Industrial design

Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Marvellous blend of cubic shapes, nature, and ...
Image via Wikipedia

The main elements of industrial trend in architecture and interior design are: metal decorations, simplicity, minimalism and free compositions of modern technology and materials. The crucial rule in interior is pursuit of open space, without any divisions.

(more…)

Choosing Accessory Size

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
Unknown
Image via Wikipedia

Like furniture, the size of accessories should be taken into consideration before making a purchase. Certain accessories will fit certain rooms better, and size is a big factor in what looks good in a room. Since the furniture has already been chosen, picking out matching accessories is an easier process.

First, consider the size of the room and its furniture. A large room can hold larger accessories as long as they aren’t too big for the furniture you place them close to. A mirror in a large room, for example, can be large as well unless you are hanging it above a small table. Typically accessories should be smaller than the objects they compliment.

(more…)

How Layout Affects a Room

Monday, December 14th, 2009
Needful Things - Door Knocker
Image by Dominic’s pics via Flickr

The layout in a room, commonly thought of as the arrangement of the furniture and decorative elements of the room, has an effect not only on the room itself, but the people in the room as well. It can change the mood of a room and can also affect how tense or relaxed you feel when you are in the space.

For example, consider a room where the furniture is all crammed together. That area becomes the focal point and seems too crowded to be comfortable. On the other hand, a room with a small amount of furniture spread too far apart feels empty and cold.

(more…)

Expressing Yourself with Furniture

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Red and Blue Chair (1917), designed by Gerrit ...
Image via Wikipedia

Your home not only serves as a place for guest, but shows your personality. People will get an idea of what you’re like from your home. It can even influence your mood. If your home doesn’t reflect who you are, you may not feel as comfortable or as cheerful in it as you should.

Choosing the right furniture is the best way to ensure your home sends out the right message, both to you and your guests. These key pieces of furniture say the most about who you are and can be altered to fit your likes.

1. Master Bed

You spend a lot of time in your bed, even if it’s just for sleep. Choosing a color that makes you feel safe and relaxed will help you get a better sleep. You should also choose a bed frame that reflects your personality. If you like control and order, opt for straight angles or a simple frame. Creative people may prefer curves and intricate designs.

(more…)

Using Scale in a Room

Friday, December 4th, 2009
Elegant Dining Room - European Style
Image by reiner.kraft via Flickr

Style and color are important factors in decorating a room and choosing furniture. There are many other important elements too, included the element of scale. Proper use of scale can make your home feel comfortable and put together. Pieces of furniture that might not have worked well together will fit in perfectly when you take scale into consideration.

While there is no magic rule for the size of furniture you need, it’s best to use larger furniture for areas that are the focal point and smaller pieces for accessories. A large, elaborate bed frame will create a focal point in the bedroom, while a small side table will add a touch of elegance without overwhelming the room.

(more…)

Matching Chairs and Tables

Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Aeron Chair in an office.
Image via Wikipedia

Chairs and tables are key pieces of furniture in a room. They are versatile and can be as plain or as stylish as the decorator wants. Mismatched chairs and tables can throw off the design of a room, however, and great care should be taken to ensure that both function well together.

Contrary to what you might think, the chairs do not have to be identical to the table. Many times a homeowner will buy the table first and purchase the chairs later. It does help if all the chairs match each other, though if they use the same colors and shape you can get away with slightly different designs.

(more…)

Creating Minimalist Styles with Contemporary Furniture

Friday, October 23rd, 2009
BERLIN - JULY 22:  A visitor looks at furnitur...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Contemporary furniture compliments the minimalist style very well. They are both interested in taking the world of design in a new direction, and they play well off each other. No matter whether your style is strictly minimalistic or only has touches of minimalist style mixed in, contemporary furniture offers choices that fit all these styles and everything in between.

As with any design project, you should start with the furniture. Consider what each piece will be used for and narrow your selection down to the pieces that will work the best for you. In your kitchen, for example, you may need two tables or you may that find only one will suffice.

Contemporary furniture can be simple with smooth textures and solid colors. An excellent table choice might consist of a solid glass top with a large, black column as the only support underneath. It is a powerful image without ever using any detailing or extravagant decorations.

(more…)

Choosing Mirrors: Framed or Unframed

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
{{en}}: A mirror, reflecting a vase. {{es}}: U...
Image via Wikipedia

Mirrors are a popular accessory for the home and the office. When choosing a mirror there are a variety of options, from what shape to what size to get. Another important choice is whether your mirror should have a frame or not. Some mirrors have quite elaborate frames while others have no frame surrounding them at all.

Before comparing mirrors, take another look at the room where the mirror will hang. How complex is the room? Is it full of elaborate designs or does it follow a more minimalistic style and use simple patterns? This will be important to keep in mind when choosing your mirror.

Those who want a simplistic design should look for a smooth mirror with either a simple frame or no frame at all. Square and circular mirrors without frames are very simple and still add light to a room. A square mirror with a square black frame and few details will match a simple style without appearing too boring.

(more…)

Choosing the Perfect Bed Frame

Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Bed Jump
Image by jamesjyu via Flickr

The perfect sleep only comes from the perfect bed, and that in turns comes from a perfect bed frame. The bed frame isn’t just there to support the bed. It’s part of the design of the room and contributes just as much as the furniture, accessories, and paint do. A bed frame can be simplistic or fancy with curves, lines and different colors. The most important aspect is that it functions in the room and helps create an atmosphere most productive for sleep.

Depending on the design, the same elements can be classical or modern. Take curves, for example. A classical bed is created from curves that go up in the middle, or a few simple curves set into a metal frame. Curves that create an asymmetrical design or create complex patterns, however, are very modern in their design.

(more…)

How Angles Benefit a Room

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Living Room with furniture and curtains
Image by blmurch via Flickr

Curves can create a certain atmosphere in a room, but too many become boring. Angles help to balance a room and, when used correctly, can be used as the only decorative element in a room. Angles help define and divide different spaces, lead the viewer around the room, and liven up a dull or sleepy atmosphere.

Angles are found most prominently in furniture. While you may not think about it, you are constantly surrounded by angles. They’re in many tables, chairs, and shelves that make up our rooms. Angles are crisp, clean, and give off a secure feel. A piece of furniture appears more solid when it is made of angles, such as the ninety degree angles created between straight legs and the flat tabletop.

(more…)