Lavender

In the pull of lavender

Bay window

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.

Belfast sink

Jun19

Belfast or butler’s sink: comfortable, elegant, fit to every style

Thomas Kinkade 2.

Jun17

Selection of Thomas Kinkade’s summer landscapes

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.

Garden gates

Jun12

At the front of a good garden gate we feel entering to a dreamworld. Even if it is our own vegetable garden gate.

Dog/cat door

Jun10

Provide the free bustling in and out to the garden for our pets

Royal Warrant

Jun8

Royal Warrant title could be gained by companies or persons in Great Britain who supply the Queen, the Prince of Edinburgh or the Prince of Wales with their products/services for at least five years. All the three can honor only one supplier in a certain field, but the same firm can be honored by all the three at the same time.
The owner of the Royal Warrant has to comply with very strict rules. In return, it gets the permission to use the royal coat of arms of the donator on its website, printed materials and advertisements. The title is valid for five years, then it is being reviewed. If the quality or the supply is not appropriate anymore, the title is revoked. This review is done automatically if the supplier dies, gives up the business, goes bankrupt or the firm is sold. The procedure to be followed is defined for every case to keep assuredly the expected high quality.
Privileges and titles were given to royal suppliers already since the middle ages. The relationship between the royal house and the suppliers had been regulated during several hundred years and the related affairs were assigned to an organization. Nowadays there are only British firms – except for a very few – on the list of Royal Warrants from all fields of life, also from the industries connected with interior design, like fabric, paint, wallpaper and furniture manufacturing. Presently there are ca. 800 firms like this. Some of them got and kept the Royal Warrant title for more than a hundred years. Royal Warrant Holders Association works since 1840 which as a controlling institution takes care of compliance for quality requirements and provides the communication between its members and the various departments of the Royal House. The Association also checks that the royal titles are used by only the authorized ones complying to the rules.
Of course, the products of these companies are available for anyone. Their advantage is that the customer can be sure about being served by a reliable company at high quality.