Kids-play with Scale
So awkwardly enough, I’ve had ‘Scale’ in my to-write-about file for over a month now and as I indicated in this post earlier this week, one of my favorite ways to play with scale is to include a very large sized print in a small space. Low and behold, this fantastic space has been all over the shelter blogs recently. The large scale animal wall paper is whimsical on its own, but taken to an even larger extreme, the wall paper becomes a statement.
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While playing with scale sometimes means literally taking something and messing with its natural proportions, it can also refer to the symmetry of all of the items in a space together. For instance, in the vignette below, every piece is generally on the same scale, and when paired with the wainscoting which serves to draw the eye downward, the scale of the pieces together as a whole create a more cozy nook.
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But check it out again when we pan out to see the whole room…
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Turns out that table isn’t a dresser, it’s a night stand! And the chair is a kids chair!! But because within the context of the original photo everything was the same scale, our eyes and minds fooled us into thinking they were larger pieces.
This space (and correct me if I’m wrong..but are those some FLOR tiles I spy?) is a beautiful example of how consistent scale in a room can truly create harmony. Everything from the crib, to the leggy chair, stool and dresser combine to fill the space with symmetry in a cheery, cohesive way.
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Of course, scale can literally be represented in designing spaces intentionally for children. This reading nook uses two slender bookcases that offset the junior-sized chair beautifully.
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Perhaps the most functional purpose of scale in children’s design can be credited to the Montessori method where there is a heavy suggestion of scaling everything a child will use to their size…from the bed to the bookcases to the desk and mirror. This space from SewLiberated is the quintessential study in scale for children’s rooms.
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Lastly, before we leave the subject of scale, I have these two examples of home organization areas. Both are designed with kids in mind, one on a grand scale…
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…the other on a smaller scale.
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Both are functional. Both are whimsical. Both make a statement. Both are beautiful. Which just goes to prove that you can do anything with scale so long as your form and function are balanced.
Tags: baby room, design with kids in mind, FLOR tiles, kids designs, kids room, nursery design, scale
January 25, 2012FLOR Story: State Street Studios
I’m an interior designer in Michigan. After working for larger firms for a few years, I opened up my own company Kelly Hansen Interiors in 2004. Shortly after opening my office I learned about FLOR. I always loved the inspiring pictures and I even requested a few samples but I was hesitant to recommend it for residential customers. I wasn’t exactly sure how the installations would go. Most of our customers are used to purchase wall-to-wall carpeting and having an installer put down their new carpet.
In 2009 I expanded my business and opened up a retail furnishing and flooring store in Downtown Howell called State Street Studios. During that time the modular carpeting industry was really picking up in our commercial work. I was hardly recommending any 12’ roll goods for commercial work anymore because the tiles had so many advantages – less waste, creating custom patterns, replacing worn areas, etc.
Finally, I just decided that all of the positive attributes of modular tile that my commercial customers were experiencing would translate well to my residential clients. FLOR was one of the only companies I found that had a lot of residential options—like plushes, textures and fun patterns.
I always like to try out products in my own home or office before recommending to clients so I decided to purchase some FLOR tiles for our Lake Michigan cottage renovation last summer.
First, I designed it on the FLORbuilder. It was a lot of fun. Even my 11 and 13 year old kids created patterns on the computer. Then, we ordered our FLOR. I ordered it over the phone and the customer service was great. My children actually laid the FLOR tiles in the cottage for me. It was a piece of cake. We ordered a few extra tiles for future use if necessary.
Photo: Reverb in colors, Lime, Oatmeal and Glacier
I liked it so much at the cottage that I ordered an additional area rug display for our retail store State Street Studios. This way we can show clients how easy it is to create a custom floor that’s easy to install and easy to maintain.
Photo: Feelin Groovy in colors Persimmon, Lime, Black & Bone
We look forward to many future projects with FLOR.
That’s my FLOR story! (Thanks for the opportunity to let me share it)
Kelly Hansen – Interior Designer
Aren’t Kelly’s spaces amazing? For more stories like this one click here. If you have a FLOR story that you would like to share, email it to us at pictures@flor.com ( and you can receive 10% off your next purchase.)
source: Kelly Hansen’s photos
January 25, 2012
How to define many zones in one space
As a longtime small space dweller, I have definitely learned a few tips and tricks for making a small space feel comfortable and efficient. One of the the best ways to do this is my creating zones in your space. This important task can often feel overwhelming – how do you turn one room into *many*? Here are a few ideas to help you create a space that suits your needs and feels good.
1) Determine the “spaces” that you need in your space and how you want to use the room. It’s so important to live in your home life instead of what is traditional. If you have a dining room but aren’t formal, consider using that space for something else.
2) Use straight lines in your furniture to create a pattern and balance. Of course you can have round pieces as well but consider the straight edged pieces as well.
3) Layer your furniture to utilize the space and to create dimension. You can create an office space on the back side of a couch. This is a good example of layering.
4) Float your furniture in your room (like to sofa in the photo above) to create a small space inside the larger space.
5) Use rugs, like Flor, to create anchors in the space. This is one of my fave ways to create zones.
To see the entire (and insanely gorgeous) house tour, click here to visit The Selby.
January 24, 2012
House Tour: The Barn
We often receive compliments from people on our photography and the response is always the same: “Our photography is only as good as the homes we shoot in.” We pride ourselves on our catalog locations and the authenticity they bring to the final product.
We had a catalog shoot that was, in fact, good enough to write home about. Here are a few shots from our most recent Spring catalog and the amazing story behind the location.
A 140-year-old barn originally built in upstate New York and relocated to Waco, Texas for restoration purposes found its resting place in the southwestern corner of Michigan, and we found ourselves inside shooting the FLOR catalog.
The barn was the idea of a couple that was looking to design a space they could call home for the rest of their lives; no small task.
The process began with first finding a company that could fulfill these dreams. Once on board, a complete set of drawings and then a tiny 1”x1” model of the barn allowed them to get a feel for the interior space and how they would use it.
The homeowners wanted to build a modern structure that was live-able but not lose the uniqueness of the barn’s structure.
Once it was confirmed the foundation was sufficient, the restoration team drove the frame and, with the help of a 100-foot crane, the barn raising was complete within 48 hours. After the rafter installation and the “close-in,” the roof was constructed and the homeowners were one step closer to their dream home.
Lighting is always critical in a home (and at a photo shoot) and this barn was no exception as they took great care in selecting the right windows to fit the barn. They “punched out” holes in the plywood and placed the windows and doors into the openings. Included was a large, south facing window that was 12-feet wide and 28-feet tall. This provides not only superior visibility but also a high level of energy efficiency with windows that offer solar control. It has 95% blockage of UV light and in the summer significantly reduces heat gain. Not to be outdone, in the winter the inside of the windows remain approximately 30-40 degrees warmer than the outside.
The last “step” in the home restoration/renovation was a unique twist on stairs. They built a traditional metal farm silo on the outside of the barn to house the staircase so as not to use up valuable interior space. The silo had its own foundation, HVAC, electrical power and lighting.
When we arrived to scout the location we found a floor plan that was as unique as the barn’s backstory. In addition to the innovative thinking that went into this barn construction, what really drew us in was the homeowner’s design sense.
For the homeowner, their dream was fulfilled. For us, it was a photo shoot to remember.
We’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to the homeowners for welcoming us into their home and sharing their story.
If you have a House story that you would like to share, email it to us at pictures@flor.com (subject: House Tour) and you may get the chance to be featured on the FLOR blog.
January 24, 2012
Why Don’t You…?
… circle up?
With more and more homeowners tearing out walls to achieve a lighter, more airy look, why are straight lines getting all the glory? Next time you’re thinking of expanding your current dinette into a bigger kitchen, re-think the traditional route and get creative with a circular archway. Don’t you love how much it modernizes the entire space?
Of course, a perfect circle is no average Joe’s DIY, but I’ll bet a handy contractor would know what to do. Go forth and sphere yourselves!
[Image Credit: House to Home]
Tags: archway, circular, kitchen, remodel, renovation
