Chicago Interior Designer - Jordan Guide

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Nov 24 2010

Mirror, Mirror – The Illusion of Enlarging Small Spaces

Versailles Hall of Mirrors

Versailles Hall of Mirrors

I think we can agree that the The Palace of Versailles Hall of Mirrors  isn’t a “small space” in the least, but it was one of the first architectural projects to feature new technology in mirror making.   Built from 1678–1684, this great hallway incorporates seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors that were created by the Venetian Republic, who, at the time controlled the mirror monopoly.  Mirrors were among the most expensive items sold during the 17th century.  Thanks to Justus von Liebig and his advance in the modern techniques of silver-glass mirror making in 1835, we now have perfected the chemical process of coating a glass surface with metallic silver, which is the most widely known mirror making process used today.  Life and design would be drastically different if it weren’t for the discovery and advances of mirror making, and here are just a few reasons why.
Living Room Mirrors with Window Mullions

Living Room Mirrors with Window Mullions

Mirrors have been installed to each side of the feature fireplace wall in this transitional living room.  The simple addition of applied window mullions create the illusion of a larger and more spacious room.  Lamps and candlesticks are placed on small tables that also complete the lower portion of the side niches.  Another convex fish-eye mirror has been set in front of the fireplace opening to hide unsightly elements and keep this room looking bright and elegant.
 Eclectic Hallway Floor Mirror

Eclectic Hallway Floor Mirror

This eclectic hallway featured in LivingEtc casually displays accents and artwork on the floor and walls.  Because of the polished concrete floors, this home has the perfect museum-like qualities perfect for random collections with unique presentations.  It is very important to note that when leaning floor mirrors in high traffic areas you should always  use safety wall fasteners.

Dining Room Framed Wall Mirror

Dining Room Framed Wall Mirror

This oversized dining room mirror looks to have been custom framed or finished in the same material as the dining table and chair legs.  The color scheme is very subdued, but designer Patricia Gray other touches of detail create interest and balance that so beautifully reflect in the mirror.  As you can see, the mirror allows the cove-lit tray ceiling to double in size, as well as reflect the textured details in the metallic drapery and layered crystal light fixture.

Graham and Green Floor Mirror

Graham and Green Floor Mirror

This unique mirror by Graham and Green is trimmed in an antiqued gold finish.  Placement in the corner by the window scatters the natural light around the room and reflects the light from the floor lamp light in the evenings.

Square-Cut Mirror Panels

Square-Cut Mirror Panels

These square cut mirror panels offer amazing light reflection, but they also seem to give off their own imperfect texture as well.  Because of the visible seams between each panel we can see a somewhat distorted reflection of the room behind us, without loosing the interesting details within the furniture and accessories.

Oversized Bathroom Floor Mirror

Oversized Bathroom Floor Mirror

This oversized ornate bathroom mirror marries the streamline ultra-contemporary bathtub and epoxy floors with the baroque wall paneling.  A match made in (glowing white) bathroom heaven.

Dainty Living Room

Dainty Living Room

This petite living room featured in House and Home strategically positions the floor mirror inbetween the radiator and hallway opening.  This placement allows the mirror to reflect the opposite end of the living room to enhance and expand the soft look and feel of the decor.

Jordan Guide Luxury Interior Designer

Jordan Guide Luxury Interior Designer


May 1 2010

2010 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show Highlights

Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2010

Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2010

This year KBIS made another return to Chicago’s McCormick place to present the latest and greatest in Kitchen & Bath products and trends.  I scanned over dozens of vendor booths and came up a handful of notables.  Of course when entering KBIS, Kohler always wins my immediate attention considering their booth is so predominantly located.  To view their sparkling new bathroom trends, it would be easiest to visit their website directly.

Ann Sacks, part of the Kohler Interior Group has emerged with a gorgeous new wood tile called Indah Carved Teak in three designs “weave, circles and fingerprint.”  Although they are safe for the bathroom, I more so envision these 12 x 12 panels for use in main living and entry areas of a home.  They are stunning up close and personal.

Ann Sacks Teak Wall Tiles

Ann Sacks Teak Wall Tiles

Glass 2 is a new glass line that is 99% recycled.  It is anti-microbial, scratch resistant, heat resistant, colorfast and currently has 10 beautiful colors to choose from (9  translucent, 1 semi-translucent).  For purchasing or questions, please inquire on through my contact page.

Glass 2 recycled glass surfaces

Glass 2 recycled glass surface

I love the idea of building out the side shower walls to incorporate these rails for soaps and misc. shower products.  The boxy recessed niches are a thing of the past.  They have also included coordinating decorative trim banding on the walls and used schluter on the corners to finish the edges out for a clean designer look.  It is about time we evolve!

Integrated Shower Wall Rails

Integrated Shower Wall Rails

As much as I love to visit trade shows for the obvious reasons, I also pay attention to the creative designs and ideas used within each vendors booth.  These contemporary aluminum sticks can be used as interior room dividers or better yet, as outdoor decor that would make a soothing clacking noise in the wind.

Powder-coated Aluminum Decor Sticks

Powder-coated Aluminum Decor Sticks

Shredded hanging fabrics from the ceiling caught my eye.  I have seen string curtains used before, but these large strands of fabric would make for a great room separator, informal door or dramatic ceiling treatment in dark fabrics.

Strips of Lightweight Fabric Borders A Booth from Above

Strips of Lightweight Fabric Borders A Booth from Above

I especially love this wire water display surrounding the MAAX booth.  It was custom designed for the show and is completely ingenious the way the water neatly falls from the above opening and trickles down each strand of metal wire into the lower basin.

Wire Fountain Display

Wire Fountain Display

Richelieu Hardware is a company that offers almost anything from fixtures, specialty hardware, decorative hardware and lighting.  Naturally, I gravitated towards the light… flexible RGB LED lighting that is!  Professional hard wiring is required for the transformer, but the rest of the lighting strips are literally a snap to install.  I also like that these strips have an adhesive backing for easy application and they can be bent in every direction.  I had to test it out. so with permission I did just that.

Flexible & Sticky Backed LED Strip Lighting

Flexible & Sticky Backed LED Strip Lighting

Another flexible material that caught my eye was Hanex Solid Surfaces.  This material can be bent and shaped during fabrication as seen in this shower display, and it also comes with a list of  additional advantages.  78 rich colors and textures,  inconspicuous seams, scratch and stain resistant for easy maintenance, durability is stronger than stone, resists heat, mold, chemicals, pollutants and bacteria, environmentally friendly,  renewable and repairable… and the list goes on.

Flexible Solid Surfaces by Hanex

Flexible Solid Surfaces by Hanex

There was also a very special find of a Spanish contemporary cabinetry company looking to expanded its distributorship to the States. We are currently in talks to launch their brand in the U.S. via my upcoming online furniture showroom!  It is a very exciting product line of kitchen cabinetry, kitchen accessories, solid surfaces and closet door systems that meet the mark in quality and affordability.  For purchasing or questions, please inquire on through my contact page.

New Contemporary Cabinetry Line Coming Soon

New Contemporary Cabinetry Line Coming Soon

New Contemporary Cabinetry Line Coming Soon

New Contemporary Cabinetry Line Coming Soon

MAAX is another bathroom company specializing in unique bathtubs, showers and medicine cabinets.  They have a very interesting collection ranging from ultra contemporary to glitzy traditional.

Maax Viaggi Freestanding Bathtub

Maax Viaggi Freestanding Bathtub

Maax Roman Freestand Bathtub

Maax Roman Freestand Bathtub

KBIS was a wonderful way to kick off the trade show season.  KBIS will be held in Las Vegas in 2011, and back at Chicago’s McCormick Place in 2012!

2010 KBIS Lobby Opening Day

2010 KBIS Lobby Opening Day

Jordan Guide Luxury Interior Designer

Jordan Guide Luxury Interior Designer

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Chicago blog contributor, Jordan Guide, ASID, NCIDQ No. 021998 of Jordan Guide Design is a high-end luxury interior designer based in Chicago.