April 5th, 2012
Today I would like to talk about a company that one must consider when it comes to table lamps. We have used Porta Romana products in a number of projects: their products are not only luxurious but are also incredibly well crafted and designed. I absolutely love how this shade compliments the base – an example of superb design:
Porta Romana also have some designs which are a little more edgy but which still retain their classy look.
One thing that you continue to notice as you go through Porta Romana’s collection is how hard they work to ensure that each base has a shade whose tone perfectly its tone. This awesome, earthy looking lamp is a stunning example:
To look at more or Porta Romana’s stunning products click here!
Tags: porta romana
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April 4th, 2012
Last week we showed you an overview of a recently finished project in Putney, today we are going to show you even more detail on the gorgeous design for the living area!
One of my favourite elements in this area is the coffee table, it is bold, modern and chunky – it works perfectly to bring together the very traditional designs of the sofa and chairs and really help highlight the pops of colour. The window seating was actually one of the only pieces of the previous design that was kept and it works great with the new cushions and shutters. The drinks cabinet on the right is an absolute god-send in an area that is used for a lot of entertaining!
See how well the table off sets the pops of colours in the bespoke rug?!
The blue in the rug was picked to specially match these beautiful stools, it’s always so exciting to see a more modern take on a very traditional rug design and the bright blue, orange and yellow really make this rug a centre piece.
The base colour for the rug was also designed to work well with the high back chairs that are in a beautiful brushed cotton, these chairs also help to zone the room so that you can feel like you are completely secluded and not part of the kitchen area – something that is so important in an open plan space.
Even from this angle the living area is very separate from both the dining table and kitchen – it’s own little haven within this gorgeous large space.
What’s your favourite design element in this room?
Tags: Interior Design, interior design in putney, living space, luxury design, luxury homes, putney interior designer
Posted in Interior Design, Our Service, Wonderful Homes | 1 Comment »
April 3rd, 2012
Wow, that was my instant reaction to this gorgeous floating black staircase – I just love it!
This would be a gorgeous feature to base a design around!
via desire to inspire – desiretoinspire.net – Minimalist staircase.
Tags: black, black and white design, black floating stairs, floating, monochrome, staircase, stairs
Posted in Design Inspiration | 3 Comments »
April 2nd, 2012
I truly believe that you can’t lose when you install windows of this magnitude: instead of worrying about what wall-covering to put up you can have an ever changing view to stare at (save your funky wall-covering for another wall: you know how much we love them!). Safe to say that if you agree with me you have to admire this bit of architecture:
However, as nice as this picture is it could be (if one were in a splitting hairs mood) described as a very nice but slightly generic bit of architecture. However, the next picture really sells the property to me from architecture standpoint:
This post-modern Mediterranean design gives the property another feather in its cap and an unexpected dimension. For me this is what design is all about: merging styles that other people dare not: it is called innovation!
Credit: Freshome
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Tags: huge windows
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March 30th, 2012
Bar stools for a modern home can really add a wow point in an interior design, especially if they are in an open plan setting. Recently we have been looking for some gorgeous modern bar stools for a project we are working on outside London.
From left to right: Tonic Home Rings Barstool, Calligaris Even Leather and Rofl Benz #625. I love the ones on the right as I think they just instantly scream WOW! The ones of the left are gorgeous classic Italian designs.
Tags: bar stool, bar stools, kitchen stool, stools
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March 29th, 2012
I believe that the term ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ has never been more apt! Next time you have near death experience in your ’6-figure’ car do not immediately ascertain its value as scrap metal, instead take inspiration from French designer Charly Molinelli. He turned a depressing wreck into an undisputed feature piece:
Obviously this is wonderful stand alone piece which would provide a massive talking point within any room but we must also consider the overarching philosophical design principle that this piece uncovers. I have said to many clients on many occasions that imperfections are acceptable, and indeed sometimes preferable, as long as the designer draws attentions to the imperfection and makes it quite clear to anyone viewing the room that any attention that it is gaining is intentional. For example, many houses in London have walls that are in desperate need of re-plastering but I, for one, feel that ‘weathered’ walls can give a room a real identity if used in the correct scenario and if they are highlighted confidently (one can, for example, quite harshly light such a wall and make a feature of the imperfections). In this case when the designer saw this:
He was really seeing this:
You see, highlighting something that is utterly imperfect can create an alluring piece as long as it is presented correctly and confidently!
Credit: Enpundit
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Tags: coffee table, ferrari, luxury design, recycle
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March 28th, 2012
A few weeks ago we gave you a sneak peak in to this project (see that here) and now we have the big reveal. The project was to turn a 4 bedroom, 1 bathroom in to a more modern living space for a family, this meant that we needed to get creative with the space and it also mean that we managed to go from having 1 bathroom to having 4! (oh and a study/gym too!)
The main living space is a wonderful entertaining area with an open-plan kitchen that leads into a wonderful dining and living area, we had to make the most of every bit of space but wanted to make sure that the whole house retained a light and airy feel.
For the kitchen we decided to go with a gorgeous green quite traditional door and go for more modern handles to pull it together with the rest of the room. The stunning walnut worktop is all one piece and was apparently quite a challenge for the builders to get in!
The study is right off the kitchen – you just see those two mirrors on the right, well one of them is a mirror and one of them is a hidden door to the study/gym area! We decided to go for a really gorgeous splash of colour in this room, it looks wonderful when you have the door open to the living room – you barely even notice the running machine! The boy’s bedroom gives them a great amount of room to play. One of my favourite rooms in the house however is the master bedroom – it is so serene when you walk in here and that headboard is just a masterpiece!
And last but by no means least is the hallway (with a custom Kia Designs rug!) and the bathrooms. The one one the left is the master bathroom and I think my favourite room in the whole house – that mirror is even more divine in person and the colour is beautiful! The two images on the right are the guest bathroom and the boy’s bathroom – how cute is having a chandelier in the boy’s bathroom??!
What is your favourite part of the design? We will be doing special blog posts on each part over the next few weeks so let us know if there is a room you are dying to know more about and we will be sure to put as much information as we can in!
Tags: creating luxury homes, designer in putney, Interior Design, interior designer, interior designer in putney, kia designs projects, luxury design, luxury homes, luxury interior design, luxury interior designer
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March 27th, 2012
I love the bright and bold colours being used by The Velvet Chair Company. The would add a fantastic splash of colour to any room. The come in a single, a love tub and they also do a matching ottoman and with the chairs starting at £385 they are a complete steal!
They are being sold exclusively at Oliver Bonas!
The Velvet Chair Company.
Tags: bright, bright blue, bright colours, chair, color, colour, pop of colour, velvet
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March 26th, 2012
When it comes to architecture I am a big fan of having various levels changes and a lack of symmetry; as a result this home really appeals to me!
I think it is fantastic how this home melds into its landscape: the wooden walkways certainly add to the idea of isolation and the multiple windows that the house boasts makes it look irresistibly alluring as one walks towards it. The pool is also a really nice touch as is the way that the top level hangs over it:
The above picture really illustrates just how natural the home feels: not only can you overlook greenery whilst in the pool but the wood chosen for the decking compliments the surroundings perfectly. An eye for detail also makes a home like this even that bit more special: the triangular window is a nice post-modern touch that confirms that this architect is able to break rules whilst creating a very special home.
Credit: Freshome
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Tags: coastal home, modern, Rural living
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March 23rd, 2012
Most of the projects we take on tend to be full scale refurbishments, with this in mind we are often looking at a completely blank slate at the beginning of the project. For me one of the most important parts to get right are the fixtures (get them wrong and they are a pain to fix later in the project). Radiators are a fixture that can add a huge amount to the design of a project but are often very overlooked. Here are a few of my favourite radiator picks.
I adore this radiator as it is a feature piece in its own right – now obviously you wouldn’t use it in every room
Arteplano from £1764 (Yes that gorgeous piece to the left of the console is actually a radiator!!)
Classic radiator from £343
Thermo glass radiator from £1407
A very eclectic selection of radiators!
Tags: designer radiator, glass radiator, on the serach for, radiator
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March 22nd, 2012
I must admit that I have a problem resisting low-line coffee tables! I think that any distinct level change within design allows individual pieces to shine whilst simultaneously working in conjunction with their counterparts within the room. Notice with this design how the base is very small: this results in it being as invisible as possible to a person in a standing position:
Of course, the design of this piece would all be for nothing if it was not complimented by a amazing top – in this case a fine cut of maple wood:
I think that it is the modern low-line design of this piece combined with a slightly rustic top that gives it an aura of superiority. I would use this on a shaggy rug (although it would also look interesting upon a more traditional rug as well …) – look out for this piece in one of our future designs!
Credit: John Houshmand
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Tags: coffee table, low line table, low-line coffee table, maple, natural, natural table, sleek table, table, wood, wood table
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March 21st, 2012
As an interior designer I get an instant feeling of the potential of a project when I first see it, I can look at any room and see that it has the potential to be not only gorgeous but also be designed well enough that the person using it can keep it looking gorgeous on a daily basis. The difficult part can often be transmitting the ideas that we come up with on to a client who can often find it difficult to visualize – this can be where the wonders of modern technology can make it very easy to make a decision.
A recent refurbishment in Earls Court needed a completely new design for the bathroom, these visualizations gave a really good outline of what the bathroom would look like when finished.
The finished product however packs much more of a wow factor!
The bathroom is warm, chic and beautifully laid out.
Tags: bathroom design, earsl court, Interior Design, london, luxury, luxury bathroom, luxury home design, masucline design
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March 20th, 2012
Finding functional and fantastic furniture that will withstand the toils of being in a teenagers bedroom is not the easiest task. When looking for a sofabed this can be even more of a challenge as it needs to be able to withstand not just being sat on but being slept on by hoards of teenagers (in this case teenage boys!) However, we were extremely happy to stumble across this sofa bed from Bo Concept not only does it have multiple ways in which it can turn in to a sleeper but it also comes in a hard wearing fabric that should (with stain protection) with stand a few nights sleep!
Check out Bo Concept for all the options!
Tags: bo concept, gray sofa, grey sofa, sleep sofa, sofa, sofa bed, sofabed, teenagers bedroom, teenagers room
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March 19th, 2012
If you were walking in the Californian desert with your water bottle almost empty I have no doubt that this fantastic home would look like a mirage:
The desert is not for everyone but anyone who has seen one would struggle not to become bedazzled by its rugged beauty, enormity and unflinching power. Much like an ocean it has no conscience and he who tries to tame it will be struck down, yet he who successfully lives in conjunction with it may indeed find a very peaceful place. This architect has done a great job of, instead of creating a home that shelters one from the desert, creating a home that merges the dwelling with its surroundings. For example, notice how there is natural terrain between the living area and the pool:
Much of the emphasis with this design is placed upon embracing the great outdoors: sheltered external living space is a great feature of this home and a perfect place to admire the beauty of the desert and to feel true isolation.
Credit: Freshome
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Tags: amazing architecture, amazing homes, architecture, at one with nature, desert living
Posted in Amazing Architecture, Wonderful Homes | 1 Comment »
March 16th, 2012
As you may, or may not, know I have a bit of an obsession with lighting. For me it is one of the most important parts of interior design as its presence can not only highlight some of the most beautiful parts of a design but can also add depth and texture. Today we are in the search for some truly stunning central chandeliers for a very modern lounge interior. As it is part of the main reception area it needs to be something commanding. Here are a few of my favourite options!
Droog 85 Chandelier – okay so it may kill you in bulb costs but it i most definitely worth it! £2,295
2097/50 pendant light Designed by Gino Sarfatti £1,720
Matt Gagnon – Ceramic Lamp from $4,140
Tigermoth Silver Chain Long Chandelier from £2,687.02
Zeppelin 1 suspension light Designed by Marcel Wanders £2,575
Tags: chandelier, chandeliers, great products, luxury, luxury products, modern, on the search for
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March 15th, 2012
It may take a baseball season for your furniture from Andrew Martin to arrive but when it does it is invariably worth the wait. The design of this console is particularly alluring as it combines a classic look (through the very elegant looking legs) with a hard-wearing, rustic top. A piece such as this can spice up any room and ensure that it does not fall into the trap of being in any way generic. I would personally adorn such a piece in a minimalist manner as not to overshadow the design – it would also be best to avoid any type of symmetry when choosing finishing touches: this piece is not a picture of conformity, neither should anything that dresses it.
Credit: Andrew Martin
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Tags: andrew martin, console, console table, industrial, industrial design, wooden top
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March 14th, 2012
We recently we’re given these inspiring images by a potential client who was looking for a modern Chinese design – we thought they were so gorgeous we had to share them with you!
I adore the use of textures in each of the photos and the mixture of contemporary pieces together with very traditional Chinese design. There is a wonderful serenity about each of the spaces, they seems to flow wonderfully from one element to the next – beautiful!
Tags: chinese design, chinese interior design, Interior Design, Modern Chinese Interior Design, modern design
Posted in Design Inspiration, Wonderful Homes | 1 Comment »
March 13th, 2012
We often have to create bespoke desks and office furniture for our clients however I would love to be able to use the Fred & Ginger chair and table from Poltrona Frau in an upcoming project. Having recently given hints and tips to the Metro (1st March) on the great qualities of leather this duo would be gorgeous show just how durable leather can be! I love shown here in the Caramel version – it can also come in a Dark Brown.
via Freshome: Elegant Chair & Table Set Displaying an Original Design | Freshome.
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Tags: chair, desk, leather, leather desk, Poltrona Frau
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March 12th, 2012
What a clever bit of architecture this is! A very modern take on the North American porch: the way it is lit gives this porch the feeling of being another room within the house and, I’m sure, will host some excellent dinner parties!
The internal is spacious and makes the most of what is an incredible view . However, the fact that the view almost plays 2nd fiddle to this spectacular room really illustrates how well finished this room is. The architect and building team have really surpassed themselves in this case: I can’t get past the floor which is as stunning and as apt as any I can remember. I would love to get my hands on this space!
However, before we get too jealous there is a downside that I have thankfully found! The tiles in the 2nd en-suite are far too busy and clash, in my opinion, with the wood finishes. With a property as stunning as this one I believe that ‘less is more’ and in this case that would have been a useful rule to keep!
Credit: Freshome
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Tags: amazing architecture, architecture, bad tiles, contemporary architecture, flooring, luxury design, porch
Posted in Amazing Architecture, Wonderful Homes | No Comments »
March 8th, 2012
It is vital to realise that any household item has the potential to improve one’s home. Some items are quite dull by nature (bookends for example) so if there is a chance to liven them up without upstaging/compromising the design I never hesitate to do so. With this philosophy in mind, a piece like this is bound to raise a smile:
Of course, it is vital when to know that a piece like this will have a negative impact upon on a room but if you are looking to add a touch of eccentricity to a room you could do a lot worse!
Credit: Design my world
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Tags: awesome items, book end, bookend, bookends, finishing touches, funky, funky pieces
Posted in Awesome Items!, Design Inspiration, That's Clever! | 1 Comment »
