Category

Good ideas

feb 24
Love0

Small budget big ideas!

By Colours, Flooring, Furniture, Good ideas, Interior styles, Kitchen, Lighting, My work, Patterns, Plants, Wallpaper No Comments

We all have big ideas when we want to renovate but it’s the tight budget that cuts the dreams down.

Creativity is key to renovation problems! It may just solve all your problems to achieve your dreams, even though you may have a tight budget.  Through good planning, creative problem solving and a well-trained interior designers eyes (which may down the road save you from horrible costly mistakes as well) can look at a challenged area and create it into something more fun and functional to be in and work from. And we all know that a practical and functional space just makes life so much more easy and enjoyable. Am I right?!

I find the tighter the budget the more creative we have to be.

This latest project RoomDesign has been working on involved space planning for several rooms in this apartment, re-inventing the kitchen and dining area, material choices, soft furnishings, lighting and colour scheme. The client did have a tight budget and wanted to prioritize a new plan for her small kitchen area that before had direct access into the bathroom!

She as well wanted a space with personality and something that packed a punch. Well we did that didn’t we? The wallpaper!

By moving the door to another area and taking away the wall between the dining room and kitchen, it gave better opportunity for a floor to ceiling storage cupboard and made a more inviting social space. The kitchen comes from Ikea and with great help from a super clever builder he helped us build the intricate cupboards and draws to maksimize every centimentre of the wall. The client loves this area and spends the whole time here.

And don’t you just love the wallpaper?! Its called Botany Banana designed from Lemon in South Africa and can be found via Photowall.no

PalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkkenPalmekjøkken

Pic credits Gunn K Monsen

okt 01
Love0

Making the most of a Small Bathroom

By Bathroom, Black, Colours, Flooring, Good ideas, Lighting, Mirror, My work No Comments

“We are a busy family of 5 in need of help with reorganizing of Storage space, new space planning and modernizing of our existing bathroom. High in the wish list is a bathtub to wash our big sized dog after trips in the woods.”

Conquering small bathrooms can be challenge when lacking in storage, organization and in need of modernizing. The clients were open to something different, not the normal white, to clever spacing planning and have good storage possibilities which was all very important for the active family.

We decided to take away a little bit of the entranceway creating a possibility for a shower nook in the bathroom without sacrificing the otherwise small floor area in the bathroom.

The wall between the bathroom and a little laundry room was removed. We added sliding wardrobe doors in black glass to reflect light and create a more spacious feel.

We were lucky that the window could be moved enabling better placing of vanity and mirror cabinet.

The clients loved the idea of darker walls and lighter floors. This gave the bathroom depth and created a unique feeling to the room.

Maximizing space and cleaning up all clutter with a mirror cabinet, matching wall storage cabinet and vanity just gave the extra practical edge to the room. By opening the bathroom more made the bathroom more spacious visually. The oval free-standing bathtub become the hero, or focus point of the room which the clients loved! With the darker walls good lighting was necessary under and over the mirror cabinet.

All it takes is just a few simple changes to the whole space planning of the bathroom area and the family functions much better. This adding value to their life and the whole apartment.

We like that!

RoomDesign Bad-4RoomDesign Bad-5RoomDesign Bad-11RoomDesign Bad-12RoomDesign Bad-13RoomDesign Bad-15-1RoomDesign Bad-15RoomDesign Bad-16-1RoomDesign Bad-17RoomDesign Bad-19-1All photos gunnkristinmonsen.no

RoomDesign has had the privilege of working on this prosject giving advice on the spaceplanning,  furniture, tiles, lighting and colourscheme.

Thanks to the fabulous family in Nesttun that allowed me to help them on their renovation travels!!<3<3

Hugs Lisa xx

 

nov 06
Love0

New look – stylish and super functional

By Colours, Fireplaces, Flooring, Good ideas, Kitchen, Lighting, Livingroom, My work No Comments

«We want a home that is stylish and that is super practical and functional to our needs»

There was a definite need for an overhaul in this townhouse in Nesttun. There were two small living and dining rooms, dark and cold stairway and kitchen needed to be more functional and updated for a busy family of five. The man of the house is totally passionate and serious about his fireplace! Here had to be a fireplace that would warm up the house appropriately, stylish and cool to look at and have extra storage to firewood. Where the beam in the ceiling is today in the living and dining area was once where a wall was between the two rooms.

The entranceway and stairwell got a new look by removing the classic two door opening from the stairway into the living area. Rather than a closed-in stairwell being cold and dark, it was decided to remove the doors and open up the whole stairwell facing into the living and dining areas. A sliding glass door was put between the stairwell and entre, creating a more open stairwell connecting more with the living area, spreading more warmth up to the other floors and giving a more modern and functional living area.

A new window, the same size as the others, was put on the side of the house near the corner of the dining area and this allowed for more light and better connection to the terrace outside.

I must say I’m so in love with the kitchen! Its so cool and stylish, loads of storage, all that work space for baking and the little extra sitting area. The white benchtop was suggested to continue down to the floor which frames in the sitting area and adding extra style and finish. The subways tiles over the benchtop to the ceiling just gives a little extra wow factor.  Don’t you love it?

roomdesign-3roomdesign-5roomdesign-6roomdesign-15roomdesign-10roomdesign-16roomdesign-23

All fotos : gunnkristinmonsen.com

RoomDesign has had the privilege of working on this prosject giving advice on the spaceplanning, design for fireplace, kitchen and in-built storage for television, furniture, flooring, lighting and colourscheme.

Thanks to the rocka family in Nesttun that allowed me to help them on their renovation travels!!<3<3

Hugs Lisa xx

 

okt 23
Love0

5 Benefits to using rugs in your home

By Colours, Flooring, Furniture, Good ideas, Happenings, Livingroom, My work, Patterns, Rugs, Tricks No Comments

Having rugs in your home can make a enormous difference to the appearance, personality and style for your home. Those who never thought of keeping rugs in their house cannot realize the importance, elegance and difference in the overall living and impression that it will make.

blogg-bildepic credit Pinterest

There are many benefits of rugs and I have gathered just 5 of many…

#1. Creates an instant and perfect focal point of colour for your room.

#2. Rugs act as a shield for your hardwood floors. They protect the floor from all kinds of stains and scratches.

#3. They  help to absorb loud noise of radio and TV, as compared to a room with hard surfaces.

#4. Rugs are made up of many different materials that will keep your house warm, thus saving your heating expenses.

#5. One fun thing to do is it can be hanged on the wall. Cool idea, no?

Have a good day all:-)

Hugs og love xx

sep 08
Love0

Farger kan endre livet ditt

By Colours, Good ideas, Kitchen, Tricks No Comments

Farge er noe av det mest transformative du kan gjøre for ditt interiør. Det koste ikke mye heller. Det begeistrer, provoserer, lager intriger, roer og leger oss, ja rett og slett får oss til å føle oss bra. Spørsmålet er, hvorfor velger så mange kjedelige hvite vegger? Hvorfor er vi redde for farger?

Mange snakke om at de mangler selvtillit til å bruke farger. La oss finne vår egen selvtillit og sette i gang.

m229_23

Bilde kredit: Montana

Farger brukes på mange måter til å fremheve karakteriserende detaljer i rommet, skape stemning og atmosfære. Lek med farger og skap en sofistikert stil, en klassisk ton-i-ton stil som er meget lett å få til. Mest av alt må DU like fargen, nei ikke bare like fargen, med elske den! Følg magefølelsen.

Finn din fargeinspirasjon – lag en inspirasjons board, samle på gamle interiør magasinbilder, samle inn stoffprøver, finn noen kule fargeprøver. En egen pinterest konto kan være nyttig å ha i denne kreative prosessen. Samle på alt som fanger øyet ditt, selv om du ikke vet helt hvorfor det gir deg en god følelse.

Det kan være en kjempegod ide å ta en titt rund i huset ditt, det kan hende du allerede har litt kunst, farger i teppet, eller noe i garderoben din som du liker og som du kan forsterke med fargenyanser.

Se opp og ut, inspirasjon finnes overalt i naturen. Farger i trær og blomster, fugler, på himmelen, eller på havet. Farger i naturen vil alltid funke sammen, super chic og fantastisk og lett å skape i hjemmet.

m229_20Bilde kredit: Montana

Ikke feig ut – det er mange som mister motet når de ønsker å bruke mørke farger på veggene. Mitt råd er å bevege seg mer over til den mørke siden. Når du først har tatt dette første vanskelige steget, lover jeg deg at du ikke vil ønske å gå tilbake til det hvite og kjedelige. Farger kan endre livet ditt. Du vil bli mer selvsikkert, dristigere og gi mer blaffen i hva andre folk tenker. Følg hjertet ditt når du begynner på ditt neste malingsprosjekt. Hva er det verste som kan skje? Du maler bare over det igjen, og samtidig brenner noen kalorier.

Vinn-vinn situasjon synes jeg:-)

 

 

apr 05
Love0

5 simple ways to add style to Your home With plants

By Good ideas, Happenings, My work, Plants No Comments

Not all people are clever With plants. That includes me! Sometimes we need just a few easy tricks to give a room that ‘wow faktor’. I believe With these few styling tips under they will just give you that little push and inspiration you need. So read on…

1. Group plants for impact! Minimum effort gives Maximum effect. Group several of the same type of plant in a corner or an area in Your living room that needs a little love:-)

group for impact

2. Use height! Make a statemant in Your home With a tree. They give any room Depth, grandeur and creates loads of interest. I like to knock People off their perches when they walk into a room With a big tree in it:-)

plante med høyde

3 Use interesting potholders! There is nothing more fun, and strange, by using a boring old bowl or vase that you haven’t used for yonks. It gives New life to any plant. Recycle, re-vamp or re-invent. Have fun!

use interesant potter

4 Use texture! Plants With different sized leaves and foliage create a beautiful backdrop for a table. The textures they create together as a Group makes a magical statment. They compliment each other in Complete blissful harmony.

use texture

5 Use contraster! Here is where you really can have fun. Try differents sizes, different potholders, different heights, differents coloured greens etc. Mix and match, hard spiky succulents With soft long cascading plants. Play and make an impact!

use kontraster

NB: All pics come from my Pinterest

How was that?! Just a few little ideas to give you that edge to turn Your home from drab to fab With plants in Your home.

Have a fun day…hugs Lisa xx.

mai 26
Love0

Join the «Afternoon Tea Party»!

By Good ideas, Happenings, My work No Comments

Thanks to all the wonderfully fabulous ladies that joined me at my «Afternoon Tea Party».

Those who know me know that I just love, at any chance, to have a party! I brought 6 m of linen from IKEA, as a tablecloth, to reach over the two long tables put together. I made sure that I washed the linen first to give it that crinkled effect.

You can mix and match all the tea cups and tea pots, that just adds to the charm of the evening. I made 3 batches of scones Cheese Scones, Date scones and some fresh strawberry scones they were all delicious! Don’t forget to have a small selection of different English teas.

Oh and by this stage have a glass of champagne to calm the nerves  – and then dress the table and then just wait for the guests to arrive. Of course I had to make a Carrot cake as well just for fun.

Don’t worry I have written the Scone recipe half way through the picture book undder. Just scroll down and enjoy!

RoomDesign 01 RoomDesign Tea party RoomDesign tea party RoomDesign tea Party RoomDesign tea party RoomDesign tea party

Scones

3 cups flour

6 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

75g butter

1 to 1 ½ cups milk

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Cut butter in until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add milk (not necessarily all) mix quickly with a knife to a soft dough. Knead a few times with your fingertips, avoid handling too much. Lightly dust an oven tray with flour. Press scone dough out onto this. Cut into 10–12 even-sized scones. Brush tops with a little milk. Bake at 220 C for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

You can add cheese at the end on top of the scones. Or you can, while blending, add some dates and a little cinnamon and sugar. Or what about fresh strawberries right at the end of blending with a spoon full of sugar before baking?

Eat with cream and jam. With the cheese scones I would spread some butter on the warm scones. Enjoy!

tea party Tea party tea party styling tea party styling tea party styling tea party Photo credits to the wonderful Gunn Monsen

Have fun and make Your own ‘Afternoon Tea Party’.   Highly recommended:-)

Hugs xx.

apr 08
Love0

Spring Clean!

By Colours, Furniture, Good ideas 9 Comments

Six ways to get your space ready for spring…

Well hallo everyone! Don’t you think, since spring is right on our door step, it’s time for a good old clean up, re-vamp, re-style, de-clutter, re-fresh or whatever you like to call it.       It’s time for a BIG spring clean!

De-clutter… there are many things that we need to look closer at when de-cluttering. Is this an item worth the time cleaning or storing?? Or even could the space be used for something else? My Mum has a great motto to de-clutter a home. It’s a harsh one but it’s a good one…

…if in doubt throw out!  Holy moly!b9c271f31459546d5d12101aad75abc0

Paint…I love this, the quickest and cheapest way to transform any room without doubt!  A wall or a whole room, try a strong colour or a subdued colour.  Grab a colour cart and splash into a colour that you fancy.  Or, not to worry if you have some art or a picture on your wall that you love take a closer look in the picture and you’ll find a contrasting colour that you can use in your space. Notice how the wall, in the pic under, gives the room more depth than if it was white like the rest. Easy peasy.6664eaeb424dcf88ade363db9ce9799b

Freshen up…cushion covers are just the best. Don’t cost much and you can change your pillows with every season. Go fresh, go light, go with linen and cotton and patterns and textures. Think the more layers of textures the more stimulating and intriguing your space will be. Knock you’re sofas socks off:-)0001875a988124bf5e8602f713458e27

Go green…we are just so lucky at the moment green plants are in BIG! Get down to your local garden center and bring home some luscious green plants and trees for in your home.c264d8cc2344acb9bd3ccce218185593

Move it around…sometimes we really don’t need new furniture; sometimes it’s rather a case of moving the sofa or chair to another place.  Even re-grouping a stole with a side table and a floor lampshade will do the trick. What about moving your rugs around or put your sofa in the middle of the room and work some Magic round that. It’s all about bringing new life to your living room!800fd76a4b393de207c57d9605f5152b

Party on…it’s time for a tea party people. Make some scones and tea with jam and cream.  Invite your friends for an afternoon tea.  Good excuse getting your home spic and span clean before they arrive, I say:-)ae7b3e123b29d4369bc1bb4f866add60

All credit to pics via Pinterest

The best time of the year…spring! Longer and warmer days ahead and then….summer. Delight!

Have a great day everyone:-)

Hugs xx.

des 17
Love0

Embracing the ‘Slow Christmas’ spirit!

By Good ideas, Happenings, My work No Comments

What a fantastic ‘Slow Christmas’ evening!!!

It was a wonderfully inspiring evening with 32 interior-happy ladies packed into my office. We discovered and learnt and mastered the whole Slow Living concept! Overwhelming stress and a sense of detachment are very common symptoms of trying to deal with too much in this fast–paced, commodity–filled, and highly technological world. The concept for ‘Slow Living’ directs the desire to lead a more balanced life and to pursue a more healthy sense of well-being in the fullest sense.

We need to slow Down!

We were so lucky to have flower stylist Hilde showing us how to decorate our homes, this Christmas, with more thought and less stress. To re-design and re-use what we find out in nature! Some very cool and creative ideas she had. I was definitely inspired!

gjør ting som ikke koster

happy grouptale01fbgrønt blomsterstjerne på veggIMG_1446fbcandlelight i office

Picture credits til Gunn K Monsen

A spesial thanks to everyone that was there that evening, you are all rock stars!

You all can look forward to the next event!!!

Hugs Lisa.

des 17
Love0

5 last minute fixes for the festive season!

By Good ideas No Comments

Drape fairylights everywhere…

over mirrors, fire mantles, up stair banisters, in vases and why not indoor trees and plants!

fairylights

Jazz up Your Christmas table…

do it with glam, keep it simple and make it sparkle!

sparkle table

 

Get that Christmas brew Cooking…

before the guests arrive put some fresh ginger, cloves, allspise, Orange peel, cinnamon, and a Vanilla pod into a sausepan and simmer away. It will set the house With the most incrediable scent!

scent brew

Overdose on the eculyptus leaves…

they are cheap and look fabulous in any vase. And they smell devine!

euclyuptus bouquet

Get the fire started outside!..

Fires outside are great for gatherings and when all the guests get hot inside… Everyone will relish the thought of popping out for a quick festive drink of mulled wine!

fireoutside

all pics via pinterest

 

Heres wishing to all a very Happy peaceful Christmas!!

All my love

Hugs Lisa