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White and Spacious Apartment in Stockholm

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/interior-designs-2010.jpg&imgrefurl=http://freshome.com/2009/03/16/hot-interior-design-styles-of-2009/&usg=__dxRqNUUvYvcxJyesmdRwnFxd8Gw=&h=388&w=490&sz=28&hl=en&start=2&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=pB3oqqeyvG9WaM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinterior%2Bdesign%2B2010%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26tbs%3Disch:1

Do not take colors for granted. Some of them have an overwhelming effect on how your home will feel. Some can even transform a residence and give the impression of large spaces, even though this is not the case. This white apartment in Stockholm has a minimalist arrangement. In spite this fact, it contains all those elements that make it a warm place to live in. Located in a beautiful urban area and surrounded by green spaces, large windows were built in order to take advantage of this and the apartment also features an elegant outdoor terrace. Light wood floors and modern furniture contribute to the fresh look. Next to the living-room, the place also houses two cosy bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. Have fun strolling through the pictures and please tell us what you think. -viaDigsDigs

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Beautiful and Fresh 81 Sq Meter Apartment in Sweden

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

http://freshome.com/2010/02/09/beautiful-and-fresh-81-sq-meter-apartment-in-sweden/

With vivid colors, a strong appearance and stretching over a relatively small area, this apartment really stands out. A funky, open floor plan connects the kitchen and the living room. There are two bedrooms, one of which features a double bed, a bedside table, huge windows and a practical wardrobe wall with sliding doors and mirrors which scores high in matters of storage space. The slightly smaller bedroom is similar: it also accommodates a double bed, a desk and a built-in spacious shelving system. The living-room is cozy and airy, colorful, perfect for socializing. There are also cables for surround sound systems and concealed wiring for flat screen TV and media equipment. The kitchen has stainless-steel units and it is connected to the living-room. Check out the photos and tell us what you think! -via Innerspec

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Staying in touch: Hot Interior Design Style

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Author: Alex Ion

They say that what is cool in fashion changes overnight and while the world of interior design is not that overly dynamic, the trends when it comes to doing your interiors also change with passing time. With each year come there are new hot designing tips, colors that are more relevant, shades that reinvent the space that surrounds you and accessories that add a whole new dimension to your home. So what is hot and happening and what will be the fashion that will hold sway in the months to come? Here are a few hot interior design styles…

#1 Lay emphasis on comfort and the cozy-factor

The latest when it comes to interior designing is to integrate a great looking blueprint with a home that is great to live in and easy to use. Modern architecture and special arrangement looks for a fine balance between cozy interiors and a sleek and sensuous look. Eye-candy homes are no longer the rave. Utility and practical value is the latest mantra.

#2 Mix and match styles and shades

One of the major impacts on the designing styles will be that of the global economic meltdown and how people will think twice before they part with their cash. The trend will be to mix and match the old stuff that is still useful with new accessories that are affordable and add a little something to the space. Excessive and extravagant spending of cash and throwing away everything old as it does not match the new look will be a thing of the past for some time now.

#3 Do not clutter- Let the space look larger than it really is

Going with a simple and stylish look seems to be the way forward as a clutter-free interior is the popular choice among both consumers and designers. This gives the room a more sophisticated and ergonomic look along with saving on the cash. Only keep what’s needed and arrange it with precision.

#4 A minimalist look with contrasting patterns

There is no doubt that the minimalist look is the most popular style that is going around today when it comes to designing either office spaces or homes. The minimalist design saves on space, looks futuristic and with contrasting bright and bold patterns the look just gets accentuated further. If you look around any modern home design today, you are most likely to find something in lines with this fast catching trend.

#5 Think green to reap long-term benefits

Going green with the energy usage in your home is a great way to invest in the future. That pattern is being quickly and silently integrated into the design and structure of most modern homes. The further you go green, the more you will reap its benefits in the longer run. It is not just a healthy initiative that you can take, but something that you can be really proud of.

#6 Bright colors are the flavor of the season

The blacks, whites and grays are always popular and go well with the more modern look, but it is the bright shades such as vibrant oranges, cool blues and exciting yellows that will rule the year. So go all out and paint the interiors in the bold and bright shade that you love. You can be also sure that this will lift your mood when you are a bit down.

The designing styles and trends seem to be following the global recession to an extent and also the sleek and ergonomic look that people seem to taking to heart. It is also nice to see how functionality is again gaining prominence when compared to form.

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interior design trends for 2010

Friday, February 19, 2010

We found this interesting article and thought it would inspire you all for 2010...

Happy decorating!

Bold colorful natural and textured - and look for wallpaper on ceilings

December 27, 2009|By Anh-Minh Le, Special to The Chronicle

http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-12-27/home-and-garden/17461472_1_interior-designers-trends-rug

Ask a group of interior designers to talk about the latest decorating trends and, chances are, they'll wince just a little. Here's the problem: Trends are often considered the pieces you buy one year and throw out the next, when they're no longer gracing the pages of your favorite shelter magazine.

However, not every trend is fleeting. A few years ago, going green was hailed as one of the hottest trends. Now it is becoming a standard throughout the design industry.

So we asked around and pulled together a list of 10 trends for 2010 that have some staying power.

10. Mix it up

"In general, I see a trend to a carefully edited 'anything goes' approach," said Ayres. "Going forward in 2010, it's all about the mix and how you combine individual, disparate elements. The right classic 19th century piece will mix with certain vintage finds from the '70s and '80s and with pieces designed this year." She added, "Graphic modern print textiles work with traditional chairs and sofas."

9. Palette

Speaking of color, Melanie Coddington is "having a purple moment that will continue into 2010," she noted. "Gray also continues to figure largely as well - in particular purple and gray, yellow and gray, and matte and shiny gray together are great combinations." Fellow interior designer Kimberly Ayres concurred: "Gray is the new beige," she said, adding that she anticipates "rich and unexpected combinations - like gray with teal or magenta or tangerine. It's a very mercurial color."

Texture and natural materials are abundant in West Elm’s spring products available later this week.

Credit: West Elm

8. The well-traveled look

The Sundance Channel series "Man Shops Globe" follows Anthropologie buyer-at-large Keith Johnson as he visits country after country, looking for special pieces and inspiration for the company's 135 stores worldwide. Whether you're scouring the stalls in Paris or browsing shops during a quick weekend getaway, incorporating souvenirs in a space can give it a bit of personality.

7. Artisanal goods

Just as artisanal foods have taken off, expect the same for home furnishings and accessories. "Artisanal work will continue to be strong," said interior designer Benjamin Dhong. "Even modernists want to see natural materials or the hand of the craftsman brought into their homes."

6. Wallpapered ceilings

We've all seen the wallpapered accent wall. In 2010, look for wallpapered ceilings as an increasingly popular option for creating visual impact in a room.

5. Old is new again

"Antiques and vintage pieces add soul to any space," explained interior designer Jay Jeffers, "and these types of items are negotiable and plentiful in today's markets, so our clients are able to invest in key pieces for their home." From sites like 1stdibs.com to consignment and thrift stores, there are indeed sources out there for any budget.

4. Bolder design decisions

"In the last year, people were looking to be calmed and comforted by interiors," said Melanie Coddington, right, who was recently named one of House Beautiful's 20 interior designers to watch. "I hope the burgeoning sense of optimism will translate into sparkle, glamour and lots of risk-taking in design. In with color!"

3. Layered flooring

According to Marilyn Incerty, trend director for Cost Plus World Market, layering floor coverings adds richness and warmth. She suggested "overlapping several smaller, lightweight rugs with patterns and colors that are complementary - a striped runner on top of a larger geometric rug - or overlapping multiples of the same rug in a variety of colors." Those with wall-to-wall carpeting can still get in on this trend. Place "a rug over existing carpet for an instant splash of color or pattern," said Incerty. "This is a great trick for avoiding the hassle and expense of ripping out existing carpeting when you want an update."

2. Keeping it real

Forget faux. (No more fake antlers, please!) In 2010, we want to see a movement toward the natural patina of woods, metals and other materials. We don't even mind a water mark or a hint of rust. After all, those imperfections may be the result of generations of wear and come with a good story or two.

1. Texture

If West Elm's spring collection, which launches this week, is any indication, texture will be big in 2010. "We are spending a lot of time researching new natural materials and unusual techniques with a lot of rich, textural interest," said Alex Bates, creative director for the retailer. New products include a woven natural bamboo headboard, a crocheted floor cushion, recycled glass candleholders and storage made of kooboo.

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Top 10 Interior Design Mistakes to Avoid

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

We at hiphome believe in updating skills and regular training. Therefore with the New Year just starting we thought a reminder of the top 10 interior design mistakes to avoid in 2010 would be a great start. Happy 2010!
from the team at Hiphome

By Clint Calder
http://home-design-software-review.toptenreviews.com/interior-design/top-10-interior-design-mistakes-to-avoid-pg11.html

10 Buying paint before fabrics and furniture

Colour will always be one of the most important decisions in the designing process. Do not rush it. Not only is painting the most time consuming, but it's also the most permanent of all your decisions. A table or couch can easily be moved, but paint is another story. Be sure to pick the furniture and other accessories for the room, and then take pieces of fabric from them to match to the paint that fits the best. You will find it much easier to match the paint to the furniture, rather than the other way around.

9 Bad Lighting

Every project can look good in the dark, but what happens when you turn the lights on? As you design your projects, don’t forget to keep in mind one of the most important features of a room. You will find that lighting makes or breaks a project. The lighting is truly the emotion of the room. You don’t want the room to be so bright you feel like you’re in a lightning bolt, but at the same time too little lighting will cause the room to have a gloomy feel. There is a grand variety of lighting fixtures to choose from, so don’t be afraid of a little research.

8 Colour co-ordination

The colour of a room is not solely depicted by the paint on the walls. The shades and tints in the furniture will greatly influence the mood. Be sure not to over-do the room using just reds if you want a red room. Add contrasts and compliments in your colouring schemes and you won’t regret it. Most home-improvement retailers have colour swatches and samples that will help you choose the best colours for your room

7 Over-furnishing a room

It has been said that your bedroom reflects your state of mind. A room that is overcrowded with coffee tables, couches, footstools, paper baskets or whatever, can cause the mind to feel the same way. Be sure to leave plenty of walking space. Stay away from the tendency to fill in the empty spaces. Leave some room. It will be much easier for you to relax and kick back.

6 Getting furniture without first checking room dimensions

Oversized furniture takes its toll on rooms. It will make the room appear small and cramped if not handled correctly. There is nothing wrong with large furniture if the room can handle it. Using smaller furniture will open up a room and give it a roomy feel. WARNING! Be sure that your furniture will fit through the door.
5 Not paying attention to acoustics

How you arrange the room for acoustics may be one of the more difficult decisions. This will be most important for the theatre or entertainment rooms. Nothing is more important than sound when it comes to watching a movie. Don't use a lot of hard surfaces in the theater rooms that allows the sound waves continue to bounce around. Capture them with carpets and soft sofas. Hardwood floors look great in living spaces, but you may want to throw a few rugs on the floor to keep the noise down. You may be surprised at how important acoustics really are.

4 Not involving nature

One of the greatest ways to improve the feel of a room is to add a few plants here and there. Adding plants creates a more natural feel to the room, and with the right plants, you will have a new and refreshing essence to fill the air. When designing a room, never forget to include the five senses in your decision making.

3 Not allowing enough time for the design process

It is not a race to the finish. Effective interior designing requires a lot of planning and organization. If you rush through a few steps, you may find yourself making decisions that have unfortunate consequences. So be careful!

2 Placing photos too high on the walls

Where your art/photos go on the walls is completely up to you. It is different for everyone. Keep in mind how tall the people you want looking at these are. Too low and your visitors will go away with a bad back; too high and they won’t even try. The height of the photos will also format the appearance of the wall, making it seem taller or shorter.

1 Not using mirrors

Mirrors are a bit under-rated. Using mirrors will make rooms appear much more spacious. The lack of mirrors or windows seems to give the room a boxy feel. Don’t hesitate to hang a decorative mirror or two on your walls. Be creative. You can find many different shapes and sizes of mirrors at your local home-improvement retailers. Not only will your room look bigger, but it will also make the room brighter as it reflects the lighting.

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What's Hot and What's Not So Hot

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

What's hot and what's not in interior design these days?

By Rosemary Sadez Friedmann from

http://www.fineliving.com/fine/favorite_things/article/0,1663,FINE_1425_5396122,00.html

Walls with color are hot.

Plain vanilla walls are not.

Accenting one or more walls in the room with bright, cheerful color is a good way to turn heads and get positive attention.

Though this has all been done before, there's now a better way to punch pizzazz into this theme through custom painted patterns, which leads us to...

Custom paint on walls is hot.
Wall paper is not.

Though wallpaper is not out altogether, a pattern painted on a wall is certainly gaining momentum over everyday paper.

Unless you're very talented, the service of an artist will be required for these custom walls, but if you find a good artisan the possibilities are endless. Do you love your dog? Paint one wall in the bedroom or a hall wall with 'portraits' of that favored mutt. Does the bedspread have a particularly interesting pattern?

Paint a wall or border the room with that pattern. A variation on this theme is to take the pattern and enlarge it. A plaid pattern from a chair, for example, can be painted on a larger-than-life scale on the wall. The effect is fantastic.

Shutters are hot.
Heavy draperies are not.

The large, tropical, plantation-looking shutters fit in with just about every decor and are just as versatile as they are attractive. They come in several standard colors and are available as well in custom colors to match woodwork, the walls or any accent color.

California, Colorado and Florida seem to have claimed the market on shutters over the years, but now it appears the rest of the country has picked up on this great design idea.

Footprint-less carpet is hot.
Sculptured is not.

Fresh vacuum lines on a carpet make the entire room seem clean, but the first step taken on that pristine floor covering destroys the short-lived effect.

Shaggy area rugs are hot.
Shaggy wall-to-wall rugs are not.

Remember the shaggy rugs of the '60's and '70s? Cut down to 'fun size', these shaggy little rascals fit in well under a cocktail table, at foyer entrance, under dining tables or in large bathrooms.

Media rooms are hot.
Theatre rooms are not.

The room dedicated to viewing movies with a theater-like atmosphere is still a good idea for some, but its prevalence is fading. Those with very large homes might consider a theater room, but those with less space are going toward what is considered a specialized family room.

It is called a media room because the main focus is the television, but the use of the room remains multifunctional.

Highly functional appliances are hot.
Simple ones are not.

Fancy, hardworking stove tops with multi burners that heat up according to the size of your pot or pan are definitely on demand. Dishwashers that fit dishes and flatware in a more efficient manner and that truly clean the dishes are stipulated by today's buyers. Front load washers and dryers seem to offer more of what the consumer wants because they tend to do larger loads and do them more effectively.

And that's all that is in the crystal ball today.

(Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of Mystery of Color, available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Amazon.com.)

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Mansion in the Sky

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

More from Interior Design Magazine http://www.interiordesign.net/photoGallery

With a TriBeCa apartment by Steven Learner, a couple trades suburban grandeur for city swank...

In an apartment by Steven Learner Studio, a custom screen sets off the living area, where an oil on panel by Corinne Wasmuht hangs above a custom fireplace surround in blackened bronze. Photo by Eric Laignel.

To fabricate the screen, Susan Woods sawed blackened-steel tube into segments, welded them together, and inserted rounds of colored glass. Photo by Eric Laignel.

A terrarium by Paula Hayes and a vintage driftwood lamp share the top of the living area's Paul Frankl console. Photo by Eric Laignel.

A vintage chair by George Nakashima accompanies a custom wool-covered armchair in the center of the living area. Photo by Eric Laignel.

In the corner, a vintage lamp by Tobia Scarpa stands near a Vladimir Kagan sofa. Photo by Eric Laignel.

Marco Zanuso's chair and Pierre Guariche's swing-arm lamp, both vintage, and a painting by Johannes Wohnseifer, in acrylic and lacquer on aluminum, stand out against the study's teak paneling. Photo by Eric Laignel.

A David Weeks pendant fixture illuminates the kitchen island, while Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's chairs surround Kagan's expandable table in the dining area. The two Jorge Pardo canvases were produced with an ink-jet printer. Photo by Eric Laignel.

The central hall's teak paneling. Photo by Eric Laignel.

Jeff Zimmerman's chandelier in the living area. Photo by Eric Laignel.

A 1960's Venetian glass chandelier in the master bathroom. Photo by Eric Laignel.

A mirror-collage by Jim Lambie. Photo by Eric Laignel.

The powder room's resin wall tiles, installed by another artist, Elise Ferguson. Photo by Eric Laignel

Vintage wool on the living area's Nakashima chair

Artwork in the master bedroom includes Liam Gillick's suspended acrylic sculpture, Ryan McGinness's acrylic on canvas, and Ruth Root's enamel on aluminum, which is installed behind vintage Hans Wegner chairs and ottomans. Photo by Eric Laignel.

Dominated by an oil on canvas by Wasmuht, the office is part of the master suite. Photo by Eric Laignel

The master bedroom's black-walnut bed by John Houshmand floats above a rug of silk and wool; both are custom. Photo by Eric Laignel.

In the entry, a custom stool covered in pony skin sits beneath an acrylic on panel by Ricci Albenda, across from a Sarah Morris canvas in house paint. Photo by Eric Laignel.

Poul Kjærholm designed the bedroom's chaise longue. Photo by Eric Laignel.

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The best of interior designs

Monday, November 16, 2009

INTERIOR DESIGN

from INTERIOR DESIGN magazine USA.

In the hall of a Brussels duplex by Agence Andrée Putman, a love seat by Satyendra Pakhalé sits near a lamp by Alessandro Mendini. Photo by Eric Laignel.
http://www.interiordesign.net/index.asp?layout=photoGalleryAlbum&galleryid=3199&order=1

An artist, Marcin Sobolev, created the fish etching on the acid-treated glass end wall of the rooftop pool enclosure.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

Artwork by Jeremy Blake stretches along a hallway. Photo by Eric Laignel.

In the living area, a crystal chandelier descends from the vaulted ceiling above sofas covered in silk and leather and a linen rug.
All are custom. Photo by Eric Laignel.

A ribbon of stainless steel wraps the wengé handrail of the staircase, which leads up to the pool terrace and down to the bedrooms and study. The steps are also wengé. Photo by Eric Laignel.

In a corner on the lower level, a 1966 chair by Eero Aarnio accompanies a giant Murano glass necklace by Jean-Michel Othoniel. Photo by Eric Laignel.

The living area's piano was customized from Andrée Putman's limited-edition Voie Lactée design.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

Martin Szekely designed the dining table and chairs as well as a pedestal that displays a sculpture.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

Cecilie Manz's pendant fixtures line up in the kitchen, where two walls are chiseled granite.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

Brushed stainless steel frames sliding doors between the marble-floored kitchen and the dining area.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

Ron Arad's chair sits on the teak pool deck. Photo by Eric Laignel.

Andrée Putman's often-used checkerboard motif appears in the form of the entry's oak-and-ebony parquet.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

The guest room's furnishings, all custom, include a leather-wrapped pull-down desktop and pull-out ottoman.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

In the dressing area of the master suite, custom furniture includes a pair of lacquered chests and a suede-covered chaise longue. Photo by Eric Laignel.