Modern Bathroom Design, Clever Lighting Design

Read article : Modern Bathroom Design, Clever Lighting Design

Effective bathroom lighting ideas, modern bathroom design

Lighting design for modern bathroom space is a excellent tool for creating comfortable, safe, spacious and stylish interior. Not all bathroom light fixtures are equally great for high humidity levels or temperature changes. Choosing right lighting fixtures and their arrangement helps make your bathroom design effective, practical and attractive.

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Bathroom light fixtures are designed for specific zones. Safety is one of the most important modern bathroom design principles. Drops of water should not reach hot bathroom light fixtures, and you or your kids should not be able to touch hot lamps accidentally. LED and low wattage modern bathroom lighting design is a safe, eco friendly and stylish choice. (Modern bathroom, top 10 trends for 2011)

It is great if your bathroom interior has a large window. You can add modern bathroom light fixtures to illuminate specific zones, like a shower area and a bathroom mirror, with lights and save on general lighting. If your bathroom does not have a window, then you need to create effective general lighting design.

Also general bathroom lighting design makes a room with a small window more spacious, safer and more attractive. (Tiny bathroom, 7 tips for remodeling)

General bathroom lighting design

1. Usually three or more built into the ceiling bathroom light fixtures and two mirror lamps create effective and comfortable lighting design. (Modern bathroom lighting fixtures, fixed on the wall near a bathtub, above a bathtub or in a shower should be specifically designed for these areas with high humidity.)

2. There are two modern bathroom lighting design ideas that are practical and stylish. First, – arranging bathroom lighting fixtures on the ceiling at the same distance from each. Second, –  placing bathroom light fixtures on the walls near the ceiling.

3. Small bathrooms can be visually increased in size with smart wall lighting design. (Small bathroom remodeling and staging ideas) Well lit walls create  the wall-wash light effect, which can be general or decorative to bring out texture on a wall, highlight a wall decoration or a wallpaper pattern. Attractive wall-wash lighting design increases the ceiling height and makes small bathrooms look more spacious.

4. Bathroom lighting fixtures with dimmers are great for changing the intensity and creating soft,  relaxing and quiet atmosphere. (Peaceful turquoise colors for bathroom design)

5. Rotating and sliding bathroom lighting fixtures help create a quick change in interior design without any additional decorating, a different mood or a new decorative accent. They are great for experimenting with fresh bathroom lighting design ideas.

6. Traditional bulbs make bathroom design feel softer and warmer. Halogen bulbs create bright white light that can be used for modern bathroom design with dark wood or black decor items and warm colors.

Local bathroom lighting design

1. You can design few zones: around sinks, shower, bathtub, toilet, storage area. (Modern bathroom design, walk-in showers and glass screens)

2. Two bathroom mirrors lights create modern and comfortable lighting that is not blinding.  It does not produce dark shadows on your face, does not distort mirror images and colors.

3. Bathroom light fixtures should not be reflected in the mirror.

4. Arranging bathroom lighting fixtures above the mirror, – vertical lighting design, – is not the best. Downward light emphasizes wrinkles.

5. Fixing bathroom lighting fixtures too low creates shadows on your face.

6. Bathroom mirrors lights should be neutral. Fluorescent bulbs distort colors.

7. Built-in the floor lighting fixtures allow to create unique and relaxing environment.

8. You can place bathroom lighting fixtures around a window or diagonally on a wall. Unusual lanterns and ethnic style bathroom lighting design ideas look modern, impressive and personal. (Moroccan style accessories)

9. Functional bathroom lighting ideas, like lights in drawers and cabinets, add more comfort to your design.

10. Built-in lights in wall niches, above or around shelves are bathroom lighting ideas that are functional and stylish.

Contemporary bathroom lighting fixtures offer various attractive ways to decorate your bathroom interior with impressive, practical and attractive lighting design. Select the best option for your home and add more comfort to your bathroom with smart and pleasant lighting design.

Modern bathroom design:
Bathroom decorating with beautiful bathtub
Eco wall tile designs for modern life and style
Modern bathroom design

  by Ena Russ   
  last updated: 13.01.2012

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Keir Townsend | Bramham Garden

Read article : Keir Townsend | Bramham Garden

Interiors

Interior Design Studio, Keir Townsend provides a full scope of services from concept design and branding through to design implementation.

Though relatively new as an interior design partnership, Irina Townsend and Alastair Keir have already amassed a prestigious portfolio of residential and commercial work including the highly­acclaimed Novikov Restaurant and Bar in London’s Mayfair. Their projects are at the forefront of high end interiors providing a hand­picked selection of exclusive furniture, flooring and lighting that has been sourced from all over the world. Most of the pieces are bespoke and many are made to Keir Townsend’s own designs. The international team comes from different cultural and creative backgrounds but what unites them is the drive to deliver aesthetic and inspiring spaces that bring joy into people’s lives.

Bramham Gardens is 40 square metres comprising kitchen/dining/sitting room, one bedroom & shower room.

Walls were knocked out to create one space for the kitchen/dining/ sitting room and make movement around the apartment as easy and comfortable as possible. Surfaces in a palette of neutral, light tones in a variety of materials and textures create a visual perception of space ­polished plaster is a favourite as this material reflects light. ‘A common misconception is that the fewer pieces of furniture and features you have in a space – the bigger it looks’, says Irina Townsend ‘In fact the more zones and features you have the more it creates a perception of different spaces within one room. It is all about the right proportions of furniture, the right fabrics and the right lighting.’ In this room every cm of space has been cleverly utilized so that it doesn’t appear cluttered. Splashes of colour have been introduced through the use of soft furnishings.

The bespoke kitchen cabinetry was designed by Keir Townsend and made to order by their joinery specialists… Splash backs are in antiqued bronze mirror glass with safety backing and polished edges. Dining table and chairs and chandelier are all bespoke and were commissioned by Keir Townsend. The floor is tiled in textured ceramic tiles designed to look and feel like wood, providing a continuous practical flooring material that runs from the kitchen to the seating zone into the corridor and the bathroom.

En­suite bathroom ­Irina Townsend chose LED lighting to dramatically illuminate the basin in this small bathroom which measures only 1600mm x 1400mm. The basin itself is made from recycled glass and lit from beneath with warm LEDs to create a stunning effect. The taps are in crystal and the cabinets are all bespoke­Wall tiles are glass backed with silver and antique gold leaf. Emperador ceramic tiles were chosen for the walls and mosaic tiles in the shower. Floor tiles are ceramic, textured wood effect.

Monochrome colours and a variety of textures and finishes have again been used to create a feeling of space in this relatively small but luxurious bedroom with en­suite bathroom. Every inch of space has been cleverly utilised to create maximum storage. Leather floor tiles add to the feeling of luxury.

Designer: Keir Townsend

 

 

Dubai's 10 most decadent restaurants

Read article : Dubai's 10 most decadent restaurants

(CNN) —In the glimmering Middle Eastern city of Dubai, where luxury is good and over-the-top opulence is even better, there's no shortage of fancy restaurants.

Some are more decadent than others. Here are our top 10 stops on Dubai's fine dining circuit.

Be prepared for exquisite dishes by Michelin-starred chefs, with price tags to match.

1. Billionaire Mansion Dubai

The view from a table at Billionaire Mansion Dubai, the newly opened venue owned by Italian F1 boss Flavio Briatore, is a bit like going on safari.

Long-legged women roam in packs while men peacock in name-brand clothing.

And absolutely everything -- from the white-suit-black-tie staff to the tree growing in the middle of the restaurant -- is meant to catch the eye.

Located downtown in the Taj Dubai, this swanky spot doesn't really pick up until after 9 p.m. when the brief performances -- like silk ribbon dancing or sultry jazz singing -- start.

The menu is split into Japanese and Italian. Dishes (like a tuna tartare with white truffle sauce or salt-crusted baked sea bass) are larger and less fussy than you would expect.

As the evening moves on, diners should be prepared for sparkler-equipped dancers or bull-masked hoverboard-riding staff to wind between tables.

Just like on safari, the more exotic animals come out at night.

Credit card max-out:125 grams of Beluga Volzhenka Caviar ($640).

Worth the splurge: The wasabi prawns with mango and golden passion fruit salsa. This lightly battered dish is salty, sweet, crunchy and, with five large prawns, just the right size ($40).

2. Cavalli Club Dubai

Cavilli Club Dubai: Zebra stripes and Italian food.

Chandeliers made of Swarovski crystals hang from the ceiling of this purple-lit late-night venue where a large screen projects fashion shows on the wall.

It's not subtle -- but given that it's done in collaboration with over-the-top designer Roberto Cavalli, that's no real surprise.

Even the elevators are lined with zebra print fabric walls and the gold women's bathroom is dotted with private back-lit makeup mirrors.

While Cavalli Club is definitely a party destination, it still offers a solid four-course Italian dinner.

Mains, like meaty monkfish tail poached in squid ink or Mediterranean sea bass wrapped in zucchini, are visually gorgeous if a little under-seasoned.

By 11 p.m. the DJ's music will be pumping.

Credit card max-out: 850g of Wagyu grade 9+ New York steak ($681).

Worth the splurge: A dish of red prawns carpaccio with celery, cheese and watermelon soaked with Aperol spritz ($41).

3. Social by Heinz Beck

Heinz Beck, the chef behind Rome's three-Michelin-starred restaurant La Pergola, has brought his unconventional brand of Italian cuisine to Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah.

With pristine wooden floors, retro photos and glass-fronted kitchen, the decor of Social by Heinz Beck is classic luxury with a modern twist -- a mantra that also extends to the menu.

Expect to find Italian staples such as tiramisu and carbonara turned completely on their heads.

The interior goes for a European high society feel.

There's more of a typical Dubai vibe, from the terrace which offers a vista over the resort's grounds and the sci-fi Marina skyline across the water.

Credit card max-out:The indulgent five-course tasting menu paired with wines from around the world ($226 per person).

Worth the splurge:The Heinz Beck signature, Fagottelli Carbonara. Delicately soft pasta parcels filled with hot pools of buttery sauce ($23).

4. Pierchic

Pierchic: Over-water ostentation.

Corner tables on the terrace enjoy uninterrupted views of the "seven-star" sparkling Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

The food here is fancy and elaborate -- and has the price tag to match.

Oysters, caviar and lobster, topped with flourishes like truffle and foie gras, dominate the Mediterranean menu.

Portions are pleasantly large.

A rich starter of Alaskan king crab topped with caviar and saffron-infused hollandaise could easily be a main, while an elegant main of Chilean sea bass with smoked sweet potato could serve two.

Credit card max-out:50 grams of Beluga Imperial Caviar ($776), whole line-caught sea bass ($245), or a seafood tower with oysters, lobsters, prawns, crab, salmon and more ($245).

Worth the splurge: The venue's smoky sweet potato. Served alongside a dish of Chilean sea bass, it's rich, sweet, caramelized and incredibly decadent ($68 for complete dish).

5. Nobu Dubai

Ask Dubai locals for a great Japanese restaurant, they'll mention one of the holy three: Okku, Zuma or Nobu.

All are equally impressive, but Nobu, located in Dubai's castle-shaped Atlantis hotel on the city's man-made Palm Island, wins by location alone.

This chain restaurant (one of 33 around the world) is well-established for fantastic food.

Absent are traditional sleek and minimalist Japanese-style interiors.

Everything in this popular dining spot is decorated in mesh screens and curved wooden beams, creating the feeling of being caught in a giant fishing net with a hugely sexy twist.

Food is a rich take on Japanese fusion with Arabic touches, ranging from a spicy salmon miso taco to a creamy cheesecake with yuzu sorbet.

Credit card max-out: The Grade A9 Australian Wagyu Beef ($223) is incredible. Diners can choose from a range of styles but "anticucho" is highly recommended.

Worth the splurge:Nobu is famed for its Black Cod Miso ($60); while this will never disappoint, the lighter lobster quinoa ceviche salad ($53) is fantastic.

6. At.mosphere Burj Khalifa

At.mosphere Burj Khalifa: Super slick, super views.

It's hard to miss the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, during any Dubai visit.

While most folks head up to the viewing platform (from $35) for amazing views of Dubai from the sky, a more luxurious option is to book a dinner at At.mosphere.

This fine-dining restaurant is as super slick and expensive as you might expect.

Tables by the floor-to-ceiling windows offer urban sunsets while a multi-course tasting menu lays on the decadence.

There's wasabi roots from Japan, Australian Wagyu beef, lobster and more, all offered alongside suggested wine pairings.

Credit card max-out: The seven-course experience tasting menu with wine pairing will set you back a steep $436 per person.

Worth the splurge:A hand-cut beef tartare served with caviar is deliciously rich (part of a tasting menu at $185 per person).

7. Enigma

Theatrics and incredible food star at Enigma, a newly opened venue in the luxurious Palazzo Versace Dubai which is creating a real buzz.

Chefs change every four months, bringing with them set menus that are revealed on the night.

First there was Quique Dacosta (whose Spanish restaurant has three Michelin stars) whipping up smoking truffle creations.

Until June 20, 2016 it's Bjorn Frantzen (famed for the fine-dining Restaurant Frantzen, which was awarded two Michelin stars after only two years of operation) with a 12-course Nordic-inspired tasting menu.

Dishes are elaborate, decadent and incredibly creative.

Meals can take upwards of three hours.

For extra indulgence, cocktails can be grabbed on the column-lined terrace while the sun sets over the Dubai Creek.

"It's essentially a pop-up in a five-star deluxe hotel with chefs changing four times a year," says Samantha Wood, founder of restaurant review website foodiva.net.

Credit card max-out: The "full story" 12-course tasting menu costs $231 at weekends.

Worth the splurge: The beautifully presented scallop in its own shell served with dried roe on a bed of a fir tree (not priced individually).

8. La Cantine du Faubourg

La Cantine du Faubourg: Inviting cafe vibe.

Popular with Dubai's in-the-know crowd, this French restaurant is one of those places where folks go to see and be seen.

Billowy white fabric and high ceilings create an inviting cafe vibe.

In cooler months, the venue's terrace is packed with high-heeled well-groomed fashionistas.

Like Le Petite Maison, another posh cafe beloved by locals, Cantine features French cuisine done well.

Dishes include smoked salmon blinis with caviar and buttery sea bass served on a bed of black quinoa.

Optional supplements of seared foie gras ($16 for 30gr), black truffle ($19 for 2gr) or caviar ($20 for 5gr) allow for customizable amounts of decadence.

Credit card max-out: Enjoy 250gr of Imperial caviar ($1,361) or order the 500gr chateaubriand steak ($133).

Worth the splurge: "Les coquilletes de mon enfance," an elaborate mac 'n' cheese dish with truffles and gruyere ($25).

9. Al Muntaha

Al Muntaha: Skyline dining.

Like the Burj Khalifa, the ostentatious "seven star" Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is one of those properties that defines the Dubai skyline.

While the reservation-only venue's launched a few new offerings lately (including an outdoor terrace beachfront restaurant and Gold on 27, an incredibly decadent bar with foie gras-infused whiskey cocktails), its staple for luxury dining is Al Muntaha.

This contemporary European venue sits 200 meters above sea level, providing amazing views of the Arabian Gulf alongside deliberately fancy food.

The atmosphere is subdued, all clinking silverware and sophisticated diners. A new summer menu, launching mid-June, features dishes like Alaskan king crab served with lemon and caviar, or roasted veal fillet with foie gras.

Credit card max-out (and worth the splurge):The menu is currently under renovation, but expect to pay several hundred dollars per person.

10. Qbara

Arabic food is given a modern twist in Dubai's homegrown Qbara restaurant.

Located beside Raffles Hotel near the Dubai Creek, this funky venue is intimate in reds and golds, draped in shadows and subtly sexy.

A cool DJ and rotating artwork projections add to the buzzing vibe enjoyed by an Emirati and expat crowd.

Food spans everything from salads to small hot dishes, but the thing uniting it all is the edgy take on traditional Middle Eastern cuisine.

There's scallops seared with sumac (a tangy lemony spice) served with pomegranate onions or lobster kibbeh (a fried wheat parcel stuffed with flavored meat) with avocado labneh (a soft cheese).

Dates, pine nuts, hummus and more dot the expansive menu.

"If you have one night only in Dubai, then this restaurant is a must -- and ultimately my favorite restaurant in this emirate," says Samantha Wood.

Credit card max-out:Out-pricing even the tasting menu ($136 per person) is the hefty mixed grill. This star of Arabic cuisine features pure-bred Angus sirloin, tiger prawns, Syrian lamb kofta, grilled lamb cutlets and more ($204).

Worth the splurge: The decadent dessert made with iced nougat, baked kunafa pastry and gently flavored orange cream (part of a tasting menu for $136 per person, or on its own for $14).

Danae Mercer is a freelance travel journalist who lived in Dubai for over two years.