Furnish a big hall can be a problem too. The space can be beautifully filled with a center table and a decorative chandelier.
Archives
Magnolia
Silhouettes
Silhouette was a popular piece of fine arts in the 18-19th century. It is a silhouette on a light – usually white – base, cut out of black cardboard or painted with black paint. Most often it is a human profile portrait (vignette) but the theme can be also a genre or animals.
This was the cheaper and faster version of portrait miniatures. The most talented artists made a silhouette by freehand in a few minutes, just looking the model sitting in front of them. The inner part of the silhouette is simply black without details, neither the eyes nor other characteristics were illustrated. Their sizes were between 7 and 13 cm. Making it was a kind of show at fairs and even the poorer could afford paying for one thanks to the cheap material. The artists not necessarily had to have a wealthy patron for their job.
Making silhouettes was a popular pastime among nobles also. The easier way was to hang a tensed paper on a mount between the model and the drawer, while the model was lighted by a candle from behind. The shadow on the paper was drawn around and that was used as a stencil for cutting the final one of black cardboard. The painted version was usually also pre-drawn and filled later with black ink.
The silhouettes were framed and put on the wall. Later variations appeared on glass, gypsum and ivory.
They can be easily fitted into fashionable, minimal color palettes thanks to their black-and-white basic colors. Ask for help of an interior designer placing your collection in a proper way.
Edible decoration 1.
Bookcase-door
Decoration motifs 2.
My project 22.
Seaside colors
Although summer is over, seaside style is popular independently from seasons. It means travelling, mental and physical freedom, serenity and calmness for most people. However, the question arises in interior design: which beach is desired to be evoked at home? Although the accessories specific to the style(s) (seashells, cord, objects connected to sailing, driftwood etc.) are the same, there is a significant difference in color usage among beaches of various places.
In the case of Mediterranean countries commonly white is the basic color but very light sand and hues of beige can be used for the base also. The leading colors paired to this are turquoise blue and green, cobalt blue and sky blue – all of them are bright shades.
It reflects well the cooler weather of the North-European sea-sides that mostly the primary colors are chosen besides the white or off-white base: navy blue, red, bright yellow, probably supplemented with dark orange and grass green.
Light grey is the basic color in Canada and in the northern counties of USA, following the austere weather. It can be both warm and cold hue. The colors paired with this are much more moderated: steel-blue, storm-grey, greyish brown, dark red, navy blue and less often blue water.
Really warm seaside of Florida and California are favorite holiday destinations also. The base can be white but some kind of light beige too. The colors used are quite subdued: blue water, mint green, coral, light yellow, light turquoise, maybe pink.
Warm weather and rich vegetation of Indian Ocean’s archipelago is reflected in that the basic color is frequently among the warm but dark browns of tropical woods. White accompanies to this as contrast and freshening element. Bright greens, pink, turquoise and canary yellow are the pop of colors (exotic flowers).
Of course, listing could be continued. The mentioned above shows well that seaside style has many faces, so it is important to make it clear before implementing, what this style really means to us. Mostly a nice memory is the basis which indicates the place also. Ask for help of an interior designer for reaching the desired result.
Paint palette 15.
Art Deco
Art Deco was the determinative style of the 1920-30s. It was named after the abbreviation of Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes exhibition in 1925.
The style included almost all innovations of the age (e.g. aviation, electricity) but willingly used ancient cultures’ symbols as a source (e.g. rising sun, pyramid). These appeared as stylized geometrical figures. The human bodies on statues and relieves were a bit angular, masculine (even the women!) and dynamic. In architecture, skyscrapers were the breakthrough (e.g. Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building).
Chrome and bakelite – the new materials – specified the interiors. Extra shiny surfaces could be created by both. At the same time, they were combined with very expensive materials: ivory and silver on furniture, diamonds and platinum on jewelry. Black, white and yellow were dominant colors of the strong and high contrast palette. The style itself embodied luxury and elegance. Both mass production and unique manual production had a role.
Renowned artists were requested for furnishing not only private houses and public buildings, but for example the interiors of ocean liners and luxury trains. The style became simpler after the world-wide economic crisis, but still remained extravagant.
Art Deco is popular again. Accessories, wallpapers, furniture in the style can be bought in several shops. Take care not to overdose the used patterns. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.