Elements of Design, a luxury residential and commercial interior design firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, announced the acquisition of the branded domain name ElementsofDesign.com.

Owner and Lead Interior Designer, Lina Quintero, explains, “As a luxury interior design firm with a nationally recognized brand, it is significant for us to be able to assume the responsibility of brand management for ElementsofDesign.com and apply the standard of excellence that our clients have come to expect. The acquisition also allows us to leverage the reputation of our offline brand by capturing the type-in Internet traffic associated with Elements of Design.”

Quintero plans to expand the web presence of ElementsofDesign.com through a variety of strategic partnerships, web development projects, and Internet marketing pursuits.

Founded in 1992, Elements of Design is a full-service, interior design firm located in Scottsdale, Ariz. The studio, which caters to commercial interiors and high-end residential properties nationwide, features one of the largest showrooms in Arizona with an impressive inventory ranging from upholstered goods to accessories. It also provides an extensive line of environmentally friendly, eco-chic products and materials.

For more information, visit www.elementsofdesign.com.

Source: PR.com

It’s essential to be aware of a home’s architectural style In order to identify one’s needs and wishes in both aesthetic and functional.

An understanding will help in deciding what design direction to follow or to depart from.

Photo Credit: ffathers

If you purchased an old house that needs a lot of renovation like a Prairie Style which has plenty of dark oak on the walls and floors but you do not want to retain it. Try searching over the internet which allows you to learn that the Prairie Style emerged from the American Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Also, this design appeared first in the Midwest.

To exhibit simplicity, it has heavily timbered construction. It’s achieved not by means of light and airy interiors but on the basis of large-scale furnishings and the use of handcrafted natural materials.

This style of houses is often renovated with compatible materials yet still achieving a lighter look. And if you want to keep your home more or less intact, I suggest that you consult an interior designer to help you make the appropriate choices.

The bungalow have similarities to the praire home, it’s a modest version of an ambitious Arts and Crafts home which has a simple design and small scale.

Escaping from daily traffic, rushing and skipping breakfast are just some of the reasons why more and more people are working from home nowadays.

Different sort of technologies have been made available such like Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), broadband Internet connections and other software. The progress on technology and the world wide web has been the reason why the trend for having a home office has expanded. Thus, this trend helps us balance our professional and personal life at the comfort of our own home.

The home office should be distinct to any other place in your home since this is where you need an ambiance to work more efficiently and be productive whether it’s a full time, part time or even for those having a home-based business. In a well designed work space you’re likely to enjoy your work and get more done.

Photo Credit: interiorgallery

If you’re divulging to work at home, planning is what you need to start out with. The following are some basic guidelines to help you decide on how to create your own comfortable home office.

• First identify the nature of your work. Different careers demand different desk space. A software developer requires a smaller desk space when compare with a profession like interior designer.

• An extra room is an ideal place or if you don’t have any consider a right corner that is free from distractions and away from possible noises. Prefer a peaceful environment that would best allow your creativity to run free.

• Select the right furniture and fixture. Choose a comfortable chair and table that wouldn’t end you up with back pain and excruciating neck. Make certain to check your distance from the computer – should be on eye level and around 25 inches away from you.

• Proper lighting is one of the vital requirements for your home office. It is always best to have windows allowing the shades from sunlight and is also good for your health. Have warm fluorescents in your ceiling fixtures or place some lighting behind your computer to prevent strains on your eyes.

• Select the proper color that can kindle your mind to do more. Avoid dull colors like gray. White, yellow, blue and other light colors are simple and are said to have a positive bearing on our mind.

• Make your office clutter free and organized. Consider some space for storage where you can place supplies and other office tools. Wires can be an eyesore and would seem messy when not properly arranged. You may hide them behind or under the tables or you can buy some stuff to keep them concealed neatly.

• If you can’t afford an interior designer it doesn’t mean that designs are poor. You can add a personal touch to your office depending on your choice. Inexpensive accessories are made available anywhere. You may either add up family pictures, fresh flowers, or art frames.

Having your own office at home will make your life easier getting away from commuting and even staring at your closet wondering what attire to wear. You can even work at the comfort of your home while still wearing your pajamas!

For places with colder climates fireplace has been traditionally the central highlight of any household. Fireplaces create an atmosphere so fascinating that you desire to take a sit near them feeling the sensation of direct heat, and the riveting leaps and flickers of a wood fire. It is said to be the most ideal place at home where family gathers for conversation even before retiring to sleep especially during winter.

From the traditional use of wood, coal or peat burning fires, it has been innovated to make use of cleaner and safer natural gas fueled and electric fireplaces. Today, fireplaces of varying quality, materials and style are available worldwide. As time went on, the placement of fireplaces moved to the wall, incorporating chimneys to vent the smoke. This permitted the design of a very elaborate, rich, architectural focal point for a grand room.

Mantels or fireplace mantels can be the focus of custom interior decoration. A mantel traditionally offers a unique opportunity for the architect/designer to create a personal statement unique to the room they are creating. Historically the mantel defines the architectural style of the interior decor, whether it be traditional i.e. Classic, Renaissance, Italian, French, American, Victorian, Gothic and others.

Photo Credit: interiorgallery

Whatever the style, some details were common to most fireplaces, including certain colors and design elements. Red, blue, and gold were the most typically used colors (when color was used at all). Common design elements include the decorative ribbing known as tracery, heraldic emblems such as coats of arms or mythical beasts (including dragons), and ecclesiastical motifs such as pointed arches or ogee arches. One of the most common design elements is called “cusping”-the addition of a decorative projection or relief carving of heads (of people or animals), gargoyles, or maybe animals or plants. These would commonly be placed either in the middle of the mantel, or on either side of the fireplace, at the top of the jambs. Another common element is a linear design called the “linen-fold” motif, which was often carved onto the mantel or the sides of the jambs.

Whether you choose a simple fireplace or one which is intricately decorated, a fireplace that is in keeping with the décor will definitely add something very special to the ambiance of your home.

Patricia Gray won the award for Best Contemporary Design at Seattle Design Center’s annual Northwest Design Awards Gala held September 28. Her problem solving, creativity, quality of design and beauty of the space for the Gastown Project prevailed in the competition, distinguished by its signature warmth, personal approach, and use of a variety of innovative materials and furnishings.

Patricia graduated from college with a degree in interior design and study decorative arts and architectural history at the Parson’s School of Design in Paris. She is a member of the Inter-Society Color Council of New York, the National Council for Interior Design, and the Interior Designers of Canada. In addition to that she is also a certified Feng-Shui practitioner. Her portfolio comprises feature projects all over the Canada and US, also including countries like Japan, Singapore and Africa.

Patricia Gray’s technique certainly does come from within. Her designs are studied and defined while being completely inhabitable and appealing. Her stylistic point of view is enduring and classic, yet still upholds an incontestable contemporary edge.

It isn’t common to stumble upon a blog from an actual interior designer. In spite of her busy schedule she also managed to update her blog almost daily where she features her inspiration, including other designers and architects that she admires. Patricia’s creativity has also been published in different notable magazines including the Architectural Digest.

Visit her site to view more of her designs at patriciagrayinc.com

American designer Nate Berkus is said to be the “Lord of Decor” from a far-famed woman Oprah Winfrey, transforming any space to become a place of comfort and solace but not sacrificing it’s space. Nate was said to be a decorator since his childhood days - being a son of Nancy Golden who’s also a designer - helping her mom in rearranging their living room furniture. Imagine he started having an interest in design at the age of 8. And because of her mom’s influence he pursues his passion in creativity.

Berkus started his fame when he was invited to be a part of The Oprah Winfrey’s show for doing a makeover of small spaces. Since then he’s become a regular contributor of the show when it comes to interior designs. His fascination over cultural arts and the passion to travel are the main influences in his creativity. And according to him the idea of living graciously is one of the most important and greatest investment one could ever make, not just entirely living in a house but feeling its warmth and character on whatever level everyday.

Photo Credit: decor8

The images shown were Nate’s 550 sq. foot apartment in Manhattan’s West Village. He chose white for the paintings from walls, ceilings and floors to create an illusion of space. Creating an organized and uncluttered place adds space for some additional furniture that you less expect to fit in a small space. (See full details at oprah.com)

He also created a book “Home Rules” to share about his philosophies in living well, discusses all his ideas from tips, make over and other experimentations transforming the place you live to be a place you love. You can find additional information on his website nateberkus.com.

Often unexpected, ceiling fans can also resonate with sleek sophistication. Their bold finishes and confident styling are one of the choices people search habituated in their place. And whether in contemporary settings or in rooms that beckon for a unique accent, they will captivate the heart of anyone that gazes through it in certainty.

Photo Credit: Andrew Feinberg

Ceiling fans always draws attention to any place. But to be able to ascertain that it is properly positioned, make sure that the blades are at least 7 feet distant from the floor. It is most efficient to set it 9 feet above the floor to give a more cooling effect and during summertime it is also best that the blades are turning counter-clockwise. Ceiling fans does not merely add a style in any rooms; it likewise saves you in electric consumption since it really reduces energy cost. It reduces the heating costs by cutting down the load of some of your heating equipment. Whenever you utilized fans in conjunction with your air conditioner, a ceiling fan can as well bring down the energy cunsumption by permitting you to enable your air conditioner’s thermostat on a higher temperature. Ceiling fan simply create a wind chill effect but not really lower the temperature of the whole room. You might fail to notice, using it in a vacant room raises your electric consumption since it requires more energy to operate the fans. Instead, use or operate your ceiling fans in an occupied rooms to cut the cost and save some cash in your pocket.

Photo Credit: Ke-Zu

This display apartment located at Macquarie Street, Sydney has won the designers Hare & Klein for the Residential Interior Decoration by the Design Institute of Australia. Some of the products used to accentuate the place came from Kenneth Cobonpue which includes the Pigalle, Amaya and Dimple. These are made of rattan, kawayan, buri and abaca, each one created with a distinct texture, color and scent. You can also bend and twist them in several ways.

The lounge chair made of woven abaca rope tied by translucent nylon wire over a hand sculpted steel frame. The dining table, Amaya is also made of woven abaca rope over a steel frame and this is also available in brown and in regular or large sizes, ranges with choices of armchair, chair and table. The Dimple armchair is made of woven polyethylene on a frame of treated and stainless steel with a bronze color and hence this armchair is stackable.

Photo Credit: Ke-Zu

The other chairs were designed by Francis Montesinos, manufactured by Andreu World. The chair Luna is inspired by the classic upholstered pieces from the 20th century. Created with a Mediterranean touch, this set of chairs will definitely enriched every dwellings in a more contemporary and lighter dash.

From the uniqueness of every designs, craft and art, no wonder it’ll carry most of the awards for a residential place to live in, meticulously selected materials and arrangement that will grant every family the comfort and style of abode.