missoni home collection

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home collection, Missoni, New York Design Week

Missoni is launching their new Home collection for the 2012 New York Design week. The company is originally from Italy and is a family owned business. Missoni is infamous for their brightly colored woven clothing. As some of you may know, Missoni came out with their Missoni for Target in the fall of 2011 and it was so popular that the Target website reached its full capacity with viewers since so many consumers were purchasing the items.

The showroom is located at Domus Design Collection at Madison and 34th in New York and features a wide variety of different products from the Italy based company. These bright collections will be great with an all white room that needs a pop of color (i.e. an all white living room with a vibrant Missoni Home ottoman or light fixtures). The wallcoverings would also make an outstanding accent wall or can be made into wall art by placing the wallpaper in a large frame. Overall, Missoni is well respected company that gracefully plays with color that make a bold statement.

To learn more about the Missoni Home collection, click here.

glam up a window

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contact paper, Do It Yourself, window

Have you ever had a view from your window that you are not too fond of? Or did you ever want a different privacy solution other than shades? Here is a great solution that is both economical and adds a unique touch to any space. Plus, it creates exceptional shadows when the sun hits that particular window.

First, all you need is a tape measurer, a ruler, a pen/pencil, scissors (or Xacto knife), and one roll (depending on the size and how many windows you are doing) of any contact paper of your choice. I recommend using a colored transparent contact paper because it will provide more light in your space. You can purchase contact paper at places such as Target, Home Depot, and even online.

1. First, measure the inside of you window for proper dimensions. Keep in mind that it is better to have too much than too little since you can always cut (or file down with sand paper – but be careful of your trim) the access contact paper.
2. Once you have your window dimensions, measure it out on the contact paper with your pen/pencil.
3. Once you have your outline of the window, make any desired shapes you want on the contact paper. Be careful not to fold the contact paper in half in order to prevent creases.
4. After you have your shape and/or design drawn out, cut the outline of your window with your scissors.
5. After your outline of your window is cut, you can cut out your shapes with your scissors or your Xacto knife (be sure to use a mending board if you decide to use one).
6. Start on any of the upper corner of the window and slowly peel off the backing of the contact paper, smoothing it out with your ruler to smooth out any bumps.
7. Proceed to slowly unpeel the backing of your contact paper and use the ruler to smooth out any bumps.
8. Once you reached the bottom, gently smooth the surface with your ruler again.

Voila! You now have a statement making window to share with your family and friends. To view some fun contact paper options, visit Design Your Wall.

pump room restaurant, chicago

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interior design, light fixtures, lighting, restaurant, volume

Today’s eye catching interior is the Pump Room Restaurant, which is located in the near north side of Chicago. It is a part of the Public Chicago Hotel, which was originally opened in 1938 was called The Ambassador East Hotel. Famous guests, including Frank Sinatra, dined in the fine restaurant. However, over the years the restaurant and hotel were no longer the luxurious places they once were.

In 2010, The Ambassador East Hotel was sold to Ian Schrager Company and was closed to renovate the hotel as well as the restaurant. It opened in 2011 where guests can experience an extravagant atmosphere throughout the restaurant as well as the hotel.

The shown image is a view of the Pump Room Restaurant and shows the important of ambient lighting and the use of volume. Of the lighting were a lot brighter, the mood of the restaurant would not be romantic or create the night life setting. The lighting plays an important factor because it is not only mood lighting, but it also is the main focal point of the restaurant. If the Pump Room Restaurant did not have the voluminous lighting, the restaurant would be missing a crucial design element. It may appear only simple and even uncreative to some people since the entire spice is monochromatic. The designer did a fantastic job with the lighting and it will be a memorable piece with each visitor.

To read more about the Pump Room Restaurant as well as view more images of the Public Chicago Hotel, click here.

the sleepbox

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Arch Group, design, design solutions, sleepbox, sleeping, traveling

Who says all interior spaces have to be a large room? Russian company Arch Group has made a creative solution for those who need sleep while waiting for their flight at the airport. The company has made what is called a “Sleepbox” where those who are traveling can take a nap in a private area. Originally, the design was done in 2009 but the Sleepboxes have made many more appearances in 2011.

The benefits of having a Sleepbox are one of many. It is a safe environment because you can take a nap in the lockable compartments while having your belongings on the nearby shelf. It is also convenient because travelers do not need to look for a hotel room if they have a delayed flight or have a long layover. Another benefit is that it has shelving to place your belongings, as well as trays for one to work on their laptop.

Available options include:

1. Matted film on windows with changing transparency
2. Mood lighting – LED lamps with changing light colors
3. Built-in media block (TV, touch-screen monitor)
4. Wi-Fi router
5. Alarm, intercom
6. Safe deposit box
7. Built-in payment station with magnetic keys

The Sleepbox is a convenient solution for travelers in areas such as airports, railroad stations, exhibition centers, and accommodation facilities. Although it is a great idea, I think they need to come up with Sleepbox that is compatible with the ADA codes since there is not enough for a wheelchair to fully turnaround, which is a 36” minimum diameter. The dimensions of a Sleepbox are roughly around 8 feet long, 5 feet wide and 9 feet tall.

You can learn more about the Sleepbox as well as view more images here.

revamp your furniture

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contact paper, Do It Yourself, furniture, furniture piece

Tired of looking at that plain cabinet or other hard surface furniture piece? Then spice it up with contact paper! It is easy to do and friendly towards your bank account. All you need is a roll of contact paper (depending how big or how many pieces you are doing), a pen/pencil, a ruler, and some scissors. You can purchase contact paper almost anywhere including Walmart, Ace Hardware, as well as any art store. You can also buy some interesting and colorful rolls of contact paper online (Interior Place has unique and even holiday related rolls).

1. Make sure your selected furniture piece is a hard, clean surface.
2. Be aware of how big your piece is in order to avoid overlapping pieces (that is, if you do not want that) or from being too big.
3. Lay the contact paper down, with the colored part facing the floor.
4. Draw out a design of your choice and continue until you are satisfied.
5. Cut out the design.
6. Before you place your design on the clean surface, place your cut out on the piece to make sure you want it there.
7. After, slowly peel the backing of the contact paper from an upper corner and smooth it out with your ruler.
8. Continue to slowly peel the backing of your contact paper while smoothing your design on the furniture with your ruler to prevent bumps.
9. Once you have finished peeling off the backing, smooth out your design again with your ruler and/or your hand.

Now you have revamped your piece of furniture on a cheap budget. If you want to remove your design, simply take a warm towel that is soaked in vinegar to loosen up the bond of the contact paper with the furniture. Slowly peel the design away from the furniture piece and remove any reside with Goo Gone.

lumicor’s new panel

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architectural glass, glass, panels, resin panel

Lumicor, which is well known for their architectural and eco friendly resin panels, has introduced a new panel! It is called Woodland Digital and it has fern leaves to create the illusion of being in the forest. If some of you are unfamiliar with Lumicor, they make phenomenal resin panels that are sustainable and make a huge statement in any interior. Besides making panels, the company can make custom graphic panels for your walls, signage, countertops, one-of-a-kind light fixtures, and more.

I personally have used Lumicor’s products for some of my conceptual projects when I was still in college. They are quick to ship out, are a good size (3.5 x 3.5 inch samples to be exact), and come in an endless selection ranging from solid colors to actual seashells in each panel.

You can visit Lumicor’s website to check out some of their unique resin panels, learn more about their company, and even get some inspiration for your next project.

brewster home fashions’ new wallpaper

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new, wallcovering, wallpaper

Brewster Home Fashions has a new wallpaper for Spring 2012. It is called Kaleidoscope and it has outrageous textures and is a memorable wallcovering for either your home or a fabulous touch in a hotel suite. I thoroughly enjoy this statement wallpaper because it is over the top, but done in a sophisticated way since it only has one color.

You can see the new Kaleidoscope collection at Neocon at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago from June 10 – June 13, 2012.

Image from InteriorDesign.net

white books

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Do It Yourself

Sometimes all a room needs to have a noticeable is the way are books on the bookcase look. To create a cleaner look, simply use some white craft and/or wrapping paper to dress up your books.  Or if you think white does not suite you or your space, you can use different shades of blues, grays, or any other color for a monochromatic look.

The proper media that you need will be scissors, a pencil, Scotch tape, the desired books you want to cover, and paper. You can buy craft and wrapping paper virtually anywhere that has paper goods, such as Hobby Lobby, Target, and even the Dollar Tree.  Below are instructions from ehow.com on how to properly cover a book with paper:

1. Lay out wrapping paper with the underside facing up, on a flat surface. Set your book on the wrapping paper and open the book to determine the largest width.
2. Cut the wrapping paper around the book, leaving one inch of extra paper at both the top and bottom of the book, a minimum of three inches on both the left and right sides of the book.
3. Draw a line on the underside of the wrapping paper to mark the top and bottom one-inch margins.
4. Set the book aside. Fold down the top one-inch margin of the paper forming a crease in place of the pencil line. Repeat this on the bottom one-inch margin.
5. Tape the center of the folded margins down to secure their place, and set the book back into position. The crease of the margin folds should sit flush with the top and bottom edges of the book.
6. Open the front cover of the book and fold the left edge of the paper over top of the cover. Crease the paper at desired flap length.
7. Insert the front cover of the book into the folded one-inch margins and slide it into the new flap.
8. Repeat until all of your books are covered.

If you want to be able to see the title of each book, you can either write each title on the spine of the book in the desired place or you can buy clear label makers from Staples, Office Max, or any other office supplies store. You can print off the labels with any font and/or color that you like. Once you are done printing the labels, just place them on the book and you are good to go!

cottage meets industrial

Tags

bar stools, open shelves, style influences, wood selection

Some people tend to hesitate when they mix two different styles. This kitchen has rustic and cottage style influences while incorporating some minor industrial touches. This kitchen is functional because the impervious tile to prevents slipping as well as texture to hide obvious scratches in the floor. The counter top and island are at an appropriate height, which is a 34″ tall cabinet with a 2″ counter top (a total of 36 inches).

Although the wood selection for the cabinetry is rustic while the white paneling consists of a cottage style, the industrial qualities in the kitchen tie everything together without making the overall space look too much woodsy. The open shelves along the wall are trendy and are being featured in a lot of newer kitchens. Having open shelves provide a more open space, as opposed to cabinets, which can make kitchens with a lower ceiling height feel cluttered.

The two light pendants are a great feature and help promote balance to the island and serve as great conversation pieces. They incorporate well with the bar stools, since they are both made of a steel. This kitchen is a great example of tying in different elements while including some of today’s current kitchen trends.

hello world!

Welcome to the Amy C blog page! This blog is primarily dedicated to the interior design industry where I post images of eye catching interiors, new products from commercial and residential vendors, as well as some do it yourself ideas to add some conversation pieces for your home. So tune in every week for something new to read about and feel free to provide feedback.

Enjoy!