Archive for April, 2011
The White House Interior Design
There is a lot of mystery surrounding the interior design of the White House. Many articles have been written in relation to this subject but no one really knows the aspect of the hundreds of rooms belonging to the Presidential house, except for the members of the first family and the national security agents.
The interior design of the White House is subject to constant modifications as each President tries to bring an improvement to the decoration. Nevertheless, it is only the private area of the house, that is, the rooms on the top two floors that can be freely decorated. The rooms where political affairs are usually discussed occupy the ground and the first floor and they preserve the historical aspect that was created by the first Presidents of the United States.
Visitors are not allowed to enter the private section, whereas the famous Oval room, Blue room and other similar chambers are often displayed to the entire public, especially during televised transmissions. Despite the different styles of the offices, the elements of the luxuriously aristocratic style seem to prevail throughout the entire house.
Royal chandeliers, natural fabrics and Oriental or Persian rugs are the elements that may be found in the decoration of every White House room. Since changes rarely occur in the public part of the house, many furniture pieces have been preserved since the beginnings of the White House, thus there are many interior ornaments and furnishings belonging to the Victorian age.
The only elements that are frequently changed in these offices are the curtains and the draperies. The officials choose to replace these items because this is the best method to change the aspect of the room without affecting the other elements of the interior decoration. It, nevertheless, takes a lot of effort to create new curtains for the Presidential house. Decorators use satin materials to create custom made curtains that can impress even the most luxurious Presidents of the world.
The White House is an example of stylish and refined interior decoration for conservative people who would like to arrange their house in a similar manner. People who can’t afford expensive pieces of antique furniture may at least resort to one of the many fabric stores and order custom made curtains and rugs that preserve the aristocratic style worthy of Presidential houses.
7 House Interior Design Tips For Small Space Living
Small spaces have great potential when it comes to house interior design. Make more room while giving each space your unique design expression by applying these 7 rules the pros use!
1. Slim Down – Get a large box, basket or bag and sift through those small accents. Too many little things sitting around a small room will clog of the room’s space quickly. It’s amazing how much air space you will create by being super specific about what you have placed on table tops and shelves.
2. Trim Down – Heavy, bulky window treatments not only block the limited light in your small room but are also space hoggers. Free those windows by using shades, blinds or even shutters. There are some gorgeous options to be made or purchased at your favorite house interior design store. Have a little extra money to spend, have your blinds custom designed in fabrics that compliment the rest of your room’s decor.
3. Color Down – Though a variety of color breaks up a large house, too much color in a small one will work against your already limited amount of space. It is best to paint all the walls one color or use a similar pallet hue for small subtle changes from room to room.
4. Lighten Up – Pull in that limited light with the use of mirrors positioned directly across from a window. Use semi gloss paint to reflect the light and keep your furniture polished and your appliances clean.
5. Fabric Up – It is better to fabric up your accents and leave the large furniture pieces to solids. If you already have a busy couch with a floral print, shapes or strips, consider toning things down a bit with a slip cover. Then, bring in those extra fabrics in your accents to provide some visual depth and emotional interest. Have fun with this part of your house interior design project!
Bring in those weaves, patterns, and quilted fabrics for this.
6. Liven Up – Nothing says open space and health like fresh plants placed around a room. Potted plants are preferred but bountiful bouquets regularly freshened up will also work well.
Limited for room? Positioning a potted plant in front of the fireplace mantle during the warmest time of the year is a great use of that space. Angle your furniture and use the extra space to display an indoor tree or palm.
7. Step Up – Light bare wood is always the best and beautiful of option for giving a small room a larger appearance. Flooring in an apartment cannot be changed but it can be changed up! Place a lighter area rug on top of the existing carpet. Or in the case of a dark linoleum find a light bamboo or Berber to bring out the light.