Real leather

Mar5

Real leather is present in homes since the prehistoric ages. First, it was used only as clothes and blankets, but later, when the quality of finish became finer, it was used for many other purposes. Nowadays leather is used as upholstery and carpet in interior design, although there are several other usages of it which make the interior more interesting. If the aim is creating a masculine home, this is more accentual.
Several factories sell handles made of or covered with leather. Seam made by contrasting stiches conjures the required piece to a decorating motif. It is a fine detail on a kitchen cabinet, for example.
Sound-proofing was resolved in libraries of old houses by thick leather-covered padding on the inner side of the door, because frequently it was the home office too. Leather covered doors were often decorated with quilting or buttoning. This elegant solution is applied in modern times also, for example in managers’ offices. Even if there is no need for sound-proofing, let’s evoke this tradition, because it gives unique mood for our home office too.
Anno top of the desks were covered by leather as well. Paper couldn’t slip while writing viz. high-gloss lacquer and varnish resulted a quite slippery surface and leather was more comfortable for the elbow also. These kinds of desks can be bought in firms producing classic furniture.
We can still find household and decoration objects in variations covered by leather. It is not only natural and elegant material but long-lasting too. Some examples without limitation: storage boxes, letter-opener knife, handle of magnifier, artisan pictures, coaster.
Nowadays faux-leather wall panels are more and more fashionable in homes, as an eye candy first of all. It is applicable behind TVs for hiding wires but holds on as hallway peg-wall and bedside wall covering because of its easy-clean feature. If somebody doesn’t like plastic at home, can order them made of real leather because these are always produced in unique sizes.
Ask for help of an interior designer for furnishing your home, even if you cling to a certain material.

Multifunction

Feb28

Multifunctional furniture with extra storage

Types of ceramics

Feb26

Various ceramics are present in our homes as interior domestic and decoration objects. Commonly we don’t care what they are made of and to which group of the main term they belong. Here is a brief review which can be useful in the case of planning to collect similar objects.
The main features of porcelain that provides its popularity are whiteness and translucency. Kaolin is the main material used. It is burnt glazed between 1200 and 1400 °C temperature. The two types of forming it are pottering and molding. It was discovered in China in the 14th century. The first porcelain manufactures appeared in Europe only in the 18th century (France, Prussia, England).
Terracotta is clay based, glazed or unglazed type of ceramics. This is the earliest material used in history. The end product’s surface is porous, brownish-orange in color, burnt around 1000 °C temperature. It is formed by potter’s wheel. The raw material is very soft, easy to form and decorate by different tools.
Stoneware were already made around 1900 B.C in the valley of Indus. The name is deceptive because the material is a special clay and not stone. It is burnt in a furnace between 1100 and 1300 °C. The end product’s surface is not porous and very hard. It is a non-transparent and commonly glazed ceramic.
Biscuit is an unglazed type of ceramics which is the product after the first burning in a lower temperature. It remains porous which makes glazing easy. Its surface is much finer and marble-like, its shine depends on the temperature of burning. It came to fashion in the second half of the 18th century.
Jasperware is unglazed, matte ceramic which was invented by Josiah Wedgewood in the 1770s. Its special blue version, the Wedgewood blue is the most well-known. The surface is applied with relief work (commonly white). Barium is the main material used.
Ironstone is similar to stoneware as to durability and hardness. It was developed in Staffordshire in the 19th century. It was a much cheaper alternative of porcelain made in mass production. Doesn’t contain iron in contrast with its name.
All types are popular among collectors. Carefully look after the features, production marks and possible injuries before buying antique pieces.

Color pairs 34.

Feb23

Color pairs: purple-yellow

Butter dishes

Feb21

Not ordinary but fitting in classic styles butter dishes

Choosing pictures

Feb19

Decoration is the next thing after renovating/transforming our home, which is probably the most exciting part of the procedure. Still many people stuck here. Maybe decorating the walls intrigues the most: what kind of pictures should be put on? What should be the color, size, subject etc. of them? They are uncertain if the old pictures fit to the new look and if not, what should be purchased instead?
Maybe the most important thing is that pictures can be placed not only in rooms or corridors but also in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and even the toilet. These can be considered as rooms as well, of course keeping their practicality in scope. They will be more inviting and will fit more to the rest of the home.
Placing the existing pictures can be a bit harder, since they have to be integrated in a surrounding even in different style. Changing them is frequently not possible because of their theoretical or real value. Reframing them could improve the situation a lot. We can establish a connection between the picture and its environment by this. Basically, the frame should fit to the picture not to the surroundings, however in this case the latter can be concerned also. For those who like eclecticism, it’s not a problem to place a totally different picture in a given style.
Firstly, the total size should be defined when choosing new pictures, namely they should be measured with frame and matboard. Cutting newspaper to rectangular or square pieces is helpful to see if the size fits for the given place, if it fills the space nicely. If you wish to place more pictures organized in a shape, try the shape on the floor first and after this, take the newspapers to the wall for testing the final order. If unique paintings are liked to be purchased, first check with this method if they fit in the place, since in this case the size is totally determined.
Defining the subject can create further problems. Many people think that only pictures of seaside should be applied in bathrooms, pictures of foods to the kitchen and drawings to children’s room. But there is no such a rule. However, it’s practical to keep the basics of Feng Shui. For example, a ship tumbling on the stormy ocean is not exactly the best choice of subject for a bedroom…
Owners manage colors much better. The new picture should be fit to either the color theme of the whole home or be a part of the additional pop-colors. The sight can be made more accented with proper lighting. Sometimes in the designing phase the interior designer has to start with the color and subject of a given picture. In this case, the picture will harmonize with the implemented interior, of course.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing and placing the best pictures for your home.

Tents indoor

Feb16

Tent in kids room – superlative cosyness

Mercury glass

Feb12

The so called „silver plated” glass (mercury glass) was very popular in the 19th century, it was developed in Germany at the beginning of the century. It was purchased instead of real silver, because of its silvery shine by those who couldn’t afford the real ones.
In spite of its name, it doesn’t contain any pure silver or mercury. Double layered object was blown of glass and silver nitrate was injected through a small hole between the layers, then the hole was closed. For example, candle holders, doorknobs, jugs, goblets and vases were made this method. They soon became popular in England, France and in the USA also. After a short break, it became fashionable again around 1900 thanks to the Christmas ornaments and faux fruits made of it. Even colored variations appeared in the 20th century.
Collectors are still looking for original pieces. If the air gets in between the two layers, the silvery coating oxidizes and becomes freckled. In order to prevent this, the original seal (lead or wax) on the hole shouldn’t be harmed.
We can make silvered glass replica DIY. Fill a spray with water and vinegar in 1:1. Spray the desired object with „mirror” paint. Let it dry for one or two minutes, then spray the surface with the vinegar mix. Push it around with a paper towel. This not only soaks up the surplus but the desired cracked mirror effect is created this way too. Let it dry completely.
These decorating objects fit very well to the elegant and country classic styles also. In case of uncertainty, ask for help of an interior designer for the decoration.