Interior Design Tips for Creating a Bright, Open & Airy Space
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Interior Design Tips for Creating a Bright, Open & Airy Space

Mike and Linda Smith wanted their cabin in the woods to have a light, airy and cheerful feel. Offsetting the heaviness of the stone walls and wood ceiling required careful color, lighting, flooring and furnishing choices. Here are some of the choices the Smiths made to accomplish their goal of having a bright and airy feel:

WALLS. Sherwin Williams “White Raisin,” paint was selected for its ability to work well with all the other colors in the cabin. “It’s a soft, happy and sunny hue that functions as a neutral colorway, without being too neutral,” says Mike. The bright blue glass backsplash in the kitchen brings a little of the lake color indoors.

LIGHTING. The chandelier has a modern, whimsical design that doesn’t impact the lake view from the dining room table. Glass pendant lights over the island are equally unobtrusive. (The chandelier is from Image Complete lighting in Denver, Colo., while the kitchen pendant lights are from WAC Lighting.)
CABINETS. Frameless bamboo cabinets with a natural finish keep the clean, open contemporary theme going. The neutral colored renewable material provides a calm backdrop that allows the bold blue backsplash to shine.

FLOORS & COUNTERTOPS. The polished finish of the durable concrete bounces light around, enhancing an airy feel. The Absolute Black granite counters are another reflective surface.

FURNISHINGS. Soothing green upholstery on the dining room chairs mimics the trees that surround the cabin. The chrome and leather bar stools were chosen for their size, comfort and lightweight statement, and their cheerful orange color introduces an unexpected color contrast to the atmosphere.

To read more about the Smiths' cabin, click here.
Roger Wade, styling by Debra Grahl
SLEEK & SLENDER – In keeping with the cabin’s architecture, the slender structural tension rods are elegant and light. A simple cable lighting system complements the metalwork.
Roger Wade, styling by Debra Grahl

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