The Art of Selecting a Modern Bathroom Suite

09 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Alvin Steel, Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

Do you want to refurbish your bathroom so it has a more modern style? Think about what you need and want in your bathroom for current and future use. A well planned master bath plan can help in selecting a range of bathroom products without spending anything extra.

As we are living in a modern world, the concept of bathrooms has changed a lot. When some family wants a multipurpose space, others prefer separate areas for different uses. A good architect can help in achieving a pleasing appearance to the restroom that is welcoming for everyone.

Design Elements
The contemporary style involves more efficient and modern style basins, baths and showers. Most of the bathroom equipment will be sleek and modern and will have a range of technological features. Its smart to select restroom furnishings that will match with your personality and lifestyle. Try not to select the products just because they look fancy, basic use should also be considered. Simple and elegant products will definitely add more style to a bathroom.

Photo Credit: Fresh Home Design & Architecture

Colors that are popular for creating a contemporary style space are ones that give the washroom a more spacious and bigger appearance such as whites, beiges and creams. Plain and light colors will never fade easily and will never go out of fashion. Designing the bathroom based on a theme, can make it more inviting as well. It is better to stick to two to three colors, rather than selecting a whole bunch. This can result in an unappealing look.

Photo Credit: Trends Magazine

In the past, people liked to spend more time in bathtubs. But today a shower is the preference of the majority. There are a variety of shower enclosures available in the market such as sliding doors, sliding screens, pivot doors, quadrant shower enclosures and wet room screens. These are all good options when choosing to refinish your shower.

Photo Credit: Houzz

Here are a few other elements to consider when renovating your bathroom.

Good Ventilation
There must always be proper ventilation to get rid of moisture. A bathroom fan helps to avoid moisture content and keep the room fresh.

Lighting
Good lighting must be provided to keep the restroom bright.

Storage
A perfect bathroom is one which has storage space to keep necessities like towels, hair dryers, lotions, shampoos and other toiletries tucked away. Having everything you need in the space is a big plus.

Written by Alvin Steel on behalf of Trade Plumbing

Furniture Design Icon Charles Eames

08 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Guest Posts, Leo Parker

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Charles Eames, DAR chair, Dining Height Armchair R-Wire Base, Eiffel Chair, fibreglass, Furniture Design, LCW Chair, Leo Parker, Lounge Chair Wood, modern, Museum of Modern Art, organic wooden forms, plastic, plywood, swivel uk, World War II

Charles Eames is most well-known for his unique use of modern industrial materials. His extensive portfolio of works include fibreglass chairs, plastic resin chairs and wire mesh chairs. Eames was a champion of developing exciting ways of manipulating materials. He moulded, bent, sculpted plastic and fibreglass among other materials to create stunning, fluid, organic pieces.

Furniture Design Icon Charles Eames
Photo Credit: Arnold Newman, 1975

DAR Chair
The classic Charles Eames DAR chair with armrests was first produced in the 1950s and is still as stylish now as it was then. DAR stands for Dining Height Armchair R-Wire Base. It is highly durable chair, an exciting marriage of aesthetics, luxury and comfort. It was also the first industrially manufactured plastic chair.

Eames combined new materials like plastic and fibreglass with original forms. This chair is perfect as a dining chair and would look spectacular in any modern interior. It also has a charming design. The metal framework which supports the chair structure is the reason this piece has come to be known as the Eiffel Chair as it is similar to the shape of the Eiffel Tower. Meticulously designed using pioneering techniques, this piece is a household essential if designer furniture is your prerogative.

Photo Credit: Swivel UK

LCW Chair
LCW Chair was the first chair to be mass-produced using moulded plywood. Originally made in 1946, this modern chair was pioneering at the time of its inception. The subtly curved structure is light and slender and has a harmonious fluidity. LCW is short for Lounge Chair Wood.

This piece, with its innovative and well thought out design, is meant to fit the contours of the human body. Eames experimented with manipulating the materials he used into different shapes and forms. This chair works superbly around a dining table or even as a standalone piece.

One of the most significant pieces in modern furniture design, it was made during World War II and embodies efficiency, reliability and functionality which were major requirements during this time. This chair has sleek and honest appearance and will make any interior look polished. It has been heralded as a status symbol. It is technologically innovative due to the smooth, uninterrupted, organic wooden forms.

Photo Credit: Swivel UK

Although Charles Eames’ furniture is immensely practical it did not lack artistic and creative flair and was always aesthetically appealing. Eames left behind him a legacy of innovation, an extensive and impressive collection of revolutionary pieces. He was also the first designer to be given a one-man show at the Museum of Modern Art.

Written by Leo Parker

Guest Post: Seasonal Decorating Ideas

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

≈ 2 Comments

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books, card garland, christmas, Decorating Ideas, diy, holiday, leaves, ornaments, Poles Direct, Shehla Ali, snowflakes, snowglobe, snowman, tinsel, traditional, tree

When it comes to seasonal decorating everyone wants a stylish and sleek look, not the usual commercial over the top presentation. Here are few ideas you can try during this holiday season.

If you always put your decorations in the same place then why not rearrange things. It’s fun and won’t cost you anything.

Instead of having the traditional Christmas tree why not use books to make one. It really is easy and more modern. Just pile on layers of books making the piles smaller length wise on top. Once you have accomplished this, then wrap Christmas lights around it.

Photo Credit: Neatorama

Cut bits of tinsel and tie it on chairs at home. If you have a floor lamp then use that for Christmas décor too.

Use warm colors in your home. This does not mean you have to redecorate everything, just tiny adjustments will enhance your room and give it a seasonal effect. Instead of new carpet or flooring add a rug that will compliment the color of your floor.

If you’ve run out of room because there is too much décor, try taking extra ornaments and hang them on interior curtain poles.
Guest Post: Seasonal Decorating Ideas
Photo Credit: (left) Cozy Little House (right) Free Home Decorating Ideas

Create a display for all your Christmas cards. Stick a piece of string on one of your walls and hang the cards on them rather than causing clutter.

Photo Credit: Summer Holiday Vintage

Pick up leaves or cut out snowflakes and put them in glass frames and display them around the house.

Take an old jar and put fake snow inside of it to create a holiday globe. Include a festive icon such as a snowman or a christmas tree and you’ve created a wonderful decoration.

Photo Credit: Worley’s Lighting

When you have finished snuggle up with a cosy blanket, light some candles and enjoy your Christmas.

{Shehla Ali has written this article on behalf of Poles Direct, a supplier of curtain rods in the UK.}

Inspiration Photo Friday: Scarred Tree

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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art, bark, clouds, earth, forest, long island, nature, new york, photography, scarred, sun, tones, tree

Nature has always been on of my favorite subjects to shoot. There is a never-ending storyboard out there, waiting for you to unfold it. No tree is the same, every cloud has character and the sun will always create a beautiful shadow on the earth’s surface. I simple adore everything there is to see when it comes to nature and I try to capture it all every chance I get.

I couldn’t resist the texture and detail this tree was showing off. Taken in Long Island, it was among lots of other trees but somehow it stood out to me. From its various tones and illustrative depths, the scarred look was appealing, yet sad. Opening itself up to the world around it. Showing us all what lies beneath.

It’s sort of like us. In life we go through experiences that enable us to dig deeper within ourselves. It’s either they force us to keep things hidden or they help us to open up and show who we really are. We all may be scarred in some way but none of what we have learned can create change unless its shared with the world.