Archive for October, 2011

Storage: The illusive space

Monday, October 24th, 2011

“We created a ’secret’ staircase, hidden from the main reception room, to access a new loft bedroom lit by roof lights. Limited by space, we melded the idea of a staircase with our client’s desire for a library to form a ‘library staircase’ in which English oak stair treads and shelves are both completely lined with books…” Levitate’s Tim Sloan

Every now and then, in design, we stumble upon some gems like this, where London-based Levitate Architects, created a secret multi-functional staircase/ bookcase, leading to a loft bedroom, in a 70sqm, 1868 Victorian apartment. The unique shape of the stairs allows readers to comfortably search and sit to enjoy their favourite book.

Storage is a major issue in most homes, as we struggle to find enough space for all the treasures found along our way. But it is particularly frustrating in a small house or apartment, and so designers have spent many years, trying to find the perfect solutions.

In the past when thinking about storage, we tended to think about only floor space, but once you start thinking about wall space, then a whole new line of solutions come to mind. Even in your local DIY shops, one can now find a number of great tall storage units, behind smooth non-invasive doors, wall mounted shelves and brackets for your TV and stereo, and even under-the-bed storage that doesn’t take away any of our precious space. But if you’re curious about what the designers are up to, then keep reading, because one can’t help but have a giggle when one sees what we come up with in our quest for the illusive storage space.

“Do you have an old garden bench or one of those wooden benches which are frequently beside dining tables or in entry halls? Try attaching it upside down on the wall. Use the shelf created by the bench top to display collections. Just think of using a white distressed bench as a shelf for teddy bears in a child’s room.

Want a wonderful idea for towel storage in a bathroom? Try attaching a window box or planter to the wall and fill with folded towels and washcloths, soaps or creams. Add trim and paint to make a unique storage unit.”

Fortunately for us mortals, our professional designers do get it right on occasion and here are some that made the news this month: Our first story comes from an apartment in Hong Kong, where an architect, by using shifting wall units suspended from steel tracks, created space for his kitchen, laundry room, library a lounge with a hammock, dressing room, a dining room and even a wet bar.

And another article in the New York times reveals these solutions of built in cabinets; in the floor used as a stage, a lifting seat becomes extra storage for some of the owners instruments, while eighty linear feet of oak cabinetry and wall to wall wardrobes in the bedroom and lounge, leave the house in Soho clutter-free from Mrs Green’s CDs and cookbooks, and Mr Green’s work desk, 200 instruments and other household belongings.

Targeting “do it yourselfers,” Jessica Ackerman writes regularly for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, offering simple illustrations of Southwestern wall art and contemporary wall artwork.

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Unique Ways to Decorate a Small Dining Room

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Recent trends in new construction include dining rooms in the floor plans of most homes, but many are quite small.   My dining room is a scant 10 feet by 11 feet, leaving little room for a normal sized dining table, let alone much else.  Fortunately, a dining room is an ideal space to put ideas about small space design into action.  With a little imagination and some general guidelines, you can turn your tiny dining room into a comfortable space for family meals.

1.                  Using color.  Many decorators will advise using light colors in small spaces, which is typically very good advice.  Light colors can make a room feel larger and lighter, but using darker colors in moderation can make the dining room feel warm and cozy.  Colors inspired by foods such as pumpkin, butternut squash, green peas, ripe strawberries or roasted pecans can add a layer of richness to any dining room.

2.                 Using scale.  Do not buy furniture that is too large OR too small for your space.  Pieces which are out of scale with the room itself can make the room feel unbalanced, in addition to impacting the practicality and maneuverability of the layout.   Banquettes, which consist of one or more built in bench seats (similar in concept to restaurant booths) can be a practical solution for a narrow dining room which doesn’t allow room for a table, chairs and room to move the chairs to and from the table.

3.                 Using texture.  If you’ve decided on a monochromatic or neutral color palette, you can add a lot of interest to your space with texture.   A beige dining room can be boring and flat or tactile and interesting by simply adding different textures.   Tweed, linen, jute and canvas are all in the same color family, but each has a unique visual appeal.  When used together in a room with a simple color scheme, these fabrics become interesting and dynamic.

4.                 Using multi-purpose furnishings.  A small dining room can be a storage nightmare without a little advance planning.  When designing your dining room, look to the various pieces of furniture to multitask for you.  A banquette seat can become a storage area for linens with the addition of a couple of piano hinges, a wall hung bookcase can easily become an impromptu china display case.   A dining table with a storage drawer can hold napkin rings, candle holders, tapers, matches and placemats.

5.                 Using light well.  Good lighting can make the most of any room.  Take cues from stage lighting designers when lighting a small space by using a combination of general, accent and task lighting.   A ceiling fixture over the table with a dimmer switch, wall sconces by your most beautiful artwork or displays and lighting within china cabinets will provide all the light you need for everything from a family holiday dinner to a romantic meal for two.

The following rooms are wonderful examples of making the most of limited space.  Let’s look at how each room makes the most of a small area.

This dining room uses a monochromatic color scheme, but the gorgeous lighting and rich textures in the room make it come alive.   The wood floor and thin legs on the chairs and table help the eye move across the room, giving an allusion of more space.  The bold artwork is perfectly complemented by the rich paprika color of the walls.

This dining room uses a contrasting color scheme, setting the bright white and crisp apple green against the dark, espresso colored wood of the furnishings.  The result is an elegant and sophisticated space that feels much larger than it is.  Notice how the long table, the credenza, the area rug and the green wall all visually lengthen the room, and how the oversized mirror at the back of the room makes the room look larger.  Despite its small size, this dining room would never feel crowded or cramped.

This dining room is very fresh, with bright citrus colors playing nicely against the warm, medium tones of the table and the wood floor.  The white accents add an extra layer of sass to the room, and keep it from feeling closed in.  These homeowners have maximized the storage area in the dining room with the built-in unit on the wall behind the table.   The area rug continues the color scheme and neatly defines the dining area.

This dining room makes use of every inch of the small space it occupies.  From the pediment on the door and built-in china cabinet to the bookcases, this cozy-cluttered dining room looks like it serves as much more than a place to eat to the homeonwers.   While this style is much more eclectic than the previous images, this room still finds its style and sticks with it, even as it plays with some of the rules for small space design.

Artist/Designer, Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com and offers aspiring home designers the opportunity to decorate with contemporary metal wall sculpture or trees wall artwork.

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Living Room Decorating Ideas with a Gothic Theme

Saturday, October 22nd, 2011

Gothic style has a rich tradition in medieval and romantic architecture.  Intricately carved facades, details borrowed from ancient cathedrals and elaborate arches used hundreds of years ago can translate into modern decor by paying attention to details and using your imagination.  While you may not have soaring marble arches or stained glass windows in your home, you can still attain a gothic inspired living space, and without spending a fortune.

Like many personal styles, the extent to which you give your home the gothic treatment depends on what makes you feel  content and comfortable in your space.   If you want to pay homage to the style without creating a space that’s dramatically non-mainstream, you can bring some of the nuance of gothic style to your living space with small decorating details.

Colors:  A gothic palette is filled with deep, saturated jewel tones.  Deep amethyst, dark garnet, rich forest green and midnight blue accented with neutral shades of ecru or off-white (think old lace) can make a dramatic statement.   Highlight with metals like pewter, cast iron and silver.   Dark woods, like wenge, cherry or walnut, are more authentic to the gothic period than lighter or soft woods.

If you’re hesitant to use such intense colors for large areas, such as walls, carpet or major upholstery, it’s easy to add hints of these rich colors without overwhelming your room.  A handful of velvet or brocade throw pillows, an area rug with a splash of the rich gothic colors or a few beautiful art pieces in these color families would be an easy way to get the idea of gothic style in your home without going overboard.   Adding pieces and accents in dark wood, cool metals and stone (including granite, limestone and marble)  will help finish the look.

Textures: Gothic inspired fabric tends to be heavy and formal, like velvet, brocade, taffeta and lace.  Much like Victorian gothic fashion, gothic style for the home can be very refined, even bordering on fussy.    You can add a hint of gothic style to your decorating fabrics in many of the same ways we suggested you use color –  as an accent in your accessories like throws, rugs, window treatments and art work.   Thumb through art books, focusing on romantic art as inspiration for color, texture and tone to use in your room.

Architectural Elements:  The most recognizable piece of gothic architecture is the pointed arch.  While some readers may be fortunate enough to have such features in their homes, most of us do not.  The idea of the arch can be attained in a couple of different ways for little or no money.   Shop flea markets and secondhand stores for an arch shaped mirror, the larger the better.  Hang it on a prominent wall and give the impression of a beautiful Victorian arch.   Several companies make wall decals, (quickly becoming a trend among armchair decorators) including several beautiful arch and scroll shapes.  Crafters with the right tools (such as a computer assisted die-cutting machine) can make their own decals with cling vinyl.

In addition, with a steady hand and a stencil, a crafty homeowner could paint gothic elements on the walls instead of using clings, or even search architectural salvage stores for old window frames, stained glass windows or pieces of ironwork to adorn the walls with gothic flair.

Accessories: Depending on your tastes, the pieces you use to accessorize your gothic living space can range from small, elegant Victorian ceramic figures to ornate crosses to antiquated books to theming a room around vampires or gargoyles.  Aged pieces, fresh flowers and decorative clutter will always be at home in a gothic space.  Victorians also proudly displayed collections, photographs and assorted bits of ephemera as part of the decor.

Gothic style can mean anything from a romantic Victorian inspired room to a Bram Stoker inspired enclave for a vampire enthusiast.  If the style appeals to you, you can easily find ways to bring the items and ideas you love most about Victorian gothic style into your own living space.

With signature design style, Jessica Ackerman, an online writer with WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, describes bold approaches to contemporary metal artwork and trees wall hangings.

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Ideas for Decorating a Great Room with a Pine Ceiling

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Many older and historical homes have beautiful wood or wood enhanced ceilings. Pine ceilings are especially common, especially in homes in the Western United States and in historic cabins throughout the country.   Oftentimes, with a little tender loving care, an old pine ceiling can be a beautiful focal point in a room without doing much to enhance it.   Creating a style for the rest of the room which works with the pine ceiling can be a bit of a challenge, however.   This article will explore five ways to make the most of your wooden ceiling.

Make it Rustic

Pine beams are most often seen crossing the ceilings of rustic homes. Cabin style is right at home under an open beam ceiling, recalling simpler times when most Americans lived in cabins in the woods.  In this photo, you can see how the homeowner has integrated several antiques around the giant stone fireplace, as well as a splash of Native American spirit with the woven blanket. Notice how the light color on the walls and floor, as well as an abundance of natural light helps keep the space from feeling too dark or heavy.

Make it Quaint

This pine ceiling is flat, but it makes gives the room a rustic feel with a hint of the Italian countryside. The faux finished wall and soft sage cabinets create a very warm, cozy palette with a few splashes of cool sky blue and sleek white for contrast.  In this room, the wall colors (including the sage cabinets, the ecru backsplash and the brown tones in the faux finish) help bring the room together without creating a glaring contrast between the dark ceiling and the very pale floor.  While this room still feels a bit top-heavy, the warm, intense colors on the walls help the space feel cozy rather than suffocating.

Make it Historical

This is another example of a flat ceiling, but in this example it’s used very formally in a Colonial styled home.  The pristine white moldings around the doors, windows, ceiling and the medallion framing the ceiling fan help delineate the space.  The rich federal blue and the soft, warm brown of the pecan colored wood create a very elegant, very formal effect.  The gold accents above the windows and doors are matched in the perfectly matching (and perfectly symmetrical) paintings on either side of the double door.   The wooden ceiling in this room adds to the respect it commands.

Make it Modern

In this space, the open pine beams make a fantastic geometric background for the modern, pop-art inspired room.  The bright, primary colors matched with black and white create a sleek, artistic space balanced with the juxtaposition of the natural, warm wooden columns dividing the space both vertically and horizontally.   Geometric and orthogonal patterns often dominate modern spaces and artworks – this homeowner found the modern pattern in the old wood to create a lively, energetic and visually appealing space.

Make it Elegant

In this Craftsman style home, you can see other ways wood can be used to add to the design of a room.  The beautiful, darkly stained wood moldings in this room demand respect.  Balanced with an art deco color palette evoking both Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Klimt, the intricate, elegant patterns created by the ceiling moldings make the room they highlight feel pulled together and polished.

Pine ceilings can appear in many kinds of homes all over the world.  Wood, a naturally beautiful material, can look good in any environment and help define both your style and your aesthetic.  Good luck bringing your own wood ceiling to life, the beauty it can add to your space is priceless.

Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents.com generously shares everything she knows about trees wall sculptures and Southwestern metal wall art.

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Window Treatments for a Huge Window

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

A large window is often a selling point for a home, most homeowners want a gorgeous view or lots of natural light. Once the romance of a huge window wears off, however, the challenge arises in how to choose a window treatment which will not be overwhelming in the room, block too many benefits of the window or break the bank. In this article, we will examine a few different ways to dress up your giant window.

The Basics

Before you plan anything, it is important to get an accurate set of measurements for your window. Grab a helper and carefully measure each dimension of your window. Measure the width and height at several different points along either plane – sometimes a window frame is not perfectly square.  If you get different measurements, average all of them together. Depending on what kind of window treatment you are considering, you may need to take measurements for the window inside the casing if you are planning to hang horizontal blinds or a shade; or outside if you are planning on a traditional curtain treatment with a rod above the window.

It is also important to pay attention to how the room is used. Most oversized windows appear in public spaces, such as family rooms or foyers, but large windows may appear in bedrooms as well. Unless your sleep schedule corresponds exactly with the sun, chances are good you will need to invest in some light blocking or filtering window treatments. Many commercially available draperies have the option of a blackout lining and light blocking fabric is available in many fabric stores if you are sewing your own window treatments.

Types of Window Treatments

There are many ways to dress up a window, from shutters to draperies to blinds and shades. Choosing which kind of window treatment will work best for you is mostly a matter of personal taste. Even within the different categories of window treatment, there are an infinite number of styles and options. Creating a beautiful window treatment is only limited by your imagination.

Draperies and curtains are window treatments, which are usually made of cloth. Most drapery fabrics are heavy; weightier fabrics like velvet and brocade hang beautifully and do not tend to wrinkle or wilt. Oftentimes, heavy drapery fabrics are paired with sheer panels, which allow light in while preserving privacy. Draperies come in a variety of styles which can match any decor. Formal styles usually depend on a pulley system to open and draw the drapes, casual and contemporary styles may depend on drapery rings or tabs which glide over a curtain rod. Hanging draperies from floor to ceiling around a large window will create a dramatic focal point in your room.

Shutters are quaint in cottage and country influenced designs, and can make a charming accent to a large window. Blinds and shades are also quite lovely and can stunning against large windows. Make sure the treatment you choose fits with the scale of both the window and the room.

Have fun making your oversized window an integral and elegant part of your design.

Senior staff writer Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, writes “How To” articles on decorating with Southwestern wall sculptures and contemporary wall hangings.

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