Dining Styles

Informal dining room, the skirted table can be used for a buffet style
dinner as well!!



Living/Dining open concept, great style for apartments or media rooms.


This french country  dining room takes a cue from an old French farmhouse, with a beautiful French Directoire chandelier as the focal point.


This Greenwich, CT, dining room designed by Markham Roberts makes a strong case for symmetry: The table and Gustavian chandelier are centered directly on the fireplace, and a pair of English Regency-style cabinets with Japanese lacquered panels flank it.



Designed by Betsy Burnham, this modern dining room features an eccentric yet artful collection of Nymphenburg porcelain figures. The upholstered chairs are from Artistic Frame.



This dining room, designed by Paolo Moschino, feels European, with walls painted in a custom white botanical chinoiserie pattern and the ceiling dominated by a 19th-century French bronze and crystal chandelier.



Designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber, this dining room features Louis XIII-style chairs, which add sumptuousness to the dining room. He chose the stained bamboo table by Dominic Gasparoly for its strong, quiet form. The Calder-inspired mobile is from Mondo Cane.

Open and Airy Rooms

In Venice, Calif., this living and dining area opens up on three sides: to the lap pool on the west with sliding glass doors; to the north courtyard with pocketing glass doors and to the south garden and guest house through pivoting metal doors.



Architect Scott Joyce designs a chic Hollywood Hills home with an entire rear facade consisting of glass walls that accordion open to create seamless outdoor/indoor living room.



A unique Palm Springs home features a white living room designed by Luis Ortega. The interior contains a mix of contemporary materials and natural elements, playing homage to American modernism.



Architect Max Strang designs an outdoor living room with a panoramic 360-degree view. Featuring "ipe" wood floors, an amazing ceiling of rusted industrial steel and furnishings from Bali, the space feels like a high-style tree house.



This Malibu great room with its eye-catching smooth stucco fireplace has a wall of bi-fold doors, which open to make the indoor and outdoor spaces feel like one. The glass-tiled pool is surrounded by a teak deck featuring a concrete BBQ and Viking appliances.



In Newport Beach, designer Mark Cutler creates a room that was designed to make the most of its waterfront location and enjoy a cottage-like feeling with a European flair.



Architect David Hertz designs an amazing glass-walled beachfront home in Venice, Calif., with an incredible roll-down window that opens the living room completely up to the outdoors.



Designer Mark Cutler creates a loggia at a Beverly Hills estate featuring an outdoor living and dining area in yellows and greens inspired by a Tuscan villa.

Markus Johansson’s Cirrata Lamp

Who knew that a behind-the-scenes look at design could reveal a process as multifarious and complex as that of making a major film? And a Tim Burton film at that. The comparison holds in regard to Markus Johansson's Cirrata Lamp, especially when one sees the dozen or so miniaturized prototypes that culminated in this over-sized lightpiece that resembles a gigantic octopus.




The large lamp’s name refers to a suborder of octopi characterized by an internal skeleton and a set of two fins—unusual qualities in an octopus and ones which actually make it more vulnerable to predators. Perhaps Johannson chose the name for this reason, because Cirrata’s increased vulnerability prompts it to favor deep, dark spaces.



In such depths the creature can avoid predation, and one imagines Johannson’s imaginative vision of Cirrata profited from this biological fact. It seems likely as well, that the designer chose the hard—and heretofore less malleable—material of Corian for similar reasons, not the least of which is the intriguing way in which it absorbs and reflects light.



Using a high-heat forming process in which he molded Corian around wooden boxes, Johannson was able to stretch the material out into the luminously-long and many-appendaged parabola of Cirrata: “a body with many arms which sweeps along and lights up the depths.”

The Raft Table by Andre Joyau

Chunky wood beams make beautiful, simple furniture that is elegant and modern. They also make furniture that is nearly impossible to move, but thats another story.
I am continually drawn to this type of furniture for its straight forward design that feels timeless, for the moment.
Reclaimed beams and salvaged wood are materials that come up a lot in the search for sustainably designed furniture, which begs the question - where is this material coming from? Reclaimed wood is a finite resource, and I wonder what happens when the material runs out. I also wonder what is being taken apart for these pieces of wood to become available for reuse. Although started with the best of intentions, at some point old structures that could be saved will, or already are, being taken down for the sake of reclaimed stock.



Moving on. Andre' Joyau, the founder of the company and head designer, uses reclaimed beams simply with contrasting materials to create his line of rustic contemporary furniture. The Raft Table is a series of assembled reclaimed beams that have been connected, hand waxed and balanced on solid cherry footers. The finished product has the quality of old wood without the splinters and with all of the backaches. Imagine delivering this baby to a 5th floor walk-up, I think not. The chairs that are featured with the Raft Table have a complimentary aesthetic that gives the set a Japanese feel.





About the Designer: André Joyau is a small, cooperative studio of designers and cabinetmakers that is based out of Brooklyn, NY. The group believes in creating fine, modern pieces marked by attention to detail and enduring craftsmanship. André Joyau is the company founder and head designer, who oversees design and production for the studio. Their mantra is producing hand-crafted furniture that combines sustainable and traditional methods with new technology.

Palmwood

A positive outcome of the coconut water invasion is the excess of full grown coconut palms which are no longer nut producing. Palms produce nuts for about 80 years. Coconut palm plantations are in abundance throughout much of the world and are often focused around areas with endangered rainforests. (Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia) Durapalm hopes to make palmwood a standard building material and deflect harvesting from other rainforest woods.
Palmwood can vary in color from dark to medium-red mahogany with an exotic grain that is reminiscent of bamboo. Durapalm palmwood comes in flooring, plywood, paneling and veneer that is durable and formaldehyde free. We’ve seen palms used before, Kirei makes a series of Coco tiles that feature the unique qualities of palm as does Pacific Green in their palmwood furniture collection.



Coconuts have invaded our lives lately with the onslaught of the coconut water fad. The city is mobbed with coconut water trucks and the grocery stores have replaced their varieties of enhanced water with a naturally “enhanced water.

Romantic Master Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

If you are tired of your master bedroom, you can incorporate a few changes that make a big difference. Romantic master bedroom interior design ideas can include updating your wall finishes with a two-step faux finish, injecting warm shades with luxurious fabrics that are reminiscent of romantic periods and updating ceiling fans with leather detailing or placing Victorian-style lampshades on table-side reading lamps for mood lighting. Standard store-bought lamps can be transformed by spraying them with gold or silver antique or crackling finishes and your bedroom furnishings can be updated with the unique bedding or storage options.
 If you want to design a romantic retreat, your boring master bedroom can be the perfect place to incorporate a few detailed changes to make this dramatic difference, but it does not need to cost that much money. Adding planter boxes with silk plants can add a touch of romanticism, but adding a plush or fluffy comforter set and a variety of pillows can add appeal to the room, if you choose muted patterns and palettes that coordinate with your other bedroom furnishings or your wall finishes.

Sheer or lacy window panels, ruffled valances and a romantic sitting area or stuffed rocking chair can complete the look. The idea of romanticism can be executed in a number of ways, according to your personal preferences and the amount of space in your room. The overall comfort of a romantic master bedroom can be dependent on minor detailing to quickly transform your private retreat to a place of serenity or intimacy.
If you already have substantial wood furniture, you need to consider an updated look, which can be easily achieved with a few changes or additions. For most people considering a master bedroom redecoration, the style of bedroom furniture can be quickly changed with the addition of a choice of stylish faux leather beds. If you have added leather detailing to other parts of your room, including fan blades or incorporated leather inserts to your desk or end tables, this can complete the addition and complement the beautiful fabrics and rich, warm accents.

Budget ideas to use as romantic decorating ideas for your master bedroom might include painting the walls a soft gold colour, adding antique rugs and updating thrift store tables by painting them brown and adding leather inserts or painting a dresser and adding new pulls that have an antique appearance. You can still add a faux leather sleigh bed to capture the romanticism because they are more affordable than you might think, not costing any more than other head and foot-board styles. In addition, you can find some that include pedestals with drawers, for additional storage space. This is a way you can eliminate a dresser and make space for an intimate sitting space, to enjoy a special conversation.
If you are searching for romantic interior decorating ideas for your master bedroom, there are a few changes you can make, even if you are on a budget. You can helpful advice from expert bedroom furniture experts and the inclusion of beautiful faux leather beds to give you room the added 'wow' factor you're seeking!

For further information and a wide range of faux leather beds visit Our World of Interiors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_J_Wilson 

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Home Interior Decorating Ideas

If you are thinking of redecorating your home, you are probably searching around for some home interior decorating ideas. Redecorating presents a great chance to express yourself by displaying your style and interests. You do this by matching colours, textiles, styles and artwork. The combinations of possibilities in home interior decorating are really endless. No two houses ever have look the same by accident.
It would be easy to redecorate and adopt any home interior decorating styles if money were not a restraint. Therefore, the question for most people is how to redecorate the home within a budget. You can get home interior decorating ideas from the many interior design programmes on TV or by buying a couple of the home interior design magazines. The problem with the magazines, more so than with the TV programmes, is that they tend to show ideas that price thousands of dollars.

 The Net is another source of realistic home interior decorating ideas that ordinary people can afford. The prices of the items used in the Internet displays are normally a lot more affordable too. The Net is also a good way of comparing the various broad-swathe styles. Styles such as country, modern, traditional, Mediterranean, Provencal, minimalist et cetera.
If you like the older styles such as country, primitive, Provencal or traditional, darker, warmer colours are the best. These colours go well with fabrics and old (style), wooden furniture. Wall hangings, paintings of country scenes, curtains and plenty of throw cushions are a feature of this style of interior design. Autumn colours go well together to produce a warm, friendly, cozy atmosphere.
Modern, minimalist and Mediterranean styles tend to use brighter colours whites and off-whites like magnolia are de rigeur. Home interior decorating ideas for these styles incorporate a lack of clutter and plenty of free space and light.
The walls ought to have one or two pieces of art rather than the six to ten of the older styles. Leather furniture fits in well here: white or black, with one contrasting throw cushion per seating place. A white cushion on a black sofa and visa-versa.

However, there is nothing wrong with you mixing these style. This often occurs anyway, especially if people give you furniture or you inherit it. If you strive to combine different pieces of furniture which obviously come from drastically different styles, you will have to have something to bridge the gap between them, so to speak. This can be done quite easily with materials such as throw cushions, wall hangings like tapestries, rugs and carpets.
The throw cushions do not all have to match. In fact, in the old days it was very unlikely that all the cushions or pillows in a room would all be the same, because cushions were often made from off-cuts of fabric from other projects. A range of different throw cushions can help you combine styles quite easily. Another home interior decorating idea, is to fill an old cabinet with more modern pieces of glass and china.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a variety of topics, but is now involved with Marriott bedding. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at Modern Throw Pillows For Sale.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owen_Jones 

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How Can Hiring an Interior Designer Actually Save You Money?

If your home is feeling a little less than inspired, it might just be time to look into hiring an interior designer. Many people would love to give their home a pick-me-up. Maybe it's a single room that could use a makeover, or maybe it's the whole house. No matter what size of a project you have in mind, the professional expertise of an interior designer can help you make sure you get the results that will bring you the most satisfaction at the best cost.
You might be wondering how hiring a designer could actually save you money. Why not just tackle it yourself? The biggest, though not only, reason is because a designer has the skills necessary to make sure you get the changes you really want, without making costly mistakes. Sure, that teal paint looked great in your head, and it really is a gorgeous color, but it took getting the whole room painted before you really realized how much it clashed with the adjacent room, or how exhausting it was for the eyes to be in the room for long.
 An interior designer makes important color decisions for a living, and can spare you a lot of money and regret by making sure it comes out great the first time.
Another reason an interior designer can help you save money is that they are highly aware of where to get design elements for the best price. You might not realize that there is a great antique shop on the other side of town, or that the perfect lamp for your living room costs less at one store than the other. An experienced designer will help you get the biggest impact for your budget.
Hiring a designer is a great way to breathe new life into your house. You might have never even dreamed of painting your bathroom red, but an interior designer might be able to show you a way to do it that you absolutely love. Not only can they help you make exciting changes that will make you look forward to coming home each day, but you might even be able to turn an otherwise drab and ordinary house into something everyone who comes inside will be talking about.

Though painting the walls is one of the first ways most people think of to change up their house, there are many other fixes you can try that an interior designer can help you plan. Maybe all the living room really needed to bring it new life was different lighting and some new curtains. Lighting makes a huge impact on a room, and given the potential expense of installation, should ideally be discussed with a professional such as an interior designer to help you get the right choice.
Sometimes it takes a new set of eyes to see the potential of a house. Once you get used to seeing things the same way every day, you lose sight of the possibilities. With a trained eye and artistic decorating skill, an interior designer can give you ideas that can change the entire look of your house.

For free home interior design tips visit Full Moon Design
Mich Thompson is an experienced Interior Designer living near Brighton in the south of England.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mich_A_Thompson 

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Interior Design Trends For 2011

A new year has come and new trends are being set fast in all areas of our lives. A good way to start the new year afresh and with a new burst of energy is to change your interior design, but be careful as there are new rules for this year.
In 2011 trends in interior design will pay more attention to family and will show a high interest for preservation and 'vintage', as one of the first priorities will be saving money.
The present economic situation will make many of us become nostalgic about the old days. The so called "old colours" to remind us of the past will be among the most wanted design trends of this year. The earthy brown, the lime green or navy blue will find themselves both in it for colour, as well as trends in fabrics. What will fuel trends in 2011 will be the interest in 'greening up'. Through the reuse of furniture by restoration, not only will you be saving money but you will also have a good feeling that you have contributed to protecting the environment.

 This year even in interior design the attention will be headed for the origins. Because of human desire to relive the past, designers think that interest will be devoted to the origins of existence, so everybody will seek forms and colours with a global influence. African tribal grounds, or symbols of early Amerindians people will be used a lot, many geometric figures. For them to go well together vibrant colours should be used, but at the same time modest ones, as golden reflections with musk, tomato or oceanic blue.

As people will turn their attention to origins, they realise that the most important thing in life is not money. The economic crises will only give them the desire to simplify their lives. Various shades of grey and white will be the most neutral colours used this year; the grey will be used in a lots of combinations with other colours, as well as various shades of yellow, to bring a smudge of colour. You can also create sophisticated combinations, using glass, crystal or even gold or steel. These accessories must be illuminated by various sources, so as to create glow in the room.
One detail that you can't forget are the colours and what they symbolise - as they must denote hope and optimism. Spring in nature symbolises birth and the colours of spring bring hope. Violet, orange mandarin, yellow and green may be used on fabrics. The floral motives with a retro aspect will still be appreciated, as more and more accessories for the interior design combine these colours.

Even if you can't change your furniture every year, there are a few rules to be followed in the interior design or suggestions that you can take into account in a new round of shopping: vintage, etno, Scandinavian, home office, outdoor - indoor are only some of this year's design trends. We're still looking for a comfortable warmth in our homes, privacy but without forgetting the wide open spaces and bright, minimalistics lines.
Vintage : old restored furniture, romantic lines, complicated pieces of massive wood, decorative pieces to remind you of old times. This, a style loved by women, vintage pieces means more than 'old', it's treasuring pieces from past generations, grandparents and great grandparents. Vintage style, both in clothes and furniture, involves pieces whose value and quality has remained untouched in time. But make sure that the vintage pieces you have or that you want to buy fit the style of your entire home.

Etno - heat, fireplace, the smell of spices - this is what this trend inspires. Regarding the interior decoration this trend is guided by the aesthetic "coloured" Orient: from India, Morocco, Central Asia, China, Russia. Explosion of colour, both on a white background and strong different contrasts: red, orange, yellow. However, if you aren't a supporter of this etno style throughout, pick out a few items: coloured carpets, a lot of wood, natural shades and dim light to get the effect.
Outdoor - Indoor is a new, catchy trend for this year, that you will fall in love with if you are an outdoor person. From the desire of an intimate, warm area, one of trends imposed this year is bringing parts of outside, inside for those who would normally sit on the terrace or garden, bring the ambiance into the living- room. So you bring the ratan deep chairs, low, bamboo coffee tables and bulky, large plants inside. For a special effect allow light to enter by the large windows.
A new trend for this year is the chill Scandinavia. Surely we all love the minimalistic look with white pieces of furniture, romantic lines, that are extremely functional. This is more than a trend, it's a way of living. Choose white furniture , walls painted white with colorful accessories thrown in; coloured pillows, nude soft carpet, boxes of different sizes, so you have somewhere to keep your magazines and DVDs.
Now that you have all the new trends, choose the one that best suits you, start this year with a new life in your own home!

John Orr is the founder and director of Variete John has a keen passion for interior and outdoor design and when he is not beautifying his garden he is involved in his other passion - football. He describes himself as a serial entrepreneur and offers his insight on Furniture and Homewares.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Orr 

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7 House Interior Design Tips For Small Space Living

Small spaces have great potential when it comes to house interior design. Make more room while giving each space your unique design expression by applying these 7 rules the pros use!
1. Slim Down - Get a large box, basket or bag and sift through those small accents. Too many little things sitting around a small room will clog of the room's space quickly. It's amazing how much air space you will create by being super specific about what you have placed on table tops and shelves.
2. Trim Down - Heavy, bulky window treatments not only block the limited light in your small room but are also space hoggers. Free those windows by using shades, blinds or even shutters. There are some gorgeous options to be made or purchased at your favorite house interior design store. Have a little extra money to spend, have your blinds custom designed in fabrics that compliment the rest of your room's decor.
 3. Color Down - Though a variety of color breaks up a large house, too much color in a small one will work against your already limited amount of space. It is best to paint all the walls one color or use a similar pallet hue for small subtle changes from room to room.
4. Lighten Up - Pull in that limited light with the use of mirrors positioned directly across from a window. Use semi gloss paint to reflect the light and keep your furniture polished and your appliances clean.
5. Fabric Up - It is better to fabric up your accents and leave the large furniture pieces to solids. If you already have a busy couch with a floral print, shapes or strips, consider toning things down a bit with a slip cover. Then, bring in those extra fabrics in your accents to provide some visual depth and emotional interest. Have fun with this part of your house interior design project!
Bring in those weaves, patterns, and quilted fabrics for this.

6. Liven Up - Nothing says open space and health like fresh plants placed around a room. Potted plants are preferred but bountiful bouquets regularly freshened up will also work well.
Limited for room? Positioning a potted plant in front of the fireplace mantle during the warmest time of the year is a great use of that space. Angle your furniture and use the extra space to display an indoor tree or palm.
7. Step Up - Light bare wood is always the best and beautiful of option for giving a small room a larger appearance. Flooring in an apartment cannot be changed but it can be changed up! Place a lighter area rug on top of the existing carpet. Or in the case of a dark linoleum find a light bamboo or Berber to bring out the light.

For more helpful design inspiration ideas for every room in your home visit Frugal Home Design. You will find web pages of professional money saving tips and secrets to facilitate your design goals without having to spend a lot of money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sue_E_Krippner 

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DIY Projects You Will Love (Part 2)

Nature's stained glass

Chinese pistache leaves are translucent enough to glow like stained glass when lit from behind. To celebrate their vivid fall beauty indoors, display them on simple glass hurricane candle holders.

Gather leaf cuttings from your garden (ginkgo and Japanese maple are other good choices).

Press them in a book overnight to keep them from crinkling, then use one or two Glue Dots on the back of each stem, affixing each leaflet to the outside surface of the glass.

Turn CD cases into frames

Castoff CD cases are the perfect size for creating a quilt-like grid collection of landscape photos.

From the book Photocraft: Cool Things to Do with the Pictures You Love: Scan or crop your images to the size of a CD case (5 3/8 in. wide by 4 5/8 in. high) then print on good photopaper and trim. We recommend using standard (not slim) cases. Discard plastic inserts.

Back each photo with cardboard or foam board and snap the cases shut. Attach them to the wall with 3-inch strips of sticky-back hood-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro).

DIY decorating projects

Make a memory box table

Turn a deep photo frame and similar-sized side table into a venue for celebrating treasured keepsakes.

More: How to make this memory box table

Make your own designer bouquet

Treat yourself to colorful bouquets and arrangements from a mini flower studio you can create at home.

All you need is a sink, a little counter space, and a few essential tools. See what you can do with a single bloom, and how to turn just about any vintage vessel into a vase. (Tip #1: Start with the freshest flowers you can find.)

More: Flower shop secrets

Turn a drawer organizer into a bento-box guest tray  

Tuck a drawer organizer into a storage tote with some thoughtful amenities to make your houseguests feel like royalty. (Be forewarned: They’ll be eager for a return invite.)

How-to: Slip a drawer organizer into a fabric-covered box or other storage tote and stock it with a few travel-size essentials in coordinating materials and hues. Tie a washcloth with colorful string; wrap a bar of soap with wide ribbon; use letter stamps and a label sticker to personalize a scented candle.

DIY workspace

To create your own instant workspace anywhere, put a flat birch hollow-core door atop two adjustable sawhorses.

Cover the door with self-healing vinyl board cover (available from art and drafting supply stores). The closer you can get the board cover to the exact size of your door, the better.

Stencil a basic measuring system onto the board cover, and you'll never need to hunt down a measuring stick.

Time: Four hours plus drying time

Cost: About $175