Papier maché

Mar6

Papier maché was a serious technology of interior design in the 19th century. The meaning of the French phrase is chewed paper. Henry Clay spread it in Europe who recognized its possibility in 1722.
Paper-pulp was made by a cooking method in France in the 18th century, to which glue was added and the mix was poured into molds. However, with Clay’s technique, large paper sheets were glued together on the surface of a pre-made frame and the air was pressed out of it after every 2-3 layers. The edges were cut, it was dipped into linseed oil and put into a hot oven (think in industrial sizes of course). More layers were applied on it after this, until the desired thickness was reached. The surface of the ready piece was grinded then the whole was dipped into linseed oil again and baked for several hours. This way it became not only hard and sturdy but waterproof also. Theodore Jennens patented a procedure when these pieces could be curved in forms by steaming and pressing.
Papier maché objects were produced until the beginning of the 1900s: faux-columns, backs of chairs, headboards, trays, sewing boxes, ink stands, table tops, snuffboxes, doors of coaches, toys, picture frames etc. This was a much cheaper solution for moldings, rosettes and wall panels than if the pieces were made of gypsum or wood. The surfaces of household objects were mostly lacquered black (perhaps red or dark green) and decorated with paint (flowers, birds) or mother of pearl inlay, sometimes they were gilded instead of lacquering. At the first glance, these masterpieces couldn’t be determined that they weren’t made of wood.
The original papier maché pieces are very valuable today and sought after by collectors.

Bunk beds

Feb1

Classic style bunk beds for children’s room

Thonet furniture

Jan23

Michael Thonet became world-famous as the pioneer of bent furniture. He was born in 1796 in Germany. He experimented with streaming technology since 1830, where wood is bent to form with streaming and it keeps its shape while cooling in the form. At the exhibition in Koblenz in 1841, Duke Metternich noticed him and invited him to Wien, where one year later he got the right from the court for producing. He founded a factory with his sons and they began the machine-production in 1850. He won bronze medal on the London World Exhibition in 1851.
Chair no.4. was their first model which was produced for Café Daum. Simplicity is the point of the chairs. A single U-shaped back joins to the round seat which continues in the legs back. The front legs are slightly curved also. The legs are connected with a round stiffener. The used wood material has cylindrical shape. This base model was varied in several ways later and they offered many possibilities for filling the back also. Model no.14. became the most popular which was modified only with a bent arm according to the mentioned above.
Thonet’s success was due to the fact that his furniture perfectly fit to the organic style of Art Nouveau, blooming in that times. They were featured by ease, material saving and durability. Besides the several chairs, tables, coat stands, cradles etc. were also produced.
He won the gold medal on the Paris World Exhibition in 1867. The firm became world-famous. Thonet furniture are still produced, they are in fashion again. Old pieces can be renewed easily by painting and fit to the modern taste.
Ask for help of an interior designer for renewing your inherited pieces for the style of your home.

Pop of colors

Jan16

In an interior furnished with neutral colors (blacks, whites, beiges, browns, greys and creams) colors might also be needed to refresh the sight and make it happier. Any of the interior design elements can be applied using color or even more colors at the same time. These colors can harmonize with, or strengthen each other. Let’s be brave for reaching the desired effect and choose not only pastel, but saturated and bolder hues. These color elements will attract the eye and function as focal points, so they should be decorative. What has to be considered: how costly and / or time consuming will it be to replace these if the taste changes or getting tired of the present colors just selected.
The most easily changeable elements are for example cushions, pictures, vases, bedspread, smaller decorating objects and cut flowers. It’s not a problem to buy a new one if another color is desired. The pop of color can be taken through the whole flat but they don’t rule the rooms.
Curtains and carpets show the bold color on much larger surfaces, so we have to be braver for this. Changing them is more costly and requires attention. The color lamps might be very showy but they are more expensive than the „common” products.
Maybe the most decorative solution is highlighting upholstered furniture with this method. Choose a classic shaped, timeless piece which looks good in any color. The focal point can be the sofa and armchairs in the living room, chairs in the dining room and upholstered headboard in the bedroom. The reupholstering can be done anytime by a professional.
Repainting color corpus-furniture (bookcase, chest of drawers, night table, kitchen-island etc.) is time-consuming and costly if the present color is tired of. However, it is worth to choose this solution, because the result will be more spectacular than bringing color in the room only with simple accessories. Old pieces can be resurrected by painting too. The real brave can paint the inner doors to the chosen color also.
Color tiles for bathroom decor tiling or kitchen backsplash should be chosen only if it is sure that this is a long lasting choice. Changing this takes a lot of work and a big mess. Placing color household devices into a monochrome kitchen or bathroom is also a spectacular solution, however it is costly too.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the right pop of color and the implementation.

Choosing a sofa

Jan9

Mostly the sofa is the biggest piece of the living room’s furniture. Choosing it cause a problem for many people because it is a central element which is used hardly and costs a lot, so nobody wants to make a mistake. A few things are worth to be considered before shopping.
A sofa without arms makes the room felt bigger. Its seating is better usable because one can sit on the place of the arm also. This is even more true in a small room where only a smaller furniture can be placed.
If the legs of the furniture can be seen, means no fabric covers them or it doesn’t have a full framed bottom, this shows the sight airier and it’s easier to clean under it. An additional color and texture can be used for creating the sight.
Undivided seating cushion is more practical instead of the divided one because more people can sit on it comfortably, but no one sits on the dividing part, even if there is enough seating place. Too soft seating cushion makes standing up harder and one’s back hurts sooner, so it’s better if is made of a harder material and holds the sitting person in position.
Consider the cleaning and vulnerability of the material of the upholstery when choosing it, mainly in the case of a family with small children. Leather is a showy material, improves with time if we take care of it, but it is warm in summer and cold in winter to sit on.
The color of the sofa is important because of its size also. It’s practical to choose from neutral colors for being variable by changing the taste or rearranging the room. Reupholstering is costly and time-consuming but naturally it’s a good solution also. A plain sofa can be popped up with patterned or contrasting colored cushions which are easily changeable when get bored with them.
Choose some models which we like and make shapes out of wrapping paper based on their sizes. With these it can be seen, how big is the place it requires in fact, and if the other furniture can be fit in and how many crossing area remains. This way it can be more easily decided if an L-shaped sofa should be bought, for example.
We plan for a long time, that’s why quality is very important! Filling of seating and back cushions can be replaced but the frame should be massive and hard-wearing. Lift one of the front legs of the furniture. The other front leg has to lift with it. If it remains on the ground, the frame is not hard enough, it curls.
Always try it before purchasing to get a really comfortable piece fit for our lifestyle! Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the perfect sofa.

My project 10.

Sep30

Designed for a competition: antiques in a modern bedroom

Garden fire pit

Sep19

Although autumn is here, we don’t have to give up the daily relaxation in the garden. Though the air is already cooler after sunset, the patio and grass might be wet because of the more frequent rain, there are some tricks with which a pleasant atmosphere can be created.
Let’s make a fire pit near the house. Even we can build one DIY made of bricks, quarry stones, concrete etc. Complete it with an easy-cleanable garden path leading to it. If its form, color and shape fit to the house, it will be a perfect accessory which fades into the environment but it can be the integral part of the patio also.
Enough seating place will be needed around the fire pit. In the case of it is sunken in the ground, the rim can act as a bench. Cover its edge with stone or treated wood. Covered with cushions, it will be comfortable for everyone. If the fire pit is standing alone, armchairs can be put around it. Thick blankets should be put on them also beside cushions against cold. Since these can be slippery on plastic, it’s better to choose furniture made of wood or metal.
The portable fire pit is mostly made of metal, it can have open or closed firepot, in several colors and shapes. With this, it is easy to transform the summer breakfast corner to an autumn warming place. Its advantage is that it can be placed anywhere if there is enough space or where the view is beautiful.
Don’t let the autumn rain discourage us! If the wind is not blowing, we don’t have to go inside: parasols still do a good service this time also. Stand some of them above the seats and the fire. The smell of the rain and crackle of logs will be a pleasurable addition to chats.
Ask for help of an interior designer for making the outdoor cozy.

Organized desk

Sep5

Parents already bought every needed tool for their children for starting school: exercise books, pencils, scissors, chalks etc. These have to be stored in the children’s room also. Not everybody is lucky enough to have space for a separated cabinet near the desk for this purpose, so this has to be solved on the desk and the wall above it.
Let there be order and system when the child sits down to study: every tool should be found and reached easily, still there is enough free space for „work” and after it, it’s easy to put all back to their place. It’s practical to buy a desk which has some drawers, and if it has upper shelves, even more useful.
Storage boxes without lids in several sizes shall be put in every drawer to avoid disorder: these can be chocolate boxes made of metal or cardboard, small glass bowls or anything else which height fits in the drawer. Crayons, rubbers, drawing pins or every easily spreadable thing can be put in them.
We can make upper shelves for the available desk also: storage box with 2-3 drawers is perfect for this purpose. Fix a box on both side of the desk and paint it to the desired color but they can be wrapped with wallpaper also. If the created storage system is colorful, funny and playful, children are easily persuadable for using it.
Let’s make a back-plate for the desk, one side of it is painted with blackboard paint, the other is covered with cork. This way notes can be written and frequently used things can be pinned out.
Let’s fix some shelves above the desk on which storage boxes with lids and not-used school books and exercise books can be stored. If even more order is required, these can have doors also. It’s important that the child could reach them.
Place an old mug, a recycled tin can or a mason jar on the table as a pen holder. This will be a perfect place for often used scissors, pen and ruler.
Of course, desks of adults can be organized with the methods above… Ask for help of an interior designer for proper usage of the scarce learning nook!

Lingel furniture

Jul25

Karoly Lingel founded his company in 1864 which became a furniture factory. Later his two sons joined him and Karoly Lingel and Sons First Hungarian Woodenware and Furniture Factory was born.
Their best known and most popular product was the so-called American type bookcase. Originally this type was produced in the USA but it soon spread in Europe also. This is a row of separate bookcases, their shelves are protected with glassed, upward-open and push-in doors, this way the books can’t be dusty but they are visible and decorate the room.
This bookcase was the part of their office furniture set. Lingel recognized the spreading of bureaucracy and the growing demand with it, that’s why he started to produce desks, post counters and various storage cabinets.
Between the two world wars, they even made furniture sets for kitchens and private rooms. These were capable for mass production, this way they could fulfill bigger orders also. At the design, they noted the spreading of Art Déco.
The factory was socialized under the name of BUBIV, but the family reopened it in 1997, so the bookcase can be bought again as a replica. The original pieces are very sought after at auctions. They are not only valuable but beautiful and practical too. They fit perfectly in a classic style library.