Ready...Steady...GO!

Hi! I hope you are doing well since my last post till now.

There's been so much going on with me of late and one of them being another office renovation I am working on here in Ghana, Accra. So, I thought what  better than to let you guys see again how it's done here, as if you recall, the last ‘Live renovation’ I did was done in Nigeria, Lagos. Personally, I'm keen to see how the level of workmanship differs here to there but already (still at the beginning stage), I'm noticing a difference. 

Ok, so let me give you a quick insight into this project. It’s a property development company and they need a Marketing Suite in their office, where they can take prospective clients and ‘wow’ them with current/up and coming projects. So keeping in mind the main objective of the space as well as incorporating the company ethos/brand, this is the design I have come up with.

Here is the existing plan of the room below:

The actual room size is not the biggest but as a designer, you just have to look at ways to utilise the space as best as possible. I first did an initial idea as to what’s needed in the room and to help get a better flow of the space. 

TMK Interiors Design

Then I put myself in the shoes of the client as well as the marketer. How would I like to show a prospective client about upcoming projects and also what would catch my attention as a client? So I went on to answer these questions and I came up with my final design below:

TMK Interiors Design - Plan view

TMK Interiors Design - red panels used for illustration 

TMK Interiors Design

TMK Interiors Design

The room now has a better design flow as it's now divided into smaller sections as it were. When a client walks in the first thing they are hit with is the colour of red on the wall panel that has project illustrations on it and then the physical model stand of project. Looking to their right (from the door), they will see the straight wall partition with company name etc on it. As they move on into the room they will now see the other wall illustrations and then end up in the  curved TV area. This is where clients will now sit, be served refreshments while watching the latest animation/video. 

This is going to be a quick, fun design project, so please stayed tuned for my next couple of posts on this, as we are going from design conception to construction. To make sure you don’t miss out join this blog, that way you get notified automatically when I write a new posts. As always I look forward to your feedbacks and comments and don’t forget to share on your Facebook and Twitter page.

Ciao! 

Showcase...bookcase!

Ok, since I seem to have talked about most of the major rooms in the house, I thought I'd then dedicate this post to the ‘study room’ as I have gotten some request to do so. 

I'll confess that for me as a designer it is not the most interesting rooms to design as all it needs really are some basics and it's functional. So with this post, I want to try and touch on ways we can make it less drab and more of an exciting space. 

For those who don’t know, a study is a room in the home used for reading, homework/office work, computer tasks and even relaxation, a space to think. Most newly built houses now, come with a dedicated study room but if you live in an older house and don’t plan on moving anytime soon, don’t worry as you can easily convert a spare room into your own study room. (Remember that the room you choose should be a room that gets enough good natural light, air circulation and away from noise).

I want to give you some basic tips to think about even before you start re-modelling your study room.

Tips

1.    

      1. Colours – this to me is the number 1 tip and the starting point as it’s very important the colour you choose for this space as it has a very specific function. You want the room to promote peacefulness and tranquillity, a place to get away from stress so you can focus and study/work or just read a book.

Warm blue tones are the best for evoking a peaceful feeling in the room. Avoid light blues which can feel cold on the walls. Green is another good option as it’s believed to be a calming colour as well. Defiantly colours to avoid are bright reds and yellows which create energy and sometimes frustration. (Energetic colours should be saved for a family room etc.).

It you’re the type on the other hand that likes dark colours and your room is big enough, I would suggest you consider painting one or half a wall that colour and then for the rest of the walls use a creamy neutral colour. 

Ticks all the boxes

Green and natural wood scheme

2.  Books – No study is complete without books. You can fill an entire wall with shelves/bookcases so this becomes the feature of the room. You might be thinking, but I don’t have that may books right now…don’t worry. You can use the empty space as display areas for your framed pictures or favourite ornaments.

1      Make sure you pick a bookcase that keeps in line with the overall style that you are trying to achieve. Be careful to measure the wall correctly so you can purchase enough of the bookcase/shelves to cover the entire wall. Another option of course and the easiest I believe here in Africa is to get a really good carpenter to do it for you. Please just make sure you have a strong input into choosing the wood and be very specific about the quality of finish you want. Don’t accept rubbish!

Large bookcase covering entire wall

1    3. Furniture – Ok, now you are ready to add furniture. Depending on the size of the room, look for a comfortable sofa or recliners first. (Reading is much more comfortable when you have somewhere nice to sit – let comfort be your primary goal before style in this case).

Next, look for a desk. A desk with built in drawers and shelves work well and also keep in mind that the work surface should be wide enough to accommodate your desktop/laptop and also have enough work surface to do other things. Also if you are purchasing, try and make sure that the desk is the same finish as your shelves or as close to as possible to give good continuity. 

Don't also forget about your flooring. In Africa, we tend to prefer tiles but I for one like wooden floors and don't think they are appreciated well enough here. You can cozy it up by adding a nice rug in the area where you will be seated. 

Simply design but modern and functional

More examples...

Small spaces can work too but with bespoke furniture

Study room for kids

Good natural light is important

Well, I hope this has given you ample ideas on what to do with your own study room. If you follow these tips I believe you will come out with great results! Remember if in doubt feel free to ask me questions and I'm also available to offer you my interior design service.

Don't forget to please help spread the word and share this post on your Facebook and Twitter! Ciao...

Focus point!

It was commonly known as parlours in the 19th century, but now in the 20th century this space was renamed the "living room" where one can entertain guests, watch television, read, and practise the art of ...living. 

I've noticed commonly here, (West Africa) that the average household has 2 spaces - one being the 'living room' and the other the 'family room'. The family room is used everyday where the family comes together at the end of their day, relax after a long workweek or to enjoy a television program together and just basically hang out, while the living room, is sometimes a rarely used room, without a television or other media, where visitors are formally entertained. Either way, living rooms provide a design set piece for you to display your signature look from a stylish combination of living room furniture.

Contemporary Kensington House - Living room example

Luxury living room interior in black and white

From the pictures above, you can get an idea of modern luxury living, which is characterised by maximised use of daylight, glass panels, pieces of chunky glossy solid wood decor. Straight lines are the main features of contemporary luxury living, because they create less mess and put the little things that can create messy lines. But do not forget to include lines and curves, resulting to break the monotony.

Below is a contemporary but cosy family area. Note the natural colours used on the walls and floor and the furniture gives just enough colour that the room needs so the space remains a relaxing zone.

I wanna give you some quick tips for the 'family room' as that's the space you and your family use on a daily basis and a busy family room can be not only neat and orderly, but also comfortable and pleasant. What's the secret? Making the most of three important elements: storage, versatility, and comfort.

Tips:

Start by asking yourself how you want to feel when you're in the room, and how you want to use it. Ask family members to identify the activities that will go on in the room. Then consider whether the space is large enough to accommodate those activities. If watching TV, reading books, and playing board games are high on your priority list, be sure you have room for comfortable seating near the television set, adjustable lighting fixtures, and a table large enough for games. Knowing how you'll use the space helps determine whether the room is sized appropriately.

Carefully plan for furniture. Start thinking about how you'll live in the space before remodelling to ensure that everything you want fits comfortably and that traffic flows smoothly. A furniture plan also determines where electrical and cable outlets belong—costly elements to change once the room is complete.

Consider your focal point. Is it the TV or a fireplace? If both are on the same wall, seating is easy, but on separate walls, the room arrangement becomes trickier. Experiment with arrangements that pull the furniture away from the walls and create a variety of conversation groupings. Remember, this is a room of many activities, so be creative with your room plan.

Focus on lighting. Aim for a mix of different fixtures from standing lamps to low hung ceiling lights, and include dimmer switches so that you can adjust the lighting for everything from movie watching to doing the kids homework/school project.

Plan easy-access technology. A built-in computer station with accompanying slide-away doors and added storage keeps workspace close but easily hidden. Plus, kids' online activities can be kept in full view while your watching tv or reading a book.

Choose people-friendly finishes. Because this is sure to be one of the most-used rooms of the house, plan with longevity in mind. Consider comfortable floor coverings and sturdy upholstery fabrics for your sofa with easy-to-clean surfaces. The new microfibers and Ultrasuede are good choices here or leather.

Bring in ample natural light. The ideal window arrangement includes at least two exposures for even lighting throughout the day. If a view is unpleasant or you need more wall space, consider a skylight. As a rule, the higher the window, the deeper the light's penetration into the room.

Raymour & Flanigan

                        

  

Raymour & Flanigan

 

By regina

 

Raymour & Flanigan

Raymour & Flanigan

                          

I hope all the above has inspired you to look at your family room/area in a new light that can make it stylish as well as cosy for the whole family.

Remember I look forward to your feedback/comments so feel free to write your thought on this post or any other topic you'd like me to cover.

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Where to put it.....?

I'm so glad that many of you are reading my posts but most especially that it's helping you to see that all that I am sharing, you too can achieve great interior in your own homes. Thanks for the comments you leave after my posts as they are giving me a direction when considering what topic to cover next in my posts.

For this post though, based on what someone has requested, I would like to cover Closets/Wardrobes or Storage ideas...and how it relates to the bedroom we covered in the last post. A bedroom should be a haven from life's chaos, a place to relax and unwind. But it's hard to feel serene when looking at piles of dirty clothes, or searching through an overstuffed closet. Here are some helpful suggestions to stash in style
.
Walk in closets

This is defiantly my recommended method of storage in the bedroom if you happen to live in a house big enough (and can I please say that if you are building your own house, include closet space in the design of the house for the rooms but most especially the master bedroom). Why go to all that trouble of building if you don't. It's a necessary indulgence, if you ask me.



A room dedicated to be your closet which stems off the bedroom. Some even link to the bathroom too for a good flow

senzafine-closet-walk-in closetstorageideas.net

www.design-decor-staging.com

Open Storage

Aside from the closet itself, bedrooms can employ the use of cabinets and cabinet accessories both for furnishing decor and function. A bedroom should be functional and free of mess. The best way to keep this maintained is by having sufficient and even ample storage.

There are many options for cabinets and accessories specifically for the bedroom. Aside from the closet, cabinets can be used to decor and furnish any type of bedroom, like the example below, the shelving is surrounding the bed. Not only is this practical, but it is also a great design feature.

Box it

Another great thing you can try are bay windows in your bedroom, it's a no-brainer to include room for a window seat which can also act as storage under the seats (removable tops) and also a side shelving like the images below.

Bedroom Storage Cabinets

Fitted

Unfortunately, the majority will not be able to have a walk-in closets as shown above, but the next best thing is fitted wardrobes. They can be incorporated into your room and have them looking as part of the design of the room and not just boring functional wardrobe doors, as shown below. Get them to match your chest of drawers and side tables etc.

*Notice how all the storage units in all the images below match/coordinate, thus creating a design scheme for the rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would also recommend that you try to have the height of your fitted wardrobes as high as you can. Preferable from floor to ceiling. This will help create the effect that it is built into the walls and not just a free-standing unit.

I hoped this has helped shed more light on what you can do. Truly, good design can be achieved if you just take time to sit down and plan what needs to done and what simple things you can do to make a change in your rooms. Don't forget that you can holla at me anytime and as always I look forward to your feedback on this or other posts.

Please remember to join and become a member if you are enjoying this blog. (It's on the top right beside the this post). Help spread the word to by sharing on you Facebook or Twitter pages at the bottom of this post.

Wonderful.... Beauty Sleep!

Don't you just love when you walk into a room and get that feeling of....wow, I wanna sleep here!

My next favourite place in the house has got to be the bedroom! This space, is your inner sanctum, where you can just be you, your space, your zone to chill and totally be you.

If you think about it, it's the one room that you spend the longest stretch of time in at once (sleeping), so why not make it scrumptious and deliciously comfortable. Getting a good night's sleep can be difficult if your bedroom isn't designed for, well, sleep! So with this post I would again like to show or should I say highlight and give you suggestions as to how you can improve your bedrooms interior from dull to Fabulous!

Tips

1.      Neutral paint colours in medium values are your best choice for creating a room that lulls you to sleep. If you usually lean toward bold colours, use your living areas to showcase the brightest hues and choose toned-down versions of your favourites for accents in the bedroom.



Designed by Baylor Anne Bone

2. Another key to restfulness is a simple furniture layout, with the bed placed alongside a window, not directly beside it. This arrangement allows you to enjoy the view, but also be able to turn away from it if natural light is too bright.

3. Keep the bedroom spacious, regardless of the actual room size. Don't fill out the space wit unnecessary accessories and don't let the room become overly decorated with fussy windows treatments or a plethora of busy patterns.


4. Tap into your sense of touch when choosing fabrics and bedding. Go for soft, plush and luxurious textures like high Cotton count sheets, leather and silks to create a formal, yet comfortable look. Remember high tread count sheets are a most for a hotel-like sleeping experience.

5.  For a finishing touch, add splashes of colour using accessories i.e. cushions/vases/chunky picture frames, but remember to not overdo it as it still has to be restful. Keep it subtle but bold enough just to make the room pop. This can also help to add an element of luxury to the room.



Photography by Stacey Van Berkel-Haines



So, with these basic tips I've given you, why don’t you try and apply them to your room(s) too. Remember, if in doubt keep it simple as it will always work best. I believe strongly that our homes should reflect us and be places where we look forward to returning to at the end of a hard day. So I therefore challenge you to not just live under a roof but build your castle, from inside out...

I hope you have enjoyed this post and please remember to leave your comments on what you thought and any questions I’ll be more that happy to answer. If you also have a topic you would like me to post on, let me know. Till the next post.

Ciao!

DO's and DON'TS

Thanks so much for the comments I got from the last post, so much so that it has inspired me to still stay on this topic of bathrooms but like it was suggested, I want to show you how to achieve this look in your own bathrooms as it really isn't impossible to do so.

Though as an interior designer myself, I would always recommend for you to seek out professional services in this instant but as this blog is about educating people in the Diaspora, I feel compelled to show you some things that will help or even to show you what to look out for when doing your own designs.

Like I said in the last post, the bathroom is one of the most important parts in a house. Guests will probably judge an entire house when they take a look at the bathroom; which is why many people in Europe etc spend hundreds of dollars remodelling and refurbishing its interiors to make their bathroom more appealing and desirable but this doesn't happen in West Africa. I've noticed this to be a perpetual problem. All most homeowners seem to care about is that they have a toilet, (some don't even have seat covers) end of story. So, I want to propel you to see the other side and hopefully start a revolution (is that too strong, lol) in the way Africans see or treat their bathrooms!


There are simple things that you can do to improve your bathroom, first let's look at the do's and don'ts to consider before you begin your bathroom renovation.

1. If you have an existing bathroom, decide whether you want to change the sanitary ware you have already i.e. bath/toilet or you feel they are in good enough condition to keep or for budget reasons you can't change them right now.

2. You bathroom layout will depend a lot on the size of your bathroom, so I suggest that you take a piece of paper and roughly draw the plan of your bathroom and then draw in where you will like the bath, toilet and wash hand basin to go. Then get a measuring tape and you measure your bathroom exactly so as to make sure your bath/shower will fit in comfortably if buying new sanitary.

Virtually every bathroom uses one of the following three basic layouts:

One-wall layout. One-wall baths have the toilet, sink, and combination shower/tub plumbing aligned along one wall, making for a relatively long, narrow bathroom.

Two-wall layout. Two-wall baths usually have the toilet and sink on one wall and the shower/tub combo (or separate shower and tub) on the other

Three-wall layout. A three-wall layout, with the toilet on one wall, sink on another, and combination shower/tub on the third, is a space-conserving solution that can put every fixture within a step of the others.
The above picture is using the two wall layout, but notice how close the toilet is to the shower. This is BAD planning!!

3. Choose a proper colour scheme that would be the basis of your bathroom design theme.  Also you should decide whether you will be using paint, wallpapers or tiles. (I would not recommend real wood for your flooring as it's a wet area and will get easily damaged. Also, I recommend keeping it neutral and just adding splashes of colour on a feature wall or using your accessories to add colour).

4. Decide on the theme for your bathroom. Will it be contemporary, Victorian or traditional....the choices are endless depending on your taste.

5. Source reliable places where you can get good quality sanitary wares, tiles, accessories etc. (Check out my where to shop page). Using good accessories i.e towel rail, cabinets, tissue holder, is a great way to elevate your bathroom from ordinary to wow factor.

6. Get good workmen that people you know have recommended as it's the difference between a great bathroom and a bad one!

  


Well, I hope this has helped in giving you a clearer insight into how you can achieve the look in your own home, as it really isn't impossible. Please feel free to leave comments as it's really spurring me on to be more dedicated to this blog as we have a lot to teach each other.

Make sure you check out my 'Where to shop' page as Rouge interiors can really help you to achieve the look you need.

Don't forget....you can contact me for full interior design services or just a consultation.

Ciao!

From functionality to Pleasure!

I got thinking about houses and what my favourite room in the house is.....it was actually harder than I thought to narrow down but it turns out to be the bathroom!

Whenever I visit someones house or even travel and stay in a hotel, the first place I'm headed to is the bathroom because for me, if that is done well, then the rest of the room/house to me, is then livable. You might be thinking, o...it's not that bit of a big deal then I would say that I beg to differ. It just then means that you never experienced a 'top notch' bathroom before as if you have, you find it very hard to use mediocre ones.

What is making a 'splash' with bathroom designs now, its seems like pretty much anything goes. I've noticed how the bathroom is not just plain old bathrooms anymore but they are now another room entirely in there own right....not being just for functionality but places where you can relax and unwind and shut yourself off from the stress of the world.....

“If I want to be alone, some place where I can write, I can read, I can pray, I can cry, I can do whatever I want – I go to the bathroom.” – Alicia Keys -

So let me show you some bathroom designs that I found that I think bathrooms should be done and don't forget that a lot of these looks can be achieved in your very homes too so don't look at it like it's just a picture. Let them inspire you too......

Bela units Blanco Mate finish. GAMADECOR from Porcelanosa



LOUNGE Capitoné 120 cm units. NOKEN from Porcelanosa

IMAGINE units. NOKEN from Porcelanosa

Actually, let me use this opportunity to highlight this great company I've found here in West Africa. It's a company called Rouge Interiors and they are based in Accra, Ghana. They are an interiors furnishing company, so they provide most of your interior needs but the main reason I'm highlighting them is that they are the sole representative for Porcelanosa in Ghana and as we are looking at bathrooms, Porcelanosa do some of the best bathroom furnishings/sanitaries in the world. They are renowned for there outstanding quality and as you can see from some of the images above, you can agree that there products are stunning.
(If you want to find out more about them as they offer this full service so you too can have your bathroom looking like this, I will put there details on my 'where to shop' page).

Jennifer Brouwer Design

 I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at a few of these bathrooms and I hope as always it's inspired you to elevate your own bathrooms too.

Any comments or feedback, feel free to contact me and I also offer Interior design services too. Holla!