My interview by interior design series “Szépítők” of TV2 can be seen on this link. It starts right after the short introduction.
https://tv2.hu/musoraink/szepitok/245440_csokkentheto-a-lakashitel-osszege.html
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Carpets elseways
When we inherit interior design objects, there might be some which we don’t want to get rid of, however we can’t integrate them in our home in its original condition. It’s quite easy to transform, repaint or give another function to furniture. However, it’s harder in the case of carpets. If it is nice, but the size doesn’t match, or it is having a slightly worn condition, or a relative made it by hand, there are some methods to save them.
Put it on the wall instead of the floor. Tapestries and wall carpets were used already hundreds of years ago. Beauty was also important beside their covering and draught-protecting functions. Let’s follow this tradition. The big surface in the living room or the wall behind the bed is a perfect place for the carpet. It will be a great focal point in the room. Use a wooden frame to fasten it to the wall so that it cannot stretch. If it is a longer runner, it could be even a half canopy above the bed.
The woven, softer rugs can be used as bedspreads or laying at the end of the bed as decorating elements. Our favorite reading armchair or the sofa can be „padded” with it, making it cozier and protecting the original upholstery.
Carpet is superb for upholstering also. A pouf, an armchair or an ottoman can be renewed with it. It will be sturdy and the heritage gets a new life also. This way it is easy to bring color to the interior.
Shabbier carpets can be used for making cushions or pillows. The fabric is thick, so it’s worth to leave it to a professional seamstress, who has a proper machine for this. The carpet will be cut to measure with skipping the worn-out parts and the cushion will be made this way. Fringes and beads decors fit well for classic carpets.
Who wants to do a makeover but has no inherited pieces, there are proper beautiful and old rugs in many antiquities. Ask for help of an interior designer for selecting and further usage ideas.
Old postcards 12.
Old postcards 11.
Industrial style
Industrial style is a relatively young trend in interior design. It is not really classic, but I think it deserves attention because of preserving old values and reusing antique objects.
Industrial style was born when old factories were transformed to dwelling houses (loft). The characteristic of the buildings gave a special mood, which couldn’t be ignored or suppressed. Accordingly, these characteristics were highlighted and harmonized with the new function.
Main characteristics of an industrial style building are the unplastered walls, concrete/old wooden floor, robust metal girderage, huge windows with metal frames and high ceiling. The space is frequently undivided, so rooms and storey(s) have to be created also. Often the bathroom is the only separated room in lofts. Mostly the bedroom is separated only symbolically from the other space with a blade wall. Living room, kitchen and dining room are in one space, perfectly permeable and visible. Windows rarely have shades. The furnishing reflects industrial style also: tables made of weathered wood, lamps with metal frames (complemented with Edison bulbs are perfect), concrete kitchen countertop, huge furniture, decorating objects made of old piece parts and household objects etc. – basically with masculine style marks. The color palette is fit for this: greys, browns, black, white, complemented with the original objects’ own colors (e.g. petrol blue, verdigris, rust red, mustard yellow). These spaces can be perfectly furnished with classic furniture because of the antique effect.
If you also like industrial style, ask for help of an interior designer for transforming of your home, because this sight and mood can be created not only in a loft.
Special wall arts
For decorating the walls, we frequently use simple solutions as paintings, engravings, photos, fabrics in frames, wallpapers or smaller objects. These are very showy and it’s easy to find a fitting piece for the style. But let’s be daring! There are so many objects on flea markets and in our home too, which are perfectly suitable for wall decoration.
Old advertising boards, trade-signs, original boxes, marker letters can be found in many places and are popular decoration elements nowadays. We can choose wooden or metal pieces. They can be grouped by color, shape and theme, fitting to the interior.
Hanging old sporting goods on the wall are perfect solutions for sport-lovers: paddles, golf and tennis rackets, riding equipment etc. Most of them are suitable for both horizontal and vertical arrangements which effects the sense of space.
Let’s examine the contents of the wardrobes from this point of view. Our collections of hats, handbags, fans can decorate e.g. the wall of the living room. The harmony of the colors and materials is important for the sight not to be chaotic.
The most common objects could be decorating elements with a spectacular arrangement and an idea suggested by the room. We can decorate the wall of the kitchen with antique pots. They can have in common their material (e.g. copper, tin) or their type with difference just in the size (e.g. cooking tops, sieves).
Use the old doors, shutters and window frames were judged to throw out during the renovation! They fit for several styles in the original condition but renewed and painted they can be hung on the wall. Mirror can be cut into the window frame instead of glass, this way it will perform two tasks.
There are several other solutions, only our fantasy is a limit. Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing spectacular decorating elements!