Tag Archives: rustic modern

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Frank Lloyd Wright-The Pioneer of Rustic Modern Design

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Being the father of organic architecture, FLW was far ahead of the curve on the eco-friendly home.  He used the earth in its very essence to create homes that were virtually seamless from outdoor to indoor. Coupled with that he laid an innovative design philosophy that pioneered what we now call rustic modern design.

Exterior

 

Modern Today Exterior

“We have no longer an outside and an inside as two separate things. Now the outside may come inside and the inside may and does go outside. They are of each other. Form and function thus become one in design and execution if the nature of materials and method and purpose are all in unison.”
― Frank Lloyd Wright

Living room windows and doors

 

Large Windows entrance

The most famous example of this beautiful simplicity is the astounding Fallingwater home in Mill Run, PA built in 1936. The project in its entirety was inspired, designed and integrated with nature. The original “rustic modern” home with its natural materials: Pottsville sandstone, flagstone, concrete and wood for built-ins and furniture; combined with the modern flair of steel which was used for windows, doors, sashes and metal shelving in a single color throughout, Cherokee red, his signature color.

Natural w Metal Industrial Fireplace cooker

Low Furniture bringing outdoors in

FLWright was the forerunner in many arenas from concept, design, and sustainability in which he continues to influence today.  The open concept home was not common in this era yet ever present in this informal retreat.  Furniture was built low in a style we consider modern to this day, all in natural colors to not obstruct the views of the serene outdoors.  A one of a kind hatch made of steel bound windows lead you from inside the home directly to the running water of the river below by stairway. In a few steps you are transported to the babbling stream that runs freely bringing energy and life to the home. Large almost seamless windows alongside mitered corner windows are used throughout this landmark home to bring the outdoor in and allow light to pour through.

Open Floor Plan

Low Furniture 2

Glass Hatch 1

Hatch 2

Steps to water

Mr. Wright had a famous quote that is clearly depicted in the Fallingwaters home.  “No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill, belonging to it.   Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.”  The Fallingwaters property was built into the cliff side, hovering over the water as if suspended timelessly and effortlessly.  The home is anchored to the cliff by sandstone with terraces jutting out directly over the stream.  The interior walls are formed from sandstone and the flooring of flagstone floors to mimic the bedrock below the house in the stream.  Uncut boulders are left in the living room as a decorative relief instead of being removed and replaced with flooring.   A true innovation in design concept and functionality. The rustic influence of the native rock married with the modern lines of wood furniture and the steel presence bring the true nature of the rustic modern style to life.

boulders 1

side view 1 side view 2

“Organic architecture seeks superior sense of use and a finer sense of comfort, expressed in organic simplicity”.  -FLW

While continually influenced by Japanese culture, philosophy and building, he was a passionate American striving to give us a gift of staying connected with the earth and with nature to remain pure and true to its preservation and the craft of design.
outdoor nature blending together

Open Floor Plan

 

For more information on rustic modern style and resources visit the contact page on the Jigsaw Design Group website at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  Someone will quickly contact you with more information.  Please subscribe to the blog for more informative articles like these, and check out our Facebook page for more tips and images!  Be sure to ‘like us’ on Facebook!

outdoor 1 outdoor 2 outdoor 3

 

Color Trends, Flooring, Carpet and Rugs, Style

The Spanish Evolution

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The quintessential ‘Spanish style’ in interior design has truly evolved. Think white, light and airy when it comes to the new modern take on this classic hacienda style.  The fine line between Spanish and Mediterranean is thinning as the shift from dark and heavy décor moves into bright seaside whites with touches of classical iron and cherry wood.  The days of over cluttered and ornate accessories and art are becoming a thing of the past as the Spanish style transitions to a more minimal approach.  Lines are becoming cleaner and more elegant which lends itself to show off important pieces of elaborate art, tapestries and patterns.  In the image below, this light and airy room is so inviting with its crisp white walls, curtains and sofas.  The touches of iron for the curtain rods and lamps reflect the root of the Spanish style as well as the exposed beam ceilings.  The lines in the ceiling seem to sweep you softly to the outdoors among the cactus garden in nature’s own flora and fauna landscape.

White Living Room

The spirit of the Spanish style always feels like a vacation, but the contemporary hacienda has a chic new twist.  Clean nearly blank walls all in white, with one bright accent wall to pop a piece of Spanish artwork.  Mixing modern or mid-century modern furniture and flooring makes this new modern Spanish style unique and fresh.  Brightly colored tiles mixed with neutral or grey walls and antiques create a youthful vibe with old world bones.  Spanish style and tiles are really coming back but with more color and pattern options.  More options than the traditional brown and gold tones we used to be limited to.  The Jigsaw Designers love mixing these floor tiles in a bathroom with rustic modern pieces like a large black pained shower glass doors, reclaimed cabinets with Carrera countertops, and a vintage iron chandelier.

Modern span Mexican tile spanish tile

Consider wall tapestries and Spanish theme artwork when you update your decor. While giving focus to the room, wall art is an excellent opportunity to enhance your hacienda design theme.    While keeping the overall look white and bright, add a color indigenous to the Mediterranean and Spanish regions in colors of creamy ivory, gold, turquoise blues, rich greens and deep red and of course terra cotta.  High ceilings, concrete floors, and exposed beams are all typical elements of the Spanish style and can be the perfect canvas to express the Hacienda flavor.  In the bedroom image below the ceilings are very high, the color palate in greens and terra cotta, and while being a bit dark (which is typically Spanish), it is not cluttered with art work and accessories.  The space and rich colors are simply allowed to flow and the look really works.

Orange bedroom

Combining the grandeur of bold artwork with the organic look of iron wall decor and the rustic appeal of Spanish Hacienda furniture can make your rooms feel more interesting and inviting.  Furnish your space with touches of iron candle holders, candelabras, lanterns, hurricanes and wall sconces which are classic to Spanish and Mediterranean design.  All with keeping the lines cleaner and color palette brighter will give focus to the room and provide an excellent opportunity to enhance your updated Spanish-chic decorating theme.

Span Outdoor outdoor colonade

For more information on the spanish style and resources visit the contact page on the Jigsaw Design Group website at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  Someone will quickly contact you with more information.  Please subscribe to the blog for more informative articles like these, and check out our Facebook page for more tips and images!  Be sure to ‘like us’ on Facebook!

staircase

Flooring, Carpet and Rugs

Flooring Trends

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Installing new flooring in your home or office is a big investment, and your choice of flooring is one you’ll have to live with for a long time.  So where do you start?  In this post we’ll explore some of today’s hottest trends in flooring to help you arrive at this big and often daunting decision.

Hardwood floors are timeless and will always be one of the most sought after flooring materials.  While the love of hardwood floors doesn’t change, the style does.  One trend we are seeing is standard hardwoods in a chevron or herringbone layout.  This vintage French style really dresses up the hardwoods and creates visual interest in the room.  The herringbone layout works well in all interior design styles from Rustic Modern to the Traditional home.

wavy wood

multi colored natural wood

More trends that we love are the unique finishes now being applied to hardwood flooring.  From standard hardwood layout to patterned layout, the new installations are being stained and scraped in alternative ways.  Washed grey stain is really dominating the hardwood scene right now.  Visually it’s subtle, refreshing and soothing.  The Jigsaw Designers also like seeing a lot of color variation in hardwood flooring, and using natural colors like walnut and pecan show this variation the best.

wood floors chev

washed floorThe method of instillation is also being varied to create a unique and custom look.  For example, board lengths can be varied from four inches to eight inches for a completely fresh look.  This keeps the floor from looking too manufactured or laminated, and instead creates a one-of-a-kind couture flooring.   An added bonus is requesting a variation in board lengths which can actually prove cost effective as a typical install will require a uniform look.

Custom tile work is not just for the bathroom and kitchen anymore.   Unlock your master bedrooms potential with gorgeous stylized tile flooring.  This chic look can complete the décor in a way carpet cannot.  In the images below, see how the black and white chevron floor is the building block for the style of the entire room.  The modern chevron flooring plus the black and white décor mixed with the rustic door create an original look that is timeless yet has a bit of edge.

blk wht chevron

Chevron Floors

One hot trend on the rise worth mentioning is the mixing of hardwoods and ceramic or porcelain tiles.  The vibe is highly artistic and you can be as creative as you want to be.   The Jigsaw Designers love mixing these two materials in a herringbone fashion for a dining room or bathroom.  Wrapping the tile floors up the wall is also a trend we are watching closely.  It is a great way to add architectural interest instead of using wanes coating or chair railing.  This look is a little unconventional, but it screams style.

Floor up wall

bath floor

Wood and tile mix 1

Wood and tile mix 2

Choosing the right flooring for your home can be fun and sometimes a little confusing.  We hope this post will inspire you to look at a variety of options when finding the perfect flooring to fit your lifestyle.

pale kitchen floor

For more information on flooring trends and resources visit the contact page on the Jigsaw Design Group website at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  Someone will quickly contact you with more information.  Please subscribe to the blog for more informative articles like these, and check out our Facebook page for more tips and images!  Be sure to ‘like us’ on Facebook!