Home Furniture Reference

Posts Tagged ‘House’

Alameda, CA (PRWEB) January 30, 2012

The Jewelry Department highlights sought after pieces that are sure to please in the February Estate Sale. A classic Tiffany & Co. diamond and platinum engagement ring is a timeless piece of exceptional quality. The ring centers a round brilliant cut diamond weighing approximately 0.95 carats and is accented by fifteen full cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.20 carats. The stones exhibit beautiful color and clarity and are set in platinum. Signed Tiffany & Co. (lot 127, $ 2,500-3,500).

Making an appearance once again on the auction room floor are Ippolita jewelry pieces. Ippolita has been extremely popular in previous offerings at Michaans and we are pleased to have a varied assortment in wonderful condition yet again. One such piece is lot 100, an Ippolita diamond, 18k yellow gold Anniversary bracelet. The asymmetric links are encrusted in approximately three hundred and forty full cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 3.00 carats. Signed Ippolita Anniversary 2010 ($ 2,500-3,500). Also available is an Ippolita Party ring featuring blue chalcedony, mother-of-pearl and blue topaz set in 18k yellow gold. Signed Ippolita (lot 104, $ 700-900).

Amongst the Asian Departments sale of porcelains, jades, furniture, ivory, coral, artworks and decorative items is lot 204, a collection of Asian style jewelry ($ 400-600). The pieces in the unusual grouping were purchased in Hong Kong in the 1960s and 70s, displaying numerous ethnic and Asian design nuances. The collection is indicative of its provenance, coming from the Napa estate of a world traveler and collector. Of the three beaded and inlaid necklaces is a Tibetan style coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite necklace featuring stone ornamentation on the chain and a medallion centerpiece with three ornate drops. The necklace shows quality workmanship and is handsomely displayed in a custom made, fitted box. Completing the lot is a three specimen coral ring measuring approximately 2 1/2 inches in height and an enamel, floral motif bangle bracelet displaying lovely blue and green tones and cut out designs.

The Furniture and Decorations Department presents a variety of lots including porcelain service sets, folk art, vintage accessories, decorative pipes, clocks, rugs and silver. Lot 380 is a Rosenthal Winoblad Studio Line dinner service set that serves eight ($ 3,000-4,000). The set is fashioned in the Magic Flute Pattern which was based upon opera imagery. The continuous artwork on the pieces depict stylized figures cavorting amongst animals, flora and fauna. The heavy gold leaf work is absolutely gorgeous, making the set a lovely addition for a formal dinner party.

The Fine Art portion of the February auction is largely composed of 18th, 19th and 20th century European and American works of art. Offerings include but are not limited to sculpture, watercolors, oil paintings, drawings, lithographs, etchings, block prints and ceramics. Numerous prominent California artists are featured in the sale including Henrietta Berk, Carl Jonnevold, Leslie B. Buck and Melanie Taylor Kent. Highlighting the European offerings is an Achille Lauge oil, masterfully yet simply depicted in a realist style. Basket of Roses displays a gathering of blush and red blooms in and about a simple wicker basket. From one of the most coveted names comes this eternally collectable painting, offered as lot 516 ($ 8,000-12,000).

The illustrated auction catalog will be on-line for review at http://www.michaans.com. Previews open at Michaans Auctions on February 3 and continue until the day of sale. For more information please visit our website or call the front desk at (510) 740-0220.

About Michaans Auctions

Michaans Auctions is one of the leading full service auction houses on the West Coast. Specializing in the appraisals and sale of antiques and fine art, Michaans has specialists in the fields of Furniture and Decorative Arts, Modern, Contemporary Art, European and American Paintings and Prints, Jewelry, Asian Works of Art and Ethnographic Art. Offering free art appraisal, antique appraisal, estate auctions and specializing in the sale of art and antiques and other fine collectibles.

Established in 2002, Michaans Auctions holds up to thirty sales each year attracting a broad base of buyers and consignors from all over the world. With one of the largest facilities in Northern California and the Bay Areas lowest buyers premium Michaans offers buyers and sellers the opportunity to preview and bid on many unique and desirable property. Some of these pieces realized world record prices. In 2005 A.D.M. Coopers oil painting, Three Graces 1915, sold for a record $ 21,060 and an Eduard Gaertner oil, German City Street Scene 1831,sold for $ 266,000.

Michaans has built its reputation on its ability to accept single items, groups or entire estates with its no risk consignment policy free of hidden fees and charges. Michaans specialists are dedicated to staying current on the latest issues and developments in the market and are committed to providing personalized and professional attention throughout the entire auction process.

For a full listing of upcoming auctions or to view a complete catalog, please visit http://www.michaans.com.

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Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 15, 2012

Originally built in 1907, this former carriage house and stable was part of the historic Ayer Estate on the North Shore of Boston, Massachusetts. The ocean front estate, then known as Avalon, was built for Mr. Frederick Ayer, whose daughter, Beatrice, was courted by and later married to General George Patton. In the 1980s the carriage house was converted into condominiums, albeit uninspiring ones possessing the air of a developers white box. The homeowners purchased their 5,600 square foot condo in 2004 and commissioned the award winning Boston based interior design firm Wilson Kelsey Design to create an elegant, Old World styled home with inspiration from a French Country and European palette. It was interior designer Sally Wilson who discovered that although their original directive was traditional, it was really a preference for something more Continental that defined the homeowners.

One would imagine that a carriage house of this era would hold, at least to some degree, historic and beautiful architectural details. However, this was not the case. All of the homes architectural features – moldings, millwork, cabinetry, fireplace, etc. were designed by Wilson Kelsey Design. When the homeowners described their inclination towards French design, I referenced pictures of Versailles and used their inspiration to design scaled-back solutions that would mesh with modern living, says interior design partner John Kelsey. And because most New England stock millwork profiles are Colonial, Kelsey had to find resources who would fabricate European details.

Features within the transformed home include an authentically styled French Country kitchen with exposed brick walls, shutters, and custom cabinetry and millwork reminiscent of antique furnishings and cupboards. The client wanted the feeling of a large European country kitchen with many amenities so that the family would want to cook and spend time there. A custom built-in sofa was designed to face the new gas fireplace, and encourage lingering at the table. The owner instructed the designers to hide all the technology.Two antique chandeliers, one from Newport, RI and the other from Charleston, SC, contribute to the old world feeling that the client wanted.

The living area is a stunning French-style salon furnished with a collection of new upholstery and antiques, a newly designed but centuries old-looking cast stone fireplace, French style paneling, intricate plaster crown moldings, and an ornamental ceiling. A collection of 18th and 19th Century antiques were acquired to add warmth and character. Antique lighting, antique architectural prints, paintings, and a wall-sized antique tapestry adorn the spaces. They are quite happy here, notes Sally, They love the rich paneling and detailed moldings, complemented with Directoire and Regency furniture, gilded mirrors, Italian crystal and metal chandeliers, tapestries, and defining millwork. Here, finally, they feel at home. As a reminder of the home’s ancestry, Wilson Kelsey discovered the original blueprint for the carriage house/stable, and had it digitally re-mastered and framed for display in the new kitchen dining area. It shows a carriage room, cow stalls, horse stalls, hay area, carriage washing bay, auto washing bay, harness room, and grooms room.

The renovation of this home has garnered Wilson Kelsey Design over ten regional and national design awards including The Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America New Englands 2011 award for Best Residential Interior Design and Interior Renovation. The Bulfinch Award recognizes individuals and firms who preserve and advance New Englands classical design tradition. The project appeared on the cover of New England Home magazine and is featured in the 2012 Spring issue of North Shore Magazine. Celebrated for creating elegant, yet genuinely livable homes, Sally Wilson, ASID and John Kelsey continue to garner acclamations for their design talents.

About Wilson Kelsey Design

Wilson Kelsey Design is an award-winning, Boston-based interior design firm comprised of the husband/wife team of Sally Wilson, ASID and John Kelsey. They are unique in that they bridge the gap between architect and decorator and share a strong technical background. The former producer of This Old House magazine referred to their work as heavy-duty interior design. In organizing their firm, they have divided the labor between them into the hard and the soft. John designs and details the hard interior architectural detailing, cabinet design, lighting, interior construction drawings, construction field supervision, and consultant coordination. Sally initiates and implements project concepts inclusive of interior design, furniture, decorative lighting, antiques, fabrics, and color and finish selections. Their joint skill set was imperative for this condo renovation.

WILSON KELSEY DESIGN

Phone: 978-741-4234

Website: http://www.wilsonkelseydesign.com

Blog: http://blog.wilsonkelseydesign.com

You may have constructed your house using the most expensive construction materials but without proper and matching interiors you cannot convert your house into a home. Choosing attractive furniture that can make your house kook more attractive and beautiful is really essential.

The kind of furniture you use for you house speaks about your style and standard. It makes a lasting impression on your relative and guests. When choosing furniture and interiors for your house you should consider furniture Bulgaria. The kind of furniture available in furniture stores Bulgaria is unique, and rare. You will not get the same kind anywhere else.

You will great a great variety in lounge cushions, tables, book stands, chairs, luxury cushions, bean bags, wooden furniture, dining table and kitchen furniture. If you are looking to design you new apartment or redesign your existing house, you can do it very easily by choosing Bulgaria furniture.

Check out the latest variety online. If you want to stand out in the crowd then you must choose the traditional furniture. You can also enjoy a great variety in colour, design, cut and size. The cost of furniture stores Bulgaria is also affordable. You can furnish apartment with Bulgaria furniture and make it look as new as new house.

If you want your furniture to stay in fashion and don’t not want to change it every season then it is important that you choose subtle and fine designs because they in style forever. Go with basic shades of brown and black because they go with all types of wall colours.

Also, Bulgaria furniture comes in adjustable and foldable designs so that you can keep them aside when not in use and can increase the space in your house. These styles are really great and enhance the ambience of your house.

Furniture is the basic essence of any home. Whatever be the kind of furniture, it is the soul of the house. Whether it is a simple iron garden chair, an exquisite leather sofa set or the delicately carved wooden bar you always wanted to adorn your dining room with, the furniture at display contributes in an immense way to the overall appearance of the house. Not only is it a reflection of your tastes, but also of the kind of efforts that have gone into making your house a good place to live in.

To plan the décor of your house, primarily decide on a broad outline. Picking a theme will help you decide on the nuances of what all should go into the nitty-gritty of the plan. What would you like it to look like at the end of your efforts? Archetypal to reflect your specific tastes or something generic that everyone would like? Traditional or modern? Rural settings or a more modern, chic city look? Would you prefer a conventional layout or something more adventurous to reflect your free spirit?

Having decided on the overall look thus, it is time to look around for available items to satisfy your requirements. A quick look at any routine interior designing magazine will give you a fair idea of the items available for sale. A search on the internet is likely to yield similar results, as most of the modern stores today have an online presence and give you the convenient option of placing orders online. If you have some money to spare, hiring a professional interior designer to give you a comprehensive plan would definitely be a worthwhile investment.

Let us take one case – buying a suitable table for your dining room. The choices available are many. Depending on the overall theme you decided, you could go in for traditional Amish furniture, handcrafted to perfection. Known for its simple, functional designs, Amish dining room furniture gives an ideal time-honored look. Amish made furniture is a rage amongst traditional furniture lovers, and is sure to add that extra grace to your bedroom.

Looking for something more modern? Try out the wrought iron bed with matching side tables available at sale nearly everywhere. Strong and sturdy, it is ideal for homes with small children who can jump around with gay abandon without having to look continuously over their shoulder. Generally available in black or other dark shades, the furniture is mostly carbon-black painted. Be sure to confirm that you are getting the proper quality, as cheap variants with low cost and lower lives abound.

Decided to go in for the rural look? Straight, simple pieces are then for you. If you are talking rural, size definitely matters. Broad, straight cut, sturdy looking beds are what you should be aiming at. Thanks to the oodles of space in rural areas, the size of the furnishings is generally large. A bed for two would generally happily accommodate at least three ordinary city folk! Look around for a couple of large earthen pots, which could be modified as lamps to complete the overall look.

These are just a small selection of the possible settings. Others like Leather upholstery, Italian wood, Wood laminates, are just a few of the large variety available. Choices abound like never before. Just decide on the basics and step out – the world is your oyster.

While decorating your house, it is very important to put beautiful pieces of furniture in your house manufactured by recognized companies. It is advised to design your house with quality furniture as indoor as well as outdoor furniture works as to reflect mentality of people residing in the house. In this fashionable world, the demand of indoor wood furniture has been increased to the great extent. A number of online companies available offering all types of indoor as well as outdoor wood furniture at economical rates.

Indoor furniture is different than outdoor furniture

All types of reputed furniture are suited as indoor furniture, but outdoor furniture depends upon the climatic condition. Materials employed in outdoor wood furniture need to be sturdy enough to withstand numerous temperatures, a certain amount of moisture from rain, dew, etc. and humidity. Pieces of furniture manufactured by reputed companies ensure you that they need regular oiling, cleaning and care. In fact, sometimes, you can leave them for months, or even years, and it will remain as strong as it was when you bought it.

Indoor wood furniture includes bedroom furniture, office furniture, lounge and dining room furniture etc. Most of the reputed companies sell these beautifully crafted pieces of furniture at economical costs. Indoor furniture made from finest quality of Mahogany or Teak wood that ensures longevity of your furniture. Indoor furniture covers all areas of the house, bedroom, lounge, dining room and occasional furniture.

Cleaning

If you have furniture, then it is necessary for you to clean furniture on a regular basis; hence they look beautiful and get increased life of furniture. Cleaning furniture does not mean that they are dirty. This is especially important if you want to see them shining. Especially dining table should be cleaned regularly as food particles can work their way into the spaces between pieces of wood that were employed to make up the table. Such a type of food particles will break down over time and may lead to damage to your table.

Finding indoor wood furniture

There are a number of online companies available offering all types of indoor as well as outdoor furniture at cost effective rates. For finding a reputed and reliable furniture manufacturer, you need to make an extensive search through the internet.

Making home improvements can sometimes be really expensive but some improvements or repairs are unavoidable and if the necessary cash is not available you need to resort to some source of finance. For these situations, the loan industry has created home improvement loans. Read on if you want to know how they work.

Long after the appearance of home loans, some lenders understood that the same system used for granting loans for the purchase of a property could be used for granting loans to make improvements to the asset. That’s how secured home improvement loans appeared. Lately some personal loans where tailored for financing home improvements and unsecured home improvement loans are now available too.

Secured Or Unsecured

Since both options are available to home owners, the decision whether to resort to secured or unsecured home improvement loans will be taken according to the needs of the borrower and the benefits that each type provide. Both types of loans are suitable for doing what they are supposed to do: provide financing for making home improvements. But, before rushing in to apply for a loan it is wise to see which best suits your needs.

Secured home improvement loans are secured with the same asset as your mortgage loan. If you do not have a mortgage loan, these loans actually take the form of a mortgage loan. If you already have an outstanding mortgage, they take the form of a second mortgage also known as home equity loan. The interest rate charged for these loans is considerably lower than unsecured loans and the repayment programs can also be longer. Moreover, the loan amounts are more generous since there is less risk involved for the lender.

Unsecured home improvement loans on the other hand, come with higher interest rates and shorter repayment programs. The loan amount you can obtain is also lower. However, due to their unsecured nature, the risk of repossession is not present and though more expensive, shorter and smaller, the differences are not that noteworthy. If you do not need too much money and you prefer to repay your loan sooner, applying for unsecured loans is safer and faster.

Requirements

Getting approved for a home improvement loan is rather easy. Since the purpose of the loan is to make home improvements, repair the property and / or redo it, the lenders are not so picky. Given that the improvements raise the property value, the lender is actually contributing to increase the overall value of the asset that is securing his loan even if the loan is actually unsecured.

Nevertheless, unsecured loans do have more strict credit requirements but are approved faster. The main requirement is your credit score rating. A good credit score will guarantee approval while a bad credit score may complicate it. There are lenders providing bad credit home improvement loans but they are not common. If secured, home improvement loans approval is almost guaranteed because the lender has sufficient security ensuring that he will be able to recover his money one way or another.

The exterior of the house is as important as the interior and one needs to devote quality time and good amount of money to plan and designed the house exterior. As interior designing is vital for the home to add elegance in the dull house, similarly exterior of the house like garden and portico also need to be carefully designed to maintain the overall elegance of the house. The exterior portion of the house like garden need to be decorated with the staggering range of outdoor furniture, which not only add elegance to the garden but also increases the utility of the garden. There are variety of outdoor furniture options for the people to choose and right from patio furniture to swings, to garden chairs, to benches, to hammocks, to picnic tables, people have limitless option. The extensive range of outdoor furniture is not just limited to common outdoor furniture items but it also include decorative pieces like arbors, gazebos, arches, bridges, and umbrellas.

Outdoor furniture is designed and manufactured catering to the requirements of the different customers who wish to obtain high quality outdoor furniture that are also in sync with the latest style and designs. Manufacturers of outdoor furniture have to be extremely careful as these furniture pieces are subjected to lot of wear and tear due to natural elements like wind, rain, and heat. Moisture is the major enemy of the outdoor furniture and hence, only high quality wood like teak is  used in the making of furniture. But due to the expensive price and bulky nature of teak outdoor furniture, manufacturers have to come up with synthetic option like plastic, plywood, and fiber. These synthetic materials are moisture and decay resistant and are lightweight and easy to maintain.  In addition these materials can be easily molded into different shapes and designs hence offering people with attractive and elegant range of outdoor furniture. Sharp edges found in the traditional outdoor furniture is brilliantly replaced by curves that ideally support the body contours.   

Outdoor furniture is designed not only keeping in mind the functional value of the furniture but also  their aesthetic quality. Elegantly designed outdoor furniture not only fulfill the purpose of furnishing the garden but it also adds a quaint charm to the house. The use of bright and vibrant colors in the outdoor furniture also make the garden bright and colorful. Keeping in mind the tough weather condition, many manufacturers have started making metal outdoor furniture, which is mostly made up of aluminum and wrought iron. The easy malleability of these metals allows the manufacturers to create various unique designs without compromising on the quality. People buying the outdoor furniture keep in mind the style, comfort, size and price factor of the furniture.

Home improvement is nothing but the process of renovating, remodeling or making some changes to the existing home. Home improvement is one of the best ways to raise the worth of your investment property.

Home improvement can come in many types. Some of them include flooring, painting walls, installing air conditioning systems, adding new carpets, upgrading sinks in the bathroom and kitchen, adding new tiles, etc. These are just some types to mention. Still there are many ways to improve your home.

Home improvement tips to raise the Value and beauty of your house:

Develop the exterior of your house:

Always start home improvement with the exterior of your house as this is the major part of your property. Home exterior is the place which buyers see first. If a buyer impress with this then it precedes him further to think about.

So, home exterior decides a buyer whether he is interested in the property or not. Not only home exterior improve the value of your property, but also it adds beauty to your house.

Apply new paint or set up new sidings:

Applying fresh paint can greatly increase the value of your property. Painting is one of the great steps in home improvement. Painting is a simple and inexpensive way to increase the values of your property. In order to do it right you should follow some basic rules of using paint.

Some home painting tips for your home improvement:

• To appear the living space of your house large use the same paint color in adjoining rooms also.

• To expand room height, use different color for ceiling but use only light colors.

• Paint two cotes if you use light paints.

Landscaping:

This also comes under home exterior. Most of the people simply find landscaped lawns magical, particularly the woman of the house. Lawns arranged with plants, ornaments, and rocks make people to stop and stare for some time.

A green lawn at the front of your house looks great and adds to the beauty of the house. It refreshes your minds and your children can get fun by playing in the lawn. Lawns are companionable to the single-storied houses. A lawn adds a sense of proportion to your house.

Parking area – A matter of concern

Having comfortable parking space for your house obviously increases the worth of your house. Arrange shed in your parking yard to protect your vehicles and also it improves the appearance of your house.

Home interior – Makes your house a home

When you think to make upgrades in your home interior, immediately you will think about bathroom, kitchen, and then bedroom. First, start on these. Plan for new bathtub, tiles, and shower stalls in your bathroom and also arrange a full length mirror. Apply new paint to the interior and exterior of your bathroom.

Make your kitchen so that it has lot of free spaces that can fit a table, two sinks, counter top, usual appliances, and garbage disposal system. Also apply fresh tiles and are not light ones, because, stains will appear clearly on light colored tiles.

It is better to Plan for hardwood floor and proper lighting system at dining area, because it adds a pleasant look to your house.

Carpeting your house is also one of the home improvements. Carpeting improves your house beauty.

Till now you knew what to do for your home improvement. Follow these simple steps to make your home beautiful. So, start now and get your dream home! Visit Home Improvement

The Kitchen is one of the most important and hard working rooms in the house and it is fundamentally important to ensure it is designed to as high a standard as possible.

A well designed Kitchen can lead to a more enjoyable life. Will enable you to move around with more comfort and space, storage will be more professional and efficient, the design will be attractive and uplifting, a point for discussion and a source of inspiration for friends and family.

Most importantly help produce a higher standard of cooking whether it is beans on toast or a 3 course dinner!

An average kitchen lasts up to 20 years, and it’s a purchase most people only make once or twice in their life as can be a large expense.

Whether you like cutting edge modern kitchens, simple yet effective kitchens or more traditional kitchens. It is important you use a specialist kitchen designer who can advise on all aspects from initial design through to installation. And engage in all aspects from kitchen worktops, kitchen furniture as well as where you store your herbs and spices!

Having a professionally designed Kitchen has many benefits enabling you to rediscover the pleasure of spending time in your kitchen.

Work, chat, clean, watch TV, celebrate, eat, socialise, enjoy, relax, meet, greet and last and most important of all cook! To name but a few…

You spend on average at least 2 hours per day in the kitchen and you undertake over 300 different tasks or actions in a kitchen every day. Over the lifetime of your kitchen you can walk literally hundreds of miles between its various sections

For good Kitchen design it is important to incorporate ergonomics – designing space and equipment for maximum quality and freedom of motion for the people using it.

Find the time today to have a more detailed look into the joys of good kitchen design…

Amish furniture making is strongly rooted in tradition, and in particular Amish mission furniture is prized for using this design philosophy that has been literally handed down from generation to generation. The Mission style of furniture making emerged during the nineteenth century and designs that follow this style generally give emphasis to simple horizontal and vertical lines and flat panels that accentuate the grain of the wood. The kind of wood that is used is very important, and therefore it is oak and other hard woods that are picked for construction of mission furniture.

Amish mission furniture has a long tradition of producing handcrafted furniture that is upright, solidly built, sturdy and heirloom quality. As the mission style of furniture provided people in the 19th century with an option to mass produced furniture during the Industrial revolution as well as the ornateness of Victorian styles, so does it offer the modern buyer a break from soulless, assembly line furniture that we commonly find today. Today, thanks to the distribution network that is possible to put in place due to the internet, consumers have access to this classic style of furniture and are able to buy this high quality, no fuss furniture for the entire house.

The benefits of Amish mission furniture are many: for one you are able to access timeless and classic designs that are inspired by the Art & Craft movement that seem never to go out of style. The furniture is made using the best of time tested traditional techniques and joinery, ensuring that the furniture is able to stand the test of time and long term use. The furniture is really long lasting, with a result that it can literally be passed on from generation to generation. Only the finest kinds of raw materials and only solid woods are used to make the furniture. There is none of the plywood, the particle board or the composite material that is commonly used to produce modern furniture.

Amish bedroom sets made in the Mission Style are a very popular choice, with not just beds but also other complementing and accent furniture available. Beds are made using distinctive slats, and you can get style and coordinated dressers, nightstands, bedside tables, chest of drawers, bed steps, etc to go with that.

Amish living room furniture of the Mission style is again a very popular choice among buyers who have a discerning eye for good quality. Mission style rockers are very well-liked due it their classic lines and the levels of extreme comfort they offer. Sofas and chairs also made in the distinctive mission style that uses slats are something that please the eye and never become dated. Coffee and end tables with their clean, uncluttered lines are similarly a joy to behold and consequently a popular choice as well.

The Amish have kept pace with the times and have used the Mission style of furniture making to produce contemporary products such as computer tables and other office furniture; entertainment centers, hutches, buffets, you name it! Amish mission furniture makes it possible to enjoy the best quality furniture made the old fashioned way even today!