LAKE SIDE HOUSE IDEAS
FIRE PIT Evening hangout. If the main patio off the house receives most of the day-to-day use — perhaps as an area for cooking and eating outside — create a satellite patio for after-dinner enjoyment. Place chairs around a flickering fire pit, or light lanterns to cast an inviting glow around an outdoor lounge.
Controlling the Light Normally, when you cap a room with a glass ceiling, you’re hoping to capture every last ray to either passively heat or light up your room. If, however, you badly wanted a sunroom, but because of site restrictions or some equally insurmountable challenge you had to position it so that it’s prone to overheating, you may find yourself in need of a little shade. This room maintains its connection to the natural world through smooth branches that form a canopy and room divider, and light gets filtered the way it naturally would through tree branches for a more organic lighting scheme.
Contemporary Decorative Pillows by White Horse Home View Shuttlecock Pillow Cover $40
Octo Pendant Light, White, Large WAS $275 NOW $84.99 Only 9 Left
Sqaure Porcelain Garden Stool, Green $239 $234.22
PERMEABLE DRIVEWAY SURFACE Permeable paving on driveways and large patios gives water the chance to percolate into the soil, while also adding visual interest to the landscape. Water moves slowly through the soil, cleaning as it percolates through, before returning to the aquifer. Though permeable paving does not absorb 100 percent of water received during heavy storms, it does help slow down excess runoff through surface friction, which provides some aeration and the gives water more opportunity to percolate into the soil. This driveway features grass-planted concrete pavers that are designed to handle cars, while water drains through each paver’s center.
Baby Hedgehog Kids Cushion $50 $45
Baby Happy Fox Kids Cushion $60 $54
The Art of Hand Book and Mobile Device Stand $24.95
A BLUE BEDROOM W ORANGE CLOSETS The bedroom sits at the back of the house, off the dining room. Harris painted all the closets in the house a bright orange, contrasted here by the dark blue walls. A colorful painting by Beth Bloom Designs ties both colors together. Wall paint: Van Deusen Blue, Benjamin Moore
The designer continues the celebration of his home country on the walls of the bedroom. He asked another cousin to photograph the 4- by 4-inch blue and white tiles that people associate with the region. He enlarged those images, and master decorative painters Linda Horning and Katherine Jacobus re-created them over a series of 24- by 24-inch Masonite tiles, giving them a crackle glaze that fools the eyes into believing they are looking at an ancient ceramic surface.
GIANT TILE WALL???
Luscious Natural Throw $231 Warm and Fuzzy! Get cozy wrapped in a Luscious Natural Throw. This pattern has rich color, lush pile and an incredibly soft texture. Manufactured By Howard Elliott Sold By Fratantoni Lifestyles Width 44.0" Height 72.0" Color Natural Materials 85% acrylic 15% polyester Designer Fratantoni Lifestyles
Holly & Martin Heights Book/Media Tower, Lime Green - $119.99 Why take up space horizontally when you can neatly stack things vertically?
CHAIRS: KETTAL MAIA Relax armchair By Patricia Urquiola Available in a variety of frame and cushion finishes.
HEX TILES IN A BATHROOM Usually consigned to floors, hex tiles were applied to the walls in the master bath, where they transition in and out of the glass-walled shower.
COFFEE STATION - HIDDEN WHEN NOT IN USE The coffee station was one of those features that made the final cut. This one hides behind cabinet doors when it’s not in use. Even the hardware was inspired by a photo Jennifer found on Houzz.
WARM LOOKING LIVING ROOM. LIKE THE PILLOW CHOICES.
GLASS Shield Wind When you need to block strong breezes but don’t want to lose the light — or a grand view — the best option is glass, as shown on this stunning rooftop patio. If blocking a view is not an issue, any privacy fence with few to no gaps between boards will work well. For height keep in mind that if you primarily need to keep the wind out of a seating area, the fence can be a few feet lower than around an area where people will be standing, such as around the grill.
FRONT WALK Make the front walk welcoming for all visitors. Chances are, you don’t use the front walk much, and enter through a side or back door from the driveway. Take a test walk and make sure there is nothing slippery or trip inducing. Clip shrubs and flowers so they won’t snag clothes and pull any pesky weeds from between stepping stones or in cracks.
The old house had many sweet details, but its fireplace was not one of them. The new fireplace was crafted in a way that celebrates the natural stone. In the entry the wainscoting is composed of narrow, vertical boards. In this room it’s in wider, horizontal shiplap planks. Gaddis says that the orientation makes the room seem wider. Furnishings and colors that are in keeping with the period-style house were chosen by DPF Design in White River Junction, Vermont. The dark green was used in the old house, and the owner wanted to make it a key color in the new interior.
A low counter next to the porch makes eating in the kitchen comfortable for someone in a wheelchair — and makes a great breakfast spot for kids who want to look at the lake while eating their oatmeal. The handmade sign that reads “Lake” hung on the original house for years untold.
“The porch takes up two-thirds of the back of the house, and the kitchen makes up the last third,” says Gaddis. Elements such as a sloping beadboard ceiling (which mirrors the ceiling plane on the porch), vintage-style light fixtures, Shaker cabinet doors and a farmhouse sink make the modern kitchen feel appropriate for a home that takes its design cues from an earlier time.
SOLAR POWER?? “Photovoltawhata?” — Christine Tusher This play on a word made me giggle out loud. And yup, it pretty much sums up my solar engineering knowledge, no matter how hard I try to learn. However, this ideabook simplified the explanation for people with my limited level of understanding. And is there anything more compelling than the fact that solar power can decrease my home’s carbon footprint as much as planting 88 trees could?
TRANQUILITY But your home is not a design contest; it’s real life. If you’ve been pressuring yourself to take more risks with your decorating choices, consider this your official excuse to let yourself off the hook.” — Laura Gaskill
Don’t you love the elegant touch this flat Roman with tassel fringe gives to this little kitchen alcove?
Roller shades can also be made of interesting materials, and in varying opacities, that make a significant decorative statement.
KITCHEN COUNTER IN ONE PLANE Parkwood Road Residence Kitchen Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Selections & Furnishings | Charles Cudd De Novo, Architecture | Troy Thies Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling URL www.oharainteriors.com
GREAT WORKING FAMILY ROOM “I find that wherever I am, the whole family follows,” she says. Hence she set up her office right in the family room, but outfitted the TV with headphones to keep from being disturbed. The station to the left is her daughter’s work and craft station.
FUN COLORS, WALL DECOR In the family room, you can just catch a glimpse of Fred Astaire dancing up the staircase. He came from the Kennedy Center Honors show that aired in 1978. Kandler loves to pick art that speaks to her, whether it’s a vintage portrait, still life or sign.
LOVE THE DECORATED SHELVES, BRACKETS, SIMPLE ART The pantry is full of fun vintage touches, from old boxes and jars to a vintage sconce and chalkboard. The room also has a skylight, and if you look closely, you’ll see that the ceiling is wallpapered in a sweet floral print. Just out of view is some open counter space, great for small appliances.
Ocean Breeze Wall Mural $107.99
Stelle Di Mare Wall Mural $80.99
Sunday Wall Mural $107.99
PLAYFUL POSTER Given their color and personality, posters as a genre are splendid for walls. I particularly like finding ones that are specific to my region, like the chicken festival our neighboring city of Petaluma is renowned for. But really, any poster you love will do. There are even websites where you can create a custom poster.
POSTER ON WALL Authentic French advertising posters are practically guaranteed to break any but the flushest bank. Fortunately, many are readily available as reprints, at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Few things match them for graphic impact and occasionally rowdy humor.
CHILDREN'S ART WALL While we’re on the subject of children, kids’ art is some of the most joyous, unconstrained, charming and heartwarming work on the planet. (And it’s really cheap!) It does not have to be framed; just hang it on the wall and enjoy. Your little ones will be absolutely delighted, and will probably deluge you with enough material to keep your walls ever changing and ever vital.
WALL DECOR These leaves make an organic (not to mention clever) statement on the wall. This would be a particularly fun project to enjoy with your kids or grandkids or neighborhood children. Have your diminutive helpers collect the leaves, then press them between the pages of a nice, heavy book before mounting them on paper and hanging them on the wall.
PHOTO WALL Adopt the same wrapped-canvas approach but use different sizes and different poses to achieve this great look. A sign adds a singularly personal touch, and making one can be a fun project.
PHOTOS FOR A BLANK WALL Look no further than the children in your family (immediate or extended) for a hot lead on personalized wall decor. If you have photos like these, consider having them blown up and made into canvas prints on a wrapped frame.
CLOTHING SAVED Don’t limit yourself to by-the-yard goods or remnants. Textiles that have been made into clothing can be wonderful art as well. This uniform calls to me; I want to know the story behind it.
TEXTILES FRAMED Textiles do not have to be large to be effective. When framed like these, a collection of small remnants can urge you to come closer and invite you to take an unhurried look.
FABRIC WALL HANGING Then there are suzanis: embroidered fabrics from Central Asia that are usually quite large in scale. The oldest surviving examples date from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but they were likely in use long before that. These distinctive fabrics were used to decorate bridal chambers and were worn as costumes for important events. Suzanis are hot in the design world right now, so they can be pricey. But contemporary suzani patterns are available at much more affordable prices.
ORGANIZED PANTRY.....
KITCHEN Daydream about what to do with your collections … someday. This homeowner collected sets of vintage hardware for many years. After 15 years in her home, she was finally was able to use the pieces all around her new kitchen. The result is an eclectic mix.
FRAME OLD CLOTHING Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.Save to IdeabookEmail Photo Frame a sentimental piece of clothing or cloth. Whether it’s a christening gown or a sassy vintage swimsuit, this is a wonderful way to enjoy the memories it evokes.
STORAGE TRS Designs, Inc (Kitchens, Baths, & More) Semicustom Cabinetry Designer Thomas Richard says there are various design and installation considerations for semicustom units, similar to custom ones. Will the cabinet be mounted at the end of a cabinet run or directly on a wall? If it’s at the end of a run, Richard recommends ordering a door 3 inches wider to overlap the side of the message center. Will you need electrical or other services in the cabinet? What about accessories, such as a magnetic dry-erase board, key hooks, and a holder for pens and pencils? Semicustom cabinet cost: The message center shown here, by Diamond Cabinets, costs $300 to $600, depending on the unit size, finish and style. For other semicustom units, the cost will vary depending on the contractor, but Richard suggests figuring this as another cabinet, with additional for electrical, lighting, phone etc.
STORAGE Starline CabinetsSave to IdeabookEmail Photo This custom message center, by Starline Cabinets, organizes just about everything: It has a cabinet, mail slots, a charging station, pockets, a bulletin board, a whiteboard and key hooks. It was built as two separate pieces — a wall cabinet and a base cabinet, separated by a wood countertop — and blends seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen. Custom cabinet cost: Varies greatly depending upon materials, finish, style, size and accessories. The one shown here was part of a large renovation project, but the designer estimates that a similar-size unit on its own would run about $2,000.
WHAT KID WOULDN'T LOVE THESE BEDS???
REMOVABLE WOODEN DECK TILES???
GUEST ROOM The spare room doubles as a guest room and office (desk not pictured). Adrienne commissioned a custom queen-size base with drawers, which she placed parallel to the wall. “I had a daybed originally,” she says. “I like this better, because you can sit on it with your legs stretched out.”
The wallpaper is one of Adrienne’s DIY projects, made from maps from the 1940s and ’70s.
Container among foliage. Work focal points into garden beds to provide a resting spot for one’s gaze amid drifts of plants. For example, an empty ceramic container nestled in the bed draws one’s focus and then encourages the eye to wander over the surrounding plants in a slower appreciation of the bed.
Q