Sunny Sunday Inspiration

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

This Pottery Barn bedroom feels sunny with it's bold yellow walls, doesn't it? You can just tell it's SUMMER outside, too. Sigh... I thought the wall collage was interesting.

Taking a turn in decorating styles, I like this room designed by Tamara Robbins Griffith that I found at Style at Home (Photo David Bagosy). It's not sunny exactly, but it's got a cheerful vibe. I love the crisp contrast of the white against the dark walls and the bright splashes of yellow and orange. I guess I could have used this in my chevron/zigzag inspiration post as well.

Happy Sunday! Tomorrow is March already. Can you believe it? That much closer to spring...

Blog Inspiration - The Anthropologist

What is Inspiration? This is the question that blog The Anthropologist asks.
From the people of the USA retail brand, Anthropologie, this is an "online space for inspiring work and inspiring individuals".
At present, the blog is highlighting the work of Photographer David Eustance, photographer/film-maker Andrew Zuckerman and New Zealand Director Jane Campion.
From Campion, there is a link to her lovely virtual production scrapbook for her film Bright Star, which includes notes about production, art department drawings, location photos and other details. Check out the Anthropologist blog here and Jane Campion's virtual production scrapbook here.

Introduction from Campion.

Jane Campion on set.

Location photos.

292 - Timber Framing Continues...

The timber framing continues...
The lower level finished and the upper level starts tomorrow.
Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Area Rugs/Window Treatment - Questions Answered

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Phoebe Howard

There were a couple of questions on the "Large Impact vs. Small Accessories" post, so I thought I would answer them in a post in case some of you had the same questions. As with anything I talk about on this blog, these are my opinions based on my experiences, what I've been taught, and personal preference. I've learned long ago that my opinion is not the only one and that I'm not the source of all wisdom and knowledge, so if your opinion or experience varies from mine, I'm cool with that. :-)

QUESTION 1: Do you think it'd be too boring to do solid colors for both the windows and the rug?
ANSWER: There are many successful rooms that are done using solid colors for both the window treatments and the rugs. I've shown one example at the beginnning of this post. One way to avoid being boring, if that's a concern, would be to add trim to the window treatment and use a very textural rug as they did in the room below. If you're not a fan of pattern OR color, even very neutral rooms without much pattern can be made interesting just by using a variety of finishes and textures. This room by Phoebe Howard is a great example of that.

Southern Living via myhomeideas.com Van Chaplin; Charles Walton IV

QUESTION 2: How do you feel about rugs on top of carpet? I love a rug on a hardwood or tile floor but not sure about on carpet.
ANSWER: If your space needs an area rug to add a different texture, define a seating area, pull some colors together or add color that doesn't exist, it doesn't matter to me if it's hardwood or carpet, you still need it. The rug in the living room below doesn't look expensive and it's not some totally unique pattern or color, but imagine the room without it. It really defines the seating area and the slightly darker color grounds the space.

myhomeideas.com Photo:IPC Images

QUESTION 3: Are they a pain to vacuum around and under when they're on carpet?
ANSWER: I have an area rug on my carpet in my family room and I've never had any trouble vacuuming on, under or around it. A carpet pad will help keep thinner rugs in place.

House Beautiful Photo: Jose Picayo

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Armonía y bienestar gracias al Feng Shui

La principal tarea del Feng Shui es mejorar la calidad de vida humana a través del espacio y la decoración; es el arte de colocar cada cosa en su sitio.

La disciplina del Feng Shui parte de la idea de que el lugar que se ocupa en el universo depende de la relación entre las energías personales y las de la naturaleza o el ambiente que rodea a cada persona, por lo que las acciones humanas deben guiarse a mantener el equilibrio entre hombre y naturaleza.

Los principios de Feng Shui y los cinco elementos principales ayudan a equilibrar la energía de la casa y sus habitantes. No es extraño que una persona se sienta bien en una estancia y mal en la contigua. La meta del Feng Shui es decodificar esta íntima relación que une al hombre y a su entorno, afectando a su equilibrio emocional.

Para ello, existen varias teorías como la del 'Yinn y el Yang' o la de 'Los cinco elementos' (la Tierra, el Metal, el Agua, la Madera y el Fuego). En definitiva, el Feng Shui muestra la vía que lleva a equilibrar las energías personales y del hábitat, hogar u oficina, con las leyes de la naturaleza para poder vivir en armonía con ella. Así se puede aprender a manejar los problemas personales, desarrollando un potencial óptimo.

Muebles para TV modernos

La nueva central de TV de Rimadesio es lo último en su serie Cartesia. Anteriormente la serie de muebles incluía bibliotecas, estanterías, contenedores y otras cosas necesarias para crear la solución ideal en mobiliario para livings. Con la nueva central de TV, de diseño muy original y soluciones prácticas “open”, es aún más simple.

Este moderno mueble está equipado con estantes para CD-DVD, donde colocas todo tu home theater. La parte de atrás es de vidrio espejado y tiene espacio para pantallas LCD de hasta 50 pulgadas de ancho. Con un sistema de iluminación LED, esta central incrementa el disfrute del entretenimiento en el salón.

Ideas para decorar paredes con marcos antiguos

Te mostramos algunas ideas de cómo decorar paredes con marcos antiguos.

En este caso, la relación entre el color grisáceo de la pared y las sutiles variaciones de tonos amarillo y verde de los marcos son agradables a la vista, como lo es la variedad de las formas de los mismos. Los almohadones del banco imitan las variaciones de color de los marcos. Como resultado, los marcos y el banco se integran.

En esta imagen, los marcos en blanco brillante son parte del drama, ya que imitan el marcado contraste entre el color de las paredes oscuras y los zócalos blancos y el piso.

El tono madera de los marcos pasan a la madera de la mesa y del banco, abajo, enfatizado la sobriedad del conjunto, así como el fuerte contraste entre la madera oscura y la pared blanca.

Los marcos dorados encima de la cama señalan el tono dorado de las cortinas, mientras la agrupación asimétrica y la sorprendente naturaleza de los marcos vacíos desentonan con la formalidad de la sala.

Una variedad de cuadros de colores brillantes, apoyados más que colgados de las paredes, crea un sentido de fantasía, especialmente en contraste con el blanco circundante. Los cojines del sofá recogen los colores de los marcos, dando un sentido de cohesión a la caprichosa sala.

Pintar marcos del mismo color o similar al de la pared, hace que los marcos actúen como detalles arquitectónicos. Esta sería una buena forma de introducir carácter a un espacio arquitectónico aburrido.

Muebles y accesorios para dormitorios infantiles

Tonos suaves

Escoge muebles y telas en el mismo tono para lograr un ambiente equilibrado.
Para los muebles apuesta por acabados en tonos crudos o blancos; son luminosos y conseguirás una sensación de armonía y sosiego ideal para el cuarto del bebé. Si los eliges en el mismo color, podrás mezclar muebles de distintos estilos.

Detalles

Una forma muy sencilla de darle un aire infantil al armario es sustituir los pomos por otros más divertidos. Encontrarás modelos estampados con todo tipo de motivos; pero si lo prefieres, puedes encargar que dibujen el mismo motivo que decora las paredes o la ropa de cama.

Mueble Auxiliar

Un mueble auxiliar pequeño te será muy práctico para tener a mano los productos necesarios para el cambio del bebé.

Zócalo de madera

Protege la zona inferior de la pared con un zócalo de madera. El pino y el abeto son las variedades más utilizadas; son maderas blandas, en tonos claros, perfectos para teñir o pintar. Combínalo con un papel con discretos espampados. Zócalo realizado por un ebanista. Papel, de Lienzo de los Gazules. Muñeco de madera en Dijous.

Fuente: Revista MiCasa

Diversos modelos de camas de hierro forjado

Las camas de hierro forjado gustan sobre todo a las mujeres. Es que su aspecto es realmente fantástico y muy delicado. Las camas de hierro forjado son una delicia para la decoración y ofrecen elegancia y duración como pocos otros materiales.

Cómo solucionar problemas de espacio en tu hogar

Ideas prácticas y bonitas para solucionar cualquier problema que tengas como: falta de espacio, rincones difíciles, cómo independizar ambientes... Te contamos cómo sacarles más partido y aprovecharlos mejor

Muy útil

Un mueble a medida con puertas centrales de cristal, aprovecha toda la pared y en la parte superior lleva puertas correderas.

Escritorio oculto

Simplemente abatiendo las puertas centrales y apoyándolas sobre las inferiores se tiene una práctica mesa de trabajo.

Zona de trabajo

Se ha conseguido integrándola en un mueble hecho a medida en la pared situada tras el comedor. La parte central tiene una zona con espacio para guardar el ordenador y los papeles y unas puertas abatibles que sirven de mesa.

Decoración en grises y blancos Se ha amueblado con un sofá, de La Oca, puesto en ángulo, para que quede espacio libre en el centro. El color de la pared es de Valentine.. Se ha aprovechado el muro de la pared para hacer una librería, simplemente con unas baldas que, además, ocultan el radiador que queda debajo.

Large Impact vs. Small Accessories - Have a Plan

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Amanda Nisbet Design

Thank you for all of your kind, supportive comments on my previous post. Some of you had questions and, if your e-mail is linked to your profile, I'll respond in an e-mail because, quite honestly, that is all the blog time I want to devote to that problem. I'm getting out-of-town guests today, so it probably won't be today but I'll do it as soon as I can. As for that other thing at the beginning of my posts - sorry. Ugly necessity. Moving on...

I'm a big fan of both area rugs and window treatments because I think they can go a long way toward softening a space, adding texture and color (or pulling colors together) and making a room cozy. I've seen people spend a lot of time and effort trying to make a room feel "right" without them, when if they would have just added them the room would have been complete. Sure, there are definitely rooms that can do without them but, in more cases than not, at least one of these is what a room needs.

Coastal Living Photo: Tria Giovan, Stylist: Heather Chadduck

I've run across a variety of people over the years who don't have either in their space because it's just not in the budget. What I've found really interesting, though, is that some of these same people have a BOATLOAD of small accessories. Some are displayed, but many are just stashed in closets, bins, or wherever. You know, those absolutely adorable or inexpensive little things we all run across when we're out and about and just have to have but have no clue where we're going to put them. Sometimes we almost feel compelled to buy them because they ARE so inexpensive! I mean, who would pass up a deal like that? :-)

Southern Living Designer Paige Schnell/Tracery Interiors
Photo Laurey W. Glenn/Robbie Caponetto

If there are any of you who have that same dilemma (missing window treatments/rugs/large acessories, but more than your share of small accessories) here is a suggestion. Analyze your space and determine where you still need small accessories and what you need. Not the specific item, necessarily, but generally what would work as far as size, etc.. Make a list and keep it with you when you shop. Every time you bypass one of those absolutely to-die-for little accessories that isn't on your list, take that amount of money and piggy bank it toward window treatments, rugs or a larger accessory that would make a bigger impact in the room. Depending on how many little accessories you normally buy, you might be surprised at how quickly your little cash stash multiplies. Once you've grown your cash stash, you can purchase these items fairly inexpensively at a variety of sources and, as we've seen all over blogland, there are DIY options as well.

pointclickhome.com Designer Monelle Totah/Photo Simon Upton

I know that making a plan for accessorizing takes some of the fun and spontaneity out of the process, BUT if you're on a limited budget and really looking to make an impact in your space, and you DON'T have an area rug or window treatments, or you're missing LARGER accessories, why not forego the instant gratification of the small accessories for the delayed gratification (and much bigger impact) of the larger items? (I'm getting super good at these run-on sentences, aren't I?)

Just saying it's something to think about... What do you think?

Disappointing News

It's come to my attention that there are at least 3 blogs currently harvesting my posts. Disheartening to say the least. I know who they are but won't say because I don't want to give them any exposure. I'm taking steps to remedy the situation.

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

292 - Timber Framing

We had a hold up on-site last week so we are a little behind. However, it is all back on track this week and the timber framing has started.
Euan should have the lower storey done by the end of this week and hopefully we'll see the second storey and roof structure up next week. Woohoo!
Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Decorating with Maps

House Beautiful Designer Peter Dunham/Photo Victoria Pearson

I was totally amazed by all of the comments on my last post! Thank you so much! Even though I wanted to post about it because it was out there in the magazine and I at least wanted to say that it was mine, I felt a little weird after hitting publish, like it was kind of a "look at me" post, but none of you made me feel that way at all. (How's that for a run-on sentence?) You rock. (I should have said "our" bench though, because it was definitely a team effort with my husband. Couldn't have made it without him.) The comment that gave me a LOL moment was from Leanne who offered to find all of the copies of the magazine in her area and write my name in them. :-)

House Beautiful Photo by Don Freeman

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this post is inspiration and ideas, large and small, for decorating with maps. If you love maps, you'll probably like it. If not, I'm fairly certain it will be map overload and you may hate it. If you try to visualize something else you love in place of the map in each image, maybe you'll still find something to inspire your decorating. Otherwise, I promise NO MAPS in the next post. :-)

Adding maps as art can help create a pretty vignette. I love the warm colors of this one...

Southern LivingPhoto Robbie Caponetto

and the cool colors of this one (I know. I'm fickle, but they ARE both pretty!)

Trisha Brink Design via flickr

Six vintage maps, framed, create instant wall art.

Country Living photo credit: Steven Randazzo

We've already seen this in a previous post, but I still think it's an interesting way to use map art (or any other art for that matter).

David H. Mitchell for Southern Accents 2005 via House of Turquoise

Rather than framing your map, put it on the wall and hang a frame over it. (diyideas.com)

Large scale maps...
Centsational Girl's warm and cozy game room/lounge


A nautical chart of Long Island in the style of a blueprint

House Beautiful Designer Kim Coleman/Photo James Merrell

I've loved this room that Kimba at ASPTL decorated for her son since the first time I saw it. To see how she created this map art click here.

A map headboard from BHG.com

Papering the walls with maps...

House Beautiful Designer Steven Gambrel/Photo Eric Piasecki

Impress Your Kids created a map wall for her son's room. She shows you how she did it here

Pottery Barn

Map place mats...

Coastal Living Photo Charles Walton IV

Map coasters from San Francisco Chronicle (tutorial on site)

Have you noticed that butterflies are appearing everywhere in decorating? Image Surgery uses maps to create their butterfly art.

A map cupcake tower by Laurie Federico featured at mydiyweddingday.com. This one was obviously for a wedding, but would it have to be? Instructions here.

Kristi at Addicted to Decorating created this globe pendant light. Tutorial on site

Chez Larsson makes a map lampshade. Tutorial here.

Wisteria has a map chest...


And Bombus makes map chairs...

Sasha Andreev (HGTV) created a map rug by by attaching a large map to a piece of linoleum. He adhered the map with spray adhesive and finished it with several coats of polyurethane. He also made a map window shade and shadow box. You can see those here.

Map trays from Carolina Cottage

Art print from StudioLyon

If you like your maps in really small doses, Denise at Living Life Creatively made this cute map bird. She teaches you how to make them here.

So... What do you think? Do you/will you decorate with maps or are you completely overloaded and can't wait to get away from this post? :-)