Monday, April 29, 2013

Concrete Interior Design - Using An Ancient Material In Modern Design

Ancient Romans knew the value of concrete - they used it to build their buildings (which sported gorgeous marble overlays) - which have obviously withstood the test of time.  They used concrete to build roads and markets; basically to build their great cities. 

Since then - we've used concrete as well - to build our cities too. In Mexico, concrete is used heavily, because it is efficient and durable. Lately - it's been viewed as a pretty hip material to use in interior design - as well as furniture.  Now used in artistic ways; concrete is being used in more ways than ever before.

Take the concrete pool table shown here, by furniture designer James DeWulf.  "There's something alive about concrete," said DeWulf. "You can't help rub your fingers over it. A liquid that turns to stone ... what's not to love?"  From a recent Washington Examiner article:
DeWulf creates high-end furniture, like his concrete Ping Pong table that doubles as a dining table and costs more than $4,000. He is among a growing number of "concrete artisans," or people trained in the decorative use of concrete, and his designs illustrate how concrete is being manipulated into home interiors.

In the last decade, I've seen stylish and sleek concrete flooring. I've seen beautiful stamped and stained concrete used to create a gorgeous outdoor living area.  The industrial and 'grunge' look is still as popular as it was in the 90's, in a more minimalistic and 'urban' way;  so to see furniture made of the same age-old and time-tested substance does not surprise me.  I'm thrilled to see artists expressing themselves with this super-cool medium - and excited to see clients getting really unique and durable furniture that stands out.

Click here for photo credit and inspiration article.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Maitland-Smith & The Unique Furniture Building Process

La Barge and Maitland-Smith have long been known as luxury furniture brands in the furniture and home furnishing trade.  It is because of their unique approach, and centuries-tested methods of furniture fabrication that they have earned one of the highest and most respected ranks in the industry.

Recently, they created a board on Pinterest, that included photos and detailed information on their trade techniques, and how those fine details are what make the difference in their furniture and home furnishings.

La Barge and Maitland-Smith take craftsmanship very seriously, and - to a new level. To achieve their special look and the best quality, their artisans consistently make use of these ancient and unique techniques - such as:
  • Wax Casting
  • Materials
  • Hammering
  • Embossing
  • Hand-Painting
For more on the Maitland-Smith and La Barge furniture building process, visit this board on Pinterest.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Color Psychology idea

Why is it so important to have the right colors in your home? Because the colors in your home, no matter what room they are in, affect people in different ways and give people a certain view of who you are as a person. Our reaction to color is immediate and has an unfathomable impact on the choices we make.

What we are talking about here, of course, is Color Psychology, which is the study of color as a factor in human behavior. All humans react to colors in slightly different ways, and that is because we all have different experiences and different outlooks on life. Generally, although the exact emotion associated with the color may be different, colors have the same basic connotative value.

When one hears somebody say “red,” the normal thought may be of caution or love. Red could denote a stop sign, a fire truck, or maybe something red in your past that had some kind of negative feeling with it. Red can also mean love for some, making the person feel loved, excited, or even really happy. Red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and an ardent use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element.

The color gray, though, does not have so much passion associated with it. Gray is the color of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom. It is a color that is decorous, conservative, and holds power. Gray is a great neutral, which is why interior designers often use it as a background color.

Blue, on the other hand, is more of a balance between the two. Blue can be both calm and exciting. Blue is seen as dependable and steadfast, and as the collective color of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming. Not all blues are serene and sedate, though. Brilliant or radiant blues become vibrant and dramatic and are an engaging color that expresses liveliness, while some shades of blue may come across as cold or callous.

All colors, not only these ones, have different emotions and thoughts associated with them, and all of these things should be taken into account before you go through with decorating any room.

At J. Douglas Design we are happy to help you choose whatever colors you need and we will happily make suggestions for color & textures to maximize use of your space based on your vision.