WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN STYLE?

HOW DO I DEFINE MY PERSONAL DESIGN STYLE?

We can be defined by our sense of personal style.  From how you dress, to how you fill your home with furniture, accessories and artworks etc...

Just as it is a good thing to refresh your wardrobe and personal look...clothes, hair and accessories, it can also be refreshing to freshen up a redundant interior.  Remember the 80's?....Big permed hair, Taffeta..fingerless gloves and plastic earrings just for starters.  Thank goodness fashion moved on from there!  You wouldn't still be dressing like that, but you may still be stuck in a personal design style rut at home.

The first step is to glean inspiration from some of the Primary Design Styles.  Here at Charcoal Interiors we don't like to define ourselves to just one look or style.  For us its all about creating an aesthetic balance and fusion of furniture, accessories, artworks and lighting, whilst capturing the spirit of the client.

ART DECO

Credit theinteriorsaddict.com

A good Interior Designer can gently untwine you from an outdated look that you may still be hanging on to.

For example, we had a client who had loved the 'Bali' tropical look for many years.  The look and feel of the Balinese Style took her back to happy holidays, relaxing, warm memories etc...however she was ready to move on and extend her vision.

Just like an outdated hairstyle we do need to update our homes appearance and she was ready to move on.

BALI STYLE

credit - comohotels.com

It is possible to let go of a specific 'look' and incorporate other design styles into your home.

BEACH HOUSE STYLE

credit - something blue living.  www.thehopemousehole.com

The Charcoal Interiors Designers are more than qualified to walk into a home and critique with a pair of Fresh Eyes, because seeing the space every single day you can become oblivious to the areas that are most in need of an update.  Enlisting the help of an Interior Designer can save you so much time and give your project a specific direction.

FARMHOUSE STYLE

Credit - Country Style Magazine

Now you have made the decision to change, close your eyes....imagine what your dream home looks like.

Does it have a wide, open plan and modern kitchen with sleek lines?  

Are your leanings towards more modern architecture, or do you prefer the more traditional?

Are you a Bohemian at heart with a more relaxed, eclectic approach to style?

MASCULINE ECLECTIC 

Credit - elenaarsenoglou.com

If you are having style definition dilemmas and its all feeling a bit confusing, we recommend starting a collection of pictures from magazines or start a new Pinterest folder, dedicated to the new you!

Stay focussed and try to keep your ideas fresh and current.  Be conscious of falling back into the 'old way and old look'  This is all about a new transformative expression of self.

BOHEMIAN 

Credit - www.greychic.com

MODERN CONTEMPORARY

Credit - afreakatheart.blogspot.com

Here's the good news!

It's natural to gravitate towards several different design styles.

Your tastes, just like your interests may be quite eclectic.  It's not only OK to embrace the differences, its encouraged!

But, beware!  There is a very fine line between a balanced aesthetic fusion and a visually confusing mess.

An experienced Interior Designer can help you bring it all together effortlessly and without stress.

ROMANTIC

Credit - urbandesignstudios.com

You can book our experienced Design Team for an in-home consultation, or alternatively in our workroom/showroom at 41 Brookes Street. Fortitude Valley.

Ph. 07 38526002

Appointment bookings are essential.

You can also view more of our design projects on the Charcoal Interiors website.

CHARCOAL INTERIORS

TRADITIONAL

Credit - jasminewayblog.com

THE SOFTENING OF INDUSTRIAL. OUR INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE RESIDENCE PROJECT.

THE SOFTENING OF INDUSTRIAL - A CHARCOAL INTERIORS PROJECT

A design challenge is always something that gets the team at Charcoal Interiors excited!

This particular job was all about bringing elements of style, softness and a sense of togetherness to an expansive multi-level Industrial/Warehouse home on the city fringe.

I sat down with Charcoal Interiors Designer and Director, Cathie Venardos to go through the high points and the challenges faced whilst working on this project.

Q:  Cathie, what was the client brief?

Cathie: Well, this was a young family with kids in their early teens, who love entertaining and spending quality time together.  They wanted a space that focussed on being family friendly, with layers, improvements on their storage space (the existing was minimal), more purpose and functionality to the living space.  Somewhere that was enticing for everyone in the family to congregate, chat, watch television, relax and just hang out together.  

So, the brief was pretty straight forward, however our job was to also ensure the aesthetic balance with the industrial feel, whilst also keeping style and comfort paramount.  

Head Designer, Colette measures up, whilst the client pores through fabric options.

Window Ledging 'Before'

Shelving Area 'Before'

Q. What are the Pros and cons to Industrial Architecture and working with it?

Cathie: The pros are, great textural, light filled spaces and the variations in ceiling heights which create this amazing interest and point of difference.  We absolutely loved working in this type of space.  The cons can be that there is a fine line drawn between balancing the Architectural/Industrial feel with the elements of a family home.  We do, however feel that we know this type of challenge well and completely relished the opportunity to work with these clients.

'Before'

Q: What Challenges did the team face with this project?

Cathie: This is a very well established warehouse style building with distinctive Industrial character and so there has to be a clear amalgamation of all elements that we introduce.  Whatever changes we introduced, needed to look like they belonged, so a lot of consideration and collaboration together as a team went into making the right choices.  We spend a lot of time sitting together going through all aspects of the job.  Each person brings their own expertise to the table and this is one of the things I love about the creative process.

One challenge that we deliberated on extensively was the Rambling Shelf Cabinetry.  Firstly, it needed to look familiar in the space, whilst still having the critical elements of form and functionality.

The walls were sold brick, and I mean solid!  So, unlike Gyprock which can bring flexibility to the work required, solid brick is quite definitive.  There were existing permanent fixture speakers and light switches that we needed to design the shelving around, but the trick was to keep the design balance.  I think the finished product is a great example of aesthetic balance in design.  The clients delight at the finished product spoke volumes!

The existing Window ledging was low and narrow in sold brick with a timber top.  It was too low and narrow to ulitise.  The solution was, create a subtle feature by extending to create a window seat.

 The entire ledging was finished in the same tone as the rest of the room which aided the visual flow, whereas before the timber top obstructed the aesthetics.

Colette, John and Cathie - Project Meeting

Rough sketches start the process

More comprehensive drawings

John gets to work on the Rambling Shelving and Storage Cabinet

John hard at work on the storage doors

Starting to really take shape!

Workshop Supervisor...

And the finished product.

Rambling Shelving and Storage Cabinet by Charcoal Interiors

Q: There's some beautiful furniture in this room.  Are these all Charcoal Interiors pieces?

Cathie: Yes, we completely fitted out this room.  We added the beautiful hand knotted rug.  Custom made  Black Greenwich Coffee Table by our workshop manager John, who also crafted the Rambling Shelving and storage unit.  The Leather Club Chair was custom made also, from a stunning New Zealand Leather.  Also customised was the sofa (including scatter cushions) and  Smoky Azure Blue Feature Chair - Australian Made using quality fabrics from our favourite European Designers.

Fully customised Cabinetry and Furniture by Charcoal Interiors

Q: And finally, what was the best part of the process?

Cathie: The clients had a vision which coincided with ours and it was a truly enjoyable collaborative process.  Also, designing and creating the Rambling Shelving and Storage unit and the final installation was really satisfying.  We were so happy with the balance and wow factor that it brought to the room.

You know, its an honour to be entrusted with the job of completing an entire space. There's a great deal of satisfaction  gleaned from seeing that this family is firstly so happy with the job we did, but also knowing we have finished a job to completion, giving them the opportunity to just kick back and enjoy it without any loose ends for them to deal with.

Cathie and Colette Venardos are available for consultation either from their Showroom at 41 Brookes Street. Fortitude Valley.  Brisbane. Queensland

or

Home Visit Consultation by appointment.

Ph 07 38526002

or visit our website for more information and examples of our extensive service options

CHARCOAL INTERIORS

WHAT'S NEW IN THE CHARCOAL INTERIORS SHOWROOM AND WORKSHOP THIS WEEK?

WHAT'S NEW IN THE CHARCOAL INTERIORS SHOWROOM AND WORKSHOP THIS WEEK?

This week the Ekka came to town and it was our first taste of the pageantry in our new digs at 41 Brookes Street!

Cathie and John were working hard on a scheduling project when this beautiful beast clip clopped up to the workshop doorway. 

But enough of the Ekka, and on to what is new, moving and shaking in the Charcoal Interiors Showroom and Workshop this week!

Our Special...and beautiful Ekka Visitor

MORE SPRING FABRIC INSPIRATION!

With Spring just around the corner we have so many new seasons fabric styles to share, its simply gluttonous!

And with so many fabrics to share, we have a mere snippet grouped together in the styles that you love so much.

FLORALS

Spring brings the warmer change of weather and blooms galore.  Why not bring the spirit of Spring well and truly into your home with these divine fabrics.  Once again, this is a very small representation of what we have on offer, but enough to whet the appetite.

From linens, to the finest cottons and blends, hand embroidered and stunning.  There is something for the most definitive and discerning taste at Charcoal Interiors.

IKAT

The word 'ikat' which is pronounced 'ee-Kaht' comes from the Malaysian word 'mengikat' or 'to tie'.  Named as such because the loose threads are tied into bundles using grasses or was treated cottons to specify where the dye is able to sin in and colour the threads, so its very similar to tie dye or batik but without the wax.

Ikat has really been embraced by Westerners and our love of it shows through with an extensive selection available in the showroom.

If you love Ikat, we have something for any application, whether it be drapery, upholstery or how about a divine buttoned bedhead?  The options are simply endless and our design team is here to advise and assist with your project for peace of mind.  Interior designers really do take the stress out of your purchase.

TURQUOISE LOVERS

Turquoise is one of those shades that inspires.  We had so many different fabric styles to share, but here are some of our favourite picks so far!

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAIL...

Detail is everything.  This hand embroidered fabric is inspired by the prosperity and indulgences of vintage India.  

STRIPES!

Stripes do not have to be boring!  These examples are anything but bland.  From regulated and structured to richly melded and idiosyncratic, the once maligned stripe is here to stay and we make it work fabulously!

SHOWROOM PRODUCTS...NEW ARRIVALS AND MORE!

LAMPS

From modern and contemporary to grand and eclectically rustic, our lamp range is ever evolving.  That's one thing about Charcoal Interiors and the products that we select, you will never be bored.

Talk to our design team today about which lamp is right for you. Placement can be crucial and an Interior Designer can completely fine tune your selection, from base to shade and right through to the best possible application in your home.

RUSTIC CHOICES

OK, we admit it....we love rustic!  The right piece placement can just turn a room from so-so to completely amazing!  Our Turkish jar range for example, is the perfect start if you are looking for homewares with a piece of soul and history to it.  Another example is our old Asian timber stool.  Think outside the square and add it to your bathroom, or as a multi functional side table in the bedroom or living area.  Our Antique French Cheese board is authentically stamped and be quick...its the last one!

Contact us in the showroom for more details.

Ph. 07 38526002

BLUE AND WHITE

Blue and White is a great way to introduce some Spring influence into your home.

These treasures are available now...but will not last.

CHARCOAL INTERIORS

41 Brookes St.  Fortitude Valley. Qld. 4006

Did you know?  You dont need to live in Brisbane to purchase products from our blog post?

We specialise in shipping items within Australia, and overseas.

Contact us via our website to find out more.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

WHAT HAS JOHN BEEN UP TO?

Just when we think that we may have found a project too difficult for John, our workshop manager, he proves us wrong....not that we ever doubted him of course!

We are all very much looking forward to showing the finished product, but for now, here is a bit of a teaser.

All shall be revealed very shortly.  Needless to say, the finest custom made designs are created weekly in our Charcoal Interiors Workshop.

John, hard at work.

It's getting very close to completion...but what colour will it be??...to be continued....

PEACOCK AND PENNY CUSHION RANGE

NEW ARRIVAL!

Our latest African Inspired cushion cover is walking out the door.  Crafted from the finest imported cotton and with such delightful African Safari patterning, its no wonder our clients are loving it.

VERY limited stock quantities.  At todays date, we have 4 left.  Be quick.  Only $55.

Available instore at 41 Brookes St. Fortitude Valley

or

OUR ONLINE SHOP

A SNEAK PEEK INTO SPRING 2015

SPRING 2015 DESIGN SNEAK PEEK

Hands up if you are over the cold weather!

Spring is almost here...a mere few weeks away and so its time to start considering a Spring freshen up at home.

FABRICS

Spring is all about the new, re-birth, shedding the old and bringing in the new.  It's a great time to evaluate the condition of your sofas, chairs, soft furnishings etc..

We specialise in re-energising your space with our exemplary upholstery and drapery service.

With our extensive range of new seasons fabrics at our finger tips, we are sure to have just the perfect option for you.

Is colour more your style?  We suggest subdued use of really bold brights.  Let us help you create the perfect balance in your home. 

These gorgeous fabrics are a small example of what is on offer in brights and bolds.  

If you love the softness and rustic feel of the beach look, then our more softer, muted tonings may be just what you are looking for.

Our Peacock and Penny cushion range - available in store and also via our online shop.

These fresh Fern design cushions are in limited supply at a great price.

A pure vision of Spring Freshness

Fresh blue and white on contrast with the rawness of natural linen = stunning!

Freshly upholstered Feature Chair with billowy new drapes.  Contact us to create this look.

After a big week of installations and call outs...which we absolutely LOVE...and not to mention happy clients (thank you for  the phone calls)...we decided that there was only one thing to do, and that was to get the family together for a big Indian Dinner.  It was also a good excuse to celebrate the 22nd Birthday of Robbie (Grandson and Nephew...and you can meet him every Saturday here at the showroom).

And so cheers!  From the Charcoal Team!

CHARCOAL INTERIORS

41 BROOKES STREET

FORTITUDE VALLEY  BRISBANE QUEENSLAND

Phone - 07 38526002

Charcoal Interiors Website