Below is a guest post on the space referred to as the ‘Man Cave’. S Interior Design has also referred to this space as the ‘Men’s Den’. In fact we just completed such a space for a client. An under used guest bedroom was transformed. It included a reclaimed wood tile wall, a custom coffee table that displayed his rifles, custom designed seating and of course—a large television.
Category Archives: Custom Furniture
S. Interior Design Pamlcroft
Welted Arm, Built to the floor, swivel, tight back, Palmcroft Arm, Transitional, contemporary
One of several custom upholstered furniture pieces we designed for a Desert Mountain client looking for some color in her interior environment. Thanks Pacific Manufacturing for making it so easy !
High Point Highlights- Spring 2013
Some great design tips and ideas from the High Point, N.C. Market which just passed.
Colors, neutrals, patterns, floral, geometric, organic……….all were represented. There is no 1 right way to design, there is not the 1 trend to follow. This illustrates what S Interior Design always tells her clients “the only thing to be aware of is what you like and want, don’t worry about what is trendy or in.”
Take a look at this video from one of my favorite celebrity designers Candice Olson speaking at Surya Rugs and Textiles. When stating from ‘scratch’ in a room, beginning with the area rug selection is often a great way to begin the design.
Here is a link to a blog by ‘Design Addict Mom‘ who shows us great images from her time at Market .
Unique Chairs For Dining
When you are looking for new dining tables/kitchen tables, the chairs you choose to go with your table can really define the style of the space. S Interior Design likes to coordinate the chairs with the table versus purchasing sets. This way, the dining furniture is unique to your home. If you have the need for 4 chairs around your table, think about using 2 of each style. At a long table with chairs at either end, use distinct chairs for the end seating versus the chairs surrounding the table. One of the keys to making it look coordinated is paying attention to scale–make sure the seat heights are comparable.
Handmade – Bespoke Kitchen Design
Is it a tomato or tomatoe? A sofa or a couch? Sometimes different words can mean the same thing. This is NOT true for hand made/bespoke kitchens versus a made -to- measure kitchen which is essentially stock items specified in certain dimensions, and finishes . S Interior Design often combines semi-custom kitchen components with bespoke, and therefore unique design elements when we do kitchen remodels for our clients. The guest post shown below (from across ‘The Pond’ for my United States readers who may not recognize some word spelling), describes some key differences between a true Bespoke/Handmade kitchen and other kitchen design options
Defining a bespoke kitchen:
Bespoke design is a term that is bandied about casually by a number of trades, as well as kitchen and furniture fitters. The word has been adopted by many large kitchen companies who offer little more than ‘made-to-measure’. A bespoke kitchen can be best described as ‘handmade kitchens’. Read on find out about handmade kitchens.
Bespoke versus made-to-measure
Between the extremes of ‘bespoke design’, and ‘pre-produced’, sits ‘made-to-measure’. Often made-to-measure means taking pre-existing designs and customising them to suit a certain type of room. In terms of kitchen design, this will often mean giving customers the choice of colour, work surface material, or door handle etc. Bespoke on the other hand, refers to something that is individually cut or designed to meet specific individual requirements.
Defining bespoke kitchens
As a concept, bespoke refers to custom-made products, without any pre-existing sizes and patterns. Many kitchen companies will offer ‘made-to-measure’ and think that it qualifies as bespoke. A true bespoke kitchen designer will be able to design and build unique kitchen furniture, tailored to meet specific requirements. These are not pre-produced, but are made specifically on design request. A better phrase to use would be a ‘hand-made kitchen’, as the value is in the expert design and production process.
Bespoke Kitchen Design
The Design and Production Process
Handmade kitchens are defined by their design and production process. Some companies will allow you to customise designs to fit your individual kitchen, but the process is not truly bespoke. When choosing a handmade kitchen, it is the designers job to take a customers vague ideas and concept of a ‘dream kitchen’ and turn them into reality.
Going bespoke
Purchasing a handmade kitchen will begin with an initial design consultation whereby the designer will try to establish the following. Is it solely a place for preparing food, or does it have a multi-purpose function as a living and a socialising area? These underlining principles will shape the design of a kitchen.
The designer will also ask the customer if they have any specific aesthetic requirements, including a the type of material used or style of design. One way that kitchen designers can ascertain their customers needs, is by asking them what they liked and disliked about their past kitchens.
After establishing what you are looking for in a kitchen, and choosing a design style and other elements such as the type of cooker, the designer can then produce technical drawings or CAD drawings to bring your ideas to life.
Tips:
Request for bespoke designers to show you past work to help to give you an idea of what they can produce.
A truly bespoke kitchen company will own a workshop whereby individualised furniture is made. The value of a handmade kitchen is in the specialised design process, and the highly skilled craftsman employed, to the trusted fitting team. The difference between a top kitchen design company and a poor standard product can often be found out by looking at the production process. If you are serious about purchasing a handmade kitchen, I would advise you enquire into the production process or even request to see the workshop.
Article submitted by Richard Davonport, Managing Director at Davonport who offer bespoke kitchens with practical design features which can be tailored exactly to your needs. Founded almost 20 years ago, Davonport combine the latest technology with traditional woodcraft and finishing skills, to create cabinets of the highest quality. Meet our high skilled team of kitchen designers at http://www.davonport.com
Televisions and Open Spaces
For some unknown reason I get a magazine called Home Theater delivered to me. As an Interior Designer I am frequently challenged to incorporate audio-visual components into my room designs. As I looked through the latest issue of Home Theater magazine a unique and functional option was revealed.
When you have a large open space (think loft spaces or combination living and dining spaces) that needs some visual and functional division, you can achieve that while concurrently housing your audio-visual components. The side without the flat screen TV can be used to display books and decorative objects. It is from Contempo Wall. You get to customize your unit choosing from a wide range of finishes (wood tones, colors, mirrors, matte, glossy)
Television in Your Master Bedroom
Okay, raise your hands “How many of you have a television in your master bedroom?” If you do, do you wish it was a little less obvious? There are solutions!
Below is guest post about TV Lift systems. Options for a cabinet at the foot of your bed, drop downs from the ceiling and even in-floor automated systems are available.
On a personal note, I do not have a TV in the master bedroom, however if I did I would surely want the in-floor automated system!
Give Your Master Bedroom a Facelift with a TV Lift
Of all the rooms in your house, the master bedroom is the one space that should be devoted completely to your comfort. This area serves a single purpose: helping you rest and relax. That doesn’t just mean sleeping, listening to music, or reading a book. It can also be very soothing to lounge on a luxurious memory foam mattress and watch a favorite show before it’s time for lights out. For many of us, that’s actually part of the ritual of “winding down” as we prepare for sleep. The biggest problems with putting a TV in the master bedroom have to do with space and aesthetics. Here are three ways you can use an automated TV lift mechanism to keep your master bedroom looking serene and uncluttered.
Foot of the Bed
One favorite master bedroom project is installing a TV lift at the foot of a bed. It can go in a prefabricated TV lift cabinet or in a custom-made piece of furniture to match the headboard. If you pick a screen the correct size (between 42 and 46 inches on the diagonal), the viewing distance is just right. This is the type of setup to choose if:
- The space at the foot of the bed isn’t needed for a walkway
- You like to sit propped up in the bed while you watch TV
- You want a lift cabinet that blends in with your existing bed frame
- You want a piece of media furniture that provides storage for additional A/V components, DVDs, and more
Ceiling Drop Down
Sometimes, adding another piece of furniture can really throw an entire room off-balance. That’s OK; you don’t need a cabinet to install a TV lift. The lift can be concealed in the ceiling to drop down at the push of a button. This is a much more attractive option than having a wall mount looming over the bed. No one will even know it’s there until the lift is activated. A drop down mechanism is ideal if:
- You don’t want a big entertainment center taking up floor space
- You don’t want to block French doors or a picture window with a view
- You like to recline far back with your head tilted slightly up as you watch TV
Under Floor Lift
This is one of the least expected places to hide a TV lift, but it can be a great way to keep your bedroom décor looking streamlined. An under floor lift will work with almost any type of floor covering since the lid floats up with the TV. It blends particularly well with hardwood floors since the grooves in the wood flooring hide the outline of the lid easily. This is the style to choose if:
- You want to install a very large, heavy TV that isn’t suitable for a ceiling mount
- Your bedroom faces a wall where there isn’t generally any foot traffic
- You like to watch TV from a longer viewing distance
With so many great options for installing a TV tastefully in a master bedroom, we bet you won’t rest until you have a TV lift to call your own!
Accent Pillows —A Must Have Room Accessory
Okay, I have a confession—I have a bit of an accent pillow obsession (along with shoes of course!). Accent pillows are a great way to update your existing seating and bedding without starting from scratch.
You can change pillows out seasonally to evoke the feeling of summer or fall or winter or even at holiday times. You can splurge on a pricey fabric when having pillows fabricated because you don’t need a lot of yardage. Styles range from simple box pillows to highly adorned and trimmed pillows; the options are endless.
So, when asked to post this guest blog about decorative pillows, we of course said YES!!
Decorate with Pillows
Pillows are like the icing on the cake. They bring life to sofas and beds. Pillows are important design elements in the house, and they are some of the best items to express the owner’s individuality. Beautiful pillows have great fabrics that match the theme of the room.
There are some rules that homeowners can follow in order to come up with a beautifully decorated sofa and bed.
Factors to Consider when Decorating with Pillows
• Size
Homeowners should consider the pillows’ size so that they will match the size of the sofa and the bed. Standard pillows usually measure about 18 inches. They are great for typical-sized sofas. Large pillows are also a good choice when owners are trying to create a more lounge-like and casual feel.
• Fill
Pillows with feather-and-down fills are the softest. Unfortunately, this is the most expensive pillow filler. On the other hand, foam and other synthetic fills can hold the pillow’s shape as they are stiffer.
• Quantity
Designers like to include an odd numbers of pillows as it tends to be more artistic. Homeowners may consider having one, three or five pillows depending on the number that can fit into the furniture. Typically, a chair needs only one pillow while a standard 88-inch sofa needs three or five pillows.
• Shape and Color
Opting for a combination of different pillow shapes creates a fun and lively appearance. One common combo is a pair of square solid pillow with a color that contrasts with the sofa, one oblong-shaped pillow at the center and two extras. The two additional pillows can have patterns and may have the same color as either the sofa or the solid pillows.
• Texture
The texture of the pillows should contrast with the sofa’s upholstery. This will ensure that people will not slide off their seats.
• Room’s Theme
All pillows in the living room do not necessarily have to be the same. However, there should be at least a connection between them that will show through their palette or style. A good theme will provide the room with a more polished and unified feel.
Decorating Sofas with Throw Pillows
The Traditional Look
• Even numbers of pillows are great for a traditional sofa look. Four pillows may be arranged on either side of the furniture to present balance and order.
• The pillow size will depend on the size of the sofa. The traditional look is enhanced by pairing 20 to 22 inch square pillows with smaller sized round pillows. Proportion is the key for a pleasing traditional sofa look.
• Silk and velvet pillow fabric can work best with a traditional sofa look. It can have prints and patterns such as flowers. These prints should be simple and may only have two or three colors. One solid and one printed pillow make a great pair.
• A thin braid or cord is a great choice for small pillow trims, and tassel fringes are perfect for bigger ones.
The Modern Look
• An odd number of pillows works best with modern designs. A few large pillows can be mixed with little ones.
• The pillows should be large enough to show off large pattern designs or just a solid color. Oblong-shaped pillows will also boost the modern look.
• Cotton and linen are the best picks for pillow fabrics. Large geometric prints with a few different colors should be considered. However, those who love more colors are not prohibited from going for what they like.
• Trims are usually only for traditional look, but they can also be used. They should maintain the pillow’s solid color and at the same time add interest to it. http://www.2modern.com has a lot of modern pillow collections to choose from.
The Eclectic Look
• An odd or even number of pillows can work well in an eclectic room without making it look cluttered.
• Generally, designers prefer similarly sized large pillows that measure around 18 to 24 inches.
• The pillow fabrics can all be different, but they should have at least one color that connects them. This will ensure that they have unity despite having different fabrics. The eclectic look actually relies more on the fabric than the other elements.
• Trims should be kept simple. They can have braided edges. Inside Avenue offers many choices of decorative pillows that will perfectly complete the living room’s eclectic look.
Decorating Beds with Pillows
• Decorative pillows on beds should blend well with the comforter and coverlet. They are also best paired with foams from Memory Foam Express.
• It is best that pillows are positioned with the biggest part at the back and the smaller part in front. Doing so will ensure that the fabric is given more emphasis.
• Pillow colors can be pulled from all fixtures and furniture inside the room.
• Pillow colors and patterns can bring a more casual look to the bedroom. One great example is white bedding topped with a heavily printed coverlet and white and gray-colored pillows.
• Contemporary looks often involve white pillows and one decorative pillow as an accent.
• Pillow positions on the bed can also add to the overall look of the room. They can be placed diagonally. This may be a simple idea, but this little interesting detail can actually make a lot of difference.
• People who want to have numerous pillows on the bed should opt for a limited palette so as not to overwhelm the room. There are homeowners who really want to have nine pillows around them. There are more pillow ideas available here.
Decorating a home with pillows is fun. Homeowners can actually change the overall feel of their homes by simply adding pillows or changing their fabric, colors and arrangement. However, it is always important that they follow the rules in choosing the pillows for their sofa or bed. Otherwise, their space will look more cluttered rather than pleasing. Different types of pillows for modern, traditional and conventional looks can be found at instyle-decor.
This Guest Post is written by Lisa Jolan: You can connect with her on twitter @lisajolan
Master Bedroom Makeovers-A Short Video
Master Bedroom Makeovers by S Interior Design- We all love a movie right? Short and sweet with some nice music to go along 🙂
Does Your Child Have the Bedroom of Their Dreams?
Here’s another great guest blog with some wonderful tips for designing a room for a child. This blog identifies the major areas of design and offers some interesting solutions. Give it a read and let us know if you agree with their creative ideas.
Designing a bedroom for your child can be one of the most fun home projects. You can really get creative and design something that your child will remember forever. So when you design your child’s bedroom, make sure that you have their personality and the things they love in mind. The most important part of your child’s bedroom is the walls. The walls cover a large area of the room and getting them right is critical for the overall design of the room.
Having a theme will help to direct your ideas and unify the room.
The best way to design a kids bedroom is with a theme in mind. Some theme ideas are medieval, cityscape, auto racing, dinosaurs, forest, the universe, and the old west. There are many more of course, but these should give you some ideas. Make sure to get your child’s input when deciding on a final theme. Searching the internet is also a good way of coming up with ideas or getting examples of ideas you have come up with.
Once you have come up with a theme, it is time to get designing. Decorating the walls is the most important because they will set the scene for the entire room. Wallpaper is the best way to decorate the walls in your child’s bedroom. It is easier to find intricate designs children like, it can be removed if they damage it, and it keeps the walls underneath in good shape.
Custom wallpaper is a great way to get just the look you are going for and allows you to be as creative as you want when designing your project.
While there are many great wallpaper designs for children’s rooms out there, you may want something a little more unique, or perhaps you’re not able to find exactly what you are looking for. The best thing to do in this situation is to have custom wallpaper made for your child’s bedroom.
When designing custom wallpaper, you can use any digital photo or digital image as the template for the walls. A single six megapixel photo can be blown up to the size of an entire wall. This means that any photo you have from family vacations, trips to the zoo, baseball games, or pictures of their favorite park can become decorations on your child’s wall.
You are not restricted to photographs either. You can use a graphic design program to design digital images to decorate your child’s walls as well. You could make a cartoon background, a stars and planets scene, or even an alien world.
Once you have designed the walls, it is time to move on to the rest of the room. Choose paint for furniture that matches your theme. Choose carpet that is darker and good at hiding stains. Your child’s bed is another element where you can let your imagination run wild. There are many premade child’s bed designs that are amazing. Of course, if you have the carpentry skills, know someone who does, or can afford to have a bed custom made; you can really get creative.
So, I hope this has given you some ideas on how to make your child’s wildest dreams come true when designing a bedroom for them.
Author Bio: Blake Pearson is a large format printing expert and online publisher for www.megaprint.com who writes on the topics of design and printing.
About Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID
Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID, is the owner and founder of S Interior Design, the exclusive provider of Pawprint Design Services™. Suzanne works with her clients to develop a winning combination of design elements that result in warm, comfortable and functional spaces that reflect each client’s personal style. Suzanne and her team specialize in residential, contract and hospitality interior design, from simple color selections, to office build outs, to restaurant, spa and hotel designs. Suzanne shares her years of expertise through the power of social media. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and at this blog. To speak to Suzanne about your interior design needs, please call 480-220-4659 or visit her website at www.sinteriordesign.com.
S Interior Design- Scottsdale, Arizona Blog 