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This is a blog on furniture and interior design. It features designs by various interior designers where they share ideas.

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Pantone’s Color for 2013: Emerald Green’s Year to Shine

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony...A luminous, magnificent hue, the color of beauty, new life and prosperity." - Pantone on Emerald, Color of the Year for 2013.

Emerald Green is Pantone’s color of the year, and in our research, we have developed a new-found appreciation for this rich and vibrant shade.  We’re taken with how it instantly attracts the eye and demands one’s attention, yet still gives a sense of elegance and calm.

Green is a powerful color, but it can just as easily evoke the serenity of nature found in peaceful pastures or majestic forests.  This brilliant hue has captured our imagination and stirred ideas on how to best utilize within the realm of home decor and interior design.

 Photo via Bird and Branch Redesign.

 The beautiful green curtains shown in the above dining area create an allure that’s unique and unforgettable.  Such an arresting and lively color can be wonderfully matched with more neutral shades such as grey, beige and subtle gold, which can lend a space an instantly balanced ambiance.  The striking accent chair exudes a refined grace with its marbleized upholstery in a radiant emerald green.

 Photo via Savannah Collections.

A stunning Italian marble top table such as the Waterford Coffee Table above enchants with lustrous detail.  It’s a marvelous and subtle way to incorporate this gorgeous color into your home.

 Photo via Baker Furniture.

This luxurious dining room designed by Baker Furniture creates a more tranquil setting using green throughout the walls and dining chairs, but with softer shades of emerald.  A shimmering gold chandelier brightens the room while complimenting the serene greens.

  Photo via Willard & May’s Front Door Pinterest Board.

A cozy living room such as the one above plays with various hues of green, with a rich emerald sofa, green walls and lush accent pieces.  This lively mix stands out with its contrasting textures and charming patterns throughout.  A beautiful and fun way to awaken the senses!

Inspirational Designs for the Home Office

Photo via Showcase Kitchens & Baths.

Home offices have recently increased in popularity as more people choose to work from home.  However, we believe that having your own office at home should involve more than just a desk with a computer.  Not only can it provide a relaxed environment for work, but with key design elements, may also serve as a source of inspiration and quiet refuge.  Many also use their home office area as a study, or a quiet place to unwind and read away from the distractions of the rest of the home.

We've collected some ideas of beautifully designed luxury home office spaces ranging from traditional to contemporary to minimalist styles:

Photo via Savannah Collections.

This Princeton Executive Desk by Savannah Collections presents all the refined air of an academic study.  The base is finished in Cherry Mahogany, and the top provides a beautiful contrast with its inlaid black leather desktop.  Gold accents complete the hand-carved design, creating a hint of understated elegance and sophistication.

Photo via Savannah Collections.

To complement the desk is the Princeton Wall Unit/Bookcase.  This awe-inspiring wooden bookcase allows for ample storage for your beloved book collection or keepsakes, and protect them from the elements behind tempered glass doors.

For a different kind of traditional office style, the Henredon vignette below showcases a beautiful study with a slim, oval table and a pair of sleek chairs.  Warm tones of green, burgundy, orange and gold create an effortlessly relaxed atmosphere.  The graceful bookcases on each side of the mantle offer a space for displaying books and treasures.

Photo by Beth Singer.

We simply adore this contemporary office below, with its charmingly paired black desk and wall unit, accented with wonderful shades of green to brighten the space.

Photo via Vanhomy.

Photo via Home My Design.

If you like your office space even brighter, a white desk alongside white walls decorated with vibrant accessories can awaken the senses and may help you tackle that long office task list.

In contrast, if you’d like to create a calming ambiance within your home office, it can be as simple as limiting your decor to the bare essentials.  A minimalist approach can produce a tranquil work space, so that you can focus on important projects.  A clean design can foster a serene state of mind known to increase productivity and even help generate ideas.

We instantly fell in love with this stunningly curved, white desk below, which is both eye-catching and clean in design.  We love the natural wood storage area and its extraordinary rounded ends.  A matching storage component behind it, and simple, minimal decor add warmth to the room, while complimenting the simple design.

Photo via Pampai.

Photo via Architecture Art Designs.

We hope that these home office designs have given you as much inspiration as they have given us.  Ultimately, your office space should provide you a space that corresponds to your work-style and needs.  Serene or stimulating, dark or bright, the most essential ingredient to the perfect home office or study is that you are completely in love with it.

Spring 2013 Look Book Is Out!

Bernhardt Interiors reaches for an ideal – taking the idea of beauty in art to the pursuit of furniture making. Inspired by that artistic passion, this eclectic collection of items features fine craftsmanship, unique materials, a distinctly modern styling and its thoughtful details allow for an effortless sophistication.

The new Spring 2013 Look Book is now online and it's gorgeous! And...check out new introductions.

Vivid Drawings = Expressive Accent Furniture

Trend: Classic Strong Lines
April 20, 2013

Today, Bernhardt introduces a broad range of finely drawn accent pieces which serve to give a new look of refinement and proportion to the home.

"The essence of design is the line," says Ron Fiore, Bernhardt creative director. "The most important piece in your room is going to be one with a strong outline or silhouette. It announces you as confident, and refreshes the things you already have."




















































 
This Spring's fashion runways provide a glimpse into how many people will be dressing their homes – using innovative classic shapes with sharp lines.

Sofa, Couch or What?

S.J.D., of Belleville posed this question to The Answer Man:

Q. Why do we have two very different names for a couch/sofa? When you look on craigslist, they are used interchangeably. Is there a difference?

Interesting article about the history of the name!

I have some further input on the question. My husband used to call the sofa a couch or davano until I corrected him Now he's pretty good at just using sofa for the multiple seat thing in the den or living room, usually taken by the dog.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2013/04/23/2589275/answer-man-have-a-seat-on-the.html#storylink=cpy

Bridfget A. Otto Saturday

House and Gardens arrived this morning with The Oregonian and friends of ours were almost everywhere.

In one we meet Audrey Theis' who moved from a condo in Sellwood to Raleigh Hills. Bridget Otto writes that Theis "...loved the traditional layout of the house and knew she could plant a vegetable garden, turn one bedroom into an office, and have the space she so desired to accommodate her extended family."

 Doug Beghtel, The Oregonian

She chose for guidance Gilyn McKelligon of Gilyn McKelligon Interiors, 503-297-5659, whose office is in the area for interior design guidance and Carol Director of Scott Director's Custom Upholstery & Accents, 503-292-9411.

In the second article, also written by Bridget Otto, we get another look at "What you need to know about selecting, working with an interior designer."This article features interior designers Susan Grady of gradyinteriors.com  and Terrance Mason, of terrancemasoninteriors.com. Both Grady and Mason are well-qualified and on the Board of Directors of NW society of Interior Designers (NWSID). Terrance Mason is the current president of NWSID.

The information is excellent and hiring a professional can save you money and avoid mistakes.

Perfect For The Beach House???

 I Love Tufted Furniture shows this design by Carlo Rampazzi and handmade in Italy.

This whimsical bergere chair upholstered in button tufted sea foam green silk and encrusted in seashells with silver leaf front legs is only a smidge over $27,000.00!

I'll take two! :)

Top Remodeling Trends

The Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan tells us that:

“TV interior design shows are mostly about buying and remodeling a home, versus building from scratch or finding a new property that precisely fits a wish list with plenty of personal requirements,” says Dani Kohl, program coordinator for the bachelor of science in interior design program at The Art Institute of Indianapolis and a practicing architect and interior designer.

What are the top trends in remodeling? Kohl says,

1. Uniting the kitchen and living space for an open-floor concept
2. Culture dictating an increase square footage for entertainment, haven from a busy work schedule or modern luxuries
3. Finding multi-functional uses for both spaces and furniture

In other words it's open plan, master bedrooms that may be havens from the world, and closets that function also as dressing area.

For our house our priorities are installing a drainage system around house in order to enjoy a dry basement, remodel main floor bathroom (tub or no tub), replace ground floor deck with cement tiles, and install irrigation system. Kitchens and bathroom redo are always at the top of the list, so we fit with the trend.

Rethink the Sink: New Ways of Turning Old Pieces into Bathroom Prizes

The bathroom is a place dedicated to freshening up, so it seems a fitting space to introduce "freshened up" décor. Breathing new life into antique furniture and retro accessories allows you to create custom bathroom components for a one-of-a-kind design that's awash with personality.

It can be as simple as rethinking an item's intended function or as in-depth as revamping a piece's finished form. Below, I'll shower you with ideas on transforming case goods and other furnishings into vintage-inspired vanities, repurposing windows into wall-hangings, and using cast-offs for corner shelves.

Vintage-Inspired Vanities
Old-fashioned case goods such as buffets, sideboards, desks, and dressers make ideal vanities, as their doors and drawers hide plumbing and provide toiletry and towel storage. Some are even wide enough to accommodate two sinks.

An open concept furniture item such as a farm, side, or sewing table can also be transformed into a bathroom vanity with a large basket tucked below to serve as a hamper or towel bin -- note that a deep apron front is ideal for concealing plumbing. Have a shorter piece? No problem. Rather than a drop-in, turn to a vessel sink for added height.

To convert your case:

1. Determine where the sink will be placed. (Consider shifting it to one side to allow a broader expanse of counter space on the other.)
2. Trace the outline of the sink onto the top, taking care to allow space for the faucet if you plan to mount that separately. (Most new sinks come with a template.) You will also need to draw the placement of the existing plumbing on the rear of the cabinet.
3. Cut out holes for the sink and pipes using a drill and a jigsaw.
4. Refinish the piece, if desired, using enamel spray paint or a coat of polyurethane. For a more traditional bathroom feel, you may opt to have a stone top cut to fit.
5. Mount the sink using silicone caulk, and the faucet hardware with plumber's putty.
6. Secure the vanity to the wall studs using screws. You may have to either remove or shorten the upper drawers to allow space for plumbing. If removed, preserve the drawer faces so they can be affixed to the cabinet front.
7. Hook up drain and water lines, or contact a plumber if you don't feel comfortable with this step.

Antique Reflections
Almost any flat flea market find can hold a mirror. I've seen creative DIYers convert everything from reclaimed ceiling tiles to antique silver trays to old horse harnesses into charming custom mirror frames. For an eclectic feel, pair mismatched mirrors side-by-side over a double vanity. (Install recessed bathroom cabinets behind the mirrors to gain additional functionality.) More of a collector? Hanging a grouping of hand mirrors upside down on a wall summons a bit of romantic whimsy.

Salvaged window frames are fairly common at junk shops and thrift stores and can be transformed into mirrors in just a few basic steps:

1. Remove the panes by slicing through the putty with a razor blade, and pry out any glazier's points (small metal fasteners).
2. Measure each opening carefully and have mirrors cut to fit.
3. Lay the frame face down, arrange the mirrors face down in each opening, and back them with cardboard.
4. Reinstall the glazier's points behind the cardboard.
5. Add hanging hardware along the upper edge, and place felt pads in the bottom corners to protect walls.
6. Anchor the mirror securely in a stud.

New Old-Fashioned Storage
Bathroom furniture and accessories with a bit of history provide character in an often-sterile space. And most need little, if any, amending. Wicker window box baskets or galvanized metal tubs can be hung one above the other using wall hooks for tiered toiletry organization. A vintage plant stand or stacked wine crates make great small-space shelving when tucked into a corner or otherwise tight spot. Or turn an old wooden ladder into a towel rack. (I recommend snapping plastic shower rod covers cut to length over the rungs to prevent soggy towels from softening the wood.) Have an old shutter? Use it to replace an ordinary medicine cabinet door.

 The aforementioned case goods also work well as storage units. A child-size armoire, for instance, is an ideal size for a guest bathroom and provides cabinets and drawers for stowing linens, toiletries, and extra TP. If the piece features double doors, contemplate removing one of them to reveal exposed shelving for displaying towels, candles, and other decorative accessories. Hide unsightly sundries behind the remaining door. For some flair, paint the interior a contrasting color or update solid wood cabinet doors with mirror or glass inserts.

Do these ideas inspire you to use made-over pieces in a bathroom makeover?

A Home Depot sales associate in the Chicago suburbs, Jay Harris provides bathroom decors tips to homeowners for products ranging from vanities and bathroom faucets to sinks and medicine cabinets.