Paisley

Feb13

Paisley pattern is a drop-shaped, floral pattern curving at the end. It can have different names in different cultures, for example: cypress, mango, almond.
It has eastern origin which got to Europe by the East India Company in the second half of the 17th century. Later it became really popular by the silk and wool cashmere scarves which were imported and brought home from the Indian colonies. Their prices were quite high.
The mass production of the printed paisley patterned fabrics started in Marseilles and this was followed later by England and Holland. However, the weaving machine, which appeared during the industrial revolution, made possible to copy the pattern. The largest production company was in Paisley in Scotland, the pattern was named also after this town. They worked with five colors since 1800, while other companies worked with only two colors. 15 colors were used since 1860 on the same piece which was still the quarter of the color usage of the original imported fabrics. It was produced in Paisley not only as a woven wool fabric but as printed cotton also. The latter was much cheaper, this way it reached a wide range of people. The original fabric was still imported in a big amount because it was so popular.
The beat generation in the 60s loved to wear paisley patterned clothes. Nowadays paisley has kept its oriental character but it fits for several classic styles because of its wide range of size and color. Even the align of the pattern isn’t set. It appears not only on upholsteries but on wallpaper, carpets and accessories also.
If you also like this pattern, ask for help of an interior designer for the choice fitting for your home.

Staircase decorations

Nov7

The inner staircases were mostly treated as a necessary bad during planning and building a house. They were commonly designed narrow for gaining bigger useful spaces, with frequently uncomfortably high steps. This is felt by not only the owners but the guest also. Try to distract attention from it.
Let’s redirect the guests’ attention at the walls instead! One way of it is to put strong patterned wallpaper on the walls from the bottom to the top of the stairs. In this case, there’s no need for additional decor. If the surroundings are quite neutral, bold colors and patterns will attract the attention. Creating a picture gallery is another possibility. Hang similar themed or similar framed pictures all on the walls of the staircase. We can use mirrors, old window frames, colored gypsum rosettes etc. instead of pictures.
Further method is to decorate the stairs themselves. The rises of steps can be painted, wallpapered or even tiled. The stair runner not only makes the usage more comfortable, but it can be a perfect design element also. Striped pattern helps attract the eye upwards, but the same effect can be reached with a stronger color divergent from the color theme of the interior.
Any object can be a focal point in the turn of stairs or on the wall vis-a-vis the top of it, this way it almost drags up the one who passing. If there is a bigger place, put a chair, a bigger vase, an old rocking horse or any other object there fitting for the style. If there isn’t such a big space, just hung a picture on the wall or put very narrow shelves on which smaller decorating objects can be lined.
The combinations of these above just enhance the effect. Ask for help of an interior designer for solving similar problems.

Wooden staircase decor

Sep16

Decorate the boring wooden staircase with paint, this way it can be an elegant or even a playful focal point

Using space under stairs

Jul11

The small area under the stairs is mostly considered only as a storage space. There is always lack of storage space, so this is a very good solution. The usage is perfect with custom made, built-in furniture. However, this is not the only useful way for the owners, there are several further functions fit to this small area also.
Reading our favorite book is the best in a small nook. Let’s built-in a bench under the stairs, put a comfortable cushion on it and surround it with soft pillows, fix a wall scone and the perfect bookworm shelter is ready.
A home office is needed more and more, but there is not always a separated room for it. A smaller desk can be comfortably fit under the stairs, it can be even built around by shelves, providing place for not only the laptop but for the stationery and some documents also.
A guest toilet is desired by most of us. We can cleverly create it under wider stairs. A toilet, a small sink and a towel rail are enough for this. All of them should be wall mounted, this way the space will be felt bigger.
If the stairs are right near the entrance door, let’s take the advantage for creating a comfortable welcoming area. Hooks for coats, shelves for shoes and a cushioned seat can be placed here instead of a separate wardrobe.
These are only some of the several possibilities. Ask for help of an interior designer for utilizing all the possibilities of your home!

Double height room

Jun6

Double height rooms are more and more frequent in newly built houses. Mostly one can look down from the upper level which can give a new and exciting perspective for the owners. Typically, the living room, the kitchen or the entrance hall is created this way.
Furnishing of these rooms can be a challenge. Not necessarily the oversized furniture is the solution. The huge space can be filled with creating a focal point to eliminate the feeling of unusually emptiness and rigidity.
Covering the fireplace up to the ceiling is a perfect answer to the problem. Don’t be upset if there is no chimney: bioethanol fireplaces can be placed anywhere. Additional color and texture can be brought in the space with natural stone or wooden paneling.
There are similar window-heights in a double height room, or maybe they are ordinary sized but in two rows. Spectacular curtaining of these works well as a focal point. Hanging fabrics from ceiling to floor has to be left to professionals. It can be complemented with electric blinds; in this case the curtain will serve as just a decoration indeed.
Proper lighting is always a basic task. In this case, a really big and beautiful chandelier can be hung. Pay attention to not only the size filling the room but giving enough light also. If everything else is neutral, it will attract the eye.
If it is a living room, plus stairs can be built here, this way one hasn’t return to the main stairs for going up. A nicely carved metal or wooden spiral staircase is a perfect eye candy. Let’s put the library here, so the bookshelves can reach to the ceiling, they will be easily accessible also.
It’s an extreme case, but a motor-cycle or a smaller boat can be stored by hanging from the ceiling. Pay attention to fit in the style of the flat and don’t transform the living room to a depot. In this case, planning and creating the hanging system must be always done by a professional!
Of course, there are many other possibilities besides those above. Ask for help of an interior designer for esthetically highlighting the double room height.

Iron stairs

Apr22

The charm of outdoor iron staircases. Best in black?

Natural stones

Feb15

Using natural stone in our home results an exclusive and opulent effect. Marble, granite, limestone and other stones can be used for floor and wall covering, fireplace pavement, kitchen countertop, creating architectural elements, window sill, washbasin etc. However, it’s useful to know their features and proper ways of cleaning.
Marble is probably the most popular material. It is solid, resistant and well-carvable. The color range is wide (several shades of white, green, red, pink, black, grey and beige), the veins add classic look to the space. Sensitive to acidic materials, for example wine and coffee that can stain it easily. It can be cleaned with warm, mild soapy water. Strong and corrosive detergents make its surface matte, so avoid using them.
Granite can be used inside and outside also. Its surface is very resistant, no special protection is needed. Its pattern is commonly grainy. The polished surface keeps its shine for a very long time. Hues of brown-beige, black-white-grey, blue and red are among its colors.
Limestone is a more sensitive type of stone. It is porous, so it’s useful to impregnate it for long lasting. It is easily carvable and polishable, that’s why it is desired for in- and outdoor also. It can be purchased in warm colors (hues of beige and reddish and yellowish shades). It perfectly fits for Mediterranean style interiors.
Onyx has unique and strong pattern, for that very reason use it moderately. It is opaque cut in thin plates and can be lighted through from behind. It will be obviously the ornament of the room. Its colors are greenish, pinkish and brown-yellowish hues. Its surface can be cleaned with polishing liquid also.
Quartzite is a wear-proof, non-freezing, acid resistant and fine-grainy rock. This is the basic material of the so-called industrial „quartz”. Mashed natural stones and raisin are added to it for reaching the optimal features. Its surface is shiny, but can be glimmering in grains also. Generally, it is available in white, black, grey and beige hues, but it can be purchased in different shades of blue, red and brown also. It doesn’t need any special maintenance or cleaning.
Of course, there are several more stones that can be used in interior design. All of them have unique features and these have to be concerned for long lasting beauty. Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the proper stone for the function and style.

Lighting

Jan11

Light is a very important part of our home, so we need to spend time for designing the amount and quality of lighting. The sizes and numbers of windows, the orientation and the light required by the activity in the room are all should be considered.
General lighting means using diffuse light in the room. The task is replacing the natural daylight in this case. Ceiling lamps and chandeliers are suitable for this.
The main role of local lighting is supplying the working area (e.g. desk, kitchen countertop, reading armchair) with proper light. This mostly has controllable angle.
With mood lighting we can highlight some interesting details of the space (e.g. painting, plant, niche) or a moderated lighting can be provided which is used only for chasing away darkness. Modern LED stripes can be used for this which can be hidden, this way only their light can be felt indeed but a decorative floor lamp or a picture lamp can have this function also.
The role of safety lighting is informing and guiding us in the dark. In the case of a home, this can be for example lighting of stair steps, the edge of swimming pool and the drive-in way.
When using artificial lights, it should be considered whether applying cold or warm light.. In the case of modern bulbs or LEDs, the light can be cold white which is not always proper, because it can make the space unfriendly. That’s why it’s worth to use warm lighting at home which results a pleasant atmosphere.
Always take care of the colors of the floor and walls when choosing lamps and light-sources because dark hues absorb light better and need more intensive lighting. The lamps with lampshades always give more moderated light. Those with crystals and glass parts disperse the light more.
The numbers, places and types of switches and sockets have to be planned in time also, thinking over the way of life and the habits.
Ask for help of an interior designer for making the lighting-plan perfect to your home.

Animal protection in interior design

Oct19

It may sound odd but there is a connection between interior design and animal protection. Many people like animal patterns, skins and motifs but there is always an alternative solution instead of using real materials made of animals. We can meet clients for whom it’s important that their home fulfills the animal protection principles.
Leather is the most commonly used animal material. It has several good characteristics and it is very decorative. Usually we use cow, pig, goat and lamb leather. These animals are slaughtered for their flesh, their skin-utilization is a plus, this way it isn’t waisted neither. Using this kind of leather is not against the animal protection. We can also use poromeric imitation leather instead of a real one. Its look and feel are very similar to real leathers, it breaths also and remains comfortable in heat. The material is polyurethane on textile base. It’s durable and easy to clean. Nowadays market leader textile factories produce lifelike and high-quality printed fabrics in exotic and domestic animal patterns. Exotic looking faux-furs are another good solution. These are high-quality products too and also perfect for upholstery and carpet uses.
Stags and deers shed their antlers in every year. Forestry officials gather them to be sold. These can be used for household or decoration objects looking good in classic interiors. Horns of cattle are also frequently used for this purpose. We can choose objects with similar colors and surfaces instead of real animal origin products. Many factories produce high-quality faux trophies and artificial animal leathers.
For me, not only energy saving and green architecture are important issues, but also the protection of the fauna. An alternative solution can be beautiful, chic and comfortable also, what’s more environmentally friendly.

Tartan

Feb23

Tartan is associated with the Scottish heritage.
The pattern itself consists of stripes with different widths and colors which cross each other in 90° angle, this way they create a grid pattern in both directions which has a checked pattern effect. There are same stripes in width and color on both sides of the main stripe in vertically and horizontally also, so the pattern is completely symmetrical. This differentiates tartan from other similar checked patterns. The order of the threads is reversed mixing the two colors with this and „creating” a third one.
On the contrary to the popular belief, in old times rather institutes, regions and families had the same clothes, not the clans. The pattern was connected later to the Scottish nationality and costume. First it was only used on textiles for clothing, these were made of almost only wool and were colored with natural dyes. Artificial dyes became widespread in the Victorian era allowing new color variations to be used.
Nowadays tartan isn’t limited only to clothes, or to the fabrics at all. It appears on objects made of any material, be it paper, porcelain or plastic. Because of this fact, there are many possibilities for using the pattern in interior design: not only on upholsteries but on wallpaper, lampshade, dinner set, carpet etc. The variations of it with red-green color combinations are associated with Christmas mood.
If you also like it and want to make tartan the part of your home, ask for help of an interior designer.