Author: irina

Italian Design: Between Tradition and Innovation

Post author By irina
Post date July 12, 2015

Few places in the world say so much about design as Italy. From buildings with impressive details that take you on a journey through centuries to the latest innovations in ceramics, furniture and interior accessories, all reflect a place where the past and the present are in the most visible harmony.

Thanks to the invitation of our partners, Piastrelle Casa, we visited the workshops and factories that always provide excellent products in the best time and manufacturing conditions. And when we found out that we would visit Milan and Verona together for 3 days, we knew that the experience would be a creative one. Italy still manages to surprise us, each time more beautifully and unexpectedly.

Thus, Milan awaited us with innovation in design, in the Gessi showroom – a showroom dedicated to sanitary ware. (http://www.gessi.it). Among bathtubs and bathroom faucets, spa solutions, each with an elegant and glam concept, we found an impressive room, designed to allow customers to experience the new and very creative style of the renowned Italian interior design.

Aster kitchen manufacturer (http://www.astercucine.it/eng/# ) has strengthened our belief that the place where most friendships are made is the kitchen. For this reason, we are so focused on completing this room down to the smallest detail in all our projects. The attention to detail that we find in all Italian showrooms has become the label enjoyed by this successful industry. And Aster produces furniture pieces whose finishes reach perfection, in natural wood combined with metal, which represents the newest line recently launched, simple but elegant. With furniture joints made at 45 degrees from the best materials in the world, the Italian manufacturer is a trendsetter in kitchen design.

The small town of Modenese hosts the Florim factory and showroom (http://www.florim.it/en/). Specialized in ceramic tiles and wall tiles with a design in simple, architectural lines, with stocks of over 35 million square meters, Florim is one of the Italian manufacturers recognized globally. Thanks to the impressive technology they have developed in creating ceramic solutions, they have integrated 4 different brands that tell their story in the most beautiful way.

Rex – http://www.rex-cerart.it/en/ is the luxury range, made of natural and precious materials, the range from which marble, leather, wood and stone cladding can be made. Each product used correctly creates a space full of style and elegance, a style that more and more designers are approaching in current projects.

Floor Gres: http://www.floorgres.it/en/, Cerim – http://www.cerim.it/en/, Casa dolce casa- http://cdccmd.florim.it/en/ are the additions to the layouts with solutions for simple, high-end residential projects in visual harmonies by combining natural materials of different textures and colors.

The ideal completion of a visit to Italy bears the Imola Ceramica signature, a place that defines itself as the perfect balance between innovation and tradition, as it was created from the beginning. The 141 years since the first ceramic tile was cast reflect the confirmation of an Italian success story. The chic showroom is the combination of two styles, modern design with old architecture, as we met some of the examples even among the homes in the area. The Italian factory produces unique, elegant models for post-industrial architecture in more than 3000 square meters. The journey in each room is a reinvention of the history of this place where any visitor can admire the transformation in stages and the renovation to which the 18th century glass factory was subjected into a contemporary space. Each room writes its own story as a passage through significant decades and historical periods and the visitor has the chance for a tactile experience in different forms. http://www.imolaceramica.com/en/

The last day welcomed us with the fresh and strong mountain air, in the city of love and Italy’s signature architecture. Verona, with its cobblestone streets and buildings dating back more than two centuries, with the success story built by the Italians around Juliet, was the completion of an impressive journey. And the ceramic tiles, floral exhibitions and design details are successfully implemented in every place you step in Verona. In perfect harmony, the past manages not to seem at all out of date in front of technological evolution and global trends, also set by the Italians.

All the products viewed and the entire experience takes shape today in the new Piastrelle Casashowroom. This showroom showcases new furniture and decor, while maintaining the variety and quality of ceramic products that have always impressed us.

Design Idei

Interior Design Ideas for Small Kitchens

Post author By irina
Post date July 4, 2015

There are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to save space in your kitchen drawers and cabinets. You just need a creative approach to design.

Find a specific place for each item in the kitchen.

A small kitchen can become cramped very quickly. The space can seem messy and dirty even if it really isn’t. If every item has its place and is kept there, the kitchen will look tidier and more spacious.

Plus, you’ll know where to quickly find each object!

7 smart storage ideas for small kitchens!

Hanging dish dryer

If you have a small kitchen and use a dryer, this idea will work just fine for you. Place a drying rack above the sink to save space. Also, the water will just fall into the sink while drying. So ingenious!

Utensil Hanger

Countertop space is very precious in a small kitchen, so try to use the walls for storing various items. Store pots and pans on racks attached to the ceiling, and smaller items on a shelf attached to the wall.

This will save counter space, help you stay organized, and free up your cabinets for storing large, unsightly items.

Hanging jars

How ingenious are these jars?

They are a great way to store things you need on a regular basis, and they are actually pretty, so they are perfect for decorating small kitchens!

Built-in chopper

Storing food shredders can be a bit tricky.

They’re always falling over other things or stacked in hard-to-reach places. Insert the shredder into the furniture.

A brilliant idea!

Shoe organizer, used for the pantry.

Using every inch of your pantry can be a challenge, which is why I loved this rack in the kitchen.

Add a shoe organizer behind your pantry door for more food storage options!

Lid Rack

You’re constantly searching for the lids to the pots you use. Why are they never stored together? We love this clever idea of storing pot lids on the inside of a cabinet door. It’s a great way to save space in your kitchen cabinet!

Drawer dividers

We rarely use all the space in our kitchen drawers, which is why we loved this idea.

By using drawer dividers, you optimize your kitchen space while keeping it organized.

Design

Creating an Iconic American Interior

Post author By irina
Post date July 4, 2015

How to create a space inspired by eight influential styles found in cities across the United States.

Cape Cod Space

Feel at home in a Cape Cod interior with beach-inspired colors like sage green, yellow, tan, and white.

Paint your window trim white to brighten it up and give the space a refreshing, fresh look.

Choose charming floral patterns or striped furniture patterns for a Cape Cod-style interior, wherever you are.

San Francisco Ambiance

To bring Victorian style into your home, opt for decorating your house with classic and elegant furniture.

Lush draperies and decorative moldings will enhance the richness of the space.

For an eclectic ambiance, opt for formal furniture and rich draperies. Add elegant accessories, such as gilded candlesticks and tasseled pillows.

Charleston Ambiance

Place formal, traditional, symmetrical furniture on an ornamental rug to bring the Charleston style to your living room.

Use light curtains for an airy and bright room, and accessorize with decorative pillows and antiques for a stunning effect.

Los Angeles Ambiance

Create a modern look with elegant furniture, solid parquet flooring, and flowing curtains that enhance the room from the ceiling to the floor.

Decorate the space with modern art and unique pieces, arranged in an airy way, for a minimalist look that preserves an open and spacious interior.

New Orleans Ambiance

Find vintage furniture or accent pieces that have cast iron elements or gold portions. Use accents of purple, green, and gold to achieve the desired ambiance and a Mardi Gras feel.

New Orleans is all about French-inspired interiors, decorative moldings, and elegant furniture.

Key West Ambience

For an interior inspired by Key West decor, paint the walls a bright white and choose large pieces of furniture.

Highlight the white with bright colors like fuchsia and royal blue, and incorporate summer-inspired floral patterns. Opt for a woven or floral-print rug over a solid wood floor. Opt for wicker and greenery to complement the look.

Chicago Ambiance

The interior of a prairie-style home includes many horizontal lines. Create this setting by using wood trim around windows and along the ceiling.

Choose a neutral color for the walls to better highlight the rest of the elements. To define the space, opt for a rug placed over solid parquet, and neutral upholstered furniture.

Santa Fe Ambiance

To achieve a Southwestern look, use a warm color for natural stone walls and floors. Use rich browns for wood and leather upholstered furniture.

Opt for geometric fabric accents to make the space larger.

Use light, airy fabrics for windows, pairing natural elements with rustic accessories like pottery to enhance the look.

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Epoxy Resin Flooring in Interior Design

Post author By irina
Post date June 25, 2015

We recently developed a design project for a 3-bedroom apartment in a nearby neighborhood, on which we focused on ideas that we implemented for the first time. The epoxy resin floor is for us a surprising experience and an inspired choice.

Epoxy resin floors are sustainable solutions for both industrial, commercial and, more recently, residential projects. While in other Western European countries or in America this type of flooring has been successfully implemented in design projects, in other places, we are only starting to enjoy this option.

Resin offers the advantage of an extremely hard surface, with a high degree of flexibility under stress, offering durability under impact and thermal shock. This type of flooring has become popular mainly due to its glam appearance but also its advantages and features. Thus, it is gaining ground over conventional surfaces, such as parquet or tiles, being initially a recommended approach for kitchens.

Hygiene and maintenance

A continuous surface, without thresholds, partitions or separation lines, it provides an impenetrable barrier and requires only efficient and easy cleaning.

Attractiveness and safety

The design of the floor can have countless variations, both in color and surface. Whether we choose a diverse range of colors or patterns, the attractiveness of this surface is certainly undeniable. In terms of safety, an anti-slip version can be achieved by adding aggregates with granulometry to the base layer.

Low long-term costs

Epoxy resin flooring offers a cost-effective long-term solution due to its very high durability, interior designers recommending it also because of its excellent quality.

If initially this option for home decoration could not be taken into account, designers have developed a series of impressive projects for the most diverse rooms, whether we are talking about high surfaces or less spacious apartments. And the results are among the most beautiful and inspired ones, with unique and very current design details.

Design

Marsala in Interior Design

Post author By irina
Post date June 1, 2015

You might think that Marsala, the 2015 color of the year, is only used in the fashion & beauty industry. Inspired designers have successfully adapted it to interior design and object design. Marsala is described as an earthy, natural and robust wine red, a standard of elegance and style.
When applied in interior design, Marsala offers a royal and luxurious, aesthetic look.

From orchid-like hues to bold berry shades, Marsala works well with charcoal grays, beiges, and light sand tones.

If you’re looking for a more impactful approach, this year’s color can also be paired with navy blue or turquoise.

Designers may recommend painting an entire room or wall Marsala, and if this idea doesn’t suit your style, there are countless other ways to incorporate the 2015 color into your home decor.

Pillows, bedding, or different fabrics all allow for a successful Marsala-inspired experience.

A piece of furniture in this year’s color can illustrate an inspired contrast for a monotonous room, whether we are talking about a leather sofa, a wardrobe or a coffee table, but also the chic chairs of the dining table.

In design, Marsala is often associated with pieces in gold decorations, with an elegant candle or a vase in various shapes.

A chair with velvet upholstery or a painting with strong accents next to neutral furniture represents a confirmation of style, which clearly and unequivocally shows us that this color is not for everyone but can have amazing results.

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Interior Design Ideas for a Small Balcony

Post author By irina
Post date May 27, 2015

If you yearn for more space on your balcony, know that you are not alone. Millions of people around the world live in the same conditions as you, in apartments that are not very spacious and with a very small balcony, but for which solutions can always be found. Architects propose creative options from which you can be inspired so that your space becomes your desired place.

Believe it or not, maximizing your space doesn’t have to be a complicated process and the cliché that a balcony is too small to enjoy ideas shouldn’t be on your mind. Some spaces can benefit from amazing results if the tips properly understood.

Choose as many plants as possible!

The key to an outdoor space is to…remember that it’s outdoors! An empty balcony lacks personality, but adding plants will add an element of natural beauty that reinforces the feeling of spending time in nature. Carefully selected flower pots will make a long-awaited statement for your soul.

Comfort is food for the soul!

The balcony should keep its purpose, namely to be a relaxing space for anybody on a Sunday morning or evening after a tiring day at work. The plants are in their place but what do you do with the remaining space? Depending on how much your balcony allows, you can arrange a small sofa or a table with chairs.

In life, we often have to set our priorities. In design, this is a basic principle. When it comes to the smallest spaces, we will have to make some crucial choices. Are plants your priority? Do you want a place to laze around and enjoy the view? Then the designer will recommend filling the space with the things you love but will remind you that there is a strong impact even in simplicity. If you have imagined a quiet place, then go for the chic elegant version, with a couple of white chairs with a modern design through which you will make a statement for your soul.

Design your space!

No matter where we live, we learn that ideas from Paris, Milan or Barcelona can be easily implemented everywhere. When it comes to outdoor design, we need to consider as many details as possible. Plan as much time as possible for the design of this special space, it will most often become your best friend. Plan exactly the features for relaxation and design and the color strategy to create the desired atmosphere. While some balconies proudly display a few carefully placed objects, your balcony can also contain practical elements.

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Recommended Colors for a Child’s Room

Post author By irina
Post date May 23, 2015

The Psychological Effects of Colors in a Child’s Room

Learn how colors can affect a child’s behavior.

When we decorate a room, we choose colors based on our preferences. This is often the right choice, but selecting colors in interior design is not that simple. Each shade has different effects on the human body and mind, so it is important to take this aspect into account, especially when the subject of interior design is the child’s room.

Learn how colors influence a child’s development and behavior and choose the right color for her/his room.

WARM COLORS

Warm colors typically stimulate the mind and energize the body. They make large spaces feel warm and inviting. However, they are not particularly relaxing, so they are not recommended for the rooms of very energetic children.

Use an orange accent to give a modern touch to the decorated space.

For a balanced decor, combine warm and cool shades.

Warm, comforting, and cozy, orange is a color that stimulates and encourages social interaction and communication. However, too much orange, especially if it’s a strong shade, can be overstimulating.

YELLOW

Yellow is a cheerful and vibrant color that gives any room a sunny and bright look. It is a color associated with happiness. Depending on the shade and intensity, subtle yellow improves concentration while bright shades can stimulate memory.

RED

Use red only as an accent color in combination with cool colors.

Red is one of the colors that is not recommended for a child’s room, since it is associated with aggression, inability to focus and causing headaches. Of course, this only happens if it is used in excess. If used correctly, red can actually have good effects, such as energizing the body and increasing athletic ability.

PINK

This is the color universally associated with girly things and princesses, and it’s no coincidence. Pink is a calming and relaxing color, evoking femininity and empathy. Initially, it has a calming effect, but it can lead to agitation and anxiety, so don’t use only pink in your interior design.

COOL COLORS

Compared to warm colors, cool tones usually have a calming effect on the body and mind. They are used in interior design because they create spaciousness and comfort. However, dark shades should be moderately and properly used in interior design in order to avoid creating a gloomy atmosphere.

BLUE

Blue is the opposite of red. It has a calming effect, lowers blood pressure, and reduces anxiety and aggression. Blue is also a good color choice if you want to create a cool environment in a warm, humid place. However, some specific shades, such as gray-blue, can create a rather gloomy ambiance.

GREEN

Verdele este abundent in natura, folositi-l ca sursa de inspiratie — Green is found anywhere in nature, use it as a source of inspiration

Green is associated with nature, symbolizing health and well-being. It has a calming effect on the body, increases focus, and some studies show that it can even improve reading ability. These characteristics make green the optimal color to use in interior design for study environments.

PURPLE

This color is also glamorous and mysterious, perfect if you want to create an interior design with a more sophisticated look.

The color is associated with royalty and luxury, but also with wisdom and spirituality. Pastel shades such as lilac and lavender are calming and serene. At the same time, darker shades can be harsh and aggressive.

WHITE

Angelic and pure, white is associated with innocence and inspires a calm and cool atmosphere. White is also associated with secrecy, modernity, so it is best to add a splash of color to your interior design to evoke openness, communication.

GRAY

A few subtle shades of pink, green, and purple can create a balanced interior design.

Although gray is often seen as a gloomy and sad color, it can also evoke other emotions. For example, gray inspires contemplation and thus has a calming and relaxing effect. However, it mostly inspires loneliness, so it is preferable to use it in combination with warm tones and bright colors in interior design.

BLACK

Although not a conventional choice in interior design, a darker decor for a child’s room can be relaxing.

Black elements are rarely used in the interior design of children’s rooms. It is a strong and dark color and should be properly used in interior design. It is recommended to use it if the room has large windows, lots of natural light and it is recommended to use it in combination with contrasting shades.

BROWN

Use contrasts to your advantage to highlight certain accents of the interior design.

Earthy, warm and stable, brown is a great color for decorating a child’s room. However, try to use either dark brown or beige to avoid creating an unpleasant decor due to associations with ugly and dirty things.

Design Noutati

Interior Designer Dubai – Advantages

Post author By irina
Post date May 16, 2015

After visiting sites like Pinterest.com or watching reality shows that focus on home remodeling, you may want to start your own interior design project. For this purpose, you will need an interior designer.

Before you begin this interior design project, it is important to ask yourself: realistically, can I successfully complete this project on my own or do I need to hire an interior designer?

If there is even a shred of doubt in your answer, consider consulting an interior designer for help. Too many people assume they can do it without the help of an interior designer, and the final results are expensive and even disappointing. With the help of a good interior designer, the result will far exceed expectations.

Below, you will find some reasons that will definitely convince you of the necessity of hiring an interior designer when it comes to your apartment interior design project.

Save Money

If you are planning to redecorate a single room or even your entire house, consider the possibility of overspending. At first, hiring an interior designer may seem like an unnecessary cost. Unfortunately, when you tackle an interior design project on your own, unbudgeted expenses will inevitably arise, exceeding the amount allocated to the project, ultimately resulting in a lot of extra expenses.

A good interior designer can help you have a clear vision for your project, including a well-established schedule and budget. With good drawings and technical specifications, an interior designer can ensure that your apartment or house interior design project will not have costly overruns and that the project will proceed on schedule, without major and unexpected changes.

Choosing the Best Option

In the interior design industry, there are an overwhelming number of options to choose from when determining the style and functionality of the space you are decorating. While it is good to have many options, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your budget, resources, and personal taste. An interior designer can help eliminate options that are not practical.

There are many technical considerations to take into account when designing your home’s interior, in addition to creating a beautiful and coherent look. From creating a concept and drawing up plans, to selecting the right materials and finishes, there is a wide range of options available on the market today, especially on the Internet. Selection can be difficult and expensive if the client makes the wrong choices of materials and installation, choices that lead to modifications and replacements. A good interior designer will spare you from these inconveniences, taking all these important aspects into account from the beginning.

Matching Decorative Elements

If you are intrigued by aspects such as – what colors you should use, what furniture styles would look best in your home or how to create an attractive and unified look throughout the house, you need the advice of an interior designer.

It is recommended to contact an interior designer from the very beginning of the architectural planning and design. When the plans are created, an interior designer can review the overall flow of the house, often offering advice on the optimal configuration of the kitchen and bathroom, as well as on achieving a truly optimized and functional home.

Projects Finished on Time

Are you in a time crunch with completing your apartment or house interior design project? This is an ideal situation to invest in an interior designer. Builders appreciate using an interior designer on a project due to their advanced abilities to control and streamline the client-builder-project relationship. Construction/design delays occur when clients can not decide on functions – finalizing plans, models, colors. An interior designer follows the pre-established schedule and leads their clients through the right channels, so that the builders can finish their work on time, without changes and delays in the interior design project.

Discover little-known resources

A good interior designer has access to a wide selection of products, materials and furniture, which are not available to the general public. For homeowners who want a unique setting, contacting an interior designer is the best way to achieve the desired result.

Ensure the best quality

Unless you have worked on electrical, plumbing, or construction projects, you are probably not familiar with quality standards and safety codes. An interior designer can verify the proper execution of the work so that you do not need to invest time and money in fixing errors that occur along the way.

A professional interior designer knows the construction process, thus being used to managing the builders and auxiliary teams. A good interior designer will schedule the deliveries of materials and goods according to the stages of the work. The interior designer will inspect the construction site to ensure that the work is proceeding according to plan. Last but not least, the technical specifications in the interior design project are respected.

Design Idei

The interior design of the dressing room

Post author By irina
Post date May 1, 2015

Efficient dressing room arrangement

Expert advice and strategies for completely eliminating chaos and creating well-organized closets.

Double Bar – Hanging rods with hooks mounted over existing rods are a smart, inexpensive, and quick way to create extra space for small clothes.
Valet Hook
On the outside of your closet, mount a hook or removable rod to hang freshly cleaned and ironed clothes before putting them in the closet. You can also use it to prepare clothes for parties, vacations, or for going to the office the next day.
Hangers
There’s a good reason why wire hangers are free: They’re practically worthless. If you want to prolong the lifespan of your clothes, don’t hang them on flimsy wire or plastic hangers. Wooden hangers and padded hangers are the best ways to keep your clothes looking new.
Baskets
Place wallets and small clutch bags in baskets. This keeps them organized and prevents them from getting tangled and damaged.
Hooks
Straps invariably get tangled or lost on the floor or in the closet. The solution? An elegant hook that keeps them organized and takes up minimal space. This way they will be easily accessible and easy to find.
Boxes
Instead of filling your dresser drawer with various jewelry boxes, store them in your closet. In the attached photo, small labeled boxes are nested inside a larger box that can be placed on a shelf.
Shoe “pockets”
An innovative, shorter version of the traditional shoe rack fits perfectly with a double-bar system.
Shoes on the door
A simple trick: Mount a shelf on the back of the closet door where you can store several pairs of shoes, scarves, and bags.
Shoe rack
If you store your shoes on the floor, for a better view of your collection, opt for a sloping rack that rises from front to back. Opt for one with semicircular rubber strips or other materials that prevent your shoes from slipping.
Clear Shoe Boxes
Clear plastic shoe boxes are great for shoes, but they also make perfect drawers for underwear. Offering visibility, flexibility, and accessibility, they meet the concept of smart design.
Hanging shelf
If you don’t have enough shelves in your closet, hang a fabric shelf on your clothes rail. A unit with drawers can also provide storage for socks and underwear.
Shelf dividers
These will prevent leaning towers of cashmere from tipping over (even if the sweaters aren’t perfectly folded) and keep things organized.

Design Idei

How to design a small bathroom!

Post author By irina
Post date April 30, 2015

One of the biggest challenges is designing a small bathroom in a way that accommodates all the essential items.

There are so many objects, from makeup kits, razors, personal care products, towels, everything has to find its place in a cramped space.

An interior designer will recommend reliable solutions to enhance your small bathroom, improving its practical aspects at the same time.

Add a shelf above the sink for easy access to the things you use every day. The space above the toilet can be an inspired solution for shelves or a basket for magazines, towels or cosmetics. Light colors could also be a solution for making your bathroom seem less cramped, along with practical furniture pieces in the same shade.

The shower cabin design has been improved in the recent years, leaving the classic version in the past. The bathroom design should consider introducing an open shower cabin, with a glass door, so that the bathroom appears larger than it actually is. Along with it, the zigzag design tiles complement the entire concept so that the space appears more extended.

Tags Design interior