Month: December 2018

Eclectic Homes

How to Savor Your Beautifully Imperfect Home

| Ause1977

As someone who appears at a excellent deal of photos of beautifully designed homes every day, I know how the pangs of design cravings have the capability to overwhelm. Even 3 years after moving into our first home, my to-do and to-buy listing remains a mile long. Actually, I think that it can be several miles at this time, and any chance of checking all off my wish list is pretty much shot. For instance, just how likely is it that I’ll add French doors into my (yet-to-be-built) deck from my remodeled kitchen, complete with marble counters and a classic farmhouse dining table? Probably not so. Fortunately, regardless of the fact that we might be wishing for something different at home does not mean we can not also learn how to love our homes just as they are now. Over time I’ve developed an arsenal of strategies to help cope…

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Traditional Architecture

An Architect's Tool Kit

| Ause1977

Every profession has its own set of specialized tools. As an architect, here are a few I couldn’t live without. Pllc, Jody Brown Architecture A flat surface with a movable parallel bar, used when drafting by hand. Jody Brown Architecture, pllc Lightweight, semitransparent paper used to quickly sketch out ideas. Affectionately known as “trace” or “garbage,” and less affectionately known as “bumwad.” Jody Brown Architecture, pllc Used to fasten tracing paper to the drawing board. I typically store some of them on the elbow of my sweater. Jody Brown Architecture, pllc Sure, it is a pencil and a sharpener, but it is so much better than that. I stole these from my father 20 decades ago. Jody Brown Architecture, pllc Used to draw circles and poke small holes in the newspaper. Jody Brown Architecture, pllc Used in combination with the parallel bar on the drafting table to draw straight lines…

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Eclectic Homes

The Family Home: 8 Easy Tips for an Organized Bathroom

| Ause1977

Teaching children the art of being arranged from a young age is the safest way to save your sanity for those who have a type A personality, like me. One of those rooms in our home that can acquire out-of-hand crazy is your toilet. Toothpaste, towels, tissue and creams can readily get straightened out within the counter, or in the instance of the toothpaste. See how after these easy storage and organization solutions can help your family stay organized and tidy in no time. Zinc Art + Interiors Dirty laundry on your restroom floor and towels is one of my pet peeves. Having a laundry hamper inside the restroom, you, your kids and your spouse will have no more excuses when it comes to cleaning up. ZeroEnergy Design Placing pretty baskets on open shelving will give you the storage you need while hiding any unattractive items which you may have…

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Small Bathroom

Important Makeover: Bland into Evocative Asian-Style Bath

| Ause1977

Designer Dan Danenberg’s customers desired anything but the standard when they built their Palo Alto, California, master bath. The project involved tearing down the present bathtub and cabinet and shifting both spaces into a huge spa bath that’s comfortable, luxurious and evokes an Asian theme. “The ultimate vision was to reinterpret what people typically see as Asian information into newly fashioned and modern materials,” says Danenberg. Danenberg Design At first glance, I found the Asian theme only in the squares: a pot of orchids on the countertop, a couple of ceramic rice bowls and bamboo reeds collected at a vase. But Danenberg points out that the whole purpose of this remodel was to reinterpret the Asian motif — and specifically, a Japanese aesthetic — which meant doing away with anticipated decor improvements such as chinoiserie, shoji screens and calligraphy artwork. Look up in the ceiling and you will notice how…

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Kitchen Guides

Kick Back at a Kitchen Cabinets

| Ause1977

Regardless of the occasion, the kitchen has become the most popular place to convene in a house. Whether it’s a Sunday morning flipping a Saturday-evening soiree with the neighbors, then it is probably ample time will be spent catching up at kitchen. While people will happily park it on bar stools to participate in this action, think about creating a more comfortable space for sitting : the kitchen lounge. Component breakfast nook and part living area, kitchen lounges are spaces directly off the kitchen furnished with sofas or cozy chairs. They are great for reading the morning newspaper or keeping business with the cook at hand. AHMANN LLC Developing a kitchen lounge can be as simple as adding two armchairs off the kitchenas in this case. It ends in an inviting, comfortable space where guests or relatives may relax and feel at ease. RTA Studio Residential Architects Two armchairs followed…

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Ceilings

Beadboard

| Ause1977

Beadboard is a milled panel with routed parallel grooves. Historically, beadboard was assembled with tongue and groove planks, but for quicker setup and cost effectiveness, it’s now available in large wood sheets or cellular PVC. It has a charming appearance reminiscent of farmhouses and cottages. It’s used on walls for wainscoting and for cabinets, cabinets and furniture. HARDROCK CONSTRUCTION Beadboard wainscoting is utilized with this wall, and there’s a tongue and groove ceiling. Tara Seawright Interior Design Beadboard may be used vertically, all the way up the wall. Hermitage Kitchen Design Gallery A kitchen island with beadboard is enchanting indeed. Richard Bubnowski Design LLC Beadboard can be implemented horizontally too, for a contemporary look. Dresser Homes Many appealing porch ceilings are coated with beadboard. Murphy & Co.. Layout Here is a good example of a vaulted wood frame ceiling with beadboard. Read more photos of beadboard More:8 Great Ways to…

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Tropical Style

Fantastic Design Plant: Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine

| Ause1977

In search of a plant that is perfect? Try sweet potato vine, that comes in a deep, dark green or a bright and lively lime. It can complement a cottage garden, brighten up a contemporary planting or put in a little filler to any blank spot in the lawn or container. Read on for just a few tips for using sweet potato vine to the very best advantage. Botanical name: Ipomoea batatasShared name: Ornamental sweet potato vineUSDA zones: 9-11 (find your zone)Water necessity: ModerateLight requirement: Full to partial sunMature size: 18 inches to 6 feetAdvantages and tolerances: Vigorous expansion; handles some shade; ideal for potsSeasonal interest: Adds bulk to plantings from spring through summerWhen to plant: Mid-spring or after the last frost Murphy & Co.. Layout Whether it tumbles off the top of a rock wall or climbs a wooden pergola, sweet potato blossom adds vertical appeal to any backyard….

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Coastal Style

Two Apartments Enthrall in 2012 Kips Bay Show House

| Ause1977

New york is lined with canyons of skyscraper-like apartment buildings, so it’s actually somewhat surprising that this is the very first time in the 40-year history of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House that it’s being held in a high-rise construction on the town’s Upper West Side. Each of those two-story units in the showcase has 6,000 square feet of indoor living space plus a 3,000-square-foot terrace. There were a number of tributes, big and small, into the mythical decorator Albert Hadly and colour, colour everywhere. Come along as we start by opening the door to Apartment 2101. Rikki Snyder Bryant Keller created the foyer. He used red to brighten a place that receives little natural light. The zebra wallpaper, tiger-print cushions (both from Scalamandre) and animal accessories are a tribute to Albert Hadley, who had been a huge animal lover. Keller imagined his client to be a young working…

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Decorating Guides

Cast Stone

| Ause1977

Cast stone is made of moldable, curable combinations containing elements of pure sand, cement, fine or coarse marble, limestone, granite, quartz, calcite and coloring pigments. It has a dense, stonelike texture that’s highly durable and can be reinforced and colour matched. Architectural Justice Cast Stone Backsplash An antique ceiling tin has been used as the mould with this particular cast stone counter tops. The corbels are cast stone. Veranda Fine Homes Mantels are a terrific example of how cast stone can be used in place of carved stone. Beautiful Kitchen Layout This cast stone mantel continues up the wall to create a frame for the tv. Erotas Building Corporation Stone can mimic cut limestone. Rustico Tile and Stone This doorway is cut and carved stone, but a mould of cast stone could be used to create something similar. TranDesign, Inc. / Foam Design Center.com This fountain waterfall sports a cast…

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Tropical Style

Pacific Northwest Gardener: Things to Do in May

| Ause1977

May is the first month when the Pacific Northwest really begins to shake off the dreary doldrums of winter. All that sun means it’s a good idea to check irrigation methods in time for summer watering. We also get to appear ahead to the bounty of blooms and vegetables we’d love to enjoy, because now is the time to plant heat-loving flowers and plants. But do not forget to clean up after spring’s plants so they can conserve nutrients and be all set for a repeat performance next year. Read on to learn how to perform these jobs, plus more, to have a beautiful May garden. More regional gardening guides Aiken House & Gardens Pick flowering clematis vines at the nursery school. Clematis vines have some of the biggest, most spectacular blossoms of any plant from the Northwest, and now is the opportunity to buy them at the nursery for…

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