Interior Trim Anatomy

At the moment, I am working on three projects that involve the design and installation of decorative moldings and custom millwork.  As a designer, I have to be able to envision the big-picture of the whole concept of a room, but sometimes I also get to design down to the very small details.  It is all design and it is all fascinating. 

Carefully considering the way in which moulding pieces can be stacked and arranged to create a more intricate profile, and the conditions created when bringing edges and faces together certainly requires some brain gymnastics, but carefully paid attention to the above makes all the difference. I like to think of the trim and moldings of a space as the icing on the cake- it is the final touch to the bones of room, before furniture, lighting, and accessories come into play. They set the tone, be it modern, traditional, or somewhere in between. Mouldings add a customized finished design element which completes and personalizes the space.

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Here is a rundown on some moulding must-knows:

Thehardwoodcompany.com

1.  Cornice

2.  Chair rail

3.  Baseboard

4.  Casing

5.  Panel Moulding

6.  Ornament

7.  Mantel

Click here to delve in further with the help of Elle Decor.

The chart below shows the types of classical moldings along with their names. I had to learn these early on in design school. This really shows how intricate a design you could get when stacking and layering pieces to create something unique.

Flickr.com

The combinations are endless, and the sky is the limit. I hope you find the images in this post as inspiring as I did.

Tripadvisor.com

AlexMoulding.com

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Porta Romana Lighting - A New Source to Add to Your Design Library

As an interior designer, I always getting excited when I find a new source or a new product line. Whether it is for furniture, accessories, lighting, or tile, it's great to add something new to my repertoire. While recently at the Boston Design Center, I was searching for some unique lighting fixtures for a client who lives in Brookline,  and I walked into Studio 534 and I discovered Porto Romana lighting.

Porta Romana Lighting

Based in the UK, Porta Romana prides itself on awe-inspiring designs, unexpected detailing, and unparalleled craftsmanship. I couldn't agree more.  The designs are so beautiful and elegant, the materials really catch your eye.  Below are some of my favorite fixtures:

Mah Jong Wall Sconce

Salperton Wall Sconce

Vortex Chandelier

Perfume Bottle Lamp

Clef Wall Sconce

What do you think? Which fixtures are leaving an impression on your design taste?

Getting Creative in Tight Spaces - Bathroom Storage

Sometimes the smallest spaces can be the hardest to design right. I constantly find myself walking a fine line between ample storage and the visual weight of a room. Bathrooms, in particular, are rooms where storage is premium. There are just so many things that need to have a home in a bathroom- towels, toothbrushes, shampoo, lotions, makeup, the list goes on and on.   There is so much out there that creatively addresses the bathroom storage issue. Below are some of my go-to recommendations when I have a client that asks for more storage in their bathroom.

Via BlueSlide Art Tile, CA

Shower Niches

These wonderful storage niches don't take up any room, they add to it. What is great about shower niches is that they often fit right between studs in your wall framing, so you don't have to build a wall out to put them in. Tile it in the shower wall tile, or using something that coordinates, and you have a stylish place to house your shower essentials.

Waterworks Triple Tier Shelf

Wall Mounted Shelving

You cannot go wrong with a narrow wall mounted shelf. It takes up no floor space, and the glass shelves take up no visual weight, either.

Via Houzz

Wall Mounted Vanities

To reinforce my point, lift storage opportunities off of the floor. Vanities like the one above are packed with storage space, but the piece doesn't take over the space because you can see the space between it and floor below.

Bamboo Towel Rack by Neiman marcus

Towel Ladders

You can certainly fit plenty of towels on a towel ladder like the one above. I've seen these wall mounted as well, so you don't need to worry about taking up precious floorspace with a ladder footprint. Stack 'em up.

Cabin v. Cottage - Which do you prefer?

House Beautiful

 My husband and I are fortunate enough to own a small cottage on the coast in Maine, and what a joy it has been having it in our lives. It's a place where our family gathers together, whether it's for an extended stay or a quick weekend getaway, and we can get a way from the stresses of everyday life. 

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At a local bookstore, I couldn't help but be drawn to a design book all about cabins and cottages. The book was not your traditional take on either.

I'm sure we all have a similar connotation about cabins- constructed of logs with antlers on the wall. The book went into the significance of a cabin, and the decor inside. These pieces are often inherited, and the feel inside is cozy and warm, brought to life with rich textures and rustic wood, but only amplified by the people and relationships inside.

Colleen Fox Interiors

A cottage, on the other hand, is a more quaint piece of paradise. Often painted and and passed down through families over generations, cottages have the bare necessities. There is none of the dark colors or heavy textures found in a cabin, but is still cozy, nonetheless.

Shamless Housey

I've always thought of our place in Maine as a cottage, but found it so interesting to read about the differences between the two, and where they overlap and draw the line between one another.

Which do you prefer?

I Can't Believe It's Not Hardwood.

Houzz

I've been working on a project for a client of mine in Concord where I've been having a blast looking for wood floor  alternatives. These clients appreciate the look of wood, but prefer a tile floor in wet places like the bathroom. Below are two of my favorite wood floor look a likes.

Forest Park Porcelain Tiles by Daltile-

Can you believe this is porcelain tile?  It's completely stunning, in my opinion. This would be perfect in places where dirt and grime may eat away at a lovely new wood floor, like a mudroom. This line is perfect for moisture prone and high traffic areas. You could even use it vertically, like on a backsplash. Or, try laying it in a chevron pattern, like below. It is even perfect for radiant floor heating, ideal, actually.

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Armstrong makes a wood look vinyl floor. It's actually a 12 feet long sheet, but looks just like rustic timbers. This line even has a slight cushion. Vinyl floors are warmer underfoot, and quieter when walking on them with shoes.

Even though I was focused on find a wood looking option for this client's floor, I had to share the below twist on traditional patterned wallpaper.

 

Phillip Jefferies Wild Woods Wallpaper-

This clearly isn't supposed to simulate the look of real wood paneling, but this paper does celebrate the intricate and organic wood motif. It is even stain resistant and fire rated, so you could even use it in a commercial setting. Or, you could go for a more authentic look with a paper like the one below. A wood wallpaper adds instant texture.

Elle Decor

 Do you have a favorite way of using the texture of wood?

Painted Furniture - A Playful Take On Tradition

via Decorpad

I don't know if it's the summer weather or what, but I have been finding myself and my clients drawn to painted furniture. I am working on one project in Lynnfield, where we are thinking of transforming a traditional console into a "wow" piece by painting it a bright color. Color instantly gives the piece life, and is an excellent way to bring in an accent color. You can almost hear it saying "here I am".

Jacqui Console by Bungalow 5

I've been gravitating towards fun colors in a high gloss sheen, for this client, but any color, even white, can look wonderful. You can even take it a step further, and update the hardware on drawer fronts or door faces, to completely breathe new life into a space.

Gormley Table by Dune

How fun is this? The cobalt blue color and geometric stacked base would work beautifully in a screened porch.

Glamorous and bold, you can't help but be in a good mood when you look at the whimsical bedside table above.

One of my favorite sources for painted furniture is, hands down, Maine Cottage. They make the most lovely and cheerful pieces, and bring them to life with punchy colors and patterned fabrics. This is a must visit website for anyone creative. You can try different paint swatches or fabrics on pieces with a click of your mouse.

What are some of your favorite painted pieces?  Have you tried to do this on your own?

My Favorite...

... Tight back sofa is the Berkley Tight Back from Baker Furniture.

via Baker Furniture

My personal taste lends more towards a sofa with loose back cushions, but on a recent trip to the Boston Design Center with my Newburyport client, I was challenged to think about what I would choose if I couldn't have my go-to loose back style. 

Tight backs certainly have a cleaner, tailored look, and you never have to worry about fluffing loose cushions. There are so many options and styles, such as deep button tufting, random buttons, or back shape. Many may find the multitude of choices completely overwhelming, but the designer in me wouldn't have it any other way.

This particular client constantly fights a battle between several cats and fluffy sofa back cushions. The cats enjoy sleeping on top on the back cushions on her current sofa, and end up squashing them down to an unflattering pancake which, I can imagine, would drive me absolutely bananas. So we set out to find a stylish and comfortable tight back sofa that the cats would not look at as a comfy napping spot. 

This Berkely sofa by Dapha turned out to be my client's choice because it had clean lines and was extremely comfortable. I also thought the slanted arms and wood legs were flattering. Since we saw so many tight backs on our visit to the BDC, I thought it only fair to include my second favorite tight back, the Malibu by Kravet. Isn't it fancy with the tufting and nailhead details?  I think it is just so pretty.

via Kravet

What are your favorite tight back sofas?