Category Archives: Design Inspiration

Décor – Celebrating Dog Lovers!

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Dogs have been appearing in art and design for centuries. These beloved pets appear on decorative accessories from china to pillows and everything in between. Painting of and about dogs can decorate the walls of a traditional or contemporary home. Dogs are not only some of our best friends; they make for handsome decorative elements in interior design and decorating.

 

Dogs in art became popular with Sporting Art that originated in England in the 18th century. Dogs were also popular subjects in Impressionist and Modern art. Contemporary art today often features dogs like the famous Blue Dog series. There are numerous businesses that provide custom artwork and photographs of the beloved family pet. Custom portraits are even available for any kind of pet.

 

Artwork is not the only area of decorating where dogs are used as decorative elements. English Staffordshire figurines of dogs, as pictured here, are highly collected. Dog figurines and sculptures decorate shelves and table tops. Popular dog breeds for these small decorative items are Scotties, Greyhounds, English Bulldogs, Poodles and Setters.

 

Soft goods like rugs and pillows can feature dog silhouettes and patterns.  Needlepoint rugs might feature a classic hunting scene or fox hunt. Needlepoint pillows with every breed from pugs to poodles can offer a charming accent for sofas and chairs.

 

Hang a portrait of a beloved family pet or decorate with your favorite breed, letting the house go to the dogs can be a fun way to add a personal touch to your décor.

Citrus Inspired Kid’s Room

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Does this citrus inspired kids room inspire you?

Comfortable Interiors: Comfort Food for the Home

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Some rooms feel like the interior design equivalent of chicken soup or a casserole—in other words, comfort food for the home. Creating a room that envelopes us in comfort is more than just having comfortable seating. Rooms that succeed at making people feel instantly at home and comfortable are designed that way.

 

Comfortable interiors are all about inviting someone to sit, relax and enjoy the space. They can envelope people like a big blanket. Furniture and lighting play a big role in establishing a comfortable design.  Lighting should come from multiple sources and preferably not be overhead light but floor and table level. Overhead light can be too harsh and tends to wash out the room if it is too bright. An overhead light like a chandelier that can be dimmed is a good idea if overhead lighting is a must.

 

Comfortable furniture can take many forms. Straight back chairs and stiff sofas do not lend themselves to comfort as easily as a club chair or overstuffed down sofa. Materials for the filling of furniture should be soft and pliable, molding to the body rather than stiff and unforgiving. A mix of down and foam is a good choice for pliable cushions that also hold their form.

 

Flooring is another area where comfort can be incorporated into the design. Soft carpets and thick pile area rugs invite bare feet and lounging on the floor.  Accessories like pillows and throws can make a warm, inviting place to snuggle on the sofa for a nap or watching a favorite movie. Relax and Enjoy!

Design Inspiration: Mid Century Glass

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Mid century glass is a beautiful collectible that can inspire an entire room.  Mid century glass refers to glass created between the 1940s and 1970s. This renaissance of glass making, often done by hand-blowing the pieces, took place all over Europe and America.

 

Some of the most famous mid century glass comes from Murano, Italy, which is an island off of Venice. Murano has been known for centuries as a glass century. In the 1950s and 60s their iconic swirled glass, often flecked with silver and gold, was brought back to the States by post-war American tourists.  Ashtrays, bowls, and vases, easily imported in a suitcase decorated shelves and coffee tables in chic American homes in the mid 20th century.

 

Other mid century glass centers included the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Scandinavian glass is known for its more simple shape and translucent colors and was both hand-blown and molded.

 

Because of the beautiful colors, patterns and shapes of mid-century glass is great inspiration for a color palette and décor. Rugs, carpeting and pillows can make colorful accents based on mid-century glass. A collection of mid-century glass on a table, shelf or console can be grouped together by color for a strong pop of color in a living room or dining room. Shelves lined with pieces or a single piece on a coffee table, mid-century glass is a beautiful addition to modern, contemporary or transitional space. The popularity of mid-century glass means that copies can be found new at national home décor stores and major retailers.