Written by Arianne Segerman, Simple Design editor and writer at the personal blog To Think Is To Create

I have been working on some fresh new decor ideas for my home, and I’m thinking what’s needed is a statement wall. Something eye catching but not in an area where I already have a lot going on. These walls add whimsy and character to a room and make me feel so happy. Check out these inspiration walls I’m coveting:

The herringbone wood wall above is just stunning, isn’t it? Go to Makely School for Girls for the tutorial on how to do this yourself.

I’ve become slightly obsessed with anchors lately – this anchor statement wall is easy to do thanks to this pretty tutorial from A Beautiful Mess.

A few cans of paint and some well placed tape would create this beautiful random chevron wall. Thanks to Animal Print Shop for this one!

A statement wall can still make a big splash without being a bright color. I love the large scale of this chevron wall – check out the DIY for this at Sabbe.

We have all seen the plate-on-the-wall effect, right? What about taking it BIG and creating shapes with the color of the plates? I love the jaw dropping effect of this wall (found on the gorgeous Modernly Wed).

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Written by contributor Lauren Lowe of The Burlap Bag

Editor’s note: I’m always a little sad when its time to put the twinkling lights from Christmas back into storage. But what if we didn’t have to? We first ran this post last November, but today I’m using it for inspiration and plan to keep some of the lights around to brighten up winter a bit longer. 

Fun and unique ideas for holiday lights

Doily lights

Ahhh, aren’t these amazing??! It looks like they just had regular ole lights and then stuck paper doilies right onto the lights. (make sure the lights don’t get too hot/aren’t touching the lights… I don’t know if Christmas lights are a fire hazard or anything, but you’ve been warned!)  We might have to make these for our shop… I love them and it would only take 2 minutes! (source here)

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Written by contributor Josiah Lowe of The Burlap Bag

Vintage is the new modern – so what does that mean for modern styles? It means they are on the same level. Combining old things with news things can create a very interesting look by contrasting different eras of technology and different eras of materials. Here are some ideas to inspire you to embrace the marriage between old and new in terms of furniture/aesthetic.

Combine your furniture

First – check out this old singer sewing machine that is in our living room. A beautiful wooden desk supported by a dark cast iron base. Compare it to the shiny plastic sony TV on top. At first look it seems a little odd but then you realize they compliment each other quite well. Both pieces are very rectangular without any sharp edges. Both are elegant and sleek. The base of the TV fits perfectly on top of the sewing machine desk almost as if it was meant for something to rest on top….

Combine your gadget holders

Another example a successful joining of old and new is this amazingly well built ipad stand via etsy. A rich woodgrain base accompanied by a wonderful Edison bulb perched atop an old school swinging arm lamp.  The craftsmanship of the vintage inspired stand complements the ever sleek and elegant ipad as well as creating interest in the piece as a whole by contrasting old and new styles.

We found this great toolbox on BH&G. It’s a weathered old toolbox converted into a multimedia charging station. The new generation of tools. It’d be easy to make yourself!

Combine your wall art

Another Lowe home example: A chrome rabbit bottle opener tossed in with a collection of vintage paintings. We love the clash of the chrome and classic wood paintings. Fun note: All the owl paintings are made by the same artist “Jean” but were found from three different sources. A random thrift store on our honeymoon and then from two different vintage etsy sellers.

What have you done in your home that combines old and new styles?