see how chrome can be used in lamp design

Product
http://www.nextag.com/Polka-Tall-Table-Lamp-76631359/prices-html
This is an interesting lamp and the base has a chrome finish:
this is a citation/quote directly from the site

Features: ' Each Polka lamp has a double white polycotton shades that rest on top of a round open pedestal base with chrome finish ' Shades each hav 15 round cut-outs ' Line switch ' 60 watt Dimensions: 19.5" height, 8" base Inner shade: 12" height,

chrome

chrome is an important material for products and in this link to a padded leather office chair, see the chrome frame; but this is a typical office chair but you can see how the chrome frame with its dimensions and shape can be designed in such a way as to re-create the leather padded office chair; i am not sure if you can use images from websites and that is why i use links; chrome and leather are certainly popular interior design materials but how do you use them. Look at the office chair to see a kind of typical use for chrome and leather.



http://www.bizchair.com/8605-os.html

the use of dimensions is an interesting product detail and i cite below

Back Size: 24''W x 24''H x 4.5''T
Seat Size: 22''W x 20''D x 4.75''T
Overall Dimensions: 39.25''H x 26.25''W x 31.5''D
Seat Width: 22''
Weight: 44lbs

product development, cheval mirror

Where is the 'control' in a piece of furniture such as a cheval mirror. There should be control but one of the main elements in many cheval mirrors is that the mirror is 'in' a surrounding body which is a type of frame; it is hinged on this frame ; there is tightness , relative tightness and stability ; it can't fall out of this frame; it is 'hinged' in this frame. WIthin the frame, it is able to be controlled and it is possible to control the cheval mirror manually ; there isn't that much control ; anyway how much control does one want from a mirror; how much adjustability does one want ' doesn't one want just for the mirror to 'mirror' a subject/object. Thus for a modern type of cheval mirror i.e. a cheval mirror not necessarily made of wood, then one can create a new frame for the cheval mirror? A new type of frame that the cheval mirror is hinged in? I hope to put some sketches on this idea.

cheval mirror

http://www.productdesignforums.com/index.php?showtopic=7524

bases/stands for mirror

cheval mirror notes

The cheval mirror is adjustable and many times it is not placed on a firm base/stand but placed on a bar above the base in a kind of frame and thus it is adjusted within this frame. There is no rotation of the mirror but a kind of tilting. Maybe a kind of mirror that rotates based on the cheval mirror is possible. (I hope to put these notes on a blog)

I also have some simple jpegs of bases for a cheval mirror and the mirror itself. The reference to a frame above is not to a wooden frame or steel but a theoretical frame that the mirror is attached to i.e. where the hinges are. I was thinking myself of a cheval mirror standing on a base and which can be loosened in such a way from a hinge or control at the side. Thus the typical 'frame' that a cheval mirror tilts on is gone. But maybe it is still possible to keep the usual 'frame' for a cheval mirror.

jpegs to the side- these are simple images,
also some images of the base/stand to be posed in the next blog

Mirrors

Maybe you prefer cheval mirrors ; but Cheval mirrors may not be suitable for all types of rooms and spaces and is a cheval mirror the mirror that you want? Maybe you prefer a mirror on a wall ; a cheval mirror is an object on its own..and it has that effect..the way it stands there in its own space.

Bombe Mirrors

Bombe Mirrors have that antique look ; that ornamentative look and they are one choice of mirror. Here is a link to an ordinary 'hanging' mirror.

http://www.amazon.com/100203-16-Mae-Bombe-Mirror-Mirrors/dp/B000T81AMU
Note the description:

Product Description
Decorative Mirrors - Distressed Cherry, Width: 30" - Height: 41" -

valances..pelmets

A simple distinction between the valance and the pelmet is that the valance is noticeably made of fabric, there is no stiffness, no box shape...know that specific types of valances that you can use around beds at the bottom are called valances, these are like frills of course ; they are like frills in the sense that you can imagine that anything specifically drapy and ornamentative at the hem levels of beds and sofas are frills and ruffles..but these are also called valances...and of course there are obvious and important differences between ruffles and such valances...

A pelmet on the other hand refers to a structure like the lambrequin so there are obvious similarities...Here is a link to wikipedia's information on pelmets...

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lambrequin

a lambrequin is an important type of covering for the window..and it creates that box..delineates those dimensions that are important. It creates the box look...and does it really look good with drapy curtains..Question..does a box effect look good with drapy curtains...When then is a lambrequin suitable? Remember too that there are many different styles for this 'box'- some can look gothic with a pointed effect...

definition of lambrequin

my note: a lambrequin is an important design for the upper part of the window ; the question is whether it highlights the actual window area ; does it give support to the functions of light and 'the outside view' that are important for windows; does a lambrequin delineate the window too much- the lambrequin then delineates the window but what about the whole window area. IS a lambrequin suitable for wide windows..or recessed windows...or high windows- from floor to ceiling...

another definition and note that a lambrequin also refers to a covering over a helmet worn in medieval times by knights

link

Interior Decorating, Home Decorating & Home Decor - MyInteriorDecorator.com - Interior decorating ideas, tips, tricks, and advice for decorating your home. Interior decorating advice, how to articles, & home decor store with furniture, bedding, area rugs, window treatments, curtains, lighting & lamps, wallpaper, artwork, accessories, and how to decorate books.

article link

Check out my recently published content on AC:

Interior Design: The Window Space

my fabric blind sketches

article i wrote

Check out my recently published content on AC:

A Note on Pleats (Fashion and Interior Design)

curtain fabric by me

design:

fabric blinds

i hope to develop some 'fabric blinds' - here is a basic starting image by me:

sofas

when designing sofas, dimensions are central elements ; i saw a deep two-seated sofa with the dimensions
Depth 100cm, Width 130cm, Height 80cm.

it was confortable, you could say it was deeep too. the height wasn't important as the depth and the depth may have given it the design interest but height is important as well as width. this sofa had a neat floral fabric ; it was neat above all but it was deep!

article- streamline moderne

this was an article on Streamline Moderne that i wrote;

Streamline Moderne is an architectural style that was apparent in a lot of Hollywood films in the 40s; The beginning of Streamline Moderne can be dated to Chicago's Century of Progress World's Fair of 1933-34. It is an atmospheric type of design style. It is one of the architectural styles of the twentieth century which emphasized the value of space and atmosphere as well as color and theme. Lines were always important. The use of the curved line was taken to a new level in the Streamline Moderne style.Because of the 'look' of Streamline Moderne, you could say that it brought 'fashion' into architecture because it had a real look and feel as well as atmosphere. Streamline Moderne is a type of exterior design in the way that there is interior design. It was not just a development of Art Deco for it developed a new type of exterior and in this way Streamline Moderne did something new for design.Streamline Moderne was an exterior design style for the sea shore ; It was a style of architecture for the sea. Curves were important but control and shape was important in the curves. However Streamline Moderne was not governed by rules in the way Classicism and early Art Nouveau was. In some way Art Nouveau was a reaction to something else but you feel Streamline Moderne is pure in its atmospheric effect. In some way it is a style where the exterior design is to be matched with the interior. You feel an airiness, an atmosphere and a space inside.Even though Streamline Moderne was used for factories and city buildings, there was something nautical and atmospheric about it. It was a hugely popular style of design. It used new building materials and it was simple, pure and highly stylized. Streamline Moderne is not just a specific style of art deco. You can connect it to Art Deco because of its use of curves and new materials but ornamentation was not as important as it was in Art Deco. Art Deco may have developed new forms of ornamentation but it was not the aim of Streamline Moderne to do this.Streamline Moderne felt like a specific exterior design style suited to the sea ; It created stylized exterior effects for buildings. It has been described as nautical and in some way it is an 'atmospheric' type of exterior ; It created a whole design effect e.g. gardens, landscaping. For when you see residential houses in the Streamline Moderne style, the surroundings are important too e.g the garden landscaping.Streamline Moderne is a more functional design style than Art Deco. There is less accent on ornament than Art Deco and more on function. Function is key so all ornament is within the functional. There are thus controlled curve. There is the contrast between straight and curved..Overall shape is important. That is why people compare its buildings to ships. It has that shape. And Streamline Moderne may be so popular because now people could actually live and work in ships; they could live and work on the sea, beside the sea.

Blinds

My notes on blinds:

Blinds are useful design idea for a recess. You can ask why are blinds really suitable for recesses. This is because the blind is suitable for a small area. this makes sense. The blind functions as something to be pulled down..I always try to think of a blind as something that can be pulled across...there is somethinbg missing from a blind; when you pull it up ; it bundles out on top.

That is why ideally a blind should have its batten a good distance above the window so that when the blind is pulled up and bundles up..the whole window 'can be seen' or you can have a full view from the window..maybe this makes sense as a design idea;

The whole neatness of the blind is important; it should roll in together..and the main design area is the actual design on the material...the material is important; it should be perhaps see-through but then it can be darkened;

The purpose of the blind is 'to blind' you ; so you can 'close' and then open this blind; You can have shelter and you can have light and then darkness..and then you can pull the blind up or pull it down..

Another window design is cafe curtains..cafe curtains follow the theme of having a curtain or a curtain covering for the lower part of the window...and then having the top part 'open' and curtainless..but you can have a variation of cafe curtains in interiors...where window design is important..

Folding Screens/ Mirrors

Folding Screens..Mirrors are important to consider in interior design...

Note on Hotel Interior Design

My notes: //this is just an opinion..

Re: hotel room interiors the hotel room is so functional and within a room, there are the creation of new objects and spaces- e.g. it is possible to have a 'sink area' in the hotel room; it is possible to have a curtain area with seat, curtains and then the bed area..and this could comprise the hotel room..and then a television space too with a table also..these are functional spaces or areas...

Can you create such functional areas for ordinary rooms. It is difficult because the rooms themselves are overall functional whereas the hotel room is functional in that it serves a composite purpose ; you live within that one room, wheras a room in a house is just 'a room within a house'.

The use of mirrors is important too.

This is a good guideline for designing the interior of the hotel room.. and then there is the question of designing the interior for the theatre..where functions are important but design interest is heightened re: seating and then space has to be controlled..in a suitable way..where the height of the theatre..depth,space and width are important; indeed there is more architectural interest..

Curtain design too is at the heart of hotels and the theatre...

And where an interior has a high function e.g. the theatre , a hotel lobby, the curtain design gains added importance ; there is also lighting ; If the interior of the theatre is given high importance, then so must the lighting..and so must the curtains...

There is also the wall treatments...maybe fabric wallpapers.... the carpeting and flooring is important.

Perhaps a contrast between carpet and floor is important//sometimes this is done on staircases..and a wooden flooring in the corner/Maybe there can be more interesting degrees of contrast..and maybe contrast is the wrong word.. you can aim for color correlation ; Maybe it is better if you use different materials for different areas of the floor area//

Imagine a lobby in a hotel room and consider its function ; it is to welcome ; Or it is another world..take a functionalist approach e.g. long mirrors at the side with tables- silver colors... functional.. use of sinks and taps...and then long seating area- daybeds-- or sofas. Maybe seating with no backs...long seats -wide and large seats but with the backs a large bit away but backs nicely and elegantly upholstered-

exterior/interior- interior nautical theme matching nautical outside..?

CARPETS/ PILE

I was hoping too to look briefly at carpets like Wilton and Axminster and that is why I was hoping to give some notes on carpets in general. Some carpets are important antiques and information on carpets in general is important for this.

So what is Cut Pile? It can be defined as a type of carpet fabric which is made up of cut ends of pile yarn. I hope to give more information on what is meant by this i.e. cut ends of pile yarn.

A simpler concept might help in understandinf Cut Pile and that is Density:
Density refers to the compactness of the tufts in the carpet and the amount of pile i.e. vertical yarns/strands. The pile, you can say, is really the carpet and it 'stands' above the backing. A denser pile denotes a better quality carpet.

NOTE ON MIRRORS

A few months ago, I was thinking of the Triptych as a type of template for a mirror:

The triptych, as a design, is an interesting template for dressing mirrors- And it seems to have created the template- The hinges are important-

Yes the triptych as a template is useful for mirrors; It could be used in other areas- mirrors for rooms- long mirrrors in the corner to replace ..or in addition to other types of mirrors- Cheval Mirrors too are an interesting type of mirror.

Here is a link to an article I wrote:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Mirror-as-Decoration-and-Function&id=620184

It is also copied here:

Mirror as Decoration and Function

The Mirror in Interior Design
In this article, I am proposing some interior design ideas. I am also analysing the function of the mirror in interior design. In this article, the mirror is seen as something functional. There is also obviously a decorative purpose to the mirror. However sometimes these points can be forgotten.
The mirror is function:
Suppose there is a small room e.g. a small-sized bathroom. In this bathroom, the mirror is obviously functional. It is used by the man for shaving for example, to wash teeth. However, when a piece is so obviously functional as the mirror, there are ways to make the mirror more decorative. I am saying here that in some way, it is easier to make something so functional as the mirror in this bathroom setting into something decorative. You can aim to have a mirror with some element of ornamentation or you can choose to have a certain type of glass for the mirror. You can choose to have a certain color scheme in the bathroom and to use the mirror as the central element in this scheme.
However, when a mirror is so obviously functional, you can add mirrors that are more decorative in aim. You can have for example, mirrors at the foot level. You can have mirrors which just show the abdomen level.
The mirror is decoration:
In the living room, a lot of times the mirror is put above the fireplace and when you think about this, there seems to be something decorative about this. It is decorative in the sense that the mirror seems to be the main ornament. It is a central piece of decorative furniture and even though its function is obvious, decoration seems to be the main purpose. If the main reason is decorative, then you can add to the interior by using other mirrors in a more functional setting and showing up the decorative purpose of the central mirror above the fireplace. Again in this living room setting, you can show up the functionality and decorativeness of the mirror object by adding mirrors at foot level along one of the walls.
Another interior design idea is to put a folding mirror in the corner.. a kind of triptych of mirrors which fold inwards... Another idea is to have a mirror on one wall continuing into the other walls; Various effects can be used- e.g. two long rectangular mirrors of equal size at the corners of each wall...or else the mirrors do not have to be the same size at all. The mirror then is decoration and function. What about the mirror as space as something which creates space.
The mirror is space:
This is a well-known purpose of a mirror. When you have a large space e.g. a hall you can use mirrors in different ways to create more space and you can aim for this effect in small spaces such as an ordinary living room. However since you already have a large space in a gathering hall or a large retail area for example, how should mirrors be used? Then the mirror can be used in such a way as to create the interior. This can be done when there are mirrors along a whole wall. There can be continuous mirrors along a wall or just long vertical or horizontal rectangles of mirrors. You can have a mirror, then wallpaper then a mirror again. If the room is rectangular, the corners of the space should have some design element. The corners of the rooms are where the walls 'overlap' and interior design effects can be used to emphasize this area. The mirrors emphasize in some way the central space but the side corners can also be emphasized through objects e.g. lampshades...
The mirror then is space...and it is function.. and a good interior design idea is to look at the mirror in a living room. If the mirror is above the fireplace, ask why it is there. Is it for function or decoration or another reason or probably a mix of all three. In a living room, you may be unwittingly using the mirror as a central decorative object but you are not bringing out the full effect. This may be because of the mirror itself or general bad interior design planning for your room. In interior design, the purpose of the room is an important concept. The question of having a definite purpose for your room arises when you are looking at your room and its space. The mirror must have a specific purpose and this purpose can be brought out through the way the mirror or mirrors merges with the color tones in the room as well as the overall space and other furniture of the room.

PILE

PILE is such an important word re: Carpets as NAP is re: LEATHER and SUEDE. Retaining the Nap of Suede is important for the look of Suede and before cleaning Suede it helps to restore its Nap if it is lost. Likewise, it is known the regular vacuuming helps the retention of the pile in the carpet.

These are of course technical notes. But I think that as this blog takes shape, some technical notes as well as some design ideas will be important. In simple terms, the yarns 'stand up' in a uniform formation on a backing and this is the Pile. There is a term called the Carpet Pile Height which denotes in inches or millimeters how much these yarns or strands stand above the backing.

I have heard terms like Deep Pile and that is why I thought it was important to get an understanding of what Pile is.

For Deep Pile Carpets are certain types of carpets that seem to be more suited towards certain types of interiors.

SOME NOTES ON CARPETS

You choose to fill a surface with Carpet. You may have a noticeable window-area where there are e.g. French Windows or simple the Window Area is marked out because there is less furniture or more 'space'.

And the Carpeting may expand into this window area.
Some notes then on carpets: There are two types of carpet. There are woven carpets and tufted carpets. Woven are more expensive. Woven carpets are also cut pile carpets.

What is the pile? The pile is like the Nap for the carpet. Fabrics like Leather and Suede have naps. However the pile denotes the surface of the carpet also. It is the tufts and loops that create the look and feel of carpets. It may not be suitable to use the word Nap. There is a term called Pile Crush which denotes when the pile loses its thickness and height. This is caused by the carpet being pushed down e.g. furniture, walking. I may give some notes on cleaning carpets. But if you vacuum the carpet frequently, then the pile will retain that characteristic thickness and height.

WINDOW DESIGN

The design of the actual window area which may be the role of the architect is also important and in some way that curtain design comes second. Window dressing can give a whole area a new design interest but maybe the windows should be noted themselves.

Voile and gauze are sometimes used in window dressings and maybe a new window treatment is a suitable mix of gauze and heavier fabric or a mix of lightweight and mid-heavy weight fabric in some way.

ABOUT AUSTRIAN BLINDS

There is something also functional about Austrian Blinds. Lke cafe-curtains, they can be extremely ornamentative but there is a functionality about them too.

Maybe in interior design, functionality and ornamentation is important, this kind of mix and match---

Back to creation of Austrian Blind. The track or batten is where the curtain hangs from. The width of the curtain must be enough for the whole window covering plus some inches at the sides. At the side too, .there must be a rope to allow vertical movement up and down. Lining for the curtain also helps in giving drape and richness to the curtain. In clothing, it is noted that sometimes lining is made larger than the outer garment but with the curtain, lining is the same size, length and width.

It is interesting too that the Austrian Blind aims to gather in the lengthwise direction as well as gathering horozontally. - The Austrian Blind has its vertical and lengthwise direction as it is a blind but there is also a horizontal direction.

AUSTRIAN BLINDS

Austrian blinds are 'blinds' ready to be drawn up and down. ready to emit light and exclude light.

Look at the nature of Austrian Blinds. Look how full they are and how they hang; They are rich and are suited to a wide variety of fabric treatments ; They can be plush and heavy ..but should not be too heavy and rich because of the fullness needed; There is a 'full' gathering at the top too and this full gathering aids in the complete and full 'hang' that is unique to Austrian Blinds. Sometimes even though mid-weight fabrics may be the obvious choice, there are suggestions that light-weight fabrics are suited to such window dressings.

Light fabrics can be good for gathering and drape but Austrian Blinds are rich and scalloped and a suitable mid-weight fabric is perhaps best.

AUSTRIAN BLIND AND WINDOW DESIGN

The Austrian blind is suitable for a recess; A recess implies something covered and the Austrian blind can be that elegant window covering for the recess. Remember too that the 20 inches that you add for length is for fullness; This is an interesting fact and this fullness will be incorporated into the curtain ; The fullness will create the scallops that are a central element of the Austrian blind.

Curtain and Window Dressing Design is about a perfect balance ; a symmetry between width and length. Since window dressing is generally conservative and classicist, it is rare that there is asymmetry in window design ; Thus symmetry is a central feature and you can say that is is an important element in window dressing design

MORE ON AUSTRIAN BLINDS

Austrian Blinds are in reality a curtain, and are made up as such with a fullness of twice the track or batten width. The Austrian blind is then like a blind too in the way that it is controlled by means of cords hanging at the back of the curtain. They go up and down rather than across and because of this may not be suitable for long wide windows.

See how Austrian Blinds hang. They hang in extraordinary symmetry and the hang is essential. The batten is the centre horizontal line. The blind is pulled up from the bottom ; See the fullness in the Austrian Blind too which manifests itself in the rich scalloped fabric at the bottom.

When you make curtains, you add a top hem and a bottom hem and here you add 20inches too to the length of the fabric i.e. length from batten to drop of curtain.

See how the Austrian blind looks! Do you want the batten to be seen, do you want a kind of showiness to your window? Then Austrian blinds may be suitable.

However the batten itself doesn’t have to be seen and most times isn’t; What is apparent is the showiness of the fabric; a fabric with color, and attractive design is suitable as well as a fabric with drape; What is important for the Austrian blind is the scallops too that are created ; It is the scallops which make the Austrian blind stand out; Austrian Blinds are more than just a blind and more than just a curtain ; It is the scallops and you can call them scalloped curtains; And it is interesting that this scalloped look is only really apparent in the Austrian blind.

AUSTRIAN BLINDS

THESE WERE NOTES I WROTE MYSELF ON AUSTRIAN BLINDS:

Austrian blinds are a combination of curtains and blinds. Blinds are not generally suitable for large window areas e..g French windows and you might say that with Austrian blinds it is the same. You could say that Austrian blinds are window -dressing styles but when should you use them.
Austrian blinds are noticeable because of their drape, the way they hang ; You could say that they are not ‘pleated’ curtains. You could say that they stand out because they are not pleated curtains. Indeed in some way you can distinguish between window dressings which don’t involve pleats and those window dressings that do. And Austrian blinds belong to the former category. Austrian blinds then are window dressing styles but they are also fabric constructions for the window area.
Austrian blinds are fabric constructions with real hang and style; They have characteristics of a curtain mainly because they are made of fabric and they have scallops and drape and frills that are characteristic of curtains. They are blinds too in that they are controlled through vertical line; their movement is up and down.
A disadvantage of Austrian blinds is that they may hinder the view. Because they are so dressy, the view from the window is hindered and that is the general disadvantage of blinds in general. It is worthwhile analysing whether they hinder the view from windows in a scientific if that is possible. But what are blinds? I think one of the main functions of blinds is to control light in the room.
Window design is an important interior design element and Austrian blinds are certainly a part of this area. Austrian blinds can bring color and style to the window area of the room. Look at the hang and drape and they can add; ‘that drapy fashion style’ to your interior.

AUSTRIAN BLINDS

It's nice to think about space and how to fill it ; how to decorate 'space'? Is this the right word? The area around the window may be a space in itself. Mention has been made of Austrian blinds and they may not be really suitable for large spaces but it is nice too to look at Austrian blinds ; their structure and how they can be used in an interior.

INTERIORIZING

What does this word 'interiorize' mean? I made it up but it might be a word in use already. I'm not sure.

Can you treat a space as an interior as opposed to an exterior. This is conceptual. Yes you can make something out as an interior. Interiors may have special rules for their design. There has to be windows and then some kind of window covering if that is the right word i.e. curtains or blinds. Then you have to have some form of lighting in the room even though your space may have some natural light.

But think about ordinary sitting rooms and dining rooms; Many have plush rich curtains and maybe lining and then maybe gauze inside curtains..and then a rich carpet...there are some rules to be seen here..before then thinking about designs for other kinds of interiors or spaces.

CURTAINS AGAIN

I like austrian blinds because they are rich and full but there is also that extra ornamentation; that use of frills/scallops which gives an aura of ornamentation. When choosing curtains for a space or when thinking about curtains and their role in the interior space, maybe you should think whether you want curtains for ornament or function. This is not a black and white decision. If you choose 'function' or 'functionality', you can choose to have functionality as the main aim and thus be guided by the functionality of the curtain but then bring in some elements of ornamentation or decoration.

Just to say that some design schools had 'functio'n as their main aim but that is not to say that decoration and ornament was avoided. For example, the streamline moderne style may not be as decorative as art deco or art nouveau but there was still some element of decoration in the overall functionality of streamline moderne. Although it can be asked if a design school like streamline moderne is overtly functional as opposed to decorative.

CURTAINS CARPETS, FOR INTERIORS

This blog is about ‘interiorizing’. About certain aspects of interior design.
I am just blogging firstly on curtains and carpets.

I was interested in the Austrian Blind as a look. It is difficult to try and be abstract etc and say when and where you should use Austrian blinds because you have to have the space in front of you. You need to see the window area, the whole space of the room, the view outside etc. So it is difficult to be abstract. How can you really say when Austrian blinds should be used? I don’t like to say because it’s too abstract. I really try to imagine spaces where Austrian blinds are suitable.

But this first blog is about Austrian blinds, their look, their structure, how to make them etc i.e. some notes.