Interior design is a continuously evolving profession, focusing not only on beauty, but also on finding innovative resolutions for interior surroundings while safeguarding the health, comfort and safety of occupants and ensuring them quality of life. These surroundings can include things like flooring, windows, walls, illumination and fittings. It requires a thorough comprehension of architecture, art and furniture design and construction as well as current advancements such as lighting, heating and air circulation.

The work of a designer can fluctuate between working on little residences to the layout of vast commercial buildings, to devising a unified aesthetic which will be applied to a chain of businesses (such as a restaurant franchise).  Most interior designers will be an expert in one branch of the field. For example, if a specialist works mainly on hotels, they will likely focus on this sort of enterprise, as it takes a great deal of knowledge to familiarise with all hotel requirements and this proficiency cannot be transferred to an airport or shopping mall.

Types of Candles

Candles are a terrific way of bringing a dusky, romantic ambience to a room. They bring warmth and light, affect the senses of smell and sight, and create a feeling of comfort. Nothing brings a homey essence to your house quite like a candle. Aside from carefully selecting the fragrance, the amount used, the colour, and what form of candelabra to buy, you have to decide on what type of candle you want.

• There are little nightlights that come in many different sizes, smells and styles.
• You get the taper variety, which are slender and also known as a dinner candle. They are made to be securely placed in a holder.
• There are pillar candles, free standing and small, containing one or more wicks. These can be any shape, as long as they’re column structured.
• Votive candles are tiny and cylindrical, designed to be put inside a cup or votive holder.
• Tealight candles are also cylindrical, filled and about ten centimetres high, often poured into a metal container.
• Jar candles are poured into glass or ceramic boxes specifically created to hold the wax and withstand high temperature.
• You get floating candles, wide and able to float in water such as bathtubs.
• And lastly, you get the specialty variety, which come in many creative shapes.  These are generally viewed as decorative and stand on their own.

Candle-Making

Home-made candles are generally made of beeswax or tallow. But they can be made using just about any fatty substance with a wick in it. It is fairly simple to make your own. You just need a heat source, a double boiler – a pot with a coffee tin inside to melt it will do, your pick of wax, a wick, a mould and if desired a perfume or colour for it. The variations are virtually limitless. You can choose from a huge range of moulds and scents.

There is nothing more satisfying than making your own candles. Some even choose to use special paints to colour the outside to use as decoration. The variety you can create is limited only by your own imagination.

The Benefits

Due to the range of choices when it comes to marble, you can pick a style that blends in with your current choice of furniture and décor. Whether you desire a neutral shade, or a more daring configuration, marble can merge with your design scheme seamlessly.  Aesthetics aside, marble as a material is known for its remarkable resilience. If you maintain it properly, it will last you a lifetime. Even if it is in a very busy area it will endure in superb condition.

Another advantage of this flooring choice is its convenience. Any spills or accidents can be wiped away effortlessly with minimal chances of staining, so this is an excellent material for those with pets and children. It can however, be subject to damage and discolouration as it is only stain-resistant, thus it is essential that the floor be cleaned regularly and any messes cleaned in a timely fashion.

Marble is water resistant once sealed, making it a popular selection for bathrooms. Being a hypoallergenic substance, it withstands mould and bacteria as well as other allergens like pollen and pet dander. With a good sealant, it can be virtually impervious. In this fashion you can safeguard the health of your kids and other family members to an extent.

If you are planning to relocate, and you need to add to the resale value of your house, marble floor modern design options are a great help. Few upgrades can match this flooring in this area. Thus not only can it increase the atmosphere of your home, it can add to its worth too.

Different Kinds of Marble

There are three basic types of marble used to create floors. One is polished marble. It is the very smooth, polished sort that has a mirror finish look. This one is the best option if you want it to be visually appealing, as the natural beauty and the veins within the stone shines through. It has a bright appearance that brings out the best colours. It is also the least likely to stain.

Another kind is honed marble, which means it is not as thoroughly polished. This gives it a matte finish. The natural elements cannot be seen as well, but it is less of a slip hazard than polished marble. It is the best for high traffic areas, as it has a greater resistance to discoloration and deterioration.

The third choice is tumbled marble, chosen mainly for its smooth, authentic antiquated appearance. It is fairly skid-resistant, though the most subject to stain.

Marble can be relatively pricey, but it is worth it. You will treasure it for its resounding beauty, and praise it for its durability. It is a brilliant addition to any home looking for that extra touch of refinement.

Feng Shui originated in China. The exact date it was created is unknown; theories vary from two to six thousand years ago. It means “wind” and “water” and together the words symbolise harmony and balance. In Chinese culture, these two things signified health and prosperity. This ancient art is based on energy – known as “chi” – and how it affects our lives. Specifically, it involves a compatibility with nature achieved through the arrangement of furniture and personal affects around the home or work space. It is based on the Taoist notion that the land has life.

Why Photographs Are Important

When trying to achieve good “chi” in your home, it is a common mistake to de-personalise your space. It is important to remember that it is not only an upbeat vibe that you are trying to create but an individual one. Your living quarters should be a positive statement about who you are. Using photography is a fantastic way of attaining this. Photographs remind you of good times you’ve had and people you love and help you feel confident with yourself. Photographs in your house have several uses depending on choice and placement. Choosing the right frames and setting them up in the right places is vital.

Using Photographs

If you want to reinforce family bonds, especially if you are experiencing discord with them, you should place pictures of relatives to the east of the room you spend time together with them. The frames should be wooden, as wood strengthens family relationships.  You can fortify your union with your significant other by placing an image of the two of you in your bedroom. You should be facing each other, and the picture should be encased in stone, marble or crystal. However, it should be noted that only pictures of you and are partner are admissible in your bedroom. No other people should be placed there.

If you want a boost in self esteem, hang up a favoured photo of yourself in the entrance or south side of your home. It should face the direction the sun shines most of the day. Do not put up anything which you feel doesn’t reflect your best self.  Images of you with friends should be placed in the area you entertain. It will prompt you into recalling pleasant experiences with them, and help them stay in touch with you. You should however, not place pictures of the recently deceased while you are still in mourning. Rather put these up later when you have dealt with your grief and can remember them fondly. These should have frames of metal.

Lastly, improvement of your career can be realised by situating photographs in the northernmost sector of your home. Do not have too many of these as your house shouldn’t remind you too much of work; two will suffice. Place them in mirror frames.

Photographs are a very important and often neglected part of feng shui. Always remember that your space is about you, and should reflect as such.

(Above: A library to the ceiling is a good choice to divide spaces without losing the characteristics of the loft, providing an important element of visual presence photography by
Adventures in Astrophotography
)

Decoration
The decor is cool loft in appearance. The colors, objects and designs, along with the materials used must be able to achieve that feeling. Recall that the space is the main loft style, and therefore use materials, colors and elements that respect and not intrude into the space.

The loft is great with a minimalist style. Deprived environments and light colors reinforce the concept of loft.

Colours
The colors used in this style usually tend to be cold, gray, blue and white mostly, but also used vanilla tones, earth or bone.

(Above: The architecture of a loft must favor the access of natural light)

Lighting
For its spaciousness light plays a fundamental role in the loft. You have to have large windows and high ceilings, allowing access important light throughout the space. The light should flood the environment. A good lighting is also important. The possibility of letting the light cable allows for greater flexibility. Lamps “galponeras” hanging from the ceiling are a choice in line.

Another distinctive feature of the loft is the use of two floors or mezzanines that although reported, separates the main area of ​​living room, living room and kitchen, the bedroom, study or other additional rooms. The combined plants is generally achieved significant weight with decorative staircases.

The visual integration of all this great space is critical, using the floors, walls, materials and colors to achieve uniformity.

(Top Left: It’s common to use two floors provided to avoid the walls and doors / Right: The loft is recognized by its large undivided spaces, lots of light and leading manufacturing aspect)

Motivated by the affordable rent, moved to warehouses and industrial premises unoccupied. This would allow them to integrate work and housing in one place, at lower cost and with the possibility of having large and bright spaces.

Later, the demand for these spaces added to new business: restaurants, shops, studying painting, photography studios and art galleries, loft and quickly moved to the domestic sphere, making disused warehouses and factories a large housing , spacious and comfortable.

The loft is a modern, cutting edge, high-level, which was gradually readjusting to smaller areas and mixing with elements of other styles. check design events

• The Origin of Minimalism
• The characteristics of Minimalism
• Some details and ideas to consider

Zen Style
The Zen seeks harmony and balance through simplicity, few objects, natural materials and the presence of aromas, something own Zen Zen style uses bright colors and neutral tones. The furniture in the Zen style should follow the greatest simplicity in his lines. Low furniture, straight lines that invite the order and, in most cases, retain the natural wood color.

• The Origin of Zen
• Zen Style
• Zen features
• Text Fritjof Capra on Zen
• From Minimalism to Kitsch

Loft Style
The adaptation of industrial sites for housing, taking advantage of its basic structure, formed a new style. It is cold, clean, hard surface, solid colors, no apparent warmth. They use metal, plastic and rubber. Pure geometric shapes and angles marked. It is a quiet, neutral style. The empty space is the most important.

• Some loft details and ideas to consider
• Loft style elements
• Loft style features
• The Origin of the Loft

Oriental Style
Based on staff interpretation of this exotic and ancient culture, with the simplicity they bring their wisdom and philosophy. Colors, objects, murals and decorations that refer at all times (or copy) its aesthetics and morals. Contrasting textures (stone, wood, paper), mystical objects (sources, candles, incense) and the presence of nature (rocks, water, flowers) in a total balance, proposed from the concept of yin and yang balance energies.

Rustic Style
It is notable for the use of noble materials and natural under-treated, such as wood, wicker or mat, applied to objects and utensils and walls and floors. Is also given to handicrafts and hard fabrics in bright colors. It can be simple or sophisticated style, avoiding overloaded environments.

Kitsch
The kitsch is notable for the predominance of the color and shapes, the use of unsightly elements and garish. Predominantly gum pink, sky blue, apple green and red. The textures used are also varied: the wire, synthetic fur, glass, plastic and paper. Rare forms furniture, lava lamps, accessories and all sorts of disparate objects that have to do with art and this kind of culture. Also used curtains and cushions of hair fringes. In short, any kind of pattern or object that is striking and original.

Shabby Chic
The highlights shabby chic antique furniture and objects, but to date, maybe a little worn, or patina, but that does not look like old. Shabby means shabby, rundown, but in this case that looks to new, agiornado, and hence the term chic. The shabby chic relies primarily on furniture and accessories. Patinated lamps and antique chandeliers with prisms and a romantic touch. Painted or patinated antique furniture combined with existing fabrics and modern furnishings. Upholstery, pillows and curtains with flowers.

Classic Style
It is based on the conservative middle-class house of the last century. What are traditional materials that give warmth and comfort, plus prints, plants, walls, baseboards, cornices, large curtains and delicate ornaments. The colors used are maroon, green, dark red and brown; motifs of birds, flowers, fruits and stripes rather than square.

Zen seeks to move away from excessive ornamentation and “Baroque”. The balance achieved is given by few objects, natural materials and the presence of aromas, something characteristic of Zen style

The encounter with Zen brings us to achieve peace and harmony spaces that allow us to leave out the “noise” in the contemporary world. Associated with its original philosophy, Zen decor for reflection and rest the outside world.

Colors
The colors used in Zen style decor or are primarily white and full range of neutral colors: browns, grays and beiges. The color can only be given by a decorative object, like a touch of green or red spot or detail some elements.

Materials
The materials used in Zen are those natural or less industrialized state: natural wood, stone, etc.. In bathrooms and kitchens is preferred that the ceramic stone before. Light wood floors, eg. beech, are preferred over dark floors, eg. in wenge.keep update with

Furniture
The furniture in the Zen style should follow the greatest simplicity in his lines. Low furniture, straight lines that invite the order and, in most cases, retain the natural wood color. Avoid furniture with baroque curves and not naturally combine with the sense of simplicity of Zen

The light-colored wood goes well with the Zen, but you can use a dark wood if all the other decorative elements are clear.

Lighting
The light should always be subtle, indirect, hidden artifacts, making a soft and sensual, conducive to meditation and relaxation. Because of its great importance in interior design, lighting is a key factor in the setting of spaces Zen

Objects
The choice of decorative objects should be neat and austere. Among the few decorations that allow these spaces can highlight objects of glass or wood, although wood furniture on a glass vase is most appropriate. The walls may be bare, but allows you to place a box making sure that the type of frame and sheet combined with the overall decor.

The Buddhist touch, images or relics, fine decor combined with Zen, which initially appears as rest of the outside world, meditation retreat and spiritual techniques.

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The true roots of Zen mystic and philosophical are in the life and teachings of Buddha in the sixth century BC, and even further back, to the spiritual traditions of Hinduism contained in the Vedas. The Zen reaches its ultimate expression in Japan in mid XIII century, profoundly influenced the mentality and customs of traditional Japanese culture, which still continues to be taught and practiced today in various Zen schools and monasteries

In the last decades of the twentieth century, the West Zen influence reaches its philosophy and practice in various fields, including architecture and decoration.

The philosophy or spiritual basis of Zen (indispensable for understanding its impact on western decor) focuses on seeking enlightenment and inner peace and harmony through simple, everyday actions (as the legacy of the Buddha), providing at all times support for daily living.

The art of painting or calligraphy, meditation, rituals, martial arts, the ceremony of serving tea or arranging flowers are some of the activities that are defining and influencing the Zen simplicity in your daily life .

Each of these activities is aimed at enlightenment. All explore various features of the Zen experience and can be used to train the mind and bring it into contact with ultimate reality. These same concepts and searches are those that inspire the Zen in the West, bringing their style of life to the buildings, objects and forms of contemporary life.

Although we find it simpler to understand some basic concepts of Zen, Zen approach the criterion, delve deep into his philosophy. For this we have a few paragraphs clarifying the book “The Tao of Physics” by Fritjof Capra:

“The Zen is a unique blend of philosophies and idiosyncrasies of three different cultures. It is a typically Japanese way of life, yet it reflects the mysticism of India, the love of naturalness and spontaneity of Taoism and deep pragmatism Confucianism mind. “