Archive for the Interior Design category
Something Beautiful Afoot
by evie s. on March 11th, 2008
I’m really picky when it comes to rugs or floor mats. But I’m fond of these leafy floor mats made of Astroturf and then laser-cut to resemble an explosion of fallen autumnal leaves. This floor-adorning product is designed by Joanna Goszczynski for White Moose and is a perfect blend of beauty and simplicity.
Serving Tray Redux: From Bad to Beautiful
by evie s. on March 3rd, 2008
I picked up this ugly un-finished serving tray with a duck motif at an estate sale a couple weekends ago. It only cost me $3, and it wasn’t too difficult to have a vision for its makeover. I decided to use some vintage wallpaper that I purchased a year ago to decoupage the inside of the tray. The paper was being saved for something special so I could maximize my enjoyment of the pretty gold pattern.
Here are the steps:
- First I painted the entire tray (bye bye ducks) in an off-white color.
- Then I measured the inside of the tray using some junk paper as a template. I placed the template over my vintage paper and used it to trace the shape.
- I cut it out and used some sepia toned decoupage and brushed the underside of the paper.
- I placed the paper on the tray being careful to align it properly. (One tip is start with one side and work your way over to the other side, otherwise you might have a lot of air bubbles.)
- Let it dry then apply a top coat to seal the paper.
- I thought it needed something else, so I just stenciled a pattern along the outside handles with a brown acrylic paint.
I really enjoy looking at it in my living room, and it looks great with accessories placed inside. The possibilities were endless when it came to redoing this tray and it could have a million different looks depending on what paper you use, the colors, etc. It made for a great weekend project.
You can see more photos of this fabulous project here and here.
Sculptural Window Covering
by evie s. on February 6th, 2008
Curtain designer Florian Kräutli has brought window treatments to a whole new level of beauty and design. His creation incorporates magnet technology into every panel. Hundreds of tiny magnets are embedded into a grid of prefab folds, allowing for easy manipulation of the silhouette for light or privacy. This would be like creating a new piece of art everyday, and would be perfect for an industrial space or modern interior.
[ Via Yanko Design ]
Dutch Design: Cardboard Rugs
by evie s. on January 14th, 2008
These artful cardboard “rugs” from Dutch designer Wendy Plomp are so inspiring. I don’t know how practical they are, but it’s a great example of refashioning something that’s normally thrown away into something beautiful. Who would have thought dull brown cardboard could look so good?
[ Via Ambatalia Fabric Society ]
A Completed DIY Project: Reupholstering a Vintage Chair
by evie s. on January 11th, 2008
When I was around 16 or so and developing my own sense of interior style, I found this gold vintage chair in a rundown antique store for $30. I had big dreams of reupholstering it, and now almost 10 years later, I finally did it.
It was pretty simple to do, but very time consuming. The chair was expertly constructed (not sure who the manufacturer is) and the fabric was stapled about a thousand times to the frame. I started with the bottom and worked my way up, saving each piece that I removed to use as a template for later.
The only part I sewed was the tufted back, which wasn’t too difficult. I did use fabric glue on some parts where I didn’t want an upholstery staple showing. Everything considered, I’m pleased with the results. My expectations were pretty low with this being my first big reupholster.
Chocolate brown fabric $18 + vintage chair $30 + sense of pride for completing a 10-year old goal = priceless.
Top 10 Fashion Colors for Spring 2008
by evie s. on January 9th, 2008
Pantone is a recognized authority on predicting which colors will prevail with each season, and they’ve just published 10 fresh colors for Spring 2008. This year’s colors consist of “stabilizing neutrals combined with pops” of brighter colors to generate excitement.
I thought it would be fun to find objects for home and fashion that matched the Spring palette, so here it goes:
Golden Olive [Grass & Sky Shower Curtain] // Spring Crocus [Sari Border Curtain] // Rococo Red [3-D Toile Half Apron] // Pink Mist [Seschat Wallpaper] // Croissant [Martha Stewart Trellis Rug]
Freesia [Monk Vase] // Cantaloupe [Mariette Sham] // Daiquiri Green [Lettuce Tea Towel] // Snorkel Blue [Senecca Woven Shirt] and Silver Gray [Tile Tattoos]
Spring is always an inspiring time to inject color in our home and our wardrobe. So let these colors spark a color fever for you as the winter season finally melts away.
I’m Dreaming of a…Black Christmas?
by evie s. on November 29th, 2007
Just stroll through the Christmas tree aisle, and you’ll see many variations of everyone’s favorite holiday staple. Blue, red, and even pink Christmas trees are some of the options to choose from. Blueprint magazine put a bubble gum pink tree on the front cover of their November/December issue. I loved it.
But what about a black tree? They were the rage in London in 2005, now they are making their way to the U.S. A tree this daring would have to be decorated thoughtfully so it doesn’t look morbid or depressing, but it can definitely be pulled off. Keep in mind too that it needs to fit in with its surroundings. A black tree would add unexpected drama to a classic home with white walls to set it off, but it would seem out of place in a Victorian style setting.
I found some ornaments that you could start with and build from there.
From left to right:
Porcelain Snowflake Ornament:My My Art + Craft // Mercury Glass Ornaments:Uncommon Goods // Jonquille Ornaments:ElseWares // Winter Melon Ornaments:Anthropologie // Ebony Swans Globe:Anthropologie
[ Via Trendhunter ]
Interior Inspiration from Ron Marvin
by evie s. on November 26th, 2007
I always say that if I wasn’t a graphic designer, I’d be an interior designer. The constant opportunity to use objects, fabric and furniture to create a room that inspires would be so fun. I recently came across some photos from interior designer, Ron Marvin and found them very appealing. The 250 square foot studio that he mastered has many favorites of mine: a mixture of dark and light furniture, the use of dark browns and, in one area, the addition of turquoise accents. The living room alone has everything I would covet if I did that sort of thing. A zebra rug, those yellow lamps, large mirror, that chandelier, and all this beauty accomplished with stark white walls! If you are inspired by interior spaces as much as I am, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this room by Ron Marvin.
Ron Marvin has worked with such companies as the Gap, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and more. He currently lives and works in New York.