Colored frames

Be daring: instead of common white and brown, paint window and door cases bold colors

Outdoor Easter decor

DIY outdoor decoration ideas for Easter

Fabergé eggs

Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920), French origin jeweler in Russia was known by his valuable Easter eggs made for the family of the tsar. The first one was made in 1885 and the last one in 1917. We are apprised about 71 eggs, but only 62 of them are known, the others probably are in hands of private collectors or were destroyed in the storms of history.
The collection started with a white enameled golden egg which hid a miniature hen and it hid a much smaller crown. The czarina – who got it from her husband – was so much pleased, that thereafter the tsar ordered one for every Easter. After his death, his son, Alexander II. continued the tradition. He presented a new piece not only for his wife but for his mother also.
The material of the eggs is gold in common, their surfaces are decorated with precious stones, pearls and enameling. They can be opened up or apart, inside they hide a surprise: mini chaise, dancing ballerina, miniature of the palace, portrait, music box etc.
The jeweler made similar eggs not only for the tsar’s family but for other wealthy customers also, for example for the Rothschilds and the Nobels. All of them are high-quality masterworks, unfortunately the secret of production went into the grave by Fabergé. Nobody could copy them since then.

Color pairs 35.

Mar23

Color pairs: brown-orange

Furniture feet

Mar21

Classic and decorative furniture feet types: claw and ball, lion paw, copper castor

Topiary

Mar19

Topiary is a special section of horticulture. The main point of it is cutting plants in a certain shape, and to make them grown in this shape in the future. Its history is dating back to ancient Roman times, Pliny the elder mentioned it in his Natural History also. Its next boom was during the Renaissance then in the Victorian era.
The plants used for topiary are evergreen perennials: shrubs, suffrutexes or trees. Those with small-leafed and bushy foliages, and which growing in a columnar and/or compact way are the best for this purpose. Both the foliage and the branches are cut to shape. It is a type of art now, called living sculpture. Actually, any kind of „sculpture” can be made, even if it has geometrical or organic shape.
Plants are best for topiary which can be purchased in Hungary also: common box (Buxus sempervirens), thujas (Thuja …), bay tree (Laurus nobilis), myrtles (Myrtus …), yews (Taxus …) and privets (Ligustrum …).
Modern topiary uses wire braces and shape-baskets for help, but the bases of the real old-school topiary are steady hands, seateurs and patience. Making a spectacular plant-sculpture can last for years. We can say, the simplest topiaries are the cut hedges used as fences and bedding hems.
It is a popular gardening form nowadays also, even in interiors as potted plants. These works of art decorate not only the gardens of castles, manors and cottages. For example, it is a frequent decorating element in Disney parks also. Nowadays there are ready-made, pre-cut, potted versions to purchase which only have to be „kept in shape”.

Irish greens

Mar14

St. Patrick’s Day greens

Clocks

Mar12

Measuring of time was always important for mankind. First apart from natural phenomena (standing of the Sun, Moon and stars) there was no other possibility for this. As mankind evolved technically, a demand arose for some mechanism which can measure elapsed time more precisely. Various solutions followed each-other during the history (sundial, sand-glass, candle clock, water clock etc.) until the clocks as we know them today. Of course, they have several types also, they can be grouped variously (for example: method of displaying, portability, mechanics used). The clock in interior design has decorating role besides functionality.
Antique grandfather clocks are real rarity in Hungary. These are big, furniture like pendulum clocks with wooden cover, with glass protected dial and a glass window through which the pendulum can be seen. The Scandinavian Gustave-style uses them frequently as focal points. The wooden parts are commonly painted to color typical of the style (white, off-white, grey, light blue). Usually the original brown color of the wood is kept in Anglo-Saxon countries, varnished or maybe burnished. Mantel clock, as its name indicates, was placed on the mantelpiece in old times. The full stand construction is its main feature. Its cover can be wood, stone, metal or combination of these. Usually its dial is also covered with glass. Frequently this type is combined with a statue. Put simply, it has common characteristics with table clocks.
Wall clock is one of the most popular types. It can be various: with pendulum, cuckoo, consoled etc. The colors and shapes are very diversified, just like sizes. It can become a focal point easily but it may fade into the surroundings if this is the aim. It doesn’t have to be opened, put out, turned around, we just look at it and go on.
Alarm clock is a special type of table clocks. As the name indicates, it is used firstly in the bedroom. However nowadays mobile phones are beginning to displace them in our homes. It’s sure, that nobody stayed sleep beside the old type of alarm with a pendulum between two bells. 🙂
If the rules of Feng Shui should be applied, it always has to be paid attention to make them show the exact time – whatever kind of clock it is. If it is late, hastens or stops in spite of regular winding, changing batteries or repairing, it rather has to be changed.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the proper accessories also.