Something New, Something Old, Something French, Something Gold

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

In the course of my work, I find I go through phases. Some months, I find myself drawn to lots of bright fabrics and accessories – oranges and purples and pinks. Other times, I go through a phase of wanting to create very neutral spaces, in white, stone and ivory. These days, I have a new love: GOLD.

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)

Posted in Wallcovering, antiques, bedroom, chairs/sofas, faux paint, foyer, kitchen, light fixtures, mirrors, tiles | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Designer Secrets-A Few Favorite Colours

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

As an interior designer, people love to ask, what are some of my favorite paint colors?  Selecting paint is one of the many things we do to create beautiful interiors in our projects. Here are a few of our faves:

Revere Pewter-Benjamin Moore

We used this in a boy’s room to create a classic look that would “grow up” with our young client.

Joa’s White-Farrow & Ball

A Beautiful off-white without the  green undertones that we tend to see in creams. We used this on a piece of custom furniture and it turned out so lovely!

Lamp Room Gray-Farrow & Ball

I could paint everything this color…

Plummett- Farrow & Ball

A new color for 2011, I cannot wait to use this one on an upcoming project!

Clay Beige-Benjamin Moore

A beautiful grayish beige.

Harbour Gray-Benjamin Moore

A sophisticated gray with a hint of blue, inspired by documented colors used in 18th and 19th century architecture- and you know me, I love furniture and the colors from the 18th century!

Moderate White-Sherwin Williams

A very pretty neutral…

Mediterranean-Sherwin Williams

I love using this on shutters for exteriors.

Paint is one of the best ways to quickly and completely transform a room. So if you’re looking for a quick change, pick up a gallon of paint and have fun with it!

Cheers,

Amitha

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