Becky Harris kjc - I find that a few dryer sheets work absolute wonders if the inside smells musty or smokey. As for mildew, I'd probably make a mildew-y suitcase a reject.

Becky Harris I just found this picture that's vintage- suitcase inspired - how cute are these drawer handles?

Becky Harris LOVE! Makes me want to peek at every room in this house.

cldavislaw When is dinner? :)

aekbranding LOVE the look of this kitchen, especially that punchy range and the stencilled (?) floor. Very 'yum-mo'!

Probably couldn't contend with openness though, as I am a messy cook. :o)

Becky Harris If you look at the before and after pics, and compare the windows, I think it was approximately the same as in the finished room. the did have to redo the floor due to engineering issues, but they did not mention it being lowered.

petr Becky, first of all - love your idea books! Second - this one in particular gave me ideas for dividing my "open" office. I may have missed something, but is there sourcing info for some of these panels or are most of them custom?

Becky Harris Hi petr, this is a really really old ideabook, from back in the days before we had sourcing on the site. Sorry! I do think a lot of these are indeed custom though. If you look up "room screen" and then hit products (next to the search box) you should see a lot of great options though!

Becky Harris I think it's been discontinued - sometimes you can find it on eBay or amazon: Graham and Brown 13946US Victorian Effect Wallpaper

Krishna Equytech ok thanks and what is the process for royal look like this

Becky Harris jd, it's funny, I was on a house tour a few weeks ago and one house had an amazing man cave basement that the husband hand-dug out himself. It sounded very Shawshank to me!

Becky Harris There are so many cute dogs on Houzz - they are the best part of many pictures, no matter how gorgeous the home is!

Becky Harris I always ask for the budget, but more often than not, clients understandably prefer to keep what they've spent private.

Becky Harris I hear you Christine. It's a little sticky.

As a designer I would want to give people realistic ideas about what projects cost instead of unrealistic budgets they see on certain design TV shows, so that potential clients would be informed and not suffer from sticker shock.

As a homeowner, I would absolutely not want people knowing my private financial business. It feels a bit like someone asking how much someone bought their house for or what their salary is.

As a writer, I wish I could share, though I don't ever look forward to the comments from self-appointed budget limit setters (as well as square footage setters) who rudely judge how much other people (who generously agreed to let us take a peek inside their homes and agreed to share the budget) choose to spend on certain things.

And yes, as a Houzzer, I absolutely want to know a budget breakdown for say, a basement where the BEFORE shot looks a lot like my own basement, so that I could start saving and also know something like I could afford to finish it but could not afford the bathroom.

Becky Harris Well, but the difference is, it's the designers posting it here, not the homeowners themselves, you know? They aren't asking us "rate my space," they are just giving their designers permission to share their work. Anyway, sorry I don't have a budget for ya on this one! :)

stober10 Was there a need for specific venting when doing the fireplace?

joidevivre29 This is a beautiful makeover, and gives me some great ideas for our next project. Love this series--thanks for sharing.

Becky Harris to the private commenter wanting to know the architect info - click on any AFTER shot and it will connect you over to the architect Amy Alper's professional page, or just click here:

http://www.houzz.com/pro/aaalper/amy-a-alper

Sounds like it could be a match made in heaven for you and your project.

amandamoore I actually laughed out loud when I saw the before and after of the back of the house. What a difference!

Amy A. Alper For those that have been asking about the exterior color - It was integral to the elastomeric finish for the stucco. I'm sorry to say neither the Owner or I write it down.

Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design I feel ornamental grasses have their place. And that careful placement is important : meaning the `context` of their placement within a scheme. I think too often they are planted willy-nilly & as this they can look out of place.

Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design PS: Piet Odolf has grasses down to a fine art as he does perennial planting . His work is well worth checking out : A master plantsman , his work is outstanding & he packs in plants.
http://www.oudolf.com/piet-oudolf

Becky Harris It's a porcelain tile that looks like stone. Unfortunately because the client had already selected it herself, the pro did not know the exact product. Sorry!

patscats2 Every time I come across photo's of this beautiful room, I just sigh. I love the colors. It's so beautiful and relaxing.

dowsky Suddenly I want to cover the posts in our basement with 70's style tile...

Jennifer Brown kathyp17: Yes, I did purchase the tile from The Tile Shop. They are indeed 4"x12" (box says 7.5 x 15 cm Hampton Carrera). Grout is 'Whisper Grey.' Good luck and thanks for the compliment!

jayvee1 I checked out the photos of the rest of the house - thanks for posting that link - it really is a lovely home.

Becky Harris I'm so glad jayvee - they did an amazing job on the entire house, it's so inspiring. I especially love the stone wall they built to separate the master bedroom from the bath. I'm not sure if the BEFORE shots show up but there used to just be a sunken tub in the very middle of the bathroom floor , just waiting for someone to fall into it on the way to the loo in the middle of the night!

Dyna Contracting As previously mentioned, this was cut from the houseboat's existing log float. It was in the water for over 80 years. The homeowner opted not to seal it and as far as I know, it is still in good condition.

Dyna Contracting These tiles are from Pental the BSP Natural and BSP Natural Texture 12" x 24".

Marcin Stepski Great idea with the street signs,looks awesome!
I also did something different then ordinary tile back splash in my kitchen.
Anyway your home is brilliant

Living Vintage I can't resist sharing a before and after photo of my kitchen renovation we did on my prior home in Austin. Regarding backsplashes, at our current home in East Texas, we used reclaimed metal roofing tiles. It looks fabulous! I'll be sharing them on my blog and on Houzz soon.

greenarte Delightful!

designchallenged love the stained glass gate in photo 3.

missym49 I gave a flag with pole that attaches to the house to a coworker that moved to a new house. They have never put it up in the 3 years they have been there. Was that too personal a housewarming gift. I some how thought it was an appropriate gift since they moved in just before July 4.

Bonnie Bryan Fletcher No, not too personal. How disappointing for you. I watch to see which of my neighbors fly the flag. Of course, I think everyone should at least on national holidays like Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Veterans Day. None of us would be here living in freedom without our veterans.

Becky Harris Hi Hysteria, not sure on the exact table, but when I search "reclaimed dining table" I get some good similar results like this one; you can also throw "industrial" in there too:




http://www.enhancingyourhabitat.com/servlet/the-1830/Reclaimed-Elm-Wood-%26/Detail

http://www.furniturecrate.com/modus-farmhouse-dining-table.html?gdftrk=gdfV21650_a_7c92_a_7c190_a_7c716472&gclid=CIfLsaG9orcCFU1o7Aod6CoAJg

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Presidio-Rustic-Brown-Vintage-Industrial-Modern-7-piece-Dining-Set/7719682/product.html?cid=143974&fp=F&TRACK=CSEShopping&mr:referralID=6e720f18-c098-11e2-9389-001b2166c62d

http://www.zinhome.com/graham-industrial-dining-table/

I think this Etsy seller could likely make a similar table for you:

http://www.etsy.com/people/rockymountaintableco?ref=ls_profile

I've also seen them made of recycled bowling lane wood which are really cool.

Becky Harris Hi rose knows, it's Embroidered Frames from West Elm: http://www.westelm.com/products/embroidered-frame-duvet-shams-t168/?pkey=csale-bedding

Becky Harris I would keep an active search going on eBay - they can notify you if they come up. Also, it may be worth calling around to outlets - I am not sure if there are West Elm outlets, but the Pottery Barn outlet here in Georgia used to carry West Elm's discontinued items.

Becky Harris Oh yeah! That was FAST!

lwmcchesney Loved this! The show has such beautiful sets, combined with a well- written and -acted plot, a true gem among the dreary wasteland of mind-numbing faux-reality drivel that seems to dominate the networks now. Kudos to you for pointing out the set designs play a major role in the show's overall delivery.

kylemuse I love your answer to stupid idiot comment! Sometimes Houzz is hilarious. You are spectacular and get better with every idea book! Keep it comin....you helped me lots with my laundry room redesign.....thanx.

bradbury46 How much space is needed for a pool table/with sufficient cue stick room?

Becky Harris bradbury, here is a good resource:

http://www.brunswickbilliards.com/helpful_information/room_size_requirements.html

Are you thinking of Mr. Costanza turning George's old room into a billiard room and all of them having to hold their cue sticks at ridiculous angles because of the size of the room? That was one of my favorite episodes of Seinfeld!

Becky Harris mugsy, what's interesting to me is what takes off in the US vs. other continents. It seems like Europe and Australia, for example, are quicker to embrace some of the bolder designs earlier, whereas here in the states we tend to be a bit more conservative with elements like tile and cabinets.

yomarg1 Love the penny tile on the bedroom wall. Only reservation I have with some of the bolder patterns is that unlike wallpaper, tile is not so easily removed when you tire of the design, or go to sell your home.

Becky Harris Hi endoalford, it's by Oeuf - there is a link in the caption underneath the fifth picture.

Dream Windows & interiors Quite a transformation. The colors selected will allow the child to grow in the room without much change. Great attention to detail.

davisislands @mc324 that changing table is Babyletto I believe

Teresa Welsh And I thought my cat was spoiled...!!!

maximgrrl I am in LOVE with this backyard! All of it! It's one of the only posts I added almost every single photo to my idea books! What an inspiration.... my husband and I moved in to our new (old) home last year on 1/4 acre. We said "inside first., then outside". We're now tackling the back yard. My husband has been working so hard on yard for weeks and it looks like all we did is put in grass. Huge help from our family and friends too. Little by little it will all come together. Labor of love. Thank you again for the inspiration. Chandigarh the cat is adorable!

Becky Harris marisa, be sure to show us what you wind up doing with them when you're done!

marsia Ok, I will, but things take me forever - we are in the middle of a remodel and I am trying to whip the gardens into shape, but it is a lot of work as they are on a steep hill and are washing down hill. But I will post when I get something done enough to take good pictures! Thanks for the encouragement!

Becky Harris Doesn't matter how long it takes! Just check back in whenever :) Good luck!

Becky Harris Robin, Me and my clumsy thumbs got out my iPhone app and updated it. If you click on a photo, at the bottom in the gray bar it says "ASK" - the next screen shows you questions that have already been asked, then at the bottom there is a button that says "Ask Another Question." Ask a question there - that will shoot your question to the Discussion Board.

Robin Mine is different but I can select "info" then "ask." At least that function is there!

Becky Harris yes, you're right - glad it exists and that you found it!

Becky Harris Wow, It would be impossible to pick a favorite as you have picked out so many amazing homes, but I'm thinking I'd like to cantilever over the Indian Ocean the most. You are giving me wanderlust! There is another rentable home I've had my eye on in London, Tom Dixon's water tower house:

Jessie Webster check out www.homeaway.com

jayvee1 I live less than an hour from Margaret River in Western Australia. Would love to have seen the inside of that house as we like to plan weekend getaways and we love this region with it's wineries and beaches.

Becky Harris So wonderful to see how much one can do with 64 square feet, and use beautiful blue cabinets to boot. With white kitchens so popular in the states these days, it's refreshing to see people get bold with color on their cabinetry.

mensimaa Good use of space. For some of us who are not too tall I would rather out a radio on top of the fridge and put the microwave on the work top. Thanks for sharing

Dura Supreme Cabinetry I love blue kitchen cabinets! Here's one of my favorite examples...

anghorne The display cabinets being next to the range works great. I haven't had any trouble with keeping them clean or the heat, and I cook at least 2 meals a day. Any spatter easily wipes off of the paint. It's really no different than any other kitchen surface, you just clean it after cooking. Not only does the display "open up" the space, I can easily change the contents, changing the look and feel of the entire space. Also having the small windows is great. With us living on a very busy street it is awesome to have all the natural light and still have complete privacy. The window placement gives us views of the trees, so it's like being in our own urban oasis. We typically have 7 chairs around the island and it is the heart of our home. It is so functional, we can seat a lot of people and still have plenty of surface space. It also is great to have for all of our arts and crafts.

Becky Harris anghorne, I love the display cabinets, they add so much color and beauty to the kitchen.

Becky Harris Gorgeous sink, I love antique sinks!

GrampasAntiqueKitchen It is in excellent condition. It is not in this picture, but it also has a pull out muti-piece container that matches. It is for scraping your plates off for the compost pile etc. I'm glad you like it.

GrampasAntiqueKitchen The green sink is a very rare Standard Co. from the 1930's. It is Deco like and has an 8" apron, 6" tall back splash with a built in 6" deep shelf built into the top of the back splash.

Becky Harris Hi, this is a brand new tile from Refin from their Frame Series. Click on "more info" above and you'll find a link to it.