Thingz Contemporary Interior Design Blog

More and more homes now feature a pool table in one of the rooms. Of course, the quintessential game room would not be complete without one. Playing pool is a favorite pastime for many and having the equipment to do so in one’s own home allows for better home recreation.

When modern décor is mentioned, the ordinary layperson usually envisions lots of chrome perhaps partnered with black or white leather. It looks very streamlined, rather minimalist, perhaps a little futuristic… We know that is not always the case for modern or contemporary interiors. All sorts of materials are possible elements in contemporary décor. A favorite and very tasteful feature in many a contemporary interior is an exotic wood finish.
Wood can be very stylish. It adds the suggestion of nature in a decorative setup. Of course, in picking wood furniture, you have to be mindful of practical things such as durability, style associations, staining, finishing, etc. Nowadays, wood finishes figure prominently in contemporary design. The choices for wood finish are more than ever now. Many like the appeal of a wood finish and the organic touch it brings. In the past, exotic wood was ordinarily used for such things as musical instruments, jewelry and decorative accents, but now entire furniture sets can be made of it. Naturally, it takes an expert furniture builder to be cognizant of such things as natural oils and resins to know how to properly finish an exotic wood.
Two of the primary factors to consider when choosing what type of wood finish to go for are the purpose of the furniture and the environment it will be in. You have to know how and for what the furniture is going to be used. For instance, you may want to use a non-toxic oil finish for something like a butcher’s block, an easy to clean glossy paint finish for a kitchen work surface, or a finish with fungicide for something that may be exposed to the elements. Exotic wood is preferably finished with oil as an oil finish brings out the natural beauty and the grain details of the wood.
Some popular exotic wood finishes are dark mahogany, macassar ebony, natural walnut and zebrawood. Of course, you have to realize that color is also an important element in choosing a wood finish. Dark colors such as those on mahogany and macassar ebony tend to be more transitional, complementing both traditional and contemporary settings. Lighter colors blend in better in a casual setup.
Mahogany is exceptionally popular as it is both practical and attractive, not to mention highly versatile. Dark mahogany furniture makes a smart investment as it is easy to find separate pieces in the same material or finish. Dark mahogany, as is typical in dark wood colors, never goes out of style.

There is something about the use of floor sculptures in design that speaks of modern sensibilities and excellent taste. Floor sculptures in a home definitely make a terrific fashion statement. A floor sculpture does not only add a high level of style, it also functions as a strong focal point, a commanding presence that can easily influence not only your attention, but also the tone and decorating inspiration for the whole room.

In the case of The Frank Lloyd Wright Spire, the Arizona State Capitol’s loss is clearly Scottsdale’s gain. Designed in 1954, the Spire was way ahead of its time, which is actually very characteristic of many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs. Rejected for being too radical in the ’50s, the awe-inspiring structurefinally materialized in 2004 at his old office at the Taliesin West Promenade. More than half a century later, the Spire remains very much avant-garde, a testament to Wright’s imagination and artistry.  And as it’s location is just mile or two from our Scottsdale showroom, the Thingz Scottsdale team gets the opportunity to see it often!

I recently saw a magazine spread featuring one of our client’s homes.  It is always a thrill when we see some of great contemporary furniture and lighting from Thingz in a magazine!  It is especially thrilling when the house is as beautiful as this one.  We will likely feature a spread of this home once we secure some photos from the owner but until then I thought that instead we would discuss the projects brilliant architect Bing Hu.

Known as the greatest American architect of all time, Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than one thousand projects, more than 500 of which were completed. More than an architect, Frank Lloyd Wright was a writer, inventor, interior designer, and educator. He wrote 20 books and innumerable articles. He was also a popular lecturer in the US and in Europe. His life was interspersed with controversies and tragedies, but he lived to the ripe old age of 92 well-decorated, awarded and celebrated.

Already successful with its condominium ventures in Phoenix, Optima then decided to carry out the tradition with Scottsdale. Optima condominiums are known for luxurious sophistication, beautiful architecture and gracious urban living. Camelview Optima has remained true to the name it carries. A now popular landmark, the development evidently comprises some of the most architecturally fascinating properties in Scottsdale. With the buildings’ abundantly glass exterior, they look striking from near or far. Modern and elegant, Camelview Optima has become the benchmark in opulent living in the area.

As true connoisseurs of contemporary design and modern architecture, we at Thingz cannot help but get excited with new places that appeal to our unique interior design sensibilities.  I was particularly struck when I recently visited the relatively new Scottsdale W Hotel with it’s chic contemporary feel and sophisticated class.  Reviews of the Scottsdale W Hotel have been overwhelmingly good. As soon as it opened for business, it quickly established itself as a hip and trendy haunt with its impressive pool and bar scene, as well as its other features, physical and otherwise.