Modern Furniture

furniture

2009-11-02T12:47:00.001-08:00

Recent Articles

	'Famed Le Corbusier Retreat Resurrected' 2009-10-30 15:32:22 While his most famous work dates back as early as the 1920s, the creations of famed architect, furniture maker and interior designer Le Corbusier remain as fresh and powerful today as when they were first introduced. Now, a whole new generation of design devotees will be able to experience the more personal side of the legendary modernist, by visiting an exact replica of “Le Corb’s” private...

	'The Radiator Redesigned' 2009-10-29 16:13:46 When’s the last time you really took a good look at your radiator? As we’re deep into chilly February, you’ve no doubt been paying attention to it, if only to keep from freezing. But as a design element, your radiator probably leaves a lot to be desired. Well, leave it to design wunderkind Karim Rashid to change all of that. The man who has transformed everything from trash cans to teapots into...

	'Gaetano Pesce - Deconstructing the Chair' 2009-10-29 16:11:16 In the history of modern design, we’ve seen ball chairs, invisible chairs, mushroom chairs and even a chair shaped like a giant pair of lips. Now, just when you thought there was nothing more that could possibly be done with the chair, along comes Italian designer Gaetano Pesce to completely and totally challenge every preconception of what a chair is and should be. This new chair, called the...

Interior Design Newslater

2009-11-02T12:44:00.000-08:00

Recycled tables are a beautiful addition to any green home, Go Green
2009-10-06 09:58:51
Go Green - As most homeowners know, there’s a huge interest in environmentally friendly home furnishings these days. furniture,green home.


	Environmentally sensitive wood tables become popular 2009-10-02 11:16:40 wood tables - In the old days it was quite common to have wood tables that were made of exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and teak.

Designers News

2009-11-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

	Jean Nouvel Art to Architecture
	Jean Nouvel's architecture speaks a beautiful, harmonious language. His work has won awards for its stunning symmetry of light, shadows, and iridescence; including the Wolf Prize in Arts in 2005 and the Pritzker Prize in 2008.

	Todd Oldham Spontaneous Creation
	Todd Oldham is best known for his progressive design philosophy, spending the past 20 years designing both living spaces and products.

	Jens Risom, Chair of Inspiration
	Jens Risom - Jens Risom designed the first Knoll chair in 1941 and is credited with blending traditional Scandinavian values and flair post-war America's furniture design. furniture design

	Bernard Tschumi Form Follows Fiction
	Swiss-born architect Tschumi is a master of form, open space, and curvature – an elegant designer of buildings that result in smooth, precise structures on the outside, and warmth and familiarity on the inside.

Cancun Mexico

2009-09-24T06:19:00.000-07:00

Riu Cancun : Enjoying the beaches of Cancun
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Mayan Rivera : Cancun Ecological Tour
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Hotels Cancun Mexico : Don't forget to relax in Cancun
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Cancun Travel Specials : Tips for buying vacation packages to Cancun
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Cancun Travel Mart 1 : Fantastic shopping in Cancun
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Cancun Travel Mart : Save money by buying Cancun package deals
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Cancun Travel Deals : Booking the best tours in Cancun
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Cancun transportation 1 : Go sailing in the Sky
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Cancun transportation : Horse around in the Caribbean
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Cancun Time Zone : Cancun go on a booze cruise
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Cancun Ruins : Mayan ruins - This stunning history of Cancun
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Cancun Mexico Hotels : Hotel room upgrades
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Cancun Merida : Cancun Jungle Tour
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Cancun Lodging Guide : Enjoy the spas and dining like the stars do
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Riviera Maya Mexico : Enjoy all Cancun! Exotic locales and water sports
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Tourist information centers : How to secure discount stays in Cancun
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cancun trip advisor : Destination Cancun - water sport
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vacation packages cancun : Getting to Cancun
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transportation Mexico : A great place to golf
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Cleaning Modern Sofas

2009-08-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

When you purchase modern sofas for your home you want to make sure they spend many years looking clean, crisp and beautiful. But unless you close off your living room with velvet ropes and don't let anyone touch them, how can you do it?

A lot of what it takes to keep your modern sofas looking new and beautiful is making sure that you do some prep work before you ever bring them into your house.

Know The Material "Miami Furniture Store"

First and foremost, make sure you know what it is you are purchasing. Different materials take different sorts of care and cleaning processes. Before you ever make a purchase, get to know the material that is in those modern sofas. Are you going to be willing to put up with the type of cleaning and frequency of cleaning the material those pieces are made of requires. If you know you are not up to a major cleaning schedule, you may want to look around for a more durable, and less maintenance-heavy material in your modern sofas so you won’t have to worry about them as much.

Protect in Advance "Bedroom Furniture"

Another thing to think about when it comes to keeping your modern sofas clean is what you can do to keep them that way before you ever bring them home. Check to see if they already have stain protection added to them or other ways to keep them from getting marked up or damaged once they come into your home. Many furniture companies will offer stain protection additions to your modern sofas for a low price, if they don’t already come with it. This is a good deal as it can cost a fortune to get a stain out after the fact.

Professional vs. Personal Cleaning "Miami Modern Furniture"

The final thing to think about when it comes to cleaning your modern sofas is how you will clean them when there is a problem. Of course, you can choose to try and clean them yourself or you can call in a professional cleaner to do the job. If you are going to clean them yourself, you should do your homework. Make sure you know all you need to about the kind of material they are made out of and also make sure that you know what it takes to clean it. If you are going to go the professional route, you should make sure you know who does that type of cleaning in your area and have their phone number accessible.

Taking the adventure out of shopping for furniture

2009-05-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

Shopping for furniture is a lot like shopping for a car. You need to look underneath the hood, do your homework and be wary of any deal that sounds too good to be true.

The reason is simple. Like a new car, furniture looks great in the showroom of your local furniture store. But it’s tough to tell the quality of the furniture being sold and the amazing sales price could just be a disguise for a piece of furniture that was cheaply made and won’t hold up to daily use.

Manufacturers can make it hard for you to discern the quality of a piece of furniture. This is particularly true with upholstered items, since the frame, springs and padding – the real guts of a comfortable piece of furniture – can’t easily be compared. Worse, some manufacturers turn out pieces that are very similar to those of their competitors, but the quality isn’t the same.

To help you make informed decisions, we’ve assembled a few tips based on our own furniture store shopping experiences.

Do your homework. Speak extensively with the salesperson at the furniture store about the furniture you’re thinking about purchasing. Ask for the manufacturer, the model name and the model number. Then do some comparison shopping using this information. If the furniture store is reluctant to share this information, go somewhere else.

Factor in Shipping. If you are ordering from a retailer that is in another part of the country, you need to factor shipping costs into the overall price. A local furniture store’s price may actually be more competitive than you think once you add in shipping.

High price doesn’t equal high quality. Many furniture stores offer the same item, only they market it under different model names or use different manufacturers. High prices don’t necessarily translate into high quality, especially when it comes to mattresses and upholstered pieces. Sticking with a reputable furniture store will help you make a smart purchasing decision.

Avoid discount stores and going out of business sales. Saving a couple dollars on your furniture isn’t worth trading out customer service. If the furniture store is closing, who is going to fix a problem with your furniture during the warranty period? And discount furniture stores are notorious for selling good looking knock offs.

Ask about warranties and return policies. A reputable furniture store will back up its products with a warranty and a clear return policy. You want to find out how long your furniture is covered under warranty and what the policy is for returning or exchanging the furniture if you just don’t care for it once it’s in your home.

Delivery options. Most furniture stores offer local delivery, either for a small fee or for free. Ask what the options are. If the fee is substantial, you may want to arrange to pick it

Buying bedroom furniture in an uncertain economy.

2009-04-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Furniture is one of those things you may want to put off during a recession, but this is actually the best time to buy.
The reasons are simple. Supplies are high, retailers are looking to deal and some of the financing incentives either delay interest for a year or more or have low interest rates. As such, you’re going to be hard pressed to find a better time to buy in the future, particularly when it comes to bedroom furniture.
Before you consider making such a major purchase, you want to do your homework.
Set a budget.

Even though you will get more for your money these days, you still want to set a budget for you that is sensible and works for you. Knowing how much you can afford or want to spend will help you with your negotiations when it’s time to make a purchase.
Take an inventory.
Look critically at the bedroom you’re planning to furnish. What pieces do you need and which can you do without since they don’t match your lifestyle? There’s no need to purchase a complete bedroom set if you don’t need or can’t use the nightstands or a second dresser. From a design standpoint, crowding the room with too much furniture just because you got a good deal on it isn’t good design. “Less is more” can be an effective design strategy, particularly if your budget is tight.
Shop the deals.
A lot of furniture retailers are offering good deals these days. But you have to shop around. For example, you may be able to purchase the bedroom furniture of your dreams for less online, even when you factor in shipping. Of course, online shopping also give you access to more models and styles of bedroom furniture than you’ll ever find in a traditional furniture store or even a mega mart like IKEA.
Read the fine print.
If you’re getting a deal where there’s no interest on your purchase for 12 months or no payments due until 2010, be sure you read through the terms. It’s fine if you plan to pay the purchase off in the allotted period of time, but you could be in for a loan shark level interest rate or serious late fees if you don’t meet the dates.
Factor in value.
If a deal sounds too good to be true, if just may be. Before you make your purchase, be sure what you’re buying is of good quality. Furniture should last, not fall apart or begin to look seedy a year or two down the road. Make sure that you’re really getting a good deal by buying furniture that is well made and comes from a reputable dealer. It should come with a well-defined warranty and be backed by solid customer service, just in case you have a problem.

Nightr Life at Cancun & Playa Riviera

2009-03-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

The sun shines very bright in Cancun "Travel Packages Riviera Maya". As a result, it is extremely hot and scorching during daytime. Once the sun sets, it is the night’s turn to be hot. It is said that when the sunsets, the party is just beginning at Cancun. It is just needless to say that Cancun clubs are among the hot and happening clubs of the world.

Although most of the hotels entertain you with the live music and provide you with free drinks, it is suggested to visit some of the well known night clubs of Cancun to see the main action and feel the air of the city.

Some restaurants like Senor Frog act as restaurants during day and as disco throughout the night. After 11pm you will see it changing into a bar and dance club with great lighting effect and amazing graphics. You can enjoy to the fullest while participating in contest, karaoke and enjoying music. They keep changing the track of music bringing newness to the atmosphere.

Dady Rock Bar and Grill came into existence due to Cancun night life and they offer you best kind of music, bar, buffet dinner and of course dancing. Each day here is a different affair to remember, for example; Tuesday night is for hot leg contest.

Another one is Bulldog with three levels and a huge stage to entertain you with live acts combined with salsa, hip-hop and other latest stuff. At Bulldog, about 2000 people can be entertained at a time with fantastic light and sound show. Moreover, Bulldog also caters for private parties and get-togethers too.

One of the clubs of Cancun, Coco Bongo has won an award. It caters for all types music, like Rock & Roll, Trance, Pop, Techno, etc. Though it is difficult to enter here, but once you get the entry, you will stick to the dazzling light shows and huge video screens. Wait patiently to be in Coco Bongo to experience the wonderful night life of Cancun.

Added to the list of night clubs of Cancun is the City which is perhaps the most advanced too, offering three level club, lounge, restaurant and most interestingly the beach club. The beach club is known for hosting MTV.

Other well known night clubs of Cancun include La Boom, Up & Down, and Carlos ‘n’ Charlies. Bar staff at La Boom may need a tip before serving the drink. A special dance floor, which can hold foam up to the chest level, has been made in Up & Down to present the latest dance trends.

Cancun is widely known for its high pace night clubs and bars. After a hectic and tiring day, if you are ready to set out for a night activity, walk in at any of the night club of Cancun and you are sure to remember the affair through out the life.

Modern or contemporary bedroom furniture. What’s the difference?

2009-02-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

Shopping for modern furniture is such a personal experience. Perhaps that’s why there are so many styles of bedroom furniture to choose from – Early American, Colonial, Queen Anne, Art Nouveau – the list is virtually endless.
For most styles, the differences are very clear. For example, Art Nouveau is known for its intricate, detailed patterns and curvaceous lines while Early American is utilitarian and showcases local woods. Queen Anne is famous for its cabriole legs and duck feet while the Georgian style has taken it a step further, being more elaborate and featuring the characteristic ball and claw feet.
Contemporary and modern are much easier to tell apart from nearly every other style. These styles are clean and crisp and more in sync with current lifestyle trends. They tend to have a less heavy look to them and their lack of ornate embellishments create an uncluttered look to any room, from the bedroom to the living room.
While the terms “contemporary” and “modern” are often used interchangeably, there are differences.
The modernist movement began between the two world wars in the Bauhaus School of Design in Germany. A vast departure from the more ornate furnishings that were in style then, the modern bedroom furniture designs of the modernist movement relied on non-traditional approaches, including the use of steel, glass and plastics instead of foam and fabric.
“Form follows function” is the mantra of modern design. That’s why you’ll see bedroom furniture where tables fold down flat when not in use or bed frames that open up to provide additional storage. Designs are timeless and often architecturally driven, such as those by Mies Van Der Rohe and Le Corbusier.
Contemporary can be modern as well, but it can also be any bedroom furniture style based on today’s trends. So, contemporary can be retro-antique, ethnic-influenced or rustic as well as modern – it just depends what is in vogue at the moment.
Where form follows function in modern bedroom furniture, contemporary may stretch the very limits of design since it is based on fashion, trends of simply new ideas. The function of the piece comes secondary to its adherence to what’s happening in the world at the moment.
So, there you have it. Modern bedroom furniture can be contemporary and contemporary designs can be modern, but the two aren’t really interchangeable.
With this in mind, it should be easier for you to determine your true personal style, whether it’s something that’s contemporary, modern or traditional. The most important thing is to choose what you like and not to follow the trends too closely. Perhaps that’s why so many furniture styles are still extremely popular decades, if not centuries, after they were introduced.

Cancun Travel

2009-02-26T08:42:00.000-08:00

Cancun Travel Packages Cancun is the number one travel destination in Mexico and lures the travelers with its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and exotic flora and fauna. But if you are traveling Cancun one your own, you could miss out on lots of attractions as Cancun is spread out making it difficult to see all attractions. Taking a bus could be a pain if you are not aware of the routes. The best way to tour Cancun is by booking one of the many available Cancun Travel Packages.

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Best Cancan Travel PackagesAlong with travel agencies there are many resorts, hotels and airlines that offer Cancun travel packages. Most of these packages are all inclusive and include everything from hotel reservations to dining and sight seeing. Most packages allow you to make your own itinerary including car rentals and airfares.One of the best travel packages to Cancun is offered by Delta airlines. Delta Airlines has a host of Cancun travel packages and also allows the tourists to make their own customized travel package with ease. Online reservations can be done at deltavacations.com.An equally good Cancun travel package is offered by ATAVacations. They offer an online reservation system that allows a tourist to plan, price and purchase a complete Cancun vacation package instantly. You can find them at atavacations.comIn addition Future-vacations offer some good Cancun vacation packages with a chance to book packages online. They can be found at olympus-tours.com/ or futurevacations.com.
Source http://www.bizbrim.com/travel/

Cancun tours

2009-02-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

Most of the Cancun tours offered as main attraction the beautiful beaches of this wonderful destination.
But Cancun is much more than that. Indeed, no one can refuse to immerse in the warm emerald waters of the vast beaches of this town in the Yucatan Peninsula
In Cancun you will find, in addition to everything connected with the sea, endless opportunities for entertainment and recreation. Even for the enjoyment of the Mexican culture.
Imagine visiting the spectacular archaeological ruins in the world Maya Tulum, a few kilometers from the capital; Be prepared to observe the competence of balloons on the pyramids of Chichen Itza. Visit art galleries showing works by local artists. Take it easy the Indian market, swim in underground rivers and explore the interesting caves Nohoch Nah Chich cenote.
Plan your holidays well because there is still much to do on a tour of Cancun. The nightlife in this city is similar to that of any metropolis in the world. Places where you can taste your favorite drink and lift your spirit with dancing abound here, as well as restaurants where you will taste of your life enjoying the extraordinary Mexican food. This and more will make your trip to Cancun is worth repeating.

Creating a functional, great looking bedroom.

2009-02-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

Bedroom design isn’t rocket science. In fact, it’s more of an art, backed by some basic design principles that all interior designers use to create a beautiful, yet functional room filled with lovely bedroom furniture and accents.

The basics
First, what is your bedroom used for? Obviously there’s the sleeping aspect, but what other purposes does it serve? Is it a multi-purpose space where you like to watch television or read a book too? Are you a fashionista and value lots of closet space and additional storage? Before you ever go out on a shopping spree you need to decide what your bedroom is used for and then shop for bedroom furniture that supports your lifestyle.
Making the big decisions
If you have a large bedroom, you really don’t have to worry about making tough decisions about what will and won’t fit. But if you’re like most homeowners, your bedrooms aren’t as large as you’d like them to be, so filling the space with bedroom furniture requires some thought. For instance do you really need a king-sized bed or would a queen allow you to add another dresser or a second nightstand? You may really love the idea of an antique armoire, but can the space it consumes be used to add more storage to your room with other bedroom furniture solutions? Again, many of these decisions will be easier to make once you think about how you use your bedroom on a daily basis.
Stow it smartly
As any interior designer knows, even the most beautiful bedroom furniture won’t look right if it’s simply crammed into a too-small room. A good way to increase useful space is to select furnishings that also offer additional storage. A platform bed with pullout drawers below or tall dressers can add storage space without adding to the footprint of the bedroom furniture. This is particularly important if your closets are on the small side or if you have seasonal clothing that can be put away for part of the year, such as under the bed.
Getting help from the pros
You don’t need to hire a designer to select the correct bedroom furniture. The Internet is filled with helpful design tips that can help you create a bedroom that is not only beautiful, but functional as well. Do your homework, take your time and make thoughtful decisions to get the ideal bedroom furniture for your bedrooms. The extra time you take will not only save you space, but money as well.

Friends Blog "Modern Furniture"

2009-02-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

Lifestyle Articles > Bedroom furniture news

2009-02-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

> Bedroom furniture news:

Bedroom furniture

> Modern sofa news:

> Design travel lifestyle:

Trendy Urbanism

Modern design technology:

12 tips to keep Your Sofa Looking New

2008-12-26T10:28:00.001-08:00

Regular Maintenance for all sofas:

1. Every week, you should use your upholstery or drape attachment to vacuum the sofa. This includes underneath the cushions, where abrasives such as crumbs, loose change and dust accumulates. These can mar the fabric.
2. The fabric should be professionally cleaned once a year. Depending on the fabric, you may want to have a stain repellent reapplied to the surface.
3. Clean all the surfaces at the same time, including both sides of the cushions and the back and sides of the sofa. You want all the fabric to get the same treatment so it wears evenly.
4. If something is spilled, blot first. Do not rub. Also, don’t use harsh detergents or soaps until you know the fabric can handle them.
5. Keep your sofa away from direct heat and even air conditioning. It can cause the joints to dry out, causing the sofa to squeak and creak.
6. Don’t let anyone sit on the arms or let your children jump on the sofa. It will cause a lot of wear very quickly.
7. Sunlight is the enemy of color and fabrics. It will cause the color to fade unevenly over time and weaken the fabrics. Even leather can be adversely affected by sunlight and heat, causing it to become brittle and crack.
8. Never pull on a loose thread. Tie them off and trim the loose ends with scissors.
9. Try to use all parts of the sofa. Even if you have a favorite seat, try to use the others as well. That way the fabrics on the cushions will wear evenly. And be sure to flip the cushions regularly, even weekly, to promote even wear.
10. Over time, perspiration and oils from your skin and hair will affect the finish of leather. Be sure to wipe heavy contact areas regularly to remove these oils.
11. Don’t leave newspapers on the surface of your sofa. The ink can bleed and stain the fabric permanently.
12. Don’t let guests sit on light colored sofas wearing new jeans that haven’t been washed yet. The dyes can bleed and stain the fabric permanently.

sofa-bernard-chair

2008-12-23T08:30:00.001-08:00

sofa-bernard-chair, originalmente cargada por montillarafael.

Product Description

Bellino-modern armchair

Very few sofas can claim modern minimalist design and comfort as well. Our Bellino armchair can! Our take on this Modernist sofa is a testament to our commitment "form follows function". Designed around a simple geometry, its studied proportions can accommodate the human body in the best way possible. The result is a desirable combination of form and comfort. The depth of the seat along with the gentle angling of the backrest and the low frame is a great combination for any living room or office space.The lines of this Bellino armchair are so pure and so perfect that there appears to be no start or finish to them. A single line simply swings back and forth to form the seating area, armrest and back. The steel crossed chromed legs echo the lines of this modern armchair, creating a cohesive connection between the Bellino armchair and the rest of the living space.An excellent option for a living room set when single or paired is combined witht our Bellino three seater sofa.

sofas-large Image

2008-12-23T08:29:00.001-08:00

sofas-large Image, originalmente cargada por montillarafael.

Product Description

Looking like it should fill the concourses of a Swedish airport, this wonderful sofa's clean design and flawless form harkens to the golden age of travel when travelers used to wear their best suits and dresses aboard planes winging their way across the continent. Don't let looks deceive you too much, however. Underneath the nostalgic exterior are the finest modern design and production techniques available. The result: A timeless classic that is as enduring as it is endearing.

BernardTree SeaterLG

2008-12-23T08:28:00.001-08:00

BernardTree SeaterLG, originalmente cargada por montillarafael.

Product Description If there were a sofa that could be described as "swank," this would be it. For you lexiconographers out there, "swank" means chic, elegance by virtue of being fashionable. See what we mean? With its clean, low lines and elegant style, this sofa is the epitome of chic sophistication. Two large, overstuffed pillows provide plenty of comfort, as does the plushly padded seat cusion. Strong, yet minimalist legs provide lots of support.

Lowseat sofa

2008-12-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

Lowseat sofa
Fifty years from now, you`ll probably be sitting on this very same sofa in a spaceport, waiting for your flight to the moon. But why wait, this stunning sofa is available from us right now. This modern sofa is one of the leading and most sought after designs today. The style is hard to categorize, but it definitely does not conform to prevailing fashion trends as you can see. Add this to your domestic landscape and no one will be able to say that your tastes are blase or the least bit mundane.

Ferrara Modern Bed - Bedroom Furniture

2008-12-22T14:25:00.001-08:00

Ferrara Modern Bed - Bedroom Furniture
Fashion has changed so much in the last 100 years. Beds ` Still locked in the dimly lit Victorian era. Even in this modern world, color options are still few and far between: dark wood, light wood, black lacquer, cherry. What are all the fashion-forward folks supposed to do` Live with these various shades of ho-hum` We think not. We think the bedrooms can be a little more colorful than they are. If there is a fashion statement in the world, our Red Bed is it. There`s absolutely nothing blase about this bed. It`s brash and it`s red. Supported by a stout, yet light oak base, the Red Bed will welcome you every evening, relishing the fact that you`re as bold in life as it is in repose. Available also just the fabric cover in red or white for an additional $150.

Ferrara Modern Bed - Bedroom Furniture

2008-12-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

Parisien Queen Bed

2008-12-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

Parisien Queen Bed
Wow! Where does one start with this divine sleeping experience? Once you are entranced by its architectural symmetry, superb construction and thoughtful design, you may never look forward to going to work again. In addition to the rakish headboard with it`s grooved horizontal lines, the bed features two built in night tables that seem to float in the air, leaving room for your slippers or an unfinished best seller underneath.

A Sofa for All Occasions

2008-12-22T07:57:00.000-08:00

It’s no secret that the sofa is one of the most important pieces of furniture you can have in your home. It is the focal point of entertainment, communication, relaxation and even sleep.

Depending on your choices in design, a sofa can handle any or all of these duties with aplomb. To help you make an informed choice, we’ve boiled down the endless selection of styles and types into six main sofa styles.

Traditional

Whether you call it a couch or a sofa, most people associate this style with the word “sofas.” It is usually a single piece of furniture without any additional sections or features, such as a fold out sleeper or built in recliners. The upside is that a traditional sofa usually costs less than one with bells and whistles. It is also a lot less heavy, so you can move it more easily than other sofa styles.

Sleeper Sofa

On the outside, they look much like their traditional counterparts. It’s what’s on the inside that makes them different. Lift off the cushions and there’s a bed, ready to go. Typically, traditional sofas have a queen-sized sleeper while loveseats are twin-sized.

Of course, a sleeper sofa isn’t the most comfortable solution for your guests, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on how long you want your guests to stay. In addition, sleeper sofas are very heavy, so if you ever want to move it, especially up or down a flight of stairs, you’d better have a lot of good friends.

Convertible Sofas

Like their sleeper sofa counterparts, a convertible sofa is a good solution for the occasional overnight guest. With a convertible sofa, the whole sofa becomes a bed. There’s no internal mechanism. You simply pull out the cushions and they become the entire bed. One of the advantages of the convertible sofa is its ease of set up.

Recliner Sofas

Recliner sofas are traditional sofas with a twist – one or more seats in the sofa recline. The mechanism allows the user to sit upright, partially reclined or fully reclined.

Sectional Sofas

Sectional sofas are a great invention. They allow you to have a larger sofa without having to figure out how to get it into your home. The sections are manageable in size and many models of sectional sofas allow you to mix and match the pieces, so you can create a fresh look without having to buy another piece of living room furniture.

Home Theater Sofas

Similar to sectionals and recliners, home theater sofas offer movie and TV buffs convenient additions such as cup holders, slots for the TV Guide, and space to put your remote controls. Many models also have individual armrests, just like a movie theater.

As you can see, there’s something for everyone when choosing a sofa for your home. Whether you’re looking for a sofa that is a bit more traditional or one that caters to your plugged in lifestyle, there are sofas for all occasions.

New Products for Miami Beach Life Style Furniture!

2008-11-12T12:06:00.001-08:00

KMP Furniture is an online Furniture store Located in Miami City South Florida, our showroom is in 6444 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138. We have free shipping to all these cities: Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Biscayne Park, Coral Gables, Doral, El Portal, Florida City, Golden Beach, Indian Creek Village, Key Biscayne, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores Village, Miami Springs, North Bay Village, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Pinecrest, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, West Miami, Weston. Our professional interior designers will help you to choose the right furniture to fit any room in your home. You can have a modern lifestyle home with very good prices. South Florida Furniture lifestyle.

Family of 3 Boys: Love to get some new modern furniture

2008-11-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Family of 3 Boys: Love to get some new modern furniture

Longfellow Design: Thoughts on Old Office Chairs

2008-10-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

Longfellow Design: Thoughts on Old Office Chairs

Personal Blog: Modern Furniture

2008-10-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Personal Blog: Modern Furniture

Modern Furniture Collection

2008-08-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

Most people adapt new furniture to their Living Room not only to have fun with their family but also to their freinds, KMP collection of comfortable and high quality (colors and textures) sofas will add a unique modern design to your living room. Come and see our sofas, sectional sofa, chairs, ottomans, leather sofas, sofa bed, modern sofas, sectional sofa, sleeper sofa, sofa couch, sofa loveseat, corner sofa bed, modern sofa bed, double sofa bed.

Patricia Urquiola

2008-08-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

Storming into the field of big names in architecture and interior design, Spanish born designer, Patricia Urquiola, decided her vocation in life at age 12.

“At that young age, I liked the idea of creative work with rigor”, she says.

Patricia Urquiola has certainly applied herself with rigor in the modern design world, and in her own words, was ‘professionally re-born’ in Italy where she is now based. Virtually unknown in Spain, she has crafted a substantial career in Milan working with key figures in the Milanese design fraternity including Magistretti and Castiglioni, who helped blossom her talent.

Naoto Fukasawa

2008-07-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Industrial is the new contemporary. Today, the world of electronics has taken on a distinct, minimalist look and feel. Cell phones, PDA’s, and desktop computers have become more industrialized with design functionality. Very few people have any idea of the mind behind such sleek, spareness. The next time you dial up a song on your iPod, or make a call on your iPhone, you may want to thank Naoto Fukasawa.

Fukasawa is a Japanese industrial designer born in Yamanashi, Japan in 1956. He graduated from Tama Art University in 1980. He lacks the fame of Jonathan Ive of Apple, but many believe Naoto Fukasawa to be the real influence behind those ubiquitous Apple products. In today’s world, modern product design is as much of a business strategy as any other, in fact it has become more important than most. Fukasawa, based in Tokyo, is credited by A-list designers of Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Apple for the inspiration for sleek elegance. Linar Design’s Principal Ken Wood admits that Fukasawa inspired the Apple Powerbook design that in many ways began the notebook revolution.

A Fukasawa design creates dialogue. One of his famed creations is a humidifier that resembles a Krispy Kreme donut, without the cream. His philosophy is to create “without thought.” He explained this concept in an interview with Business Week in 2007, "When we walk and take steps on the ground, we sense and choose the surface for each step. But this is more about our subconscious response," he continues. "However, being subconscious does not mean to be without thinking. It means that our brain may not be conscious about something, but parts of our body such as hands and legs recognize the environments and react to the situations or to things." read more

For Ultimate Luxury – Go Underground

2008-07-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

African safari vacation usually means a stay in a colonial, plantation-style hotel, or perhaps in a resort set in the treetops. Now, the Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is taking luxury South African accommodation where it has never gone before – underground. Located on a private game reserve featuring 3 more “traditional” accommodation options, the Earth Lodge has been described as the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa. The totally-unique design of this 13-suite hotel is actually sculpted into the side of a hill, making it almost invisible on the surface. However, amazing delights await the visitor beneath the ground.

Upon arrival, guests walk down into the earth through a hidden corridor and emerge to an amazing vista of the bushland laid out before them. The hotel itself is an irresistible blend of rustic materials and modern design, using texture, light and space to create a soothing, pampering environment, including wooden sculptures by Geoffrey Armstrong, a renowned local artist. Each suite boasts individually designed furniture, a private plunge pool, an indoor outdoor shower, and a circular, stone soaking tub in a private bathroom with glass-fronted views of the surrounding Sabi Sabi reserve. The only downside? The hotel is so incredible; you may never want to leave for your (included) wildlife safari!

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

2008-07-08T07:07:00.000-07:00

Proving Good Design is no longer just for the rich, the City by the Bay is bracing for a massive influx of affordable housing, located right in the middle of San Francisco’s famous Mission District. Arquitectonica, an award-winning architectural firm based in Miami, is going cross-country to create Trinity Place, an enormous, six building, 1,900-unit residential complex that will be the largest apartment development in San Francisco since the years after World War II. One third of those units will either be priced below the going market rates or rent-controlled. – bringing the sublime experience of living in a home designed by a top architect to the masses.

The six glass, concrete and silver metal buildings will be arranged around a central courtyard, which will serve as both a place to interact and a “green lung” providing light and air for the complex’s interior-facing units. The diagonal rooflines will not only add a designer touch, but a practical one as well – they will help to maximize sunlight in the development’s open spaces. Other artistic touches include window openings that are recessed to create shadows and vertical metal fins. It promises to be a welcome new addition to the San Francisco skyline – especially for the hundreds of lower-income individuals and families who will enjoy a rare taste of the good life.

Brad Pitt’s Shopping Spree

2008-06-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

By the time you read this, Angelina Jolie may have finally ended the media speculation and popped those twins out, but it seems her equally-gorgeous partner is the one who’s nesting. Pitt was spotted picking up a few items – likely for the growing family’s new pad in the South of France – at the Design Miami/Basel event in Basel, Switzerland. And while most dads-to-be concentrate on the staples like cribs, changing tables and rocking chairs, Pitt’s spree had a decidedly modernist twist. And a price tag that could probably put his soon-to-be brood of six through college – twice.

Pitt started with an appropriate choice for a man with a houseful of kids – a pair of lamps representing a family by Atelier van Lieshout. The lamps are made of foam and reinforced fiberglass, so they’re not only good design, they may also be baby safe! The perpetual Sexiest Man Alive also scored a pair of Ron Arad chairs from New York’s Sebastian + Barquet, and a rug from New York’s Cristina Grajales that retails for a whopping $175 a square foot, possibly because it’s woven from aluminum thread. The piece de resistance, however, was Dutch Designer Jeroen Verhoeven’s Rococo-style coffee table fashioned from hollow white marble. The cost of this creation – supplied by London’s Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery? A whopping $293,000.

The Newest Bathroom Must-Have

2008-06-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Modern Furniture

Glass block is so eighties. Bare walls are…well…bare. If you’re looking for this year’s must-have bathroom accessory, it’s time to hit the internet and track down your very own illuminated bathroom screen. The screen design is somewhat ornate, but the fact that it glows from within makes it oh-so-modern. No wonder these screens have been the talk of the recent design shows and blogs, usually appearing alongside an equally fabulous transparent bathtub. The downside? These beautiful bathtub screens can’t possibly be cheap, as they’re designed and manufactured by London based designer Jona Hoad.

Hoad specializes in creating and manufacturing unusual lighting products for luxury hotels and restaurants, along with yachts (yes, yachts are actually a Jona Hoad specialty) and other luxury residences. His Catherine Wheel ceiling light, combining the reflective qualities of mirror with detailed laser etching, recently captured an award, and his color-changing (at the touch of a button, no less), illuminated DeVigne Bar and London’s Mandeville Hotel has also garnered plenty of positive press. So while his bathroom screens may be pricey, if you absolutely must have a Hoed in your home you can be sure they’ll only increase in value. Today, they’re an internet sensation – tomorrow, they may be a classic.

Modern Accommodation on the Cheap

2008-06-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Modern Furniture

If you’re up for a new kind of travel adventure, and happen to be in or around the Austrian city of Linz, check out the Dasparkhotel. But only if you don’t mind minimalism at it’s most minimal. Created by designer Andreas Strauus, each room in the hotel is actually a repurposed, two meter-long concrete drain pipe. Within each pipe-slash-room is enough headroom to stand up, along with a double bed, storage for your luggage, light, power, a warm woolen blanket for those chilly nights and a light cotton sleeping bag. Other hotel services like toilets, showers, a café and a minibar are located nearby on the premises – although not within your own personal drainpipe space.

The hotel’s website describes their unique take on accommodation as a “temporary comfortable uncomplicated home for a certain time.” Apparently, how long you stay is up to you. And amazingly, so is how much you pay. In keeping with the hippy-dippy, egalitarian spirit of inviting people to sleep in a drainpipe, Dasparkhotel also invites their guests to pay whatever they see fit for the experience. So at the very least, it’s definitely a bargain. The hotel is only open from May through October, and while it may not be your personal dream vacation ideal, it’s definitely worth at least a drive-by!

Classy Trends in Chandeliers

2008-06-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

Chandeliers are often seem as being a bit stuffy. Something the well-to-do hang in their soaring entryways or in the ballroom of their home. Glitzy and glorious, they feature cascading crystals and gilded gold that exude wealth and status. But, today’s homeowners can still enjoy the beauty of these classic lighting fixtures without going to the poor house in the process. There is virtually a chandelier for every budget and taste these days.

Contemporary Options While traditional chandeliers are heavy and heavy looking – made of wrought iron and lead crystals – contemporary chandeliers are much lighter. Made of aluminum, these beauties are lightweights in terms of weight and corresponding price. Thanks to new advances in design and materials, you don’t have to pay for raw materials that aren’t seen or needed for strength or support. One of the great things about these contemporary chandeliers is that they go with a wide range of styles, from traditional to modern. Let’s face it. It’s hard to match an overly ornate gold and crystal chandelier with a modern furniture grouping. They go together about as well as peanut butter and Swiss cheese. Eschewing complex designs, contemporary chandeliers get their beauty through intriguing and innovative design concepts. But don’t think these chandeliers are blasé. Hardly. They instantly draw the visitor’s eye while adding superior lighting design to any space in your home. Thinking Small is Big These Days Not all chandeliers are monstrosities that require a crane to install. Mini chandeliers are really popular these days and fit into smaller spaces than their full-sized counterparts. Minis are particularly well suited for hallways and open spaces where a full sized chandelier would look silly. Thanks to their smaller size, they’re also easy for any homeowner to install. If you’ve mastered a ceiling lighting fixture or a ceiling fan, a mini chandelier is a snap to add to your home. The process is virtually the same and they can usually be installed without the need for additional support or bracing in the ceiling.

How about… creating the perfect dining room all year round!!!

2008-06-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

For many of us, growing up meant family dinners in the dining room where everyone shared his or her day with one another.
My how times have changed. Today, busy families find little time to gather at the dinner table. And the formal dining room in many homes is relegated to special occasions and holidays.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little thought and some creativity, you can convert this little used space into a place where the family spends a lot of their time, doing homework, working on school projects and just hanging out talking.
Before you start your dining room project, you want to take an inventory of your existing furnishings, accents, accessories and décor. Often, it’s easy to simply swap around some things in your home to create an entirely new living space.
Of course, the dining room table is the focal point of the room and it obviously guidesmost of your decisions. Like other rooms, decorating usually starts with the focal point of the room and everything flows from the dominant piece. In this case, it’s the dining room table and chairs.
Flexibility is key in selecting the right table and chairs. Unless you plan to use this space just once a year, you want to choose a table that suits your personal tastes and which has the ideal seating arrangement. For instance, if you have a family of four and don’t entertain often, you can opt for a smaller table and add other furnishings to the room, such as a buffet or china cabinet to use for storing games and craft items.
If you entertain occasionally or often, you may want to get a table with leaves. That way, you can expand the table easily to handle larger dinner parties, and then shrink the table back to its more intimate size for daily use.
Taller dining room tables are very popular these days. Not only do they make the room look less formal, but they’re the ideal place to play board games, work on school projects or enjoy an evening of poker with friends. When it comes to selecting furnishings and decorating, professional designers agree on one thing. There are no rules these days. Rooms are empty spaces waiting to be filled with the inspiration, beauty, energy and personality you bring to them.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some basic guidelines you should follow. For example, your dining room should still look like it’s part of your home. It should have complementary color schemes, styles and woods. Contemporary fabrics can breathe new life into heirloom furnishings. And tired tables can be rejuvenated with a new layer of stain or varnish.
If you have the budget for new furnishings, you have endless options. Dark finishes tend to support a more formal dining look while oval and round tables finished in lighter stains are more informal. Be sure that the table has enough room for your guests to be comfortable so they’re not bumping elbows constantly. If you have small children, stain resistant seat fabrics will pay for themselves in a very short time.
Surprisingly, your chairs don’t even have to match one another these days. You can create an eclectic dining area by mixing and matching different designs of chairs or different colors. Be careful in doing this, since you don’t want your dining room to look like the circus is in town. Rely on your sense of taste and you should be O.K. When in doubt, ask your family or friends for their opinions before you plunk down a lot of dough on chairs that will just end up in a garage sale six months from now.
Once you have the dining room table and chairs it’s time to finish the rest of the room. Obviously, the walls deserve some attention before you add any other furniture to the space. Choose paint or wallpaper that sets the room off yet which complements the rest of the home. If you have dominant artwork in mind, you may want to choose colors that will work well with it. Before you paint, it’s a good time to add any new sconces or other wall lighting that will require some electrical work. No need messing up a great looking paint or papering job after the fact.
Now you’re ready to add the other elements to the room. Depending on the space available, this may include a china cabinet, hutch, sideboard or buffet. If you don’t have room around the table for all the chairs you have, you may want to factor that into your space planning. Chairs against the wall take up space and you don’t want the room to look crowded.
Finally, don’t forget the little things that make a dining room an inviting place to be. You want to add personal touches to the space. If you’re using a sideboard or buffet, consider adding candlesticks and some family photos. If you have a spectacular serving piece, consider using it as the focal point as well. When you’re not using it for entertaining, it can serve as a piece of art.
Like the rest of the spaces in your home, your dining room should reflect your personality and tastes. Make it an inviting place to eat, relax, entertain and work and you’ll find that this once empty space will soon be overflowing with good times with family and friends.

David M. Schwarz

2008-06-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

It was only a turn of fate that David M. Schwarz became an architect at all. Having started his own practice (in his own words “too early”), with little success, he realized his dream of becoming an architect was as good as over and had all but given up hope. However, a chance encounter with a friend gave him an ‘eleventh hour’ second chance, when he was offered a project by the friends’ boyfriend. His career is now considered remarkable, and his architectural practice is established having received awards from a wide range of organizations, including the American Institute of Architects and the Art Deco Society of Washington.
Prior to this success, Mr. Schwarz received his B.A. at St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, and Master of Architecture at Yale University. He also earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science from Humboldt State University. As founder and CEO of David M Schwarz Architectural Services, Inc., Washington, DC and Fort Worth, TX, he now has over thirteen years of design, planning and landscape construction success.
"...It really is being exacting in your principles and sticking to them, even when it’s hard, that makes it possible to have real success”, explains David.
His environmental sciences background is a key in the development of site-specific landscapes that involve slope and soil stabilization, habitat restoration, and new vegetative management. His strength lies in his ability to focus on developing spaces that are artistic, suited to the client’s needs, and responsive to the surrounding environment.
Perhaps his most iconic project, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center of Nashville is personification of Schwarz’s signature style, being wonderfully classic, with a modern twist.
In describing his philosophy of design, Schwarz explains, “Our architecture is what would have happened if modernism hadn’t happened. But modernism did happen”.
''We set out to create what we call the appropriate neoclassicism for 21st century Nashville,'' says Schwarz ''The building and all its details are a lot less serious, a lot lighter, a lot friendlier, a lot less imposing than straightforward neoclassicism from, say, the 19th or early 20th centuries.''
One of the more interesting features of the 197,000 square-foot, 1,872-seat concert hall is the enormous amount of indirect daylight. Not normally found in performance spaces, after touring concert halls worldwide, in particular Vienna's Musikverein, Schwarz decided natural light was an important element to include in the interior. Innovative features include a convertible seating system designed to give the hall unique versatility.
Schwarz describes Schermerhorn as “the most classically inspired building we’ve ever done’’
Another classic design with incredible scope and utilization of space is the Dr Pepper Ballpark. Following its construction in 2003, the Dr Pepper Ballpark received the Texas Construction award for Best Architectural Design for 2003 and the surrounding sports complex received the Best Sports and Entertainment award.
Schwarz had a stated goal of creating a "park within a (ball)park" in the stadium. Nine interconnected pavilions, where concessions, restrooms, and luxury suites are located, are built separately from the main seating area.
The concourse area, between the pavilions and the seating area, wraps completely around the ballpark featuring 360-degree views.
His Disney's Wide World of Sports complex features "Florida Picturesque" architecture, with tall towers and seemingly endless archways in the field house and baseball stadium.
Other projects include the Tarrant County Family Law Center which is historically suggestive in design, and the Bass Hall critically acclaimed as "the last great hall built this century”, and voted by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the Top 10 best opera houses in the world.
Within his firm, Schwarz’s primary responsibility is that of director of design. In this capacity, he leads, orchestrates and reviews the design process of all the firm’s projects. . He is frequently asked to create unique, custom furniture to complement the firm’s interiors. Fine detailing, rich materials and a high level of craft identify Schwarz’s furniture projects, which have ranged from the straightforward, such as a highly-detailed, inlaid buffet of arts and crafts inspiration with an imaginative and protective floating glass top; to the technically adept, such as an art deco-inspired oval loggia table. The table can be folded in half lengthwise to be set against the wall and contains custom fabricated hinges and a device which automatically centers the half-top over the base, allowing the tabletop to convert between full oval and half-oval without sacrificing center of gravity. He has also explored modern elements in furniture design, such as a custom freestanding medicine cabinet and stool of stainless steel and glass. The variety and range in style, inspiration and material realize his vision, regardless of scope or scale.
Schwarz is committed to teaching and, participating at university level and lecturing to the public. He currently serves as Chairman of the Dean’s Council for the Yale School of
Architecture, and serves on the Board of Overseers for the Corcoran Gallery of Art, located in Washington, DC.

Moden Furniture

Coop Himmelblau

2008-06-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Coop Himmelblau is a cooperative architectural design firm which was located in Vienna Austria. This award winning post-modernist group of creatives was founded by Wolf Prix, and Helmut Swiczinsky. These architects are very famous for partaking in the 1988 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art called “Deconstrucitvist Architecture.” That show, which is now three decades old change the way we view commercial and residential architectural projects and the post modernist influence of this cooperative dots landscapes all over the world.
Coop Himmelblau now also maintains offices in Los Angeles in the U.S. and in Guadalajara, Mexico. The name means “heaven construction” in German and in English translates to mean “sky blue.” The coop is not like “chicken coop” but rather the abbreviation for the work cooperative.
If the building seems crooked, twisted or missing a few beams or if it seems a bit out of perspective or balancing magically with no support than it is probably is designed by someone from Coop Himmelblau or by someone who has been influenced by Wolf Prix, Michael Holzer or Helmut Swiczinsky.
A very famous building is the UFA-Palaste in Dresden which looks like a giant pointed quartz crystal extending out of the side of the building. The construction is made of hundreds of facets of window paned glass and looks like it is naturally growing out of the building.
Yet another very famous piece of architecture designed by the Coop Himmelblau is the Gasometer building in Vienna, which looks like a thin, bent stick of gum with balconies running up the side. It is one of the narrowest buildings in the world.
Another signature building is the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, which has a beautiful deconstructed roof. It literally looks like a bomb has dropped on top of the building and the beams fixed together in an artistic jumble.
This team of famous designers has been together for a good part of the last century. Wolf Dieter Prix was born in 1942 in Vienna. Helmut Swiczinsky was born in 1944 in Poznan, Poland. They formed Co-op Himmelblau in Vienna in 1968 as an alternative and creative approach to architecture.
The sketeches that the buildings are created from are very free form and are intended to be gestural and free from the restrictions of formalism. The intent is creating open minded free spaces that are undefined, interesting and complex.
From out of this process came a trend for designing buildings that are almost entirely made out of panes of glass. A very good example of this is the Skygarden building in their hometown of Vienna which is 25 stories of leveled glass. Along with experimenting with the look of glass the cooperative has also been experimenting with the passive heat and cooling systems that can be developed for a building that has such a façade. Another reason for paying attention to this element has been to develop “gardens in the sky” that can be cultivated by humans who before this time in history had to be happy residing in dwellings on the ground. The concept behind the firm named Himmelblua is to literally uplift mankind into the sky with the use of architecture.
If the firm is known for anything it is also its theoretical process of designing buildings. Everything that manifests from Coop Himmelblau begins with many long conversations that re eventually transformed into drawings. Coop Himmelblau is so famous just for it’s concepts that sometimes simply the plans for a project are exhibited at a famous gallery museum.
This team has won many awards including two American Architecture Awards for the Chicago Athenaeum in Illinois and the Akron Art Museum in Ohio.
One of the most interesting things about this firm is that their vision is still creative yet it has never changed. The influence of Coop Himmelblau is absolutely seminal and their designs are taught as a primer in basic deconstructivism in every university or college that is devoted to design in the world.

A bedroom that looks and feels good

2008-06-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

Is your bedroom an inviting oasis of relaxation? Or does it look more like a storage unit, a veritable wasteland of clutter, dirty clothes, dirty dishes and kid’s toys.
If your room is the latter and you’re finding it increasingly more difficult to find the bed when it’s time for bed, you may want to consider giving your bedroom a well-deserved makeover.
With just a few changes, some hard decision making and some tough love, you can transform you bedroom into everything you ever dreamed it should be. And it’s easier than you think.
Start with the basics First, your bedroom is not a storage facility. If things in the room do not contribute to relaxation, enhance the beauty, add space or provide some entertainment, get rid of it. Pack it up, move it to another room or put it in the garage or trash. If you like to watch a little television before calling it a night, consider getting an armoire to hide it away when it’s not in use. If you’re an avid reader, make sure your nightstands have a drawer so you can put your book or magazine away, along with your glasses. If you love the latest fashions, add more dressers, wardrobes and a closet organizer to the room. Finally, get a hamper for the dirty clothes so you’re not tempted to leave them wherever they fall. As they say, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.”
Add furniture to the mix, Now that your room is clear of clutter, it’s time to add beauty and charm to the space. Start by looking at your furnishings. Do they have the same style or at least complement one another? Are there pieces that should be moved out to make way for others? Does the style of your furniture match your tastes? For example, if you have a love of modern or contempor ary furnishings, why do you continue to hold on to that monster of an oak four-poster? Creating a cohesive or at least complementary look is essential to promoting relaxation and a sound sleep. As you review your bedroom’s needs, consider the space you have to work with as well. If you are in desperate need of another dresser, do you really need the California King or can you do with a Queen bed instead? This is not the time to be in denial. Once a piece of furniture is purchased, it tends to stay with you for a long time, so you want to choose carefully and deliberately. Nothing is more maddening than creating a bedroom retreat where the furniture is so big you can’t make it to the bathroom without stubbing a toe or cracking an elbow.
Think of your future storage needs The old adage, “stuff expands to fill the space available” is certainly true in the bedroom. Fashions change seasonally and what’s hot now may not be next year. So clothing and footwear seems to multiply as the years pass, even though storage remains the same. Here’s a couple ways to gain space in your bedroom without knocking out a wall or doing a major remodel. First, choose furniture that offers maximum storage. A platform bed with space or drawers underneath provides a surprising amount of additional storage without adding to the overall furniture footprint. The same is true with dressers. A nightstand with drawers is a better choice than one with a single open shelf. Several highboys take up the same space as a low dresser, but offer two to three times the space. The same is true of a lingerie chest. A shoulder height lingerie chest offers more storage than a Queen Anne dresser for your unmentionables.
When you’re evaluating the space you need to store your clothing, don’t ever think you have enough. It’s far better to have a few nearly empty drawers for a few years than to have drawers so tightly packed that you have to struggle to get them open in the morning. Nothing puts the damper on a day than getting a black eye from a bra strap that got caught on the back of an overstuffed drawer.
Don’t go it alone – ask an expert A well-designed bedroom doesn’t happen by accident. If you’re not comfortable with doing it yourself, there are lots of good resources out there. The Internet has sites devoted entirely to the subject of interior and bedroom design. Another good source is a reputable furniture retailer. Because they deal with design, style and fashion at every turn, these experts can help you create a bedroom that meets your needs perfectly. They can also provide you with good advice about colors, materials and fabrics so you can mix and match with ease and confidence.