Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Multifunctional Rooms and Furniture

It’s a reality: living spaces are constantly getting smaller. The 20-square-meter rooms that some of us like to call “studio” nowadays were mere closets in our grandparents’ time.
And yet, we need to live in them. How can we make the most of our tiny rooms and the limited amount of furniture we can put in them? We can do that by making our rooms and furniture multifunctional!

Combine your bed and sofa. Not all homes are big enough for both a sofa and a bed, two of most space-consuming pieces of furniture in a house. So how about getting a sofa bed, so that your sofa can be your bed?

Or here’s a more novel idea: make your bed your sofa. A standard twin bed with a low headrest and the right cover, pushed against the wall, with a few large, thick throw pillows serving as a backrest – it can be a pretty good sofa, an interesting conversation piece, and it also means you won’t have to sleep on a too-narrow sofa-width bed.

Make your furniture your storage bins. Coffee tables, side tables, armchairs, beds – all of these could hold compartments underneath them. So choose the ones that do.

Make your storage bins your furniture. Your armoire can also be your computer table. Or find those foldable cloth-covered boxes that could be used as stools. Have a nice island with cabinets under it in your kitchen? Clear the top, throw on a tablecloth if you wish, add chairs around, and use it as your dining table.

Use your vertical space. The person who invented the double-deck bed had the right idea: use the top space. Now, if you have a roommate, you may still want two beds – but why not have both beds high up, leaving the bottom space for other furniture such as, perhaps, study desks or closets for hanging clothes? In fact, if you keep a breakfast tray in bed with you, that tray could very well function as your study desk. You could also nail some horizontal boards onto or beside your headboard, forming a convenient shelf for your books, night lamp, alarm clock, and other things you would normally put on a bedside table instead.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

5 Tips for achieving a better-looking bedroom














Bedrooms aren't just for sleeping. In your home, your bedroom is a haven of relaxation, a place that you can decorate to your preferences and truly call your own. Here are some tips for achieving a more beautiful, better-looking bedroom so that you won't just enjoy sleeping in it, but simply being in it.




1. Create a central point -- or focal point -- in your bedroom. Your bed, naturally, serves as the main feature of the bedroom, so place it where it will give off the most pleasing effect. Select the wall wherein the bed will be placed, then arrange your other furniture pieces according to the focal point. You can even try placing your bed at an angle in the corner of your room for more dimension.




2. Make use of side tables and lamps. These add symmetry and a sense of order to your bedroom. Side tables and lamps balance the layout of your bedroom while also serving an important function, as they provide a place for you to set a glass of water, books or your alarm clock.




3. Utilize benches and other seating. Go for multipurpose pieces, such as a trunk at the foot of your bed or a chaise recliner with storage. These are great for storing for blankets while providing you with a place to site while you get dressed. Also, create a relaxing seating area within your bedroom to make it look more inviting and warm.




4. Have a well-appointed mirror. Mirrors can add a feeling of depth and space, especially in a small room. Opt for a mirror with a dresser, or maybe a full-length mirror. These can help add character to your room.




5. "Hide" electronics and functional items in furniture. Or rather, select beautiful furniture that can help keep your television and audio equipment hidden from view, so that you maintain a peaceful aesthetic in your room. Try to look for an armoire or entertainment cabinet that's also a unique accent piece, but also serves a storage purpose. Make sure the finish, color and size fit your bedroom's overall mood and feel.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Design, decorate and de-stress


Design, decorate and de-stress


By Diana Fox at Premiere Photography

Imagine how it would feel if every time you walked through your front door it said, “Welcome.” That your home’s interior reflected your lifestyle — that the furniture, accessories and colors created a soothing balance of style and beauty – that the room’s ambience extended an invitation to sit, relax and linger…

When the outside world feels harsh and your life is cluttered with stress and chaos, coming home to a relaxed atmosphere is a feeling of absolute comfort. It’s a gift you give yourself and an expression of warmth you extend to family and friends.

Design your home as a reflection of your personal style and taste. Feel yourself absorbed in the comfort and luxury of a room decorated and inspired by your indulgences.

Designing impressive rooms has little to do with money and everything to do with style, placement and balance. Play with different furniture arrangements until you find one that suits the shape and function of the room. Important questions should include how you want the room to feel and what mood you are trying to capture, as well as practical aspects of traffic flow and how the room will be utilized.

Once you’ve established a good design, layer in accessories and decorations. These details tell others who you are, offering them a glimpse of your lifestyle and personal taste. Often they are the unexpected and memorable part of a vacation or a delightful afternoon outing. A signed print bought from a street vendor in New Orleans, an exquisite lamp acquired at an estate auction, an area rug handed down from your grandmother, seashells collected from a romantic beach walk or a stack of handsome, leather-bound books all make terrific accessories. Each item reveals a story or special memory and, when blended together, collectively set the mood and atmosphere for a relaxed setting.

Placement is a key factor. Create impact by grouping accessory items together that relate by mood or color, or gather several smaller pieces together for a bold statement. Think in odd numbers when designing an arrangement. A variety of candlesticks on a silver tray, a collection of small, stacked wooden boxes or an assortment of antique doorknobs casually placed together all capture your interest and attention and create drama.

Finding the time and place to relax can sometimes feel like work, so create spaces in your own home to give you the feeling you’re always on summer vacation. A relaxing spot can be anywhere that helps you reconnect and unwind — a window seat piled high with pillows, a reading chair and ottoman placed in a favorite view window or a chaise lounge on the outdoor patio. A perfect escape with a cup of tea, an afternoon nap or for doing absolutely nothing!

Make your home your refuge. Create beautiful rooms that nurture and inspire your well-being. When the simplest human needs are met with gentle grace, comfort becomes the greatest luxury of all. Relax, put your feet up — you’re home…

Diana specializes in interior arrangement, room design makeover, color consultation and relocating services. She ahs been assisting client since 1986 and can be reached by phone at (951) 202-7859, e-mail at diana@foxinteriors.biz or on the Web at www.foxinteriors.biz.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Urban Scope Designs: You partner in building a home of your own



Urban Scope Designs is a one-stop shop for building your own, dream home. We're a committed team of talented architectural and interior design specialists. We can take care of everything from conceptualizing your home, to construction and finishing, all the way to interior design and styling. We've got a wide range of services that will suit your needs.

Architectural services. UrbanScope's architectural projects include medium to high-end residential, office and commercial projects, as well as retail shops and restaurants. Services offered range from Architectural Design, Documentation and Work Planning, to Construction. Architect Berdin acts as Principal Architect, providing efficient coordination systems throughout the entire construction process.

Interior design. Tasteful, modern interior design that marries your personal style with our brand of unique execution. UrbanScope Designs offers a wide range of interior design services; our goal is to create an environment expressive of your personal tastes, changing needs and unique requirements. We pride ourselves in assuring you of total continuity throughout your residential or commercial projects.

Furniture design. Custom furniture designs by UrbanScope Designs are imaginative and individual. We understand that details matter when you want to demonstrate a space's full potential. We know how to create the best furnishings for your unique space; we're trained for that. Simply choose a design that suits your needs, and we'll take care of the rest.

We invite you to take a look at some of our Before and After projects, wherein we take an existing space and innovate it to fit your personal style and needs. For more on our range of services, send us a no-obligation inquiry, and we'd be happy to answer your inquiries.