Archive for the ‘Colby Design’ Category

Modifying Your Interior Space With Doors & Dividers

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

The Sliding Door Company is a terrific resource on sliding doors that are very aesthetically pleasing.  The offer a wide variety of designs and uses, all with a clean look.  One product that they carry are room dividers.  The idea that you can easily “add” a room to your home, simply by using one of their divider systems, is genius.  Being able to partition off a space for an office, an extra bedroom or a nursery, without having to construct walls, is fantastic.  Check out some of their room dividers below, as well as some of their other product lines.  Another cool feature is their “Design Your Own” link.  You can experiment with different sizes and designs to see how their products might look in your space.  For more, please visit www.slidingdoorco.com

Panel room divider

Room Dividers

Closet Doors

Wall Sliders

Swing Doors

Swing Doors

Sicis Next Art…Not For Wall Flowers.

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Sicis is an mosaic tile  and furniture company, whose product lines are much more art than merely mosaic tiles.  They are bold and “out there” – perfect for luxury hospitality or an unexpected punch of glitz for the home.  The designs are wildly intricate, and create awe when implemented on a large scale.  While these designs may be too over the top for you Austin residence, we at Colby Design appreciate them for what they are…unique and beautiful!

www.sicis.com

Monochromatic is Dramatic.

Monday, May 30th, 2011

“Monochromatic color schemes are derived from a single base hue, and extended using its shades, tones and tints (that is, a hue modified by the addition of black, gray (black + white) and white. As a result, the energy is more subtle and peaceful due to a lack of contrast of hue. Monochromatic color schemes may be considered boring unless there is diversity within the design.” – Wikipedia

Wikipedia is right – Monochromatic rooms can be boring.  If I say, “grey room,” you might think, “That sounds really dreary.”  But, if the grey color scheme is implemented correctly, like the room below, the result is stunning!  Check out this room, as well as some other basically single colored rooms that I have included for good measure.  Enjoy!

[Grey+bedroom+Emmadinverno_co_uk+2.jpg]

 

Not Your Grandmother’s Bath…

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Many people think of free-standing baths (traditionally claw-foot) as outdated.  Recently, the free-standing bath has been revived into something fresh and new.  By treating the bathtub as a piece of furniture, you can create a very sophisticated and inviting look.  And, let’s face it, free-standing baths not only look amazing, but they have a certain romance about them.  Even taking a traditional claw-foot tub (like the one pictured below) and painting the outside black, or any color for that matter, can bring it up to date.  If you are building a home in or around Austin, or thinking about re-modeling your master bath, consider a free-standing bathtub.  We would be glad to help you find a resource!

The Butler’s Pantry – Made Relavent, Again.

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Traditionally, butler’s pantries have been small spaces, adjacent to the dining room, that house fine china.  They may have a small sink, but don’t get much use.  These days, people (even those who have extravagant homes) typically don’t want rooms that they won’t utilize.  We are living more efficiently today.  Below you will find some examples of butler’s pantries that have been made into prep kitchens.  Imagine throwing a party and being able to conceal the mess into a single room that is accessed through the kitchen, but not in it.  While a prep kitchen is not in every one’s budget, it is certainly a luxury worth dreaming about!

Inspired By Nature.

Monday, May 16th, 2011

 

Palecek furniture is very distinctive.  Their entire product line seems to marry nature and interior design.  Here is what they say about their products:

“More than 35 years ago, Palecek began designing distinctive rattan and wicker items with one goal in mind –  to create unique pieces of art from natural fibers. As we traveled the world developing a network of master artisans, we drew inspiration from the indigenous peoples and their use of quickly renewable materials. Our desire to mix an international palette of natural fibers into elegant furniture, lighting and accessories has made Palecek a trendsetter and pioneer in the use of fast-growing hardwoods, seagrass and rattan weaves.   Our extensive line of award winning, handcrafted and eco-conscious designs are conceived in our domestic San Francisco Bay Area headquarters.  It is here that our master technicians upholster and finish your pieces, allowing Palecek to be your domestic design resource.”

“To the Trade”

For more, visit www.palecek.com

Moraccan Inspired Home Decor..

Friday, May 13th, 2011

 

For those of you who prefer the eclectic for your Austin home, look no further than Wunderley Furniture.  Their imported products are hand-crafted and are beautiful, and their product line includes everything from furniture to lighting and accessories.  A quick tip, though – these pieces would be a great addition to any interior…but be careful not to overdo it.  A single inlaid table, bench, or mirror can add interest and “pop,” but too much of a good thing will just create a theme, which can make the overall design seem trite. 

SB71-36" Mosaic Cocktail table

 

SB502-Mother of Pearl Inlaid Bench

MB301-Old Kilim cube

ML44-Long Leather Wall Sconce

Vintage Shell Inlay Mirror-212

For more from Wunderley, visit www.wunderley.com , or contact Colby Design…we’d be glad to help!

Traditional Inspiration…Dreamlike State.

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

 

The artwork that is Boco do Lobo’s furniture is astounding.  The designers manage take the onlooker on a visual and emotional  journey, as they take traditional forms and craft them into something more.  Sometimes when we dream, we warp things in our minds, just a little, but the forms in the dream still make sense.  This idea seems to be threaded through Boco do Lobo’s designs.  The take classic forms and present them in whimsical ways that inspire the onlooker, just as art stirs each of us differently. 

For more, visit www.bocodolobo.com 

Asymmetry…

Monday, May 9th, 2011

 

Asymmetry is a great way to add interest to any room.  The key is for the eye to really see that the space is kind of out of balance (but in a good way).  The living room below is a great example of how to work in some asymmetry.  What makes this work is the fact that the mantel runs the full length of the fireplace wall.  It is the balancing factor, and it pulls the eye to the fireplace (which isn’t very large…but you probably didn’t notice that part).  Instead, the eye focuses on the wall, in its entirety, which looks grand.

Striped Shades…

Friday, May 6th, 2011

 

Lamp shades come in every shape, style, size, and color imaginable.  One of our favorite ways to see a shade dressed – stripes.  These colored lines really set the tone for a lamp, and in turn, an interior.  Stripes can be serious, or just plain sassy, depending on the materials and the colors used.  Check out some of our favorites that are available to you online.

Pottery Barn

Lamps Plus – Black Velvet Stripe

House To Home – UK

Laura Ashely

Isabell Stanely

Pottery Barn