Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Interiors: Deck the halls — and everything else — in style

 If there's anything that really helps deck the halls, it's garland.

We all know garland looks great circling the stairs and draped along the mantel, but where else can we add garland to punch up the decorations a notch?

Did you ever think of draping garland around the windows? It looks pretty dramatic on large windows. Swaging and draping garland around each doorway makes every room special. Another good location is the dining room — swag garland across the backs of the chairs. It will make the room extra-formal-looking, and will also make those who might sit in the chairs for dinner feel special.

Don't forget the mailbox. Put garland on top and add a red bow, and all who drive or walk by will certainly feel the Christmas cheer.

Do you have those popular pendant lights hanging in your kitchen? Add garland to them from the ceiling down to the lamp. Any columns or posts you might have inside or outside the home will look nice with garland spiraled around them. Add lights for sparkle, but even without the lights, the garland makes Christmas magic in any room.

Of course, always be on the lookout for any possible fire hazards.

Let's talk about the windows again. Snowflake curtains bring the wintery scene into focus and are easy to make. Just go online and find templates of snowflakes. Print several different types and sizes of the snowflakes; just pick the ones that look best to you. Print them onto crisp white paper or card stock. Fold and cut the snowflake templates according to the instructions. When you open up the finished snowflakes, they will have creases where you originally folded them. To get the folds straightened, place them under something heavy, like a book.

Let them sit for a day to get all the folds out. Measure the length of the window the snowflake curtain will go on, then cut fishing line to various lengths within the length size of the window. Attach the snowflakes with invisible tape to the fishing line at varying places. Then attach your hanging snowflake-laden lines to the top of the window. Let it snow!

Christmas-tree ball ornaments aren't just for the tree. Put them in large glass bowls, or in tall cylindrical vases or large wicker baskets. Place wine glasses on the table, and put one large ornament in each or several tiny ones in each — for decoration, of course. Do not drink from these glasses. Be sure to thoroughly wash these glasses before drinking from them again.

There are some ideas to make the season bright. Enjoy the decorating, and enjoy what you've decorated.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Modern interior design for bedrooms


Several times we showed pictures of interior design to inspire you to decorate your bedrooms with a modern style and this time we bring you the some more latest ideas, so you can discuss your options and shops along the nearest interior design to get something right and to your liking.

Using colored modern furniture will give your bedrooms a youthful and cheerful that never hurts when relax and unwind. On this basis a bed of green with warm colors header is the center of attention in a room with few elements and a minimalist, where the practical and essential is the priority.

Incorporate a modern bed in a basic tonality, whether black, white, gray or cream will be very helpful in giving versatility to your bedrooms, you can use for this purpose rugs, pillows and cushions in bright colors that give your decor aesthetics and spontaneous fun.

Resorting to the combination of the three basic colors for excellence will be an elegant and sober decorate your bedrooms, you also ensure the cohesion of each item you include in your space to relax and always look great.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Design ideas for your home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - For twenty years in the making, husband and wife design team Cortney and Robert Novogratz know how to place a completely unique stamp on style, all the while juggling a hit TV show and seven children.


Robert and Cortney started their relationship in Charlotte, NC and that is why the couple states that the Queen City “has a soft spot” in their hearts.  If you love either of their shows, HGTV ‘s “Home by Novogratz” or Bravo’s “Nine by Design,” then you’ll want to pick up a copy of their new book that will show you how to incorporate their funky, downtown-chic style into your own home.

Friday, December 7, 2012

How to decorate a living room with large windows

A well-lit room is the dream of many people, for which nothing is better than large windows that allow the entry of natural light in bulk, but just to keep the effect of light, and not to clash with the atmosphere created in the room, you should know some tips on how to decorate a living room with large windows, to take full advantage of this stay.

If you have a room with large windows, then surely you can enjoy beautiful scenery much of the day, so if we take these views, it is best to have the furniture in a way that, without directly face to the window, allow anyone appreciate the seamless panorama.

However, you must remember that when decorating a living room at least one set of sofa and a TV usually used, so you will have to study especially well where you place the latter, as it will be one of the Key points to guide the rest of the furniture. It would be best to place it next to the window, and then you avoid that when you sit down, people should give back to the landscape.

Another benefit of having a room with large windows is the large amount of natural light that enters during daylight hours, which will make your room look very bright, spacious and cool. When choosing the color scheme to decorate the living force you to choose between continuing the trend of warm colors and bright, to intensify the feeling of space and freshness. While on the other hand, you can opt for darker shades or opaque, to counteract excessive direct sunlight, and create an atmosphere contrasting play of light and shadows.

The curtains are one of the main elements that you should think about having large windows for natural light while always welcome, there may be some times of day you want to lessen their impact on the room as well as during the night.

The texture and color of curtains depend on the rest of the decor of the room, but it is usually best to choose shades of light fabrics and neutral colors, which constitutes an obstacle to light, but not completely or creating a gloomy atmosphere in the room.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Contemporary Colors Ideas to Paint Bedroom Walls

You can give your bedroom a contemporary makeover in several ways, including removing vintage or antique furniture and replacing it with updated pieces and installing hardwood floors. However, paying special attention to the walls is essential, as they comprise some of the largest surfaces in your space, and will set the room's tone, or mood. If you are considering painting your bedroom walls in a contemporary style, several ideas can help.

White

    The color white, both "pure" and in its off-white shades, is one of the safest options for contemporary bedroom walls. As Unique Home Decor Ideas notes, white contributes to the appearance of a crisp, clean and well-lit space, while simultaneously providing the perfect backdrop for highlighting wooden furniture, like beds, desks and drawers. The downside to utilizing all-white bedroom walls is that they can sometimes appear sterile, like a doctor's office. To avoid this problem, try pairing up your white walls with black accents. As Better Homes and Gardens shows, you can achieve this by painting trims and moldings black as well as by incorporating black furniture, shelves and black mirror and picture frames.

Neutral

    Neutral shades are also some of the safest options for painting contemporary bedroom walls. According to Unique Home Decor Ideas, neutral or muted colors are subtle in nature and contribute to a look that evokes "quiet luxury." Popular options include using gray, beige, khaki, suede, soft brown, mushroom, taupe and grayish blue. To prevent a room with neutral-colored walls from appearing bland and boring, try accenting them with sharper colors, like mint green, pale green and burnt orange.


Read more: Contemporary Colors Ideas to Paint Bedroom Walls | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7105836_contemporary-ideas-paint-bedroom-walls.html#ixzz2ELH1dCbK

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Passionate decoration with wild and crazy red color

It is the most modern interior and design color that characterizes the love impulse and passion. Transmitter of pure energy, encourages and provides strength, so be careful about the location and amount of things to which you will provide this key. Through these tips, you will need a guide to determine the tone that best suits your needs to decorate your home.

When you want to avoid abuse of scarlet and crimson hues (the most stimulating physical activity and that convey strength and energy) it may be inclined to use more conservative color choices within it, choosing interior and design colors to paint your walls terracotta, avoiding fatigue of being on constant display of this indomitable color.

For a better interior and design of a living room or study room, when these spaces dedicated to communication or work, it is recommended to use the widest fiery red. This palette creates appetite stimulation and flow of communication, making it an ideal tone for a dining room or office. Both aspects are essential for the development of their respective tasks.

As one of the three primary colors, it will generate a very strong feeling in any place and manner in which it is used. To generate warmth and comfort in a bedroom, we recommend leaving three white walls, and paint only one of a reddish brown. Stimulate both colors combined, but being only one of its walls the visually dominant, not generate unnecessary fatigue being in the environment. It also gets along very well with black, white and blue.

In open spaces it can be used safely with darker color ranges, even if you like to convey a sense of sobriety and balanced elegance. If you have a small environment, ideally limited to strokes or touches of a more electric, it could be a curtain, a table or a bed cover. If the above interior and design tips influenced you, then add some candles that will generate a warm and intimate atmosphere.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Outdoor spaces with plants of the same color

Mastering the art of color in the garden can be very important if you are really passionate about gardening and the space in your home is one of the most important to you. One of the main advices is to illuminate the darker areas of your garden with the bright colors of the flowers. Put plants like the bamboo or yellow flowers, which have the effect of acting as if it were watching the sun there.

Mastering the art of color in the garden can be very important if you are really passionate about gardening and the space in your home is one of the most important to you. One of the main advices is to illuminate the darker areas of your garden with the bright colors of the flowers. Put plants like the bamboo or yellow flowers, which have the effect of acting as if it were watching the sun there.

make your garden a different landscape creating contrasts

But if you want something very simple and that is also perfect in the garden, is to choose only one color for all the space. You can make that space look larger and deeper playing with different shades of same color. For example, you can choose different shades of yellow and plant them around your garden, including plants put in a color that pleases you also.

You can also make your garden a different landscape creating contrasts. Just as the white stands out more when you put it next to black, you can do the same in your garden by combining plants with colorful flowers clear with those of darker colors. For example, you can put those flowerless plants which have colors like dark green or purple as the backdrop for yellow roses.

Just as your home decor changes with the seasons, you can achieve that effect in the garden, simply adjusting the shades depending on the month in which you are planting. And it is not as difficult as it sounds, you only pay attention to the time when your flowers bloom. For example, you can put blue or pink flowers in spring, red roses and deeper during the warmer months and colors like orange and gold for the fall.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Michelle Unveils White House Holiday Decor

"Bo-flakes" featuring the first dog and ornaments fashioned from zippers are among the new twists on traditional favorites at the White House this Christmas season.

First lady Michelle Obama unveiled this year’s decorations before an appreciative crowd of military families, then spent some time doing holiday crafts with military kids.

The theme for this year’s decorations is "Joy to All," but first dog Bo seems to steals the show.

There are 40 "Bo-flake" ornaments throughout the White House that feature cutout images of the dog.

There’s a life-size replica of the dog, with a string of lights in his mouth, in the East Garden Room.

And there’s an outsized statue of the Portuguese water dog next to the 300-pound gingerbread house in the State Dining Room.

Mrs. Obama said that reflects Bo’s high standing at the White House.

"He’s almost as big as the house," she declared. "He is such a huge personality."

Visitors also will get a Bo bookmark that sends them on a scavenger hunt for "Bo-ornaments" stashed in eight rooms.

Bo himself made an appearance during Wednesday’s festivities, sporting a jingle bell collar, and was quickly swarmed by young guests.

This year’s decorations include lots of handmade items that could easily be done at home, including patriotic wreaths and ornaments wrapped in red, white and blue yarn to fit with Mrs. Obama’s emphasis on supporting military families.

The gargantuan gingerbread house, however, is not a feat for amateurs to attempt: It contains more than 175 pounds of gingerbread and modified gingerbread and more than 50 pounds of chocolate. Pastry chef Bill Yosses mixed up a combination of wheat, rye and white-flour gingerbread that mimics the color of the sandstone house prior to 1798, when the house was first painted white.

More than 90,000 visitors are expected to pass through the White House this holiday season.

Executive chef Cristeta Comerford said she’s drawing on the recipes in Mrs. Obama’s gardening book, "American Grown," as she prepares food for all the guests. The treats will include sweet potato quick bread, green beans with almonds and a winter salad featuring fennel.

The massive decorating job - there are 54 live Christmas trees in the White House - comes together in just five days, with the help of 85 volunteers from around the country. This year’s volunteers included Nellie Funk, a military wife from Carlisle, Pa., who was working beside retired homicide detective Tracy Jacobson from Southern California.

Asked which job was more fun - detective or decorator - Jacobson deadpanned: "This has been much more fun."

Sunday, December 2, 2012

John Derian's Handmade Home Decor

I GRAVITATE TOWARD THINGS that are made by hand," John Derian, the king of the decoupage plate, tells me while we are discussing his home accessories store on Manhattan's East 2nd Street. The space, which he has occupied since 1994, has become a mecca for a dedicated group of followers—and a showcase for the many artisans who sell their designs there. Derian originally took on the shop as his studio, but put up a curtain to divide the space; in the front he displayed some of his plates and a few antiques, thinking to himself, If I sell a plate a week, I can pay the rent. As more pieces sold he was able to acquire better and better things, allowing his inventory to grow in a very natural way. It seems such a simple theory, and when Derian speaks about how he selects designers, that, too, has a thorough simplicity: He doesn't go looking for talent, but when he comes across it, he makes it part of his world. This allows Derian to stand apart from other stores that sell charming bits of ephemera; he straddles the divide between being an artist himself and acting as a patron or gallerist for other artists.



Derian is generally quick to know what he likes. Leanne Shapton, a well-known illustrator with her own following, remembers the first time she showed him the wooden books she now sells at his store. "What was nice was that he was so decisive about ordering a ton of them," she says. "He understood what I like about them—the poetry and emotional impact of the titles." Livia Cetti had a similar experience when she arrived at his store unannounced to show him her paper flowers. "I knew dropping by was the worst thing to do, and I could tell he was annoyed," Cetti says. "He went back into his office and two minutes later he poked his head out and said, 'I love them! I want this, this and this!' "

It's this confidence that has led Derian to become something of a global sensation among a tremendously loyal fan base that not only desires but understands and appreciates the value of the treasures he collects.

Hugo Guinness is probably the best-known fixture of Derian's shop. Although they now have a strong bond, it's funny to discover that their friendship started with a relatively weak thread. Derian, who was introduced to Guinness through a mutual friend, admits that he was unsure at the start. "When I first met Hugo, he was 'Tom's friend with the little pictures,' " he says. "When he came to see me, I sent him to a nearby gallery, but he came back and said he wanted to sell here. So I put a picture of his in the shop, and it sold!" Both he and Guinness seemed equally surprised by this. "And they kept on selling, and now, what Ralph Lauren or J. Crew store doesn't have Hugo's prints on the wall?"

"I don't think John was interested to begin with," Guinness remembers. "But I was so excited about getting a check, and that encouraged me, so I did more and more, we had a show and people liked my work. I feel very lucky." Since then, Guinness's shows have become an annual event held at the beginning of May. Every year Guinness produces a new variation on his black-and-white theme. His pictures have a strong identity and are fun to collect because each yearthey have a very different look.

In contrast to Guinness's monochrome prints, Nathalie Lété's paintings, ceramics and textiles are a riot of Technicolor. At her studio in Paris—part of a converted factory that once produced metal parts for the Eiffel Tower—it's easy to see the aesthetic bond between her and Derian. The space makes a fabulous union of industry, nature and the handmade; with roses climbing old girders, wisteria ascending elsewhere and lots of bamboo, the place is positively tropical in its lushness.

Derian first spotted Lété's work on a trip to Paris. "I fell in love with her things in the window of a shop called Absinthe," he recalls. "It had all kinds of sausage dolls made from papier-mâché. It looked like a butcher shop, but the meat was animated—the hanging meat was funny and whimsical." Derian and Lété started an e-mail correspondence, and after a visit to her studio, a relationship bloomed. He held a show for her at his store, as he does with so many of his artists, but unlike many shop events and openings, Derian's parties are done without a team of publicists. They are simple celebrations of the artists he's found and wants to introduce to his friends and clients, done in a familial way with his open-arm charm and appeal.

Lété mostly paints toys, animals and flowers. "My work is like a protection," she says. "The world outside doesn't interest me so I create this one to feel comfortable and protected." She is incredibly industrious, and her products are sent everywhere. This seems at odds with her artistic and slightly hermit-like character until you realize that her reproductions allow her to keep the originals in her studio.

Astier de Villatte, a venerable design house also from Paris, has been showcased in Derian's shop the longest—at 14 years—and Derian in turn has made pieces for Astier. "Some of the Astier shapes are from the 18th century," Derian explains, when asked about their longtime partnership. "I am attracted to things that look old, almost period."

Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli—the vital organs of the Astier de Villatte group—met at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and are similarly attracted to period things. The two live in the same apartment building from the early 17th century and have created a mix of practicality with ancient beauty. (One of the things that most excites Derian about his recent collaboration with Astier is that he has finally produced something that can go in the dishwasher.) Derian's marble pieces for them are chic, the colors are beautiful and mix well with the rest of their sought-after white ceramics. One of the most interesting aspects of the Astier studio is the packing area, with boxes labeled for Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, New York, Holland and England.

Livia Cetti, with her charming paper flowers, is something of a powerhouse and has worked for brands like Bobbi Brown, Anthropologie and Kate Spade. But what she creates for Derian is different. "It was a dream come true to sell something in John's store, and it's one of the things I am most proud of in my career." Derian's curatorial eye has had an effect on her work too. "When I started working for John, it really cemented the way I make my flowers," she recalls. "Now I have solidified my look, which I would say is naturalistic with my own twist." Her foxgloves, dahlias and fritillaria are a festival—the colors are cheerful, and each one is different. She also does Derian's signature scraggly geraniums (exclusively for him), which have become a hit in the store.

The artists that work with Derian not only talk about his talent, but his generosity. Stephanie Housley, who sells aprons, linens, stationary and pocket dolls from her Coral & Tusk line, is one of these artists. Having been given one of Housley's aprons as a gift, Derian approached her to sell her products in the shop. "By then I had a small library of designs, and I was struggling to harness it," she says. "John had such brilliant ideas about how to direct the collection." Although he has an eye for what's likely to sell, he also knows when to disregard that instinct: Housley made a custom pocket doll of Derian's cat, Skip, and is now producing a line of them for the shop, each with its own trading cards.

One of the things about Derian's shop is its level of consistency, and yet within that there is always room for the new and the offbeat. It is a shop that you can use reliably as a source for both gift buying (most happily for oneself) and interior design. The store has Moroccan rugs, brightly colored leather poufs, fine lamps and linens—and Derian knows exactly how to arrange all these elements. Shapton puts her finger on it when she says, "I wouldn't have taken two glances at the poufs, but he has a way of contextualizing things without forcing them upon you."

Friday, November 30, 2012

Foyer Entryway Furniture

There is a general belief that the first impression is the last impression. It holds true in the case of your home also. Entryways and foyers create the first impression about your home when your guests come visiting you. That makes it imperative for you to keep this area well-decorated with stylish and fashionable pieces of furniture. Though a large number of online stores are available who deal with such items, it is a daunting task to find quality pieces at reasonable prices for your hallway. We at Lifestyles Home Décor offer you a huge collection of innovatively designed and trendy pieces for an outstanding décor of your foyer entryway. We offer items suitable for any style of décor, traditional, contemporary or modern. Our vast and varied range has tastefully crafted pieces like console tables, foyer tables, Bombay chests, foyer benches, hall trees, coat racks, umbrella stands, and a whole lot of other attractive and functional items. We have products keeping in mind the décor aspect of variously sized entryways. So, whether you have a large area as your entryway or a small foyer, our items are sure to suit the need of your hallway. Our items are manufactured using various materials like wood, metal, wrought iron, etc. and are available in a large number of finishes. You will be impressed with our accent pieces which have been skillfully crafted by expert craftsman to suit your specific needs. We offer quality pieces from brand manufacturers like Coaster Furniture, Butler Specialty and Uttermost. Check out our various categories below to discover splendid furniture pieces for your home at affordable prices.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

How To Use a Blue Color Scheme for Country Style

When decorating your home, one of the most popular themes or styles to choose is country. It’s warm, inviting and easy to do. It’s perfect for many American homes because of the style’s comfortable and universal appeal.

It’s important to use color properly when decorating. For example, you can use a blue color scheme when decorating your space with a country style. Here are some ideas for you to try:

    1、Use blue paint on the walls. The easiest way to incorporate color in a space is to paint the walls. There are many shades of blue, but the soft muted tones such as cornflower blue or sky blue are most often found in country style spaces. To have a bit of contrast, blue works great with a bright white wainscoting on the walls.

   2、  Use blue linens. To spice up any space with the color blue, you can use fabric. In the bedroom, use a denim-colored bed sheet and comforter. In the bathroom, opt for blue towels, blue shower curtains and a matching blue bathroom rug in the same tones or shade. In the dining room, use a blue tablecloth with matching table napkins. When decorating the living room, you can use the color blue by having either a blue colored sofa, or blue throw pillows and curtains. The great thing about using fabric to introduce color is that you can easily change and clean it.

   3、 Have a contrast color. Break up the monotony of the color blue by using a second contrasting color. For example, blue looks simply beautiful with white. If you are decorating a boy’s bedroom, why not go with red, white and blue? Having your predominant color as blue will be further accented by another color.

    4、Use blue as an accent color. If you want to use the color blue in a more subtle way, you can use blue not as the predominant color, but as the hint of color in the space. For example, you can have yellow as your main color palette, but accent a room with blue throw pillows or a blue vase. Place some bright fresh cut flowers in a royal blue vase. In the dining room, use white china accented with blue designs or patterns. You can also use blue colored stemware. In a white or yellow kitchen, you can add some color buy using blue pots and pans, as well as navy blue kitchen towels.

    5、Use country style furniture to keep the theme. To keep the theme in mind, your furniture pieces must be in the country style. Use wicker furniture, or pieces made of light colored wood. Keep the angles soft and the edges rounded.

It’s very easy to decorate with a country style approach when beautifying your space. You can easily use the theme in any room in your home, be it in your living room, dining room, bedroom or kitchen. When using the color blue in your country style approach, you’ll be able to create a space that is warm, comfortable, relaxing and beautiful.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Bo featured in White House decor

"Bo-flakes" featuring the first dog and ornaments fashioned from zippers are among the new twists on traditional favorites at the White House this Christmas season.

First lady Michelle Obama unveiled this year's decorations before an appreciative crowd of military families Wednesday and then spent some time doing holiday crafts with military kids.

The theme for this year's decorations is "Joy to All," but first dog Bo seems to steal the show.

There are 40 "Bo-flake" ornaments throughout the White House that feature cutout images of the dog.

There's a life-size replica of the dog, with a string of lights in his mouth, in the East Garden Room.

And there's an outsized statue of the Portuguese water dog next to the 300-pound gingerbread house in the State Dining Room.

Mrs. Obama said that reflects Bo's high standing at the White House.

"He's almost as big as the house," she declared. "He is such a huge personality."

"Bo-flakes" featuring the first dog and ornaments fashioned from zippers are among the new twists on traditional favorites at the White House this Christmas season.

First lady Michelle Obama unveiled this year's decorations before an appreciative crowd of military families Wednesday and then spent some time doing holiday crafts with military kids.

The theme for this year's decorations is "Joy to All," but first dog Bo seems to steal the show.

There are 40 "Bo-flake" ornaments throughout the White House that feature cutout images of the dog.

There's a life-size replica of the dog, with a string of lights in his mouth, in the East Garden Room.

And there's an outsized statue of the Portuguese water dog next to the 300-pound gingerbread house in the State Dining Room.

Mrs. Obama said that reflects Bo's high standing at the White House.

"He's almost as big as the house," she declared. "He is such a huge personality."

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

How To Choose a Flatware Set

 I have used, purchased, broken, cherished, tried and discarded many different styles and types of flatware in my lifetime. And I have learned a secret: 'Not all flatware is created equal.' Even comparably priced flatware varies in several important ways. And nowhere is it so evident as it is in flatware options, that you get what you pay for. Here are some considerations for anyone planning to begin a bridal registry, set up housekeeping, purchase new flatware or replace flatware.

    Explore flatware craftsmanship. The metal used in flatware is developed into utensils by two different processes.
        Drop-forged or forged: In this process the piece is made individually by a molding process. Forged or drop-forged flatware is heavier, denser and has smooth rounded edges. Forged is a higher process and generates a safer utensil that resists chips, breaking and contamination. Forged flatware is stainless as well. The forged piece is treated and sealed to stay smooth and untarnished. Look for flatware labeled as 'forged'. Feel the pieces; you will notice the smoother metal.
        Die-cut or stamped: In this process, flatware pieces are cut or punched from a sheet of lower quality pot-metal and then formed. The process leaves rougher edges that can be sharp. The metal is less pure and will discolor. It is usually not sealed or heat-treated to resist damage from heat, chemicals and daily use. The metal is also pitted and can retain contaminants. Die-cut costs less but is not worth the savings.
    Compare alloys and metals used in the flatware. When I was young, people had everyday flatware, made of stainless steel or pot-metal, and good silver, made from nickel, sterling silver, pewter or even gold-plating. We've looked at why pot-metal is not a wise choice for an eating utensil. Let's look at the other choices.
        Stainless: The least expensive of the better flatware choices, stainless is a good choice for daily use because it doesn't require polishing. Stainless resists stains and of course germs as well. It is dishwasher safe.
        Nickel-plate: This is an attractive, dull silver color. It does require polishing and studies are showing that constant exposure to nickel can be dangerous. Nickel silverware also retains its value. Nickel should not be used for everyday use.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Scotland's Meldrum House Country Hotel attends International Golf Travel Market

One of Scotland's most celebrated country house hotels has confirmed its attendance at this year's International Golf Travel Market which is being held from 12-15 November in the Algarve, Portugal. Meldrum House Country Hotel, which was named Scotland's best country house hotel by leading tourism trade body Golf Tourism Scotland at its Gold Standard Awards last year, will have a presence on VisitScotland's stand (530) throughout the week.

The announcement follows an extraordinary year for the hotel during which it was awarded four-star gold status by VisitScotland; an honour reserved for accommodation providers that excel in customer care, hospitality and staff development. Meldrum House also hosted The Northern Open for the third consecutive year and received a hat-trick of accolades at the Scottish hotels awards. Indeed with the official opening of the near-by Trump International Golf Links this summer, 2012 has been a year to remember for the award-winning hotel.

"It has been an incredible 12 months," admitted the hotel's head of operations and development Andy Burgess. "It started last November with the GTS award which was quickly followed by our four-star gold status from VisitScotland. Add to that the increased attention Donald Trump's new course has brought to the area and confirmation that the Scottish Open will come to Aberdeen in 2014, and you can see the north-east of Scotland is booming. We certainly hope to finish it in style at IGTM, which should be a fantastic show."

In recent years, Meldrum House has completed an ambitious expansion plan that included a £2.5 million redevelopment of a wing of contemporary rooms, the opening of a multi-purpose conference facility and the establishment of a state-of-the-art green-keeping centre. The 18-hole, 7,010-yard championship course has also seen changes with further improvements being made to playing surfaces and conditioning. The most recent work has included rebuilding a number of bunkers and improving drainage across the site.

Located just 15 miles from Trump International and a host of other top-quality courses, including Cruden Bay, Murcar Links and Royal Aberdeen, Meldrum House is ideally located for a golfing break to the north-east of Scotland. With direct flights from across Europe and a world-class golf practice facility, it's easy to see why Meldrum House has become one of Scotland's most prized country house hotels.

1) Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course is renowned as one of the finest golf clubs in Scotland with its practice facilities and magnificent course situated in secluded grounds adjacent to the Aberdeenshire town of Oldmeldrum.

2) It includes an 18-hole private members golf course, extensive golf academy, 27 hotel bedrooms all of individual character, two conference suites, a marquee that holds weddings and corporate events, unique whisky bar and an award-winning restaurant.

3) Meldrum House was recently awarded a Four-Star rating by VisitScotland as well as an EatScotland Silver Award and a coveted Taste of Grampian Award. It also went through a £2.5 million redevelopment plan which introduced a new conference facility and a wing of stylish, contemporary rooms.

4) The Northern Open was first played at Royal Aberdeen in 1931 and is one of the oldest professional golf championships in Scotland.

5) For more information, please visit www.meldrumhouse.com

Sunday, November 25, 2012

A Fendi Casa Penthouse; Crate and Barrel's New Teapots

NYC—One of the penthouses at Manhattan luxury building 400 Fifth Avenue has been decorated in more than $620K of Fendi Casa furnishings plus $240K in modern art. The three-bedroom unit, which boasts the Italian fashion house's signature "F" logo in rug form, is now listed for about $17M. Let's get some handbags with that, please? [CurbedWire Inbox]

EVERYWHERE—In honor of its 50th anniversary, Crate and Barrel has enlisted 12 designers, including architect Paola Navone and wallpaper goddess Julia Rothman, to create limited-edition teapots inspired by Arzberg's Bauhaus classic. The retailer plans to release one a month from Dec. until Nov. 2013. More info, right this way. [CurbedWire Inbox]

EVERYWHERE—Pantone has announced its top color for spring 2013: Monaco Blue, which is apparently "not a bright cobalt or sapphire blue" but "falls somewhere in between with a shot of sparkle." Get those walls ready, people. [CurbedWire Inbox]

THE INTERNET—Redfin has launched School Search, "a new feature that enables users to find ALL the homes for sale based on a certain school attendance zone," according to the release. Unlike search tools that focus on district, School Search allows prospective buyers to "see all the homes for sale served by [their school of choice], as well as sign up for alerts that let them know when a new listing comes on the market in the specified school zone." Read more. [CurbedWire Inbox]

NYC—DwellStudio is gearing up for some big sales this weekend, an Urban Tag Sale (Saturday) in which folks like New York design editor Wendy Goodman and Veranda editor in chief will be selling pieces from their personal collections, and a Warehouse Sale (Saturday and Sunday), where the brand's furniture, decor, bedding, rugs, and more are all ultra-discounted

Friday, November 23, 2012

Design Ideas: Tiny houses for one

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design recently hosted Mark Rios, founding principal at Rios Clementi Hale Studios in Los Angeles. Rios was the first visiting designer in the school’s Creativity Series, founded by MIAD board chair Madeleine Kelly Lubar and her husband, David Lubar.

The program, which will bring a few internationally known designers to Milwaukee each year, seems like a wonderful complement to the Marcus Prize at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It’s one of the most important architectural prizes in the world, bringing one emerging architect to Milwaukee several times in a year.

There are many great things about these programs. One is the way these professionals respond to our art schools and reflect their culture back to them.

One of the more poignant aspects of Rios’ public talk on Nov. 15 was his description of MIAD’s students.

“The first word I want to use is confidence,” he said, adding that he’d visited art and design schools around the country and the world and found a confidence here that was unique.

 “Somehow the students here have this kind of amazing sense of confidence and self-worth.-.....-They have this kind of, not a cocky confidence, but a really beautiful confidence that comes from being nurtured. There is this curiosity that’s evident from just walking down the halls.”

This had me looking a little closer at what I saw in MIAD’s hallways. One of the things I discovered and was enchanted by were the models made by Bob Lynch’s students for a class called “The Art of Inhabited Space.” Students created one-room houses, solitary, isolated and perched above the ground. They were supposed to function as lanterns in the landscape at night.

Maggie Patnou’s model, like a wedding cake or a tiny stack of crowns suspended in a large dish, created all kinds of play with light. Vanessa’s Sunta’s was a wonderful play of natural forms and Art Deco-like lines with small doors and a great use of the color purple. Cassie Rogala’s model could inspire a great use of a water tower.

These incoming students looked at the home as a medium unto itself. I found their models wonderfully poetic. Each one seemed to tell a story of its own.

Images from top: Detail of a model of a suspended house by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design student Maggie Patnou. A model of a small, suspended home by MIAD student Amanda Graham.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

What's new in the home furnishings market

In interior design, it seems like everything old is new again. That was especially evident at this year's international home furnishings market in High Point, N.C. There's a twist, though. Old and new, as well as other seemingly opposing styles, are being paired together for a fresh, very individualized look. At the biannual market, manufacturers from around the world show their wares to interior designers, retail buyers and trend-spotters before they hit the furnishing stores. Here's a sneak peek at some of the budding and building trends.
UP AND COMING COLORS

Gray has been one of the dominant colors. Now it's poised to become the new neutral, replacing the long-running taupe. However, this market saw fresh combinations with the ubiquitous color: gray with yellow, gray with green, gray with orange and, yes, gray with gray.

Emerald green (remember the '70's?) is showing a resurgence, as are red, navy and turquoise. Orange is going strong as an accent color.

RAISING THE BAR

Bar cabinets are no longer tacky little liquor cabinets. Now they're full-fledged, often full-sized pieces. Traditional cabinets are being covered in fabric with nailhead trim. More casual, industrial-inspired cabinets are being made of reclaimed wood, often with raw or irregular edges, and accessorized with industrial hardware and heavy-duty wheels.

IN STYLE

For the 30-and-under crowd, midcentury modern and Danish-inspired furnishings continue to be all the rage. Softer, coastal looks that emphasize painted finishes in a host of colors also are coming on strong. Classic contemporary remains a staple. Look for upholstered pieces with beautiful detailing paired with both traditional and contemporary case goods.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A new home for syrupy WaPo essay on popular Obama photo

By now, you've probably seen the most popular image in Twitter history. The photo, which was reportedly retweeted hundreds of thousands of times on the night of the election, was taken in August and captures what appears to be a warm exchange between the president and his wife.

The final clause of that last sentence is how most journalists would describe this moment frozen in time. But not Philip Kennicott of the Washington Post. Kennicott sees more in this simple arrangement of pixels than most mental patients see in your typical Rorschach test. So much does he read into it that he was able to cobble together a 938-word homage to the image and its subject. And not just any words either, but 938 of the smarmiest the English language has to offer, strung together in a bizarre flight of verbal fancy that rivals the most insipid drivel ever written.
View slideshow: "The Kiss"

Ultimately Kennicott’s meandering prose brings him out to the even weirder conclusion that the hug is somehow an affirmation of gay marriage.

A sample of the essay will suffice, though those into self-flagellation will probably want to read the thing in its entirety. As you peruse the words that follow, try to see them in the context of the replacement image proposed here. It seems far better suited to Kennicott's tribute.

    It also appealed to the almost cultlike sense of affection many Americans feel for the couple. Surging through social networks commonly used to keep people in touch with family and friends, it offered a sense of intimacy....

    But the photograph has a remarkable and specific latent message, too. Unlike many images of political marriage in which the man lays claim to his wife through a symbolically possessive gesture—touching her shoulder, raising her hand up or kissing—the embrace between these two people seems mutual.

    The president, if anything, seems to need this hug and appears almost dependent and vulnerable. The obligatory masculine markers of leadership—resolve, self-sufficiency and emotional equanimity—dissolve into the obliterating communion of two people lost in their own love world.

    The Obama photograph shows another reality, what might be called the limitless possibilities of true mutuality, of marriage beyond strict definitions. The Obama marriage appeals to many people, because it seems so comfortable, as if no one is worried about who wears the pants in the house, which is the reality of many healthy marriages today. In a healthy marriage, the partners don’t simply step into ancient gender roles and enact a drama of fidelity and obedience, they invent their own roles in the manner that serves both people best. Marriage is improvisatory, and every marriage is unique. Variation flourishes, and people work it out.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tonic Design + Tonic Construction Wins AIA NC's Only Residential Design Award

Tonic Design + Tonic Construction, an award-winning design/build firm in Raleigh, NC, has received a Merit Award from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA NC) for its design and construction of the “Crabill Modern” house in Hillsborough, NC.

 It was the only residential project to win an AIA NC design award this year.

This simple, modern home is located in a clearing amidst a lush, five-acre forest. The Crabills wanted the house to disturb the natural environment as little as possible and to accommodate local wildlife.

“They also wanted a unique live-work house that provides interesting spatial overlaps,” said project designer Katherine Hogan, who co-owns of Tonic Design + Tonic Construction with her husband, designer Vinny Petraca. “And they wanted it to be constructed in a simple and cost-effective way.”

 The house is sited to avoid disturbing the environment, to maximize natural lighting and ventilation, and to frame views of forest, including a three-trunked tree.

To reflect the rural setting, the design references regional agricultural structures yet renders them in a modern composition using simple, inexpensive materials. Recalling old farm sheds, the house’s skewed cubic form is clad in solid and perforated COR-TEN®, a steel alloy developed to eliminate the need for painting. The steel forms a stable rust-like appearance when exposed to the weather. As a result, the house will be a constantly evolving element in the landscape as a rich patina develops over the years. The COR-TEN also acts as a rain screen, canopy, sunshade, and visual screen.

Spray foam insulation, tightly sealed ducts, low-e glazed windows, and Energy Star® appliances contribute to the home’s energy conservation. Despite the fact that their new house is 800 feet larger than their previous house, the Crabills report that their energy bills are, on average, 30 percent lower.

The first floor includes the entry, a spacious kitchen/living/dining room, a studio/music space, and two decks. The second floor includes the master bedroom suite and two bedrooms for the Crabills’ children, who share an extra loft space and bath.

Tonic Construction completed the home for $155 per square foot, due in large part to the design/build process and the creative use of materials.

The annual AIA NC Design Awards celebrate the achievements of architects across the state and recognize a select group of diverse projects that distinguish themselves both in response to their clients’ needs and design excellence.

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Bathroom Makeover: Contemporary Hotel Bathroom Designs

The next time you check in at a luxury hotel or resort, you may notice a bathroom makeover when entering your room. Hotel bathrooms are getting bigger, bolder and more luxurious than ever before.

Life Goes Strong spoke to architect Gene Kaufman about trends in hotel bathroom designs. Kaufman is the founder of NYC-based Gene Kaufman Architect (GKA) and principal of Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman + Associates Architects (GSKA). His firms are currently working on an extensive portfolio of boutique and international brand hotels as well as the restoration of two of New York City's landmark hotels – The Hotel Chelsea and The Hotel Bossert. Mr. Kaufman is an expert on hotel architecture and has written about hotel bathroom design for Hotels Magazine.

What are some of the changing trends in hotel bathroom design?

Bathrooms are changing shape and integrating with bedrooms through the addition of glass walls, inset windows and other features. They have become part of the overall room rather than the small, private, functional spaces they once were.

Glass showers have been accepted as stylish, liberating, romantic and a way to simply make small spaces feel larger. The hotel room is evolving toward making the night's stay an experience one doesn't have at home, and the open bathroom is part of that, something you might enjoy as a diversion as opposed to the every day.

Has bathroom size changed relative to the size of bedrooms?

Bathrooms are big. Literally. Bathrooms used to occupy 15% of the guest room and have now grown to 20%, 25%, 30% and even more. They are beginning to shrink back a bit, but they remain considerably larger than in the past.

What are the big changes in terms of bathroom fixtures (sinks, tubs, etc.)?

Stall showers with glass walls are replacing tubs in most guest rooms visually connecting them with the bathroom and often the guest room. Lavatories, which were for a long time shielded from the rest of the space, are reemerging and sometimes in the open area of the guest room. Only toilets have not really changed, and are in some cases becoming more private, being set behind walls or enclosed completely.

What have been some of the nicest hotel bathrooms you have visited?

Among many others, my favorites include: Hotel Armani Milan (modern), George V (traditional), and Royal Monceau (unusual) in Paris.

What do you think of the automatic toilets like those made by Toto showing up in some upscale hotels in the States?

We worked on a budget Japanese hotel, where automatic toilets were considered necessary, but they are still very uncommon here, and seem likely to remain that way. It is not often a topic of conversation in our society.

Are hotel bathrooms going green?

Green bathrooms are easily achievable with low-flow fixtures, especially shower heads. But guests want that luxury experience of high volume water in the shower. More often than not, the accent on luxury prevails.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Time to turn on heaters, geysers

KANPUR: Sale of electrical appliances like heaters and geysers has picked up with the advent of winter.

With a dip in mercury (minumum temperature 10 degrees), there is a chill in the air and cold winds have started flowing in the city. Heaters are, therefore, in demand and shopkeepers selling home appliances informed that people were visiting them in big numbers to buy heaters and geysers.

Priced from Rs 250 to Rs 1,000, a heater is available in Sagar market, Gumti No.5, Lal Bangla, Kidwai Nagar, etc. "Heaters of various companies are available in a range of prices and features, therefore, people buy according to their needs and budget. Heaters help keepg rooms warm," said an electronics shop owner talking to TOI. The electrical appliances were of immense help in extreme weather conditions, he added.

Interestingly, sale of geysers run on electricity and gas has picked up too. Geysers help in heating/boiling water for various needs. Office-goers, students and the working women are all utilising these geysers to get hot water for bath, cleaning utensils, etc.

Explaining the functioning of both types of geysers, Tarvinder Khanna, an electrical appliance store-owner in Govind Nagar, says, "The electric geyser functions only when power is switched on.

Gas geysers are also available with us. Gas geysers run on LPG and boil water according to one's needs. The demand for gas-geysers has increased manifold due to the fact that it does not require electricity to boil water.

But with limiting of the subsidy on LPG cylinders, people are once again inquiring for the electricity operated gysers or some other new technology driven gadget," said Tarvinder.

Tarvinder added the immersion rod is yet another device available in the market with which water can be heated and is being preferred by the denizens.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

At Home With Pucci On Madison Avenue

“I’m kind of in love with it.” Emilio Pucci’s Peter Dundas was in New York yesterday, prepping the label’s new flagship at 855 Madison Avenue for its first shoppers, and he couldn’t hide his enthusiasm. The corner store, up the block from Tom Ford and across the street from Céline, was designed by the French architect Joseph Dirand, a man whose aesthetic is so in tune with Dundas’ own, he says, “I want him to do my flat.” But first things first: There’s a store in Shanghai to open at the end of this month, and others in the works, plus overhauls of the company’s 50 existing stores. “This is the first time the Pucci girl has a home,” Dundas explains. “It corresponds with the show, the showroom, the collection; it’s a reflection of the woman, and that is brand new.”

The boutique mimics Dundas’ successful approach to rebranding the heritage label—by playing with and breaking the rules. As with the clothes, there are reminders of Emilio’s trademark swirling and geometric prints, but they are modern interpretations, subtly done. Evoking the house’s famous Florentine palazzo, the terrazzo floor was laid in a graphic Pucci pattern that’s also echoed in the labyrinthine layout of the store’s rooms. Cabinets are made from unpolished purple-veined Breccia di Medici marble. “I think we depleted the stock for the moment,” Dundas joked. The marble’s colors informed the shop: the lilac couch that sits atop an aubergine silk carpet, the walls that are painted rich shades of cream and gray, and the changing rooms lined in pink velvet. The feminine, boudoir-ish feel is intentional, says Dundas. “I wanted it to feel like a place my girls would like to hang out.” His muse Amber Valletta is hanging out in the store windows, or at least larger-than-life-size artist’s renditions of her eye and lips are. The window display is more whimsical than Dundas’ Pucci is perhaps known for. Inside, though, the clothes give off serious heat. Just like Dundas and his girls like it.