Be Bold, Go Blue.

Sherrill CanetThere seems to be a general resistence in the design world to decorating a kitchen in anything other than neutrals or whites -- probably because of the expense and difficulty of overhauling a kitchen should you decide just a few years later that you're no longer so enamored with, say, peach. And that's fair. I, too, eskewed bolder choices in favor of safer, buyer-friendly selections

Object of Lust: Moreno Nesting Tables

My jaw literally dropped when I saw this pair of Moreno nesting tables from Crate&Barrel. Not only are the tables a departure style-wise from the typically very contemporary C&B (these look more like something you'd find at Jayson Home & Garden), but they also look way more glamorous and high-end. Between the antiqued brass finish and the polished shell top, it's as though C&B were channeling

Mosaic Tiles Ideas

Great Mosaic Tiles  Mosaic TilesThe term "mosaic" actually refers to the process of using very small mosaic tiles to create larger projects and surfaces. While mosaic tile  is certainly time consuming and painstaking process, an almost unlimited choice of tiles materials and boundless possibilities of art design make it one of the most versatile, popular, stunning finishes and options available .

Bathroom Faucets Ideas

Modern Bathroom Faucets Modern Bathroom FaucetsBathroom faucets have a very important role in adding new look to any bathroom. Faucets should be selected considering interior décor and finish of the bathroom. Faucets are made of different materials and are priced accordingly. Brass is the standard metal used to make the bathroom faucets . Faucets are several types of cranes available in the

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Bathroom Remodeling Bathroom Remodeling IdeasYou can find great bathroom remodeling ideas, visit the new homes for sale around to see what the builders / renovators have made. Builders not only used an elegant design and materials, but also draws attention to price tags, to ensure a good return on their investment. You also get a lot of bathroom remodeling ideas from different magazines home

Laundry Room Design Ideas

Modern Laundry Room Laundry Room Design Laundry room is generally the most poorly planned space in the house. It must be design and tucked away in a remote location, such as the basement, it is combined with other places to work, kitchen, or limited in the closet. All this makes the job harder than necessary.Modern Laundry Rooms DesignModern Laundry RoomsModern Laundry Rooms IdeasModern Laundry

I'm Feeling Flighty...

...So I'm going to be taking a break this week from blogging to take care of some work and personal obligations that I've been putting off. Besides, after accidentally buying the wrong make-up (in my wildest dreams I could never hope to be a "medium tan") and the wrong finish for three mirrors for my upstairs bathrooms, and double-booking myself for not one, but two weekends in February, I think

Cheap Roller Blinds Made From Bamboo Are The Ideal Window Dressing In All Styles Of Homes

I have to admit that in many ways I am a great lover of bamboo blinds! It's their simplicity and natural look which gives me pleasure and irrespective of how many images you see of them they always look so chic and stylish!

Of course being made from natural material also has its appeal, along with the different light effects one can so easily achieve. This year the trend is to use natural products within out home and many designers are using a combination of cheap roller blinds and ready made curtains to create some stunning window dressings.

For me a bamboo blind is the ideal choice in bedrooms which don't need blackout roller blinds, so unless you don't have an unwanted light pollution entering your bedroom they are an effective and trendy way to dress your windows.

The other great advantage with any wood or natural material used as a window dressing is the gentle warmth they bring to a room, of course they also produce some wonderful lighting effects during the day time, more especially when it's sunny!

Anyone looking for an inexpensive yet chic way to dress their windows should give serious consideration to using cheap roller blinds, particularly bamboo ones!

Image: Two Ellie

Modern Kitchen Cabinets

Modern Kitchen Cabinets 

Modern Elegant and luxury kitchen cabinets

Luxury and Modern Kitchen Interior Design

Kitchen inovation design

Kitchen Design for less cost and time, with more s...

The glass Kitchen design

Kitchen colors

Sink in the modern kitchen design

 

 

 

 Modern Kitchen Tiles Design

 

Kitchen Interior Decoration Style Design
Kitchen Remodeling Design
Great Kitchens Design
The sink in the kitchen design remodeling
Modern Kitchens Ideas
Kitchen Modern Inovation Ideas
Kitchen Islands Design Ideas
Kitchen Decor Design Ideas
Kitchens Remodeling
Modern Kitchens Design
Modern Kitchens Interior Design
Modern and Luxury Kitchen Colors Design
Modern and Luxury Kitchen Interior Design

Modern Kitchen Cabinets

Modern Kitchen Cabinets 

Modern Elegant and luxury kitchen cabinets

Luxury and Modern Kitchen Interior Design

Kitchen inovation design

Kitchen Design for less cost and time, with more s...

The glass Kitchen design

Kitchen colors

Sink in the modern kitchen design

 

 

 

 Modern Kitchen Tiles Design

 

Kitchen Interior Decoration Style Design
Kitchen Remodeling Design
Great Kitchens Design
The sink in the kitchen design remodeling
Modern Kitchens Ideas
Kitchen Modern Inovation Ideas
Kitchen Islands Design Ideas
Kitchen Decor Design Ideas
Kitchens Remodeling
Modern Kitchens Design
Modern Kitchens Interior Design
Modern and Luxury Kitchen Colors Design
Modern and Luxury Kitchen Interior Design

Jacuzzi SPA

Jacuzzi SPA  Jacuzzi SPA  Man and water. Millennial connection that comes from the natural forces of nature. When in 20-century Jacuzzi SPA  creates a water massage, this ancient connection turns into an incredible experience and feeling of happiness, which can be shared. Jacuzzi SPA breaks the ancient understanding of the Salus per Aquam (Health through water) in a modern concept and so added to

I want more Shade

I thought I'd leave you this weekend with some images of the very, very cool Harlem home of designer Roderick N. Shade. Shade's home is the kind of place that makes me want to know the owner/designer -- after all, any man who can embrace fuchsia like Shade did (or who even has a name like Shade!) must be fabulous. Shade's tiny 550 square-foot apartment was featured in this month's Architectural

Why? Pink For Girls And Blue For Boys!

Choosing the right colour scheme for babies and toddler's rooms continue to use the colours associated with each gender, namely blue for boys and pink for girls! But where did this stereotype originate from?

After searching and delving the history associated with these colours I have found it fascinating! In a nutshell:

Prior to WW1 it was common to dress boys in pink and girls in blue! After WW1 the colours reversed as many military uniforms were blue, this became the predominant colour for boys as it showed masculinity and strength, whilst advertising campaigns encouraged women to show their femininity and wear pink!

As we strive to reduce stereotypical assumptions, many nurseries are using pale green or sunshine yellow, however it remains 'habit' for splashes of either pink or blue to be added according to the gender of the baby!

Green tab top curtains coordinate beautifully with pink, as such these colour combinations are being found in many rooms of people's homes, not just nurseries and children's bedrooms. Whilst boys bedrooms are rarely pink, interior designers are using bold colours such as post office red, orange and even black to create inspirational kid's rooms which break the boundaries of use of colour without treading on the toes of those who remain steadfast in their stereotypical assumptions!

Image: Belle Maison

Trend Alert: Soft or Antiqued Brass

Palmer Weiss A few years ago the very notion of brass fixtures was positively revolting. The polished brass faucets, door knobs and shower enclosures that were all the rage in the late '80s and early '90s had become the ugly duckling of the design world by the late '90s and early 2000s as designers and builders began favoring bronze over brass as the new metal du jour. Despite this fall from

Modern and Luxury Entrance Halls

Entrance Halls Design Modern Entrance HallEach home begins with the entrance hall. Opening the door, man makes the first step in your modern home, entering into the hall. Say there is no second chance for a first good impression.Therefore, though sometimes underestimated, the entrance hall is a good chance for first impression of the property. Therefore itdeserves the same attention as other

Modern Wood Furniture

Wood Furniture Ideas Modern Wood FurnitureOkay, so to decide which type of wood furniture will have. Wood patio  furniture is almost always a winner. Has the unique modern ability to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings while providing comfort and sleek look.But there is no need for me to convince you more than you may already decision. They key is now to ensure that your patio wood

Elegant LAMPS

Great Lamps Ideas Modern LapmsNowadays, the variety of types, patterns and forms in lamps and lighting is really great. And when the modern lamp is not only a source of light, but also accessory in your home, here it will take time and will meet briefly with a few species. Energy Saving LampHalogen and energy saving lamp.Alone  itself it is unique since it uses the traditional lamp called. bulbs.

Modern Leather Living Room Furniture

Leather Living Room Furniture Modern Leather FurnitureOr you do - or not. Material processed animal leather is the subject of disputes, bias, moral positions, status strivings in. .. pure adoration. If you are in a shiny blanket with a slight scent of modern  leather , and it did not feel a sense of guilt or "oh, horror, I do not deserve such a modern  - it means you understand the importance of

Mood Board Monday: Glamorous Bathroom

German Silver Bowfront Chest (Wisteria; $2499)Today is Mood Board Monday over at Pewter + Sage. The challenge this week was to design a room around one of two gorgeous chests from Wisteria. I selected the German Silver Bowfront Chest for its gorgeous hand-applied silver-leaf finish and its charming glass hardware. I decided to do something a bit different this time by repurposing this chest as a

Innovative Ideas For Work Stations

Finding a suitable place for a work station can be difficult, you don't want to end up in the cellar or squeezed in under the stairs which often happens! If you are fortunate enough to have a bay window in your lounge or dining room this makes a great place to work giving you lots of natural light to work by.

I love this idea, with fabric Roman blinds or roll-up blinds and the use of sheer voile curtain panels which provide a soft shimmering light effect, furthermore by using a bay window you can even have curtains on the outside of the bay enabling you to completely hide your work station at the end of your working day, if you don't have a bay window a good alternative is to make your work station blend in with your interior simply by adding a vase of flowers and a table lamp. I love the idea of the glass egg timer!

Hiding or disguising your work station is important if you don't have a separate room, otherwise you may find yourself constantly being reminded of work that needs to be completed or the urge just to do a little more!

Believe me, it's true working from home has it advantages, but it also its disadvantages! You have to be very firm with yourself as it is very easy to become distracted or on the other hand you can find that you end up working 24/7!

Image: Two Ellie

Modern and Luxury Bedroom Linen

Modern Bedroom Linen Modern Bedroom LinenIf you are looking for ways to make your bedroom cozy, pleasant and modern place, the first thing you should consider are the fashion trends of bed linen. If you want to keep up with fashion, think of luxury and warmth. Whether you prepare your bedroom for hot or cold months, and abide by the trends, consider the colors, the layers of linen and mixed

Home SPA Sauna Bath

Modern SPA Sauna Design Great Home Sauna BathTraditional hot sauna and its benefits is popular for centuries. Today, with the infrared sauna therapy that grew from a holistic approach to maintaining health in a real treatment method against some of the most serious diseases of mankind. Infrared rays penetrate deeply into the human body, reaching down into the muscles, organs and cellular level.

To Kindle or Not?

The controversy for me is to read a book on Kindle, or to hold a book in your hands? Here is what I have decided. There is a place for both. There are certain books to read on Kindle. For me they are current best sellers that I usually devour, and having read them once they are cast to a separate and less prominent position on my bookshelf. It seems a waste of paper to me to have stacks of books that I will only read once. And another advantage of Kindle is that you can have that book instantly downloaded onto your Kindle wirelessly and be reading with no wasted time (and time is a precious commodity) standing in line at the bookstore or waiting for it to arrive by mail.

The new Kindle DX comes with a larger 9.7” display and I am debating on whether to wait until they come out with a color screen. I discovered that they now have Kindle for PC & iPhone (free download). I downloaded Kindle for PC last weekend and really enjoyed the ease of reading on my laptop. You can turn the pages in a nano second, which is good for speed reading certain types of books and I liked the illuminated screen for reading at night. I have read two bestsellers on Kindle for PC : The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande & Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell – both excellent books.

But then there are books that defy the use of Kindle for me, and those are the books that I want to hold in my hands, smell the pages, turn the pages, start reading from the back of the book, explore the beautiful pictures , arrange them in alluring stacks on my coffee table, line them up as works of art on my bookshelf. There is nothing as delightful to me as owning and reading a precious first edition.

1st Edition 1940 – I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson

So what do you think – to read a book on Kindle or hold it in your hands?

Patricia Gray is an award winning Interior Designer in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design. 2010 © Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog™

The Story of A Few Throw Pillows

I realize that I haven't posted any updates on decorating my new house in the past few months, and that's because that progress ground to halt sometime back in November when work and social obligations overwhelmed me and all but shut down my decorating élan. But with the start of the new year has come an fresh burst of inspiration as I've made a number of great finds for the new house. Today

Featured Home 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Architectural Digest's February issue has just hit the newsstands and they have done a special Travel section for the 2010 Winter Olympics and my "Gastown" Project in Vancouver is featured.

Click on above image to see entire project.

To view the slide show on-line click here.

Patricia Gray is an award winning Interior Designer in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.

On My Love of Quatrefoil

My love affair with quatrefoil is hardly new for those of you who've been following this blog for a while as the motif has frequently popped up in my mood boards for the new house. Like greek key, I find it hard to resist just about any product that includes even just a hint of the motif. While the roots of the symbol are ancient, and the motif is frequently found in both Gothic and Moorish

Elegant Kitchen Interior and Decorations

Modern Kitchen Interior and Decorations Kitchen Interior and DecorationsThis article about a kitchen interior will look new to this funny question. It will give you the facts you should know best when it comes to modern home decoration. We spend so much time in the modern kitchen, cooking and entertaining family and friends. It only makes sense that you want the kitchen to be attractive and

Modern Mirrors Design

Mirrors Design Ideas Modern MirrorsThe fact is that people want to see themselves and how to do this is called a draw with a modern mirror. This is really very simple invention is usually done with a piece of glass and metal coating on the glass. The coating produces reflection.People were always curious and propeller, so that in the early days they would be pieces of copper, tin or silver polish

Luxury Interior Design

Luxury Interior DesignLuxury and Modern Interior DecorationModern Wallpaper DesignModern Doors DesignModern Home Carpet DesignContemporary Home LightingModern and Elegant Wallpapers ideas and tipsModern and Luxury CarpetsModern and Luxury interior Ideas decorationsModern and Elegant SofasModern and Elegant Living Rooms FurnitureModern Wallpaper Design IdeasModern Office Furniture  Modern and

Modern Interior Design Ideas

Modern Interior Design Modern Interior Design Homeowner looking to add some much needed excitement to your house interior design ? If so, then the demand for interior design ideas will be long and difficult, without some interior ideas and themes to begin with. There are an infinite amount of inspiration almost everywhere you look. Most owners agree that the most difficult challenge is

Wonderful White Bedrooms

I have to admit that I am more than just a white admirer! As white is the ideal colour to give you a blank canvas on which to work and create stunning interiors, 9 times out of 10 I will elect to choose white as the main stay and foundation of every room!

I think it's because white always gives a crisp clean look to a room, which can be teamed with any other colour and still look spectacular. There is more to white than you may first imagine as even white has a wide range of different shades and hues.

Terms such as winter white, ivory white and not forgetting the paint ranges which were very popular a few years ago which had a hint of colour with white as the basis. Apple white is a beautiful colour which provides an all year round look of freshness. Rose White is ideal for bedrooms as it gives a gentle soft look to a room and of course a touch of blue and white are ideal partners for bathrooms.

However, you do have to be careful if you only going to use white otherwise it can actually look very cold hence the expression ice white! We've all seen enough of the white stuff outside in recent days and so rather than your interior turning out to be a slushy snow colour you need to be careful which shade of white you choose!

White bedrooms create a look of peace, calm and serenity. Bedding sets in white are ideal, if you are fortunate enough to have a bedroom which has a bay window lightweight voile curtains hung from white bay window poles add a graceful charm which is easy and inexpensive to replicate.

Image: Villa Anna

White Paint and Other White Necessities

I have to admit a secret of mine...I am a white SNOB - okay now you know my innermost secret. I use only white candles, white dishes, white towels, white flowers (although I have been known to buy colored tulips), and white sheets. Nothing is more classic than white.  White dishes set off the food on them perfectly. I cannot have a good sleep on anything other than white sheets, and white candles and white towels are absolute.

In interiors I love how white highlights good architecture, and any object in the room that has "good bones." White walls are a good backdrop for objects d' art and paintings that are placed in the room - white walls give focus to the lines of the items that are juxtaposed in front of them. 

Painting a room white can make it have surprising depth. When I design an all-white room I use several different shades of white to bring out the architectural details, or I layer the space with strong forms in different tones and textures of white and then use some strong color contrasts to outline and bring the white into focus.  My all time favorite white color is - Benjamin Moore paint Cloud White. It is a very soft white and easy to live with. It has a chameleon effect - taking on the colors of what is set next to it and changing in tone at various times of the day. Not every white is snow white. Try using whites tinted with: ivory, cream, antique white, and palest beige, blue and yellow. An interesting fact on the popularity of white is that Benjamin Moore has over 140 whites to choose from. 

To maximize the light in a room I chose a paint with a semigloss finish rather than the latex matte finish more usual on walls. The "chalkier" matte finish absorbs light; the semi-gloss is more reflective.

Some of my favorite whites I use are are from Benjamin Moore: Cloud White, Simply White, Ballet White, White Dove, White Linen and Designer White.

 
 
   
  
  
Photo Credits

1, 2 MLK Studio via All the Best 3 JK Hotel Milan 4 David Schefer 5 Helen Hennie 6 Trevor Tondro 7 ,8,9 Jennifer Post 10 Ptithabibi Morocco, Towels

Patricia Gray is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT  in the world of Interior Design.
2010 © Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog™

Modern Wallpaper Design

Modern Wallpaper Ideas Modern Wallpaper Design Мodern wallpaper again is a key factor in the interior. Beautiful and alluring proposals have led many people to turn back to them, perhaps still with some reservations. But the new modern wallpaper time is fascinating not only beautiful, they are designed to facilitate our maximum. What can we rely? Quality, design, brand? When it comes to wallpaper

Modern Doors Design

Modern Doors Modern DoorComposite modern doors are made of different materials such as aluminum, UPvc and fiberglass. These materials are not only strong, but durable, and thus makes the structure of the door to more durable. Composite doors made of aluminum are Rust-free, healthy, safe, and last much longer than doors made from other material. Composite modern doors are not only long, they are

Dining Room Chairs

Dining Room Chairs Design Dining ChairsWant to beautify your dining room? In the dining room is one of the most common used furniture in the house and dining room chairs should look beautiful enough to have a wonderful dining experience. There are some guidelines in buying the best dining room chairs. Firstly, you must make sure that you clean and well-furnished dining room table with a center

Contemporary Home Lighting

Contemporary Lighting Ideas Contemporary Home Lighting Using advanced lighting in your home is a great way to turn sentiment. The great thing about contemporary lighting is that it can easily complement any home.Contemporary lighting is effective in making the feelings you introduce the mood of calm to energetic to romantic. If you have not yet considered to obtain contemporary lighting in your

Bathroom Decorations Ideas

Bathroom Decorations Design Bathroom DecorationsHave the right bathroom decorations makes the difference between a boring bathroom, and that actually shows how much they care about the way your house looks. Remember that your bathroom decorations show off your tastes as much or more as available to the rest of the house, so you really can do everything you can to make sure everything just

Modern and Elegant Sofas

Great Sofas for your Home Modern SofasFrom the perspective of modern furniture ,  sofa means something comfortable for long conversations. Modern sofa, where more than one person can sit at a time are designed for orientation and relaxation. Although nowadays, sofa refers to any modern sofa, but originally it was referred to luxuriously cushioned seats for guests. Modern sofas are now considered

Bedroom Furniture Design

Bedroom Furniture Ideas Bedroom Furniture Bedroom may be the most likely room where you want to freshen, to take a break and goes to sleep, of course. So one has to take care of every aspect of bedroom furniture and how to decor, because such a nice arrangement of the apartment can give you more peace of breeze to the eyes and body. Even with such innovative things will improve after your holiday

Modern Living Room Furniture

Living Room Furniture Ideas Living Room Furniture Living room furniture to demonstrate its design and taste. Living room furniture consists of sofas, coffee tables, display cabinets, dressers, Futon chairs and beds, and bean beanbags and chairs, and TV stands, Plasma mounting systems, wooden TV stands and Bello TV stands, Technical Craft Stands etc. So always design and preparation of the budget

Modern Home Carpet Design

Modern Home Carpet Ideas Modern Home CarpetModern home carpethave gained a great popularity in interior design in recent years. When it comes to the best interior design at affordable prices,modern home carpet  are those that are looking for. With very low maintenance and easy installation, area modern home carpet are the most preferred objects of the best Interior Designers.Modern Home

Monochrome Interiors

Monochrome is a term generally used to describe painting, drawing, design, or photography in one color or shades of one color. A monochrome object or image is one whose range of colors consists of shades of a single color or hue. I have shown a monochrome interior in shades of white, but monochrome interiors can also be in shades of green, blue, red, etc. I particularly like this Monochrome interior - Blue Fin Restaurant at the W in New York, because of the way pattern and texture were used to give interest and drama to an otherwise all white space. I haven't eaten here yet, but I want to....I wonder if the food is as good as the design?

If anyone has dined at this restaurant, please let me know.

Photo: Monochrome Interior -The Blue Fin Restaurant W New York Times Square, Interior design Yabu Pushellberg

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Modern Dining Room Furniture

Dining Room Furniture Dining Room FurnitureTo have as a separate dining room furniture  with large dining table and chairs in the center around it, has always been the privilege of the wealthy. Ancient rule, stay at home, no matter what the occasion (sad or hilarious) felt the best hospitality in the abundance of food offered. That is why we pay close attention to the dining room furniture, a

Trend Alert: Colorful Ceilings

Canadian House & Home, January 2010 There's a lot of talk in the design world about the dangers inherent in ignoring the "fifth wall", but honestly, I'd say 90% of the time a white ceiling is perfectly acceptable, even preferable. But if you're looking for some extra credit, then upping the ante by decorating your ceiling can really take your room to the next level.This month's issue of Canadian

Gas Fireplaces Design

Gas Fireplace Ideas Gas FireplaceMany people change their fireplaces with wood fireplaces that run on gas. By using natural gas or propane need to clean the waste incinerated and the ash tree is removed, and the cost of wood. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you want to change the gas, it is easier to select a free-standing fireplace - a separate module that can put in each room. Gas

Great Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinets Ideas Kitchen Cabinets The kitchen is a favorite spot where they spend most every hour of the day when you're at home, home improvement project in this area will serve the most rewarding. And kitchen cabinets among the most visible features in it, nothing can spruce up by adding additional functionality to the site to replace the kitchen cabinets.Kitchen Cabinets Re-lining or

Modern Office Furniture

Office Furniture Ideas Office Furniture Well, what comes to mind when you need to purchase office furniture? Of course, the first question that comes to your mind is where to buy office furniture. We all know that there are over a hundred stores that provide sales of office furniture in the UK alone. The best thing to do at this point is to find a company that sells the best range of office of

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas Kitchen Remodeling Over time, more and more New York owners have braved as remodeling the kitchen is due to the many proven benefits of the project poses. Not only will it greatly enhance the way family life but also contribute to the total value of your home. And with an average ROI of 80 to 85 percent in some paying off for him during a resale, many of them are like the

Modern and Luxury Bathroom

Modern Bathroom Modern Bathroom Everyone loves the beauty and elegance. This desire is evident when I think about people who have their own modern home. In the house of your dreams, equipped with all modern amenities and is beautifully decorated eternal desire of every human being. People spend much money on making their dream homes. One of the most important points of any home is the modern

Ignore The Cold And Spend Time Looking At Inspirational Ideas To Transform Your Home!

Forget the fact that it's freezing cold outside and spend time in the warmth of your own home looking at inspirations to transform your home in 2010 into the chic and stylish interior you dream of!

One of this years trends is to use as much natural light as possible, this is not only a great way of reducing your electricity bill, it is also a very worthwhile way to look at new ways to dress your windows.

Although we have seen the use of blinds and curtains being used in conjunction with each other for many years, the 2009 trend of using lightweight voile curtains teamed with natural bamboo or wood weave Roman blinds is going to continue this year as well.

Not only do these make very stylish window dressings they are also an extremely cost-effective way to dress your windows. Wood-weave Roman blinds are the perfect partner for white voile curtains, with one complementing the other perfectly.

If you need a little more substance to your window dressing lined voile curtains are also available in a wide range of colours and patterns. Fitting blinds inside the recess of your windows will also help to retain heat as well as providing you privacy at night when internal artificial lighting is being used.

Image: Haven and Home

5 iPhone Apps for Interior Design

I got a new iPhone in December and I have been getting familiar with iPhone Apps. These applications or Apps (for short) are wonderful software programs that are installed directly on the screen of your iPhone - most are free to download, or have a nominally small fee.

These are the iPhone Apps that I have downloaded so far that are proving to be very helpful:

1. Flashlight iPhone App - This App fills the screen of your iPhone with bright white illuminating light. I used it on a job-site last week to look behind a wall to check the position of the gas line in a kitchen renovation. I will also have it handy next time I am in a dimly lit restaurant and can't read the menu!

2. iHandy Level iPhone App - very handy for leveling pictures on the wall, checking that a table is level, etc.

3. Digital Mag iPhone App - great for magnifying those hard to read dimensions on floor plans....also works great to read small print disclaimers, menus, etc.

4. Ben Color Capture iPhone App - I love this one. You take a picture with your iPhone and it matches it up with the exact Benjamin Moore paint color.

5. MacBox Units iPhone App - Units is a really useful app for the iPhone that lets you easily convert from various units into lots of others. Units can convert Area, Currency, Energy, Temperature, Time, Length, Weight, Speed, Pressure, Power, and Volume. As an added bonus Units also has a built in ruler, for doing small, quick measurements when the need arises.

*Best of all Flashlight, IHandy, Digital Mag, Ben Color Capture, and Units are all free iPhone Apps

Please let me know what iPhone Apps you have found helpful by leaving a comment here.

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Let It Shine Even During The Winter!

One of the most popular interior design trends is to use a combination of curtains and blinds as window dressings. Blinds appear to be gradually replacing the humble net curtain which is used basically to prevent passers by being able to see inside your home during the day time.

New trends have a more open approach with the focus being on making the most of natural light whenever possible. This is not only a cost effective way of reducing lighting bills, but also an effective method of reducing your carbon footprint, why use artificial light when you can have light for free!

White is a great reflector of natural light, as such white blinds and curtains are the perfect solution for harvesting free light within your home. You can also use cheap Venetian blinds, if you need privacy, and by slightly angling the slats upwards you can bounce natural light from a white ceiling back down into the room, another great energy saver!

Despite the typical English weather even when its raining natural light is still available, it's just not as intense! Of course blinds are also ideal for reducing heat build up during the summer, especially if you have south facing windows and snow is white which is also a great reflector of natural light! It's a win, win situation all round!

Image: Style Court

Luxury lighting interior design

Lighting Interior DecorationModern Living room lightning interior designShine the light of a lamp placed properly, some furniture or ornaments can stand in the room and contribute to its desired form. When lampionat except a chair, not only color and shape stand out, but it itself affects more inviting. Using directional lighting is possible to emphasize one or other colors of a picture and

Virtual Vacation: Mexico

As much of the country settles in for a bitterly cold weekend, I can't help but daydream a bit about being somewhere (anywhere!) else. Some place warm, sunny, beautiful and near the water is just the ticket to chasing away the winter blues. Besides, after limping my way through my first week back after a 10 day vacation, I'll admit that I (quite unjustifiably) feel that I'm due for another break

Crystal Renn: A New Kind of {Role} Model

For most Americans, the start of a new year heralds the start of yet another diet and/or exercise regime. And I'm no different. Indeed, losing weight has been at the top of my annual resolutions' list for much of my adult life. While I manage to lose (and then gain) the same 15 pounds that I've struggled against since high school, I've never managed to keep said pounds off for more than a year or

Happy Birthday to Odi et Amo!

Amy Atlas EventsI began this little blog exactly one year ago today. At the time, I started Odi et Amo as a way to combat some intense boredom at work (last winter my company was in serious turmoil and we were all but shut down). Little did I know how big a part of my life blogging would become over the course of 2009. Not only has Odi et Amo's readership grown well beyond my circle of friends

Modern and Luxury children's rooms decoration Ideas

Modern children's Rooms Modern green Kids Room InteriorIf you want to shape the more fantastic kind of child's playground or children's room separate note, and the walls, painted them with interesting stories about the or other favorite pieces for him. Be sure to include your child in this fascinating activity, but when you finish with all major furniture around, allow the child to rearrange

Luxury Living Room

Luxury Living Room DesignModern Living Room InteriorYou are required to understand what is the purpose of the room and what atmosphere you want to create it, ie which of the two options will target: a large living room or a luxury for most people your relatives. If you prefer a cozy room, your attention should be directed to the distribution and design of furniture with an emphasis on couches and

Luxury Color interior decoration

Luxury Interior with Colors Decoration Ideas Modern Blue Interior Design The blue brings breath of wind and air. Its variations are a symbol of freshness and serenity. Shades of blue from the dark, passing through the turquoise sky and reach. They are suitable backdrop for furniture from mahogany and walnut. By sky optical space expands and is suitable for small rooms - a bedroom or nursery. It

Beautiful Bedroom Roman Blinds

Make use of the winter daylight by using beautiful Roman blinds which coordinate with your bedding. The diffuse light effects create a feeling of subtle warmth during the daytime. At night fully lined Roman blinds with a thermal backing are the ideal window dressing in bedrooms creating chic styling with a modern twist on traditionalism.

Ready made blinds are available on the whole host of wonderful colours and patterned fabrics to suit your décor and your budget effortlessly! Opt for this year's hottest colour trends of a combination of subtle dove greys and shades of yellow, try using yellows which have a leaning towards gold for a chic refinement!

For those who love DIY it's even possible to coordinate a chest of drawers by simply gluing the same fabric to the front of the drawers! For those keen on making their own bespoke furnishings Roman blind kits are the ideal solution which enable you to use the same fabric either on furniture, foot stalls and lampshades.

Give yourself some interior design projects to focus on this year rather than wishing you had and never quite getting round to it! Browse online blogs thumb your way through some interior design magazines which are full of inspirational ideas for you to emulate or which will inspire you to try your hand at a wide range of different crafts to make your home totally unique!

Image: {This is glamorous}

Kristen Hutchins' Den

A few weeks ago I came across the work of California-based designer Kristen Hutchins, who recently launched her own design company after working for both Ruthie Sommers and Kelly Wearstler. Once you've had the opportunity to browse Kristen's entire portfolio, I think you'll agree with me that this girl has some serious talent. Her rooms are inventive, colorful and pulled together, but also

Fabrizio Plessi's Venetian Palazzo

Perfection!

Fabrizio Plessi's Venetian Palazzo

Fabrizio Plessi's Venetian Palazzo

Fabrizio Plessi's Venetian Palazzo
Interiors Magazine Photos: Paolo Utimpherger Magazine Cover: Photos Nathan Kirkman / Design Wendy Posard

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Happy New Year!

I hope everyone capped off 2009 with a wonderful and festive evening. I'm signing off for the weekend, but I'll be back next week, refreshed and renewed for what I can only hope will be a great 2010. This year, I toyed with the idea of dispensing with New Year's resolutions altogether; after all, why set myself up for failure with a slew of resolutions that I'll just break before January is over?