In a Pipe Wrench, the Artist Sees a Table
Artist, craftsmen and furniture designers contact the INSTUDIO Design Directors with their new products. Jonathan Niemuth refers to himself as “creative” because he encompasses art, craft and design in his varied work. Creative people have the vision to see beyond what things are to what they can be. In big red pipe wrenches Jonathan saw a [...]
Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
San Francisco Design Directors Samuel Lewis and Stephen Kladder of INSTUDIO while visiting Grand Rapids, Michigan over the holiday break spent an afternoon at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Recognized as one of the finest sculpture parks in the country and named one of the top 30 must-see museums in the world by [...]
San Francisco Loft Living
Decades ago New York City artists, actors and the avant-garde pioneered loft living. Creating a new way to live these people made their own rules by converting warehouses, manufacturing spaces and industrial buildings to spacious light filled dwellings and work spaces. The first lofts had the challenges of developing kitchens, bath rooms and heating systems. [...]
The Octagon Dining Table is an Award Winning Design
Hickory Chair Furniture Company announced the winners of its Centennial Design Challenge in the January 2012 issue of ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST magazine. INSTUDIO interior Design Director Samuel Fleming Lewis of San Francisco was the proclaimed winner of the design professional category with his Octagon Dining Table. Hickory Furniture Company was founded in 1911 in Hickory, North [...]
Create Gold and Silver Glittered Pinecones
Nature provides perfect holiday decorations from majestic pine trees. Natural pine cones remind us of the season and add sculptural beauty to any style of interior design and décor. While the Design Directors of INSTUDIO think that “gilding the lily” would be a bad idea, they think that glittering the pinecone might be a good [...]
The Art of a Graphic Recycled Wrap
INSTUDIO interior Design Directors give a holiday good wrap! They do this by creatively recycling tissue paper, kraft or brown bag paper and white copy paper. Within a few hours you too can create a personal bold holiday warp with an assortment of recycled papers, Elmer’s glue, a paint brush and a hair dryer. Make [...]
Charlie Brown Trees Get Holiday Bling
The Design Directors of INSTUDIO give a new look to holiday décor. Relying on their artistic nature, they recycle craft and style fallen tree branches into surprising Charlie Brown style trees. Gold and silver are foundation colors that can accent the design of any room. The golden tree is a branch that is first spray [...]
Like Leather? Lay It on the Floor!
Leather floors were once only used in the rooms of grand homes. Thick custom leather tiles required skilled professional installers. Leather for your floors is now as easy, practical and good looking as wood. It’s not as expensive as it used to be either with a thinner product and easy installation that can give you [...]
Thinking about New Interior Design?
Design takes time. Thoughtful planning opens the doors to great design. When contemplating a new style for your living or work space INSTUDIO Interior Design Directors suggest that you contact a designer for a consultation long before you think your project will actually begin. An interview with a design expert can help you flesh out [...]
Ask INSTUDIO Interior Design Directors
With the changing light and climate we plan to spend more time at home during the fall season. The winter holidays are rapidly approaching and often thoughts are geared towards entertaining family and friends. This brings to mind starting a few decorating and design projects to make ourselves and our homes a bit more inviting, [...]
What’s Your Type of Decorative Accessory?
If yesterday’s communications technology is trash to someone, can it be a decorative treasure to another? Interior Design Director Samuel Fleming Lewis was on an errand in San Francisco’s South of Market when he spotted a shiny, black, stamped metal plate nestled in the weeds not far from a new construction site. With interest his curiosity piqued, he decided [...]
Looking for an Unusual Ottoman? Have a Ball!
INSTUDIO interior Design Directors always keep an eye out for interesting shapes, forms, styles, materials or construction while searching for everyday furniture items like ottomans. When an unusual item is included in a design project it adds visual interest and takes on the quality of a functional work of art. A ball shaped tufted leather [...]
Atmospheric Paintings add Splendor to Decor
Selecting art that you enjoy is one of the best ways to bring your personal style and taste into your decor. INSTUDIO interior Design Directors recently accompanied clients to San Francisco’s Naval Shipyard for Open Artists’ Studios in the quest to acquire art for their home. Seeing where art is created, meeting artist and viewing [...]
When He Likes Design as Much as She
While watching HGTV television programs the Interior Design Directors of INSTUDIO often hear the phrase “happy wife, happy life” when men defer all of the Interior design decisions to their spouses. Most men will settle for a comfy chair for themselves in room of her design. A “man cave” in the basement or garage can [...]
Inspired by Luscious Dark Colors?
Dark colors can make a striking statement when used as wall colors. Notice the variety of red-purples and blue-purples in plums. They are rich with lively warm, reddish tones. Deep colors aren’t for everyone but “night people” should enjoy the dark shades that they love as part of their interior design plan. Most people think [...]
What are Elevations? Take a look at the walls that surround you!
The Design Directors of INSTUDIO say interior design starts with a plan. The Floor plan tells you how your furniture will fit within a room and how you will move through your living space. Elevations are the walls in a room or space. Architecturally speaking basic elevations include each wall in a room as you [...]
Stacking Chairs are Ideal for Extra Dinner Guest
When hosting a large dinner party sometimes extra chairs are needed. Stacking chairs are an excellent solution to provide extra seating. They can fit within a closet and don’t take much floor space. The comfort level is higher than folding chairs because they fit the body better. Comfortable chairs make your dinner guests happy; they [...]
The Continuing Legacy of Italian Design
Everyone knows the Renaissance began in Florence, Italy. Europe emerged from the Dark Ages on the impetus of Italian innovation in the arts, architecture and design. The Italian legacy in design still continues and one of the leaders much liked by the Design Directors of INSTUDIO is Flexform. Establishing itself during the innovative era of [...]
I Saw it in the Window and Just Had to Have It!
Remember the iconic Carol Burnett episode with Carol as Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind turning the window drapery into a formal gown? We can take our cue from Carol: reuse and re-purpose when designing your interiors. Like Carol, think outside the box. You may have a piece of furniture, for instance, a bureau [...]
You’ve Got Style!
The Design Directors of INSTUDIO often hear from clients when we ask them what their style is that they have no style. Not true! Everyone has their own style; they simply may not know how to translate it into their interior spaces. Everyone dresses themselves in a manner that suits them (their style). We all [...]
LOOK!
If you are ready to start your interior design project, it is also the time to open your eyes and starting looking at everything around you. You never know what might be a cue for your inspiration, but if you are not observing you might just miss it. A common characteristic of artists is that [...]
How to get Shagged Today
Shag carpet was “in” during the mid1960’s and throughout the1970’s. Most people think of shag pile as the perfect complement to vintage style interiors. The Design Directors of INSTUDIO think of groovy “long haired” shag as a plush luxurious carpet or rug that can add depth and texture to most design styles. In neutral or [...]
Artists are Opening their Studios
Year round artists are busy creating interesting works of art behind closed doors in lofts, warehouses, garages, basements, spare bedrooms, workrooms and anyplace that they call a studio. In San Francisco, Fall means “Open Studios”. INSTUDIO Design Directors look forward to this time of year because they can see new work by both well known [...]
INSTUDIO Answers Questions on COLOR
Fregosi & Company Paints has supplied Benjamin Moore Paints to San Franciscan’s for three generations. The new color gallery store at 1812 Polk Street marks the third conveniently located store. INSTUDIO Design Directors take advantage of their sunny studio being geographically located almost exactly in between the Benjamin Moore Showroom in the Galleria Design Center [...]
