Top tips for a beautiful bathroom

What makes a perfect bathroom:

1) Simple tiles or finishings
Keep the colours light and design simple, most bathrooms are not gigantic and this will keep the room feeling spacious.

2) Carefully thought out layout
Layout makes a lot of difference as it can make a smal space more efficient. If needed get a professional opinion for the best layout. make sure there is enough storage space and enough space to move around freely.

3) Great lighting
Whether you have a naturally well lit bathroom or not, artificial lighting will make a big difference to the comfort of the room. Make sure you have a central light as well as one above or integrated in the mirror.

3) Colour coordinated towels and accessories
Look in magazines and online to see what colour towels and accessories would suit the colours of your bathroom. These elements should go well together and create a pleasant feeling.

4) Free from clutter
Although there will occasionally be some clutter in the bathrom, try to plan storage spaces and keep supplies to a minimum. Keeping surfaces bare will make the bathroom easier to clean and the space more pleasant to look at.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Light up my breakfast table

Over the past few weeks I have been designing a kitchen for a couple who specifically requested an island to use as a breakfast table, work surface and storage.

If you are thinking of redesigning your kitchen so that it includes an island where you can have a snack here are my three top tips:

1. Make sure the island is the right depth and height. You want to be able to use the surface to work standing up, as well as eat sitting on a stool. Also think about the size of the cabinets and/or shelving.

image via Pinterest

image via Pinterest

2. Choose nice stools, simple wood ones or colourful to match a detail in the tiles or lighting. Make sure you try them out to see if they are comfortable before you buy.

Svelto bar stool, Ercol

Sinnerling stool, Ikea

3. Pay attention to the lighting. Eating in the dark or in dim lighting is not pleasant. Plus you will often use your breakfast table to sit and read the newspaper or a magazine. So make sure you plan the lighting so it is directly above the island. Small pendant lights (25 to 35 cm diameter) are ideal and can add a touch of colour and style to your kitchen.

Browsing around the web I found these simple but elegant lamps by Muuto.

Ambit by TAF architects for Muuto

Unfold, by From us with Love for Muuto

There. This is my first three tips post. It's going to be a monthly feature in my blog so let me know if there is any Interior design topic you'd like me to cover!

Have a great week!

lx

Designing my workspace

Today I am looking for ideas to style my workspace.

I have a home office that is currently full of boxes and very untidy. My plan is to make it into a beautiful study where it will be a pleasure to work, make art, and even do my accounting! : )

Following a friend's advice, I've decided to treat myself as a client and to give myself a proper consultation... It might sound a bit strange but I think I'll get the job done better this way!

So here is my step by step plan.
1. Define client profile
2. Define client's needs
3. Look for visual references
4. Create a moodboard and choose palette
5. Design space
6. Furnish room
7. Decorate and style

Over the next few months I'll update the blog as I progress towards my dream study (hopefully it won't take too long!).
Anyway. So far I have reached step 3.

Step 1.
CLIENT PROFILE
Woman, 33 years old.
Job: Interior designer and Illustrator who works from home.
Relevant hobbies: sketching, jewellery making
Notes: tends to be untidy, has lots of art supplies and boxes of old cards

Step 2.
NEEDS/DREAMS
A tidy organized workspace.
Desk with space for laptop, lamp and space to draw
Bookcase with books and space for filing
Space for art work and art supplies, jewellery kit, photocamera, printer.
If possible fit in sofa bed or daybed.

Step 3.
VISUAL REFERENCE
I have been keeping an eye out for inspiration in magazines and online. Here is a peek of all the inspiring photos I'm gathering in a Pinterest folder to start getting a feel of my dream study.

SFgirlbybay via Pinterest

Stylemepretty via Pinterest

SFgirlbybay via Pinterest

Decor8 via Pinterest

Bicyclette Boutique via Pinterest

In my next post about my study I'll define the palette and create a moodboard.

So far I have a loose idea of the colour palette: black, white and pink. This choice is based on my personal taste and on a few items I have in my study that I want to keep. My bright pink laptop-stand, a black paint brush holder I received as a gift from a friend, my white desk and bookcase.

If you are also redecorating and styling your workspace you might like to read these articles:
Creating a girly and glam workspace on Stylemepretty

PS: I'll be working on a workspace 'for him' after I've finished my study!

PPS: remember how I like spotting cool design blogs! Well looking for photos for my sudio I found this lovely blog called SFgirlbybay. Worth a visit!

note: Photo credits and links under each photo. All photos via Pinterest.

10 things to do before Christmas

With the Interior design course exam nearing I need a to do list for Christmas to make sure I get everything done. Here goes:

1. Buy or make and then send Christmas cards
This year I am printing out some cards with my illustrations on them. I love greetings cards, both hand made and bought. I really like these cards by 'Printstitchandpaste' on etsy. And it's always nice when people send a family photo with a festive message.

2. Make an advent calendar
I'm hoping to be able to make mine this year and have been looking for inspiration on Pinterest. (Hopefully I'll be able to update with a post about my diy!)

Casafacile via Pinterest

Norske Interior blogger via Pinterest

3. Make a traditional English Christmas cake
Do you have a trusted recipe passed down from your grandma? Or maybe you love searching the net for the perfect new twist to a classic cake. Why not do a bit of both. Last year we used this video by Tickly Mouth which is really easy to follow. Then we used my muickm's recipe book for the icing (click here for a similar recipe). It reached universal approval.
(for more recipes by Tickly Mouth see their youtube channel,or follow them on Facebook)

via Pinterest

4. Buy or make Christmas presents
Well, everyone has a different way of getting this job done. You can buy from the internet (Amazon for books and dvds, Etsy for handmade or custom gifts, for a start). Go down the high street and pop into your favourite shops. Make everyone something special like a painting, a woolly hat, biscuits or homemade jam (see these ideas on howtobuildit.org).
For children it's good to get one special present and a few stocking fillers, because then there are a lot more things to unwrap, and that's the best part. So add a new toothbrush, socks, pencils or crayons.

5. Buy or find a Christmas CD, or prepare a playlist on the tablet

I love Christmas Carols (here is a link if you need to spruce up your lyrics!) and christmassy rock songs (read this article on Rolling stone for some ideas!) that you can have on in the background while your decorating the tree...

6. Decorate the Christmas tree and style your home

Choose a day and set aside some time to decorate in style. Invite your family or friends round, put on some music and have a cup of tea and buscuits while they all join in. Everyone has a different way of decorating a Christmas tree. You can pick a colour scheme, or you can use all the decorations you have and have gathered over the years and make something colourful. You choose. The only rule is have fun!

Homedit via Pinterest

Camille Styles via Pinterest

7. Organize Christmas parties or dinners with friends and colleagues

Take time out of your busy schedule to plan a few gatherings with special friends and your colleagues. Even just a drink before dinner during the first few days of December can be a nice way to say Merry Christmas to people who are special to you.

8. Plan big Christmas lunch (who's bringing what, who's house this time)

This part takes major planning... but not on my part! I am spoiled since the senior ladies in my family do most of the work! My mother-in-law cooks an amazing feast, my mum adds wonderful trimmings (you can find her recipes in her blog 'Cappuccino and brioche'!) and my brother's mother-in-law makes wonderful Italian dolci. But if you are the one doing the planning this article on www.netmums.com seems pretty helful!.

9. Wrap the Christmas presents

I read in a magazine that a great place to wrap your presents is on your ironing board because it's the right height so you're not straining your back. Try it if you have a lot of parcels to wrap... Make sure you have enough wrapping paper and string and add a little tag for the name. You can make your own out of cardboard and a piece of string, buy pretty ones on the internet or shop, or even download printable tags.

pintable tags, image via Pinterest

10. Take some time to think about love
Christmas is a time to focus on joy and love and to be grateful for what we have, to fill our hearts with love towards our friends, family and neighbours. Whether you go to church, have a gathering with friends, go for a walk with your partner, sit quietly meditating, now is the time to let the light into our hearts and allow it to fill us with warmth.

note: credits to images and links are under each photo.

Interior design and my first renderings

Two years ago I started a masters program at a local school to specialise in designing interiors. Now I'm preparing my final project for the exam in December.
Each student has to redesign a fictitious appartment which needs renovating according to the needs of imaginary clients.
I have been given an imaginary couple as my clients. They are in their forties.
Our teacher spelled out their interests and hobbies. She's a university professor and loves cooking. He has a travel agency and collects artwork.

I have designed the appartment. The clients wanted a master bedroom with on suite bathroom and wellness area. A guest room/study/gym (!). A guest bathroom. A kitchen, dining area and lounge (which in my project are one open space). Lots of space for their books. Their art collection dotted around the house.

Now all I have left to do are the 3D renderings (in Italian they call these 'i render'). These are the perspective drawings of the various rooms created using a 3D model to which you add materials, colours and lighting to create an image which resembles a photograph of what the house will look like.

Renderings take a long time to make and require a lot of expertise if they are to be of high quality. There are professionals who specialise solely in making renderings for other designers. However there are some special computer programs that enable you to make quick renderings, very useful to give your client several options and to make changes along the way. These type of 3d images are used especially in the retail business, for example in shops that sell furniture, kitchens and bathrooms.

A rendering is very useful to give your client a feel of a space. Together with plans, sketches and moodboards you should be able to imagine exactly what the designer is dreaming up.

Over the next few weeks I'll post a few renderings of the appartment. Here is the one I made last night of the 'bagno giorno', the guest bathroom. I use to make renderings when I did my internship in an architects studio, but they had often been set up by other designers and I just had to add bits and bobs, change the colours or materials. This is the first time I do one completely on my own, from the design itself to the 3d model, from the lighting to the materials, so I'm quite proud of myself!

il bagno giorno - rendering

Design blogs that rock

You know those websites and blogs you fall in love with at first sight, and then keep going back to for inspiration? Well I have quite a few. I often get carried away browsing the net and admiring all the great photos and posts I find.

So here are some of my favourites:

design sponge: an amazing blog beautiful and inspiring

la tazzina blu: even if you don't read Italian, this blogger posts lovely home tours, wishlists and styling ideas

la volpe rossa: an Italian blog about Interior design by a young Student of design. This blog is super new and is really worth a visit!

Theydrawandcook: the website founded by a brother and sister illustrating duo, publishing illustrated recipes and now illustrated food as well.

Theydrawandtravel: their sister website that gathers illustrated maps by illustrators worldwide.

And my latest favourite:

Koosje Koene illustration - a blog written by a Dutch illustrator, who share her tips and pages of her sketchbook. If you like drawing you'll love her draw tip tuesday posts!


Plus I have recently started using my tumblelog (ladybirdskecthes.tumblr.com is my online sketchbook on tumblr) more regularly and keep dicovering really inspiring blogs by artist and designers!

There are so many beautiful blogs and websites on the internet, I am in awe of all the people running them and sharing their work. It's so inspiring and I feel priviledged to be able to see all these photos and images...

Do you have a favourite blog?

Round-up from the Salone Satellite

Just over a month ago I visited the Milan Furniture Fair. The Fair is really big, and ideally you need to spend three days there to see everything... I only had half a day, (I spent the morning at the Fuori Salone, which you can read about here, if you like), so I decided to focus on a select few pavillions and areas. My first stop was the Salone Satellite.

The Salone Satellite is a part of the main Fairgrounds dedicated to young desingers, most of them just starting out, all under 35. It's a fascinating area of the fair, where very fresh ideas and prototypes are displayed in wooden four-by-four stands, each designer standing next to his work, unless he's on a coffee break or visiting the fair. Unlike the rest of the Salone, which requires a ticket, it can be visited for free.

After spending a few hours there, taking pictures and asking questions about the products, I had plenty of business cards and leaflets in my handbag, and I had seen many noteworthy designs.

Here are some of my personal top 10 designs, the designers and the links to their websites:

Furniture by Studio Pousti, Iran.

Myriam Pousti and her Furniture, which requires no screws or glue

Andusa and Terrasse by SCMP design, Switzerland

Andusa, outdoor-indoor vases

Terrasse, a carpet inspired by patios and gardens

photos SCMP design

Mood Cups by Frederique Ficherouille, Belgium.

Ceramic 'Mood cups'

Fugu bag and Samurai Chair by Benwu Studio

Fugu bag has inflatable shock proof padding

Samurai chair and Sumo chair upholstery

As if from Nowhere by Orla Reynolds, Ireland.

'Rings' lamp by Garay Studio, Spain.

Rings by Garay Studio

Photo by Garay Studio

Concrete by Anna Badur, Germany

'Concrete', photo from Anna Badur's website

Photo Anna Badur

Zlata Light by Kimxgensapa

Plug in baby and Edu Wardrobe Daniel Wehrli Industrial design, Switzerland

A new way to take your shoes off

A wardrobe made using minimum material

Wooden Aquerel by Maike Harde, Germany

Wooden Aquerel

There were lots of other interesting designs so if you would like to see other round-ups of the Salone Satellite here are the posts from two of my favourite blogs:

- La Tazzina blu's personal top 10 of the Padiglione Satellite

- Design Sponge: Dipatches from the Salone Satellite

Photos by Laura Stratta, unless otherwise stated. (credits under each photo)

Aspettando il Salone del Mobile

Or..

7 reasons to visit the Salone.

These are some pictures I took last year at the fair. I have been wanting to share them for some time and now, with the fair starting in just over a week, seems like a good moment!

This is the building where the main part of the fair takes place, where designers and producers exhibit their work.

The 'Fiera di Milano', in the town of Rho in the outskirts of Milan, was designed by Italian Architect Massimiliano Fuksas and his team, in 2004. 

Here is what it looked like on a beautiful sunny day last April. 

the pavillions are joined together by a long open air sheltered street.

spot the supermum with the baby in the sling!

some pavillions are two stories high. there are restaurants and cafés

Visit the Eurocucina pavillion if you love designer kitchens

Water and light are the main elements in this building

I hope you enjoyed this selection of photos. Have a wonderful Easter day!

If you would like to read about my first visit to the Salone del Mobile here is the link to my posts:

My visit to the Salone del Mobile

Ciao!

King Salomon and lots of homework...

Illustration by Laura Stratta

Today I have been working hard on my course work. I have been designing the open plan living area for  a forty something couple.

While you wait for me to scan the latest sketches(exciting!), here is an illustration I did for my brother's law firm website. He never used it though.
It's about the role of moderators in litigation (I think!?). Anyway it shows king Salomon and the two mothers fighting over a baby. The story is rather dramatic, but here we imagined the ladies and the soldier being puzzled by the king suggestion to cut the baby in half and thinking he had a screw loose...

Back to work!

Interior design course and news from Elisa

first sketches

Hey! As you may have noticed I have been off line for some time. My course is taking up quite a lot of my time at the moment. Exams are in May! So I have been spending a bit more time on the project than before. Here is a first study I did of the appartment I am redesigning.

My monthly interviewee for January said she'd rather be interviewed in February so we'll be skyping soon!

In the mean time here is a link to a contest my friend Elisa is taking part in.
She has designed a shelving sistem and submitted it to the 'Design on demand' platform.

Here is the link if you'd like to support her project!
SLOT by Elisa Muterle on desall.com

More from Meike

Here are two pieces of design that are both original and beautiful, by German Designer Meike Harde.

Hybrid Cabinet, design 2014

This is a storage and display cabinet made out of a fine woven metal mesh. It is produced in two versions, brass or dark steel. As the pictures show these are ideal to display fine glasses or china. 

I can imagine them in an elegant minimalistic dining area, with pastel colour walls (mint?) a white table and dark wooden chairs!

hybrid cabinet in two versions

Colourful chairs

Here are some lovely chairs I really want you to see! What colour would you choose for one of these Aluminium chairs by Italian producers Vitra?

Aluminium chairs by Charles and Ray Eames

And here are two animal inspired chairs produced by italian producers Kristalia, both by designer duo Neuland. I love the rocking version of the elephant chair!