Lighting – When Fab Meets Function

“I just I need a pair of lamps” . . . said the client to the designer.  At first thought, and rightly so, addressing the functional need is the client’s request and the designer’s charge, but when you lay your eyes on this bejeweled, rock crystal duet . . . it less about need and all about desire. 

Oh, they had me at “hello!”

1950’s Carol Stupell Rock Crystal Lamps (From:  Galere as shown on 1st Dibs $9,900 – pair) 

Come a little closer for the love of crystal.

The original shades are still intact.  Just look at the pleating.  So feminine.

Getting back to reality . . .

Not everyone might decide to delve into as deep of a lighting investment in order to add some luminosity to end tables.  In fact, there might have been a simultaneous gasp at the beauty of these pieces, as well as the price tag! 

The point I’m making is that lamps can be beautifully structured additions to your interior space, while offering great functionality.  The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive of one another.  I’m always amazed when an investment has been made in a gorgeous rug or a stupendous sofa and then some languid lamps are expected to live up to the expectations set by the afore mentioned.  Just think of some times where extra accessories had to be brought in order to jazz up the room.  Great lamps can eliminate some of the excess clutter.

Did I mention these were from the 1950’s?  It just goes to show, good taste remains!

Have a brilliant day! ~ Wanda

StudioDesk Computer

Minimalist table design for learning, a simple desk computer / laptop


This desk was made for a clutter free environment. The minimalist design doesn`t allow interference with any kind of disorganized space. A storage space built into the surface of the desk allows for peripherals and cables to be hidden. Mahogany wood and faux leather were used to build it and a beautiful design makes the StudioDesk a desirable piece of furniture.

Novanta Computer Desk by Luke Riggall

Simple computer desk design. Suitable for you who like minimalist but with similar functions usually the computer desk.


Inspired by straight lines and simple elements and created from usual materials, like MDF, aluminium and perforated metal, the Novanta Desk by designer Luke Riggall is a desk for the masses. Perfect for anyone, this desk features an iPod dock, speakers and drawing utensil drawer, just to name a few. A storage space in the back keeps all the cables neatly hidden.

Love Hue

Rosebud Red and Passionate Purple.  Both are dramatic hues and can be a perfect match for those who love color.  When you have two strong color “personalities”, you have to be sure one doesn’t overpower the other.  It always helps if they are complementary in nature.  A beautiful waltz also never works without one partner guiding the other. 

A gorgeous banquet setting, from David Kahoi, featured in “House Beautiful”, provides the perfect illustration of balancing the relationship of color.  While the room is saturated in purple, the red really captures your attention. 

Because purple is a marriage between blue and red, it depends on the combination as to whether it leans more towards the cool, (blue), family or the warm, (red), family.  Red, being a warm hue, will always advance.  If you look closely, a few touches of it are popped around the space . . . in the banding of the table skirt, in the napkin, and the wall art.  With such a rich surrounding of purple, it was the perfect solution to match the trim and shutters as they would have provided too much of a contrast in a traditional white or neutral.  Placing the white on the ceiling allows for a wash of light and plays nicely off the French Bergere chair, to the left.

It takes a leap of faith to move towards a dramatic color scheme.  It also helps if someone, (little shameless plug here), is there to hold your hand and guide you along the way.  It can be a true, color love match!

Love the home you’re in! ~ Wanda

Crocodile Leather Desk Elegant Design

Crocodile leather desk design from simple. Design of a desk into an elegant leather.


This design is one of the most elegant made from crocodile leather. For those who don`t mind genuine leather, the handcrafted Crocodile Leather Desk by Italian furniture designer Sabino Aprile is the perfectly elegant addition to an office. Made from Polish stainless steel, wood and crocodile leather, the desk has a classic feel.

Briefcase Desk Functional Bag Recycling

Unique desk design made from recycled bags. Making the table very creative. Use goods that are unused sodium absorption ratio becomes more useful.


This is a beautiful interpretation of a desk made from recycled briefcases. The Briefcase Desk is beautiful but also functional. The briefcases that make up this desk are actually drawers so it is not that different from any other desk. Leather briefcases were turned into various size storage spaces and the whole design has an artistic feel to it.

Lane Desk Functionality by Jehs and Laub

Design for the office desk to a simple and functional.



This desk is based on clarity and functionality. The Lane Desk, designed by Jehs and Laub, seems to be made from one single piece of solid wood and a drawer unit. The modular storage unit supports the main structure and offers a contrasting design that is also functional.

OneLessDesk Functional by Heckler

Simple desk design but a lot of benefits. Can be placed in a small room and can be laid out into 4 parts desk.



A simple, yet highly functional desk created by Heckler Design offers an interesting new way to look at furniture design. The OneLessDesk is part of the OneLessOffice suite of products and is based on the idea that you don`t need as much space as you used to when technology was not this advanced. Just pop it under for more space in the room!

Weathering Winter

You can either give in or give up on the notion that we still have a few more weeks of winter.  In fact, Mr. Groundhog hasn’t even been asked to come out of his burrow, until February 2nd, to predict how much longer it will be before spring!

I must admit, I’m a sunshine kind of gal but I still prefer to embrace the season by honoring it realistically.  No trying to put around fake flowers to pretend it doesn’t exist.  I’ll gather up the textures of the season and pay homage to it in several bowls or containers.  In this case, I’ve used one of my ironstone pieces and sprinkled on some essential oils to welcome me into the room.

But just in case you need a little pick-me-up of the flowering kind, here is a late-blooming amaryllis.  I thought it was being stubborn but I think it sensed when to make its grand entry! 

As the old saying goes, better late than never!

Happy Wintering! ~ Wanda

Airia Office Desk by Kaiju Studios

Minimalist design office desk


This design created by Kaiju Studios has a beautiful shape, perfect for any room, even a teen room: “The desk features a primary work surface and an elevated rear peripheral surface, which encloses a space for cable management. In the large central drawer are three removable cork-lined trays.” The white legs contrast with the wooden surface to give it a contemporary look.


Airia Office Desk by Kaiju Studios

Comfortable House Design in Australia

The following is a comfortable house design in Australia. Architects from WrightFeldhusen Designed and constructed the home you are about to see below. Combining stone, metal, wood and glass, the Yallingup Residence was created for the enjoyment and relaxation of its inhabitants.

Situated in Yallingup, in the South West corner of Western Australia, the home got its name from the location chosen for the construction. Surrounded by a green environment, the residence gets plenty of sunshine through the glass walls that act as a canvas for the hill scenery outside. Brightly coloured stone stands at the base of the construction, while the two storeys are delimited by white concrete floors and ceilings.

An ordinary construction wouldn’t have looked as good in a natural landscape, but the Yallingup Residence makes the most of the available space and natural environment. Large rooms complete the exterior design by keeping the same design line and reusing the colourful stone motif we saw outside. The terrace and large sliding doors allow the formation of a healthy connection between the outside and the inside. Take a look at the pictures below and let us know what you think.

Home interior design. Design the table in the house



Home design at night

The Stylish Blogger Award and A Friday Surprise!

What an amazing week this has been!  First, I’m blessed to be working on some wonderful interior design projects, but then to my surprise, Maureen Coates of Modecor, a fabulous Canadian interior decorator, (with a beautiful, new blog), bestowed the honor of The Stylish Blogger Award! 

Maureen, thank you for the kind honor!

Upon receiving this award, Maureen shared that the rules are to:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you.
2. Share 7 things about yourself. 
3. Pay the award forward to 10 great bloggers.
4. Contact those 10 bloggers and inform them that they have received the award.

(I feel like I just won a little Oscar for blogging!)

I guess it’s my turn to tell you about me and to pay it forward.  I’ll try to be brief on the “me” part so I can do the important stuff – pass along the crown!

1.  I’m short.  I won’t say petite.  That makes you think of someone who’s a size two.  (I once got into a four and we all know four petites are like a size smaller, right?)

2.  I like pretty. 

3.  I really appreciate good manners of the sincere kind.  I think they are the glue which holds society together. 

4.  I’m a white knuckle flier.  It’s an inherited trait.  On the other hand, my dear husband once had a summer job, in college, doing aerial photography where he hung out of the back of a crop duster.  (I know this is about me and not about him, but I’m still in awe of the fact!)  I will get on a plane, but I’ve got to really have a self-talk that every bump doesn’t mean “we’re going down!”.

5.  I say “long story short”, a lot, but as you can see from the previous comments, it’s a stretch for me.  It’s also an inherited trait or a southern thing.  We like to “spin a yarn”.

6.  I’m your go-to gal in a crisis.  If you are choking, need to go to the emergency room, or your ceiling is falling in, etc., I can hold it together and get you through it.  I might have knocking knees, later, but I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.

7.  I may need a tissue at the movies or during a Hallmark Card commercial, especially if it involves an animal.  I try not to watch reruns of “Old Yeller” or “My Dog Skip” as it’s quite embarrassing.  I’ve never seen “Marley and Me”.  I care about the environment, too much, and I hear it’s a *two box of Kleenexes* kind of movie.

If you’re still with me, I’ll share some of my favorite design style blogs.  A few I’ve been reading, for a while, and others are newer to my list.  They are not in any particular order and I’ll try to share a snippet about them.  It was a tough assignment to narrow it down to just ten!

Without further adieu, The Stylish Blogger Award goes to:

1.  The Adventures of Tartanscot – Designer Scot Meachum Wood brings musings from the design world, peppered with humor.  And he does love a good plaid!

(Image from:  The Adventures of Tartanscot)

2.  Mr. Goodwill Hunting – A stylish South Carolina blogger who shares his tales and photos of his latest treasure hunts from the sartorial to the salon.

    

(Image from:  Mr. Goodwill Hunting)

3.  Preston Bailey’s Blog – Not only is he the arbiter of style for exquisite events, he shares some of the most sound business advice, based on his years of experience.  It’s nice to hear the perspective of another creative type.

 

(Image From:  Preston Bailey’s Blog)

4.  Eddie Ross – I would read this lifestyle and design blog, even if I had not met Eddie and his partner, Jaithan, in person.  They just happen to also be lovely people who are extremely talented and are full of ideas!

 

(Image from:  Eddie Ross)

5.  The Decorating Diva – Carmen Natschke has one of the most comprehensive sites devoted to all things about interior design.  To me, it’s a hybrid between a blog and a magazine and the content is always fresh and updated!

(Image from:  The Decorating Diva)

6.  The Skirted Roundtable – Pull up a chair and join Megan Arquette, (Beach Bungalow 8), Linda Merrill, (Surroundings), and Joni Webb, (Cote De Texas), for a roundtable of design.  Their interviews, with some incredible design talents, always leaves me waiting for the next!  (For laypeople and designers, alike.)

7.  A Schematic Life – Vancouver interior designer, Michelle Morlan, shares drop-dead beautiful interior details, handily illustrated by hers truly.  Design is art!

(Image from:  A Schematic Life)

8.  Tobi Fairley – Arkansas native and interior designer, Tobi Fairley has always created fresh, clean interiors and her updated blog is the perfect reflection of her unique blend of traditional and modern design.  Tobi continues to raise the bar!

(Image from:  Tobi Fairley)

9.  Scandinavian Kitchens and Designs – Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS, brings beautiful interpretations of Scandinavian design across the pond.  Her new line of kitchen and bath furniture, Bornholm Interiors, will be launched at the Architectural Digest show in March of 2011!

(Image from:  Scandinavian Kitchen and Designs)

10. A Beautiful Mess – I decided to add a blog, to the list, which is brand-spanking new!  Already the ladies, who’ve joined together to create an exciting antiques and interiors store, are creating a big buzz with their blog. 

(Image from:  A Beautiful Mess Blog)

I guess it’s good to reign myself in or this post could go on and on.  (Remember my whole, “long story short” issue in item #5?)  I know I’ve left out some fabulous blogs and this is a great reminder for me to begin adding them into my mentions, as I post throughout the year.

As always, thanks for sharing your time!  And thank you again, Maureen, for the honor!

Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up! (Hee, hee)

Wanda

Track Desk by Mark Holmes

Simple and minimalist table design, track desk by Mark Holmes


Based on an open framed ash structure that provides support for various folded steel doors, shelves and surfaces, the Track Desk designed by Mark Holmes is a contemporary desk that gives a playful vibe. The designer says: “The idea of folded metal shelves and doors backed with felt, sliding smoothly over the bars of an open timber frame seemed a delightfully simple solution.”

Not So Neutral – The Love of Color

“2011 - Love The Home You’re In”™

Often, one of the first calls I receive after the “thrill” of the holiday season has passed, is in regards to freshening up living spaces.  The New Year has arrived and many of you have put away seasonal decorations, which always seem to add extra warmth to any interior.  The sparkle might seem to be missing and your home may be exhibiting the need for a little extra “love” and attention! 

Even if you’re feeling the purse being pinched by how much you gifted to others, there can still be some “uplifting interior moments” as the coffers are being replenished!  It’s time to hug your home!

Let’s start with color!

Just to give you an idea of how I conceptualize the process of layering a room, I created a virtual design board.  In this case, I might have had a client who’s been afraid to dip their pinky-toe into the color pond.  I wanted to show how lovely it can be to bring in the addition of one of the latest color trends, without it being too “trendy”.  I think this is where I see folks shying away from making the commitment.  They would rather court the idea and a design board allows them to take the concept on a “first date”, as it were!

Sometimes, when color trends are presented, such as Pantone’s Color of The Year – Honeysuckle, there can be a question about how much is too much?  By distributing color in small doses, it’s easier to embrace any new palette additions and to decide if you’re ready to take it to the next level.

This Lee Jofa fabric exhibits just one example of using a pattern to slip in pops of color.  There are also geometric patterns with similar accents.  I wanted to illustrate how even bright colors can transition nicely with earthy tones.

A room has more depth when handcrafted elements are added.  A Suzani pillow, from Claire Watters Etsy site, Material Recovery, was fabricated from embroidered, antique textiles. 

Imagine how interesting it would be to frame out a pen and ink-type print with a painted frame!  Even as trends come and go, this subject would always have a home.  (From:  Natural Curiosities)

Thanks for stopping by for a little design chat.  It’s time to get back to my interiors’ list for new and fun projects!

Don’t forget to give your home a hug! ~ Wanda