Color pairs 15.

Color pairs: blue-yellow

Empire

Empire style was developed in France under the reign of Napoleon. The emperor wittingly created a style which marks his reign and contains the main features of ancient world-powers, referring to his own glory. It was spread all over Europe by his conquests.
Empire style is based on monumentality and luxury. It alloys ancient Greek and Roman architectural features with ancient Egyptian motifs, favors the more ornate ones from all of them. Corinthian columns dominate in the buildings. Big amount of gilding makes the sight imposing in the interiors, which is pared commonly with black (ebony, varnishing, marble), claret and bright dark blue. Furniture are covered with ormolu, the frame of seats is fully gilded, moreover the upholstery has yellow or gold color also. Out of fabrics, silk and damask became conspicuous.
Bays, olive-branch, N (Napoleon) and J (Josephine) letters, flower garlands, pitcher are repeated motifs. Frequently caryatides or winged animal figures hold the top of tables instead of legs. These decorations are common on dressers also. Mahogany was the most frequently used wooden material.
Walls were covered with heavy fabrics which were even pleated for a thicker effect. Their colors were commonly dark green, claret or dark blue. Beloved solution were the painted walls and the gilding of plastered ceiling. The edges and patterns of paneling was highlighted by gilding too. The base color of these was typically cream or off-white. The bottom of curtains reached the floor, they were made of heavy but lighter colored fabrics, richly pleated and decorated with golden fringes, tassels and trimmings.
You can also implement the feeling of luxury provided by Empire style in your home with the help of an interior designer.

Rustic

May18

Truly rustic interiors – neutral and harmonic color palette

Same patterns

May4

Wallpaper and fabrics with the same pattern in one place: the result is a sophisticated and rich sight

Instead of sets

Apr26

The matter of a furniture set automatically raises when furnishing the bedroom and the living room. Set of furniture family with the same color, pattern and upholstery can be purchased in bigger furniture shops, covering almost the whole flat. This is a safe choice for the unified sight. But let’s take the risk and choose complementary and matching pieces of furniture instead of a set. Classic style won’t vanish with this!
In a living room, cabinets and tables belong to a group, upholstered furniture (sofa, armchair, ottoman) to the other group, commonly these are together the furnishing. Texture shall be more diverse if the colors are similar. For example: a pair of leather armchairs fit perfectly to a sofa upholstered with beige fabric. A table made of black metal complements well the dark wooden cabinets. If all the seats are upholstered, colors of the sofa and armchairs shall be different but in harmony to each other. Inverse upholstery is an elegant solution for this: highlight the lines of furniture with a distinct colored hemming. The other furniture gets the color of this and its hemming’s color is the first one’s base color.
The colors and materials of the bedroom furniture does not necessarily have to match. For example: a mirrored night table can be placed beside a bed made of wood, moreover, two different night tables on the two sides of it. They shall complement each other, that is important. A chair or pouf in distinct color can be placed to a dressing table. The wardrobe can have the same or similar color to the wall, so it will fade into it, this way a characteristic bed could be the focal point.
The same method can be applied in the case of a dinner table and chairs.
The above mentioned provide an opportunity to use inherited or flea market furniture also. Different materials, colors and textures create an exciting and unique view. Ask for help of an interior designer for creating the perfect harmony!

Color pairs 13.

Mar9

Color pairs: orange-grey

Store bicycle

Feb19

Bicycle storage in our apartment? It’s not a problem!

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.