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In architecture and design, nature presents itself as a timeless source of both engineering knowledge and beauty. Boundless landscapes, ranging from dense forests to shimmering coastlines become inspiration for form and function, and for me, tonal hues.
In essence, nature will always be my first source of visual appeal, and I use this sensibility to balance the interior and exterior of every project I create.
One of the most striking ways to bridge the outdoors and indoors is through windows. Not just any window, but expansive ones that allow homeowners to virtually usher the outdoors into their living spaces. These large-scale windows function similarly to masterpieces in a gallery. Instead of painted scenes, they frame the ever-evolving artwork crafted by nature itself.
choosing paint colors and palettes for a home, the relationship between the exterior environment and the chosen shade is paramount.
For homes surrounded by lush verdant greens, I’ve often leaned towards paint colors for the exterior of a house in warm cream. The cream acts as a soft canvas, allowing the vibrant greens to come alive. Conversely, for homes set against the backdrop of the vast ocean or a seaside landscape, darker hues create a profound contrast. This contrast elevates the depth of the blue waters, making them appear even richer and more romantic.
In my recent Kiawah, South Carolina based project, I opted for a neutral exterior that seamlessly complemented the gradient tones of the surrounding palm trees. But the designs most powerful naturalist feature was undoubtedly the large windows that framed the beauty outside, making nature an integral part of the home’s interior and exterior life force (above and below).
Yet, while I often emphasize color and views, the importance of landscaping in tying everything together can’t be stressed enough. Landscaping not only supplements the color palette but adds a tactile dimension. It introduces texture, creating focal points and layers of softness that juxtapose the rigid structures of buildings.
Whether it’s the delicate sway of ornamental grasses, or even amber colored pine needles or sturdy shrubs, they enhance the visual harmony between a home and its environment.
Internally, my designs are fueled by an organic vibe. In a bid to create interiors that echo nature’s intricate details I always try to use natural materials that carry the tales of the wilderness.
Achieving a balance between a home’s interior and exterior with nature is not just about aesthetics; it’s a journey of crafting spaces that feel alive. By channeling the inspirations derived from our surroundings and reinterpreting them in our designs, we create an unparalleled experience of living in harmony.
Always look to the natural flora and fauna surrounding your project’s site, let these natural elements become both a starting point and subject to shape your home and flow between inside and outside, considering plant life, texture and landscape.
Dutch Ovens are the pride of every modern kitchen. Cooks and chefs worldwide use these iconic pieces of cookware to bring out the best in their kitchen interior. Most families will appreciate them for their wide variety selection and delicious dishes.
That is not enough. Still, there is more to enjoy with the colorful Dutch Ovens: their versatility. The use of these pieces of cookware extends far beyond the cooking. You can use the Dutch Oven pot to elevate the ambiance of the dining and kitchen area with their aesthetic appeal.
Here we look at the various home decor ideas that come to life with Dutch Ovens. s.
Dutch Oven Home Decor Hacks
The Dutch Oven serves a number of essential functions around the kitchen and can be used to complement your existing home decor. Here are seven ideas to make the most of your Dutch Oven pots in and around the house.
The Dutch Oven Flower Vase
You can use Dutch Ovens to present that delicious meal to your guests. It can also be a flower vase to make your dining space more colorful. If you’re that creative, you can use the Dutch Oven as a flower vase to bring out your personality and make your kitchen look special.
Dutch Ovens have a larger surface area, making them ideal for presenting indoor plants and flowers for a week or so. They have ergonomic handles, which make them easy to transport and find the right place in your house. After using the Dutch Oven as a flower vase, you can still clean it for other kitchen uses.
The Dutch Oven Herb Garden
Do you want to bring nature close to your kitchen indoors? You can still use your Dutch Oven as a small home herb garden. In most cases, a Dutch Oven will last for years, but when it’s time to let it retire, you can still recycle it into a garden planter.
You can recycle your Dutch Oven into a beautiful planter for green herbs. With fresh herbs in your kitchen, your recipe will have the necessary spices. Use the Dutch Oven to grow some herbs and freshen up the kitchen space.
The Dutch Oven as Contrast Decor
Achieving the ideal interior decor for your home is challenging for most people. To make your interior space colorful, having Dutch Ovens in your kitchen is an excellent place to start.
The Dutch Oven was invented over two centuries ago. Since then, it has maintained its glory and is used by most homeowners today as a contrasting interior decor piece.
You can still make the Dutch Oven a centerpiece when it is not being used. Convert it to a conversation starter in the kitchen. Also, you can hang the Dutch Oven on a pot rack and let it serve as a kitchen decor.
You must be creative enough when shopping for Dutch Ovens for this purpose. The ovens come in a variety of vibrant and unique colors you can choose.
In most cases, a flame-colored Dutch Oven will add some flash of kitchen decor to your space. You can choose a Dutch Oven depending on your favorite color and personality.
The Dutch Oven as Servingware
While most people may consider the Dutch Oven a kitchen utensil because of its versatility, you can still put it to use as a serving plate. This iconic piece of cookware comes in 11 vibrant colors, making it ideal for entertaining your guests. To make that luncheon or reception colorful, you should not lack a Dutch Oven on the table.
You can decide what to do with it as a serving dish. Whether serving some delicious dinner meals out of it or just using it as a centerpiece, it makes your gathering and space stand out.
Also, serving your guests directly from the Dutch Oven saves you time cleaning up the table after enjoying meals.
The Dutch Oven Punch Bowl
The Dutch Oven is a multipurpose kitchen centerpiece. You can also use it as a punch bowl for all your favorite refreshments and delicious drinks. Make your special guests happy by serving them your favorite drinks straight from the Dutch Oven.
The Dutch Oven has a shallow base, making it easy to contain and mix all your drinks. Also, when you have an indoor party, you can still convert the Dutch Oven to a pitcher for entertaining your guests.
Most people know the Dutch Oven as a kitchen workhorse but don’t be surprised when you find your neighbor using it as a pitcher for that birthday party next door.
The Perfect Dutch Oven Ice Bucket
You don’t have to scratch your head much if you don’t have a cooler. On the warmer summer days, you can still use the Dutch Oven as an impromptu cooler. You can use the Dutch Oven pot as a cooler for preserving your food and beverage.
The famous Dutch Oven comes in sizes ranging from 0.9 to 12 L. It offers immense possibilities in the kitchen and dining table. So, whether heading for a picnic or hosting guests at home, you still need a Dutch Oven pot. All you do is fill the oven with ice and store the drinks inside. Let it do the magic of cooling the drinks as you enjoy the party with friends.
The Dutch Oven for Cold Storage
The Dutch Oven is a special cookware for any kitchen. It still doubles as a style and decor element for storing your food and beverage in the fridge. You can use the Dutch Oven to store desserts, pasta salads, and other cold drinks in the refrigerator.
Le Creuset’s Dutch Ovens can easily go from the stovetop to the refrigerator. This Dutch Oven pot is more than capable of handling the extremes of hot and cold.
A typical Dutch Oven has an enameled cast iron construction to cope with high temperatures. Additionally, it is resistant to chipping, cracking, and thermal shock.
However, before storing the Dutch Oven in a freezer, ensure it reaches room temperature. The enamel can crack easily in case of a sudden temperature change.
Decorating with the Dutch Oven
Although you can use the colorful Dutch Ovens to enhance the decor of your kitchen, store food, and plant herbs, its primary use is to tackle a variety of different cooking techniques.
A Dutch Oven distributes heat evenly and retains it for longer. This makes the Dutch Oven suitable for storing food and drinks. Be sure to take full advantage of your Dutch Oven when decorating your kitchen.
For some of us, stepping outside of our interior decor comfort zones can be as nerve-wracking as chopping off your hair. So different! So defining! So permanent! Eeeek cue cold feet setting in! There’s no doubt that selecting furniture is a draining task as it is, so when it comes to trying something a little more adventurous, it’s often easy to chicken out and stick with what you know. If you are a furniture commitment-phobe like us, here’s a way to incorporate some boldness into your decor without going over the top: accent chairs!
Chairs are like the jewelry for your room. They allow you to play with trends, color, texture or avantgarde styling without going all in. Going bold with your chair selection will give an otherwise classic space the interest and originality you’re craving without being overpowering! We love the funky, lip-like look of a Bertoia Diamond chair nestled in a bright corner HALLO!. Or the clean lines of a Scandinavian inspired design – beautiful enough to make a statement yet calm enough to sit in a room full of neutrals. And since every room deserves a sweet-looking seat, here are some statement chairs that we’re dying to sit our booties in!!
Get Your Shop On:
> 1 Black Tufted Leather ‘Major’ Chair > 2 Rod + Weave Copper and Leather Chair > 3 Brass + Fur Ansel Chair > 4 Pollock Arm Chair > 5 Light Grey Velvet Accent Chair > 6 Saxe Oak + Leather Chair > 7 Hans Leather Chair > 8 The Circle Chair
They’re all so good, we couldn’t possibly choose a favorite. Which one would you love to put in your home? And if you’re looking for even more side chair inspo, click HERE.
image 1 via Apartment 34 // 2 via Nordic Design // 3 via Blueberry Modern // 4 via J. Ingerstedt // 5 via Vogue Paris // 6 via Joseph Dirand // 7 via Lonny // 8 via Muuto // 9 via Design Files
You don’t have to search all that hard to find the best Italy cruises — most leading cruise lines offer dozens of itineraries that visit Italian ports, often in conjunction with neighboring countries France, Greece and Croatia.
The reason? Italy has it all: coastlines on both the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, historic port cities (Rome, Venice and Naples among them) and spectacular islands (including Sicily, Sardinia, Capri and Elba).
For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Plus, with a cruise season that runs from early April through late October (and even year-round for a few cruise lines), Italy offers something for everyone. Travel here to find an alluring mix of impeccably preserved historic sites, renowned regional cuisines and natural wonders waiting to be discovered.
Here are eight of the best Italy cruises for every type of traveler.
Best Italy cruises for cultural immersion: Azamara
Azamara pioneered the concept of single-country itineraries, which allow for greater cultural immersion and even overnight stays in select ports. The cruise line’s 11-night voyage in October 2024 is one of its most comprehensive.
The sailing begins in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and ends in Rome (Civitavecchia), with visits to seven more Italian ports and Tunis, Tunisia. You’ll explore Genoa, Livorno (overnight for Florence/Pisa), Porto Santo Stefano (on the Tuscan coast), Cagliari (on Sardinia), Trapani (on Sicily), Amalfi and Sorrento.
This voyage is aboard the 684-passenger Azamara Onward, one of the cruise line’s four virtually identical ships. (All are former Renaissance R-class ships built in the early 2000s and renovated over the past several years.) The vessels’ intimate size and Azamara’s focus on cultural experiences and shore excursions emphasizing history and food (including cooking classes and market tours) make for an immersive cruise itinerary.
Other Italy-Intensive voyages in 2023 and 2024 include the following: a 10-night voyage in October 2023 aboard Azamara Quest, a 10-night voyage in April 2024 aboard Azamara Pursuit, and a seven-night voyage in May 2024 aboard Azamara Quest.
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Best Italy cruises for small-ship lovers: Windstar Cruises
It’s rare to find a cruise itinerary so fully focused on one specific region of Italy, but Windstar Cruises’ small ships — three classic sailing yachts and three all-suite motor yachts, which accommodate 148 to 342 guests — allow it to offer cruises to less-frequented ports.
Windstar’s 10-day Sicilian Splendors, aboard its 342-passenger sailing yacht Wind Surf, is available on multiple dates in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The ship will cruise round-trip from Rome and call on six Italian ports: Catania (for Mount Etna), Porto Empedocle (for the ancient ruins at Agrigento) and Trapani (for its signature colored salts and Marsala wines), all in Sicily; the island of Lipari (the largest of seven Aeolian Islands); and Sorrento and Amalfi on the stunning Amalfi Coast. The cruise also visits the neighboring islands of Malta and Gozo.
Five-masted Wind Surf is the world’s largest sailing ship. It manages to be intimate without feeling claustrophobic, although it is worth noting that none of its staterooms or suites has a balcony. There is, however, ample deck space for relaxation, with a pool and two hot tubs, as well as inviting alfresco bars and dining areas.
Related: The 2 classes of Windstar ships, explained
Indoors, the ship’s restaurants and social spaces, such as the Veranda Restaurant, Stella Bistro and the Compass Rose Bar, are light-filled, with elegant neutral decor refreshed in 2019.
Musical entertainment takes place in the Wind Surf Lounge and Compass Rose Bar, and Windstar’s excellent dining program reflects an ongoing partnership with the James Beard Foundation. In select tender ports, passengers can enjoy a watersports platform and take out sea kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Best Italy cruises for onboard pampering: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
If enjoying yacht-style indulgence as you explore Southern Italy is on your cruise wish list, consider the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s 10-night Rome to Valletta itinerary in May 2024. This cruise visits scenic hot spots such as Sorrento and Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast, history-rich Siracusa in Sicily and three ports (Gallipoli, Taranto and Otranto) in lesser-known Puglia, located on the heel of boot-shaped Italy, before passengers disembark in Malta.
Ritz-Carlton, which entered the cruise realm in 2021 with its 298-passenger luxury yacht, Evrima, offers an all-inclusive “yachting lifestyle” experience. This leisurely sailing features overnights in Sorrento and Taranto and two sea days with ample ways to enjoy onboard pampering. The ship’s spacious suites are designed with a contemporary residential feel and range in size from 300 square feet with an 81-square-foot terrace to 1,091 square feet with a 635-square-foot terrace.
Evrima also offers nine bars and dining venues featuring menus created to reflect the ports visited. For culinary indulgence, guests can book a table at S.E.A., a specialty dining experience designed by Chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the Michelin three-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany.
The ship also features chicly designed spaces for relaxing and socializing, such as the Pool House lounge overlooking an aft infinity pool, a second pool located next to the alfresco restaurant Mistral, a panoramic Observation Lounge and a full-service Ritz-Carlton Spa.
Related: The best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity
Best Italy cruises for foodies: Silversea Cruises
The three newest ships in the Silversea Cruises fleet — Silver Moon, Silver Dawn and 2023’s first-in-class Silver Nova — all feature the cruise line’s immersive culinary program known as S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste). When Silversea’s next ship, the 728-passenger Silver Ray, debuts in 2024, it will also take its guests on culinary-focused journeys — among them an 11-day Rome to Venice itinerary in June 2024.
The itinerary includes calls on seven ports in Italy: Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Palermo, Siracusa, Trieste and Venice. The sailing also visits ports in Malta, Montenegro and Croatia.
Silversea’s sailings blend food-centric excursions — such as a visit to a family farm for a tasting of fresh cheese, salami and olive oil in Sorrento — with the onboard S.A.L.T. program to make sampling local cuisine a natural part of the cruise experience. The day-to-day menus at S.A.L.T. Kitchen are all inspired by the ports visited. The Terrain menu focuses on that day’s port while the Voyage menu draws from the best flavors of the entire itinerary.
Passengers aboard Silver Ray should definitely pack an appetite — in addition to S.A.L.T. Kitchen, the ship features seven other restaurants. They are La Dame for haute French cuisine, Atlantide for signature fine dining (think caviar and lobster), Kaiseki for Japanese sushi and teppanyaki (as well as pan-Asian dishes), Silver Note for tapas-style dining and live music, The Grill for casual burgers and salads, La Terrazza for handmade pasta and other Italian specialties, and Spaccanapoli for thin-crusted Naples-style pizza. With 11 nights aboard, there’s time to sample all of them.
Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
Best Italy cruises for families: Norwegian Cruise Line
If an Italy adventure with the entire family sounds like the perfect cruise vacation in 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Viva, launching in August 2023 as the sister ship to 2022’s Norwegian Prima, is an ideal playground for guests of all ages.
The most Italy-focused itinerary? The 10-day Mediterranean: Italy, Greece & Croatia cruise (offered aboard 3,099-guest Viva in late June and late September 2024) calls on six ports in Italy — Rome, Livorno, Naples, Messina, Siracusa and Trieste — as well as the islands of Corfu and Malta; Koper, Slovenia; and Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia.
This itinerary is rich in history and culture, including the ancient landmarks of Rome, the archeological wonders of Pompeii and the Leaning Tower of Pisa near Livorno, plus the beauty and culinary treats (sweet cannoli and savory arancini) of Sicily, where Viva makes two port calls. Though the cruise ends in Trieste, the wonders of Venice are just 90 minutes away, so adding a few extra nights to explore its colorful, canal-laced islands is a must.
Onboard Viva, you’ll enjoy more than a dozen dining options (five of them complimentary, including the casual and family-friendly Indulge Food Hall), 16 bars and lounges and all the fun activities/entertainment (including a production of the Broadway hit “Beetlejuice: The Musical”) that the line offers.
Related: Best cruise lines for families
Top amenities include the three-deck Viva Speedway for exhilarating go-kart racing, three thrilling slides (two of them 10-story corkscrew dry slides and one tidal-wave-style waterslide), virtual-reality gaming in the Galaxy Pavilion, tech-enhanced minigolf and more. Also, Viva’s generous outside deck space — especially Deck 8’s Ocean Boulevard with its lively Indulge Outdoor Lounge and sleek Infinity Beach pools — is ideal for scenic cruising in the Mediterranean and Adriatic.
Best Italy cruises for couples: Oceania Cruises
The sophisticated onboard ambiance and a romantic itinerary are a lovely combination, and couples can enjoy both on the 12-night Mediterranean Tapestry sailing offered in June 2024 aboard Oceania Cruises’ newest vessel, Oceania Vista.
The 1,200-passenger ship, which debuted in May 2023, will visit four top ports in Italy — Venice/Trieste in Northern Italy, Taormina in Sicily, Amalfi/Positano in Southern Italy and Civitavecchia for a day in Rome.
Beyond Italy, this itinerary offers a sampling of scenic locales in six other Adriatic and Mediterranean countries with a possible pre-cruise stay in Venice. You’ll visit Korcula and Split in Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Igoumanitsa and Katakolon in Greece; Ajaccio, Corsica; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille, France; and Barcelona, Spain.
Oceania caters to couples seeking an upscale cruise experience with a culinary focus. Onboard Vista, the atmosphere is sleek and polished, with interior decor awash in elegant neutrals of varying patterns and textures, all woven together into a soothing mosaic (in some cases, literally, as tiled vignettes are used throughout the ship). Vista’s bars and lounges, especially the Martini Bar and the Grand Lounge, are so chic you’ll want to get dressed up every night to enjoy one of the craft cocktails on their newly enhanced menus.
All specialty dining is included in the cruise fare, and stand-out meals at Polo Grill (for an excellent steakhouse menu), Toscana (for authentic Italian, including recipes by Vista’s godmother Giada De Laurentiis) and Red Ginger (for flavorful pan-Asian) are just a reservation away. Two new eateries, Aquamar Kitchen and Ember, serve wellness-focused cuisine and casual American comfort food, respectively, and an expanded Culinary Arts Center lets guests who love to cook take hands-on classes.
Best of all, Vista is an all-balcony ship, so every stateroom features access to fresh air (French Veranda Staterooms don’t have an outdoor sitting area, however). Veranda Staterooms and Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms offer a spacious 290 square feet of indoor space — and some of the best standard bathrooms at sea with roomy walk-in showers and ample storage.
Related: The best cruises for couples seeking romance and together time at sea
Best Italy cruises for travelers on a budget: Royal Caribbean
To score a budget cruise fare in the Mediterranean, it helps to look for sailings aboard a cruise line’s older ships. If Italy is your main focus for a future cruise, it’s hard to beat the seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary in September 2024 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.
It visits five Italian ports: Venice/Ravenna, Messina in Sicily, Naples, Rome and Livorno (for Florence and Pisa). The ship also calls on Marseille and Barcelona. Voyager’s Italy-focused cruise is a jam-packed itinerary with just one sea day.
Ideal for both couples and multi-generational families, the 3,600-passenger Voyager of the Seas (which debuted in 1999 and was last refurbished in 2019) features seven restaurants (including three complimentary dining venues and specialty restaurant favorites Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table) and eight bars/lounges.
The ship has been “amped-up” so guests can enjoy features found on Royal Caribbean’s newer ships: Perfect Storm waterslides, FlowRider simulated surfing, Battle for Planet Z laser tag, Voyager Dunes minigolf, Studio B ice-skating shows and reimagined spaces for kids and teens.
Nights aboard Voyager of the Seas will be filled with complimentary entertainment options: production shows in the Royal Theater, pub performances by guest entertainers and bands, game-show competitions, pool parties, outdoor movie nights and a ‘70s disco party.
Best Italy cruises for adults-only ambiance: Viking
Is Venice at the top of your wish list? Does an adults-only cruise on a ship with serene, Scandinavian-inspired interior decor and complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner sound ideal?
If so, check out Viking’s 15-night Italy, the Adriatic and Greece itinerary, which sails from Athens to Rome and visits six Italian ports — Venice/Chioggia, Bari, Crotone, Messina, Naples and Rome — with three days spent in Venice. As a bonus, you’ll also visit ports in Greece (Katakolon and Corfu), Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split and Sibenik) and Montenegro (Kotor).
Offered on multiple dates in fall 2023, 2024 and 2025, this itinerary is chock full of port experiences; there are no sea days, and a total of 13 cities are visited. Viking includes one free guided shore excursion in each port, usually a panoramic bus tour or historic walking tour. Use that as an overview and then explore on your own or book one of the cruise line’s longer or more specialized excursions. Onboard guest speakers also offer insight into the ports visited and the cultural landscape.
The cruise line’s nine ocean ships are all identical and accommodate 930 passengers, most of whom are couples over age 55. Onboard dining is available in eight restaurants, including the main venue, The Restaurant and the buffet-style World Cafe, the casual Pool Grill and the Norwegian-focused Mamsen’s. Guests can also reserve dinner at two specialty restaurants (at no extra charge): Manfredi’s for Italian cuisine and The Chef’s Table for multi-course, wine-paired menus that rotate throughout the cruise.
Afternoon tea is served in the elegant Wintergarden. The Aquavit Terrace overlooking the aft infinity pool is a sunny spot to enjoy alfresco dining.
If you’re willing to come back early from port, Viking’s ocean ships offer plenty of ways to relax on board. All passengers enjoy complimentary access to the ship’s thermal suite in the LivNordic Spa. It features a thalassotherapy pool, steam room, sauna and snow room. The Main Pool has a retractable roof and can be enjoyed no matter what the weather. However, if you want to live it up at night, note that the ship does not have an onboard casino.
Bottom line
The best Italy cruises offer access to some of the country’s most-loved cities, as well as a chance to explore some of its sunny islands and lesser-known coastal ports. No matter the itinerary, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the splendid landscapes, treasured antiquities and, of course, the incredible gelato.
KOCHI: Looking for some unique decor to add character to your living space? Well, Bronze Age — Sculpture Foundry in Kochi might be the right place for you. With an impressive collection of handmade bronze sculptures and customisation, the art decor venture promises to up the drama.
“Be it residential or commercial spaces, a statement sculpture has the power to set the mood,” says Neenu Varghese who runs the Bronze Age gallery at Gandhinagar in Kadavanthra. “More than being just a decorative piece, a sculpture can evoke memories, stir emotions, and spark meaningful conversations. Its multidimensional nature allows for diverse perspectives and interpretations, amplifying its emotive impact.”
Renny Jacob, the founder of Indian Cocoa Group, which owns Bronze Age, believes there is a “reawakening of interest in interior decor and a growing appreciation for fine craftsmanship”. “Consumers are now embracing the skill involved in creating these exquisite pieces,” he says, adding that the gallery also provides a platform for artists who wish to cast their ideations in bronze.
“We work closely with artists, designers, and craftsmen. With each sculpture, we aim to tell a story, start a conversation and create possessions that generations will cherish.” Neenu explains that each sculpture is the result of long hours of work using special processes and tools. “While ideation is one of the most time-consuming stages, patination is the final stage in the production of bronze sculptures; it is quite exciting,” she says.
Gallery curator Sujaya C P agrees. “Our sculptures are meticulously crafted using a combination of cast metals and mixed media,” she says. “Each piece is hand-finished with bronze, copper, iron, or other alloys. It takes hundreds of hours of skilled labour,”
Applying a patina involves using a combination of chemicals and heat to achieve the desired finish on a sculpture, Sujaya explains. “Over time, the patina effect naturally appears on the metal surface, adding character to the artwork,” she says.
“The sculpture’s real metal surface can be polished to maintain its shine or left to develop a natural, greenish ageing patina. This important step enhances and enlivens the bronze casting, breathing life into the sculpture.”
Bronze Age works in different styles and mediums and also deals with small- and large-scale architectural and interior design projects across Kerala. “We undertake concept development as well, bringing ideas to life,” says Neenu.
“Through the gallery, we aim to educate people on the techniques and philosophy behind artworks. We create bold statement sculptures that have the power to transform any space, and create a lasting impression.”
After a long tiring day at work, your bedroom is your getaway — that safe, comforting space where you can simply relax and have some much deserved you time.
That’s why it makes sense to upgrade your bedroom every few months for a refreshed sense of calm.
But when re-decorating the bedroom, you should not just go for the style but make sure it is comfortable and fit for what you need most at that point in time.
Remember that your comfort should be your priority! So, here’s a rundown of some handy bedroom makeover ideas to think of the next time you’re upgrading your sleep and chill space.
Add greenery to your bedroom
You may have heard about the color psyche, yes, green is considered a color of peace. It is scientifically proven that green color is soothing to the eyes.
Thus, adding green color to the bedroom is one quick and fairly affordable way to induce calm and feel more relaxed in your space.
You can add natural or artificial plants in your bedroom to make the environment more peaceful and breathable. In case you opt for natural plants, make sure to get the shade-loving kind as they are easier to care for and don’t require sunlight to flourish.
Invest in trendy furniture pieces
When you talk about your bedroom makeover, you instantly think about changing the furniture. Instead of replacing all the furniture at once, add one or two new things now and then — but make them worth it.
Invest in statement furniture pieces; for example, an ottoman, a stylish rocking chair, a curvy couch, marble side tables and more. Make sure not to overload your bedroom with furniture. Keep it minimal so that your space remains breathable. ‘Less is more’ is the key!
Add a bedroom rug
Miss that feeling of warmth? Well, a rug is everything you need and more. Choose a colorful rug with some bold pattern for your bedroom. It will instantly make your bedroom appear stylish and will add the missing warmth to it.
People are even adding rugs to their restrooms these days as they can make the space appear more luxurious than it actually is. Consider rugs as an investment; these timeless pieces never really go out of style.
Statement lights
When redecorating the bedroom, always change the lights. The right kind of lights can make your bedroom appear opulent in less than a few seconds.
To add a deluxe touch, you can go for a crystal chandelier. It is the first and last thing you will ever need. If that’s a little too much for you, but you still want to go for that elegant, romantic look, give Tiffany-style floor lamps a chance, they make wonderful statement pieces.
Apart from the chandelier, if you want to keep it simple, you can choose some contemporary ceiling lights of your choice. Everything aside, do not forget to add table lamps to your bedside tables. Table lamps can add the finishing touch to your space.
Decorate the walls of your bedroom
Last but not least, make your walls pop. You can use your family pictures in creative ways, by hanging them under string lights for a dreamy effect or frame them in artistic and creative ways. Hang these pictures on every alternate wall to double on the effect.
If you are an art lover, you can always go for a nice painting. But if you’re under budget restraints, a sketch or just an abstract art print can do wonders — especially if you pair it with an interesting frame.
We’ve actually done the research for you and put together a list of very cool frames to create a photo wall.
All the bedroom makeover ideas mentioned above are fairly simple, yet they can bring your style up a notch. Make sure to keep them in mind next time when redecorating your bedroom and… Happy Decorating!
Author: Julie Hilton loves interior design and home decor. She is passionate about fashion-forward home decor ideas as well as ‘pop of color’ art and visionary designs. You can read her work here.
More interior decor:
10 of the Most Stylish Minimalist Wall Clocks You Can Buy on Amazon16 Easy Decor Hacks to Make Your Home Look More Fancy Here are 5 Low-Cost Steps Toward a High-End Look for Your Home 5 Steps to a Dreamy, Spa-Like Sanctuary of a Bathroom
Who doesn’t want to make a little extra cash these days? The price of digital cameras is dropping on what seems to be a daily basis. Why not put yours to some use? For the past five years I have been selling royalty-free stock photographs and will share my thoughts, ideas and concepts with you, along with some suggestions for getting started.
What is stock photography? The Wikipedia entry for stock photography states:
Stock photography consists of existing photographs that can be licensed for specific uses. Book publishers, specialty publishers, magazines, advertising agencies, filmmakers, web designers, graphic artists, interior decor firms, corporate creative groups, and other entities utilize stock photography to fulfill the needs of their creative assignments. By using stock photography instead of hiring a photographer to perform on location shooting, customers can save valuable time and stay on budget.
Everything for commercial use these days has some sort of marketing on it; often this marketing takes the form of a photograph. Take a look at your cereal box — there’s a photo on it. Flip through any magazine — someone took the photographs in all those ads. This website often uses images to help describe a story better — someone had to take those. You cannot legally just right-click and save an image from the Internet and use it on a website, print article or magazine. A marketing firm based in Florida may need a photograph of snow-capped mountains. They obviously don’t have mountains in Florida, so they turn to stock photos, which they can purchase at a reasonable rate. The photographer makes a percentage of that image sale.
How can you start making money? This is the first question everyone asks, but there are some precursor questions that should be answered first:
Do you have the time to invest (perhaps as much as four hours per week)?
Can you capture images other then your immediate surroundings?
Will friends and family be willing to sign model release forms?
Is your camera of high enough quality?
Do you know how to properly edit a photograph?
Will you be able to associate keywords to go along with your photo?
Will you be willing to invest more into gear and cameras?
Can you be objective with yourself?
How well do you handle rejection?
Are you willing to invest time to learn continually?
Do you have the time to invest? Editing photos takes time. So does giving them full descriptions and uploading full-sized images. This is aside from actually taking photographs. When I was doing this on a regular basis, I would often spend an hour or more a day just editing photographs, another two hours to upload and catalog them.
Can you capture images other then your immediate surroundings? In order to sell a photograph, you need to give the buyer something they can’t grab themselves. This rules out most of your everyday surroundings, including everything at your desk, kitchen, living room, even your sock drawer. Thousands of these images exist in stock catalogs already.
Will friends and family be willing to sign model release forms? One of the best ways to sell a photograph is to have somebody in it. In order to do this, the models in the images need to sign off their rights to collect any money for them. Often times, I will do a trade with friends and family. I’ll agree to bring my camera to so-and-so’s birthday party and photograph the event for them if one or three agree to give me an hour or two time around the house, at the park or wherever to pose and let me photograph them, and sign the release. This works out well for both parties.
Is your camera of high enough quality? Many online stock sites now have minimum requirements for files they will accept. Generally speaking, the baseline where you want to start is a 5mp camera. A digital SLR camera, one that you can change lenses on, is much more desirable as they produce better quality images. More megapixels doesn’t always mean better images; the quality of the sensor has a lot to do with it.
Do you know how to properly edit a photograph? Photographs can often be improved by making adjustments to them, such as:
Cropping
Color
Density
Shadow detail
Sharpening
A basic photo-editing program will be needed, as every image that comes out of your camera can always be tweaked a bit for better quality. I’ve been using Photoshop for years now, current version is CS2, but Photoshop Elements is acceptable. You might also like the GIMP, which is free for both Windows and Mac users. Any corporate name will also need to be edited out of an image. Logos, text or other copyrighted material cannot appear in a photograph that will be sold as stock.
Will you be able to associate keywords to go along with your photo? Stock photography sites use their own internal search engines; you find an image you’re looking for by putting in descriptive words. Nothing magical about that. It is when you need to convey more then what is physically in an image. You could associate 50 or more keywords with an image. This light bulb is an example of a stock photograph. If this were my photo for sale, some of the keywords I would associate with it are:
Light bulb
Glass
Red
Clear
Transparent
Illuminate
Idea
Copy space
As you can see, some are descriptive of the actual item, others are there as adjectives. The key wording “game” is directly related to how well people will be able to find your images. This will be covered in greater detail later on.
Will you be willing to invest more into gear and cameras? As you progress, you will find yourself needing better cameras and lenses, more gear such as studio lights, tripods and just spending more money. You may not make the money back for several months, maybe not at all, but would you be willing to make a small investment? I found myself shooting three cameras and in a studio paying rent for it at one point. It was very much worth it.
Can you be objective with yourself? Self-editing can be a photographer’s biggest downfall. I don’t mean editing the photographs in an image editor like Photoshop — I’m referring to selecting the best possible image from a group. The photographer who took the above light bulb photo more then likely has a dozen of them at slightly different angles; however, she chose what she thought would be the best example of that group. Uploading 15 photos of essentially the same photo all at slightly different angles doesn’t give buyers more choices, it confuses them and often leaves them second-guessing. Only show and sell your very best of the best images. I’ve found myself doing shoots with models with 400 or more shots from a two-hour session. When it was all said and done, I had about twenty I was really happy with and that’s all anyone ever saw.
How well do you handle rejection? More then likely you are going to get images rejected. How often? Don’t be surprised if 50% or more of what you submit gets rejected. Don’t let this get you down, use it as a tool to help build upon your growing portfolio.
Are you willing to invest time to learn continually? Whether you are new to photography or have been shooting for years, learning is part of the game. I’m on several different forums on a regular basis chatting with other photographers about how to shoot, tips, techniques and most importantly, critiques. Books and now DVDs are becoming increasingly more important tools to mastering different techniques as well and I often reference them prior to doing a shoot.
Conclusion As this series continues at my own site, I will be writing articles on specific topics, giving examples and suggesting ideas to really maximize a hobby into a source of income. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Much of this information is applicable to making money from any hobby. This article originally appeared at Randomn3ss in a slightly different format. The second part of this series gives a brief overview of a photographer’s workflow. The third part discusses types of images that sell well.
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