Design you Holiday Dinner Table with a Fabulous Set of Bowls and Platters

October 30th, 2012

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your home this year?  If so what is on your menu?  If you are searching for a charming new set of servers and platters to brighten up your dining table, here are some of the spectacular collections by Julia Knight®.  Their collections combine sand-cast aluminum with hand-painted pearlized enamel, some with hand-cut, hand-inlaid Mother of Pearl. Their enamels are mixed with crushed Mother of Pearl giving each piece depth and beauty.

Inspired by the magic of a flower garden, her flora bowl collection showcases a rich assemblage of lush colors and unique shapes. From entrees to appetizers, imagine how all of your delicious holiday treats will look in these fabulous bowls and platters!

This is their Leaves collection called “Leaves for every season” where they display the Grape Leaf Bowls and Platter in a soft subtle palette for Spring and rich colors for Fall.


Last but not least, here is their Holiday collection called “Holly Sprig” in Mojito green and Snow white with red berries to entice your holiday appetite and put you in the holiday spirit!


Which are your favorite designs and patterns?  What are the colors that you are going to incorporate in your dinner table this Thanksgiving?  Please share with us on our Facebook page

 

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Balancing Act: The Art of Symmetry in Interior Design

September 30th, 2012

The classic interior design traditions often incorporate the beauty of symmetrical balance. Symmetry is exemplified by repeating the same objects in the same positions on either side of a center point. Incidentally, symmetry also reflects the human form, so we’re innately comfortable in a balanced setting.Symmetry in Design

Asymmetrical balance, however, is sometimes more suitable in modern layout design. Balance is achieved with some different pieces that have equal visual weight or eye attraction. It is more casual and has a less contrived feeling, but it can be more difficult to achieve. Asymmetry suggests movement in the design of any room or  landscape, and it leads to more a dynamic look.

Symmetry in DesignA well-designed room always has focal points throughout its natural flow. A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and appealing enough to encourage the admirer to look more deeply into the ambiance of the space. It imparts a lasting impression, but must also be an integral part of the surroundings linked through scale, style, color, or theme.

What are some of your favorite focal points in your home? Fireplaces? Grand staircases? Share your thoughts with us!

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Bringing the Outdoors In: Natural Elements in Interior Design

September 29th, 2012

Even if you do not have a green thumb or a natural affinity for the outdoors, you will notice that when greenery, flowers, wood or water textures, or other natural elements make their way into your space, you discover a new sense of calm or well-being. Bringing a bit of nature into your home can be very comforting and therapeutic to your mind and body.Elements of Nature - Bedroom

One of our favorite quotes at Haleh Design is from Haleh Niroo herself: “Supreme elegance begins with comfort, the most important design element of all.” She understands that within luxury lives the place we all like to come at the end of a busy day – home. We all have an innate love for living things, and bringing a live element into our space creates that simplicity and true beauty that we all crave.Elements of Nature - Windows

Do you have a green thumb? A talent for bonsai? An eye for artificial foliage? How do you bring the outdoors in?

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Take Your Celebration from Simple to Stunning

August 13th, 2012

As summer’s end approaches, you might be thinking about how to wrap up the season with a Labor Day celebration. Even though it is still a month away, planning a perfect party takes some forethought and an eye for detail.

Traditionally, Labor Day festivities include greasy food, paper plates, and a healthy dose of t-shirts and shorts. But what if your ideal social gathering is a little lighter and airier than a down-home barbeque and a game of horseshoes?

Consider upgrading that age-old American tradition to a tasteful afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches, champagne, and of course, delicate summer teas. In order to prepare your home and outdoor space for this type of social gathering, you’ll need to create an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication, while maintaining a warm and inviting feel.

Upscale Kitchen

Decorative vases and serveware are a great way to create a stylish, yet subdued canvas for the artful placement of your food and beverage selection.

Herend Royal Garden Tea & Coffee Collection - 24K Gold

How do you prepare for a summer social gathering? Share your thoughts on changing that Labor Day get-together from simple to stunning!

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Spotlight on Draperies

July 15th, 2012

Luxurious window treatments can really make a room, and they are an invaluable part of creating a high-end look and feel in a space. They are also a dramatic way to change the appearance of a room with a minimum of design overhaul.

This warm and inviting space has glorious windows and doors to the outside, but notice the floor-length drapes adorning the corners of that wall, just waiting to envelope the room with a cozy glow in the evening. During the daylight hours, the curtains just frame the beauty of the expansive windows, but as dusk and evening approach, the drapes can be closed to keep out the chill of the night.

Luxury Drapes for your Grand Salon

 

On the other hand, the room below features a flowing valance and long sheers over another picture window. This design allows the curtains to be open or closed during the day, without compromising the natural light. These drapes are much lighter, but they still have an element of warmth and interest on the wall.

 

Grand Salon

The good news is that from the outside, most upscale draperies appear to be white, beige, or another neutral shade that gives a uniform appearance for anyone who might be admiring the exterior of your home. While curtains are an essential element to the design of a room, they must not interfere with the ambiance of the outside space.

How have you changed the look or feel of a room using window treatments?

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Wide Open Spaces: Emptiness as a Design Element

June 15th, 2012

There is an old adage that states, “Form is emptiness; emptiness is form.” Although this saying originally referenced the importance of a relaxed and open mind, it works just as well as a tip on how to create a well-designed room.

We often tend to crave objects in a space – we want to fill up an area with the things that we love and that create beautiful visuals. But how can we be sure that the eye is drawn to our stunning décor and impeccable details?

One of the best ways to create focus for our objects d’art is to consciously plan open spaces within a room. High ceilings, wide floor expanses, and neutral walls can be regal and breathtaking, while also crafting a canvas for our palette of gorgeous embellishments.

Take a look at the room below. Although it has an upscale look and feel with its amazing design work, what do you notice at first glance? Is it scrollwork, ornate draperies, and detailed trim? Probably not. You likely see the grand staircase, marble floors, high ceilings…

Luxury Entryway

In other words, the fresh, open space is a showcase for the grandeur of the detailed design work. Without the emptiness, you might never see the meticulously chosen fabrics, sculptures, lighting, and other luxurious elements.

How do you utilize open space in your home?

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The Belle of the Ball (aka Your Living Space!)

May 15th, 2012

Just for fun, let’s look at a makeover to an already beautiful space and talk about how it’s similar to your own transformation when preparing for a social gathering.

This Potomac kitchen was clearly a perfect canvas for some couture design renovations. It featured a lovely, open space with neutral walls and cabinetry, but it just needed a professional touch to allow the room to shine.

Luxury Kitchen Before

Now imagine you’re preparing to have a night out or invite some good company to share some laughs and conversation. You look in the mirror and see that your outfit could use an update or your makeup needs to be freshened up. You’re happy with what you see, but you just want to add a few special touches.

Let’s go back to that Potomac kitchen. After a complete design overhaul, we can still recognize the space and its functionality, but its true colors shine through, and it makes a real statement. Notice the lighting and luxury details to the cabinetry and walls. The room finally got the attention it deserves.

Entertain in your beautiful kitchen!

Similarly, as you’re preparing for your social event, you might pull out a dramatic lip color or adorn your entire ensemble with that special piece of couture jewelry. Just like that beautiful kitchen, you have transformed your appearance from simple to stunning.

Do your interior design choices reflect your personality and style the same way your wardrobe does?

Luxury Kitchen After

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Milan Through The Eyes of a Designer

April 18th, 2012

As a designer, there are many Home Furnishings shows held worldwide throughout the year.  In my opinion, one of the best shows for a designer is the iSaloni, also known as Salone Internazionale del Mobile.  This show is held in Milan, Italy (one of my favorite cities!) and as I explore iSaloni, I wanted to share my experiences with you.

At the iSaloni, a designer has the opportunity to see the most luxurious home furnishings and lighting, kitchen & bath designs that are absolutely breathtaking! Each year, they alternate between Lighting and Kitchen & Bath designs.

From Classical Designs to Transitional, Contemporary Designs, there is something new and spectacular for every taste.

The iSaloni is the global benchmark for the Home Furnishing Sector.  Attending this show provides an invaluable tool for our industry…around the globe to network and create a business relationship. The iSaloni made its first appearance in 1961, designed to promote Italian furniture and furnishing accessories on the export market, and it has continued to do so impeccably, ensuring that the quality of Italian furniture is known worldwide and continues so bring in its visitors from all parts of the world.

The show begins tomorrow but before we begin that adventure, let’s do explore Milan by going to their spectacular restaurants and shops!!

As my husband and I sit at a local cafe, we love to people watch and experience life with the locals.  Milan is an amazing and energizing town filled with some of the most chic men and women!! What’s interesting is that one is even more chic than the other… As you enter the city, you are instantly blessed with their fruit stands and the fragrance of beautiful flowers in their flower stands.  Their scent is as unbelievable as their presentations. Can you tell that I love Milan?

Come take a walk with me down Via della Spiga (Italian pronunciation: [ˈviːa della ˈspiːɡa]). This is one of Milan, Italy’s most prestigious and upscale shopping streets, forming the north-east boundary of the luxurious Quadrilatero della Moda (fashion quadrilateral), along with Via Monte Napoleone, Via Manzoni, Via Sant’Andrea and Corso Venezia.  For more pictures, click here.

I Look forward to the upcoming experience at the ‘Salone Internazionale del Mobile’ and visiting with old friends and meeting new ones.  Have you been to Milan?  If so, what are your favorite memories?  Please share them with us on www.Facebook.com/HalehDesignInc!

 

 

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‘Mirror Mirror’ starring Julia Roberts Featuring Brilliant Lalique Pieces

April 3rd, 2012

Have you had a chance to see the movie Mirror Mirror?   For those of you that have not heard about Mirror Mirror, this is the latest permutation of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” with an interesting and creative plot created by emerging director Tarsem Singh and produced by Relativity Media.  This is the modern day retelling of the fairy tale that finds a vengeful Snow White joining forces with a gang of seven dwarfs after her evil stepmother kills her father.

Lalique is thrilled to announce its partnership with Relativity Media’s highly-anticipated reimagining of the beloved Snow White legend, ‘Mirror Mirror’,  starring Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane and Sean Bean.

Brilliant Lalique pieces illuminate the chamber of the Evil Queen, played by Oscar-winner Julia Roberts. The iconic Lalique Cactus table is placed prominently in the center of the room. Sitting atop is Lalique’s 24-karat gold hand-painted Abundance Bowl, flanked by three crystal Dahlia boxes.  In the bedroom, the evil Queen’s bed is framed by two sparkling Lalique Marsan tables adorned with Lalique’s Oak sconces, Dampierre and Beauvais vases and decadent Hirondelles, Cactus, Dahlia and Clairefontaine perfume bottles. These Lalique pieces used on set.

Snow White | Mirror Mirror Lalique Cactus Table + Abundance Bowl on the set | Haleh Design

Mirror Mirror-Julia Roberts with Cactus table + Abundance Bowl

Tea Room Lalique Abundance Bowl | Mirror Mirror with Julia Roberts

Lalique Perfume Bottle - Limited Edition | Luxury Vanity by Haleh Design, Inc.

Lalique Abundance Bowl - Gold | Mirror Mirror | Haleh Design Inc.

Lalique boutiques in New York and Beverly Hills unveiled specially-designed ‘Mirror Mirror’ window displays to celebrate the partnership in the weeks leading up to the film’s nationwide release on March 30th.  Please find attached images of the New York boutique window displays.  The trailer of the movie is looped to run constantly on iPads in the windows of both boutiques.

Lalique Boutique Window Display for Mirror Mirror | Cactus Table | Abundance Bowl

 

Lalique Boutique - Window Display to promote Mirror Mirror | Cactus Table

For more information or to view the actual pieces used on the “Mirror Mirror” set, please contact Haleh Design.

 

Foyer with Lalique Cactus Table | Luxury Interior Design by Haleh Design

 

 

 

 

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Tablescapes for an Evening Dinner Party

February 29th, 2012

One of the delights in hosting a dinner party is planning the tablescape. Along with setting the menu, choosing the cocktails and wine, designing the look and feel of the table is key to a successful and beautiful evening dinner party.

Deciding what kind of dinner party you are hosting is a must before designing the tablescape. Is this a formal evening with multiple courses or is it a friendly gathering over a one pot dish like coq au vin? Knowing what you are serving and whom you are serving are key to creating the perfect tablescape. Once you have these questions answered it’s time to set the table.

For formal meals, set the table with the traditional place setting and silverware appropriate for the meal. If you are uncertain where to place the dessert spoon, there are templates and guides online. Glassware for wine and water should also be set.  Centerpieces should be kept low so conversation can take place across the table. Make sure your flowers are not too strongly scented as to interfere with the flavors of the food.  If you use candles, make sure they are drip and scent free.

Less formal meals can have simpler settings with water glasses replacing goblets. White china is always a good choice for informal or formal meals, as are real napkins in either linen or cotton.  Pick a color theme that coordinates with your meal or go with classic white like a fine French restaurant. When looking for inspiration for a tablescape, look at your favorite restaurants for ideas.

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