Inspiring Images - Cathedral

I recently got a new computer. As I have been going through the process of transferring files, I've spent a lot of time looking through my photos. I take a lot of photos. It's reminded me of all the people, places, and things that provide inspiration for design. Design inspiration can come from anywhere, and not just other interiors. So, I'll be sharing photos of places and things that I find inspiring. I hope you enjoy!

The following are from a cathedral in Barcelona.

What inspires you?

Favorite Things - Mia Nesting Table

Nesting tables are always a great design option. They offer versatility above and beyond the standard side table with the multiple options of using the tables together or separately. The Mia Nesting Table from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams takes that functionality to a whole new level by adding a removable drawer that doubles as a tray. Brilliant! But to be totally honest, I think it's the bold and beautiful blue color that really makes the Mia a favorite.

Favorite Things - Twist Table

Most people don't view tables as artwork, but merely as functional pieces to hold our stuff. The good folks at Artful Home are a major exception to that thinking and the selection of functional artwork/furniture offered is astounding. One of my favorites is the "Twist" Bamboo and Steel table by Dylan Gold.

Favorite Things - Plank Beds

Viva Terre (living earth) is all about eco-friendly design. Their number one philosophy is ecology and elegance. Nothing defines that value as well as the collection of plank beds. Each bed is made from reclaimed Douglas fir that is hand planed to smooth the finish while maintaining the knots and weathering scars. A perfect balance of ecology and elegance.

Gustavian Vintage Bed

Plank Vintage Bed

Pagoda Vintage Bed

A closer view of the wood character

Design for Dogs

The article below is a Q&A I recently wrote for the Denver Post. As my blog readers you get to read the article with many more photo examples. Enjoy!

Q:
I am a dog lover, but I also want my house to look nice. How do I select furniture that will be beautiful and work with my pets?

A:
A truly good design must consider the needs of all family members, including our pets. Unfortunately, there are no concrete rules when it comes to designing for dogs. Before starting a design plan, look at the quirks and characteristics specific to your dog. Is he a chewer? Does she dig or scratch furniture? Is she crazy about ball playing? Is she allowed on the furniture? And, of course, how much does he shed?

Considerations for Furniture Base and Legs
If your dog has a love of balls, the top preventative measure is to stop the balls from rolling under the furniture. A ball under furniture results in dogs scratching or chewing at the legs and base of furniture to get at the ball. To avoid this, look for furniture with very short or no legs where the base is close enough to the ground that a ball will not go under. On the flip side, you could seek furniture that has a high clearance underneath, allowing a ball to roll through or allowing your dog to reach it without scratching or biting at the furniture base or legs.
Another concern for wood furniture is the color of the stain or paint finish. The darker the wood stain or paint, the more scratches will be visible. If your dog is prone to scratching or chewing, it’s best to stick with light stain or paint, or metal legs.

Considerations for Upholstery
Leather is a great option for homes with pets. It acts as a barrier that will not absorb odors, hair, or pet dander, making for easy cleaning. However, leather does not do well with pet “accidents” and is not a good choice if your dog digs, scratches, or attempts to retrieve balls under furniture. Leather will stain and scratch and can be difficult and costly to repair.
Microfibers, such as Ultrasuede, are an excellent choice for most pets. Ultrasuede has a non-woven structure that resists scratching, pulling and fraying and hairs will not get caught in the weave. It is also easily washable and resists stains and discoloration.
Other fabrics are typically woven and are still an option with many pets. However, hair can get caught in the weave of the fabric, requiring more work to vacuum or pull them out. Loosely woven fabric combined with a heavy shedding pet is not the greatest option to keep your furniture looking its best.
I always advise adding a stain protector to your upholstery, with or without pets in the home.

The room featured in the photo was designed with a yellow lab in mind. The leather sofa resists hair and is low to the ground. The other furniture pieces all provide enough clearance for a tennis ball to roll through or be retrieved without damage.

A determined pet will not be stopped, but by using the best preventative measures your pets and your furniture can live in harmony.


And for the blog, here are several furniture examples that wold work well with the ball issue as described above. All pieces are from Century Furniture.

Pieces that provide enough clearance for a ball to be easily retrieved.

The Colson Chair

Century Signature Sofa

The Vernon chair has the added benefit of metal legs and leather upholstery.

And on the other end of the spectrum, we have pieces that prevent the ball from rolling under.

Salvador Chair

Lassen Sofa

Do you have design questions? Send them in and I'll be happy to answer here and/or on the Denver Post.

Favorite Things - Romantic Aluminum Chair

When you think of a recycled aluminum chair, I'm sure the image below doesn't come to mind. Like me, your mind probably pulls up images of edgy modern pieces. But the Beverly Side Chair from Oly Studio, shows us that recycled metal can be curvy and romantic.

Black & White Beauty

The December 2008 issue of Veranda Magazine features the home of designer Renea Abbott. She shows a strict adherence to a black/white/gray/cream color theme. The high contrast results are absolutely stunning. I would love to do this in my own home, yet I know that I lack the discipline to pull it off to this degree. I'd be sneaking in color somewhere.
If you want a dramatic home, this is inspiration for you. But do remember that the drama is all in the unwavering discipline of the application. Your color scheme doesn't have to be black, and white, but it does need to have contrast and it must be as disciplined and purposeful as Abbott shows us here. Varying from the strict color scheme would start to diminish the drama. I hope you find this as inspiring as I do.

Favorite Things - Non-Adhesive Window Film

A constant struggle in design seems to be our desire for natural light versus our desire for privacy. There are several window treatment solutions designed to maximize our control over light and privacy - wood blinds and shutters; top down, bottom up shades, and drapery sheers. But in many applications those solutions are inadequate for our needs. That is why I love window film.
Most window film is applied with an adhesive. This is great for many people and situations. However, if you are like me and worry about getting the film on straight or changing your mind, non-adhesive window films are the way to go. They adhere to windows with static and are very easy to remove and reapply.

The following collection of non-adhesive window films are available through Scandinavian Design Center.

The Pelagron screen by Strössel Design is absolutely my favorite. Take an ugly view and create the impression of potted geraniums on the other side. Brilliant.

Linjer film by Maria Liv

Träd (Tree) film, also by Maria Liv

Maria Liv Vass window film

Here is my very own design dilemma solved by the Vass window film. My foyer gets very little natural light, so I wanted to keep as much as possible. However, this long, narrow window invites a lot of peeks from those ringing the bell. And there are times I don't want to answer. Blinds or shutters would have eliminated too much light. Drapery sheers would not have provided enough privacy. Not to mention that the window is very narrow for any of the above treatments.
Instead I bought a roll of Vass window film, cut it to size and applied directly to the window. The whole process took about 15 minutes and I have the perfect balance of light and privacy.

Sexy Bedroom

What takes a standard bedroom to a sexy bedroom? A lot of elements can come into play - the fabrics, colors and technology (think mood music). In my opinion, the number one element in a sexy bedroom is lighting. Good bedroom lighting should include multiple light sources all on dimmer switches and, of course, candles. This allows the maximum light adjustment to get the mood just right. And when we are talking about sexy bedroom lighting, a chandelier is a must. Adding a dimmable chandelier is one of the easiest DIY projects to spice up your bedroom.

If you want to amp up the sexy even further, bring the same lighting elements into the bathroom. Here, I've added matching dimmable chandeliers in a master bedroom and master bath, along with several candles.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Favorite Things - Stacked tables

The Luna Line, by Helene Aumont, is constructed of stacked wood disks for the table base. What a beautiful concept. The table top is constructed of sections of walnut or rosewood. Available locally (Denver) at Town Studio.

Luna Round Dining Table

Square Luna Dining Table

Luna Side Table

Luna Mirror