Handmade – Bespoke Kitchen Design

January 22, 2013 by Suzanne Lasky

Is it a tomato or tomatoe? A sofa or a couch? Sometimes different words can mean the same thing. This is NOT true for hand made/bespoke kitchens versus a made -to- measure kitchen which is essentially stock items specified in certain dimensions, and finishes . S Interior Design often combines semi-custom kitchen components with bespoke, and therefore unique design elements when we do kitchen remodels for our clients. The guest post shown below (from across ‘The Pond’ for my United States readers who may not recognize some word spelling), describes some key differences between a true Bespoke/Handmade kitchen and other kitchen design options

Defining a bespoke kitchen:

Bespoke design is a term that is bandied about casually by a number of trades, as well as kitchen and furniture fitters. The word has been adopted by many large kitchen companies who offer little more than ‘made-to-measure’. A bespoke kitchen can be best described as ‘handmade kitchens’. Read on find out about handmade kitchens.

Bespoke versus made-to-measure

Between the extremes of ‘bespoke design’, and ‘pre-produced’, sits ‘made-to-measure’. Often made-to-measure means taking pre-existing designs and customising them to suit a certain type of room. In terms of kitchen design, this will often mean giving customers the choice of colour, work surface material, or door handle etc. Bespoke on the other hand, refers to something that is individually cut or designed to meet specific individual requirements.

Defining bespoke kitchens

As a concept, bespoke refers to custom-made products, without any pre-existing sizes and patterns. Many kitchen companies will offer ‘made-to-measure’ and think that it qualifies as bespoke. A true bespoke kitchen designer will be able to design and build unique kitchen furniture, tailored to meet specific requirements. These are not pre-produced, but are made specifically on design request. A better phrase to use would be a ‘hand-made kitchen’, as the value is in the expert design and production process.

custom kitchen design — Bespoke Kitchen Design

The Design and Production Process

Handmade kitchens are defined by their design and production process. Some companies will allow you to customise designs to fit your individual kitchen, but the process is not truly bespoke. When choosing a handmade kitchen, it is the designers job to take a customers vague ideas and concept of a ‘dream kitchen’ and turn them into reality.

Going bespoke
Purchasing a handmade kitchen will begin with an initial design consultation whereby the designer will try to establish the following. Is it solely a place for preparing food, or does it have a multi-purpose function as a living and a socialising area? These underlining principles will shape the design of a kitchen.

The designer will also ask the customer if they have any specific aesthetic requirements, including a the type of material used or style of design. One way that kitchen designers can ascertain their customers needs, is by asking them what they liked and disliked about their past kitchens.

After establishing what you are looking for in a kitchen, and choosing a design style and other elements such as the type of cooker, the designer can then produce technical drawings or CAD drawings to bring your ideas to life.

Tips:

Request for bespoke designers to show you past work to help to give you an idea of what they can produce.

A truly bespoke kitchen company will own a workshop whereby individualised furniture is made. The value of a handmade kitchen is in the specialised design process, and the highly skilled craftsman employed, to the trusted fitting team. The difference between a top kitchen design company and a poor standard product can often be found out by looking at the production process. If you are serious about purchasing a handmade kitchen, I would advise you enquire into the production process or even request to see the workshop.

Article submitted by Richard Davonport, Managing Director at Davonport who offer bespoke kitchens with practical design features which can be tailored exactly to your needs. Founded almost 20 years ago, Davonport combine the latest technology with traditional woodcraft and finishing skills, to create cabinets of the highest quality. Meet our high skilled team of kitchen designers at www.davonport.com

Televisions and Open Spaces

September 10, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

For some unknown reason I get a magazine called Home Theater delivered to me. As an Interior Designer I am frequently challenged to incorporate audio-visual components into my room designs. As I looked through the latest issue of Home Theater magazine a unique and functional option was revealed.

When you have a large open space (think loft spaces or combination living and dining spaces) that needs some visual and functional division, you can achieve that while concurrently housing your audio-visual components. The side without the flat screen TV can be used to display books and decorative objects. It is from Contempo Wall. You get to customize your unit choosing from a wide range of finishes (wood tones, colors, mirrors, matte, glossy)

Television in Your Master Bedroom

September 3, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

Okay, raise your hands “How many of you have a television in your master bedroom?” If you do, do you wish it was a little less obvious? There are solutions!
Below is guest post about TV Lift systems. Options for a cabinet at the foot of your bed, drop downs from the ceiling and even in-floor automated systems are available.

On a personal note, I do not have a TV in the master bedroom, however if I did I would surely want the in-floor automated system!

Give Your Master Bedroom a Facelift with a TV Lift

Of all the rooms in your house, the master bedroom is the one space that should be devoted completely to your comfort. This area serves a single purpose: helping you rest and relax. That doesn’t just mean sleeping, listening to music, or reading a book. It can also be very soothing to lounge on a luxurious memory foam mattress and watch a favorite show before it’s time for lights out. For many of us, that’s actually part of the ritual of “winding down” as we prepare for sleep. The biggest problems with putting a TV in the master bedroom have to do with space and aesthetics. Here are three ways you can use an automated TV lift mechanism to keep your master bedroom looking serene and uncluttered.

Foot of the Bed

One favorite master bedroom project is installing a TV lift at the foot of a bed. It can go in a prefabricated TV lift cabinet or in a custom-made piece of furniture to match the headboard. If you pick a screen the correct size (between 42 and 46 inches on the diagonal), the viewing distance is just right. This is the type of setup to choose if:

The space at the foot of the bed isn’t needed for a walkway
You like to sit propped up in the bed while you watch TV
You want a lift cabinet that blends in with your existing bed frame
You want a piece of media furniture that provides storage for additional A/V components, DVDs, and more

Ceiling Drop Down

Sometimes, adding another piece of furniture can really throw an entire room off-balance. That’s OK; you don’t need a cabinet to install a TV lift. The lift can be concealed in the ceiling to drop down at the push of a button. This is a much more attractive option than having a wall mount looming over the bed. No one will even know it’s there until the lift is activated. A drop down mechanism is ideal if:

You don’t want a big entertainment center taking up floor space
You don’t want to block French doors or a picture window with a view
You like to recline far back with your head tilted slightly up as you watch TV

Under Floor Lift

This is one of the least expected places to hide a TV lift, but it can be a great way to keep your bedroom décor looking streamlined. An under floor lift will work with almost any type of floor covering since the lid floats up with the TV. It blends particularly well with hardwood floors since the grooves in the wood flooring hide the outline of the lid easily. This is the style to choose if:

You want to install a very large, heavy TV that isn’t suitable for a ceiling mount
Your bedroom faces a wall where there isn’t generally any foot traffic
You like to watch TV from a longer viewing distance

With so many great options for installing a TV tastefully in a master bedroom, we bet you won’t rest until you have a TV lift to call your own!

Accent Pillows —A Must Have Room Accessory

July 4, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

Okay, I have a confession—I have a bit of an accent pillow obsession (along with shoes of course!). Accent pillows are a great way to update your existing seating and bedding without starting from scratch.
You can change pillows out seasonally to evoke the feeling of summer or fall or winter or even at holiday times. You can splurge on a pricey fabric when having pillows fabricated because you don’t need a lot of yardage. Styles range from simple box pillows to highly adorned and trimmed pillows; the options are endless.

So, when asked to post this guest blog about decorative pillows, we of course said YES!!

Decorate with Pillows

Pillows are like the icing on the cake. They bring life to sofas and beds. Pillows are important design elements in the house, and they are some of the best items to express the owner’s individuality. Beautiful pillows have great fabrics that match the theme of the room.

There are some rules that homeowners can follow in order to come up with a beautifully decorated sofa and bed.

Factors to Consider when Decorating with Pillows

• Size
Homeowners should consider the pillows’ size so that they will match the size of the sofa and the bed. Standard pillows usually measure about 18 inches. They are great for typical-sized sofas. Large pillows are also a good choice when owners are trying to create a more lounge-like and casual feel.

• Fill
Pillows with feather-and-down fills are the softest. Unfortunately, this is the most expensive pillow filler. On the other hand, foam and other synthetic fills can hold the pillow’s shape as they are stiffer.

• Quantity
Designers like to include an odd numbers of pillows as it tends to be more artistic. Homeowners may consider having one, three or five pillows depending on the number that can fit into the furniture. Typically, a chair needs only one pillow while a standard 88-inch sofa needs three or five pillows.

• Shape and Color
Opting for a combination of different pillow shapes creates a fun and lively appearance. One common combo is a pair of square solid pillow with a color that contrasts with the sofa, one oblong-shaped pillow at the center and two extras. The two additional pillows can have patterns and may have the same color as either the sofa or the solid pillows.

• Texture
The texture of the pillows should contrast with the sofa’s upholstery. This will ensure that people will not slide off their seats.

• Room’s Theme

All pillows in the living room do not necessarily have to be the same. However, there should be at least a connection between them that will show through their palette or style. A good theme will provide the room with a more polished and unified feel.

Decorating Sofas with Throw Pillows
The Traditional Look
• Even numbers of pillows are great for a traditional sofa look. Four pillows may be arranged on either side of the furniture to present balance and order.

• The pillow size will depend on the size of the sofa. The traditional look is enhanced by pairing 20 to 22 inch square pillows with smaller sized round pillows. Proportion is the key for a pleasing traditional sofa look.

• Silk and velvet pillow fabric can work best with a traditional sofa look. It can have prints and patterns such as flowers. These prints should be simple and may only have two or three colors. One solid and one printed pillow make a great pair.

• A thin braid or cord is a great choice for small pillow trims, and tassel fringes are perfect for bigger ones.

The Modern Look
• An odd number of pillows works best with modern designs. A few large pillows can be mixed with little ones.

• The pillows should be large enough to show off large pattern designs or just a solid color. Oblong-shaped pillows will also boost the modern look.

• Cotton and linen are the best picks for pillow fabrics. Large geometric prints with a few different colors should be considered. However, those who love more colors are not prohibited from going for what they like.

• Trims are usually only for traditional look, but they can also be used. They should maintain the pillow’s solid color and at the same time add interest to it. http://www.2modern.com has a lot of modern pillow collections to choose from.

The Eclectic Look
• An odd or even number of pillows can work well in an eclectic room without making it look cluttered.

• Generally, designers prefer similarly sized large pillows that measure around 18 to 24 inches.

• The pillow fabrics can all be different, but they should have at least one color that connects them. This will ensure that they have unity despite having different fabrics. The eclectic look actually relies more on the fabric than the other elements.

• Trims should be kept simple. They can have braided edges. Inside Avenue offers many choices of decorative pillows that will perfectly complete the living room’s eclectic look.

Decorating Beds with Pillows

• Decorative pillows on beds should blend well with the comforter and coverlet. They are also best paired with foams from Memory Foam Express.

• It is best that pillows are positioned with the biggest part at the back and the smaller part in front. Doing so will ensure that the fabric is given more emphasis.

• Pillow colors can be pulled from all fixtures and furniture inside the room.

• Pillow colors and patterns can bring a more casual look to the bedroom. One great example is white bedding topped with a heavily printed coverlet and white and gray-colored pillows.

• Contemporary looks often involve white pillows and one decorative pillow as an accent.

• Pillow positions on the bed can also add to the overall look of the room. They can be placed diagonally. This may be a simple idea, but this little interesting detail can actually make a lot of difference.

• People who want to have numerous pillows on the bed should opt for a limited palette so as not to overwhelm the room. There are homeowners who really want to have nine pillows around them. There are more pillow ideas available here.

Decorating a home with pillows is fun. Homeowners can actually change the overall feel of their homes by simply adding pillows or changing their fabric, colors and arrangement. However, it is always important that they follow the rules in choosing the pillows for their sofa or bed. Otherwise, their space will look more cluttered rather than pleasing. Different types of pillows for modern, traditional and conventional looks can be found at instyle-decor.

This Guest Post is written by Lisa Jolan: You can connect with her on twitter @lisajolan

Master Bedroom Makeovers-A Short Video

May 20, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

Master Bedroom Makeovers by S Interior Design- We all love a movie right? Short and sweet with some nice music to go along 🙂