Mosaic
comes out of the bathroom, exiled there too long, and transcends this
traditional frontier to reach other spaces of the home, from the living
room to the study, in countless possibilities. The Bisazza collection,
comprised of floral motifs, fabric patterns and geometric compositions,
suggests the use of mosaic as wallpaper, creating a fusion of classic
decoration and contemporary design trends, integrating luxury with
elegance, and creativity of detail with harmony of colors and materials.
It offers a refined and elite style for decorating homes, business
premises and public buildings
The
entrance is characterised by the presence of four columns clad in Righe
Oro, a simple decoration in stripes of gold and white mosaic. On the
floor Dama Nera, a checker board black and white pattern inspired by the
British optical fabrics. It leads to the first room where gold is the
main motif with the walls clad in Damasco Oro Giallo, inspired by the
traditional brocades, on one side, and Etoiles Oro Giallo, a fine lace
motif, on the othe
It
seems as if children disappear into their bedrooms at age 12 and don't
reappear again until they are 18. Help them create cozy and comfortable
sanctuaries. Teens embrace a decorating philosophy that makes many
adults cringe: Cover the walls with what's important to you. Posters,
personal mementos, photos of family and friends, and nature themes are
popular decorating accessories for teens. How a room feels is more
important than how it looks. "When most parents decorate kids' rooms,
they make them too neat and orderly," explains a 14-year-old girl. "It's
just not cozy that way." Above all, they want a décor that is cheerful
and comforting. "I want things that make you feel uplifted after a bad
day at school," says a 12-year-old. "Your room should be a sanctuary."
It's especially cool, say kids, if that sanctuary includes a comfy
upholstered chair for just hanging out or a reading nook, such as the
window seat in this room. Although some teens express color preferences,
they admit that their tastes are fickle. Paint lets teens make design
statements inexpensively. If your child's choice is a high-energy color
such as purple, spread out the impact by using lighter and darker shades
as in this room. Natural light, white woodwork, and a clean
contemporary look also offset the strong hue
With
basic white walls and run-of-the-mill fixtures, most newly-constructed
homes could use a big dose of personality. What are the keys to
imprinting your personal style to create instant character? We’ve
enlisted three clever interiors experts to provide some design
inspiration. 1. Details, Details. A few well-placed architectural
details can turn a bland room into a grand room. Add dimension to a
ceiling with coffers or beams. “This is a great way to define different
sections of large spaces, such as a kitchen, dining, or great room,”
says Richmond, Virginia-based interior designer Marcie Blough. 2.
Windows of Opportunity. Framing a window with the right treatment makes a
marked improvement in the finish level of a new room. “It’s easy to add
drama, color, and detail with drapery hardware and great fabrics,” says
interior designer Kathryn Chaplow, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mount
treatments several inches above the window casings for added height.3.
Color Your World. Painting is the fastest way to enhance the look of a
room, and a little color in an unexpected place can make a big impact.
“I love interior doors painted a contrasting color,” says Chaplow.
“Black doors in a house with all white trim are so chic, and touches
like that provide an instant sense of customization and history.”4.
Don’t Tip the Scale. Many new homes have high-volume ceilings, so it’s
important to maintain balance in the space below. “Nothing makes a big
room look disproportionately large like tiny furnishings and
accessories,” says Chaplow. For large walls with little detail or trim
work, try a grouping of nicely framed art or a grand, framed mirror.
“Remember to keep accessories focused, and in proportion to the size of
the area,” the designer notes. “A lot of small things can become clutter
rather than points of interest.”5. Light Up Your Life. The right (or
wrong) lighting can instantly change the mood of a space. “Ideally, a
room should have three types of lighting,” says Blough. “Ambient
(overhead), task (focused on an area for a specific activity), and
accent lighting (such as a sconce) add interest.” Pendants over a
kitchen island, sconces in a bathroom, a striking foyer fixture, or
small LEDs in built-in bookshelves, can add instant light and life. Or
try directional lighting in a hallway for a cool, gallery effect.6.Mix
it up. A blend of eclectic furnishings and accessories can give a new
home a cozy, lived-in look. When designing the interiors for a custom
home, Skye Kirby of Lillian August in Norwalk, Connecticut, spiced up
the palette of creams, grays, and golds with pops of black and small
touches of animal print. “A little bit of zebra goes a long way,” Kirby
says. She also maintained a proper balance of new and old-looking pieces
by introducing a rustic cabinet with vintage glass doors to the
tailored family room
If
you have decided to buy a new house, be sure to work closely with your
architect or builder not only in devising blueprints but also as the
structure takes shape. If adjustments or substitutions are in the plans,
make sure you have final approval. Small changes, such as an extra
counter where the kids can hunker down for a snack or no shelf in the
bath, will impact how each room functions. Use these decorating tips for
new homes as you begin to make your plans. When buying a newly
constructed home in a subdivision or development, sign on the dotted
line as soon as possible. Purchasing a new home before standard
flooring, cabinets, fixtures, and appliances are installed expands your
decorating options and eliminates the expense of replacing those
materials -- the ones you would never have chosen -- later.Keep in mind
that tract-type builders translate fewer decisions, while semi custom
builders generally offer a variety of packages featuring different
upgrades along with floor plan options. If you intend to enlist an
interior designer for your new home, involve him or her as soon as
possible to help determine color schemes and select appropriate
finishes. Your designer should have a copy of the blueprints or just the
room, window, and doorway dimensions to choreograph furnishings.
Dimensions are also invaluable when it comes to older homes. Ask the
seller if they'll allow you to take measurements. You may not be able to
fit your queen-size bed through a narrow passageway in a rambling old
farmhouse or a cottage. You don't want to learn that on moving day!
Although it's not always feasible, staggering closing times will allow
you to work on your new home before you have to vacate the other home.
Jobs like painting and repairing are easier when rooms are devoid of
furniture and boxes. Even a few days will give you the opportunity to
paint the bath and scrub the carpets.Integrating new decorating ideas
from room to room can sometimes present a challenge. On the next page,
find out how to prevent your new interior decorating from clashing with
older interior decorating
Location,
location, location. In the garden, the patio is the place where
everybody congregates. Usually my clients want to know where to locate
their patio and what size it should be. The best place is where you
have a natural tendency to sit; a comfortable area with ample room. If
you prefer sitting in the sun, I would look at the sun pattern (during a
day when you are at home) and figure out where the sunniest area of
your garden is situated. The sun is the most intense between 11 a.m. and
2 p.m
I
like to cook, especially when I don't have to. When I have the time, I
like to whip up the real thing, like a pie with a homemade crust. My
cooking style generally can be classified as "get outta my way." I need
space for all the stuff I'm chopping and shredding. There are a lot of
dirty dishes and a lot of tools. It's not a pretty process. But I like a
pretty kitchen as much as the next person. So I visited some model
homes recently to indulge in a little window shopping -- and to find out
whether new kitchens are for looks or for cook
Decorating
a home can be as difficult as purchasing a home, but Bowen Family Homes
has come up with a brilliant idea to help new buyers realize the full
potential of their home. Bowen Family Homes has partnered with Pottery
Barn to give new home buyers an array of ideas to decorate their home.
The new model home at Kensington Creek Manor showcases a variety of
Pottery Barn furniture and accessories
