Archive for the ‘Rooms We Love’ Category

A Marriage Made in Italy…

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

It can be so exciting to take a historical place, filled with opulent wood carvings and history, and fill it with simple, clean-lined furniture.  This apartment in Italy is brimming with whispers of a grand past…and at the same time, screaming of a very current present.  We love that the bones of this amazing structure have been left seemingly untouched, only updated with a gorgeous and modern  grouping of ethereal chandeliers.  The interior designer who selected the furniture for this home did a great job of keeping it simple.  In doing so, they have allowed us to really take in the beauty of marrying current furnishings to a centuries old space.

cattelan-italia-gorgeous-living-rooms-ideas-decor-3.jpg

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.

Room With A View…

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Take a look at this breath-taking room in Laguna Beach, California.  Not only are its ceilings glass, but one wall has glass doors that collapse to completely remove the wall, and the adjacent wall is all windows.  This is a most glamorous way to feel like you are outdoors.  The interior design is quite simple and elegant, complimenting the phenomenal architecture.  This room begs for entertaining.  It is a “live” room, because the art of a sunrise or sunset is ever changing…we at Colby Design love it!

 

Modular Arts – Innovation for Interior Design

Friday, April 8th, 2011

 

Interlocking Rock by Modular Arts is an amazing collection of products that fit together seamlessly to produce eye-catching accent walls or back splashes.  The joints are invisible and the interlocking system adds to joint stability and accurate alignment, not to mention a quick installation.  The non-combustible mineral modules come in panels, blocks, and tiles, sure to fit any application, and are easily trimmed on-site for easy installation.  For more on this innovative product for your Austin interior, visit www.modulararts.com

modularArts® InterlockingRock® BuildingBloks™

Clearly Good Interior Design…

Friday, April 1st, 2011

 

Lucite, or acrylic, is a beautiful material that furniture makers translate into good design.  It adds glamour and sophistication to any room.  Check out some rooms below that have Lucite furniture.  There is a certain amount of class that has been added by the transparent pieces in them.  Another great thing about Lucite is that it can go with any style…

 

The Power of Blue…

Monday, March 7th, 2011

 

Blue is great.  If it is layered correctly, it can almost become neutral, itself.  It is soothing and and has a glamorous appeal.  Check out some of these blue rooms.  Notice the bold blues, mixed in with the softer shades.  You don’t have to be afraid of color if you know how to use it, which is a big part of interior design.

 

 

Adaptive Reuse…

Friday, February 11th, 2011

 

Adaptive reuse is a growing field in interior design in Austin.  Taking something old, that might otherwise be torn down, and adapting it to suit other uses is like recycling on a grand scale.  It is better for the environment and gives a “nod of respect” to historical spaces, not to mention the fact that something truly unique can be created around the “limitations” of an existing space.  Check out this incredible home in Utrecht (Netherlands) that has been adapted from a chapel.  It is amazing.

daylighting, adaptive reuse, renovation, green renovation, eco upgrade, zecc architects, utrecht, the netherlands, chapel, catholica chapel, chapel renovation, green design, eco design, sustainable building,

For more:  http://inhabitat.com/chapel-transformed-into-stunning-modern-residence-in-utrecht/

Hanging Your Clothes in Style.

Monday, February 7th, 2011

 

Can there really ever be enough storage in a home?  It seems like no matter how much storage space we put in our homes, it always gets filled.  Closets for clothing are no exception.  The bigger, the better, which is why it is great to have your interior designer with you when plans are being drawn up with an architect.  Check out some of these fabulous closets in master suites.  They look great and are very functional.

Water Works.

Monday, January 10th, 2011

 

In the world of plumbing, there are a lot of choices.  When it comes to making a statement with understated fixtures, though, Dornbracht is King.  The German company’s beautiful plumbing fixtures look more like sleek sculptures than what they really are.  Plumbing is a way for interior designers to set a home apart.  For the homeowner that wants the best in contemporary fixtures, Dornbracht is it.  Their beauty lies in their slightness.

www.dornbracht.com

 

Monochromatic Is Dramatic.

Monday, January 10th, 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 can be boring if it isn’t done right.  If I say, “grey room,” you might think dreary. Look at the grey room below, though.  The monochromatic color scheme is  implemented properly, and the result is a stunning room!  I have included some other eye-catching, basically single colored rooms for good measure…enjoy!

[Grey+bedroom+Emmadinverno_co_uk+2.jpg]

Blue and white dining area designed by John Stefanidis