Archive | January 2017

Lace

The pattern of lace is not added to the fabric afterwards, but it is created while during the production of the textile itself. Lace has important rule in fashion and interior design.
The stitched lace is created with a needle, with buttonhole-like stitches. For pillow-lace, there are several bobbins used to guide the threads around the pins on the pillow, this is how the pattern is made. Crochet is made with crochet-hooks, the product is a bit heavier than the other types but is more flexible as well. Lace pattern can be also created by pulling or cutting out threads from a textile and the holes thus formed are embroidered around with yarn. Hem-stich is a similar method. Filet lace has a net-like base and the pattern is created by filling the holes with yarn, that’s why it has an angular look.
With the rise of the Italian Renaissance, the demand for lace has increased. Mainly linen, silk, gold or silver threads were used in those days. Nowadays it is made of cotton or synthetic fiber. It was an expensive type of fabric, so using it as decoration was only the nobles’ privilege. It appeared e.g. as altarpiece in church. The most famous, leading-edge factories are still working in Brussels, Venice, Chantilly. Lace was a determining element of the Victorian interior design, especially in decorating the bedroom where specifically feminine and romantic effect was required. Bedspreads, cushions and baldachins were not only decorated with lace but were made entirely of it. Their color was generally white, off-white or cream. Nowadays it is fashionable again thanks to shabby chic style which creates also feminine and romantic interiors. Soft pastel shades are present here. But the black, red, dark blue and dark purple colored lace accessories fit better for the powerful steampunk style.
Many people inherited lace clothes or other lace objects from their parents, grandparents. Some of these might already serve more generations. If you don’t want to get rid of your collection, ask for help of an interior designer for ornamentally using.

Winter details

Jan27

Winter is in the details

My facebook page

Jan25

Follow my Facebook page either!
https://www.facebook.com/Classic.Interiors.CST/

Thonet furniture

Jan23

Michael Thonet became world-famous as the pioneer of bent furniture. He was born in 1796 in Germany. He experimented with streaming technology since 1830, where wood is bent to form with streaming and it keeps its shape while cooling in the form. At the exhibition in Koblenz in 1841, Duke Metternich noticed him and invited him to Wien, where one year later he got the right from the court for producing. He founded a factory with his sons and they began the machine-production in 1850. He won bronze medal on the London World Exhibition in 1851.
Chair no.4. was their first model which was produced for Café Daum. Simplicity is the point of the chairs. A single U-shaped back joins to the round seat which continues in the legs back. The front legs are slightly curved also. The legs are connected with a round stiffener. The used wood material has cylindrical shape. This base model was varied in several ways later and they offered many possibilities for filling the back also. Model no.14. became the most popular which was modified only with a bent arm according to the mentioned above.
Thonet’s success was due to the fact that his furniture perfectly fit to the organic style of Art Nouveau, blooming in that times. They were featured by ease, material saving and durability. Besides the several chairs, tables, coat stands, cradles etc. were also produced.
He won the gold medal on the Paris World Exhibition in 1867. The firm became world-famous. Thonet furniture are still produced, they are in fashion again. Old pieces can be renewed easily by painting and fit to the modern taste.
Ask for help of an interior designer for renewing your inherited pieces for the style of your home.

Paint chips

Jan20

Use the collected paint chip cards after renovating sith it would be a mistake throw these wonderful colors out

Coffered ceiling

Jan18

Coffered ceiling is a very elegant solution, but it requires adequate height

Pop of colors

Jan16

In an interior furnished with neutral colors (blacks, whites, beiges, browns, greys and creams) colors might also be needed to refresh the sight and make it happier. Any of the interior design elements can be applied using color or even more colors at the same time. These colors can harmonize with, or strengthen each other. Let’s be brave for reaching the desired effect and choose not only pastel, but saturated and bolder hues. These color elements will attract the eye and function as focal points, so they should be decorative. What has to be considered: how costly and / or time consuming will it be to replace these if the taste changes or getting tired of the present colors just selected.
The most easily changeable elements are for example cushions, pictures, vases, bedspread, smaller decorating objects and cut flowers. It’s not a problem to buy a new one if another color is desired. The pop of color can be taken through the whole flat but they don’t rule the rooms.
Curtains and carpets show the bold color on much larger surfaces, so we have to be braver for this. Changing them is more costly and requires attention. The color lamps might be very showy but they are more expensive than the „common” products.
Maybe the most decorative solution is highlighting upholstered furniture with this method. Choose a classic shaped, timeless piece which looks good in any color. The focal point can be the sofa and armchairs in the living room, chairs in the dining room and upholstered headboard in the bedroom. The reupholstering can be done anytime by a professional.
Repainting color corpus-furniture (bookcase, chest of drawers, night table, kitchen-island etc.) is time-consuming and costly if the present color is tired of. However, it is worth to choose this solution, because the result will be more spectacular than bringing color in the room only with simple accessories. Old pieces can be resurrected by painting too. The real brave can paint the inner doors to the chosen color also.
Color tiles for bathroom decor tiling or kitchen backsplash should be chosen only if it is sure that this is a long lasting choice. Changing this takes a lot of work and a big mess. Placing color household devices into a monochrome kitchen or bathroom is also a spectacular solution, however it is costly too.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the right pop of color and the implementation.

Color pairs 21.

Jan13

Color pairs: green-grey

Sewing corner

Jan11

Sewing corners – if there is only a small place for your hobby

Choosing a sofa

Jan9

Mostly the sofa is the biggest piece of the living room’s furniture. Choosing it cause a problem for many people because it is a central element which is used hardly and costs a lot, so nobody wants to make a mistake. A few things are worth to be considered before shopping.
A sofa without arms makes the room felt bigger. Its seating is better usable because one can sit on the place of the arm also. This is even more true in a small room where only a smaller furniture can be placed.
If the legs of the furniture can be seen, means no fabric covers them or it doesn’t have a full framed bottom, this shows the sight airier and it’s easier to clean under it. An additional color and texture can be used for creating the sight.
Undivided seating cushion is more practical instead of the divided one because more people can sit on it comfortably, but no one sits on the dividing part, even if there is enough seating place. Too soft seating cushion makes standing up harder and one’s back hurts sooner, so it’s better if is made of a harder material and holds the sitting person in position.
Consider the cleaning and vulnerability of the material of the upholstery when choosing it, mainly in the case of a family with small children. Leather is a showy material, improves with time if we take care of it, but it is warm in summer and cold in winter to sit on.
The color of the sofa is important because of its size also. It’s practical to choose from neutral colors for being variable by changing the taste or rearranging the room. Reupholstering is costly and time-consuming but naturally it’s a good solution also. A plain sofa can be popped up with patterned or contrasting colored cushions which are easily changeable when get bored with them.
Choose some models which we like and make shapes out of wrapping paper based on their sizes. With these it can be seen, how big is the place it requires in fact, and if the other furniture can be fit in and how many crossing area remains. This way it can be more easily decided if an L-shaped sofa should be bought, for example.
We plan for a long time, that’s why quality is very important! Filling of seating and back cushions can be replaced but the frame should be massive and hard-wearing. Lift one of the front legs of the furniture. The other front leg has to lift with it. If it remains on the ground, the frame is not hard enough, it curls.
Always try it before purchasing to get a really comfortable piece fit for our lifestyle! Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the perfect sofa.