Rope Furniture

The nautical look of rope furniture definitely has the spirit of summer.

With the dog days of summer nearing an end, I am still hanging on to the spirit of the season.  The nautical look of rope furniture definitely has this same spirit!

Studio Rik Ten Velden
Studio Rik Ten Velden
Luke Lamp Co
Luke Lamp Co
christian astuguevielle 1
Christian Astuguevielle

These examples of rope furniture are so beautifully made and well crafted.  Each piece is a work of art.  I love how rope, a simple fiber, is translated into something sculptural for the home.

Teak Warehouse
Teak Warehouse
Lighting from Room
Lighting from Room
Marta Coffee Table from Room
Marta Coffee Table from Room
Jamie Young, Jute Urn
Jamie Young, Jute Urn

I also like how this type of furniture is open to interpretation.  It can be whimsical and quirky, a indication you don’t take things too seriously.  You can use one or two pieces of rope furniture to soften a space, or go full force and use them throughout a room.  It would be fun to combine rope elements with something more formal, playing with that juxtaposition.  So many possibilities!

Made Goods
Made Goods
Gordon Console, One Kings Lane
Gordon Console, One Kings Lane
Palecek
Palecek

 

 

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Play Rooms

A play room helps keep the rest of your home, including your child’s bedroom, free of toys.

Many parents choose to dedicate one room in the home as a child’s playroom.  This is a great way to keep the clutter of toys to a minimum.  It also lets you maintain the child’s bedroom as a place to rest and spend quiet time.  In other words, a play room helps keep the rest of your home, including your child’s bedroom, free of toys.

Design by Wynne Taylor Ford
Design by Wynne Taylor Ford
By Sara Bederman Design
By Sara Bederman Design

Because the primary purpose of a playroom is to give a child a place to have fun inside, the room should be whimsical and inviting.  Think vibrant color, ample light, and plenty of space to move around.  The playroom must have enough room for little bodies to burn off excess energy.  It should include plenty of storage for toys, books, and craft supplies.  The nature of a playroom means fabrics should be durable and easy to clean.  Adding furnishings that are comfortable for parents as well as kids makes the playroom a spot where the whole family can have fun together.

Whimsical playroom design by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.
Whimsical playroom design by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.
Playroom by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.
Playroom by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.

As kids get older, the nature of playtime changes.  A playroom that grows with your child is ideal.  Storage needs may change from places for toys to places for video games and board games.  Older kids prefer to socialize rather than just play, so the playroom will eventually become more of a hangout room.  Plan ahead for an entertainment system that easily transitions from movie time for toddlers to gaming time for teens.  When choosing a location for the playroom, keep in mind you’ll want a balance between supervision and privacy.  You should be able to hear your child playing without having to hover around the playroom.

By Robeson Design
By Robeson Design
Design by Oliver Burns
Design by Oliver Burns

What would your ideal playroom look like?

 

laV Restaurant and Wine Bar, Austin, TX

Located in Austin, Texas, laV Restaurant and Wine Bar is a beautiful place.

Located in Austin, Texas, laV Restaurant and Wine Bar is a beautiful place.  Designed by McAlpine Tankersley Architecture and interior designer Susan Ferrier, laV epitomizes the concept of sophisticated dining.

laV Austin TX 8Owners Ralph and Lisa Eads had a vision for laV centered around the idea of creating distinct rooms within the restaurant — casual outdoor dining, energetic wine bar, sophisticated lounge, welcoming dining room, and an elegant private wine room.  The overall atmosphere is warm and captivating.

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The architecture and the grand scale of LaV are beautiful but intimate, like a home.  I love the tufting and the height of the banquettes.  The haziness to murals creates a European flair, but mixed with an industrial vibe.  The atmosphere is so sultry — I feel like I could stay there for hours.  I love how they mix traditional lanterns with clusters of glass globes for a kind of yin and yang effect that works so well.   There’s such a calming palette with tones of moss and taupe.  It reminds me of wanting to be home.

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You can learn more about laV on their website or find them on Facebook.

CTC&G: Gorgeous Georgian

I’m so pleased to have one of my designs featured in the January 2016 issue of Connecticut Cottages and Gardens!

I’m so pleased to have one of my designs featured in the January 2016 issue of Connecticut Cottages and Gardens!  This Greenwich home belongs to a family who relocated from UK.  They wanted a complete remodel of the home to make it suitable for their lifestyle.  The design is formal enough to respect the architecture of the home but with an ease to accommodate a young family and their dog.  I hope you’ll pick up a copy of the magazine to read more about the details of this project!

Amy Aidinis Hirsch Greenwich Interior Design 6Amy Aidinis Hirsch Greenwich Interior Design 5Amy Aidinis Hirsch Greenwich Interior Design 4Amy Aidinis Hirsch Greenwich Interior Design 3Amy Aidinis Hirsch Greenwich Interior Design 2Amy Aidinis Hirsch Greenwich Interior Design 1

Chizi’s Tale

During this past weekend, my daughters and I had the opportunity to attend a book signing for Chizi’s Tale, hosted by the author, Jack Jones. Chizi’s Tale is the story of an orphaned baby black rhino discovered in Zimbabwe by two park rangers; the rhino, only a few days old, would be unable to survive the African wilderness alone. Determined to save the baby black rhino, the two park rangers notified the park manager, who took it upon himself to take the animal home with him.

During this past weekend, my daughters and I had the opportunity to attend a book signing for Chizi’s Tale, hosted by the author, Jack Jones.  Chizi’s Tale is the story of an orphaned baby black rhino discovered in Zimbabwe by two park rangers; the rhino, only a few  days old, would be unable to survive the African wilderness alone.  Determined to save the baby black rhino, the two park rangers notified the park manager, who took it upon himself to take the animal home with him.

Chizis Tale Amy Aidinis Hirsch Bspoke

Chizi’s Tale is a remarkable, moving story about an endearing and vulnerable rhino and the brave family helping him.  Both sincere and charming, the introduction to Chizi’s Tale  was a great way to bring awareness to my children.

A cousin of mine is currently climbing a mountain in Nepal to bring awareness to the endangerment of the black rhino.  The stories shared with me regarding the prestige poachers take in hunting the black rhino left me wondering whether Chizi will survive once released from his family  at age three.

Chizis Tale Amy Aidinis Hirsch Bspoke

Senior high-school student, Jack Jones is the author of the book, Chizi’s Tale.  Focused on preserving and protecting nature, Jones wrote Chizi’s Tale hoping to raise awareness.

Chizis Tale Amy Aidinis Hirsch Bspoke

The world took notice of the critically endangered black rhino in 1963, when a noticeable decline of the species was documented.  Reasons for population decreasing are attributed to poaching for pleasure and sustenance.  Due to conservation efforts, there has been a gradual increase in the black rhino’s population numbers.

Chizis Tale Amy Aidinis Hirsch Bspoke

To read more about the press, ordering information, or media kit regarding Chizi’s Tale, click here.

Chizi’s Tale is available for purchase at Diane’s Books on Grigg Street in Greenwich, Connecticut; all proceeds go to Tusk:  The Save the Rhino Trust.

To learn more about the endangerment of rhinos and how you can help, visit Tusk: The Save the Rhino Trust here.