More Furniture Styles

Written by mandy on April 28, 2010 – 10:45 am -

There are so many furniture styles to choose from that this may be one of the hardest decisions you make for your home. Many times your choice is dependent on the style of your home as well as your personality. Here are a few more furniture styles for you to choose from:r

English Regency – This style started in England and the inspiration behind the style was drawn from classical designs. The main woods used for English Regency furniture are rosewood, mahogany, and satinwood. Black lacquer and gilt can also be used with fruitwoods. Today, English Regency furniture is reproduced in a more formal and modernized form and produces an aura of elegance and richness.

Chippendale – The Chippendale style has always been one of the more popular styles of furniture. Chippendale furniture represents the masculine spirit and is sturdy and broad. The most famous pieces of Chippendale furniture are secretaries, highboys, and cabinets. The couches feature arched backs; arms that are rolled outward; and can feature straight or cabriole legs. Using a pleasing combination of Chinese and French influence, the ladder-back chair has pierced horizontal rails and plain straight legs.

Pennsylvania Dutch – This simple and utilitarian style is still popular today. The Pennsylvania Dutch style is gay and charming and expresses friendliness and lightness. It is a sturdy country style that blends well with other informal styles such as Colonial New England and French Provincial, with tables that resemble the New England style.

Federal American – Better known as Duncan Phyfe, this furniture was adapted from the Georgian style and changed to represent American tastes. The tables are elegant and formal, blending well with Georgian style pieces. Duncan Phyfe furniture can use pedestal bases, flared legs, and can have clawed feet.

Classic Modern – This style of furniture has been adapted to meet the needs of contemporary living. The style is simplified with clean-cut, splayed, tapered, or straight legs. Rather than depending on ornamentation to create beauty, Classic Modern furniture makes use of the essential art elements and emphasized the beauty and grain of natural woods. Classic modern can be found in both formal and informal styles and the style is determined by the upholstery, colors, and finish of the woods.

Organic Modern – This contemporary style of furniture uses low shapes and horizontal lines to create a sophisticated new look. The chairs are lightweight and are usually molded into shapes that conform to the contours of the body. The seats are designed for comfort and feature rubber shock absorbers as well as well formed backs. The most popular feature of the Organic Modern style is that it consists of unit and sectional furniture and is designed for saving space.

Shaker – the United Society of Believers, a religious group that lives in self-contained communities in the United States, produces this simple and utilitarian style. This style is represented by straight tapered legs, woven chair seats, and mushroom-shaped wooden knobs.

Georgian – This style of furniture is named after George I and George II and is characterized by heavy proportions, ornate carvings, pierced back splats, gilding, and elaborately carved cabriole legs that end in a pad or ball-and-claw foot. The Georgian style of furniture is a more ornate version of the Queen Anne style.

No matter the style of furniture you choose it is always essential to decorate the rest of the room accordingly. And always remember your floor. Area rugs are an easy way to help tie in your furniture style to the rest of the room. No matter whether you need a traditional oriental rug or a loudly colored modern rug you are sure to find many available to choose from.


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Eco-Friendly Piggys

Written by mandy on April 27, 2010 – 1:38 am -

A penny saved is a penny earned, and what better way to save tons of pennies by cutting down on how much energy we use?  Ariel Rojo Design Studio’s has created a small piggy bank that reminds us to be more aware of how much energy we use in a day.  It’s a really cute ornament to put anywhere, and can be particularly useful for the bedroom or bathroom as a night light.  A little friend who not only lights up the way but also reminds us to turn the light off behind us–what more could we ask for?

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Sporebell

Written by mandy on April 24, 2010 – 4:23 pm -

The porch is often a part of the house that doesn’t get too much attention, especially if there’s not a lot of porch to put up any decorations or furniture.  Sometimes, there isn’t even any porch to decorate, only room for a door and a doorbell.  To add some personality to your front door space, get the Spore Doorbell.

With Spore, your doorbell will no longer just be an afterthought.  It’s simple and sophisticated design will create a modern look for your doorway and will definitely make a good first impression for your home before anyone has even stepped inside.


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Making Patterns Work

Written by mandy on April 22, 2010 – 10:22 am -

Of the major design elements, pattern is often the least appreciated—but it tends to have the biggest aesthetic effect. Patterns are a great way to introduce variety into your home and bring attention to your colors. Even the most vibrant shades can appear dull if they’re not given proper treatment. If your room lacks interest despite your carefully planned colors, introducing patterns can give it that much-needed punch. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Keep it to smaller items.

One drawback of patterns is that they become dated faster than solid colors. That’s why it’s best to use them on items you can easily change or move around, such as pillowcases, curtains, and area rugs. Think long and hard before using patterns on permanent or semi-permanent fixtures, like wallpaper or carpeting. Choose a pattern you can live with for a long time—make sure it’s not just a fad or a passing interest. Start with simple patterns like stripes or checks.

Choose a base color.

Patterns work best when they have a single unifying color. Make sure the predominant shade is similar in all your pieces, or that there’s at least one consistent color. For example, if you have pink and yellow area rugs, at least one of them should also appear in your curtains, sheets, or drapes. The base color is what keeps the room from looking jumbled, a common mistake when using patterned fabrics. Ideally this should be the same as your wall color, but don’t be afraid to go for contrast if you’re feeling experimental.

Combine different pattern types.

There’s a wide variety when it comes to pattern choices, so take advantage of it. Don’t stick to just florals or stripes; mix and match to make it more interesting. Achieve contrast by placing patterns against solids, or placing “soft” patterns against sharper or cleaner ones. Some good combinations include:

  • floral and stripes
  • checkers and paisley
  • geometric shapes and batik (Indian-style pattern)
  • polka dots and tie-dye
  • fractals and solids

Use appropriate pattern sizes.

Pattern size is the size of each element that repeats in the fabric. A pattern of wide stripes is said to be large, while pinstripes are considered “small” patterns. These sizes can create illusions of space wherever you need it. Use large patterns to make large items look smaller, and small items to do the opposite. Combine different pattern sizes to create an interesting balance throughout the room.

Look for patterned area rugs.

Most floors are a plain solid color, and geometric area rugs are a great way to perk them up. Modern area rugs also come in all colors and sizes, so there’s sure to be one that fits in your home. If you have a large living room, consider oriental area rugs as your centerpiece. The intricate designs make an instant focal point and can set the theme for the rest of the room. Going for an Asian look? Get some colorful bamboo area rugs and place them near doorways for a breezy and festive atmosphere.


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Typographical Design

Written by mandy on April 19, 2010 – 3:14 pm -

Typography is basically the art of all things type.  It’s when you look at a letter and see it not as a letter, but shape and design.  What’s cool about it is that there are so many different types of fonts and typefaces of different sizes, so there is a lot of variety to choose from.  With that said, Studio Yra has taken it upon themselves to utilize the plethora of design that is available through typography, and to make it available for your homes decor.

You can get candle holders for the house that are made out of all different shaped and sized letters, and they are also really easy to arrange to however you want.  If you’re looking for a new refreshing design, these are definitely the pieces to look at.

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Year Round Snows

Written by mandy on April 17, 2010 – 5:02 pm -

My favorite aspect about the winter season is watching the beautiful snowfalls.  This year happened to be a record year for snowfalls.  What I love most is just appreciation the beauty of each individual snowflake.  When I was younger, I used to think all the snow looked exactly the same–tiny white dots!  But in recent years, I’ve observed the snowflakes that have fallen on my coat and got to really admire the different shapes and patterns that fell from the sky.

Not everyone likes winter, though, especially the part where it’s really cold for what seems like eternity.  But as we all breathed a sigh of relief for the spring time air, I still miss the pretty ice crystals from winter.  The good news is that Offect has made it possible to keep your own unique snowflake in the house, and have it be put to good use, too!  Say hello to the Snowflake table, a table that is, of course, shaped like a snowflake.  But this isn’t just your average table.  Each table’s pattern is randomly computer generated so that no two tables are alike, just like true snowflakes!  So you can truly have a unique piece for your home and be sure that it is something that no one has.  They also come at different heights which makes it convenient to fit into your home just the way you want it.

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Restoring with a Purpose

Written by mandy on April 17, 2010 – 4:52 pm -

I have a friend who is majoring in Graphic Design.  In every class she has taken, her teachers have told her that if there is no purpose for why she does something, then her work is not good enough.  Pretty harsh, huh?  But even though it’s really discouraging to hear, my friend told me that her teachers are right–purpose makes a design look better, even if the audience or consumer don’t quite know what the designer’s purpose is.

And that is why today, I bring you Purpose Restoration.  Purpose Restoration combines both furniture and graphic design and recreates new furniture from old furniture.  So not only is it cool looking, it’s sustainable!  And the thought process is truly limitless, as they don’t just paint your old piece of furniture to look better.  In fact, they can turn an old tv stand to be a totally new kitchen cart!

Their purpose is to not just make something look better, but to truly take something old and recreate it into something that will add inspiration to your home.

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Eco-Rug

Written by mandy on April 13, 2010 – 4:16 pm -

If you’re looking for a rug that is both eco-friendly and durable, look no more!  Seagrass area rugs are very textural rugs that add a lot of dimension into a room.  It’s also a good addition for doorway entries or porches.  Another pro about these rugs is that they have latex backing, so you won’t easily slip up on them and they will stay in place.

A lot of care is put into the process of creating a seagrass rug.  Seagrass is harvested by hand and hand woven to thick strands that are really tough and durable.  Such a careful process ensures that your rug will definitely be long lasting.

Seagrass rugs are also a good way to incorporate a nature-esque feel into your home.  Even if it its dyed a different color, the hues of its original colors (beige, yellow, and/or green) will still blend in, so a lot of times the color and hues of each rug differ from each other.

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How To Create A Room Your Kids Will Love

Written by mandy on April 13, 2010 – 10:01 am -

Children love to have a place they can call their own; a place that they can go to, not only to sleep but also to dream. Give your child a room that is designed to make all their dreams come true. Besides being a really fun project for you as well as your child, designing a child’s room is also a great way to spend some quality time together.

Compromise is key when designing a kid’s bedroom. While your son may want his room to look like a pirate’s hideaway and your daughter would rather be a mermaid and live in an underwater world, it may be neither affordable nor practical for you to implement these themes. Here are a few ways that you can design a kid’s room that will make all their dreams come true for years without breaking your bank balance.

Listen; Really Listen

It’s your kid’s room. Take time to listen to their ideas and really listen to what it is they want their room to look like. No point going with the jungle theme just because it is easier, when your son really dreams of being a race-car driver and your daughter wants her room to look like a fairy-tale castle. Preferences change and you may not want to go the whole hog to cater to their current favorites. Why not sit down and brainstorm some ideas. Think ahead and explore your options. While you may not agree to buy that bed which is in the shape of a car, you could perhaps agree to buy bed sheets, kids area rugs, wallpaper and posters that are designed with race cars and checkered flags. Lace curtains in soft baby pink and icy lavender along, shimmering satin sheets and a few sparkling wands is sure to turn your daughter’s room into the castle she always wanted.

Something Old; Something New

Make it a point to have at least one piece of furniture that will connect your child’s past, present and future. Whether it is something that belonged to you as a child or whether you buy something especially for your child, choose something with timeless appeal that will bear silent witness to their tears and triumphs and hold all their secrets through the growing years. Change the accent pieces and accessories as often or as seldom as is convenient, but let this remain as the bastion of your child’s room. No child would be opposed to this idea.

Let there be pillow fights

Get pillows; lots of them- in different shapes and sizes. While they may not all be used to sleep on they will come in very useful when looking for something for building a castle with or perhaps even a race track. Let their imagination run riot! And a good old rambunctious pillow fight is a great and safe way to let them expend all that extra energy.

Create space

Don’t use up valuable floor space. Kids need lots of room for hosting tea parties with their friends or doing cartwheels without getting hurt. Consider a fun kids area rug as a designated play area. Instead of getting two single beds, get a bunk bed or a trundle bed. Use the walls for storage. Build open shelves to display precious creations and closed cabinets for stacking away boxed toys. Get a study table with drawers for stashing away everyday items like books, pencils and other stationery. Drawers or baskets on wheels are great for storing toys. They can be rolled under the bed when not in use and easily rolled out when looking for a precious toy. Or else get colorful plastic boxes that look like blocks and can be easily stacked. They look good and save space!


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Plant Chair

Written by admin on April 10, 2010 – 6:43 pm -

Chairs! So much design and thought goes into the design of new chairs! Really you would think we have enough of them to not warrant so much attention. But no designers continue to bring new ideas and thoughts to the humble chair every day.

This one recently caught my eye – not so much the shape but the structure. It looks like a tree or plant which is exactly what the designers had in mind (lucky huh).

The designers, French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have won countless awards for their designs in recent years. And these stackable, indoor-outdoor vegetal chairs will no doubt be no exception.

The plant-like look is made of a dyed polyamide dyed and pushes technology to the limit. Whilst it is available in 6 different colors, I must say I’m quite partial to this green one – looks like a tree to me.


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