Nature created color palettes
Archive | December 2015
Dress code
By the end of the year, we might get more invitations to events and parties. The invitation cards might contain some directions for the required clothing, the so-called dress code. This name indicates the rules of the look at the party. Let’s see the most important ones.
White Tie: For gentlemen it is black tail-coat with white shirt made of a special fabric and with standing-collar and hard-breast, white waistcoat, hand-tied, white bow tie, white braces and black patent leather shoes. For ladies it is full dress, commonly with elbow-long gloves.
Black Tie: For gentlemen it is black tuxedo (with white handkerchief in the pocket of the coat), double-cuff white shirt with studs, hand-tied black bow tie, black cummerbund and black calfskin or patent leather shoes. For ladies it is long evening dress without gloves, maybe with stole.
Formal: For gentleman it is dark suit with shirt and low-key tie, which is acceptable before 6 pm also. For ladies, before 6 pm it is an elegant dress made of non-shiny fabric, after 6 pm a cocktail dress.
Semi-Formal: For gentlemen, before 6 pm it is a suit, after it a dark suit and tie. For ladies, before 6 pm it is an elegant dress, after 6 pm a cocktail dress.
Informal: For gentlemen it is shirt, tie, trousers and a jacket not necessarily in the same color as the trousers. For ladies it is an elegant dress.
Business Formal: For gentlemen it is the same as semi-formal. For ladies it is an elegant but not décolleté dress.
Casual: For both sexes it is daily clothes, but sportswear is excluded. They shouldn’t wear jeans or sport shoes.
Smart Casual: Any kind of clothes can be worn but jeans and sport shoes are taboo. For gentlemen it is fabric trousers with easy shirt, maybe supplementing with a pullover. For ladies: elegant trousers with blouse are recommended.
Ask for help of a stylist in the case of uncertainty in choosing the suitable clothes.
Old postcards 6.
Wrapping presents
For most of us, the last step of preparing for Christmas is wrapping the presents. We would like to do it neatly and nicely just like as we have decorated our home. Here are some classic, wrapping ideas without cliché.
Using gift boxes and bags is the fastest but showy wrapping method. They are available in variable sizes, patterns and styles. The box can be made of metal or cardboard. It is an additional decoration to tie it with a ribbon. In the case of a bag, take care for its quality, not to torn because of the weight of the present.
Using simple brown wrapping paper, mould-made paper, newspaper or music paper fits well for rustic or vintage Christmas decor. The plain ones can be decorated by hand-made painting, stickers or prints but they look good without patterns also. Pop it up with adding a nice ribbon, a unique card, a pine branch or crops.
Imitating the snowy landscape inside, we can wrap the presents in wateline. The soft material can be easily used for presents in any shape and size. Tie it with a simple white ribbon, lace or raffia for keeping the natural effect.
Using the leftover wallpapers and fabrics as wrapping materials is a clever idea. They give varied patterns and colors for the Christmas mood. The scene can be unified by binding them with ribbons in similar color and size and the name cards are similar also.
If complete similarity is required to the Christmas decoration of the home, choose a wrapping paper fitting in color for the Christmas tree. Wrap all the presents in this and the ribbons has to be the same as one of the colors of the interior and place them under the tree.
Ask for help of a style adviser in time for choosing the tools for wrapping the presents, achieving the perfect harmony in Christmas decoration.
Table centerpiece 3.
My project 6.
My prior work: Studio + terrace furniture design (redesign) – 25+16 sqm
Further pictures: https://classicinteriors.hu/en/references/21-references/42-references09
Mountain chalet style
Ski season is coming soon and many people travel to the near mountains to enjoy the fun and sport opportunities provided by winter. Rentable mountain chalets are also popular beside hotels. In both cases, we meet with characteristic mood and interior design.
Wood and quarry stone are the most determinative of the materials used. The very knotted pattern of pine planks and beams is highlighted much more by lacquering and burnishing. In the case of other wood types, nervure has bigger role and can be more spectacular by it. The stone fireplace or stone decorated main wall gives the basic mood. Its colors have a wide range from grey to brown. The two extremities can be mixed, so the outcome will be more natural and colorful.
Upholstered furniture provides warmth to the space. This softness is needed beside the wooden walls, beamed roofing and huge windows. The color palette is mostly warm. Fabrics should be thicker but soft. Checkered pattern also fits for mountain chalet style, beside plains. Craftsmanship-like patterns of cushions and blankets add a twist to the total effect. A blanket and a smaller rug made of fur gives us the feel of warmth. The big leather armchair near the fireplace will be a perfect reading nook. (Bio-ethanol fireplace can be placed in any kind of flat/house.) Let’s put characteristic alpine heart-back wooden chairs beside the wooden table in the kitchen/dining area for the desired rustic mood. For more elegant look, upholstered chairs are better. Quarry stone can be used for tiling the bathroom also.
Chandelier and wall scones made of antlers, faux trophies, landscapes, candles, knitted things, antique tools and skis are perfect decoration elements. Use colors specific to the style: browns, warm grays, warm whites, cherry red, darker greens, beige, dark blue, cream. The patchwork blanket and home slippers at the foot of the bed will be an inviting sight.
Ask for help of an interior designer for enjoying the mood of a mountain chalet not only during the ski tour but even in the whole year, in your own home.
Formal gardens
Color pairs 10.
Adam style
Architect Robert Adam (1728-1792) was one of the most prominent persons of English classicism. He came from an architect family and worked with his brother (James). Adam-style was named after him, which is still very popular in the Anglo-Saxon areas.
Adam was travelling for four years throughout Europe before began to work on getting familiar with architecture and culture of other countries. He spent two years in Rome studying the ruins of the classical world. He used the ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan architectural marks (medallion, vase, urn, vine scroll, sphynx, griffin etc.) on his buildings. Also used the style of Louis XVI. as source. In the first time, the Adam brothers got jobs only at the countryside, but later they were invited to London for several projects, practically they took part in the city-planning. Their unique decoration style was the key of their success. They paid attention not only for the outside of the buildings but the inner parts too: the elaborate plasterworks of ceilings and walls and rich classical decorations are still awe-inspiring. Furniture, carpets, lamps, fire places etc. designed by the Adam brothers were used in the interiors. They applied newly developed paints and created special color palettes: pea green, sky blue, lilac, bright pink, red-brown terracotta, lemon. Painted decoration elements were basic features of the style, e.g. swags and ribbons.
Their most well-known buildings: Edinburgh University Old College, Kedleston Hall, Kenwood House, Luton Hoo, Paxton House, Syon House etc. Their plans were published as a book. The style’s revival was in the late Victorian era.
This very classical style gives elegance but using it an inappropriate way makes the interior cluttered. It requires proficiency to be applied in the available interior, so ask for help of an interior designer.