The Best Slipcovers

What's Hot - Leather Slipcovers

                                                                                                         John Saladino Leather Slipcovers

Slipcovers are a fitted protective cover that may be slipped off and on a piece of upholstered furniture. Slipcovers are usually made of cloth. Slipcovers may be removed for seasonal change, cleaning, moving, or storage. Slipcovers are sometimes defined as "clothing for furniture." They are tailored just as clothing is, and are fitted loosely or snugly to the taste of the owner or tailor. Some people order furniture upholstered in plain muslin slipcovers with the intention of using only the slipcovers.

slip·cov·ers noun Date:1856

What a great way to update the look of upholstered leather chairs by using leather for slipcovers instead of the more traditional tight leather upholstery technique. It adds a whole new dimension to the "leather" look. Slipcovers are a great alternative and they give a more casual feel to furniture. You can change the look of your room by having an extra set of slipcovers and by changing these slipcovers seasonally you have a brand new decor. Leather slipcovers may be all that your existing chairs need to update them. The new faux leather on the market has the advantage of being easy to clean. And for higher end faux leather products, it is hard to tell the difference from real leather, unless you give it the leather 'sniff test'.

  
Slipcovers
Lane Industries Leather Slipcovers left, John Saladino center & right  
Leather Slipcovers 'Harley Chair' center John Saladino Leather Slipcovers 'Cassandra Chair' right

Food for thought: John Saladino is the designer of the Harley and Cassandra Leather slipcovered chairs above. He has several meticulously designed and detailed chairs with leather slipcovers in his exclusive 'Saladino Style' line which he has carried for years. As a matter of fact, John Saladino is 'known' for leather slipcovers in the world of design by professional designers. Interior Designers/Decorators are usually the first to create a design that is fresh and new and then it eventually filters down to the mass market like the current "What's Hot" fad for Leather Slipcovers, which is now being seen in mass production in the example of the chair on the left above by Lane Furniture. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with mass produced furniture, but what I lament is that the original designer of the concept is often forgotten and not recognized in the wake of the new trend. In Italy they have an award that is given out each year called the Compasso d'Oro. It publicly acknowledges the contribution by designers of outstanding products made in Italy. Many of the designs that have won awards are now so fully encompassed into our every day lives that we take them for granted. Last year a Compasso d'Oro award in Italy was presented to the American designer Karim Rashid for a dresser he designed for an Italian Company. I admire the Italians for honoring their designers and giving them the acknowledgment that they deserve. Unfortunately we do not have a national award such as this in North America to foster pride in the great designers that contribute so much to the quality of our lives.

Leather Slipcovers

Leather Slipcovers

Leather Slipcovers John Saladino 
 
Books by John Saladino 
Villa by John Saladino Style by John Saladino

 

For further reading on John Saladino you might be interested in these posts:
John Saladino / Today I am Loving / Inspirational Quotes

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™

Creating Office Spaces At Home

If you are one of the 2 million unemployed in the UK no doubt you have some careful consideration to starting your own business? Or you may have had the brilliant idea of working from home?

Without sounding pedantic there is more to working from home than many people imagine and it’s one of things you either grow to love or simply just can’t bear as it can be quite a lonely existence.

You have to be quite a disciplined type of person to successfully work at home, it’s very tempting not to get dressed until midday and stop just to put the washing on. Before you know where you are little actual work has been accomplished at it’s already late afternoon!

If are giving serious consideration to working from home it is essential that you find a suitable work space or office. It would be fool hardy, in my opinion, to think that you can squeeze yourself and your work station into the broom cupboard! People have tried and usually failed.

Ideally you should have your own office type space either in a room of its own or in a corner of a dinning area. If you have an actual office it can be decorated with homely touches which are not usually found in a business environment such as wallpaper which blends with the style of your home and yet still remain business like.

Creating an office can be achieved on a tight budget. There is no need to have expensive computer stations and swivel chairs. As long as the space has plenty of natural light, cheap vertical blinds so that you can angle the louvres them to prevent too much glare from the sun and help keep the room cool in the summer, add masses of storage space and you can create a work comfortable area that will certainly do to begin with!

Choose colours which will inspire you and brighten your mood without distracting you for the tasks at hand, namely work!

Image source: Bloomacious

A Cool Canopy Bed

A Cool Canopy Bed

This picture of this interesting canopy bed was sent to me by Ivan Meade, and is designed by
Asli Tunca, who is a designer in Turkey. She does beautiful minimalist work using stunning antiques.
Ivan recently did an interview with her -In Conversation with Asli Tunca & Carl Vercauteren

Other posts on this subject you might be interested in:
DIY Canopy Beds
White Bedrooms
Chic White Bedrooms
Another White Bedroom

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture, and travel,
as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

8 Top Ceiling Treatments

Top Ceiling Treatments

Ceilings left untreated are one of my pet peeves. Walls and floors get all the attention. Why are ceilings neglected, when they are one of the largest surfaces in a room and are a perfect opportunity for adding an extra dimension to the room.

1. Faux Finish Ceiling Treatment - Add interest to your ceiling treatment by painting on a pattern or a Faux Finish.

2. Medallion Ceiling Treatment - A ceiling medallion treatment is usually in the form of an ornate rosette. Most are round, but for something unique they are also available square or oval. It can be an interesting feature to add to a contemporary setting.

 

 

3. Tudor Style Ceiling Treatment - This ceiling treatment can look equally good in a modern setting or a traditional setting.

 

4. Honeycomb Ceiling Treatment - A contrasting honeycomb pattern adds drama and focus to this ceiling treatment.

 

5. Contemporary Dropped Ceiling Treatment - This home from Budapest uses a contemporary ceiling treatment by varying heights & geometric patterns. Notice the square recessed pot lights.

 

 

6. Painted Ceiling Treatment - Painted stripes on this ceiling treatment. This is fun and creates visual interest on the ceiling.

  

7.  Coffered Ceiling Treatment - Coffered ceiling treatments are an great way to add architectural focus to your ceiling.

 

8. Pressed Tin Ceiling Treatment - See Architectural Depot for some great Tin Ceiling Tiles

 

 

Photo credits:
1. Stephen Sills 2. unknown 3. Design Inc / House Beautiful Ginger Barber
4. Parlor Steakhouse NYC 5. www.suto.hu 6. Domino Jenna Lyons
7. Unknown top, Windsor Smith bottom two photos 8. House Beautiful

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™

It's All In Black And White!

Monotone bedroom can create the illusion of both space and grandeur. This fabulous bedroom combines all things black and white with great effect.

I love the chunky bed with the contrasting luxury of the white chaise lounge and the alternative stance of using black for the flooring and door frames to create such an elegant look to this room. The whole concept blends effortlessly together with the paisley black and white rectangular patterned rug placed strategically between the two resting areas.

This look could easily be replicated on a budget. White emulsion paint for the walls and ceiling and paint the floor with black paint which is scratch and mark resistant. If you have an outdated headboard and bed frame this could be either painted black or use imagination and create a fabric headboard which compliments cheap large rugs which can be found online or in fabric warehouses.

The whole room should be kept simple without the addition of fussy ornaments. Opt for scatter cushions to make as the accent pieces for the bed. If you can’t afford a chaise lounge, a large comfortable chair would look equally effective. Use a cheap white throw with a cushion of a different shape but in the same fabric as the one used on the bed.

This room shows no curtains or blinds for the door onto the terrace, however full length sheer curtains in white voile would compliment the room beautifully.

As with all interior design be inspired by what other have successfully created. The dimensions of your room may not be as generous but with a little imagination stunning bedrooms can be easily achieved which don’t cost a fortune!

For image source and further black and white inspirational ideas visit Freshome