Sustainable office design

Sustainable office design is partly about using sustainable materials (like timber from sustainable forests, or recycled plastics). But it's also about exploiting natural daylight and air, using energy efficient technology and choosing materials that don't emit high levels of carbon dioxide or volatile chemicals.

Sustainable designs - from our award-winning, LEED accredited designers
Sourcing sustainable materials - like recycled or natural materials, and organic non-volatile paints and wiring
Sustainable space planning - an office layout that makes the most use of natural light and air
Concept drawings - to show you the overall feel and flavour
Eco-friendly office furniture - with environmental ratings that qualify for enhanced capital allowances
3D walkthroughs - what will it look like off the page?
Working drawings - all the drawings you need to get planning permission and build it.

Home Office Design

House Paint Colors

Are you dealing with a small room and wondering what the best paint colors are to make it look larger? If so, we're going to go over a few options you can choose from that will give you the look you want.
Consider the following choices to open your space up...
Option 1) Use a (Light) Cool Color. If it's not yet obvious (light) cool colors are said to be the best colors to go with because they trick the eyes into thinking they are further away than they really are. If you're wondering what colors classify as cool colors, cool colors are considered to be...
* blue
* green
* purple
Putting an example to them, you can think of the colors of the ocean or sea, sky and trees.
Option 2) Use a Gloss Finish. If you want to go a step further consider using a gloss finish. Paint experts at Behr.com have said that using a gloss finish can also contribute to making a small room appear larger. The best ones to use are said to be an eggshell finish, satin finish and semi-gloss finish. You'll want to stick witch using a semi-gloss finish for the kitchen and bathroom. For bedrooms, living rooms and other rooms of the house a more subtle approach is best--the satin and eggshell finish being great choices for those rooms.

Option 3) Use Monochromatic Colors. A monochromatic color scheme is simply using colors that are close in tone so that when the eye moves around the room it is uninterrupted and tricks you into believing there's more space than there really is. A simple way to go about using a monochromatic color scheme is to use colors from the same palette, such as light blue, medium blue and so forth.

House Paint Ideas

A simple coat of paint can revitalize your home in one simple step. You can take your house from boring drab to a beauty of color. Paint is also the cheapest way to remodel any room of your home, or even the exterior of your house. There are now dozens of manufacturers with numerous sheens and colors to choose from. The color choice can often be the hardest decision of all. Many people make multiple trips back and forth from the home improvement or paint store because they cannot decide on a paint choice.
Paint is becoming very expensive, but it is possible to get samples to take home before you make a large purchase. Some stores have swatches; however, the color is never as dark as it actually is. There are stores that are now sending home a small bottle of your paint choice for free so that you can test various colors on your walls. Many people have a basic idea of the colors that they want in their home, while others have no idea where to start.

The best place to begin is with the colors that you are naturally attracted to. View each color during different times of the day. You should also pay attention to how a particular color makes you feel. If the paint is for your bedroom, then you would obviously need a color that makes you feel at ease. You should also use this method in a room that you go in the most frequently.
While copying another person’s color scheme might not be your idea of an original room, looking in books and magazines are great places for inspiration. If there are any show rooms near your home then you can also gain inspiration from those as well. Seeing color combinations used by other home owners can help you choose the correct colors. However, if you use a magazine for inspiration, do not try to copy the complete theme that is used. A magazine will almost never produce the same results that you expected.

Home Color Trends

It used to be that bathrooms were rather neglected spaces when it came to decorating and choosing colors; unappealing shades of pink or blue were often combined with harsh white, leaving this much used room short on ambiance. But the current trend in bathroom decor is toward brighter colors and updated style; you'll find color trends that are popular elsewhere in the home, such as brown paired with blue or black. Classic black and white, all white, and sea-inspired palettes are ever popular, as are soothing spa colors.
Accents Bright and Bold
Bolder, brighter colors that are popular interior choices are finding their way to the bathroom. Choose from rich shades like burgundy, sunny cheerful yellow or lively teal for walls that energize. If you prefer bright accents in a neutral space, a backdrop of monochromatic gray with colorful accents will make the bathroom as contemporary as your living room.

Seaside Inspirations
There's nothing new in the fact that bathroom colors may be inspired by the refreshing blues and greens of the ocean or a deep reflecting pool. What is new, however, is the shades chosen and how they are used. Bright turquoise blue, cool seafoam green and rich deep shades of violet are used individually or in combination in ceramic or glass tile, wall colors, wall art, towels and accessories or wall color.

Japanese Home Accessories

We have a wide variety of Noren, a Japanese cloth room divider, wall hanging, doorway curtain or a window curtain.Please come have a look and see if you can find your favorite noren to give your house a Japanese touch. The word noren usually refers to split curtains hung in front of a shop. It was used to keep out the sun and dust but now since it often has the shop's name written on it, it serves as the shop's sign as well. However, Noren are commonly used in private homes as well (such as the ones featured in this section)as space dividers or decorations They come in many different sizes, colors and designs.

Home Decor Vases

The introduction of the beauty and elegance of the tropics in the home decor range has been proved to be a boon to the home decor market. Its style, elegance of this range has made it the jewel in the crown of home decor. It can be rightly said that this trend has changed the world of home decor for ever.
The latest trend that’s gaining popularity in the market is the tropical home décor. The number of fans of this trend has grown tremendously within a short period of time. The ever increasing demand has made the manufacturers double their production. If you’ve been to the tropics you will exactly know as to why this style is being preferred for home décor rather than any other popular trends. This trend is a perfect blend of beautiful colors and fabulous designs to create a masterpiece of home décor, the combination of color and design creates a pleasant and cozy ambiance in your home as well as the heart of those who dwell in it.

The tropical home décor is offered to the customer in such a vide range that most of the some find it difficult to make a choice. But some customers are known to be choosy by nature but even these choosy customers can be sure to find something that suits their liking and at the same time are satisfied by the price at which these ranges are available. Fancy and trendy home décor has always been known to be the stuff for the higher class people, who are ready to spend huge amount to latest and the best for their homes. But with the introduction of the Tropical home décor range this notion has changed as these are much within the reach of the common man.

Decorating Dining Room

Dining rooms are your primary area to entertain and can add to the festivity of an occasion by being decorated to the max. When you are not entertaining, the dining room can still have a personality of its own by focusing on the structural pieces of the room and wall décor. To decorate your dining room for parties, one should set the table with gusto. Using fabrics to add color to the dining area through table clothes, napkins, table runners, and seat covers is another way to make your table bright and cheery. Bringing in live ornamentals like flowers or fruits and vegetables, as centerpieces are sure to enchant your guests. During the time when the dining room is not being used, your room should still have sufficient lighting to make the table shine and your artwork visible. Adding color to the walls in the form of custom paint or wallpaper is another way to get your dining room to portray personality and vivacity when no one is in it.
Setting The Table

Setting a table for an occasion should be personal choice that can range from high elegance to quirky fun. If you want a formal table setting, you will need fine matching china and several glasses. Silver ware should sparkle and be arrange the same for everyone. For quirky or more casual parties, table settings can be outrageously mismatched or just highlighted with different napkins, plates or cups. The choice is yours. If you do have a party, a set table should be a feast for the eye and help people to get in the party mood.

Home Accents Decor

There are many ways to decorate a home inside and out; there are also some that can be used in both places like candles. They can be used inside to make a room appear warm and inviting and they can be used outside to set a mood of romance among the aroma and beauty of nature.
Home décor is as diverse as the family that lives in the home, some people like the appeal of the modern décor and home accents while others find beauty in Victorian home accents or antiques.
There are a few things that will help to determine what type of accents will look right in a home, there is the furnishings to consider, the colors of the walls, the amount of light in the room and materials. If a room in a home has dark colored walls and modern furnishings then Victorian accents may not bring the warmth and appeal the person would like. However, if the walls are a deep color and the furnishings are a Victorian style then Victorian accents would do well in this room to give it a finished look.
Home accents come in many different materials such as glass, wood, metal, stone and others, which means that there is some type of home accent to complement any furnishings. Glass and metal often fit will with modern furnishings, while colored glass, wood or even stone will fit well with Victorian or antique furnishings.

Plants and lamps can also help to set a mood in a room for elegance and warmth and at the same time framed pictures of the family can lend a causal look to a room.

Home Decor Lamps

Decorating your home with lamps is a great way to highlight furniture pieces and augment a particular theme you are trying to create. Lamps can give your home the soft light it needs to establish a cozy feeling within every room. Finding the right lighting manufacturer is always important, when it comes to redecorating your interior environment. Many homeowners purchase illumination lamp fixtures that do not live up to the hype.
From lamps to chandeliers, the perfect choice for your illumination needs combines the top line illumination fixtures from well-known manufacturers, including lamps, wall sconces, cabinet lights, and much more!
We know the science of light, and how it interacts with the environment to produce a certain effect. Our lighting experts can assist you with questions regarding what type of fixture to purchase, and where to place the item to give your space the desired effect. We offer a variety of beautiful floor lamps that can accent any room within your home. Our floor lamps come in many styles and a variety of finishes to accommodate your specific requirements. These illumination fixtures can be set up around furniture pieces to bring out particular colors or add a soft touch of light over work areas, such as in offices or reading cubes.

Wall lamps can further accentuate that soft, gentle feel throughout your abode. These fixtures are attached directly to the wall and give your space a designer look. Spaces, which require limited illumination or have a small coverage area, are the perfect locations to install these devices. RLLD has many different kinds of wall fixtures to choose from, all which will give your home the beautiful illumination needed to foster a cozy living space.

Home Decoration Accessories

Home Decoration Accessories

Room Remodeling Ideas

Room Remodeling Ideas

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Basement Remodeling Ideas

Basement Remodeling Ideas

House Renovation Ideas

House Renovation Ideas

Featured Designer: Frank Roop

Frank Roop's subtle use of color and worldly mix of furnishings in his interiors is what draws me to these spaces. Roop designs much of the furniture he uses, as well as the draperies and lampshades and he uses local artisans to do it. Roop explains, “For me, it’s not about going to design center showrooms. I’d rather support local craftsmen. I think I am one of the few designers that stick to that principle of design.” If Roop hasn’t designed it, chances are the piece is vintage or antique. All of his interiors evoke a sense of refined glamour and balance and are simply gorgeous! Take a look!

  

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

 

images via Frank Roop & House of Turquoise

Room of the Day

 

I am loving this black and turquoise color combination! Those zebra stools are fabulous and I love the black lampshades as well. One other element that stands out in this space is the band of turquoise painted around the perimeter of the room. It helps draw you eye up and is a great detail! I believe it is repeated just above the baseboard as well.

image via House Beautiful

DIY Chandy

Earlier today I posted some rooms that featured the Marjorie Skouras Turquoise Empire Chandelier. I would LOVE to someday own one of these beauties, but with a price tag over $6,000 that's probably not going to happen anytime soon. That got me thinking. . . how could I create my own version of this fabulous chandelier?

All it would take is one of these: 

Ikea Lerdal Chandelier

A TON of these:

Fire Mountain Gem's imitation turquoise beads

And a few of these: 

 

Fire Mountain Gem's peridot beads

And whaalaa! You could create a chic, beaded chandelier that looks a little something like this (but in turquoise of course!) 

I spy. . .

The Marjorie Skouras Turquoise Empire Chandelier!

 

  

  

  

You may or may not know that I have a soft spot in my heart for all things turquoise. Whether it's jewelry, clothing, fabric, paint, lamps, etc., I love it all! (Just imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon House of Turquoise a few months back. It was like destiny--a blog dedicated completely to turquoise interiors, what more could a girl ask for?) The moment I first spotted the Marjorie Skouras Turquoise Empire Chandelier in the first photo above from House Beautiful, I was in love. Could there be anything more perfect in this entire world?! Although this chic chandelier comes with a cool price tag of $6,900, I'm not going to let that stand in my way from one day owning a beaded turquoise beauty of my own someday. Even if I have to make one myself. . .

Small Space Living

Living in smaller quarters requires a lot of things; planning, patience and organization, to name a few. I have lived in a teeny tiny studio apartment all the way up to a 2,000 square foot house and let me tell you, there is a lot of things you take for granted when living in a larger space! I remember moving into my studio apartment in Los Angeles and wondering 'where the hell am I going to put all my stuff?!?!'. After a little bit of careful planning and organizing, I was able to make use of spots that most people take for granted. For example, the top of the refrigerator was used for magazine storage (is this weird?!), under the bed housed baskets for sheets, towels and extra blankets. I alsokept all of my jewelry, purses, scarves and belts on hooks in the closet. These are just a couple of things I was able to do to keep my sanity, as well as an organized living space.

I recently shared with you my 'office makeover' (which was originally a linen closet.) The total size of the space is just under two square feet, but I didn't let that stop me from turning it into a functioning office. Basically the moral of my story here is that the most important thing to remember when dealing with small spaces is to MAKE EVERY INCH COUNT! Here are a few examples of spaces that are small in size, but big on style!

I think tucking a bed away into it's own little nook is a fabulous idea. It's not only space saving, but oh so cozy, as well!

via Alkemie

No formal entry? No coat closet? No problem! By adding a couple of simple hooks and a chair you can create an instant 'entry' to your home.

 

via design sponge

I love the idea of using a dining area to also function as an office or library.

via Houzz

By keeping the furnishings, bedding, cabinetry, and walls white and simply adding a few splashes of color, this space doesn't feel cramped at all (even though the dining table is practically in the bedroom!)

 

via Houzz

Utilizing furniture that can double as storage is a great space saving idea.

via BHG

Living in studio apartments can be sort of tricky. Using drapery panels to divide 'sleeping areas' apart from 'living areas' is a great way to maximize your space.

via Apartment Therapy

By concealing a table with fabric, you can use the space below for extra storage as well. 

These are just a few ideas for making a small space work for you. What about you? Are there any other creative ideas for saving space that you have put to use in your home?