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.

Historical colors

Jun15

In the case of a low-budget renovation, where only a wall painting is possible, or wallpapering, maybe changing one or two furniture, colors have more important role. Their power is frequently underestimated, some people are afraid of them also. They are afraid that a stronger color might be boring soon, so they decide to choose white or pastel shades. The desired style is tried to be reached by excessive amount of decorating objects.
It is quite easy with classic historical styles. Every era had characteristic color hues which determined the mood of interiors of that time. Of course, all the colors of the rainbow were used then also, though there was always a shade of color which was among the most popular in its era. If these colors are used during renovating, a success can be reached with less effort. Although the mixed paint by a color code is more expensive than the ready-made versions, it is worth to spend it for the effect. In the case of wallpaper, pattern can be so important too.
Some extracted examples: using of ebony black, gold and golden yellow was typify Empire style. Vine red, olive green and warm dark browns were common in Victorian style interiors. We associate to bubble gum pink, butter yellow and light turquoise blue from the 50s. Edwardian style is characterized by magnolia, bluish grey and off-white.
Don’t afraid of color painting the ceiling, doors and windows or even moldings, beside the walls. Draw inspiration from the pictures of interiors of the given era. Surviving buildings are commonly restored with using historically accurate colors, so we can see the total effect. Let’s be daring because painting is the easiest and cheapest way of makeover, so even if we make a mistake, it is remediable easily.
Ask for help of a color adviser/interior designer if you have doubts about the proper color-usage.

Ship as home

May29

Comfortable ship apartments in classic style

Table centerpiece 1.

May13

Some decorative table centerpiece ideas instead of cut flowers

Candles

May6

Romantic ambience lighting with candles

Shabby chic

Apr27

Shabby chic is an interior design style which is very popular nowadays. It can be relatively easily realized in any home.
A shabby chic interior is feminine, light and has a little bit warn effect, despite of this, still elegant. Dominant colors are white, grey, powder blue, pink, crème, light green and beige. Furnishing is made of wood, chairs are upholstered comfortably soft, or even wicker braided. Basically it has French style characteristics. Although the overall effect is rural, yet it fits well even in an aristocratic environment. The double doored large wardrobe, the Bergére armchair and the great variety of fabrics provide the luxurious, but still muted feeling. Feels like if we spend our holiday in our country castle.
We can produce the furnishing ourselves for this style. Let’s paint the old furnitures purchased at a flea market with off-white and generate the antique feeling using some umbra brown. Another method, if the paint is burnished back at the edges, at the handles and at the bottom of the legs. This simulates the worn effect gained by the heavy years of usage. At accessories, avoid using strong colors. Flower bouquet is always an important decoration element. It can be placed in practically anything, like a watering can, a jar or old cookie box. Select pastel coloured flowers, which fit to the rural atmosphere, like lavender, roses, tulip or wild flowers. Prefer natural materials at fabrics, like cotton or linen. Use patterned material or plain weaved ones occasionally with toile pattern using only two colors. Use them brevely, combine several hues of a given color. For metallic accessories, silver or gold color is the best choice.
If you like shabby chic, but don’t know how to start, ask help from an interior designer.

Formal meal

Apr20

Attending formal meals may cause a problem for many. The summary below could be useful also if only the home dinners with friends wanted to be made more glamorous:
The tablecloth should be plain or tone-on-tone patterned as far as possible, expediently white or cream, in starched and ironed condition. This provides neutral base to the table set and the served food also. It should be overhanging about 30 cm from the edge of the table, this way the legs of the guest can go underneath. If a table runner is placed, the color of the napkins should be matched with it. If not, the napkins should be made of the fabric of the tablecloth or at least in the same color but made of fabric is a must. This should be placed in the middle of the plate or on the left of the forks.
The so-called service plate has to wait the guests when taking seats. The plates containing various dishes are placed on this, which are taken off after every dish. Even the service plate is taken off before the dessert. If there is a pattern, coat of arms or other decoration on the plate, it should always be on the top of it opposite to the guest.
All the cutleries for using are pre-placed around the service plate. Using order: from outside to inside. Knifes are put on the right side of the plate (appetizer, salad, main dish) with their edges towards the plate, and the soup spoon. Forks are placed on the left side, in the same order. The dessert fork is put above the plate with its handle on the left, and the dessert spoon above this with its handle on the right. The bread plate is on the left side of the plate with the butter knife on it.
Glasses are put on the right side of the plate, above the knives. Maximum four glasses can be here, in a rectangular order or in a row in decreasing sizes to the right. These are glasses for water, red vine, white vine and aperitif. The set can be changed of course depending on the served drinks. Glass for champagne is not pre-placed.
The seating card is put above the dessert cutleries, the salt and pepper cellars are placed above the forks. The table centerpiece should be chosen according to the free visibility of the opposite guests above or under it, so the discussion is not disturbed by it. The needed space for comfortable eating is about 60 cm per person, this has to be considered when laying the table.
Ask for help of a style-advisor for formal and classy entertaining preparations.