Glowing Up: Textured, Hanging Lamp Designs for Every Home

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Sonja

Stick a straight up cream-colored shade on your lamp and it does the job, but go for broke in stylish lamp fashion and you’ll be setting the stage in the midst of your own home theater. Like the woven nature of the Knottee Lamps by Kenneth Cobonpue, the soft, golden hue of the DIY myLight, or the massive felt pendant we call Hood by Form Us With Love, a hanging pendant light deserves the credit – especially when it floods a room with light and acts a source of wonderment as we ponder its texture.

Knottee Lamp. Designed by Kenneth Cobonpue. Manufactured by Hive.

“Concealing a round frosted glass diffuse is a series of knit patterns in gray and olive green taffeta fabric,” describes lighting and interior accessories manufacturer, Hive, about Kenneth Cobonpue’s design of the Knottee lamp. Thanks to Cobonpue’s eye for smooth, open-knitted structures – similar to his Pigalle Easy arm chair made from fiber, steel and nylon twine – an inviting dance plays through the openness of his lighting and furniture pieces.

myLight hanging light. Manufactured by PROJECTIONE.

Likewise, the golden glow that flows out from the egg-shaped, homemade splendor of the myLight by PROJECTIONE is soft and supple. Looking somewhat like a piñata gone minimalist, the do-it-yourself construction is laser-cut from white mylar and assembled onto a clear acrylic frame to keep its shape. Color comes before the cutting process begins through a laser printing process which lets solid colors fade between two shades.

Hood lamps. Designed by Form Us With Love. Manufactured by ateljé Lyktan.

Speaking of soft lighting, the Swedish design firm Form Us With Love created Hood, a new light for the dignified Swedish lighting manufacturer, ateljé Lyktan. In their nod to duality, they write of the 2011 lighting fixture “Designed to be both a light source and a sound barrier, Hood forms a halo over the table, catching loose sentences in its thick felt.” Appearing to be an umbrella without the handle, the felt shades float effortlessly above us with a subtle oceanic energy surrounding their arched curves.

Thinking outside of the round or square box that is typically the lampshade, I’m glad to see lighting as a place where designers reach for the next big hit in woven, DIY and tactile felt lamp designs. With an endless array of materials and processes that evolve as quickly as we do, there’s no reason to stop looking for the next best (heavily tactile) lighting fixture.

—Sonja Hall

 

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Update Your Drab Bathroom with Modern Bathroom Furniture

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Alex M.

Sometimes a bathroom revamp requires much more than a lick of paint. There are many do-it-yourself ideas and designer decorative techniques that can make your bathroom look very stylish. However, it’s the abundance of medicines, soaps and cosmetics that tend to ruin the entire ambience of a bathroom. The best way to maintain tranquil ambience is to invest in bathroom furniture that helps you clear off all the unnecessary clutter. Bathroom cabinets effectively play the best role in keeping the bathroom tidy and attractive.

While selecting the right cabinets, it is very important to decide which items are to be stored in them. This will help you in deciding the size of the cabinets and the distribution and number of shelves. Moreover, the size of the cabinets will also depend on the size of the bathroom itself. If you have large space in your bathroom, only then you can afford to have cabinets with larger spaces. Decorating and fixing smaller cabinets is comparatively easier.

Another factor that can help you determine the type of bathroom furniture is your budget. If there are no boundaries attached to your budget, you can choose from a wide variety of bathroom furniture and cabinets that you like.

There are different kinds of cabinets available. Depending on the size and functionality, bathroom cabinets can be mount upright above the basin or can be placed on the floor (usually at the corner of a bathroom). Apart from this, they are available in different styles, designs, and materials. Glass and wood are the most common types of materials that are used for bathroom furniture.

It does not really matter whether you are planning to revamp the entire look of your bathroom or if you just wish to add some furniture, the important thing is to decide where everything should be placed. Availability of space in the bathroom is a very important matter of concern. Measuring the space available in the bathroom is highly recommended before you head to the store to purchase furniture.

Certain furniture can make your bathroom feel comfortable and spacious. Use mirrored bathroom furniture to make your bathroom look roomy. Since mirrors effectively reflect artificial and natural light, it makes small rooms appear larger. Apart from this, the light itself is a big matter of concern when you are revamping your bathroom space. It can completely chance how your room looks. Therefore, take lighting fixtures into account when looking for bathroom furniture.

If your bathroom is really large then getting a bathroom furniture suite is a great idea. This will instantly complete the new look of your bathroom. This furniture type is available in several styles and designs. They usually include storage cabinets, mirror, vanity unit, etc. Choose the right suite according to the available space in your bathroom because this type of furniture can make small bathrooms look crowded.

Last but not the least, choose furniture that blends well with your bathroom’s color theme. Furniture that is compatible with the entire theme gives the perfect finished look you desire.

Posted in Design Tips, Furniture Buying Tips, Good Design Examples, ︒Alex Moore | Leave a comment

The Simple Home Décor Ideas That Will Change the Look of Your Living Space Forever

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Alex M.

There are many people who are inspired by different home décor ideas but are reluctant to try it themselves due to budget concerns and time constraints. The following are some great home décor ideas that anybody can try for instant results and without breaking the bank. These are simple and basic ideas that can raise your living standards forever.

Walls

Sometimes, a room requires nothing more than new paint or new color texture. Changing the color or texture of a room can completely change its appearance. Repainting the walls is indeed the easiest option and considering the color choices available today, there are endless possibilities for a change. Another way is to add wallpapers in the room. However, you may need to focus on the theme of your room and/or furniture while choosing the design for the wallpaper. Use separate ideas or combination of ideas to do the trick.

Windows

Windows can play more than the role people think they can. Moreover, it is very easy to treat widows and include them in the home decoration process. The choices of windows styles are available in a wide range and include shears, café, tab-tops and drapes. There are several backgrounds designs too such as stripes, floral, solid colors, and fabrics (velvet, lace, cotton and silk). Decorative windows can create a whole new view of your room and are affordable.

Furniture

You can easily update your furniture and change the entire look of your living space. If you can afford, replace the old furniture with new and modern furniture. You can even update the look of your existing furniture in different ways. Get slipcovers and change the patterns and colors of your existing furniture. You can even get them painted in new and exciting colors.

Accessories

Complete the new look with different classy accessories. Some commonly used accessories include cozy throws, colorful pillows, lamps, wall art, and area rugs. You can also make interesting additions in the kitchen space, for example: decorative and colorful bottles filled with vinegar and oils, dishtowels, dinnerware, canisters, etc. Be creative and add anything that gives a personal touch to your décor. Use colors and themes that make your house stand out.

So now when you are ready to give your inspirational décor ideas a go, consider these basic changes for a start.

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Spring for Joyous Colors This Season

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Sonja

While I am quite content wearing various shades of gray and beige most of the time, I’ll admit the spring fever for flashy colors is definitely in the air. Evermore present this blossoming season of 2012 are colors that trend toward the beloved 1980s where neon shades somehow made it away from our snow cones and onto over-sized graphic tees with matching hair scrunchies.

Continue reading →

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More on American Made Furniture

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Janet W

Here’s a follow up to my post about Chinese buying American Furniture.

Harry Smith, from CBS News, talks to Bruce Cochrane of Lincolnton Furniture about bring jobs back to North Carolina.  Mr. Cochrane tells his story of selling his family’s factory 20 years ago because he felt he could make more money doing business with Chinese manufacturers.

However, he kept hearing his father’s voice in the back of his head telling him, “it is not about making furniture, it is about the people who make the furniture.”  Mr. Cochrane decided to move against tide and reopen the old Cochrane Furniture factory and rehire many American furniture craftsmen to produce american Made furniture.

Watch the video:

—Janet Wasielewski

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Outdoor Furniture for Comfortable Dining Experience during Spring

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Alex M.

During spring, most people enjoy sitting outdoor in their yards and gardens and enjoy the weather. The fun can double if there is comfortable dining furniture in your outdoors to spend some family time eating together in the backyard. Nothing could be better than enjoying drinks and meals with friends and family in your garden. This makes buying the best outdoor dining furniture a must for many people.

If you are out in the store looking for the right outdoor dining furniture, make sure you buy furniture that is functional, durable, comfortable and made from materials that are perfect to be used outdoors. By following these few basic rules, you can end up buying the ideal garden dining furniture that you can enjoy for many years to come.

Although it is a cheaper option, plastic isn’t the best material choice for dining furniture, especially if you are looking for outdoor use. More popular choices include materials like rattan and wicker, which make better outdoor furniture items. Moreover, other materials that are commonly used for outdoor furniture is treated metal, wrought iron, and wood. Tempered glass is usually used as a top for dining table with various material finishing. These are great materials for outdoor furniture as they are durable and withstand wind, rain, and heat without damaging the furniture.

In order to make any outdoor furniture more comfortable and cozy, add some soft and colorful cushions to put on the seats. These are some inexpensive additions that not only add comfort to your seating, but also make your outdoor furniture more colorful and attractive. Choose different colors, patterns, and styles of cushions to create an interesting look. Furthermore, you can select cushions that can easily be tied on the back of the chair so that they don’t fall off while the chair is being used.

Get amazing outdoor furniture ideas online and enjoy implementing them in your garden!

Posted in Buying Guide, Design Tips, Furniture Styles, Uncategorized, ︒Alex Moore | Leave a comment

American Made Furniture Selling in China

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Janet W

According to a report by Fox 8 in High Point North Carolina, the Chinese are willing to pay the price for American made furniture.  One Chinese consumer says “When we buy the American brand we can feel the freedom of the life.”

Read more at Myfox8.com.

—Janet Wasielewski

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Get Aesthetically Pleasing Bar Stools for Home Decors

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Alex M.

While bar stools can seem very interesting at the bar, it is not always easy to find the best bar stools that could be used for domestic interiors. Although there are many styles and designs of bar stools available for restaurants and bars, choosing them randomly can be very risky. They can look very bulky and ugly if you get them for your kitchen.

Bar stools are not only attractive because of their looks but also their functionality. This is why many people prefer getting bar stools for their kitchen space. They are indeed a great seating solution as they are flexible and synonymous with elegance and fun.  Bar stools are easy to fit in any type and size of kitchen. For smaller kitchens, there are many designs that are storable and compact. On the other hand, there is a sheer range of designs that can help you create a fantastic look in a large and spacious kitchen.

Whether you are looking to stir up sleek minimalism and fun, or decadent luxury and bright modernism, choosing the right bar stools can help you create any desirable look. The best part about this furniture is that it is affordable and can make any space look stylish without a big price tag.

The reason that people fail to buy the right bar stools is the fact that most of these stools are manufactures for commercial premises. Clearly, bar stools that are used for commercial purpose need to be more durable, more robust, and easy to maintain. Therefore, one must really focus on these factors when buying bar stools for home decors.

A kitchen is an entirely different place as compared to restaurants and bars. The lighting and décor is different too. Therefore, bar stools that are lighter, with slimmer design are considered more suitable for homes.

As a conclusion, look for slimmer designs and bar stools that match with the theme of your kitchen. You can also look for wooden barstools that are suitable with any existing theme. You can find truly amazing designs. So dare to experiment!

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Milan 2012: The Histogram and Copper Fossil Tables by Nucleo

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Sonja

When the polishing and vacuuming simply don’t make your sofa, carpet, and lighting pop after years of use, many of us turn to a new paint job or something equally as work-intensive. Thanks to the Torino-based design collective known as Nucleo, they have jumped into the residential furniture scene this spring with a couple of brand new coffee table designs – the Histogram and the Copper Fossil Tables – which are currently being presented at the Milan Design Week’s Fuorisalone.

Histogram coffee tables by Nucleo

The Histogram coffee table is among the artistic treasures that make up the entire series of “unlimited objects” they have on display this week. With its design, the Nucleus design collective brings out the beauty of rich, contrasting colors – in very alternative shades – through the use of epoxy resin. The design of the Italian design team’s Histogram low table stemmed from the idea that “by breaking down a source image into parts and then subsequently reconstructing it to obtain unique three-dimensional objects”, the design would subsequently pop more than a solid color brushed or sprayed onto your wall.

Also new to their line-up for Spring 2012 is the Copper Fossil coffee table (see below). The similarities between the two table designs draw on the hyper-dimensional profiles using an imbalance and asymmetrical look to make them dynamic alone or with ordinary furniture surrounding their dainty height.

Copper coffee table by Nucleo

According to Nucleo, it “plays on the presumption to design the future of its objects making them fossils of themselves. As with the trace fossils where we find the imprint of the original item, in the same way the implementation process that creates the object leads to the destruction of its original.”

In both table designs, Nucleo seeks to redefine the way we view a tabletop structure by revamping its base and adding texture as well as color to its exterior.

—Sonja Hall

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Bring Nature Inside Your Urban Dwelling

Posted on April 30, 2012 by admin

Hey all you pod dwellers.  Here’s a cool way to bring a garden inside.  Great way to grow succulents in Alaska.  Wonderful for apartments, dorms or any small living area.   Its Urbio.

Check out the video:

 

—Fred Schechtman

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