Home for Living

Feb 28, 2012

SOPHISTICATED DESIGN IDEAS

"Simplicityis the ultimate sophistication"

Steve Jobs

sophisticated [səˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd]

adj

1. having refined orcultured tastes and habits

2. appealing tosophisticates

3. unduly refined or cultured

The key to any successful interior design project is knowingwhere you want to end up before you start out. So, make sure that your interiordesign plan matches your tastes and ultimately your personality.

There is nothing worse than getting to the end of aninterior

design project and realizing that it is not the style youwanted. (Refer to my previous posts on specifics such as color, harmony andbalance).

The trades say that the current look in contemporary is:sleek, glamorous and sophisticated. That means, if you want a contemporarysophisticated style, you should trade in those overstuffed upholsteredpieces for sleek, streamlined furnishings. In your living room, the couchin particular will often become the focal point, so if you want a sophisticatedlook, invest in a couch with clean lines and simple upholstery.  The same ruleapplies in the bedroom, a sophisticated room is not a fussy room.

Sophisticated colors tend to be richer and deeper. Thatdoesn’t mean they have to be dark, they can be neutral or white. Ofcourse, for a more calming effect, try a monochromatic color scheme, differentshades of one color for a modern look. Gray is one of the hottestneutrals around right now, and it’s perfect for modern sophistication. (Referto my previous posts on neutrals, monochromatics and living in white).

I personally believe “less is more” and as Steve Jobsstated, ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’. So, it’s all about your personal taste and style.

GOT QUESTIONS? ASK ABOVE OR CONTACT ME AT

andrea.halleywright@gmail.com

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Feb 26, 2012

DESIGN IDEAS FOR A FEMININE BEDROOM

fem·i·nine <a fem-uh-nin]

adjective

· pertaining to a woman or girl: feminine beauty; feminine dress.

· having qualities traditionally ascribed to women, assensitivity or gentleness.

Today my blog has a different twist,it’s all about a feminine touch. Sometimes, a girl just needs a little fluff towake up to. A feminine bedroom can be created with curvy, French inspiredfurnishings, soft color palettes, floral and ruffled fabrics—include all of theabove or select a few. Lighting and mirrors that sparkle will also add femininetouches to the bedroom.

Apply a "less is more"approach to the room but think of it as your haven.

Fill it with yourfantasies. (Refer to my previous posts on bedrooms, lighting, color and more).

  Lighting is important in the bedroom.Natural sunlight is amazing during the day,

but dimmed mood lighting isessential at night  . (Refer to my posts on lighting).

Bedroomsshould be a place where you linger and relax. Besides a soft spot to lay yourhead, a bedroom needs to keep you coming back for more.

Even picking the rightscent for your bedroom is a matter of taste, but a must. Hands down the mostpopular essential oil or candle for relaxation is Lavender, my favorite isJasmine!

Got questions, now there's a side gadget to ask! Or contact me at andrea.halleywright@gmail.com

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Feb 24, 2012

KITCHEN DESIGNS

It might seem like common sense, but the best thing youcan do before embarking on a kitchen remodel is step back and decide on youroverall style vision. Committing to a clear aesthetic will help you avoidmaking mistakes. To maintain this vision throughout your project, begin withthe end goal in mind: what is the feeling you want to evoke when you enter yourkitchen? Write down some words that express your desired look; like sleek,chic, country, industrial, urban, casual, formal, farmhouse, or eclectic. Referto this list whenever you’re making design decisions or choosing products andmaterials; this will keep you focused.

Today are some of my random kitchen favorites for you to use as a guide. Lots of different design styles; country, modern and contemporary.

You can also refer to my two previous posts on Kitchens with lots of detailed design ideas and many reference pictures.

Got questions? Contact me at andrea.halleywright@gmail.com

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Feb 23, 2012

DESIGNING YOUR LOFT SPACE

Loft homes are hubs ofartists, professionals and even urban families. They offer a wonderful refugewith liberal breathing space and infinite design possibilities. The wide openspace inspires the occupants to think creatively and splurge on design ideas.It is quite critical that these urban havens be designed according to strictpreferences and personality-based specifications.

Atypical loft is large and roomy with high ceilings and large glass windows,sometimes full length windows. There are structural columns that divide thespace but they do not necessarily suggest the layout of the area. These columnscan be utilized as partitions but they can also provide a rhythm of verticallines that can add to the general theme of the interior.

Most ceilings are tall andexposed, allowing pipes and beams to be visible. In lofts, it is better toincorporate the pipes and beams to the ceiling design than to treat them asseparate entities. They can be painted white or even black to create a uniquedisarray of lines and shapes or wood for a rustic look.

In a two story loft, thestairs leading to the balcony can be the focal point of the space. The balconyrails can be of glass or reflective metal sheets to create an uninterruptedillusion of space.

The bedroom can be exposed orif you do want a separate sleeping area, then low-wall partitions orfloor-to-ceiling folding panels can be used.

Lofts are generallyspacious with minimal obstructions in the layout so the furniture pieces to beused should contribute to the openness of the space. They should be in neutralcolors to blend with the rustic charm of the interiors or they can create anexplosion of colors, surprising the bare white walls and ceiling. Furniturepieces can serve as area dividers for separating interior spaces.