Showing all posts in Eclectic Homes

Each year I make the same resolutions: to be more organized, to take care of my things and even to eat my veggies (or at least to get my kids to do so). This time, I have a secret weapon to aid with my follow-through: 20 pretty finds to inspire me to do it this year. — Steph from Modern Parents, Messy Kids

Organize

Wall Mounted Magnetic Organizer in Espresso by Umbra® – $14.99

The magnetic surface of the mail organizer creates a great home for everybody’s keys. It’s perfect for use as a landing strip when space is tight.

Cox & Cox

Storage Bags – GBP 20

These storage bags have a very stylish, almost homemade appearance, and they are”generously-sized.”

invite.L

Felt Bag-in-Bag – $27

I am permanently losing my keys and telephone to the black hole that’s my purse. Used as an insert, this bag-in-bag provides a lot of compartments to your chosen bag. A fresh appearance and new color options also make it a nice little bag in its own right.

Layla Grayce

If I had a cell phone case as distinctive as this, I might never lose my telephone again. These two designs are only the tip of this iceberg, as there’s a massive selection of wallpaper designs, fonts and colours to choose from.

Society 6

The vivid colors on this cell phone case are beautiful without being too girly.

russell+hazel

Index Notebook – $12

No matter how smart my phone gets, I will always have a soft spot for a cute little laptop that I can easily slide in my handbag. I like this one is indexed for preparation , contacts and note taking.

Flora Douville

Happy Shapes 2012 Calendar – EUR 18

Calendars are a terrific way to add a little dose of nice art to less-than-glamorous spaces such as a messy desk or email landing strip. I like the simplicity of the one.

Poppytalk Handmade

2012 Calendar by Poppytalk Handmade – $20

I am far more likely to really utilize a calendar if I like looking at it. The bright and vintage design of this photography in this one makes me joyful.

Etsy

2012 Calendar, Cute Superhero Printable PDF by Loopz Art – $8

This stunning Superhero printable calendar is modern yet child friendly, which makes it perfect for households with young kids. The flaming skull personality for October is my favorite.

shop.freshly-picked. com

Leather Mouse Pad, Gold – $35

This lovely gold and leather mouse pad will keep you motivated to keep your desk neat and tidy.

The End Bookend – $14.95

I am not certain what I like most about these bookends: the the color. In any event, they are an eye-catching approach to really begin displaying books in my bookshelf.

West Elm

Jason Polan Glass Decoupage Trays – $8

It’s hard to find a manly storage tray for my hubby’s wallet, watch, telephone, etc.. One of them just might fit the bill.

CB2

Bamboo Dry Erase – $59.95

That can be so much prettier than a plain old white board.

Paper Culture

Modern Text Bamboo Wall Art – $39.99

This year I am finally getting some family photos up on the wall. This bamboo plank is a step above framed or canvas printed photos, and the customized text at the bottom corner is a nice touch.

West Elm

Felt Office Storage – $24

Felt storage fittings are fantastic for everybody in the family, regardless of age or sex. These numbered storage bins would look fantastic grouped on a playroom bookshelf or next to the bed at a teenager’s room.

CB2

Washing Machine Hamper – $29.95

This is the form of hamper I would envision a hipster could have — but I really like it too.

CB2

TPS Blue File Cabinet – $159

If you have to have a filing cabinet, why not have one at a bright, modern color? These look particularly great with four colours side by side.

Etsy

Monster iPad Sleeve by Yummy Pocket – $30

My iPad deserves a happy little cover such as this because it retains my kiddos joyful while I get things done.

Eclectic Baby Cups & Dishes – GBP 11.95

If this man doesn’t get my kids to eat their veggies this year, then I am afraid nothing will.

Anthropologie

Eight-Arms Hook – $48

I am not certain who would like this more as our newest bathrobe hook — my son.

Next: More ideas for storage and business

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Tansus, made by specialized craftsmen called Tansuyas, are amazing storage pieces made with many different woods, such as elm, cedar and walnut. Initially, these pieces were used from the 17th century into the early 20th century as mobile storage, carrying everything from clothes to documents. Now, tansus function as stationary pieces in the home. They can seem contemporary, traditional or eclectic, and frequently are great conversation starters. Their lovely ironwork and various compartments add texture to any room.

When I lived and worked in Tokyo, I would stumble upon small flea markets where local sellers sold their wares. It was at one of these flea markets I bought my first tansu. I didn’t have sufficient money on hand, and the candy Japanese girl insisted that I simply mail it to her. I did, and she delivered it to my small apartment. I have that tansu, 15 decades after, and treasure that memory every time I walk past it.

Continue reading to have a peek at just how designers are employing these traditional pieces in the modern interiors.

Square One Interiors

This tansu serves as extra storage in this master bath.

Adeeni Design Group

This large tansu creates a great focal point in this master bedroom. The detail and texture of the piece is so intriguing that you simply need a few things to complete the vignette. A bonsai, sculpture and a very simple bowl anchor the artwork in this room.

The easy design and low height of the tansu make it the ideal size for an end table for this particular couch. The iron grips provide a great detail in this grand room that is full of sun and hot fir ceilings.

Jeff Luth – Soldano Luth Architects

A stunning, double-height tansu looks as though it were constructed for this room’s layout. It acts as a sideboard into the dining room, and the storage possibilities are infinite. Three easy pendants hang over the dining table, adding to the minimalist Japanese aesthetic.

Philpotts Interiors

This tansu feels contemporary with its simple lines and minimal information. The room’s designer cleverly used a monochromatic palette as a great background for artwork.

Audrey Brandt Interiors

This is a timeless step tansu that will fit with any style. I really like to float these pieces with the tall end from a wall, because they make great room dividers. The graduated measures allow for screen chances.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

Following is a timeless tansu configuration of extended drawers with a locked compartment at the lower right-hand corner. The secured areas are in which valuables were stored when these pieces were used in transport. A white and blue Japanese plate rounds out this conventional vignette.

This double-height tansu serves as a freestanding cupboard inside this kitchen — an illustration of a tansu in a contemporary, pared-down cosmetic.

More:
Global Icons: The Apothecary Chest
6 Great New Uses for a Vintage Dresser
12 Ways to Use a Fantastic Old Armoire

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When a clutch slips on a riding mower, then it usually means the driving belt is loose. The most obvious symptom of this is stalling while heading up a hill or pulling a heavy load. Fixing the belt slide and adjusting the clutch is a job a knowledgeable riding mower owner can do at no cost. Before attempting any yard tool repair, make sure that your engine is totally cool and the spark plug is disconnected.

Park the mower on a level, paved surface. Put the riding mower jack into place and pull the lawnmower up to the jack, putting the front wheels on the wheel pads. Secure the wheel chocks under the rear two wheels. Crank the handle or utilize the hydraulic lever to lift the mower, based on the model of jack you have.

Open the major hood. If any heat is coming from the engine, wait till it has cooled to continue. Disconnect the spark plug so the engine does not accidentally begin while you’re doing the repair.

Lie down on your back and appear under the mower. Locate the motion drive belt, then the key big belt running all around the bottom. Check all around the belt to be sure it is routed correctly inside every one the guides. Consult your owner’s manual for the routing of your exact model.

Locate the adjustable nut in the conclusion of the clutch rod. Pull out the cotter pin, washer and brake spring which attach the clutch rod into the brake assembly. Use a wrench to unscrew the adjustable nut from the brake lever assembly and parking brake latch.

Line up the hole at the brake lever using the hole at the mower frame. Insert a 1/4-inch screw or pin to hold the components in place temporarily. Pull the clutch rod ahead until it is tight, then turn the adjustable nut until it matches back through the hole at the brake lever.

Place the adjustable nut back into the parking break latch, spring and pulley. Fasten the meeting back together with the washer and cotter pin. Remove the temporary 1/4-inch bolt or pin.

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Compact homes allow for jewel-box rooms with bold colors and innovative designs. See what we mean in these 12 innovative studios — some of the very creative homes on — listed from greatest to smallest.

Emily Campbell

Ultimate Live-Work Space Adapts to the Requirements of the Day
Location: Montreal, Canada
Size: 720 square feet

Designer and proprietor Aboudi Hassoune matches work and home life into 720 square feet. Creative furniture blends and custom designs (like one inventive flying-carpet table) let this studio to readily switch out of workplace to lounge to dining room to bedroom.

Watch more of the home

Architecture Workshop PC

A Manhattan Studio Opens to Flexibility
Location: Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan
Size: 650 square feet

Despite its preceding run-down country, this studio had a attic like-feel the architect could work with. The open area had plenty of advantages, but he had to find a spot for the mattress that still felt confidential. A custom Murphy bed and sliding door did the trick whilst maintaining the option to open everything back up again.

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Martin Hulala

DIY Love Pays Off in a Small Prague Apartment
Location: Žižkov, Prague
Size: 538 square feet

Jaroslav Kašpar’s planned simple studio remodel quickly turned into a massive DIY renovation. Refinishing the original brick walls and beams preserved the original building’s integrity even though the floors were replaced. Highlighting the unique nooks and crannies — both new and original — gave this lovely studio plenty of personality.

Watch more of the home

Gut Gut

Industrial-Modern Studio at Slovakia
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Size: 516 square feet

After gutting his industrial flat, this homeowner was left with little else but concrete vaulted ceilings and an open area. With no more than 1 client in mind — himself — he was able to personalize the distance just to his wants. This floor-to-ceiling shelf helps divide the toilet from the kitchen, while the living area and bedroom stay open to one another.

Watch more of the home

Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture

Elegant, Efficient Manhattan Studio
Location: East Village neighborhood of Manhattan
Size: 500 square feet

Combining workspace, sleeping area and display space became simple with a custom white walnut sleeping attic, outfitted with storage tucked into every stair riser and a walk-in closet underneath.

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FABRE/deMARIEN

Ingenious Toilet Makeover at Bordeaux
Location: Bordeaux, France
Size: 441 square feet

Seeking a modern house on a budget, a French photographer got creative. A 441-square-foot garage in Bordeaux surprisingly fit the bill. With the support of a local design firm, he transformed the old garage into a slick, modern home. A large wooden cube in the centre houses his sink, shower, washing machine and toilet, maintaining both solitude and a spacious living area.

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Michael K Chen Architecture

400-Square-Foot Unfolding Apartment
Location: Manhattan
Size: 400 square feet

Intent on finding a way to have guests for dinner and overnight visits, this flat owner worked with a local company to squeeze every zone of his flat into a built-in cupboard along one wall. The massive cupboard contains a bed, desk and closet, all which can fold out or back as needed.

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Henry Yorke Mann architect

Pint-Size Cabin at Rural Canada
Location: Outside Oliver, British Columbia
Size: 280 square feet

With $25,000 to spend her new home, Denise Franklin had to downsize. Her miniature new cottage is constructed from all natural and local materials, and also the simplified structure helped reduce the cost.

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DMVF Architects

Overhauled Interiors at a Tiny Fisherman’s Cottage
Location: Bray, Ireland
Size: 280 square feet

A Beautiful Irish fishing shack is now a modern guest cabin. Although the traditional exterior remains the same, this very small home has a new, sleek interior that makes the most of every square foot.

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Churreria Photography

Tiny Fold-Out Apartment in Barcelona
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Size: 260 square feet

Hidden panels at the walls and flooring of the innovative Spanish flat make it function in various modes. 1 wall panel shows a fridge and stove for cooking style; another holds a full-size mattress for sleeping manner. “It is almost like living in a big closet,” says the proprietor.

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Ira Lippke

Industrial Minihouse at Seattle
Location: South Seattle, Washington
Size: 250 square feet

Artist and owner Michelle de la Vega acted as her own general contractor for this cute remodel. After an old garage set on a great lot, this distance turned into a usable, workable minihouse — complete with patio, kitchen, lofted bed and toilet — thanks to de la Vega’s ingenuity, vintage finds and artistic fashion.

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Tiny Home Built for Large Adventure
Location: Camp Ondessonk, Illinois
Size: 117 square feet

Inspired by the Very Small houses by Tumbleweed Tiny Homes, Evan and Gabby Coulson decided to give small-space dwelling a shot. The few built this house in their own, sticking to a small budget and tight square footage; the miniature and mobile house fits all their essentials.

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No sooner had inside designer Shirley Meisels finished a complete renovation for a family of four if the parents found that they were expecting twins. After the babies were born, the family of six immediately outgrew their property. They’d had their fill of the inconveniences of the extensive renovating procedure and did not wish to replicate it for a little while, so that they found a house with great bones which needed just a fast facelift.

“The notion was that we would tackle more extensive work like remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms in a few years,” Meisels says. “All in all the new house had a wonderful feel, but the finishes needed some updating.” In eight weeks (the painting process took time), fresh paint, restained flooring, new hardware and light fixtures as well as fresh decor gave the house a cohesive, comfy texture, and it had been move-in ready for your family.

in a Glance
Who lives here: A family with 4 kids (age 9, age 7 and 3-year-old twins)
Location: Midtown Toronto
Size: 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

Shirley Meisels

First up was unifying the distances, which had been opened up from the 1990s but lacked cohesiveness. The floors were cherry-colored walnut except at the kitchen, in which they were light walnut. Meisels restained all the flooring a uniform brownish-gray tone. She also had the house painted white and changed the metal door hardware to crisp black.

Pops of purple turn up around the first floor. From the foyer it is introduced via an overdyed classic carpet by Elte. Meisels also commissioned the painting and also the custom seat.

Chandelier: Crown Minor, Jehs and Laub

Shirley Meisels

“I like eclectic mixes the best,” Meisels says. “This to me feels that the most natural, like things were accumulated over time rather than installed by a designer out of a showroom in two months.”

She commissioned a habit chandelier to function as a striking focal point along with also an art piece. She utilized a dining room table and chairs that the customers already possessed. “I dipped the chairs in black paint to give them a contemporary edge and accessorized with bold hits of colour for unexpected hits of brightness,” she says. An oversize mirror bounces light around.

Before Photo

BEFORE: The prior kitchen was too traditional for its homeowners’ tastes, but the open layout, black granite counters and open shelving were versatile and contemporary enough to keep to your new look. “The open shelving is a great way to utilize a wall for storage that might otherwise be dedicated just to the windows — enormous runs of shelving hold vases, dishes and more,” the designer says.

Shirley Meisels

AFTER: Meisels had the windows painted in Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron and included a stunning light fixture and backsplash. Glass objects on the shelves facing the windows allow sunlight to filter through.

“Changing a backsplash is generally pretty straightforward and included without having to devote a good deal of time and money, and new grips on doors and cabinets make a difference,” she says. “Upgraded appliances at a tired kitchen really are worth the splurge!”

Shirley Meisels

Customized walnut cabinets provide a workstation as well as storage. “I needed it to feel as a standalone piece that was compatible with the rest of the house … almost like furniture,” she says. The piece will work with the present kitchen when the owners decide to leave it as is, and also with a more contemporary style should they renovate later.

Kitchen table:Paola Navone

Shirley Meisels

The house has two other family room and den spaces, so Meisels went formal with the living room, which is just off the foyer. She painted the pine fireplace surround black to get a contemporary edge.

The Juju hat was something she’d selected for her customers’ former residence, and it made the move with ease, adding another dash of purple. “I love using Juju hats, as they include a touch of texture and colour, as well as also the sculptural effect is a wonderful relief from each the art and white walls,” she says.

Sofa: Raleigh, Design Within Reach; cocktail table: Spindle, West Elm

Shirley Meisels

A Park lounge chair and ottoman add another dash of purple. Meisels began the classic glass set for those homeowners during the prior project; the existing glass display shelves in the living room seem to have been made for this.

Artwork: Canvas

Shirley Meisels

“I desired the master bedroom to feel striking and sexy,” Meisels says. “This wallpapered accent wall is a great background for an easy, low contemporary bed.”

Background: Elitis; pillow fabric: Missoni; bed: Bensen

Shirley Meisels

Iconic midcentury modern pieces — a Jens Risom desk and Saarinen Executive Chair — make an unobtrusive writing area from the master bedroom.

Lamp: Ventana Tripod Desk Lamp, Jonathan Adler

Shirley Meisels

The homeowner’s young kid is a big Star Wars fan who has earned millions of hockey trophies. “We are Canadian, after all,” Meisels says.

She had commissioned the custom dresser to your master bedroom at the customers’ former residence, but it is better suited for your boy’s room currently.

Background: Woods, Cole & Son

Shirley Meisels

This is actually the third-floor bedroom of one of those brothers. “I love a black wall in a bright room. I think that it makes the colors and whites feel fuller and crisper compared,” Meisels says.

Accent wall paint: Black, Benjamin Moore

Shirley Meisels

This is actually the eldest daughter’s room. “She would have had the whole room dressed in pink when she’d had her druthers. She was demanding, but I convinced my little client to let me add modest hits of other colours and white,” Meisels says.

She had the headboard habit made. The light fixture is a classic find, and also the eye-popping floral wallpaper is Tokyo Dahlia from Designer’s Guild.

“This particular couple is edgy and contemporary and was ready to take risks,” Meisels says. “I really like how spare this house is while still feeling hot; each piece was carefully selected to be functional and beautiful.” The family is so delighted with their fast fixes that they are happy to wait patiently before handling the bathrooms and the kitchen.

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New Year’s resolutions necessarily involve an update in a workout routine, and installing a house gym is one of the best ways to make that happen. Have a look at the most popular home gym photographs from 2012, based on the amount of ideabooks they’ve been inserted to; maybe they will kick-start a house workout room of your home.

Visbeen Architects

1. Michigan house for basketball lovers. This carpeted indoor basketball court can be understood from each of the main rooms in the house, so the family members can cheer one another on. users loved this unbelievable court can double as a work out area.

Celebrity Communities

2. Colorado gym. readers understand that home gyms don’t need to be ugly. This chamber proves it using sleek laminate floors, wood paneling and a sage-green accent wall.

Brandon Architects, Inc..

3. TV period in Orange County. users were curious about the TV in this area in California. Installing it on the mirror looks complicated, but the seamless appearance makes it worthwhile.

Oakley Home Builders

4. Broad Chicago basketball court. This impressive gym has enough space to get a decent pickup game. users stored this picture to get everything from the school banners into the delicate upholstered walls.

Kuhl Design Build LLC

5. Indoor golf simulator in Minnesota. You’d need to hit a good deal of golf balls to get a fantastic workout in here, but this golf simulator isn’t about breaking a sweat. On the contrary, it offers the fun of golf without the walking.

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Your Favorite Room From Cathy Zaeske

6. Bold colors to get a better work out. Electric lime and blue light up this small home health club, producing visual energy for whoever’s using it. ers saved this picture for its fun colour palette along with industrial-style mirror trim.

John Kraemer & Sons

7. Zen yoga studio in Minnesota. For those who prefer to extend their way into fitness, a soothing space for yoga could be the perfect new use for that spare room. Cork floors, off-white walls, paper lanterns and beautiful door hardware all bring about the soft and slightly exotic appearance here.

Graf Developments

8. Attic workout area in Texas. Trainers frequently take up residence in basements, but this small home gym shows they can find room in attics, also. users especially loved the ceiling fans, which can really make a difference in a stuffy attic area.

COOK ARCHITECTURAL Design Studio

9. Bright and Light Illinois gym. Surrounded by mirrors, so the owners of the home gym won’t have the ability to make a weight-lifting error. Crown molding makes certain the room does not feel too bare and traces at the decor in the rest of the house.

Pinnacle Mountain Homes

10. Beautiful indoor lap pool in Colorado. An in-home lap pool may be the ultimate home gym luxury. For people who prefer water on property, this is a wonderful alternative.

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When James Angus and Jamie Bolton bought this 1970s ranch in Texas, their first home together, it was only a plain box. “We’ve made it our own,” says Angus. “The previous owner had done lots of the work on the cheap, and he had made some poor decisions.” The few relished the challenge; they have been decorating and remodeling for three years, documenting their accomplishments in their site, The Cavender Diary. “We began a site to share the progress with all our moms; they are our two biggest supporters. Everything we share is geared toward them,” he states.

A self-proclaimed “organized hoarder” who loves crap, Angus has styled the home with a very sharp curator’s eye, which makes it a cozy nest full of personal touches and conversation pieces. Following is a look at the couple’s progress thus far.

at a Glance
Who lives here: James Angus, Jamie Bolton and their rescued Doberman, Harley Davidson
Location: Dallas
Size: About 1,360 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Year constructed: 1972

The Cavender Diary

Angus has been collecting vintage Christmas decorations for years and put them together to make this exceptional wreath.

The Cavender Diary

I discovered Angus’ abilities when he shared with the couple’s stunning front doorway in our phone for holiday entryway shots. Regarding the cow skull, he states, “Well, this is Texas!”

The Cavender Diary

“I’m hooked on pillows, since I can make them so readily,” Angus says. He is a creative manager for Ralph Lauren and makes sure to retrieve 8-inch scraps out of the seamstress whenever he’s things such as drapes sewn for work. Then he adds unique vases such as letters from old varsity jackets.

Portrait: “Chief Sitting Bear” by Edward Curtis, Ikea (discontinued); sofa: West Elm (floor model); wall paint: Fawn, Martha Stewart for Home Depot

The Cavender Diary

One glance at this red powder-coated instrument cart and Angus knew it could serve a good purpose — he just wasn’t sure what at the time. He scooped it up for a cool $75. After he made it home, the figurative wheels began turning and he retrofit it to serve as a bar cart, adding cork liners to the shelf and drawers. The drawers store a bottle holder, shot glasses, cocktail napkins, a bartender’s guide and classic eyeglasses.

Tool cart: Harbor Freight and Tools

The Cavender Diary

“The fireplace was really awful. Someone had slapped one cluttered layer of an off-white/olive semigloss on it, dripped everything over and had not painted the grout,” he states. “In black it looks larger than it is, the 8-foot ceilings seem bigger, along with the fireplace looks deeper.”

The Cavender Diary

Angus made the rolling log holder on the right out of plumbing pipes. “Plumbing pipes are really cheap and they look good; I do not know why more people are not utilizing them,” he states.

The Cavender Diary

“I love junk!” Angus professes. He believes this crap store find was once an indication in an American Airlines building.

Typical of a ’70s ranch, this home lacks cupboard space, so the couple pops hats and coats on a long pegboard, with boots lined up underneath. “I didn’t even plan this out; I just hung them up. I try to not overstyle,” Angus says. “I like to add layer upon layer … that is how we live.”

Before Photo

BEFORE: The kitchen renovation is the largest job they’ve conquered up to now. Note the original fluorescent tube lighting, cupboards which don’t reach the ceiling and obsolete hardware. The couple kept the lower cabinets, as they were working just fine, as well as the terra-cotta floor. You’ll learn where the top cupboards wound up in a bit.

Before Photo

The Cavender Diary

They replaced the top cabinets with tall versions that extend all of the way into the ceiling. They to make the 8-foot ceilings seem higher and provide a lot of storage space.

“I like the glass and brushed-steel doors, since they have only the ideal dose of science lab seem,” Angus says. “This home is more contemporary than our style, but we try to stay true to the home when making design decisions.”

Cabinets: Ikea; dishwasher: Samsung

The Cavender Diary

The new countertops are granite, and the backsplash is travertine tile. The faucet is the Hjuvik out of Ikea.

The Cavender Diary

They left room for a vent hood by shifting the microwave into the lower cabinet next to the refrigerator. Small moves such as this made the space seem much larger. They also substituted the hardware with clean-lined brushed-steel handles to modernize the cabinets.

Vent hood: Luftig, Ikea; range: Samsung; cabinet hardware: Elliott’s Hardware

The Cavender Diary

A friend brought over these vintage Cesca seats to market in a garage sale, but nobody bought them. They had been once the land of the University of Texas, and also the cane chairs were replaced with more durable upholstered vinyl.

Table: Docksta, Ikea; globe pendant lighting: West Elm

The Cavender Diary

A vintage jewelry collection adds a great deal of colour to the neutral palette of the kitchen. The collection includes pieces from Fiestaware, Bauer, Yellowware and Russel Wright.

The Cavender Diary

Angus also collects colorful oil jars, using them to get dog-related storage such as plastic bags and tennis balls for playing fetch.

The Cavender Diary

He fashioned this wine rack from 10-inch segments of a 10-foot-long PVC pipe.

The Cavender Diary

The accent-pillow love goes to the bedroom too. “Every night we stack them at a corner,” says Angus, that knows he’s pillow problems. The dresser below the window is three Ikea Malm dressers put together. “I have a theory about Ikea,” he states. “Everyone uses it, but it shouldn’t look exactly the same in everybody’s home; you need to make it your own and personalize it.”

Wall colour: Fawn, Martha Stewart for Home Depot; blanket: Pendleton; office chair: oak, Salvation Army

The Cavender Diary

To hide the strings from those studying sconces, Angus made a accent wall out of stained 1- by 8-inch planks. The whole accent wall job cost about $125.

Headboard: Rooms To Go; sconces, Restoration Hardware

The Cavender Diary

“Theoretically, a car will be allowed within this garage, but it has not happened up to now,” Angus says. The garage is organized and clean, and has its very own personality, as a result of the cedar-lined walls and pops of red accents. The plan for it involves caged pendants and Edison lightbulbs.

The Cavender Diary

Both of these medicine cabinets hold little things like nails and screws, arranged in lidded and labeled jars. The old-school label manufacturer is an favorite organizational instrument within this household.

The Cavender Diary

Angus is also a lover of wire baskets for corralling and organizing.

The Cavender Diary

The garage also contains the laundry space. Those old top cabinets from the kitchen remodel function well outside from the garage, in which they hold items such as laundry detergent. Hacked Ikea Lack shelves display a vintage globe collection.

The Cavender Diary

More plumbing pipe functions as a pole for hanging clothes over the washer-dryer.

The Cavender Diary

These metallic strips are knife magnets, generally utilized in kitchens; they grip tools and paintbrushes.

Angus and Bolton will handle building a back deck adjacent. “We’ve got a how-to publication from Home Depot and we are good to go,” says Angus. They also aspire to tackle the master bathroom this past year. “It’s so dreadful that we just use it for storage,” he states. We look forward to seeing the outcomes.

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If you’re out there for a kitchen makeover, then you have probably spent hours debating countertop choices. Granite or marble? Laminate or quartz? Soapstone or stainless steel? Just to add to your issue, here’s an additional player on the scene: copper. Though it’s not quite as common as its counter cousins, this timeless favorite is increasing in popularity, and it’s well worth adding to a list of possibilities. Here is what you need to know.

The Refined Group

The Experts of Copper

Ease of maintenance. It may sound surprising, but copper is relatively simple to wash. A mixture of lemon juice and salt will scour it nicely (be sure to rinse then), however you might also get by with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Dry the face thoroughly and oil or wax occasionally to keep it in the best possible form.

Oak Hill Iron

Mellow patina. Recognized a “alive” surface, copper tarnishes because it oxidizes and responds to the substances that cross it. For many, that’s part of its allure. Unsealed copper will gradually dull and transition to a blend of reds reds, reds and greens, and a lot of homeowners love for the personality it provides.

Lorin Hill

Germ resistance. Some — but not all — copper alloys have natural antimicrobial properties. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates this particular claim and requires manufacturers to register antimicrobial copper products, so check with the EPA should you want to ensure your copper countertop (like these along the perimeter of the kitchen) will resist germs.

Robin Rigby Fisher CMKBD/CAPS

Green living. Copper frequently can be uninstalled from scrap yards or industrial applications, so it’s popular with those dedicated to sustainable living.

PMWArchitects

Versatility. Copper is a chameleon — it may take on a variety of personalities to suit your space. It feels as appropriate in a contemporary townhouse or an industrial loft as it can in a traditional kitchen or a comfortable cabin.

Conrado – Home Builders

The Cons of Copper

Discoloration. This is actually the flip side of this fairly patina that copper develops. If you’re connected to the new-penny look of shiny copper, you’ll need to be diligent about resealing. Have a look at examples of aged copper countertops to find out whether or how much you’ll still enjoy them years in the future.

Oak Hill Iron

Dings and scratches. Because it’s soft, copper is easily marred by knives and heavy pots and is susceptible to everyday wear and tear. Although these frequently could be buffed out, some people today like the sense of age that results. If you’re really concerned about dents, then elect for a otherwise distressed end, which will not show them nearly as prominently.

Group 3

Cost. Copper does not come cheap. The typical cost ranges from $100 to $175 per square foot installed. It requires skill to affix copper sheeting correctly to a substrate, so this is a tricky task for the average DIYer, too.

Tell us Have you tried copper countertops in your kitchen? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Watch more guides and Tips for your kitchen counters

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Among those concerns I hear most often is, How do you decorate a home when your significant other has a completely different style? If you are new to merging different styles under one roof, chances are that you could use a blueprint for moving forward. Walk through these 10 steps for easy strategies for blending fashions without stepping on too many toes.

Michelle Hinckley

Step 1: Give to Respecting Each Other

Establish an intention in the beginning that you will appreciate one another’s opinions and preferences, and lend equal weight to each point of view.

Consider blending styles instead of blending personalities. It keeps things more civil and lets you see more choices. After all, a lot of us are drawn to more than one style. Consider this as a design issue (that it is) rather than attempting to read too much into it. We all have our own likes and dislikes, and that is OK.

MuseInteriors

Case in point: This living area is a great illustration of merging traditionally masculine elements (wood-panel walls, rich browns, hex print rug, cowhide stool) with a bit of boho glam (printed pillows, persimmon throw, velvet couch, glass lamp) for a look that keeps everybody happy.

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Step 2: Create Your Wish Lists

Sit down separately and compose lists of everything your heart desires in a home. At this stage do not worry about budget or space limitations; let your creativity run free and just get it all down on paper.

Chambers + Chambers Architects

Do not be afraid to ask for what you actually desire. If pink partitions are exactly what your heart desires, list it. Attempt to avoid guessing what your partner will believe. You might be surprised.

Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

Step 3: Establish Your Priorities

Once you have your wish list finish, pick your top five things, in order of significance, and have your partner do the same. It’s important that you know which things are the most significant to each of you personally and where there’s some wiggle room.

To take it a step further, work together to make a joint list of priorities. This list ought to point to five items that you want to create in a home together, from the special (uncluttered, glowing) to the less tangible but equally significant (warm, laid-back).

Step 4: Establish Your Limits

If you can find items that totally horrify you, today is your chance to exercise your veto power. The point here is to avoid big conflicts in the future, not to pick a fight today. So stick with the few things that are deal breakers for you, and ask your partner to do the same.

In case your partner claims to hate some of your favorite looks, do not stress. In step 9 you’ll have a chance to bring back a bit of what you love, even if your partner doesn’t get it.

Shannon Malone

Step 5: Agree to Blend Styles in Main Spaces

Common spaces like the living room, where you spend lots of time together, should reflect both of you. Now’s the time to compare your lists and try to locate items which will work collectively.

Case in point: In this living room a dark floor, traditional furniture and also a library ladder construct a classic foundation for the room, while the rich green paint behind the bookcases and a sparkly chandelier exude a sense of fun.

Jennifer Bishop Design

Ideas on utilizing fabrics: Mixing up fabrics and furniture contours is a excellent way to combine styles. Try upgrading a mixture of traditionally masculine fabrics and patterns like leather and houndstooth with a modern palette, then use them on furniture with clean lines and also a little bit of curve.

Alternately, pick a manly furniture shape (Chesterfield couch, wingback chair) and pay it in a soft, plush cloth like jewel-tone velvet. In any event, the concept is to shake it up a bit, so each piece appeals to both of you.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

Compromise doesn’t need to equal dull. Including a bold colour, like the red in this dining area, may be just the thing to tie together disparate styles. There is something about having an intense backdrop which makes anything that you put in front of it hang together.

Having difficulty picking a shade you like? Try browsing together and pick out photos with colors that appeal to each of you.

Abbe Fenimore Studio Ten 25

Nevertheless, it’s usually sensible to keep big furniture neutral. While no interior decorating principles are set in stone, this is sound advice for anybody to follow. Tastes change, and large furniture pieces could be expensive to replace or re-cover if you decide to go in another way in the future. Main furniture pieces like the couch and armchairs are most versatile in shades of lace, taupe, white, chocolate or grey.

Step 6: Be Willing to Check at New Matters

Keep your eyes open and be willing to wait for the Ideal pieces. Sometimes a individual will make a sweeping generalization, like “I do not like art.” Well, that likely isn’t the complete story. It is more likely this individual hasn’t encountered a style that resonates with them.

Case in point: This wall mosaic by artist John Whitmarsh was made by piecing together bits of discarded asphalt, and contains a modern urban vibe which could appeal to someone who hasn’t found her or his artwork market yet.

Flea Market Sunday

Measure 7: Do not Dismiss anybody’s Passion

We all have our own likes, plus they do not always mesh with the loves of the person we have been sharing a roof — and that is OK. It is necessary to respect another man’s hobbies and interests, while also finding a way to work them in a shared space which pleases you both.

Case in point: This group of model trains could have easily gotten out of control. But lined up on easy floating shelves, they suddenly look crisp and intriguing.

AMW Design Studio

Step 8: Create Your Bedroom the Getaway Zone

Consider where you’d really like to choose a getaway together and try designing your bedroom with this in mind. By focusing on something other than yourselves, it is going to take the pressure off. Posh urban hotel? Tropical oasis? The entire world is your oyster!

Judith Balis Interiors

Step 9: Provide Each Individual Free Rein in One Room

Independent offices, an excess den, a room in the basement, a guest space, a workout area, or possibly a garage or drop can work as private space. It feels fantastic to have the ability to decorate a room exactly how you would like, so try to make this occur, even if you are decorating your nooks or closets instead of entire rooms.

Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

Measure 10: Assess Where You Stand

If you’ve managed to create a few tough decisions, and each of you feels you bent on some issues, and also you were able to pick out a couple things that you love, give yourselves a fantastic big pat on the back.

Decorating is an ongoing process, so don’t worry if it feels like things are taking longer than you would like. The most significant issue is that your home, even if it is a work in progress, is a location you like spending time in.

Nevertheless having issues?Consider hiring an interior designer. Designers are there to make your life easier. An experienced designer will help pinpoint a new look which will appeal to both of you, even if it seems your fashions are in odds.

More: Find your decorating design

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Defining a personal style may be the toughest aspect of home design. Style evolves and changes over time, and often it’s difficult to figure out what it really was at the first location. Some designers have a knack for expressing a customer’s personality perfectly. For many others, the evolution of a customer’s design help make the home a house.

Lucy Penfield of Lucy Interior Design worked on this Tudor at Edina, at a suburb of Minneapolis, for 12 Decades. Over that time, the customer’s style changed radically. Though the West Coast wife enjoys art and color, the East Coast husband has a more traditional design, and also their 12-year-old daughter loves lively designs. Penfield made a more customary principal floor incorporating neutrals and rich colors, and then created a vibrant modern weathered teen sofa downstairs, successfully mixing all of the customers’ styles into one amazing house.

at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple and their 12-year-old daughter
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Size: 5,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
That is intriguing: Penfield had the floor of the cellar dug down by a foot to increase the height of this space.

Lucy Interior Design

The vibrant and contemporary downstairs lounge was designed as a location for the customer’s daughter to hang out and have sleepovers, also for the family to enjoy occasional movie nights. This addition was designed after the main floor was already set up, and the customer decided to go mad with color. The palette of blue, tangerine, lime green and fucshia was motivated by a watercolor of her daughter.

The customer loved the idea of this resting window chair, therefore Penfield enlarged the window and added remote-operated window shades.

Window seat paint: Whales Green, Benjamin Moore; ottomans: from Morocco; sectional: custom, A. Rudin, Romo cloth ; side tables:House Eclectic

Lucy Interior Design

The cellar had just southern- and western-facing windows, therefore natural lighting was restricted. Penfield made every color stand out and improved each little bit of light by painting all of the walls and trim from Benjamin Moore’s Super White.

Paint color on built-in: Dark Steak, Benjamin Moore

Lucy Interior Design

A little kitchen and bar area was set up for late-night snacks and entertaining. A pint-size fridge holds all of the necessities, and a stainless steel countertop and backsplash make for easy cleanup.

Lucy Interior Design

The first cellar was a dingy and dark area with unfinished concrete flooring and a 7-foot-high ceiling. Windows were set up at every available angle to increase the light and the perspective.

The white walls and cabinetry at the sofa area are punctuated with cheerful accessories and trim in vibrant hues. The white shades allow lots of light inside, while their contrasting trim provides definition.

Lucy Interior Design

The gloomy Moroccan bathroom downstairs is one of Penfield’s favorite spaces in the home; it had been motivated by a recent visit to Marrakech. “The hunt-and-gather process for furniture is my favorite,” she states. “I really like to pull from journeys — thus the Moroccan-inspired tile wall. I had just returned from a two-week culinary experience in Morocco, along with the colbalt blue was everywhere”

Accent wall: Waterworks; vanity: custom, painted Super White, Benjamin Moore; flooring tile: Waterworks concrete, Blue Note; wall sconces: habit

Lucy Interior Design

The cheerful laundry area was the first room to be redesigned, and it moved all other rooms on the basement flat. New countertops and cabinetry, colorful built-ins and a painted concrete floor changed this area. A cute set of drapes hides drying laundry when guests come over. “She loves doing laundry now,” states Penfield of the customer. “Who wouldn’t?”

Paint color on built-in shelves: Raspberry Pudding, Benjamin Moore and Cocktail Hour, Hirshfield’s

Lucy Interior Design

Upstairs, the house has a very different vibe. The major living spaces fall closer in line with the house’s traditional Tudor construction. Limestone countertops, a copper hood and dark wood cabinetry give a much more sophisticated style to the upstairs kitchen. The antique maps on the walls have been chosen to commemorate significant locations from the customers’ lives — schools, grandparents’ houses and hometowns are all represented. “We wanted to weave a story,” states Penfield. “I love the way that it reveals a cross-country history”

Backsplash: Waterworks marble mosaic; hood: custom copper; chandelier: iron, Dennis + Leen; countertops: Cambria limestone

Lucy Interior Design

The decor evolved to reflect the couple’s different styles and backgrounds. “I think as a newly married couple, we are safer — perhaps pleasing each other and endangering,” states Penfield. “I think the East Coast conservative side spoke louder in earlier years.”

Hand-crafted accessories, high quality textiles and also a more subtle palette fall in line with the house’s traditional architecture. The house’s first smaller windows did not let enough light into the main living spaces, therefore Penfield assisted design an addition on the south side, which accommodates the family space and wraparound windows.

Area Shade: custom hand-knotted wool, Nepal; ottomans: custom with raffia and jute fringe, Samuel + Sons; coffee table: Woodland paint and glaze

Lucy Interior Design

The household is active and loves to entertain, therefore Penfield used practical materials, all-weather fabrics and durable finishes for all the major living spaces. Halfway through the home’s renovation, the family decided to get two cats, therefore Penfield integrated cat-friendly fabrics into the area as well.

Table and chairs: McGuire; walls: textured plaster, Otto Painting Design; couch: A. Rudin, Clarence House cloth

Lucy Interior Design

Since it took over a decade to finish this house’s design, the appearance in each room evolved over time. A brand new love for color was finally extracted, and Penfield integrated subtle punches into more neutral configurations. Red fabrics in the living area and kitchen add visual interest, while the chocolate and turquoise toile bedspread balances manly and feminine influences. “I really like the balance of yin and yang, that can be shown in color and layout,” Penfield states.

Bedding: China Seas Pagoda toile; bed framework: custom; table lamps: Hwang Bishop; seat: classic

Lucy Interior Design

The master bath includes a balance of old and new, sticking with traditional fixtures and patterns but enjoying with more contemporary color palettes. “Adopt the architecture, but don’t let it choke you,” states Penfield. “We’re always respectful of this architecture but then had some pleasure to let our character shine.”

Roman shade: Conrad Shades, Clarence House cloth ; side table: Waterworks wicker drum; flooring: limestone planks

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