Subscribe

Powered By

Powered by Blogger

Kamis, 31 Maret 2011

Contemporary Dining - Perfect Symmetry and Style!


Consider the colours that you could use in your dining room, it is best to keep to monotone, for example just simply black and white, or a variation on this theme, blue and yellow, both of these and any other colour mood you want to create, will be fine for your complete dining experience, and at the same time will give you the chance to really to make the most of your kitchen and dining area. If you are in any doubt just look at the people who have already undertaken such projects of making a kitchen truly one of the most important rooms in their house.

Opulent and grandiose dining rooms could be focused on crystal decanters placed on the table, as well as crystal glasses that all go to make the overall effect one of feeling extremely privileged and at the same time proud to be there! More often than not centred over the middle of the table would be a huge chandelier scattering the light to all parts of the room, and this was often offset by the furniture that was placed in the room, large ornate pieces of wood fashioned into cabinets and sideboards and all in dark wood.

Place designer rugs under the table to help ground your colours; remember that a dining room rug should be sufficiently large so that when the chairs are pulled out they are still within the rug, rather than being half on your other flooring. This will also provide a more symmetrical look to the room.

Of course no dining table would have been complete without the most finest of cutlery being laid out in perfect symmetry and style!

Image: Vintage + Chic

Selasa, 29 Maret 2011

Contemporary Dining – An Art Form


The contemporary aspect can be completed by having some very modern vases with flowers and plants arranged accordingly, this can often make for a splash of natural colour if you have decorated you dining room in white. There is definitely an art to having a contemporary dining room, and at the end of the day you want it to be a place of comfort and relaxation, but at the same time being functional and somewhere not only you and your family can enjoy, but at those times you are entertaining guests for diner, and you want the whole experience of dining in style to be remembered.

On a note of caution it is wise to keep clear of using black as this can often enclose the room and make it feel very suffocating. Instead use colours that are associated with food, such a greens and red, you may even want to add in a touch of yellow by using a yellow rug rather than cream. There is also open to you the possibility of using some sort of texture when you are painting your dining room. Let your imagination take over for a moment and you will find that interior design ideas and inspirations will come to you far more easily, and you will suddenly find the best way to make your dining experience the warm and friendly one you want to achieve.

Image: Home Designing

Rabu, 23 Maret 2011

Be Inspired by Mother Nature


Look at the different types of textures that Mother Nature has to offer, see how serene a Silver Birch is for example and the shine of its bark could throw up many an interior design ideas to decorate your house. Look at the texture of a pine-cone and think how you could incorporate that look in a rustic way; maybe it reminds you of winter, therefore simply by adding brown rugs you can replicate the thoughts of the warmth a crackling open-fire brings.

Likewise, this season (it's now officially Spring!) conjures up thoughts of nature casting off its winter coat and springing into life with green buds giving up bursts of colour, daffodils, blue-bells and tulips provide us with vibrant colours – use these in your home as accessories and soft furnishings such as cushions and throws, rugs, ready made curtains and ready made blinds and make your home burst into new life!

Having a well balanced and well thought out room that is decorated from the inspiration that nature gives us, is perhaps one of the best themes to have going through your home, especially if you are lucky enough to live in the country, but even if you are not, you can bring the countryside in to your home where ever you live.

Image: Belle Maison

Minggu, 20 Maret 2011

Ottomans, Benches, Foot Stools

Ottomans have become a favourite of mine to use in family/media rooms and dens. I like using them for several reasons. First and foremost they serve as the indispensable coffee table. I like to make mine with tight tops and rather flat as opposed to padded with a pillow effect. This way you can set things on top of them without worrying about them toppling over. Secondly you can comfortably set your feet on them and be in a semi-reclining position to watch TV, read or maybe even fall asleep. Thirdly I can have them made any size to fit the requirements of the room. This is a real benefit because large coffee tables are hard to find. In the space below the ottoman is made out of deep chocolate brown faux Ostrich. This family has two young daughters and they use the ottoman to color on and do their craft projects and have snacks. Spills can be wiped up easily, and the deep brown faux ostrich adds and a nice textural interest and makes a dramatic center focal point for the room. Patricia Gray | Interior Design Patricia Gray | Interior Design 

This ottoman is large by ottoman standards 5 feet by 3 1/2 feet. It is covered in Holly Hunt, Hair on Hide Leather, in a creamy butterscotch color. It was made long so 3 people sitting on the sofa could all put their feet up on it, and I made it deep enough to that there was still room at the back for the inevitable books, magazines, remote controls and trays for snacks and drinks. It also doubles as extra seating for parties. What coffee table has that much versatility?

Patricia Gray | Interior Design

 Patricia Gray | Interior Design
The Ottoman in this penthouse I had made in charcoal gray Beacon Hill "Pashmina". It is soft and luxurious like a Cashmere blanket and makes a nice warming contrast to the leather sofa. It sits on top of the same color of Belgium wool area carpet. Facing the sofa is the view with the TV hung and framed between the windows. Where else do you put the TV in a room that is all windows & view.

Patricia Gray | Interior Design 

Patricia Gray | Interior Design


tufted bench1 tufted bench5

tufted bench3 tufted bench4

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Kamis, 17 Maret 2011

Interior Design Tips for Decorating A Nursery Part 2


In this post I'm going to carry on sharing interior design ideas for your baby's nursery; this time looking a colours, possible wall decoration, and window treatments.

Colours:
Colour is very important in decorating and when it comes to a nursery, you should keep the baby's development in mind. Newborns see everything in black and white while reds and yellows are the first actual colours they can perceive. You might want to avoid red and yellows, as they will kind of jump out at your baby from a what they see as a colourless room. Instead, use pastels, blues and violets in your nursery decorating attempts.

Decorating Walls Budget Style:
Are you looking for some economical options for wall art? For a few pounds, you can frame pages from your favourite childhood books. This is a simple and cost effective way to add colour, decoration and a bit of nostalgia as well. Baby blankets and quilts your child has outgrown are potential wall decorations as well. As your child grows you can use this same principle with album art and film posters.

Window Treatments:
Childrens curtains with blackout lining will help your baby sleep during daylight hours. There are a whole host of plain or patterned children's curtain fabrics online in a wide variety of gorgeous colours to compliment your nursery furnishings and colour scheme.

Decorating the nursery is an exciting endeavour for first time as well as repeat parents. There are all kinds of themes you can use from simple gender specific colour coordination to licensed character décor such as Strawberry Shortcake, Sponge Bob Square Pants and Toy Story or Shrek. Remember to choose age appropriate toys and accessories for safety sake and use furnishings that are easy to clean.

Image: Blogatlantahomesmag

Minggu, 13 Maret 2011

Interior Design Tips for Decorating A Nursery Part 1


If you are expecting your first baby, decorating the nursery is new territory. The first order of business will be to choose an overall theme, if you plan on using one. For example, many parents to be will wait until they can determine the sex of the baby and then choose gender appropriate themes. Princesses for little girls and sports themes are common for boys, though these are far from the only option. Current animated television shows and films are often used to decorate a new baby room.

Lighting:
A nursery should have a variety of lighting options. Overhead lights are great most of the time however, there will be times when you want nothing more than a night light for late night feeds or area lighting for specific tasks such as reading to your baby at bedtime. One simple way to create mood lighting is by installing a dimmer switch. You can also use strategically placed cheap table lamps and small night-lights.

Flooring:
As your baby grows, messes are going to be a familiar occurrence. If you want to protect your carpet while adding a splash of colour to the room look into a large area rug. You can use one large rug or several smaller area rugs, either way make sure they are made of easy to clean materials as they will take the brunt of the dirt and damage.

Image: Interiorimprovementblogspot

Sabtu, 12 Maret 2011

My Vision of Heaven

A beautiful door, sunshine, a pea gravel garden path! 

Photo Credit

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about the world of interior design, architecture, lifestyle, and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Rabu, 09 Maret 2011

Decluttering my shelving unit

I decided that my ikea shelving unit needed a major clean up. I had mentioned in an earlier post how I found the perfect project to start my spring cleaning. I always like changing things up and making things feel new again. This shelving unit had become a catch all for all sorts of things. I didn't buy anything new I just used the things I already had and reorganized it. Here are some

Glass Shower Cabin Design

Glass Shower Cabin Glass Shower CabinGlass shower cabin allow their owners to become modern bathrooms, elegant spaces. With the right combination of glass walls and stylish designs to choose from, you can even resemble a bathroom area with a high end hotel bathroom!Glass Shower CabinGlass shower cabin are becoming more and more reasonable prices these days. With increasing number of available

Enjoy Your Decorating!


Creating your personalised home décor does not have to be difficult, but it may take some time to get it all down 'pat'. Do not look at home decorating as a chore but more as a challenge if you will. It might be challenging to try to figure out how to pull your home together, but it is not impossible. Talk to friends and family throughout this process; they will be more than happy to give you feedback on your decorating and interior design ideas!

Need more space?
There are many ways to give the illusion of space in a small room. Light colours, good lighting and carefully chosen and place furniture are just a few tricks you can use to open a small room. You will also want to avoid installing shelves or other protruding pieces on the wall. You can make a huge difference in a small bathroom simply by removing shelves!

Add something new to lift your mood!
Add cheap rugs to brighten up dull or faded flooring – it's an inexpensive way to create a whole new look, especially if you coordinate the colours with your curtains, cushions and throws; and no one need know that they're not designer labels!

Image: Belle Maison

Selasa, 08 Maret 2011

A Glimmer of Hope

When I opened the blinds in my office this morning this is what I saw….could you hear me clapping my hands? I even did a little dance around my desk……. so happy, so happy. For those of you who live in Vancouver, you will understand. For those of you who live in more southern locations, you will think I have totally gone crazy. Yesterday I found myself on the internet looking up SAD to see if this was my problem, but today I know that I am just missing the sunshine. These beautiful crocuses that I planted last fall are my reminder that spring it is just around the corner! How strong and hardy they are pushing their way up and through the rocks. A testament to our northern spirit.

A view of the crocuses from my office window.

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Kamis, 03 Maret 2011

Steve Jobs on Design

 Steve Jobs on Design via Pinterest

I love this quote by Steve Jobs.
What do you think? Is good design more than just looking pretty?

Join the discussion by leaving a comment.

Photo Credit

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Selasa, 01 Maret 2011

Vicente Wolf and Inuit Art in Vancouver

I had the pleasure of spending time with Vicente Wolf on his trip to Vancouver where he spoke at the Buildex convention. Albarosa Simonetti had put together an itinerary of  Native Art Galleries and we spent the afternoon looking for Inuit dolls made of Caribou antler for Vicente’s private collection. As well as showing Vicente the sights of Vancouver we had lots of time to talk about design, travel, photography and share stories.


Patricia Gray, Vicente Wolfe, Albarosa Simonetti at Buildex Vancouver


Patricia Gray, Vicente Wolf at Inuit Gallery Vancouver

Narwhal Gallery: Samonie Toonoo - Hockey Player
Inuit Caribou Antler Dolls

These Inuit dolls carved from Caribou antler which is a renewable resource, shed by the animal annually, have the arms and legs attached with sinew. Their antecedence is in ancient Inuit history, and were often the only toy that a small girl would have. They are absolutely charming in their simplicity. I would not have known about them were it not for Vicente’s passion for collecting.

imageVicente Wolfe Collection of Inuit Dolls in his Montauk home

Top 2 photos: Albarosa Simonetti
Photo 3 Photo Credit
Bottom Photo Credit

Contemporary Interior Design Ideas: In The Bedroom


Who said the only furniture in the bedroom has to be the bed, bedside tables and dressers? When you want to add form and function to your bedroom consider adding some seating. This will of course only be possible in a larger bedroom, but if you have the room, an elegant chaise can completely transform it into an luxurious parlour. You could also create a cosy corner with an overstuffed chair, end table, small lamp and a footstool. When you need to create a place of escape within your home, this is a good option.

Add elegance to your bedroom with full length pencil pleat curtains in a soothing, chic colour – again if you've got a large bedroom – have the curtains extend further than the end of your windows to create a chic hotel look. Statement headboards are also part of the contemporary design scene – make your own by choosing fabulous patterned curtain material online. It's a good idea to add extra height to get the full effect and if you can tie-in your bed's valance with the same fabric it will bring a sense of balance and cohesion to your room.

Image: Belle Maison