Author: Ause1977

Tropical Style

Want an Easy Tropical Oasis? Think Container Plants

| Ause1977

I fell in love with beach cottages again on a recent visit to the northwestern shore of Florida. What struck me most about these charming homes was the maintenance that each homeowner put to creating a welcoming entry. Just about any front porch had just one — or even several — container gardens. I was in paradise! Tropicals and succulents were plentiful in these containers, on account of the warmth and humidity in this field. Often they have been used in ways or with plants I hadn’t seen before. I usually find one or two container gardens to picture on vacation, but the photographs of plants within this trip might have actually resisted the photographs of my family. If you are interested in developing a lush tropical look for your outdoor surroundings, a tropical container backyard could give it to you with minimal investment. Here’s some inspiration to your own…

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Small Spaces

Let's Toast Small Kitchens Everywhere

| Ause1977

As kitchens continue to become complete household centers, people with smaller kitchens may create an inferiority complex. It is a good time to refocus on the benefits of a little kitchen, toasting its own efficiencies. And to discuss some designer suggestions for creating a compact kitchen feel expansive. Jeanne Finnerty Interior Design You will find the U-shape, or galley, design in many older subdivided Victorians and row homes as well as in new city apartments. This design allows for an perfect kitchen work triangle, in which the distance between the 3 main factors (refrigerator, sink, cooker) is optimized, reducing the amount of walking between things during meal preparation. Let’s have a toast. Stephanie Sabbe Having less cabinetry to build out, along with less square footage for flooring, countertops and countertops, means you can get the maximum out of your remodel funding. You may specify your top-choice substances and colors that…

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Decorating Guides

Mother-in-Law's Tongue

| Ause1977

I grew up in a midcentury modern house that boasted a very large pot of mother-in-law’s tongue, and it took me decades to actually appreciate the plant and possess one. Now, I’ve a nostalgic affection for mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria), but I see how this wonderfully dramatic plant works with many layout designs, and how easy it’s to take care of. I’d recommend it to anyone, even those who prefer a houseplant with a softer appearance. It really can take some serious abuse. I am talking falling-over-and-detaching-from-its-roots neglect, which occurred not just on our walk home from the nursery, but at least five times more till I repotted it in deeper soil. Every time one of the larger spikes fell out of the pot and detached from the base, we just stuffed it back as though nothing had occurred. It is still alive also. You really can not beat a houseplant…

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Gardening and Landscaping

Timeless Summer Furniture: The Adirondack Chair

| Ause1977

Yep, it really was Created from the Adirondack Mountains in New York. In 1903, to be exact. Throughout its next 110 decades of life, the Adirondack chair has become an iconic image of summer. It’s interchangeable with front porches, lake home, fire pits, beach cottages and rear decks. Initially these chairs were made from hemlock and came in one color: natural. And while the fundamental elements of the classic stay, there have been some adjustments, alterations and upgrades. You can get modernist Adirondacks, colorful Adirondacks, Shabby Chic–fashion Adirondacks and vinyl Adirondacks. But no matter the details, they all translate as casual, yard-friendly summer laziness. Escapes – Landscape Architecture + Construction These classic Adirondacks in lovely, neutral beige and beige are fulfilling their goal in life: to gather around a fire pit in a forested holiday location. Siemasko + Verbridge Their beachfront cousins in white prefer an ocean view. You can…

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Eclectic Homes

Be Prepared With a Household Inventory — and Use It to Declutter Too

| Ause1977

You may have heard of, or perhaps created, a house stock before. This record, often used to record belongings for insurance purposes, can also be a really helpful tool if you’re attempting to declutter, prepare for crises, clear area for a remodel or simply get organized. Have a look at these tips to create a comprehensive home inventory and enhance your belongings at exactly the exact same moment. Lauren Leonard Interiors Make Your Inventory Pick your own checklist. The first step in making a house inventory is getting your hands on a comprehensive checklist — one from your insurance business is best. Review the checklist before getting started. TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders Work through your house, room by room. After your checklist, work your way slowly through the entire home — you may want to divvy up the job over several evenings. Document a brief description of each item, just how…

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Decorating Guides

10 Ways to Go Coastal Using a Modern Edge

| Ause1977

Spending my Fourth of July at the beach, I adored nosily peeking into peoples’ windows as I walked by and discovering their beachy decoration (in the road, of course). While coastal decoration which goes way over the top may be a great way to celebrate your environment, a lot of us are searching for more modern looks that avoid seagull-and whale-theme overload. Here are 10 ways to have a clean, coastal appearance that’s modern and uncluttered — also provides relaxation the moment you let the screen door slam behind you along the way indoors. Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc 1. Glean inspiration from a spartan ship. This kitchen is clean and spare, which lets subtle marine accents such as the chrome pendant lights, deep blue tile backsplash and mild blue modern klismos chairs stand out. Elliott + Elliott Architecture 2. Look to regional architecture for ideas. This beautiful waterfront house’s inspiration…

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Coastal Style

Color and Pattern Make a Manhattan Apartment Sing

| Ause1977

Transitioning from a blank canvas to highly personalized style often requires time, cooperation and a little elbow grease. This was the case for New Yorker Amanda Barlow, a marketing manager for the United States Council for International Business, who downsized out of a spacious rental in Queens into a 600-square-foot apartment in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood. The largest challenge: Barlow had more furniture than she knew what to do with. However, with the help of longtime friend and designer Jeanie Engelbach, she strolled through her eclectic bits to make a well-curated, color- and – pattern-happy flat with sprinkles of punk rock. “I feel like this is the happiest space in New York,” she states. “It’s sophisticated, airy and bright. It’s a good balance from my day job.” at a GlanceWho lives here: Amanda BarlowLocation: East Village neighborhood of New YorkSize: Around 600 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Chris A…

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Traditional Architecture

Simplicity vs. Simpleness in Architecture — and Why You Should Care

| Ause1977

Leonardo da Vinci once said that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Simplicity in style calms us somehow inspires us, not only in architecture but also in other forms of design. Apple, as an instance, has refined its products on the years into such a gorgeous simplicity that the goods are very collectibles based on their style. However, what does simplicity mean? Or even better, what does simplicity not imply? Simplicity is not to be confused with simpleness. I am not advocating for nursery rhymes over symphonies, “Sing a Song of Sixpence” over Beethoven’s Ninth. No, simplicity is rather different from simpleness. Simplicity is effortless composition, an orderliness with lyrical attributes — such as in a great painting that has just enough brushstrokes to convey the idea, in which the painter uses just the ideal amount of color, which makes it impossible to envision another stroke or another color without destroying…

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Coastal Style

Art Nouveau Elegance in the Netherlands

| Ause1977

After their kids were old enough, art-loving few Carla and Rinus van Lier booked their Saturdays from the Netherlands for visiting museums and browsing nearby Belgian antiques shops and fairs. They fell in love with the art nouveau period and have since curated their house using century-old pieces. In need of more space for their growing collection, the few recently worked with the general contractors at Bouwbedrijf Batentopunch outside their living room by 65 square feet and also add an antiques-filled 377-square-foot sunroom that better connects the home using their well-manicured classical-style backyard. at a GlanceWho lives here: Carla and Rinus van LierLocation: Eindhoven, the NetherlandsSize: 200 square meters (2,150 square feet); 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms in3interieur Wanting to bring more of this backyard, the couple added a large bay window to expand the living room outward, increasing the room by 6 square meters (65 square feet). As for the…

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Coastal Style

Personality Radiates

| Ause1977

The attractiveness of this Midtown Manhattan apartment is its balance between flow and function — a concept that designer Kate Cummings, who lives here, employs often in her small business, Freestyle Restyle. “When you walk in,” she says of the apartment, “I want you to see that this really is the home of two working professionals in creative fields.” Cummings shares this airy apartment, just a few blocks from Grand Central Terminal, together with spouse Griffin Stenger, creative director and co-owner of the ad agency Concept Farm. Chunky organic pieces, open shelving and personal details highlight a warmth and personality unique to the couple, while creating an inviting environment for family, friends and clients alike. in a GlanceWho resides: Kate Cummings and Griffin StengerLocation: New York CitySize: 1,200 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Chris A Dorsey Photography Cummings’ favorite area is your living room, with its excellent view. “I…

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