GUEST POST: Ring Mirrors, Coolors Collection, Boca do Lobo...

Athenna Harrison from DeMorais International sent me the following product information. I thought that they have quite a lot of extraordinary and exclusive accessoires which may be of interest for any interior designer/decorator:

Ring Mirrors, Coolors Collection, Boca do Lobo... 

"We represent ten unique brands from overseas and because of that we have a very large range of products to choose from. Below I have listed some of the latest products from three of our most popular brands and you will find links to the high resolution images for these products below.

Ring Mirror  |  Coolors Collection  |  Boca do Lobo
Exploring the main function of a mirror, the richness of Ring lies within it's reflection. The newest piece of Coolors collection, mirrors the passion and mystery of a hidden lineage only to be shown when sight meets it's soul.

Eden Table |  Coolors Collection  |  Boca do Lobo
Eden is inspired by the mystic behind the name. This center table represents a part of the tree of knowledge and the tale of the birth of desire.
This structure is made in Mahogany, fully plated in polished brass with it's top delicately engraved, exposing the heart of a golden tree to the very heart of a home.

Brubeck Suspension  |  Suspension Collection  |  Delightfull
Back to art deco and again with musical inspiration, this time through the dramatic pipe organ. Brubeck is an instant classic sculptural design. An extravagant shape full of refinement and modernity. 100% handmade in brass tubes it's possible to create any shape: round, oval, square or rectangular to perfectly suit your dining table or hotel lobby.

Eternity Chandelier  |  Guilty Pleasures Collection  |  KOKET
The elegant silhouette of this chandelier takes its brilliance from the skillful application of the crystal. The eternal circles are individually wrapped in brass and placed with astonishing attention to detail. The end result is an extraordinary source of light.
KOKET is dedicated to bringing seduction and desire to the world of interior design. Inspired by nature, fashion, and the enticement of love, this collection of lavish furniture takes passion to new levels. This line is designed and manufactured in Portugal by a highly skilled group of artisans, jewelers, and designers.

KOKET brings empowering style and a sense of entitlement, exclusivity and prestige.

Thank you Athenna for making me aware of these beautiful products!!!
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I have added another chandelier from KOKET which is absolutely amazing, featuring slices of agates which reflect the light in a magic light. On their website it says:

"KOKET is devotion to the seduction of the exquisite and to the provocation of love.
Highly influenced by the decorative arts, fashion, flora and fauna, forms and decorative techniques from the glamorous eras reappear in the most sophisticated versions of contemporary trends.KOKET brings empowering style to a highly edited unique collection of furniture, passing on a sense of entitlement, exclusivity and prestige."

To me this chandelier looks like an ancient crown from a fairy land...

Be sure to check out their website or catalogue for more beautiful objects such as this armoire which has been "designed with a profound admiration and influence of the French decorative arts" (from the catalogue of KOKET). One of these things which you do not need necessarily but you could die for...

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A Dining Room in minimalist Style but so cold...

While I hate overstuffed and crowded rooms - the complete opposite is equally not to my liking.
Honestly folks - how would YOU feel in such a place? This may be hipp but who would feel comfort and really could enjoy a good meal here? The floor is cold, table and chairs do not really look inviting although the four of them would suggest that you expect some company? The wall is blank besides some fixtures and the lamp might be trendy but may add some warmth only when lit in the dark.
So what to do here?

(original image source www.housebeautiful.com)

Solution: at least adding some art on the wall. Such as this one, few colours only to stick to the design style but at least something for the eye to rest on:

The acrylic painting is from the Fossils series: Triassic Prints III. Like a faux marble painting it depicts the patterns of black marble but with the inclusion of ferns - which have been added btw with a special dye resist technique to embed them into the "stone surface".

"Triassic Prints III"

(from the "Fossils" series)

40" x 13", acrylic on cotton

©Petra Voegtle

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A Dining Room with Landscape or Modern Art?

In general art has always something to do with emotion and our response is very personal. Either we love a piece of art or not, either we feel attached to it or not. But there are some rules where we can hang certain art in order to look good i.e. complementary and where not.

Here we have a dining room with a clear line, without any draperies, no embellishments, clean, modern, nearly prosaic if there wasn't that awesome view through the windows, revealing a breathtaking landscape even if we don't see very much of it in this photo.

Whoever placed the original art work on the wall did wrong in my opinion - it simply does not fit into this environment. It would have blended well into the dining room of a modern appartment in the middle of a city but to place it into a room that belongs to a house that is apparently located in the mountains, or at least near mountains, commits a break of certain rules.

The harmony of a house depends not only on the interiors alone, the exterior and the environment are part of it. This is often not considered when designing a single room. Imagine a house built like a Spanish villa and then designed inside like a British country cottage. No match. Impossible.Or imagine an old farmer's house and stuffed inside like a Moroccan riad (house). Ridiculous. And the harmony of a room depends on "how the interior design reflects the inhabitants of the home rather than the latest and greatest design trends." Of course we all have our preferences and our dreams of a perfect home. But if we dream of a simple beach cottage but live in a condo on the 12th floor in the middle of a big city, the "beach arrangements" in a condo might look somewhat poor.

I understand that the intent here was probably to lighten up the dark wall and the dark furniture but the choice was not so perfect. Although there might be better solutions than the one I am proposing here it is still the better choice. The painting shows a semi-abstract landscape, the colours are warm and even complement the scarce vegetation that you can see through the windows. A simple, unadorned frame adds warmth and some light and repeats the shimmer of the candles. The original artwork appears like a foreign matter in this room. But judge for yourself...

Below is the original photo:
 

The painting has been painted on silk and was inspired by another breathtaking landscape - the ones you will find on the Hawaiian Islands where you also can find very arid landscapes in the areas of former volcanic activities...

"The Valley"
(from the Magic Landscapes Series)
silk, 21" x 40"
©Petra Voegtle

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Views, Views, Views - Dining with all Senses...

Rooms with a breathtaking view do not need much decoration but how about enhancing breathtaking views with another impressive view on a painting? Again I replaced the original art virtually with a silk painting that would perfectly match the colours in this room...

   original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com

This silk painting has been inspired by the breathtaking landscapes on the Hawaiian Islands, especially the Haleakala National Park. You can read more about it here if you like.

"Haleakala"
(from the Magic Landscapes Series)
silk, 21" x 40"
©Petra Voegtle

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Here and here are more room examples for this painting.

FINDS: an incredible Chandelier by Sander Mulder

A short while ago I stumbled upon a designer in The Netherlands via the De Liever Koffietafelblog in my blogroll. They featured an incredible design of a modern chandelier which I do not want to withhold - I think you might be equally fascinated:

original image source:  www.sandermulder.com

This model Therese is " made from 16 transparent contours illuminated by a fluorescent bulb, this chandelier provides a modern reincarnation of the traditional chandelier."
(read more:  http://www.sandermulder.com/therese.html)

Another incredible design is this floor lamp Josephine, "made from 16 transparent contours illuminated by a dimmable fluorescent bulb".

original image source:  www.sandermulder.com

Check out their website for more exciting designs.

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Outstanding modern Design

If you haven't seen this already I would like to direct you to an extraordinary design: the interior of a new restaurant in Boston.

"Banq is the new restaurant in the old Penny Savings Bank (1375 Washington Street, Boston, MA) at the base of the old banking hall, designed by Office dA. The restaurant interior offers unique experience for guests and they’ll be remembering this restaurant design. The wall and ceilings were decorate using wave element made from unique pieces of three-quarter-inch birch plywood adhered together..." (continue to read here)

(original image source from Momoy.com)

The principal and founder of this design company is Monica Ponce de Leon, born in Venezuela. The company has received numerous awards for their salient designs.

I think this is an excellent example where architecture, interior design, art and craftsmanship result in a perfect sinfonia.
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