Thursday, June 30, 2011

Kitchen Designs Ideas 2011 by Candice Olson

Function meets style when designer Candice Olson creates a gathering place for the whole family in the kitchen.




Open Yet Divided





To create visual separation between the kitchen and family room, Candice designs a light and airy look for the kitchen. The main cabinets are painted cream with a strie finish and topped with cream quartz countertops. A backsplash in handcrafted, multicolored glass tile is the perfect complement and adds a bit of excitement to the space.





Industrial Chic





Candice creates a large open-concept kitchen with a system of wooden posts and beams with steel joinery, which are not only crucial for support, but also give the room an open, loft-like feeling. Shaker-style cabinets, a grey-green glass tiled backsplash and polished quartz countertops that has the appearance of concrete keep with the industrial look.





Practical Style





Rich cabinetry, state-of-the art appliances and a host of contemporary fixtures and finishes create a kitchen that's a mix of style and function. A large, square island is the focal point of the kitchen and can be used for preparation and eating.





Streamlined Elegance





The focal point of this kitchen is the stunning backsplash comprised of chocolate, coffee and cream mosaic glass tiles. Espresso cabinets and white quartz countertops contrast well with the stainless steel appliances and hardware. A 14-foot-long kitchen island serves two functions, a lower section features a built-in sink and storage for a bar area and the higher section functions as the dining area.





Classic Meets Modern





The L-shaped kitchen is a blend of traditional and contemporary, particularly in the island, which is an antique wooden cabinet topped with classic Carrara marble. White shaker-style cabinets and sleek quartz countertops are combined with stainless steel appliances and fixtures, while green glass tiles are used for the backsplash and to add a bit of color above the cabinets.





Mid-Century Charm





To pay homage to the home's mid-century modern design, the kitchen layout maximizes the outdoor view and features streamlined zebra-wood cabinetry with white quartz countertops. Vintage-style pendants and funky barstools add a retro touch.





Blend of Function and Fashion





Cream cabinetry with mushroom countertops is combined with travertine floor tiles for a functional yet stylish kitchen, and bold wallpaper is a stunning focal point behind the workstation. Lit by two crystal chandeliers, a dark wood island with creamy quartz countertop houses a recycling center, a dishwasher and sink, as well as doubles as an eating space.





Serenely Blue





The backsplash is the perfect area to inject personality into your kitchen. Glass tiles that complement the grey-blue walls create a clean, contemporary backdrop between the contrasting black and white cabinets.





Warm and Welcoming





Custom cabinetry in a creamy shade and mushroom-colored quartz countertop set the tone for this functional kitchen, while the island takes center stage with espresso cabinetry and cream countertops. Eco-friendly cork flooring grounds the space and is perfect for a space where you're standing all the time. Brushed bronze finishes add a traditional touch to the kitchen.

Bright Idea

Book Lamp. Designed by Ragip Erdem.

Designers are getting inventive with their use of old books. Not too long ago we saw Not Tom’s Book Bookshelf, which is actually made of unwanted books, both paperback and hardcover (Not Tom does Not discriminate). And designer David Karoff presented Book Chair, a chair constructed of repurposed paperbacks.
Now Ragip Erdem is using old hardcovers to make lamps. The transparently titled Book Lamp (and why not be obvious, since you want people to see the light?) uses one tome to create a unique lighting fixture.

American design, Book Lamp, books, design with books, hardcovers, Ragip Erdem, recycled materials, repurposed materials

Available as a table light or pendant light, Book Lamp uses all the parts of the book: pages, spine, and front and back covers. The idea behind the design is to emphasize the metaphorical beauty of the book, as well as to take advantage of the book as an object, which may be disappearing as it gets replaced by digitized versions. The romance of the book struck designer Erdem quite early: “When I was in high school just glancing at my books on the book shelves used to take me to the exotic worlds.” His Book Lamp attempts to harness “that lost mysterious feeling.”

Book Lamp. Designed by Ragip Erdem.

But Book Lamp works on a literal level as well, celebrating books as objects, turning them “into sculpturesque icons.” As such, Book Lamp is steeped in the atmospheric and the symbolic. The light it emanates works to set a mood; it is not meant to be used as a task light. Designer Ragip Erdem will custom make any order based on your literary tastes. Art and coffee table books lend themselves quite well to the creation of Book Lamp, which leaves open a world of possibilities. While he has completed Book Lamps around titles such as Maui and Chocolate, the possibilities are as far-reaching as the entire history of literature. You can create a beaming beacon out of fantastic fairy tales or weighty world histories.


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Candice Olson's Kitchen Design Ideas 2011

Create your own divine kitchen with Candice Olson's top 10 kitchen design and decorating tips




Open Up Your Space





Knock out a wall to add space to your kitchen. This kitchen seamlessly integrates with the dining area, using a buffet island to separate the two.





The Necessary Island





If your kitchen is all about family, invest in an island. This long island features a stunning white quartz countertop, white and chrome bar chairs, and a dark wood base to match the mahogany floor.





Durable Solutions





Design your dream kitchen for durability. Three kinds of porcelain tile and carefully planned cabinet storage make this kitchen a stylish workhorse.





Update Cabinets





On a budget? Refinish existing cabinetry. These former maple cabinets look custom with their new finish and same-color painted bulkhead.





Love Your Kitchen





Design your kitchen to cater to what you love. This baker's dream kitchen includes a peninsula for entertaining, a lounge area and comfortable flooring.





Use a Similar Color





Integrate family rooms into the kitchen through color. Dark, espresso-toned cabinets coordinate well with this space's black sofa and warm khaki walls.





Find Inspiration in Your Favorites





Bring the charm of your favorite place to the kitchen. Displaced after Hurricane Katrina, this couple now live in a Big Easy kitchen with French-style accessories.





Unique Flooring





Make a statement with your kitchen flooring. Stripes of light and dark concrete-like material add an unexpected touch to this contemporary kitchen.





Creative Backsplashes




Backsplashes add character to the kitchen. This tin-tile backsplash was painted cream for an antique effect.




Mix It Up



Two-toned kitchens are more interesting than one-toned. A marble island, different cabinet finishes and Art Deco tile make this Candice's favorite Divine Design kitchen makeover

Modern Dining Rooms Ideas 2011 Designers By " HGTV "




Symmetrical design and elegant lines convey formality in this modern dining room. Photo by Mayer Bowden Photography.





Stone and columns dress up this simple square dining room. The contemporary furniture and lighting are in hues of orange and red, making the space seem decadent and inviting. Bon appetit!





This room is set apart by its bold artwork and colorfully vibrant floral. These bright colors are able to pop with the backdrop of cool white chairs and ebony furnishings and flooring. The lighting is also light and fresh with oversized shades and a mod, urban look.Design Tip: The Wow factor in this room is not just from the artwork and flowers, but also the important contrast in dark-white colors on the chairs, walls and baseboards.







The spiral chandelier echoes the round shape of the dining table in this dining room. Decorative elements like the glass sculptures and the round plant pots also contain round shapes. Repetition is a way to create a unified space.




The dark wooden dining room set instantly attracts the eye, and the metallic light fixture adds a modern touch while the beautiful pebbles inserted below the table’s glass top bring the outdoors in.




The dining room reveals the continuation of the quality details like the chandelier featured in this shot. Balancing the size of the dining set and the pattern of the wallpaper in the dining area achieves a look of unexpected grandness.





Our goal for this project was to transform a cold yet architecturally significant space into a warm, inviting home featuring artistic, high-end furniture, rugs and lighting. All pieces were to be authentic, unique and interesting, yet very comfortable.





This large round dining table is ideal for a dinner party or gathering. The Tortuga Dining Table was custom designed by SPI with a CaesarStone top and an ebonized wood base.





An elegant dining room with modern, sparkling accents is glamorous with its waterfall-inspired beaded chandelier

Modern Windows Treatment Ideas 2011



New Neutrals


Designer Lori Gilder says "charcoal and slate are the new neutrals and blend beautifully with the metallic trends." This darker neutral frames a window elegantly and adds a more sophisticated look to your room. Design by Genevieve Gorder.



Jewel Tones



Window treatments in jewel tones, which range from deep reds to subtle blues, are sophisticated and create the atmosphere of luxury in any space. Designer Jennifer Duneier says, "Jewel tones, like amethyst and turquoise, are popular mixed with soft metallics such as platinum or brushed nickel." Image Courtesy of Casa Fiora.



Stainless Steel




Not just a favorite for appliances anymore, stainless steel is making its way throughout the home. To incorporate this trend into your window treatments, designer Lori Gilder suggests threading stainless steel and other metallic curtain rods through simple eyelets at the top of panels to create a simple unadorned look. Design by Erinn Valencich.



Cheery Yellow


Brighten up a room with cheerful draperies. According to designer Lori Gilder, "Yellow epitomizes warmth and a sunny outlook toward the future.



Layer Shades


"Another trend is to layer shades," says Jennifer Duneier. "A blackout shade might be installed right next to the window with a sheer shade in front of it.



Metallics


"Metallic surfaces are back in vogue," says Lori Gilder. "Silver, bronze and gold metallic fabrics layered with sheers are making a grand appearance in living rooms and bedrooms. The simple layering of these metallics draped from a classic metal rod blends beautifully with the latest color trends.



Trim It Up


Personalize window treatments with decorative embellishments. Designer Jennifer Duneier uses trim to create custom-designed treatments. Tapes with shells or buttons attached to them are becoming more popular as well.



Natural Elements


Organic materials are bringing nature indoors. "It’s all about nature-inspired and eco-friendly materials and designs," says designer Lori Gilder. "It’s no longer a trend, but more of a philosophy in the evolution of design. Bamboo, matchstick blinds and natural woven shades layered with simple sheer linen panels create an elegant yet earthy sophistication in any space.



Let the Light In


One trend that's always in style is using window treatments that allow a lot of natural light into the space. Designer Jennifer Duneier suggests to "use simple panels of sheer fabrics to add warmth to the room but still let light through. Many fabric houses are making fabulous sheers in all colors, not just white or cream. They're also using great linen blends with more contemporary patterns. Design by Andreea Avram Rusu.

Italian bedroom decoration style 2011

The Italian bedroom design is usually very warm, romantic and sophisticated. To create this special atmosphere, choose an antique head board made of oak or mahogany for your bed. You can also hang around your windows rich tapestry drapes and expose silver candle sticks or a copper pot full of perfumed rosemary on the bedside tables.







Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Cliff House by Saville Isaacs - Minosa Bathroom Products

As far as complicated sites go, they don’t get much tougher than a cliff top, but the challenges of site created nothing but opportunities for this home.

Architecture will always be a response to site, even in cities where the only physical limitations are other buildings. So while a difficult location might present certain challenges, it also inspires the

most beautiful homes.

This cliff top home south of Sydney takes in views across the Pacific Ocean. “The site posed exciting opportunities rather than anyassociated difficulties in achieving the views,” explains principal Steven Isaacs of Architecture Saville Isaacs.

“Its position and location are unique and incredibly inspirational. The site does have some serious Geotechnical issues being on an eroding cliff edge.” However, Steven explains, this was overcome by cantilevering the building from the top of the site.

“The design of the house is all about how it is placed in nature and how it relates to its surroundings.”

Each aspect has been carefully considered for its use and relationship to the outdoors, from the dramatic sweeping views over the cliff edge, to the framed glimpses of the treed mountain behind and the intimate use of liveable outdoor spaces such as the entry courtyard and the outdoor undercroft deck.

The architects have used a number of contrasting materials, including recycled timbers, glass and a fibre-cement product called Cemintel to create a polished concrete feel for the floors throughout and for the bathroom walls.


The internal spaces each offer unique views, “whether it’s a large open space or view or a small tight composition showing glimpses of green, grass, leaves, rocky mountain, wide blue sea and sky”.

“Wherever one is in the house one is constantly connected to place.”

The Above is taken from the Habitus Living News letter, for more great Design news visit http://habitusliving.com

Architecture Saville Isaacs
architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au


All bathroom products for this amazing house have been supplied by Minosa and features the Minosa products - Double ScoopED Custom, Scoop Washbasin, Kava Washbasin.