Design Inspiration: A Beautiful Breakfast Space

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

These days I’m working with one of my regular Houston interior design clients on the continuation of a long-term project. Having used lots of beautiful colors throughout her living space, we’re now shifting the focus to the breakfast room and kitchen, with the same jewel tones and vibrant palette.

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!

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Design Highs: Intricate Ceilings

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

Whenever I start to visualize the look for a particular room, I never forget that interior decoration doesn’t end at eye level. Ceilings are just as important as floors or walls, and I love using plaster to create beautiful ceiling designs – stylish embellishments that draw the eye upward and add to the impact and personality of a room.

Intricate ceiling designs can be created in a number of ways, using beams, plaster or a coffer design. Exposed beams are great for the French country look, and I like incorporating this element into more casual spaces with high ceilings.

(Source: Designs That Inspire)

I think coffered ceilings look beautiful in larger rooms, and recently created one for a project I’m currently working on. You can see how the design creates depth and adds a layer of visual interest to the room even before it is furnished.

Amitha Verma Designs

Coffering basically refers to a set of sunken panels in the shape of squares, rectangles or octagons in the ceiling. The tradition began in the Loire Valley in France during the early Renaissance – this probably explains why I love it so much! I think even when subtly done, a coffered ceiling works beautifully with French-inspired furniture and elegant textiles.

(Source: House Beautiful)

I often like to take things one step further and introduce intricate designs and patterns into the ceiling as well. My inspiration could come from just about anywhere. Recently I spotted a gorgeous pair of earrings in InStyle magazine that sparked the idea for my next ceiling (pics of that project coming up soon!)

Essentially I just love the idea of introducing more color and style into an element of the space that often gets overlooked. Ceilings deserve to be beautiful too, don’t you think?

Amitha Verma Designs

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