A bunch of cool things

Avant-Garde Home Furnishings, LLC présents
Interesting places, sites, sounds..

Today I am just going around in circles and writing about all sorted of things in the design world.. No direction just things that caught my attention...

Sydney's Apollo RESTAURANT....

“For me, Greek food is something you have at home. It’s not made to look refined,” says interior architect George Livissianis, who translated some of that simplicity and lack of pretension to his design for the Greek restaurant, Apollo, in Sydney, Australia. Livissianis, an Australian of Greek descent, was lucky enough to find fortuitous architectural details beneath the dropped ceilings and plasterboard of the existing space, and had the vision to know what to do with them.

“Our intent was to expose the carcass of the building and encourage the inherent Mediterranean feel of the existing arched windows, the hidden decorative ceilings and stripped finish of the existing walls.” Wabi-sabi rawness and a dearth of color—Livissianis refers to the color palette asdesaturated and dusty—recalls the rocky, sun-bleached Grecian landscape; and Artemidesuspension lighting and pale Thonet chairs inject contemporary elegance. Pretty refined, we’d say.

A Water filler

We’ve written about the lovely glass carafe and sustainable water filter designed by San Francisco-based Soma in a previous post, but it’s worth noting their current collaboration with Charity: Water, the non-profit group which has made clean drinking water for everyone its goal. Soma has launched this limited edition yellow filter to help raise funds for Charity: Water’s initiatives in Cambodia. For each Soma carafe and limited edition filter purchased, Soma will donate $12.50 towards providing clean water to every family in 3 Cambodian villages. If you weren’t tempted to buy a Soma water filtering system before, we hope you will be now. 

Interior designs Line Item Rack... 

Interior Design Magazine has announced its “Best of Year” 2013 Finalists in a broad range of categories that includes furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories. A finalist in the accessories category is Line, the elegant storage piece designed by North Carolina’s Davis Furniture—and no design enthusiast would argue the selection. An impossibly slim, wall-mounted slat of oak, walnut, or painted MDF, outfitted with 3 steel pegs and a separate pull-down lever, Line is a visually striking hold-all for clothes, coats or small accessories, whether used singly or in a group. The only conundrum we see is in having to choose amongst the gorgeous selection of colors.

  

Mexican Hospitality...

Anyone in the mood for the vibrant brand of Modernism exemplified by Mexican masters Luis Barragan and Ricardo Legorreta will have to look somewhere besides Mexico City’s new Distrito Capital boutique hotel, a ravishing Modernist nirvana with nary a nod to Mexican culture in sight.

French architect Joseph Dirand, whose previous hospitality venture in Mexico produced the austereHotel Habitat Monterrey, oversaw the interior design at Distrito Capital, and it shows. As with Habitat Monterrey, Dirand’s European flair is prominently on display, with furnishings by great Danes Saarinen and Aalto taking center stage.

Refinement and restraint, down to the monochromatic color scheme, reigns supreme—makingDistrito Capital a Mexican destination in which the only Latin reference point lies in its breathtaking panoramic vie

ws.

Hope all of you enjoyed the pics and post.. 

AG Home Goods 

Modern colors-lighting

Avant-Garde Home Furnishings, LLC présents
All about Modern Stuff...

Today I am sharing with all of you different things in our world of modern-contemporary designs. First I will talk about lighting and then a few other interesting things for all of you to read and learn about.. 

I hope all of you enjoy the pics and post...

Energize Your Home With Lighting

 

Regardless if you are working with synthetic or natural light, it has the ability to energize not just your home but the people in it as well. Brilliant touches of radiance can invigorate your home instead of letting dark spaces create a dismal mood. These easy tips will bring light to your space to add cheer to your day.

• Welcome the Sun – Sheer window treatments, like sheer Levolor Blinds, provide brighter color by allowing natural light to fill the room. Thoughtfully placing mirrors where the light will be reflected will add a bright, positive energy to your space.

• Avoid Clutter – Ottomans and storage benches are ideal for hiding blankets, magazines, etc., when not in use. Also, avoid adding too much furniture or art to a room. Too many objects in a room can cause it to appear smaller and darker.

• Make Use of White – While white may not be the color you immediately think of when you picture contemporary design, small hints of it can certainly go a long way in brightening up your space. Fluorescent bulbs used in white accent lamps will offer you a more natural feel with your lighting while white moldings, shelves and picture frames can add just a hint of contrast in a darker room.

Light plays a key role in your mood and overall appearance of a room and should be treated as a primary decorating element, not an afterthought!

Choosing the right wall sconce

A wall sconce is the perfect solution to any indoor or outdoor lighting problem that you may have. They’re stylish, come in a large variety of styles and they don’t require too much room. They are perfect for a short wall, rooms or basements with low ceilings of for your front porch or back patio area.

Lantern Sconce
These are the most popular varieties found on exteriors of homes. They are traditionally black and although many years ago you would think that there was only one style available (judging by identical lighting seen throughout neighborhoods), today they are available in many unique designs. This is the perfect way to blend traditional lighting with a more modern appearance.

Hand-blown Art Sconce
Becoming extremely popular are these hand-blown pieces that serve a dual purpose as a light and a piece of art. These sconces are typically pretty expensive but what an impact they make on a room!

Contemporary Sconce
A polished steel wall sconce will compliment any contemporary decor. Their polished look offers light without becoming a distraction. Of course, steel isn’t your only option when looking for a contemporary sconce, they’re also available in many complimentary colors such as black, white, gray and red.

Motion Detector Sconce

Any type of outdoor lighting that features a motion detector has become a preferred choice. They provide light, enhance security, deter theft and you never have to worry about wasting electricity. This type of wall sconce only comes on when it detects movement so not only is it stylish and convenient, it can help you lower your carbon footprint as well!

X & Y Light Pots

 

 



SHED SOME NEW LIGHT ON THE SITUATION!   Through use of the X & Y Light Pots, there is no doubt you will be creating a statement in your modern decorating. Not only do these pieces light up, but they all serve a purpose.  The design features a double walled feature to keep the water separate from the light source.  Functionality and design go hand in hand with two different sizes and styles to choose from.  Enhance your plants, as well as the rooms decor, with Giuseppe Colonna Romano subtle and stunning designs. You can purchase these lights from gnr8.biz for $279.00.

Colors and their meanings

 

If you’re doing any amount of decorating or remodeling, you probably have heard colors referred to as active, neutral and passive but what does this mean? Sure, someone can tell you that your space needs more active colors but if you’re like most people, this is probably pretty confusing.

Active Colors
As the name suggests, active colors are bold and have the ability to wake up and stimulate emotions. Red, orange and yellow are all considered active colors. Red is passionate, affects the nervous system and can be too intense when overused. Orange is also a fun color but is suggested that when used too much, it stimulates appetite, an important note to keep in mind. Then there’s yellow, a color that simply promotes happiness.

Passive Colors
Colors such as blue, violet and green are considered passive as they calm the nervous system. Green is a dominating color in nature and the right shade will enlarge your room while violet calms and increases creativity. Blue is one of those colors that you have to be careful with. Used properly, it will promote a tranquil environment, but when overused, it can come off quite cold.

Neutral Colors
Nearly everyone is familiar with neutral colors. No, they do not have to be boring! Earth tones are considered neutral and can include anything from creamy light shades to black and rich chocolate. Black is nice to add in with neutral shades but can be depressing when if it is permitted to become the primary color. Neutral colors are ideal to work with as a base because they pair well with both passive and active colors.

Hope ypu enjoyed

AG Home Goods