Archive for the ‘Trends’ Category
Luxurious Bathroom Style – Chandeliers
Saturday, June 19th, 2010
Imagine you are stepping into a deep and steaming scented bubble bath. Your glass of champagne is close at hand and you’ve put on your favorite relaxing music. As you sink into the water and lean your head back against a soft bath pillow, your gaze drifts upward to the bright and glaring fluorescent light above. Hmmm. What’s wrong with that picture? How about instead … your gaze drifts upward to the softly sparkling chandelier? That’s more like it!
Do you have a ceiling higher than the standard 8 feet in your bathroom? Then you have the perfect opportunity to add the luxurious design element of a chandelier.
The soft green and elegant traditional style bathroom below is designed by Nate Berkus.
Super sooooothing!
My personal preference is a contemporary space. Choose a chandelier style that fits the style of the bathroom. The grid of pendants that creates this chandelier fits the zen feel. The softly curved shapes are a nice contrast to the highly textural stone wall.
Select a chandelier that is an appropriate scale for the space too. Neither too large, nor too small. The white chandelier below is hanging in a very large bathroom. Although it is a pretty good sized fixture, the delicate wire tracery still feels light in the space. I’m also pretty covetous of the fireplace in this bathroom. I need to put that on my list of must-haves for my dream bath!
This black chandelier is the perfect size for above the vanity and its lines echo the design on the wallpaper. I’ve actually become rather partial to black chandeliers. Such a sophisticated look.
Whatever style or size you choose, remember to put it on a dimmer switch. You’ll be glad you can turn it down low for that relaxing, self pampering bubble bath.
You may also like:
Industrial Style Bathroom Design: Perfect For Lofts
Tags: bath, bath vanity, Bathroom, bathtub, black & white, chandelier, contemporary bath, Lighting, Nate Berkus, traditional style
Posted in Bathroom, Cool Ideas, Design Tips, Fireplace, Interior Design, Lighting, Trends | No Comments »
Space Saving Furniture Designs – Perfect for Lofts, Small Spaces & Live/Work Spaces
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
I am always looking for beautifully designed multi-purpose pieces of furniture that work for lofts, small spaces and live/work spaces. In my relentless searching on the internet for these space saving furniture ideas, I’ve come across almost all of these. But I just found this great demonstration video from Resource Furniture in New York, showing how these pieces work. I’m including photos of just one of their designs – but you’ve really got to watch the video to get the full awesomeness of these pieces!
Watch the video here: Space Saving & Multi-Purpose Furniture
The sofa below is beautiful! It SO does not look like your parents’ over-stuffed sofa-sleeper.
If you need extra space for overnight guests and don’t have a guest room, this sofa would be fabulous in the living room. So many sofa sleepers either look big and clunky or they look very skimpy and cheap. I’d put this one in any high-end loft without batting an eye.
If you have a live/work space or a home office set up in your guest room, the desks on the video that can be converted to beds are a great multi-purpose option. It’s all about wise use of space.With the advances in technology making it possible for more and more people to work from home, it’s nice to know that advances in furniture design are making it possible to have more flexible use of your space.
Although these pieces run more than your average sofa, desk or bed – when you think about the fact that you are buying only one piece of furniture to take the place of two, and you save all that space, they are a pretty smart use of your design dollars too.
Related posts:
Ten Great Tips to Make Your Small Space Look B-I-G-G-E-R! part 1
Ten Great Tips to Make Your Small Space Look B-I-G-G-E-R! part 2
Designing a Home Office That Works for YOU!
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Tags: bed, desk, Home Office, live-work, Lofts, multi-purpose, open plan homes, Resource Furniture, small spaces, sofa
Posted in Bedroom, Cool Ideas, Cool Stuff, Design Dollars, Furniture, Home Office, Interior Design, Live/Work Spaces, Living Room, Lofts, Seating, Space Planning, Storage Solutions, Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Kitchen Design: Modern & Minimal, “Hidden” Kitchen
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Just a minimal post today about minimal kitchen design. Saw this modern “hidden” kitchen today by Allmilmo, via 3rings (read their full post here). I absolutely love the clean, contemporary lines warmed by the use of book-ended teak veneer. When I get to remodel my own kitchen this is what I want to do! It brings the idea of closed storage solutions to a whole new level! Waaaaay better than an appliance garage! People who have lofts, open plan homes or live-work spaces would benefit by being able to hide the kitchen anytime they want. And it’s still a beauty wide open!
Tags: 3rings, Allmilmo, contemporary kitchen, Kitchen, kitchen design, live-work, Lofts, minimal, storage, Storage Solutions, teak
Posted in Cool Ideas, Cool Stuff, Design Tips, Interior Design, Kitchen, Live/Work Spaces, Lofts, Storage Solutions, Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Amethyst Inspiration Room Photos
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Today I’m getting ready for a color consultation with a client who has a great studio loft in The Wyatt, located in Portland’s Pearl District. I’m thinking Amethyst for her accent wall because of other furniture she already has and because of the colors in her artwork. I’m selecting inspiration photos showing bedrooms and living rooms with various shades of Amethyst. Shades of purple, including amethyst and plum, are HOT this year. Try pairing it with oranges like in the natural amethyst crystal in the photo. Stunning color combination!
This Rock Star glamorous bedroom is sensational with it’s silver chandelier and mirror frame. I also love the crisp white headboard, bedding and accents next to the slightly smoky amethyst wall in the room below, right. My client’s style is a cross between the two. Hollywood glamorous curves, but using more white than silver. Below center, the deep amethyst walls with taupe furnishings is a very rich and restful combination.
For help pulling together the latest color trends in your home, get my FREE Ezine on Design Trends, Trade Secrets, DIY Tips, & Design Advice. Or, give me a call and we’ll set up a visit to help you get started surrounding yourself with color that you love!
Photo sources: Via Harmony and Home – Home-Designing – Apartment Therapy
Tags: accent wall, amethyst, Bedroom, color consultation, color palette, Interior Design, loft, orange, Pearl District, plum, purple, studio, The Wyatt
Posted in Bedroom, Colors, Interior Design, Lofts, Pearl District, Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Great Home Office Design: Portland Interior Designer Shares 4 Key Design Elements
Saturday, January 16th, 2010
It all started last year when I finally bought a laptop computer with my Christmas money. I was so excited because I could finally do some work while I sat in the shade on our deck overlooking the river. But I still thought I would need to use my older desk top computer in my home office. Boy, was I wrong! After a whole year, I have never again sat in my office to use the desktop computer. My laptop has everything I need.
The second thing that happened — my new business coach talked to me about creating a work space that was comfortable and free of distractions. I realized my office wasn’t comfortable because I hate sitting in an office style chair. I’m much more comfortable sitting in a lounge chair with my laptop — um, well — on top of my lap.
Then the third thing — one of my technologically savvy clients turned me on to various wireless technology that makes it so I no longer have to deal with a hideous mass of cords hanging under my desk.
So, I’m completely re-thinking my home office and turning it into a haven — yes, that’s right, a haven — where I can retreat to focus on work. I’m re-examining everything in there to make it function just right for me. If you are ready to re-vamp your home office, or setting one up for the first time, the following questions and tips will help you create an office that works for YOU!
1. Equipment:
Do you still use a land-line telephone? I disconnected mine when I realized that I only used my fax machine 3 times last year and I make and receive all of my calls on my cell phone. I’m saving $40 per month by getting rid of the land line. That got rid of an ugly phone and answering machine on my desk and eliminated 2 phone cords and an electrical cord – Yay!
Do you still use a desk top computer? Some people need them for the large screens. Mine was 6 years old, and my 1 year old laptop actually has 8 times as much memory capacity. So, for me, the laptop is all I need and that eliminates a whole bunch of stuff from the top of my desk.
Wireless docking stations and wireless printing: My techno-savvy client told me about these advances in modern technology. Why would an interior designer be so excited about this? Well, it means that you are no longer forced to put your desk on the wall right next to the cable or phone outlet. You don’t even have to put your desk or docking station in the same room as the cable outlet! It totally eliminates so many cords hanging under your desk, so you can sit your desk in the middle of the room if you feel like it and only need to be concerned with an electrical cord or two. This is amazing design freedom!
2. Layout:
Now that you have all this freedom to put your furniture where you want it, you can arrange things any way you like. Here are some tips on layout.
If clients come to your home office, the best impression is made by having your desk face the entrance to your office. Having your back to the door is also bad feng shui.
If you are the only one who goes into your office, then consider placing your desk to take advantage of a nice view. No view? Then treat yourself to some nice art so you have something beautiful to rest your eyes on when you’re thinking.
An L-shaped desk is generally more efficient and comfortable to use (as opposed to a desk in front of you and a credenza behind you) when you have many items you need to reach for over and over. Place the things you need frequently closest to you, and the rest further away.
3. Furnishings & Aesthetics:
Your chair is the single most important piece of furniture in your office. If you will spend hours sitting in it, it’s worth it to invest in a very comfortable one. If you sit at a desk to work, having a foot rest is great for taking stress off your lower back. I personally don’t spend much time at my desk. Instead, I have a work table for when I need to do a design board. So, in my office, I brought in a deliciously comfortable lounge chair, an ottoman and a side table to hold my drink. You might like to have a sofa or loveseat if you have the space. If all your work is done via laptop — maybe you don’t even need a desk!
Closed storage will hide less attractive items behind doors and keep your office feeling serene and uncluttered. Open storage is best used for items you want on display and for items you have to reach for repeatedly throughout the day. Lateral file cases are generally easier to place in a small room than traditional file drawers.
Beautiful furniture will make you feel pampered and lend an air of graciousness to your work space better than pieces that look like they belong in a commercial office.
4. Location & Separation:
If you have a separate room for your home office, you are fortunate because you can close the door on distractions in your home and you can also close the door when you’re done for the day. If you must locate your work space in the main living rooms of your home, then look for ways to give yourself some separation.
A closet turned into a workspace can be closed up when you finish work. An armoire with fold out desk can do the same thing.
Sliding doors, curtains, or free-standing screens can all be employed to provide separation as needed — either to keep distractions out or to hide the workspace when the work day is done.
This is a big subject. I haven’t even addressed lighting or paint colors yet. So, keep an eye out for the e-book I’m writing on the subject. I hope to have it launched next month.
With careful thought about your personal needs, technology that gives you freedom, and the space available for your home office, you can create a place to work that will help you achieve your goals for 2010.
Tags: chair, Design Tips, desk, furniture placement, Home Office, Interior Design, layout, office, redesign, Seating, Space Planning
Posted in Cool Ideas, Design Tips, Home Office, Interior Design, Seating, Space Planning, Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »
A Rainbow of Cutting Edge Seating Options
Saturday, November 28th, 2009
Cutting edge design is bringing all the colors of the rainbow to interior spaces in unique ways. The trend in new furniture designs coming our way uses state of the art technology and creative thinking to give us interior options never before seen.
Mood Chair:
The Mood Chair by Aether & Hemera, visual artists in the UK, incorporates sensors that react to the colors in the immediate surroundings. The fusion of light and color creates a dynamic and ever-changing mood.
Here’s what Aether & Hemera have to say about the idea on their website: “Responsive installations can complement the architectural space: the idea is that digital interactive fixtures will contribute to create an innovative and high-quality environment responding to the behaviour of its users by visually expressing the activities surrounding them.”
Personally, I love color so much and change my preferences so often, that I can imagine whole walls that can change color like this. Wouldn’t it be nice if we never had to paint a wall again, but could just walk in wearing our favorite color?
Side Stacking Rainbow Chairs:
Traditionally when you got stacking chairs, they all stacked one atop another until you got a tall pile of chairs which was compact, but not useful while stacked. Danish designer Christian Flindt has a better idea for stackable seating. His Rainbow Side Stacking chairs fit into each other’s sides and when several are stacked together, not only are they compact, but they are still usable as a bench. Made in an array of semi-translucent colors they appear like a rainbow when put together. The molded plastic chairs can be used indoors or outside.
Cappellini Rainbow Chair by Patrick Norguet:
You’ll be sitting pretty in your dining room, but this acrylic dining chair will set you back about $13,000 … yes, that’s per chair. Designed by Patrick Norguet, manufactured by Cappellini and included in the collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art, this deceptively simple looking side chair is made by fusing multiple colored acrylic plates together using ultrasound technology. One can only hope that someday, like most technology, it will eventually become more affordable. If you just can’t wait to have the latest in dining chairs, and you have plenty of discretionary income, you can purchase these through Europe by Net or Unica Home.
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Tags: Aether & Hemera, cappellini, Christian Flindt, Colors, dining chair, Dining Room, Europe by Net, furniture design, interior design portland, modern design, MOMA, Museum of Modern Art, Patrick Norguet, Seating, Trends, Unica Home
Posted in Colors, Cool Ideas, Cool Stuff, Dining Room, Interior Design, Outdoor Furniture, Seating, Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »