love and not mass produced items that simply fill the space.   Use Unique LightingMaximalist spaces require maximalist lighting.  One light fixture in the center of your ceiling is not good enough!  You need to have multiple light sources for aesthetics and to be able to light your room according to the occasion. Consider upgrading your ceiling light to something more decorative or ignore it and only use it when you need maximum light while cleaning that room. Add unique light fixtures (such as chandeliers, wall sconces, and pendant lights) to add personality to your home. Beautiful colorful lamps or lamps that have a sculptural shape are a great unique addition to a maximalist space. For the best lighting in your home, consider adding each of the following....... Ambient lighting is the general lighting in the room, but it can also be decorative if you add a chandelier or pendant light as the main source of light. Task lighting is lighting directed towards an area where a certain task will be performed, such as a piano light for reading sheet music or a desk lamp. Accent lighting is lighting that accentuates an item of interest, such as an art light shining on a piece of art, an uplight in the pot of a tree, or light inside a china cabinet highlighting the gorgeous china.  

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