Hiding arches

Mar20

Arch was very popular some decades ago, especially in shaping inner doorways and pass-through windows. Nowadays most of us want to get rid of them while renewal. If these arches were created by drywall, it’s easy to remove them. But it is time-consuming, dirtier and more costly in the case of the arches were built as part of the wall. Not sure if the owner has an opportunity for this. Let’s see some methods to hide or integrate them without demolishing.
Curtaining is the simplest solution. This can be used not only on windows but inner doorways also. Cover the upper, curved part of the arch with drapery and form a rectangular shape by the side curtains. We can apply a blind instead of drapery in the case of windows.
Inner openings without doors can be closed by a rectangular door if the upper part of the arch is built up. If the opening is not tall enough for this, but there is enough space on both sides of it, we can place an outside-wall sliding door also. The door panel should be oversized to cover the curved part. Place it on the side from which the sight of the arch is more annoying (from communal area, front door).
Put a mirror in the unused pass-through window and a console table or a chest of drawers under it. Although the arch remains, the picture in the mirror distracts one’s attention from its shape and makes the space useful.
Inserting shelves into the arched pass-through window results an excellent storage and displaying space. This way decoration objects are in the focus instead of the shape.
Ask for help of an interior designer for further solutions.

Gothic style

Mar13

Gothic style was born in France at the turn of the 13th-14th century. It was characterized by buildings bursting to the sky and light coming to the fore. Walls became thinner thanks to the herringbone quadripartite and fan-like ribs, this way, bigger windows could be built in. Elements of sacral architecture got into secular architecture, so houses and palaces followed this style also. Comfort became important, but living spaces weren’t separated yet. Board, as building block, which is the base of framed structures, appeared thanks to sawmills. Sizes of furniture rose, first wardrobes were created (chests were used as storages before). Colored glasses were put into the gothic and rose-windows which told the stories of not only saints, but kings and knights also.
The revival of Gothic style appeared in England in the 18th century and reached the top in the 19th century during the era of romanticism. It used gothic features but in an idealized way with glorification of medieval values (fidelity, faith, chivalry, courage etc.). Many castles and houses were built in this style, for example the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge were built in that time also. Decorating elements were adapted too: statues, laced gable, finials and gothic windows with color glasses. Not only the buildings but furniture was made thus. Dark brown wood dominated in the interiors, heavier fabrics were used for upholstering (leather, velvet) and other colors were darker hues also (claret, dark green, dark blue). Niches were re-created by using wallpapers which was a much cheaper solution.
Nowadays Gothic style appears in Goth/gothic form which also uses dark colors (black, deep blue, dark purple) and it is mixed with frightening elements thanks to the popularity of vampire stories, in which films this view dominates. Dark color shame is not obviously kept during transformations of old churches and Gothic revival buildings to homes. Gothic features are perfectly highlighted by light painted walls, comfortably upholstered seats, proper created lighting and separating of spaces and they perfectly harmonize the sight.
Gothic style can be realized in a common home also with considering the scales and proper amounts. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.

Spring decor

Mar10

DIY decoration ideas for spring

Chicken wire instead of glass

Mar8

Chicken wire in cabinet doors fits perfectly for country and shabby chic styles

Papier maché

Mar6

Papier maché was a serious technology of interior design in the 19th century. The meaning of the French phrase is chewed paper. Henry Clay spread it in Europe who recognized its possibility in 1722.
Paper-pulp was made by a cooking method in France in the 18th century, to which glue was added and the mix was poured into molds. However, with Clay’s technique, large paper sheets were glued together on the surface of a pre-made frame and the air was pressed out of it after every 2-3 layers. The edges were cut, it was dipped into linseed oil and put into a hot oven (think in industrial sizes of course). More layers were applied on it after this, until the desired thickness was reached. The surface of the ready piece was grinded then the whole was dipped into linseed oil again and baked for several hours. This way it became not only hard and sturdy but waterproof also. Theodore Jennens patented a procedure when these pieces could be curved in forms by steaming and pressing.
Papier maché objects were produced until the beginning of the 1900s: faux-columns, backs of chairs, headboards, trays, sewing boxes, ink stands, table tops, snuffboxes, doors of coaches, toys, picture frames etc. This was a much cheaper solution for moldings, rosettes and wall panels than if the pieces were made of gypsum or wood. The surfaces of household objects were mostly lacquered black (perhaps red or dark green) and decorated with paint (flowers, birds) or mother of pearl inlay, sometimes they were gilded instead of lacquering. At the first glance, these masterpieces couldn’t be determined that they weren’t made of wood.
The original papier maché pieces are very valuable today and sought after by collectors.

Variations 7.

Mar3

Variations for a theme: fruits

Table centerpiece 9.

Mar1

Spring table centerpiece ideas

Ordered shed

Feb27

Spring is here soon, it’s the opening season of garden jobs. Starting and keeping the time schedule is much easier if all the needed tools are ordered in their place. The required space for this is defined by the size of the house and the garden, such as the number of persons living there.
The most practical solution is a separate shed with enough space for smaller jobs if it would be rainy. Put a table in it which is tall enough to work comfortable on it standing nearby (plant transplantation, labeling, cuttings etc.). Probably less closed storages are needed, the open shelving is more practical usage of space. Hang hand tools (clippers, scissors, small shovel etc.) to hooks, this way they air better after accurate cleaning and they will be close at hand. Let’s row cords, ropes and thin wires to a kitchen paper towel holder for easier handling. Make custom storage without doors for the bigger machines like lawn mower and garden grill where they can be easily pushed in and pulled out when needed. This way the space above them is free to use because they don’t balk us to reach that wall. Put the bigger tools also on hooks fixed to the wall for the ordered sight and not to bump into them. Choose a shed with window if it is possible but proper lighting has to be ensured anyhow.
If there is no possibility for a separate shed, create the place of garden tools in the garage. Broom, rake, spade etc. can be hung on the side wall. If the building is wide and tall enough, closed cabinets can be built in above head height where pots and other accessories can be stored. Nothing will accidently fall to the car standing there, thanks to the doors.
If there is enough space only in the basement or in the attic for storing garden tools, we can still follow the ideas before, it will be just more tiresome to take down and put up the needed things. Cozy working corners can be also created here with proper lighting. If there is a greenhouse, „workstation” can be organized in one of its corners too. If we have no any other chance, put a cupboard inside the house, near the backdoor leading to the garden, with doors below and open shelves above, this way the most necessary tolls will be at hand going to the garden.
An interior designer can help in creating a functional and decorative place related to the garden also.