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14 Flashes of Design Brilliance With Everyday Items
These ordinary home details turned on their head will open your eyes to a new side of the decorating world
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Every now and then, I come across a design idea that's so simple yet so ingenious that it sparks a "Why didn't I think of that?" facepalm. These 14 bursts of inspiration speak for themselves. They represent some of the best lightbulb moments that Houzz has to share — all easy, all creative and all totally inspiring. Which one's your favorite?
by Incorporated
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Think this backsplash is a tile mosaic? Look closer. It's actually fabric covered with glass — so much easier, more affordable and unexpected.
by Sett Studio
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The last place I'd think to put a window is right near the floor, but this one completely transforms a narrow office nook. It leads the eye straight through the space and provides an unusual perspective on the natural world outside.
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A simple coat of kelly green instantly connects this grid of window framing to the landscape and calls attention to the view. Color is one of the surest ways to create maximum impact with minimum fuss, and this inspired treatment proves the point.
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Mirror cutouts layered over wallpaper curve along this powder room wall, filling the empty space in a wholly delightful way.
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Flummoxed about how to hide unsightly wall cables indoors? Embrace them as part of the design. Not only do these cables act as graphic, industrial-style frames for the windows, but they also inform the room's palette.
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If your shower curtain is too short for the space, link extra curtain rings together to create a series of chains. Poof! Problem solved, with a great new look to boot.
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Rather than a traditional foot-of-the-bed bench, this smart design incorporates a built-in ledge that can be a perch for slipping on shoes or a spot for stashing extra blankets.
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| What's sassier than an animal-hide rug? An animal-hide rug cut up and stitched together in a crazy quilt of random squares. |
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Most people would have painted these chairs white and called it a day. A dip-dye technique puts a sleek cap of paint on just the tops — and increases the interest 10-fold without an ounce of extra effort.
by Filmore Clark
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Colorful grout is pretty common, but this shower stall takes it a few steps further: Slivers of the vertical tile that makes up the rounded columns separate the subway tiles for a grid of staggered colors.
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| No room for a traditional breadbox on the counter? Tuck it deep within the island. You could also stash utensils or other kitchen gear inside. |
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| Here's one way to tackle unsightly old paneling: Paint the grooves white and the boards indigo to transform it into a graphically striped wall treatment. |
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If you've ever had a dog or a small child, you know what a pain it is to put up and take down door and stairway gates. This built-in, retractable version not only is a cinch to pull out when you need it, but also looks way more attractive than the portable kind.
Who knew C-clamps could be so chic? Mounted on a taxicab-yellow slab of wood, they morph into the most awesome coat rack ever.
Comments
kennedytarheel love every idea except the cables on the walls. can you post links to the instructions for the fabric under glass backsplash?
9 months ago · Like
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pauli12 Love the dip dyed chairs... wish I had done that instead of painting my WW2 USO chairs white.
9 months ago · Like
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Madhu Fantastic ideabook!
9 months ago · Like
cap5 Love the fabric splash back idea, very clever. Does it have a plyboard backing?
9 months ago · Like
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lyvia best ideabook ever! loaded with new ideas!
9 months ago · Like
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Amy Renea My favorite ideabook in a long time! Thanks for the fresh, new ideas!!!
9 months ago · Like
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ccompanions great job on putting together all these unique designs
9 months ago · Like
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Bayberry Cottage Tons of fun!
9 months ago · Like
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melbourne_mum Love the fabric backsplash idea. Please can you give more details. Thnx
9 months ago · Like
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vboyer Fantastic ideas for anyone to incorporate into their home without breaking the bank. Excellent article. Thanks! Vickie
9 months ago · Like
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susanb9 This is a treasure chest of great ideas! I can think of two that I can immediately use. You people are so cleaver. I look forward to this site each week.
9 months ago · Like
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djbittle The photo of the colorful tile/grout is Pratt and Larsen tile. But beware - they are very pricey! I fell in love and want to use them in my bathroom reno but just can't afford them :(
9 months ago · Like
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teacher1995 LOVE this ideabook! Thoroughly intrigued with each idea. Thank you!
9 months ago · Like
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Dolores Stewart Thanks for these really fabulous out of the box ideas.
9 months ago · Like
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Becky Shankle Great eye for good, simple & original design. I'm glad you ditched journalism in the traditional sense! :)
9 months ago · Like
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gillianne Lisa, here's a long-overdue hat tip to the quality of your writing. I read your Houzz pieces not only for what you say but how you say it. Keep up the high-calibre wordsmithing! It's truly a pleasure.
9 months ago · Like
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fivecats Love the paint treatment on the chairs. I've never been a fan of this style of antique chair but the paint really "moderns them up"!
9 months ago · Like
Samantha Hayward What a great 'idea' book!
9 months ago · Like
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sdunleavy The dog gate is terrific! Was it custom made, or can you provide the vendor?
9 months ago · Like
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lovesmesomepitbulls I, too, would love to have some instructional ideas on the backsplash - what the layers are exactly, how the fabric stays in place, how it is affixed to the wall. But the baby gate - oh, how wonderful!! I have four large dogs, and have doorway-damaging gates up in several places. I love this gate - was it custom built, or generally avaiable?
9 months ago · Like
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hedyhobbs Love the fabric under glass backsplash too! Did some research and you may want to visit GlasskoteUSA - they may be a good start. IKEA did something similar in one of their catalogs. From their site, it looks like the product (glass) is affixed to the wall using a silicone adhesive. Installation can be done by your local GlassKote applicator or any local glazier.
9 months ago · Like
trasgorshek Wow, very cool!
9 months ago · Like
marshaconcho Very clever ideas. I especially liked the colored grout design...beautiful.
9 months ago · Like
smoore The window near the floor in pic 2 would be perfect for a pet lover like me. Now I almost feel sorry for my pets because we don't have one!!
9 months ago · Like
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allisondelman Great ideas! Love how simple some are, like easily lengthening shower curtains and painting panelling. Thanks!
9 months ago · Like
are12 Could the bread box be installed after the fact?
9 months ago · Like
are12 Could the bread box be installed after the fact?
9 months ago · Like
Engineer Your Space Great tips! Love the shower curtain lengthening trick and using the wires as part of the decor!
9 months ago · Like
annyf Love this idea book! Where can you find out details about the products?
9 months ago · Like
zombieknit Puali12: Why don't you dip dye the top of your chairs a different color? They could look amazing.
9 months ago · Like
Elizabeth Rival That fabric backsplash has the old mind wheels turning. Thank you for sharing!
9 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 1, 2012.
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