Haus Design

Easy DIY Ideas

2012-03-04T11:27:00.001-08:00

Hope you're all having a good weekend... we continue to explore Seattle and are making lots of progress on our "to do" list of getting settled back on US soil. As you can imagine with so many expenses involved with moving back to the US (we bought two cars in the last week for example!) DIY solutions have also been on my mind. I thought a round up of some of my favorite ideas might be fun to share:

These will be so pretty for a BBQ in our back yard this summer!

A clever use to maximize garage space...

DIY Roman Shades - the house we want has several separate windows so we will need several of these!

I'd love to find a spot for antiqued mirror, and this shows how...

A beautiful deck needs lots of potted flowers and plants and I love the earthy "lived-in" look of mossy pots.

I'm thinking of this for the kids' bathroom - there are so many possibilities!

I love this sweet, fresh look for the quickly approaching Spring.

I'll be on the hunt for a few interesting chairs, perhaps flea market finds with potential.

I haven't ever re-done a chair, but I'm itching for the challenge.

Thank you to all of you for the kind wishes on the house negotiations - with all of that positive karma swirling around good things will have to come out of it. :)

PS: I haven't forgotten about sharing Bali and Hong Kong pictures - coming soon!

Sources and DIY instructions can be found here.

Stunning Exteriors!

2012-03-02T10:18:00.001-08:00

TGIF. It's been quite a week full of inspections at our potential future home. The more time I spend there, the more I fall in love with it. However, the inspection process has been a bit of detective work trying to discern what is truly a problem, what isn't, and what can be done later or not at all. I am definitely out of my league where home construction is concerned but I think we're getting closer.

The bad news: It is looking like the house will need a new roof as well as a re-built entry, so negotiations are underway.
The good news: This opens up to new design possibilities! So, that has led me to think about how we might re-do things. The house is a combination of stucco and brick already but it needs a more cohesive appearance, so I have been having fun thinking through the possibilities.

Let's take a look at these beautiful combinations:

So, what do you think? What are some of your favorite features on an exterior?

Also...thanks so much for your input and encouragement on the kitchen plans I posted about last time. You all have assured me it's the right thing to do so I'm going to go for it! If the house works out I'll have lots of before and afters to show you all of the kitchen and more!

Keep your fingers crossed on the status.

We should know by next week if that house will be ours or if we're back to square one...I'll let you know!

Sources

Kitchen Planning

2012-02-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! Today was a clear, cold day and I had a gorgeous view of the Olympic Mountains - rivaling the view we had of the Alps we had in Munich - and that's saying something! Seattle gets better and better every day, and I am thrilled to call it home now.

I am still heavily distracted by our home buying process (today was inspection #1 but more to come...~~with small moments of panic on a daily basis)~~ but I am definitely missing blogging and all of you so I thought I'd check in. :) One thing that is on my mind is the kitchen in our (hopefully) future home. To give it some punch I am thinking of two colors on the cabinets, like these beautiful inspirations:

What do you think of this look?

And, because we don't know if we'll be in this house forever, how do you think it would resonate with others that aren't as design-obsessed as all of us who read design blogs? :)

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

We Have Arrived!

2012-02-23T14:35:00.001-08:00

It's official - we are in Seattle and the house hunt has begun! My posts will continue to be spotty until we get the housing situation figured out. Needless to say that is distracting me considerably but it's also very fun. :) More on that soon...

I have a lot to share with all of you from our travels but I have to get the pictures organized, among other things, so that will take a while since that is falling lower on the priority list right now. :) A few quick comments though:

Hong Kong was good, but Bali was better. Bali was incredibly rich in authenticity -- much more than I expected it to be, given how many tourists they host. That meant that we definitely got a good dose of Asian culture, while also enjoying a lot of beachy relaxation time. The people were also consistely friendly, helpful and oh-so-happy. It was a fantastic experience.
Here are just a few pictures for now - this doesn't do Bali justice AT ALL but it's a little taste. I promise to be back soon to regular blogging programming with more from our trip as well as other design inspirations when life gets sorted a bit!

Culture was found at every turn...

Great wildlife for family adventures...

and endless shopping!

Thanks so much for the wonderful comments that came in while we were away.

I really ppreciate the supportive comments and well wishes, and enjoyed reading them!

This And That

2012-02-17T01:43:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! I thought it was appropriate that I schedule this post for shortly after we land in the US, since I think our life will definitely be all over the map at that point! My husband and I have just decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. :)

So here you go...a random assortment of things that have caught my eye lately...

I adore bookshelves in a hallway!

Clever housewarming gift!

If all goes well, my next post will be live from Seattle! Talk to you then!

Sources

Aqua Inspirations

2012-02-09T00:11:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys!

If all goes according to plan, when you read this we will be in Bali, hopefully looking at something rustic and beautiful like this...

Which, of course, inspired me to share some of these beautiful designs...

Sources

Seattle Home Inspirations Part III

2012-02-07T00:57:00.000-08:00

The latest home in Seattle is this one...then I will take a break for a bit while I search for a real home. :) Compared to the others that I have posted about, this one is a bargain at $6M...

I like how the glass mirrors the lakeside setting...

Seattle is known for is glass blowing artists...looks like the owner has a beautiful collection!

My favorite spot is the pool!

Source

Seattle Home Inspirations Part II

2012-02-02T00:42:00.000-08:00

As a follow on to the home I posted about here, here is another beautiful home in Seattle. Enjoy the tour!

In spite of its size, I think it looks very warm and welcoming...

Love that entrance!

I wonder if the yacht is included...

Source

Guest Post: Wendi from Classic Chic Home

2012-01-31T00:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! Today Wendi from Classic Chic Home is here to talk about sculpture in design. You're in for a treat - Wendy has a great eye for beautiful decor, and this is such a beautiful post! I love sculpture - always have - so when Wendi suggested this for a post I thought it was a brilliant idea. These examples are truly stunning. Take a look:

(via This-Next)

I'm pleased to be here today at Haus Design while Barbara is away on her amazing vacation in Asia. I thought I'd share with you one of my all-time favorite decorating accessories.

I love unique design elements that instill a sense of history and offer a rich, timeless presence. Here are some stunning examples of how to add instant character to your home with small Sculptures and Statues.

Introduce an impressive statement piece...

(via Lily-and-George)

(via Country Living)

A charming, decorative accent...

(via The-Skirted-Round-Table)

(via Neuvo Estillo)

or even a cherished garden statue.

(via Mix-and-Chic)

(via BHG)

Regardless of its size, or the era it represents...

(via Neuvo Estilo)

(Katie Lee Joel)

Sculptural pieces beautifully add warmth, interest and personality to a space.

Are you as drawn to the classic aesthetic of a regal bust or statue as I am?

Thanks so much Wendi for helping out while I am away - you did a beautiful job!

Asian Designs

2012-01-28T00:19:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! By the time you get this post I will be in Hong Kong, scouring the markets for beautiful design inspirations and exploring all that it has to offer. I promise to share my experiences and observations with you when I return, but in the meantime here are a few beautiful rooms with a bit of Asian flair...

I just thought these were cute. :)

Sources

2012-01-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

This will be my last post before we shut everything down here in Munich, say our final farewells to family and friends and ride off into the sunset. It is a stressful time but I know it will pay off when we are on that plane on Friday to enjoy three weeks of much needed rest!

browntroutblues.tumblr.com

I have a few posts scheduled for while I am away, but even better will be a few guest posts that I have lined up that I think you all will really enjoy! Even though I wont be online during that time, please leave comments anyway. I will really enjoy reading your comments on the posts upon my return...

As some of you know I have been blogging for just over a year now, and the blog has really picked up steam in the last six months or so. For your reading pleasure while I am away, I thought it might be fun to provide you all with a recap of some of my earlier posts in case you missed them.

A post about African Design (my very first post!)

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2010/12/african-design.html

A series of posts about beautiful trays for vignettes and more.
http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-terrific-trays.html

A post about our local flea market, which inspired Linen Haus and so much more...

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/best-flea-market-in-europe.html

I collected a few of my favorite photos of doorways during our travels throughout Europe...more of these to come after we get settled, both from Asia and more from Europe!

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2010/12/doorways.html

A post with some lovely, romantic courtyards...

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/courtyard-love.html

A writeup about a beautiful public bath in Munich.
http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/04/volksbad.html

An artist whose work I fell in love with in Paris!

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/paris-discovering-klimt-inspired-artist.html

One of many posts about Danish design, inspired by a trip to Copenhagen last Summer.

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/07/danish-design-part-i.html

A post about white decor...

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/07/touch-of-white-decor.html

Photos of architecture from our time in Croatia a few years ago

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/croatian-loveliness.html

As I looked through this post after it was finished I realized that almost all of them were related to travel.
I think that tells me I had better keep traveling to stay inspired! :)

Thank you again for all of your well wishes on our upcoming move and our trip.

I hope to have lots of experiences and photos to share upon our return.

If all goes well I should be back online around February 21st! :)

Seattle Home Inspirations

2012-01-23T00:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! The movers are here and have started packing...it is a strange but good feeling to have this day finally arrive. Even though we still have the trip in front of us, the design enthusiast in me has already started scouring the web for the house hunt that will follow. Other factors besides the home itself will play into our decision, such as schools, commutes and that silly thing called money, but right now I am just dreaming a bit! I thought it would be fun to share a few beautiful homes with you along the way.

First up is this home, available for a cool $26M!! That is not going to be my future home but some lucky person will get it! I thought it was a tasteful, unique mix of furnishings and art, and the kitchen is really nice. Take a look...

Love this kitchen with all of the cookbooks and open shelving.
I think I especially like it becuase although the house is grand the kitchen looks very approachable.

Not bad eh?

Just in case you are in the market, you can find the details here.

Also, thank you for all of the well wishes for our going away parties. They were wonderful, although teary at points. I am kicking myself for leaving such a fantastic community of friends and family behind, but a new one awaits us in friendly Seattle! A few bloggers have already reached out to me with helpful advice, connections, etc. and it is much appreciated! OK back to packing now...have a great day!

Happy Day!

2012-01-21T00:04:00.000-08:00

Just a single image today, to wish you a wonderful Saturday!

We are swamped with going away parties and packing,
but I'll be back on Monday for a few more posts before we fly on Friday.
Have a great weekend!

Today I'm Loving...

2012-01-20T00:47:00.000-08:00

...this great kitchen! I am drawn to the oversized pendants, the splash of color in the red chairs, that large glass vessel and - most of all - that it looks like a REAL kitchen where REAL people cook. :)

via

What are you loving today?

Architectural Elements: Ceilings

2012-01-19T00:05:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when you walk into a room you don't even notice a ceiling, but when it's remarkable even the most un-design oriented people comment. Here are a few that I think would impress anyone:

I'm partial to beamed ceilings in the living areas and barrel or coved ceilings in hallways.

How about you?

Sources

Soothing Bedroom Retreats

2012-01-18T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today I bring you some beautiful bedrooms that I find incredible peaceful...I can definitely imagine myself curling up with a good book (on a stormy, rainy evening in Seattle! :)). I hope you find something that you like, too!

I adored this look: a bed set against a wall of bookshelves.

How easy - and inspiring - would that be to find a great book to just pull of the shelf?

Sources

Design In Five: Spicer and Bank

2012-01-17T07:45:00.000-08:00

For today's version of Design In Five I bring you the very talented Allison from the blog Spicer + Bank. Allison is currently living in Singapore, soaking up those experiences to add to her already refined design style. Take a look at her fabulous ideas:

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Hi, Allison here from Spicer + Bank, I am so happy to be here today on HausDesign sharing my five favorite design additions! These are my essential elements to bring chic style to an otherwise plain interior . . . plus, they are all affordable ways to refresh a tired space!

{1} Statement art - I love how one bold and colorful piece of art can enliven a room. It also can be a lovely source of color inspiration to start designing around!

{2} Something with history - I always look to add at least one antique or vintage piece, it adds such personality and lends a bit of patina to the whole room. I adore this worn leather chair - so inviting!

{3} Piles of books - I love collecting books and I love how they looked all stacked up as much as I love reading them. Books on architecture, travel, design, and gardens are my favorites.

{4} Mirrors - it's always wonderful to add a little bit of shine and reflectivity. Mirrors amplify light and I especially like the look of vintage mirrors like these.

{5} A burst of unexpected color - a hit of rich color adds so much energy! These aqua chairs are a perfect example - I love this kitchen because of them!

{images via 1. 2. 3. 4. 5}

Thanks so much for having me Barbara, this was so much fun to put together!

XOXO

*******************************************************************
Fantastic ideas Allison!
I love the dose of unexpected color, and the notion of bringing in something with history - how true that a room looks truly empty when everything is brand new.
This is a fantastic collection of five design ideas. Thanks so much for participating!

Simple & Natural

2012-01-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! Here are a few rooms and products that are simple, natural & beautiful...enjoy!

Sources

Ideas & Inspiration For Styling Shelves and Vignettes

2012-01-14T02:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! Hope you're having a good weekend. We are enjoying some time with a special friend from England who came to visit for the weekend, as well as a few going away celebrations. Good times...:)

I thought a few fresh, beautiful vignettes for inspiration might be nice today! To start off with, here's an insightful quote from Mary McDonald (via Veranda Magazine):

“I always like to pair very symmetrical elements with something that’s asymmetrical, because the symmetry cleans up the asymmetrical parts and keeps them from getting too crazy....You always want to make sure when you’re putting together a tablescape for a vignette that’s symmetrical...that you have groups of all different heights, because that creates an artistic sense of release.”

That red just pops and I am loving that antiqued mirror!

How am I going to fit a couple of garden stools from Hong Kong into my suitcase??

(I know you can get them in the US but if they're a souvenir it totally justifies the purchase doesn't it??!!)

These types of shelves can be tough to style but this one is nicely done!

Such a beautiful table display for a book club dinner.

I tried to include a variety of looks so I hope you found something you like!

You can also read my "Tisch" series about vignettes and table settings here, here and here.

Sources and more inspiration for stylish shelves and vignettes can be found here: http://pinterest.com/hausdesign/styling-shelves-and-vignettes/

Updates on Linen Haus and More...

2012-01-13T01:49:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! Thanks for bearing with me on my non-design related posts the last couple of days...big changes are afoot so I wanted to share them with you all...I promise we'll get back to (fun) business here starting tomorrow - but today a few miscellaneous topics:

HausDesign

You all have been so patient and supportive of my upcoming opening of Linen Haus -- thank you! As some of you know I had originally planned to open my online boutique in November; however, I'm putting that on hold until we are settled. I'm excited to get started but when I open I want to give it "my all", so doing it after we are stateside makes more sense. You can view most of the inventory here for now:

http://pinterest.com/hausdesign/linen-haus-online-boutique/

Our Next Adventure!

2012-01-12T02:20:00.000-08:00

So in yesterday's post I talked about the next (and perhaps last) city we'll be calling home - beautiful Seattle in the Pacific Northwest. It's close enough to Oregon to feel like the "culture" that I'm used to, and yet far enough away from what's completely familiar to feel like a great new experience... Thank you so much for all of your nice comments and emails!

Before we get settled into Seattle, we have a little adventure in store for us too: Hong Kong and Bali! When the possibility of a job change/move was first on the horizon a while back, I started dreaming up possible trips between jobs...that's how this whole adventure came about. So now y'all know -- the possibility of returning to Asia was what inspired this post! I hope you don't mind if I share a little glimpse into our itinerary.

We'll be...

...viewing the Hong Kong skyline and beyond from Victoria Peak...

...observing some dragon dances...

...taking a ferry to a nearby island to see this incredible Buddha...

(Notice how green it is. I have only been to Hong Kong once before, but when I was there I was struck by this! Yes, it's a huge city but it's surrounded by an incredibly lush landscape - 40% of Hong Kong is national park. It's a stunning combination.)

...eating lots of dim sum...

...of course relaxing on the the stunning Bali beaches...
(although I can't think of many worse things than being in a swimsuit :( )

...soaking up as much culture as we can within a few short weeks...

...enjoying sublime serenity inspired by lush, terraced rice fields...

...savouring incredible satays

...exploring amazing temples...

...and last but not least, shopping like crazy!

(thank you Meg for your incredible tips!)

Hopefully all of these changes explain why I have been delaying the opening of Linen Haus! With everything up in the air the last few months I wanted to wait until we knew what life would look like in 2012. I'll post more about that tomorrow.

Have you been to Hong Kong and/or Bali? Or (like me) are you dying to go?

I'd love to hear!!

Sources

Goodbye Munich, Hello Seattle!

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

I mentioned recently that I have some news...did that title give it away? :)

It's actually not "goodbye" to Munich since we'll be back often to visit family and friends...and of course to shop for Linen Haus. However, another chapter in our lives awaits us!

Yep, after several wonderful years in Europe, exploring as many nooks and crannies as we could possibly squeeze in during our time here, we are packing our bags and returning to the beautiful Pacific Northwest....

We are moving to Seattle - and soon!

Some of you know that I am originally from Oregon, but the job market has led us to Seattle - which I'm actually growing more and more excited about every day. We are looking forward to exploring this beautiful city and calling it home. While I have certainly visited Seattle before, I had never considered living there before, so I have a lot of homework to do! If you have any fun (or practical) tips on Seattle, I'd love to hear them!

We are leaving Germany January 27, but we'll be taking a little detour between Munich and Seattle...here's a hint as to what we'll be up to:

Brian Gluckstein

Design In Five: Wishful Thinking

2012-01-10T01:43:00.000-08:00

Today's Design In Five guest is a fantastic blogger currently living in England. Meghan's blog Wishful Thinking is a regular blog stop for me - I love her sense of style and her sense of humor! We share a mutual love of travel and design, so we quickly hit it off when our paths crossed in blogland. Let's take a look at Meghan's great take on Design In Five:

************************************************************************

From the moment Barbara first started this series, my mind has been churning with what elements I would pick for my ideal room! I initially started with about 15 elements but after some careful (and torturous) culling, I have finally managed to narrow it down to 5! So I'll let you see for yourself before I change my mind and add another 6 to the list!

1; 2; 3; 4;

Travel

I don't know if this is a design element as such but travelling is a huge part of my everday life - even when I am not travelling I am planning my next trip. My home would not be complete without these memories so I make sure that I am surrounded by maps and photos of places I have visited and cheesy trinkets I have collected along the way.

1; 2; 3; 4

Doors

I know that I am just one of many bloggers who share a fascination with ornate doors. Sadly, I think this is one design element that is often overlooked in overall designs. Since doors are generally the first thing that you see when entering a room, and one of the last things you see when exiting a room, they are just as important to me as a fabulous piece of furniture. Don't even get me started on door furniture...

1; 2; 3; 4

Texture

A bit of depth can do wonders for a space. I am not talking about anything too crazy like textured walls (although they are amazing) or shaggy carpets - even something as simple as a tufted velvet chair or a battered rough timber coffee table can totally transform a space. Personally, I couldn't live without thick knitted woolly blankets and woven baskets which line every available space in my home!

1; 2; 3; 4

Lighting

An obvious choice I know, but this is probably one of my most important elements in a room. A badly lit room will literally have me running for the hills! My idea of the perfect lighting consists of abundant warm table lamps, twinkling fairy lights and soft candlelight. I also wouldn't say no to a bit of 'statement' lighting (like those mason jar lights above)!

1; 2; 3; 4

Layers/Details

I'm certainly not a minimalist gal - I like heaps of organised clutter! It makes dusting a huge chore but I believe it is important for you to surround yourself with all the bits and pieces in your life that you love. I also love the fact that you can chop and change the objects in a vignette to suit your mood or season, nothing has to be permanent!

Thanks very much for having me Barbara!

I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with throughout the series!

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Pretty amazing, right?

I definitely believe that travel is a design element and you know she got me with the doors! I love the way she did collages for her design points...great idea. And the layering - so key to making a room interesting and personal. Nicely done. I think you did a fantastic job - thanks so much Meghan!

I'm also excited to share that Meghan recently bought one of my products from Linen Haus. She wanted something special to remember her time in England, and this vintage poster about the English Channel crossing fit the bill.

Needless to say, I am thrilled that I could help! :)

And...last but not least:

I alluded to some big news recently, and I can finally share it tomorrow.

Check back then for some fun updates!

Pretty Pantries!

2012-01-09T01:42:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Everybody! I hope your week is off to a good start. Perhaps you're starting to stock up your pantries with foodstuffs after the holiday craziness...here are a few that I think are truly amazing:

Brilliant - a sliding pocket door can remain open but be closed up when guets arrive.

I think this is actually a store, but there are beautiful storage ideas here...

Martha-worthy organization!

I love the idea of wallpapering the back of pantry shelves...any way I can make the mundane aspects of life prettier and more stylish really appeals to me!

If only my pantry could be stocked exclusively with high end gourmet ingredients!

A sexy and swanky pantry/bar combo. Love that wine display.

Practical and pretty - chalkboard paint for quick grocery list notes.

A ladder in the kitchen is great too, but it totally makes sense in a pantry!

We have this in our current kitchen and it functions really well. I'd recommend it.

I posted this picture when I posted about barn decor, but it is too good not to share again!

Serious storage. I like how everything is shallow so nothing "disappears" in the back.

An unassuming, but pretty, working space.

What does your ideal pantry look like?

Sources

More Delicious Dining Rooms

2012-01-07T02:35:00.000-08:00

I guess I'm in an entertaining kind of mood since I posted about parties yesterday and today I have some beautiful dining rooms to show you! We are going to do a lot of entertaining in the next few weeks so I thought these were inspiring. I hope you find some you like too!

Sources

While we're on the subject of dining rooms, here are a few lovely products

I have found for the table and dining room:

I am obsessed with this orb pendant, for the dining room or kitchen!

Another "Delicious Dining Rooms" post can be found here.

Sources