The approach. It’s an important design element, at once both a landscaping and architecture. The driveway and walkway are often under utilized design opportunities. Many times an impervious field of blacktop or concrete, creating runoff directed through drainage systems into ponds and streams. The soil acts as a natural filter for contaminates, purifying the rainwater before it becomes part of the eco-system once again. Beautiful and functional, permeable pavers offer a myriad of benefits. Grass or gravel as infill are great options, and allow for an unrealized design expression, providing pattern and texture drawing a visitor with interest, closer to your home. There are many great products available which allow for DIY installation. Paver units are modular, and can be installed to create numerous designs, both large and small scale. I love the effect. No longer a cold, harsh element to greet you, but rather an environmentally responsible, welcoming approach.

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… color block your bed frame?

Even the most traditional of bed frames can look modern with nothing more than a roll of painter’s tape and a can of your favorite hue. Created by Barb of Knack Studios and spotted on Poppytalk, I love the color palette, composition and bold statement of what used to be an average bed frame (photo below).

I think it suits just about any space, yes? Tell me, friends – would you give this DIY a try? (I definitely would!)

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(found on Pinterest but the original source is here – thanks to Stephanie from Muhs Home for the reference [side  note: loving those Alexander Girard wooden dolls - can't believe I missed that, especially considering FLOR's own collaboration with him from years back!])

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Would you feature a gallery wall in your bathroom?

This dreamy get away set on an island north of the San Juans, is designed by Olson Kundig Architects. The exterior metal skin of this single room cabin will be allowed to weather naturally, to create a vibrant patina.  Inside, wood-finished surfaces create a cozy refuge. A large, weathered steel panel slides across a window wall, securing the space when the owner is away. This space has everything one needs to function, with a  minimal footprint. Low maintenance materials allow the occupant to enjoy the environment, both inside and out, rather than maintain it. The ample glass  provides an undisrupted view, and the deep overhang of the roof provides sun control to the interior, without compromise of view or daylight. This little nugget is a welcoming retreat.

Images and excepts found at Olson Kundig Architects

This Color Story post is stunning and elegant. With a thoughtful mix of neutral tones and material style, this space is all about keeping it clean and keeping it simple. But there’s so much design in here as well as some good design tricks so let’s take a look at how you can create this style in your own space.

1) Stay neutral all the way. I love this idea of keeping a neutral palette just that – neutral. Sure, color is a fantastic addition to a neutral palette but sometimes it’s good to let it be and let is stay simple and stylish.

2) Let you materials shine. This room has an awesome wood table. Aside from the design of the piece, the wood material’s rugged look against the white and neutral space plays nicely.

3) Sometimes, keep your floor a floor. This open space home is a great example of how leaving one room floor-exposed let’s other rooms stand out. The striped rug in the dining room really becomes a key element in the home without taking away from the other spaces.

4) Channel a small dose of color with plants. Although I believe in this space that the neutrals work on their own. I also think a layered neutral color can work here to – plants. The dark green and leafy texture adds to the material mix.

5) Symmetry works with whites and neutrals. The clean lines and smooth style of this type of space is perfectly paired with symmetrical design. The matching low wooden stools and the complementary high-back dining chairs all makes sense in balance and harmony here.

Do you have a white and neutral space? How have you designed your hom

{Image via simple blueprint}

I love seeing design interpretations and the Living Roof at the Academy of Sciences is definitely a unique and pretty space that spans design ideas.  I recently spent some time in San Francisco and had the pleasure of visiting the museum that calls Golden Gate Park it’s home. The Living Roof is 197,000 square feet and is truly a tapestry of plants that creates a design pattern and impact. Planted high above the ground, over 1.7 million native plants live here that flourish in the Northern California climate. Not only is this a chance for these plants to flourish but for visitors to see the depth of green design that California has true to it’s home.

I truly get such inspiration for my home when I see installations like this – from both a design standpoint and an an eco one. Some fallen leaves outside my home make for the perfect accent in my home office or some twigs wrapped in pretty fabric become a centerpiece for a dinner party.

What do you think about the Living Roof? Have you spotted any in your city?

(Images snapped by Rebecca Orlov)

Ever wondered what it would be like to live on the beach – (and I mean on the beach)? For the modern, architecture-loving beach bum in us all, Archinoma’s modular system is our geometric answer. Created with steel joints and a mix of translucent and solid panels, the structure is both surprisingly sturdy and easy on the eyes.

Are you as simply amazed as we are?

Via Inhabitat

Introduced at the Milan Furniture Fare, an interesting take on re-use, and some very real inspiration for a  DIY project.

Why buy a new chair when you can dress up the one you have? During this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan, Anke Bernotat and Jan Jacob Borstlap of Bernotat&Co introduced Chair Wear, custom-made clothing for chairs.  Concepts were developed together with Jan Jacob Borstlap and with the know-how of the Audax Textiel museum. Let it suffice to say, these are not your everyday slip covers. These are fun, artful and sculptural, and have the potential to bring an undesirable seat, out of the shadows and corners of your rooms, front and center into the spotlight. This decorating direction provides the opportunity to create a whole new look without a considerable investment. Some of my favorite fabric and upholstery finds have been remnants found locally and online, from larger designer projects. Just think of the possibilities!

Chair Wear images sourced at Bernotat&Co

That’s one of the reasons why I am so in love with these beautiful Instagram photo displays that people have been using in their own homes.

Sarah of Daffodil Designs made these beautiful grid-collages from her Instagram shots of the year.  Gathered together, they draw you in to inspect a new element that you perhaps didn’t see before.

And Jen at Ambrosia Creative had a similar idea and displayed it next to some of her children’s art work.

For an even bigger impact, Kevin of Kevin Hale photography created this larger scale installation of Instagram photos.  With the option to quickly change out the pictures, the display is an ever evolving depiction of their lives.

Of course, if an entire wall installation isn’t your  cup of tea, you could always display your Instagram pics in a tidy little album like this one offered by Design aglow.

Or for something even a bit more portable, check out this fun flip book from Printsagram:

Printsagram also offers these really neat mini-prints with a retro-Polaroid feel to them…

…I couldn’t help but wonder how amazing they would look carefully arranged above a fireplace similar to this installation by James Merrell.

So – are you on Instagram?

1) I really love these desert style name cards and they cost $2 to make. Not bad, right? Head over to a craft store and pick up some mini terra cotta plant holders and to a home store to pick up a succulent or two. Make name tags using toothpicks and colored paper – voila!

2)  Lavender is one of my favorite scents and flowers. These name cards are also very easy. Just pick up silver cord at a local craft store and wrap small bunches of lavenders. Print out your guests’ names and then cut flags on the end.

3) This mini bouquet is also easy and sweet. The little containers come in packs of four. Just place together mini bunches of flowers (or even fallen leaves from outside your door) and make name cards out of paper and toothpicks. Fun!

Do you add extra details, like name cards, to your dinner parties?

(Image 1 via @CrowandCanary and Images 2, 3 Rebeca Orlov)