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Modern Icons: Marimekko Textiles

Odds are, Marimekko fabrics are in your radar even if you did not know their name; in case you’ve ever received a Crate and Barrel catalogue, you will realize a’mekko print when you see it. A huge part of this mid-century contemporary boom, the business was started by Armi Ratia in Finland at 1951. The country was prepared for glowing bold prints after years of warfare, and Ratia was particularly prepared to recognize talented women designers and break through glass ceilings. After Jackie Kennedy ordered up seven of the dresses and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated sporting one in 1960, the newest became wildly popular at the U.S.. It has remained worldwide ever since.

Studio One-Off Architecture & Design

Tip: Stretch cloth over a canvas for an inexpensive means to pack a large graphic punch.

This is created from a classic’mekko printing named KIVET (it’s actually there to conceal the television). You can stretch the cloth over artwork canvases, buy kits (I recommend textile arts; their products are great and their customer service is excellent ), or buy hangings already assemble.

The Red Jet

Case in point: Blogger Red Jet Whistle created a contemporary wall hanging with this vintage’mekko cloth. Etsy and eBay are great sources for discovering pieces.

See the rest of the creative home

Palmerston Design Consultants

This exuberant poppy print, known as UNIKKO, was created by Marimekko great Maija Isola in 1964. It’s become wonderfully ubiquitous due to each the goods Crate and Barrel has generated using it (Crate has had the exclusive U.S. rights to Marimekko prints for decades). Though very popular, I don’t feel that this print has ever hit the tipping point. It’s timeless, as it comes in a range of scales and colours.

Side Note: I really like this tiny cribbed conversation that looks about the Marimekko U.S. site, explaining how UNIKKO was:
Armi Ratia:“No flower patterns”
Maija Isola: “Why not?”
Armi Ratia:“Since they can never match the beauty of a true flower.”

Thankfully, Isola chose this as a challenge and created what is now among the most quintessential Marimekko prints.

Tara Seawright Interior Design

Interior designer Tara Seawright solved the issue of supplying a little bedroom using this stretched canvas to function as a tall headboard. Unlike those hot lace heels, it doesn’t take up any floor space.

Tip: If you have a little or ho-hum toilet, try a large scale print shower curtain (I did).

This shower curtain, with its large spectacle of Scandinavian birch tree Long Beach printing, can totally transform a toilet.

Atypical Type A

On a smaller scale, KAIKU makes a beautiful screensaver.

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

All these KIVET Butterfly Chair covers add welcome color to this modern home in the desert.

Divine Design+Build

In the same way, a framed UNIKKO print brings color to this toilet.

House + House Architects

KIVET in gray and black is contemporary and masculine. The circles are not perfect, which adds character and keeps it from being totally dotty.

James Wagman Architect, LLC

Marimekko napkins play the striped pendant lighting.

This wavy LOKKI pattern lends contemporary sophistication and curves for this modern dining area.

Webber + Studio, Architects

Marimekko TUULI throw pillows add inky black, abstracted trees to the bedscape.

My appreciation for all things Marimekko can be traced back to my aunt, Sally Wittenberg. She bedecked every bedroom in her Berkshires lake home with Marimekko linens and every bath with’mekko towels. She introduced me to Dansk, Catherine Holm and all things Scandinavian contemporary.

See the rest of the Berkshires lake home

Another Aunt Sally bedroom…

… and yet another! Marimekko looks great with her memorial posters.

Textile Arts

Unikko Gray Wallpaper from Marimekko – $149
Marimekko recently came out with a wallpaper line; today you can cover whole walls with your favorite prints.

Textile Arts

Marimekko Pieni Melooni Apron – $43
This apron is sewn from another timeless Marimekko print, known as MELOONI. It makes a great hostess gift for the Aunt Sally forms in your life.

AllModern

Ducduc Collins Rocker at UNIKKO by Marimekko – $1,495
Not interested in average nursery decoration? Get this crazy rocker and design the whole room around it. As your child develops, you can move it in your den, study or family room.

Marimekko

Siirtolapuutarha Räsymatto Teapot – $98
It’s possible I will begin drinking tea if it’s an excuse to maintain this kettle out in my cooker 24/7.

Textile Arts

Marimekko Fashion and Design – $45
Marimekko tomes are so inspirational. We’ve covered only housewares here, however, the fashion and the design are also impressive.

More Marimekko Products Houzz Writers Have Selected
Houzz Tour: A Joyous Home at Norway
A Scandinavian Inspired Staycation

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Kitchen of the Week Up From the Fire

Possessing a fireplace smack-dab at the middle of her kitchen was not originally on Houzz consumer Carole Meyer’s remodel wishlist, but after seeing a friend’s vacation home in Mexico, she knew it was a must-have. Her friend’s home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico had two fireplaces at a long living area.

Meyer was struck with their stunning look and decided to install one fireplace in her kitchen and you on the opposing wall in her living area. The warmth of the fireplace is echoed inside her kitchen rustic cabinetry, flooring and backsplash. “I didn’t want any stainless steel in my kitchen,” she says. “I wanted a more mellow look, since our house is a little Old-World-meets-modern.'”

More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens

CAROLE MEYER

Meyer’s rich, ebony cabinetry has been custom created by a Portland-based company. The lighter wood accents enclosing the range hood are ebonized oak with a clear finish. To pay further tribute to her inspiration in San Miguel de Allende, Meyer picked up dark iron knobs and pulls from a shop at the little, Mexican city. Each the appliances except for the stove — were confronted with wood cabinetry. “Considering that the kitchen could be seen in the living space, I truly didn’t want it to seem like a kitchen at all,” she says.

Cabinetry: Simon & Toney at Portland, Oregon.
Pulls and knobs: La Casa del Inquisador at San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Range: Wolf
Countertop: Kashmere Gold granite

CAROLE MEYER

The black finish on the cabinets has been implemented in layers, leaving the natural tone of the wood slightly observable beneath the darkened wash, making a beautiful sense of depth.

This custom dish rack sits directly across from Meyer’s dishwasher, and which makes cleaning easier. Most of these dishes on display are from San Miguel de Allende — a brand new, others antiques.

CAROLE MEYER

The little, cast-stone fireplace is the true focus of the kitchen, but has been somewhat of a struggle to put in because the kitchen is just 13′ x 17′. Regardless of the problems that came with installation, it was worth it that the fireplace is Meyer and her husband’s favorite part of the kitchen.

“We love to come in and sit down at the afternoon and read the newspaper beside the fireplace,” she says. “We designed our home to concentrate on the outdoors, so when I am sitting here or cooking, I could enjoy these views completely.”

Fireplace: Napa Valley Cast Stone and Venezia Fireplace Surrounds
Wall color: Vanilla Ice Cream by Benjamin Moore
Barstools: Pier 1

CAROLE MEYER

The gold backsplash is made out of marble tile, which Meyer hand-finished with Briwax for a special color and feel. “I really wanted a hot, honey color,” she says. “So I played with the wax method, and it worked out great!”

Pre-stained hickory flooring with a hand-scraped complete increase the warmth and patina of the room.

Backsplash: Crema Marfil marble
Flooring: Mullican

CAROLE MEYER

The main sink is about the kitchen island but Meyer also had a sink installed on the coffee bar close to the rear of the kitchen an area they call the “coffee shrine.” Meyer also installed a little refrigerator in this region to make the morning coffee process even smoother.

Although they may seem like fluorescent lighting in these photographs, the majority of the light inside this kitchen actually comes in three large skylights. The natural Northwest lighting is ideal for throughout the day, while recessed lighting offer lots of light at night.


Have a Fantastic kitchen of your own? We would like to see it! Upload a photo under, and your distance might be our next Houzz Kitchen of the Week.

More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens

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Developing a Client Worthy Home Office

With an ever increasing quantity of home-based companies beginning during the last couple of years, it is becoming even more important to create a place where you’re comfortable working, as well as having meetings with clients. As an additional incentive, there’s something to be said for a house office design that completely represents the brand you’re working to create. I congratulate all of you who have started your own business — it is a crazy experience where I also started about seven years back.

Here are seven tips and tricks for designing your home office surroundings to reflect your business, and be comfy for all potential work scenarios.

PPDS

1. Provide comfortable seating for guests. There are two sorts of scenarios where you might have clients stop by your workplace: for creative approach sessions, or for business meetings. Within this chic blue workplace, full of glamour from floor to ceiling, a large white leather couch is ideal for a casual inspection session or to simply sit with clients after the business is taken care of.

Witt Construction

Occasionally an office does not have space for multiple seating situations. Within this garage-turned-office surroundings, two ladder back chairs give visitors a place to sit before a desk to review documents. The casual setting is finished off with attractive table lamps along with a cozy vibe.

Jim Tetro

2. Permit for more casual meetings. Okay, not all workplaces have the real estate this one does. This impressive house office defines savvy business acumen all around. From the darker wood paneling into the barrel vaulted ceiling, this office is business. The important thing here is the seating area just past the dining room. With chairs for four, this installment is ready for some serious strategy sessions or perhaps toasting a successful business deal just wrapped up.

John Maniscalco Architecture

3. Create an environment to reflect your enterprise. There is some serious wheeling and dealing going on in this area. Perhaps financial transactions that are large or a movie deal. Whatever it is, this workplace defines confidence and power, while being to the relaxed side. Notice the tiny lively touches: antlers, an hour glass sitting around the desk and a very trendy industrial desk light. It just says “Take me seriously, but let us also have some fun”

Weaver Custom Homes

4. Permit for privacy, when demanded. When having clients in your house, it’s important to have the ability to shut off the workplace from everyday household activites for privacy purposes. Here a couple of rustic barn doors are used to create a wonderful entrance into the workplace, but also provides privacy when required.

Atmosphere Interior Design Inc..

5. Surround yourself and clients with luxury. This may really be based on the type of business or you might alter how “luxury” is defined to fit your new image. Within this very simple and lavish workplace, deep toned and highly graphic wallpaper surrounds the desk. Sculptural console lamps along with a mirror include just the right amount of decoration. This office, with it’s rich surroundings, is really about the business whilst feeling comfortable and taken care of.

6. Show off your business abilities. An organized office goes quite a way to show clients your success and your ability to stay on top of what it is you’re doing (I will be the first to admit I really must clean my office!) . This office has all of the right organization features: cubbies for rolled up programs, paper storage, cable management accessories and open shelving to display off cherished items. There is nothing wrong with revealing your personal side.

Busybee Design

7. Provide a common work place. If you’re in a more innovative business where you might be working collaboratively with workers or other professionals, a separate work surface allows for impromptu meetings, from someone’s desk. This little round dining table is just large enough to roll out a pair of plans or spread documents out for everybody to see.

More Home Office Inspiration:
10 Ways to Work Your Work Space
The Way To Organize Your Home Office
Houzz Home Office Photo Call

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Houzz Tour: the Relaxed Classic Style of Brian Dittmar

Too often, more conventional style gets a bit of a bad rap in modern design circles. Caught up in the progression of design techniques, sometimes the most successful components of past get swept to the side. But some of the most durable and approachable designs are the ones that pay tribute to heritage while incorporating current and individual touches.

The work of California designer Brian Dittmar Design, Inc. is a good example of this powerful blend. Dittmar’s work has a definite classic approach, but rather than coming across as old-fashioned and stodgy, his designs feel comfortable and interesting. Since his style blends with the style of the client, some of his work leans more towards contemporary, but as such three San Francisco homes reveal, his designs always produce a livable and comfortable home.

“I often spend some time considering what the room itself wants to be,” says Dittmar. “It certainly doesn’t work to force a room to be something it is not! Each project teaches you something new or shows you a new method to do something” In such homes, Dittmar’s consistent use of tailored details on upholstery, patina, warm lighting, clean-lined furniture, texture, and graphic patterns all unite to produce a new classic style that works with three different interiors.

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

Home No. 1: Tailored particulars and patina at Presidio Heights
The owners of the elegant home in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights area wanted a look that has been conventional but still livable. Dittmar incorporated soft colors, fabrics, and gorgeous patina with more structured and classic components, such as tailored upholstery.

Inside this workplace, the combo of clean and classic desk set and entertaining colors breathes new life to what could easily become a classic appearance. The pop of the dark wood at the secretary along with the structured upholstery onto the desk seat — both by Thomas O’Brien for Hickory Chair — keep this little nook from getting too girly.

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

From the living room, a grownup and neutral palette remains fresh with light-filled windows, soft curtains and easy artwork. A combination of newer products out of Robert Allen and Burton James with classic pieces gives the room a comfortable, lived-in feel that is not necessarily attainable with all-new pieces ” Patina refers to a level of age and wear, such as you find in classic furniture,” says Dittmar. “Having pieces with patina immediately gives the room a lived-in feeling. The worst thing would be to provide an area with everything brand new. It has no soul or character and more closely resembles a furniture store, not a home.”

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

The structured canopy on this mattress, made with fabric from Beacon Hill, echoes the tailoring on the roman shades made with the same fabric and brings together this cheerful guest bedroom. “Whenever possible, I also like to include bespoke tailor-like details on upholstered pieces, window treatments and pillows,” says Dittmar. “I love to use contrast welting, accent edge banding, applied tape pits, fringe, buttons and nailheads, and such. Those details take regular pieces and cause them to a whole lot more custom and special looking.”

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

A duvet and upholstered headboard work superbly with the antique-style four-poster bed in the master bedroom. A worn oak nightstand (a perfect example of patina) and gentle plaid drapes from Kravet dampen the structured bedframe. While it’s certainly a conventional bedroom, the use of antiques, delicate colors, and touchable fabrics takes it out of pompous to approachable. “Even in the event that you can’t manage true antiques, you can get a similar sense by searching for furniture in your local flea market or consignment store,” says Dittmar. “You can also purchase certain pieces from some of the better online catalogues such as Wisteria or Gump’s. They will not be truly classic, but they have done a pretty good job at reproducing the sense”

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

A large mirror and matching vanity near the bed help disperse light across the room. The light blue paint provides a soothing and calming feel and helps disperse light. “When I meet with a new client and they say, ‘I want a red dining room’ or ‘let’s paint the kitchen gloomy,'” says Dittmar, “I really do need to point out that we should test a color in the space first and see until they receive their heart set on it, as each color doesn’t work well in each space.”

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

Home No. 2: Lighting and clean lines at a Noe Valley apartment
While some of Dittmar’s work leans toward contemporary, he still uses the same basic principles to carry his relaxed and classic style throughout the home. This home was a schoolhouse in the 1920s that was later converted to condos. Located in the Noe Valley area of San Francisco, the design uses the same fundamentals of upholstery, patina, and livability, but is also a fantastic example of Dittmar’s emphasis on the value of lighting.

“Lighting is crucial,” he states. “It needs to be done right to make a warm and welcoming area.” The overhead fixture at the dining room is out of Hubbardton Forge, and provides a gentle and adjustable light within the dining space and modern art by James Rosenquist.

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

Dittmar’s warm lighting system comes in numerous levels: overhead lighting, mid-level lighting (such as floor or table lamps) and uplights. Ceiling cans are a great overhead lighting option, but if you decide to go with them, Dittmar urges installing trims that can be angled, so the light can reflect off walls instead of directing straight down and producing unflattering downlight.

And do not forget dimmers! “My motto is: dimmers, dimmers, dimmers,” says Dittmar. “Nothing makes me cringe more than walking into an area (dining rooms in particular) with the lights! Nobody feels good in that harsh, bright light, so put a dimmer on it and it will change the mood for the better — guaranteed.”

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

Even when working with a somewhat more contemporary tone, Dittmar makes certain to use pieces with an architectural quality, and made with clean and classic lines. Citing Neoclassical, Biedermeier, and Art Deco as some of his favorite styles, the pieces in the home’s living room — such as the classic couch frame from A. Rudin, along with Kravet coffee table — signify a silent formality at a more simpler sense of traditionalism compared to living room from the Presidio Heights home.

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

From the Noe Valley kitchen, Dittmar utilized Flint from Benjamin Moore to define the space. White cabinets out of Segale Brothers and CeasarStone counters round out the fresh but classic look. All appliances are from GE and Thermador.

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

Home No. 3: Texture and pattern at Buena Vista
the worth of texture is clear in each nook and cranny of this living room in this apartment near Buena Vista Park in San Francisco. Dittmar stuck to a consistent color palette of soft grays and red accents, but mixed textures in both fabrics and furniture to make a rich, layered impact.

“A mistake a lot of people make when shopping in retail environments is to just order all of the upholstered pieces in the stock materials,” says Dittmar. “Those are fine, but when all your main upholstered pieces are done in fabrics such as that, it has a tendency to have a boring and flat look because all of them have a similar texture. By habit ordering two or one of those pieces in a more interesting and textural fabric, you can get a more layered and interesting appearance.”

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

Dittmar originally started out in graphic design, and worked at the market for several decades, and enjoys using geometric patterns in fabrics, wallpaper, and carpeting. Boldly patterned accent pillows are a simple way to add another level of visual interest to the living room, contrasting beautifully with the rich Romo velvet of this couch. “In each room, there should be a contrast — of soft and smooth with rough and nubby, shiny with matte, etc,” says Dittmar.

Brian Dittmar Design, Inc..

When you look closely in each of Dittmar’s projects, you’ll see a few classically designed clocks — such as this classic from the 1800s — put here and there. “I’ve had a fascination with clocks since I was a young child,” says Dittmar, “so I’ve incorporated them into many of the projects I’ve done.” In fact, his passion for clocks is so good, he did his whole room in a timepiece theme for its San Francisco Decorator Showcase at 2010.

More ideas:
Only Luxurious: Girly Modern Style

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Top Outdoor Deck Trends for 2018

Now that we are well and truly into 2018, it’s time to rethink the appearance of your Aurora landscaping and catch up on the current trends for this year in order to give them a new look and feel. It’s been a little while coming and we’ve got the the latest ideas and fresh innovations offered by decorators and designers this year.  

Whether your outdoor living space is in your front or backyard, this year’s trends are focusing on modern metal finishes for your Landscaping near me Redding Aurora keeping them sleek and simple so as to create clear, open views of what your outside area has to offer.

Distressed Decking

While blending the old with the new was a major trend for interior spaces in 2017, this year it’s all about applying it outdoors with a combination of distressed composite decking with metallic hardware finishes. For example, heritage decking lends a very rustic yet natural look to your outdoor space, and because the pattern only repeats every 12 inches, each board will be unique.

Alternatively, the Vista composition with its rich, vertical wood grain pattern can create the appearance of a tropical forest, especially in the backyard where you probably have more greenery. And, if you want to conceal your decking substructure, then you can use Facia to hide it with earthy colors that will surely add to the outdoor experience.

Whether you’re building your decking out back or porch in front, opting for the classic design with the rich colors and wood grain pattern is always a good choice. If it’s strength you’re after, then rather use Vault decking, especially if your decking is near water.

Deck Railing and Balusters

If you really want to keep with the trend of open views then you may not want or need to install these. While it’s no problem for decking that’s at Landscape Design level, you will have to add them to your decking project if it’s elevated in any way, for safety reasons.

Furthermore, adding metal or aluminum railings will ensure that you keep up with the latest trends, and whether it’s classic contemporary railing or cable railing, the effect will be the same. However, if you opt for balusters, you have the option of multiple metallic finishes to contrast with wooden posts and beams.

The Finishing Touches

This is where you can be creative with the design of your Aurora landscape. Your deck fasteners will help you to easily secure your boards, and because they’re hidden, will add to the illusion of space. You can also use post caps of cedar or ALX/aluminum to give your decking and porch that finishing touch that combines the old and new.

Plus, you can add personal touches at this stage to ensure your space is uniquely yours. The options are rich and variable, so get out there and start your project so you can enjoy your outdoor space as soon as possible.