(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)

I’m not entirely convinced by his reasoning, but there’s no denying the importance of chairs in our interior design spaces. They happen to be one of the most functional and practical pieces – and you know this once you have spent an evening sitting in an uncomfortable chair – and yet are often, in themselves, objects of art and beauty.

(Source: Veranda, May/June 2011)

Given my love for all things inspired by French history, I have a particular love for the elegant, sophisticated chairs that characterize European furniture styles, especially those from the Louis XVI period. One of my favorites is the classic Sheraton chair, a neoclassical design that is known for its straight lines, and its delicate and light construction.

(Source: Elle Decor)

The style was actually named after an Englishman, a cabinet maker and furniture designer called Thomas Sheraton. Although he was not the only designer producing chairs in this style during the eighteenth century, his name became synonymous with the design and he was remembered for being one of the few who shaped furniture trends during a period of innovation and experimentation. I often get asked if I only have a love for French furniture and imagine that- I love something aside from French antiques!

(Source: Country Living)

I always believe that one of the marks of a classic design is its relevance to modern spaces, and I love how the Sheraton chair can still hold its own in any space-traditional or modern. It’s simple yet elegant lines are perfect for any foyer, dining room or even bedroom, and I love it equally well in an original dark wood or with an artfully aged paint finish.

(Source: Home Design @ Martha Stewart)

Sometimes this is all it takes to make a real design statement – a classic style, shown off to perfection. Don’t you agree?

Chances are, you’re thinking about old-fashioned, 80s, monstrously-printed wallpapers and cringing.

Forget that, put it out of your mind. Nowadays when I talk about using wallpaper to my local Houston interior design clients, lots of them have the same reaction. But today’s choices are so much more exciting! In fact, when used tastefully, wallpaper has the ability to utterly transform a space into the epitome of chic!

(Source: Ginger & Gold Design Diary)

Stripes or patterns, big or small – there are so many options when it comes to choosing a gorgeous wallpaper for your home. I love how this subtle leaf print wallpaper has been used with a more detailed big leaf print fabric on the Louis XV chair – and how gorgeous is that white console table?!

(Source: Homesick Designs)

Wallpaper often has the effect of making a room look more formal and imposing. A rich stripe always works well in a bedroom or hallway – here, it’s been used in conjunction with a feminine floral print (a combination that always works!) to create a pretty, fresh country bedroom.

(Source: HomeDecoratingTrends.com)

I have to admit, I like using wallpaper to create real interest and drama in more public spaces like the foyer or dining room, where you make more impact. Even in a bedroom, though, the effect is startling. See this beautifully papered bedroom – it just looks like a study in Parisian chic!

(Source: radioiconica.com)

I simply adore the damask pattern wallpapers, especially in rich, metallic shades. Gold, silver, teal, pink, burgundy and pewter – all these colors look fabulous in damask prints. There’s a real air of regality and grandeur about them.

(Source: Best Home Gallery)

I can’t get enough of the utterly beautiful drawing room above – the elegant sofa, the rich looking wallpaper, even the side table with the miniature lamp is gorgeous! Sumptuousness and glamor and elegance all in one… and I’m sure you can’t even remember anymore why you didn’t like wallpaper!

In Houston, contact Amitha Verma Interior Design for fine wallcoverings.

For me, it’s great – I get to experiment with some fabulous color combinations and prints! One of my favorites this season is a deep, rich blue, offset with yellow accents.

(Source: House and Home)

This combination works beautifully in every setting, whether bedroom, kitchen or drawing room. I love the concept of pale yellow sofas against deep blue wood paneling, or blue upholstery in a sunny yellow room with printed curtains and a rich yellow-gold carpet. The look is so versatile, it can look equally pretty in both casual and formal living spaces.

(Source: Genuine Style)

Whenever I take on a new interior design project, one of the first steps is usually selecting the fabrics I’m going to use. Lately I’ve been finding myself drawn to lots of colorful blue and yellow prints, especially the new designs by Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa. I am so excited by all these energetic brights, so colorful, yet still elegant!

From the Lee Jofa fabric collection, designed by Oscar de la Renta

People really respond well to bright, motivating color palettes in their homes, and I love how these fabrics translate into really uplifting interiors. Afraid of committing to a bold palette? Try using these fabrics on a bench or some throw pillows. Even a single piece upholstered in this kind of print looks gorgeously colorful!

Shell ottoman upholstered in Kublai Khan fabric by Oscar de la Renta (Source: Elle Decor)

Lee Jofa fabric available through Amitha Verma Designs

Last year, I worked with a very special couple to design their dream home, a combination of Mediterranean and French country inspired influences. This couple loved bold, rich, bright jewel tone colors. A challenge that I faced,  was how I was going to balance their love for bold colors, while making the space a peaceful environment they would love for years to come.

Their dining room became the perfect combination of the color palette the client loved and a backdrop for all the custom furniture we designed and their collection of artwork.  Now, I’m not one to shy away from color, in-fact I love using bold colors. However, I’m always a bit hesitant to design furniture that must look stylish for many years to come, unless the client is absolutely sure they will love looking at bold colors for many years. So we found this treasure of a table at a local antique shop that specializes in using old bases with these fabulous steel tops that are custom made.   That was the “easy part.” Then it was on to the chairs.

Working with my client, she said she loved deep reds and that was the direction she wanted to go with the fabrics. So doing my duty I found this lovely Schumacher fabric that looked like a watercolor painting but still had the rich color she desired.

Schumacher fabric available through Amitha Verma Designs

At first, she loved it and was confident that was the fabric. As we were ready to order she thought maybe she should see one chair before we ordered all the rest. So we proceeded to make one prototype. One look and she exclaimed “You are right, I could not live with these for years on end.”

So it was back to the drawing board. Still wanting to have the color we needed, I suggested a more washed or antique look to tone down the color. I found this beautiful Lee Jofa fabric, and knew this was the one! A lovely floral pattern, combined with delicate hints of blue, rust and ochre, it had the color but would look lovely repeated over and over on multiple chairs. Working with our prototype, we tried one more sample. I remember my client came to our office to see the prototype, sat on the floor and just stared at the chair. I knew her heart was content.

Lee Jofa fabric through Amitha Verma Design

And the rest is history! I was very pleased with the final result. The fabrics, the custom chairs, the gorgeous surface of the table, and the antique Italian arm chandelier above just topped it all off!

Veranda February 2011

Century old pieces, keeping company with modern ones, such as in the New York apartment pictured here, prove traditional designs can be broken. Break the rules, rebel! I love the use of this bold, graphic fabric on one my favorite chairs, the classic Louis XVI chair. This great Neoclassic piece takes on a modern graphic stripe in a fantastic fashion. I love how this palette lends itself to a little bit of gilt work, which can be overly traditional with a different set of fabrics.

Veranda February 2011

In the combined living/dining area, an Asian inspired black armoire with gold gilt accents keep watch over a sleek chaise lounge. Asian inspired pieces and motifs were very popular in France. Chinoiserie, a famous French fabric has Asian roots, but I’ll save that story for another post.

Another great Louis XVI chair is fashioned with a printed or embossed leather. I love the side table and it’s straight, ultra sleek chrome legs paired next to the animal inspired cabriole legs. And look at that “coffee table!” A piece of a corinthian column resting on that crisp dark flooring.

Love the modern lines contrasted with the beautiful curves of Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture. Great interpretation of past & present!

In this modern day and age, with the daily bustle, I love designing a place in the house where families can get together, unwind  and visit about everyone’s day. Enjoying this ritual with extended family and friends makes it twice as enjoyable. So to that end, here are a few suggestions for a rugged, yet lovely, dining room fit for a big family who entertains often.

Elle Decor (via)

This amazing dining/library combination is a combined effort by a mother and her two daughters for their family of five. The rustic family retreat is featured in Elle Décor and no wonder! These women run the interior design firm M. Elle Design.

This is such an inspiring room, and combines two of my favorite rooms in a house, a dining area and a library. I love how the family can gather on this rich, solid wood table, whether to read, work, surf on the internet or eat together. And look at that gorgeous Italian arm chandelier!

Solid wood tables, especially trestle tables, and linen slipcovers on chairs offer durability while being attractive at the same time. Slip covers are a great way to add longevity to your pieces.

House Beautiful (via)

Trestle tables, like the one above, works well for a big family with children, because it is much easier to maneuver about than say a table with fixed corner legs. Trestle tables have been used in homes for hundreds and hundreds of years. During the Gothic period, in the 15^th century in England, France and Itlay, these trestle tables were used in the “great hall.” Trestle tops were typically made of a removable wood top on a trestle base so that the rooms could be used for multifunctional purposes.

My favorite part of a trestle table, is as the solid wood top ages, and gets marked and distressed from use it just adds to the beauty of the piece.  After all these years, these tables are still a classic, piece of furniture!

House Beautiful (via)

The harvest table and wicker arm chairs in their simplicity are offset by the formality of the chair design and their pleated slip covers creating a beautiful French country dining area fit for a big family.

Harvest tables, like the one above, are traditionally not as wide as a regular dining table, so be aware of table width when purchasing one for your family. You may need a wider variety, like the trestle table, if you need more room for activities or like to place serving dishes directly on the table. An alternative to this would be to place additional food on a buffet or sideboard situated close by.