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 Originally made in 1946, this modern chair was pioneering at the time of its inception.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: Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

01 Saturday Dec 2012

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

≈ 3 Comments

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ambient, bathroom, Fixtures, Henderson Properties, Light Colors, lights, modern, North Carolina, pedestal sink, relaxing, Remodeling, Sink, South Carolina, vanity

Even small bathrooms can be remodeled to look modern. With a little creativity and some effort, you can even create the illusion of a larger bath space without completely renovating the room. Here are several small bathroom remodeling ideas.

Change the Sink
To make your small bathroom appear larger, switch to a pedestal sink instead of a large vanity. This not only opens up the space, but gives you more room to move around.

Photo Credit: Home Renovations, About.com

Use Light Colors
Light colors, such as pale blues, yellows and pinks, open up a small room and make the area appear larger. This simple change doesn’t cost a lot of money and can instantly transform your bathroom into a more relaxing space.

Photo Credit: View Home Trends

Switch Up the Fixtures
This inexpensive remodeling idea allows you to give your small bathroom a new look without taking up any additional space. If your bathroom fixtures are old and outdated, visit your local hardware store to find new fixtures that will breathe new life into your bathroom.

Photo Credit: Homes House

Install New Lights
Over-the-mirror lighting is harsh, and can make the space seem even smaller. To give your bathroom an airy, open feel switch your light fixtures for ambient light sources. The whole room will appear brighter!

Photo Credit: Homesqu

Remodeling a small bathroom can be tricky, but with these simple ideas you can transform your small space into a room that appears much larger than it actually is.

{This is a sponsored post from Henderson Properties, a full service real estate agency proudly serving residents in North Carolina & South Carolina.}

Home Sweet Home: Dining Room Redesign

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

≈ 2 Comments

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cabinet, country, crates, design, dining room, entertaining, furniture, home, interior design, makeover, modern, rustic, table, wood

I’ve been waiting to post another room in our home and since the dining room is finally done, I had to share. At first, this space was just a room you needed to walk through to get to other rooms in the house. Although it had tons of character, there was nothing really special about it yet. But now that it is all put together I have to say it is one of my favorite rooms in the house!

So here is what the dining room looked like before. The worst part was the rug. Not only was it ugly but it was everywhere in the house. I give credit my husband Dan for pulling up every single one himself. It was tough job for sure. Other than that, we knew the chandelier had to go too. The risers in the corner had to stay so I just figured we would cover them somehow.

The elements of the space we loved were its character and style. The decorative ceiling and rosette around the chandelier were definitely a plus. We both actually love the toile wallpaper so that was a keeper. I knew once I did my magic, this room would look spectacular. Although we didn’t have a big budget, I did my best to find items I loved at great prices and in some cases waited till they were on sale or found them somewhere else for less. Smart shopping is always key.

After the rugs came up there was an astounding difference. Then all I had to do was paint the woodwork and scrub the wallpaper. Not so bad. Then go searching for the perfect items to fill it up. So after about 4 months or so, it finally came together and we couldn’t be happier. I was going for country modern with a rustic touch. I wanted it to be perfect for formal entertaining but comfortable enough so it wasn’t stuffy. With a combination of dark brown, cream and blue, the dining room was transformed into an updated space that has vintage appeal.

The cabinet piece I purchased at Ikea for a great price. You can’t go wrong at $135 for a cabinet. It’s a new item they just started selling and I am very happy with it. I am also happy I waited instead of dishing out more money for something that would be double the price!

The table, oh how I love my dining room table. With buttercream and dark brown cherry wood, it brings that country modern feel I was going for to a new level. I had bookmarked it before we even moved in the house and waited till we had the funds to buy it. It’s a good thing I did because I got it $100 cheaper than the sale price. At $815 with shipping, this was one of the best buys we made. For a 7 piece dining room set, that is really good. Thanks Overstock.com!

The Home Sweet Home picture was a quick thing I made to fill in a vintage frame we had. I think it fits nicely for now. Not bad for 5 minutes of my time. The vase I already had, it used to be my mother’s, and the dried cotton was something we had used in our wedding so I figured I would continue to use it somewhere in the house. It found a perfect home in my mother’s blue vase.

The blue plaid curtains were a great find as well. I knew I wanted plaid because it goes so well with toile so the challenge was to find a pair that worked in the space and were selling for a good price. I found this pair on Overstock.com as well for only $28!

The chandelier brings so much style to the room. I first saw on it on a popular website but after some searching I found it on a random lighting website for a lower price. I wound up paying like $80 or so for it which is awesome. You would never know! I plan to buy small shades for the lights too. I found a nice wicker pair at Pottery Barn I just might have to get. I think they would look so cute.

The framed photograph is one I took while Dan and I visited Maine two years ago. We already had this piece and I pretty much knew it was going in the dining room. The pitcher and bowl were great finds at a local antique shop I couldn’t resist buying. Especially, since the set was only $15.

The cabinet was the second piece of furniture we bought for the room. I found it at Country Door.com for $250 and simply adore it. What a great piece. I switched out the knobs for vintage glass ones the previous owners left behind. They added so much charm and character, as if they were meant to be. I am glad they were left behind and it makes me happy to have a little piece of history remaining in the space.

Love this chair. We found it a few years ago at a garage sale for a few bucks. This is the second in our collection.

I decided to stack the crates we had in front of the risers to hide them, which worked out really well. Not only can we showcase our collections but now this corner adds that rustic element I wanted in the space. The vintage birdcage is what we used for our wedding to hold all the card from guests. It’s nice to have it showcased in our home.

The cotton braided rug is a mixture of gray, blue and brown that go well with the color of the hardwood floors. I think it helps the buttercream stand out as well. I found it on Overstock.com for $112 with a special code. I love it.

All in all, this space proves you can have a beautiful room and not spend thousands to put it together. With a little creativity, some DIY knowledge and research, you can find items you love without going broke. For under $1500, I was able to design a dining room I absolutely love and it makes me even more happy to say I did it all on a budget.

Guest Post: How to Choose the Perfect Blinds to Modernize Your Home

16 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts

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bamboo, blinds, curtains, decor, design, diy, eco friendly, home, home decor, light, modern, roller bilnds, tone, venetian blinds, windows, wood, wood blinds

From their easy fitting to their ability to control tone and light, blinds provide an excellent way to modernize your home. Moreover, they can provide essential solutions to establishing an overall decoration scheme, while updating your fittings to be more environmentally sound, and making the most of the space. It’s important to look at the different kinds of blinds that you can use, from horizontal Venetian blinds to UPVC vertical blinds, as well as single fabric roller and Roman blinds. With the multiple options available for those looking to update the feel of their home, it’s worth considering how each of these blinds will provide different but complementary effects.

Choosing the Right Kind of Blinds
First, you must think about what kind of blinds best suit your home and the ways in which you want to create a modern look. Vertical UPVC blinds are particularly recommended for creating a minimalist look, and are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. However, horizontal wooden Venetian blinds work well for creating a relaxed atmosphere in studies and living rooms, and can also work well in bedrooms. Roller blinds are similarly effective as single pieces of fabric that can be decorated to tie into your overall decor.

The Best Blinds for Managing Tone and Light
You need to think about the best way of managing color, tone and light in your home and how it will contribute to an updated, modern style. Roller and Roman blinds that use high quality fabrics and insulating materials are recommended if you want to use striking or more understated colors, while single color vertical or horizontal blinds can blend in with the tone of wallpaper.

In terms of managing the amount of light passing into a room, easily adjusted UPVC and horizontal blinds are excellent at making small changes to a room’s atmosphere. By contrast, roller blinds can be easily removed from view, or converted into black out blinds if you want to create a more striking look.

Contributing to an Overall Decor
The perfect blind should contribute to an overall decor, and should be consistent with the look of a particular room. Kitchen blinds should consequently be lighter, using UPVC materials and horizontal slats to best let in light, while bathroom blinds should have the option for complete blackout for privacy. If you want to create a minimalist and modern look for your home, using these kind of simple blinds can ensure a clean finish. By contrast, heavier Roman fabric and wooden Venetian blinds are effective if you want to establish a rustic look for living rooms and bedrooms.

Being Eco Friendly
A modern home should take eco friendly materials and appliances into consideration as part of an overall commitment to recycling. As well as eco lighting and LEDs around the home, blinds can be chosen to provide the perfect blend of style and environmental strengths. Vertical and horizontal blinds can be purchased in materials like bamboo, woven polyester and honeycomb. These materials are naturally sourced and designed to be long lasting and resistant to dirt, while improving insulation and protecting from UV rays.

Maximizing Space
The best blinds are capable of enhancing the space in your home, and work particularly well for rooms with low ceilings. Vertical blinds work well at lengthening a room when combined with high bed posts and mirrors. Roman and roller blinds that can be removed from view during the day will also let in more light and open out the room. Skylight blinds fitted in conservatories and to windows in bedrooms can also work well to maximize the space in a room.

{Writing in coordination with Web Blinds, Christina Appleworth reviews the process of choosing the most perfect blinds to modernize your home. Christina’s passion is creative writing but when not writing she enjoys DIY design and modernizing her own home!}