Monday, October 31, 2011

What Decor Style Am I? Interior Design Personalities and Needs


Television and the Internet has given us an incredible insight and locking into some of the most stylish and well Designed homes in the world. We see incredible Decor every day and it leaves many people asking the question 'what Decor Style am I?'

Of course there are an infinite amount of Styles and types of interior Design to suit every different taste imaginable. There are also Designs and Styles of Decor that suit individual locations, for example one interior that is perfect for a New York apartment may not be perfect for a London flat.

If you are wondering what Decor Style your personality is then the easiest way to do this is to break the Styles into three understandable genres - traditional, modern and eclectic.
If you'd like interior Designs that are slightly warmer, richer in colour and include ornaments and scenic paintings, then perhaps you are more of a traditionalist. Think country cottage as opposed to penthouse suite.

Perhaps you prefer clean lines, light colours and the more minimalistic approach. Do you like the look of innovative Designer furniture, hard floors and open plan rooms? If this is you then you are definitely suited to a more modern Style.

Finally we have the eclectic personality, which can be very similar to the modern Decor. I like to think of the eclectic Style as being very clever. For example imagine an antique piece of china displayed in a deep box frame hanging on a wall or etched mirrors strategically placed.

Of course to really understand your Style and to find the answer to the question, what Decor Style am I? Then your best speaking to an interior Designer who can advise you on what work will best suit your home and your personality.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Window treatments – How to identify a Reputable Interior Designer?


If you have decided that your home space is in need of a complete makeover, you may wisely be looking for a professional to help you get the most out of your property. But for finding a reputed Interior design company London is about more than just scanning the phonebook for the first match. Keep in mind these essential points are for choosing the right professional for your project.

At some point in your life you might need help from a local service provider who is experienced and has a creative flair for Interior design work. But other than opening up the Yellow Pages and reading the display ads, what are your options for finding a reputable Interior designer?
In most cases, you might not know where to start, and you might not even know what types of questions to ask. Then there's the unknown factor of how much it's going to cost.

Since you probably don't have much experience working with Designers, it's always safe to call several of your friends to ask if any of them have ever hired such a professional to help with their home design projects.
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Decorating:The next group of people to ask would be co-workers, or people from your church or place of worship. It's like the old adage, if you don't ask people before you buy something, you will always hear about the good people someone hired after your work has been completed.

Since we're living in the Information Age with social marketing sites and all the Internet forums and communication options open to us, you might think it would be a simple solution, but it's usually not.

Many times, Interior Designers are multi-talented and work with commercial as well as residential clients. If you like a particular style that you've seen in a restaurant, ask the owner if he hired an Interior designer. If the answer is yes, then ask for the designer's name and contact information.

If that approach is "too out there" for your personality, then visit trade association web sites such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and look for a web page that lists Designers based on their location, design specialties, and pricing structures. When you find a suitable match with your expectations, then call or contact the designer to make an appointment to discuss your project.

Friday, October 28, 2011

The Importance of Interior Designing

Interior Designing is very crucial as it will be the very first thing that would catch your attention. Once you get inside a hotel, it is the Interior design that you'll notice first. Let's admit, people are born to be judgmental especially those who know more about art and design. You may have a huge and an expensive building but then if it has an awful Interior design, it's not going to give justice to how spacious or costly your place is especially if it's going to be for a business establishment. For example, if the Interior design of your restaurant isn't that appealing then do not expect that guests will keep on coming back as Interior design plays a major role.

So, the best thing to do is ask help from the experts. Below are the ways as to how you could get hold of the best Interior designers in town:
1. Research About Interior Designing – You need to know the basics of Interior Designing so that you could fully explain to the Interior designer what you really want and also understand some of its technicalities. Normally, if you're pretty clueless with something, it sometimes stirs up misunderstanding especially if you're going to deal with an expert. The designer might have ideas which you think is farfetched but actually very important. Therefore, it is highly recommended for you to know the basics first just before getting yourself an Interior designer.

2. Know what you want – Just before you'll talk to the Interior designers, you must know what you want with the design. The color of the wall, the furniture, the theme like if it must be modern-looking or classic or maybe both, the accessories etc. You may get some ideas through searching online, magazines, Interior Designing books etc. Inform the designer of what you want so that he would have an idea as to how your place would want to look like.

3. Get Referrals – Try to talk to a person who already had an experience in hiring an Interior designer. First-hand information will be the best information since he'll be talking based on his experiences. Do not hesitate to ask questions and take down important notes.

4. Leave it to the Expert – Once you already made up your mind as to how your place must look like, let your Interior designer do its thing. He/she has studied that field and so you must remember that he knows the craft more than you do. You must listen to his suggestions and recommendations. You must also realize that there are also designs which would not suit your place and so you should be open-minded and listen to what the Interior designer has to say. Through this way, you will be able to have a harmonious work relationship and miscommunication will be avoided.

If you're going to follow the steps above, for sure, you'll be able to get good Interior Designing results. If you'd like to get hold of the best Interior designers, you could try checking out Arizona Interior Design or Phoenix Interior Design.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Organic Interior Designs


Organic design of Interiors uses natural elements for creating those Designs by minimal usage of synthetic materials. An Organic decorator should be aware of the type of natural elements available in the market and in nature which can be used to replace those synthetic decorators. It will be quite challenging for usual indoor decorators to turn to eco-friendly Interior decorators.

Now a days green or Organic Interior decoration is not very much accepted by the people around the world. But more than 70% of the people around the world would like to live a life which is close to nature. The reason i am telling is because, when looking the travel statistics around the world people are choosing destinations which are close to nature for their holidays. People love nature and likes to have fresh intake of oxygen. Fresh air is not available in big cities and in artificially ventilated Interiors. So people are traveling to those ecological and nature friendly places spend at least some days in a year. Which type of room would you love to live in through out your lifespan whether it is an artificially created room or in a room which is filled with natural light and with a breeze of natural air.
Many people think that green Interior decorating is being utilized by those who don't want to spend much money on their Interiors. People who are willing to spend much money on their Interiors think that their Interior will feel unusual if their turn to Organic Interior decorating. It is a fact that people used to return to those indoors which are Organically designed than those with synthetically designed indoors. Moreover people living inside Organic designed Interiors have got less friction and differences among them when compared to people living in synthetically designed Interiors. Organic Interior design can create that ambience inside a room which can create a sense of tranquility and serenity inside the rooms.With some simple measures and changes synthetically designed rooms can be changed to Organic. Organically designed Interiors are decorated in such a way that it should provide that much need calm and rejuvenation for mind and soul. After all what we need for our homes or office Interiors is peace of mind.

Organic Interior design has become relevant in today's world because of the amount of pollution happening in our cities. Every day people are adding more air conditioners to their rooms. Many research have proved that emissions from these air conditioners is one of the reason for climate change. Organic Interior decorators around the world are having the opinion that people are gradually thinking about Organic Interior Designs for their rooms.

Inviting Mother Nature into the home through home design is an exceptional way to get back to basics while infusing a house with warmth, color, purpose and practicality. We were originally Organic to begin with, so why not keep up the tradition of peace, harmony and health.

Allure the pacifying Mother Nature into your indoors through Organic Interior design is an exceptional way to get back to basics while incorporating a home or office Interior with warmth, color, purpose and practicality. Our ancestors lived an Organic life, so why not keep up the tradition of peace, harmony and health.

Sajive Gangadharan is an Interior design consultant in Kerala who have been in the field of Organic Interior design for more than 13 years. Sajive have born and bought up in a remote village in Kerala where he had led a pure Organic life. His childhood experiences with Organic living have persuaded him to become an Organic Interior designer. He is a pioneer in Interior design Kerala in the field of Organic Interior designing. His Organic designing concepts have been awarded by Interior design organisations and institutions around the world and recently become a certified Organic Interior designer in Kerala, India.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Georgian Style Interior Design Tips


Walls were a very important part of the Georgian Interior and much attention was paid to their treatment. Classically, the wall area would have been divided into three sections: the dado/wainscoting, incorporating the skirting/base board, dado panel and rail (which would be at a height of approximately 75 cm/2ft 6in); the field or mid-wall section; and the top section made up of frieze and cornice.

Early in the period these panels would most probably have been made of oak and finished with a simple wax polish. Later, with the introduction of softwoods, the paneling may have been painted, albeit in rather drab colors, or given a faux wood finish.
Hangings of precious textiles and tapestries were fashionable and fabric walling as we know it also popular (except in the dining room, where food smells might be trapped). Fabrics such as silk and wool damask were attached to walls above dado height by means of wooden battens and finished with a gilt fillet. Costly wallpapers (including flock types and patterns with oriental themes) in sheets rather than rolls were highly prized and most frequently attached to a canvas backing before being hung, thus enabling them to be removed when the owners departed.

Flooring

Exposed bare wooden planks or parquet, simply scrubbed and waxed (and, for coziness, topped with an oriental or area rug) are typical Georgian treatments. For an alternative covering, a painted and varnished floor cloth made of canvas might be incorporated into the scheme. For halls and the grander areas of a house, stone or marble flooring, possibly in a classical pattern, was considered most appropriate.

Furnishings

Close co-ordination between all the soft furnishings within a room would have been evident, each item echoing the material and Style of others. Popular fabrics of the day were velvet, brocade, damask, silk, chintz and tapestry. Oriental themes influenced many of the fabrics and toile de jouy might well have depicted scenes from Chinese life. Embroidered textiles were also very popular.

Lighting And Accessories

The main source of light, apart from the fire, would have been candles. These were housed in candlesticks, candelabra, wall sconces and lanterns made of wood, glass, brass or silver. Many candlesticks were based on classical Designs, while those for the candelabra were mainly rococo in feel. Mirrors in gilt frames featured strongly, as did lacquerwork screens, porcelain ware and fans from the Orient.

Paintings (often hung from a visible fabric bow) were a popular form of wall decoration and sometimes prints were applied directly on to the wall. Silhouettes and silverware were also favored. Items were usually displayed in a symmetrical pattern.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Finding The Design Program That Best Suits Your Needs


Do you consider yourself a creative person, with a knack for creative Design? Are you contemplating a career in Design? If so, you should know that there are dozens of Design Schools that offer a variety of certificate, Associates, and Bachelors degree Programs that concentrate on some of the most innovative areas of creative Design. If you are not sure what your area of pursuit should be, consider some of the Design careers listed in this article.

If you are a visionary who enjoys coming up with ideas and bringing them to fruition, industrial Design might appeal to you. The industrial Design process combines several factors, like creativity, technical information, historic and current ideological influences, and production that bring to life product Designs that can have significant cultural influence. Industrial Designers can secure such diverse careers as product, furniture, automotive, or toy Designer.
Graphic Design typically appeals to the person who likes to draw and enjoys making sense out of abstract images. As a student of graphic Design, you would develop technical and aesthetic skills in drawing, Design, composition, and color. Hands on learning include using industry-related technology and software. Graphic Design skills are in constant demand due to the competitive world of advertising, publishing, and communications. A degree in graphic Design can yield jobs like assistant Designer, graphic Designer, and layout artist.

For those who can walk into a room, bare or furnished, and create a totally new layout in their head would probably do very well in interior Design. Students pursuing a career in interior Design can look forward to developing through individual Design process and studying architecture, drafting, lighting, and drawing. Careers as an interior Designer can include residential planners, Design consultants, and project managers.

Do you find television commercials just as entertaining as some of your favorite Programs? Advertising may be your area of expertise. As a student of advertising, you would learn both the creative and business side of the commercial realm. This includes copywriting, art direction, and account supervision. As a result, you could pursue a profession as an assistant art director, copywriter, or account manager.

Doodling on a pad won't get you recognized as an in-demand illustrator. You might want to consider developing your skills in the illustration degree Program. In this degree Program students learn technical skills while developing their individual expressive style. Curriculum can focus on drawing, painting, and photography. Their degree can garner jobs like book illustrator, graphic novelist, storyboard artists, 2-D artist, and art director.

Interior Designers enjoy furnishing a room to create a specific layout. Designers who have the skill to Design space can investigate residential Design. Typically, you do not have to have previous art or Design experience for the residential Design Program. It is usually offered as a diploma based Program. Students learn about space planning, textiles, furnishings, and engage in hands-on projects like drafting floor plans. Graduates are equipped to apply for entry-level employment such as residential planners.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Interior Design and Trendsetting


Many 20th century Interior Designers had no formal training but they are trendsetters in the world of Design and decorations. They have an eye for art and they are being paid for that. Now, there are lots of Interior Design school and courses that caters to individual need. There are also magazines where common folks can do do-it-yourself projects. Interior Design has now become a trend in itself where more people are willing to spend money to achieve that unique edge. There are also Designers who can command a hefty sum for ideas alone. It is rapidly growing because people are influenced by the Design of celebrity's homes and then they want to apply the same Design on their own home at a lesser cost.
There are a wide range of working conditions and employment opportunities within the scale of the Interior Design jobs. Small and large companies often hire Interior Designers as employees on regular working hours. While some work freelance, they do not have regular clients and workloads are given by the client's word of mouth or by referrals. Besides, they usually work long hours. Interior Design jobs entail a lot of stress because deadlines have to met, client's budget must be considered, and of course, the clients themselves. Their work tends to involve a great deal of traveling to visit different locations, studios, or client's home and offices. With the aid of the recent technology, the process of contracting clients and communicating Design alternatives has become easier and requires less travel. The customers are quite happy with these developments because the Design process became more interactive and exciting, in a relatively technological but labor-intensive environment. Architecture jobs, on the other hand, is the art and science of Designing and erecting buildings and other physical structures. While the architect's job is to Design the physical components of the house or building, what the Interior Designer do is put some aesthetic values to that Design down to the minutest details like flowers and vases. An architecture job shop not only involved technical pens and drafting papers. They use computer-aided Design (CAD) software to manipulate their Designs in different dimensions. A wider definition may comprise all Design activity from the macro level like urban or landscape architecture, to the micro-level like construction details and furniture. Architecture jobs involves the process of product planning, Designing, and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social and aesthetic considerations. It also requires the creative manipulation and coordination of material, technology, light and shadow. Architectural jobs also encompass the pragmatic aspects of realizing building and structures, including scheduling, cost estimating, and construction administration. The documentation produced by the architects are typically drawings, plans and technical specification and they define the structure and behavior of the building or homes that is to be or has been constructed. Interior Design jobs, meanwhile, involves looking for materials that fit together to make the specific look specified by the architectural Design come to life. Architectural works are often perceived as the cultural and political symbols of a certain nation as works of art. Historical civilizations are often identified with their surviving architectural achievements.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Bedroom Interior Design Ideas Review


Bedroom Interior Design Ideas provide independent tips for people who are looking to improve their Bedroom. There is a general misconception when people think and believe that the only way to Design and furnish a Bedroom is in a modern, old-fashion or themed style. This is not true at all. It is true that a Bedroom should be Designed entirely individual and furnished in a way that it helps you to have a great time during your sleeping hours and TV hours.

In fact, your Bedroom is not a public place, and therefore mustn't be furnished in a strict manner. You should feel entirely free to decorate your wall and add furniture to this place however you desire it. There are no rules or obligations for you.
The truth that the average person spends around 7 to 9 hours in his or her Bedroom makes it crystal clear that this place has to be valuable for you. If you cannot sleep well at night because you don't feel comfortable or safe in your Bedroom you are very likely not going to produce optimal results in your profession. At the same time, it should be clear that having interrupted sleep can damage your health enormously. The better you can sleep at night the better results you will produce out there in the world.

So, what is the solution? Indoor water features are definitely one of the aspects that every Bedroom should have. In fact, indoor water features bring calmness and comfort to your sleeping hours. We all know that we tend to sleep a lot better when it rains. It is because the human psycho reacts well to natural things like rain. But adding indoor water features is just a single aspect which can improve your Bedroom.

Our Bedroom Interior Design Ideas suggest having a TV in your Bedroom if it isn't going to harm your sleep. Unfortunately, many people get literally addicted to watching TV and do this until 3 in the morning even though they have to work the next day at 9AM. You can have a TV in your Bedroom but don´t let it have a negative impact on your sleep.

Having framed pictures or posters can help you to feel great as well, especially if the paintings or pictures represent individuals whom you highly value.

As you can see, Bedroom Interior Design Ideas help make your sleeping environment more comfortable.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Interior Design - Incorporating Feng Shui in Western Design Styles


Building and decorating a place that is ideal for dwelling or even work take more than just having the right architect or being able to afford great furniture. For those who wish to have a structure that feels right and brings the best out of anyone who steps in it, using Feng Shui wisdom in Design is a must.

There are many ways that you can incorporate Feng Shui in your Interior Design projects. The very first thing that you should keep in mind is that incorporating Feng Shui into Design takes more than just having a beautiful place. The end results must be rooms and spaces that flow in harmony with you and your family. Every piece of furniture does not necessarily follow a conventional aesthetic standard. In fact, you may end up having pieces that you will not consider beautiful. But as long as they bring peace and comfort to the dwellers, they will not interfere with the chi of the whole place.
The Bagua map will guide you in Designing your home or work space. According to the Bagua map, each aspect of your life is represented in several areas of your home. In relation to this, all areas should be in harmony with each other. The way your arrange your furniture will also be guided by the Bagua map.

When choosing colors, you must consider what is ideal for a specific area of your house. Different colors represent different things and elements. Choose accordingly. For example, if you wish to have a house that represents prosperity, purple is your choice. The elements that you should also choose to promote this aspect of your life are water and wood.

In the end, your home or work space should make you feel at peace. Shapes and colors should be balanced; furniture and the amount of light should be in perfect harmony to those who occupy the room.

Interior Design Tips - Decorating With Picture Frames


Choosing Frames for your art in your Interior Design can be tricky, but here are a few ideas to help you make you best selections.

Modern Pictures usually have simple clean lined Frames. Modern art is usually an expression in itself and the frame is usually very simple, or no frame at all. The common materials used for modern Design are black matte Frames, metals like gold, silver or bronze or plastics, such as acrylic boxes.
Traditional art can have more detail and ornamentation. Traditional art is softer usually and the frame may lend itself to more detail. Be sure that the frame is not more busy than the subject unless you want the frame to be more highlighted than the art subject.
The finish of the frame should compliment the art. Darker art would usually have a darker frame, lighter art would more than likely have a lighter frame. The mat color would usually be complimentary to the main background color of the art and a secondary color mat would compliment one of the main colors of the art also.
Choose the frame to the art, not the room. This is important because sometimes people choose Frames to go with the entire color scheme of the room. This art may actually only go with one color in the color scheme for the room and that is fine. It is not necessary to have all the colors in you room color scheme associated with the art, so choose the frame that highlights the art best, not the entire room. Choose a style of frame that compliments the style of art. Modern frame for modern art, traditional frame for traditional art and playful Frames for kids art. Darker Frames for dark art and lighter Frames for light art.
The scale or size of the frame should be related to the scale of the painting. Smaller Pictures can be made to feel larger by leaving space around them between the Picture and the frame. This can be done with several layers of mats or the art can even "float" if you want to put it in a plexiglass frame for a more modern look. If the art is made to look larger by space around it, then the frame can be larger scale too. Very large art may have 4"-6" or more frame width. Remember to consider this frame width in the overall size of the art. Some art may be framed to size with a smaller frame with a smaller Picture and larger scale Frames with larger Pictures. There also is a trend to put a thin metal frame around a large piece of art. This highlights the Picture and looks like a border around it, as apposed to a framed look.
The frame does not need to "match" the Picture, it should harmonize with it. Color matching is not necessary when choosing your frame with art. Stand back and see if the color of the frame harmonizes nicely with the colors in the art. Too much matching can make it look boring.
Very formal settings many times have gold leaf or silver leaf finishes. Formality can be added to art by using metals such as gold leaf and silver leaf. It is like fine jewelry surrounding your art. Can be very elegant, pretty and accent the art perfectly. This can be used with modern or traditional art, smooth or ornate Frames.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Five Tips for a Smart Traveling Interior Designer


I'm continuing to be inspired by all the traveling I've been doing (and will be for the next two weeks). This week this inspiration is translating into my top 5 Tips that I've developed throughout the years and am glad to share with you today.

1. Input all traveling details into your calendar. Printing every piece of paper and confirmation is burdensome (not to mention not very eco-friendly) and relying on memory is, well..., not recommended. Entering everything into my calendar and synching it with my smart phone has been a god-send. It particularly came in handy, when I was running late to the airport, after a longer-than-planned installation, and needed to quickly figure out where to park. Here are the exact details to include:

a. flight times - back and forth

b. airline (I once almost ended up at the wrong terminal, thinking I was flying US Air, but it was Delta instead)

c. confirmation #'s

d. where you're flying from (this may sound so obvious, but I live right between Philadelphia and Newark airport and can easily fly from either)

e. parking garage (and any coupons you want to use - parking can really add up)

f. ground transportation (shuttle, where to buy the ticket, etc)

g. hotel address and phone number (in case the plane is late and you have to call to confirm you're still coming)

2. Pack one extra outfit. I am a big fan of only packing what I will absolutely wear. I really don't like coming home and having to wash all the extra clothes that I didn't wear. Having said that, I recently came from a short trip, where I could have used just one extra outfit to go to an evening reception. From now on, I will make sure to pack an extra outfit.

3. Switch your shoes from one day to the next. I've learned this back in my corporate days, when we spent long hours on the floor of a trade show. There is nothing better than being able to wear a different pair every other day.

4. Bring all the right chargers. If I want to stay connected, I have to make sure to bring my phone and computer chargers. You may have more devices that you need charged up.

If you're traveling in the summer and are bare-foot, bring a pair of socks. This may sound like a silly tip, but seriously, you can use them to walk through security (after you've had to relinquish your shoes, on the airplane (where AC is usually cranked up very high) and at the hotel instead of slippers.