Category: Fireplaces

The term “bentwood” refers to the craft of wetting wood with water or steam and bending it into shape to make furniture. The most iconic examples of bentwood furniture are Thonet’s bentwood chairs, that have been first made by Michael Thonet from the early 19th century. Today, bentwood furniture is manufactured by many companies, such as Thonet, across the globe.

Bentwood chairs vary from the super simple to the highly elaborate. (Generally speaking, the curves and twists an antique slice gets, the more precious it might be.) Traditionally, bentwood furniture had a natural wood color, but now you can find many painted pieces.

With its sculptural lines and graceful curves, a bentwood chair is a stylish addition to any interior. Here are 11 rooms that feature these chairs.

Kentaro Kurihara

Bentwood chairs remainder outside with this patio in Japan. While the pair looks lovely outdoors, most bentwood pieces should be used primarily inside.

Camilla Molders Design

This kitchen by Camilla Molders Design includes bamboo cabinetry. The reddish bentwood stools pop against the natural wood and match the green-blue walls.

The breakfast nook of the Tudor-style home gets a fashionable lift from a pair of cross-back bentwood chairs along with a petite round dining table.

Integrated

A mod-looking office employs a bentwood chair with a caned chair as its visitor chair. The black end visually transforms into the desk.

Emily McCall

Timeless bentwood chairs are matched with an upholstered bench and tulip-style dining table. The eclectic pairing works because of the area’s mainly white background and use of neutral colours.

Ehrenclou Architects

A set of six bentwood chairs is a trendy yet surprising selection with this beachfront home with modern concrete floors.

Schranghamer Design Group

Bentwood bistro chairs include a European touch for the Martha’s Vineyard dining area by Schranghamer Design Group.

Andrew Flesher Interiors

Designer Andrew Flesher sets white bentwood chairs against a dark wall to get a stunning effect.

SFGIRLBYBAY

In blogger Victoria Smith’s San Francisco flat, bentwood chairs are painted white, which will be fitting in her largely ivory-hued home.

The Red Jet

A classic shell chair plus a walnut chair team up with a bentwood Thonet model for an eclectic set in the home of Amanda of the blog The Red Jet.

Leicht Küchen AG

A reddish Leicht Küchen AG kitchen has been matched with white and black striped wallpaper and classic Thonet chairs for a traditional layout with a twist.

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Satsuma tangerine trees (Citrus reticulata) can be as close to perfect as citrus trees get. The most cold-tolerant of all citrus, they develop in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b through 11. They’re also small enough to grow as houseplants while producing delightfully fragrant spring blooms and sweet, juicy winter. If you are accustomed to satsuma’s virtues, having oily black smears blemish it may be unsettling. The black is sooty mold, the aftermath of a pest infestation. Use oil sprays to eliminate the insects responsible, and sooty mold eventually disappears on its own.

Aphids and Whiteflies

Tiny aphids and whiteflies sometimes target satsumas, pierce their leaf tissue with syringelike mouths and drain the nitrogen-rich sap. They cluster on the undersides of their leaves. Pear-shaped aphids may be green, yellow or black. Winged, white or pale-yellow whiteflies swarm briefly from the trees when disturbed. Aphids attack throughout the trees’ four yearly growth flushes and decline when the new leaves mature. Whiteflies are busy in early spring, midsummer and early to midfall.

Honeydew and Sooty Mold

Sooty mold develops on satsumas when the aphids or whiteflies excrete honeydew, a transparent, sticky waste. Airborne sooty mold spores feed on the honeydew but don’t penetrate the leaves. The spores form colonies of black fungus, sometimes thick enough to block sunlight and interfere with photosynthesis. Even small amounts of sooty mold ruin a satsuma’s look. Removing the insects with oil spray additionally eradicates honeydew, and the sooty mold eventually starves.

Plant-Based Neem Oil

Organic, ready-to-use neem oil suffocates aphids and whiteflies. Because neem oil overspray can stain surrounding surfaces, cover the area around an indoor satsuma, or move the tree outside for therapy after watering it well. If you are spraying outside, take action on a peaceful day to reduce drift from hitting other plants. Shake the spray bottle frequently to maintain the oil frozen, and coat each side of the leaves till they drip.

Organic Horticultural Oil

A refined petroleum product, olive oil works like neem oil. Use it at the first sign of aphids or whiteflies. On a calm, dry day, when the temperature is below 90 degrees Fahrenheit and no rainfall is in the forecast, water your satsuma well and spray until all of its surfaces drip. Go an indoor tree outside for therapy. Keep people and pets away from the sprayed area while the oil dissolves, and repeat the program whenever more aphids or whiteflies arrive.

Take Precautions

Keep the oils out of your neighborhood water distribution by spraying your satsuma just when the weather is dry and there’s no chance that their runoff might reach drains or nearby water resources. The oils suffocate bees and other beneficial insects on contact, so examine your tree for good insects and delay spraying it they are present. To guard against potential eye, respiratory or skin irritation, dress at a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, waterproof gloves, socks, shoes, protective masks and a respiratory mask when spraying. Keep people and pets away from the sprayed area until the oil dries.

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Wainscoting consists of panels that cover the lower part of a wallsocket. In a dining room, the wainscoting generally extends as large as the surface of the back of the chairs. It provides a wall and architectural detail and depth by providing a contrasting color over. But rather than spending a lot of money to put in wood panels, you can create faux wainscoting with 2- or boards, chair rail molding and 2 paint colors.

Assess the length of the wall in which you want to put in the artificial wainscoting. Divide the dimension by the panel widths that are desirable. For instance, in case you would like 2-foot panels and have a staircase with a wall, divide 10 by two to arrive at five panels. Ideally, you want the panels to have equivalent measurements for a balanced and cohesive look.

Measure from the top of every other stair tread the distance up the wall you desire the wainscoting to expand. Measure the wall up 30 inches on peak of every other stair if you want a top wainscoting and make a pencil mark.

Repeat this dimension from the very top of every additional tread 3 inches signaling this dimension with your pencil.

Lay the straightedge on the top marks to make a straight line between them. Because the ascends, the line ascends the wall in conjunction with the stairs up. After creating the line on the wall in which you intend to install the seat rail molding, then go back and confirm the dimension of the height of the railing to ensure that it is straight and equivalent. Repeat to the bottom measurements.

Extend the painter’s tape only. Confirm it is straight. Apply primer into the wall using the paint roller over the painter’s tape, but you intend to employ or the wall has never been painted; differently, skip the primer measure if the present paint is darker compared to the paint. Let it dry, following the manufacturer’s recommendations along with also the weather conditions at the time of painting.

Cover together with the contrasting paint color. For instance, you may opt to utilize a beige or brown over the seat railing, while painting the floor.

Locate the studs on the stairs wall with the stud finder and make a little”X” on each stud with the pencil just below the painter’s tape.

Cut on the seat rail molding to fit the length of the wall using the saw, making cuts on either end to accommodate the slant the wall up. Hold the chair rail molding on the wall with a bit hanging beyond the finish following the penciled line, Prior to trimming. On the back of the molding, then create a mark to following the line of the wall on the railing. This shows you that the cut needed on each end of the molding.

Remove the painter’s tape. Secure the seat rail molding into the wall at the locations atop the line made with the paint. Hammer in the finish nails, but leave a little bit extended to avoid damaging the seat rail. Set the nail head with the countersink punch and lightly tap it with the hammer to countersink the nail to the seat rail. Employ wood putty over the nail head to hide it. Smooth the putty throughout the hole, removing any excess. Let it thoroughly dry as recommended on the container. Lightly sand smooth when dry.

Follow the process in Step 8 to reduce the 3-inch-wide boards that sit beneath the seat railing and just over the surface of the staircase on the most important thing. Install the 3-inch-wide board beneath the seat railing in precisely the same manner as used in Step 8 and 9. Cut two end pieces of this 3-inch-wide plank to fit at the very top and bottom of the staircase to make the first panel that is large.

Measure and cut 2-inch boards that are human that you will install apart between the horizontal boards that are 3-inch, remembering to cut bottoms and the tops into the angle to fit the boards snugly between them. Nail the boards. Lightly cover the backs of these boards with caulk before repainting them into the wall if you have to install the vertical boards where there are no studs .

The paintable caulk all the inside edges of the boards together to create any openings between the wall and plank evaporate. Let it dry following the container recommendations.

Add painter’s tape on the stair treads to avoid getting paint on them and protect them.

Paint the entire area above the boards, each stair tread and the seat railing.

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Scale deposits can appear as gray, white or brown stains in your own pool tiles. PH levels could cause calcium carbonate shape these stains that are unsightly and to separate from the water. Standard pool maintenance together with balancing the water can restore the health of your pool water and protect against scale buildup that is potential. You can find the majority of the things you will need to stop scale at a pool store.

Test the alkalinity and calcium hardness levels in the pool water using a water testing kit. It is also possible to bring a water sample into your own pool dealer for testing. For most pools, total alkalinity levels must vary between 80 and 100 parts per million. If the total alkalinity is too low, add sodium bicarbonate. When it’s too large, add muriatic acid.Turn the pump off and add the chemical slowly in different regions of the water. Turn on the pump and permit the water to circulate prior to testing the water again.

Test the pH levels of the pool . The ideal pH range is between 7.2 and 7.4. Insert pH balancer into the pool water according to the package directions to correct the pH levels as needed.

Eliminate from the pool tiles across the water line utilizing a mixture of vinegar and water. Apply this solution directly to the scale using a spray bottle or sponge. Scrub the scale thoroughly. For scale, commercial pool cleaner can be used by you or descaler and wash it with a stone. Contact your pool dealer if the scale won’t come off.

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Building codes specify that homes must be insulated to protect against extreme cold and heat. Adding insulation is an option for home improvement project or a renovation and an important step in the house construction process. The procedure for doing your insulation depends on what present insulation is present and also the quantity of space you have to work with.

Reasons

Additional insulation is important for many reasons. Insulation can help increase a home’s worth when it is time to sell. Moreover, adding insulation helps prevent heat transport, which lowers the requirement to run a heater or air conditioner and cuts down on natural gas or power usage, thereby lowering utility bills. Various types of insulation are simple to install and do not require the added expense of hiring a contractor.

Types

Insulation manufacturers create different types of insulating material for use in certain types of spaces or regions of the house. Fiberglass and polystyrene rolls and panels form the basic insulation in many homes. Cellulose insulation comes as a loose fill product, whereas reflective insulation sheets are big, lightweight sheets that homeowners can cut to size. At length, spray foam insulation is.

Setup

Every sort of insulation has its own installment approach. Fiberglass panels are acceptable for attaching or nailing to cellar walls or between layers of drywall. Fiberglass rolls, which can be more elastic, can serve as the foundation insulation in an attic. To set up fiberglass roll insulation, homeowners need to simply unfurl the roll and then affix it to the wooden frame of the attic with nails. Reflective insulation hangs on exterior walls with the reflective side pointing . Homeowners can unite fiberglass panels and reflective sheets for added protection. A vacuum cleaner or air compressor with a blower attachment can spray loose fill insulation into an attic across the top of fiberglass rolls. Spray foam insulation comes in an aerosol can. Pushing the button on the can causes the memory to flow through which the nozzle points, injecting the glue, expanding foam into hard-to-reach areas.

R-Values

Insulation manufacturers quantify the effectiveness of insulation using a collection of numbers called R-values. The R-value of a item indicates its resistance to heat transport, with greater R-values representing better protection. Homeowners who add their own insulation ought to shop for products with greater R-values, because these will have the best impact on keeping cool or warm air inside. Comparing prices to R-values is your very best way to determine the worth of a given insulation product.

Construction Planning

Some types of home insulation need professionals to set up or build into a new residence. Homeowners can become involved in this procedure by considering high-efficiency windows and insulating concrete forms throughout the construction planning. High-efficiency windows utilize a coating of compressed gas between two thin panes of glass to decrease heat transfer through the window, whereas concrete forms are a part of the home’s fundamental structure and decrease heat transfer through cellar walls.

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In winter, air moves out of a building’s heated spaces into cooler areas, such as an attic, basement or outdoors. In the summer, heat flows out of outdoors into chilled spaces. Exterior insulation provides resistance to this flow, reducing the energy costs associated with your property and buffering exterior noises. A building must be insulated to cellar and throughout the outside walls.

Assessment

As stated by the U.S. Department of Energy, the first step in insulating exterior walls would be to evaluate the current state of current insulation. Older buildings generally have low levels of insulation, and many new buildings may benefit from extra insulation. The Department of Energy’s energy assessment provides directions on how best to check the location and types of insulation in your construction (see Resources). Perform the DOE's assessment yourself, or hire a contractor to perform the energy assessment.

Types

Several types of insulation are acceptable for use in outside walls, according to Habitat for Humanity. Fiberglass or stone wool loose-fill insulation can be blown into the wall cavity or built into batts created to fit gaps between the wall’therefore studwork. Rigid foam insulation provides higher insulating value per inch of depth in comparison to fiberglass or rock wool, and is more capable of stopping air flows. Cellulose insulation is also effective at stopping air flows and provides greater soundproofing. It is made of recycled newsprint and may be set up as a damp or dry material. Foam insulation sprayed into wall cavities provides air stoppage qualities similar to rigid foam insulation.

Levels

Insulation's efficacy is measured in R-values. The greater a product’s R-value, the more insulating material capacity it’s. To utilize insulation at a cost-effective fashion, you need to know how much R-value your outside walls need. Get into the U.S. Department of Energy’s R-Value Suggestions Calculator through its site (see Resources). Use the drop-down boxes to select if your building is new construction or present and what type of fuel it uses; enter the first few digits of your zip code. The calculator generates a list of those R-values necessary for every space in your building.

Factors

Air tightness and moisture control are significant components to consider in replacing or installing insulation. Sealing the outside wall against the water leakage and air flow is crucial to guarantee the effectiveness of your insulation and protect against mould from growing in the wall . Energy Star recommends using caulk or expanding foam to seal outside wall joints, windows, doors and holes for wiring and pipes.

Procedures

The California Energy Commission requires that insulation provide “a continuous barrier between the interior conditioned space and the exterior. ” It recommends insulation be set up to permit no gaps, but not be compressed into the insulated area, which would reduce the insulating material ’s efficacy. All small or irregularly shaped spaces must be filled with insulating material, including the areas around and behind plumbing, electrical cables and junction boxes.

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Allow the romantic spirit infuse your home with grace, style and sweetness. Show a treasured photo, pick up a lost art or attempt a DIY job — if you want to romance someone special or reveal yourself a little additional love, these 13 thoughts are great ways to get started.

PLATEMARK DESIGN

1. Make a statement with flowering branches. In the event that you usually choose blossoms, try something different and reach for the most luscious-looking armful of flowering branches you can find — by a flower shop or, if you are really lucky, clipped from the lawn. It will make a stunning display and last a long time.

Kate Riley – Centsational Girl

2. Frame a photo. Dig out your wedding photos or people out of your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding and also have one framed. Or select a favorite digital photo and convert it into black and white to get artsy, classic flair.

Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC

3. Create DIY art. Have amazing handwriting? Pick up a prepared canvas and supplies at your local art shop, and get painting! An easy repeated phrase, such as the “I adore you” shown here, would function nicely as a DIY job. Be sure to compose the text in pencil, then paint over it to prevent mistakes — or use letter stencils instead.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

4. Bring home a classical bust. Search local shops or internet resources like 1stdibs and also the Products section for a piece of sculpture which occupies your heart. While authentic antiques are rather pricey, you can find quality reproductions or even midcentury classic busts at lower prices.

Jessica Lagrange Interiors

5. Take up the lost art of correspondence. Produce a writing haven for yourself, stocked with lovely stories and envelopes, your favourite pens, stamps and an address book. Write love notes, “bread and butter” thank-yous or longer letters to older relatives who may not be using email. I can not think of anyone who is not delighted to get a handwritten note in the mail!

Jute Interior Design

6. Romance your bath. Don’t wait for visitors to drop in to liven up your bathroom. A pretty hand towel, a posy of flowers and a scented candle will please you every time you walk.

Palmerston Design Consultants

7. Start looking for a brand new spin on heart art. Warm up a modern space using a nonfussy yet romantic print. A tendency to watch for now is photography overlaid with semitransparent graphic art, such as the artwork shown here.

Tim Barber Ltd Architecture

8. Put flowers in sudden places. Rather than the usual huge vase of flowers on the dining table or in the living space, consider creating a bunch of minibouquets to disperse throughout your home. Place them beside your bed, on the kitchen counter, in the restroom, tucked into a bookshelf or on a windowsill.

Lux Decor

9. Hang up a sign. A petite chalkboard or zinc signal is the perfect place to write small notes which will cheer up all who pass.

Jane Lockhart Interior Design

10. Have breakfast (or at least java) in bed ). If breakfast in bed sounds unrealistic, place yourself up for success by planning to get coffee in bed rather. Establish a tray the night before along with your favourite coffee cup, a napkin and a bud vase. In the morning, bring the tray and a carafe of coffee and rush back to bed with the newspaper or a book.

Cottage Industry

11. Make the breakfast more special. In case you don’t usually bother to place the table at breakfast, consider giving it a shot. A cheery collection of quilted placemats, colorful dishes, a pot of jam and a jar of wildflowers will be heaven.

Branca, Inc..

12. Proceed with wallpaper. Papering your bedroom with a lush print will instantly make the room feel cozier yet somehow more spacious. Toile, such as the one shown here, or even a scene with branches and birds will provide the most depth to the space.

Kate Michels Landscape Design

13. Set a table for 2. Tuck a tiny table and 2 seats in a vacant place somewhere less expected — an underused portion of the backyard, from the window in your bedroom or tucked near the fireplace in the living room.

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Used well, miniature tables are able to make a space function better and add a bit of fun. Used incorrectly, they can just add clutter. Nobody wants more little unused tables to clutter up a space and much more furniture pieces to maneuver while cleaning! You may, however,require a tiny table or two for holding beverages, books as well as feet.

Do not be afraid to get creative and try an assortment of upcycled and repurposed items as tables. Do not be afraid to try a couple of different styles before the perfect one “takes.” And do not be afraid of color.

Ida Lifestyle

Whether at a bedroom, living room, bathroom or dining space, miniature tables can add much to the role of an area. They could often be had for just a couple of bucks at local auctions, thrift shops and garage sales, and why don’t you take the small risk and experimentation with a couple tiny tables? They may be the most thing you want to complete your space.

Brantley Photography

A tiny table can make the difference between an uncomfortable seating room along with a totally functional one. The rule of thumb when it comes to seating is that every guest should have a minumum of one place to place a drink. Try sitting in a chair for a little while without a place to put down that cup of warm tea. It is not pleasant.

Jamie Herzlinger

A rounded form allows a tiny table to nestle up alongside its accompanying chair without taking space up from a walkway with it. Try ovals and circles to accommodate high heeled areas.

Layout Theory Interiors of California, Inc

Doubling up on miniature tables can replace the need for a traditional coffee table. When a room is not utilized for board games or throwing feet up on a challenging table to watch football games, this installment works flawlessly. Tiny tables do not produce the visual weight of a massive table but nevertheless offer a place for drinks, either a book or a laptop.

Munger Interiors

The look certainly doesn’t have to be formal. Big, comfy, shabby chic armchairs can gain from a tiny table, also. Without sharp borders to jut out into the open area, a tiny table with curved edges is the best solution.

InDesign / Lori Ludwick

Are you currently working with a small space and big furniture? A huge bed can often fill a space to exploding, but there is still a need for a side table or nightstand. A table that is smaller than usual supplies a nice platform for eyeglasses, books and also a glass of water without overwhelming the space.

Kate Riley – Centsational Girl

While miniature tables do not offer a good deal of storage, they match a lamp and an alarm clock. Doesn’t the one displayed here make more sense of simply shoving a regular-size side table at the area?

Twist Interior Design

Try out a tiny table between the sink and bathroom as a relief from all that white ceramic in the bathroom. With a couple drawers for necessities, the table can hold a plant or a flower structure.

Studio NOO Layout

A small table in the toilet can also function well by the bathtub. Switch a utilitarian bathing act into a luxurious experience with just one holding high-end lotions, potions, candles or books.

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Tiny tables could be grouped into great effect. Notice how both play nicely together, with enough negative space between them to keep the look from becoming cluttered.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Tiny tables grouped for casual meals allow space for diners to slide in and out without disturbing others. Keeping the finishes consistent makes the tables work as a set while saving them from cookie cutter standing.

Inform us have you got a tiny table you love? Please share a photo below and tell us where you found it.

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Whether you have a walk-in cupboard and a separate dressing area (lucky you!) Or a room that barely fits half of your wardrobe, there are plenty of methods to produce your cupboard a space that inspires you — one that makes getting dressed and out the door a breeze. Sure, we store our clothes , but this distance (regardless of how big or little ) may also affect how we feel about ourselves, so it pays to give this zone a little additional love.

Unless you have an ample walk-in cupboard, you probablyspread out into different areas of your home while you are getting prepared. Can you lay out clothes on the mattress? Keep jewelry? Consider the most effective ways to organize and design all these places: For the purposes, they’re all your cupboard!

FOCAL POINT STYLING

1. Raid your kitchen for storage. Tiny teacups, saucers and bowls create fairly containers for jewelry, either tucked into a jar or set on top of a dresser. Cake stands and tiny trays are ideal for corralling beauty products or scents.

Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design

2. Curate and rotate your wardrobe. Scarves knotted on a simple rod is a chic way to store and exhibit your favorites — a small selection of neatly organized items you love is bound to make getting dressed easier. Think about rotating your wardrobe even if you don’t reside in a spot with distinct seasons. Shake your wardrobe (and spare room) by maintaining just a portion of clothes front and centre in any particular time. The remainder can be neatly folded and packed into underbed storage boxes or offloaded to a closet in a different area.

Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design

3. Paint your cupboard a flattering hue. No matter the size of your cupboard, painting the inside may do wonders. Soft pink is a color that you may shy away from in a larger area, but at a cupboard it feels just right: warm and flattering.

Clayton&Little Architects

4. Set up storage. Most people can use some mix of shelves and hanging rods in the cupboard, so make certain you make space for both (you could always maintain the shelving on your bedroom). Invest in a few sturdy baskets to maintain accessories neat on shelves. Have one per kind, such as belts, scarves etc.. Even a tiny square ottoman takes up barely any space and offers you a place to perch as you try on shoes.

Martha O’Hara Interiors

5. Make your cupboard and dressing room a location you wish to be in. Bring in enjoyable style and design publications, fresh flowers, soft rugs and rugs; update your lighting. Lean a mirror against the wall and compose or stencil an inspiring word, quote or line of poetry on it.

6. Locate additional room. First, make certain you have pared down your wardrobe to contain only items that match, that make you feel good and that you actually wear. If you still need more space, then get a wardrobe rack with blank lines and place it right on your bedroom. This is a second for curating: Pick pieces in similar colors and lengths, and hang all of them on nice matching hangers for a uniform look.

Urban Outfitters

Doorknob Curtain Tieback – $14

7. Make an entrance. A great trick for small cabinets would be to replace the doorway with a drapes — it opens up the space and adds a little play. Instead of having a plain old curtain tieback, go with something a bit more glamorous, such as this knob out of Urban Outfitters.

Emily Ruddo

8. Line a very small closet with wallpaper. Better than paint at a petite closet is chic wallpaper, like this traditional print out of Quadrille. Additionally, having a beautifully wallpapered cupboard might even motivate you to keep items neat!

PBteen

Classic Frame Jewelry Storage Pinboard – $59

9. Keep outfit ideas handy. I really like the notion of using a bulletin board to maintain outfit and inspiration ideas at hand. Tear out inspiring images from magazines, publish outfit ideas in your favorite fashion blogs or (for the genuinely organized) take photos of your favorite outfits, which means you will never forget a winning mix.

Clarkson Potter

10. Find creative storage solutions. If you have any large assortment, from hats to shoes, it’s usually best to find a way to store it so that which is visible. For instance, keep shoes on open shelving or in boxes with photo labels. Keep hats line by clipping them to a length of cord.

Tim Wood Limited

11. Have a cue from your favorite store. Utilize boutique-style straight rods to exhibit bags or even clothing. This is a wonderful solution if you prefer to have the ability to see everything you have.

Anthropologie

Cygnus Hook – $14

12. Make your doorway work for you. Install a decorative hook on the back of your closet door to maintain your prettiest an outfit to the following day in the ready.

Jessica Lagrange Interiors

13. Go for a touch of glam. Add a tufted ottoman to perch on, a folding screen to make an impromptu dressing area, or a framed example or black and white photo of your design icon — whatever to bring a little bit of glamour into your getting-ready area.

Tell us: Which are your cupboard challenges? Have some favorite creative solutions to talk about?

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Jim and Laurie Curry lived in their Tarrytown neighborhood property for 10 years before deciding to accept a full rebuild of the house. Leaving behind a lovely Burr Oak tree from the first house, they worked with Brian Dillard Architecture and Pilgrim Builders to turn their contemporary, relaxing retreat into a reality.

Deciding to rip the original home down was not an easy decision. “We were not casual about tearing our past house down; we had lots of people determine there wasn’t any wise approach to redesign on such a space, as the foundation was shot,” Jim says. “We needed to go 35 feet underground and spend more money to be certain our present house can take care of the weird clay in Tarrytown.”

The result is an inviting yet contemporary home that contains a gorgeous backyard landscape including an open pool space and a jungle gym for their vivacious 2-year-old. The largest challenge for the household was designing the house into the 3,000 square feet space and juggling the neighborhood architecture code constraints. “We feel quite settled now,” Jim says.

Who lives here: Jim, Laurie and their 2-year old son Beckett Curry (with twins on the way)
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 3,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Constructed: Completed in 2011
Architect: Brian Dillard Architecture; builder: Pilgrim Building Company

Kara Mosher

The residence is ideal for living in a hot climate as many walls in the space slide entirely receptive to turn the house into an indoor-outdoor paradise. From the patio you see views of the landscaped roof, the pool, jungle gym and downtown Austin.

“There’s nothing cooler than being outside, early evening in hot weather when children are swimming or playing and we could unwind on the side of pool keeping an eye on everybody,” Laurie says. “Or Jim can fire the fire pit in winter and project a movie on the cabana wall. Later on, we could have movie nights out and observe in the pool.”

Kara Mosher

Among the most amazing features of this residence is its indoor-outdoor flow. The living area west wall opens into the pool along with also a seating area with Crate & Barrel sofa seats. This is the point where the couple feel most at home in their urban oasis.

Kara Mosher

The front door entryway is welcoming and warm, as well as the clean lines of this staircase beckon visitors upstairs. The staircase and its enlightened reflection were part of architect Brian Dillard’s eyesight.

Kara Mosher

The master bedroom features beautiful views and is known as the”treehouse” by Jim and Laurie. With 2 walls of windows, one of which slides open exposing a landscaped patio, it produces a serene and peaceful place to sleep.

Kara Mosher

The patio out their treehouse-like master bedroom is soothing and calm. The entry to the patio is a floor-to-ceiling window wall, welcoming you outside with ease. A simple leather lounge chair sits in the corner, next to a bright blue circular side table, making simple elegance.

Kara Mosher

The living room’s west wall opens entirely. Considering Austin’s beautiful weather most of the year, this generates the ideal flow for a peaceful breeze to enter the house. An outside heater warms cold evenings.

Kara Mosher

Kara Mosher

The white living area glider seat is just one of the couple’s favorite furniture pieces. Laurie says,”I really like my glider which started as my nursing seat but fits nicely into living space — and I’m loving it with back support for my twin pregnancy.”

Kara Mosher

“We like the simple, clean look but that will only go so far with three children under the age of 3,” Laurie says. The table acts as a coffee table at night for the adults, along with also a play table for Beckett during the day.

Kara Mosher

A downstairs hallway comes with a floor-to-ceiling window using green pine only outside. A painting of a Spanish matador is framed in an inlet designed into the wall, using soft overhead light illuminating the art, giving the sense of a contemporary museum.

Kara Mosher

In the bamboo picture window the house flows into the kitchen and dining room space.

Kara Mosher

The kitchen, like lots of different rooms in the house, boasts a large picture window with a view of this picturesque backyard. The kitchen features a large island in the center and a round flow into the space, which makes cooking an efficient and peaceful process.

Kara Mosher

The black shutters close to the dining area table create a wonderful contrast to the soft tones in the room. The black dining table additionally adds to this feel. Colorful placemats from Ikea add a wonderful splash of colour to the tabletop.

Kara Mosher

A downstairs bathroom follows the very simple and clean layout of the remainder of the house. A round patterned background adds chaos inside the contemporary layout.

Kara Mosher

Kara Mosher

Beckett’s room includes a painted silhouette of the Austin skyline, with moveable automobiles and clouds he can place along the scene. Laurie chose grey because the neutral paint colour to permit for her to include pops of colour to get a gender-neutral nursery in the future.

Beckett was a baby throughout the building and design process, that made the experience of dreaming up their new house a little more challenging. Laurie says,”We still poured so much effort and time into thinking during our layout and were very grateful to have our great team.”

Crib: Babyletto

Kara Mosher

Simple elegance is observed once again in an upstairs bathroom. The petite blue tiled bathtub produces a soft feel near the black edges of the window treatment.

Kara Mosher

A creative touch to the upstairs hall is a repurposed Ikea clothesline hanger, used to showcase family photos.

Kara Mosher

Kara Mosher

The pool house is easy and peaceful. The rectangular area opens up confronting the pool. The brown leather chairs provide a sharp contrast to the walls, and offer a cozy alternative to somebody not wanting to swim. The wooden seat was a treasure Laurie uncovered at an Austin antique store.

Laurie states:”The time necessary to design and build exactly what you want is worth it. You don’t wish to hurry to purchase fill-in things such as art or furniture. You’ll appreciate them if you find just what talks to you.”

Kara Mosher

Their home was featured in the 2011 American Institute of Architects Austin Homes tour. As Laurie’s friends say,”It’s the ideal playdate house!” With twins expected that spring, the Currys possess a superb space prepared to welcome them.

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