Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Clever Ways to Display a Collection

Get your inspiration here!

Article taken off ivillage.com

Clever Ways to Display a Collection


Farm Life
Group flea market finds, like animal-shaped weather vanes, for unexpected wall art.


Old and New
Hanging ornate mirrors together on a bright orange wall presents a pleasing juxtaposition between antique and modern.


In a Row
Mounting several shelves together gives flexibility in displaying a variety of items.


Toy Story
Children's toys become display-worthy when they’re artfully arranged on simple white shelves.


Sweet Sentiments
A shelf displaying small trinkets and cooking items gets a charming touch when it’s outlined with a string of tiny lights.


Dishing It Out
A breakfront offers the perfect solution for storing, displaying and protecting dishware.


Culinary Cues
Frequently used kitchen items such as teapots, cooking utensils and cutting boards have a visual impact when arranged together on open shelves.


Arranged Art
Hanging vintage charcoal portraits of a similar style creates a wallpaper effect in a reading nook.


Faded Notes
Pinning up a collection of ephemera, such as vintage sheet music, in a grid pattern creates orderly and dimensional wall art.


Mixed Materials
Create a textural mixture on a mantel with shiny golds, dull whites and rough woods.


Plate Rack
Neutral-toned plates hung symmetrically and tightly together become a dramatic sculptural element.


Flew the Coop
Chicken dishes sit protected on a shelving unit covered in chicken wire for a tongue-in-cheek display.


Patterned Pieces
Simply shaped stoneware pitchers look striking when arranged together.


Bowled Over
Though beautiful individually, a collection of vintage bowling pins creates a strong sculptural display.


Photo Finish
A wall covered with black-and-white portraits makes a graphic statement in an office.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Environmentally Friendly Modern Home Interior Design Ideas

Let's go eco-friendly!

Article taken off homeinteriorszone.com

Environmentally Friendly Modern Home Interior Design Ideas

If you truly want to take a look at the best modern home interior design ideas then you need to think about how you can make your home more eco-friendly. A lot of people consider hiring their own interior designer when they want to make changes to their home, but that is really not necessary when you know what you are doing.

Most people have a vision of what they want to see in their home, they just need to learn how to make that vision a reality.

You don’t have to compromise quality or your relaxing lifestyle to add more eco-friendly modern home interior design ideas to your home, so don’t think that this will not be an equal tradeoff.

Some people simply do not believe in using eco-friendly solutions, and that is another opinion that deserves some thought.

Those of you who care about the world and want to help make it a better place know the importance of choosing more modern, eco-friendly solutions for your home.

One of the main concerns that people have when they want to more environmentally conscious is that they think everything will suddenly cost ten times more than it did before. While it is true that some eco-friendly purchases will cost more than their damaging counterparts, you don’t have to expect to pay large amounts of money for your new interior design. You should at least consider taking a look at the possibility of using eco-friendly solutions because you may turn out to be surprised by what you see.

Fabrics and flooring for modern home interior design ideas

There are many natural options when it comes to looking at modern home interior design ideas, so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing the quality of your room for the environment. Many of the fabrics you already use are probably rather eco-friendly, so you may not have to make any changes at all. Things such as wool, cotton and silk are definitely items that you do not have to worry about getting rid of in your modernized home.

The flooring is going to be a bit trickier than the fabrics because most flooring today is made from plastics and other harmful products. There will definitely be some carpet solutions for those of you who want to stick with carpet, but hardwood or stone is usually the best thing to use in a modern home. There is nothing better than natural hardwood floors in your home to add a bit of elegance to various rooms around your house.

Consider using items made from recycled materials

There are many pieces of furniture made from recycled materials these days, and many modern home interior design ideas could benefit from using these types of furniture. You can also add various accessories around your home that are made from recycled materials, or perhaps you can use items such as seashells for decoration. You really have the power to be rather creative when you want to have a natural and modern home.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Modern Grandfather Clocks and Cuckoo Clocks

Look at these innovative cuckoo clocks!

Article taken off networx.com

Modern Grandfather Clocks and Cuckoo Clocks

Designer Linda Merrill's clock selections are sure to surprise.


The Tiuku standing clock

Keeping time and the instruments that keep our time have long held fascination for both scientists and design enthusiasts. Since the early 17th century when Galileo Galilei discovered that pendulums could be used to record time, scientists began working on the most accurate method of keeping time. Later on, it was discovered that longer pendulums were more accurate and the tall clock, otherwise known as the grandfather clock, was born. Given the cost, these clocks were only found in the most wealthy homes and over time became the ornately designed pieces we think of today.

On the opposite end of the spectrum from the stately and sometimes stuffy grandfather clock is the endlessly humorous cuckoo clock. Early records show that bird sounds have long been used to call out the time and the modern cuckoo clock, also a pendulum regulated device, came into its own in the middle of the 18th century. In both cases, the grandfather and cuckoo clocks can sometimes be a little stuffy and old-fashioned, but they don’t have to be. I’ve gathered a collection of modern interpretations of these traditional time-keepers that is sure to surprise.


The Rektangel

Rektangel by Forsberg Form: The designer’s of the Rektangel were certainly channeling their inner Steve Jobs with this elegantly simple grandfather clock. Or, at the very least, they were listening to their iPods while working on the design. A gorgeous addition to any modern interior.


via Design*Sponge

DIY Grandfather Clock spotted on Design*Sponge: Rustic and clever, this DIY style grandfather clock is merely an outline of a clock painted on an old board with a working clock mechanism. Stylish, classic and yet still very youthful.


The Endless Time grandfather clock

Endless Time from Infinity Art Furnishings: The Endless Time grandfather clock looks like something out of the Jetsons. Fabricated from spun aluminum and stainless steel, this clock is nothing short of a defining statement piece. Definitely not your grandfather’s grandfather clock.


The Tiuku Standing Clock

Tiuku Standing Clock by Arango: The Tiuku Standing clock illustrates the value of negative as well as positive space. While many grandfather clocks are large and imposing, this delicate looking timepiece feels more like a pair of chopsticks with a pendulum. The clock comes in a variety of colors including black, white, orange and deep red.


Blik grandfather clock decals

Grandfather Clock Decals by Blik: The grandfather clock wall decals from Blik are a fun and super easy way to incorporate the classic Grandfather clock into any interior. The decals come in a selection of color options, which include a top and two bases for alternating looks. Add a real wall clock for a functioning timepiece.


Diamantini Kuku Clock via Switchmodern.com

Cuku Wood Clock by Diamantini and Domeniconi: Designed by Pascal Tarabay, the Cuku Clock reduces the excesses of a classic Bavarian cuckoo clock down to a more modern looking two-dimensional shape. But have no fear; the cuckoo itself is still wondrously three-dimensional.


The CB2 cuckoo clock

Cuckoo Clock at CB2: This modern cuckoo clock will be sure to appeal to any mid-century modern enthusiast. The clock features a ranch house-like styling with simple white façade and red-orange roof.


The Kalimero modern cuckoo clock

Kalimero Cuckoo Clock by Barbero Design: Which came first, the cuckoo or the egg? The eternal question comes to mind when viewing the Kalimero Cuckoo Clock. This unusual timepiece is egg shaped with a rounded Plexiglass cover, protecting the little bird within. This modern clock features natural wood surround with an orange face and has a natural mid-century vibe to it.