concrete + colour

I did a post earlier in the week on the use of concrete flooring as an internal residential finish and I haven't stopped thinking about it since then. So I thought I would expand on it a little further and talk about designing with it instead of around it. You can't find the post here.

I have always lusted over the combination of concrete and colour. If you think about concrete in it's initial purpose it is the foundation of the home. I find true essence in using the foundation of the home as the final finish. I know the first thing that comes to mind when speaking about concrete is the cold gray colour and that is absolutely accurate, so why not bright things up with a pop of colour to liven up the space. In fact, there are often many spaces around the home that are dull and no family member enjoys being in, is it one section of the garden, the space under the stairs or the spare bedroom? These spaces can be brought to life with a hint of colour and the whole room is transformed, even if the floor is a cool gray. 

Whether you choose a warm paste colour to soften the look of concrete or a screaming bold one to draw the focus to it, the result is sure to be phenomenal.

Once an outdoor-only application, concrete has been permeating interior design with good reason. The list concrete benefits is quite extensive;

• It’s easy to clean, extremely durable, and mimics more expensive materials wonderfully. 
• Custom concrete can be poured in a precast mold, giving it limitless shape and design options. 
• The weight and sturdiness of concrete make it an excellent structural element with a lot of trendy aesthetic qualities. 

The versatility of concrete designs make it a material that’s perfect in any room, with or without the cold, hard, industrial look of a basic concrete pour. Concrete solutions are becoming the creative answer to many interior and exterior home design dilemmas.

Moral of the story, don't be scared of a concrete finish.

Would you do concrete in your home? If so, would you go even further by adding an accent colour to the room with the concrete touch?

*images via here

WHITE WASHED hardwood floors

Here is a little bit of information I have wanted to explore for a while now, feel free to email through any questions or write them on the Facebook page too, (which you can find by click here).

Friends has recently started renovating their home. They had beautiful wooden floors, rich in colour but have now opted for something a little more modern. After looking through interior design websites, design and DIY blogs, I came across some information for them on the process. One lucky find was the website of a young European man who is attempting to whitewash wooden flooring which he discovered when he pulled up old carpet throughout his new home.

Here is a closeup of what a whitewashed hardwood floor would look like.

Here are a few instructions on creating the white-washed appearance;

The process for white washing is a simple one but time consuming. It can also be called Pickling wood. Instead of buying a premixed pickling, you can make your own by simply taking a latex paint of colour you like and mixing it 50/50 with water.

To apply, you want to apply areas the whole length or width of the flooring depending on which way the flooring runs. It can be applied using a paint roller and letting it set for about 2 minutes. Then you take a clean ran and wipe over the surface with the grain. Remove as much of the paint as you want. Some like to leave a white film over the wood, while others like wiping it down so the paint is only in the grain.

After you are done, let it dry over night and then apply a coat of polyurethane. You let that dry and then sand it with a 220 grit sand paper (you can find this at any Bunnings store in Australia), just buffing lighting to remove any raised grain. 

Vacuume and apply another coat of polyurethane.

You can also apply the white wash a bit thicker, which will of course give you a brighter and whiter look.

via

concrete floors

A trend which is appearing more everyday in interior design is concrete flooring. It is now being used in both commercial and residential environments. Using concrete as a finished product is both cost effective and durable. Wooden floor is very expensive and tiles, (not if) but when they crack are painful to replace.

There is a product called aggregate which is used in concrete flooring. Aggregate are small rocks which help bind the concrete together. You can either have revealed aggregate or hidden. I prefer the revealed look, I think it gives the flooring more personality. Another option to consider is polished concrete, this leaves the floors a little shiny, a great option for residential spaces.

With its neutral color, it will pair up well with many hues. Add some wood elements to warm up the space a bit.

When you think of concrete floors, your mind goes directly to industrial design. But you may take it in another direction. Using traditional and feminine decor and furniture will transcend the industrial and make it glamorous.

Lots of white and punches of colours looks great with these floors too.

Or take its macho character and go with it. Some industrial finishes and sleek vintage wood furniture would be great for a bachelor's pad.

Another thing that I like about it is I think it's so low maintenance. It's used in home depots and garages for a reason right?

Concrete + black + wood + tons of white = lovely

And for those who love it that much, take it up the wall.

So, love it or hate it?

Images from http://www.switcheroom.com/2012/07/love-it-or-hate-it-concrete-floors.html

KINGfurniture

"Where elegance and personal comfort meet"

King Furniture’s new Plaza sofa arrived in showrooms around Australia over the weekend. 

If you’re looking to spruce up your home this spring, then you will love this latest design from King Furniture. Plaza delivers a stylish and contemporary lift to any living room, its versatile design allows it to easily adapt to any lifestyle or living space. Easily re-adjust the Plaza setting to create a luxurious long sofa, a comfortable double bed for when unexpected overnight guests drop by or into various other looks to suit your home.

Built on King Furniture’s signature, engineered steel frame and Postureflex^® seating system, the deep seated Plaza also features soft feather and ultra down filled back cushions, guaranteeing a highly comfortable sofa you will want to come home to and relax on each night!

Why not let Plaza create the contemporary look and feel you desire for your living room this spring? This latest design exclusive from King Furniture is available with a choice of polished aluminium or low sheen powder coated legs and removable tailored covers in luxurious leathers and fabrics.

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Colours available in the Plaza

http://www.kingfurniture.com.au/