Adam style

Dec7

Architect Robert Adam (1728-1792) was one of the most prominent persons of English classicism. He came from an architect family and worked with his brother (James). Adam-style was named after him, which is still very popular in the Anglo-Saxon areas.
Adam was travelling for four years throughout Europe before began to work on getting familiar with architecture and culture of other countries. He spent two years in Rome studying the ruins of the classical world. He used the ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan architectural marks (medallion, vase, urn, vine scroll, sphynx, griffin etc.) on his buildings. Also used the style of Louis XVI. as source. In the first time, the Adam brothers got jobs only at the countryside, but later they were invited to London for several projects, practically they took part in the city-planning. Their unique decoration style was the key of their success. They paid attention not only for the outside of the buildings but the inner parts too: the elaborate plasterworks of ceilings and walls and rich classical decorations are still awe-inspiring. Furniture, carpets, lamps, fire places etc. designed by the Adam brothers were used in the interiors. They applied newly developed paints and created special color palettes: pea green, sky blue, lilac, bright pink, red-brown terracotta, lemon. Painted decoration elements were basic features of the style, e.g. swags and ribbons.
Their most well-known buildings: Edinburgh University Old College, Kedleston Hall, Kenwood House, Luton Hoo, Paxton House, Syon House etc. Their plans were published as a book. The style’s revival was in the late Victorian era.
This very classical style gives elegance but using it an inappropriate way makes the interior cluttered. It requires proficiency to be applied in the available interior, so ask for help of an interior designer.

Design cakes

Nov25

Special design cakes which can be the ornament of a classic celebration table

Barn doors inside

Oct28

Nowadays beloved solution to use old barn doors as interior partitioners

Wicker furniture

Oct21

Warm colored and clssic style wicker furniture perfectly fit into the autumn color palette

Bench beside table

Sep30

The advanteg of the bench put / built to the dinner table is the more seat in smaller space

Color pairs 7.

Sep18

Color pairs: brown-blue

Silverware

Sep14

In old times, silver tableware, serving dishes, candle holders and decoration objects couldn’t be missing from the household of the nobles. Nowadays many people still own some inherited pieces which are taken out from the dresser only at special events. The silver’s cold, subtile shine (compared to gold) provides more sophisticated, luxurious atmosphere to the table or our complete home.
Frequent usage keeps clean the silver objects, but after a longer storage they might become black. Various chemicals can be bought for cleaning silver (e.g. Sydol) but we can solve the problem with homemade practices also. The combination of kitchen foil-cooking soda-salt-warm water is the most common method. As far as possible, do not scrub the surface, rather soak the object in the liquid. Don’t put them into the dishwasher!
We can look after the authenticity of the inherited silverware by the hallmark. Most of the silver objects were signed, referring to the year, company and place of production, commonly in a less visible part, e.g. inner side of the foot.
Alfenide was a prevalent material in Hungary which was used instead of silver because its production was much cheaper. This is an alloy of nickel, copper and zinc which gives a well-workable material – then the end product was coated with silver. In this case scouring powder shouldn’t be used for cleaning because it scrubs the surface.
Ask for advice of a professional for buying antique silverware or evaluating your own collection. An interior designer can help you with arranging decoratively the silver ornaments and planning a really festive table set.

Table centerpiece 2.

Sep2

Autumn table centerpiece ideas

Natural textiles

Jun29

When choosing fabrics, besides their colors and patterns, the material should be considered as well. They have to be chosen by the desired function (upholstery, carpet, curtain, decorating fabric). The fabrics made of natural fibers have two groups: animal and floral origin.
Fabrics woven of sheep wool yarn are sturdy, warm, thick and a bit spiky. They can be cleaned only on low temperature and shouldn’t be put to direct sunshine. They are easily colorable, their pattern are commonly woven.
One long silk thread can be gained by unrolling the pod of the silkworm which can be woven to silk fabric. Its coloring is a more complicated procedure. The threads are more knotty in some parts of it, this way a special pattern is formed, typical only to silk. It is light, soft to touch, with high tensile strength and relatively chemical resistant also.
Cashmere wool is made of the soft hair of cashmere goat which is selected by hand first. It is a specially soft, warm but light material.
Further animals which provide natural fibers: vicuna, lama, alpaca, angora rabbit, spider (silk).
Cotton belongs to floral fibers. Cotton thread is made of the fiber covering the seeds of the cotton-plant and this is woven to a fabric. It is easy to bleach and color. Sunlight might quickly damage it. It is cleanable on mid temperature. It can be patterned by weaving, printing and painting.
Linen is made of fibers of flax plant during a long processing. A bit rigid, light beige fabric is given. It is hard to iron, cleanable on high temperature and it is easy to color. It is frequently mixed with cotton for better handling.
Other plants give fibers for making strong fabrics also. For example: see grass (sisal), hemp, jute, coconut.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the proper fabrics.

Bay window

Jun22

When building a new house, there are several opportunities to plan some special features that make our property unique and special. A real classic style marker is the so called „bay window”, which is a protruding, usually curved window niche. It provides not only a spectacular look, but also useful space.
Depending to the size, it can have different functionality. A small breakfast table with two or three chairs can be placed here. At the window side, chairs can be replaced by a bench. A larger bay window can function as a dining room with six-eight chairs.
In case of bedroom or living room, a “conversation corner” can be implemented in a bay window placing two armchairs and a small table. If the size of the couch allows, it also can be placed, thus emphasizing the area.
With a tailor made bench with foam seat and a lot of cushions, a comfortable, quiet and relaxing reading corner can be created. At the bottom, additional storing capacity is provided, and a little table with a lamp is also offered to be able to use the bay window in the evenings.
Bay windows are perfect home offices. An antique style desk looks great there, but such as the bench, a tailor made and built in desk is also a great solution.
Our relatives playing musical instruments will be glad to a practicing place or a stage for home concerts. Piano, harp or also a drum set can be placed in a bay window in harmony with the classic style of the house.
Shading is not a problem, although the unusual shape frightens some people. With curtains, shutters or Roman blinds the outer light can be easily controlled.
If you would like to give character to your new home, consult with your architect at the planning phase to implement a well sized bay window. For optimal use of space, ask an interior designer.