Minimalist wall unit by Misuraemme

The collection include many items like different shelf elements, hanging drawer containers with invisible runners, bookcase and other storage containers that could accommodate not only books but also different decorative elements. The system also could include place for hanging flat TV. Everything made of large variety of wood with different lacquer finishes and glossy aluminum handles. Crossing wall units could easily be combined with other units from Misuraemme collections. Visit their site to find information more about that. Sometimes there is a need to have storage for books somewhere at the home but there isn’t special room like library for them. Crossing wall units from Misuraemme could help in such situation.

Read more

Glazing house by Philippe Stuebi

There are conical entry area with wardrobe and guest WC., large cubic double-story entrance hall, triangular loggia colored in pink, double-story inside rounded library which is downstairs and so on. The ground floor walls consist of large concrete elements which are interrupted by space-high glazing. The three-sided glazing of the library in the ground floor is mirrored-glass. Depending upon time of day and lighting conditions, in these glazing you can see the stored books or the reflected garden. The garden and other trees could be seen almost from almost every window because they surround the house from all sides. The upper floors are implemented in bright lime rendering and the glazing in nature-anodize aluminum.L House is a result of putting maximum volume on the plot. That was one of the main contractor wishes. When O House by the same architect, Philippe Stuebi, was dedicated to circular forms this house is dedicated to clear lines and unique rooms in size and form.

Read more

Beautiful Books

As the air has a distinct chill, indicating the weather folks may be right about an incoming winter storm, I am finding myself in full nesting mode . . . hot cocoa, wrapped in a fuzzy throw and thinking about catching up on some good reading by the fire.  (Or rather the hope of one if I can convince dear hubby it won’t be a waste of heat as it floats up the chimney.)  In the interim, some great old movies are being replayed and I am always a fan of the Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks pairings – including this one:

For those who haven’t seen this movie, Tom Hanks plays the role of Joe Fox, the villain and owner of a major bookstore chain, who becomes a direct competitor of Meg Ryan’s character, Kathleen Kelly, as she struggles to keep her mother’s bookstore, The Shop Around the Corner, afloat.  The irony struck me, in thinking about this film, released in 1998, the Joe Fox’s of the world are now sharing that same struggle.  The advent of audio books, Amazon.com, Kindle, and now the much talked about Apple ipad tablet, has the whole industry of bookselling rethinking their strategies.

Personally, while I do enjoy my technology, I so enjoy the tactile experience of holding onto a beautifully bound book, flipping the page in anticipation of what is yet to come for the characters, or to see how the plot thickens.  As a designer, I view books as a wonderful way to add texture, history and warmth to a room.  After all, what’s a bookcase if it’s only filled with tchotchkes ?

Chetham's Library, Manchester, England

Leather bound antique books or parchment wrapped volumes are almost sculptural.

 Doesn’t this make the world feel as if it’s in perfect order?  (A period bookcase in County Cork, Ireland.)

 

I could live in this fabulous combination of library and dining spaces created by Paschen Bibliotheken

Can you believe someone still does hand binding?  The embossed turtle design is a testament to taking ones time for beautiful craftsmanship.  From Hardbound Leather Books by Marcia Engletjes 

I could work here . . . . .

. . . . oh, and definitely here!

(Photo credits, above:  Paschen Bibliotheken)

It seems a bit odd, to think of hearing, “I’m going to curl up with my Kindle or tablet.”  It loses something in translation, for me.  There’s no turning the corner on a page, using a beautiful bookmark, or having a soft landing on my forehead, if I happen to fall asleep while reading.

Cheerful Reading to You! – Wanda

Oh . . .  and if bookcases befuddle you, give me a call!

Read more

Space Planning - It's All in the Details!

Interior designers often receive inquiries as to how they determine where to begin the process of designing a project. I always relate it to the process of building a home. You can't begin unless you have a good foundation. In the case of a room, that foundation is in the space allocation and planning.

Take a look at the library plan, above. It is in a home, I am designing, which happens to be currently under construction. Without having the benefit of laying out the room, based on the client's functional needs, I wouldn't have been able to properly plan for electrical outlets, hanging light fixtures, area rug sizes, and furniture scale. While the blueprints were being addressed, I worked with the client, the architect and the builder, to be certain the space would meet long term needs. It's also always easier to go back to the drawing board, before the footings are poured!

This concept also applies to an existing home. If the client is thinking of upfitting or remodeling a space, we can determine if a remodel is really necessary or if it's just due to a bad room plan. We can work through many issues of balance and use the space plan for color design. If there is a need to "tweak" the space, we can see what the challenges are and offer suggestions to be presented to the contractor.

Allowing your interior designer the proper time to gather all of the information, at the first or second home visit, is a good investment. It will save time and mistakes,on the back end of the project, and you will be more pleased with the results. It's all in the details!

Read more