Amitha Verma Interior Design

The counter set the tone for the rest of the décor. I designed a palette of rich golds and pale creamy tones to complement the red, and had a custom Louis XV-inspired cabinet made especially for the room. The hardware was so much fun to select – we were like kids in a candy store! Eventually we settled on this beautiful mismatched antique brass hardware with a natural patina.

Amitha Verma Interior Design

We decided to wainscot the wall to get in a little more stonework and used this amazing border from Walker Zanger with our vulcan red onyx tones and deep gray coloring. It was so decadent, it really fit in with our overall look. On the walls we worked with Segreto Finishes to apply venetian plaster, and this ever-so-slight motif was sprinkled on top of the plaster. Finally, I picked a really subtle Rose Tarlow print for the small window covering, something that would blend in rather than detract from the dramatic red. And here’s the finished effect!

Amitha Verma Interior Design

Amitha Verma Designs

Glass mosaic isn’t one of the classic tile styles I love, like subway tile or penny tile, but it really seems to be the choice of the moment right now! After seeing it in its many incarnations, however, I can’t deny that I’m not always a fan of the multi-hued effect, especially when it creates an almost ‘pixellated’ effect in a small space. To me, the space looks clearer and less cluttered when the tiles used are all of a similar shade, as in this serene-looking bathroom. The shimmer of the glass mosaic is evident, but it’s calming rather than chaotic.

(Source: Veranda)

The advantage of using mosaic in one shade, or variations of a shade, is that it can look really stunning against a simple white backdrop. Take this ultra-modern spa-style bathroom, in which the crisp white palette is broken only by the waves of pale green tile on the bath. Simply gorgeous!

(Source: Elle Decor)

I also really like mosaic tiles with a more ‘rough-hewn’ finish, though they don’t possess the shimmer qualities of glass. It’s a great look for a rustic style powder room, and has a more classic look that I think will stand the test of time.

(Source: Elle Decor)

I will say one thing I do love about glass tile, while it  may not be not a classic, it’s ever-changing, trendy, fashionable, and a statement of what’s current and now. As long as our clients are loving it-there will always be spot for some kind of mosaic in our work!

I find that retro-style tiles always have a certain appeal for me… subway tile, hex rounds, penny tile; I fall in love with the simplicity of them, the elegance of their essentially utilitarian nature. These days I feel drawn to the humble penny tile, an old-fashioned style that is finding a new lease of life in some seriously chic interior settings.

(Source: houzz.com)

There’s something so charming about how simple but how adorable these little rounds look, whether adorning a bathroom floor or a kitchen splashback. And the look is far from old-fashioned. I find that some of the new penny tile ranges have a really modern feel to them, with their luxe glass finishes and their contemporary shades.

(Source: Apartment Therapy)

The great thing about penny tile is how versatile it is. Fancy an eco-friendly floor? Why not opt for cork tile, made from recycled wine corks. Believe it or not, they are laid in the conventional way using grouting and only need to be covered with a waterproof coating before they can be used in the same way as ceramic tiles.

(Source: katyelliot.com)

Of course, you could be even more literal, and use actual pennies for your floor, like in the famous Standard Hotel in New York. Some designers have gone one step further and tiled their clients’ walls with nickels! But for me, I think mirrored penny rounds are the ultimate in glamorous luxe…

(Source: Severely Glamorous)

Don’t you just adore the sheer sparkly sophistication of this wall? I have to say, with my recent passion for all things gold and glamorous, this wall is featuring high on my list of looks-to-love for this week…

This is the one we used in the Mediterranean Kitchen. I cannot wait until they come in! We had a luscious granite slab of cool greens and blues. The island was painted this pretty pale green and accented by dark green glazing. To contrast, we found this lovely hand painted tile with a pale yellow background, with cream and olive green highlights.

Here are a few options we’re playing with for the outdoor kitchen. We’re always attempting to blend modern and classic elements to give our homeowner a timeless look, and we’ve added some glass to the waterline to give it a modern touch. Which palette do you prefer? I’m so torn, I could easily live with both.

Here are a few others that I just fell in love with and will have to find a home for in our next new construction.

In the project below, we had a very pretty vestibule before the master bedroom entry just yearning for details. The flooring into this room were wood floors, and we thought this would be the perfect place for a gorgeous hand-painted tile!

Custom Residence by Amitha Verma Interior Design

Bold and luxurious and almost indecently decadent, gold has a real wow factor to it when used in interiors. We’re not talking tacky glittery gold here, but gorgeous textured gold surfaces, dull gold finishes, and soft gold prints. It’s just a little bit showy but still oh-so-elegant…

(Source: Eclectic Revisited)

The foyer above is an extreme example of the use of gold, but I still love how the textured gold walls look, especially with the mirrored console. Such richness and depth! For my Houston interior design clients though, I tend to create more subtle gold tones, like in this kitchen I worked on last year. The stone in the kitchen backsplash had a lovely gold hue. See how the overall look is very ‘gold’ though the surfaces are mostly a warm cream color, and the extra glow is created with clever lighting?

Amitha Verma Designs

The wonderful thing about gold is how luxurious it looks. I adore using gold in the bedroom, for a truly ‘Parisian boudoir’ feel. Wouldn’t this bed heaped with gold cushions just make any girl feel like a queen?

(Source: French Interiors)

I often find that a subtly decorated space is instantly glamorized by the addition of touches of gold. This powder room I designed for a client was mostly decorated in shades of gray and blue, but the addition of a gold carved antique mirror really added a touch of style, I felt. I really love how the gold is echoed in the sheeny scrollwork of the faux finish on the walls too, and in the accents of the moldings on the vanity!

Amitha Verma Designs

In fact, gold mirrors and gold chandeliers are perfect accessories for just about any space – brightening up a foyer, finishing off a formal drawing room, even adding a touch of decadence to a bathroom. What do you think?

(Source: Veranda)

(Source: Knight Moves)

I like the idea of using black and white tiles in the entrance hall of a house – I think it creates a real sense of elegance and old-fashioned grandeur. See how the floor in this hall is a really good complement to the molding on the walls, the charming ottoman and table?

(Source: Haus & Home)

Checkerboard floors look good on the outside too. A veranda like this one is the perfect entrance to a really historic-looking grand old house. I love the white front door with the decorative transom just above it.

(Source: Veranda)

I have to admit, when it comes to using checkerboard tiles to create a really decadent, but slightly more modern look, I like using them in the kitchen. I’ve fallen in love with this almost edible kitchen which is decorated in shades of pink and chocolate, with a checked floor to match. The owner says she was inspired by French patisseries, chocolate, and Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. I say, yum!

(Source: House Beautiful)

I can’t resist showing you one adorable little detail from this kitchen – these pink and white striped tins with the names of French delicacies hand-lettered on them… I’m in love!

(Source: House Beautiful)

Of course the checkerboard look works in other settings too. A dining area is formal enough the carry off this look, especially when paired with extra-tall French windows and Louis XIV chairs.

(Source: House and Home)

I also really like this bathroom, which belongs to Paris-based designer Frederic Mechiche. The antique tub and the modern artwork really make the floor look ultra-chic.

(Source: PBC Style)

If you’re looking for high drama and classic appeal, this sophisticated contrast will last the test of time. Perhaps there’s room for this in my next project…

(Source: holland.com)

Delft pottery takes its name from the city in Holland in which it was originally made, and is traditionally known for a high level of detail in the design. During the Dutch Golden Age, the country had great ties with China and started importing huge quantities of Chinese porcelain. Many were impressed with the Chinese workmanship and attention to detail, and the result was a real refinement in Delftware production.

Delftware includes simple household items like tea sets and jars, as well as fancier pictorial plates illustrated with Dutch scenes, religious motifs, birds and flowers. I love the tiles made with the typical blue and white pattern to use on walls and floors. What do you think of this Delft-inspired kitchen?? Maybe a little over the top, but there’s something really striking about it! These are great for kitchen and bath tile designs.

(Source: Design Hole)

In fact, I think Delft pottery looks gorgeous in the kitchen… it has a kind of rustic, pretty country feel to it. How about serving tea on a scrubbed pine table in this uber-charming Delft tea set?

(Source: Decor Home Design)

I also love the effect of several Delft pieces grouped together. In keeping with the French country theme – even though Delft is Dutch! – this dresser looks oh-so-gorgeous arrayed with that distinctive blue and white pattern china! The blue gingham tablecloth just adds to that fabulous country kitchen look. Tea and cake, anyone?

(Source: Home magazine)

A client just recently asked me to interior design a master bathroom around a Delft inspired sink. Stay tuned to see how it turns out!

Since Medieval days tile has been used to create incredible works of art. During the early days, tile was only used in churches, public buildings and homes of the wealthy; the cost was extremely high due to the processes and materials tilers used to make tiles lasting and colorful. Early tiles were used specifically for flooring.

Influence from Middle Eastern countries led way to more sophisticated designs and new processes were created such as tin glazing instead of the less versatile lead glazing. Floor tiles were used to create elaborate patterns or mosaics. Islamic countries brought their art and architecture first to Spain. This led the way to the birth of Spanish tiles which in turn spread quickly across Europe inspiring the Italians and French to create their own signature tiles.

The 19^th century would see the advancement of machinery for making tiles and the demand for handmade tiles wane. Many processes and materials later, the 20^th century welcomed tile as we know it. Today modern glazed, or ceramic tiles, are used around the globe in countless ways from the kitchen backsplash to the foyer floor or entryway.

I love to work with my clients when designing a tile mosaic for their entry. Letting them take part in the design phase makes the mosaic all the more meaningful for them when they are later enjoying it on a daily basis.

23 Ashley Gardens (via)

This entry tile mosaic created in 1890 has been restored to its original beauty. Tiles of black, white and dark red make for an intricate geometric design. The same patterns is reflected on the ceiling which is part of the original design as well.

Phoebe Howard (via)

This black and white twist on the chevron pattern makes for a very vibrant and energetic welcome in the long slender entry above.

House and Garden (via)

A luxurious marble tile entry mosaic is all about the squares. The pattern is mimicked on the back of the bench and the round mirror adds contrast.

Mixr (via)

Moroccan tiles in charcoal gray and white make an intricate infinity pattern in the bold and bright entry.

]]> http://amithaverma.com/blog/2011/02/entry-tile-mosaics/feed/ 0 http://amithaverma.com/blog/2011/02/grand-foyer/ http://amithaverma.com/blog/2011/02/grand-foyer/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:48:00 +0000 Past & Present http://amithaverma.com/blog/?p=378 When I opened my issue of Veranda last month, I was so ecstatic to see all the gorgeous projects featured.

In one of my favorites, there was an article featuring a couple’s residence on the famed Left Bank neighborhood of Saint-Germain in Paris. I recently had the pleasure of visiting this elegant neighborhood back in December. One of the people I work with invited us to her flat , a classic 18^th century residence, true to the classic French Louis XV, XVI and Neoclassic inspired style.  It was such a treat to see a classic French flat.

Look at this magnificent foyer! What an exquisite entrance. Designed by Henri Samuel and Susan Gutfreund, this is grand foyer is such a classic Parisian 18th century inspired entrance.

Veranda Jan/Feb 2011

I love the classic limestone flooring. This combination of light and dark stonework on the flooring is so timeless. I could never tire of this design. When designing our interiors we tend to use classic stones and materials that will last the test of time.  Limestone from France has this rich coloring and texture, and is often reclaimed from old flooring. Talk about recycling! I am such a fan of a lantern instead of a chandelier in a foyer. Less is so much more! Look at the gorgeous window in the staircase, reminiscent of an oeil-de-bouef, and those moldings!

More to come, as I enjoy the rest of this article.

I love to make the powder room in the homes I design a focal point where the personal style of the homeowner shines through along with the use of one of a kind treasures. The idea for the pretty powder room shown here evolved over the many months of the project, as I got to know the client. Starting out with only a shell, and a box built out for the vanity, we collectively gave the powder bath time to evolve into what it would eventually become, a focal point of concentrated beauty. Every detail was considered to give this room a unique design.

Not wanting plain straight panel doors, I started out by designing the powder doors with the lovely curves and moldings you see here. They are French-inspired from around the Louis XV period, when designs were very curvy and organic, slightly reminiscent of the Rococo style.

The tile in the backslash is hand painted with a blue and green motif in the design, which I added for a little bit of decoration behind the sink and to add an additional layer of color with the countertops and wall finish.

The antique mirror was my favorite find! I always look, hunt and dig for the right pieces to put in my powder bath designs, and found this incredible antique French frame. It was so tattered; I wasn’t sure the frame could even hold the mirror, but full of hope, I took it my local frame shop and they fixed it all up, secured the frame and put the mirror in for me. The patina of the mirror’s frame is reminiscent of the green in the walls and once hung is absolutely gorgeous.

Last, but not least, we considered the floors and the ceilings. We added a small border of mosaic stone around the bathroom, and included small 2” x 2” inserts with the same painted tile. In the ceiling, we used a little chandelier. At one point, we were considering changing the red crystals to another color, but once it was all done it was the perfect bit of contrast. There’s that old design adage that every project should have a touch of red! We also did a beautiful hand painted design on the walls, exaggerated the pattern and it made the powder, which initially felt small, feel really open and airy.

Decorative faux finish available through interior designers. In Houston, contact Amitha Verma Interior Designs.