jannine's ideas
AFTER: This portion of the system of stone walls is new. Zimmerman says there are four important aspects in matching a new stone wall to an antique one: Matching the stone geologically. In this case all of the stone is local Pennsylvania fieldstone. Copying the patterning of the stones. The walls here, original and new, are called random rubble stone walls. Mimicking the style of mortar. A raked-back joint method with a brushed finish was used here. Matching the color of the mortar. The team created a formula that mimicked the original mortar color.
This little grain shed behind an Ohio farmhouse was the perfect size and shape for a backyard getaway. The owners moved it to a better location with clear countryside views, then refinished and decorated it with era-appropriate antiques. Colorful accents and an awesome antique Quick Meal stove give it even more character; now the little shed is comfortable and cozy enough for an afternoon nap.
Antique Furniture With Youthful Touches in New Orleans Despite a nearly all-antique furniture collection, this loft in New Orleans' French Quarter still feels fresh, funky and current. The building was once an 1890s rice mill, but is now divided into several lofts and apartments. Original brick walls with decades' worth of paint layers bring additional patina to the space. Vintage tin letters spell out the owner's last name, calling attention to her bedroom, lofted above the great room.
The home that Kelley's grandmother lived in was torn down, so Kelley salvaged some of the wood and applied it to the kitchen walls. A restored washboard sink found on Craigslist sits below the kitchen window, which overlooks a pasture and fire pit. Yellow polka-dot coffee mugs hang from pieces of piping next to the window. Refrigerator, stove: Big Chill; mason jar pendant: Barn Light Electric
I totally understand if a worn painted floor is not your cup of tea. But don't dismiss the idea outright. A stained floor can just as easily have built-in age, warmth and welcome. Consider using a wide plank, like those pictured here. They are inherently more homey than narrow oak strips and are readily available, even in laminate. Check out Armstrong or Pergo for some great, affordable options.
ne of the most basic elements of your home — the floor — can make an immediate and unmistakable statement. Can you imagine a "Please take your shoes off" sign at this front door? Rather, this floor says, "Please don't worry about your high heels or muddy tennis shoes. I just want you to come in and get comfortable." Plus, don't you love the colorful contemporary furniture with this floor? Very well done.
The Carcarys completed the kitchen remodel themselves, inspired by compact kitchens with open shelving that they saw during trips to Italy and France. The tin ceiling proved to be the most challenging element, as each tile needed to be laid individually. (Shaun installed the pieces while Shona held the ladder.) The countertops are marble, while the kitchen island was made from barn wood floors. The overall cost of the kitchen renovation was $20,000, including appliances and materials. Shelves: Ekby Mossby/Ekby Bjärnum, Ikea; island: Blue Moon Trading Company; tin ceiling tiles: eBay; decorative items: T.J.Maxx and Marshalls; backsplash tile: The Home Depot
Industrial and Organic in Brooklyn Although it was built in the 1890s, this Brooklyn, New York, loft still has its original windows, whitewashed walls and exposed ductwork. An eclectic furniture collection and a working wood-burning stove keep the industrial space from looking and feeling cold — particularly important during New York's snowy winters. The homeowner especially loves her comfy hammock hanging next to the sofa. The trapeze bar hanging right above it is a favorite with visiting kids.
Fuming: A classic method of finishing quartersawn white oak is to fume it to enhance its ray fleck. In this process the white oak is placed in a custom-size airtight tent (usually made of heavy plastic ) along with a small tray of industrial-strength ammonia. Woodworker Mike Ceja of Los Angeles fumed the white oak shown here for two days, producing this richly dramatic look. "The effect is not just on the surface of the wood," he says. "It penetrates deeply, so you don't have to worry about losing it if you accidentally scratch the surface."
Durability: The Janka rating measures the resistance of various wood species to dents and dings. Hard maple, the most durable of American hardwoods, has a Janka rating of 1,450; white oak has a respectable rating of 1,360. Red oak is rated 1,290. By comparison, walnut has a 1,010 rating. Red and white oak are both flooring favorites because of their toughness, pricing and ability to nicely accept a wide variety of stains.
Tim Cuppett Architects Choose paint colors from a historic color collection. Whether you are using paint chips discovered beneath layers of interior or exterior paint, or are starting fresh but want to use historically accurate colors, there are now many paint companies ready to make things easier. A few you might find helpful: Benjamin Moore, which has a comprehensive historic color collection covering a range of architectural styles Sherwin-Williams, which has both interior and exterior paint colors for a wide range of American architectural styles Fine Paints of Europe, which carries high-pigment-content paints in historic hues Farrow & Ball, which has historic paints and papers
10. Include space for displaying your work. Keep a record of your work and get inspired for further explorations by displaying your art. A long picture rail is wonderful for propping up artwork. A magnetic rail or picture wire is great for quickly clipping up works in progress, along with other bits and bobs of inspiration.
Edit, edit, edit. Paring down and giving the eye some white space to rest on will help make your home feel calm and a pleasure to be in. If it makes it easier, allow yourself to remove things temporarily — just to see how the space looks and feels without them, before letting go permanently. Roll up a rug, remove a piece of artwork or toss a big white sheet over your most vibrant piece of furniture to get an idea of what the room would look like without it.
Relax your space with neutrals and naturals. If your space is still feeling too haphazard, try toning it down with large expanses of neutral color on the walls, floor and big pieces of furniture. Bringing in natural materials and textures — like sisal or jute rugs, real or faux sheepskin and neutral-hued wool, linen and leather — can also go a long way toward creating harmony in an eclectic home.
Balance textures. Too many chipped, aged and rough textures in one room can make your space feel more like a flea market than like the fresh, inspired room you were going for. Balance worn and aged pieces with crisp, slick and shiny surfaces to strike the right balance.
9. Pillow covers. Once you have built up a nice stash of pillow covers that fit the inserts for your sofa and bed, it's easy to give your rooms a quick makeover. Keep an eye out for sales throughout the year to find the best deal. Here are a few ideas for not-strictly-seasonal pillow covers to consider adding to your stash: Burlap feed sack: great for a rustic fall and winter look, but can be used year-round Sparkly, metallic hues: perfect for a festive feel Velvet in rich jewel tones: for cold fall and winter nights Golden yellow: can be mixed with seasonal oranges and reds in the fall, but also feels fresh in spring and summer.
Give them matching furniture. Not into showing off the kennel? Create an elegant bed that resembles the rest of the room's decor. Find pet furniture or pillows that share similar properties with other facets of the room, such as color, finish, shape or texture. This dog bed blends in nicely with the living room, thanks to its library-like qualities.
9. Put great big casters on an old table. Oversize casters and other wheels are hallmarks of the industrial look. Why not put an old wooden coffee table on casters instead of spending a fortune to buy a new table? If you're feeling especially crafty, I bet you could make something pretty amazing with a reclaimed wood table top, pipe fittings and vintage wheels.
A birdcage. A vintage birdcage introduces a large dose of texture and a conversation-starting shape over this dining room table. Open your eyes to all sorts of sculptural objects that could take on a bulb or surround a chandelier.
A birdcage. A vintage birdcage introduces a large dose of texture and a conversation-starting shape over this dining room table. Open your eyes to all sorts of sculptural objects that could take on a bulb or surround a chandelier.
AFTER: Sklar opened more of the wall, dropped the remaining half wall to counter height and extended the overhang into the living room. The new Elmira refrigerator next to the sink picks up on the range's vintage elements and color.
What Is a Divan? Originating in Persia, a divan has a tufted mattress-like seat, either directly on the ground or on a low wooden frame. It is usually pushed against a wall, where pillows can be piled up to create a daytime seat — at night it can be cleared off and used as a bed. Think of the divan as the daybed's older, more lounge-worthy sibling.
Quimby found this drain pipe years ago in an old house's scrap pile and turned it into a flowerpot.
The laundry room countertop is made of layers of recycled paper from Paperstone, bought at Green Depot. The color is Gun Metal. Quimby paid $10 for the white wall cupboards, which sat in storage for years until the R.E.X. provided the perfect chance to use them.
This armoire in the guest bedroom was Quimby's first antique purchase. A drum-clock garage sale find decorates a repurposed lattice.
Recycled chestnut floors make a beautiful hallway — and bowling alley.
Quimby repurposed holly trees from the property for stools. "Holly trees are an invasive species, so you don't need a permit to cut them down," she says. An old mailbox used as a side table sits beside a couch Quimby purchased for $20 at a garage sale.
This pair of swivel chairs in the living room cost $35 at a neighbor's estate sale. Quimby reupholstered the seats with old coffee bean sacks and jeans. She designed the fireplace hearth with scraps of wood from the old sunporch.
Houzzer: marthakash Location: Brooklyn, New York Kitchen square footage: 60 This Brooklyn kitchen has no drawers, a single enclosed cabinet and one electrical socket, but you'd never know thanks to its cute and clever storage solutions. The owner added open shelving, Ikea hanging racks and a butcher block table built by her grandfather to get the flexible workspace she needed.
Houzzer: erinoconnor Location: Lake Michigan Kitchen square footage: 70 Houzzer erinoconnor used smaller white appliances, a farmhouse sink and cottage-inspired details to give this adorable 575-square-foot beach cottage an equally adorable kitchen.
To create an eat-in kitchen, Fikseaunet built an addition, increasing the square footage of the kitchen by about 150 square feet. The greige (a mix of beige and gray) palette is soothing and timeless. New oak flooring throughout the house was painted to look like the original floors. Fikseaunet installed vintage Jielde lights — once used in factories throughout Europe — above the counter for task lighting and hooked them up to a wall switch. Hardware: Lama; cabinets: Sivesind; countertop: oak, stained and oiled brown
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