Archive for December, 2010

Smart Fire

Friday, December 31st, 2010

 

For those of you who long for the warmth that a fire can bring in your home, and don’t want to pay for an expensive remodel, consider the Ecosmart Fire.  These fireplaces do not need to vent, so they can go into any room in the house, without the need for a chimney…a stroke of genius in the world of interior design.  They burn ethanol, clean and hot.  There are inserts that can go into a tradional fireplace or there are stand alone models….there is even coffee table (see below).  If you would like help getting an Ecosmart Fire model for your home, Colby Design.  We’d be glad to help!

 

www.ecosmartfire.com

 

A Room With a View

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

 

Outdoor rooms are great, especially with the weather in Austin, Texas.  The surroundings provide most of the decor, so all one has to do is set up a compfortable place to sit and enjoy what nature has already provided…of course, accent lighting and just the right splashes of color through proper fabric selection does go a long way.

 

Gathering Place…

Monday, December 27th, 2010

 

Kitchens are one of the most important places in a home for interior designers to personalize for people.  It is where we spend much of our time throughout the day, thus making it a gathering place for family and friends.  It is important that it is both aesthetically pleasing, as well as sizable enough to house people, other than the cook, allowing the chef room to move about.  Austin has some great kitchen resources, especially when it comes to unique tile and fine cabinetry.  This kitchen is great for everyday living, as well as entertaining.  There is plenty of room to cook and socialize, which is how most families live. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stiletto Chandelier

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

 

Smooth beveled glass rods and hand-polished stainless steel work together to create this fantastic chandelier.  Inspired by glamourous stilettos and the fashionabale women who wear them, Charles Loomis’ design is a celebration of style, which is what interior design is all about.

 http://charlesloomis.com

“To the Trade”

 

Reinterpretation into Sophistication…

Monday, December 20th, 2010
Check out these porcelain side tables by designer Tucker Robbins.  They are a reinterpretation of the grain bowls that get inverted to become stools during harvest by the Kalinga people of the Philipines.  We would certainly say that Tucker Robbins has done a fantastic job of creating something sophisticated out of such a rustic inspiration.
“To the Trade”
For more information on these or other Tucker Robbins pieces, visit www.tuckerrobbins.com or contact us. 
We’d be glad to help.

A Touch of Whimsey…

Friday, December 17th, 2010

 

Glass sculpture is a great option for that touch of the unexpected in interior design, especially in rooms that are flooded with natural light.  Abstract pieces like the one pictured here could be great as a centerpiece or in a lit niche, as well. 

 

Cabinet Jewelry…

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

 

Choosing the right knobs and pulls for your cabinetry is like choosing the right jewelry.  Your engagement ring, your wedding band, those “wear with anything” earrings that you have come to love.  There are almost as many choices in interior hardware as there are paint colors.  This can be a little intimidating for homeowners, which is why we are here as interior designers…to help you embrace the endless choices that can personalize your Austin home.   Below are some of our picks that could really dress up your cabinetry.

 

Cabinet Pull Italian Renaissance Style

Cabinet Pull by Fersa

www.fersa.biz

 

  hardware

The Decorative Hardware Studio

www.dhshardware.com

1¼“ Square Knob

Du Verre

www.duverre.com

Heavy Metal

Monday, December 13th, 2010

 

This limited edition cast silicon bronze coffee table by Chista is eye-catching.  The piece below could “anchor” any interior.  The New York based company’s design “explores the roots of primitivism and modernism, the found and the sculptural.”  Their inventory is nothing less than fantastic, and their ability to combine the everyday with surprise has us smiling.   For more, visit www.chist.net

“To the Trade”

New Reflections in Timeless Porcelain.

Friday, December 10th, 2010

 

When considering contemporary interior design, one doesn’t often think of porcelain, but perhaps we should.  Lladro is a Spain based company that has been creating classic and modern accessories in porcelain since the 1950’s.  Their new take on Rococo style mirrors is fun and creative.  Framing mirrors in lacey porcelain and then placing them in contemporary settings feels unexpected and fresh, which is something that the people of Austin love…the unexpected.

 

 

www.lladro.com

Sophisticated White…

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

 

What we love about the villa below is the simple sophistication in its interior design.  White walls create a light and airy feel that compliments the rich hardwood floors.   The soft walls  also create a great backdrop for “statement art” to really pop, and they also allow the vast windows to do what they are meant to do:  bring in natural light and allow the natural surroundings to create focal points, rather than distract the eye.