Design for a Beautiful Life

Beautiful Movie – Learning to Dance in the Rain (Video)

Joyce — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:01:17 +0000

See this wonderful movie with beautiful images that brings encouragement!

Enjoy!

NHow Hotel Berlin by NPS Tchoban Voss

Joyce — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:55:58 +0000

July 18th, 2011

Extreme cantilever alert! A four-storey block with a mirrored underside juts out from the top of a Berlin hotel, 25 metres above the ground (photos by Roland Halbe).

The huge cantilever comprises the upper floors of the eleven-storey NHow Hotel, which was designed by German architectsNPS Tchoban Voss.

The end of the cantilever is fully glazed whilst the underside is clad in polished aluminium, creating a mirror that reflects the hotel roof below.

Part of the NHow chain, the 310-room hotel contains music facilities that include a ballroom and a sound studio.

Read the whole article here.

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Celebrate What’s Right With the World TM video

Joyce — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 22:47:09 +0000

I really enjoyed watching this video and just wanted to share it in these difficult times. There are always possibilities out there and this video is a wonderful testament to that! Watch and enjoy.

" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" getcurrenttime="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" playmovie="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" pausemovie="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" stopmovie="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" startmovie="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" setmovie="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" viddlerpause="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" viddleropen="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" viddlerswitch="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" viddlerseek="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }" gettimepoint="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" + __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) + "")); }">

Celebrate What’s Right With the World TM

Go to their website at http://www.viddler.com/explore/bethechange/videos/1 and buy their DVD.

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What Colors Will Be Big in 2011?

Joyce — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:05:36 +0000

According to Mythic Paint, next year’s palette will offer warmth and an ethnic influence.

By Jennifer Brite

November 22, 2010

The last weeks of the year are often a time of family gatherings, holiday shopping and general merriment. But those in the design industry also know this is also the time many color forecasters analyze what’s happened in the past year to gain some insight on future trends. Mythic Paint, a manufacturer that specializes in a variety of no-VOC offerings, has compiled insider knowledge gleaned from experts and designers to predict the hottest colors of next year. While no one can truly foretell the future, the company’s insights will surely provide inspiration in your projects for months to come.

Coral—Perfectly paired with blues and golds, coral adds warmth to any room, particularly as an unexpected accent in a bathroom.

Green—Green’s popularity soared in 2010, and 2011 will be just as kind to the versatile color, which works in just about any room in the house.

Yellow—Influenced by Mayan culture and folktales, sunstone gold will be one of the many Native American influences on color next year. Yellow adds a nice burst of color to the home but can be too bold for some. A lighter shade may work for the color shy.

Gray—Gray will be a go-to color in the coming months because it complements any other color. Gray even goes with gray.

Blue—Blue has a split personality. It can trigger feelings of sadness (hence the phrase “feeling blue”), but it’s also the most relaxing color. Icy blue is set to be the dominant shade in 2011.

Red-Cast Blue—Red-cast blue looks like a very deep royal purple, with red and blue undertones. Adding a bit of drama to everyday decors, the color is set to shine next year.

Do you like these colors? I would love your feedback if these colors are your favorites too for the new year! Leave your comments below.

Technorati Tags: color of the year,color trend,Mythic Paint

The New Color of the Year

Our new blog & video – Aging in Place Options!

Joyce — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:27:39 +0000

We have a new blog that deals with universal design and aging in place options. We’ll be transitioning our blog “Universal Design for You” to this new blog eventually. Here’s the link: http://aginginplaceoptions.com/ Curious? Check it out!

And here’s our new video for why we believe that aging in place is so important!

Visiting Paris in my memories….

Joyce — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:19:14 +0000

This wet & cold summer has me dreaming of my trip that I took to Paris back in 2008! So … since I can’t be there physically, I’ll be there in my memories. Here’s my post from that trip in case you missed it! ~

I had the chance to visit Paris for three days this last year. Now you may say, “Three days! That’s hardly worth it!” You may be right but at least I had the chance to BE there. That’s the main thing. I found Paris to have an indefinable air that I tried to explain later to my friends. It was a feeling of finding a place that you didn’t want to leave. Even my All-American husband who prefers steak and hamburgers to quiche any day was mesmerized too. I can’t tell you if it was the chic stores, the amazing food, the friendly people (yes, they were!), but it was hard for all of us to say goodbye. We had such an amazing time.

We took the Eurostar train through the “Chunnel” under the English Channel and arrived in Paris in a few hours. It was like entering a different world with the Art Deco signs for the Metropolitain city train,

the beautiful architecture that was everywhere! I swear, all the buildings look like this, not just some of them!

The lovely French food that was so delicious and flavorful. I enjoyed just savoring it and I felt lighter, not heavier after eating. This was our favorite outdoor cafe by our hotel

near Montmarte.

This was the courtyard outside our hotel window with a cute railing.

We climbed to Sacre Coeur our first day. I didn’t go all the way to the top but stayed and did a quick sketch of the beautiful church.

Here are the beautiful stairs on the side of the church.

Then we took a walk down the hill and discovered Le Opera where the Phantom of the Opera was to have taken place. We got lost going home and wound up walking by the Moulin Rouge.

The next day we went to Notre Dame and went inside the beautiful church.

Next we went to the Louvre but it was closed so we walked through the Jardin des Tuileries instead and out through this gate to see the fountains.

From there we walked up the Champs Elysees to the Arch de Triomphe.

When we saw the Eiffel Tower in the distance we couldn’t wait any longer and walked to see it, crossing the Seine River.

I always thought it was black but it’s actually painted a pinkish color. We took the elevator up to the very top and then afterwards stayed until the lights came on, sparkling like a diamond and the searchlight scanning the heavens. How incredible!

The next day we went back to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa, the artwork and all the gorgeous statuary inside.

There was just so much to see before we caught our plane late that afternoon, even this street call the United States Place.

We packed so much in those three days and now that we’ve just gotten that first taste of Paris, I yearn to go back and visit again. This time for much longer!

Visiting Paris is Just Not Enough…

My blog is carbon neutral!

Joyce — Mon, 31 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

http://www.kaufda.de/umwelt/ in Germany is promoting planting a tree for each blog and domain that supports their mission. “My blog is carbon neutral” is an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it green” programs, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Their goal is to save one million trees. They will plant a tree for you, neutralizing the carbon dioxide emissions of your blog for the next 50 years! The trees will be planted in the spring of 2010 by the Arbor Day Foundation. For more information about how and where the trees are planted, see the NEWS section.

So far they’ve saved 40,838 trees.

If you have a blog, join me in promoting this great cause! Everyone can make a small contribution to the environment. Every tree counts!

Technorati Tags: carbon neutral,Arbor Day,trees,eco-friendly,sustainable,green

Our new blog & video – Aging in Place Options!

Cozy Furniture and Decorating Ideas – How to Make a Room Cozy – House Beautiful

Joyce — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:23:35 +0000

The Perfect Outdoor Escape

Matching Sunbrella upholstery and a round indoor-outdoor rug from Couristan unify an assortment of vintage rattan porch furniture into an open-air living room suite. Behind the chaise longue, a grand hooded basket chair — handed down and restored for generations — presides over a massive table and lightweight French park chairs.

I especially love the huge basket chair! Wouldn’t that be fun to snuggle in? I am so ready for summer!

Cozy Furniture and Decorating Ideas – How to Make a Room Cozy – House Beautiful

Technorati Tags: Outdoor Living,rattan furniture,open-air,Sunbrella,Couristan

Designer Spotlight: Carolyn Quartermaine

Joyce — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:57:10 +0000

She was the designer of the year in 2008, Maison et Objets. As an artist, textile designer and decorator she works from her several studios in France, London & Belgium. What I love her work for is her incredible textile patterns.

You can download a pdf from her site here that showcases her newest work. I love the light airy look of her latest designs.

You know by now how much I love the colors pink and blue! These are stunning, aren’t they?

What is my favorite though are her script patterns. She uses 17th century French calligraphy to make some beautiful pieces. See some of them here -

Here’s a video of Carolyn explaining her methods and philosophy:

Make sure you go to her website to see more of her fantastic collections and work.

Let us know if you enjoyed this designer spotlight and if you’d like to see more of them! We always love your comments.

Technorati Tags: Carolyn Quartermaine,textile design,fabric,fabric patterns,textiles,interior design

John Saladino brings Vermeer’s artistry to life

Would you love to get a free ticket to see HGTV Color Splash Host David Bromstad at the Seattle Design Center?

Joyce — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:52:07 +0000

Eye on Design | David Bromstad

“If “YES” is your answer, tell us why you’d like to meet him in person on Saturday, April 24 at Eye on Design 2010, and you could win a free ticket to attend! Better yet, share a design question about how best to use color and art to transform your home and your question could be among those to be answered “live” on event day. Post your comment here on Nancy Juetten’s blog so you can be entered into this contest for your high value and free event ticket. The most compelling 10 comments will be selected to win, so go deep and tell us what you want to know. Comments must be posted by TODAY Friday, April 16 in order to qualify. Read all about the event via the PRWeb press release.”