What we love about the villa below is the simple sophistication in its interior design. White walls create a light and airy feel that compliments the rich hardwood floors. The soft walls also create a great backdrop for “statement art” to really pop, and they also allow the vast windows to do what they are meant to do: bring in natural light and allow the natural surroundings to create focal points, rather than distract the eye.
Philip Nimmo Ironworks is a Los Angeles based manufacturer that creates all things iron for the home. The company creates beautiful firescreens, as well as other artistically crafted pieces that are eye-catching. Since Austin’s weather only permits the use of indoor fireplaces for a fraction of the year, why not put beautiful art in place of fire for the bulk of the year? It can be really difficult to find unique firescreens, but Philip Nimmo has us covered. For more on his work, visit www.philipnimmoironworks.com.
“To The Trade.”
Check out this cool way to look at something old. Brenda Houston has designed a line of jewelry and lighting that uses minerals in a new way. We love her use of raw materials to create something unique and edgy for you or your interior space.
This metal mesh drapery by Whiting & Davis is fabulous. It shimmers and drapes dramatically, but is simple at the same time. Often used in fashion, metal mesh can be used in home applications for interior design, as well. Check out these room dividers below. They fill in cased openings beautifully, and come in an array of finishes and textures. We would love to find a way to use these fashionable textiles in your Austin space.
byHenzel area rugs are both striking and beautiful. They blur the line between art and home furnishings, which is what good interior design should do – make the person experiencing the space feel as if they are walking through well thought-out art. Check out some of our picks for contemporary, yet soft, selections for your glamorous space.
Manipulating scale is an interesting concept that interior designers love to engage in. By exaggerating certain elements within a space, a designer or architect can make people take second looks, when they might not have before. It can create a fun, almost whimsical feel, or it can be used to create a feeling of grandeur. The image below is a major exaggeration of scale (but we love it for what it is!). Objects that are clearly too big or too small are great conversation pieces, but beware not to overdo it. They say everything is bigger in Texas…especially in Austin!
Whimsical Scale
What we love about this Great Room is its large scale and open view…not to mention the floor to ceiling copper fireplace. A bridge leads you from the front doors to the large living area, which is open to the kitchen and dining areas. The vast windows eliminate the need for much in the way of art, as the natural surroundings and the interesting elements within the home have become the focal points of the interior design.
This laminated-cherry chair by David Upfill-Brown has us inspired. This elegant piece looks more like wooden sculpture than a piece of furniture, and with good reason: David Upfill-Brown is a wood sculpture, turned furniture maker. The chair’s fluid design and asymmetry add interest, while the gentle curves give this chair a feminine appeal that could compliment most interior spaces.
This elegant sofa by Baker Furniture is a modern-classic that would be a great addition to any fine interior. It’s clean lines and barely-there curves give it a slick look, but take our word for it…it is comfortable. Good interior design should be about comfort, as well as style, and Baker Furniture has the corner on the market in those arenas.
The right upholstery could really make this sofa an eye-catching centerpiece for your living room.
This is an architectural design element for either an outdoor or interior space. The individual squares could be installed either horizontally or vertically, in a random pattern. It would be a great focus wall for an entry, dining room, great room, or garden. You could even make this wall art behind a pedestal lavatory in a powder bath. Traditional or modern furnishings go beautifully with these Solaris Wall Art Squares from Seasonal Living in Austin, Texas. www.seasonalliving.com
“To the Trade”
