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Monday, September 4th, 2017
Uttermost Accessories Raya Burnt Orange Containers, Set/2 19525
Not a lot of people are lucky to have a Spanish Colonial home so when you happen to live in one, then you should make the most of it. If you don’t then don’t fret, too, because you can do so many things to make your home look like a Spanish haven in no time.
The Arches and Curves
These architectural features make a huge difference. Curved steps can beautifully lead to a beautiful archway which, in turn, leads to the welcoming front door.
A series of arches known as arcades are also quite a popular addition to bigger Spanish and Mexican homes.
White Exteriors
What’s a Spanish home without the white stucco exteriors? It is easy to mix this type of Spanish paint – just fuse some sand or lime with water and cement. What you’d achieve is an aged look that’s just amazing for that Old World look that you’re trying to achieve.
Terracotta Roofing
Most Spanish homes also come with those authentic red clay roofs giving the homes a more rustic, earthy look. The roof lines are also often multi-level making them more interesting and asymmetrical. Add a turret and you’re on the right path.
How about some painted, tower-like chimneys? These may seem like a small detail but with small windows and specially-treated moldings, these chimneys will complete the look of your Spanish home.
Paint ‘Em Tiles
Have you seen those Mexican telenovelas on TV? Then you probably already noticed the painted staircases. The curved staircases reveal the most beautiful tiles that have been hand painted. You could adopt this design element, too, if you want to have a more authentic Spanish-looking home.
Talavera tiles can also give your bathroom a more authentic Mexican look. Cobalt blue tiles will easily complement hand-painted sinks.
Maitland-Smith Living Room Carved Spanish Galleon Finished Occasional Table, White Ash Burl Veneer 3030-953
Balcony
Balconies are designed so that you can have some moment, outdoors, to enjoy some fresh air. This is also the perfect spot to see some amazing sceneries.
Graceful Iron and Wooden Work
Who could resist an ornamental wrought-iron working on windows? They also look great on stair railings. Spanish Revival lanterns are also great additions to walls as they serve two purposes – decorative and illuminative.
Wooden gates and doors are also amazing features in many Spanish homes.
Patios and Courtyards
We all know the Mediterranean climate to be mild and great for outdoor living, hence, most Spanish homes have patios and courtyards. Again, these are mainly there for people to enjoy the outdoors. Some patios also have fireplaces which allow the homeowners and their visitors to linger outside during the night.
Pottery and Textiles
Spanish country living also means having hand painted pottery and the most colorful paintings. How about having a painting of a Spanish matador right across the dining table? This denotes activity and passion which is perfect for those steak dinners and parties that you hold for your friends.
Vibrant Colors Everywhere
Having green, pink, and yellow walls are acceptable inside a Spanish home. Colors are not limited to the walls, though. You can also play up the rooms in your home by mirroring these colors on the carpeting, throw pillows, candelabra, headboards, and chests.
If you’re feeling a little more magnanimous then go for a Spanish-Style Colonial dining room. Look upwards and find ways to make the ceiling into a colorful art canvas. If your ceiling has exposed beams, then they, too, can be used as another decorative element.
Or how about having a golden yellow entry hall? Again, some hand-painted accessories, furnishings, and paintings will make this area a lot livelier. Think cultural colors such as sabino wood, deep reds, and burnt orange.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Spanish design elements, Spanish home, Spanish homes, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Spanish Elements: Creating a Much Sought-After Home
Thursday, February 25th, 2016
The Wesley Allen Bedroom Dawson Complete Bed CB1053 features the ornate designs that were distinct features of Art Noveau.
Art Noveau became fashionable around 1890 till the First World War. This style was a reaction to the 19thcentury designs showing so much of history, especially Neo-Classicism. Art Noveau pushed the idea of design and art being crucial parts of everyday living.
Artists, from then on, did not overlook the simplicity in everyday objects. To them, aesthetics were added to make the functional more visually pleasing. New Art is Art Noveau and it was applied in all forms of art including architecture, applied art, fine arts, and decorative art.
Art Noveau was partially rooted to the Industrial Revolution, also the Arts and Crafts Movement. It also shows Japonism influence especially the Ukiyo-e prints brought about by great minds like Hokusai and Hiroshige.
Celtic designs were also common.
After the 1900 Exposition Universelle held in Paris, France Art Noveau spread across the European continent, even to Australia and the U.S. The Italian name for it in Italy is Stile Liberty, in Austria it is known as Sezessionstil, and in America it is called Tiffany style.
Art Noveau as Style not Philosophy
Art Noveau is perceived as a style more than being a philosophy. This is a style that wanted to break free from the bonds of historicism. It sought to bring about a fresh analysis of natural forms, functions, and aesthetics. Some see it as useless patterns but once you see the art with your artistic eyes, you are bound to see a marvellous sequence that was never before noticed.
Art Noveau represents many different moods and looks. We can be reminded of the gentle breeze, of the harshness of the stormy waters, you can even just see ornate vegetation. Everything is organic, though, as this style focuses on making sense out of life’s order.
Accessories Uttermost Santena Round Metal Mirror 08133 will look perfect inside an Art Noveau-inspired home.
Art Noveau: Characteristics
If you are trying to look for a single definition for this style, then you will be looking in vain. There isn’t a single definition for it. It has, however, several distinguishing factors.
Art Noveau is all about the application of art into everyday living. No stuff is too functional or beautified.
Art Noveau also thinned the line between the principles of fine arts, decorative art and applied arts. This style is a beautiful reaction to the concise mathematical representations of the Neo-Classical era.
Art Noveau also presented a fresh graphic design language. It has gone far from the classical models that were embraced by art academies in the past. There are various stylistic interpretations for Art Noveau. There are artists that prefer low-cost materials while others give value to high craftsmanship.
Art Noveau features flat yet decorative patterns that can be employed in many forms of art. Typical elements include tendril, leaves, the curvaceous shape of a woman, and other organic forms.
When it comes to architecture, architect Antoni Gaudi from Spain exaggerated the bulbous forms. Hector Guimard, on the other hand, gave the world his stylistic Parisian Metro entrances.
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Malawi 2 Light Kitchen Island Light 21248 can bring the beauty of Art Noveau to your kitchen.
Art Noveau in Interior Design
This style has two distinct looks that you need to keep in mind – the linear look propagated by artists like Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the beautiful, elongated lines. Other features include vertical lines to highlight height and the whiplash line.
Flowers, peacock feathers, spider webs, thistles, and locusts were found on wallpaper, accents and many furniture pieces. Iridescent glass, exotic woods, semi precious jewels and silver were also the distinct materials that represented Art Noveau.
Art Noveau furniture is renowned for the high-backed chairs and the glossy black lacquer finish. Conservative options included curvy shapes, floral fabrics and upholstered items. Glassworks also came in opaque matter and precise etchings. Silver and pewter also dominated much of the ornaments.
Period colors for Art Noveau are always elegant yet subtle. Say yes to sage, brown, olive, mustard, gold, shades of purple, salmon, peacock blue, and robin’s egg blue.
Tags: art, European interior design, European interiors, European style, French design, French interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Neo-Classical, Spanish, Spanish design elements
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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