Typography in Design

I love words, and I love letters, the funkier the better.  So how would you work them into your designs.  Words and typography can be worked into any design in many different ways.  The seamless integration of typography in designs can not only add character and personality, but conversational pieces as well as artistic flair.  Here are just a few ways you can add typography, as well as some great examples.  

This Interior, and wall treatment, available from Murals Your Way shows one creative way to use typography.  

This custom art work by Stephanie Morris is featured on the hand made goods site, Etsy  allows the designer, or the DIYer to customize their own typographical piece using specified colors, and the lyrics from a favorite song.  Just by doing a quick search on Etsy, there are a ton of typographical prints, canvases, and custom paintings available to suit your needs and style.  

The use of wood letter cutouts, like this from Craftcuts.com allows you to write any word you want, in one font or a collection of various fonts, sizes, etc.  allows you to create a fun piece that both shows personality, but fun as well.  

If you don't want to add typography to the walls, then furnishings with printed or painted typography is always a good muted option.  For example, this piece which was modified using Modello Designs Decorative Masking Products.  

Mid Century Revival

Flipping through magazines, and watching TV, I am noticing a 1950's revival.  Look at the shows on TV, the clothing in the commercials, and some of the great new interiors in the magazines and HGTV.  It's called Mid Century, and it is bringing back things like wall paper, furnishings, and a lot more.  This updated look is a lot more stylish than it was originally, but it's a great look. 



Remember those old Avocado and Harvest Gold appliances, well we still have the shape and the lines, but the colors got an update.  These appliances look great in most kitchens, and have matching dishwashers, ranges, and other appliances.  This model, by Big Chill starts at around $2,495, and similar models have been featured on The Rachael Ray Show. 



This 50's inspired light fixture by Objects20C is a great lighting fixture and accent piece for many rooms, including the living room or dining room.  This light fixture starts at around $7,500 and is 36" high and 18" in diameter. 



The Rain Drop Mirror by Uttermost, Priced from $99, is a great accent for an off shaped wall, or over a side board in a dining room.  Mirrors work great to reflect light, and make the space appear larger. 

The Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen, starting from $3000, just celebrated their 50 year anniversary, and work great in many rooms of the house, and come in many fabrics, textures, and colors. 

This Chest of Drawers available from Objects20c from about $2,750 is a classic mid century design, and provides great storage. 

The Wallpaper Come Back

Wall paper is making a come back, and the products are like nothing you have ever seen before.  Fun metallics, textures, prints, and installation styles.  These products aren't from that 1980's bathroom, or farm house style borders, they are unique and can turn any room into a statement.

This installation by Vahallan Papers shows their circle installation, using circles of wallpaper overlapping.  These hand made papers are a unique.  Vahallan offers several different texture styles as well as shapes including rectangles, circles, squares, and traditional rolls.  Some installation includes tearing the traditional rolls, which is pictured below.  

The Teatro Wallpaper Collection from  Osborne & Little features bold colors and patterns that would accent any room with flair.  The Manzoni pattern Collection pictured above is adorned with metallic tones.  

The Ophelia Twilight pattern from Graham and Brown (Priced from $155/Roll) features high contrast.  Graham and Brown produces Environmentally Friendly wall coverings.  Learn more here.     

The Spa Pastel pattern, also from Graham and Brown (From $50/Yd) also shows the metallic finishes.  Graham and Brown produces Environmentally Friendly wall coverings.  Learn more here.   

The Pomegranate finish in the Arbors Collection by Wallteriors Handcrafted Wallcoverings is a hand made paper that can be installed uniquely by either cutting the pieces into smaller squares, traditional strip styles, or ripped.  (Priced from $46/yd) 

Copper, Gold, Silver, Oh My!

When looking to brighten up a space, and add some formal elements, look to metallic finishes and accents, including Copper, Silver, and Gold.  The highly reflective surface will brighten up a space, and they add formal appeal.  

The Urban Contemporary Nesting Tables from Drexel Heritage is a great grouping of nesting tables that lend themselves well to many interior spaces.  Priced from $1,319.  

This arrangement by LDF Silk features silver wire balls and blue reindeer moss in an metallic silver ceramic container.    This accessory can be placed in nearly any room.  Priced from $165

The Mallory Chair by Drexel Heritage Furniture features gold leafing and a gold fabric upholstery, which even if used as an accent chair, and provides a nice splash and accent.  This piece is priced from $1,279 and can be customized. 

Copper is a new trend in plumbing fixtures, including the Atocha Copper Soaking Bath by Diamond Spas.   

The Looking Glass of Silver Mirror by Drexel Heritage Furniture features mostly silver, and some gold accents.  This piece is a great accent to any room in the house, and a great example of metallic accents.  Priced from $1,339 

The Solaris Chandelier by Crystorama Lighting is a fun piece to add some silver  and chrome accent to any contemporary space.  Priced from $350

Bringing the reflective surfaces up, metallic ceiling tiles like the Regal Tiles by Tin Ceiling Xpress Inc. is a great place to start.  The company also makes more contemporary patterns as well, and these products can be used on ceilings, walls, back splashes, etc.  Priced from under $10

Add Some Purple to Your Life

Purple is probably by far my favorite color, and so I am glad to see it on the color forecast.  Here are some great fabrics, wall coverings, and accessories to get you started in creating that great space with some purple flair.  As stated before in The Emotions of Color, Purple is a color that symbolizes Royalty, and it's darker shades make bold and defined statements, and the softer shades give a space a soft feminine feel.

This fabric from Duralee features a nice eggplant background with gradient colored vines.  It is priced from $61/yard.  

This fun leather fabric from Duralee would provide a great accent piece.  Priced from $53

This Fabric from Duralee features soft violet vines.  

Kimono Violet by Sherwin Williams, SW 6839

This glass vessel lavatory bowl by Decolav is sure to make a statement in any bathroom, from the powder room or the master bathroom.  This lavatory is priced from around $297.00

This beautiful light fixture from First Light Lighting appears to be an upside down flower.  This would be a great accent lighting piece when added to any space including a kitchen or dining room.  

This silk floral piece by LDF Silk features an Orchid in resin.  This wall hung piece is a great conversation starter, and art piece. Priced from $144

This bathroom features a purple glass mosaic from Amsum and Ash, Inc. 

This elegant wall paper is from Rodeka Nederland B.V.

Simple Changes that Encourage Accessibility

I am pretty sure all of us are getting a little older every day, as opposed to getting younger every day.  Along with daily life, there are many simple things that we should be aware of that will make life a little easier when we get a little older, as well as if you break your arm.  

One simple quick fix is switching out all of your traditional light switches with Rocker Style switches like this one from Lutron is a simple way to control your lighting with an elbow, knuckle, etc.  

Switching out any knob style door knobs with this lever style from Schlage  allow easy entry into any room, even when  your arms are full with children, laundry, or a pile of books.  

What about those cabinet knobs.  Try opening those with one finger.   Switching  knob style cabinet hardware with pulls like the one above from Amerock are easy to open with limited effort.  

This pull down faucet from Price Pfister is a great option for the kitchen,  as it's single handle control is easy to use with minimal effort.  There are also some nice TOUCH faucets appearing on the market that are even easier to control.   Single lever faucets are available for every sink in the house, including the bathrooms and laundry room.