Creative Interior Design [antikvár]

INTRODUCTIONAVE you ever leafed through the pages of a glossy magazine and despaired of giving your home that easy flair without a team of professional interior designers to guide you? If you have, help is at hand. Creative Interior Design contains a wealth of photographs to inspire you, while detailed analyses of what creates a particular effect provide the knowledge and confidence you need to achieve it for yourself. The book is divided into five chapters which lead you stage by stage through all the basics of interior design.At the heart of all good interior decorating lies an understanding of colour and how to handle it, and the first two chapters of this book are devoted to this subject. The first chapter examines the basic principles of colour, explaining the intricacies of the colour wheel and how you can use it to decide which colours will tone, which ones will harmonise, which will clash and which ones complement each other. You learn how to build up a sample board of colour swatches and fabrics for an at-a-glance reference to how your finished decorating scheme will look. There is also advice on how to achieve the cleverest designer trick of all, making your rooms lead visually from one to the next, so that your house looks a coherent whole. There's also guidance on using colours to make rooms seem larger, smaller, warmer or more airy, and the chapter ends with sections on understanding patterns and textures and combining these to achieve a particular feel.Chapter 2 takes eleven colour groups in turn, from quiet naturals, beiges and creams to the richest of reds and the stark simplicity of black and white. Using samples of paints, papers, fabrics, carpets and accessories in each colour range, this chapter shows you how to use these colours inbedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens. Every section ends with helpful hints on choosing and using accent colours.Chapter 3 looks at a number of popular design styles - ranging from the charm of the country cottage to the restrained elegance of the grand townhouse, from the streamlined leather and chrome lines of the city to the clutter of the Victorian home. Each section outlines the various decorations, soft furnishings, furniture and accessories that create each style.A practical chapter follows, i aimed at people who want to ' know exactly how to make the soft furnishings to complete their chosen look. Here are full step-by-step instructions for making elegant curtains and cushions, luxurious pelmets, swags and tails, practical blinds, easy lampshades and loose covers for furniture. The final chapter of the book is crammed with bright ideas for giving your home a special, personal feel. Arranging things attractively is an art in itself, and there are hints on hanging groups of pictures on the wall, displaying a cherished collection of china and glassware, creating special effects with lighting and making the best decorative use of plants and flowers. There are practical soft furnishing ideas for bedheads and bay windows, and a host of decorating tips for small projects like repainting old chairs as well as special paint finishes such as ragging and sponging.Whether you prefer modern sophistication or old world charm, whether you are tackling a whole house or a single room, this book is the perfect source of inspiration and reference. Rich in ideas and practical know-how, Creative Interior Design contains in one volume all you need to know about making a beautiful, individual home.