Truly rustic interiors – neutral and harmonic color palette
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Rose
In the pull of rose
Useful accessories 6.
Useful accessories on the patio
English garden
When the garden is the subject of a conversation, somebody usually says that he/she desires a typical English garden because it’s beautiful. Indeed: English art of gardening is high-level, they can conjure a garden even from the smallest area. But what is a „typical” English garden? Just like anything else, it has an evolution either, differently formed gardens were thought to be nice in different ages.
Knot garden was the most fashionable type in the Tudor-era. Complicated patterns were created of low hedges crossing each other and it seemed they continued under the other one because of the way of cutting. They were usually placed under the windows of bedrooms, that way they were visible while looking out. The hedge was evergreen, so it was enjoyable in winter time also.
Parterres contained flowers in the 17th century. They were symmetrically placed areas fenced off hedges with grassy or pebbly walkways between them. Colorful flowers popped up from green surroundings. Versailles had a great influence on its age. The long, staired waterfall was also an important element.
Lancelot „Capability” Brown landscape architect was the major figure of the 18th century garden architecture. Wide grassy areas, planted huge trees, involving the surrounding scenery into the view and architectural focal points (pavilions, bridges, faux-ruins) were the main characteristics of his works. His style was fancied even in the first half of the 19th century.
Orangeries appeared in the Victorian times, they were status symbol because of the high costs of maintenance. Plant-hunters explored throughout the world for new exotic species (rhododendron, orchid, jasmine etc.). Flower beds had all the colors of the rainbow. Rock gardens and spectacular vegetable gardens came in fashion. People spent many time with caring their plants.
Recent and contemporary gardens are various. Probably herbaceous edges of lawns and cottage style gardens are the most widespread. The first one has to be planted in every year which allows trying out new species. Planting wildflowers beside roses are the main characteristics of cottage gardens, they can grow freely, only the pathways are settled. There is no empty area between the house and the garden. From the beginning of 20th century, many high-standard TV-series, famous flower shows and fairs and the Royal Horticultural Society help for the gardeners.
These are only a taste of English gardens but maybe help to decide which one is appropriate for our home and lifestyle.
Garages
Choosy garages offer nice scene beside functionality
Same patterns
Wallpaper and fabrics with the same pattern in one place: the result is a sophisticated and rich sight
Pergola
Shading is the biggest problem in the case of a patio connected to the house. There are less and less plots with big trees, so the problem should be solved artificially. A pergola can be a showy solution.
Pergola is a frame made of wood, it is open at the sides with a trellis top. The wood has to be properly treated to make it weatherproof. The nervure of the wood remains visible under burnishing and lacquering, so it can be seen in its natural beauty. Painting makes the structure more uniform, it handles the pergola as a freer focal point because of the range of colors.
Pergola filters the sunshine on its own but mostly it is plant-clad. If we don’t want to toil with caring plants, a light, breathable cotton fabric should be fixed on its top which provides the perfect shading. It is enough to tie it loose, on just some points for removing it easily in the case of a storm, but the textile moved by the soft breeze looks nice in good weather.
Its size is defined by the usage of the area: bigger meals, two-persons-chatting, swinging in a swing-bed etc. It not necessarily has to cover the whole patio, this way there remains place for sunbathing also. It can stand alone or can be joined to the wall of the house also.
Pergola can be used as a rain-roof above the entrance door and the car park, as a cover above the pathway leading to the outbuilding, as shading above the windows, for highlighting the entrance of the garden etc. Its great advantage is that it looks very good even in winter when covered by snow.
Ask for help of an interior designer for planning the pergola harmonizing perfectly with the building.
For Mother’s Day
DIY decoration ideas for Mother’s Day
Instead of sets
The matter of a furniture set automatically raises when furnishing the bedroom and the living room. Set of furniture family with the same color, pattern and upholstery can be purchased in bigger furniture shops, covering almost the whole flat. This is a safe choice for the unified sight. But let’s take the risk and choose complementary and matching pieces of furniture instead of a set. Classic style won’t vanish with this!
In a living room, cabinets and tables belong to a group, upholstered furniture (sofa, armchair, ottoman) to the other group, commonly these are together the furnishing. Texture shall be more diverse if the colors are similar. For example: a pair of leather armchairs fit perfectly to a sofa upholstered with beige fabric. A table made of black metal complements well the dark wooden cabinets. If all the seats are upholstered, colors of the sofa and armchairs shall be different but in harmony to each other. Inverse upholstery is an elegant solution for this: highlight the lines of furniture with a distinct colored hemming. The other furniture gets the color of this and its hemming’s color is the first one’s base color.
The colors and materials of the bedroom furniture does not necessarily have to match. For example: a mirrored night table can be placed beside a bed made of wood, moreover, two different night tables on the two sides of it. They shall complement each other, that is important. A chair or pouf in distinct color can be placed to a dressing table. The wardrobe can have the same or similar color to the wall, so it will fade into it, this way a characteristic bed could be the focal point.
The same method can be applied in the case of a dinner table and chairs.
The above mentioned provide an opportunity to use inherited or flea market furniture also. Different materials, colors and textures create an exciting and unique view. Ask for help of an interior designer for creating the perfect harmony!
Iron stairs
The charm of outdoor iron staircases. Best in black?
