stone veneer

When we were kids, we all basically drew a house the same way… a square with a triangle roof, a rectangular chimney with a wisp of smoke coming out of it, a few windows and a door with a circle for a door knob. While our artistic skills may have been a bit limited at 5, just think what our imaginations could have done with the interior of that little square house. Now that we’re adults with more refined tastes, it’s still important to use our imaginations when designing a home. A room is basically four walls with a couple of windows thrown in to let in the light. In order to take that living space from drab to FAB, let your imagination run wild!

The greatest thing about interior design today is that there are no rules. There may be trends and style dictates, but the growth of the eclectic movement means that virtually anything goes. Let’s take a blank wall to treat as our canvas. Where – in the past – you may have a variety of colors for your wall, offset by a different color for the trim OR you may elect to hang some old school wallpaper for a little added excitement. If you were feeling particularly daring, you may have elected to paint ONE accent wall in a different shade than the other three walls in the room. For an air of luxury, you might have added some special woodworking, such as a chair rail, crown moulding or wainscoting. While all of those options are still not only perfectly acceptable, but downright delightful when done properly – there are a wealth of other possibilities open to you to make a room feel exciting and inviting at the same time…

Shiplap and other Wood Wall Treatments

Wood walls – like the wildly popular shiplap treatment – add texture to a space. Depending on the color of the wood you choose, whether stained or painted, you can also add warmth. Shiplap, often seen on the exterior of homes and barns, has become increasingly trendy for use INSIDE the home. The wood could be sanded smooth and painted for a more sophisticated feel or rough-hewn and weathered for a more rustic sense. Consider the bedroom for this wall treatment – if you have an eye-catching wood wall against which you can set your bed, there’s not really a need for a headboard. The entire wall – with a pair of equally stunning mounted wall lamps – may give the appearance of one massive headboard.

Tile

Initially introduced to protect walls in the kitchen and bathroom from water damage, tile is now used to enhance these spaces beautifully. From sleek and shiny subway tile in the master bath to an eye-catching and elegant mosaic tile in the kitchen, tile can really help you DEFINE the look and feel of the space. No longer limited to the bathroom and kitchen, it’s not uncommon to find tile – now available in a variety of materials and textures – in the living room and dining room.

Brick

With the ever-increasing popularity of the industrial look in interior design, the use of brick walls – whether real or faux – have really taken off. There’s something lasting, solid and somewhat masculine about brick that lends those same qualities to a space, making it a great fit for a man cave or accent wall in an intown home. Still, it’s a classic that can be used virtually anywhere. Imagine it in a KITCHEN – wouldn’t that be gorgeous!?

Stone

Not just for exteriors and fireplaces anymore, stacked stone is becoming all the rage on interior walls. A cool blend of rusticity and refinement, a stacked stone wall can add texture and warmth to a space. Because stone is so heavy, many designers elect to incorporate faux stacked stone veneer panels. You can still achieve the same look at a fraction of the cost. Imagine a stone wall in a room that leads to the outdoors, suggesting a fusion of the interior and outdoor living spaces for gorgeous results.

Highlight Homes is an award-winning Atlanta-based custom home builder and master renovator. To learn more about how Highlight Homes can help you infuse any of the suggested looks above into your own home, visit www.highlighthomesga.com or call 678-873-9234.