Entertaining/Centerpieces

Got a Light?

No matter what you're serving or what your table looks like, simple votive candles add elegance and instantly dress things up. Also try this simple row of lights on a buffet.
Purchase unscented votives in bulk, and place a candle in the bottom of each glass. When one burns out, simply replace it with another.
Champagne flutes and evergreen sprigs form a centerpiece when interspersed with forest green tea lights in clear votive holders.
Prunings from some junipers stay fresh for a month or more in water. Other short-needled conifers for this use include Arizona cypress, Atlas cedar, Douglas fir, and noble fir.

Firmly Planted

When you want something a little more than just candlelight, add a few topiaries. These, planted with succulents, can be transferred to the garden after the party. Potted plants and herbs also add instant interest to a table.

In a Box

When you’re tight on time, take advantage of what’s plentiful. Simply gather small wrapped presents, a tiered pedestal, and some holly or other greenery. Within minutes, you'll have a centerpiece that will last the entire season (or at least until the gifts are opened). I love the elegance of this centerpiece idea.

Budding Idea

You're sure to have potted poinsettias around the house this time of year. Take a few clippings and place them in bud vases or glass bottles to quickly dress up a table. Set the vases in a row or in clusters on either end of your table.

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Glass Houses

If you follow my blog you are aware I love glass houses, this one truly gives you the
experience of bringing the outside indoors. The Fireorb fireplace frees up floor space, and the spindly tables, chairs, and even kitchen counters help the home feel uncluttered.



The dining room opens onto the semi-walled entrance area. The open floor plan and careful window placement eliminate the need for air-conditioning.



The result of a design/build class taught by Jennifer Siegal and Michael P. Johnson, it’s a dynamic, livable house that honors Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy while tackling important design issues of today, from innovative prefabrication to sustainable systems like solar panels and rainwater and gray-water collection.



Sustainable features and native plants up the ante on a seamless integration of indoors and out.



A grassy roof helps keep the kitchen from heating up in warm months.

Sliding doors let evaporation from the swimming pool cool the house.



The use of a structural steel frame allowed for more flexible floor plans: Someday, for instance, units A and C could be combined to make an apartment large enough to house a home office, an aging parent, or a growing family.



The roof's deep overhang keeps the rooms cool even though the walls are glass.



Geothermal systems that heat and cool the house, and solar panels providing power, let this house sit relatively lightly on a dramatic landscape.



This largely glass house slices across the steeply sloping site, taking advantage of the mature trees, which help preserve some privacy.



As wildfires often ravage this part of the Santa Barbara coast, the architects chose fire-resistant materials (steel, concrete) for the construction.
http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/Projects/Type/Featured

Dining Room Ideas

Energizing Palette

Designer Troy Beasley adds vibrant pops of red, orange and blue to this streamlined, contemporary dining room. Neutral gray walls allow the colorful accents to shine.

Happy Hues

A vibrant yellow and blue color scheme gives this small dining room a sunny and almost tropical aspect. Design by Lori Dennis.

A Taste for the Exotic

Designer Angelo Surmelis brings Indian flair to this space with the addition of intricately carved and painted wood panels. He adds interest to the tabletop by layering plates, napkins and chargers in varying colors and patterns.

Designer Troy Beasley opts for a pair of oversized, modern pendants to illuminate this lofty dining room filled with soft grays, warm tans and a fresh pop of pear green.

Warm and Family Friendly

Designer Angelo Surmelis creates a warm and inviting space for entertaining with a soft yellow paint color on both the walls and ceiling. Enlarged black-and-white family photos add graphic punch while a dark-stained table and upholstered chairs create an elegant and comfortable place to linger over a home-cooked meal.

Tonal Stripes

Designer Genevieve Gorder creates a bright backdrop with a creamy tone-on-tone paint treatment. A modern, oversized drum pendant and traditional table and chairs painted charcoal gray give this dining room a modern twist.

Bathroom Vanities - Finally the Modern Bathroom Vanity Grows Up

Finally! The modern bathroom vanity has grown up; gone are the days of the wall to wall joinery that is more in place in the kitchen rather than the bathroom vanity area. Bespoke bathroom furniture pieces that are more sophisticated in their design and manufacture are becoming more widely accepted and utilised by the Sydney & Melbourne market place.

Our new Lift Up wall cabinet for the modern bathroom is a great new design idea for these bathroom types, at first glance it is just a generous mirror applied to the wall but is really so much more; Recessed into the wall (all bathrooms have one) it makes use of the space that is generally (always) forgotten. It gives great bathroom storage and will make your bathroom feel that much larger as you can just float a beautiful basin & or bench bellow it, there no bulky joinery item taking over the space. Also by eliminating the joinery below the handbasin you can get right up close to the basin and you will never have to move to access your products & personal affects.

The other design idea is running strip LED lights underneath or all the way around the carcase for that touch of Hollywood! You can match that with some LED lights under the floated washbasin/bench to create a real bathing retreat....

The other cool thing we are very happy to see is the removal of White internals to the cabinet! The use of dark colours and even Black means your products stand out more and it is a lot more sophisticated, couple this with very clever hinge technology so the doors can lift up effortlessly and softly close, this new cabinet revolutionises good old bathroom shaving cabinet!

When you stop and think, we start and finish our day in the bathroom so why not go the extra few steps! So thankfully the Modern bathroom vanity has finally grown up & with the this great new bathroom design idea from Minosa you can now utilise space that has generally been forgotten.

Modern Bathroom Design Ideas by Minosa

Colorful Contemporary Kitchens

Even the slightest touch of color can make a bold statement. Dark wood cabinetry is toned down by the pale-green glass backsplash and the white granite countertops. Lavender chairs and a flowing violet flower arrangement deliver a lively touch of color to this modern kitchen. Design by Daniel Bodenmiller.

A unique peacock feather painted on the ceiling sets the color scheme for this transitional kitchen. The pretty blues of the mural are reflected in the soft wall color and seating, and bursts of orange are found scattered throughout the space. All of the colors are effectively pulled together in the tiled floor and artwork. Design by Ken Kelly.

This kitchen reflects the owner's love for artistic expression. Custom cabinetry made from hand-painted exotic woods creates a creative palette for the space. Stainless steel appliances and hardware work to give the kitchen its contemporary feel. Design by Lou Ann Bauer.

This kitchen's unique use of color against the taupe cabinetry and pale accessories is both unexpected and elegant. Fresh green walls extend to the ceiling and to the upholstery of the barstools. Green is also reflected in the island's centerpiece. Design by Shelly Riehl David.

A gorgeous burnt orange adds warmth to this modern kitchen. With crisp stainless steel countertops and white lacquered cabinetry, walnut floors, orange seating and a focal point wall of natural stone balance the modern, sleek look of the kitchen. Design by Andreea Avram Rusu.

A neutral wall color is the backdrop for this transitional kitchen designed with a Southwestern flair. A mix of light and dark wood tones combines well with subtle green dining chairs. Bright orange flower arrangements and a yellow fruit arrangement lend a sunny splash of color. Design by Amy Bubier.

This contemporary kitchen gets its burst of color from the unique cabinetry, tileworks and furnishings. Light wood paired with deep-blue cabinet details and barstools provides a bold contrast. Mixed with the other colors, the overall effect is eye-opening and aesthetically pleasing. Design by Lou Ann Bauer.

Designer's Notes

Display a unique wine cellar by designing it under a stairway. What was previously a coat closet was transformed into a wine cellar with custom wine holders that were created out of solid walnut and stacked in such a way that they create a very architectural feel. Now, the staircase is much more open with glass replacing the drywall, and the entire area went from boring to functional and eye-catching.



From the top of the staircase, the use of tile and wrought iron details balance the curved wall of windows allowing light to brighten this rustic entry. The one-of-a-kind chandelier lantern accentuates the style.

This seemingly simple baluster engages the eye with its intriguing curves and keeps it interesting with its modest detail. Once the eye is focused on this beautiful staircase, it will follow it all the way up, leading to the spectacular surprise at the end, the fabulous ceiling. With its dark walnut beams placed symmetrically on both sides of each of the half moon windows, it is hard not to stare at the exquisite ceiling.

The client is a serious art collector, so we focus on highlighting their pieces and treated our furniture, light and area rug selections as art themselves. All recessed light fixtures are updated to low voltage lamps and art spotlights are installed throughout to accentuate the photography collection.



A soft-toned wall covering provides a neutral backdrop to showcase exquisite art, a beveled mirror and a hand-crafted curved demilune table in the entry of a Minneapolis loft.



A round foyer gets touches of color from the upholstered benches.

Having multiple vases in different sizes and shapes adds much needed height to a console or table.


A curved console is a perfect fit against this curved wall. Adding drama around the curved staircase.



A sweeping, circular glass stairway with a curved mahogany handrail soars through this home's two-story atrium. The distinct, curved glass steps are clear when seen from the side but opaque from above and below to offer a feeling of solidity as you ascend or descend.

Pillow Talk

Natural Palette

Green, yellow and brown decorative pillows brighten up a solid tan couch with a natural — but lively — color palette.

Rainbow Hues

This white living room gets its burst of color with an array of vibrant decorative pillows on the window seat and couch.

Vibrant Solids

Solid throw pillows, like these from Company C, can add simple color to a bed or sofa.

Chic Pink

Small hot pink accent pillows can add a playful touch of color against white pillows and taupe walls.

Classic Red

Designer Elizabeth P. Clarke uses a crisp red pillow against a cream chair for a splash of color.

Mellow Yellow

Yellow accent pillows to pop against the crisp white sofa and to complement the pale yellow walls.

Touch of Pumpkin

Pumpkin-colored pillows add a lively visual to the neutral-toned space.