You might be thinking, how do you know what to look for at a fair like this one, and even more importantly, how do you know what to invest in? For newcomers to the antiquing field, I always suggest starting with a small piece to get your feet wet. Start small, and then work your way up to your ‘antique comfort zone’. Antiques are a wonderful investment and the true quality pieces more often than not tend to retain their value.

With an eye out for really special pieces, I wandered around the fair. One of the first pieces that caught my attention was this lovely bench. I simply love the amazing carving, and the gorgeous green patina is just beautiful! This would be a great piece in an entry hall, at the end of a twin size bed, or in the midst of a seating arrangement.

Another great piece to start out with is a secretary. Oh, how I love secretaries! This was my first antique purchase, and I just adore this type of furniture. This is a great piece that can be used as dropzone or even as a substitute for a nightstand by a bedside.

I love that beautiful metal arcade around the top of this secretary! These are the kinds of details that I usually look for when hunting out a quality piece. (Note: Gatorade not vinage). I especially love the gilded chair that’s paired with this secretary. Oh and that stripe – so pretty, classic but a bit geometric.

I also really liked this elegant console with the matching tremeau (mirror)- just perfect for a sophisticated entry hall.

There were so many other pieces that I fell in love with at the fair… more details next time!

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…

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.

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.

This was a combination of many different elements to accentuate the dome. There were layers of mouldings all hand finished in a gold leaf effect. The floor medallion was custom designed to incorporate the colors the homeowners loved.

This was a combination of many different elements to accentuate the dome. There were layers of mouldings all hand finished in a gold leaf affect. The floor medallion was custom designed to incorporate the colors the homeowners loved.

This homeowner has a stunning and beautiful collection of modern/impressionist style artwork, so I wanted to keep the dome simple, without too much pattern. We did a faux finish that give as an “effect” rather than a design or pattern to see. From the bottom you see the beautiful design of the balloon inspired lantern.

There we did a beautiful stone medallion under the dome. We did not do any pattern here, just a faux finish.