Floral Patterns...

Sometimes floral patterns have no place in interiors, it all depends on the style of a room or a client’s preference. However, a well-selected floral motif can bring great interest and dynamism to a space. Whether it is a contemporary or a traditional interior, the use of floral patterns can be crucial to its successful completion. Remember: “Everything in moderation”. On this picture the feel of the room is very classic and serene. The palette is very understated, stone and truffle with pale celery, off-white and dark brown accents. Solids have been used in the furnishings that require the largest yardage: sofa and draperies. The sofa pillows display more solids or geometric patterns but it is the ottoman in the center of the room that introduces the lively note with its two-tone large repeat floral pattern. Another solid would have made this room dull and uninteresting. Notice that the palette was respected to the end. In other words it’s all a matter of “geography”, where to place the stroke of pattern that will give life to a room. Sometimes, I will choose to use the floral pattern on draperies, particularly if view is not that interesting, I call that: “one out of two”. Now…if you do want to use more than one floral pattern in the room my recommendation is that you select patterns with large, medium and small repeats to avoid competition between the fabrics.

(Fabrics by Kravet)

THE WINDOW SEAT

The Window Seat is a very useful design feature that can add great beauty and character to any room. On the practical side, a hinged top can turn them into additional storage for linens, blankets, pillows, etc. and in many rooms, they provide additional seating that could not otherwise be achieved; often times I find that they are the only option for breakfast nooks in my remodel work. Who doesn’t dream of taking their shoes off, wrapping themselves in a cozy throw, leaning against a bunch of pillows and reading a good book on a window seat? It is a classical image, but one that I find young and old still enjoy. Another one of their virtues is that they can work as an “anchoring” element for the otherwise uninteresting window, giving it an additional function and providing the visual base it might have lacked before. And as I always say: “ They come in all colors”, by that I am not just referring to the actual hues but to the infinite design possibilities I find when I use them in my work. They can be a subtle and understated corner, such as the picture, where lightly patterned shades come down to a crisp white window sill; next, the seat cushion and pillows present a delicate palette with peaceful patterns. In contrast, their traditional English and French versions display an abundance of patterns, textures and rich tailoring details. Finally one more piece of important advice: Remember it only takes the right length and depth to turn them into a daybeds and voila: you have another bed in any room that can also serve as a guest bedroom!

(Fabrics by Kravet)

Focal Points in Interior Design

How to Select a Focal Points in a Room

Have you ever walked into a room where everything is virtually screaming at you? A room where everything competes for attention in placement, style, scale, color and texture?

One of the ways to avoid that type of chaos is to understand the function of the room, make a decision about where the focal point (or points) will be located and create surroundings that “complement” that piece. For instance, take this Dining Room I designed (see picture). Early on I decided I wanted the dining table in the center of the room to be the focal point. After that decision was made, I made sure that all larger surfaces in the room remain un-patterned or just slightly patterned:

1) The background wall is silver leafed, you can see the slight differentiation of the rectangular silver leaves, but it works as a dull mirror that helps the glass table sparkle even more.

2) Draperies consist of flat sliding panels of lined silk with a subtle tone on tone pattern; their unmannered design is also meant to visually reinforce the table).

3) The aubergine wool rug has a barely noticeable small pattern and its main function is to provide a strong contrasting color to the table base.

4) The light fixture consists of a curved hand-blown glass suspended by steel cables and illuminated from the ceiling by low voltage fixtures, its function is to appear like a “floating” leaf above the table. A heavier fixture or chandelier would have competed with the table.

5) The more traditional looking chairs are upholstered in solid off-white velvet and their wooden frames, slightly brushed in antique gold, were deliberately chosen to contrast with the sharp, contemporary crackled glass of the table base.

As I always say: a well designed room is one where there was a "commitment" made to its function, feel and style long before anything is selected.