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home lifestyle trends
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D
e c o r a t i v e H a rd w a re
The
distinguished art of doorknockers
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What
began at an evening high school foundry course in 1976
has evolved into a studio craft that Massachusetts-based
Colby Smith has used to make original door knockers that
are as breathtaking as art as they are functional.
This
craftsmanship, primarily in red and yellow brass, is
distinguished by his use of multiple metal casting
methods; alloys, finishes and patinas; mechanical and
welded assembly
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techniques;
and hand-tooled texture and detail.
And like any work of art,
each piece is signed. Themes include
"botanicals" – from acorns, grapes and
pineapples to magnolias and sunflowers – and
"coastals" – from bay scallops and
blue crab to lighthouses and lobsters.
You can find the spectacular
Colby Smith door knockers at Klaff’s in
South Norwalk and Danbury. |
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L
i g h t i n g
The Subject Was Roses, Tulips and Lemons...
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Popular in the 1950s
and ‘60s, and now updated and refreshed for today’s
casually sophisticated tastes, lighting fixtures with
floral designs are staging a big comeback – part of a
design trend for more color, beauty and nature imagery
in the home.
Decorative
floral and fruit designs are available in all forms and
all sizes -- from chandeliers and floor lamps to wall
sconces. You’ll even find semi-flush ceiling lights
with crystal flowers and leafy branches made of iron.
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painted and glazed to create a natural or antique look,
floral lighting is perfect for casual spaces like garden
rooms, enclosed patios, breakfast nooks and bathrooms.
And you’ll find the best selection at Klaff’s in
South Norwalk and Westport.
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B
a t h
Turning the vanity into elegant bathroom furniture
If
you're spending the time and money to redo a bathroom with elegant
tiles, gorgeous fixtures
and a classic tub or modern shower stall, you don't want to spoil the
look with a plain-Jane vanity.
That's
why
today's designers are turning traditional work-horse vanities into
finely crafted bathroom furniture - replete with sophisticated
touches like mahogany or oak inlay, curved doors, marble and granite
tops, and even gold faucets.
In
fact, whether your tastes run from traditional Japanese to distressed
English antique to Italian provincial (with a semincasso basin), you
can find the perfect design to complement the rest of the bathroom -
and bedroom or foyer.
Find
out more about the new trend in bathroom furniture at Klaff's
in South Norwalk and Danbury.
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K
i t c h e n
The butler’s Pantry: The little space that could
You
don't need a butler to appreciate the clever storage amenities of a
butler's pantry. Add a small refrigerator, sink, wet bar and wine
rack – or even a cappuccino machine – and suddenly the space is
transformed into a beautiful extension of the kitchen.
 Old-world
elements like traditional glass cabinet doors allow you to display
your
favorite china, while small appliances and food supplies can still
be neatly tucked away out of sight. So, if you don't already have a
butler's pantry, and want one, rethinkyour priorities.
It's
never too late to move the laundry room to the basement to make
room. Learn more about the beauty, charm and functionality of the
butler’s pantry at Klaff’s in South Norwalk.
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T
i l e
Look again: Slate is more than just floors
 Once
a staple of flooring, natural slate has become a much more versatile
stone thanks to a variety of colors and textures that have been made
available in recent years from sources in India and China.
These
days, in fact, you’ll find natural slate around a fireplace and
even on bathroom walls, in such colors as copper, green, gold and
red, as well as traditional hues, complete with chair rai ls
and Ogee moldings. (A very flat, smooth slate from Brazil, on the
other hand, produces a minimalistic look in muted greys and black,
if that’s your style.)
Or
there’s "tumbled" slate – smaller, distressed pieces
for a more rustic look – and Quartzite, which contains flecks of
mica that create an interesting sheen. These stones are meeting the
demand for natural, earth tones and broader color options.
Come
see and touch all the varieties of slate at Klaff’s Tile
and Stone Showroom in South Norwalk.
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