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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Artistic Spiral Staircases

Fall has come early. With back-to-school and other activities, my work and projects and some studying (all me) and now the kids sick with different ailments, I have fallen a little behind with my posts.

Here are some spiral staircases which are works of art. All quite amazing but I would question the functionality of a couple. Perhaps they are meant to be just art.

A focal point, centered in this space.
This modern and minimalist spiral staircase Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

Space-saving design. I love the pop of color, too.
Beautiful Unusual Cool Space Saving Staircase Design1 463x600 Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

Beautifully done in metal.
Translucent stair tower knits together two floors 450x600 Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

An interesting creation. To me it almost mimics the spine of a prehistoric animal because of some aspect of the curve and to some degree the shape of the treads - does anyone else get that? I could almost envision this on display in the Museum of Natural History. The treads look like they could be slippery with almost invisible handrails.
Wooden steps and steel railings stairs design produces a truly beautiful and unique look 493x600 Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

I love the effect of the light within this sweeping staircase.
Spiral staircase not only connects two floors Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

This work of art can be enjoyed on  two levels.
Albini Fontanot Stairs Design made by Wood Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

Modern and decorative.
Great decorative solution for any modern interior stairs 461x600 Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

Minimalistic. A barely-there staircase.
Curved spiral staircase minimalist design Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House
Interesting combination of materials - feels rustic yet contemporary.
Curved oversized staircase is the main communications stairs 450x600 Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House

This one seems suspended in the air. I think this one is really meant to be a form of art. The treads do  not seem functional to me. What do you think?
Great decorative staircase produced by Edilco Amazing Spiral Staircase Design Ideas for Small Space House
 All images via

I think my favorites would be the first one and the sweeping one with the amazing light. Which one would you pick?

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.
Lisa

Friday, September 16, 2011

Luxurious Bathrooms with A View

These were designed to maximize amazing, serene, magnificent views.

With a Japanese garden.

Panoramic views on top of a hill.

Warm tones and bathed in natural light.

Stunning ocean views.

Overlooking a grove of aspens.

Unique plaster which reflects light and a planned view of the church steeple.

Floor-to-ceiling windows.

Indoor-outdoor environment with picture window and skylight.

Old meets new - a contemporary space with a view of an Austrian castle.

Aren't these so beautiful? I think each one succeeds in creating a relaxing space by drawing in the outdoors. I really could not pick one favorite but if I had to I would have to pick three - the one with the ocean view (love any water views), the one with the aspen grove has an amazing shower and the indoor-outdoor bath exudes warmth. Do you like the idea of making the most of the outdoors when designing a bathroom? Which one is your favorite?

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.
Lisa

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Living Room In Progress

My living room has been a work in progress for some months now. I started to think about the revision during last winter when we were stuck indoors a lot. I love moving furniture around, looking at new and interesting layouts and searching through my closets to swap decorative items around. I certainly cannot display all that I have at the same time.

The updating process primarily began because I wanted to change the color of the walls and we had also purchased a couple of beautiful pieces of furniture on a trip last year. Our grand piano had to be moved from what had been the perfect spot by a window (but with a radiator below which was not good for the piano). Thus began a ripple effect.

Today I will share some of the progress with you. (Some of these pictures were taken, at the time, just for my benefit).

This was the living room some years ago, newly painted.

On the wall, Benjamin Moore's
and a shade darker in Dill Pickle as the fireplace accent color.

A few years ago. 

This past winter break I had a couple of days to myself with nothing scheduled and decided to seize the opportunity and after sample-testing three other similar options (sorry no pics) changed the wall color to Benjamin Moore's Meditation. I wanted a more modern, calming color to balance the gold-toned items in the room.
   Meditation

When decorating a space, I don't like competition but harmony and balance and at the same time I strive toward interest, not boredom.

I have a small collection of pillow covers so I changed those around while working through a couple of different color palettes on the Hepburn sofa from Ethan Allen. On the wall behind the couch is a serigraph by the artist Itzchak Tarkay. I love it's vibrant colors for which the artist is known. This was purchased at a school fundraiser art auction. I plan to move it to a wall by the piano. I think now it would look better there. More on that in another post.

Working with a more neutral and muted palette briefly ...I have had these raw silk cushion covers for a while, bought in India. I like the reverse color cut work pattern on them and the beautiful steely shade of grey.

The enamel flower centerpiece I found at a local household/gift boutique where I buy affordable hostess gifts as well as small teacher appreciation gifts. I purchased it with a gift card I had received. It was displayed on a plate rack but I thought I would try it like this for a little while. You can catch a glimpse of a sparkly crystal votive.

Up close.


A few weeks ago I shared this collage with you of some decorative pieces which I am using to incorporate blue, green, teal, turquoise as pops of color to the room.

For example, this handmade mid-century stoneware vase via Etsy. A stunning piece in shades of turquoise with a pretty pattern.

Hand-blown Maltese glass vase also via Etsy. I love the swirls and splatter pattern.

Pillow covers - teal, part of a pair gifted to me, and the green embroidered one I purchased on a trip to India). Another reason I chose the wall color is because I liked the effect of the warm gold sofa (here to stay and not being reupholstered) against the grey wall.

This figurine was purchased in Bali by my husband on a work trip a few years ago.

I would like to include this silver tea set which belonged to a family member and was passed on to me and I like the idea of combining silver and gold. The silver-plated tray I have had for many years.

This is how a part of it looks now while I work on the various elements. The coffee table vignette is obviously not done. Here I am playing around with items and color combinations, also looking to combine silver and gold. I need to add more height (some books, maybe candlesticks).

In place of the artwork I have plans to put up these decals from Modern Wall Graphics which I ordered in beige.
images via 
Ornate decorative wall decals stickers
Here I am just working out the layout of the decals without measuring, just to give myself an idea. You get a glimpse of sheers from Pottery Barn and ivory hand loom silk curtains from west elm (bought on sale earlier this year; love the texture which lends the subtle pattern).


At first, I wanted to add a large mirror to this wall but decided on these decals instead and I might put up a few smaller mirrors on the same wall. I found some great pieces recently, like this one below.
That's all I have for you today. I will share more progress with you in time as it all falls into place. The room has come a long way. So much more to do. Big transformation, don't you think? 

Linking this up to Roomspiration at View Along the Way and Room by Room at Cottage & Vine
Roomspiration
http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/ 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.
Lisa

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Entryway at Roomspiration Blog Hop & Link Party

I have featured my entryway a couple of times since my first post back in May. Today I am linking up my entryway to the Roomspiration Blog Hop & Link Party on Abode Love and I have added a few additional pictures.

I live in a 1939 side-hall colonial which originally had white siding and a white front door. I decided to change the color of the outside to a pale yellow and for a soft but noticeable contrast, this blue door. The color of the door is somewhere between Marlboro Blue and Blue Hydrangea by Benjamin Moore

I love the effect of the blue against the yellow walls. The walls are American Cheese by Benjamin Moore, where it is described as a "happy yellow-orange". This side of the house gets less sunlight and this shade of yellow lights up the foyer during the day.


In honor of the anniversary of 9/11

I  managed to dig a "before" picture up. This was while we were going through construction six years ago (we lived in the house during those four to five months). The previous owners had a orangey-brown tile on the floor (no pictures) which I decided to remove and replace with wood.

This is how it looks today. Ignore the runner going up the stairs - 10 years old, faded and well-worn it needs to be replaced. The bench is one of my favorite finds. I love the tiles on it. I purchased it online at Target, initially for my back patio but I decided not to weatherproof it and placed it in the entryway instead of a regular table.

This mirror is one of my first consignment store purchases. You would have seen it above in the "before" picture with it's original gold-toned color. I loved the unusual shape and this space needed a mirror and some curves! My father painted it for me in this metallic pewter paint (I forget the brand I used, this was done a few years ago). I wanted to balance the yellow walls with a cooler frame.

Cactus from the local Trader Joe's where I shop often.  


This multiple votive holder was purchased on a trip to India. It is reminiscent of Portuguese ceramic tiles (as are the tiles on the bench).


The bench has a lot of character.

I received flowers in this stunning royal blue vase from a dinner guest many years ago. It's a sizeable piece.


I also have these ceramic plates on the wall across from the bench and heading towards the kitchen the mirror from Overstock. It is reverse painted on glass. Overstock has a good selection of these.


So there you have it, my entryway. I need a rug by the bench. I have a couple of options. I will add more artwork/photographs on the wall leading up the stairs.

Remember to visit Abode Love to join in and/or view other entries to this party. I plan to link up the progress on my living room next so stay tuned.
Roomspiration
If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.
Lisa