It's A Boy!

An atypical splash of color for a growing boy’s room. Statistically, boys prefer an interior with blue and green colors—but who is to say boys are not partial to the other colors on the spectrum?

This combination of fabrics is impartial towards color, sex, or time. It is designed to depict the joy of life in a setting that adapts to a baby boy’s changing moods and humors.

This fabric combination has a story behind it: when we started an interior design project in Miami, Florida for a young couple with a three-year-old daughter and a boy “on the way.” Plans were made for a total renovation of their house on the Miami waterfront with one room assigned for their daughter and another one for the baby boy.

Keeping in mind kids grow so fast, the nursery was designed for the transition from baby to toddler and from toddler to child, so we used a palette of soft muted yellows. The interior design concept we applied was subtle with touches of whimsy. We added hand-painted texture to the walls, and the ceiling is an interior design master piece depicting little stick-figure boys doing different activities like riding a bike and sailing, etc. Young and old alike enjoy finding the stick figures throughout the painting.

As the little boy outgrew his crib, a pair of custom beds was made in an L-shape keeping the room open allowing for ample play space and for little guests to spend the night in the second bed. The frames were upholstered in a heavy silvery-blue woven fabric which will last for years of boyish use and will appeal to boys no matter the age. For the cushions and the pillows we used the fun patterns as they add a splash of color without taking away from the rest of the décor and the painted ceiling. Conveniently the beds can be updated effortlessly simply by chainging the cushions with a color and pattern appropriate for the age while the understated background colors will transcend the trends.

1. COLLIN, 10 / SACHO
2. 30691-410 / KRAVET
3. MILLSTONES, LEAF-BLUE-MAUVE / LEE JOFA
4. PRIMA ALPACA, MULBERRY / SANDRA JORDAN
5. PRIMA ALPACA, DAFFODIL / SANDRA JORDAN
6. BOW TIE, GREEN-YELLOW-INDIGO / LEE JOFA

DESIGN TRENDS: Winter collection

We’d like to share this work of art as an example of an intellectual trend of our current times rather than a fashion trend. Shoes are an everyday item but in Radevich’s world they are a canvas for profound expression.  This shoe collection is an amazing accomplishment that transcends the fashion and design world. By compiling intense amounts of information in a sculpture of an item that already has a purpose, Radevich seeks to ‘define our walk through life’. This diligent and optimistic designer sculpts shoes to state a global problem, a historic account, or a personal message.

As a history lover inspired by ancient historic accounts, Anastasia Radevich native of Belarus devised a collection of feminine shoes remembering lost cities of the past. Her confident designs comment on the decaying of our environment and reflect on the current threats to planet earth, and hopefully instill a proactive view on the future state of the world.

We interviewed Anastasia to get an expanded view of her collection and this is what she said

What did it take to discover the possibility of bringing your true expressions as an artist into your passion for shoes?

I grew up in a family of shoe designers and experimented with shoes since childhood. Shoe craft became a canvas for ideas because it is something I know very well.

What inspired you to do the "Lost Civilization" collection in 2012?

The Lost Civilizations came to me as a wave of already accumulated ideas and world vision. For quite a while and until today I am keen on philosophy, history (narrated from different angles), anthropology and have noticed patterns how civilizations grow and descend, also investigated the “untraditional” story behind Egypt and the real timeline of the history and evolution. It wasn't hard to draw some parallels with modern state of things. And based on the research I came to the conclusion about the coming future J  All those ideas were brought into the collection…

Do you hand-model/carve the impressive heels of your shoes and 3d print?

You are correct, I sculpt the components and my husband helps me with technical development

Which shoe is your favorite? Why?

I love the “Galvanica” pump from the “PAST” of Lost Civilizations as it gave me a wonderful experience of meeting with extraordinary people while developing it. Making it was a very beautiful journey that translated into the shoe

The platforms are solid in character and the upper shoe has more emotional qualities. How challenging is it to recreate an item that is conceived as heel and shoe?

To be honest, I don’t divide the shoe into upper and lower -it is one “organism”. It is all “cooked” intuitively.

I understand that the message of the collection is to analyze the current state of the earth. What overall impact do you dream your works of art will have in our society?

I don’t have high hopes of stopping some environmentally wrong projects to go through. But I am trying to influence on the subconscious of people, hoping this will echo somewhere, somehow…

Do you plan to further in the preservation subject, or do you have a new collection in the works?

There is something amazing boiling at the moment and I cannot say yet as it is rather fragile, but I cannot not hide a witty smile!

Arcadian Home Guest Post - Dining Rooms

Hello, everyone! It’s Marie here with a guest post from Arcadian Home blog, a fabulous place to find interior design inspiration including great decorating ideas for everything from beautiful folding screens to glittering traditional chandeliers.

Those of you who are regular readers of Avanzato Design blog are already familiar with the always interesting and informative monthly palette trends series. Inspired by Vincenzo’s obvious love of color, we've pulled together eight of our favorite color-infused traditional dining rooms to share with you today. Please enjoy!

~ Marie

A traditional dining room with warm wood flooring is exquisitely dressed in soft yellows and accented with inviting lime-yellow end chairs.

Warm buttery yellow walls create an appealing background for this cheerful and slightly feminine traditional dining room. Drapery panels in pretty pink hues work beautifully with a large floral pattern on the chairs. Charming table decor gives this space a Sunday brunch feel.

Minty greens and blues bring a fresh modern take on traditional with a Chinoiserie twist. The vibrant wall color works beautifully with the pure white woodwork above and below.

Warm brown tones pair work well and tone down the bright orange fabrics in this updated traditional dining room. A beautiful mix of dining chairs includes two in chocolate brown velvet.

Brilliant turquoise brings this spacious dining room to life. Using so much color might seem like a bold design choice, but works here without overwhelming the room.

Wallpaper in white and pink on green brings a lively feel to this otherwise sedate dining room. The pretty traditional pattern creates a beautiful background for the wood furnishings in this space. Rather than the expected buffet lamps on the antique sideboard, silver vases of blooming branches mimic those in the wallpaper.

Vibrant pink is exquisite in this beautifully appointed traditional dining room. The deep pink hue is at once powerful and appealing. It must look even more stunning after dark in the glow from candles, wall sconces and chandelier.

This purple-infused dining room is beautiful on its own, but becomes an extraordinary space at the holidays with the addition of red decorative elements. If this room is any indication, purple and red seem to have a very companionable relationship. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What do you think of these traditional dining rooms? send us your comments and discover more home decor, accessories, and modern pendant lights at our blog!

Secretary Desks

The secretary desk, also known as a “secretaire”, is made of a base of wide drawers topped by a desk with a hinged desktop surface, which is in turn topped by a bookcase usually closed with a pair of doors, often made of glass, for those who perhaps have not seen one before, the secretary desk in a "mélange" of furniture pieces made up of a mix between a commode-dresser, a slant top desk and a book case first became popular around the 17th century. As the design began to evolve and adapt to modern day amenities, the slanted writing surface ultimately was replaced by a flat pullout design that is better suited for computers and keyboards.

Selected antiques and custom furnishings can be very decorative and because of its popularity, the "secretary" (not to be confused with the person that takes notes) has grown to be the most common. Today, one can find an endless array of reproductions from a string of manufactures and designers. Below is a custom made secretary that I created for a recent bedroom redesign. My client’s wife wanted a functional but yet beautiful piece of furniture for her bedroom that she could use to organize stationary and personal items.

Secretary desks are great for storage; they’re versatile enough to fit into almost any home and can be tailored to fit your design aesthetic. In addition to serving as a storage unit and desk space, the secretary can also be used as a display case. By throwing open the top tier one can easily showcase treasured collectibles while keeping clutter neatly stored away.

Coffee Tables - Avanzato Design

The coffee table, a staple piece in any living room, became popular during the Victorian era when tea-time was a celebrated afternoon activity. Over the years, the essential use for the coffee table began to evolve. Today the furnishing is incorporated into modern day settings for a variety of reasons. They are a wonderful place to display our objects, harmonize our seating arrangements and bring a layer of design into our living spaces.

Coffee tables should be thought of as functional works of art. They can be used to communicate our style while creating a platform to showcase our passions. Whether you’re feeling modern, traditional or classically chic, accentuate your decor with a coffee table that speaks to you and your design personality.

Depending on your selection, a coffee table can be the grounding center-piece to your living space. Before finalizing your coffee table decision, think about its function and what purpose it will serve. Dress it up and make it a true reflection of your design aesthetic by adding flowers, vases, books and other ornaments. Incorporating an eclectic mix of pieces will allow you to create a unique arrangement for both you and your guests to enjoy.

A truly beautiful coffee table should be able to create a striking visual when standing alone. The staging of your coffee table should never over power its true purpose. Always leave enough surface area for useable space.

Alex Turco & Avanzato Design

Create an element of visual interest in your outdoor space by introducing a focal wall with a creative design and pop of color! We recently teamed up with Italian artist Alex Turco to develop a stunning decorative panel for an exterior backdrop in an outdoor garden. The large panels face the canal, positioned in a way that allows viewers to enjoy the artistic image from both the boat and garden. The rendering, a depiction of a sensual mermaid, was designed using a photographed image that was then skillfully layered using multi-media graphics. Once the illustration was completed, rock crystals were added to create visual depth and dimension. The end result is a beautiful one of a kind rendition of a free floating form surrounded by water and cascading crystals. When the sun hits the stones, the light is reflected onto the backdrop creating a dramatic eye-catching effect.

Franz Xaver Messerschmidt

Born in the village of Wiesensteig in what is now part of southern Germany, Baroque sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt created a series of portraits that were undervalued and rejected as unrefined works of art during the time of their creation 200 years ago. The collection, made up of faces carved in alabaster or cast in lead and tin alloy, was thought to be the workings of a “madman” as their expressive nature was unlike the standard designs of the time.

Wiesenteig always maintained a passion for the arts. At the age of 18, he moved to Vienna where he focused on refining his craft at the Academy of Fine Arts. During his early years, Messerschmidt’s commissioned portraits all depicted a style of stoic blankness, a classic pose similar to that often associated with the ancient rulers of Rome.

As time progressed, Wiesensteig began to show signs of mental strain. After being passed over twice for a position as a professor of sculptor, he sold his home and moved to the Slovak Republic where he lived alone and began to embrace the life of a hermit.

Amid his time alone, Messerschmidt began to develop a slight obsession with dramatic facial expressions. His designs are typically shown with tightly closed lips encompassing nothing more than the head and neck. This forces viewers to really focus on the carved details of the muscles and stretched skin.  200 years ago these heads were dismissed, however today Messerschmidt has become famous for his remarkable series of “Character Heads.” The modern creations have become a favorite amongst art lovers around the world.

Images via:

nedbajic.wordpress.com, common.wikimedia.org, laboiteverte.fr, nosideuo,blogspotcom, mikyag.blogspot.com, cultureheroesinc.blogspot.com