Waterfront Modern Home with Luxurious Design Features
10 hours ago DRESSYOURNEST -- We received some photos and information about a contemporary home from Blueprint Designs…. Here is the press release we were sent: “The owners of this luxury waterfront home were looking for a modern building design that suit canal water front living. They also wanted the house design to give the appearance of a two story home but without the
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Serene Home in Bali, Designed for Entertainment: Lovelli Residence
12 hours ago DRESSYOURNEST -- Creating a home that would answer the living and entertainment needs of the owner, was the main objective for building the Lovelli Residence, on the west coast of Bali. Studio Word of Mouth… therefore envisioned and developed an enjoyable space, where different functions interact and overlap in an original way. Here is more from the architects: “The dining area also
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Sustainable Residential Project in California: Stinson Beach House
16 hours ago DRESSYOURNEST -- Stinson Beach House is a contemporary residence designed by Berkeley-based studio WA Design… and located in Stinson beach, California, USA. The site is connected to the ocean to the west and neighbored by another home to the east. In developing this project, the architects did not lack challenges: “We were strictly limited by both budget and zoning regulations to a
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Colourful Furniture By Anthony Hartley
18 hours ago DRESSYOURNEST -- Launched to wide acclaim at Tent London, part of London Design Week, in September 2011, the furniture of Yorkshire-based designer Anthony Hartley is bright, fresh, engaging and dynamic. He produces each piece by hand, from the original drawings through to the finished products.
The two pieces shown here are part of the collection. Edna 1… is an oak
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Originally- Designed Family Residence in Vietnam Displaying Green Facades
19 hours ago DRESSYOURNEST -- The architects at Vo Trong Nghia Co., ltd…. completed a modern residence in Saigon, Vietnam, for a thirty-years-old couple and their mother, in the shape of a tube, 4m wide and 20m high. Entitled “Stacking Green“, it stands out due to its original facades, featuring a large number of terraces, each adorned with flower pots. Here is more from
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Olioboard, Man Caves and Go, Patriots!
Thursday, 2 February 2012 SURROUNDINGS -- This is likely to be the only sports related post I am probably going to do. (Unless I get hired to create the perfect man cave or media room.) So, last week I wrote an uber long post on how I'm using Pinterest. This week, I've been working on my skills using Olioboard, which is an easy way to create 2D and 3D design boards. I've had an account for a while, but didn't do much with it. But there has been so much buzz that it got me more interested. Plus, they run contests and who doesn't love to win prizes? The current contest running requires entries to be 3-D man cave designs using sports themed art from Spirit of Sports.
This is my entry below, which I've called "The Brady Boy's Man Cave", in honor of Tom Brady and the New England Patriot's playing winning the Super Bowl this coming weekend. (<-- see what I did - thinking positively!) If you wish, you can vote for me here, although you do have to create a free account.
I thought I'd show a little of what I've learned this week. There have been references to 2D and 3D Boards. Of course, we all know the difference between 2D and 3D, however, when it came to Olioboard, I wasn't sure. I kept thinking there was some technology I wasn't aware of. In fact, it's simply this:
The above is basically a simple "board" with the elements you might use in a space laid out in 2D fashion. This is more the classic design presentation type board. And, it certainly illustrates the concepts for a design plan, or wish list, depending on how you're using it.
In Olioboard, there are many different ways of creating a design scheme. The 2D version above, or a more 3D version as shown directly below. As designers know, not all clients can "visualize" a space as we can. So, while a designer might look at the 2D board above and immediately know how it's all going to fit together, our client's may need a bit more help. But, there is no technological difference between the creation of these two boards, it's simply how they are laid out and the addition of a background to create context.
The image above was my "first draft" of a 3D man cave. All the same elements are included in the 2D version and my final version. This was done using only the items currently in the Olioboard libraries, which include flooring, wallpapers, lighting, etc. It's not bad, but still a little rough looking. It does tell more of a story, but I am bothered by the flat wall and floor onto which furnishings are layed in a room-like manner. Meanwhile, I was noticing some amazing boards that included perspective elements like receding horizons, hallways, windows outside, etc. Hmm.. I wanted to do that! One of the best parts of Olioboard is that you can upload your own images, and actually "pin" (cross reference, but oh well) items from the internet into your account - so you don't have to stick with the existing libraries. I haven't actually done that yet, but will try it at some point. I did, however, upload an image.
There are some room background images available on Olioboard, but I didn't love any of them. Meanwhile, I've been working on improving my skills at Live Interior 3D, which creates floor plans and 3D renderings, including lighting and shadows. So, instead of trolling the internet for a background I could use, I created my own design for Tom and the boy's man cave. Since I was using the large gray sectional in my design (see above), I did my best to orient the room angle to match the sofa, while still getting in the 3 walls. I laid in a dark stained floor, two dark orange walls and two gray walls. The ceiling is a glossy dove gray. I included sliding doors on the windows on the left to block out the sun when watching the tv on the right and I added the architectural columns because I suspect there are more than a few in Tom and Gisele's new California house...
I create a JPG image of the empty "room" and uploaded it to Olioboard onto which I laid all the furnishings and accessories.
For the final decorations in my
Brady Boy's Man Cave - and yes, there's room for Gisele too - I have included big comfy teal tub chairs and orange pouf and side table. And there's even a play area for Tom's two sons complete with child size Knoll Womb chairs and Saarinen table. I wanted to create a comfortable space that has modern and traditional elements - a little New England stability mixed with California warmth, all topped with a star light fixture - because they are stars after all.
For me, the 2D and final 3D version with custom designed backgrounds are the best. The middle version in 3D isn't polished enough to be a good representation of a design concept, although I know from what I've seen on their site that some people get amazing results doing it this way.
So, if you're looking for yet another way to spend hours playing with digital design, check out Olioboard. There are many more features I didn't cover as I'm still learning myself. You can learn more in two different Blog Talk Radio recordings hosted by
Leslie Carothers here.
Meanwhile, check out my board and all the
amazing entries to the Olioboard Man Cave contest here.
If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please
email me. Thanks!
Subscribe to ::Surroundings::Spacious Villa in Sweden with Mesmerizing Design Features
Thursday, 2 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- Welcome to a peaceful and inspiring property in Sweden, composed of a main residence, garage, stables and a large side building with four parking spaces and private offices. The exclusive main villa is surrounded by a lovely garden with large lawns and ornamental stone. With a total floor area of 450 square meters, the inhabitants of this home have plenty…
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Pure White Highgate Apartment Split Into Half-Levels
Thursday, 2 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- TG Studio…, with architecture and design offices in London, were the ones who envisioned this serene and contemporary white space. Clearly influenced by the owner’s Norwegian upbringing, this classy Highgate Apartment in a mid terraced house near Hampstead Heath displays a sculptured interior design, carefully placed to incorporate views of Parliament Hill. Evoking memories of the owner’s mountainous and
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Five Timelessly Designed Chairs: The Sezz Collection
Thursday, 2 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- Chair manufacturing brand Emeco presented the new Sezz Collection of seating at Maison & Objet in Paris this January. Designed in collaboration with French designer Christophe Pillet…, the chair collection is made of aluminum chairs, stools and swivel chairs and were originally created for the Sezz Hotel in St.Tropez – hence the name. Launched as a five piece collection
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Dark Mountain House Mirroring the Surroundings
Thursday, 2 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- This dark-cladded mountain house, designed by Miurashin Architect + Associates…, is camouflaged between trees on a sloping terrain in Karuizawa, Japan. A pavilion reached via a metal bridge welcomes family and guests to the warm and contemporary interiors, dressed in wood via a top floor pavilion. Living and entertaining spaces are sheltered by the middle floor, while the lower
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Overade Cycling Helmet To Be Launched In 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- Designed back in 2010, the sleek helmet will enter production this year, in 2012. Thanks to its creator, Patrick Jouffret of French Agency 360… studio, the helmet displays a unisex design built to offer protection just as much as a standard bicycle helmet would, but its folding feature makes it easier to carry and fit in different carry-ons. Seeing that
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Murals And Artistic Strokes In A Fab Copenhagen Flat
Thursday, 2 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- Bold and expressing a keep artistic sense, this beautiful Copenhagen Flat is home to Christina Eivor Wallem Hvims and Frederik Lassen Hesseldahl. The dining space features a beautiful black panther painted on the wall and accentuated by the rest of the mural painted in vivid colors that we can also see in the furniture and home accessories. Spreading over 93…
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Villa BH’s Transparency Leading To A Freeing Lifestyle [Video]
Thursday, 2 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- Rotterdam-based studio Whim Architecture …created a stunning semi-transparent residence in Burgh-Haamstede, the Netherlands. Known for their persistent lack of curtains, the Dutch people enjoy a freeing lifestyle. This particular residence – Villa BH – although nestled between three other residence and surrounded by trees, displays a stress-free transparency and an inviting interior design. The 2,874 square feet contemporary residence is
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White Inspiration: Original Wallpapers by Young & Battaglia
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- We received a press release with the newest inspirational wallpapers designed by Young & Battaglia for Mineheart…. Here is the information we were sent: “The White Bookshelf wallpaper features white books on white shelves for a bright minimalist look. It can be used to create a stunningly contemporary feel reminicent of designer offices, fashion shoots and art galleries. Perfect
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Why a good upholsterer is your best friend in design
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 SURROUNDINGS --
Once upon a time, my client owned these two different but still comfy arm chairs. Chair 1 on the left is an English Arm style with a box style back cushion and Chair 2 on the right had rolled arms with a knife edge back cushion. My clients wished to use both of these chairs in their new living room, reupholstered in the same fabric. Aside from a slight difference in width and the arm styles, they are basically the same chair.
This is the fabric we selected for the chairs, which is
Thibaut's Island Coral in beige.
And voila - old chairs made new again. Now, look again at the old chairs and then again at the newly reupholstered pieces. Notice anything different? These are the same chairs in the same spots as above. The difference is obviously that the old roll arm chair was reconfigured by my upholster
Heller Furniture in Norwell, MA and now sports a nice pair of English arms. The back cushion is now a box cushion and the skirting is now the same on both pieces. Aside from the fact that the chairs are still slightly different in width (hardly noticeable unless you're looking for it), they are now a stylish matched set.
And this is why I say that a good upholsterer is your best friend in design. Whether you're a homeowner, a beginning designer or seasoned pro - a good upholsterer is an invaluable tool in your bedazzled tool belt. Most experienced upholsterers are able to make these kinds of changes to an existing piece. I've seen the most used and awful pieces be literally reborn - made modern and fresh. For this project, which is still in process, I brought a sofa, these two chairs and an order for 10 custom seat cushions for various chairs around the house. Everything was made completely to order and fits like a glove. It's important to note, however, that this doesn't come cheap. My client's could have certainly purchased two new matching arm chairs for the same price at a decent store and in some stores they could have purchased two new chairs for the cost of getting just one of these chairs reupholstered. But the quality would never be the same and the chairs would never be as comfortable. These were good chairs to begin with; they were just old and well used. By reupholstering existing furniture, my clients got the exact fabric and details they wanted and kept the old chairs out of the landfill.
recently wrote
6 Tips for Working with an Upholsterer for Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace which I highly recommend.
Speaking of upholstery, I wanted to thank
Modenus for featuring a before and after of my Boston Townhouse Living Room project on their website today. This was a project that included several upholstered pieces. The sofa was a Dapha for Baker Furniture with Stroheim & Romann fabric (both to the trade), the arm chairs were Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (retail) with a Robert Allen washable velvet (COM to the trade) and the side chairs were Restoration Hardware in their own velvet (all retail). I point this out because I think it's a good lesson in using varied resources to achieve the best results on a project. Retail store furniture can often be covered in COM (Customer's Own Fabric) or COL (Customer's Own Leather), so never hesitate to ask. It may be more expensive, but to get exactly what you want, it's worth it.
If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please
email me. Thanks!
Subscribe to ::Surroundings::Bright Semi-Transparent Laguna Beach Residence
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- This single family villa spreads over 2,470 square feet, featuring a tasteful remodel that transformed the residential building into a dream oceanfront house. The Laguna Beach Residence – as the glass oasis was named – is located on a promontory, overlooking the huge stretches of water from behind transparent glass walls. An open gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and…
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Limited Edition Powder-Coated Surveillance Chandelier
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- Humans since 1982… – a Stockholm-based design studio – have come up with an interesting idea for illuminating spaces – a dark powder-coated set of surveillance cameras acting as shells for the lights flooding the room, named Surveillance Chandelier. The set of aluminum surveillance cameras hanging from the ceiling convey a Big Brother feeling and extend the idea of surveillance
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Canadian Muskoka Boathouse and Seasonal Residence
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- It’s time to share some boat house inspiration! For those of you looking to build a boat house, this rural boat house with seasonal residence can be the inspiration you were looking for. Located in Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada, the construction that borrows the name of its location is a renovation of an existing boathouse with a 600 square foot…
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Contemporary Home With an Unconventional Layout: Sea Shell Residence
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- Sea Shell Residence is an impressive 7,500 square foot modern home, located on the Mediterranean coast of Israel. The residence displays quite a few captivating interior design details, envisioned and implemented by studio Lanciano Design…. Here is an excerpt from the official project description, as given to the press by the designers: “Openness is the main concept that led
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Fireplace Controllable by iPhone or Android Smart Phone
Wednesday, 1 February 2012 DRESSYOURNEST -- We recently received a press release about a project that will surely appeal to all of you out there keen on? technology. Gas fireplace manufacturer Escea… has just launched their new range of gas fireplaces, which feature a world first: inbuilt WiFi connectivity, and the ability to control your fireplace from your iPhone or Android smart phone. According to the
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