design Archives - Page 31 of 40

Walter Arnold: The Art of Abandonment

Arnold’s series “The Art of Abandoment” has taken him to a host of dream-like places, from empty and decaying castles to haunted looking asylums.

I first became acquainted with Walter Arnold‘s photography after a friend saw his work at the iconic Woolworth Walk in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. A Florida native, Arnold eventually made his home in the mountains of North Carolina. The local natural beauty surrounding his new home inspired Arnold to pick up camera and learn photography. One day, he stumbled across an airplane graveyard and discovered a passion for abandonment photography — the art of photographing places and things that have been left behind.

Arnold’s series The Art of Abandoment has taken him to a host of dream-like places, from empty and decaying castles to haunted looking asylums. He has a gift for capturing the unusual light of these forgotten places. His photographs allow us to glimpse the beauty that used to exist in many places. They invoke a kind of stillness and leave viewers wanting to know more about why these places were abandoned.

What I love about these photos is that they show the complete opposite of what we design and curate. These are places that are no longer cared for. In spite of the decay and ruin, you can still see the architecture, what once was there, and find inspiration in the beauty of desolation.

It's Always Summer Here — It’s Always Summer Here

Arnold’s photos are available as metal prints, meaning the images are actually infused into the surface of a sheet of aluminum before being treated with a high gloss finish. The resulting print is astonishingly vibrant, lending a light to the abandonment photos that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

You can see more of Walter Arnold’s photography on his website. You can also find him on Facebook.

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.

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.

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.

What would your ideal playroom look like?

Design Dose

The design is the sum of the details.

Design Dose

Create a bright spot for yourself.

Swings

Few things evoke the carefree feelings of childhood like a swing.

Few things evoke the carefree feelings of childhood like a swing. There’s something about kicking up your feet and defying gravity that brings out your inner child. Even gently rocking back and forth on a swing can be so relaxing. There are some great ways to incorporate a swing into your home, inside or out.

Indoor swing by Studio 80 Interior Design.

Open space with swing designed by Alexander Gorlin.

Swing table designed by Christopher Duffy

Not all swings are playthings. I love the idea of a big swing as a piece of outdoor furniture. With comfortable, weather proof cushions, an outdoor swing is a great alternative to a traditional chaise or your typical porch swing.

Indoor swings can take so many forms. You really can take this idea and adapt to almost any interior, modern or rustic. With a cozy throw or a custom pillow, a swing becomes the perfect spot to relax.

What kind of swing would you love to have in your home?

Cover photo via RedAgape Blog

Design Dose

Create a beautiful place to relax.

Bold and Graphic Tile

For a truly customized look, you simply can’t go wrong with tile.

For a truly customized look, you simply can’t go wrong with tile. When tiling, you can really splurge on something special. Whether you go with stone, glass, ceramic, cement, or porcelain, tile allows for so much creativity. The choices today for stunning tiles are nearly endless, but I really love the idea of using bold, graphic tiles for an unforgettable look.

Metal Etched Copper Tile Bar — Metal Etched Copper from Tile Bar

cle watermark tile — Watermark Tile from Cle

Porcelanosa Lines Safary White — Lines in Safary White from Porcelanosa

I like tiles with big geometric patterns. Great tiles aren’t just for the floor. Tile makes a fantastic backdrop in nearly any room — it doesn’t have to remain in the bathroom. Bold tiles can be used to create accents customized with a range of different colors. The possibilities are endless! A custom tile design can really evoke someone’s personality — playful, colorful, and vibrant.

Cosmos Nero Tile Bar — Cosmos in Nero from Tile Bar

Some of my favorite patterns have a Marrakech or Turkish kind of feeling to them. Many have Moorish-inspired patterns that evoke a history even when updated with colors for today.

Kitchen design by Amy Aidinis Hirsch LLC

Design Dose

The design is in the details.

Design Dose

Welcome home.

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.

Owners 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.

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.

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