Displaying posts labeled "Sponsored"

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If you’ve been around here and my Instagram account a while you will remember I collaborated with Eternity Modern a while back where they gave me a fabulous deal on an epic Noguchi Freeform sofa & ottoman that continues to take pride of place in my living room. I was so excited when they reached out to me a couple of months ago wanting to work together again. I loooove my Noguchi sofa and was absolutely on board for another collaboration. I pondered what piece of furniture I could use the most and dining table was one of the obvious choices. At the start of the pandemic I decided to move our 8′ rectangular dining table my husband had built us into the living room as my new massive desk when I realized working from home was going to likely be long term (confirmed it’s now permanent!) and I really craved something smaller and round (I will never again have a hard-edged dining table). I had found an office table on Marketplace for $50 and pimped it out and it did the trick for the time being but I really craved a proper table. Eternity Modern to the rescue!!!

I have had my vintage reproduction tulip chairs for several years now and adore them and always dreamed of getting a tulip table to go with them. This was my chance as Eternity Modern carries an entire collection of tulip tables in any of the classic combinations of marble-like quartz, white lacquer or walnut veneer tops in round or oval and bases in black or white. I went with this tulip table that has a black calacatta quartz top in 48″ round with black base because in my world darker is always better 🙂 (Full disclosure – this table was gifted to me and this review is my honest opinion)

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The delivery company they work with here in Ottawa was great – they were clean and quick and put it together and placed it exactly where I needed it. When I watched them carry it in I could tell it had some weight to it – and does it ever!!! This is a very substantial table. The base is very solid and the top weighs a ton so I have zero concerns about the ever tipping over. This base though…..nothing sexier than the curve of a tulip base.

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The top is their ‘Calacatta Quartz’ made from natural ground quartz with resin and ribbons of pigment resulting in a marbleized surface. It is highly durable (AMEN!), resistant to cracks, stains and chips with a beautiful gloss finish. I think I could have picked from 4 different veining details and that’s a great option because ideally I would have loved to have as little of the large white veining as possible. I must add that this table is even more of a dream that I imagined. The base is narrow which makes my dining room look soooo much bigger than my last table and the top isn’t too thick so all in all the table is very open visually and is great if you have a small space or need a table that isn’t bulky. That’s a major reason why I love tulip tables – they give the effect that the top is floating.

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I snagged some fabric at the last minute to cover the brown velvet seat cushions to have the chairs blend a bit better with the table (I was nervous about a black and white table with very cream coloured chairs with brown seats) and that really helped this all come together. Don’t tell anyone the fabric is just tucked under so no one is allowed to move while sitting LOL

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Thanks so much Eternity Modern for selling some of the coolest reproduction classics out there! I am head over heels in love with my new tulip dining table.

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The A’ Design Award & Competition has ended for another year. With 100 categories the hotly contested competition is the world’s largest design competition. But it is not just an award. It is an indicator of quality and perfection in design, recognized worldwide, bringing your design front and centre before design companies and professionals. Categories such as Interior Space and Exhibition Design; Architecture, Building and Structure Design; Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design; Lighting Products and Lighting Projects Design; Arts, Crafts and Ready-Made Design; Landscape Planning and Garden Design and so many more. (You can find all the design categories here.)

Entries have been judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members. The prize? The trophy, of course, a certificate of quality, inclusion in the prestigious A’ Design Award and Competition exhibition and the yearly ResultBook but even more importantly press, PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure. The fame, the prestige, the recognition and so much more. Yes finally the winners have been announced.  Can you imagine the scale of this competition? 2022 Winners from 114 countries in 110 different design disciplines.

Here are some of my favourite winners for 2021-2022 from the following categories: Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design; Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award and Lighting Products and Projects.

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DC 3 Stool by Sergio Fahrer. Sculpture, side table, footrest. Its aerodynamic form is based on the DC 3 aeroplane of the 50s and 60s.

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Lake Tea Table by Xia Yiting. Sinuous and sensual with its organic lines.

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Push Collection Armchair by Moredesign. This one is all about sustainability. The armchair is made up of two materials: aluminium for the frame, a 100% recyclable material, and technical fabrics for the upholstery obtained from the recycling of PET.

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Fly Armchair by Pepe Lima. Think deconstructivism and organised chaos.

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Object Splash Proof Partition by Akira Nakagomi. Due to the influence of Covid19, there are many partitions in living space. The designer focused on both aesthetics and function, like an art piece.

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O3Connect Stool by TzuWei Chang, KaiLi Chang and RouChun Wang. An exploration of the circle results in a striking piece of furniture.

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Vanke Fontanelle Aesthetics Pavilion Experience Center by Wei Jinjing. The inspiration was silk and the result connects the inside to the outside.

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First Shiguangli Marketing Center by Shanhejinyuan. Wow! It’sabout bookstore meets sales office, a boat in a bustling city and more. You’ll need to check this one out.

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The Ring Retail Development by Lead8. A botanical garden in a shopping centre. A green oasis in the city or should that be inside the city.

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The Peacock Wine Cellar by Kyle MertensMeyer. Reviving an ancient Chinese feather glazing in a past meets the future design.

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Huanghesong Theatre Cultural Venues by Xuelin Wu. The influence is a water vortex the result is hauntingly beautiful.

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Fantasy Factory Retail Store by SIG Design. Believe it or not it’s a tea shop.

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Emirati One Luxury Car Showroom by Marwan Mrad. A sexy showroom for sexy cars.

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Hilton Shenzhen World Exhibition Center Business Hotel by Yang Bangsheng. Exploring the pioneering and innovative urban spirit of Shenzhen.

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Office Space by Teodora Panayotova and Max Baklayan. You wouldn’t need to drag me into work if it looked like this that’s for sure.

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Zhuhai Jiuzhou Tianhe Jinghu Villa by Robin Wang. The blue of the sky and a Da Vinci aircraft. Steampunk and Tuscan style create a fascinating residence.

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Infinity Freelight Luminaire by Centrsvet. Any way you want to drape it and 360° illumination.

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Lorca Lighting by Monica Pinto de Almeida. Literature and light. Brilliant.

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Cubes Lighting by Monica Pinto de Almeida. Inspired by the architecture of the early 20th century, the Bauhaus and German modernism. Geometric and functional.

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Magpie Table Lamp by Sha Yang, Kaifeng Zheng and Yang Ma. Think spreading wings and the vitality of life.

So there are just a few of the winners. If you head here you can explore so many more.

A’ Design Award and Competitions are organized and awarded annually and internationally in a wide range of categories. Every year projects that focus on innovation, technology, design and creativity are awarded with the A’ Award. While realized projects find opportunities to get published, reach new markets and meet a wide range of buyers for their existing products, the organization also helps the creative minds and startups to meet with the business people to realize their product ideas. Early Registrations to A’ Design Award are now open, enter your works for fame, prestige and international publicity. To register for next year’s competition you can do so here.

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This post is brought to you in collaboration with A’ Design Award and Competition.

Usually, when decorating, we are concentrated on designing our floors and furniture but somehow overlook the interesting ways to style our walls. If you are looking for a unique way to style your white and plain walls, we recommend checking out the Wallpaper Boulevard designs for a new and fresh look to your home.

Designer wallpaper can completely transform the room by adding color, texture, and pattern to the walls. They are able to personalize the room and usually come as a go-to-option for people who want to present their simple walls as fine art.

Read on to find out how these one-of-a-kind designer wallpaper styles can uplift your home.

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1. Endless Stripes

Seems that stripes never die out of the trend. With a modern stripe wallpaper design, you can create a stylish interior that adds some extra height to the room. Stripes will elevate the whole appearance of your home decor. The best thing about stripes is that they don’t overwhelm the background, thus you can hang paintings or pictures.

2. Flower Power

The power is in the flower. Why not bring the outdoors indoors. Vibrant floral wallpaper will brighten your home whether you are after a classic, contemporary, or vintage theme. We can agree that a floral theme is timeless and a great choice for period home decors. It does not matter if you want to have spring all year round in your home or create a moody art deco tone, floral decor is the perfect way to go.

3. Match the Wallpaper to Your Carpet

A carpet brings a warm and cozy atmosphere to your home. Pair your carpet with the wallpaper and you have got yourself a winner. Enhance the welcoming atmosphere of your home walls by adding wallpaper that mimics the visual of fabrics. The decor style will instantly intensify a cozy mood in the room.

4. Foliage and Watercolor Wallpaper

If you want to open up a space, we suggest adding a vase of fresh flowers or a potted plant. This is a quick way to make your home an urban jungle. However, the best hack for urban apartments and homes is represented by foliage and watercolor wallpaper. For spaces in your home that don’t have too many windows, a wallpaper design filled with leafy patterns will do the trick.

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5. Three-Dimensional Textures

A wallpaper can mimic the texture or details of certain materials. Sometimes they are even better than the real thing. For instance, you might want a specific stone or material to decorate your walls but the process to do that is daunting. The right wallpaper will be the best alternative for your home decor though.

6. Wallpaper for the Ceiling

People often forget to look up in their homes. Ceilings are painted in plain white and left like that until some crack shows up and it needs to be dealt with. We would argue that the ceiling gives you a great opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind look and to have some fun. For the ceiling, try something bold and decorative. Choosing a subtle decor will only waste your time.

7. Decoupage Furniture

Decoupage furniture is also a form of design people usually overlook. Think about applying wallpaper to your furniture. Pick a piece of furniture with simple silhouettes and clean lines. We advise choosing a wallpaper without a pattern, a simple textured wallpaper will add the right amount of chicness.

8. Two Different Types of Wallpaper on One Wall

This approach is for the brave ones. Covering one half of the wall with one designer wallpaper and the other half with another designer wallpaper will definitely bring an interesting look to your home. This is not an easy look to pull off, but when it is done in the right way, it looks incredible. For this, try contrasting patterns like damask and chevron, or toile and stripes. The patterns should complement each other.

The Bottom Line

The art of choosing the right designer wallpaper for your home is endless and completely individual. The most common question is how to choose the right wallpaper and enhance your room. Think about the reason why you want designer wallpaper instead of traditional white paint for the walls, and if you want to cover all walls or just the accent ones. The wallpaper designs are never-ending, there are so many factors to consider from color, texture, patterns, etc. A wallpaper should complement the total atmosphere of the room. Once considered old-fashioned, the wallpapers made a big comeback and regained their popularity. Today, designer wallpaper can bring life to your home once again!

Did you know that Kitchen remodeling ranks as the number one most popular renovation space in the USA and Canada? So when you decide to renovate your home, and you’re not quite sure where to begin – the kitchen is it. It will create an enhanced lifestyle and uplift the asset value simultaneously.

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Kitchen renovations can range from around $50,000 to over a hundred thousand, depending on your vision, location, and complexity. Indeed, numerous enticing options embrace space-age metals, exotic marbles, startlingly beautiful synthetic materials, sleek cabinetry, and appliances from built-in coffee makers to sub-zero refrigerators. And that’s only half of it.

The architecture of the space enters the equation in a significant way. For example, do you knock down walls, shift things around, steal footage from an adjacent area? Or are you okay with the structure as is? These decisions are vital because they inevitably impact electricals, plumbing, and lifestyle disruption.

This article aims at helping you navigate this project seamlessly, with minimum hassle and maximum final satisfaction.

What are the primary kitchen remodeling considerations?

The best way of tackling any renovation, most notably the kitchen, is to focus on three things:

1. Your budget
2. Making sure you don’t over-capitalize
3. Getting a specialist kitchen remodeler into your corner

The above three factors integrate because one influences the others, and vice versa. For example, contracting the wrong construction partner can quickly jettison the budget you had in mind and create a showpiece that may look amazing but is overpriced for the neighborhood. So, it’s a balancing act, and choosing a skilled kitchen remodeler near you to partner with your family in this venture can make all the difference.

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The right kitchen remodeling contractor for you

We want to start with this because it can pave the way for everything else. Renovation professionals should be licensed and insured as a minimum qualification. Unfortunately, that’s not nearly enough. There’s no substitute for doing your due diligence, and the best place to begin is by scanning reviews of the company’s past clients. When you hire someone for a project reflecting many options, it’s imperative to ensure that experience and undoubted competence are in the mix.

1. First, access entities near your community. You want to work with experts who know your demographics’ ins and outs and have connections to suppliers that can deliver materials quickly.
2. The best way is to identify a marketplace that has secured the membership of:
   1. Remodelers
   2. Roofers
   3. Window installers
   4. HVAC contractors
3. In other words, home improvement platforms across a broad spectrum that deliver recommended specialists.
   1. Companies like Home Advisors, Angie, and Directorii are reputable in this arena.
   2. The mentioned ones above back up their referrals with monetary guarantees and underline that they’ve already completed the heavy lifting due diligence.
   3. It should save you substantial frustration and aggravation.

Here’s the checklist for your shortlist

The quotes should come rolling once you press the start button. Then, you have to select the one to take you on the remodeling journey. Here are some pointers to assist in settling on your ideal renovation partner:

• You must get a sense that they try to save you money, not push you to spend more.
• At the same time, if the contractors believe your budget is too low, hear them out. Determine whether or not their points are valid or just trying to squeeze more out of a job.
• A negative signal is when the initial suggestions surround complicated space configurations. Severe architectural adjustments are frequently unnecessary and can cost thousands before you even begin on the upgrades and aesthetics. Let alone that it will disrupt your routine with dust and debris for perhaps weeks.
• We find that prudent remodelers begin by making the best of what they have. It may mean accepting a little less than perfection, but that can get lost in the added features if they’re compelling enough.
• Discuss the remodeler’s supplier contacts. Many of them have preferential buying status that can work to your benefit. Moreover, ascertain they will not restrict you in selecting brands and materials.
• Spend substantial time on lighting. Kitchens, of all places, need to look bright when you want it that way or mood-centric at the appropriate moments. When remodeling, emphasize the placement of concealed lights and contemporary light fittings suitable for the space. Pay attention to how your referees respond to that and the ideas they put forward.
• After a kitchen remodel, there’s nothing more devastating to a homeowner than discovering that odors linger after a heavy cooking session. After all, aside from the room functioning as a social center for friends and family, food preparation is the main show. Bring ventilation into the conversation early on because it’s one of the most vital functional aspects of the project.
• Once the build-out is in motion, things will come streaming into your home – tiles for the floor, cabinets, slabs, faucets, and appliances (only some examples):
  • Who’s taking an inventory to ensure what’s delivered matches the quantities and specs?
  • Secondly, address the same going into safe storage and remaining secure from theft.
• Talk about schedules and time horizons, and ask what happens if completion extends from the original deadline. Professionals in the renovation arena have these issues covered and all those mentioned above.

The important thing about interviewing recommended contractors is letting them know you’re not a pushover or ill-informed. Any building project is a two-way thing, balancing the views of the client and the artisan without unnecessary conflict to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions.

All the good stuff

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The steps outlined above shouldn’t detract from your vision of a modern kitchen with all the latest innovations on the market. Of course, budget plays into this, but once agreed, request an overview of the fixtures, appliances, and materials that qualify. There’s no point in wasting time visiting supplier showrooms if their inventory is too expensive.

Sometimes you have to stay with existing appliances or repaint cabinets instead of replacement. On the other hand, some fantastic synthetics upgrade the kitchen at a fraction of the price of imported exotics. Even the very wealthy are opting for the latter these days. Here are the main categories that come under the spotlight, offering alternatives across a broad spectrum:

Appliances and conveniences

• Microwaves
• Ovens
• Hoods
• Refrigerator/ Freezers
• Dishwashers
• Instant purified hot water
• Automatic garbage disposal
• Built-in coffee-makers and espresso machines
• Double sinks
• Multi-purpose faucets
• Toaster ovens

Materials

• For floors
  • Hardwood (often not waterproof but great aesthetics and colors)
  • Tile (also great aesthetics and colors but can be slippery when wet)
  • Vinyl and laminate – an excellent mimic of hardwood; challenging to tell the difference in the upper price range.
  • Cork – A definite aesthetic appeal, relatively inexpensive. Not as durable as other materials described.
  • Concrete is trendy these days for that retro look. Also inexpensive, but it doesn’t suit all styles.
  • Travertine and marbles – A classic look that never dates. A classic look that never dates. A genuinely luxurious feel but is an expensive option based on exotic imports from Italian material suppliers.
• For countertops and splashbacks:
  • In massive demand for new and remodeled kitchens, Quartz doesn’t need sealing. Expensive.
  • Granite – offered in thousands of natural colors and ingrained patterns, shiny or matte finishes. Generally more porous than Quartz but not significantly so. A wide price range, depending on how exotic you go.
  • Marble – same comments as above for flooring. It has a timeless look, is softer than granite and Quartz, and is quite porous. It is susceptible to scratches and stains, but some people are happy to live with it as a trade-off for aesthetics.
  • Porcelain is probably the fastest growing in popularity. The beautiful finishes and color variations are stunning, alongside unsurpassed durability. Affordability slots in at a much higher rating than the natural materials mentioned above.
  • Wood (cherry, maple, hickory, walnut, teak, or mahogany) – A great looker that lends warmth to the room (versus the colder feel of granite). You must be ready to accept cuts and indentations on the surface if designed for cutting and chopping.
• Appliances:
  • Slate – provides a low-gloss, matte finish for the sleekest appearance you can imagine. It’s also fingerprint-resistant, durable, and easy to clean.
  • Stainless steel – prevalent, modern, integrates with any design. Easy to maintain and a sturdy material from every angle. Also available in black steel to give the room that extra edge.
  • Miscellaneous – offering less expensive options in a range of colors and creating different moods (depending on the design of the remodel).
• Lighting
  • Ambient lights merge with natural light to create a room ambiance, mostly recessed into the ceiling.
  • Task lighting for brightness where you really need it and dispel shadows cast by the recessed installations.
  • Under Cabinet and Accent Lighting brightens dark corners and adds to the room’s overall feel.

Conclusion

To reiterate, your remodeling partner should be by your side every step of the way in this journey. Experienced pros have seen it all and dealt with reputable supply sources. If you have an architect involved, they should fit in like a hand in a glove. Still, many renovators have enough architectural skills to cover all the bases as a one-stop solution. Start with a credible marketplace as the best avenue to get referrals that resonate with you in an arrangement embracing all the above.

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Several new books have popped up in my mailbox lately from Rizzoli. I have since devoured them and let me tell you, they are all eye candy at its finest. I adored these books and they are definitively keepers for the coffee table.

First up is The French Royal Wardrobe: The Hôtel de la Marine Restored by author Jérôme Hanover and Gabriel Bauret, with photographs by Ambroise Tézenas. This volume goes behind the scenes to reveal the history and metamorphosis of the Hôtel de la Marine, a treasure of Parisian heritage. An extensive four-year restoration was completed in 2021; the building reopened to the public and features a museum, conserved apartments that highlight the tastes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, an exhibition hall, a bookshop, and three restaurants. Previously unpublished photography captures the splendor and majesty of the monument. What made this book really special were all of the photos of what went on during the renovations. Typically books would feature the end result of the renovation, not photos during the work being done. It make for some really hauntingly beautiful captures that are quite magical.

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The next book was packed with delicious spaces I could not get enough of. At Home with Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors by author Susanna Salk, with photographs by Stacey Bewkes. This one features some gorgeous homes I absolutely fell in love with, and included one of my favourites – Stony Ford, the Hudson Valley home of Susan and Will Brinson of @houseofbrinson. Susanna Salk visits incredible homes of designers and other creatives, experiencing how they live and how they decorate when it’s for themselves, not for a client. Whether it’s the Connecticut weekend retreat of textile designer John Robshaw, or photographer Pieter Estersohn’s restored Hudson Valley home full of his work and inspiration, or the cozy garden retreat of chef Lulu Powers in West Hollywood, Salk has gathered decorating tips and secrets from some of the most stylish and savvy people.

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And lastly, Presidential Residences in France by author Adrien Goetz, with photographs by Ambroise Tézenas. This volume offers a visit to the presidential residences of France: the Élysée Palace and its neighboring Hôtel de Marigny, the Lantern Pavilion hidden away in the park of Versailles, and the Brégançon Fort. These are the places where one can discover the excellence of French artisans, its art conservators and restaurateurs, and its famed gardeners. These sites of political theater and residences of the French president showcase France’s exceptional artistic heri­tage and present the great treasures of “French taste,” in perpetual reinvention from the eighteenth century through today, to diplomatic visitors from all over the world. I really loved this book because it really took me by surprise how much modern elements had been added in the past and how spectacular they look against exceptionally elegant and ornate architecture.

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