Showing posts with label British design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British design. Show all posts

October 22, 2013

Design idea #1...curtain as a room divider...

I want to share with you a design 'tip' that I have used and would like to highlight for inspiration.  If you have a hallway or entrance that needs to be visually separated from a living area, or that might be draughty in the winter, or, just needs a little spicing up with color and pattern, then go ahead and add a single panel or pair of curtains.

In my cottage, I added a single panel curtain, though I have used a pair in the past.  One curtain does the trick here. The hallway is a brick floor and one wall is wood paneling (the other is two windows), so, to give it some 'oomph' and add color and pattern in both the living room and hall, I added a blue and white check Swedish style curtain. It also distinguishes between the two areas since there is no door here. I got these curtains a long time ago on sale at JC Penney's home store. I don't think I paid more than $15 for them, so they were a bargain.

View from hall into the living room giving the impression of two
distinct spaces

Curtain is blue, but shows as 'grey-ish' here because of the light


Rugs add more color and tie in with the blue checks in the living room

Looking into the hallway, I know, the paneling is very 70's,
but I love the look of it here - mirrors are from IKEA
and the 'LAKE' sign is vintage

Here, you can see the brick floor and a glimpse into the front
bedroom with my vintage leather footstool I scored for $25!!
The chair is IKEA's Poang with white cover, antique Art
Deco rug


The curtain adds just enough to this application to give the room some
'oomph' as I like to call it.  I can switch it up with a different colored
curtain or add a sheer with it.

When I lived in England, I knew some friends who liked to cover their
front door with a velvet curtain to keep out the cold.

How have you visually separated a space with no door?

What do you do to add some warmth, color or pattern to an entrance
or hallway?

(images by me)
Don't forget to visit my PINTEREST BOARDS FOR INSPIRATION!

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!

I am available for myVirtualDecor design service from anywhere in the
world - my rates are reasonable and I can assist you
with any design project. 

July 21, 2013

Green Design notebook...Velux blinds and windows...

I have often wondered why we are not tapping in to the power of the sun.  On walks I notice how many houses are right in the sun all day and why the builders didn't add solar panels or windows to harness all this energy. I understand its not an option yet, but going forward I would love to see most houses built with these options so we are not so dependent upon oil, gas and electricity.  So, if you had the chance to replace windows or add some windows at the top of your house, would you?  Not only can you let natural light in the house, but, you can control the amount of light coming in with blinds.  How practical would this be? I personally love a house that gets tons of natural light and it would be a sticking point for renting or buying a home. I need curtains and blinds opened in the morning to let in as much light as possible don't you?  I don't know, the curtains drawn all the time seems a bit depressing. 

So, if you had the chance, would you add more windows or better yet, add windows on top of the house? I would!  I could open up the whole roof if I had my way. So, if you did this there is a company that caters to this need and it would add style and practicality to the home. 

VELUX blinds is a company that includes both solar panels, windows and blinds in a one stop shop. So, for those of you with a house that has an attic or room at the top of the house that you would love to open up and add a whole new look, this is a place you should shop. If you want windows that offer more ventilation and sunlight, check, if you want windows that save energy, check, if you want electronic blinds to control the light coming in to your house, check.  VELUX blinds has you covered, literally, for all your needs. 

 

Blinds available in a variety of different colors to match your
decor;




Electronic operation for your light filtering and black out needs;





Blinds in different positions on the windows;




Solar powered skylights with all the fantastic advantages;


Curb mounted VCM/VCE

Great idea for ventilation in the bathroom;


Pan-flashed fixed, QPF

Let the light in!!


(all images VELUX blinds (UK) and VELUX blinds (USA))
Sponsored post by Velux Blinds


Can you decide which you would prefer?  I love all the options and would really 
like the solar powered windows with electronic blinds.  With different colors
and options to fit your budget.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day and week!! 



May 17, 2013

Best of MI...Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Richard Smith...


Well, its my last Friday in my seaside cottage and I've gone for my last walk...its bittersweet for me, but on to bigger and better things now.  I thought in true fashion for a Friday, I would post one of my favorite columns about one of my favorite places in the world: England.  My mother was born in Scotland and I lived in England so it has a very special place in my heart. Not to mention aunts, cousins and friends live there so its always a vacation I want to take.  So, enjoy and have a great weekend! I will be posting from my new digs soon! Thanks for following and stopping by -

******************************************************************************

From October 2010



'Fairlight' - Richard's 17th century farmhouse

I'm sorry I'm so late with this post but I spilled hot coffee on my laptop keyboard and it stopped working! Needless to say, I purchased a keyboard that is spill-proof (!!) so it is just a quick fix until I decide to take my laptop in for some 'surgery...'  I digress...welcome to Jolly Old England for this post. Highlighting a fabulous textile designer in the UK - Richard Smith who has redone his country home and uses ALL his own fabrics to decorate...I think you will like what you see - I can't decide which room I like best...:))

Richard has designed fabrics for F. Schumacher and Warner Fabrics...




Richard Smith in his studio amongst his textiles...

'Cecily' hand printed silk...





(original images by James Merrell)
(Interior Design by Diana Kelly with Richard Smith)
I love all of the rooms, but the turquoise linen fabric in the dining room and these curtains above are particularly beautiful...Richard has done different collections for 'No. 9 Thompson' and you can see more here.  Since living in England, I have a soft spot for all things British and of course, British design.  Thank you for spending a little time with me this week and I hope you all have a great weekend!! I have something special for you next week so please stop in again! xx :))

February 5, 2013

The farmhouse sink...which faucet?...

Every day I help customers try to choose the right faucet for the their kitchen sink.

 The Shaws Farmhouse Sink by Rohl is an iconic and beautiful addition to a kitchen and I think it requires a special faucet to enhance the entire appearance of the sink, counter and backsplash.  There SO MANY options, it can be confusing. Its a good idea to focus on three different faucets and then eliminate which one you really don't like.

Today, I am focusing on Moen, and tomorrow, we will explore other faucet options.  In order to go with the traditional style of the sink, these three options are all 'vintage' and old-fashioned looking. I think they all look great, but I particularly love the bridge faucet.  The Shaws sinks are all handmade in Lancashire, England and will stand the test of time.


ROHL Shaws Farmhouse Sink - 30x18


Which faucet do would you like best with this sink?



The Moen Woodmere in Chrome - $721.85




The Moen Vestige in Oil Rubbed Bronze - $517.90


The Moen Waterhill Bridge Faucet

My favorite is the Waterhill Bridge faucet - the lines are great and this is very well priced -
at $778.75 in chrome -

For more information about Shaws sinks go here; and for the Moen faucets go here -

If you need help choosing fixtures for your kitchen, I can help! Click on the 
'Services' menu on my blog for more information.


January 1, 2013

Best of MI...Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Richard Smith





Happy New Year one and all!! Hope you are having a great day just enjoying 'being...' I loved this designer and it was part of my 'Fabulous Fabric Fridays' series that ran for quite some time. I thought it would be fun to hop across the pond for this edition as it was one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it too - have a fabulous and successful 2013! Thank you for joining me here - I appreciate it and look forward to many more postings! xoxo





10.2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Richard Smith...

'Fairlight' - Richard's 17th century farmhouse

I'm sorry I'm so late with this post but I spilled hot coffee on my laptop keyboard and it stopped working! Needless to say, I purchased a keyboard that is spill-proof (!!) so it is just a quick fix until I decide to take my laptop in for some 'surgery...'  I digress...welcome to Jolly Old England for this post. Highlighting a fabulous textile designer in the UK - Richard Smith who has redone his country home and uses ALL his own fabrics to decorate...I think you will like what you see - I can't decide which room I like best...:))

Richard has designed fabrics for F. Schumacher and Warner Fabrics...




Richard Smith in his studio amongst his textiles...

'Cecily' hand printed silk...




I love all of the rooms, but the turquoise linen fabric in the dining room and these curtains above are particularly beautiful...Richard has done different collections for 'No. 9 Thompson' and you can see more here.  Since living in England, I have a soft spot for all things British and of course, British design.  Thank you for spending a little time with me this week and I hope you all have a great weekend!! I have something special for you next week so please stop in again! xx :))

(original images by James Merrell)
(Interior Design by Diana Kelly with Richard Smith)

August 12, 2012

Thank you London...

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics from London and will go into a post-Olympic slump when they close tonight with a spectacular ceremony. Its always bittersweet, but, the amazing athletes with unbelievable personal stories are always nothing short of miraculous. Michael Phelps, Andy Murray, Oscar Pistorius, Usain Bolt and so many other athletes will long be remembered not only for their talent, but to remind us that anything is possible with grit, determination and focus.  Keep that in mind as you go about your daily business and negative thoughts creep into your head...'I think I can' and 'what you think about you bring about' are so simplistic, but powerful...here are some images by Etsy watercolor artist Jessica Durant whose work I really admire (do visit her shop on Etsy!):










(images Jessica Durrant)



So, until Rio in 4 years - next up, the Winter Games 2014 from Sochi, Russia -

Have a great Sunday!


If you want to place an ad on my blog or need help decorating your kitchen or bath, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

June 15, 2011

A bit of tartan...

The Scottish Fashion Awards (who knew?) were held last night in Glasgow and since I love anything tartan, I thought these pictures of singer Dame Shirley Bassey were fantastic.  She looks so happy to be wearing this special dress designed by Scots designer Graeme Black.  The winner of the top award went to St. Martin's graduate, Jonathan Saunders.  Tartan always reminds me of the popular Scottish BBC show, 'Monarch of the Glen' ( I have the whole series on DVD). And since my mother was Scottish (born near Glasgow), I always had to have a kilt (usually red) when I was a little girl (they were so itchy!!!)- she loved me dressed up in this particular Scottish favorite. Mom had a long red and white wool kilt, which was so in style during the '70's - it was so great looking and would probably be stylish again now...

(image Reuters)

(image Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Images via UK Daily Mail

Don't forget you can FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK!!!

Have a great rest of the week!!

Thanks for visiting me, I appreciate your support!!!

xxxx


April 17, 2011

Spaah on Sunday...

Back to the UK for an inspiring spa-like bath. This beautiful screen caught my eye and I can't help but choose bathrooms with freestanding tubs. I guess they say 'spa' to me more than anything else. This ultra-modern bath manages to look fresh and relaxing with shiny surfaces, bright orange flower screen and cool stool.

Psst...if you look closely, that's a bed in the background so how cool is it that the bath is incorporated right in the bedroom? 

I have some painting and decorating projects to do, and the weather is finally starting to cooperate!

Hope you have a relaxing Sunday!

(image housetohome.co.uk)

If you would like help decorating your space, check out my new VirtualDecor services if you don't live in my area. Please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com to discuss your unique ideas.

April 16, 2011

Saturday in the kitchen...

I thought I would post a photo of a designer's kitchen and who better than Christopher Peacock? The Englishman who brought us the white kitchen has a fantastic space in his Connecticut home. With Brazilian cherry floors, white cabinets and gorgeous orange and white window treatments, this kitchen is thoroughly fresh and modern.

Calacatta Gold counters and dark gray paint. I love the gray and orange...
 ('Abbey Walls' by Christopher Peacock Paint)

Stainless appliances and those lanterns above the island...

The modern Saarinen table, window treatments and Eames chairs add the modern touch...
(Newburg Paisley fabric is from Lee Jofa)

Would you love to have this kitchen in your home? Me too!!

Have a great weekend!!

(images by John Bessler for Traditional Home)

If you want a home you love, I can assist you with decorating your space. Contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com to discuss my VirtualDecor services.

March 22, 2011

Fabulous Fabric...Tuesday...William Morris...

I have missed my Friday column, 'Fabulous Fabric Friday' as I'm finding it a challenge to put together a post after two days working 10 hours back to back. Soooo, instead, I am reconsidering writing this column for Mondays or Tuesdays. I have long admired William Morris, his aesthetic, his leading the Arts and Crafts movement in England in the 1800's and his artistry that was so beautifully made into fabrics and wallpaper.  His work was inspired by nature, fruits and flowers and is still used today in interiors long after his death in 1896. The patterns look so fresh even now, and can be adapted to many different styles of homes, especially the Arts and Crafts home. For information and to learn more about the history of William Morris, go here and to purchase any of the fabrics or wallpapers, go here. I have featured just a few of my favorite patterns.

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." William Morris from 'The Beauty of Life' 1880










Love this...

...and this...

I think this is my favorite...



This is gorgeous too...I can't decide, I love them all!!

William Morris was also a rug designer, typographist and artist who loved to paint. He was also asked to be England's Poet Laureate by Queen Victoria, but declined this honor.  Most importantly, his work has NEVER been out of production for over a century.

Do you have a favorite here that you would like in your home or choose for a client?

(images historicstyle.com)

Have you seen my new page 'VirtualDecor?'  If you need help with decorating, please check it out and contact me for more information including my rates at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.