Archive for April, 2011
Interior Design Ideas – Entrance Hall Design Tips
The old adage ‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression’ is a reminder of the importance of the entrance to our home – the introduction to ourselves and to how we live. It is from here that we welcome the world, and leave the first (and last) impression with family, friends and sundry visitors.
Outside it may be dark, cold and hostile, but inside we offer warmth, light and comfort and, whether the hall be grand or humble, this is the message we would like to convey upon opening our front door. Probably because so many are dark, small and badly designed, hallways are often considered a waste of time. But with a little help from some interesting decorations and clever lighting, this unloved space can become our welcome sign to the world.
The range of floorings suitable for an entrance hall are numerous and offer wonderful opportunities for decorative treatments In a traditional home, hard floorings such as stone flags, marble, terracotta tiles or wood are all fitting choices. Should you be lucky enough to live in a Victorian house you may well find some marvelous encaustic tiles beneath a more modem covering and their colors may provide you with the key to your scheme.
Carpeting is also acceptable, but do ensure that a door mat (preferably set within a well so that its surface is flush with the rest of the floor covering) is installed at the entrance to prevent dirt being trampled all over the house.
Lighting plays an important role in setting the mood in an entrance hall. An exterior light (perhaps a lantern for a traditional home and a downlighter for a more modem approach) will signal your presence and guide the visitor to your door. In the hall itself a good level of light is needed and this should be directed towards whatever you have chosen to highlight – a beautifully stenciled floor, a piece of sculpture on a plinth or a massive vase of fresh flowers: the choice is yours.
Table lamps offer a very homely, soft light, while a floor-standing uplighter behind an impressive plant will produce shadows that dance across the room.
The furnishings you include in this room will very much depend upon the space available – what you want to avoid, at all costs, is anything that will hinder the circulation of traffic through this ‘terminal’. Important items to include are: somewhere to set down mail/newspapers/house keys and so on; a receptacle for umbrellas; a place to hang coats; and, space permitting, at least one chair.
If coats are to be stored in a cupboard, remember to ensure that this is ventilated (louvered doors are perfect) to help air damp clothing. A wall mirror is also very useful for last-minute adjustments and this will have the added benefit of introducing a feeling of space and light into what otherwise might be a rather dim area. Chair backs will be highly visible against the walls, so choose furniture for its decorative quality.
Interior Design Ideas For a Beach House
I am going to use a beach house that I designed in Fiji as the basis for this article. This is just one couple and their approach to a house with the beach setting. The qualities that this couple envelope are:
* Not Pretentious: They are down to earth.
* Entertaining: Although they are private people a lot of the time, they love people, help many people and love to entertain.
* Quality: They want to buy well so they do not have to buy again.
* Natural: Blend in with the environment
* Friendship and love
I know this does not sound like design ideas for the beach, but as a professional interior designer, we must establish the heart of the project for it to be successful. Then the selections of everything are made. I had a head start on this project because I had done a previous design job for them in Nevada, so I came into this project knowing more about them than if this was the first time meeting them.
For this project, natural woods were used. Woven mats, we purchased from a Florida company were used on the ceilings and floor. The base, or backgrounds are all natural. All the windows and shutters are wood framed. The windows completely open up, so it feels like you are in a outdoor cabana more than a house when they are open. All the cabinetry was made by local Fijian artisans and beautiful wood carvings were also incorporated on the house frame.
All the stone used is natural, slates and a lava rock outdoor shower for the master bathroom. All stones and slates were sent from CA also. Of course granites were used in the kitchen and the entire master bath floor and tub areas.
The fabrics are again naturals. The natural fibers hold up best, except silk does not do well with direct sun. Normally, silk can be extremely strong (especially backed silk), but with the direct sun problem we used silk minimally on this project. Natural, hand painted cottons and linens were used mostly. We used washable cotton for the guest pavilion.
This clients are almost minimalists, so accessories are few. I love the clean, relaxing feeling and the lack of clutter. This really lets your eyes enjoy the outrageous views that are there, 360 degrees. This is truly a piece of paradise on earth and I literally cried when I left. It is just that wonderful!
Comfortable: Although they want comfort for themselves, they want comfort for their guests as well. It is obvious they go out of their way to show their guests a comfortable time and a learning time. They have been going to Fiji for many years and they love the native people and their culture. The villagers love them too and that is a part of the romance and charm of this beach house in paradise. To me it is about love, friendship, life and ups and downs. I learned so much working on this project, from these clients and was really pleased with the outcome of this beach house.
I know your beach house may be quite different than this one. But look at pictures of the best, get ideas from the best and incorporate them into your project. Copy the great ideas in your budget and style. Find your heart for the project, what you want the final outcome to “feel” like and look like too. It should be a reflection of your uniqueness and the wonder of who you are, just as it was for my clients.