Archive | December 2014

Grand Tour

Fruits of XVIII. century „Grand Tour”

Faucets

Nostalgic faucets for the elegant bathroom

Autumn

Autumn is here again, the weather turns a bit colder and rainier. The nature prepares for winter time but before this, it provides a colorful sight. Almost everybody likes the warm, inviting colors of autumn landscape. The leaves of plants have thousand shades of yellow, orange, red and brown, beside the green spots. Claret, dark purple and ochre can be also found among the ripe colors of fruits. Walking on the soft leaf-litter feels good. The blue color of the sky becomes a bit grayish but bold colors flash under the autumn sunshine.
This season is the easiest to bring into our home. The mellow, warm colors aren’t hard to harmonize and making the space cozy. The brightness can be well blunted with beige or off-white walls, furniture get big emphasis at the front of it. If a daring total effect is desired, let’s paint the walls color mustard, brown or even claret or deep purple. In this case, furniture can be lighter, for example coffee brown, grey or darker beige. Brown leather sofa, wooden floor and natural wooden furniture are perfect choice for an autumn interior. Wool, chenille, velvet and thicker woven textiles can be used. Leaf, tartan, damask and paisley patterns fit for this very well. Woven baskets, glazed ceramic vases, wrought iron or wood decorating objects in the mentioned colors look good as accessories. Put autumn flowers (e.g. rose, lily, aster) or berries (e.g. wild rose, cotoneaster, sorb) or leafy branches in the vases. Put a bowl full of chestnuts and walnuts in the middle of the table. The luckier can lit the fireplace also, which light gives additional warmth to our home. Rather table and floor lamps and mood lights should be used instead of central lighting.
Resort to skills of an interior designer for implementation if you like such a friendly, cozy mood in your home during the whole year.

Level-offset

Dec6

Don’t be afraid to furnish level-offset spaces

Trompe l’oeil

Dec5

Trompe l’oeil never went out of fashion but have to be daring to use it

Pink

Dec4

The shades of pink are from mixing red and white. All of its tones are popular in interior design. Commonly pastel or more subdued pinks fit for classic style.
This color is connected firstly with feminity, romance, flowers and girls. Strong shades (e.g. pink, purple) heighten pulse rate and blood pressure, have exciter effect. Soft tones (e.g. pearl pink, powder) are rather calming, inviting and have protecting effect.
There is a perfect shade for almost all of the interior design styles. The lighters can be used in nurseries, children’s rooms, bedroom and bathroom. Brighter tones are better to use only on accessories or maybe on bigger furniture as pop-color or focal point. They look good in living room, dining room and home office. If we are braver, walls can be painted pink also. Its sweetness or vibration can be blunted with white, beige, green, grey, brown or even black.
It was one of the favorite color of Madame Pompadour in the 18th century Rococo France, that’s why it was frequently used on Sévres porcelains, wallpapers and upholsteries. Rather pastel shades are beloved in English styles. It is connected to the feast of cherry tree blooming in Japan.
Business companies that choose pink or magenta for their logos are growing. They want to highlight their specialty, ability to develop and influence with this. Toy manufacturing, cosmetic and sweets manufacturing companies use its paler shades also.
Pinks can easily dominate the space, they might create depressing or sugary mood, so ask for help of a color advisor-interior designer for creating a subdued and tasty pink interior.

Four poster bed

Dec3

What can be more romantic than a four poster bed?

Orangery

Dec2

A cleverly designed orangery built to the house will be usable all over the, which increases the value of the house also.
Firstly the purpose of the additional „room” has to be decided. It can be useful for anything else beside keeping and wintering plants: reading nook, playroom, additional dining room or living room. It is practical to build in a French door in its garden side for opening it up with the garden in good weather, this way creating an airy but covered outdoor seating place.
The building can be ordered from professional companies, which deliver it in the desired size, color and material after on-site survey. The frame can be made of metal or wood. The first one is the most common because it needs less care and sturdier. Any other color can be chosen beside the classic white, which matches to the house. The advantage of green is fading into the garden view. Black gives a more characteristic look, and also a beloved color for a long time. As far as possible, the roof should be made of the same glassed framework as the walls. Not only for the sake of a more uniform and beautiful appearance, but also for the plants to get more light.
It’s practical to choose a kind of tile or hardwood covering for the floor. These don’t warp by moisture which is important because of the plants kept here. If carpet is preferred, let’s choose one made of coir or sisal. They are nature-looking and easy cleanable. It’s worth to lay a smaller carpet on the tiled floor in winter for improving comfort.
The cooling-heating question has to be solved during the building phase for the sake of all-year usage. Floor heating is the simplest way. If the frame is put on a lower parapet wall, long but narrow radiators can be placed also which will be almost invisible. The proper shading is a must against sunshine and over-warming. Roll-up or roman blinds are the best fitted solutions. They highlight the beauty of the structure with their simple and clear lines. An UV-proof fabric should be chosen for it which looks good with the furnishing also. Don’t forget the roof! It’s practical to make more glass panels openable for the better ventilation.
Attention should be paid to the problems linked to the room’s special features while furnishing, e.g. moisture and strong sunshine. That’s why garden furniture with metal or bamboo frame are good solutions which are more resistant than upholstered indoor furniture. Lighting is important if the room will be used in the evenings also. Let’s treat the orangery as an ordinary room and use floor lamp, chandelier, table lamp and wall scone. The frame commonly suits for hanging a chandelier but it should be discussed with the professional when ordering.
This room is transparent on all sides because of the glass walls. So, pay attention to safety by proper locks and alarm system. During the holidays, it will be a spectacularly decorated room to enjoy from the garden.
If you are not sure about what kind of orangery fits for your house or just want to furnish the present one in style, ask for help of an interior designer.