Mirrors have been around as long as humans I would imagine. Their use surely goes back eons to that day when someone became fascinated with their reflection. Therefore, the prevalence of mirrors in bathrooms – everyone wants to make sure they are looking their best before venturing out into the world.
However, besides their use in bathrooms mirrors can play a great role in interior decorating in other rooms in the house. As an article on wikihow.com says: “Mirrors help to give a sense of greater space by reflecting light, thus brightening a room and the reflection of the room also fools the eye (trompe l’oeil) into feeling there is a greater amount of space than in reality”. To read more about the use of mirrors see the full article on wikihow.com.
Here are some ideas of where mirrors can be placed to best effect:
Place a mirror on a wall opposite a window or along side a window as shown here in a room by Vincente Wolf.
Use a long full length mirror in entrance ways. Here are two options, one an antique French mirror from Mecox Gardens and one a clean lined mirror from BDDW.
Cover a wall in mirrors, or in this case use one really large mirror as done by Vincente Wolf, to reflect a dining table making it appear instantly a lot larger and in effect doubling the space.
I also love this 72″ diameter mirror from BDDW made in leather lined with wood.
And here are a few mirrors that are simply beautiful objects in their own right, no matter where they hang. The first is a new introduction from Laura Kirar for Baker. The driftwood mirror and the antler mirror are from Mecox Gardens.
I was reading the summer issue of Kravet’s inspired.news recently and was struck by an article written by Miguel Flores Vianna, an interiors photographer. It made me stop and reflect on how to live life as it unfolds before you, to not stop living your life to the fullest, and to continually look for inspiration in the world around you no matter what the current circumstances seem to portend. While it is easy to become disheartened in this economic climate, searching for inspiration and new ideas needn’t stop. As Miguel says towards the end of this article – ” At times I have spent my last dollar to buy a ticket to see a place that was calling me. I will always get inspired by looking at flowers, trees and art and I still get goose bumps when I see rooms that move me. And, of course, I try to see and spend time with those I love on a personal level, and those I respect professionally because ultimately it is people who inspire me the most. I, we, can not give up on inspiration, our future and the world’s depends on it.”
MFV Interiors
The April 2010 issue of Elle Décor featured room divider screens of various designs. Folding screens can have many purposes from creating privacy or hiding clutter to simply defining space in a beautiful way. They create visual interest and can add glamour. See the article for more screens picked out by designers Milly de Cabrol and Alex Papachristidis: http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/5501?page=10&pause=1 .
Moucharabieh screen by Jean-Michael Massaud from Poltrona Frau. A beautiful contemporary Italian made screen in leather.
Wooden 3-panel glass screen by Matter at ABC Home. I love this one for an area where you want to see through to the other side. Lovely rustic French look.
Antique red wood mandala room divider by Arteriors Home. This is a great graphic statement, sort of oriental in feeling. Love the red.
Hudson Signature screen by Hudson Furniture. Hudson makes beautiful furniture in wood featuring “live edges”. This is very organic and massive in size. Think of a loft space.
4-panel room screen by Jardins Du Jour. Very pretty screen for a bedroom made in hand-printed silk.
It’s the details that can take a room from nice and comfortable to beautiful and interesting. Not everyone wants a sofa or chair in a patterned fabric. Starting with larger pieces of upholstered furniture in neutral fabrics gives you a palette you can play with. Color can be added by accessories, art and throw pillows. By adding a little pattern in pillows you can define the look of a room, and change it at a moments notice as your whim desires. You can create a Bohemian look with a mix of embroidered patterns or pillows made from dhurrie rugs. A few beautiful pillows in soft colors on the bed would really make an inviting destination in a bedroom. And pillows in bold graphics clearly defines a more contemporary look. The following selections are from Madeline Weinrib, Tessera and Ebella Designs.
Beautiful pillows in soft colorations from Madeline Weinrib at ABD Carpet
Updated ikat patterns in fresh bright colors from Madeline Weinrib
Vintage embroidered pillows from Uzbekistan creates an eclectic look. From Tessera.
Another fresh and pretty look in a stylized floral from Madeline Weinrib
Bold graphic pillows in black and white from Ebella Designs for a contemporary look.
Pillows from Turkey made from dhurries create a casual look. From Tessera
For all of you who love fashion and fabulous textiles, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte have designed a collection of drapery and upholstery fabrics for Knoll Luxe textiles that has just been introduced this month. The collection consists of five upholstery and three drapery fabrics. Rodarte, known for it’s daring and conceptual fashion collections using unusual and intricate fabrics and haute couture techniques, has conceived a collection of fabrics for the home that is true to their design aesthetic but also reflects the need for durability and longevity. Four fabrics from the collection are now part of the Cooper Hewitt Museum’s permanent collection (here is a link to a video) Below are a few of the fabrics and their inspiration from the runway…
Parker design inspiration
Parker fabric
Byron inspiration
Byron fabric
Emerson inspiration
Emerson fabric
Auden inspiration
Auden fabric
What kind of sink are you? Stainless steel, copper, cast iron…?
If you are trying to decide on the most appropriate sink, there are more options than there used to be. However, the most common are stainless steel and cast iron. Some characteristics are:
- Water Spots – Stainless steel is very durable but does show water spots, so the meticulous person will spend extra time wiping down their sink. A cast iron sink does not show spots.
- Marks – Cast iron can be marked by pots and pans during washing or rinsing but they can be cleaned quite easily with a soft scrub type of cleaning product, bringing back the original finish, but it does take that extra step.
- Scratches – Stainless steel can scratch but it’s expected and par for the course, and the scratches tend to blend into the surface. Stainless steel can also be “tinny” sounding and some people do not like that sound. Some manufacturers insulate their sinks so that sound is muffled. The lower the number of the stainless gauge, the thicker the metal and the less noise and chance of denting the sink.
There are of course other sinks made of composites, most commonly granite – these products receive mixed reviews, one person loves them and another hates them.
So, do your research, decide on the look you prefer and which material most closely matches your lifestyle, and you should be set!
Stainless Steel
Cast Iron
Granite Composite
If you have not visited a consignment store before ,or lately, consider doing so. Furniture consignment stores are treasure troves of good to great pre-owned furniture, accessories, artwork, and even rugs.
Not only can you purchase from these stores, you can sell your own items as long as they are clean and in pristine condition. This is a great alternative to Craig’s List or a garage sale ,especially if your items are more valuable and in great shape. Just bring in or email a picture to find out if the store is interested in placing your item on their sales floor.
For more details, check out this recent article about upscale consigment stores from the Star Tribune newspaper.
Brandi Hagen, the principal designer of Eminent Interior Design was given the opportunity to speak to a large group of Interior Design Students from across the Midwest at the annual Student Interior Design Expo held at International Market Square (IMS) in Minneapolis, MN on February 5th. Between 150 and 175 students were in attendance during her speech. “The energy in the room was fabulous and great to see…it was fun to be around people who are totally energized about the design industry.” said Hagen of the students who were at her presentation. “I have a great story on how I got started in the interior design industry…so I told them my story and the importance of goals and continually working toward them.” said Hagen.
The Student Interior Design Expo has a special history for Brandi as she herself attended during her last year of college and made a connection with Billy Beson, principal of William Beson Interior Design. (now Beson Kading Interior Design Group) From that initial introduction at the student expo, Brandi was hired by the WBID firm and spent the first 10 years of her successful career there. Brandi left the firm in the spring of 2005 to start her own company, Eminent Interior Design.
Brandi Hagen Speaking at Student Interior Design Expo
Animal Prints! Is there a designer who doesn’t absolutely love animal prints? Is it me or do they just keep getting better and better? Have they ever gone out style? And, if they have – don’t tell me! We love them and just cannot stop using them. Have fun – add an animal print to your design scheme!
Interior Design Project in Bloomington, Minnesota
Interior Design Project in Minneapolis, Minnesota
(Photos Courtesy of Eminent Interior Design)
As you consider all the myriad of design ideas and choices when changing a room, building, or remodeling, it is common to hear “look through magazines and tear out pages that showcase design ideas that you love or inspire you” . It not only helps to narrow your choices but, in addition, you can come across all kinds of new, fun, and fresh ideas while looking through magazines – design ideas of which you may have never thought or considered. A design idea that is “outside of the box”.
Look at the photo below. This is a bar area. Notice what is different?
- The backsplash tile has been hung vertically instead of horizontally, and
- The free floating cabinets have been hung like works of art.
This photo sparks the imagination and definitely defines “out of the box” design idea.
(Photo Courtesy of Metropolitan Home, Vol 41, No 10, December ‘09)
Metropolitan Home
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