FUTURE HOUSE IDEAS
Across from the pergola, a covered patio next to the house gives the homeowners another shady spot for sitting and relaxing. They carried the same pavers from the pergola area to this area, creating a smooth transition between spaces. A tongue-and-groove wood ceiling warms up the area and ties in with the pergola’s wood posts. The seating arrangement features a cushy outdoor sofa, woven lounge chairs and a fire feature table, continuing the feeling of being at a poolside resort. “We selected pieces that are comfortable, durable and unique. We focused on high-end fabrics and texture,” Wolfe says. Overhead basket lighting in different sizes and heights illuminate the space at night and add interest during the day. The yard features a sprinkling of landscape lighting.
A new outdoor kitchen frames another edge of the patio, just behind the outdoor dining table. The linear design includes a sink, an ice maker, refrigerator drawers and a grill. The base material is the same painted brick as the fire feature and built-in bench. The patio floor throughout the project is large-format porcelain paving. The uniform cool gray tone adds to the resort-style vibe the homeowners wanted without dominating the design. It also allows the items that look more handmade, such as the painted brick and stucco fireplace, to stand out. The paving’s durability played an important role in its selection. It’s slip-resistant, nonporous and moisture-resistant, Wolfe says, and it also resists mold and is easy to clean.
A new gas fireplace and built-in wraparound bench anchor one end of the patio. The bench base is classic painted white brick. “The soft curves of the stucco fireplace and [its] herringbone interior provide a nod to the Southwest while remaining simple and modern,” Wolfe says. Striped black-and-white cushions sit atop the benches and create an outdoor color scheme that repeats throughout the design. To the left of the fireplace, the bench extends to create an L-shaped seating area with a low coffee table and poufs (which the designer envisioned the kids using for eating and playing). “Within the design, we have everything from concrete to rattan to wood and rope,” Wolfe says. “The space feels comfortable, complete and versatile.”
Potential for apartment balcony
Potential for apartment balcony
Teak color!
Textile Refresh If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your rugs or upholstery, this could be the right focus for you. Start by laundering small washable items, like shower curtains, cotton rugs and washable slipcovers, at home. When laundering slipcovers, try putting them back on while they’re still barely damp for a better fit.
Location Building regulations will dictate where your fire pit can and cannot be in your yard, so check those first. Other things to consider when choosing a location for a fire pit include space constraints, fuel type and how you’d like to use the fire pit. “If a fire pit is part of a larger design-build project, one has to consider how it flows with the rest of the design,” says designer Randy Angell. This includes site lines from the house and how the materials work together. For this project he chose to position the fire pit as a second seating area alongside the pool, where it acts as an inviting evening destination when viewed from the house. Once at the fire pit, guests can look over the water. Another tip from Angell: “Keep in mind that the main use of the fire pit will be in the cooler months. From what direction are the prevailing cold winds? It’s best to situate the fire pit in a space where it will be protected from these winds.” Designscapes Colorado Inc. This custom-built fire pit by Designscapes Colorado in Evergreen, Colorado, runs on natural gas. The faux log set was custom-made by Fire on Demand in Breckenridge.
FIREPLACE SCULPTURE
FIRE SCULPTURE The fire pit contains a sculptural bundle of stainless steel rods inspired by branches. The stainless steel doesn’t get hot enough to be a safety issue when the fire is going. De Brabandere designed a tinted concrete table for the sculpture to sit atop. The table is hollowed out to contain a gas line and a burner tray that provide warmth and a cozy glow. Local company Hogtown Sheet Metal + Custom Fabrication made the sculpture. The fire can be turned on remotely from indoors, so when they are entertaining in their dining room on a snowy night, the homeowners can turn it on and enjoy the glow without setting foot outdoors.
Retractable Awning Having the ability to cover or uncover a seating area with the touch of a button or with the turn of a hand crank gives ultimate flexibility for outdoor comfort. Lateral arm awnings, like the one shown in this project by J Cohler Mason Design, need to be attached to the side of a building. They make the most sense for porches, balconies and seating areas adjacent to the home. Given that they are usually custom-made, lateral arm awnings can be entirely customized for your space. Fabrics treated to be waterproof can extend the awning’s function so that it can act as a light rain guard as well as a sunshade.
OUT DOOR SPACE A large covered porch overlooks the backyard and the treetops beyond. A gas fireplace with a floor-to-ceiling stone surround is a popular gathering spot on cool summer nights. The outdoor furniture features blue cushions; the other accent color, green, is provided by nature, O’Hara says.
Wood-Burning and Gas Options Because they were installing a large fireplace, Koehler had not considered a fire pit. But while shopping for other patio items, his clients happened upon this massive stone with an integrated gas fire pit from Fireboulder. “They fell in love with it,” he says. It is a solid stone piece that weighs around 1,500 pounds. There is a gas line that runs underneath the patio to the fire pit. The piece also functions as a coffee table that fits the scale of the lounge nicely. Outdoor Dreams “It’s great to have both wood-burning and gas options,” Koehler says. “The wood-burning fireplace takes more effort — building the fire, getting it started and keeping it going. But if they want to go out and just have one glass of wine, they can flip the gas fire pit on for a little while and turn it off when they’re done.”
Wood-Burning and Gas Options Because they were installing a large fireplace, Koehler had not considered a fire pit. But while shopping for other patio items, his clients happened upon this massive stone with an integrated gas fire pit from Fireboulder. “They fell in love with it,” he says. It is a solid stone piece that weighs around 1,500 pounds. There is a gas line that runs underneath the patio to the fire pit. The piece also functions as a coffee table that fits the scale of the lounge nicely.
Jewel-Tone Fish Scale The owner of this Washington house had been dreaming of incorporating fish scale, or mermaid, tile into her home design for years ahead of her bathroom renovation. As designer Kristine Tyler of Tree Frog Design wanted the shimmering emerald tile to be a focal point but not overwhelming, she showcased it in the shower, in the water closet and behind the double vanity. Porcelain gray matte floor tile and white glossy subway tile on the walls throughout the rest of the room provide balance.
Terraced Curves in Virginia Design-build firm Outdoor Dreams gave a family with young kids in Virginia something they’d never had at their home before: usable outdoor space. This attractive, curved patio is the lowest of the three levels achieved when the firm transformed the sloped backyard into a terraced set of outdoor rooms. Built-in seating follows the curved retaining wall, with the slope above planted with a mix of grasses, shrubs and perennials that enclose the space. The patio circles around a fire pit, with small patio pavers set in polymeric sand — a mixture of fine sands and polymers. The material hardens to dry, keeping the pavers in place and preventing weeds from growing through.
HALLWAY FLOOR: The other three inspirational rooms voters considered for the game board honor got their share of attention from voters as well. Aside from the Dramatic hall seen here, designed by the team at Archer & Buchanan Architecture, were in the running. Archer & Buchanan’s hall in particular was popular among international voters, earning the most votes in Germany, India, Japan, Italy and New Zealand. Available in more than 30 countries, CLUE is one of Hasbro’s most popular international brands.
Margaret Wright Photography SaveEmail A mixture of ferns and dark, woodsy filler like a dried lotus pod pack a punch as a centerpiece. As an alternative, Martin suggests using handpicked branches like eucalyptus and scattering pine cones between the vases. Martin emphasizes the importance of layering different heights, colors and textures in a centerpiece.
Murphy Bed The millwork company used hardware from Murphy Wall-Beds to create the cabinetry for the bed. The mirror, which the framers secured to the bed’s underside, also acts as the pull-down handle. It easily comes down from the wall, creating an instant guest room. The shelves by the sides of the bed also stick out an extra few inches on the bottom to serve as nightstands. “I am really happy with how this room turned out,” Sotropa says. “We were able to make the room work for both purposes without sacrificing on function.”
A 130 YEAR OLD HOUSE KITCHEN RENOVATION The cooktop and range are anchored against the original brick on the back of the fireplace, bringing the cooking activities in the home back to where they occurred more than a century ago. An antique door the homeowners found years ago obscures the stacked washer and dryer.
END OF HALLWAY Impressive Artwork A painting, print or sculpture is a prime opportunity to reveal the real you. Something earthy or whimsical, for example, says something completely different than an ultramodern poster with edge.
A screen design/safety barrier that also works as a shadow design on the wall. by Susan Wallace
Screen door designer: Susan Wallace
Gate is great design
Wall decor is FANTASTIC!!!!
Eucalyptus Venetian Bench $199.99 Free Shipping! Shipping & Seller Information Estimated delivery Dec. 29 to Jan. 2 Have questions about this product (ID#: 42114992)? Call during our regular hours: Monday - Friday, 5am - 7pm PT 1-800-448-1632 Product Description The Outdoor Interiors Eucalyptus Venetian Bench provides curvy style and elegance beyond compare. The Plantation Grown Brazilian Eucalyptus Hardwood Venetian Collection bench has a Beautiful Brown Umber Stain Finish that sustains the outdoors for many years. It displays well on patios, decks and in the garden, and the curvy comfort requires no cushions.
$24.99 Sagaform bird feeder
Grassy Turf Pillows $50
LEATHER TILES??? Where to Use Leather Tiles and How to Clean Them Because leather tiles absorb sound, they can be nice for both floors and walls, and they may add a practical sound-dampening aspect to various rooms in the home. Consider using them where noise may be an issue; bedrooms and media rooms are also great candidates. Leather floor tiles do not conduct heat or cold; they are soft and warm to walk on. Bedrooms, hallways, and family and living rooms are also great places to use these decorative elements. They can be an interesting aesthetic choice for curved surfaces since, unlike glass and ceramic tiles, leather tiles are flexible enough to wrap around curves. They are typically treated with a stain- and water-resistant finish, making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. But be smart and wipe up any spills from red wine, foods and oils as soon as possible. Like hardwood, leather floors can be scratched, nicked and gouged. Leather aficionados may not consider these imperfections to be flaws, but rather additions to the overall charm and character of the leather. However, if you’re not someone who considers patina or visible aging to be charming, you may want to thin...
Weather vanes. These charming follies are usually admired while looking up to a rooftop from the garden below, but weather vanes can spark just as much joy at eye level (if not exactly telling you which way the wind is blowing). These playful silhouettes can bring an eclectic farmhouse touch in kitchens, living rooms, on porches and in every other room in the house. The time they have spent outdoors leaves them with well-weathered patinas, which makes a collection like this one particularly interesting.
Chevron tile wall
Bookcase wall
Use oxblood red as an exterior trim accent. Red doors like this are welcoming and draw the eye to the entrance.
Love the combo of chairs with a long table.
Is this a Murphy bed built in??? Combine touches of oxblood with eggplant. Break it up with creams, woods, tans and browns.
Bathroom sink/cabinets/mirror/lights/sm.mirror
Soap Stone counter - cleaning ??
storage wall w built in table
kitchen island shape?
counter between pillars?
Vinyl acrylic photo of stone on bathroom wall
bed/desk in bedroom?
Red walls in dining area??
Paint or decopage mixed chairs for dining area.
Wood tiles somewhere? Love this look warms up the space so much.
instead of a brick wall? wood tiles?
Built ins below windows
Harmony in symmetry
How much maintenance will it take to keep the garden looking good? Different styles of gardens and plants require very different levels of care. Be upfront with your landscape designer about how much maintenance you are willing to commit — either your own time or that of a hired gardener — going forward. Once you’ve invested in hiring a landscape designer and installing a garden, you’ll want to keep your landscape alive and flourishing for years to come. Ask your landscape designer if he or she has recommended maintenance gardeners or specialists to take care of the garden going forward.
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