Loft Swagger!

Loft apartments are spacious, stylish,distinctive, sleek, and absolutely stunning; they can be intimidating todecorate. I've always loved lofts and that is why I decided to share a bit ofloft inspiration with you.

The original lofts were warehouses or industrialbuildings converted to residential use and at times the conversions looked prettyunfinished like a set from Dragons Den; wires running everywhere, floorboardsthat creaked and brick walls exposed - but for city denizens squeezed into highrise apartments, loft living became the trend. Areas of London, Lisbon and NewYork were gentrified by turning former industrial facilities into desirable andhighly sought after residences. 

A loft is usually seen as a modern area andso contemporary furnishings tend to be the most suitable, equallya more traditional or rustic style will work. Materialslike wood, stone with glass and stainless steel enhance the solid effect andwill give you a hip, modern and contemporary look.

As a loft is an open space (and hence ablank canvass) deciding what "room" should go where is vital. Beforedecorating it is important you determine the future layout - this will help you not having to move furniture around to see if it’ssuitable for your loft. 

• Walk around your loft in order to find the bestspot for the living area, sleeping space and dining room.
• Your decisions should be based on where thekitchen and bathroom are located and especially how the windows are arranged. 
• What’s the best configuration for entertaining, should the diningarea or the bedroom double as an office space and so on.   
• You can also use a raised platform to set apart the bedroom from therest of the space

The best colour scheme for decorating thewalls of a loft is neutral; i.e. hues of beige, taupe and white throughout.Unlike in traditional homes it is best to use a single colour palette to keepthe space coordinated and eye pleasing.

  Here are my top 10 tips on loft designideas: 

1.  Use rugsto create a separation for themed areas or settings you want to create; theywill improve the ambience and add to the warmth of a room, making it feel cosier.
2. Use screensto divide the room or to hide certain areas; i.e. to create privacy in yourbedroom space. 
3. Uselarge furniture as walls enabling you to break and create boundaries fordifferent living spaces; i.e. armoires, sofas, tables or bookcases. 
4. Usemultipurpose furnishings in order to reduce storage space; coffee tables,ottomans or chests are great because these types of furnishings normally comeswith hidden storage and can be used as extra seating when needed. 
5. Usedecorative artwork; you will define the space as well as adding colour to yourwalls; use a large piece of decorative artwork or various shapes and sizes soit balances your open space while preventing the area to become lost. The highceilings make it the perfect canvass for experimenting so, be adventurous. 
6. Use tallpotted plants especially at the corners of your loft space; it will bring a naturalelement inside the room while visually making it much more pleasant giving it ahomely and warm touch. 
7. Usecushions as additional decoration to your sofa and other furniture; they willprovide the colour and texture you need to create a softer look. 
8.  Accessorisewith bright coloured vases and a variety of decorative items; i.e. applianceslike kettle, blender and coffee machine, displayed on the kitchen counter can doubleas accessories. 
9.  Hangfunky chandeliers, track lighting or pendant lights to highlight specific partsof the loft and meet the lighting challenge of the high ceilings. In addition,add some lower lighting with table, floor lamps and wall fixtures; by layeringyour lighting scheme you will create a softer and more welcoming atmosphere. 
10. Usedarker paint shades to camouflage the ceiling features and create an illusionof reduced height. Lofts ceilings tend to be high and usually feature exposedductwork and metal beams the impact of which you can alter with the rightchoice of paints.  

 

Follow these tips andturn that huge space into a cosy living environment you will enjoy and love. 

www.aguilarinteriors.com

Pictures via BrandonBarre's Loft and Trendland.com     

         

The perfect shot!

While looking for pictures for a blog postI came across Brandon Barré and my oh my was I blown away with his work!

When you look at a magazine and see amazingpictures of interiors remember that yes the designer did a great job but do youknow part of the secret? It’s a good photographer. 

Even the best decorated rooms, need beshown in their best light to really shine and that’s where Brandon Barré comesinto play. So let me tell you a bit more about Brandon.

An early passion for photography (probablydue to his mother since she was the family “photographer”) led to a freelancephotojournalism for the local newspaper at the age of 15. He still has one of hisfavourite cameras, an antique Kodak medium format with expandable bellows.

Today, Brandon Barré is a commercialphotographer based in Toronto, Canada a cosmopolitan city I know and love as Ilived there for nearly 3 years. His clients span from New York to Seattle and all across Canada; his work has been published worldwide. His portfolio with pictures of interiors, people and food is extremely impressive.   

He believes that lighting and state of theart lenses are paramount plus the fact that he is a perfectionist makes theperfect combination to achieve great results and have become his trademark. 

Brandon started in the food field and a lotof his inspiration comes from his heroes in this genre - the great food photographersof Australia, UK, and France (in particular French ELLE food & drink magazine;great photography!). Brandon loves his client's reactions, all the oohing andaahing around the monitor on a food shoot is what inspires him the most. 

Long story cut short he goes from food tointeriors by chance or shall I say with the help of an Interior designer. 

In his quest to achieve great shots, Brandonsays “I've crouched inside fireplaces, squatted in showers, and surely definedsome new Yoga moves shooting room interiors”.

Brandon is becoming one of Canada's mostexciting photographic talents; his style and passion for photography isabsolutely superb. I for one have become a fan and cannot wait to see more ofhis dazzling work. 

Addition to my wish list: have Brandon photographmy home.

 www.aguilarinteriors.com

Pictures via Brandon Barré 

Books: My Top Must-haves in Home Accessories

As decorative elements, books are incredibly versatile. They are not only a wonderful source of information and one of the best ways to expand the mind, but also offer a unique glimpse into their owners. 

Housed in shelves, books are efficiently stored away or placed on a coffee table, nightstand, end table or desk, whichever way, they are an invitation to make oneself at home and peruse. 

Used singularly or stacked, books can prove to be an interesting opening into someone's personality and deliver entertainment while accessorizing. 

So try being inventive with a different take: 

• Stack few books on a side table to use as a raised display area. Set a sculpture, lamp or plant on top. It’s a great way to raise an accessory that may be too short as well as create visual interest.
• Place low stacks of your favourite books on a dining table as a centre piece. If you are hosting a dinner party for a group that isn’t familiar with each other, then this will be an excellent ice-breaker.
• Stack a set of very large books on the floor next to a chair, and then top with a small piece of glass to use as an end table. Either place the books in a column or fan them around for a more interesting look.
• Create an instant nook area by a window, fireplace, or even on a blank wall, by putting up floor to ceiling bookshelves. Set a desk, loveseat, or comfortable chair in the nook. 
•       Place stacks of books sideways on shelves so they are horizontal and titles are easily readable. It's a great idea to alternate vertical with horizontal stacks so the shelf display looks a bit more interesting.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Books are suited to modern interiors or they can take you on a trip back in time, whatever your style or flavour they are great to have. 

So be adventurous and do tell your story.

www.aguilarinteriors.com

Pictures via www.baja-greenawalts-cozybooknook.blogspot.com, www.lattelisa.blogspot.com, www.aphrochic.blogspot.com, www.elledecor.com, www.narratives.co.uk and  www.nateburkus.com.