Classic and decorative furniture feet types: claw and ball, lion paw, copper castor
Furniture feet
Topiary
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
St. Patrick’s Day greens
Clocks
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.
My project 19.
Any type of doors can be classic style (safe entrance, indoor open, in-wall sliding)
Cakestand painting
The product of Farrow&Ball cakestand painting workshop. Used painting: Farrow’s Cream. (Last picture is the starting object)
Real leather
Real leather is present in homes since the prehistoric ages. First, it was used only as clothes and blankets, but later, when the quality of finish became finer, it was used for many other purposes. Nowadays leather is used as upholstery and carpet in interior design, although there are several other usages of it which make the interior more interesting. If the aim is creating a masculine home, this is more accentual.
Several factories sell handles made of or covered with leather. Seam made by contrasting stiches conjures the required piece to a decorating motif. It is a fine detail on a kitchen cabinet, for example.
Sound-proofing was resolved in libraries of old houses by thick leather-covered padding on the inner side of the door, because frequently it was the home office too. Leather covered doors were often decorated with quilting or buttoning. This elegant solution is applied in modern times also, for example in managers’ offices. Even if there is no need for sound-proofing, let’s evoke this tradition, because it gives unique mood for our home office too.
Anno top of the desks were covered by leather as well. Paper couldn’t slip while writing viz. high-gloss lacquer and varnish resulted a quite slippery surface and leather was more comfortable for the elbow also. These kinds of desks can be bought in firms producing classic furniture.
We can still find household and decoration objects in variations covered by leather. It is not only natural and elegant material but long-lasting too. Some examples without limitation: storage boxes, letter-opener knife, handle of magnifier, artisan pictures, coaster.
Nowadays faux-leather wall panels are more and more fashionable in homes, as an eye candy first of all. It is applicable behind TVs for hiding wires but holds on as hallway peg-wall and bedside wall covering because of its easy-clean feature. If somebody doesn’t like plastic at home, can order them made of real leather because these are always produced in unique sizes.
Ask for help of an interior designer for furnishing your home, even if you cling to a certain material.
Green stairs
If there is only an inch of free green space literally
Multifunction
Multifunctional furniture with extra storage
Types of ceramics
Various ceramics are present in our homes as interior domestic and decoration objects. Commonly we don’t care what they are made of and to which group of the main term they belong. Here is a brief review which can be useful in the case of planning to collect similar objects.
The main features of porcelain that provides its popularity are whiteness and translucency. Kaolin is the main material used. It is burnt glazed between 1200 and 1400 °C temperature. The two types of forming it are pottering and molding. It was discovered in China in the 14th century. The first porcelain manufactures appeared in Europe only in the 18th century (France, Prussia, England).
Terracotta is clay based, glazed or unglazed type of ceramics. This is the earliest material used in history. The end product’s surface is porous, brownish-orange in color, burnt around 1000 °C temperature. It is formed by potter’s wheel. The raw material is very soft, easy to form and decorate by different tools.
Stoneware were already made around 1900 B.C in the valley of Indus. The name is deceptive because the material is a special clay and not stone. It is burnt in a furnace between 1100 and 1300 °C. The end product’s surface is not porous and very hard. It is a non-transparent and commonly glazed ceramic.
Biscuit is an unglazed type of ceramics which is the product after the first burning in a lower temperature. It remains porous which makes glazing easy. Its surface is much finer and marble-like, its shine depends on the temperature of burning. It came to fashion in the second half of the 18th century.
Jasperware is unglazed, matte ceramic which was invented by Josiah Wedgewood in the 1770s. Its special blue version, the Wedgewood blue is the most well-known. The surface is applied with relief work (commonly white). Barium is the main material used.
Ironstone is similar to stoneware as to durability and hardness. It was developed in Staffordshire in the 19th century. It was a much cheaper alternative of porcelain made in mass production. Doesn’t contain iron in contrast with its name.
All types are popular among collectors. Carefully look after the features, production marks and possible injuries before buying antique pieces.
