COFFERED CEILINGS

Coffered ceilings make my heart go pitter patter.  I love the way they give the ceiling so much structure and interest.

Here’s some beauties:

home design by apartmenttherapy.com

Classic design with clean lines….

A rustic version with lots of texture and charm.

 

home design by san Francisco general contractor Dijeau Poage Construction

Love the detailed moulding within the boxes.

 

Love this stairway and the mouldings give it such a cottagey feel with the bead board within each section.  Love the design surrounding the light fixture.

eclectic kitchen design

Natural wood beams to coordinate with the natural wood cabinets.

 

Another room that I would love to have – I love everything about it!   The ceilings are gorgeous and the rug and that light fixture- I’m speechless….

traditional living room design by Atlanta interior designer Dillard Design Group, LLC

A beautiful traditional living room with a breath taking crisp ceiling.

 

A modern take on the coffered ceiling – very minimalist.

A very symmetrical room with a very symmetrical ceiling…

 

home design

The dark ceiling beams match the dark stained island – very eye catching!

traditional living room design by san Francisco architect ACANTHUS Architecture & Design, San Francisco, CA

An interesting way to incorporate skylights into the ceiling.

 

A beautiful colour and a beautiful ceiling….

dining room design

Another natural beam ceiling that keeps that cottage feeling….

traditional kitchen design by Atlanta interior designer Dillard Design Group, LLC

Love this kitchen!  Beautiful floor and ceiling and love, love, love the design on the back of these stools .

traditional kitchen design by san Francisco architect Wm. F. Holland/Architect

Another beautiful kitchen – very similar in feeling and style to the one above.  Notice how the lights are incorporated within the boxes.

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa are call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

THE MOODY BLUES…..

So how do you feel about

blue?  

Did you know that blue is the most preferred colour?  Probably because it reminds people of the sea and sky. 

Blue – light blue, navy, denim blue, sky blue, baby blue.  Blue has many different personalities. 

Psychologically, blue symbolizes serenity and sadness.  Mention a blue sky and images of calm summer afternoons and wide spaces appear in our minds, talk of blue feelings and the mood can seem very dark.

The two sides of blue come from its intrinsic coolness, which can either soothe or chill us.  If blue is placed along natural wood it will heighten the warmth of the wood and also provides a respite from it’s heat. 

This photo shows how the blue cools off the wood in this home – which is actually a tree house!

Used alone, blue can cause a room to recede visually.  The warmer shades of blue tend towards the green side of its spectrum and are the easiest choices for interiors.

Usually people who like blue have introverted tendencies.

Blue can cause us to feel serene, peaceful or melancholy.  It lowers our blood pressure and slows our respiratory rate, it cools and relaxes us and is an antidote for the colour red.

Behaviourally, blue is associated with responsibility, loyalty, authority and conservatism, it can also be seen as rigid and narrow-minded which would explain why it’s used for police and postal workers uniforms.  Blue isn’t great with food and is a poor choice for restaurants.  When you think about it you don’t see too many blue restaurant interiors do you???

Royal blue or azure conveys richness & superiority.

Pastel blues suggest springtime while deep blue is a colder weather colour.

Blue and green mixed together create a soft, watery like effect in a spa bathroom.

Mixed with gray, blue creates an understated elegance.

Sky blue or robin egg’s blue combined with a neutral brown, tan or beige create an environmentally friendly atmosphere.

 

To tone down a hot red or orange room add blue for some coolness.  The opposite of yellow - blue will subdue a yellow room.

Navy blue is a little warmer and lighter than black and navy and white always makes us think nautical. 

However, navy with metallic accents has a rich, elegant appearance.

 

So that’s the scoop on blue – it is actually a cool colour but like all colours it really depends on it’s neighbour as to whether it reads as cool or warm. 

So are you like the many and love blue or are you like the few and hate it??

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa 

SHOWERS – CLEAR OR NOT??

I’m working on a client’s bathroom renovation and we’re including a customized shower enclosure.  So I’m researching full and partial shower enclosures with clear, etched and frosted glass.
What do you think of full glass walls versus half way glass walls.  And would you frost them, put a design on them or just leave them clear??
I guess the real question is how shy are you??? 

traditional bathroom design via Houzz

Room for two!!!

contemporary bathroom design by san Francisco architect Michael Tauber Architecture via Houzz

Love the recessed shelf tiled with pebbles.

 
Very cool and modern!

Having a rock in the shower – how neat is that!

 All photos above via HGTV Designer portfolio.
So come clean (couldn’t resist that pun!) and let me know what’s your favourite…

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

THE BIG APPLE…

We just went on a family trip to New York City!!!

My hubby and I have been before but it was my children’s first trip.  So it was fun to see what they took away from it.  We all had a great time -  though the kids couldn’t believe the crowds and the traffic. It does make you appreciate home.

The highlights were a Broadway show called

Great show for teenagers and for their young at heart parents!

We also got to check out the new Yankee Stadium for a Blue Jays vs Yankees game.  Even I (the non-sports lover) was impressed and the Blue Jays won!!!

I always hit Century 21 when I’m in NYC and my girls and I did lots and lots of shopping, much to the boys’ dismay.

Here’s some photos I took of Central Park – it was a very pretty day and the pictures turned out great.

  

 

All in all another great summer memory to cherish with the kids.  I hope you are enjoying your summer and making special memories with your loved ones!

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at      613-762-0818.

Lisa

A BUNCH OF TWIGS

I was visiting The Lennoxx the other day and Linda had a great post on a bedroom done by Thom Filicia.  He had the perfect little night table in this room:

I love tables with branch and twig bases and I thought I’d look around and see all the different ones I could find. 

Elte Sherwood Accent table

via Houzz modern family room design by new york architect Dufner Heighes Inc

via Houzz contemporary living room design by san francisco interior designer Michael Merrill Design Studio, Inc

contemporary living room design by san francisco interior designer Michael Merrill Design Studio, Inc

 There’s even a DIY to make this table at The Style Files. 

Jayson twig table via HarmonyandHomeblog

Here’s a metal version

viaStylehive

Another one using twigs and LED lights.

via West Elm

  viaRoomRemix

viatheHouzz

viaDecorPad

Did I mention that they are everywhere?  They are tiny and versatile and bring a little of the outdoors in…I know what I’ll be looking for…

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa