August 30th, 2010
Whether not formally educated or have a master’s degree in design; interior designers all follow the basic elements and principles of design.
THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
LINE
Line is somewhat self-explanatory. A lines is a basic element that indicates a point that moves across a surface.
SHAPE
A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. Don’t forget that positive shape can also create a negative shape. Thus you have to consider both what you are filling, and what you are not filling.
DIRECTION
All lines have direction – Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquillity. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action.
SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.
TEXTURE
Texture is the surface quality of a shape – rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual as noted when using patterns.
COLOR
The spectrum of colors
VALUE
Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour. Value is also called Tone
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August 27th, 2010
A sure way to add opulence to your home is to place a chandelier in the dining or main rooms. Chandeliers are a decorative ceiling fixture usually containing a complex but elegant array of glass or crystals that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and contain a light source in the middle or around the sides. Crystals and glass will reflect and refract the light source (or sources) giving the room a unique beauty when lit. They are not just limited to glass; often brass or other precious metals are used and surrounded by lights or candles.
Chandeliers go back to medieval times and were primarily used by the upper class. As one could guess, the antique chandeliers were used to hold candles as the light source. This pattern is often imitated even in the modern chandeliers, but using electronic “candles” with a bulb (often on a dimmer) instead of flame. In the olden times, the first chandeliers had more practical uses, and were made of wood and basic materials. These then evolved into crystals and became more elegant symbols of aristocracy.
It is recommended to use chandeliers for those with ornate tastes, however they come in many patterns, shapes, and sizes, so one potentially can find a chandelier to suit any luxury home. From classical to the modern, brass to glass, small or large; these decorative mounts can be placed in the living rooms, dining areas or even in a foyer.
The largest chandelier in the world contains 750 lamps and weighs nearly 5 tons!
Tags: chandeliers, luxury home ideas
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August 24th, 2010
We are not just limited to the fixtures and tile to make a bathroom really stand out. Often we can make dramatic improvements by the type of lighting that is used. With the right lighting, we can convert a harshly lit area into a gentle serene area. Most likely the bathroom is one of the most visited rooms in the house. It is in your best interest to create a beautiful environment while you’re in there!
Modular lighting can be a great way to add to a bathroom. Combined with the right wall textures, you can create a lovely atmosphere with a few well placed lights that are embedded within the walls and/or the ceilings. Aside from the locations of the lighting, be creative and choose colors that best suit the occasion. Granted you may want to consider giving 2 alternatives with a switch that you can apply. A dimly lit blue or purple can be used for evening decor when for example, taking a bath. The soft tones can make your bathing experience all the more pleasurable. However, keep a white light handy for practical purposes…you may need more accurate vision in the mirror and will make use of the right white lights. The white lights don’t have to be harsh fluorescents you often see in public washrooms; they too can be softer and more flattering to one’s appearance and the decor of the room.
Tags: bathroom decorating, bathroom design
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August 5th, 2010
Regardless of usage, the kitchen is probably the most ripe for being need of efficiency. Large or small homes will agree that the kitchen is probably the most high traffic area of the home, and having efficient storage will make your life much easier!
Cabinets: Previous posts talk of cabinetry, and this is the ideal place for storage. To maximize their usage, use pull out shelves for large pots and pans, mixing bowls, and small appliances. This helps storage for stacking, as well as save potential pain on your back from digging to the back of the cabinet. Practical can be elegant too! Long, vertical pull out storage shelves are great for spices, and condiments. Keeping these items closer to the kitchen sink, pullout trash and recycle bins are also handy and you can wash your hands immediately after handling items.
Open Shelving: Open shelves are a great way to add practical use and display to your kitchen decor. Store dishware and decorative pieces on open shelves. Pot racks can be used to hang pots and pans for ease in cooking over the stove. You can have your items on display while keeping functionality.
Drawers: This seems like common sense but separate large and small utensils from each other in your drawers. You’ll find the right utensils without fumbling around. Keeping aluminum foil, wax paper, trash bags, and sandwich bags in a drawer will free up space for your shelves. If you have the space, refrigerated drawers can be utilized and are great for kids food keeping snacks in arms reach.
Kitchen Islands: Ideal for adding extra storage and counter space, you can obtain portable or fixed kitchen islands. Islands with casters are ideal for kitchen’s that need flexibility in space and function. However, the more elegant fixed kitchen islands can house shelves, drawers, a lower microwave shelf, and even a display area for cookbooks and collectibles.
Tags: high end kitchen ideas, kitchen ideas, luxury kitchen ideas
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August 5th, 2010
If you’re comfortable with the configuration of your kitchen cabinets and they are in good shape, you may consider just replacing the doors only. This will save you a lot of time on a total redesign and can make fairly dramatic improvements with the right type of doors and wood styles. A refinishing job can give a whole new look in a short period of time.
This being the case, be choosy and look for high quality woods and beautiful finishes. Shop for these as if you were purchasing a whole new set of cabinetry. Be selective and understand how this new look will compliment your kitchen space.
Semi-custom cabinets are those that are manufacturer built to your kitchen dimensions with the interiors you specify. These can be ideal as they have a wide range of styles, finishes and customized fittings.
Custom cabinets are probably the most preferred as you have the best choices and fittings that are tailored to your kitchen needs. Keep in mind the process will take longer than semi-custom so choose carefully what your intentions are. You can save time with minor adjustments or leap into a whole new custom design of your dreams.
Tags: high end kitchen ideas
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August 5th, 2010
When designing your kitchens, its important to understand and choose the right type of materials to keep a long lasting and beautiful cabinetry. Now that we are at the tail end of summer, it’s particularly important for those living in high humidity areas. Certain types of woods are more prone to warping and damage, so we should choose woods that will not only compliment our living space, but will be practical in withstanding the tests of time. I’ve covered the types of woods common in furniture making in a previous post…now lets cover the types of wood that are good for cabinetry.
- Red Oak – Strong and durable, this wood is ideal for custom made cabinets. The bold color and strong grain patterns give your cabinets added texture.
- White Oak – Even stronger than the Red Oak, this has more of a golden tone. The grain is more subtle and this wood is often used in an “arts and crafts” type of feel.
- Maple – This wood is more expensive than oak but less dense. This wood can be stained as it has a light color but often to brighten a room, this wood is best with a clear or natural finish.
- Hickory – Has a similar strength and grain pattern as oak wood. Lighter in color, and like the Maple, this wood can add to the brightness of a room with it’s natural color.
- Cherry – A hard wood with a unique coloring that darkens with age, this wood is versatile and can be used to give your kitchen a warm feel.
Keep in mind, wood warps easily so it is important that the cabinetry be finished as soon as possible. Veneered cabinets are more stable than solid lumber in the high humidity areas. Choose the woods that best compliment your home, but be cognitive of the long-term effects. Finish your wood and enjoy the design!
Tags: high end design tips
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July 27th, 2010
The living room or family room can be the busiest room in the house. For many, it’s preferred to have two different rooms, one fine living room and one relaxing living room. This is a good method of keeping a place for entertaining, and a place for simple relaxation.
Deep and comfortable couches are the mark of a luxurious living room to most people when others find it to be the accents such as the tables and the lamps. It is a matter of taste, but warm yet elegant settings are the preferred method of creating a living space that is both opulent and inviting.
It is important to consider living room decorating themes when decorating your living room. The most important element that having a decorating theme provides to any designer is the ability to see something as a collective group. Many people will find a piece of furniture that they fall in love with, and have nothing to match it with. Others will find a wall pattern that looks beautiful, yet won’t be able to find a single piece of furniture to match. When you think of living room design in terms of living room decorating themes, you will avoid having this problem, and end up with a final product that is as kind to the eye, as it is collectively matching.
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July 24th, 2010
The rule for bathroom decorating has always been to coordinate finishes. But to achieve something that is more unique and elegant, often expanding past the ordinary will give you more unique and interesting results. It is a good idea to play with the idea of mixing bathroom finishes and we as home owners have a myriad of finishes to choose in search of faucets, cabinet fixtures and towel bars. With careful planning, mixing finishes is not only possible but can really give your bathroom a unique and elegant feel.
In order to get finishes to work together, it’s helpful to find coordinating elements that will compliment them. For example, a shiny porcelain bathtub, toilet and sink fixtures play against a matte finish tile and against a satin stainless tile inset into the shower and backsplash of the sink. The sparkle of the polished bath fixtures pops rather than blending in — which is what satin finish plumbing fixtures would have done. The bright chrome finish adds life to the room and makes a dynamic statement.
Floor tiles with soft satin steel buttons at each corner bring a nice highlight and shower accent tiles together for a cohesive look that unifies the whole room. The contrast between the satin design elements and the polish of the bathroom plumbing fixtures gives the bathroom a certain balance that keeps it from feeling bland. Had the fixture finishes been satin, the bathroom would have missed some important design zip that gives this bathroom standout appeal.
Another way to mix finishes successfully is to keep all the plumbing fixtures in the same finish, such as polished nickel, and then select lighting and cabinet hardware in a satin finish. When done right, mixing two distinct finishes looks upscale and uniquely fresh. It is not recommended to mix more than 2 finishes however; adding too much can look disjointed and thrown together in a sloppy manner.
Is it possible to mix different colored finishes such as bronze and nickel? It is if you have a third unifying element, such as tiles or wallpaper that reference both colors. Another way to carry this off is to create a visual focal point by selecting a unique finish for a standout fixture, such as a tall lavatory faucet for a vessel bowl sink. In this instance, both the sink and the faucet become much more noticeable than if the faucet matched the finish of the rest of the plumbing fixtures. The faucet would look especially good if it were a completely different color finish than the remaining plumbing fixtures.
It’s not written in stone that metallic finishes must match — and sometimes it looks better when they don’t. So be daring and experiment.
Tags: bathroom design ideas
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July 15th, 2010
Many people take consideration on their home during the day. But how does it look from the outside in the evening? Landscape lighting is a great way to decorate your home by illuminating it with just the right lighting, and accenting plants and certain fixtures outside of your luxury home. The right lighting can also increase the value of your home.
It’s good to sketch out a birds-eye view of your home before undertaking the installation process. There are 3 main types of landscape lighting: solar, low-voltage, and high-voltage lighting. Eco-friendly users will take consideration the solar lighting, as this is powered by the sun by day, and lights up at night. The lights are warm low lights to gently accent your home. If you are searching for a more dramatic effect, then seek alternatives. High-voltage lighting is typically an extensive process and should only be installed by a professional.
You can find landscape light in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes at a local home decoration retailer. You can get them in kits but you may also get the components separately, and build your own custom lighting solution. Be sure the power-pack that generates the electricity for your lighting is about 70% to 100% of the wattage rating.
It is recommended that you consult with a professional for a large-scale undertaking. Not only are you combating just the technical know-how, but you have to take into consideration that these lights will be outside typically near shrubs, trees, and other plant life, and it’s important one does not create a fire hazard. Also wind and other weather conditions could be problematic for the amateur, so make sure your beautiful lighting fixtures can also brave the elements. For ocean side dwellers, it is important that you use high grade plastics or non-corrosive metals as the salt air can wear through over time.
Landscape lighting is both practical and elegant; offering a beautiful solution to finding your way around your property at night, yet creating a soft, warm and inviting scene for the neighborhood.
Tags: landscape lighting, luxury home ideas
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July 12th, 2010
If you are seeking a relaxing space in your backyard or a place to entertain your guests in your backyard, a gazebo is a great addition to your luxury home.
Gazebos should be designed with the various seasons in mind due to the changing weather with each season.
Some Gazebos are crafted from aluminum which are heavy-duty and have slider style windows that protect from cold and wind and rain and other inclement days. Others are crafted for summertime breeze and fresh air, with panes of glass that may be replaced with screens or gazebo curtains (with velcro) that don’t permit mosquitoes to enter.
There are so many different Gazebo materials to choose from such as:
1. Red cedar which has the top grade wood that has been kiln dried, and it’s red cedar which is very durable to say nothing of how great it looks. One of the reason many people opt for red cedar gazebos is because of the natural oils in the wood that inhibits rot and termites.
2. Pine pressure treated pine model in what is called the Wolmanized wood that is treated against fungus, decay and termites. Naturally the pine is also kiln dried.
3. Maintenance free vinyl. Perhaps one of the best choices for long lasting gazebo structures that will not require any maintenance afterwards, are the vinyl gazebos which are crafted from reinforced vinyl and can be added to a deck and can have rubber or even asphalt shingles on the roof.
The Curtains For Your Gazebo
That brings us to gazebo curtains, which you may want no matter which type of structure you choose. Since there are so many styles and shapes, it’s really best to have your curtains custom made or make them yourself from mosquito netting. Attach them to the sides of windows and doors with Velcro to ensure insects remain outside. There are some online shops that specialize in making custom curtains for gazebos that are heavy-duty and some that allow an invisible look because the netting is dark instead of white or metallic.
Tags: luxury design ideas, outdoor design ideas
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