Home Defined

Do you Pinterest?

2015-09-15T13:51:00.001-05:00

Do you Pinterest?

IF you do follow me at http://www.pinterest.com/mscpbd/

Debra...

Raise it up!

2012-06-27T11:43:00.000-05:00

I have a front loading washer and dryer. When we bought them five years ago, I was trying to save money so I didn't buy the pedestals for them. After bending over and over again to move clothes in and out of each appliance, I decided it was time for a change. I still couldn't see paying $400 for two pedestals.

(See the example picture I took at a home show below)

I mentioned to my dad that I would love to have a pedestal to put my w/d on without paying a bundle. So, (in true I love my daughter style) my dad built me one. I'm thankful to my husband and future son-in-law for manhandling those beasts onto their new home.

A layer of wallpaper, paint and some lettering later, they looked like the above picture. I hate wallpaper for walls but I love it for decorating ;-) I created the words on my computer, printed them on tissue paper (I'll explain that later, if you want to know how) and mog podged them over the wallpaper inserts.

I told my husband when we get old and forget what they are used for - maybe this will remind us ;-) LOL... Debra

The ugly plant bloomed

2011-10-03T11:17:00.002-05:00

I have a Night Blooming Cereus that has been showing off for the past two nights. It is really an ugly plant but it makes beautiful flowers. It only blooms at night, I bet you figured that out from the name. ;-) The bloom time is usually around 10 or 11 at night. The blooms are huge - here is a picture with my hand in it to give you an idea of scale.

The fragrance it creates is just as lovely. I can not describe it, nothing else smells quite like it.

The University of Arkansas agriculture site has a page on this plant and the quote below (from their site) says it all.

"Few people would ever buy this plant upon first inspection, because gangly and downright homely, come to mind, but let this plant bloom and everyone just has to have one. It is hard to imagine that such a common looking plant could have such a stunning blossom."

Below are a few more pictures I took.... enjoy.

Madonna gets a makeover or how to create your own art on the cheap

2011-07-07T23:28:00.006-05:00

We have a pocket door that leads into our laundry room - great for saving space but not so great when you want to decorate. I have been trying to figure out how to hang some art in this area for years.

One day while looking through one of my favorite stores I was inspired by Madonna. :-) Three 16" x 16" canvas images of Madonna to be exact... I had plans for them. I have to admit I felt a bit funny going to the register with three of those but three (in decorating) is a magic number. At $2.00 each, I could not resist trying something new with them. Canvas is not cheap and finding something I can redo is right up my alley, so Madonna came home with me. ;-)

First I'd like to say I'm sorry I didn't take any "during" pictures. I really didn't know how this would turn out and I was not planning on blogging on it. Live and learn...

This technique is really easy and the possibilities are endless.

Here is a list of supplies you will need:

1. Canvas of your choosing - new or used and the size is up to you.
2. Joint compound - it does not take a lot - this will give you the texture.
3. Acrylic paint - colors of your choosing - easier to clean up than oil based.
4. Stamps, stencils, buttons, brushes, sponges - whatever you want to give your canvas interest.
5. Something to spread the joint compound around with - I used a cake spatula that I only use for revamping things.
6. Alcohol inks in the colors you choose (optional) for an extra pop of color.

Next:

Take a scoop of joint compound onto your spatula, old credit card or trowel and cover most of the canvas. Vary the thickness for interest and leave some areas uncovered for extra texture Do not allow this compound to dry before you start on this next step.

Grab your stamps, texture sheets, lace, blue jeans (use you imagination) or whatever you want to add texture to the compound. Play with it.. you can always smooth it out and start again as long as the compound doesn't dry first. When you have something you like, take a break and let it dry overnight.

Take your chosen paint colors and apply with paint brushes, sea sponges or whatever you want. Make sure you also cover the edges of the canvas. The areas with texture will take the paint differently than the smoother areas. Let dry..

Apply any stenciled designs you would like for extra interest. I'm still thinking about painting a phrase on them but I haven't decided yet.

The canvas is so light I was able to hang them using Command Wall Strips. I don't have to worry about damaging the walls or the pocket door behind them.

I made my art a bit "old world" looking but you could use bright crisp colors, splatters, stripes or whatever fits your decor. The best thing about this project it costs me $6.00 and I can paint over it again if I desire a different look. I hung the canvases higher than the door because we have 10 foot high ceilings.

Want to give this a try? I'd love to see what you come up with and share with our readers in the future!

Debra

Today's Idea Book

2011-07-06T10:13:00.000-05:00

Today's Ideabooks

Houzz- Kitchen Remodels, Bathroom Remodels and More»

Browse Storage And Organization on Houzz- For Example:

Bookcases Cabinets And Computer Armoires · Closet Organizers · Closets · Clothes Racks · Hooks And Hangers · Media Storage · Medicine Cabinets · Storage Boxes ·

New Kitchens

2011-06-27T17:06:00.002-05:00

One area that can add a lot of value to your home is the kitchen. Kitchens and baths are two of the most costly and used areas in a home. Here are a two kitchens we will review for ideas.

What's hot about this kitchen? Custom millwork, metal tiles used as accents, glass top range and a pop of bright color for the kitchen. Expensive tiles can be used as accents while saving money.

The marble on the island is great for rolling out dough but not for using as a cutting board. This kitchen is open and airy using different stations for cooks in the kitchen.

This kitchen is more compact. Notice the all the extra storage designed into each area... The "L" shaped peninsula gives extra storage "without blocking your view" by having an opening below the upper cabinets. High ceilings allow extra storage on top of the upper cabinets. The microwave mounted above the stove saves space by venting the stove and giving light to the cooking surface below.

What's your favorite way to add extra storage to a kitchen?

Steps to building your new home

2011-06-22T15:19:00.001-05:00

You've waited months and sometimes years to be able to create your dream home.

Maybe you're saying "There is so much to think about... will I remember it all?" Here is a run down of a typical home construction schedule.

1. Land - Do we buy or do we have the property already...

2. House Plans - The fun part... what do we want in our "dream house plans" ? What can we live with or without if cost becomes a factor.

3. Visiting your bank - if you will be borrowing money to build.

4. Finding the right contractors to do each part of the project... cheaper is not always better... ask around.

5. Building permits.

6. Grading and/or clearing the site.

7. Foundation

8. Framing - walls, roof, floors (if there is a second floor or if a basement/crawlspace is built)

9. Roofing

10. Windows and doors are set to finish "drying in" the structure.

11. Exterior finishes are applied... Brick, siding, etc.

12. Roughing in of Electrical - Hvac - Plumbing - Security System.

13. Insulation - drywall - trim and painting.

14. Cabinets

15. Finish Electrical - Hvac - Plumbing - Security System.

16. Flooring - wood, vinyl, carpet, etc.

17. All final hookups to sewer/water systems.

18. Final inspections.

19. Landscaping.

Please note that inspections of the construction site will be carried on by your bank and/or local building department.

Take a deep breath and relax in your new home.. you've earned it.

Have a great week..

Debra
homedefined.com
www.design-house.com

An amazing site! Petra in Jordan

2011-06-07T19:04:00.002-05:00

I love to travel and one day I would LOVE to go to the site of Petra!

The massive monastery at Petra... check out the people in the doorway for an idea of scale!

Images via Creative Commons.


The Treasury

Built without the heavy equipment of today and still awe inspiring! Discovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt . Johann dressed up as an Arab and convinced his Bedouin guide to take him to the lost city. Known as the "Rose Red City" - a name it gets from the wonderful color of the rock from which many of the city’s structures were carved.

You may say what does this have to do with building "my" house?

1- classic architecture will always be in style.
2 - see what can be done when people have vision and desire.. the creation of something beautiful.

In other words, hang in there, your build it will be worth it!

If you want to learn more about Petra visit - PetraPark.com

Click here to view a 3d tour of Petra.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Debra
http://homedefined.com
www.design-house.com

Tornado Shelters and your home

2011-05-26T16:06:00.003-05:00

Lately, we have been having the worst weather around the country. I spoke to a lady last week from Tuscaloosa, AL. She and everyone on her street lost everything they had. This is so heartbreaking but even worse are the families that have lost a loved one. You can always rebuild, buy new stuff, etc... but you can not replace the loved ones in your life. So I thought today might be a good time to talk about storm shelters.

Do you know that you can get a tax break for building a storm shelter in your home? FEMA offers information on building a safe room in your home or small business. It is easier and less costly to add one as your building a new house but you can add a safe room to an existing home as well.

FEMA's "Taking Shelter From the Storm

Click below to learn more about building a storm shelter or safe room for your home or business.

Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room For Your Home or Small Business

The publication provides designs for basement, in-ground, and above-ground safe rooms. This download contains the construction plans and cost estimates. As long as you follow FEMA's guidelines these safe rooms could be a lifesaver. I can think of no better reminder of a tornado or hurricanes destruction than what we have been seeing lately.

If you decide to order a DesignHouse plan with "DP" in the plan number we can work with you to modify the plan, as needed, to include a safe room.

Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe.

Debra
http://homedefined.com
www.design-house.com

Ideas for Backsplashes

2011-05-20T18:28:00.002-05:00

Backsplashes can make such a huge difference in the look at feel of your kitchen or bathroom. Below you will find a few pictures to get you started. BTW - if you have some creative backsplashes "you did yourself " and would like to share please let me. I would love to see them and feature them for our visitors.

copper tile back splash

A copper tile backsplash gives a vintage look to this new kitchen. One of our clients shared their lovely home after they finished building. I was so glad to see the copper tiles, it really changes the look of the kitchen and goes with the craftsman style house.

"sandblasted" porcelain tiles set on angle.

These "sandblasted" porcelain tiles are set on a 45 degree angle and give this backsplash a very durable finish. I love this color and the tile is VERY heat resistant. This is part of MY kitchen, I'm sharing with you. Note the black thing behind the cooktop is a fresh air vent. Our house is built with Insulated Concrete Forms and very air tight.. I will admit seeing this vent "off center" bugs the heck out of me but there was a stud in the way and they didn't want to trim it. I will fill you in later on the custom range hood above.. my dad built the frame and I faux finished it. Getting back to the tiles... they are super heat resistant. I love being able to remove something from the cooktop or oven without worrying about finding a potholder to rest it on! ;-) Clean up is a breeze also.. did I tell you how much I love my kitchen? I can live with the vent....

And last but not least Glass tiles are a traditional look. They get a very modern look from the RED vessel sink and raised faucet. A lovely accent for a 1/2 bath without going over your budget.

And a very non-traditional look of glass bubbles! Thankfully all these tiles come attached to a mesh backing, saving $$ and time on installation.

I really love the look of glass tiles for a backsplash. If you have a small kitchen, bath or if you just use the tiles to highlight the stove or a sink, you can save money and still have style.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Debra
http://homedefined.com
www.design-house.com

This Old home and I'm sorry.

2011-05-17T15:58:00.000-05:00

I have to say that I am sorry I have been neglecting you.. I will try and do better. I've been so busy! :-) Which is a really good thing in this housing market. I've been doing a LOT of modifications, to our plans for clients. Seems like I'd get finished with one and two more would come in. It has settled down a bit now and I thought I'd let you know I have not forgotten you! :-)

One thing you may have noticed is our name... no longer will you have to remember a long blogspot name. Our new URL for this blog is now HomeDefined.com I think it has a nice ring to it. This blog will be about helping you "define your dream home". The topics we will review will be anything that might help you design, decorate, build, or remodel your home. I hope you enjoy the new look and blog name. Please drop me a note and let me know what you think.

I wanted to show you a picture of a this house I took Saturday. I'm not in love with the style but I will admit that the craftsmanship these homes display is awe inspiring.. just beautifully done. Please over look the giant antennae - doesn't do a thing for the house. ;-)

One more... this one I will give you a peek inside later.

Take care,

Debra
HomeDefined.com
www.Design-House.com

How ceilings add style to your new home.

2011-04-14T22:55:00.004-05:00

Used to be that an 8 foot flat ceiling was about all you would get when you built a new home. Today there are so many options you might have a hard time deciding which one to use. I thought I'd give you a few examples of what is popular today.

Even in smaller homes 9 foot ceilings are becoming the standard. The higher ceilings add style and give the feeling of a larger space. Great grandmas house probably had 10-14 foot ceilings, perfect in the south for summer but not much fun in the winter - with just a fireplace.

Coffered Ceiling - is a ceiling make of sunken panels in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon. They can be simple or very complex in design.


Simple Coffered Ceiling in our DP-2818

Cathedral Ceiling - usually sloped in two directions. I love to use cathedral ceilings when there will be dormers in the room. I have never cared for those deep shafts left by flat ceilings around dormers.

Barrel Vault - This ceiling looks like a half barrel cut lengthwise. This is a very strong and beautiful ceiling used in complex or formal designs. Click the highlighted text to see a newer way of making a faster, less expensive barrel vault ceiling.

Recessed or Stepped Ceiling - Can be recessed once or several times. This ceiling gives extra height to a room. Usually trimmed with crown moulding, this area may be painted the same color as the rest of the ceiling or highlighted with another color. Ceiling materials may be changed in the recessed area to give a different feel to the room.


Simple Recessed - Tray ceiling in our DP-2607 painted white.


Recessed Ceiling accented with paint and trim

Keep in mind when you order your ceiling fans, recessed lights and surface mount lights your ceiling. A higher ceiling will require an extension on the ceiling fan. Recessed lights on a sloped ceiling should be eye-ball style if you want to point them different than the slope will allow.

Don't want to have a high ceiling but want something different? Paint them a different color than white for a modern look. Finish them with stained or painted wood planks.... just use your imagination.

Until next time, have a great weekend everyone!

Debra
DesignHouse Inc.

A vessel sink and old buffet come together.

2011-04-12T11:34:00.004-05:00

I thought I'd give you a peek at my daughters sink. She wanted something different when we built our house. (which is a work in progress - but that is another story in itself.) She loved the look of a vessel sink for her bath.

We looked high and low in flea markets and yard sales finding nothing to mount the sink in. Then, my husband thought about an old storage building and wondered if it held any forgotten treasure. Sure enough, when they opened the old family shed up here is what they found.

An old buffet that was given to his parents after their house burned in the 50's. It was old then and it looked even older now.

Really, the pictures don't do it justice - it looked BAD! The storage building was not watertight and time had not been good to this piece.

I knew if anyone could breathe life back into this piece it would be my dad. He is a very talented man.. but he would never admit it! He took this buffet apart, sanded, buffed, glued and put it back together. 13 coats of poly later it gleamed as never before. He was a bit upset about the worm holes in the top that he could not sand out. I told him "Do you know how much people pay for that!" ;-)

Now the moment you have been waiting for.... can't you just hear the drum roll! :-)

Character the worms left behind! Cleaned and sealed forever.

The vessel sink I bought off Ebay and the faucet is a kitchen faucet from Lowes. I had to find a faucet high enough to clear the raised vessel. Our daughter wanted a beach feel to her bath and I think it turned out very nice.

A few things to keep in mind if you decide to go this route.

1. Make sure the piece is a good height to use for a sink base. Dad had to cut a bit off the legs to make this the perfect height. If it is not tall enough look at adding feet to give it extra height.

2. Seal the item very well. When you have wood like this in the bathroom you want to protect the surface as much as possible. Dad used 13 coats - what can I say but he is a perfectionist and not superstitious! ;-)

3. Take into account how high you want the vessel raised when you cut the hole to mount it.

4. Pick a faucet that clears the height of your new sink.

5. If you have woodworking skills, make the drawer in front of the sink shorter. Doing that will give you an area for vessel and you still have storage.

One more thing... thank your help... Thanks dad for all the hard work and to my husbands parents for the donation of an old buffet. Now it has even MORE history from both sides of the family.

Until next time,

Debra
DesignHouse Inc - House plans

Looking for Green house plans? Green Builder Magazine's got them!

2011-04-07T13:07:00.000-05:00

Green Builder Magazine plan - 3077

The April issue of Green Builder Magazine is out and inside features two energy saving plans by Debra Taylor Purvis, AIBD of DesignHouse Inc. in Wiggins, MS.

This issue highlights home plans that editors hand picked from the Green Builder Magazine and The House Designers annual ENERGY STAR© design competition held last fall. Designers and Architects from around the country were invited to submit new plans that would contain energy saving features and promote sustainable building. Each eye-catching plan utilizes the latest in green building practices and products so you can enjoy total home comfort and yearly energy savings. These house plans are are exclusive to GreenBuilder and The House Designers.

Green Builder Magazine plan - 1584

Debra

Visit our site www.Design-House.com for more house plans.

When boring glass won't do...

2011-04-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

From the 2011 IBS in Orlando we bring you a few pictures of this wonderful glass! Cardinal Shower of Louisville, KY had some beautiful glass on display.

They do shower enclosures, railing, room dividers etc.... Just use your imagination. Take a look at these other pictures and get inspired.

This door is for a golf shop. Notice the door "handle" is a golf club and you can see the embedded golf balls and "dents".

Staircase railing designed to look like Salmon going up stream... I love the color of this glass.

A wave of teal blue glass is created as the handle for this door.

This is just a small sample of what the company can produce. You can visit them here for more information.

I hope this gives you some ideas for your remodel or new house construction.

Until next time,

Debra
DesignHouse Inc.

From ponies to pupils - A redesign done right!

2011-04-01T12:35:00.005-05:00

Sometimes you don't have to start over to create something perfectly modern. Today I will introduce you to the Historic Horse Arena "Longwood Farms". This arena was where Loula Long Combs (1881-1971) once trained her prized horses. The daughter of a wealthy lumber baron Loula loved her horses. In 1921 they owned 120 saddled horses... so you can see why they needed such a large stable and arena!

Loula with her beloved dogs

The 40,000 square foot arena featuring 150 stalls was built by R.A. Long in Kansas City, MO. Reminders of what this former arena once was are everywhere... from the dividers that once separated the horse stalls, in the "new" gym. This Arena is now Longwood Farms Elementary School!

To the barn doors that were reused as interior windows within the offices or as decoration in the lobby.

The old fireplace was saved and is on display in the lobby as well. Large beams are not covered up but featured, stand proudly to remind us of what used to be.

Just a note - Corinthian Hall - the family home is now the Kansas City Museum of History and Science.

The family home - Corinthian Hall = Kansas City Museum today

Hope you have a great weekend everyone!

Until next time,

Debra
www.design-house.com

The little town of Lost Rabbit....

2011-03-28T16:18:00.013-05:00

This is a TND (Traditional Neighborhood Design) I visited several years ago.The town is called Lost Rabbit and is located on 260 acres in Madison County, Mississippi on the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are a lot of two story homes in this development because the lots are pretty small. Below you will see a small balcony, gas lights and REAL shutters. You can close the shutters to protect the windows... something you don't see a lot of people doing.

Below you will find another home. Notice the use of different building materials (metal roofing, siding, stucco over brick and wood shutters) done right, the items will blend seamlessly into a lovely home. This home looks like it could have been added onto over time but with a modern feel as well. I really like the vents created by removing the brick at the top of the gable wall.

Houston - we have a problem... Poor fellow, I'm quite sure this did NOT make his day.

Last but not least... the inside. I am including this shot of a staircase in one of the homes. This is a LOT of white but it works. The contrast between the black furnishings and white panels is very soothing. The look is modern, sexy and classic all at the same time.

Until next time... have a great week everyone!

Debra
DesignHouse Inc. - House Plans

Mud Rooms - for small spaces

2011-03-15T14:56:00.001-05:00

A recent call for "what makes a mud room". Gave me an idea for the blog... maybe YOU were wondering the same thing?

It would be great if everyone had a dedicated mud room. Some homes are not large enough for one so lets see if we can come up with some ideas for those.

I would recommend a rear hallway that every family member uses regularly. 4-5 feet minimum in width - you really don't want things "sticking out" in the walkway.

If you have a staircase in the hall, use the area under the stairs to create a “drop zone” without taking up any extra room. A wooden or metal bench is a great addition (if you have the room) to allow someone to remove shoes for storage. I would allow at least one hook and one shelf per household member for their own personal drop zone. Include an outlet or two for charging the electronics and cell phones we all have.

I love to use a "built-in" locker design, when I have the chance, in our house plans. They don't take up a lot of room and you have an organized way of controlling clutter.

Flooring needs to be something easy to clean and be durable. Stained concrete or brick pavers would be a great flooring option for this area. Tile would be durable but you really need to seal the grout well in this area.

These ideas are not rocket science but I hope they get you looking at your space in a new light. Use your imagination and enjoy your new found storage space!

Debra
www.Design-House.com

Red Creek Cottage

2011-03-10T22:22:00.006-06:00

Looking for a smaller home that doesn't skimp on style? The Red Creek Cottage our DP-992 is a cute little 2 bedroom - 1 bath - house plan hot off the drawing board!

An 8' deep front porch gives extra living area for relaxing. An open Great Room - Kitchen and Dining Area combo make those rooms feel huge. A gas ventless fireplace is accented with base cabinets with windows above. The Kitchen is perfect for entertaining and comes complete with an island , raised snack bar and a large walk-in pantry. Sliding glass doors allow extra light into the Dining Area. Each bedroom has large walk-in closets and are located to the rear of the home for privacy.

A Great little house plan for the following homeowners:
A Starter Home
Retired Couple
Guest House
Vacation Retreat
Rental Property

Have a great weekend everyone.
Debra

Kitchen cabinets and window ideas

2011-03-07T20:29:00.003-06:00

From the IBS2011 - a picture of the new kitchen base cabinet from Merillat. If your kitchen sink has ever leaked, you can relate.

The following quote is from the Merillat website - "The Merillat CoreGuard Sink Base is made of an engineered polymer specifically designed to resist damage from spills and leaks. The face, frame and door assembly are wood, but behind them, everything is a water-resistant, non-wood material that’s easy to clean and is stain-resistant.

The floor has a slight forward tilt and a rib design to direct any spills forward. With CoreGuard, you can see a problem right away and clean it up. It’s a low-maintenance solution in a cabinet that’s built to last."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Looking for extra light in your kitchen without losing wall cabinets? If you've got tall ceilings you have another option... install them over the wall cabinets! See the picture below for an example.

What else can you gather from the Kitchen above?

1. Textured glass on the front of the wall cabinets hide cups/plates, etc. but still give you a more open feel to the kitchen.

2. Deep drawers under the cooktop are perfect for pots and pans. You can access everything in a drawer much easier than bending over to get to the back of a base cabinet.

3. White cabinets are a classic and stainless steel door pulls are a modern addition.

4. Tiling the wall from the bottom of the upper cabinets to the base cabinet below makes cleanup easier.

Hope you enjoyed the tips and have a great week!

Debra

You never know where design inspiration will come from next!

2011-03-01T20:47:00.000-06:00

I have often heard you can tell a designer or architect by their photos... more design or architectural related than people. Well that can be very true!

Here are a few random pics for items I have been inspired by over the years.

Beautiful antique stained glass window. They don't make them like this any longer... lovely.

This staircase and railing are from the same property. This picture shows marble stairs with beautiful railing that lead up to the window above.

The round brick columns above are found at one of the Mississippi rest areas we have stopped at.. beautiful. The french doors with really shutters are truly southern as well.

The above stairs are not the classics you have been viewing but I thought I'd throw them in today. Glass tiles were used to cover the risers of each step giving color and durability to this staircase. Not a huge cost but it does add a lot of impact. Sometimes it's the small things that make a home special... just use your imagination.

If you need help creating your dream home plans, please let me know, I would love to help you. We create custom house plans as well as modify any of our DesignHouse house plans.

Take care until next time,

Debra

A bit of storage in your existing home or new house plans.

2011-02-17T23:05:00.000-06:00

The best way of making sure you have enough storage is to include it in your house plans before you build. However, some of the following tips may give you ideas, even if your home is finished.

1. Taller ceilings - If you can't go out, try going up! Tall ceilings can be used to carve out more storage in several rooms. In your closets, several rows of higher shelves can be placed above your normal rod for items that are out of season. Kitchens and Great Rooms can also benefit from higher ceilings because you can use taller cabinets. Don't forget the open area above the wall cabinets, which can house anything from a basket of books to speakers.
2. Stairs - If you have stairs, putting deep drawers or cabinet style doors on the side can help you get the most use out of an otherwise waste of space. Note - Please check with your local building department on locating anything under your stairs, some codes do not allow this area to be used without making special provisions.

3. The Attic - If you are going to have a steep roof, take advantage of this extra storage space. When you build make sure the ceiling joists are sized large enough to carry any extra load created from your storage items. ONE TIP - If you install "real" stairs instead of pull down stairs, getting that Christmas tree down every year will be much easier!

4. Built-in Seating - A mudroom is the perfect place for built-in seating. If you build the seating with a hinged top or deep drawers, you get the perfect place to store your shoes. In a bedroom you have the perfect place to read a book and hide extra blankets at the same time.

5. Cabinets - Linen cabinets with a built-in hamper are perfect for creating extra space in your bath. Everything is located in one place and does not take up extra floor space.

6. Islands - They can be great in a kitchen for extra storage but have you tried one on wheels? If you need more room in the kitchen, you simply roll it out of the way. Have you thought about an island in your closet? If you have a large walk-in closet ,why not take advantage of that extra floor space? A small island makes a perfect place for extra storage and you maybe able to free up some floor space in your bedroom by not having an extra dresser.

7. The Garage - With the popularity of SUV's it is very important you make sure your new garage will be big enough to hold the family car. For example the GMC Yukon has a length of 198.9" and the Yukon XL has a length of 219.3". If you plan on walking around it after you park, that garage better be deeper than 20'-0".

Hope you enjoy and create your own "extra" storage.

Debra

Valentine inspired bathroom fixtures.

2011-02-07T22:25:00.002-06:00

The color red is a symbol of love. This week we are looking at red fixtures to make your master bath a retreat for you at the end of a long day.

Red Designer bath by Aquatic

This freestanding tub is not for the color shy.


"Mosaic" inspire sink with red accents.

Pattern is found in the custom shower & accented
with bold red to tie all the fixtures together.

I love this shower! Simply beautiful.

I hope this gives you inspiration to create the bath of your dreams in Red...

Have a great week everyone! Debra

Hylite - Glass block windows and doors

2011-02-04T23:53:00.001-06:00

Do you like the look of glass blocks in your bathroom but you want the option to open the window? Check out Hylite Glass blocks new items below.

First we have a slider with a screened opening. This unit retains the style of glass blocks while allowing you to open and close the window as you please.

Second we have a set of three operable glass block units in different shapes.

What if you want extra light in the Master Bath with no way of adding a window? What to do if you're a bit claustrophobic but you want a toilet compartment in your bath? The solution is here... a glass block door, this door lets in light and gives you a bit of privacy at the same time.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Debra

Ideas from the New American Home 2011

2011-01-31T19:57:00.001-06:00

A trend gaining popularity - breakfast bars in the Master Bedroom. You don't have to go all out but the New American Home has room for a coffee pot, refrigerator, sink and plenty of storage. This one is housed in what would be a regular closet with bi-fold doors, hiding the area when not in use. I think the only thing that would make this one perfect is a dishwasher drawer!

This picture from the New American Home is a view looking down into the two-story Great Room. The designer used four different floor materials. This pattern adds to the interest of a very muted room. You don't have to go around your whole room to create interest, just try accenting the corners or center for something special without a huge cost.

Debra