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There is a lot more to Interior Design than first meets the eye

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Interior design is a complicated profession. It is sometimes referred to as interior architecture and often confused with interior decorating. It involves the design, organisation and planning of an interior structure rather than just refinishing and furnishing existing interior spaces. It involves managing a business, hopefully meeting the desires of the client and delivering to them an interior environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. There is a lot more to interior design than first meets the eye.

The further you go back in history, it can be seen how interior design has blended with artistic societies such as during the Italian Renaissance. It has been shaped by numerous styles, movements, social developments and technological revolutions. It has crossed emotional boundaries, traveled across continents and has publicly revealed much of the lifestyles of societies and their artistic cultures in any marked period in time.

There are different types of interior design. Residential interior design involves dealing with home owners normally on an available budget. Some interior designers specialize in working on bathrooms, kitchens, living areas or even bedrooms. Others work in the larger and lucrative commercial interior design market. In this marketplace, interior designers are spoiled for choice and may select the retail industry, the hospitality business, the commercial building sector or specialize in related business as diverse as creating exhibits for art galleries and trade shows.

Interior Design is an exciting and rapidly growing field and it seems that interest in interior design as a particular career is increasing in popularity. Interior designers are licensed design professionals qualified by education, work experience and time. In the 1960s and 70s independent organizations were established to assess qualifications for interior designers and interior design programs. There are now many dedicated individuals in organizations such as CIDA and NCIDQ who presently work diligently to increase public awareness of interior design while developing the profession to where it is today.

There are interior design courses in universities, colleges and even online and an accreditation process that certifies a program will teach the principles necessary to ensure that the students acquire the knowledge, skills and experience to be successful in their future careers. All of this is seen as beneficial to the consumer who can be virtually assured of being led through the design process by someone who is not only creative and educated but also competently trained.

Examine the basic family home. Basically it is a cluster of interconnected rooms each with a primary function such as eating, entertaining, sleeping, washing and possibly even working. The conscious aim of interior design is to balance the owner’s needs with the spaces available. It is rarely straightforward. There are so many external forces that influence the decision making process. The key to interior design is knowing how to make sense out of the relationship between the owner, the home, the family and their lifestyle.

Kitchen Interior Design – The Importance of Getting it Right

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If there is one room in the house that is very important when it comes to design, it is the kitchen. This room is often times the heart, or the center, of the home. This is where most families spend a great deal of their time together. The interior design of the kitchen needs to not only be reflective of your family’s taste and personality, it also needs to be highly functional.

No one likes to try and prepare a meal in a kitchen that is not as functional and up to date as it should be. For this reason it is highly important that if you are considering a kitchen redesign, that you take your time and research all of the different designs that are out there for you to choose from.

While you are searching for information, there are many places that you may want to go to find it. many people choose to do a hands on search at a local home improvement store. This is a great way to just see what all is available and at what price. However, the best way to get information is to simply start online. The internet has a plethora of information on just about anything that you want to know. When it comes to kitchen designs, this is one of the best tools that you can use.

Not only will you be able to see what all is available and how much, you will even get to see all of the different interior kitchen designs that other people are using. There are even companies that operate online only, who will help you come up with a new design. They do this by working with you and learning what it is that you are interested in and what your personal tastes are. This is a wonderful way to get a plan for what exactly it is that you are trying to achieve.

All in all, a newly redesigned kitchen can change the look and feel of your entire house. That is if it is done correctly. This can only happen if you take the time that is necessary to research all of your options. Remember that hasty decisions can often times result in a design that does not fit in your home or with your style ideas. Therefore, take your time, use the right tools of research, and get the kitchen design that you have always wanted for your home.

The Interior Design Projects Of Fritz August Breuhaus

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Known for his good looks, winning personality and how he charmed women, Fritz August Breuhaus was considered to be one of Germany’s most sought after and most important architects. However, he is also known for his contributions to interior design. His interior design projects ranged from the interiors of his own flats and libraries in various parts of Europe to designing the interiors of training vessels, battleships, steamships and airplanes.

Also known as Fritz August or F.A.B, he was born on the 9th of February, 1883 to Heinrich Hugo Breuhaus and Johanne Kipling in Solingen, Germany – a steel industry centre. Friedrich pursued his studies in a well-known private boy’s high school in Oberkassel.

From 1929, Fritz August added “de Groot” to his name; to make it known that he was a descendant of Breuhaus de Groot, a famous dynasty of Dutch painters. However, in reality Fritz August was not the great-grandson or grandson of Frans Arnold Breuhaus de Groot.

Completing his schooling and graduation in the French town of Bonn, he returned to Solingen in 1900 to start apprenticeship at a steel founding firm. In 1902-03, Breuhaus studied at Hessische Technische Hochschule Darmstadt. In 1903, he studied construction science at Technische Hochschule Stuttgart and attended classes on design, watercolour painting and decorative design. In 1904, he studied at an arts and crafts school “Kunstgewerbeschule Dsseldorf”.

From 1913 to 1914, his interior design projects included a library room, a hunting room, a dining room, and also for a cabaret hall on the “Delphin”, a pleasure boat. He served in the First World War and became a sergeant. Following Breuhaus’ arrival from Russia, his life was a picture of disaster – he lost a son to pneumonia and divorced his first wife.

Breuhaus turned to fabric printing, and the designing of furniture, utilitarian and decorative objects, and wallpaper in the 1920s. He became a star in interior decoration when he furnished the first class of the luxury liner named ‘Bremen’. The period from 1920 to 1930 is marked by Breuhaus marrying again and by his winning various interior design competitions. During this period, he did interior design for steamships such as ‘Westindiendampfer’ and ‘Azorendampfer Orotava’, and also for a barbecue restaurant.

In the period from 1932 up to his death in 1960, Breuhaus’ activities included interior design for ships such as the SS Cordilliera and Gorch Fock and for the passenger section of airplanes such as the Heinkel HE 70. He also designed the interiors of an entrance hall for an organization of Berlin artists. Fritz August Breuhaus, the interior designer and architect passed away on the 2nd of December, 1960.

Using Stone For Interior Design

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Using natural materials in your interior design project can be a great way to get an interesting design that will last the test of time. From wood to stone, natural materials look great and can suit nearly every design theme imaginable. But using stone in your design can be a challenge, especially if youve never worked with it before. Use this guide to using stone in your design and youll be sure to get a design that you will love for years to come.

Tiles:

One of the most common and affordable ways to decorate with stone in your bathroom or kitchen design is by installing stone tile. Stone tiles can come in a wide variety of materials from granite to marble and can be used in shower enclosures, countertops and backsplashes to create a powerful design element that suits nearly any design theme or dcor. Stone tiles can be more expensive than conventional tiles but last longer and can be more durable than ceramic tiles.

Large Stones:

A common way to decorate around fireplaces and mantelpieces is by using large stones set in mortar. Rustic living room designs especially benefit from stone interiors. And since larger stones come in such a wide variety of materials, you can be sure youre going to choose a stone texture and color that suits your design theme perfectly. When installing any stone material, be sure to choose a local stone quarry for the best savings.

Medium Stones:

Medium sized stones are typically around 6-8 inches in diameter and can be used for many different design ideas from bathroom designs for the shower enclosure to outdoor areas for walkways and patios. Medium sized river rock are smooth and round stone materials that work great for floors, but can also be used on walls to create interesting vertical, diagonal or random patterns. Choose a colored mortar mix and add to the luster of any medium stone design.

Small Stones:

Smaller sized stones make for a unique textured look that makes an appealing addition to most design themes. Small river rock can be manipulated together on walls and floors using a clear coat of laminate to adhere the stones in place. These smaller stones work best in dry areas like bedroom or living room designs. Wet conditions should be avoided when using smaller laminated stones as they can get very slippery underfoot. Add a mixture of colorful river rocks or a few medium sized river rocks to break up the monotony of the smaller river rock look.

Victorian Interior Design Evokes A Golden Era

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Victorian interior design is a great option if you want a cozy feel in your home. Here are some tips to help you get that old-time feeling in your living space

Victorian interior designs are especially effective in older farm houses. The exterior of the house features colorful paints with contrasting trim and lots of “gingerbread” trim. Interior designs feature lots of lace, ruffles and filigree trims. In the Victorian era, people enjoyed overstuffed furniture and plush surroundings.

Victorian design is named for England’s Queen Victoria, who reigned through most of the 19th century, an era in which England prospered thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Thanks to the growth of technology and factories, people were finally able to afford life’s little luxuries.

While today, many people think of Victorian design as overly fussy, you can still enjoy Victorian elements in your home. For example, try installing wallpaper in light pastel colors with a floral design. You might want to pull up your wall-to-wall carpeting and refinish your hard wood floors. To add warmth, add a colorful Victorian throw rug or big ruffled curtains.

One easy way to add Victorian touches is to use paper items. Find some Victorian style valentines or silhouettes and frame them in a round, wooden frame. Get a Victorian style photo album to display pictures of your loved ones.

The Victorian era emphasized wood, especially darker finishes. Think about adding some wood accessories, especially those with scrollwork or other carvings. Victorian furniture has extra touches, such as claw feet, carved embellishments or red velvet upholstery. Just one or two pieces can give your home a Victorian look without going overboard.

Some people think Victorian design looks too cluttered and frilly. You may prefer to use a country Victorian theme instead. Combine the Victorian frills with plain country-style pieces for a pleasing, comfortable that even the most macho guys will like.

Overall, Victorian design should convey a peaceful feeling. Think of your grandmother’s house, with its white lace doilies and flowers everywhere. If you have some of her pieces, you can easily incorporate them into your home design. If you don’t, you can easily get authentic Victorian items from antique shops and rummage sales. If they have scratches, it’s no problem, small blemishes add authenticity and charm. You are not creating a museum, you are designing your home.

These are just a few ideas for you. You can find plenty more in the many home design magazines, many specifically for older homes. Also try looking at home restoration and history websites for other suggestions.

Victorian design allows you to relive the good old days but still keep modern conveniences. Try adding a small Victorian touch to your home today and see how pleasant it is to remember days gone by.