Themes & Styles Questions Answered
Q. I would like to decorate my home with Middle
Eastern/Moroccan or Islamic Art. I would like it
to have both modern and old world together where
it just flows. I would like to start with the right
colour for the walls. I have many ideas but I just
can't put them together right now. Where can I
find some books on architecture and interiors with
Middle Eastern ideas and how do I go about looking
for an interior designer that can help my vision
come of life. Thank you for any info you can provide.
From: Hoda, Baltimore, US
A. To find a designer look in
the Yellow Pages for your local Institude of Interior
Designers. They should be able to help you with
a suitably qualified and experienced interior designer.
Always ask to see examples of their work and references,
and make sure that you feel comfortable and able
to talk to them. They won't mind if you don't employ
them because you don't click, design is very personal
and you have to be able to express your ideas to
them for them to interpret. If you go to this link
on our site, http://www.interiordezine.com/index.cfm/Shopping/Design_Books/Art you
will find some books from Amazon.com that you can
purchase on Moroccan Interiors. The local library
could be of use. The wall colour, I think something
with an earth base, light ocre, tan or white washing,
but the world is your oyster! Related articles:
Design
Books
Q. I want to create an old world look throughout my home. I like the look
of dark woods. I'm ready to start choosing stain and paint colors of mouldings,
baseboards and doors. I'm not sure if it is best to keep all the woodwork
in dark stains or to keep them light painted color. I have bedroom doors,
bathroom doors, and closet doors to do plus the trims. Your help would be
appreciated. From: Sharon
A. If your woodwork is already painted it takes a lot of hard work to strip
it back to stain it. So you're probably best to keep them painted but you
could make the color darker ie dark chocolate brown and have white walls,
this provides a definite contrast and would help with the old world feel.
Q. I need help! My husband and are building a cute little stone home with
log elements and a red metal roof. For the kitchen - which will have log
rafters - I'm trying to decide what materials to mix. Here's what we've been
debating: We have a retro Red (bright red) refrigerator; bright colored dishes
(Fiesta ware in primary colors) that will be displayed; and we're thinking
about hickory cabinets - accessorized with custom ceramic hardware painted
in the colors matching the fiesta ware. We're also considering a flagstone
floor for the kitchen. As for lighting, we're thinking about wrought iron.
My question is, how do you know what materials mix together well? Does ceramic
hardware look OK with stone and log? Also, what sort of countertop and backsplash
should we be considering? My thought process was to keep the floor, countertop
and backsplash somewhat neutral (sticking to grays and beiges probably) since
the refrigerator, hardware and dishes are so colorful. Also, the grays and
beiges would mimic the stone on the outside of the house. But I have no idea
if I'm on the right track here or not. Help! Any advice you can give me will
be much appreciated! From: Georgina
A. It sounds like you are on the right track and your instincts are doing
a good job! If you are ever in doubt keep everything neutral and gradually
add color as you get more confident. You have a good combination of textures
with the stone exterior, logs, flagstones, and wrought iron. I think that
the feature pieces you have will provide enough impact for now. You can always
add more color or texture later. I think it sounds like a fantastic project
- keep up the good work. I hope I have been of some use. Thanks for visiting
our website.
Q. I am decorating my living room in Tuscan style.
My husband had the room decorated and designed in
a colonial style before we got married, complete
with colonial railing around the sunken living room.
This is something I have never liked, but I will
have to integrate it into my new design ideas unless
you can give suggestions on how to replace it or
disguise it. Help!
From: Melinda, US
A. It sounds like time for a change! I have a few
suggestions; these are based on the fact that it
is a big job to replace the railing around the room.
You could sand back the existing paintwork and paint
them with a washed or lime washed look, or antiqued
paint effect. The second option is to sand them
back and add a textured paint to make the railing
look like plaster or cement, here we have a product
called sandtex, but most companies will have a paint
that is similar, it is easy to apply but has a finish
that looks gritty or like a fine plaster finish,
the colour in included in the paint, and I would
suggest a sandstone, plaster or natural colour to
make it look like they are plaster or stone. The
third - but expensive option is to take it all out
except the top rail and perhaps some balusters to
support the rail and add wrought iron filigree inserts
between. I hope that this has given you some inspiration.
Good luck, I'm sure you will do a great job. Thanks
for visiting our site. We hope you will visit again
soon, we are constantly adding new articles that
may be of interest.
All advice given is advice only
and to be used as a tool. Essentially you will
be responsible for your decisions and interiordezine.com
takes no liability for the projects that you undertake.
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