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Separate upstairs
How can we separate the upper story of the house in case of open stairs
TV2 interview
My interview by interior design series “Szépítők” of TV2 can be seen on this link. It starts right after the short introduction.
https://tv2.hu/musoraink/szepitok/245440_csokkentheto-a-lakashitel-osszege.html
My project 9.
My latest job on the lakbermagazin.hu website:
http://lakbermagazin.hu/lakberendezo/lakberendezo-munkak/2492-1-plusz-2-felszobas-budapesti-panellakas-klasszikus-stilusban-67m2.html
Lingel furniture
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.
Historical colors
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.
Victorian style
Victorian style was named after Queen Victoria (1819-1901) reigning for 64 years. Her happy marriage with Prince Albert and her strong personality determined the whole British society of the time.
The most characteristic features of Victorian style are family-centeredness, morals and home comfort. The wealth of the middle class became better, this way not only the nobility could afford to have a big house or buy expensive goods. Mass production appeared also which provided the purchasing of cheaper but quality materials and accessories (e.g. porcelain, upholstery fabrics).
Homes were transferred for protection of private life. Bedroom became a private area. The guests were received in the saloon, library or boudoir. Richly patterned curtains and carpets decorated the rooms, seating furniture had soft upholsteries and were comfortable. Women liked to make decorating objects by their own hands (e.g. bird nest and flower compositions, water-color paintings, needle-works, silhouettes), what’s more, decoupage, namely covering furniture and household objects with color pieces of papers, became fashionable also. The rooms were cluttered with furniture for providing to all the members of the family to find the favorite place. Fireplace provided the heating, gas lamps were used for lighting. Children commonly had a separated floor (mostly in the attic) where they could sleep and play. Family portraiture appeared in painting. Employing servants wasn’t the privilege of the nobility anymore. The servants had their place in a separate wing or in the basement, far from the life of the house, just as the serving rooms (kitchen, pantry, laundry). Hygiene became important also, although only a few houses had separate bathrooms but there was a washing cabinet with bowl and jug in every bedroom. The bathtub was also placed in the bedroom at the front of the fireplace for bathing. At this time the English flush toilet was widespread.
The World Exhibition in 1851 helped a lot to the trade of the country. People could meet the household and decorating objects and habits of remote lands. Later the Arts and Crafts movement brought back the golden age of handmade and unique products. Garden and gardening got an important role which was used for showing the wealth also. In terms of this, exotic plants and rare fruits were grown (e.g. pineapple, rhododendron). A kitchen garden was a must. Gothic had a revival in architecture and architectural elements.
This era has many beautiful features in style which create classic values and beauty in the modern society also. Use the help of an interior designer for creating a unique Victorian effect interior.
Library at home
Each real book lover dreams of an own library. Well, placing several hundred books in a smaller house or even in an apartment is really not an easy job.
The most fortunate ones can arrange a separate room for this purpose. This is the ideal situation. We can stand bookshelves in front of the walls up to the ceiling, the pitches can be adjusted to the different book sizes. The best solution is the tailor made and built in furniture, which can be highly customized. If the room is not North oriented, curtains or blinders should be applied to the windows to prevent the books from direct sunlight. In the middle, a comfortable armchair can be placed with a small table and a lamp. Walls and ceiling can be painted with dark hues – the room will be a perfect “nest” for reading.
Our collection can be exhibited in the living room as well. Generally, this is the most used room in a flat, frequently visited by the whole family. Pay attention for the safety of the books if eating, drinking, partying, or children are playing here. Practical solution to purchase bookshelves with a closed cabinet at the bottom. By this, the books can be placed up from above 80 cm. Even more safe, if the bookshelves have glassed door panels: the books are securely stored and even the view remains. Since window blinding is not too practical, place the bookshelves on the wall near the window. The situation is the same, if the library is placed in the dining room.
General solution is placing the books in the workroom. A desk with the necessary accessories don’t require too much place, the free wall surface can be used to store our books. Eliminating direct sunlight is also a problem here, it must be solved at least we are not in the room.
In a one-room apartment the books are practically in the bedroom. It is changing by people, who finds this disturbing, or relaxing when preparing to sleep. In the first case we can store our books in a closed cabinet with cathedral glass or wooden door panels. Don’t place bookshelf above the bed!
It’s important to take care of the books. Once a year they have to be dusted. They have to be stored in horizontal position, not too close to each-other. Protect them from dust and direct sunlight.
You have collected a lot of books, but you don’t know how to store them a way, that is decorative and safe, using the space available optimally? Ask help from an interior designer for planning and implementing.
Green
Green is gained by mixing two primary color, blue and yellow. By this, we call it a secondary color. Most of the people consider it as a neutral, calm color. Its complementary is red.
According to physiological effect, green calms down, balances, relaxes the eye, therefore it is frequently applied in medical institutes and schools. We associate it with nature, life, it gives the feeling of free space. In symbolism, green is allocated to development, maturity, eternal life, but also to inexperience, jealousy and anger. Green is used for free, permissive signals.
Green can be cold and warm depending on the rate of blue and yellow. In interior design, it is a perfect background for strong, vivid colors. Can be applied in all rooms bravely, mainly the lighter hues. Combined with white, cream and brown, a classic, elegant interior can be resulted. Hues with more yellow provides freshness and happiness into the view. Perfect color for garden facilities (e.g. shed, swing, arbor frame structure) to hide them among the surrounding vegetation.
Feng shui assigns green to wood element. The color of the Jin, the female side. Associated to the 4th chakra (heart).
In business life nowadays it is used for advertising bio products and extensively used also by ecological and environment friendly companies. This is the color of money as well.
This is an extremely versatile color, for getting a cozy green interior, ask help from a color advisor.
Reading nook
A cosy reading corner is the most desired dream of the book lovers for whom reading is a real hobby.
At home, we used to read at many different ways and places: in bed, curled up in a couch, in the bath or sitting at the desk. These are most often ad-hoc solutions, but whatever size of home we have, we can easily implement a separate oasis for our most favourable activity.
If there is a cosy bay window, that could be an ideal place for a built-in bench. Additional storing place also can be gained such a way. With a harder sitting cushion and some soft cushions for the back – covered by a textile fitting to the style of the home – can result a place where we can read at natural light.
We also can purchase a big and comfortable armchair for this purpose, it can be placed e.g. near the fireplace or in a corner. It should be large enough to let us changing our position in it. Extended with a footrest, an additional cushion and a standing lamp, it can be even more comfortable.
Informal style and location can be solved by using three or four sitting cushions on the floor, which can be moved wherever in the flat. Cover large, at least 60×60 cm cushions with your favourite fabric. Placing them near each-other, we can read in laying position, but placed vertically they provide cosy sitting facility.
If we like to read outdoor and we have a balcony or terrace, a deck chair or rocking chair can be put out there, completed with a blanket and a cushion. If there is also a garden, a bench can be placed under an arbor or a larger tree, where we can read surrounded by flowers, enjoying the scents and the silence.
If you love to read at home as relaxing, but because of the dimension or features of your home, you have no idea to realize a reading corner, ask help from an interior designer.
