April 25, 2012

101 Designer Secrets — #19, #21 and #22

101 Designer Secrets–#19, #20 and #22

The May issue of House Beautiful magazine has a 4 page spread of 101 Designer Secrets.  We read them and decided to share along with some commentary.  Not all 101 will be shared, but you can click on the link above to HB, or subscribe to their hard copy magazine to read them all if you wish to.  Here are some related to bathroom design.

#19: Never use a sconce over a mirror in the bathroom–it will cast unflattering shadows across the face.  Sconces that flank the mirror will give  a more realistic and flattering light-Ron Southern

Commentary:

Yes, yes, yes.  I am endlessly trying to eradicate the world of light bars or recessed lights in bathrooms over mirrors for this reason.  While that is true, there are instances where the architecture will not allow for sconces to be placed flanking a mirror.  Here is one example of what S Interior Design did to work around that issue.  The light is a flexible track mounted to the electrical box above the mirror and curved to flank the mirror.

#21: I recommend a height of 36″ for a bathroom vanity instead of the standard 30″.  It’s much more ergonomic and comfortable all around – Jason Bell

Commentary:

This is absolutely the  truth unless of course you are 5’0″ tall.   We always use a 36″ high vanity unless height of the user dictates other wise.  In shared bathrooms with one partner being extra tall, we have even installed 42″ high vanities.

# 22:  Instead of a towel bar, mount 5 robe hooks 68″ high for towels and robes-Robert Stilin

Commentary:

 We very often recommend using hooks instead of towel bars.  Sometimes the functional needs and space dictate that a combination of the two be used.  How annoying is it to have to reach far out of the shower to reach a towel bar mounted 2-3 feet away?  Absolutely add the hooks!  Hooks mounted in a bathroom at child friendly heights are also a good idea to keep towels off the floor in bathrooms kids will be using.

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Filed under Bathroom Remodel, Design Elements, Design Plan, Interior Design, Lighitng, Redesign, Residential design

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April 22, 2012

101 Designer Secrets–#4 and #5

The May issue of House Beautiful magazine has a 4 page spread of 101 Designer Secrets.  We read them and decided to share along with some commentary.  Not all 101 will be shared, but you can click on the link above to HB, or subscribe to their hard copy magazine to read them all if you wish to.

SECRET #4:  

The hang up–where to hang my artwork?  I’ve found that 63″ on center above the floor is a perfect viewing height for most pieces-Hunter Kaiser

Commentary by S Interior Design-

It is definitely one of the most common faux pas —hanging the artwork too high on a wall.  If the person doing the hanging is 6′-3″ their perspective is different from someone who is 5′-5″.  This is a good rule of thumb to begin with, 63″ above the floor.  Variables to consider include whether the art is above a piece of furniture and the height of that furniture.

When the art is not being hung above a piece of furniture, the guideline changes.  I like to ‘own the wall visually’ if that is the only element being placed.  Then lower placement and stacked art work higher on the wall often makes more sense.

This artwork is 78"x78" and the ceiling is 12'-0" high

SECRET #5

When you are hanging a series of pictures together, keep the gap between them 2 to 2 1/2″ to really utilized the wall space, and keep a minimum of 9″ between the art and the tops of sofas and chairs-Milly De Cabrol

Commentary by S Interior Design-

Agree and then a small disagree.  Yes to the gap between pieces of art being hung together, but we generally keep the space between the art and tops of sofas and chairs to 7″.  Again, style of the furniture, height of the ceiling and the composition of the art being hung are variables to be considered.

 

Summary-

There are good rules of thumb but all situations should be evaluated as unique to determine the best way to hang and display your artwork.

 

 

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Filed under Accessories, Artwork, Design Elements, Design Plan, Home Staging, Interior Design, Interior Designer, Redesign, Residential design, Space Planning, Wall Decor

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April 12, 2012

Stay Home & Travel the World

Summer is fast approaching and some of you may have already made great vacation plans.  Maybe local, maybe a short drive or perhaps a long dreamed about vacation out of country.

Unfortunately not all of us can be world travelers.  However, you can bring the feel of another country to your home with some well chosen furnishings and accessories.  It can be

An accent piece of furniture,
A new accessory or artwork for your walls,
Even lighting or fabrics can tell a tale of far away places

So travel a bit even if it means never getting on air plane.  Create the feel of the location you wish to visit in your home and you can mentally go there every day.

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Filed under Accessories, Artwork, Colorization, Design Elements, Interior Design, Morrocan Design, Residential design, Summer Decorating, Wall Decor

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March 28, 2012

WALLS That Satisfy a Sweet Tooth

Here at S Interior Design we are always on the look out for unique and environmentally friendly options to use in our design projects.  When we were asked to take a look at this product, it got an A+ rating on both counts.  So, we are pleased to share with you, and promote the product for the manufacturer.

That’s right –these are eco friendly 3d-wallpanels made out of Sugarcane bagasse

Eco 3d-wallpanels give an extra dimension to your walls!

WallArt will bring your walls to life with their eco friendly 3d-wallpanels made out of the fibrous residue of sugarcane also called bagasse. This fibres of crushed sugarcane stalks, remaining after raw sugar is extracted from the juice of the sugarcane by shredding it, is now the raw material that forms the base of this easily installed eco friendly interior product. The raw material used for WallArt 3d-wallpanels is 100% recycled, compostable and therefore 100% biodegradable.

WallArt 3d wall panels are all made out of a renewable source which is biodegradable and therefore contribute to sustainability. Bagasse, as a residue of sugarcane, is one of the world’s most renewable sources because sugarcane can be harvested up to 3 times a year. The total harvest worldwide is more than 1.2 billion metric tons yearly and out of each 3 ton of sugarcane there remains 1 ton of bagasse. By using this recycled raw material we can say this 3d-wallpaper is a real eco decor product.

WallArt introduced their 3d-wallcovering in Europe in 2011. They’ve been the first entering the market with this eco friendly home decor and interior product. At this moment there are 12 different models of the WallArt 3d wall panels available, for more information about WallArt and their 3d decorating wall panels please go to their website www.mywallart.com and check it out. WallArt 3d decorative wall panels are not only environmentally friendly but the 3d effect give an extra dimension to your walls!

www.mywallart.com

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Filed under Accessories, Commercial Design, Design Elements, Eco-Friendly Design, Interior Design, Minimalist Design, Modern Design, Redesign, Residential design, Susatinable Design, Wall Coverings, Wall Decor

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March 13, 2012

Add a Bit of British Cool to Your Home or Apartment on this Side of the Pond!

We love keeping in touch with and learning what’s going on globally with design, be it interiors, architecture, or products. This week’s guest blog brings a bit of the UK to our shores. So much is great design is happening over there now, so why not brighten up a living room, or a bedroom or even your kitchen with some great British inspired, British made products!

The hype around the Royal Wedding last year, the continuing popularity of Downtown Abbey, the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics later this year means that once again it is cool to be British and this has been reflected in this years’ hottest interior design trends.

Interior design in 2012 will see a return to traditional British design. We’ve already seen it on the fashion runway with the popularity of Jonathan Saunders and now interior furnishings are favoring British designs with iconic prints, pastel color blocks, floral designs and gingham fabrics being used to complement the clean and sleek furniture trends from 2011.

To achieve this look with the furnishing you already have, add some British flair with oversized pillows in floral prints and pastels or floor length curtains in bold, iconic prints. Liberty offers some great home accessories, like the Edenham Liberty print silk and velvet cushion, as well as some new season fabrics that have been inspired by English nostalgia as well as the upcoming Olympics. The best thing about this trend is that adding a bit of traditional British elegance is as easy as pulling out the sewing machine (think pillowcases!).

British patriotism is also a hot trend continuing on from 2011 with everything from Union Jack pillows to wall decor. The Shoreditch Union Jack Ottoman from The French Bedroom  makes a great statement piece. The ottoman, in vibrant colors, makes a great coffee table with the added benefit of offering a storage space. Alternatively British furniture designer Jennifer Cooper’s Jack Upholstered Storage Box in muted tones is a great British made storage solution at a fraction of the cost.

If lavishing your home in Union Jack’s isn’t your thing try Graham and Brown’s Crown and Coronets wallpaper for a more subtle approach to cool Britannia. Crown and Coronets wallpaper can also be decorated with jewels, perfect for your very own little princess. Recreate the definitive British with Keep Calm and Carry On wall art; variations on the saying can be found everywhere, from Camden market to numerous online outlets.

For something with a bit of an edge have a look at Tobyboo’s range of tea towels and cushions with iconic images of London in bright yellows and oranges. Or if you’re on a budget, add a splash of Olympic Blue (also known as Pantone 19-4056) against some clean contemporary lines to get into the Olympic fever.

Roomservice By CORT is a company that specializes in furniture rentals, furniture packages, and has a passion for all things interior design.

About Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID
Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID, is the owner and founder of S Interior Design, the exclusive provider of Pawprint Design Services™. Suzanne works with her clients to develop a winning combination of design elements that result in warm, comfortable and functional spaces that reflect each client’s personal style. Suzanne and her team specialize in residential, contract and hospitality interior design, from simple color selections, to office build outs, to restaurant, spa and hotel designs. Suzanne shares her years of expertise through the power of social media. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and at this blog. To speak to Suzanne about your interior design needs, please call 480-220-4659 or visit her website at www.sinteriordesign.com.

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Filed under Bedding, Bedroom Design, Colorization, DIY, Eco-Friendly Design, Fabrics, Guest Rooms, Interior Design, Interior Designer, Lighitng, Modern Design, Paint Color, Pillows, Summer Decorating, Wall Decor

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March 6, 2012

Does Your Child Have the Bedroom of Their Dreams?

Here’s another great guest blog with some wonderful tips for designing a room for a child. This blog identifies the major areas of design and offers some interesting solutions. Give it a read and let us know if you agree with their creative ideas.

Designing a bedroom for your child can be one of the most fun home projects. You can really get creative and design something that your child will remember forever. So when you design your child’s bedroom, make sure that you have their personality and the things they love in mind. The most important part of your child’s bedroom is the walls. The walls cover a large area of the room and getting them right is critical for the overall design of the room.

Having a theme will help to direct your ideas and unify the room.
The best way to design a kids bedroom is with a theme in mind. Some theme ideas are medieval, cityscape, auto racing, dinosaurs, forest, the universe, and the old west. There are many more of course, but these should give you some ideas. Make sure to get your child’s input when deciding on a final theme. Searching the internet is also a good way of coming up with ideas or getting examples of ideas you have come up with.

Once you have come up with a theme, it is time to get designing. Decorating the walls is the most important because they will set the scene for the entire room. Wallpaper is the best way to decorate the walls in your child’s bedroom. It is easier to find intricate designs children like, it can be removed if they damage it, and it keeps the walls underneath in good shape.

Custom wallpaper is a great way to get just the look you are going for and allows you to be as creative as you want when designing your project.
While there are many great wallpaper designs for children’s rooms out there, you may want something a little more unique, or perhaps you’re not able to find exactly what you are looking for. The best thing to do in this situation is to have custom wallpaper made for your child’s bedroom.

When designing custom wallpaper, you can use any digital photo or digital image as the template for the walls. A single six megapixel photo can be blown up to the size of an entire wall. This means that any photo you have from family vacations, trips to the zoo, baseball games, or pictures of their favorite park can become decorations on your child’s wall.

You are not restricted to photographs either. You can use a graphic design program to design digital images to decorate your child’s walls as well. You could make a cartoon background, a stars and planets scene, or even an alien world.

Once you have designed the walls, it is time to move on to the rest of the room. Choose paint for furniture that matches your theme. Choose carpet that is darker and good at hiding stains. Your child’s bed is another element where you can let your imagination run wild. There are many premade child’s bed designs that are amazing. Of course, if you have the carpentry skills, know someone who does, or can afford to have a bed custom made; you can really get creative.

So, I hope this has given you some ideas on how to make your child’s wildest dreams come true when designing a bedroom for them.

Author Bio: Blake Pearson is a large format printing expert and online publisher for www.megaprint.com  who writes on the topics of design and printing.

About Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID
Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID, is the owner and founder of S Interior Design, the exclusive provider of Pawprint Design Services™. Suzanne works with her clients to develop a winning combination of design elements that result in warm, comfortable and functional spaces that reflect each client’s personal style. Suzanne and her team specialize in residential, contract and hospitality interior design, from simple color selections, to office build outs, to restaurant, spa and hotel designs. Suzanne shares her years of expertise through the power of social media. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and at this blog. To speak to Suzanne about your interior design needs, please call 480-220-4659 or visit her website at www.sinteriordesign.com.

 

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Filed under Accessories, Artwork, Bedroom Design, Custom Furniture, Design Elements, DIY, furniture, Redesign, Spring Decorating

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March 1, 2012

DIY On A Dime to Spruce up Your Home for Spring

This guest blog makes us anticipate Spring even more. If you’re like us, Spring recalls fresh and bright colors, open and airy houses, and longer days of sunshine. Now is the time to start planning for your Spring DIY efforts. Give a read to this guest blog and maybe you can incorporate some of their great ideas!

Spring is right around the corner and for many of us, which means time to redecorate the house and breathe some new life into rooms that may seem tired and in need of a good refreshing. I recently took a tour of a few open houses and found some inspiration for budget-friendly DIY home décor projects. Whether you’re looking to add a small touch to a bare wall or looking to transform an entire room, you don’t have to break the bank.

Image

Use Found Objects to Create Visual Interest
One of my favorite touches from the open house tour I recently took was an especially colorful clock. When I walked into the room my eye was immediately drawn to the clock on the wall. Its starburst appearance looked like something chic and modern you might find at Urban Outfitters. When I swooped in for a closer look, I realized that I was actually looking at a regular clock with a variety of paint chips arranged around it. I’m not sure if the homeowner came up with this or not, but I thought it was a brilliant idea. Find a clock that does not have a glass or plastic face on it, and fan the paint chips out from the center of the clock. If you’ve already redecorated a room in your house, you probably already have a tower of paint chips lying around. Why not put them to use?

One of the big trends of 2012 is going to be color.
Play with color as much as possible in your redecorated rooms. A very cheap way of doing this is to go thrifting for fun picture frames, cut construction paper to fit inside the frames and hang them on your wall. Contrast real loud colors like red and green with muted tones like white and grey. If your construction paper is lime green, try painting the picture frame white or black.

Redecorating your home doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. You can probably poke around in the attic in the boxes you haven’t touched in years and find the perfect raw material for your DIY project.

Author’s Bio: Lisa is a guest blogger who likes to write about everything from interior decorating to real estate to Austin homes for sale.

 

About Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID
Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID, is the owner and founder of S Interior Design, the exclusive provider of Pawprint Design Services™. Suzanne works with her clients to develop a winning combination of design elements that result in warm, comfortable and functional spaces that reflect each client’s personal style. Suzanne and her team specialize in residential, contract and hospitality interior design, from simple color selections, to office build outs, to restaurant, spa and hotel designs. Suzanne shares her years of expertise through the power of social media. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and at this blog. To speak to Suzanne about your interior design needs, please call 480-220-4659 or visit her website at www.sinteriordesign.com.

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