Fun New Decorating Ideas

HGTV Magazine gives you an exclusive look inside a real-life funhouse, and not the kind at the carnival. You might be inspired to paint a wall orange or trim your curtains with fringe after looking around.

By: Elizabeth Roehrig

From: HGTV Magazine

Related To:

Photo By: David Tsay

Out-of-the-Box Decorating

For Bailey McCarthy, decorating is a way to inject cheer into everyday life. There are zigzags and stripes, vibrant artwork and happy accessories. "I want my house to show who I am, which is someone who isn't afraid of bold patterns or whimsical ideas," says Bailey, a designer, blogger and boutique owner (biscuit-home.com). Her Austin, Texas, Colonial, where she lives with husband Pete and daughter Gracie, will make you smile and may even tempt you to try something unexpected of your own.

Candy Stripes

Bailey held on to this velvet fabric for three years before finding a use for it: to re-cover the couch.

Touches of Turquoise

The living room is open to the kitchen, so she had vintage armchairs re-covered in the same color as the barstools.

A Perfect Place for Pink

Bailey painted the inside of her Ethan Allen china cabinet a soft pink that matches the flowers on her dining chairs. For a similar look, try Cool Melon by Behr.

Colorful Chandelier

The pink Murano glass fixture sets the happy-go-lucky tone in the dining room.

Mismatched Chairs

Seating is "a major opportunity for fun," says Bailey. Her host chairs are citron velvet; the side chairs are covered in a hummingbird/botanical print.

Globe Pendants

Bailey had a crush on these nickel-and-white-glass light fixtures. The fixtures' shape is unusual, making them real showstoppers.

Retro Stools

These 1950s diner-style stools from a restaurant supply store are re-covered in blue vinyl.

Bird Wallpaper

A swan pattern covers just one wall in the master bedroom. The ceiling's painted pink!

Geometric Table Lamp

This is actually two fun ideas in one: a pink base and jewel-like angles.

Bright Headboard

Bailey paired a vibrant yellow headboard with white bedding. That pale green monogram matches the carpet.

Pom-Pom Fringe

Trim is easy to sew or glue onto a ready-made shower curtain for a custom look in the bathroom.

Sweet Treat Art

Postcard-sized cake paintings and John Derian trays form a dessert gallery over Gracie's crib. Extra-large objects, like these papier-mache blooms from a store display, are a huge hit in a little kid's space. Bright yellow chevron on the rug will be easy to grow with, and it balances the sweetness of the pale pink walls.

Bold Door

The classic entry of the house is electrified with a high-voltage green (Feel the Energy by Benjamin Moore).

Bold Built-Ins

In this room, the cabinetry and trim are painted a gutsy red-orange hue (Habanero Pepper by Benjamin Moore). "It's a small space but the color has major impact," she says. Instead of curtains, the windows are framed with fabric-covered wood cornices trimmed in deep-purple ribbon.

A Little Glitz

Bailey Googled "gold mirrored disco ball" and found this one to make the room sparkle. "I recommend it to anyone who has a baby. Gracie goes nuts watching it!"

Animal Accent

The tiger-print ottoman — an idea sparked by an old circus poster — has storage for toys. And a brown-and-orange geometric-print area rug jazzes up the room and helps protect the white wall-to-wall carpet underneath.

Fun New Decorating Ideas

Related To:

Out-of-the-Box Decorating

Candy Stripes

Touches of Turquoise

A Perfect Place for Pink

Colorful Chandelier

Mismatched Chairs

Globe Pendants

Retro Stools

Bird Wallpaper

Geometric Table Lamp

Bright Headboard

Pom-Pom Fringe

Sweet Treat Art

Bold Door

Bold Built-Ins

A Little Glitz

Animal Accent

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