Don’t forget about mirrors and glass. The early 19th century architect Sir John Soane adored mirrors and the space-expanding effect they had on his interiors. His house in London was been preserved, complete with all its architectural quirks, mirrored ceilings and walls, and interior porthole windows. Large Victorian mirrors, bereft of the huge mantles and sideboards over which they used to hang, create an elegant illusion of doubled space simply by being propped up against an empty wall.
Sand-blasted glass panels, glass bricks, and etched glass are all being used in creative new ways to help increase light and a sense of space and airiness in today’s homes. Today’s glass designers can create everything from glass staircases to glass fireplaces. And this glass isn’t fragile! It’s tough, strong and beautiful.
If you have a garden next to your room, try to incorporate that space both visually and aesthetically. Install French or sliding doors to bring the garden into your home. Increase that effect by using the same floorcovering inside and outside - sandstone, terracotta tiles or slate would work well and look great. Even if you can’t install French doors to make the room flow into the garden, a simple expedient of sympathetically planted window boxes will help make the garden flow into the room, especially if the boxes are planted in colours which co-ordinate with your room’s decor.
Be brave! Make your living space work for you.
Modern interior designers at work
The client's brief was to refurbish the entire interior to a luxury modern standard. An essentially open plan feel was obtained by the wide arches leading from lounge to dining area and from dining room to kitchen. In the lounge a modern "hole-in-the-wall" fireplace was installed fronted by slate-topped storage. This was topped with a streamlined cantilevered shelf.
In the dining room a warm and welcoming wall colour sets off the contemporary design of the bespoke radiator covers. An air of simple elegance is maintained by the simple lines of the dining furniture.
The bespoke kitchen continues the American walnut theme set in the lounge. A glass splashback ensures easy cleaning while the modern design emphasis is maintained by the stainless steel extractor, stainless steel venetian blinds and 20th Century design classic bar stools.
The family bathroom again uses bespoke joinery and cabinetry but is softened by the use of solid oak and caramel coloured mosaic wall tiles.
The en-suite bathroom is a different story. Luxuriously finished in limestone tiles this room is a pure indulgence. The large frameless shower maximises the visual impact of the floor-to-ceiling tiles. The relentlessly modern design sees the dual wash basins sunk into black granite. American black walnut reappears here to underline the luxury of the finish. The jacuzzi bath is faced with limestone tiles, thus giving the room a weighty solidity. The waterfall tap adds a touch of classic luxury. The bespoke joinery is continued into the master bedroom where the headboard, again in American black walnut, provides personalised storage options.
Interior design is closely related to other existing interior features, such as any special part of a construction, and the style that has been built into an indoor area. For example, an attractive bay window, archway, or fireplace may be part of an area's existing interior design. If some feature does not suit the planned interior design, new furnishings may assist to draw attention away from it. On the other hand, the interior design plan may be used to attract attention to a particular feature. Before developing an interior design consideration should be given to what the area is to be used for, the life style of those who will frequent it, and the available budget for the interior design. Conducting thorough research of interior design sites is time consuming. However it is imperative that sufficient research is conducted before arriving at a final decision. We trust that the sites on interior design that have been made available for you to go to below will suit your needs
1. "The Sovereign", May 2006. Adrienne Chinn.
2. "The Sovereign", March 2006. Adrienne Chinn.
3. "The Sovereign", April 2006. Adrienne Chinn.