Every profession has it's own special language and Interior Design and Construction are no different.
Each week I will give you definitions and examples starting with the letter A and then continuing through the entire alphabet.
And so begins your Interior Design education..................
ACANTHUS
This large leafy plant is the basis of much classic architecture.
ANODIZED
Anodized metal finishes are very durable because they are fused with the metal not just applied to the surface.
ASTRAGAL
Astragals are important when installing double doors as they bridge the gap between the two doors for a more attractive look and to seal off air flow and light.
AUBUSSON
Aubusson rugs and tapestries are very finely woven, often with intricate floral designs. They are delicate in design and color and use flowers and vines and garden scenes in their designs. They have a very romantic look to them. Elaborate war scenes are also found in Aubusson tapestries.
That's all for the "A's - next week we will continue.
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
New Year's Eve celebrating is not just for adults - kids love to welcome in the New Year too. If you have children attending your party you will need to find some things to entertain them while they wait for the magical hour of midnight to arrive.
Balloons are always popular with children and adults of all ages so you should definitley include them. If you have someone who can make balloon animals and hats they will be a great hit with the younger kids.
Kids can also make their own paper hats for the party and decorate them with feathers, gems, stickers, etc. When they get to play with the paper horns and streamers too they will really get in the spirit.
Even very young children can participate in this part of the party. These are perfect Kodak moments for the parents too.
Sparklers are popular too even if you have to take the kids outside for them to use them.
Every kid likes candy (and of course the adults do too) so why not pass out some gold coins made of chocolate to symbolize good fortune for the coming year.
It's wonderful to include children in the welcoming of the the New Year so let them eat their favorite foods, dress up in party clothes, play board games, put on plays and sing songs, make a New Year resolution, sleep in sleeping bags in the living room and be happy!
My best wishes to all of you for a wonderful and happy new year.
Please call if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID
Now that Christmas has come and gone, the New Year is rapidly approaching.
Are you having friends over for a causal open house to bring in the New Year or putting on a grand New Year's Eve Party to ring in 2012 in style? Either way you will want to decorate to welcome the New Year with hope and joy.
Champagne is a traditional way to celebrate our blessings and welcome in the New Year full of hope and promise.
If you are having a formal New Year's Eve Party be sure to create a table that follows that theme. This black and white bow tie place setting is a perfect example.
The beautiful rose napkin being made here is a lovely alternative and very festive.
Here's a dramatic black and white table setting for New Year's Eve. The silver balloons and white feathers are very playful along with the mirror topped with various silver tree ornaments.
This is a creative play on the New Year tradition - fortune cookies and a star on the napkins to wish your guest good luck in the coming year.
If you are having a dance floor or even if you are not - this mirrored disco ball would definately put your guests in a party mood!
For a centerpiece, why not do something like this - it certainly says "party" to me!
Here's another symbol of the coming new year - a crystal ball. Surely you can find a way to incorporate it into your New Year's Eve party theme.
Speaking of themes - How about a Masquerade New Year's Eve party? Those are always fun and somehow pretending to be someone else brings out the playfulness in everyone!
After all that fabulous decorating, don't forget to set out a buffet that's filled with all kinds of scrumptious temptations for your guests to enjoy while you wait for the clock to strike midnight.
Of course New Year's Eve includes the traditional countdown of the ball dropping at Times Square in NYC.
But you can add your own count down with an alarm clock set for midnight right at your own party!
OK, now that midnight has finally arrived it's time for the fireworks, confetti and horns. Let her rip!
All the best wishes to my friends, family and subscribers for a wonderful, prosperous, healthy and happy 2012!
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID
Christmas is almost here and so many of you have been too busy with the shopping, cooking and partying to have figured out your Christmas table decorations!
Here is some inspiration:
1. Christmas doesn't have to be poinsettias - how about Christmas roses?
2. Here Oranges or tangerines set off the white candles and greenery for a spectacular Christmas tablescape!
3. Here is another non-traditional approach to the Christmas table - gorgeous purple ornaments and candles among the greens. It looks like the tablecloth is purple too - how fabulous is that?
4. For a more formal table these beautiful gold Christmas trees and Christmas tree candles create an elegant table. All the little votive candles add a glimmer that sets a warm inviting mood. It's a nice touch to add small individual trees to each place setting too.
5. Here is another collection - nutcrackers. There are any number of items you can group together for an interesting Christmas table arrangement. Santa Claus collections, or a collection of cheerfully wrapped boxes would work beautifully too.
6. Reindeer of varying sizes can be grouped and included in a Christmas table top decoration. All you have to do is add some Christmas greens.
7. If you happen to have some fabulous gingerbread houses - that would be fun for the center of the table at Christmas too. If you don't have them this year - you could plan to make some next year - it's always a fun project for the kids this time of year.
8. Here is another Christmas table decoration idea that the kids will like - decorate your candles with candy canes and the children can eat them afterwords! I don't think these glitter balls are edible though.
9. If you have a small gathering for Christmas why not give your candle a home and put it in a lantern? It has more presence here and if the table is longer you could duplicate this every so often.
10. Dress up your napkins for your holiday table by adding a few sticks, a sprig of greens and a bell or small tree ornament.
11. Of course decorating the chairs with greens and bows sets the mood for a festive holiday dinner before you even sit down.
12. If you are truly out of time, just fill a beautiful bowl with Christmas ornaments, a couple candles and a few Christmas trees and you are ready to go!
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone and enjoy your time with family and friends!
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID
the end
Ever wonder what makes some window treatments beautiful and others ho-hum?
1 & 2. Drapery hardware can make a tremendous difference so it's important to spend the time finding what is right for your personal space and installation. There are all kinds available today from wrought iron to crystal and everything in between and many finishes to choose from.
3. Curved hardware can be used to accentuate arched windows like these inside mounted treatments or with outside mounted drapes.
4. These rosettes are used to follow the lines of the window and draw your eye upward.
5. The arched windows here are topped with outside mounted draperies and have a "hold back" up high to give shape to the draperies and enhance the windows.
6. This elaborate treatment uses rosettes with tassels to tie up the gathered valance that covers the hardware of the underlying sheers and creates a soft and undulating top treatment. The sheers are mounted on a bent rod that follows the curved wall.
7. This iron rod returns to the wall instead of having finials. You can use a rod like this when you do not have a lot of room in a corner and finials won't work.
8. A wooden rod is used here to showcase the swagged and wrapped drapery. Wooden rods are bulky and add visual weight.
9. These iron leaf finials add a bit of nature and create an inviting casualness to the room.
10. Window treatments can be complex and difficult to design because of space limitations or other issues like privacy and heat/cold control but all of them can be attractive if properly selected. There are even decorative rods with traversing rings like the one on the right so you can have the decorative look and still have the function.
Window treatments are the jewelery that completes the room so select if carefully!
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID
Christmas is almost here and many have not found time to do their Christmas decorating yet. It's a good idea to keep it simple but dramatic and not have too much to put away after Christmas is over.
Your room will be beautiful If you keep a simple color scheme like this silver and white one.
If you don't have time or room for a typical tree why not decorate a simple branch either natural or sprayed gold, silver or white?
Nothing says Christmas like natural greens and pine cones. These are easy and beautiful window decorations.
Wreaths are always welcoming but why not be a little different and make them square!
These mirrors mounted on the window frames are finished off with with evergreen swags to add just the right festive touch to the kitchen.
Try decorating your door with a wreath that's not like all the rest like these pears or lemons - Citrus is especially nice smelling and if you have a lot in your yard it's a perfect way to utilize them.
Table top settings are a must for Christmas and this one is simple but stunning. It uses a tartan throw for color in a casual atmosphere.
Candles for Christmas decorating are a no brainer and this one is quite beautiful with it's touch of snowy greens and burlap tie.
If you are decorating the table, why not the chairs too? Red Christmas ribbons with greens and pine cones are perfect on these white slipcovered chairs.
Here's another chair decorated for Christmas that I love - Everyone will feel like a Christmas angel.
Last but not least, decorate the front door with a welcoming sled and ice skates. That will really get your guest in the right mood before they even enter the house!
Wishing you all the blessing of the Holiday Season!
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Do you have a very tiny kitchen and don't know how to make it more efficient? Here are some products that can make it easy.
1. Here is the ultimate small kitchen with a refrigerator, electric smooth top burner, microwave and dish and food storage all behind doors that makes it look like a hutch. This would be ideal for a small guest house or cabin.
2. Here is another compact kitchen - it looks like a nice piece of furniture doesn't it?
3. Open it up and you have a functioning sink.......... and..........
4. There is also a cooktop and refrigerator inside along with a little storage. Could this work in your basement or auxillary studio? It would be ideal for a mother-in-law quarters or live in helper's room. Maybe it could even go in the basement for quick food prep and cleanup.
5. If you don't have room for a table to be out permanently - check out this clever solution below!
6. Who would ever guess that wall cabinet could hold all this?
Good luck with dealing with a kitchen in minimal space. At least some companies are addressing the problem.
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Have you struggled with how to make your home look like the ones in the magazines? Adding a few architectural details can make a lot of difference and here are a few examples.
These walls have some molding applied to create panels. It is simple to do and elevates the room to a much higher status without breaking the bank or doing major demolition and construction.
The corbels that are added at these doorways add just the right amount of decoration and finish out the arch detail. This would require a little framing and sheetrock work in a straight opening but really ups the design factor.
False beams added to this ceiling take a rather boring room to something much more warm and interesting.
Painting your moldings and crown a contrasting color can wake up a bland space too. This hallway is long and narrow but because they painted the crown molding and added the decorative molding at the light fixtures the hallway is anything but boring!
Several staggered layers of sheetrock give this ceiling some pizzaz and keep a contemporary feeling to the room.
This bedroom already had some architectural detailing but the bolds wide stripes accentuate the high ceiling so they are noticed.
These fake mirrored French Doors have been "planted" on the wall and trimmed like regular doors. They have a huge impact in the hallway and reflect light making the passage more inviting and exciting.
Paneling is back in libraries and media rooms. The paneled arched doorway makes a grand statement before you enter the room. Although curved wood is expensive, this installation makes the entrance to the room spectacular.
This pictures shows both a round or porthole window and a paneled ceiling. Both are designed to add detailing and warmth to the room.
Well, the last three pictures would probably require hiring a professional but they would be worth it for the finished results.
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
What's old is new again and Mid Century Modern is all the rage these days
1. This home is very reminiscent of the 50's even down to the mobile in the dining room! Mid Century Modern style is minimalistic, low, simple and sculptural. The seating usually had a canted seat so you sat into it not on it.
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3. These Breuer Chairs are classic and very comfortable. They are also light weight and easy to move which makes them perfect for family dining.
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5. Brno Chairs by Mies Vander Rhoe. Even the screen has a mid century look!
6. The bubble chair remains a favorite of children and adults alike. This one is clear acrylic but sometimes it's found with a solid plastic bubble.
7. Here are two of the Eero Aarnio Bubble Chairs in a classic minimalistic room. Notice the green egg chair also, which was designed in 1958.
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9. The Le Corbusier L2 chair is made of leather and often found in offices. The unique thing about these chairs is that the frame is on the outside.
10. The Le Corbusier L3 chair is very similar to the L2 chair only wider.
11. Here is another Mid Century look you might recognize.
12. Benches and seating with loose cushions like this were very prevalent in Mid Century design.
13. Shown here is a Noguchi table and Saarinen womb chair.
14. This Wassily chair by Breuer is still popular because it is visually small and uniquely sculptural with it's chrome frame and leather straps.
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If this is your favorite style - go get decorating!
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Kitchens are the heart of the home and are used for a lot of different activities. Is it possible to keep it organized and functional for all the things we do in the kitchen?
1. How about a raised eating bar for quick meals or just visitng while the cook is working?
2. Storing the cookbooks near a window seat is ideal for menu planning.
3. I love my warming drawer. It's great for keeping food warm until various family members get home, keeping bread warm to serve when the rest of the meal is ready, for keeping side dishes warm while you are serving up the main portions, for appetizers and great to keep your meat warm while you are making the sauce. It doesn't continue cooking or make your bread rubbery like a microwave oven does.
4. Here is a wonderful way to keep your dish towels handy while and give them a hide-a-way place to dry. The towel rod telescopes out when you use it. You can add a door so they are out of site too.
5. Deep drawers with pegs to compartmentalize your dishes and pull out spice drawers and pantries are great space savers.
6. Here is another convenient way to store spices - on angles shelves so you can see the labels. I alphabetize mine - is that over the top?
7. Pot racks are great space savers and keep them in easy reach. Pans can be hung on the wall too if you have the space.
8. Rail systems on the back splash are also very efficient so everything you use often is right in front of you ready to go.
9 & 10. Knife slots or magnetic bars keep your knives handy and ready but be sure they are out of the reach of children.
11. Being able to scrape your food scraps directly into a garbage can is very handy, especially if you don't have a garbage disposal.
12. How about putting your grocery list or menu or family messages on the refrigerator. This chalk board can serve many purposes.
13. You are familiar with corner lazy susans but how about these corner drawers? Would that work better for your purposes?
14. These nifty trays are built into the cabinets and slide out when needed.
15. Here is a compact coffee station including a dishwasher below so you can keep all your supplies together in one neat place.
16. Are your drawers too deep? This one has two drawers behind one drawer front. The top one slides out separately and this whole set up is beneath a cook top!
17. Don't forget the family pets - you can build in a feeding station at the end of the island and never kick over the food dishes again!
18. How about making a bed for the pets so they can be nearby while the family is in the kitchen?
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG