Modern Kitchen Design Ideas

Modern Kitchen Design Ideas

Dream Kitchen Design Ideas

Dream Kitchen Design Ideas

Tuscan Paint Colors

2nd in a series on Tuscan Decorating 

 
Tuscan paint colors represent the natural beauty of an Italian countryside. Learn how to create the Tuscan color palette that will compliment your home.
If you have made the decision to create your own personal Tuscan style home and decor, you've already established a Tuscan color palette. The key is to decide how to use these colors:

• Golden Yellows




• Terra Cotta




• Olive/Sage/Leafy Greens




• Natural Brown/Ochre




• Warm Orange




• Vibrant Blues




• And...a touch of White

Here is a tip to make things a little easier and something that I always suggest to my clients:
Find a piece of fabric, a magazine picture, photo, or a simple combination of something that will provide a visual example of the Tuscan paint colors you are going to use. (I know someone who carried a very small 'bouquet' of silk flowers in the shades of her selected color palette and it worked well for her!)

Or, visit your local paint store and look for the color samples that are offered in combinations, and hone in on the selections that emphasize nature, natural colors and the beautiful shades found in the photo on this page. You may find a sample palette that is quite close to the Tuscan color scheme.

Once you have your palette in hand (literally), you are ready to decide how to use these beautiful Tuscan colors in your home.

Alway keep in the forefront of your design and decor planning that Tuscan decorating is the utilization of natural elements...simple...not pretentious...colorful yet not overbearing.


The more natural light a space receives, the more intense color can be used on the walls, if desired. To keep the living room light, choose yellow or gold tones. For a vibrant energy, choose red or orange tones.
The natural shades of brown, ochre and even sage/leafy green can be a great choice as well. Think about the colors you really enjoy seeing, because the wall color will be quite prominent in the space.

If you are a person who likes things a little more neutral overall, use warm golds, light browns or consider an off white with undertones of tan or gold. Then, use the more vibrant colors in accents, possibly in an area rug, artwork, pottery or on an accent wall.


Remember that white is almost always found somewhere in Tuscan colors, along with natural browns and brownish reds.

Combine your Tuscan colors with natural, nubby fabrics, colorful accents and you can create an authentic Tuscan look in your home.
  Read more about Tuscan Paint Colors

Kitchen Interior Design Ideas

Kitchen Interior Design Ideas

Qualicum Beach Smiling Rock

I was visiting Qualicum Beach this weekend and someone put this rock down on the beach path. It put a smile on my face. Thank-you – whoever you are!

 

Kitchen Interior Design

Kitchen Interior Design

What About the Press Release?

What About It? Solo Exhibition

What About It?

CU Space 706 Beisanjie, 798 ART Zone, Jiuxianqiao Rd.Nr.2 100015 Beijing, China

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 3, 2011. 6:00 pm

Exhibition: September 3 - September 17, 2011 Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-6:30pm What About the Exhibition?

CU Space will hold from the 3rd to the 17th of September “What About It?” the first solo exhibition of WAI Architecture Think Tank.

The exhibition and accompanying publication displays a collection of the visual provocations, graphic narratives, architectural research and projects produced by WAI since 2008. “What About It?” features 14 of WAI’s published, on-going and unreleased projects, represented through animations, collages, drawings, story boards, magazines, and twelve scale models. What About It? will be on view on CU Space from September 3 to September 17, 2011.

Located in 798 Art Zone, the main art district in Beijing, CU Space has become one of the most active frontlines of contemporary art, architecture and design in the Chinese Capital.

What About WAI?

WAI Architecture Think Tank is an international studio practicing architecture, urbanism, and architectural research. Founded in Brussels in 2008 by French architect Nathalie Frankowski and Puerto Rican architect Cruz Garcia WAI is currently based in Beijing. WAI focuses on the understanding and execution of Architecture from a panoramic approach, from theoretical texts to architectural artifacts, narrative architectures, buildings and urban and cultural conditions. WAI strives to make significant contributions to the collective intelligence of architecture, from the conception of intelligent buildings and masterplans to the production of fresh research projects, provocative pieces of visual art, and innovative publications. WAI is a workshop for architecture intelligentsia. WAI asks: What About It?

What About the Authors?

Nathalie Frankowski is a French Architect, graphic artist, and writer who graduated in 2008 from the department of Architecture, Art and Philosophy at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris La Villette with a Diplome d’État d’Architecture option research. Her final project “It Feels Like Home: Chez-soi entre nature et densité” received the special mention from the jury. In 2008 she co-founded WAI Architecture Think Tank, as a workshop for urban and architectural intelligentsia. Professional and academic experience includes international publications, research, film making, design workshops and working in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, and China. The architectural, graphic, and written works of Nathalie have been featured in exhibitions, and publications around the world. Cruz García is a Puerto Rican Architect, graphic artist, and writer who graduated in 2008 from the Universidad de Puerto Rico with a Master Degree in Architecture after earning the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for outstanding leadership and the Henry Adams Medal for the Highest Degree. His research thesis about Narrative Architectures in the 20th century earned him the PBDT thesis scholarship from the highest scholar institution in Puerto Rico. In 2008 he co-founded WAI Architecture Think Tank, as a workshop for urban and architectural intelligentsia. Previous professional and academic experience includes international publications, research, teaching, lectures, and working in Belgium, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, USA, France, and China. The architectural, graphic, and written works of Cruz have been featured in exhibitions, and publications around the world.

What About Sponsorship?

What About It? Solo Exhibition is made possible thanks to the generous support of Zhang Ke and standardarchitecture (www.standardarchitecture.cn). Additional support is also provided by the Institute of Optimistic Architectures, and CU Space (www.cu-space.com). More information about WAI Architecture Think Tank can be found at www.wai-architecture.com andwww.waithinktank.com

新闻公告

超城空间将展示年轻的国际建筑事务所WAI Architecture Think Tank的第一次个人作品展。

展览将关注于WAI Architecture Think Tank的研究，视觉艺术和建筑作品。

它关于什么?

超城空间

中国北京100015,酒仙桥路2号,798艺术区,北三街706号

开幕式: 2011年9月3号，周六，晚上 6:00

展览: 2011年 9月3号-9月17号

展出时间: 周二-周日10:00am-6:30pm

关于展览

超城空间将从9月3号到9月17号主办WAI Architecture Think Tank的名为“What About It?”的第一次个人作品展. 展览及附属的出版物将融合WAI自2008年以来的成果，呈现出一场关于视觉冲击，图片叙述，建筑研究以及作品。“What About It?”包括WAI已经完成，正在进行中和尚未发布的总共14件作品，以动画，图画拼贴，绘画，故事脚本，杂志和模型等多样形式呈现，展出将从2011年9月3号到9月17号在超城空间举办。 坐落于北京重要的艺术区79的超城空间，已经成为京城中推动当代艺术，建筑和设计的活跃的先导之一。

关于 WAI

WAI Architecture Think Tank 是一个国际化的工作室，同时致力于建筑，城市规划和景观。工作室于2008年在布鲁塞尔，由法国的建筑师Nathalie Frankowski 和波多黎各的建筑师Cruz Garcia共同建立，目前在北京发展。从理念到建筑成品，建筑叙述，楼群和城市文化环境，WAI 一直专注对建筑全方位的理解和创作。从卓越的建筑概念到研究项目的总规划设计， 创新的出版物，WAI不断探索建筑的理论精华。WAI是建筑哲学的孵化室， WAI 所寻求的是 what about it ？

关于艺术家

Nathalie Frankowski是一位法国建筑师, 平面设计师和作家，于2008年获得法国巴黎的École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture大学的建筑硕士学位。她的毕业作品“感觉像家一样： Chez-soi entre nature et densité” 获得了评审委员会的特别提名。08年，她作为合伙人创立了WAI Architecture Think Tank——一个集合了建筑界有识之士的工作室。她的专业和学术经历包括国际出版物，研究，电影制作和设计工作室，曾经在比利时，荷兰，法国和中国工作过。Nathalie 的建筑，图像和写作的作品曾收录在世界范围内的展览和出版物中。

Cruz García 是一位来自波多黎各的建筑师，平面设计师和作家。 他于08年从the Universidad de Puerto Rico大学取得建筑硕士学位，不仅以最优成绩毕业，还获得了专业领袖荣誉。 他的关于20世纪建筑叙事的论文帮助他获得了被誉为波多黎各最高学术荣誉之称的PBDT论文奖学金。08年，他作为合伙人创立了WAI Architecture Think Tank——一个集合了建筑界有识之士的工作室。其早先的专业和学术经历包括国际出版物，研究，教学和演讲，并先后在比利时，荷兰，波多黎各，美国，法国和中国工作过。Cruz 的建筑，图像和写作的作品曾收录在世界范围内的展览和出版物中。

关于赞助商

What About It? 个人展览的实现要感谢张轲先生和标准营造事务所(www.standardarchitecture.cn)的慷慨支持，其它的支持由Optimistic Architectures和 超城空间(www.cu-space.com)提供，特此鸣谢。 更多关于 WAI Architecture Think Tank的信息请参阅 www.wai-architecture.com和 www.waithinktank.com

Beautiful Modern Kitchen

Beautiful Modern Kitchen

Who Wouldn't Want These?

Who wouldn't want these?

White Kitchen - Interior

White kitchen - interior

Cozy Kitchen Design Is

Cozy kitchen design is

Home Interior Design Kitchen:

Home Interior Design Kitchen:

Medieval tree on a vintage yellow paper Original

Medieval tree on a vintage yellow paper Original by Desigrans: "Beautiful naive art. Perfect for making a vintage tone in your home decor.
The tree is drawn in the tradition of medieval art. Wood painted the yellow vintage wallpaper, acrylic paints.
Size about 13 by 17 inches."

'via Blog this'

dark garden.

black patent underbust edwardian corset

photograph by nicoline patricia malinaand, styled by aldi indrajaya









lace overlay sweetheart longline corset

photograph by nicoline patricia malinaand, styled by aldi indrajaya





"fitria yusef is a socialite, fashion stylist, business owner and

the writer of 'little pink book: jakarta style & shopping guide.'"







darkgardenuniquecorsetryblog.com

Tuscan Decorating - First in a Series

Tuscan decorating embodies the simple, comfortable and colorful life of Tuscany, with no pretense, just natural elements coupled with nature's beauty as reflected in warm bold colors.

If you take a moment to study the photo , you'll see how the natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside inspires the people of the area to create a home that reflects what is around them.

Vibrant golds, greens, reds, oranges, purples and blues...no washed out colors here! Every color makes a statement, although Tuscan Decorating is not about overkill with color or any other element.

What makes this style of decorating, of living, so inviting is the blend of natural elements in a way that is casual and welcoming, not too formal, but with a sense of graciousness even in its simplicity.

In Tuscan decorating style you'll find:

Stone - on the floors or walls, with naturally rougher edges
Textured finishes such as stucco on walls and ceilings. Consider faux finishes, color washing or other forms of texturizing some of the walls of your home.
Wood - beams, floors, furniture, and more. Wood product is a staple of Tuscan homes. Keep the furniture simple and for the most part unpainted, utilizing the natural finish of the element. Doors and trim should look like natural wood - don't paint it white or any other color.
Tile - usually terra cotta, although other tile can be used effectively as well, on floors, table tops and more.
Vibrant Color - as mentioned above, warm colors abound. Use them on walls, as accents throughout the home and definitely in the flowers that are found both inside and outside.
Iron - in accessories, furniture bases, simple (not ornate) chandeliers.

Read much more about Tuscan Decorating
Next in our series....Tuscan Furniture


'Til next time,
Candi

wastland escape. elise morin and clémence eliard.

"an undulating landscape made of 65,000 discarded CDs carpets the floor of the centquatre art space, housed in a former funeral home in paris. the collected CDs were sewn together with wire then draped over inflatable mounds."



dezeen.com

Interior Design And

Interior Design and

nonlin/lin pavilion. marc fornes/theverymany.

"assembled from 27 components, the four metre-high structure can be taken apart and reassembled in different locations."







dezeen.com

Design Interior Living Room

When you want to make your home look nice in decoration model or design, try to make your living room more comfortable as you wish. To make this easier, it is important to have a simple plan to follow each time you feel like changing everything around. Here’s some tips on how to build your decor so you can change it at any time, without having to spend a bundle of money.

Backdrop the living room in pretty neutral design

Start with a neutral palate if you want to change the look of your living room.
No need to keep all of the walls white and the couch cream colored, better to keep them in the pretty neutral design. There are many color you can choose to paint the walls of your living room such as white and the couch cream, or choose browns or greens if you want color, but avoid anything to bright or flashy. As long as you stay away from patterns however, you should be able to have several different choices for your decor.


If you keep the big things like furniture, walls and flooring in neutral tones, you’ll be able to change out the theme of your living room interior decor by adding accessories like rugs, pillows and wall art in the colors that you want. Another great ideas for sofas and chairs is to buy slipcovers - you can actually buy furniture that is meant to be slip covered, then simply get new slipcovers to go with whatever decorating plan you have in mind for the season!

Design your living room with accessories

When you have a neutral palate in your living room design, you can change the way your room looks just by replacing a few basic items. For instance, you should only need to change your curtains, pillows, and a few room accessories when you get the urge to switch things around. You can add sheer curtains, flowered pillows, and a vase of fresh flowers for a quick change if you want your living room interior decorating to be a little lighter for spring.


Especially for a warm winter look, bring in deep reds, golds and greens in heavy fabrics like velvets and chenille’s. try some oriental rugs on the floor and oil paintings on the walls. Adding some candelabras and candle holders around the room will help to give it a cozy look.

The arrangement of room light

Prepare all your new lights or use lights that have neutral bases and change the shades out depending on the look you are going for. While track lighting and chandeliers can’t be changed easily, you can change out your lighting to go with your living room interior decorating plan. If need a fresh look for spring? You can use plain white shades. But if you want to design your living room like a safari look, Get shades in an animal print. How about a romantic look? Try putting on shades that have a floral print with some dankly fringe. Well, You’ll be surprised how much changing the shades can transform a lamp.


If you love to keep your living room interior decorating plan flexible, you must be sure you never commit to something difficult to work with, such as a patterned couch or a bright chair. Don’t be afraid of color, but add it to your room with accessories that can be replaced when you want something a little different. It really doesn’t take a lot of money to get a new look, just a little creativity.

casa de escrita. joão mendes ribeiro.

"portuguese architect and set designer joão mendes ribeiro has converted the former house of a poet into a writer’s retreat. the converted house now provides an archive, writing quarters and temporary accommodation for practicing writers."







dezeen.com

DIY Interior Design

DIY Interior Design

house r. bembé dellinger architekten.

"located in germany, close to munich, this home by bembé dellinger architekten not only features circular hole detailing on the exterior, but a jutting wall of glass that looks almost like an observation deck."











design-milk.com

Label: Living Rooms

Label: Living rooms

max & co. duccio grassi architects.

"garments hidden behind semi-circular screens in a hong kong outlet can be glimpsed through jagged perforations. retail specialists duccio grassi architects, who are based in italy, designed the flagship store for clothing retailer max & co."







dezeen.com

Faux Finish Ideas

Looking for some inspiring faux finish ideas? It’s a great way to create drama, dimension, and texture in your home’s decor.
If you have some patience, are willing to practice and want to learn a new skill (and most of these techniques are NOT hard!), check out these faux finishes:
Here are some of the more interesting finishes I found in my search...

Chalkboard Paint - now you can turn any wall, or portion of it, into a chalkboard. How about some chalkboard paint in the kitchen to keep track of schedules and update the grocery list? In the kid’s room...how much fun would that be for them? The photo at left is from MarthaStewart.com and includes easy directions.

Textured - create a natural, earthy feel in your room and hide wall imperfections with the textured faux finish ideas from Benjamin Moore. Warm, organic colors such as warm greens, golds, browns, and grays will look great with this technique.


Washed Stripes - create a look of sophistication with washed stripes, which add a touch of texture and sheen for a soft, subtle look. If you enjoy French Country or a traditional Country style, this faux finish technique could work very well for you. See all the details for this finish and many more at BenjaminMoore.com.

Gingham - this is such a cute idea for a child’s room, country cottage kitchen, laundry room...you name it. The faux finish is created using a modified potter’s rib through color glazes.

Raw Silk - a steel wool pad is the tool of choice for this faux finish. Dress it up or down depending upon your decorating style.

Find all of the simple instructions for these two faux finish techniques plus many more at MarthaStewart.com.

If you think you're "faux finished challenged" and want to see the easiest technique ever, see my sponging faux finish.

Well, I think I’ve just talked myself into several new home decorating projects...how about you?

Europe Interior Design

Europe Interior Design

Luxury Home

“An upfront interview process allows this Vancouver design firm to meet
all the design needs of busy professionals”.
Luxury Home

PATRICIA GRAY INC
story by Romy Schafer
photos by Roger Brooks

For nearly 30 years, Patricia Gray of Patricia Gray Inc. has been creating one-of-a-kind residential installations for individuals too time-pressed to contemplate their design wants and needs, much less deal with the inherent challenges of renovating a room or entire home. “Most of the clients I work with are busy professionals, so I handle all the details for them,” says Gray, principal of the Vancouver-based design firm, which has executed projects in the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore and Africa.

“All the details” typically range from ascertaining a client’s needs and wants to designing custom furnishings to arranging amenities. “I offer a complete service for my clients—everything that’s required in making a space personalized for them,” she says, noting that she also does full design-build project management.

Thousands of sheets of silver leaf were hand applied to the recessed ceiling, reflecting the crystal chandelier, sunlight through the floor-to-ceiling windows and the water of False Creek.

Gray’s recent installation at Vancouver’s The Erickson—a 17-storey residential tower designed by and named for world-renowned architect Arthur Erickson—illustrates her complete-service approach. When a busy San Francisco couple commissioned Patricia Gray Inc. to turn their spacious two-bedroom, three-bath condominium into a second home for impromptu visits, the designer looked to a luxury, five-star hotel for her inspiration. “They wanted a home that they could come to on the spur of the moment and everything would be ready for them,” she explains. “I set up flower delivery, maid service, laundry service and concierge service, so the clients can just send emails [to these service providers] when they decide to come to Vancouver. When they leave, the maid service cleans everything up.”

Limestone countertops and backsplashes, SieMatic cabinets and Miele appliances give the kitchen a modern, European look.

So how does Gray, an award-winning designer who studied at the Parsons School of Art and Design in Paris and the University of Ferrara in Italy, determine clients’ design preferences and needs—something they often don’t know themselves? “I arrive at that through my extensive interview process,” she explains. “I ask them how they’re going to live in their space, what their entertainment requirements are, what their family requirements are [and so on]. Then, I get to know them, and the style evolves by osmosis.”

Thoroughly acquainting herself with clients’ lifestyles at the project’s onset enables Gray to develop a complete design concept for them, “so they know exactly what their home is going to look like when it’s finished, before we even start,” she says. “Everything’s designed and priced. Then, they approve the concept and the budget, and I proceed from there,” ultimately handing over a completed, customized new home.

But, as every experienced designer knows, the journey from the initiation of a project to its completion can be filled with challenges. “There’s a lot of coordination to do with all the different suppliers and sub trades involved,” Gray explains. “It’s one thing to be able to design something very beautiful, and it’s another thing to be able to execute it. The great challenge is in the execution—it’s like putting together a gigantic jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces have to fit together, and everybody’s got to work together to bring it to fruition.”

Adjacent to the kitchen, accordion-style doors open the entire 20-foot width of the balcony. Views of the downtown Vancouver skyline and the mountains can be seen in the distance. Patricia Gray Inc. custom pillows in Sunbrella fabric. 

For Gray, working with high-level tradespeople and artisans is key to a successful, problem-free renovation. “I have quite a wonderful group of people that I’ve built up over the years that can execute my designs,” she says. “I think that’s one of the bonuses my clients have in me—my intellectual knowledge, all the years of experience I’ve had and having the right people working with me. I have a wonderful contractor who I can totally count on. Everyone I work with shows up when they’re supposed to and completes their jobs on time and on budget.”

Creating custom-designed furnishings like tables, seating, media and wall units, pillows and artwork further enables Gray to create personalized spaces for clients. “I have a millwork company, an upholstery workroom, a drapery workroom,” she explains, adding, “What I do is very unique and very specific for each client. I like to think of my design as couture. Everything is custom-designed and made specifically for each client.”

This penchant for designing home furnishings has led to a new business venture for Gray: a line of custom furniture based on some of the limited edition, custom pieces that she’s created for past projects. At press time, possible manufacturing partners and marketing initiatives for the line were still being worked out, according to Gray.

The master bedroom is on a corner, with windows along two walls. Patricia Gray Inc. custom motorized silk draperies and roller shades control the natural light reflecting from the silver leaf ceiling. The linens are by Frette bedding with an Hermes throw and Patricia Gray Inc. pillows made with Jim Thompson fabric.

Creating elegant, personalized spaces will no doubt continue to be Gray’s métier. When asked what she considers the most rewarding part of her job, she quickly responds, “When I hand over the completed project to my clients—when all the months of work are finished, and they see everything in its beauty and perfection.”

Discover more about Patricia Gray.

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™

sarah jessica parker. show and tell.

"You could say that your mid-40s are an age when you pivot—into an acknowledgment that you are no longer exactly young, into some sort of idea of the rest of your life. Pivot and, if you are part of the growing ranks of older mothers with demanding jobs, juggle: work, home, sanity. And who better to demonstrate the nonstop circus of modern motherhood than Sarah Jessica Parker, former ballet dancer and stage performer, current producer and actress repositioning herself after the long-playing phenomenon of Sex and the City, ubiquitous New York fashion icon, and devoted mother of three?"







vogue.com