BIG IDEAS

How to Create the Perfect Gallery Wall Layout

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 14:32:00 +0000

Creating a gallery wall is one of the best ways to make your home your own. The perfect gallery wall should be a reflection of your tastes, dreams, and memories. No two could be alike. They come in a variety of shapes and styles, from thrown together to very formal. Whichever style you prefer, it’s one of the only decor items in your home that can keep growing with you. Make your gallery wall pop by incorporating a few of our favorite design tips and tricks into your home and your guests (and you!) are sure to be “wowed!”

As with anything interior design related, the success of a project is in the planning. Following a few simple guidelines will help you to put together the perfect gallery wall layout to create a cohesive, fun and ultimately beautiful display. Here are some inspired gallery wall ideas and tips from the Decorilla Interior Design team to help you get started on your own.

Let’s first look at 7 Basic Gallery Wall Layouts.

1. Symmetrical

Straight, clean lines are sure to soothe the souls of those who value order and predictability. The rhythm creates a more formal look that works equally well in a modern or more traditional room. The success of this layout lies in the careful hanging of the artwork to ensure perfect spacing.

2. Square Picture Wall Layout

All artwork is arranged so that the outline creates a square or a rectangle. This requires careful planning, and it’s also tricky building on such a collection as a single new piece will compromise the layout.

3. Top Aligned

This arrangement has a definitive line at the top that naturally leads the eye, making sure every piece is visited on the way.

4. Bottom Aligned

The inverse of the top aligned gallery wall layout, this gallery wall ends in a solid horizontal line, creating a place for the eye to rest.

5. Horizontal or Vertical Split

A well-balanced arrangement, offering the most freedom when wanting to build on the collection in future. This layout can expand either to the top or the bottom while maintaining the constant horizontal or vertical line as the starting point.

6. Corner Photo Wall Layout

If your space on one wall is limited, take the layout onto an adjacent wall! This works especially well in smaller rooms.

7. Random Arrangements

This is a trendy gallery wall layout, but just like the symmetrical layout, this arrangement is deceivingly challenging to achieve. It has the appearance of being a spontaneous, thrown together collection of artworks, but it looks good because of the careful planning that goes into arranging the pieces. For a successful random layout, ensure that vertical or horizontal midlines of pieces line up to adjacent artwork or that the collection centers around one piece.

A gallery wall can be made up of photos, artwork, mirrors, prints, or anything else really that makes you happy. Putting these items together so that they work together, may, however, pose a challenge.

Here are 5 Gallery wall ideas for the perfect combination of pieces

1. Multimedia

Here, anything goes. Although this makes it easy and fun, this type of gallery wall can easily look messy without the direction of a layout plan. Make newspaper cutouts of all the items and arrange them on the wall using painters tape. This will allow you to play around with the various options before you commit any nails to the wall.

Pro Tip: Remember that you can also successfully incorporate your television into your layout for a truly multi-media gallery wall!

2. Monochromatic

Get a cohesive look by using artwork, prints or photos in similar tones. You can keep them all in similar sized frames for a block layout, or vary the frames and sizes to achieve a random look.

3. Themed Picture Wall Layout

Create a gallery wall where all the pieces are linked to each other through their theme. This could be artwork centered around a subject, like flowers, or a style like this beautiful Asian-inspired wall by Decorilla designer Peti L.

4. Interactive

An interactive gallery wall is great for kids’ rooms or playrooms, and it can also work very well in a practical area like a classroom or home office. Another fun gallery wall idea is to put a chalkboard frame among the other artworks and invite guests and family members to leave notes or doodles. Browse around for some more fun gallery wall ideas before making the final decision on your masterpiece.

5. Objects

Gallery walls don’t only have to be made up of artwork! You can also create a beautiful display using your prized plate collection. For more ideas, have a look at these gorgeous and inspiring gallery walls.

General guidelines for putting up your perfect gallery wall:

Keep all your artworks evenly spaced and try to keep the middle line of the collection at eye level.

Use some paper cut-outs with the same dimensions as your artworks to plan the layout on the wall or just place all your pieces on the floor to see how they interact with each other.

Pay attention to the direction of the subject in your artworks ad always try to lead the eye back towards the center of the gallery wall.

Measure twice, hammer once. Enough said.

Once you have an idea of what you’d like to put on display, follow our guidelines to make your own gallery wall or schedule a free consultation with one of our online interior designers today and chat about how you can create a beautiful and memory-filled gallery wall in your home.

20 Bohemian Room Decor Ideas for the Ultimate Free Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 14:03:00 +0000

Calling all hippies! Whether you're obsessed with layering textiles or simply into the cost-effectiveness of buying vintage, bohemianism — the unconventional, artistic lifestyle that dates all the way back to the 1800s — can become your home's calling card. Check out these gorgeous designer spaces for boho inspiration in every room of your home. Think lots of patterns, plants, and eclectic accessorizing.

Boho Bedding

Fringe, tassells, and prints: Colleen Bashaw, cofounder of Anthropologie, checks off all the boxes with this girl's bedroom in a New Jersey beach house. "It felt cozy," she says, "to do pattern on pattern, texture on texture."

Bohemian Bath

Karen Vidal didn't want a cold, angular bathroom for a California home, so she warmed up the suite with colorful cement tiles and a cozy seating nook. The bench even has a hidden space underneath for towels.

"Bluhemia" Lounge

Boho queen Justina Blakeney dubbed her Moroccan-inspired living space "Bluhemia" after wallpapering it with a teal pattern she designed for Hygge & West. A faux sheepskin from Target adds texture.

Indonesian Daybed

Tons of pillows in vintage textiles cozy up an Indonesian daybed outside of a Los Angeles home. Betsy Burnham covered the seat cushion with Great Outdoors' Fresh Canvas.

Boho Dining Room

Cool blues can feel bohemian when mixed with natural textures, like the woven chairs, pendant, and shades in this dining room by Colleen Bashaw. The wallpaper fits the theme too; the Brett Design pattern depicts large knit stitches.

Rope Swing

Every boho pad could use a hanging chair. This perch from the Hangloose Hammocks provides a reading spot in Schuyler Samperton's beach apartment.

Bohemian Textiles

Working with just 650 square feet, Schuyler Samperton transformed a Miami Beach pad with versatile furniture and indoor/outdoor fabric. "There's nothing too serious or precious here," she says."It's all about kicking off your flip-flops and relaxing."

Turkish Rug

Sara Bengur used a Turkish rug to define the dining nook in her studio apartment. Vintage finds from Greece and Morocco bring a worldliness to the Manhattan space. "You could be anywhere in the world," she says. "To me, that boundlessness makes the apartment feel huge."

Exotic Patterns

Swirling grays and whites bring a soothing ethos to this bathroom designed by Colleen Bashaw. The Cole & Son's Palm Leaves wallpaper echos the mosaic on the floor.

Bohemian Blanket

Pops of gold and green make this Justina Blakeney bedroom fit for a king — or queen! The cover at the foot of the bed is a vintage Moroccan wedding blanket, and the rug is part of her collection for Loloi.

Suzani Headboard

"All the color and pattern really make the guest room pop," says Betsy Burnham of a California retreat. The vintage suzani headboard and Moroccan rugs give it an authentic bohemian vibe.

Boho Tablescape

Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato infused a Southwestern flair into this textured tablescape. Draping throws and runners on chairs invites guests to take a seat, and the colorful tassels serve as both decor and party favors.

Bohemian Ceiling

Molly Luetkemeyer incorporated structural elements like a Downtown chandelier, Jonathan Adler side table, and lucite rocking chair into her L.A. lounge, but the wall tapestry and patterned rug warm things up a bit. And did you notice the striped ceiling?

Bombay Hideaway

What could have been a cramped attic became a dreamy two-level bedroom thanks to Katie Maine's creative interpretation. Brunschwig's Bombay wallpaper covers the sloped walls, and a Moravian star lantern graces the canopy bed for a teenage retreat adults would envy.

Bohemian Living Room

Colorhouse's Clay .07 graces the walls in Sara Bengur's apartment. The dusty pink sets the stage for a 19th-century Indian inlaid trunk that does double-duty as both a coffee table and storage. The color-block kilim pillows, handwoven in Turkey by female artisans, come from the designer's shop.

Plush Pillows

Chris Barrett designs her own fabrics, so it's fitting that her L.A. house features pillows on pillows. These outdoor-ready textiles include patterns Montecito and Monterey.

Boho Accents

Get the eclectic look you're striving for by taking a page out of Schuyler Samperton's design book. A motley collection of flowers, tassels, and artwork decorate an Anglo-Indian campaign chest. The round CB2 mirror reflects colorful bird prints.

Moroccan Bedroom

Still building your stockpile of textiles? This Moroccan-inspired bedroom by Caitlin Moran shows how even a few design choices — paisley curtains by Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design, an inlay table from Horchow — can imbue a bohemian lifestyle.

Colorful Wall Hanging

This space-saving trick is designer-approved. Mounting a blanket instead of a headboard helped Schuyler Samperton free up room in a colorful bedroom.

Boho Black & White

Warm hues usually reign supreme in boho rooms, but Michelle Adams used a Gigi Stoll photograph as her guide for this black-and-white guest bedroom. Pops of animal print and Turkish rugs bring in the color.

22 traditional home office ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:42:00 +0000

Working from home for the foreseeable? These traditional home office ideas will help you create the working nook of your dreams. The coronavirus situation has forced many of us to from our homes, which means that now is a good time to make your home office as comfortable and stylish as possible.

Traditional home offices can include an imposing desk and comfy armchair, but if your space is quite small, take heart: lots of the ideas in this gallery are suitable for the tiniest of crannies. We've got open-plan layouts covered, too – there's truly something for everyone here. Find more home office ideas in our super-guide.

1. HANG A GALLERY WALL FOR AN ECLECTIC LOOK

What is the easiest way to add personality to your home office? Creating a gallery wall. In fact, the home office is the space where a gallery wall makes a lot of sense, since you are likely to spend a lot of time looking at it. To maintain a traditional look, pay attention to frames, picking ornate rather than plain ones.

Need more tips? Find out how to hang a gallery wall.

2. PICK AN ORNATE TRADITIONAL WRITING DESK

The desk is by far the most important and visible piece of furniture in your home office, even more so when it's part of a traditional design scheme. This is your opportunity to invest in a really gorgeous piece of furniture with a history.

The antique desk in this home office is an old barrister's desk. You can, of course, buy a new desk with a more traditional look – check out our best modern office desks.

3. CONVERT A LANDING INTO A MINI OFFICE

Not all homes have a separate room for a home office; if space is limited, think creatively about where in your home might be suitable for a work space. You don't necessarily need lots of room, but natural light is a must. This study space on a landing benefits from lots of daylight coming through the window.

Find more traditional hallway design ideas in our gallery.

4. MIX FURNITURE FROM DIFFERENT ERAS FOR A BESPOKE LOOK

A traditional design scheme doesn't have to adhere to any one period, so feel free to mix and match furniture from different eras. This home office cleverly juxtaposes antique and Mid-century furniture and accessories.

If it is authentic home office design ideas you're after, find out how to create a Mid-century modern home office in our guide.

5. COMBINE TRADITIONAL HOME OFFICE DESIGN IDEAS WITH CONTEMPORARY ACCENTS

Live in a period home, but want to experiment with a more contemporary look? The home office is the easiest room to achieve a nice balance between classic and contemporary. This home office, for instance, combines a traditional desk and classic wingbone chair, with modern pink polka-dot wallpaper and open cube shelves.

6. UTILISE SPARE CORNERS IN SMALL HOUSES

If space is really limited, you may well be able to create a decent study space in the corner of a living room or bedroom. Always position your desk in the corner closest to the window.

7. CREATE A DESIGNATED WORKSPACE IN THE DINING ROOM

Dining rooms and kitchen diners also provide plenty of opportunities for creating a work space. Our advice is to create a designated area in the dining room that isn't used much for serving food (so that you don't have to clear the table every time you want to do work).

This kitchen features a dedicated workspace that's perfect for someone who mainly works from a laptop. Bench seating with lift up lids provides a handy place to stash away paperwork and office equipment when it's not in use.

8. IN AN OPEN-PLAN HOME OFFICE, GO FOR A MULTI-USE TABLE

If your home is open plan, you might have to combine living space, dining space, and work space. The way to make it work? Go for a large, multi-tasking table.

Then, find out more about creating an open plan layout.

9. CREATE AN AIRY ARTIST'S STUDIO

If you work from home, but the kind of work you do requires an artist's studio rather than a home office per se, you'll still need to consider access to natural light and how much furniture you'll need. If you'll be standing up for long periods of time, consider getting a comfortable armchair to relax in when you take a break.

Have a look at our pick of the best armchairs for inspiration.

10. MAKE THE MOST OF A NARROW SPACE WITH A SKYLIGHT

This study space is probably one of the tiniest we've seen, but it really makes the most of the natural light coming from the skylight, and the painted chair adds design pizzazz.

To create a similar upcycled accent piece, find out how to paint furniture in our guide.

11. COMBINE STORAGE AND A WRITER'S DESK WITH A BUREAU

Bureaux are the perfect pieces of furniture for study spaces that don't have their own dedicated room. Storage and writing desk in one, this bureau fits seamlessly into a living room design scheme.

Got space for a bit more storage? We have lots more home office storage ideas.

12. INTEGRATE A STUDY SPACE INTO A TRADITIONAL LIVING ROOM

If you've taken a lot of time putting together your traditional living room design, you'll want your work space to integrate perfectly and not disrupt the overall look. Consider a bespoke fitted solution that will be sympathetic to the rest of the room, or choose a small half-moon table, like this one to make room for a traditional home office in a small living room.

We have more lovely traditional living room design ideas for your to browse. Love this look? See more inspiring spots for book lovers.

13. ACCESSORISE WITH SMART MID-CENTURY LIGHTING

The right lamp can make all the difference in the home office. In a traditional design scheme, choose classic, Mid-century task lamps or vintage side lamps. Pair with pale toned botanical wallpaper to help clam and focus the mind.

And take a look at our pick of the best home office accessories.

14. SHUTTERS TO ADD INTEREST AND SUN PROTECTION

South-facing rooms are ideal for many purposes, but the home office is actually not one of them. Direct sunlight and heat can be a problem, so you'll need to invest in a good window treatment. Shutters will look great as well as protecting you from the elements.

Check out more home office window treatment ideas.

15. ADD CHARACTER WITH DARK PAINT

Dark and moody decorating schemes are in, but an all-dark design scheme might be too much for a home office (just think about trying to focus in a very dark room on Monday morning). So, instead pick a mid-toned neutral that will give the room a calming, inviting appeal, without starving it of natural light. Ensure the window itself remains uncluttered to allow as much daylight as possible in, and plan your home office lighting well to ensure you can work when days are shorter.

Set on a dark room scheme? We have lots of dark and atmospheric decorating ideas for you to consider.

16. UTILISE SPACE UNDER THE STAIRS FOR A STUDY OR OFFICE

If you have space under the stairs, you might well have room for a study space; in some cases, the understair space is large enough to accommodate a fully-fledged home office, as in this bespoke space by Neville Johnson. To keep the decorating scheme traditional, stick to wood and leather as your main materials.

Wondering what else that space under the stairs might be good for? Check out our gallery of understair storage solutions.

17. WARM UP THE ROOM WITH AN ORANGE COLOUR SCHEME

Guess the colour that's been scientifically proven to improve concentration and creativity? It's orange. Which is just as well, given how gorgeous it can look when paired with traditional home office furniture.

See more orange room design ideas in our gallery.

18. GO FOR A BOHEMIAN DECORATING SCHEME

If you prefer a more casual look, or if your home office is part of a boho home decor scheme, go for lighter, slimmer furniture. This home office looks charming and quirky thanks to the painted console table and folding chair.

We have more brilliantly boho design ideas for you to browse.

19. INVEST IN A TRADITIONAL DESK WITH STORAGE

If your work requires you to consult a lot of reference material, or you use a traditional filing system, invest in a desk with storage. This will allow you to avoid cluttering your office space with filing cabinets.

See our favourite home office storage ideas.

20. GET AN ARMOIRE FOR AN ALL-IN-ONE HOME OFFICE SOLUTION

If you're tight on space, or can only invest in one good piece of home office furniture, an armoire will cover all your needs, from desk space to storage. The New England home office armoire from The Dormy House looks great, too, and can come in a paint finish of your choice.

21. FACE THE DESK INTO THE ROOM

If your home office is spacious, facing the desk into the room can give a feeling of grandeur. If you do take this route, you'll need to plan the wiring carefully to ensure that no ugly wires trail down the back of the desk or across the room to the nearest wall. The window treatments need to be carefully thought out, too, to ensure that you don't suffer from glare on a computer screen.

Furniture by Neptune.

22. LOOKING FOR TRADITIONAL HOME OFFICE IDEAS FOR A GARDEN ROOM?

If your home office is in a garden room, you can really go to town with an idiosyncratic decorating scheme, incorporating a light industrial or gardener's theme into it. Pick upcycled furniture that's comfortable and and pretty and invest in good lighting and – of course – heating to ensure your room is welcoming all year round.

Find out how to plan a garden room in our guide.

15 Modern Farmhouse Bathrooms

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:42:00 +0000

The farmhouse décor style is homey, warm and welcoming. Modern décor can be cool, clinical, and minimal. But what if you join them together? You may prefer the simplicity and cleanness of a modern style, but want to add rustic touches for welcoming warmth.

"Modern farmhouse" is the name for this hybrid style, combining modern color schemes, shapes, and materials with the rustic warmth of untreated wood, hand-hammered metal, or clay pots. It can be interpreted in an infinite number of ways, with different levels of integration between modern coolness and farmhouse nostalgia.

Here are a variety of modern farmhouse examples to show how flexible and beautiful this unexpected combination can be.

Cool White Modern Bathroom With Farmhouse Bench

On the minimal side of this style, you have bathrooms like this one by Min Day Architects, via Houzz. A clean white and gray bathroom turns into a spa-like haven with the single addition of a rough-hewn, natural wood farmhouse bench. This bathroom features Benjamin Moore's Seapearl on the walls.

White Marble Contemporary Bathroom With Farmhouse Sink

This Godrich Interiors bathroom also features a single farmhouse element: the sink. The rest of the space is all white and marble, a very contemporary style. The oversized sink works to bring some volume and visual interest to otherwise understated bathroom d é cor.

Modern Farmhouse Powder Room

In this beautiful powder room by Sypsie Designs, several farmhouse touches are integrated into a modern color scheme. The wood shiplap ceiling, oversized sink, traditional mosaic tile, and framed mirror bring plenty of personality and style, without feeling too nostalgic. Even in tiny spaces like this one, farmhouse touches bring lots of life and interest without overwhelming the décor.

Tiny Bathroom in Modern Farmhouse Style

This tiny bathroom by Envi Interior Design Studio, via Houzz, has more farmhouse than modern, but still meets the definition of a modern farmhouse. The small space is made to look bigger, thanks to a reflective tile in a neutral shade, and a large frameless mirror. The oversized farmhouse sink exposed lightbulbs and stone floating vanity give the bathroom a retro, almost industrial feel. The mix of red, blue and neutral hues gives it life and joy, too.

Modern Farmhouse Bathroom With Rustic Stool and Wicker Baskets

Without the rustic bench and wicker baskets, this bathroom, photographed by Hannah Blackmore, would feel a little empty and cold. (Okay, the puppy helps too!) Luxurious marble contrasts with humble wicker, and modern square shapes are balanced by the rounded wood stool.

Bathroom With Farmhouse Vanity and Modern Shower

In this space, found on Roomble, the farmhouse and modern areas are placed side by side, tied together with a beautiful black and white mosaic tile and black retro-style hardware. The modern white shower with subway tile contrasts with the painted wood shiplap and farmhouse-style wood vanity. A subtle marble countertop brings a touch of luxury.

Colorful and Minimal Modern Farmhouse Powder Room

This modern remodel of a Kent, UK farmhouse features this beautiful powder room with bold turquoise paint and complementary copper basin. The gorgeous basin is what keeps this bathroom tied to its farmhouse past. This Bridget Reading ID design via Houzz shows that you don't need a lot to bring modern and farmhouse styles together: sometimes, a single item will do the trick.

Modern Farmhouse Bathroom With a Touch of Industrial

This classic modern farmhouse design by James Nesbitt-Weber Interior Design features a salvaged oak double vanity, marble countertop and herringbone floor, and white-on-white beadboard walls. The addition of aged steel-framed mirrors and industrial-style sink hardware gives this bathroom an extra industrial edge with a personality all its own.

DIY Modern Farmhouse Bathroom

If you prefer the emphasize the retro quaintness of the farmhouse style rather than the cool shades and straight shapes of the modern style, you will love this example from Bless'er House. The modern color scheme keeps white in the center, while farmhouse touches abound: the frilly shower curtain, the wooden shelving and mirror frame, and the cute crystal drawer knobs.

Modern Farmhouse Bathroom With Steel-Framed Shower

Yes, a farmhouse bathroom can still look ultra-modern if you balance modern and farmhouse elements in the right way. This example, designed by Brandi Hines via Houzz, features a stylish steel-framed shower and minimal freestanding tub. The farmhouse touches come from the cowhide chair and small wooden shelf, along with the wall-mounted retro hardware for the tub.

Feminine Modern Farmhouse Bathroom

This minimal yet feminine modern farmhouse bathroom by Isabel Lopez-Quesada features a farmhouse washstand and porcelain vessel sink, a beautiful vignette with empty jars, wall-mounted retro hardware, and modern marble tile for a luxurious finish. Fresh flowers give this bathroom a touch of organic femininity.

Modern Farmhouse Bathroom With Barn Door-Style Mirror

The barn door is making a comeback in modern design, and this bathroom uses it in an original way: attached to a full-length mirror rather than a door. This design by Irwin Builds uses reclaimed wood with a neutral color scheme for that modern/rustic combination. The mirror hides extra storage space, too.

Modern Farmhouse Kids' Bathroom

The modern farmhouse style isn't just for grownups: This design by Brandi Hines, via Houzz, shows that kids' bathrooms can be just as fun and beautiful. The large farmhouse sink with two faucets takes less space than a double vanity, and the exposed plumbing adds to the rustic style.

Modern Farmhouse Bathroom With Rustic Wood Tub

This bathroom by Feldman Architecture shows how modern and farmhouse styles can be in perfect harmony. The dominant white is made warmer with rustic wood touches: the tub surround and the floating shelf vanity. Fresh white flowers in rustic vases and vessel sinks add detail and volume to the vanity area.

Modern Farmhouse Bathroom With Rustic Bench and Rug

Along with the unusual tub shape, this modern farmhouse bathroom by Chango & Co. features rustic touches of unpolished wood and hand-woven cotton. White is still a dominant color, as in most of the modern farmhouse designs, but is livened up by neutral wood shades and green touches.

14 Fabulous Modern Garden Designs and Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:58:00 +0000

Modern landscape design is an expansion and refinement of mid-century modern or Modernist garden design, hearkening back to the 1950s or earlier when residential architecture reflected optimism and rooflines exuberantly jutted toward space. Later, things became more organized into geometric sections with polymorphic shapes. Notable 20th-century landscape architects and designers like Garrett Eckbo, Lawrence Halprin, and Thomas Church paved the path for today's modern or forward-thinking designers.

This Is Modern, More or Less

Sometimes, modern and contemporary design are confused. To make things even more complicated, back in the 1950s to 1970s, mid-century modern design was referred to as "contemporary". Nobody was aware of or referenced the then-current times as mid-century. If it wasn't Ranch, Colonial, or Victorian but it was new, then it was contemporary.

Features in a modern landscape design vary, but here's what they are and are not:

Gardens complement and enhance the home's architectural design
Continuity is good: Repeating colors, textures, materials, and shapes
Lines of the garden are clean and often echo those of the structure
Geometric shapes are emphasized
The design is clean and uncluttered
Colors in furnishings, walls, and plants are bold and striking or monochrome
Use natural, local materials: Wood, stone, native plants
Include a water feature for aesthetics
Cottage gardens with fussy plants like roses do not go in modern landscape
This is not the space for rusted garden furniture or rocking chairs turned into planters

Got it? Enjoy a tour of gardens that all say "modern" in one way or another.

Vancouver Contemporary

The furniture is the deep-seating kind, with lime-green cushions, set back to take in the view of this casual, contemporary yard in Vancouver, British Columbia. Designed by Landscape 2000, of Vancouver, British Columbia, the space takes advantage of a wall for a bold vertical garden and features an architectural wood pergola. Lime and chartreuse plants are repeated throughout

Pool and Spa Landscape Design

A landscape and residential designer in California's Sacramento region, Chris Corbett's designs use natural materials like stone and wood. This pool and yard project includes a focal point water feature with scones that flow into the pool and integrated spa.

Contemporary Landscaping in Costa Rica

Jen Speirs is a plant stylist and designer in Saint Teresa, Costa Rica. She fuses local succulents, cactus, and tropical plants into eye-catching architectural (clean and simple) pot arrangements and planter beds, using local rocks and stones.

Greenwich Green Revival Mod

What's a Greek Revival home in Greenwich Village built around 1840 doing in an article on modern garden design? Well, there's no hard-and-fast rule that you have to decorate like it's 1839. For the tiny outdoor space, designer Axis Mundi took advantage of the vertical space to add plants and gain privacy. Those vibrant red-orange chairs are by Paola Lenti.

Urban Stone Landscaping

Ruhlstudio collaborated with landscape architect Gregory Lombardi Design for this modern home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The water feature adds a focal point while buffering street sounds

Spanish Garden Landscaping

A walled garden in Molina de Segura, Spain, takes advantage of filtered sun to grow tropicals like bird of paradise. Designer Alberto Garcia chose hardwood furniture that resists the sun and emerald pillows as accents of color for the modern space.

Mod Mumbai

That modern vibe of a highrise condo in Mumbai extends to the balcony, where KNS Architects used backlit laser-cut Corian for wall interest. Those mid-mod-inspired chairs look like spun-fiberglass designs from the 1960s and early 1970s.

Serene Landscaping

Repeating the horizontal lines of this modern house, an outdoor patio set is right at home with hardscape elements. Designed by Huettl Landscape Architecture, those horizontal lines continue with the concrete fountain and low wall and planting bed that corral horsetail (Equisetum hyemale).

The Keyhole

Displayed at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show, The Keyhole was commissioned by Guide Dogs Victoria. Created by James Dawson Design, the space was conceived for people with visual impairments. “It's a garden that treats the sighted and unsighted as equals,” says Dawson, who emphasized the other senses in his design:

Touch: Through textured plants like the giant liriope
Sound: A water chandelier was combined with IP-rated lights
Smell: Strong and pleasurable scents of an herb garden
Taste: Through gardens growing vegetables, fruit, and herbs

Stylish Bedford Yard

If it's worth saving, you restore. Of course, if it's a case like this semi-detached London home from the early 19th century, you go back to the drawing board. By 2011, this house had been changed beyond recognition, with two far-reaching courtyards that served as a garden. With planning consent, Nash Baker Architects demolished two existing properties on the site, kept the historic facade of the 19th century house, and designed a larger luxurious single-family home.

Two elements of the house are linked by a relaxing outdoor space designed by award winning garden designer Luciano Giubbilei. The calm city oasis features restrained planting, comfortable outdoor furniture, and a lovely reflective pool.

Desert Modern

The goals for this Las Vegas entertainer's backyard: Modern, functional, clean, and perfection. Battling the desert heat, Land View Landscapes knows what works and what doesn't. Fussy plants wither and die in the summer, while mainstays like succulents, and certain shrubs and trees survive. If a client wants a nice green sheet of grass, the design teams give them water-wise faux.

Vintage Modern Landscaping

Spinning a modern take on the vintage fibro beach shacks built along Australia's Gold Coast, True North Architects combined weatherboard and hardwood timbers for an interconnected series of decks, terraces, and gardens on a sloping property in New South Wales. Continuing that modern feeling, True North used other unconventional materials, like steel and corrugated iron, which complement the silver wood.

Accessible Modern Landscaping

Melissa Gerstle designs outdoor spaces that are modern but not austere: they are places where people cook and eat, children play, and dogs run around like dogs. This is a nice, normal tract home with a geometrically laid-out space that provides room for everyone's activities. It's rich with colors and textures and totally fun, as a yard should be.

Historic Home

A historic home in San Francisco retaines its architectural features for preservation, but what goes on in the backyard is the homeowners' choice. Matazrozzi Pelsinger Builders constructed large concrete retaining walls and installed a folding door system in the den that opens to a rear stone patio. Terraced planters lead to a beautiful living wall teeming with bonsais, ivies, mosses, ferns, orchids, fuschias, junipers, succulents, ornamental grasses, and Daphnes. Joining the builders were Gast Architects, interior designer Martha Angus, and plant designer Thumbellina Gardens.

50 inspirational living room ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 08:14:00 +0000

Decorating your living room? We've compiled 50 gorgeous living room ideas to use as a starting point for your next decorating project. From decor to design to furniture, if you're looking for living room inspiration you've come to the right place. You can also shop similar looks with our living room accessories.

Modern rustic

This contemporary, open-plan living space embraces a modern rustic feel. The beamed ceiling is a nod to the rustic setting, while a mix of vintage pieces blend with contemporary designs including the sofa.

Victorian flair

With Victorian-style panelling, this grey living room is light, airy and welcoming. A modern print, geometric rug and blue cushions add colour to this neutral space.

Modern oriental

Create a relaxing living room environment by choosing furniture with clean lines to allow light to circulate around the room.

Rich velvets

A painterly floral wallpaper provides a delicate backdrop to a beautiful and rich deep-blue velvet sofa. For the perfect finishing touch, add velvet cushions with a contrasting trim for a truly wonderful living room scheme.

Relaxed layering

Keep it contemporary yet pared back by teaming drips, drops and splatter patterns for an impressionistic look.

Small change, big difference

A simple Roman blind and textured flooring has resulted in an elegant update for this neutral living room.

Go botanical

Use vibrant shades of fern, forest green and moss to bring natural luxury to a neutral palette. Include touches of black for definition and depth.

Geometrical

Combine straight, curved and angular lines with splashes of colour for a graphic look, keeping the background of this living room understated.

Bold backdrop

Abstract floral wallpaper creates a dramatic backdrop in this living room. The metallic ceiling pendant and table lamp bring a contemporary contrast, while the sweeping wooden frame of the coffee table and grey rug add texture and softness.

Naturally laid back

White walls, soft grey upholstery and pale wooden furniture create a relaxed and welcoming look. Choose a classic sofa as the centrepiece, then introduce pattern with a mix-and-match collection of patterned cushions and a geometric rug.

A big impression

Choose eyecatching furniture and accessories to create impact in a big, airy room with high ceilings – as seen in this Regency townhouse renovation that's a perfect mix of old and new.

• Looking for a colourful sofa? Shop the most colourful ranges at Swoon.

Bold florals

A vibrant floral wallpaper defines the accent colours in the rest of this room. The soft sage green on the plush sofa and petal pink on the armchair, each with sleek black metal legs, complete the cohesive, contemporary look of this living room.

Rethink pink

Pink is still a huge interiors trend. Layer soft rose with grey, choose a classic sofa as the room's focal point and introduce pattern with decorative cushions and a rug. Contrast the soft colours with a statement floor lamp and coffee table.

Everyday luxury

For hygge vibes, add extra comfort to seating with a toning mix of patterned and plain cushions in linen and wool. It's the perfect autumn/winter look.

Two-tone

This living room has a two-tone palette of grey and chalky white. The darker grey is used on the chimney breast, with the other three walls painted in warm white, which makes the room feel more spacious.

Cosy rustic

A Welsh 16th-century plank-and-leg coffee table gives this living room a cosy, rustic look. The cream bobble rug and wood logs add texture.

Read more: Rundown weatherboard cottage renovated into a cosy and rustic family home

Opposites attract

Vintage sofas bring an elegant feel in this Victorian home. Promote a sense of intimacy in an open-plan or big room by arranging seating around a coffee table with a rug beneath. The aim is to create a cosy zone within the space.

Dark and cosy

Dark walls, bold graphic prints and a pale mustard sofa creates a cosy seating area in this living space.

Pop of colour in small spaces

In a small lounge area, a tactile velvet sofa in a golden shade and compact, rounded shape provides impact. Meanwhile, fringed and patterned cushions add individuality. Combining these tactile textures provide sumptuous depth, particularly useful for elevating small spaces.

Room with a view

A sofa with a low back looks contemporary and won't interrupt a great view, as can be seen in this modern farmhouse in Scottish highlands.

A new dimension

A corner sofa, such as this leather Freya from DFS, can help to give shape to a featureless room. A console table arranged with tall vases is a clever idea that gives the scheme height.

A country tale

This classic country style scheme is made relaxed and informal with a squashy sofa and chairs, neutral colours and natural textures. The gilt-framed mirror and glamorous table lamps add a touch of elegance to the look.

Artistic palette

Turn your living room into a masterpiece with painterly patterned fabrics, arty effects and a palette of soft colours. Choose fine cottons, linens and silks printed in washes of colour as a starting point for your scheme. Team highly decorative pieces with streamlined furniture for a perfect balance of form and function.

Make it cosy

Toning grey walls teamed with upcycled furniture and vintage finds give this living room a cosy feel.

• Head to Dulux for some paint inspiration.

Mid-century

This living room scheme has a mid-century feel. Bold splashes of bright yellow is teamed with sophisticated grey and white to create a striking yet very homely atmosphere.

Read more: This Victorian home is bursting with mid-century design

A sense of space

Soft grey tones and crisp white details bounce light around this contemporary living room. Pale wooden furniture also helps to keep the room looking bright and airy.

• If you always forget to water plants, buy artificial ones instead. Shop a range on Amazon.

Dark style

Moody greys and burnt orange tones create a welcoming, modern scheme. Offset a dark wall colour with sumptuous textures such as a wool upholstered sofa and a stylish chair in burnished leather.

Pattern play

The key to this colourful look is to layer intricate pattern on pattern while keeping the backdrop understated. Spots, stripes, ikat prints and colour block all work together beautifully when united by a harmonious palette.

Feature walls

Black feature walls and engineered wood create a focal point in this small living room.

Read more: One couple's journey to decorating their rent-to-buy home

Contemporary flair

In this living room, a neutral backdrop of greys with deep green feature walls makes for a contemporary space. The ladder shelf is perfect for displaying accessories.

Monochrome and more

A limited black and white colour palette always looks stylish. But introducing just one or two pops of bright colour, such as in this Glasgow flat, will add a sense of fun.

Neutral and light

A corner sofa, fireplace and artwork are the focal points of this neutral grey living room. The gorgeous bay windows bring in plenty of natural light.

Golden era

The living room in this 1950s house is a glorious example of how to indulge your love of a particular interior style or period without the scheme becoming clichéd or too kitsch. Simply include a few modern pieces for contrast.

Global fusion

Let the rich colours and textures from far-flung locations be the inspiration for your scheme. A dark wood floor and textured wallpaper provide a perfect base for this opulent look. Turn up the luxe factor with a mix of tactile fabrics and gold accessories.

Warming hues

Select a neutral paint colour with a warm tone as a backdrop for soft furnishings in rich russet shades. Team with classic patterns and choose rustic wooden furniture with simple industrial lines to complement the look.

A flash of brilliance

The vivid teal sofa and footstool in the living room of this Victorian home rich with bold colours and original features, demonstrate a confident use of colour that really brings the space to life.

Precious pieces

Incorporate antique and vintage furniture into a modern home, as seen in this Edinburgh flat, by including different pieces from a similar period.

• Etsy is a great online portal for finding some vintage furniture.

21st-century update

A neutral colour palette and an emphasis on adding texture and light have turned this Grade II listed former schoolhouse's living room into a family home.

• Snuggle up warm in the colder seasons with the VonHaus Electric Fireplace Stove Heater with Flame Effect (£69.99) – it's an Amazon best seller.

Pattern effect

Cheerful Orla Kiely wallpaper and retro accessories brings this living room to life.

Read more: This retro Orla Kiely wallpaper transforms the white space in this open-plan kitchen

Streamlined style

Sleek leather sofas and chrome details give the living room in this Edwardian home a contemporary Bauhaus feel. The floor, although dark, has a reflective surface that actually helps to bounce light around the space.

Tactile textures

The living room in this 1940s house is a celebration of luxurious finishes. The velvet sofas and plush carpet are complemented by silky cushions for a wonderful feel-good factor.

Retro blue

With a deep blue colour on the walls, this north-east-facing living room feels warm and cosy in the evenings.

Original elements

While it's contemporary and designed for modern living, this derelict barn transformed into a stunning family home also makes a virtue of retaining original details, such as this exposed stone wall.

• Flowers will brighten any room. Shop the very best bouquets from Interflora, Marks & Spencer or Waitrose.

Art works

A gallery of prints and posters in the living room of this extended Victorian flat turns a blank space into an eyecatching feature wall. Plan your arrangement with pieces of paper laid out on the floor before fixing the frames in place.

Hot spots

Inject a neutral palette with highlights of bold colour through the lighting and accessories. This way you can draw attention to key areas of the room – and ring the changes from season to season at a relatively low cost.

Best of both

Originally two rooms, this space has been united with bespoke shelves painted in white to show off a display of photos and ornaments. A desk and chair create a small study area at the end of the room.

Read more: This light and bright renovated Edwardian house is stylish and serene

Welcoming hues

A soft and subtle colour scheme creates a light and airy living room space, which doubles up as a home office. A window seat for the bay window provides extra seating.

Rich golds

Introduce burnished golden accessories in your living room to highlight walls (seen here papered in a mineral patterned wallpaper). Bring in touches of silver for luxurious contrast.

Modern meets traditional

An understated decorating scheme allows period features to shine in this Victorian terrace.

• Wall art is now more accessible than ever. For modern designs, shop a range at Made.com.

Change of purpose

This living room was originally a landing but an L-shaped sofa and clever planning has transformed the unused space into a comfy relaxation zone.

15 Master Bedroom Decorating Ideas and Design Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 07:39:00 +0000

Sure, you may spend most of the time in your master bedroom asleep, but that doesn’t mean your space shouldn’t be as beautiful as the places you enjoy your waking hours. We’ve gathered our favorite master bedroom decorating ideas to help inspire your own eye-opening transformation. Whether you’re dreaming of a serene retreat, a bright and energetic spot, or a more dark and moody design, there are ideas for every master bedroom in this collection of stylish spaces.

1. Keep the Palette Light

A bedroom should be a place to relax after a long day, so it’s no wonder a neutral palette is a popular choice. Try soft whites with a bit of warmth to keep the space from feeling stark. In this Texas bedroom designed by Marie Flanagan, whites, tans, and soft grays create a serene space.

2. Don’t Be Afraid of Black

Dark colors can add impact to a boring bedroom. White elements, such as painted trim or crisp bedding, help the space feel less cave-like. In actress Shay Mitchell’s master bedroom, walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe contrast with the white furnishings and gold accents.

3. Go Bold with Pattern

From wallpaper to bedding to curtains, there’s plenty of places to add pattern in a master bedroom. Start small with patterned throw pillows or go all out with floor to ceiling prints, as Miles Redd did in this Connecticut home.

4. Create a Jewel Box

Using one color throughout the entire space helps the room feel cozy and intimate. In her Manhattan master bedroom, designer Alexa Hampton used rich plums and deep crimsons.

5. Wallpaper the Master Bedroom Ceiling

Embrace your low ceilings and make them the focal point by wallpapering the surface. Interior designer Jenny Wolf covered the master bedroom of her Brooklyn townhouse with a black and white floral motif by House of Hackney.

6. Try Blue and White

The calming color combo was practically made for bedrooms. Whether you pair a preppy navy or a soft sky blue with crisp white, your look will be an instant classic. In artist Cindy Sherman’s Hamptons master bedroom, designer Billy Cotton used a bright cobalt and soft white.

7. Mix Antique and Modern Pieces

If your style falls somewhere in between contemporary and traditional—or you just want to keep your space from feeling one-note—try to incorporate a mix of styles. Vintage and antique pieces will add warmth, while sleeker furnishings will make sure the end result isn’t too stuffy. Alex Kalita of Common Bond Design brought in a rosewood secretary to soften the lines of her master bedroom.

8. Create a Layered Look

A bedroom should always have a bit of coziness and one of the easiest ways to achieve that extra warmth is by adding layers. Top durable sisals with plush rugs and add throw blankets and pillows to the bed. Designer Neal Beckstedt created soft surroundings in this New York City bedroom.

9. Add a Seating Area

Make your bedroom a place you can kick back and relax by adding a sofa or even just a comfortable armchair. Designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent included a 1950s Danish sofa in their New York City master bedroom.

10. Make the Bed the Centerpiece

The bed is obviously the most important element of a bedroom, but it can also be the showstopping piece in the space. Play with scale and find a bed that commands the room, no matter how large your space is. Designer Max Humphrey chose a curtained four-poster for his own Oregon master bedroom.

11. Energize Your Bedroom with Color from the Floor to the Ceiling

Make your bedroom burst with color by using color from floor to ceiling. Choose a color like green or orange to infuse the space with energy. A bedroom like this will make waking up easy.

12. Add a Wall Mural

Adding a large wall mural above your bed or on bare wall can transform your entire master bedroom. If you want to create a mural that's less of a commitment, you can always opt for a removable wall mural. Minted's line of removable wall murals features award-winning designs from independent artists and are definitely worth checking out.

13. Infuse Your Space with Florals

Create a whimsical wonderland with floral patterns that bring the outdoors inside. Whether it's floral wallpaper or fabrics (or both), a blooming bedroom is a pleasure to wake up to.

14. Paint an Accent Wall

According to feng shui experts, the wall facing your bed is the most important wall in your entire home. To that end, painting it a calming color (being, lavender, blue, green or gray) can have a prodigious effect.

15. Introduce Stripes

Another one of our favorite master bedroom decorating ideas is the inclusion of stripes. They're a classic choice that are right at home in any master bedroom. For an unexpected use of stripes, choose a bright color or a pattern with wide lines. Stripes can appear anywhere, including bedspread, area rug, lamp or the walls.

19 Backyard Fire Pit Ideas for Romantic Summer Nights

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 03:55:00 +0000

Is there anything better than gathering around a fire with family and close friends? Drinking wine, toasting marshmallows, cozying up in front of a warm, crackling fire—seriously, you can't beat it. From portable, enclosed outdoor fireplaces (that are still s'mores worthy!) to beautiful, open concrete and steel options, we came up with 19 outdoor fire pit ideas, examples, and shopping tips to help you set the romantic mood for campfire hangs. There are actually a lot of stylish options out there—not to mention, many of them are surprisingly affordable. So get inspired by the gorgeous outdoor spaces and ultra-cool backyard fire pit ideas.

Customize With Fabric

ETC.etera made this outdoor fire pit stand out even more by adding custom cushions to the built-in bench. Not only does the printed fabric add character, color, and polish, but it also provides somewhere comfy for people to sit around the fire.

Consider Shape

If you already have outdoor furniture for your patio, make sure to take measurements and think about the shapes of yoru preexisting pieces before falling in love with a fire pit. On this roof terrace designed by Heather Hilliard, the long, narrow silhouette of the fire pit complements the sofa perfectly.

Create Privacy the Natural Way

To make your fire pit lounge area even more intimate, consider creating privacy with tall hedges instead of fencing. Here, Jenn Feldman kept things grayscale with a concrete fire pit and complementary seating. The high hedges add privacy, drama, and best of all, greenery.

Keep It Separate

Keep your sitting area away from the splashing zones if your backyard also has a swimming pool. Here, Studio Robert McKinley used different flooring materials to distinguish the separate hangout spots and kept the fire pit area far away from the swimming pool. The concrete flooring under the fire pit sitting area is durable and sturdy while the lawn functions as a nice segue to the pool.

Match It to Your Seating

For a a modern yet rustic feel, opt for a concrete basin in the same color family as your seating. The freestanding bowl shape has a nice floating effect. Or, choose something a little more modern, like a stainless steel fire pit with interlocking panels. Then just add a few butterfly chairs and call it a day.

Make It Cozy

A built-in seating nook is inherently cozy no matter where it is—add an outdoor fireplace, and you've struck gold. This California backyard designed by Alexander DB is modern, intimate, and down to earth all at once, thanks to the use of raw materials and neutral hues.

Hang String Lights

It doesn't take much to make a backyard feel magical, no matter the size. Even a small city patio can transport you elsewhere if you hang romantic string lights. Rustic wooden furniture becomes cozy when surrounding a fire pit and layered with pillows and sheepskin throws. If you have a smaller yard, opt for an enclosed fireplace. You can also take it on the go to a friend's place—the party goes wherever you are!

Stick to the Basics

If you just want a fire pit that feels low-key and inviting, a classic cast iron bowl will do the trick. These black canvas butterfly chairs are a great alternative to white, too, if you prefer an edgier vibe on the lawn. Case in point? This fire pit hangout area at the Atlantic Byron Bay hotel.

Enclose It With Rocks

To make it feel like a special area, set the fire pit apart from the rest of the space by enclosing it with a border of rocks. If you love the rustic look, opt for a round cast iron fire pit bowl in a terra cotta hue.

Channel a Campfire

For her Connecticut property, designer Bonnie Edelman created this outdoor feature as a gathering place for friends and family. Designed with storage in mind, the setup features speakers hidden in the walls of local stone and logs stacked under the benches. If stonework is your thing, this round, brown stone fire pit would be a perfect addition to your backyard.

Make It Minimalist

This open-basin cast iron fire pit is so simple and yet, so stunning — the perfect addition to any backyard. Classic white patio furniture and a minimalist deck designed by Hollander Design allow us to focus on the real stunner: that waterfront view.

Lay Tiles Underneath

A square or rectangular fire pit made of concrete has an industrial edge to it. We love how this area designed by Studio Life.Style speaks to angular shapes throughout the yard, from the pool to the poolhouse, ceramic tiles, and chairs.

Give It a Backdrop

Leave it to the Jonathan Adler-designed Parker hotel in Palm Springs, California to offer the perfect outdoor fire pit situation. At the center of the circular tile island in the middle of the lawn, all eyes will be on the roaring fire. The surrounding butterfly chairs introduce a laidback, SoCal vibe, which is further accentuated by the tall palm trees and dreamy pampas grass.

Go Multifunctional

Just looking at the incredible view in Thom Filicia's yard puts you in a more relaxing frame of mind. If you have a large lawn, consider building a fire pit hangout zone in the middle of it. If you're working with a smaller space, consider a round stone fire pit that also doubles as a surface space to rest your drinks.

Build Into the Ground

This recessed lounge area designed by Studio Life.Style feels like a romantic, relaxing space to unwind in. Because it's sunken, it feels private and separate from the rest of the space. A rectangular fire pit is the perfect thing for a square sitting area. Opt for one that doubles as a cocktail table so you don't have to take up space with side tables when you're eating and drinking al fresco.

Lead Us to It

All eyes are on this fire pit, thanks to the hypnotizing pathway that leads us there in this backyard designed by Janice Parker Design. The shape of the chairs mimic the soft rounded edges of the fireplace and rounded stone enclosure separating the circular patio from the rest of the lawn.

Have Fun With It

Surrounded by comfy, eclectic seating, this fire pit area is the perfect backyard retreat. Add a rocking chair (in a pop of color if you're feeling bold!) and floor cushions for extra seating. For another fire pit option that strikes the balance between bohemian and formal, try a hammered copper fire pit.

Get Graphic

The Surfrider Hotel roof deck in Malibu is the best outdoor space inspiration we've seen in a long time. Take style notes from the sleek and simple matte black fire pit surrounded by spacious sofas with contemporary graphic throw pillows piled on.

Forget About Grass

Now here's an outdoor fire pit idea we can get behind. For an Ojai vacation home, a laid-back seating area fits the no-hurries, no-worries vibe. The fire bowl warms up the courtyard during cooler weather. And the gravel ground gives it an interesting rustic feel.

15 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas to Create an Al Fresco Cooking Oasis

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 02:45:00 +0000

Dining al fresco is only half the fun when it comes to summer entertaining. Outdoor kitchens also make the prep work easier and infinitely more fun. Convenience aside, they can also dramatically improve your backyard or patio space. Whether you're designing your own outdoor kitchen or just want to get inspired for your future home, we rounded up 15 innovative design ideas, renovation tips, and more to suit any outdoor decor style. Get ready to pin these breezy cooking havens to your summer Pinterest board or get ready to call your contractor. And don't forget to invite us to those epic summer dinner parties you'll definitely be throwing with these outdoor kitchens on deck.

Think About Surroundings

Designed by Nicole Hollis Studio, this space hits the outdoor kitchen trifecta: stylish, practical, and timeless. With neutral colors, nature-inspired materials, and sleek bones, it's a lesson in both designing with restraint and prioritizing use-case without compromising style. The decking for the outdoor kitchen extends seamlessly to the poolside area for a visual appeal and cohesion as well as easier maintenance.

Pair Shutters and Tropical Plants

These outdoor kitchen cabinets are made from old cypress shutters. It's a look that works well for coastal or farmhouse-style spaces. Incorporate tropical plants and florals to really get in the vacation mindset.

Keep It Close to the House

First things first, think about convenience before you fall in love with a layout or location plan. You should scout the outdoor kitchen for convenience and think about plumbing lines and electricity. For example, this outdoor kitchen in a home designed by Jenn Feldman sits right up against the exterior of the home.

Channel the Italian Countryside

Instead of viewing an outdoor kitchen as adjunct, make it complete with a grill, fridge, sink, and pizza oven. A u-shaped layout helps you move from hot to cold, with the grill on the left to two refrigerator drawers and an ice maker on the right. Oh, and of course our future dream house will absolutely have a built-in pizza oven—preferably one as striking as this one designed by Nathan Turner.

Prep It for Entertaining

If you don't have room for a full-blown outdoor kitchen that's fully equipped with an oven, sink, etc., then just include the basics to ease entertaining and al fresco dining. In this patio area designed by Heather Hilliard, there's just a built-in grill, wine fridge, and extra storage. The living wall also sets the outdoor scene and takes advantage of the vertical space.

Convert Your Rooftop

When designer Laurie Blumenfeld Russo craved an outdoor space, kitchen and dining space, she had to scout out alternate locations. Think beyond (or above) the backyard and turn your rooftop into a scenic cooking spot. You won't mind working over a hot grill when you've got a view like this one,

Choose An Unexpected Anchor Color

A black outdoor kitchen feels sleek, sexy, and modern. To keep it from looking too formal and to let the sunshine peek through, give it a thatched roof, like this one at the Atlantic Byron Bay. Then strike design gold with an adjacent dining nook with a built-in banquet and leather butterfly chairs.

Use Marble and Stained Oak

A stained oak ceiling warms up stainless-steel cabinets in this outdoor kitchen designed by Bonnie Edelman. The best part? A drop-down metal gate protects appliances from rain. Then, for a more sophisticated aesthetic, add a marble island and backsplash.

Don't Forget a Bar

Optimize your outdoor kitchen for entertaining by making the counter feel like a real bar. Modern barstools, an eye-catching tile design, and a hidden prep counter beyond the island will do the trick. When you're entertaining, style your countertops with oversized florals, as done here for this Studio Lifestyle design.

Incorporate Metallic Details

If you've avoided copper for fear it'll turn green, we hear you, but there's a solution. Treat it with lacquer first and you'll stave off weathering. Then, add a runner for warmth, color, and pattern, as done in entertaining guru Lulu Powers's outdoor kitchen designed by Anna Warmoth.

Say Yes to Shiplap

Shiplap adds a coastal feel to this beach house kitchen. A hanging straw lantern boosts the vibe even more. Sleek black bar stools and a glossy dining table introduce a more modern touch for an interesting contrast.

Blend In With the Surroundings

To blend in with the natural landscape in your backyard, create a rustic kitchen oasis with wood counters and found items. Take note from this outdoor kitchen designed by Nathan Turner and instead of a modern ice chest, use a tin one like this retro-looking piece and a wooden box as a side table.

Pick a Fitting Theme

If you live outdoors during the summer, you want your space to be as inviting as possible. Blue hues tend to be calming, and they're also perfect for a nautical theme if you're by the beach.

Set Up a Dining Space Nearby

Cooking outside is even better when there's a pool nearby. And even better if there's a sophisticated dining room setup to host a swath of guests for an al fresco dinner party. And, as always, say yes to Bougainvillea. We like how this outdoor kitchen designed by Studio Lifestyle blends into the background while the florals earn the spotlight.

Get Creative Outdoor Kitchen Counters

If you can't splurge on a second kitchen, an extra-wide window might do the trick. As seen in this beach house bar, Kim Dempster and Erin Martin designers extended the counter from the indoor kitchen outside. It'll make passing food easier and make your house seem airier. Ahhh, that's better.

50 Chic Patio Ideas to Try For a Better Backyard

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 02:34:00 +0000

Whether you have a tiny patio or an expansive garden, our guide to creating a luxurious outdoor area will help you take full advantage of warm weather. So read on for stylish backyard and patio ideas to try in your own spaces, from colorful tile design tips to minimalist dining nooks. Fresh air and fresh style ahead.

Romantic Bench

A private little loveseat tucked away under the shade of the trees sets a romantic garden mood on this patio. Bonus points for matching the red and white fabric to the flowers climbing up the facade of the home.

All White Surfaces

An all-white patio keeps the area cooler when the sun beats down on it in the warmer months. It also allows the gorgeous florals to pop even more.

Storage Hooks

Designed by Nicole Hollis Studio, this modern patio is both chic and functional. The hooks make it easy to hang towels and hats, keeping the area clear of clutter on warm summer days.

Modern Materials

This gallery-esque patio designed by Robson Rak shows off so many striking materials, from the cool marble tiles to the light brick walls and terrazzo stool.

Custom Fire Pit

ETC.etera made this outdoor fire pit extra cozy and stylish by adding custom cushions to the built-in bench. The printed fabric adds character, color, and, most importantly, somewhere comfy to sit around the fire.

Outdoor Shower

This patio has all the bells and whistles, from a chic, raised jacuzzi to a sleek, tubular chrome outdoor shower to rinse off after soaking.

Whimsical Tiles

You could opt for classic wood decking or you could take note from this Kingston Lafferty-designed patio and really make a splash. The whimsical tiles bring so much joy and buoyancy to the space while the modern sconces and cobalt blue table add a little edge.

Bistro Nook

If your patio is on the small side, just set up a cozy space to enjoy a cup of coffee with the morning paper—or a nightcap. On this patio by Arent & Pyke, the round pedestal table, built-in bench, and stools are all it takes to add a sense of style.

Canopied Daybed

This dining patio designed by Heather Hilliard is ideal for outdoor celebrations while that canopied daybed beyond is great for casual lounging—not to mention, it adds tons of intrigue to the lawn that would otherwise be dead space.

Corner Fountain

A corner fountain puts the finishing touches on this idyllic patio by Kingston Lafferty Design. Blue patio furniture break up the warmer tones from the exposed brick.

Gravel and Hedges

Another flooring option for your patio? Gravel. Here, Jenn Feldman kept things grayscale with a concrete fire pit and complementary seating. The high hedges add both privacy and drama.

Colorful Throw Pillows

Coordinate your throw pillows to the florals and hang a timeless pendant light to polish things off. Plus, swapping out your pillows is the easy (and cost-effective) way to upgrade your patio each season.

Versatile Patio Tables

Out on a Houston terrace designed by Celerie Kemble and Lindsey Herod, two square tables push together to accommodate larger gatherings. The Graves chairs are from McKinnon and Harris.

Artsy Chairs

This patio is both approachable and design-forward, laid-back and put together. For a similar vibe, opt for sling chairs that make a statement. Or, if you have some affordable sling chairs like this, get crafty and paint the canvas yourself.

Breakfast Outdoor Patio

Wendy Owen created a "breakfast patio" for her Sonoma property using French café chairs and a stone table. The dishes are by Astier de Villatte.

A Lookout Point

While that green spiral staircase is seriously striking, the real showstopper here is the view. If your patio overlooks beautiful scenery, line up some lounge chairs and call it a day on the patio.

Teak Patio Table

A banquette accommodates lunch al fresco at a Florida home. Designer Andrew Howard sourced the wicker armchairs and teak table from Kingsley-Bate.

Bougainvillea and Tiles

Always say yes to bougainvillea and fire pits. To make the seating area feel like its own nook on a larger patio, lay down some tiles that make it stand out.

Coordinating Patio Chairs

Adirondack chairs, painted to match a North Carolina getaway, invite guests to the terrace. Architect James Carter added another whimsical gesture—a closet in the chimney for firewood and outdoor furniture—to enhance the illusion that this newly constructed house is an antique.

Elevated Seating

This stylish patio blends in beautifully with the natural environment thanks to the color scheme and materials. To make an outdoor space feel as put together as living room, introduce an outdoor rug and elevated seating like this modern porch swing.

Patio Mood Lighting

Designer Jill Sharp Weeks brought in new vegetation, furniture, and string lights to help a Charleston garden feel like an extension of the home's first floor.

A Chic Hammock

Channel vacation vibes by hanging a slim hammock and nature-inspired furniture, like this stool and lounger. Then paint everything white and pretend you're in Santorini.

Concrete Jungle

This dining area blends in beautifully with the natural landscape. If you're in a city or your patio is small, use your vertical space to introduce greenery but maintain a sense of place with edgy, sleek furniture. Then hang some string lights to soften things up.

Patio Fire Bowl

With a low-key palette inspired by the backyard orange grove, this California vacation home embodies Ojai's no-hurries, no-worries vibe. A relaxed seating area with a fire bowl allows the family to linger outdoors on cool evenings.

Dramatic Sofa Swings

Swing sofas are relaxing and comfortable, plus, they're more visually intriguing than your average seating. That's especially true if you play with scale and proportion, as is the case above.

Wide Open Space

Give your outdoor area a clubhouse vibe with a straw roof, ample seating, a bar, and mood lighting. Keep things open if the climate allows.

Tiled Lanai Patio

Calais tiles from Granada Tile enliven the lanai and carry a Florida home's profusion of blue and white outdoors. Wicker furniture from Kingsley-Bate with cushions in Perennials' Rough 'n Rowdy fabric surrounds the Bornova coffee table from Ballard Designs.

Matching Patio Furniture

In the outdoor dining area of a Southern home designed by Michelle Prentice, Casamidy's Varenne chairs are painted the same creamy Glidden white as the exterior walls.

An Outdoor Bar

Build a bar for more stylish entertaining outdoors. Choose an eye-catching tile design and hang string lights for a romantic, summery vibe like at this home designed by Studio Lifestyle. If you have the means to build a full-on outdoor kitchen, even better.

Gas Patio Fireplace

A gas-powered outdoor fireplace warms the loggia off an Atlanta home's great room (designed by Matthew Quinn) on crisp autumn evenings. The Ballard Designs planters are modeled on olive-oil jars.

Patio Fire Pit

A fire pit, a dock, and a Gerald DiGiusto 1960s steel sculpture come together in designer Thom Filicia's yard at his rustic but sophisticated upstate New York lake house.

Poolside Lounging

To separate your patio sitting area from the pool, create a little makeshift barrier with a tile path and grass.

Bluestone Patio Pavers

The entrance to this Charleston kitchen house—now a guesthouse—opens onto a bluestone courtyard with seating by Janus et Cie. The renovation of this 1772 home was intended to highlight and preserve the historic elements of the house.

Eye-Catching Tiles

An eye-catching tile on the patio can make all the difference. Choose a whimsical pattern with bright colors and then use more timeless and neutral furniture that won't overwhelm the eye.

Shady Patio Trees

Outdoor living areas should feel comfortable and sheltered, like this space designed by landscape architect Edmund Hollander. Six plane trees give structure to the "dining room" with their straight trunks and spreading canopies. They create shade during the day, and at night, they're strung with lights.

Neutral Colors

For a sleek, minimalist patio, whitewash your wood paneled deck and keep things tonal with a gravel garden instead of grass. And to extend your time outside, bring out a heat lamp.

Mediterranean Patio

Climbing vines and exposed beams create an enchanting setting for an outdoor space. The terrace of the Spanish Colonial Revival, designed by Leigh Anne Muse and Lili O'Briend, is outfitted with Kingsley-Bate's Southampton seating, with cushions in a Perennials fabric.

Urban Getaway Patio

With a restaurant-worthy outdoor kitchen, the roof of this Brooklyn brownstone by designer Laurie Blumenfeld-Russo became a multi-season entertaining oasis. Flowering clematis vines scale the pergola, softening the industrial feeling of the support beams.

High Altitude Patio

Matt O'Dorisio created this elevated outdoor patio for a Lake Tahoe vacation home. The seating area combines contemporary teak with more traditional wicker. "It's like an extension of the living room into the forest," he says.

Ivy-Covered Patio Walls

In the interior courtyard, fig ivy softens a brick wall and a mature palmetto tree adds a sense of permanence to a brand-new South Carolina house by designer Michelle Prentice. The West Elm sofa is covered in Sunbrella fabric.

Sunny Poolhouse Patio

In a Naples, Florida house by Carrier & Company, the pool house, with cushions in Pollack's Shoreline fabric, "was a cavern before we installed the mirror," designer Jesse Carrier says. "Now it reflects the light and is so inviting."

Matching Patio Furniture

Pieces from Celerie Kemble's Lane Venture collection furnish the flagstone patio outside of Bailey McCarthy's Texas home, while an 80-year-old oak provides plenty of shade.

Colorful Patio Nook

In a California house designed by Stephen Shubel, homeowner Gabriella Sarlo sometimes commandeers furniture from her cellar and sets it up outside for alfresco dining under century-old oak trees.

Al Fresco Patio Dining

In Monica Bhargava's California house, dinner is often served outdoors, nestled amongst an array of lemon trees. The rustic table can be dressed up for a formal dinner or kept causal for a simple happy hour gathering.

Patio Swing

Contractor Tim Givens built the swinging daybed on the back porch of Liza Pulitzer Calhoun's Palm Beach house, and she simply covered its seat with a favorite tablecloth.

Dramatic Patio Ceiling

A ceiling painted in Benjamin Moore Aura in Black Knight makes for a handsome porch that's used year-round thanks to a fireplace and fans in a Nashville house designed by Markham Roberts. The teak sofa and armchairs by Restoration Hardware are covered in Kravet Navy canvas and Quadrille's Island ikat custom-printed on Sunbrella fabric.

Adjustable Patio Chandelier

Designer Tobi Tobin completely revamped the backyard of her modern Hollywood Hills cottage. She used brick from an old patio for the new fireplace and created a terrace from sand mixed with granite. A candlelit chandelier can be raised and lowered by a rope pulley rigged to a tree.

Bright Patio Cushions

In the outdoor living room of this Malibu ranch by designers Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe, a vintage sofa and coffee table mix with Janus et Cie chairs.

Breakfast Patio Spot

Oak trees shade a round table surrounded by wicker chairs—a favorite breakfast spot in a Sonoma, California house, designed by Rela Gleason.

Comfy Courtyard Patio

The Lane Venture settees and ottoman with cushions in Sunbrella fabrics create a cozy nesting spot in the courtyard of a Palm Beach maisonette. "Wicker is typical Palm Beach," designer Mimi McMakin says. "And the new synthetics are a godsend."

18 Fun Home Offices That'll Boost Your Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 02:09:00 +0000

Some days, it can be hard to find the motivation to get to work, but we bet you wouldn't mind rolling up your sleeves if your home office looked amazing. The best of them inspire productivity in addition to looking good. Think: ample sunlight, uncluttered surfaces, rejuvenating colors, and actually-comfortable furniture to work on. Whether you've got an entire room or just a tiny corner, we've got inspiration for you with these incredible home offices.

Go Old-School

There's n0 shortage of vintage eye candy in the Jackson, Wyoming study of Christian Burch and John Frechette, the duo behind local decor and menswear shop Mountain Dandy. The roll-top desk was a hand-me-down from Burch's parents, while the pegboard walls were original to the '50s house.

Skip the Desk

For our 2019 Whole Home in Nashville, Dani Arps—a go-to office designer for New York startups—created an airy, clutter-free space that lacked one notable feature: a desk. "Most files are stored digitally, so bulky office furniture with tons of storage isn’t necessary," said Arps, who instead opted for a large, streamlined work table from Industry West.

Hide the Clutter

Tasked with turning a tiny, white-walled bedroom in Bobby Berk's Los Angeles home into a proper home office, creative director Brady Tolbert headed to Craigslist to find the perfect mid-century credenza. It's not just all looks—the cabinet keeps messy papers out of sight.

Bring the Outdoors In

Between the leaf-printed window treatments and treillage-fronted cabinetry, this office feels like a secret garden—in fact, it was a porch before designer Joe Lucas enclosed the space.

Drench it in Color

One way to ensure your office isn't a total snooze? Paint on a few coats of high-gloss paint in a bright shade. "The raspberry shade is exciting but not overwhelming—it’s the perfect hue for a creative space," says Katie Ridder of this study she designed for a Manhattan client.

Keep It Rolling

Photographer Victoria Pearson combined a wooden top from Ikea and a wheeled CB2 base to create her own rolling desk, which allows for an easy change of scenery or workspace rearranging at a moment's notice.

Mix in Vintage

Mark J. Williams filled the office of a client's Craftsman house in Los Angeles with period-style furnishings, like a Paul McCobb chair and rustic Alton House desk, for a look that's vintage without being theme-y.

Sing the Blues

Feeling stressed about work? Try painting your office blue—research shows that the color has a calming effect. In this Connecticut study, designer Brooke Crew used Farrow & Ball's Parma Gray (which, despite its name, is in fact blue).

Try Industrial

If your work space is cool, you may be more inclined to actually use it. A vintage aluminum desk and stool create an industrial vibe in this Colorado cabin's study. Chicken-wire bookcases add a rustic touch to the room.

Use Open Shelving

If you can stay organized, this organizational system is for you. Seeing everything means you'll never lose a file or supply. In this Boston brownstone, the kitchen pantry also houses the office, so the shelves serve double-duty.

Take Inspiration from Everywhere

To totally transport yourself somewhere way more exciting than your work, try an exotic pattern, like the black-and-white zebra motif in this Charleston home office. A rattan chandelier adds texture.

Consider Scandinavian Style

Pare way down and keep your aesthetic clean and calming. A simple Swedish desk was placed by a window with a view of the Baltic Sea in a Scandinavian home. It's mostly neutral, but the pops of blue keep the room feeling fresh and invigorating.

Conceal Clutter With Curtains

If your clutter feeds your creativity, you don't have to get rid of it, you just need to conceal it smartly. In a Birmingham, Alabama office, curtains soften the room and hide everyday office papers and books that are stacked up on the shelves.

Go All Black

Is this not the sexiest office you've ever seen? Black furniture combined with brass accents looks super sleek. Opt for a gray-black for the walls, so it doesn't feel too dark.

Be a Minimalist

Minimalism is so hot right now. Keep your desk clutter-free, add in simple furniture (like these reclaimed wood chairs and desk), keep a neutral color palette, and watch how inspired you'll be to actually do your work. If you need to warm things up—so it doesn't look bland and sterile—add a plant or macramé wall hanging.

Get Creative With Space

Calling all New Yorkers (and anyone who lives in a teeny, tiny apartment)—you probably don't have room for a formal office, so you need to get creative. Opt for small furniture, and try putting your desk up against a window in your bedroom. That way, it's out of sight from your living room, and you at least have a view to look at to separate it from your sleeping area.

Make It Modern

Your formula for a modern office: white lacquer desk, a geometric rug, and sleek lighting. To make it a little more glam and feminine, add bold color and brass accents.

Go Bohemian

Embrace your inner free spirit and decorate your office with anything that tells a story, has sentimental value to you, or that you picked up on your travels. Add in a bold, patterned rug, color on color, and some plants. Consider yourself creative? More is more in that case.

12 Exterior Paint Colors to Help Sell Your House

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 20:47:00 +0000

Like the hues you choose for indoors, exterior house colors should be ones you love coming home to day after day. That being said, if you're planning to put your house on the market in the near future, the wise course is to consider which exterior paint color

Off-White

"The color you paint your home's exterior can make or break people's perception of your house," says Erika Woelfel, director of color marketing for Behr Paints. Several colors come together to create this traditional look: A lighter shade of paint adorns the brick facade, while a cream-colored entryway and greige shutters provide subtle contrast.

Yellow

"The color yellow on a house says 'happy' right off the bat," observes interior designer Carla Aston, of Aston Design Studio, in The Woodlands, Texas. But in order to attract the greatest number of potential buyers, stick with a pale shade. When the owners of this stately home chose a brighter yellow, Carla suggested they tone it down and lighten it up, resulting in this cheerful hue.

Light Blue

Whether your home is situated on the shores of America's coastline or on a cozy suburban cul-de-sac, fresh color combinations like this light blue and deep aqua can enhance architectural elements. Seen here, Behr's Watery (HDC-CT-26) provides a tranquil backdrop for shutters and doors in bright Blue Metal (HDC-AC-25).

Gray

Ever since Ron Sonnek, president of Sicora Design/Build, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, posted a picture of this renovation on Houzz.com, he has received "literally thousands of requests for this paint color!" And what is the magic combination? Benjamin Moore Copley Gray (HC-104) trimmed with Benjamin Moore Elephant Tusk (OC-8).

Taupe

In keeping with the natural trend, Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, reveals that Tony Taupe (SW 7038) is one of the company's most popular choices among neutral exterior paint colors. "Sticking with classic neutrals is a good way to play it safe when planning to put your house up for sale," Jordan says.

Putty

"We're seeing a lot of putty, warm taupe, and gray hues—exterior house colors that blend in with the natural surroundings," reports Amy Elbert, senior architecture editor for Traditional Home. "Inspiration might come from stone used in the home's foundation or on walls and walkways on the property."

Blue Gray

Deep blue grays like the shade shown in this example "have a nautical, serene feeling," says Amy Hendel, designer for Hendel Homes, in Wayzata, Minnesota, who oversaw the renovation of this waterfront cottage. "It's also a good complement to white trim."

Wheat

Not quite white and almost yellow, this buttery in-between feels both warm and clean. Behr Oklahoma Wheat (350E-3) will match up beautifully with both dark browns and gray-blues for accents, and will positively glow next to the green of a well-kept lawn.

Cypress Green

A cross between green and gray, Benjamin Moore Cypress Green (509) is neutral without being boring, and makes a wonderful contrast to dark gray and black shutters.

White

A white clapboard farmhouse is an American icon with timeless appeal. For the renovation of the one pictured here, designer Amy Hendel considered many exterior house colors but ultimately, she chose Benjamin Moore Cloud White (967). "It's not a stark white, but has creamy yellow undertones that would complement any style of home," she says.

Sable Brown

Like all the best exterior house colors, dark, earthy Sherwin-Williams Sable (6083) makes a solid statement: This house is here to stay. Shutters in reds, blues, blacks, or whites will complement the bold paint pick for stand-out curb appeal.

Lighthouse Red

Cheery, lighthouse red feels both traditional and fresh. Unlike other exterior house paint colors, Benjamin Moore Million Dollar Red (2003-10) pops out against any background, whether your home is nestled in trees or on a clean landscape outlined only by the broad sky.

Spruce It Up

Before you put your house on the market, consider making these upgrades that will increase your home’s value. Don’t have the time for projects? Then just try these quick fixes for a fast home sale.

15 Paint Colors That Make a Small Space Feel Way Bigger

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 04:46:00 +0000

If you're lacking space, you need to pull out every trick in the book to make your room appear larger. The best way to start is with your wall color, and while white is the obvious choice, it isn't the only option. From bold and dark to light and bright, these are the best colors for a small space.

Purple

Wild, loud colors, like purple, might actually be better in small spaces. Could you imagine how in-your-face this shade would be all over a giant living room? By limiting it to an entryway, you still get a pop of color without overwhelming your house.

Gunmetal Gray

The smaller the space, the darker you can go. This gray is modern and sophisticated yet still cozy and chic.

See more at Erin Gates Design.

Teal

Shadow can be your friend, especially in a small space. Painting a room a dark color camouflages the fact that it's small. A deep blue like this creates the perception of depth.

Beige

Neutral never goes out of style. This is for everyone who doesn't want basic white but isn't ready to incorporate bold color into their space.

Blue-Green

This misty teal feels beachy, but it's also classic. Creamy neutral décor, like this mirror, table, and chair, pops against it. That contrast is the key to making a tiny space feel dynamic.

Coffee

Play up the cozy factor of a tiny room with a rich, deep brown. This shade, with a hint of gray, creates intimacy in the small sitting space.

Pearl Gray

Gray can be dull, so choose one that has some luminosity to it. The color fluctuates with the shadows and time of day, so it's always intriguing.

Super White

White reflects the light and makes the walls recede, which helps make a small space seems larger. While whites can have undertones of blue, pink, or even green, this is just white in its purest form without any color. It's not stark or cold, just light and airy.

Soft Yellow

This shade of yellow is perfect for your kiddos, because it's colorful and fun but doesn't look too juvenile. Read: You won't need to close off their space from the rest of your house.

Peacock

A small room doesn't mean you should limit your palette. Choose a bold shade that's simultaneously vibrant and relaxing, like this peacock blue.

Blush

A super soft shade of pink adds warmth to a small room without overpowering it. Pair it with grays and blacks to make sure it doesn't feel too frilly.

Sage

Choose a light mossy green with a hint of gray in it for a space with large windows. In the summer, it'll blend with the foliage. When it's too cold to deal in the winter, it'll remind you that spring is on the way.

Off-White

You want to maximize the light in your small living room—especially if you have lots of windows—so opt for an off-white wall color. It'll add a hint of warmth but still keep things feeling airy.

Sky Blue

Nothing soothes in a bedroom like a dreamy sky blue. This soft shade of blue helps your space feel a bit more expansive.

Antique White

White is a small space go-to, since it opens everything up and keeps it feeling bright, but pure white might feel too stark for your style. Stick with a warmer shade to help your room feel more inviting.

25 Laundry Room Ideas That Make Folding a Lot Less Tedious

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:07:00 +0000

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the laundry room is the kidneys—not the sexiest analogy, sure, but totally crucial when it comes to keeping things clean. Instead of treating this hardworking space as an afterthought, give it the TLC it deserves. If your home isn't blessed with a huge space to wash and fold your clothes, don't worry. All of these laundry room ideas—each with accompanying storage tips, too—will help you make the most of what you do have. And beyond functionality, we also included plenty of decorating ideas, since laundry rooms deserve design love no matter their size. Besides, laundry day is rough enough as it is, so you may as well do all that washing and drying in a stylish space.

Alternate Cabinetry Types

Alternating between exposed and closed cabinetry, this light-filled laundry room by Studio McGee holds all the essentials. "We added an open shelf above the counter to help keep space feeling open and visually interesting," says designer Shea McGee.

Rethink the Layout

This laundry room, designed by Urban Grace Interiors, features a front-loading washer and dryer, which lets the homeowners make the most of their limited counter space. We also like that there's a sink separating the two machines for a more unique layout. Since the overhead cabinets cast a shadow, the designer added extra task lighting.

Use Wallpaper

Wallpaper is perfect for tiny rooms, like a closet converted into a laundry space. This one designed by Cameron Ruppert Interiors only has room for stacked machines and a hamper, so she gave it some life with colorful wallpaper and a cheerful pendant light. "When you can't build out, build up," she says.

Think Style and Substance

A trio of retro hampers in this laundry room, designed by Emily Henderson, aren't just charming—the wheels also make them easy to move around the house. Assign one to each family member to help them keep track of their own laundry.

Choose Crisp Whites

Instead of taking up floor space with a standing drying rack, designer Dina Bandman installed a custom Lucite rod between two upper cabinets in this San Francisco laundry room for damp garments. Yes, even a drying rod can be pretty! Also, note the hamper tucked under a cabinet but exposed, so it can be grabbed quickly when it's needed.

Use All Available Walls

Repurpose crates to keep your essentials organized. Here, they're stacked on top of the cabinets, really making use of all possible space. Then, secure a single rod to your wall for a makeshift drying rack in a small laundry room.

Add a Shelf

If you can't install your laundry machines under built-in countertops or behind a closed door, just add an extended shelf on top of them. In this laundry room designed by Toledo Geller, the shelf obscures the machines while also providing some surface area to work on.

Hang a Drying Rack

In a small laundry room, you'll want to keep at surface space free, which means using your walls and ceilings, too. Designed by deVol Kitchens, the hanging drying racks keep things out of the way. A butcher-block slab in the laundry room can also become a workspace. Plus, pretty painted cabinets and a decorated mantle can draw attention away from less-than-appealing machines.

Try Mahogany and Slate

The washer and dryer in this Massachusetts bathroom (designed by Andrew and Yvonne Pojani) are tucked into cupboards painted the same color as the walls to help the storage blend in. Guests won't even guess this is where you spend your time on laundry day.

Make It Sleek

Have you ever seen a more sophisticated laundry room? Designed by Arent & Pyke, this space makes doing chores so much more inspiring. The machines are tucked behind a sleek khaki green closet door so our eyes can focus on the pretty marble backsplash instead.

Paint It a Fun Color

Even a teensy, tiny laundry room can feel like a jewel box with the right paint. In this one designed by deVol Kitchens, the blush pink cocoon is both bold and simple. Since all the surfaces but the counters are one color, it feels much bigger than it is.

Do Some Blue Sky Dreaming

To prevent this working area from feeling small and cramped, designer Julia Buckingham created a "calming oasis with a touch of whimsy," by painting the cabinets a bright white and installing Sanderson's Swallows wallpaper.

Get Creative

This small laundry room designed by Gail Davis is bursting with personality, from the colorful wallpaper, to the framed artwork, blue trim, and striped penny tile floors. And you don't need to build custom cabinets and shelves to have extra surfaces for folding. Just slide in a lucite side chair! They take up virtually zero visual real estate.

Stack Machines

Before falling in love with a specific layout, think about how you'll use the space. For example, this laundry room designed by Sherry Hart and Jennifer Jones Condon also functions as a mudroom. To clear up some space for a doggy shower, the designers stacked the washer and dryer vertically.

Keep It Exposed

When your laundry room is actually just smack dab in the middle of a hallway, you'll want to make sure it looks as pretty as possible. This exposed laundry space by Amber Interiors blends right in with the rest of the walls in the hall, but it's brightened up by fresh florals and a colorful area rug.

Play with Waves of Navy

"I knew I wanted open shelving on one side to keep the room feeling airy," says designer Dina Bandman. Meanwhile, the 24-inch Bosch 800 series washer and dryer fit the narrow footprint of this San Francisco laundry room perfectly and allow room for a folding station above.

Decorate With Intention

In this minimalist laundry room designed by Robson Rak, even the essential items are stylish. The black hangers accentuate the modern black ladder, which is both decorative wall art and a functional tool.

Liven Things Up with a Pop of Citrus

Barn doors painted a bold orange make a statement in this laundry area, designed by Mona Ross Berman. "We felt the doors shouldn’t be an afterthought," says Berman. "Painting them orange made them very visible and special. They read as art." Guests will be too impressed by your bold doors to worry about what's behind them.

Display Your Supplies

Keep your laundry supplies organized by keeping them in one place, like on a tray on the counter. Here, Emily Henderson also transferred them to glass canisters and opted for a lint roller in the same hue of the painted cabinets for a more elevated aesthetic.

Share Closet Space

Designer David Kaihoi used some seriously smart storage solutions to make his New York City apartment feel like home—including creating this compact laundry "room" in his closet. That way, when he's not doing laundry, he can close the door on these eyesore appliances.

Incorporate Art

If you're forging wallpaper and colorful paint, add some color and personality with wall art. In this laundry room by Elizabeth Roberts Architecture & Design, the framed artwork lightens the mood.

Layer in Textures

You can use a tiny laundry room for multiple purposes (like as the bar during a party), if you hang curtains in front of your washer and dryer like Heather Bullard did here.

Make It Pet-Friendly

If your laundry room doubles as your mud room, make it pet-friendly with built-in feeding bowls that can be easily tucked away when not in use. Jenn Feldman Design took the theme to the next level with dog-print wallpaper.

Install Task Lighting

This laundry room designed by Studio Life/Style feels dressier than most, thanks to the rich navy cabinets, elegant marble backsplash and floors, and wood grain ceilings. The farmhouse sink and sconce make it more approachable and also offer a more casual and useable workspace.

Add Wall Hooks

Additional wall hooks will come in handy for hanging any knick knacks, like shoe bags, or items that need to be sent to the dry cleaner. Paint them the same color as the wall to make them blend in like deVol Kitchens did here.

Best Landscaping Ideas to Easily Enhance Your Yard

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 23:45:00 +0000

If you're anything like us, you know that it's not just the inside that counts—particularly when it comes to your house. Accenting the exterior of your home with natural elements, from flora and fauna to privacy trees, stonework, and water features make for a far more inviting space for your future guests (and not to mention a restful retreat for you!).

Here, we've compiled our favorite landscaping ideas in the hopes that they'll inspire your next outdoor renovation. Let these backyard ideas motivate you to create your own beautiful garden or front lawn oasis without breaking the bank. From a perfectly-positioned rose arch that'll give your home major English garden vibes, to a modern brick staircase dotted with flowers and a fabulous dug-out fire pit (s' mores, anyone?), there's something here for just about every homeowner—no matter his or her design sensibility.

Of course, the best part of the ideas we've compiled here is that you can implement many of them without spending a fortune. We've got budget porch and patio decorating ideas, simple DIY tutorials, and easy hacks for thoroughly overhauling small backyards—and very few of them actually require a professional designer. Time to start dreaming and saving big!

Simple Stone Path

We're fans of stone paths for both pragmatic and aesthetic reasons. They're beautiful, of course, but they're also the easiest and most convenient way to get from place to place. No need to wander through your freshly cut grass anymore!

Inspired Seating

Adding seating to your yard opens you up to a world of possibilities: You can dine alfresco, you've got a great new spot to crack open a new book, and so much more. Laying down gravel or pebbles is a good place to start; next, add a table and chairs.

Fire Pit

A fire pit is the easiest way to ensure that your backyard is the talk of the town this summer. Your neighbors won't be able to get enough! If you do go this route though, don't forget to stock your pantry with plenty of marshmallows and graham crackers.

Cabin Escape

Build yourself a getaway right in your own backyard! This shed-like cabin looks out to a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs.

Sophisticated Treehouse

A treehouse isn't just for kids, you know! Sure, they might spend the most time in it, but don't discount the whimsy and fun that a treehouse will add to your backyard.

Patio Roses

A former city-slicker traded her urban digs for an English country home. To tap into the exterior's full curb appeal, she added a perfectly positioned rose arch along the patio door frame (along with one cute pooch!).

Flower-Lined Staircase

A pair of Napa Valley homeowners enhanced their wine-country facade with the warmest welcome—florals dotting the modern brick front steps.

Grand Entrance

Neutral fanatic and Country Living frequenter Nancy Fishelson welcomes guests to her Orchard Park, New York home with a bit of punchy flower power and complementary elongated topiaries.

Floral Border

Use a bed of blooms to separate the driveway pavement from the grass, as designer Loi Thai did with this Maine fixer-upper.

Natural Garden Beds

A California family of seven transferred their affinity for white decorations outside the house, as well, which makes for an eye-catching garden bed contrast.

Symmetrical Saplings

Once you get past the wonder that is this barn-top-floor-turned-functioning-farmhouse, gain inspiration from the matching exterior forestry that frames the hayloft mirrors just right.

Something New, Something Old, Something Floral

Despite its recent construction, this Idaho property maintains timeless touches with an archaic-appearing stone wall and post lamps—all amid roses, peonies, and delphiniums.

Urban Escape

Thanks to rustic rockers, a collection of terra-cotta pots, and climbing vines, you'd never guess at first glance that this seemingly pastoral townhouse garden terrace lies in the heart of New York City's storied West Village neighborhood.

Mid-Garden Hangout

After tackling their home, a Wisconsin family set their sights on renovating their backyard with wooden garden beds (designed to look like old fruit boxes!) around a dug-out fire pit and seating area.

Galvanized Water Trough

If your backyard's ripe with furry roamers, or you just want a unique DIY rustic water display, take a cue from these West Coast farm-owners.

Barn-Inspired Studio

Not only did this Minnesota artist set up a she-shed-turned-studio, but she also decked out the surrounding landscape with a garden oasis to further fuel her creativity.

Colossal Chicken Coop

What happens when a California couple decides to buy their next door property and tear down the dilapidated home? The ultimate menagerie mansion and garden hub.

Garden Arbor

Leave it to Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame to design such a stunning walkway for her garden. The vine-covered arbor overhead gives the outdoor space an ethereal feel.

Topiary Landscaping

Topiaries are a staple of New England landscaping. They're especially fitting in this colorful garden belonging to the president of One Kings Lane, as the shrub graces the brand's logo.

Repurposed Garden Bike

Landscaping doesn't have to break the bank. Give old items a second life as garden structures or planters like Organized Clutter did with this bicycle in her self-described "junk garden."

Water Feature Landscaping

For this Wyoming home, the JLF Design Build architects utilized an ancient aquifer to add truly remarkable water features.

Simple Flower Beds

Flower beds bursting with a variety of textures and colors adds interest to this rustic barn-turned-guest house, while hanging flower pots anchor the porch.

Lavender-Lined Path

Lavender is practically indestructible, comes in beautiful hues, and is deer-resistant.

Climbing Vines

Sweet autumn clematis climbs over the top of this country garden gate seen on the Bumblebee blog.

Sitting Area

Create a quiet spot to relax in your yard by carving out space with gravel and surrounding it with greenery and vines.

Climbing Moonflower

A night-blooming species of morning glory, this plant features fragrant white flowers that open from sundown to sunup, midsummer to early autumn—you can literally watch them unfurl at dusk. While the vine reaches heights of more than 15 feet, you'll want to sow several to achieve the lush effect above.

Pot Hangers

These polypropylene supports clamp onto the backs of pots—and practically disappear when screwed into a wall or fence. Designed to endure high winds, each hanger can bear up to 100 pounds. Plant anything you'd typically put in a pot, including kitchen herbs and annuals like the pansies and bacopa.

Elevated Steps

Adding elevated steps to the front of your home can add dimension and texture. Frame them with abundant flowers and plants.

Floral Walkway

Plant large, eye-catching flowers that will grow up and around a fence to create a beautiful walkway to your home.

Going on Green

'Blushing Bride' hydrangeas and 'Morning Light' ornamental grasses soften the path to the guesthouse in the backyard of this California farmhouse.

An Elegant Entrance

A very vigorous clematis, Sweet autumn clematis doesn't just grow tall (up to 30 feet in a few months); it also grows wide, ensuring full coverage. Consider its tiny white flowers, which bloom in late summer and early fall, a bonus. Oh, and did we mention that the plant tolerates most soil and sun conditions?

28 of the Most Stunning House Exteriors Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 19:13:00 +0000

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, and the same goes for homes. The exterior of a house can hint at what's on inside or offer a contrasting surprise–whether it's a castle-inspired exterior with a fairy-tale interior or a historic outside with a contemporary inside. We've rounded up some of the most stunning home exteriors that'll have you wanting to move in—and may even inspire you to up your own home's curb appeal.

Castle-Inspired Fortress

This fairy-tale escape by Lisa Tharp and TMS Architects features a gray exterior with white and red accents. The wood and stone add to its nature-inspired charm.

Nautical Getaway

Previously destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, this New Jersey home got a helping hand from Joe Lucas. The shingled house, complete with a screened porch, looks out on the bay and the client's 28-foot yacht.

Florida Escape

Andrew Howard made sure this Florida home still felt like a vacation, regardless of how many kids were running around. The clean and crisp exterior is reflected in the family-friendly interior design.

Shingle-Style Beach House

The classic shingle-style exterior gives no hint at the contemporary interior of this Long Island beach house decorated by Rob Southern. Banks of windows and a second-floor balcony off the master suite have sweeping views of the bay.

French-Style Château

In Ellen Niven's Long Island, New York house, classic French elegance was translated to Long Island's Gold Coast by architect Moon Bros. and landscape architect Perry Guillot.

Connecticut Home

Analisse Taft-Gersten, founder of the home goods store ALT for Living, has a Connecticut home that appears nestled into its landscape.

Minnesota Colonial

Located in Twin Cities, this 1920's colonial is packed with artwork and creative flair, crafted by designer Janet Gridley. The exterior features dark green shutters, an American flag, and perfectly-placed white seating.

Palm Beach Dream Home

In 2020's Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach, designer Jobe Lopez opted for a mix of low shrubbery and tall trees that frame the house's facade and draw the eye up.

Spanish-Inspired

Justina Blakeney's 1926 Spanish-style home in Los Angeles is modestly sized but packs a major punch. Burnt orange trim makes a statement from the street.

Rainbow Cocoon House

Architect Nina Edwards Anker merged the ideas of a sustainable building and the color theory of painter William Turner when designing her vacation home. It's nothing like the classic, New England shingle-style Hamptons homes that surround it.

Elevated Lake Home

Situated on a 60-foot setback, Anne Hepfer's L-shaped cottage features large windows, intricate stonework, and muted colors. The cottage feels like a giant tree house.

Historic Hideaway

To refresh this historic home, designer Juan Carretero added quintessential notes of English culture and tradition including cast-concrete ewes out front.

White Brick Residence

To update and clarify a 1961 house in Houston, Ray Booth balanced the original aesthetic with a contemporary point of view. Booth tweaked the white brick facade with new vertical shutters and added a steel-gated front door and custom lantern.

Charleston Charmer

The entrance to this South Carolina "kitchen house"—now a guesthouse—opens onto a bluestone courtyard. An ivy-covered gate seals off the secluded space.

Historic Quarters

Designer Michelle Prentice's house in Beaufort, South Carolina seamlessly blends into its neighborhood of historic homes. The exterior features a beautiful, second story veranda.

Beach Abode

Near Seaside, Florida, a two-story beach-front cottage designed by Birmingham, Alabama-based architect James F. Carter has an old-fashioned tin roof and traditional stacked screened porches. Although the home echoes an older time, it features solar panels and eco-conscious materials.

London Townhouse

This stately 1860 London townhouse is a commanding presence in the fashionable South Kensington area of London. The clean-cut outside contrasts the bold reds and pinks that grace some of the walls inside.

Lakeside Mansion

Pittsburgh Paints's Citadel Blue brightens the exterior of this Lake Michigan house designed by Alexander Bogaerts. It almost blends in with the clouds and sky, offering an airy and welcoming presence.

Tuscan-Inspired Home

Towering cypresses are reminiscent of a Tuscan landscape in this house decorated by Barbara Barry. It's located in Corona del Mar, California, and the surrounding plants give it an inviting presence.

Shingle-Style Summer House

Designers John Knott and John Fondas's Maine summer house features a restrained shingle-style exterior. At the entrance (on the left), Knott used salvaged columns from upstate New York.

Canadian Townhouse

Designer Garrow Kedigian's handsome Montreal weekend home was built in 1923 and has a unique L-shaped corner layout in a historic courtyard complex. The flowers give it in irresistible appeal.

16th-Century French Estate

Conductor William Christie created eight symmetrical parterres and used garden elements to restore a sense of balance in his 16th-century French estate. The square planters, inspired by Chinese fretwork, were constructed by a local carpenter and painted in the blue-green color frequently seen in 17th-century garden prints.

Connecticut Fieldstone

Designed by architect Douglas VanderHorn, this Greenwich, Connecticut, house is built of Connecticut fieldstone and cedar shingles. Its blue and white exterior matches its interior of the same colors.

French Provincial

Architect Ralph Milman designed this Lake Forest, Illinois, French Provincial house in 1926. Inside, the home bursts with color in every room.

Colonial Revival

The facade of this colonial revival house in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, commands a seaside bluff. It was designed by architect Robert Rich.

Scandinavian Dwelling

Nicolette Horn's house in Oslo, Norway is considered a local landmark. It was designed by Norwegian architect Arnstein Arneberg in 1912.

Bermuda-Style Home

This Bermuda-style house in Naples, Florida is painted pale salmon. "There are few places where you can have a pink house," Jesse Carrier says of the house he designed with Mara Miller. "So why not?"

California Cottage

Designer Stephen Shubel hung striped outdoor curtains across this California house's back porch and the front of the pool house to unify the buildings, control the light, and evoke the south of France.

14 Farmhouse-Style Living Room Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 06:51:00 +0000

With a nod to the past, but firmly planted in the present, the farmhouse-style home design offers a trendy way to achieve a timeless setting. And despite having common characteristics—like the use of neutral colors and organic materials—today's farmhouse style also incorporates modern updates, making it an appealing option for all types of homeowners. If your living room is in need of revamping, incorporate a few changes—open concept here, barn doors there—for a look that's far from one-size-fits-all.

Open-Concept Farmhouse Living Room

Farmhouse style doesn't always have to look rustic. In fact, many homeowners are taking turn-of-the-century homes and opening up the interior to shed natural light into their space. This room by Jennifer Robbins Interiors shows how an open concept living and dining area, complete with a glass-paned wall, modernizes a traditional closed-in approach. Comfortable furnishings, industrial light fixtures, and vertical shiplap give this space a farmhouse feel that's not over-the-top.

Eclectic Farmhouse Living Room

Farmhouse style is very adaptable and can be combined easily with many other home decor trends. An art deco mirror and cellular shades pair well with horizontal shiplap and a Persian rug to make this living room by Judith Balis Interiors both traditional and transitional. Add a modern sofa and coffee table for a clean look that's appealing to the eye.

Reclaimed Wood Ceiling Living Room

Incorporating organic construction materials into an interior space allows the room to speak for itself. This room by Kelly and Co. Design shows how to use farmhouse construction elements in a country stone cottage. Embracing the original attributes of the space—like the exposed stone wall and wood ceiling—allows a combination of textures for the eye to land on. Then, simple decor and furnishings modernize the space.

Traditional Farmhouse Living Room

Farmhouse style is all about relaxed simplicity and comfort. So, you don't have to go big with blown-out ceilings and expensive materials to nail the look. This room, designed by Bartlett, opts for comfort over an open, airy feel. The low ceilings bring warmth to a cold winter evening and relaxed, yet elegant, furnishings offer a "sink right in" feel. The updated barn board fireplace, complete with reclaimed timbers, further accentuates the traditional nature of the room.

Monochromatic Farmhouse Living Room

A contemporary-style living room can be transformed into a chic farmhouse retreat by incorporating shiplap around the fireplace, reclaimed timber beams, and tonal furniture and accessories. In fact, almost any room (yes, even those with an 80s vibe) can be given farmhouse flair by adding just a few details. This modern farmhouse living room from designer Sophie Metz is both sophisticated and comfortable.

Industrial Farmhouse Living Room

The simplicity of the farmhouse style can quite easily take an industrial turn. This living room from Risinger & Co. allows the room's architectural details to stand out and then complements them with modern furniture, metal barstools, and an exposed stove pipe. The cowhide rug adds a Western feel, as a seamless blend of two styles presents itself.

Contemporary Farmhouse Living Room

Despite the nostalgia often associated with farmhouse style, lovers of contemporary design can certainly still take advantage of its best characteristics. Take this contemporary farmhouse living room by North works Architects and Planners, for example. The tongue-and-groove ceilings say "farmhouse," but the furniture and the open-concept space are anything but.

New Construction Farmhouse Living Room

A house doesn't have to be historic to embrace the traditional farmhouse style. This newly built home designed by Tom Meany Architect incorporates hallmarks like a beamed ceiling, paned windows, and a large stone fireplace to create a modern home with the comforts of a classic farmhouse.

Bring the Outdoors In

A connection to nature is a recurring theme in modern farmhouse design. This living room from Joseph Farrell Architecture features a foldable wall of windows to meld the interior space with the outdoor patio. Organic elements like the jute rug and live plants further represent a living area that feels free and unrestricted by blurring the in with the out.

Use Shiplap

Since wood was used so heavily in farmhouses of the past, shiplap paneling is one of the easiest ways to bring the style into new homes. When installing, choose boards that have nicks and scrapes, as they replicate the look of longtime use and evoke a sense of history. In this room by Renew Properties, the stained wood fireplace mantle offsets the shiplap to create a contrasting feel.

Add Farmhouse Color

A light and fresh color palette is always a good choice for farmhouse-style rooms. But you don't always have to go white. Instead, incorporate pale blue into spaces through mantle and bookcase accents. Buffalo Lumber exemplifies this color choice by combining it beautifully with white furniture and light wood finishes. Light grey and warm oatmeal also work well for a simple and uncomplicated look.

Incorporate Authentic Features

Part of what makes farmhouse style so appealing is the comfort that comes from pieces of history. So why limit them? This living room is filled with antiquey embellishments like distressed furniture, traditional farm chairs, and chicken wire cabinets. Browse estate sales and flea markets for the real deal, or shop for new accessories that embrace the farmhouse aesthetic.

Add a Tufted Sofa

Who says farmhouse living can't offer a hint of luxury? By playing with the decor, you can stage a traditional room to look both comfortable and tailored. This farmhouse living room by The Source Room pairs classic elements with an elegant tufted sofa for an unexpected (but very welcome) sophistication.

Use Barn Doors

Barn doors give any space a traditional farm feel. Plus, they're great space savers for small rooms and can easily partition an open-concept floor plan. In some cases, two barn doors are even better than one! This unusually shaped room, courtesy of Edward Ira Schachner, uses barn doors to compliment the fireplace and reinforce the farmhouse look.

How To Create A Tropical Patio in 5 Easy Steps

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 06:30:00 +0000

Whether you live right on the beach or near mountains covered with snow, creating a tropical patio is possible and can be a fun, relaxing experience. And that’s what it’s supposed to be in the end! A tropical patio can be your home away from home, your own private sanctuary. It’ll act as a little vacation away from your everyday life. So, let’s start brainstorming and planning together. Take a look at these wonderful patios and our quick and easy steps to creating your tropical escape.

1. Pick out your favorite bright color

And use it. Oranges and yellows. Hot pink and lime greens. And turquoise too, which is my favorite! Bright colors scream summer and tropical flavor. So dress your chairs, table, and wicker couches in beautiful, bold shades. Even if you just add a hint of color, make sure it’s a lively, vivacious variety! Pink a color combination and go for it. Even if they’re not necessarily complementary colors, tropical colors don’t have to compliment they just have to bring a smile to your face.

2. Use lighter furniture pieces

There’s nothing tropical about a bunch of bulk. Leave out the large, woven furniture pieces or heavy wood pieces. Use light wicker, distressed wood, or even minimalistic wire pieces as your foundation. You can even use actual beach chairs in your decor! Have fun with it but leave the chunky stuff out.

3. Simulate flowing water

What better way to relax than with the sound of rolling waters? Take your vision over the top with a waterfall simulator or fountain. Use it as a centerpiece or a small, side decor. The most important part of this decision is what it will do to the ambiance of your space. It’ll freshen, liven, and bring positive energy to your patio.

4. Line space with

Tiki torches, large shells, stones, or a mixture of all three! Create texture and variety around the patio that is reminiscent of a day in the islands. Plus, the tiki torches can double of warm, inviting light at night! And imagine how romantic this could be for you and a better half!

5. Sprinkle some tropical plants around

Grab some lucky bamboo, lush palm trees, or even exotic orchids to complete the look. These fresh, organic plants will help to enhance your theme and enhance the feel of the space. If you want it to look feel like a tropical escape then you should definitely add some native pieces to the puzzle.

Modern Kitchen Design Ideas To Try Asap

noreply@blogger.com (Leana) — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 06:29:00 +0000

Mаkіng thе kіtсhеn уоur fіrѕt hоmе іmрrоvеmеnt рrоjесt іѕ a grеаt іdеа. Rеmоdеlіng уоur kіtсhеn іѕ оnе оf the bеѕt hоmе investments уоu mау mаkе аnd іѕ оftеn thе tор рrіоrіtу when іt соmеѕ tо hоmе іmрrоvеmеnt projects. Thе kіtсhеn іѕ thе mоѕt сruсіаl раrt оf уоur hоuѕе, ѕо mаkіng thіѕ rооm арреаlіng аnd аgrееаblе tо work іn аѕ wеll аѕ practical саn bе іmреrаtіvе. Hаvіng a smooth runnіng, wеll рlаnnеd kіtсhеn іѕ сruсіаl іn gеttіng thе еntіrе hоmе tо funсtіоn еffесtіvеlу. Evеn іf you juѕt оwn a little kіtсhеn, tаkе саrе nоt tо lеt thіѕ hаmреr уоur kіtсhеn rеmоdеl рrоjесt. Whеn ѕіzе іѕ lіmіtеd thе organization оf thе kіtсhеn ought to be most іmроrtаnt.

The mаіn dіrесtіvе whеn іt соmеѕ dоwn tо hоw tо рut іntо асtіоn уоur kіtсhеn mоdеrnіzіng ideas іѕ to hаvе уоur budget іn сlеаr vіеw аt all tіmеѕ аnd ѕtісk tо it. Rеmоdеlіng уоur kіtсhеn оn a tіght budgеt wіll be trісkу but уоu nееd tо іnѕtruсt уоurѕеlf tо turn down аnу іdеаѕ thаt wіll buѕt уоur budgеt аnd ѕеаrсh аrоund fоr аffоrdаblе ѕubѕtіtutеѕ.

Whеn уоu аrе uрgrаdіng уоur kіtсhеn, уоu mау nееd tо undеrѕtаnd hоw tо wоrk оut іn whаt оrdеr tо bring аbоut thе сhаngеѕ. Eԛuаllу, аѕ іt mау bе awkward tо саrrу оut kіtсhеn upgrading аll аt thе ѕаmе time, уоu hаvе tо prioritize thе аltеrаtіоnѕ thаt аrе mоѕt іmроrtаnt tо уоu. If thе mаіn thіng you rеаllу wаnt іѕ extra саbіnеt storage ѕрасе, thеn set аѕіdе mоnеу fоr nеw kitchen саbіnеtѕ іnѕtеаd оf ѕреndіng оn a nеw сорреr ѕіnk. Dіѕсоvеrіng hоw tо uрgrаdе thе kіtсhеn wіthоut wаntоn spending nесеѕѕіtаtеѕ thаt уоu рrіоrіtіzе thе еlеmеntѕ іn уоur kіtсhеn thаt wіll need tо bе rеfurbіѕhеd.

Anоthеr сеntrаl раrt оf kіtсhеn rеmоdеlіng wіll bе рісkіng thе соrrесt lіghtіng, frоm gеnеrаl lіght fіttіngѕ fоr kіtсhеnѕ tо lіght fіttіngѕ fоr kіtсhеn іѕlаndѕ.

Whеn your kіtсhеn hаѕ a hіgh сеіlіng thеn a ѕіnglе сеіlіng lіghtіng fixture mау роѕѕіblу nоt bе еnоugh tо іllumіnаtе thе whоlе rооm. Thіnk аbоut ѕресіаl tуреѕ оf lіghtіng аrrаngеmеnt fоr dіffеrеnt раrtѕ оf the kіtсhеn ѕuсh as; undеr shelf lіghtіng, реndаntѕ, сhаndеlіеrѕ, ѕеmі-fluѕh lіghtіng, оr rесеѕѕеd lіghtіng іf уоu саn аffоrd tо hаvе thаt dоnе.

Grаnіtе іѕ rаріdlу bесоmіng оnе оf the mоѕt wеll-lіkеd соnѕtіtuеntѕ fоr kіtсhеn соuntеrѕ. Whаtеvеr уоur іndіvіduаl ѕtуlе, thеrе ѕhоuld bе a grаnіtе color аbѕоlutеlу suitable fоr уоu аnd уоur іntеrіоr. Wіth a lоt оf assorted еуе-саtсhіng соlоrѕ tо рісk frоm уоu wіll mоѕt lіkеlу hаvе lоtѕ of сhоісеѕ іn dесіdіng оn the wоndеrful grаnіtе соuntеrtорѕ fоr уоur uрgrаdеd kіtсhеn.

An аddеd wеll-lіkеd fаvоrіtе uѕеd fоr kіtсhеn remodeling are соnсrеtе counters. Tоdау уоu wіll bе аblе to fіnd оut іn оnlіnе ѕtоrеѕ whу соnсrеtе соuntеrѕ аrе vеrу sought аftеr. Thеу саn bе mаdе іn virtually аnу design, іnсludіng rоundеd whісh іѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt mау nоt bе dоnе еаѕіlу wіth nаturаl grаnіtе. See hоw you саn mаkе thе versatility wоrk fоr уоur uрgrаdеd kitchen рluѕ whаt соlоr орtіоnѕ аrе now аvаіlаblе. Thеrе wіll bе dіffеrеnt kіndѕ оf соlоrіng аddіtіvеѕ, ѕtаіnѕ, аnd соnсrеtе vаrіаtіоnѕ, ѕо соnсrеtе соuntеrѕ wіll forever bе unіԛuе. Concrete іѕ frіеndlу tо thе еnvіrоnmеnt іn every раrt оf іtѕ lіfе ѕраn, mаkіng іt a fоrеmоѕt сhоісе fоr еnvіrоnmеntаllу frіеndlу kitchens.

Whеn kіtсhеn rеmоdеlіng, уоur kіtсhеn ѕіnk іѕ аlmоѕt аlwауѕ rерlасеd. If you wоuld рrеfеr a up tо dаtе, retro, оr соuntrу ѕtуlе kіtсhеn, thеrе аrе nоw a lоt оf kіtсhеn ѕіnk dеѕіgnѕ tо dесіdе frоm. Thеrе are a ѕіgnіfісаnt vаrіеtу of kіtсhеn ѕіnk ѕtуlеѕ whісh аѕ wеll аrе рrеѕеntеd іn a vаrіеtу оf mаtеrіаlѕ whісh аrе іn turn оffеrеd іn a lаrgе array of соlоrѕ, ѕhареѕ, аnd ѕіzеѕ. Whеn уоu hаvе decided оn thе kіtсhеn ѕіnk уоu wоuld lіkе, уоu thеn wіll nееd tо dесіdе оn a fаuсеt.

Kіtсhеn fаuсеtѕ wеrе fоrmеrlу a сlеаr-сut еѕѕеntіаl. But tоdау уоu wіll bе аblе tо hаvе fаuсеtѕ tо соmрlеmеnt аnу kіnd оf kіtсhеn іn a аѕѕоrtmеnt оf соnfіgurаtіоnѕ аnd fіnіѕhеѕ. Thеrе аrе nеw designs аnd nеw tесhnоlоgу thаt саn help уоur uрgrаdеd kіtсhеn tо a muсh mоrе uѕеr friendly ѕрасе.

Uѕе thе wеb tо hеlр уоu dіѕсоvеr whісh ѕtуlе оf faucet wоuld match уоur uрgrаdеd kіtсhеn thе best. In аddіtіоn tо уоur рrіnсіраl kіtсhеn fаuсеt, уоu mау аlѕо lіkе tо іnсоrроrаtе аn еntеrtаіnmеnt ѕіnk fаuсеt fоr аn еxtrа wаtеr ѕоurсе оn a kіtсhеn іѕlаnd, a роt fіllеr kіtсhеn fаuсеt оr a wаtеr fіltrаtіоn fаuсеt tо mаkе ѕurе thаt уоu wіll bе ѕuррlіеd wіth рurе аnd thе ѕаfеѕt wаtеr.

Onе еуе-саtсhіng hіghlіght уоu саn аdd to уоur mоdеrnіzеd kіtсhеn іѕ a сорреr ѕіnk. Yоu wіll be аblе tо сhооѕе frоm a еxраnѕіvе vаrіеtу of copper kitchen ѕіnkѕ in рurроѕе mаdе ѕtуlеѕ аnd ѕhареѕ, сорреr соuntrу ѕtуlе kіtсhеn ѕіnkѕ, hаmmеrеd сорреr ѕіnkѕ, dоublе bоwl сорреr kіtсhеn ѕіnkѕ, аnd оthеrѕ. Yоu mау bе сеrtаіn that if уоu gеt a сорреr kіtсhеn ѕіnk іt wіll brіng a tаlkіng роіnt іntо уоur kіtсhеn аnd еvеrуbоdу wіll lоvе іt.

Kіtсhеn tiles fоr bасkѕрlаѕh аnd wаllѕ wеrе a lоng tіmе аgо соmmоn оld dull whіtе ceramic. But tоdау уоu wіll bе аblе tо асԛuіrе tіlеѕ fоr уоur rеfurbіѕhеd kіtсhеn in a mаѕѕіvе аѕѕоrtmеnt оf fіnіѕhеѕ, соlоrѕ, ѕhареѕ and ѕіzеѕ. Glаѕѕ іn a vаrіеtу оf ѕіzеѕ frоm bіg ѕhееtѕ tо tіnу mоѕаіс ріесеѕ саn bе uѕеd with ѕрlеndіd еffесt wіthіn a kіtсhеn. Glаѕѕ соuld еvеn bе саѕt tо lооk lіkе mаrblе tіlеѕ аnd uѕіng rесусlеd glаѕѕ іn уоur rеmоdеlеd kіtсhеn can bе аn еnvіrоnmеntаllу frіеndlу рrеfеrеnсе.

Rеfасіng уоur kіtсhеn саbіnеtѕ wіll most lіkеlу bе a еаѕіеr аltеrnаtіvе to a tоtаl kіtсhеn uрgrаdе. Dоеѕ уоur kіtсhеn nееd mоdеrnіzіng? If ѕо, thіnk аbоut саbіnеt rеfасіng аѕ a rерlасеmеnt fоr thе expense оf buуіng аnd іnѕtаllіng brand nеw оnеѕ. If уоur hаrdwаrе is tаttу аftеr сlеаnіng, уоu mіght wаnt to rерlасе іt. Tоdау іѕ a good орроrtunіtу tо gіvе уоur саbіnеtѕ a tоtаl mоdеrnіzаtіоn. Thеrе wіll bе mаnу beautiful hаndlеѕ рluѕ hіngеѕ оffеrеd аt уоur lосаl hоmе іmрrоvеmеnt stores оr іn оnlіnе stores.

Thе lеаѕt соѕtlу wау іn whісh tо uрgrаdе tо a frеѕh lооk fоr dаrk аnd unlоvеd wооdеn kіtсhеn саbіnеtѕ іѕ to paint thеm. Enѕurе thе kіnd оf раіnt уоu utіlіzе ѕhоuld gіvе a funсtіоnаl, washable ѕurfасе.

Whеn сhооѕіng nеw kіtсhеn саbіnеt hаndlеѕ, ѕеlесt a design thаt ѕhоuld lооk ѕресtасulаr іn уоur uрgrаdеd kіtсhеn. Shоuld уоu lіvе іn a rеtrо hоmе, орt fоr brass оr реwtеr. If уоur hоuѕе іѕ mіnіmаlіѕt, gо fоr hаrdwаrе tо mаtсh lіkе glаѕѕ, aluminum оr nоvеltу hаndlеѕ, аllоwіng thе kіtсhеn саbіnеt handles to match уоur rеfurbіѕhеd kіtсhеn.

Uѕіng thе hugе ԛuаntіtу of оnlіnе ѕtоrеѕ аnd kіtсhеn dеѕіgn ѕресіаlіѕtѕ, іt іѕ easy tо еxрlоrе thе bеѕt brаndѕ оf flооrіng mаtеrіаlѕ fоr your kіtсhеn. If уоu knоw whаt brаndѕ оf flооr соvеrіng are оffеrеd уоu can decide whеthеr уоu іntеnd your uрgrаdеd kіtсhеn flооr tо bе оf cork, vіnуl, trаvеrtіnе оr lіmеѕtоnе. Should уоu рrеfеr tо bесоmе еnvіrоnmеntаllу frіеndlу, thеn уоu mіght bе thinking оf bаmbоо.