Interior Design Essentials - How Architecture Affects Design

The architectural of a building or room can have a dramatic affect on its ultimate design. Interior design isn't always about changing things or creating something brand new. The best designs often take an aspect of the room or building and make them the focal point in order to enhance the style that it already present.

Designers with an eye toward this form of enhancement, and who are willing to step back are likely to succeed in a world of showoffs who care little about the integrity of the design, but only want to be the first to try something new and outlandish.

When trying to design a room, take a good hard look at its architectural design to help set a mood and style. While you may be able to gut an old worn Victorian kitchen and turn into a high-scale modern one, something would definitely be lost. Why not take the opportunity to showcase your talent and ingenuity by trying to capture the essence of the architectural style and taste by preserving the style in a way that still enables the homeowner to enjoy all the modern conveniences of today?

Keep your eye out for unique room dimensions; unusual window casements; intricate moldings and trims; old fireplaces and doors. Sure, it would be easy to rip out (or paint over) and old brick fireplace and replace it with new sleek travertine, but ask yourself firs is something important would be lost if you did.

Too many buildings today are built exactly alike, making the designer’s job more difficult to try and create a unique setting for each homeowners of office. When you are lucky enough to be given the chance to re-do a local artifact, use its unique design and architecture to showcase its beauty – even if doesn’t quite match your personal style.

So, what should you be looking for when doing your initial walk-through for ideas? Here are a few places to start:

Original Fixtures.

Although original lighting and plumbing fixtures can rarely be used as –is, you can either have them refaced, or you can buy new “retro” ones that offer the same style of the originals, but which feature, newer more modern features. The same is true for things like old claw foot bathtubs; sinks and even ovens found in the kitchen.

Woodwork.

Many older homes and buildings sport beautiful woodwork and hardwood flooring. It can be expensive and time consuming to have them redone vs. ripping them out or painting over them, but is well worth the effort.

Large windowsills and older casings.

Preserving older windows can be tricky since there are energy efficiencies to consider. But, it is possible to preserve the same look and feel of the older windows and still be able to attain more modern temperature control.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Hick

Mediterranean Interior Design Styles

Why is the Mediterranean interior design trend taking the industry by storm? It is most likely because of its timelessness and the atmosphere of a laid-back lifestyle it imparts.

Mediterranean interior design makes use of the colors of the earth and the sky, including yellow, lavender, peach, orange, salmon, and other hues that reflect the jaunty Mediterranean culture.

Intricate tile works, massive urns, and heavy wrought iron gates and grills all come together to define Mediterranean interior design and can blend well with other types of furniture and decor.

Mediterranean interior design also makes use of foliage not just for the landscaping but also as accent pieces for a home's interiors. Houses making use of Mediterranean interior design do not have too many structures that serve no purpose. Usually, architecture is simple and personal touches depend on the homeowner's own collections and decor.

An individual who wishes to implement Mediterranean interior design techniques makes liberal use of mosaic tiles for backsplashes or floorings, burnished hardware, and sparse ornamentation.

The furniture used for Mediterranean interior design can be a combination of French Country, Italian, Greek, and Spanish pieces which never go out of date. This is why Mediterranean interior design is a very popular style among first-time homeowners who are bent on keeping their homes for a long time.

Embarking On A Mediterranean Interior Design Project

Due to its immense popularity these days, there is never a dearth of supplies of Mediterranean decor and accessories. People who have decided on using this style for their homes know that it is not difficult to achieve this look, and neither is it too expensive.

All you need to work on a Mediterranean interior design project is creativity and a lot of research. A common element of homes with this style is the signature paint. Most homes using this theme use a rich terra-cotta tint for the walls. Those who find this color a bit too dark, though, may go for a more cheerful shade of yellow or a striking French blue.

Indeed, the color alone may be enough to evoke the Mediterranean atmosphere, but you should also try to achieve the wall texture that these types of homes are known for.

There are paint rollers which, when applied, leave a rough texture pattern reminiscent of classic Mediterranean abodes. Remember to use flat paint and not the enamel type of paint so as to achieve the needed chalky texture.

The furniture that's appropriate for Mediterranean interior design must be sleek and simple, with classic curves and patterns that call upon the romanticism of the easy Mediterranean lifestyle.

You could make use of wrought-iron garden sets for the lawn and comfortable oversize couches for the interiors. If you can't afford new couches and chairs, you could have them upholstered in neutral fabrics and accessorize these with colorful pillows and shawls.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins

Great Home Interior Design Ideas for those on a Budget

Who does not want a lovely home with beautiful decors and wonderful interiors? Perhaps only a hermit would want to keep his dwelling as austere as possible. You, on the other hand, would want to keep your place nice and charming – very conducive for living. Unfortunately, a lot of people are afraid of updating their interior design because of the dreaded costs of redecorating their living space. However, this is not actually true because there are many great ideas that could help you beautify your room without you having to sacrifice your budget.

Here are some great home interior design ideas that you may follow if you want to rev up a room that has been having the same look for ages.

- Reorganize your furniture. By changing the positions of your furniture, your room can achieve an entirely new look. Try changing the angles of fixtures or pulling them away from where they are now to update the dimension and look of the room.

- Paint your walls. Paint can come quite cheaply nowadays, and you can totally change the look of a room by painting the walls. You can make the change so radical, that it would really become a great transformation. You may even just some accents like straight lines, or stencil patterns to enhance the appearance of boring walls. You will be surprised as to how great the possibilities can be.

- Let Mother Nature in. You can freshen up any room by bringing plants. This can also help freshen the air as well as plants are known to filter the atmosphere. If you do not have time to take care of plants, then you could have artificial leaves and flowers. Having a touch of green makes the room so much pleasing to the eyes.

- Add a simple rug. Area rugs can create a soft touch in a room. A rug can add a piece for the eye to look at, making a very boring room more interesting to look at. Look for brilliant colors that still complement the motif of the room for that jazzy accentuation.

- Hang mixed frames on your wall. A picture frame collage could spice up any naked wall. Picture frames also add a sense of coziness and warmth especially if they contain photos of your loved ones.

- Change bathroom fixtures and fittings. You do not really have to remodel your entire bathroom to achieve a new look. You can just change the faucets or the flush handles, you can add some vanity lights or mirrors, and you would witness a dramatic change in your bathroom.

- Add new lamps. Bringing in light to any room adds warmth and a glowing presence that can make a gloomy room become full of life. Use interesting shades if you want something trendy.

- Replace the pulls and knobs of your closets. Just like with bathrooms, you do not really have to change fixtures to change a room’s look. Just change the handles and knobs of your cabinets and you can totally transform the entire room. You could go modern and use chrome or stainless steel; you may also go classic by installing brass or bronze.

- If you have the budget, install new wallpaper. Just like, paint, wallpapers can really update the look of your room. Nothing is crisper than a newly wallpapered wall. If you do not have enough money to wallpaper the entire room, you can just put wall paper borders to add interesting accents to your living space.

Decorating your home need not be expensive. With these great home interior design ideas, you can make your house as good as new.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Vazquez

Great Home Interior Design Ideas for those on a Budget

Who does not want a lovely home with beautiful decors and wonderful interiors? Perhaps only a hermit would want to keep his dwelling as austere as possible. You, on the other hand, would want to keep your place nice and charming – very conducive for living. Unfortunately, a lot of people are afraid of updating their interior design because of the dreaded costs of redecorating their living space. However, this is not actually true because there are many great ideas that could help you beautify your room without you having to sacrifice your budget.

Here are some great home interior design ideas that you may follow if you want to rev up a room that has been having the same look for ages.

- Reorganize your furniture. By changing the positions of your furniture, your room can achieve an entirely new look. Try changing the angles of fixtures or pulling them away from where they are now to update the dimension and look of the room.

- Paint your walls. Paint can come quite cheaply nowadays, and you can totally change the look of a room by painting the walls. You can make the change so radical, that it would really become a great transformation. You may even just some accents like straight lines, or stencil patterns to enhance the appearance of boring walls. You will be surprised as to how great the possibilities can be.

- Let Mother Nature in. You can freshen up any room by bringing plants. This can also help freshen the air as well as plants are known to filter the atmosphere. If you do not have time to take care of plants, then you could have artificial leaves and flowers. Having a touch of green makes the room so much pleasing to the eyes.

- Add a simple rug. Area rugs can create a soft touch in a room. A rug can add a piece for the eye to look at, making a very boring room more interesting to look at. Look for brilliant colors that still complement the motif of the room for that jazzy accentuation.

- Hang mixed frames on your wall. A picture frame collage could spice up any naked wall. Picture frames also add a sense of coziness and warmth especially if they contain photos of your loved ones.

- Change bathroom fixtures and fittings. You do not really have to remodel your entire bathroom to achieve a new look. You can just change the faucets or the flush handles, you can add some vanity lights or mirrors, and you would witness a dramatic change in your bathroom.

- Add new lamps. Bringing in light to any room adds warmth and a glowing presence that can make a gloomy room become full of life. Use interesting shades if you want something trendy.

- Replace the pulls and knobs of your closets. Just like with bathrooms, you do not really have to change fixtures to change a room’s look. Just change the handles and knobs of your cabinets and you can totally transform the entire room. You could go modern and use chrome or stainless steel; you may also go classic by installing brass or bronze.

- If you have the budget, install new wallpaper. Just like, paint, wallpapers can really update the look of your room. Nothing is crisper than a newly wallpapered wall. If you do not have enough money to wallpaper the entire room, you can just put wall paper borders to add interesting accents to your living space.

Decorating your home need not be expensive. With these great home interior design ideas, you can make your house as good as new.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Vazquez

Decorative Interior Painting Can Give Surfaces a More Distinctive Look than Ordinary Painting

Decorative interior painting offers unlimited possibilities for customizing and personalizing your home. Apart from the task of choosing and mixing colors, you will have to arrange them into shapes on your surface. Gaining confidence in handling your material and equipment is all part of the pleasure of decorating.

Decisions about color are always going to require pause for reflection. You may choose colors because of the memories they evoke, for cultural reasons, or because they are soothing. There is no doubt that the best way to do this is to practice.

These choices are all personal, and only you can make them. Some designs can be helped onto wall or floor with stencils and stamps. Some design classic will always remain, but they can be adapted to suit the current look. The wall you are to work on should be well prepared and white.

These are an excellent way of controlling where your paint goes, as well as a means of covering a surface quickly. Whatever you do, always look at other interiors, at textiles, clothing, and painting, and take your lead from those you like.

Blue with green, for example, is perfectly acceptable. You may seek guidance in color theory, but understanding the spectrum and how to mix paint will not be much help in choosing which colors to use, although it can explain why certain color combination behave in the way they do.

These are simply ways of applying and manipulating paint to create a range of surface texture. The end result will always have a quality that cannot be matched by any wallpaper.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_King

Interior Design Style and Colour Use for the Home Office (3 of 4)

There are two ways that you can go about selecting the general decor of your home office: either follow the style that prevails in the rest of your home, or treat your office as an individual space. Choosing which way to go is a simple task requiring answers to only a few questions.

> Has your home been decorated in one style that is visible throughout?

> Is your office easily visible from other rooms/areas of your home?

> Does your work suggest a style of its own?

Based on the questions above, here are a few simple ways to help you easily achieve a pleasing decor in your home office.

If you are going to treat your office as a part of your home, using the same decor and style, your job is already half done. But remember, you don't have to use the exact colour scheme or mood. You can modify what you see outside your office to blend smoothly. For instance, you can reverse the main and accent colours; you can use the same colours but in different proportions; or a different level of formality. Because you are decorating an office, it is likely that you are going to want to treat the style differently than how it appears in other areas of your home, and this is normal. Don't be afraid to create a variation in the atmosphere -- it is only the general style you are aiming to respect.

For a home office that is open within an area of your home, you are going to have to be a little more cautious. In this case, you must respect the style seen around your office, but at the same time you should definitely aim to create a sense of separation between your work space and living space. Visual separation does not mean building a wall; it means creating a new environment within the existing one. Some ways of creating visual separation include changes in ceiling height and/or floor level (a step up or down); a room divider placed to look decorative rather than confining; colour changes such as reversing the main and accent paint colours used on the walls; and furniture placement.

Placing furniture in a way that the layout separates space is fairly simple, but don't forget to play with your ideas on graph paper first or else you may find yourself still rearranging while you should already be at your desk. Consider using a large bookshelf or storage cabinet as a room divider -- the back of it can be decorated with fabric, paint, a collage... or place furniture back-to-back to create the sense of two separate zones. Keep in mind while you are working on the layout that you don't want to feel that your office is, for instance, in the back of your basement -- it is at the back of the basement. Just as words can be played with, so can space.

A home office that is to receive a style of its own is a fun thing to work out. You should aim to have a bit of who you are visible in the decor, while creating a visual sense of what you do. This is not a cubicle in a large office complex -- this is your office. If you have a love of bold patterns, classic cars, angels... incorporate them into the decor even if they have nothing to do with what you will be doing in your office. At the same time, your office should say more about whay you do that "I work at a desk." What do you do at that desk? If you are in the computer business, have things around that suggest that, like an enlarged and framed comic strip that has something to do with computers. If your office is actually more of a workshop and you do clothing alterations, incorporate your supplies into your decor: display spools of thread in a rainbow-like pattern, hand a rod a few inches from a wall and drape some fabrics over it for an ever-changing backdrop. If you work in the travel industry, have a model plane suspended, and display items or pictures symbolic of some of your favorite destinations; if it won't get in your way, have a beach ball in your office, or make a "sandbox" to hang on the wall by gluing sand to the back of a shadow box and gluing small shells onto the sand.

When choosing the colours for your office, there are a few basic points to consider. Yellows, reds, and other very warm colours in large quantities can cause you to feel thirsty. Blue is very relaxing, but be careful not to choose a bland grey-blue that can actually lead to feeling tired or restless. The best way to go about selecting the colours for your office is to choose three colours; use one as a main colour (for instance on the walls), another as the main accent colour (visible in a pattern on a rug, drapes, desk accessories...), and the third as an accent colour appearing only in splashes here and there (such as flowers in a vase, a couple of photo frames...). At this point your colour scheme is set, and all you have to do is keep in mind some basic points of colour psychology. A dark ceiling will feel very low; mirrors and reflective materials make a space feel larger; too many colours, especially bold ones, can cause a feeling of clutter even if there is none.

A final point on the topic of colour and style: materials such as woods, stone, and metal can be incorporated into any colour scheme -- although they may affect the style, they will not clash. A natural pine desk will certainly give a different look than a mahogany one, but either will match any colour scheme; ditto for stainless steel and brass, and marble and concrete.

Look for the final article from this 4-part series on home offices: Lighting and Window Treatments for the Home Office.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_S._Weiner

Asian interior design is a stylish and classy way to decorate your home. There are many ways to use this design influence in your space. Some people,

Asian interior design is a stylish and classy way to decorate your home. There are many ways to use this design influence in your space. Some people, however, are a little lost when it comes to using Asian design in their own home. Here are a few ideas to help you begin.

Using Japanese influence in your Asian decorating theme is a popular choice. There are many different ways to use this style. Japanese Shoji screens are one of the most popular choices. These are wooden frames with a lattice design. The cutouts are filled with rice paper. Some shoji screens are plain and some have beautiful designs. These screens can be used as a room divider or simply as decoration. Another thing to add to your Japanese inspired room is the Kotatsu table. This is a rectangular table in a dark finish with clean lines. Many have heaters in the middle, and are considered in Japan to be the emotional center of a home.

Woven straw mats with colored borders are popular floor coverings in Asian interiors. These mats are called goza mats. In Japan, these mats are used for walking, sitting, and sleeping. They have two separate layers. One is the straw center and the other is the soft reed outer edge covered in cloth. These floor and bench coverings will add an authentic touch to your Asian style room.

Another classic element of Asian interior design is the gong. There are several different types of gongs, and the one you choose may have much to do with the size of your space. Some gongs are very large, so your room needs to be large to accommodate them. A more manageable size would be a hanging gong. These are usually 12 inches or so and come with a mallet to ring the gong. You can find ones with a beautiful scroll design to accent your Asian decor. You can also purchase a classic gong that hangs on your wall as an art piece. These are lovely and help to tie an Asian inspired space together.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Spanish Interior Design - Step Into the Sunshine

Spanish Interior Design - Step Into the Sunshine

Do you want to make a wonderful, colourful statement in your home?

Have you ever holidayed in Spain? If so, I am sure you will be familiar with the fresh and vibrant Mediterranean style. Think about sun-kissed, rustic Spanish villas, slow, sleepy siestas, excitement-filled fiestas, and a good, old-fashioned sense of family.

This bold and colorful look will bring a really vibrant, warm and friendly feel to your home. Buzzing with energy, but at the same time, a warm and comforting place, to hold you in the bosom of your family.

This is a look which is as easy to achieve, as it is to live with. Just follow these few, simple guidelines.

Walls

Try a textured, rustic style wall, for a really authentic Spanish interior design look.

Combine this with beautiful, vibrant colors, to fill your home with Spanish sunshine style. Choose Mediterranean type colors for your look - red, orange, blue, green, brown, turquoise, terracotta, peach and pink. Use a neutral base of black and white to lighten and freshen the colors, and stop it all becoming too much of a jumble!

Flooring and Furniture

Carpet and Spanish interior design don't really go -so try to stick to a hard floor for the most authentic Spanish feel. Hardwood flooring, stone, or terracotta or ceramic tiles will all look great.

Soften the look up a little - and keep your toes warm! - by including plenty of rugs, in warm, rustic styles and tones.

The Spanish interior design look is quite simple and uncluttered - so go for a few basics of furniture, in a good quality, rustic style. Look out for dark woods, and a slightly distressed or worn finish.

If you want to go a touch more elegant, try some more decorative pieces with ornate wrought iron features.

Accessories

Wrought iron is a good look for accessories, as well as for furniture. Try chandeliers, wall-sconces and candlesticks, as well as beautiful, decorative wall-art, made from wrought iron. It will make a really unusual focal point for your room.

Also consider textile wall-hangings and tapestries - this gives a really warm look (ideal for chillier parts of the world!) and an air of real old-fashioned elegance - you know the kind - that comes without really trying...!

Religious paintings and statues (in a classic, old Catholic style) will also help you to get an authentic, elegant look in your room.

Look out for pieces of beautiful rustic, Spanish pottery - in plain terracotta, or in vibrant colors and glazes. These will give a simple, friendly, family feel to your home.

The Spanish interior design style is a great look to go for. It will give you a wonderfully bright, vibrant, warm and friendly feel to your home. It is a very dramatic look, really reminiscent of the sunny, relaxed Spain of your holidays.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Sneddon

loft in Patagonia

Architect : Pablo Velasco Suárez
Interior design : Willie Sanchez, Marcela Escalada
Photos : Daniela Mac Adden