Sofa Or Sectional

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

When considering redecorating a home or moving to a new place, choosing the right seating is always a dilemma. This design debate has people divided into two teams – Sofa or Sectional. Making the right choice is indeed a complexity and we are going to try to tackle this question head on, and be as analytical as possible to help you come to the best decision.

 

Room Size & Dimensions:

 

This is obviously one of the most important ones, but not for the reason you might think. Don’t always assume that if you have a smaller space then you can’t opt for a sectional. Depending on the nature of the space, a sectional might be a great idea. For example, in case of a small apartment that has the living room, dining room and kitchen in the same space, a sectional might be a great way to separate the spaces, giving the living room it’s own designated area. When you don’t have a lot of room, and you can’t divide up the different sections with walls, using furniture is actually a great way to visually break up the space into sections.

 

On the other hand, if you have a large space to work with, surely a sectional could work marvelously. It could be the focus of the room, giving you something to tie the rest of the décor in with. But don’t feel that because you have a lot of room, a sectional is the only answer: by putting a two or three seater sofa and two armchairs you can create a great entertaining space, with lots of seating and room to switch things around in the future.

 

When it comes to the room size, it’s more about how you put it together than the actual space you have. That’s why, no matter what, we always recommend you sit down with a professional, show them your blueprints and decide what works best. There is nothing worse than spending your money on a piece of furniture that doesn’t fit right.

 

Family Life:

 

Who you are and what you do plays a big part of whether a sectional or a sofa is right for you. Do you have a big family, with lots of kids or are you a single person who has a lot of friends over? A sectional is a very cozy and informal piece of furniture that can accommodate movie nights, sleepovers or dinner parties with friends. Or, on the other hand, perhaps it’s just the two of you and you prefer to snuggle up on a love seat. If you have kids, you also need to consider the finish of your sectional and get something that can be cleaned easily.

 

Style:

 

At the end of the day it all comes down to your style. Are you more laidback, go-with-the-flow? Or do you enjoy more of a formal setting? The sofa + armchair combination tends to set a more formal tone, having people sit in their own separate place when interacting. While a sectional provides a much more intimate experience. The sofa plus chairs is also a more versatile combination when it comes to décor because you can change the position of the individual pieces and still create a great flow. While with a large sectional, it’s difficult to get it to fit anywhere else than where it was originally meant to be.

Style also means what your personal design style is. What do you think looks better? In the end, it’s your home and you have to be the one that lives in it! So, follow your instincts and pick the option that looks best to you!

 

Purpose:

 

Take into account what exactly is the purpose of the living room where the sofa or sectional is going to go. Is it for watching TV? Entertaining guests? A sectional is perfect for watching TV as a family, because the angles work great and nobody is craning their necks. ON the other hand armchairs are much more comfortable for reading. While a medium sized sofa with a recliner or a couple of armchairs is an ideal solution for entertaining friends. When you know the primary function of the space it is much easier to decide which direction to go in.

Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to explore new options. And if you are still confused you can always consult with our team of designers at The Platinum House to help you make the right choice.

How To Roll With Wallpaper

/0 Comments/in , , /by

A lot of people have apprehensions about wallpaper. Some wonder if it’s too old fashioned while others worry about its maintenance. In reality wallpaper is actually just the opposite. Wallpaper is very much in fashion, and probably always will be. Additionally, in most cases it’s easier to clean than painted walls. Proper installation by a professional and high-quality paper are key.

Wallpaper is a wonderful design tool. It can be used in bathrooms, bedrooms, stairs, kitchens and cabinets. Here are some creative applications of wallpaper that’ll get you hooked.

In the bath. If you have tile wainscoting in a bathroom, consider wallpaper above the tile line, or the top two thirds of the wall. Wallpaper that is installed properly can withstand the damp environment of bathrooms.

As an accent wall. Wallpaper one accent wall and use a coordinating paint color for the remaining walls. Select a pattern you like such as geometric, floral or abstract and pair neutral furniture pieces with the wall. Hang art right on the wallpapered wall. A wallpapered accent wall in a room with multiple pitches looks great. The wallpaper creates contrast and highlights the architecture of the room.

At the entrance. Wallpaper works great in an entry and a stairwell. A bold wallpaper pattern can really bring life to this first-impression space.

Behind shelves. Create interest in a room by wallpapering the backs of bookshelves. Highlighting bookshelves in this way makes a special display space for treasured accessories and family photos.

In the kitchen. Install paper in the back of kitchen cabinets. This works particularly well with painted cabinets. A splash of bright wallpaper looks great with white cups and plates, and makes things easier to find.

Within a frame. Apply wallpaper within a frame to give your room an artistic hue. There are several wallpaper and wallcovering options available in the market with various textures that serve just like pieces of art.

As a cabinet detail. Wallpaper also goes really well with Shaker-style cabinet doors. When applied to the recessed portion of the door, wallpaper adds contrast and depth to the painted built-in.

On the stairs. Spruce up your stairwell with wallpaper. Stairwells are high-traffic areas in most homes; kick up your walk upstairs a notch with a fun pattern.

Wallpaper the ceiling! If you have a recessed ceiling detail from a cove or another architectural detail, consider wallpaper with a coordinating wall color. The right placement of the ceiling fixture can create a great focal point against the pattern.

The Platinum House carries an extensive and exuberant range of colourful wallpaper and artistic wallcoverings. Out team of designers can help you select the right option for your home or office, irrespective of the size of the room.

5 Common Mistakes Made While Furnishing A Home

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Everyone wants a picture perfect home where everything is in harmony, coordinated, styled and beautifully furnished. Having a home that you love and that other people admire comes down to having the right furniture in the right place. But furnishing a home can be a more difficult task than given credit to. Most houses don’t come with the perfect combination of furniture like in the catalogues. And if you choose to style your own home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the entire process.

 

To help you out during this time of need, here are a few tips and tricks so you don’t make these common mistakes when furnishing your home:

 

Missing Pieces: Filling In The Void

 

One of the most unpleasant situations when visiting someone’s home is not being sure where to sit. It’s obvious that the sofa is the protagonist of the living room, but if you like to host friends and relatives, do not forget to strengthen its presence with armchairs and ottomans giving people plenty of options to sit comfortably.

 

It’s also not only about seating, make sure that you aren’t missing the basics like a nice coffee table or side tables so people can put their drinks or plates down if you are entertaining. These will not only allow your guests to be more comfortable but it will also serve as a decorating piece for flower arrangements and accessories. Think about the usage of the space and pick pieces that fulfill your needs and the needs of those who will be using the space. If you don’t have people over often, opt for seating that is comfortable for your family. Also keep your options open with stools or small ottomans that can be moved around easily or tucked away when not in use.

 

The Importance Of Natural Light

 

Light is such an important part of a room: particularly in small houses, natural lighting is a strength that should be enhanced. If you have a smaller space, more natural light will make the room feel bigger and more spacious.

 

If, for whatever reason, there is little natural light in your home, use materials and colors to bring out the limited light. Use polished finishes and bright colors, or accent pieces with mirrors or metallic finishes that will bounce the light around. Try not to block windows with heavy drapes or furniture, choose sheer curtains or thin paper blinds that will diffuse the light all through the space, making it feel airy and idealistic.

 

Layout: A Place For Everything

 

Picking the wrong furniture for the layout of your space is a very common mistake. It can happen to the best of us, especially if you are working with an unusual shape, like a long and narrow space.

When faced with these types of challenges, try to use the furniture to allocate the available space into usable sections and avoid blockages or dead spaces. This will help give a defined purpose to each space and will allow for a natural flow between them.

 

Misfits: Square Peg, Round Hole

 

Arranging your furniture in a non-functional way will make even the best furniture look off and unappealing. The only way to really avoid this error is to plan in advance how your furniture will be distributed in the space and the dimensions of the furniture itself before putting it in the room.

 

You want to make sure that there is enough space to walk around each element and for there to be a harmonious balance between them. We recommend the use of a blue print to help you plan in advance and to make sure you use the correct measurements. If things don’t fit, there’s no way they will work!

 

Know Your Style, Don’t Just Copy

 

Of course, aesthetically speaking, you want your furniture to reflect your style and also to be in harmony with everything else in your home.

 

Be sure to be clear of what style you are going for before going out and buying furniture. Don’t be rigid about it, give yourself room to explore and change your mind, but stick to one thing so it all looks put together once it’s in the space.

 

In conclusion, think about what the space will be used for, let the light in and plan ahead! These are our tips to help you furnish your home in the best way possible so you will enjoy your home for years to come.

 

For more ideas and furnishing options, please feel free to get in touch with one of our talented interior designers on design@platinumhouse.ae who will make you decorating project a dream come true.

 

Why Choose Personalised Luxury Home Décor?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

What does “luxury” mean? What style is best suited to your home and why should you personalise it? We identify the following reasons why you should choose to furnish your home with personalised luxury décor.

 

Many luxury furniture brands exist in the world and sorting through them is difficult, but it is even more difficult to create a unique and personalised style in your home. For many designers and architects the main challenge when designing the interiors of a luxury residence is that of selecting furniture which is not only luxurious, but also full of personality and reflects the tastes of their clients. If they do not succeed, then their clients may find themselves in a home that is extremely luxurious, but that lacks character. How does one avoid falling into this trap and why should one choose personalised luxury home décor?

 

Luxury Décor: What is changing?

 

Luxury is one of those ephemeral terms, like happiness, beauty, and style, that are rather difficult to explain and even more difficult to define. We often read and hear terms like “luxury lifestyle”, “luxury design”, and “luxury home”, but what exactly do they mean? How is luxury interpreted these days and what has changed as compared to the past?

 

Years ago “luxury” may have meant gold faucets, marble-covered surfaces, and lavish accessories, but today furnishing a luxury home isn’t so predictable. In examining how the perception of luxury has changed in recent years, here is a list of several guidelines to keep in mind.

 

Living a Designer Experience

 

In the past people tended to purchase tangible valuable objects to show off their wealth. These days people would rather purchase unique experiences that can be enjoyed in their private spaces, and luxury decor has adapted to this trend.

 

Purchasing Unique Objects

 

The current trend in luxury décor is that of purchasing from local artisans and small boutiques rather than from large brands. People want unique objects that no one else has. If you walk into a large store that sells luxury furniture, you will find the same pieces no matter what city you are in. How can an object be considered luxurious if anyone can purchase it? Luxury is, therefore, synonymous with rare and precious. It’s no coincidence that vintage pieces have become so popular.

 

Decorating According to One’s Tastes

 

Another change that has affected luxury décor is the fact that people are unlikely to be influenced by the styles and trends of the moment. They will not purchase a piece of furniture or a designer object just because it is extremely popular, but rather want their homes to be furnished and decorated according to their personal tastes and needs. In this sense, luxury has come to mean personalisation and functionality: from custom built furniture to lighting and outdoor spaces, everything must be characterised by the individuality of the people who live there and must perform a very specific function for them.

 

So Why Personalise Luxury Décor?

 

  1. The Human Touch

 

An entirely handcrafted piece of furniture will never be perfectly symmetrical, but it is this kind of imperfection that makes it authentic. If you are working on a luxury design project, selecting furniture crafted by artisans, in keeping with the tastes and desires of your client, is a must. This, in turn, will make the home one-of-a-kind and will provide the human touch that is missing from mass produced furniture.

 

  1. A Piece of Furniture is Forever

 

One of the undisputed advantages of personalising luxury décor is that of creating a unique style and environment that will last throughout the years and won’t get redundant over time. A home that is furnished specifically for those who live in it is much less likely to end up boring its owners, who will be able to add or replace objects over the years without completely changing the décor. A style that reflects the tastes of the owner, not only in terms of the aesthetics but also in terms of the functionality of the various pieces, will be eternal.

 

  1. Luxury Equals Comfort

 

Forget about homes bathed in gold and marble, which are tidy and symmetrical to the point of exhaustion. Luxury does not mean furniture that is unapproachable, uncomfortable, or that gets ruined at the slightest touch. Luxury décor has come to be synonymous with comfort. So please choose furniture that reflects the tastes and desires of the client, that is comfortable, and that makes the home feel welcoming.

 

  1. Vintage is Beautiful

 

Not “old”, but “vintage”. It was personalisation, taken to the extreme in the luxury interior design sector, that helped open the door to furniture and objects with a story. Pieces that are unique because of the way that they have been used, the people who have, and the details of their manufacture. Such pieces have become extremely sought after and have come to be considered luxury items.

 

  1. Client Satisfaction

 

Being able to reflect the tastes and expectations of a client in an interior design project is not easy. But a plus of personalised décor, created after careful study of the needs and requirements of the client, is his or her satisfaction. And of course nothing is better for building a positive reputation as an interior designer!

 

  1. Appreciation of the Final Result

 

We live in a world of social media and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your work being propagated and shared with the world. What could be more satisfying that receiving compliments and referrals from people who have viewed your previous works and are recommending it.

 

  1. To Each Object Its Own Function

 

Personalisation also means combining aesthetics and functionality in a single object. It makes no sense to include a wine cellar in the spacial design when the owners are not connoisseurs of wine, or a studio or a gym in a home where no one will use them. We seek, therefore, to give each room and each piece of furniture a specific function.

 

  1. Feel Like Home

 

A home must, first of all, be comfortable to those who live in it and to their loved ones. Personalising every tiny detail according to the chosen style will make the final effect more hospitable. Curtains, rugs, works of art, decorative objects, pillows, throws and so on; everything must be carefully considered in order to achieve the perfect result.

 

  1. Be a Trendsetter

 

For an architect, an interior designer, or a decorator creating projects that stand out in the sector is fundamental. It is not easy to launch a new style or a new trend, but the more personalised your creations are, the greater chance you will have of being followed and imitated by the industry.

 

  1. Astound Guests

 

When an interior design boasts unique pieces and has a well-defined character, your client will not only be able to relish the final result, but also astound his or her guests. This will give your design an extra edge and will increase the likelihood that other people come to you.

 

In Conclusion

 

Returning to our initial point, you now possess the tools you need in order to avoid coming up with a design that is aseptic and that lacks personality, as well as the lever for offering your clients a décor made up of brands that may be lesser known, but that are much more valuable, rare and personal.

Getting started with Wallpaper

/0 Comments/in /by

The new year is a great time to dress up a room with wallpaper or ‘wall coverings’, as they are known these days, since many aren’t made from actual paper. It’s a fun way to transform the look of a room without radically altering the space or investing in new furniture.

Not every room lends itself to wall coverings. Wallpaper looks best on a big square wall with nothing on it. When you start twisting and turning, it starts to look more homemade. It gives it a less finished look.

A lot of customers today opt to cover just a single accent wall where a beautiful wall covering stands out like art. This gives you all the drama and texture of wallpaper without the huge commitment.

Not every wall covering is right for every room. In a moist room, like a bathroom, it would be better to use vinyl or a plastic finish covering. If you’re doing a hallway or a high-traffic area used by kids or pets, choose a flat, washable finish with a colored or patterned field that won’t show fingerprints. Never apply wallpaper to a textured surface, it won’t adhere.

At the end of the day you should take your time choosing a wall covering. Find something you truly love. If you find a paper you sort of like, you’re going to sort of like it when it’s up. And unlike paint, you can’t just brush over it. It’s a lot more tedious and costly to take down.