Guest beds are an important piece of your home whenever you have someone visiting. It is nor proper neither considerate to have your guests sleep on the floor in sleeping bags.

As we often say, function is more important than form. Start your interior design adventure by determining what your living room is for. Is it a place for an intimate gathering of friends and family? Do you entertain a large group of guests regularly? Is it a place to simply relax and kick back?

The answer will determine the layout of the room. If you entertain a lot, then you want your space to be more open so guests can flow freely around the room without bumping into furniture. If you host more intimate groupings, then you want to arrange your furniture to promote conversation.

1. Select furniture that matches your needs

Once you know the function of the room, it’s time to work on form. There are a lot of really wonderful pieces out on the market theses days. Not only can you get inviting sofas and loveseats, but also new ideas such as sectionals with a built-in chaise. If you entertain a lot, consider going with groupings of furniture or pieces that can be easily moved around the room. If it’s just family and friends, go with a large sectional grouping so you can all sit together in comfort and style.

2. Use color intelligently

The right colors can really make a living room come to life. Choose wall colors that complement your furnishings. Contrary to popular belief, a dark color makes a room appear larger, not smaller. Use accent colors for your accessories. Don’t get too wild with colors – they should work with one another, not against one another.

3. Go with a neutral style

Resist the temptation to buy the latest trends in furnishings or accessories. You don’t want your space to become dated. Picking up the latest lamp or gimmicky clock cheapens the space as well. Above all, don’t put too much of your personal tastes into the décor. Keep the precious memories and souvenirs in the bedroom or family room.
4. Let it shine

A good way to add some space to your living room is to go with reflective surfaces for tables, fixtures and lighting. White glazed cabinets are terrific for this, particularly if they have glassed doors. The same is true with lighting. A lamp with a glossy shade can make the room look bigger than it is.

5. Use rugs as décor

If you have a really large open space, consider breaking it into smaller areas. The easiest way to do this is to use area rugs. Though it seems odd at first, an area rug cannot only be used on wood or tile floors, but on wall-to-wall carpeting as well. When using an area rug to define a space, be sure that the furnishings either rest on the carpet or touch the edges visually.

6. Locate the large pieces first

The sofa, loveseat and sectionals should be put in place first. Again, consider the function of the room and arrange accordingly. If your pieces are heavy, you may want to draw out the room on a piece of paper and make shapes that match the measurements of your furniture. Move them around on paper before you move them around the room. This saves time and energy.

7. Work your way out from there

Once you have the large pieces of furniture set to your liking, it’s time to add end tables, coffee tables and other secondary furnishings to your grouping. Next, it’s time for the accents: lamps, vases, plants, etc. Finally, hang your art so that it complements the room’s new look. After painting and changing the layout, you may find that some of your art is out of place. Look in your other rooms to see if a different piece would look better.

Most of all, have fun with your redecorating project. Once you have the furniture you like, the rest can be changed easily down the road with just a few cans of paint and some artistic touches.

An ergonomically designed floating ‘inner tube’ for fishing and an indoor rocking chair for reading, the Pastil Chair is a multi-tasking masterpiece.

It is the second in line of Aarnio’s iconic plastic creations which echo the pop culture and spirit of their time, debuted in 1967, after the Ball Chair (presented at the International Furniture Fair Cologne 1966), and prior to the Bubble Chair (1968).  Through these pieces (amongst others), Aarnio explored the possibilities of the new material plastic while remaining true to the Scandinavian design tradition of quality and durability.

The product shape comes from a small lozenge, a ‘pastil’.  The idea was that “a lot of empty, cushioned space is sent to the other side of the world inside the Ball Chair.  A new round chair would fit in this space, and so the diameter of the Pastil chair is the same as the opening of the ball chair.”  Aarnio made the first prototype out of polystytrene to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.  A year after completing its design, he received the American Industrial Design Award (1968) for the Pastil Chair – and  The New York Times described it and the Ball Chair as “the most comfortable forms to hold up the human body”.

From the Ball chair Aarnio designed the Bubble Chair – an adaptation or ‘improvement’ of its design.  Similarly, Aarnio designed the Tomato chair to improve upon the design of the Pastil chair. Aarnio explains, “I realized that Pastil Chair floats and carries the person who sits in it in water but it is very rickety. If there were three items like two great armrests and the back of the chair would be stable, and this is how the idea of the Tomato Chair was born.”

Well known for his innovative furniture designs in the 1960s, notably his plastic and fiberglass chairs, Aarnio’s work is iconic and the Pastil chair is no exception.  Designed to be viewed from many angles, it’s best as a free-standing piece rather than being hidden in a corner.  Bold, shiny and colorful – it adds a bit of fun to any environment.

This modern sculptural chair is executed in rigid polyurethane, giving it a durability ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments. But regardless of where you put this piece, it’ll raise your space to new style heights. The spherical body of this contemporary chair opens at the top to reveal a flexible-polyurethane seat that molds to your body – so comfortable that once you’re down you won’t want to get up. The modern Ball chair design truly is the coolest seat in the house. You girls, can be sure that your man will love it and won’t shout at you for spending money on silly things if you buy one, so go ahead!

Naos Collection from NeaBath

The Naos vanities from Neabath have a theatrical flair and aplomb all of their own. Instantly noticeable, the stunning handles in silver or gold finishes punctuate the formality of the vanities with a dramatic exclamation. Stately but never boring, the Naos comes in a wide range of colors, from shocking pink to glossy black, to complement a modern palette. You can choose just one color, or a vanity with a contrasting top and bottom edge. Either way, they look great against the background of walls with moulded edgings and details, as shown here. Neabath, is an Italian company based in Bologna that seeks to redefine space with fashion and elegance.

Klimti Collection from NeaBath

The new Klimti is a straightforward vanity from Neabath with a well-dressed twist. The low, rectangular form is wall-mounted and completely uninterrupted by handles. However, the front panels of the Klimti modern bathroom vanity feature a gorgeous floral motif. Outstanding against its plain background, you can opt for a contrasting or complementary pattern of flowers. It depends on you… the white version is discreet and pure; the black and gold version is chic and sophisticated. A practical indulgence, theses vanities have plenty of storage space. Also, there is space for two sinks if you so desire.

Dedalo, Icarus and Sappho Vanities from Edone

Reflecting the contemporary trend of ‘fusion’ within popular culture, Edone (Agoragroup) releases the new Dedalo, Icarus and Sappho vanities. Each with its own flair, these modern vanities are a reaction to the current worldly outlook of the fashionable consumer. With tops in precious marble and signature feet in gold or silver leaf, the vanity collection is a high-end range. The Dedalo has a substantial presence reminiscent of an art deco piece. Characterised by heavy curves it boasts a chic finish in combinations of black, gold, white, silver and scarlet. Icarus is a vanity with poise – a linear and luxurious piece of furniture. Sappho is a lower, longer vanity with a minimalist feel, shown here in a gorgeous dark finish. All available now from Edone (Agoragroup) – these modern vanities are Italian style inspired by the world.

Introduction

Modern lifestyles require modern design. In an increasingly cluttered world, space is the key for living as without space we cannot grow and without growth we cannot live. Design is the key to space, the key to growth.

SwiTCh embraces this reality and changes with your lifestyle. We are not the same person all the time. We change, moment to moment, second to second, meeting the needs of our environment and lifestyle as required. SwiTCh is a new concept in design that can accompany you on this never-ending journey of adaptation. It is a chair and a table – or both – as you require. Encompassing the timeless geometries of both a cube and a sphere it is both formal and relaxed, soft and structured, ready for work and play.

SwiTCh does not speak of its ingenuity, choosing rather to blend effortlessly into whichever role you chose, yet remains intelligent enough to SwiTCh instantly, to stay in tune with your life, to provide the space you need.

Time stands still for no man. Time is ever changing and, in turn, it demands, we change. It is time to find the space you need, the growth you desire, the harmony you deserve. It is time to SwiTCh.

The Concept

Switch is a new concept in design. It is a chair and a table, a relaxing seat and a small working place in one. It switches instantly and effortlessly.

Encompassing the timeless geometries of both a cube and a sphere, Switch is formal and playful. The balance of contrasts yet providing highest comfort for seating, working and playing.

Learning and building an Eco-Dome is an excellent way to prepare for building a larger design such as the 3-bedroom house, because it provides a hands-on learning experience on the essential aspects of Superadobe construction. The Eco-Dome’s size of approximately 400 square feet (interior space), makes it a manageable structure for the first time owner builder. The finished “very small house” is self-contained and can become a small guest house, studio apartment, or be the first step in a cluster design of an Eco-Village of vaults and domes.

Some features of the Eco-Dome include:

• Built from local earth-filled Superadobe coils (soil-cement or lime-stabilized earth).
• Tree free.
• Maximum use of space through alternative options.
  The main dome and four niches, depending on local code approval, can function as:
  a) main living room, entrance hall, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom (called “bed-womb” because of it’s small, organic form!)
  b) living room, entrance hall, and three bed-rooms.
  c) living room, entrance hall, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.
• Self-contained single unit (potential for a guest house or studio apartment) or double unit (larger family residence).
• Can be repeated and joined together to form larger homes and courtyard houses.
• Can be built by a team of 3-5 persons.
• Designed with the sun, shade and wind in mind for passive cooling and heating.
• Wind-scoop can be combined with a rated furnace unit, depending on local code approval. Solar energy and radiant heating may be incorporated.
• Interior furniture can be built-in with same material.

T2 Coffee Table

The T2 coffee table is a moulded timber structure that can be produced in a variety of
colours and finishes. The table incorporates elegant curves that work on several planes,
creating a piece that constantly changes form and detail from whichever direction you view it. The piece incorporates an inherent storage space and appears to ‘float’ just above the ground. Available with 3 or 4 ‘legs’. This piece of furniture could add a futuristic and modern touch to your relaxing room, to your living room or any other space you wish, as it is perfect for drinking a coffee or just sustaining some papers/books.

T2A Table

The T2A is a heat formed acrylic table produced in a variety of colours and opacities, from clear to solid. The table incorporates elegant curves that work on several planes, creating a piece that constantly changes form and detail from whichever direction you view it. As the smaller “sister” of T2 Coffee Table, this table is awesome as it can be used not only for an indoor environment but also for any outdoor space you want to add a modern, futuristic touch to. It’s functionality can also vary, it can be a coffee table and a newspaper holder at the same time.

READesign Table

The READesign table is a moulded plywood lozenge structure ‘cut’ into sections and re-assembled with each section slightly offset from the others. The table incorporates an inherent storage area within its architectural form. Originally designed for a touring art exhibition the design is now available to commission. It is a great coffee table or reading table idea, the design the material all of it is awesome! Not to mention that it can be used both in an outdoor and in an indoor environment.

My advice concerning these two awesome tables is to try them and this not only due to the awesome design but also due to the fact that both tables have double functionality and will also add a great touch to any space you decide to add them to.

Add a new dimension to your garden with Ecocube.

How does your garden grow? Simple – with ecocube.

Perfect for those with limited outdoor space, ecocube is a contemporary garden space made from sustainable cedar wood and bespoke to your garden. Relax, entertain, and give your garden space to grow with ecocube.

Create your ecocube in 3 easy steps

1. Pick a suitable space in your garden, then choose the right ecocube frame size to fit.

2. Select the position and number of screens to blend in with your garden. How you position your screens is very important – it can help you create a sense of depth and space or privacy and enclosure. But if you’re not sure, don’t worry, we’ll help you.

3. Finally, decide how many planter boxes you think you’ll need and whether you’d like a roller canopy. Each planter is 1m in length giving you generous space so you can grow your garden upwards rather than outwards.

A typical ecocube costs in the region of £8,000+VAT ex delivery.

]]> http://www.designshell.com/articles/gardening/get-a-bigger-garden-with-ecocube.html/feed 0 http://www.designshell.com/furniture/chairs/save-your-dining-room-space.html http://www.designshell.com/furniture/chairs/save-your-dining-room-space.html#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 12:01:53 +0000 admin http://www.designshell.com/?p=63

Saving of space and low visual impact is the proposal of Marta Antoszkiewicz with Kitchenette, a Seth of dining room table and chairs with an urban and minimalista design. The four chairs adjust to the cleared edges of the table, forming a compact block when it is not necessary his use, offering this way a sensation of greater space in the stay.
This effect is successful in minimizing the visual impact, therefore making a space feel larger. Intended for urban living, this table set features removable cushions for easy cleaning, hot & cold pads for serving and hand pulls for easy access. – Via – Hogartotal