Armani' Inspired

Armani's Fashion Philosophy skirt and blouse with Blush screen in Macassar ebony. The Borromini linen chaise, Boreal rabbit throw and Burt rug exude elegance. Bold geometric patterns, shimmering black pleats and refined textures define the latest collection from legendary designer Giorgio Armani. But don't think these seasonal trends are exclusive to the fashion runway. Armani was one of the first high-profile fashion figures to enter the world of home furnishings, translating a design aesthetic into a range of home products from furniture and textiles to accessories and tabletop. Launched in 2000 as a separate division within the Giorgio Armani Group, Armani/Casa embodies the Italian icon's inimitable style, bringing the same sophistication...

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Collectibles not Clutter

A collection is not, for example, a set of dishes that you buy in a box at WalMart or Bloomingdale’s. You may have a very fine set of dishes, but they are not a collection. If you were a "West Wing" fan, you may remember Michael Douglas in his role as the President of the United States call the West Wing China Collection the "dish room." Well, the "dishes" in that example are a "collection.If you have a fabulous set of Wedgewood China displayed in your china closet, it is still not a collection. The operative word here is "set." "Collection" is just what it implies--you have carefully or not so carefully collected similar objects from various places at various times. They don’t necessarily have to be of great value. They may not even be beautiful....

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Expression in Art

This article is to introduce you to Bee Skelton. She has sent me the following information about her style and herself. We met when she made a comment on one of my articles about "Lighting Design". "Unlike most artists who have a single recognizable style, I am focused on making art that is constantly changing. As a result I paint in a number of evolving styles, which include abstract figurative expressionism, pure abstract, contemporary realism and portraiture. I am motivated by the process and freedom of putting paint on canvas in different ways and love not knowing exactly what I will paint next! As a result I believe my clients are stimulated and excited to have the range of choice I offer when choosing or commissioning art for their homes...

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Quick Change Projects

Add an arbor and or brick accent entrance to an outside garden patio!!!Paint an accent wall design in just hours!!!!Build your own table base for a unique look!!!!Add a brick or stone accent wall for a little old world elegance!!!!!Add a Room without adding on:Breakfast room to laundry roomThe challenge: How do you add space for a washer and dryer without adding on a laundry room?The solution: Renovate a tiny, unused breakfast nook into a double-duty laundry room and serving area.By concealing a front-loading washer and dryer in a custom cabinet, homeowners created a multipurpose space. One minute it's a fully functional laundry with plenty of room for folding and hanging clothes. Then, once clothes are put away, it becomes a decorative serving...

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Rugs/The Finishing Accessory

With a unique synchronization of ambiance, beauty, comfort, elegance and style a unique area rug can transform a room from plain into a dreamy paradise. This is why area rugs are enjoying demands at a great level everywhere in the world. Especially, in America the demand for these aesthetic rugs seems to be at a zenith. Bring in the muted multi-colored rug into any room to pull out the color theme from accessories and painted walls.Elegance and a fruitful theme for the kitchen, looks like a still photo tapestry for the floor.Machine woven using 100% Polypropylene. Features transitional & themed designs such as roosters, nautical & florals . Offers a variety of sophisticated, transitional motifs for today's upscale living How fun is...

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Cherry Grove

American Drew/Cherry Grove CollectionMy showcase of furniture for the month is an American Drew/Cherry Grove Collection .This lovely sleigh bed is my personal favorite.A sleigh bed is a style of bed with curved or scrolled foot and headboards. Often made of wood and quite heavy, the sleigh bed is a result of the French and American Empire period of the early 1800s. The Empire Style drew its inspiration from the empires of ancient Rome and Greece.American Drew 791-250/251 - Cherry Grove Door Chest This is a piece of art in itself! Armories will add color and value to family rooms, foyers and bedrooms. We use them for entertainment centers as well, when concealing the tv and stereo equipment became the trend in design. This is a recommended...

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Heart of the Home

I love this elegant look of a bistro kitchen. The only thing I would add is a great rug with black and splashes of color.Quiet, peaceful yet fun.Here I created a traditional breakfast room for my client by adding the elegance of vintage style pillows with lots of trim and fringe and added a coordinating mini print on the bench seat for the total custom look. I selected the fabric to bring out the wood floor, toned it down with a light and airy feel using a glass table to create the feel of a garden room taking advantage of the beautiful window view. My client loved this and we carried the vintage look throughout other rooms in her home. On the walls we selected a faux finish bringing out the lighter shades as a contrast to the floor and darker...

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Man Caves

Everyone in the family could handle this indoor media room!Serious entertaining here, women can relax and let that man cook away!!!!! For Charlotte readers check out Charlotte Outdoor Creations.Ready for some FOOTBALL!!!!Back to the 60's tonight!!!Idea for the game and movie lover guy! A definite in home sports bar!!Idea for empty stairwell. A definite sports fan fanatic!This would be for the music, cars and game fanatic !Gone are the days when men hung out in the garage with a ratty old couch and a battered television stand. Today’s men have their own rooms indoors, often called “man caves” and they have evolved into a wonderful haven for masculine relaxation. Visit any man cave and you will find a plasma tv stand holding a monster television...

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