We just finished an installation of a furniture package in Telluride, Colorado. Complete turnkey, including furniture, home wares, art and accessories.
Here are some shots from the install:
TELLURIDE
Turnkey Furniture Package
We just finished an installation of a furniture package in Telluride, Colorado. Complete turnkey, including furniture, home wares, art and accessories.
Here are some shots from the install:
We just finished an installation of a furniture package in Telluride, Colorado. Complete turnkey, including furniture, home wares, art and accessories.
Here are some shots from the install:
MARCH DESIGN TIP
SPANISH COLONIAL STYLE
Decorating with Wall Art
Influenced by the 16th century Italian Renaissance and regarded as the Golden Age of Spanish culture, painting flourished in 17th century Spain. Seville and Madrid were active artistic centers, attracting famous colonial Spanish painters such as El Greco, Velasquez and Ribera.
Consider old world style art when decorating a Spanish colonial style home.
Bold in imagery and antiqued for rustic, old world appeal, our vintage prints and photography collection is framed artwork created for the Spanish colonial style home. Add wrought iron panels for textures and impact.
Source: Accents Solado
Decorating with Wall Art
Influenced by the 16th century Italian Renaissance and regarded as the Golden Age of Spanish culture, painting flourished in 17th century Spain. Seville and Madrid were active artistic centers, attracting famous colonial Spanish painters such as El Greco, Velasquez and Ribera.
Consider old world style art when decorating a Spanish colonial style home.
Bold in imagery and antiqued for rustic, old world appeal, our vintage prints and photography collection is framed artwork created for the Spanish colonial style home. Add wrought iron panels for textures and impact.
Source: Accents Solado
THE POWER OF COLOR
Color can dramatically alter any space within a home. The possibilities made available to us by modern paints are almost limitless, and traditional and modern homes alike can be transformed through the clever use of color. Color not only affects mood it can also play with perspective and the scale of a room. Make a small space seem larger by using soft pale grays, ivory and whites can instantly refresh a tired room, giving a clean look and creating a bright, spacious atmosphere. To make that large space a little cozier – bring in rich colors, such as deep burgundy or emerald green will have an intense effect, creating a more intimate feeling. Paint the trim or ceiling for a luminous effect.
If you are painting two or more spaces that open from one to another use the same color or slightly lighter or darker shade of the same color. Otherwise, the overall area may look disconnected.
OUTDOOR SPACE
Go Ahead, Step Outside!
It’s that time of year again. Holidays are over, a new year has begun, and it is beautiful outside here in Arizona. The weather is so unpredictable and can go in a 40 degree swing between the morning and afternoon. We layer our clothing so we're prepared to remove a sweater or coat if needed. We believe your home should be the same way. You should be able to use your outdoor space as an extension of your overall living space during the cold of winter or in the the heat of summer. To accomplish this you just add or remove layers.
By extending your living space outdoors, you immediately add square footage to your life. Why not enjoy that footage as you would inside your home. It is easy, enjoyable and outdoor space can be extremely relaxing. Just by adding a few portable heaters or a portable fire pit you can enjoy your new space during all weather conditions.
First, make a plan. How do you want to expand your space? Do you want a living area, outdoor kitchen, bar area or perhaps a fire pit with comfortable chairs? You decide.
Consider your view or focal point then maximize that area. If you have an eye sore in the backyard, take a couple of days and clean it up, make space for that fire pit or a horseshoe field to enjoy. It can be that simple.
There are great selections of outdoor furniture available and great fabrics to further customize the look you're after, so get rid of the plastic chairs you once bought in isle 2 of your neighborhood market and upgrade a little. You can even recover extra pieces you have in your home currently by upholstering or slip covering them in a cheery outdoor fabric. Painting any useful tables or benches is an easy project. You can paint a wall or two as a beautiful backdrop for a piece of art or wall fountain. Adding some potted plants or flowers is another way to create a beautiful spot to enjoy. Create several seating areas that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Teenagers prefer sectional, open space areas for themselves and their friends to congregate.
Don’t forget the lighting! Lights add drama and excitement to any space, including outdoors. Simple string lights from a tree or patio overhang can provide a wonderful source of lighting. Hang paper lanterns on a tree in the distance. Now more than ever before you can find great floor lamps for outdoor use at very affordable prices. Caution, make certain your lighting is UL approved for outdoors! Candles either on tables or staked in the ground are always an enjoyable source for light. Have your landscaper add lights to your trees and cacti, talk about drama!
If you have a patio overhang, don’t forget you can actually hang outdoor draperies. You can tie them back most of the time but can use them to block out a forbidden afternoon sun. This automatically comforts your soul, adds an instant softness to the hardscape and can have huge dramatic impact. Make certain to use outdoor fabric for both function and durability.
If you want to add hardscape with built in kitchens or fireplaces, consult a designer for the best possible layout and materials to use. Otherwise, it takes just a bit of imagination and elbow grease to make the most of your great outdoor area. So go ahead, step outside and enjoy your outdoor space.
It’s that time of year again. Holidays are over, a new year has begun, and it is beautiful outside here in Arizona. The weather is so unpredictable and can go in a 40 degree swing between the morning and afternoon. We layer our clothing so we're prepared to remove a sweater or coat if needed. We believe your home should be the same way. You should be able to use your outdoor space as an extension of your overall living space during the cold of winter or in the the heat of summer. To accomplish this you just add or remove layers.
By extending your living space outdoors, you immediately add square footage to your life. Why not enjoy that footage as you would inside your home. It is easy, enjoyable and outdoor space can be extremely relaxing. Just by adding a few portable heaters or a portable fire pit you can enjoy your new space during all weather conditions.
First, make a plan. How do you want to expand your space? Do you want a living area, outdoor kitchen, bar area or perhaps a fire pit with comfortable chairs? You decide.
Consider your view or focal point then maximize that area. If you have an eye sore in the backyard, take a couple of days and clean it up, make space for that fire pit or a horseshoe field to enjoy. It can be that simple.
There are great selections of outdoor furniture available and great fabrics to further customize the look you're after, so get rid of the plastic chairs you once bought in isle 2 of your neighborhood market and upgrade a little. You can even recover extra pieces you have in your home currently by upholstering or slip covering them in a cheery outdoor fabric. Painting any useful tables or benches is an easy project. You can paint a wall or two as a beautiful backdrop for a piece of art or wall fountain. Adding some potted plants or flowers is another way to create a beautiful spot to enjoy. Create several seating areas that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Teenagers prefer sectional, open space areas for themselves and their friends to congregate.
Don’t forget the lighting! Lights add drama and excitement to any space, including outdoors. Simple string lights from a tree or patio overhang can provide a wonderful source of lighting. Hang paper lanterns on a tree in the distance. Now more than ever before you can find great floor lamps for outdoor use at very affordable prices. Caution, make certain your lighting is UL approved for outdoors! Candles either on tables or staked in the ground are always an enjoyable source for light. Have your landscaper add lights to your trees and cacti, talk about drama!
If you have a patio overhang, don’t forget you can actually hang outdoor draperies. You can tie them back most of the time but can use them to block out a forbidden afternoon sun. This automatically comforts your soul, adds an instant softness to the hardscape and can have huge dramatic impact. Make certain to use outdoor fabric for both function and durability.
If you want to add hardscape with built in kitchens or fireplaces, consult a designer for the best possible layout and materials to use. Otherwise, it takes just a bit of imagination and elbow grease to make the most of your great outdoor area. So go ahead, step outside and enjoy your outdoor space.
FEBRUARY DESIGN TIP
Ten Decorating Mistakes Not To Make According To Some Leading Designers
“The misuse or heavy-handed application of decorative painting. I saw a show house last weekend and it reminded me that you have to know when to stop. Brilliant painting is elegant and polished, but too far and you end up with vulgarity when quality was the goal.”
Mary Douglas Drysdale
“There’s nothing worse than bright overhead lights that make you feel like you’re onstage. Lighting shouldn’t wash down on you: It’s harsh and unflattering. I use dimmers in every part of a house, including bathrooms. And soft white bulbs in lamps. The best light comes at you from shaded lamps.
Barkley Butera
“Lamps that are completely disproportionate sizes on either ends of a sofa-that makes me crazy. Also when people hang a collection of pictures in sort of idiosyncratic ways and it’s just a mess. Don’t try to get to creative. Keep it simple”
David Kleinberg
“Candlesticks side by side. Candlelight, like open fires, has a certain allure-one of warmth and romance. To me, it’s most alluring when the light is spread around the room. In other words, separate the candlesticks! It’s also a more balanced aesthetic.”
Albert Hadley
“To many ideas- even good ones-in one place can add up to a big mess. Just pick one and go with it.”
Alessandra Branca
“Regardless of how beautiful a room is, it’s compromised by glaring or gloomy lightening. Don’t rely on only one kind of light source. Mix a variety of overhead
and floor or table lamps. And keep in mind that you’re not obliged to illuminate every corner evenly. Warm ‘pools’ of light draw people in and create intimacy.”
Alan Tanksley
“I hate seeing seating and furniture pushed up to the wall like you’re at a dance. I guess people are trying to make their rooms seem bigger, but if everything is too broad, too spread out, and too high, it’s impossible to feel cozy. It’s much more pleasant to break up space into smaller areas and give things a bit of air. Even in a narrow room, the sofa doesn’t have to be slammed up against the wall. Pull it out six inches.”
Jackie Terrell
“Decorating that doesn’t match the personality and lifestyle of the people living in it. You wouldn’t wear the same clothes as your mother, and you shouldn’t decorate your home the way your mother would.”
Heidi Bonesteel
“Karate-chopped pillows. That look would never occur in ‘pillow nature.’ Prominently placed family portraits. Best avoided if you’re not royal or papal. TVs that are disguised. They have been around for decades, so just embrace your TV. Would you buy an armoire for your stove?”
Steven Sclaroff
“The misuse or heavy-handed application of decorative painting. I saw a show house last weekend and it reminded me that you have to know when to stop. Brilliant painting is elegant and polished, but too far and you end up with vulgarity when quality was the goal.”
Mary Douglas Drysdale
“There’s nothing worse than bright overhead lights that make you feel like you’re onstage. Lighting shouldn’t wash down on you: It’s harsh and unflattering. I use dimmers in every part of a house, including bathrooms. And soft white bulbs in lamps. The best light comes at you from shaded lamps.
Barkley Butera
“Lamps that are completely disproportionate sizes on either ends of a sofa-that makes me crazy. Also when people hang a collection of pictures in sort of idiosyncratic ways and it’s just a mess. Don’t try to get to creative. Keep it simple”
David Kleinberg
“Candlesticks side by side. Candlelight, like open fires, has a certain allure-one of warmth and romance. To me, it’s most alluring when the light is spread around the room. In other words, separate the candlesticks! It’s also a more balanced aesthetic.”
Albert Hadley
“To many ideas- even good ones-in one place can add up to a big mess. Just pick one and go with it.”
Alessandra Branca
“Regardless of how beautiful a room is, it’s compromised by glaring or gloomy lightening. Don’t rely on only one kind of light source. Mix a variety of overhead
and floor or table lamps. And keep in mind that you’re not obliged to illuminate every corner evenly. Warm ‘pools’ of light draw people in and create intimacy.”
Alan Tanksley
“I hate seeing seating and furniture pushed up to the wall like you’re at a dance. I guess people are trying to make their rooms seem bigger, but if everything is too broad, too spread out, and too high, it’s impossible to feel cozy. It’s much more pleasant to break up space into smaller areas and give things a bit of air. Even in a narrow room, the sofa doesn’t have to be slammed up against the wall. Pull it out six inches.”
Jackie Terrell
“Decorating that doesn’t match the personality and lifestyle of the people living in it. You wouldn’t wear the same clothes as your mother, and you shouldn’t decorate your home the way your mother would.”
Heidi Bonesteel
“Karate-chopped pillows. That look would never occur in ‘pillow nature.’ Prominently placed family portraits. Best avoided if you’re not royal or papal. TVs that are disguised. They have been around for decades, so just embrace your TV. Would you buy an armoire for your stove?”
Steven Sclaroff
TURNKEY FURNITURE PACKAGE SUCCESS STORY
Turnkey Furniture Packages
We just installed some of our furniture packages in some Scottsdale condos developed by Starpointe. Here is what they had to say:
"It has been our good fortune to have had Touch of History involved in the interior design of our “Try Before You Buy” homes, and to be able to offer their turnkey furniture packages to our buyers.
The Touch of History team is a pleasure to work with, and exhibits up-to-date knowledge of design trends, modern furniture and accessories, and extra touches that make our homes stand above the rest. They bring this knowledge to Starpointe and balance it with a keen eye for buyer demographics. The result always invokes “oohs” and “aahs” from our prospects.
Touch of History is a well run business, and Starpointe appreciates that the team gives equal attention to budget concerns, timelines for installation, and practicality, that they do to the design aspects. We value our continued working relationship with Touch of History. They are a respected partner of Starpointe Communities."
Starpointe Communities
We shot some images, you can check them out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/touchofhistory/sets/72157611254080607
We just installed some of our furniture packages in some Scottsdale condos developed by Starpointe. Here is what they had to say:
"It has been our good fortune to have had Touch of History involved in the interior design of our “Try Before You Buy” homes, and to be able to offer their turnkey furniture packages to our buyers.
The Touch of History team is a pleasure to work with, and exhibits up-to-date knowledge of design trends, modern furniture and accessories, and extra touches that make our homes stand above the rest. They bring this knowledge to Starpointe and balance it with a keen eye for buyer demographics. The result always invokes “oohs” and “aahs” from our prospects.
Touch of History is a well run business, and Starpointe appreciates that the team gives equal attention to budget concerns, timelines for installation, and practicality, that they do to the design aspects. We value our continued working relationship with Touch of History. They are a respected partner of Starpointe Communities."
Starpointe Communities
We shot some images, you can check them out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/touchofhistory/sets/72157611254080607
JANUARY DESIGN TIP
Out With the Old, In With the New
Must Have Items for Decorating in 2009
Must Have Items for Decorating in 2009
Try a colored chandelier in just about any room in the house to add that little bit of Pizzazz. One of the newest trims is colored crystals, including black, red and blue, says Frank Fontana, host of HGTV’s Design on a Dime.
Bamboo is making quite an impact on the eco friendly design world. Once only seen in pots holding Bamboo Sticks, you now see it every where from flooring to wall coverings to linens and towels.
Free standing Bathtubs are in many new homes the focal point of the bathroom. Claw footed tubs are being replaced by new flat bottom sleek versions to give a contemporary feel.
Midlevel Vessel sinks will compliment your new freestanding tub in addition to giving your bath a spa like atmosphere.
Wallpaper is making a comeback. Textures such as grass cloth and flocked wallpapers
And patterns are popular among designers. While kitchens and baths use to be the popular spots to paper you will now see a lot of accent walls and niches papered.
With Condo living becoming popular there is a trend in multipurpose furniture designed for small spaces. Murphy Beds and Daybeds allow rooms to have multi functions. Coffee tables designed to convert into computer workstations along with Coffee tables that house additional seating underneath are a must have in a tiny space.
Kitchens take on a sleek new look with Espresso Cabinets. Over the counter cabinets are being replaced with open shelving giving the kitchen very contemporary European feel. This look however is not for everyone. If you are a clutter bug or own a conglomeration of mixed matched dishes you may want to stick to the old cabinets that hide a multitude of sins.
If remodeling is not in the budget but you desire a new look painting is your answer. Hot colors for the New Year include Charcoal Grey, Navy Blue and don’t count out Browns and Blues just yet. The 2009 version is Espresso and Peacock Blue and opposed to Chocolates and Teals.
Source: design.hgtv.com
DECEMBER DESIGN TIP
WINTER HOLIDAY DECOR
Do you want to achieve a festive mood around your home without going over budget or looking as though your grandmother lives there? Try warm, deep shades of burgundy, emerald, bronze or even navy blue to create a comforting rich atmosphere. The perfect way to transform your space into a current holiday look is by adding throw pillows, blankets, or accent lamps with beautiful shades accented with beads, trims or feathers in festive tones. Change your everyday candles with the deeper tones to fit your holiday colors. Use rich fabrics such as velvets, chenilles, brushed suedes and even nice faux furs. Fill a crystal or silver bowl with like colored Christmas baubles. It's easy to substitute these accent pieces out with your normal, chic decor when the holiday season is over. Relax, have a hot toddy and enjoy the season.
Do you want to achieve a festive mood around your home without going over budget or looking as though your grandmother lives there? Try warm, deep shades of burgundy, emerald, bronze or even navy blue to create a comforting rich atmosphere. The perfect way to transform your space into a current holiday look is by adding throw pillows, blankets, or accent lamps with beautiful shades accented with beads, trims or feathers in festive tones. Change your everyday candles with the deeper tones to fit your holiday colors. Use rich fabrics such as velvets, chenilles, brushed suedes and even nice faux furs. Fill a crystal or silver bowl with like colored Christmas baubles. It's easy to substitute these accent pieces out with your normal, chic decor when the holiday season is over. Relax, have a hot toddy and enjoy the season.
DINING ROOM DECORATING TIP: USE A MIRROR!
Mirrors are one of our favorite accessories to use when decorating a home, especially in the dining room. You will find that dining rooms almost always have one big wall with no windows. This is the perfect place to make a statement! A mirror is easier to choose than a piece of art and the reflective qualities offer great aesthetic benefits. Use a large mirror (the bigger the better) that fills up as much of the wall as possible and be amazed at how much the room will open up! For those of you that enjoy the mystic side of decorating, mirrors are considered to be very "auspicious" in the ancient art of Feng Shui, especially when placed in the dining area. Not only is it believed to bring good chi (positive energy flow) into the room, but it also visually doubles your food, which symbolically doubles your money. Who wouldn't love that in an economy like this? Just make sure whichever decorating purpose the mirror is being using for, that it is reflecting something attractive.
QUICK FIX FOR TIRED ROOMS
Local residents in search of an HGTV-style makeover need search no further. Touch of History offers one-day makeovers, also known as interior re-design. Remarkably, the firm’s interior transformations are usually accomplished without the purchase of many new items.
An increasingly popular style of decorating, interior redesign has seen tremendous growth in recent years. By using things a homeowner already owns, redesigned rooms are transformed through proper placement of furniture, art, lighting and accessories. More innovative than traditional interior design, redesigners often “shop” the rest of the home for pieces that will work best in the room of focus. While it is an economical choice, interior redesign is not just for the budget conscious.
Even in exclusive luxury homes with gorgeous furnishings, there may be a room or two that could use a little help in achieving the best feel and flow possible. At it’s heart, redesign is about achieving balance. That’s why it can work for everyone.
In today’s struggling economy if purchasing new furnishings is not an option yet you find yourself yearning for a whole new look, give redesign a try. Whether it be one room or an entire house our expert team will transform your home in one afternoon and you can be ready to entertain that evening!
For more information email us here or call (480) 991-8898.
An increasingly popular style of decorating, interior redesign has seen tremendous growth in recent years. By using things a homeowner already owns, redesigned rooms are transformed through proper placement of furniture, art, lighting and accessories. More innovative than traditional interior design, redesigners often “shop” the rest of the home for pieces that will work best in the room of focus. While it is an economical choice, interior redesign is not just for the budget conscious.
Even in exclusive luxury homes with gorgeous furnishings, there may be a room or two that could use a little help in achieving the best feel and flow possible. At it’s heart, redesign is about achieving balance. That’s why it can work for everyone.
In today’s struggling economy if purchasing new furnishings is not an option yet you find yourself yearning for a whole new look, give redesign a try. Whether it be one room or an entire house our expert team will transform your home in one afternoon and you can be ready to entertain that evening!
For more information email us here or call (480) 991-8898.
How does Touch Of History create great design?
We believe that Interior design is the process of shaping the experience of interior space; we accomplish this through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment.
We analyze programmatic information, establish a conceptual direction, refine the design direction, and produce graphic communication and construction documents.
So, how does Touch Of History create great design? We let our knowledge and design principles guide us.
UNITY AND HARMONY:
We think of a project as a totality; a series of spaces linked together, having a common style and theme running throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same but they should work together and complement each other to strengthen the whole composition.
Some methods to achieve a harmony are through the use of color, textures and light as well as through object placement and orientation relative to the space.
BALANCE:
This can be described as the equal distribution of visual weight in a room. Generally speaking, there are three styles of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. TOH believes balance is created not just through shape, but also through the knowledgeable use of color, pattern, and texture.
FOCAL POINT:
A well-designed space always has, depending on the size of it, one or more focal points. A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and interesting enough to encourage the viewer to look further. A fireplace or a flat TV is the first example that most people think of when we talk about a room focal point.
RHYTHM:
If we would speak about music we would describe rhythm as the beat or pulse of the music. In interior design, rhythm is all about the visual cues.
Using repetition, progression, transition, and contrast, we can syncopate rhythm visually in a space.
DETAILS:
We take infinite pains in our details. From the trimming on a lampshade, the color of the walls and ceilings, to the light switches and cupboard handles. These types of details all need attention. We feel details should not be obvious but they should be correct in enhancing the overall feel of a room.
We analyze programmatic information, establish a conceptual direction, refine the design direction, and produce graphic communication and construction documents.
So, how does Touch Of History create great design? We let our knowledge and design principles guide us.
UNITY AND HARMONY:
We think of a project as a totality; a series of spaces linked together, having a common style and theme running throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same but they should work together and complement each other to strengthen the whole composition.
Some methods to achieve a harmony are through the use of color, textures and light as well as through object placement and orientation relative to the space.
BALANCE:
This can be described as the equal distribution of visual weight in a room. Generally speaking, there are three styles of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. TOH believes balance is created not just through shape, but also through the knowledgeable use of color, pattern, and texture.
FOCAL POINT:
A well-designed space always has, depending on the size of it, one or more focal points. A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and interesting enough to encourage the viewer to look further. A fireplace or a flat TV is the first example that most people think of when we talk about a room focal point.
RHYTHM:
If we would speak about music we would describe rhythm as the beat or pulse of the music. In interior design, rhythm is all about the visual cues.
Using repetition, progression, transition, and contrast, we can syncopate rhythm visually in a space.
DETAILS:
We take infinite pains in our details. From the trimming on a lampshade, the color of the walls and ceilings, to the light switches and cupboard handles. These types of details all need attention. We feel details should not be obvious but they should be correct in enhancing the overall feel of a room.
NOV-DEC OPPORTUNITY PIECE
PATZCUARO BARGUENO
(30% OFF listed price)
Manufactured by Taracea
Dimensions: 37 ½ W x 15 D x 20 ½ H
Listed Price: $7869
Opportunity Price: $5508
For more info please call (480) 991-8898
THE BARGUENO
The 15th century Vargueno or Bargueno is probably the oldest known desk form which continues to be produced, if we exclude the early medieval Trestle desk. Some would not count the trestle desk because in early times it served as a dining table, a money-lender's counter, and just about anything else in addition to serving as a desk. On the other hand we also have proof that the Bargueno or Vargueno was sometimes used for sewing or as a jewel chest instead of solely for reading and writing and storing the necessary implements for these activities.
The Bargueno is above all a Portable desk which ressembles the top half of a Fall front desk. It is basically a chest with its lid on the side, and an interior equipped with a good quantity of small drawers and pigeon holes.
As a general rule the interior of a Bargueno is much more richly decorated than the exterior. Thus a Bargueno looking very plain from the exterior will have a reasonably rich and well sculpted interior while a Bargueno with impressive exterior decorations will have a truly ornate and extremely rich interior with ivory inlays and velvet decoration. It is one of the best examples of wood craftsmanship in Renaissance Spain.
There was usually a very sturdy iron handle on each side of the Bargueno, to make transport relatively easy for two strong servants. A Bargueno could be set down on any solid table but there were often ready made suports for it: The "Taquillon" was a chest of drawers decorated much like it while the "Pie de puente" was a small trestle table also in the same style and material.
Barguenos first appeared in the 15th and were popular all through the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. After a lull in the 19th century, they became again popular as antiques in the 20th.
The only other major antique combination of a large portable desk and a frame is the more delicate and humble Desk on a frame of the 18th century. It was popular in Colonial America.
Source: Wikipedia
Manufactured by Taracea
Dimensions: 37 ½ W x 15 D x 20 ½ H
Listed Price: $7869
Opportunity Price: $5508
For more info please call (480) 991-8898
THE BARGUENO
The 15th century Vargueno or Bargueno is probably the oldest known desk form which continues to be produced, if we exclude the early medieval Trestle desk. Some would not count the trestle desk because in early times it served as a dining table, a money-lender's counter, and just about anything else in addition to serving as a desk. On the other hand we also have proof that the Bargueno or Vargueno was sometimes used for sewing or as a jewel chest instead of solely for reading and writing and storing the necessary implements for these activities.
The Bargueno is above all a Portable desk which ressembles the top half of a Fall front desk. It is basically a chest with its lid on the side, and an interior equipped with a good quantity of small drawers and pigeon holes.
As a general rule the interior of a Bargueno is much more richly decorated than the exterior. Thus a Bargueno looking very plain from the exterior will have a reasonably rich and well sculpted interior while a Bargueno with impressive exterior decorations will have a truly ornate and extremely rich interior with ivory inlays and velvet decoration. It is one of the best examples of wood craftsmanship in Renaissance Spain.
There was usually a very sturdy iron handle on each side of the Bargueno, to make transport relatively easy for two strong servants. A Bargueno could be set down on any solid table but there were often ready made suports for it: The "Taquillon" was a chest of drawers decorated much like it while the "Pie de puente" was a small trestle table also in the same style and material.
Barguenos first appeared in the 15th and were popular all through the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. After a lull in the 19th century, they became again popular as antiques in the 20th.
The only other major antique combination of a large portable desk and a frame is the more delicate and humble Desk on a frame of the 18th century. It was popular in Colonial America.
Source: Wikipedia
FURNITURE IMAGE FUN
Just wanted to share some really cool images that appeared in a coffee table book we had created for our elite clients as a gift. We took some existing images and gave them a little tweek and the results were stunning and quite engaging. There is an example above, but if you want to view a slideshow of the entire set of images, please visit our Flickr page here.
THE BENEFITS OF HIRING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER
Why do I need an Interior Designer?
Hiring an Interior Designer for your project whether residential or commercial can make your space inviting, functional and aesthetically pleasing. Most people feel that they can, on their own, obtain this goal. However, what they don't consider is that both time and money can be saved by involving an Interior Designer at the earliest possible moment.
Hiring an Interior Designer for your project whether residential or commercial can make your space inviting, functional and aesthetically pleasing. Most people feel that they can, on their own, obtain this goal. However, what they don't consider is that both time and money can be saved by involving an Interior Designer at the earliest possible moment.
Designers can solve space planning problems, and fine tune the functionality of a particular area by space planning and room layouts that are "to scale" with the room size. Have you ever been in some one's home that feels like the sofa has eaten the room? Or sat in a chair where your feet won't reach the ground? Or an area rug that only fits under a coffee table? All costly mistakes that can easily be avoided.
Designers can also make the most of what you already own, using existing pieces in others rooms or in different ways. By re-using some or all of your already owned pieces, this will afford you to purchase only the necessary items to give your room a completed look and again saving you money.
How many cans of paint are in your garage? A skilled Interior Designer can select and coordinate your color options. For instance, a client will like a certain color, lets say yellow, but when they've completed their painting project the room looks like a giant Easter egg. What a lot of people don't realize is the magnification and saturation of color in a room. Even though you want yellow, the color may actually need to be brought down in hue as to give the hint of the color instead of the full strength. This takes both experience and education.
Therefore, an Interior Designer may cost you money upfront, but what you gain is a flowing floor plan, properly scaled furniture/accessory selections, great color and fabric choices all reflecting your personal style and sensibilities....priceless.
Come in to our showroom for a complimentary consultation today!
Come in to our showroom for a complimentary consultation today!
THE ORBIT
image courtesy of JANUS et Cie
Touch of History is proud to be an exclusive dealer for JANUS et Cie. We are currently showcasing a fabulous line of outdoor furnishings from their DEDON collection. The DEDON fiber is developed and manufactured in Germany, and each piece is hand woven. The weather resistant fiber stand up to heat, sun, rain and cold – it also ensures an extraordinary stability of colors and structures, and is resistant to pool water as well as seawater. Our spotlight piece is The ORBIT – an outdoor circular sofa you will sink into for relaxation and ultimate comfort. The Orbit comes in three different color weaves – Natural, Bronze & Platinum. With a variety of Sunbrella fabrics to choose from for the cushions and pillows, we know you'll fall in love with this brilliantly designed piece.
See this great line of furniture in person at our showroom or visit their website here.
COLOR TRENDS
In color trends, you want to remember that no matter what colors may currently be popular, the most important thing to consider when using color in a room is your own personal preference and taste. You should always choose colors that bring you comfort and that you prefer. At Touch Of History, we believe the best way to make a decorating statement is to make it personal.
COLOR TRENDS 2009
From spicy color combinations to hues that warm the soul, the 2009 color trends contain palettes that work independently as a "statement color" or as a subtle backdrop where home furnishings and accessories take center stage.
Comfort Colors
Biscuit and wheat neutrals, cocoa brown, pumpkin orange and cinnamon apple pie, are just a few of the comfort colors that will wrap your room with warmth and promote a stress-free space. The comfort color palette is an especially good choice for kitchens and family rooms.
Back to Nature
Yellows and blues, leaf-like greens, along with organic browns combine to bring the outdoors in. Add translucency and a glass like quality by incorporating varying paint sheen levels. As a subtle accent color, add rust or copper-like metallics into the scheme. Bedrooms and bathrooms are perfect places to incorporate the back to nature hues or in rooms where an accent wall is employed.
Stark Contrast
From clean, clear reds and deep plums to the sophistication of black and white, this color group works both as an accent and as an elegant backdrop for many living spaces. Polished brass metallics complement this scheme. Dining, living rooms and especially powder rooms will benefit from this bold and spicy palette.
Source: Color Trends 2009 Home Hues that Comfort and Excite
NOVEMBER DESIGN TIP
KITCHEN DESIGN PITFALLS
The number one mistake you can make, once you've decided to have a new kitchen installed, is to have a new kitchen installed. Just kidding. But it is true that if you don't carefully and methodically think through every design decision, the ghosts of kitchens gone wrong could haunt you for many years to come. The more effort you put into the project, in planning terms, the more your chances for a happy ending. If you just leave it to others to tell you what you should want, disaster awaits. Here's how to avoid some of the major kitchen design pitfalls.
1. Financial Shock: The biggest potential bugaboo is financial. Very few people who embark on a new kitchen don't suffer from the initial sticker shock of having the project quoted. There are a plethora of kitchen options and price points available to today's homeowner. If you don't know what you want, you're already in trouble: The road to financial disaster is paved with ignorance.
How do you close your knowledge gap in a hurry? The main difference between you and a kitchen designer is experience with the product. The solution: immerse yourself in the wonderful world of kitchen design. The most efficient way to be sure your pocket is not being picked is, naturally, to shop and compare prices. And don't forget books, periodicals, kitchen stores and home centers, friends who've survived a kitchen project, websites like this one — they're all great sources of information.
But here's the key: You must be a participant in the design, not an onlooker. Once you have a working knowledge of this multi-bazillion dollar business, and a sense of the vocabulary that is used, your anxiety will lessen and you'll be better equipped with the design and financial smarts to take the plunge.
2. Style Setbacks: Here's a cautionary tale. Imagine walking through a beautiful 18th-Century Georgian- furnished home, dark mahogany finishes abounding, then turning the corner and waltzing into a light and airy Tuscan kitchen. Well, it probably sounded like a good idea; after all, we all know Tuscany is all the rage these days. But from a style point of view: Whoops!
Don't forget that the kitchen is indeed a part, a very large part, of the interior design of the home. To avoid a complete disconnect, it's wise to marry your kitchen design in terms of style and coloration to the rest of the home. At times, the kitchen is the first consideration; the rest of the home follows, as in new construction. At other times, the challenge is matching the style of a remodeled kitchen with an already completed interior. If you have a New England style cottage, the kitchen should reflect both the architecture and attempts should be made to in include the home's coloration, "flow" it into the kitchen, as it were, as well.
3. Function for All: As the kitchen is primarily thought of as a purely functional space for the cook, sometimes the impact of the flow of the room on others is forgotten. As you pore over where to put your dishwasher drawers and the pot filler, try to consider the people coming and going (as they always do in a kitchen, as that is where the food is at; people don't visit the attic often: no food).
Consider the overall traffic flow of the space as a part of the kitchen's function, not just the cook's traffic flow. During this phase of the design you need to think like an industrial engineer (IE), who designs large manufacturing plants and measures out the exact paces an employee must take from place to place. The good IE will determine the most facile way to move parts and people from one end of the plant to another, saving time and money for the employer. Surprise: YOU are now the IE in your own home. The kitchen designer does not live there, you do.
As you plan the kitchen, it's important to figure out how much wasted space or wasted effort/walking there is, and to rework the room's design to eliminate as much as of this as possible. For example, check how far you have to walk with groceries from the garage to the pantry. You may discover that the pantry is on the wrong side of the kitchen. Over the years having things with important functions in the wrong place could end up wasting days of your life. And, of course, the time is much better spent eating the food you schlepped into the house rather than taking frozen lasagna for long walks.
So now, go forth armed with info and design that kitchen of your dreams. By avoiding these financial, stylistic and functional pitfalls, you'll make sure that your kitchen isn't haunted by the ghosts of past (bad) decisions.
Source: design.hgtv.com
Check back every month for new design tips
OCTOBER DESIGN TIP
BATHROOMS
You probably have a general idea of the difference between, say, classic and country designs, but a really pulled-together look depends on how you handle the details. Use the guide below for tips on what makes your favorite style unique.
Classic bathroom: Formal, with architectural detail. The masculine bathroom favors stone and fine woods like mahogany while in the feminine bathroom woods are light and tiles small-scale. Fixtures are always decorative.
Source: design.hgtv.com
You probably have a general idea of the difference between, say, classic and country designs, but a really pulled-together look depends on how you handle the details. Use the guide below for tips on what makes your favorite style unique.
Classic bathroom: Formal, with architectural detail. The masculine bathroom favors stone and fine woods like mahogany while in the feminine bathroom woods are light and tiles small-scale. Fixtures are always decorative.
- In classic style, balance is the key. When in doubt, buy a pair.
- Furniture is formal, not fancy, with tight backs and small, rolled arms.
- Keep wood furnishings dark and remember longevity of furniture matters more than following the trends.
- Make use of classic shapes — urns, columns and pineapples
- If you are at odds over choosing a style, decorate to match the architectural style of the room.
- Color can be bold or basic, but patterns take a backseat. Classic style leans towards monochromatic or duo-chromatic color schemes.
- To conceal scratches on mahogany, walnut or oak furniture, paint over them with a small amount of iodine.
- Modern style means clean lines and simple, geometric shapes.
- Modern, mid-century furniture is the way to go.
- Choose sleek materials such as stainless steel, glass and plastic.
- Keep wood pieces detail-free.
- Color schemes are simple and textures have a starring role.
- The number one style trait of Modernists is that they hate clutter.
- Modernism owes its sleek, mass-produced look to advances in manufacturing techniques.
- Another color choice is red, which increases the heart rate, appetite, passion and energy.
- Country style furnishings are casual and comfortable — pieces have high, cushioned backs and large, rolled arms.
- Woods are light and grainy, painted or distressed.
- Fabrics are plaid, floral or striped.
- Personal touches bring a country home to life.
- For a country kitchen look, take anything that comes in a bag or a box and place it in a glass jar.
- Tarnished metal is a result of exposure to a source of sulfur in the air.
- In the 18th and 19th centuries, pinewood was considered low quality, which is why it was often painted.
- Shop for vintage accessories and country-style furniture like a pro — bring a Polaroid camera, a pad and a pen and the most crucial item, a tape measure.
- Mix different styles and periods.
- Design by instinct: If you love it, it will work.
- Shop at flea markets and specialty stores.
- Create cohesion with color and reputation.
- Don't forget the details. Accessories like wall sconces, glassware and linens make a big difference in a room's design.
- Whether you choose solids, stripes or prints, make sure to employ a unifying color.
- Try cutting soft pastel colors with furniture that is very dark.
Source: design.hgtv.com
Check back every month for new design tips
RE-DESIGN SERVICES
RE-DESIGN SERVICES, WHAT IS THAT?
Lets say you really like the furniture you've purchased but aren't sure where or how to place it, you want a change of environment but can't afford new furniture and accessories, or maybe the color of your walls need to be changed but you don't know what color to choose. We believe that you don't always have to purchase new furniture or materials to get a fresh new look. At Touch of History we can come to your home or office and perform a re-design for you at very little cost. We use your existing furniture and accessories to give a room, home or office a completely new look.
For more information email us here or call (480) 991-8898.
Lets say you really like the furniture you've purchased but aren't sure where or how to place it, you want a change of environment but can't afford new furniture and accessories, or maybe the color of your walls need to be changed but you don't know what color to choose. We believe that you don't always have to purchase new furniture or materials to get a fresh new look. At Touch of History we can come to your home or office and perform a re-design for you at very little cost. We use your existing furniture and accessories to give a room, home or office a completely new look.
For more information email us here or call (480) 991-8898.
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