Tweet

An interdisciplinary team is developing technologies and design strategies that use context-aware sensing to empower people by presenting information at precisely the right time and place. The team is designing a living laboratory to study technology that motivates behavior change in context.

People spend more time in their homes than in any other space. The home ideally provides a safe, comfortable environment in which to relax, communicate, learn, and be enter-tained. Increasingly, it is where people con¬nect with friends and family, conduct business, manage resources, learn about the world, and maintain health and autonomy as they age. People invest extraordinary amounts of time, money, and emotional energy to mold their homes into living spaces that meet their needs. Unfortunately, homes today are ill-suited to exploiting the pervasive computing applications being developed in laboratories. Most homes do not easily accommodate.

If we are to believe most movies, television, and pop-ular press articles that mention home life in the future, we will have complete control over our spaces at the touch of a button. In fact, our homes will be so fully automated and “smart” that we will rarely have to think about every¬day tasks at all. We will spend nearly all our time in the home engaged in leisure activities because digital and robotic agents will have taken over the mundane chores of day-to-day life.

Researchers and technologists are more cautious in pre¬dicting the future of the home. A survey of ongoing work shows, however, that there is a bias toward creating auto¬matic (smart) home environments that eliminate the need to think about tasks such as controlling heating and light.

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

Stanley Boutique is one of India’s largest chains of exclusive lifestyle stores and has just gotten bigger and more exciting with some new home furnishings and accessories. Shown below are some very new launches of home carpets and throw away rugs. This beautiful piece of home furnishings enlightens the mood of the entire house. So now, apart from the signature line-up that we are known for, Stanley Boutique offers complete lifestyle solutions with some of the most desirable brands in luxury. For more details and other products of Stanley Boutique please visit their website.

(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

Fluowall, the manufacturer of the room dividers shown below has a very wide range and variety of room dividers. They are available in hundreds of shapes, sizes and colors. Room dividers are an awesome way to decorate your home or any room. They have multiple purposes. It adds to the room decor as well for those who need some private space in a small house then it could bee easily achieved. It is not at all bulky and can be easily shifted from one room to the other. The different colors and shapes that they are manufactured in can easily help you find one suiting your room decor.
(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This hand built bottle was formed using my Grandmothers handiwork from her micro crocheted items.

The bottle measures 12.5 inches tall and 2. 5 inches wide.

Each item is signed and is a one-of-a-kind original.If this is not what you are looking for, I have many other items perfect for the most discerning recipient. Please visit www.PrimAtivePots.etsy.com and there are many different sections with many selections.
(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

This is not a UFO, this is not a jelly fish model.  This is not an aluminum basin, either this is not a chair. This is a coffee table, designed by GamFratesi, manufactured by Casamania.

Actually, it is true that this coffee table’s design  was inspired by the jelly fish with its tentacles are suspended to be the table’s supports. This coffee table is made from powder coated steel materials. This material can provide thin shape, light object, but still robust, also give smooth effect. The coating gives possibility of using this table outdoor and indoor.

 With its unique form, the user should consider the placement of this table. It may not be suitable to be placed at the edge of a room, as it has a round shape. But this shape, color, also the materials used for this product give a modern and futuristic effect. The top plate can be customized on several colors.



(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

This is a playing area, called My Space, designed by Liya Mairson. This playing area is designed just like a giant pop-up book.


product is made for children aged 3-6 which live in a small housing that does not have enough area for an ordinary playing area. Its pop-up feature makes it can be stored in a narrow space, such as behind the door, under the stair, under the bed, or behind a book shelf.


This product is designed to have such doors, windows and some shelves, just like an ordinary playing house, but they are  designed as a pop-up object and collapsible. When it is collapsed, it will creates background and  children can form their own room,  play their toys there, according to their creativity, and their needs. It is very simple and easy for any kids, so they do not need their parent’s help to use this product.



This product is designed from a card board, so it is recyclable, but still durable enough. The design also can be customize on model and color, according to kids’ needs.

(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

Blue color is calming. It can be strong and steadfast or light and friendly and is often recommended for bedrooms and bathroom. White color is purity, cleanliness, and innocence. Like black, white goes well with almost any color. By using combination between those color, it can create classical color and enhance people live.

In these pictures below, you can see some idea about blue and white in the home decoration. The combination of blue and white can be use in dining room, living room, girly bedroom and office home. Avoid using pastel when it’s on the walls and furnishings, especially in a room that receives little natural light.



(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt instant drama and mystique, it could be the appeal of dark furniture. Similar to the magnetic pull of dark walls, and decor, furniture can add drama to a room and make the inhabitants feel mysterious, sexy, and sleek. Many love dark furniture because it commands attention in a room, and little decor is needed around it. If you’re trying to change or create a space that is dramatic and compelling, look at these tips for using dark furniture.

    Center of attention: Let’s face it, a dark piece of furniture can sit all by itself in a room and provide all the drama you need. When paired up with other furniture, area rugs and wall art, your space will instantly feel like you’ve stepped into a new and dramatic world. Consider using lighter textiles around your dark furniture to balance the room. If too many dark items are in a room it will feel heavy and weighted, and inhabitants will feel uneasy in your space.
    Space and light: Believe it or not dark furniture commands light and space around it. Similarly to the previous tip, dark furniture needs to have ample light to soak up its beauty and mystique. If you use dark furniture, use the minimal amount of pieces to serve your function and the space of the room. Too many pieces will look over cluttered and uninviting.



Don’t forget comfort: Comfort should still be at the forefront of your mind when choosing furniture. The look and appeal of dark furniture is captivating, but how comfortable it looks AND feels is important. Often times we spend more time making the furniture appeal visually and forget that your comfort and your guests should come first. Take your time when choosing furniture to test it out and then choose the dark colors that your love.


Dark doesn’t have to be black: For many homes, the thought of black furniture is too stark and is not appealing for them. Dark furniture doesn’t have to be black. Consider using dark neutrals such as grays, browns, and blues. If you prefer lighter colors to counterbalance the dark, mix and match furniture pieces to bring the balance that you crave. Depending on your space, conversation areas can pair dark furniture with light accessories to differentiate between separate areas for visual and conversational ease.


Your home can use dark furniture to add drama and dimension to a space instantly. Depending on your decorative style, decide how if you want your finishes surrounding your furniture to compliment or contrast your dark furniture. If you choose similar wall coloring to the furniture, the furniture will seem to disappear, and lighter contrasting walls will make the furniture stand out. Every home and style is different, and you choose what resonates with your style. Whichever your choice, dark furniture will bring a mysterious ambiance that you didn’t realize was missing. VIA(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design

Tweet

Online Interior Design Schools

When living in a small space, you need to use every piece of furniture to its maximum potential. "I want people to know they can take items from big-box stores and use them to create different looks and to serve different functions," says Style at Home contributing design editor Samantha Pynn, who explores that in the HGTV web series The Switch. With a few simple changes, a dining table can become a work surface, a TV unit can become a bar, a lady’s dressing area can become a gentleman’s retreat, and a living room can go from spring to summer.

Whether you want a quick and easy style update or you’re looking to give a room a new raison d’être, having smart, versatile pieces will make it a snap.

Dinner plans
You don't have to spend a fortune to have a chic and stylish dining room. A simple round table from a big-box store was given a glam makeover with a coat of spray lacquer, then accented with a set of garden chairs. "The chairs were already painted a dove grey, so all I did was cover the seats in this graphic acid yellow fabric," says Samantha. Bright porcelain dishes found in Chinatown for a steal add a pop of colour and pattern.

Home office
No matter how much space you have, you always end up working at the dining table. Samantha’s main rule for turning a dining room into an office? "Don’t default to utilitarian office supplies," she says. Instead, splurge on chic desk accessories like a stylish Rolodex, a classic phone and a pretty table lamp. Corral small items on a tray to keep your desk neat. When you’re ready to turn the desk back into a dining table, you can just lift away the tray.

Girly glam
The jumping-off point for this feminine boudoir was an ornate silver mirror with serious wow factor. A $20 lamp base was dressed up with a luxurious blush-coloured shade, referencing the hue in the photograph. Books and accessories in the same silver and pink tones provide the finishing touches.

Worldly gent
Traditional masculine patterns and textures define this manly retreat. A leather briefcase holds everyday items, such as watches, cufflinks and cologne. To prevent the vignette from looking too boxy, a globe and shapely trophy lamp bookend the display, giving it balance and interest.

Spring mix
Green and fuchsia toss cushions serve as the foundation for this fresh, colourful look.  who splurged on the silk floral-patterned cushions. To balance the cost, she paired the pricey cushions with some inexpensive kelly green beauties. Blue garden stools tie in with the aqua throw. A great alternative to a traditional coffee table, the stools offer extra seating when guests come to visit.

Summer fun
For the switch, one piece of art was replaced with a blown-up photograph, while the garden stools were exchanged for a modern coffee table. "Glass-topped tables are ideal in small spaces because they read as light and airy."

Party central
The marble slab on top of the chest acts as a large coaster, so there’s no worry about spills or scratches wrecking the dresser's finish. The artwork and television from the first look were exchanged for an inexpensive custom yellow piece, which becomes the focal point and provides colour inspiration for the bookshelf displays. The wallpaper was removed and bright yellow accessories were added to liven things up.

TV time
A refurbished vintage dresser flanked by simple offthe- rack bookcases provides a home for the television. The large piece of art layered behind it balances the tall bookcases and appears as an extension of the TV. The pretty blue floral wallpaper lining the back of the bookcases tricks the eye, making them look full and robust. VIA(c) Copyright 2011 Schools of Interior Design