(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

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!

(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!

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

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.