It’s fireplace season! Time to enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate or glass of mulled wine while curled up next to a cracking, roaring fire. Sounds delightful! Not only do fireplaces add warmth and comfort, they also create a dramatic focal point in any room, provide the perfect backdrop for entertaining and add value to your home. But with so many options to choose from, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. Read on to learn about the types of fireplaces and the pros and cons of each so you can find the one that’s right for you. Wood Burning Fireplace Essentially, a standard wood-burning fireplace comprises these elements: Hearth (floor in front of the fireplace), Firebox (where the wood burns), Damper (the lever that opens and closes the flue) and the Smoke chamber and flue (where the smoke is drawn up and out). There are three types of wood burning fireplaces: How it Functions Before lighting a fire, the damper is opened to allow smoke and combustion gases to escape. Once the fire is lit, the extremely hot combustion gases begin to rise up the chimney by convection. At the same time, the fire is drawing air from […]
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“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.” Le Corbusier – Architect Think about the difference between getting your photo taken in at your local DMV under harsh fluorescent lighting, versus your picture at a sexy, low-lit restaurant. Good lighting is truly everything, but it is oftentimes an afterthought when designing a room. Whether it’s a bright task lamp on your desk to help you stay productive or a sconce by your bedside for cozy late-night reading, lighting is one of the most powerful tools for creating a specific mood. Bringing lighting decisions to the forefront of the design can make all the difference, and we’ll show you how. Layer the Light Lighting, like any great interior design element, should be layered to create contrast. A mix of accent, ambient, natural, and task lighting in the home provides a nice balance of light and dark that grants each room richness and depth: Accent lighting – supplementary light that illuminates dark corners or small spaces. A can light placed above a shower enclosure is one example. Ambient lighting – the general overall light that illuminates the entire space, such as a chandelier in the center of a […]
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John. Loo. Can. Commode. Potty. Prive. Pissoir. Oval Office. Porcelain Throne. WC. Reading Room. Crapper. Head. Shi*ter… The Toilet! Toilets are the most functional fixtures in a bathroom, but there are many different design options available. Heights and water flow vary, as well as basic shapes and outlines to suit different style preferences and space limitations. So, let’s learn more about this famous seat and how to best incorporate the right one into your “cloakroom.” (1) Stylish Stools (2) Toilets, believe it or not, can enhance the style of your bathroom. A toilet can add to the vintage charm you’re seeking, keep it sleek and modern, or stay in line with a good ole traditional bathroom aesthetic. Check out the different types of toilets. Two-Piece Toilets (Close-Coupled) Two-piece toilets are the standard. A two-piece consists of the toilet bowl and tank. The two pieces are secured with bolts and a gasket that seals the passage of water from the tank to the bowl. Most affordable Incredibly durable – longer life span More design options to choose from One-Piece Toilets One-piece toilets are a bit more expensive than the standard two-piece toilets but the benefits and characteristics outweigh the bigger price […]
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If you ask someone, “what is art?” they will usually refer to a painting or a photograph. In reality, art comes in many forms – performance art like dance, music and song, nature, poetry and architecture. Now, just for a moment, imagine a world without any art. Our world would be a very dim and boring place, devoid of imagination. Without art, the banality of reality would be intolerable. To paraphrase Nietzsche, “We have art in order not to parish from the truth.” Why Art? While it feels like a simple question, with an even simpler answer, the truth is that it goes way beyond bringing a little color into a living room. (1) Art breathes life into a space. It allows us to express ourselves, encouraging dialogue and welcoming emotion. It reminds us of what is possible—all to help turn an ordinary house into a home. Art connects us to the past and future. It feeds our curiosity and inspires our imagination. I love this quote from fellow-designer, Tara Bernard, “For me, art is like punctuation to a sentence; it is that all-important ingredient and without it, a space lacks the layers and attitude that a significant piece can […]
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Spring is finally here! And you know what that means…summer is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to get your outdoor space ready for entertainment and relaxation. Whether you’re looking to entertain or just create a comfy spot for you and your loved ones, there are a few things to think about when choosing the right outdoor furniture: High Quality When referring to high quality, it doesn’t always mean expensive but it does mean the difference between having long-term, durable furniture and furniture that only lasts one or two seasons. Outdoor furniture is an investment but there are plenty of options that won’t break the bank. Low Maintenance No one wants to spend beautiful summer days wiping down furniture from pollen, dirt or spider webs. So, low-maintenance options are key. The easiest outdoor furniture to clean and maintain is typically made from PVC, resin or plastic (think Adirondack chairs and patio dining chairs). These are often some of the most affordable types of patio furniture, too. And if you don’t want to bring your furniture in and out each year, or you don’t have the storage, furniture covers are a great investment. Protective covers are often available […]
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Since its inception, Talie Jane Interiors has been searching for quality suppliers, from stone and tile manufacturers to furniture and artwork showrooms and everything in between. “We’re always on the lookout for unique businesses we can partner with to better our designs and provide our Clients’ with one-of-a-kind spaces,” says Talie Jane.
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Pet adoptions soared to unprecedented levels during the pandemic; people all over the country were bringing furry four-legged friends into their families. Shelters, nonprofit rescues, private breeders, pet stores — all reported more consumer demand than there were dogs and puppies to fill it. As a result, the need for pet-friendly interior design has never been higher. (1)
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In our previous article about Trends for 2021, we talked about this year’s design trends: Nostalgia Connection with Nature Comfort Calm Personal Expression
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Choosing paint can be a difficult and daunting task – of the thousand shades of white, one may be too gray, another too green or too yellow. On many occasions, I’ve walked into a client’s home and found small patches of various shades of paint on the walls where colors are being “tested.” But what clients don’t realize is that the paint finish, or sheen, is just as important as the color they’re meticulously debating.
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It’s always nice to have a designated entry space. Even for those among us who prefer to come and go with less to-do, an entryway space serves a functional purpose. It’s somewhere to take off shoes, set keys and hang up a coat. It also imparts the first impression of your home, thereby setting the tone for the rest of your space. Think of your entry as your very own three-dimensional welcome mat: It’s well-traversed, but most people don’t spend much time there. (1)
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