Musical Furniture

Ever since I was a kid I loved to play "Musical Furniture". I guess I have been an Interior Designer at heart since then. I just cannot leave furniture in the same place very long. It's not that furniture looks bad the way it is in a current arrangement. I genuinely enjoy mixing up configurations, trying new things and seeing how a space can look in multiple ways.

When I move furniture pieces either professionally with my business, Twin Gate Designs, or in my own home, I never consider how hard it is to move. The king size bed, couch, dining room table, computer desk or oversized armoire are all possibilities - and sometimes all at once. You may be thinking that is because I have movers at my beckon call. That is true. I do. But, that's not why I am so obsessed with my favorite game of musical furniture.

I know how easy it is to move heavy furniture. I use FURNITURE SLIDERS. Also called Magic Sliders, Mighty Movers etc. Look how easy it can be:

http://www.staples.com/Master-Caster-Mighty-Mighty-Movers-Furniture-Sliders-Beige/product_MAS87007

They come in a package as simple as this:

www.MagicSliders.com

There are sliders for soft surfaces (carpeting) like you see pictured above and newer styles with felt bottoms for hard surfaces (hardwoods, tile). I like to have multiple sets of each so I can put them under all the large furniture pieces in a room at once and tweak the placement until I'm happy.



LET THE MUSICAL FURNITURE IN YOUR SPACE BEGIN!

This post is dedicated to all the husbands out there helping their wives move furniture. Now the wives can move the furniture without you and you can go back to watching TV - unless she's moving it!

Media Solution Envy

You could be the envy of the block, the neighborhood or even the zip code! I have seen 100s of media units. Some are nice, others not so nice. This one is just plain FABULOUS! Don't stop at the first picture because it won't make sense. Take a look at the pictures below and judge for yourself - and be ready to say OMG!



First, you see a nice media cabinet, around 20 inches deep and big enough for a 52 inch flat screen TV.       But, there's more . . . . . .

The unit revolves revealing a bookcase to hide the TV!

Here's one more since you're drooling anyway:



Unfortunately, I don't expect these units to be readily available in most retail stores anytime soon. Priced at around $12,000, they are out of reach for many. I do hope they catch on and a more affordable options are manufactured. I will definately keep my eye out for them!

Homeowners could use these units in rooms where an extra TV may be desired but discretion is preferred. A bedroom or space that is used primarily for other activities is an ideal use. How about a home office or music room?

Businesses would love the versatility of this unit in a conference room. What client wouldn't be impressed when this piece is called to action? IMPRESSIVE!

One more quick pic I just had to share. This is me with some fellow Interior Design Society members. We were all just so impressed with this piece! (I'm second from the right in the coral jacket.Yes, the short one!)

These great pieces are available "To The Trade Only" to which I have access. For additional information, please contact me.

Special thanks to the Patricia Group for letting me post these beautiful units.



Time For An Upgrade

I'm dedicating this post to my dear client "Cali". Cali, you know who you are.

Does this look like your mantle, shelf or the top of a dresser?

Cali, you're not alone. I see this all the time: candlesticks balanced on either side of some super small decor item resting in dead center. Accessories are simple, clean and . . . . . . . . BORING!

I've created an example of how to go from Snoozeville to interesting. Let's go from the example above to this:

This may not be your style. But, the design principles work with any decorating style. Here the candlesticks are paired on one side with candles in different heights and a floral arrangement is added opposite to form the "frame" of a vignette. Notice the floral arrangement is a completely different size in width. It does share a similar height and gives a much needed contrast to the shine and linear quality of the candlesticks. Next, add a smaller item like the Russian box at or near the center.

The varying height and materials of all the pieces work beautifully together as they are create a visual tension in colors and texture as well as giving the collection movement as your eye is forced to move around the pieces to take in all there is to see. What also works is the way they all share varying elements such as color (golden yellow) and shapes (circles).

Don't overlook the power of 3. Vignettes always work when placed in 3s. That is not always a literal use of 3 items. Here the candlesticks serve as one item visually, creating the eye pleasing use of 3.

One last thing to note: many homes look like the first picture because they don't want the house to look cluttered. Clutter can be easily divereted by creating INTENTIONALLY RANDOM vignettes. Don't fill every space in your home with accessories! Choose where to have a collection of decor and where to keep the space completely free of stuff. Empty spaces like a portion of a bookshelf, part of the dresser's top, a cleared area on the nightstand, give the eye a place to rest and the space from looking cluttered.

Great GREEN Design Idea

I have just seen the most BEAUTIFUL wall treatment idea and have to share! It is from moiculture.com. They have taken RECYCLED PAPER and molded it into 3 dimensional wall tiles. They can be temporarily or permanently fixed to the wall depending on your decorating needs. The best part is that they can be painted in ANY color!

This is such a beautiful way to add texture and interest. I think they would look amazing done floor to ceiling in a section of a long wall to divide the space. The space would then be visually broken up in a beautiful way without using boring houseplants, a floor lamp or bookshelf. FABULOUS!

Check out their website for all the details. http://mioculture.com/paperforms.html

Take a look at this:

This look came from plain, paper tiles made from RECYCLED PAPER like this:

Here's another look that I LOVE using the same tile in an INTENTIONALLY RANDOM way:

For more beautiful ideas for your space go to my website: http://www.twingatedesigns.com/



Why Intentionally Random?

Intentionally Random is a simple yet effective design technique I use in my design work for my clients. What do I mean when I say "intentionally random"? It is the intentional placement of furniture, decor and other design elements in a way that looks as though it was placed effortlessly. Intentionally random creates a wonderful balance of design elements such as color, scale, shape and texture. Understanding how to design in an intentionally random way is essential in creating the desired emotion a room evokes.

This picture shows a collection of crosses above a fireplace. The collection is large and could easily get out of control. To hang them in a way that allows them to be viewed individually yet as one art installation is easier for the eye to accept and creates a better statement for the room. No additional accessories were used on the mantle in this room as the crosses offered plenty of visual interest.