What is Interior Design and how it works?

 Optimum utilization of the available space which under the appropriate guidance of a professional Interior Designer is converted into reality. Most of us have a misconception that interior designing requires larger space for it to be a success.  However, this is not true as interior designing can be applied to homes of all sizes with in a set budget range. Let us begin with first understanding what interior designing includes and how is it different from interior decoration.

People often assume that interior designing and interior decoration is the same thing but in fact they are not the same and are different from each other in terms of the functional areas that each of them covers. Interior designing process involves spatial planning, renovating interiors, drawing, working closely with architects, electricians, plumbers, etc. in order to provide a safe and secured living place that is visually appealing to the eyes simultaneously. Whereas interior decorating is concerned basically with adorning the space which includes selection of a colour scheme, purchasing the desired upholstery and accessories etc.

Essentially there are seven elements of interior designing viz. space, texture, light, form, line, colour and pattern. Let us give a closer look to each one of them:

1.       Space

Space is the first and most basic elements of interior designing which includes floors, walls, doors and windows, ceiling and supporting structure like beams.

2.       Texture

The best way to give a space an interesting look is to take care of texture which includes upholstery, fabrics, wallpapers, rugs, cushions, etc. It also helps in striking a balance in a space for example, rough textures help in balancing the natural light in a bright room where as smooth and shiny textures can be used to balance the natural light in a dark room.

3.    Light

The one element we all are aware of make use of it day and night is light. Besides the natural light that impacts the way we see things around us there are artificial illuminating options as well for example, task lights and accent lights which can be creatively used to set the look and feel of a space while solving different purpose at the same time. It can also be used to accentuate a piece of art in a room.

4.       Colour

Different colours give different meaning to a space and sets different mood. They can transform a monotonous and dull room into an exciting one with vibrant colours or one which provides calmness to mind with neutral colours. Colours also affect the way we perceive a space for example, light colours tend to make a small space look bigger and dark colours tend to make large space look smaller and warm.

5.       Form

Form is another essential and significant element of interior designing. It includes the shape of space, objects and upholstery. In order to avert confusions various forms should not be incorporated in one room.

 6.       Line

Structural design and furnishing of a room creates the sixth element of interior designing i.e. line. It lays down the shape and form of a room. Lines are broadly categorized into horizontal, vertical, diagonal and curved lines. Most of the upholstery, media centers and bookshelves etc. comes under the category of horizontal lines while windows, doorways, curtains and columns add to the vertical lines. Vertical lines make a room look taller than it really is. Diagonal lines are used to add drama to the space while curved lines strike a balance with horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines by giving a soft look.

 

7.      Patterns

Patterns are nothing but repeated designs in paints, wallpaper, rugs, fabrics etc. The sole purpose of patterns is to make a space come alive and add interest to it.

 Besides the seven elements there are seven principles of interior design which a good interior designer must apply in order to avert costly mistakes and get that flawless look of your home.

 

Discussed below are the seven principles of interior design:

1.       Unity

Unity, continuity and harmony trio is crucial in connecting all the interiors of different spaces in a home. Moving from one space to another should not make one feel that he/she have entered in different zone all together. In order to give an integrated appeal to a home all spaces must be unified.

2.       Balance

Balance in interior designing refers to placing of objects in such a manner that creates a balance visually.

3.       Rhythm

Rhythm in interior designing is formed by repeating patterns and design elements of a space. It includes repetition, progression and transition of design elements throughout the space.

4.       Contrast

Contrast in the form of use of available space, form and colour creates a long lasting visual impact on the viewer’s mind.

5.       Emphasis

 As the name suggests, emphasis is the accentuated part or focal point of a space. Elements of interior designs such as colour, form and texture are utilized to a great extent in order to lay emphasis on the central point or object. 

6.       Scale and Proportion

Small sized upholstery in a large room or vice versa tells about the inappropriate scale of objects whereas proportion refers to the size of an object in relation to the size of another object in a space.

7.       Details

Add personality to your home by doing some detailed work apart from accessorizing your room like adding a crystal lamp, outlet covers, etc.

Incorporating the interior design elements and following the above mentioned interior designing principles ensures unparalleled results taking care of functional aspects according to the client’s specifications and financial plans. Whether one does it by himself/herself or gets it done through professionals, interior designing contributes to both the functional aspects and aesthetics of a space.

Bathroom.JPG

The Future of Interior Design

Ever wonder what Interior Design Trends will be in the future? We asked ourselves the same question and with a little digging we found a survey with opinions from across the industry. Here is an abbreviation of the survey:

 1. Americans will be living in smaller spaces and with fewer rooms by the year 2020, say more than 76% of IFDA members.

2. Formal living rooms are going extinct, according to an increasing majority of design professionals

3. Dining rooms will become multi-purpose spaces, incorporating home offices, study areas for children and entertainment centers.

4. Separate rooms are disappearing: they are blending into spaces that serve many different purposes, believe 91.5 % of the design experts

5. Furniture also goes multi-purpose with modular, moveable and smaller scaled furniture overtaking built-ins and big pieces.

6. Eat in kitchens will remain a necessity and could replace dining rooms due to the increased interest in home cooking.

7. Spa baths are very likely to succeed.  Luxurious products such as spa showers, high- tech fixtures/TVs are on the rise.

8. High-Tech is here to stay.  Voice and sensor activation will be the norm.  Lighting, entertainment and environmental controls (heating and cooling) and window treatments will be motorized by the general population.

9. Outdoor living with low maintenance is a must.  Low-maintenance landscaping and “functional” gardens with herb and vegetables will be prevalent.

10. The average home size will shrink due to concern over energy costs and the fact that baby boomers no longer need a large number of bedrooms.

Black wallpaper by Paradise City

Most popular Kitchen countertop

 The most popular kitchen countertop is no longer granite.

 Now, after several years of declining use, the day has come: another surface has officially surpassed granite in terms of popularity. Any guesses as to what the new countertop might be?

 It's quartz, otherwise known as engineered stone. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) reports that while granite is less desirable these days, the use of quartz is on the rise (by kitchen designers anyway).  What happened to change homeowners' minds?

Appearance & Style

photo by paradise city  (original project)

photo by paradise city  (original project)

 If you need a refresher on quartz countertops, here you go: Engineered stone comprises at least 90% of ground up quartz, which is mixed with a binder like resin, then molded into slabs. Add pigment during the manufacturing process and the sky's the limit when it comes to color. Because it's made from little leftover bits of mineral, versus mined in whole slabs and shipped around the world, it's also considered a good environmental choice. 

If you want the look, but not the maintenance, of natural materials like soapstone or marble, quartz is an attractive alternative. It used to only be available as a solid color, or flecked, depending on how coarsely the quartz was ground during the fabrication process. If you liked a very minimalist, manufactured look this was fine, but the overall effect was rather cold and impersonal and didn't resonate with customers. Today, technology can produce quartz with organic-looking variations that resemble real substances found in nature. This makes a huge difference in the look and feel of a room.

Dmitriy on kitchen and bath INTERNATIONAL show 2016 orlando

Dmitriy on kitchen and bath INTERNATIONAL show 2016 orlando

Finish & Feel

Engineered stone manufacturers have also expanded their lines to include different finishes. There's still the standard smooth and shiny quartz you've seen for years, but it's also now available honed or sueded — with a softer, brushed feel — or more pitted like "volcano" rock or concrete. These latest offerings are decidedly less sleek and lustrous, with a warmer and more inviting texture.

photo by paradise city (just fineshed project)

photo by paradise city (just fineshed project)

 Maintenance

 Quartz's main selling point is durability: it remains one of the most low maintenance materials around, and is fairly impervious to etching, stains, cracks or chips. (Note that certain finishes might require more daily maintenance. Caesarstone, for example, says that metal marks, fingerprints and other signs of daily living will show more on their honed or concrete finishes.) You don't need to seal the surface upon installation, or reseal down the road. These surfaces are intolerant to high heat however, so it's a good idea to use a trivet under any scalding pots and pans.

photo by paradise city (original progect)

photo by paradise city (original progect)

 If you are planing remodeling and need sophisticated kitchen use quartz for your counter top needs and call Paradise City for your remodeling needs (954) 817-6505

Making the most of a Small Bathroom

When it comes to the small spaces in our homes, we tend to make one of two mistakes. Either we give no attention to their design, thinking that there’s not enough room, or we overcompensate, ending up with a design that overwhelms the space. It doesn’t have to be that way. Get the most from your small bathroom with these tips.

Mirrors

A nice mirror does any room a favor. They reflect light and make your space feel twice its actual size. In a small bathroom, carefully chose size of that mirror do not make it too big. This will create a feeling of more space .Use medicine cabinet style mirrors (like on that picture) ,it will add hidden shelf space for you small bathroom

Light  and Bright Colors

In a small area like the powder room, we’re sometimes tempted to use all the design ideas we’re scared to use in the rest of the house. While that sounds logical, it can also result in a room that feels dark and cramped. This is especially true for bathrooms that have no source of natural light. But that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some crazy! With white fixtures and a lighter shade on the walls, you can incorporate color and style with accessories.

Declutter

Clutter will make even the most luxurious master bath feel confining, so it’s especially important to minimize it in a small bathroom. Hang a medicine cabinet over the toilet for makeup and toiletries (bonus points if it has a mirror front!). Selecting a floating vanity will give the space an open, spa-like feel. Use the Floating Surface Adjustable Bracket to give you maximum support without design interference! Store towels underneath in attractive bins—woven baskets are ideal! Avoid a double sink to maximize counter space. Add small vertical cabinet over the  toilet , recessed it inside wall .You will have enough space for storage .

 Expose pluming fixture will bring some detailing , sparkle and  modern look to any shower ( last picture ) 

A small bathroom doesn’t have to feel small. Hopefully these tips will help you use your available space to achieve the design of your dreams!

Roberto Cavalli in Tile design

We used beautiful Roberto Cavalli Tiles for this His Bathroom. Silver and golden lines from those tiles transmit glamor and sophistication. We carefully calculate the position of each piece to make sure its sparkle and blink. Of course: floating vanity with led light mirror, Toto Neorest toilet, Hansgrohe plumbing fixtures and (ta-daa) Philippe Starck urinal. His bathroom has to be HIS bathroom.

Affordable Interior Design, made with IKEA . Full renovation with labor , materials, furniture , appliances ( 1 bedroom 1 bathroom,living room and kitchen) = $40 000