I’ve been working on creating a really rich, elegant space full of beautiful shapes and textures. You can see my plans for the décor in this presentation that I put together for the client before we began.

The furniture has my favorite classic French feel to it – Louis XVI side chairs for dining chairs, and a custom dining table designed by AVID. The table is two-toned, with a painted base and a stained solid hardwood top that will be both durable and hard-wearing. I love the carvings too – they add a touch of grandeur to a functional piece. As for the fabric, we’ve chosen some beautiful prints by my absolute favorite textile manufacturer Pierre Frey. I simply adore the gorgeous colors and designs they produce, and the client and I both fell in love with the deep reds and purple tones in this particular nature-inspired fabric.

The windows are to be dressed simply yet elegantly with drapery panels, and I’ve chosen some lovely custom-painted barstools with Micheal Smith fabric for extra seating. We also went for a simple arrangement of florals that will add some color but not overwhelm the area. But my favorite find has to be the antique secretary, a beautiful piece with gorgeous hardware and amazingly detailed carving. It opens up to reveal several tiny drawers and shelves, which means even though it’s such a classic piece, it’s perfect for storing all those modern accessories like iPhones and keys and the like!

(Source: Tulu Textiles)

The fabrics on the bed above come from a design house called Tulu, which specializes in bold, bright prints and hues. So many of these beautiful prints are inspiring me these days. I especially like the rich shades they use. Used against a crisp white background, the colors ‘pop’ even more, creating a really spectacular effect.

(Source: Tulu Textiles)

One of the other companies I’m really loving right now is Les Indiennes, which produces a line inspired by the colors and shapes of India.

(Source: Les Indiennes)

The great thing about prints like these is that they can really infuse a room with personality, even one with a simple, rustic décor. I’ve fallen for the rich, saturated hues, the beautiful patterns, and the pretty linen-like backgrounds.

(Source: Les Indiennes)

I love the patterns too – especially the paisley prints, which are so reminiscent of traditional Indian designs. Even in the simplest of color combinations, they look so elegant!

(Source: Les Indiennes)

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

(Source: Eclectic Revisited)

The tulip has made its way into many ‘traditional’ English prints and you often see a tulip print in old English stately homes. There’s even a special Tulip Staircase in the Queen’s House in London!

(Source: Open House)

Interestingly, tulips are not originally a very English symbol at all. The tulip was first used in interior design and architecture in Turkey, and it was the Ottomans who brought the motif to Europe. Of course, the Dutch were the ones to eventually commercialize the tulip in the 17th century, and Holland became known as the birthplace of the tulip. But as a design motif, tulips have proliferated across Europe, and now can be seen in upholstery, curtains, bedding and even wallpaper.

(Source: New Home Interior Design)

I love this modern tulip inspired velvet fabric, by Barbara Barry for Kravet. We recently used this fabric in one of our projects, for these two fabulous, extra long, cozy kidney pillows, and they turned out so luscious!

Historians say that the tulip motif came to the United States through Dutch descendants who settled in the Hudson River area and began producing tulip themed freehand paintings on large wall areas. This trend eventually became a fashion for wall stenciling, and we now see many modern homes with a feature wall covered in a delicate tulip vine stencil.

(Source: Design Amour)

I’m loving the simplicity and the elegance of the wall shown above – the almost austere white sink and mirror are the perfect contrast to the elaborate stenciled design. Perhaps I need to think about a makeover for one of my powder rooms!

Why do they call it a ‘Roman Shade’? One theory is that the style and mechanism of the Roman Shade is the same as that of the retractable shade used outside of the Coliseum in Rome. Another theory is the Roman Shade was first invented in Rome out of necessity. Ancient Rome was a design Mecca, with many awe-inspiring wonders being built – the Coliseum, the Pantheon, numerous Basilicas. Homeowners of the time period needed a window covering to prevent dust from coming in. At first, damp cloths were used to cover the windows until design took over, and window coverings started to be made using luxurious fabrics and textiles.

Roman shades are still a very classic way to cover a window, and add a design statement! I love how you can use a gorgeous fabric, or even a simple fabric and a bit of detail to create a classic, timeless look.

A lovely French inspired design by Suzanne Kassler (via)

I love this modern geometric print used in the Roman Shade over the sink. This is a fantastic use of a modern design in Louis XV inspired room. The curves and organic shapes are so perfectly in tune with the style that was in vogue during that time period!

House Beautiful. Jan/Feb 2011

A Roman Shade is a GREAT window covering for a kitchen window. You can keep it up so you don’t have to worry about water ,(this window doesn’t usually need privacy) sneak a little softness into the kitchen, and add a pop of color and texture!

House Beautiful March 2011

Gorgeous!! This Roman Shade is the perfect addition without looking too ‘busy’. One of my own personal favorite design tricks is to add a contrasting border or stripe into a solid panel to create a classic look. I especially love the color of the bookshelves – who says cabinets must be white?

Custom window coverings and draperies, and fabric available through designers, In Houston, contact Amitha Verma Interior Design.

Veranda’s coverage of the 1920s Greystone estate design showcase in Beverly Hills included the design projects of 28 of the country’s top designers. One design clearly stood out on the merits of its over-the-top luxury guest room. From these images you can see that paying close attention to every detail, when designing a guest room, can lead to very decadent results.

Veranda (via)

You might not think twin beds perfect for a guestroom, but as you can see here they don’t have to get lost in the room due to their small size. This is a great way to maximize sleeping arrangements for one room. Volumize your bedding with an assortment of plush details like a pillow top mattress, feather bed, 1000+ thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, and a mixture of pillows in differing thicknesses to offer guests their perfect match. Add an elegant duvet cover with a thick and plush down comforter buttoned snugly inside.

Add a bench at the foot of the bed as this designer did or a couple of chairs. Make sure the lighting is controlled through a dimmer for the optimal lighting preferences of your guests. Here the dangling globes above each bed offer plenty of light for reading or needlework, so a lamp on the bedside table isn’t necessary. Guests get maximum privacy with roman shades and a glowing view to the outdoors during the day with sheer blinds.

Veranda (via)

Providing a small area for writing or working will make for very appreciative guests. Many of us now carry our laptops with us when we travel, so having a beautifully appointed area for this purpose is a treat. I love to include secretaries as a “nightstand” with a side chair so guests can easily work while visiting. In a setup such as this, guests can also use this area as a vanity area with the simple addition of a beautifully appointed mirror!