BREAKING NEWS: Interior Design & More

It’s Time To Update Your Closet – 15 Inspiring Ideas

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 08:48:47 +0000

The closet is a crucial part of any home but is also a surprisingly often neglected feature. A well-designed closet system can truly change the overall ambiance and design of a space. That, however, requires a good amount of research and planning, all of which is well worth it in our opinion. We all know how frustrating it can be to have a messy closet so to help you keep everything in check we’ve put together a few closet organizer ideas which we hope will inspire you to make some changes.

A dressing room is obviously ideal but it’s much use having one if you don’t organize it well. Ideally it would all be tailored to your own needs but that doesn’t mean you can’t find inspiration in the designs other chose for their own closet spaces and dressing rooms. A good example could be this Florida home designed by SDH Studio.

A closet space doesn’t have to be overly customized in order to be very practical and user-friendly. Given that generally everyone has more or less the same storage requirements, we can safely assume that a series of open shelves and compartments or different dimensions as well as a few drawers and some hanging rods would be pretty much all one needs. A good distribution of these elements can be seen in the project done by Victoria Design Group.

Of course, storage efficiency isn’t everything when it comes to a closet or a dressing room. Looks and ambiance matter too and one aspect in particular which a lot of us focus on is creating an open and airy feel. That can be done in a variety of different ways such as using large mirrors or, if you want something a bit more unconventional and spectacular at the same time, a skylight or a glass ceiling. For inspiration, check out the design done by José Carlos Cruz.

When you have a small apartment there’s not much room for a big closet so compromises have to be made. That’s not always a bad thing, as there are many creative and cool ideas you can use to make the most of every bit of space you have. For example, a raised loft bed/ sleeping nook with pull-out storage underneath is a great idea. One of the best representations of this concept was done by Studio Bazi.

Having an open closet nook similar to this one just outside or even in the bedroom or next to the bathroom can be super handy and practical. We like the built-in LED light strips and the fact that everything is easy within reach. This is a space organized and decorated by Susanna Cots Interior Design.

A well-organized closet space with good illumination is generally everything one needs and to this you can add any individual features that could suit your own particular closet such as an island, a chair, a large mirror, cute and chic storage boxes and baskets, etc. This design done by Walker Warner Architects can give you an idea of how it could all turn out.

There are a lot of cool ways in which simple bedroom closets can be customized in order to make the most of their functionality and to increase their appeal. For instance, you can add LED lighting inside and mirrors on the doors. The idea comes from the design created by Kurt Krueger Architect for a residence remodel in Brentwood, California.

The entire floor plan of this penthouse in Vancouver designed by Feenstra Architecture maximizes the 360 degree views of the city, including this amazing closet room with large windows on two sides and lots of great storage solutions.

Obviously, if space allows it, you can have an entire room dedicated just to storage, like a giant closet. Instead of hiding everything behind closed doors you can opt for open storage. A custom unit would be the best option. We recommend checking out this design created by Studio 1408 for a beautiful apartment located in Bucharest, Romania.

A great way to maximize storage in a closet or dressing room is by having shelves and compartments built all the way up to the ceiling. They’re good for storing off-season clothing and other rarely-used items. A ladder conveniently provides access to these areas, as shown in this configuration created by studio McClean Design.

As previously mentioned, good illumination and an open and airy design are the key to creating a practical and user-friendly closet/ dressing room design. A perfect example of how that can be achieved is offered here by Central de Arquitectura.

Good closet organization also means having a suitable storage solution for every type of item that goes in there while at the same time avoiding being too diversified in your choices and maintaining a simple design limited to a few storage systems. We’re particularly impressed by the clever pants storage rack featured in this closet.

You must definitely take into consideration what exactly you wish to store in your closet. For example, if you have an extensive collection of shoes, you need a proper way to store and display them. We suggest a simple set of open shelves like the ones in this residence from Manhattan. There’s also plenty of room in here for clothing, handbags and other accessories.

For those who seek a compact and multifunctional way of dealing with the storage and organization needs in a small home there are awesome solutions such the innovative Living Cube designed by Till Koenneker. It functions as a closet, TV unit and bed, all in one conveniently-organized module. It’s a good solution for small apartments or rentals and even for typical guest rooms.

It’s always great to try to find ways to personalize your closet space. That includes custom storage systems but also basic accessories such as an eye-catching area rug, a beautiful chandelier, artwork on walls and little things like vases, sculptures, terrariums and other decorative details cleverly integrated into the design and decor of the space.

The post It’s Time To Update Your Closet – 15 Inspiring Ideas appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.

HDB orders doorstep fish tank in Tampines to be removed

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 03:39:01 +0000

HDB said that the tank would have to be removed, as its position - along a common corridor - poses safety concerns that "could potentially lead to injuries or fatalities".

New transit group wants to steer cities toward better scooter policy

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:20:17 +0000

The New Urban Mobility Alliance wants to help cities makes sense of today’s transit technology

Ride-hailing, dockless bikes and scooters, and autonomous vehicles have made the transit and transportation landscape difficult to decipher. A new organization seeks to help cities make sense of today’s rapid change, offering a roadmap for changing roadways.

The New Urban Mobility Alliance, or NUMO, which launched this afternoon at an event in Washington, D.C., wants to use this paradigm shift to steer cities towards cleaner, healthier, and more multimodal transportation.

By serving as a clearinghouse for research, the organization, which aims to attract policymakers, the private sector, and researchers, wants to become a trusted voice for actionable information about using new transit options, and steer service providers and startups towards better policy.

This group joins a number of other initiatives trying to analyze and make sense of new transit options, including NACTO’s SharedStreets initiative, Transportation for America’s Shared Mobility Playbook, and the Mobility Data Specification in Los Angeles, which is being used to track the city’s growing fleet of dockless scooters and bikes.

Zipcar co-founder and transit innovator Robin Chase, executive chair of the NUMO steering committee, believes there is an opportunity transit advocates need to seize to help dense urban areas transition away from being car-dominated.

“There are a lot of transportation groups, but what’s missing is unified messaging and someone to do gap analysis and fill in the gaps,” says Chase. “Right now, there’s a huge about of disruption in transit caused by technology and innovation. This new mobility is breaking through old definitions.”

The organization will organize pilot projects, such as electric scooter trials, public engagement, and experimental research to gather data to help cities quickly and efficiently put these fast-developing mobility options on their streets.

The group will be hosted by the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, and use the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities as its guide, a voluntary set of rules and principles, developed by Chase, meant to help steer transportation towards more equitable, environmental, and sustainable solutions.

A $6 million seed grant from philanthropist, businessman and WRI board member Stephen M. Ross will support the group. The organization will be led by Harriet Tregoning, who has served as an assistant secretary in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and as Washington D.C.’s planning director.

“The old system is broken and people want alternatives,” says Chase. “Everyone is being forced by these new innovations to take another look at the status quo and say, ‘it’s not that great.’”

An NKBA Insider, Pulp Design Studios Predicts the Top Trends of 2019

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:05:34 +0000

Nationally-renowned interiors firm Pulp Design Studios offers their predictions for the biggest trends in 2019. Read on to learn what looks are coming into a style in a major way.

Black In The Bathroom- 10 Proofs That It’s Always A Great Idea

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:45:40 +0000

The colors we choose for the bathroom are influenced above all by our personal sense or taste, but we should not ignore the trends. And they demand, amongst other things, that the bathrooms are more […]

The post Black In The Bathroom- 10 Proofs That It’s Always A Great Idea appeared first on Architecture Art Designs.

'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Is Heading to HGTV

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:15:00 +0000

Get ready to "move that bus"… all the way to HGTV.

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15 Alluring Ideas To Style Up Your Large Living Room

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 20:45:47 +0000

As a rule, living rooms are the largest rooms in our homes because they are intended for receiving guests and socializing with our family after hard working days. However, in addition to the obvious benefits […]

The post 15 Alluring Ideas To Style Up Your Large Living Room appeared first on Architecture Art Designs.

Netflix Announced a Price Increase, and The Internet Isn't Happy About It

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 20:45:00 +0000

Netflix is prepping to increase its price tag, and not everyone's thrilled about it.

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Can indie design brands thrive in today’s volatile market?

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 20:00:00 +0000

West Elm’s “exclusive retailer” deal with the young design brand Good Thing reflects the realities of an increasingly competitive industry

Design shoppers inevitably encounter this dilemma: The affordable stuff isn’t appealing and the appealing stuff isn’t affordable. For over a century, modern designers have attempted to create the best for the most for the least, but few have been successful. And, in an increasingly volatile global manufacturing industry, it’s getting even more competitive, as West Elm’s new “exclusive retailer” arrangement with the cult design brand Good Thing shows.

Founded by designer Jamie Wolfond, Good Thing is known for designing, manufacturing, and retailing home accessories, furniture, and decor at affordable prices. The brand has grown steadily over the years to become a favorite of design blogs and boutiques; however, it’s always evolved in the context of an increasingly challenging design market. The West Elm deal reflects how hard it is for independent designers to thrive, how big brands are trying to remain competitive, and how the industry’s economics impact shopping for design.

Under the “exclusive retailer” agreement, West Elm will manufacture, market, and distribute all of Good Thing’s products. The retailer has not yet decided which products from Good Thing’s existing collection it will stock, or when the products will go live, though it estimates it will be within the next few months. The deal gives West Elm access to exciting new design and gives Wolfond steady business—without the headaches of managing a global supply chain.

“For what we were trying to do, a partnership with West Elm is a really great outcome,” Wolfond says. “Operationally, Good Thing is a very heavy company. We have a lot of different factories, different designers, and different products. For those reasons, it lends itself to a big company that has a big infrastructure, like West Elm.”

Good Thing

The brand Good Thing designed (often collaborating with other contemporary studios), manufactured, marketed, and retailed home products and furniture. Now West Elm is its exclusive retailer and manufacturer.

Wolfond established Good Thing in Brooklyn in 2014 to fill a gap in the market for affordable American-made modern design. As the company grew, its mission and execution changed with the realities of the furniture and design industry. Scaling with the existing vendors in Brooklyn was more difficult than anticipated and in order to grow and keep prices attainable, Good Thing decided to fabricate some of its products overseas with larger manufacturers. It also expanded its offerings from small household items—like hand-held mirrors, wood containers, and metal trays—to include textiles, lighting, and furniture—think terra-cotta umbrella stands, cast-metal accessories, small electronics, glass pendant lights, cotton rugs, wood tables, and more. The company produced brand partnerships, exhibited at design fairs, and by many measures was poised for success.

Still, profitability was difficult and the realities of a fluctuating global manufacturing economy took hold. Last fall, Wolfond explained to Curbed that price fluctuations for something as basic as cardboard packaging could cost $1 a unit one day then $4 the next and Good Thing was “constantly struggling” with its vendors to maintain margins. Meanwhile, the U.S.-China trade war introduced more volatility to the furniture and design industry.

Last May, Wolfond and West Elm—who first partnered in 2015 through the West Elm Local program, which spotlights and sells independent designers and makers from across the country—began discussing a potential shop-in-shop retail agreement. Soon, they realized there was an opportunity for something more comprehensive and the two cooked up the “exclusive retailer” agreement for Good Thing.

“[Our arrangement with Good Thing] aligns squarely with what we hope the Local program achieves for independent designers and makers,” a West Elm spokesperson told Curbed. “It’s a true success story for us in which Jamie has really compelling products that complement our assortment and allows us to offer unique products for the everyday.”

Wolfond will keep his own Toronto-based design studio—Jamie Wolfond Studio—and will consult with West Elm on new seasonal product collections and still plans to collaborate with other studios on these products. They’ll still be the affordable, thoughtfully designed, and oh-so covetable pieces Good Thing customers have grown to love. Through his studio, Wolfond also plans to design and license products to other companies and brands; he has no plans to launch a consumer brand of his own in the future.

“Is it more fun to work on the mechanics of a new lamp versus the mechanics of a new distribution center? Yes,” Wolfond says of his transition.

The challenges Good Thing faced as a brand are emblematic of the increasingly difficult design industry: It’s hard for the independent designers, mid-size brands, and even legacy brands to survive let alone remain competitive in the era of Amazon. Consolidation seems to be the path forward.

In 2014, the American contract furniture company Haworth purchased the Italian luxury furniture brand Poltrona Frau. In early 2018, Knoll finalized the acquisition of Muuto, a contemporary Scandinavian design brand. Michigan-based furniture manufacturer Herman Miller recently acquired stake in Danish design brand Hay to help bring it to North American audiences through online and physical Hay stores and a presence in Design Within Reach stores.

Good Thing

The Richman dustpan by Christopher Specce for Good Thing.

But can an independent designer-manufacturer scale mass-produced, affordable, “good” design in today’s economic system? Wolfond believes there’s room for emerging designers to make their mark and remain independent.

“If I wanted to maintain total control over everything, I would focus on one material, one process, and one type of customer,” he says.

Based on his experience with Good Thing, Wolfond has more advice to dispense to entrepreneurial designers.

Good Thing

The Frank tray by Christopher Specce for Good Thing.

“Focusing on making a product good is something a lot of people forget to do,” he says. “It’s tempting to get things out there and get things seen, but at the very beginning of Good Thing, we learned first hand that it would’ve been better to spend a year putting our manufacturing infrastructure in place, instead of assuming we’d be able to ramp up when we needed to.”

But good products aren’t enough, either.

“There are young designers on the other side who think that if they sit in a room and make good work, success will come.” Wolfond says. “There’s so much saturation that you have to be good at self promotion. In general, I think good design is communicative, good designers are communicative, and good business people are communicative. Refining communication is something everyone can benefit from.”

Modern Japanese house is serious courtyard goals

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:45:00 +0000

Where does the courtyard end and house begin?

In loud and busy cities, outdoor space can be the opposite of relaxing. The Loop Terrace House, however, has found a clever way around that issue. The 1,700-square-foot home sits in a busy area of Hyogo, Japan, yet it’s able to expertly merge indoor and outdoor living thanks to its unusual layout.

Architecture studio Tomohiro Hata & Associates anchored the house around a central garden that’s dotted with spindly trees. True to its name, the home’s two floors are connected by a series of stairs and platforms that wrap around the interior garden space in a loop, creating an outdoor circulation path that’s still totally private.

Toshiyuki Yano via Designboom

Inside, white staircases pop against the all-wood interior to excellent minimalist effect. Like other homes that act as a barrier to the city, the Loop Terrace House also has plenty of big picture windows that provide another view to the interior garden and let in ample natural light while they’re at it.

Toshiyuki Yano via Designboom

Via: Designboom

Before and After: This House Feels Bigger After a Decor and Floor Plan Refresh — House Tour

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:30:00 +0000

Name: Maggie Smoller and family
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Size: 1,600 square feet
Years Lived In: 4 years, owned

Since the day we closed on this house four and a half years ago, we've been putting our stamp on it room by room. As self-proclaimed homebodies, there's nothing we love more than staying in and getting cozy, and it was so important to create a home that we loved being in and living in.

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Join the Apartment Therapy Home Team Panel!

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:15:00 +0000

At Apartment Therapy and our sister site The Kitchn, we walk inside real homes all across the world every single day. Seeing how people live—and how their spaces reflect who they are—is at the core of what we do. Now, we've invented a new way to understand how our readers live at home, with the Apartment Therapy Home Team Panel.

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IDS Toronto Turns 21 With the Help of Adam Sandow and Neri & Hu

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:05:18 +0000

Canada’s foremost platform for designers and their projects and products returns to Toronto January 17-20 with the 21st annual IDS Toronto. Held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, IDS19’s theme is the Power of Design.

50 Things to Toss When Moving (Or Just Because You Want to Declutter)

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:00:00 +0000

If you're about to move, you don't want to take everything with you. That can get heavy—and expensive. At the same time, resist the urge to toss everything out. Even if your stuff doesn't need to travel with you, that doesn't mean that its life is over. Sell or donate your items whenever you can.

You can also have a little more fun with it. "Host a moving out party to use up food, booze, wine, decorations, invitations, and more," suggests Anne Michaelsen, owner of Anne Michaelsen Design. "Even give out party favors of little things you don't want to move! Use up wrapping paper to gift wrap these."

I'm no Marie Kondo, but I still divided up the stuff you should get rid of into four categories: "old and used," "it's multiplying," "what is that?" and "this doesn't go there." You will have to think about the things you use regularly and the logistics of your move—but, I promise I won't force you to have strong feelings about your toaster.

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4 Fast, Fab and Temporary Flooring Ideas For Renters

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 18:00:00 +0000

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.

Do you hate your apartment floors? What if we told you there is temporary flooring available that can cover (or completely change) your rental floors easily and without any complaints from your landlord?

We’re not talking area rugs, although they’re not a bad solution. We’re talking full-on floors that look fabulous, are easy to install and are just as easy to remove when you move out. Check out these four fast and fab temporary flooring ideas:

1. Carpet Tiles

The new Hollin Hills mid-century modern inspired carpet tiles by Flor add vintage-chic to any room.

Carpet tiles are the ultimate instant flooring makeover solution. They’re recyclable, making them eco-friendly, fairly inexpensive and very easy to install. Worried they may not be durable? Carpet tiles are used in hospitals, airports and other high-traffic locations around the world.

Order them in boxes according to how many you may need, cut them easily and stick them together with little adhesive dots for a cool and unique wall-to-wall look. Order extra so you can replace damaged ones in the future. And challenge your creative side by mixing and matching patterns and colors.

Check these out:

2. Vinyl Sheet Flooring

Vinyl sheeting is a great temporary flooring solution in kitchens and bathrooms. Filigree vinyl sheet flooring by Mannington.

A quick and easy way to hide unsightly apartment floors is by rolling out a big sheet of vinyl flooring. You can use a removable adhesive or double-sided carpet tile to stick the flooring in place. Or simply anchor down the sheet with furniture. The best part of vinyl sheet flooring is that it’s waterproof and easy to wipe clean.

Check these out:

3. Interlocking Floor Tiles

When a soft, forgiving surface is preferred, foam interlocking tiles are a good choice. Foam Woodgrain Interlocking Floor Mats at Amazon.

Interlocking tiles have come a long way from the colorful children’s playroom styles. They’re lightweight, quick and easy to snap together and require no adhesives. They also offer some cushioning and soundproofing as a bonus.

Check these out:

4. Laminate Flooring

The Augustus Smokey Gray Oak Laminate Flooring at Wayfair has a contemporary feel but can also work well in more traditional or farmhouse-style spaces.

Laminate flooring is durable, authentic looking and easy to install as a floating floor. Look for click and lock laminate flooring as a temporary solution that doesn’t require nails or adhesives. For extra soundproofing, add a foam underlayment sheet underneath the laminate.

Check these out:

You can add any of these temporary flooring options to update your boring floor in nearly any room of your rental home or apartment. Be sure to measure carefully, order extra (just in case) and save your receipt to return any unused portion of the flooring.

The post 4 Fast, Fab and Temporary Flooring Ideas For Renters appeared first on Freshome.com.

In coworking era, pricey urban real estate does double duty

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:28:53 +0000

Restaurants-turned-offices, pop-up retail, and shared kitchens underscore demand for flexible space

An empty former TGI Fridays overlooking Manhattan’s Union Square Park may be an unlikely symbol of today’s shifting real estate market.

But Preston Pesek, CEO and co-founder of Spacious, the coworking startup that made a deal for the 8,500-square-foot restaurant space in late November, believes this former dining room—sans flair—represents a new chapter in the growth of his company and, perhaps, the industry at large.

Spacious launched in 2016 with a quirky value proposition: By transforming high-end restaurants into daytime coworking spaces, the startup would offer discounted workspace to freelancers while giving restaurant owners a new source of income. In other words, the restaurant would have a side hustle.

Now encompassing more than a dozen spaces across New York City, Spacious’s star rose in tandem with increasing commercial rents and the rapid expansion of the freelance workforce.

The company’s takeover of a former chain restaurant is actually temporary—it’s a license, not a lease—but that’s the plan’s genius, according to Pesek. As the landlord searches for a long-term tenant, Spacious will turn the space into an “evergreen pop-up,” generating rent and activating the space between permanent owners.

“We’re offering landlords a deal; we can make this [a] productive space with the least amount of friction possible,” says Pesek. “With the growing vacancy rate of street-level retail in New York City, populating these dark storefronts is the game plan for us in 2019.”

Courtesy of Spacious

Inside the Union Square location of Spacious: “I think we can offer spaces, and cities, a viable way to reactivate the street,” says co-founder Preston Pesek.

Flexible space is an industry shift

Pesek and Spacious represent just one example of how new business realities—and the business models they inspire—are finding novel ways to make real estate more flexible, reactive, and productive. Coworking, and the phenomenal growth of WeWork, recently rebranded as the We Company, may be the canary in the coal mine. The shift toward a mobile, distributed workforce—according to latest annual study by Upwork and the Freelance Union, 1 in 3 Americans is part of the rapidly expanding freelance workforce—means workers can be productive anywhere there’s a good Wi-Fi connection. Add rising commercial rents and vacancies in big cities, and companies like Spacious see opportunity in turning just about any underused space into one for coworking.

“Our research, and our conversations with our corporate clients across the globe, indicate that the flexible work is not just a passing trend; it is part of the very fabric of the future of work,” according to Doug Sharp, president for corporate solutions for JLL, the commercial real estate firm.

But it goes further than setting up shared desks in an empty room: New business models in food, retail, and warehousing also seek to apply the shared-economy business model to fixed real estate assets. “In the wake of how [the] digital world is reprogramming everything, all commercial space needs to be reprogrammed,” says Pesek.

Mark Kennedy, who runs Cowork at the Mall, a company converting traditional retail assets into coworking and flexible-retail spaces, says that in a post-WeWork era, traditional leases and longer rental periods may not work.

“WeWork has shown property owners that if you’re just a rent collector, and don’t have an angle, or add energy to your space, you’ll be out of business,” he says. “Providing four walls and an office doesn’t work today. The next generation wants mobility, with flexible lease terms and arrangements.”

Courtesy Cowork at the Mall

A mock-up of the floorplan for Cowork at the Mall.

The long shadow of WeWork

WeWork launched in 2010, and now lays claim to a $47 billion-dollar valuation and bragging rights as New York City’s largest commercial tenant. The company’s growth has helped define and create the coworking market, and created an opening for more affordable options.

WeWork’s asset-heavy business model, which requires ownership of the space they operate, is different from the newer, more nimble generation of flexible-space startups, which basically offer space as a service. That’s led the company to court big business: As of last June, a quarter of WeWork customers are enterprise clients, with 21 percent of members working in the financial, legal, or business services industries.

“Traditional coworking spaces started by servicing startups, freelancers, and small businesses,” says Andrew Levy, co-founder of KettleSpace, another firm that turns restaurants into coworking spaces. “Now they’re going upmarket. Their bread-and-butter are the same large, mature companies that the old guard of commercial leasing firms catered to, since it’s the only way they can make their model work.”

At the same time WeWork was changing, Levy says his colleagues recognized that hospitality space across the city was underutilized, and made that central to his pitch. Restaurants just need to open up their dining rooms to KettleSpace, which runs a temporary coworking operation, providing coffee, dedicated Wi-Fi networks, and membership coordinators to oversee operations.

Restaurants benefit from a percentage of membership revenue (based on occupation), incremental food and beverage sales (many places add lunch menus for freelancers), as well as the harder-to-quantify benefits of exposing new potential customers to the space. An average-sized restaurant in New York City can add the equivalent of $1 million to $2 million in incremental food & beverage revenue each year, says Levy.

It’s also a benefit for workers. At a time when it’s never been easier to be a remote worker, or for small startups to run a business, WeWork was charging $500 a month in New York City for Hot Desk access at a single location (use of any open seat in the common area). KettleSpace charges $99 for unlimited access to its network of 10 spaces in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Coworking on every corner

While these startups face the constraints and challenges of their models—hard stop times when dinner service begins; managing expectations; and protecting a restaurant’s brand—both have seen sign-ups grow and requests roll in for new partnerships. Both KettleSpace and Spacious, which also operates in San Francisco, plan to expand into new cities in 2019. This dual-use concept still has room to grow.

“There is a lot more experimentation in the micro or boutique market, what I call coworking plus,” says Matt Weaver, co-founder of WEach, which has built a similar network of daytime coworking spaces in bars and restaurants in Philadelphia. “There’s coworking plus daycare, or coworking plus gym. You see it anywhere someone can say, ‘We have extra space and can package it up.’”

There are, of course, limits. COVO, another boutique coworking business with locations in San Francisco and St. Louis, Missouri, once discussed turning churches and synagogues into pop-up coworking spaces during the day. The risk to religious institutions’ tax-free status quickly ended that line of inquiry.

Courtesy of Kettlespace

A KettleSpace location at Distilled, a bar in Tribeca, New York City.

But the demand for dynamic shared spaces isn’t going anywhere. COVO instead focused on adding hospitality to the mix, according to co-founder Daniel Brian. Instead of merely offering free coffee and beer, COVO locations include full-fledged coffee shops and bars. The idea is to offer members spaces to mingle, meet, and network. While in some ways it comes full circle—from coffee shop to coworking to coffee shop again—it also offers another example of building flexibility into the business model.

“By running a combination coffee shop, bar, restaurant, event space, and space-rental business, we’ve had a much more diverse revenue stream,” Brian says. “We may lose a bunch of members, which would be devastating to a coworking space, but a few event rentals and we’re fine. Diversification can help us maintain positive momentum month to month.”

Incorporating varied income streams is also a lifesaver in San Francisco, where restaurants not only struggle to find workers they can afford to pay, but in many cases, have re-designed spaces to encourage cafeteria-style dining to reduce labor costs. It’s no surprise these types of startups are coming out of New York and San Francisco, two of the most expensive real estate markets in the country.

“The economy [is] forcing these functions,” says KettleSpace’s Levy. “As recently as a few years ago, as a new restaurant and hotel concept, if you nailed the location and concept, and stayed on-point with operations expense, you were good. That’s not the case anymore. Many businesses are being forced to think more creatively to make the numbers work.”

It’s not workspace. It’s a platform

While restaurants face a challenging real estate environment, retail and malls are struggling to maintain relevance in the e-commerce era. Many have also turned to coworking—and even coliving—in a search for innovative ways to generate income.

Kennedy’s Cowork at the Mall will operate its first space in Los Angeles, and the second in Chicago at a venue in the city’s Michigan Avenue retail district. Coworking and pop-up retail will be a core part of both locations.

Kennedy calls the fusion of commerce, crowds, and customer analysis “Silicon Valley meets Main Street.” The idea is to tap into the blended commerce model being popularized by digitally native companies such as Everlane and Warby Parker. Opening flexible retail spaces helps advertise to potential customers, who will likely purchase online. In that way, the new mall experience leverages coworking as a way to draw a younger crowd and get eyeballs on products.

“Fixed spaces with fixed tenants and fixed experiences won’t work,” he says. “There’s a [hunger for places] where people gather and discover.”

Kennedy is far from the first mall operator or owner to embark on a similar experiment in the name of keeping a shopping center relevant and profitable. At the Mall of America, a startup called FOURPOST hosts pop-up stores that push local businesses. Another coworking startup, Industrious, is teaming up with Macerich, a large mall owner, to bring more coworking into more empty retail space. Pop-ups have made way for more sophisticated flexible retail models, such as b8ta, an electronics retailer with a rotating selection of crowdfunded merchandise.

Shared-space concepts are also taking shape in other industries. FLEXE provides on-demand warehouse space for expanding and established companies; Walmart, for example, used the company to meet the recent holiday rush. Startups like the Food Corridor, which allows food entrepreneurs to share commercial kitchen space in a network of more than 100 locations in the U.S. and Canada, have helped thousands of small businesses take root without the expense of owning and outfitting their own spaces.

Ashley Colpaart, who founded Food Corridor, sees all these companies as creating a web of support for entrepreneurs.

“These platforms are enabling entrepreneurship,” she says. “Flex space is one of the big trends that will change the food industry this year.”

If an office can be anywhere, why not an entire business? With the advent of cloud computing, online services, and flexible spaces, an entire business cycle is becoming instant and on-demand. These new, more adaptable models for space rental and ownership suggest a more dynamic future for real estate. That’s why Spacious believes it can bring a mothballed chain restaurant back to life.

“I think we can offer spaces, and cities, a viable way to reactivate the street,” says Pesek. “Something is usually better than nothing, and we can help tap into a vibrant community. We’ll be one of a bunch of solutions to this problem.”

These Le Creuset Look-Alikes Are 45 Percent Off Today Only on Amazon — Amazon Deal of the Day

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:15:11 +0000

Winter is the perfect time to dust off your Dutch oven and make stews, roasts, and even bread. But if you don't have a Dutch oven to dust off, today is a great day to get one. Cuisinart's Dutch oven, which looks a lot like Le Creuset's, is on sale — today only — starting at $55. (That's 46% savings.) The sale color options range from matte white and robin's egg blue to bold, apple red and azure blue, meaning you can choose muted minimalism or a bold splash of color.

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18 Astonishing Staircase Designs With A Focus On Elegance And Functionality

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:11:50 +0000

The staircase plays an important role in our homes but that doesn’t seem to reflect on their design most of the times. There are a lot of new homeowners who do not consider the staircase […]

The post 18 Astonishing Staircase Designs With A Focus On Elegance And Functionality appeared first on Architecture Art Designs.

This L.A. Home Is Candy-Colored, Desert-Meets-Jungle Style — House Tour

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:00:00 +0000

Name: Katie Zamprioli
Location: Sunland-Tujunga, California
Size: 1,222 square feet
Years Lived In: 1 year, owned

Katie Zamprioli (or @katiemackmusic as she's known on Instagram) didn't set out to make her home Insta-famous, but once she began posting photos of her candy-colored desert-meets-jungle interior, the fans came pouring in. In just one year she has transformed her Los Angeles-area home into a fully decorated oasis, where every inch is worth a closer look.

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Your Best Sleep Ever: We Snooze-Tested Amazon's Top 5 Best-Selling Pillows...And Discovered the Perfect Pillow for All Types of Sleepers

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:00:00 +0000

We've all had those moments where we lie awake in bed, finding it impossible to find any semblance of comfort. Every glance at the clock that's quickly approaching the dreaded hour you're supposed to be waking up leads to a count down. "If I fall asleep right now, I can get 5 hours...4 hours...3 hours..." ::cue sounding : If you find yourself in this tortuous predicament often, it might be time to rethink your sleep strategy...or at the very least, your pillow.

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IKEA’s New Homepage Has a Surprising (and Creepy) Detail

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:45:00 +0000

Peep at the new IKEA welcome page and it's a homey, yet elegant, scene complete with floral wallpaper, a cozy couch, and... creepy doll heads?

Indeed, in the sleek gray storage cabinet, there is an eclectic set of items on display—some clocks, a model airplane, a pair of red shoes sitting on top that may take you to Oz with just three clicks—but what catches our eye are the four doll heads staring directly into our souls with none other than a headless doll standing behind them. What?!

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Buy your own Frank Lloyd Wright house for $695K

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:30:40 +0000

The Boulter House hits the market this Friday

In one of the first starchitect listings of the year, a Frank Lloyd Wright house is set to hit the market this Friday. The Boulter House is one of only three Wright homes built in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the two-story home is asking $695,000.

Designed for two Classics scholars, Cedric G. and Patricia Neils Boulter, the home was designed in 1954 and completed in 1956. Mrs. Boulter was the daughter of Henry J. Neils, whose Minneapolis residence Wright also designed in 1949.

Built to resemble a ship, the home is constructed of African and Philippine mahogany, Douglas fir, concrete block, and glass. The Usonian design features four bedrooms plus a study, and is packed with plenty of trademark Wright features—think radiant heated floors, large glass windows and walkouts, and a cantilevered balcony.

In addition, the two-story solar hemicycle features a 28-foot long great room wrapped on three sides with 10-foot tall windows. Like many Wright homes, the kitchen is small (the listing notes its “efficiency”), as are the home’s original four bedrooms—all measure only 98 square feet each.

The home has received some updates over the years, including a 1958 addition that provided a playroom for the Boulter’s two sons; this room was later converted into a master suite. In 1990, the owners enclosed the home’s carport and attached it to the main house, and both the master bath and the dining room were updated by local architect Chris Magee.

The $695,000 price tag includes Wright chattel and ephemera, and of course all of Wright’s built-in furniture, desks, and bookshelves. It’s also notable because unlike other Wright-designed homes in rural areas, the Boulter house is located within walking distance of Cincinnati’s Gaslight Clifton neighborhood, a bustling hub of restaurants, boutique shops, and historic homes.

The Boulter house at 1 Rawson Woods will hit the market on January 18. For more info, head over here.

Photo by Steve Paszt Photography

8 Cool Converted Shipping Container Homes to Rent, Starting at $29/Night

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:30:00 +0000

There are glamping tents and treehouses, teepees and covered wagons. But the latest trend in unique vacation rentals? Shipping containers. If you've been curious about the tiny house trend—but want something a teeny bit bigger—take one of these eco-friendly homes for a spin. They may be small, but at $100 or less per night, they're big on value.

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60 Seconds With... Gary Wheeler

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:27:58 +0000

Hall of Fame member Gary Wheeler speaks on breaking down barriers in the industry, his Honeycomb project with Bjarke Ingels, and advice for new designers. Edited by James Eades.

Material Insight: WasteBasedBricks

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:27:58 +0000

Kerrie Masone of Material ConneXion highlights the performance properties and aesthetic appeal of WasteBasedBricks, a new way of building and designing with ceramic waste.

12 Awesome DIY Furniture Items Made Of Crates

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:22:28 +0000

Crates are perfect for creating various furniture pieces with storage, especially for those who are new to wood crafting. These crafts aren’t only about decorating and placing your crates on casters, you can really make comfortable items, and here are some tutorials you may like.

If you are about having a bit more storage and extra seating, this rustic denim DIY ottoman is a good idea. When unexpected guests turn up it provides both seating and somewhere to quickly hide clutter. The casters also make it really easy to move, and the seat is upholstered with old jeans that were stenciled to give the piece a personal touch. Watch it, if you have wooden floors, people will end up riding it around the house, and the wheels are really nippy.

DIY ottoman of a wodoen crate and some old denim (via www.pillarboxblue.com)

Okay, maybe this isn’t basically a piece of furniture but a cool stand or tray that can be used for serving breakfast, placing your jewelry or for many other things. The author of the tutorial will tell you how to beautifully stain the crate to make it look wow. You’ll find out how to get the look of antique wood without smelly stain and gritty sandpaper.

DIY stained antique wooden crate as a breakfast tray (via www.fun365.orientaltrading.com)

This rustic TV console table is so insanely easy to put together! There are no specific measurements for the project because since the base is a couple crates, the size may vary a lot from place to place. So, please remember that you can adjust each piece as you think fit. You can make it longer and just increase the size of long boards and the short board acting as a shelf.

DIY rustic TV console table of crates (via thecraftingnook.com)

Get a chic old wine crate and turn it into a gorgeous nightstand! The nightstand looks awesome and gives a shabby chic feel to the space at once. Hairpin legs are great for transforming loads of things like crates, pallets and suitcases into tables. They come in loads of different heights and colors which only adds further to your projects.

DIY vintage nightstand of an old wine crate (via www.pillarboxblue.com)

If you don’t have much space in your entryway, a floating piece is the best choice. This one is made of a vintage crate and with the use of pretty stencils that give it a vintage feel. The hinges on the crate are actually painted over and adding old hardware to any piece gives it a touch of authenticity. Read the tutorial and make the piece for your entryway.

DIY floating entryway consoel table of crates (via www.funkyjunkinteriors.net)

This wooden crate side table adds a rustic and vintage feel to your space at once. In just a weekend’s worth of time, you can make a piece of furniture that offers additional storage and decorative possibilities beside your favorite reading chair or your bed. When topped with a lamp, vase of flowers and other decor, you can transform an average crate into a beautiful showpiece.

DIY rustic wooden crate side table (via www.dreamgreendiy.com)

Need some storage space in the kitchen? No problem! This DIY two-tier produce stand is actually quite easy to make and you don’t have to be a craftsman to build it! Access to a miter saw and a power drill and you’re good to go. You’ll save lots of time by grabbing a few pre-made wood crates, plus their ample size gives you plenty of room to store all your produce. There’s an extra boost of satisfaction when you build something yourself and see it get put to good use!

DIY two-tiered wooden crate produce stand (via www.kj.com)

If you have a record player, you might be puzzling over where to put it. get some simple crates and DIY a proper furniture stand. DIYs look easier than they actually are; those single cube shelves should work as well; this DIY is on how to improvise when the supplies don’t cooperate, and you don’t have the measures you want.

DIY record player stand of wooden crates (via www.missknown.com)

This exact tutorial is for pet owners, and it can work for a cat or small dog, or with a little more work, you could put several crates together for a medium sized animal. After you finish crafting, just add a comfy warm blanket or some faux fur inside the crate and voila – your pet bed is done! Let your furry friend enjoy it!

DIY pet bed of a wooden crate (via www.theinspiredhive.com)

This ottoman and coffee table is a stylish and functional furniture piece to rock. It’s made of several crates put on casters and features a comfy seat, which makes it practical – both storage and sitting is allowed here. Crafting it will take some time but it’s really worth it, so don’t hesitate to make one if you feel like making a storage furniture piece.

DIY storage ottoman with an upholstered top (via www.monmakesthings.com)

Here’s a tiered garden shelf, which is ideal for many outdoor spaces and can be even repurposed into a bar or many other furniture items that feature storage. The piece is made of several crates and some wood for legs, paint them all as you like to fit your outdoor space and enjoy the comfortable furniture.

DIY tiered garden shelf of crates (via thecwaftyblog.blogspot.com)

This stylish wood crate bookshelf is tall and thin and can easily fit even a small spot. The piece consists of simple painted crates attached to each other, and that’s it – the craft is pretty simple and you won’t regret it for sure!

DIY easy tall crate bookshelf (via www.dreamalittlebigger.com)

The post 12 Awesome DIY Furniture Items Made Of Crates appeared first on Shelterness.

How To Keep Your Vintage Home Decor In Check

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:16:06 +0000

As the years go by, the style goes back, does that make sense?

Our answer is: yes, that statement makes sense. The time passes but we are always searching for old school trends, whatever it is in fashion, home decor or other topics. So, how do you feel about having a vintage home decor? We think we got the perfect ideas for you, here! Keep reading!

Continue reading How To Keep Your Vintage Home Decor In Check at Home Design Ideas.

51 Loveseats That Are Comfortable, Modern, And Stylish

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:08:38 +0000

Used as a relaxation destination, to add extra seating, enhance a room’s decor, or all of the above, a loveseat is a staple of the home that often gets labelled as a simple seating solution. But what if we said that your two seater sofa could be doing more for both you and your decor? Maybe your dream loveseat makes extra room for guests or converts into a reading chaise. Or maybe it allows you to relax in style out in the sun. Whether you are looking for these or something more, our collection includes loveseats in a multitude of styles, colors, and price points. Because everyone deserves to relax in style!

$1100BUY IT

Lip Shaped Loveseat: Originally created in the 1970’s by architect Franco Audrito, this offbeat sofa was inspired by Salvador Dali’s surrealistic portrait of Mae West. Its first installation was for a gym deemed the Temple of Beauty. It would later be named Marilyn, after the iconic starlet and the lipstick loving gym owner, Marilyn Garosci. A undoubtedly glamorous sofa that is well-suited for residential and commercial use.

$240BUY IT

Grey Loveseat: A Mid-Century style loveseat complete with natural finish legs and tufted cushions. A great couch if you are going for a more contemporary vibe. Available in Light Grey or Dark Grey (shown).

$255BUY IT

Mid-Century Style Loveseat: Mid-Century and minimalist, this loveseat looks extra sleek with its armless design and gently scooped back. A must for smaller spaces—both at home and the office—this loveseat is perfect when you need to squeeze more seating in without compromising style or budget. Available in Blue, Green, Orange, or Beige (shown). Matching chair also available.

$309BUY IT

Minimalist Mid Century Modern Loveseat: Simple and comfortable this minimalist, Mid-Century Modern loveseat is a fantastic sofa for waiting rooms, private offices, or those aiming for a simple aesthetic. With woven cotton upholstery, a walnut frame, and high density foam, this couch will stand the test of time and the test of style.

$806BUY IT

Burgundy Loveseat: Inject some color into your living with this luxuriously rich, burgundy loveseat. With velvet upholstery and a kiln dried, hardwood frame, with this couch you get both high quality and high style. Also available in Dark Navy Blue, Hunter Green, Opal Grey, or Purple.

$316BUY IT

Modern Style Yellow Loveseat: A surefire way to add a pop of dramatic color to your living room or lounge. This mustard yellow loveseat is a fun choice if you are looking for something a bit more bold than your average neutral sofa. Love the look, but not the color? No problem! This loveseat is also available in Beige, Dark Grey, Dark Blue, Eton Blue, Green, or Grey.

$7975BUY IT

LC2 Petit Modele Two-Seat Sofa by Le Corbusier: A modern loveseat that uses leather and stainless steel to make a big impact. A modernist response to the traditional club chair, this sofa uniquely displays its frame externally. Available in multiple colors, you can make a matching set, which includes an ottoman, 3 seater, and chair.

$700BUY IT

Plush Tufted Loveseat: Easy on the eyes and on the bottom, this Mid-Century Modern, tufted loveseat is as comfortable as it is stylish. If you’re looking to make a set, the matching chair is also available.

$152BUY IT

Low-height Loveseat: With its low profile and lack of hard edges, this affordable loveseat is perfect for families with younger kids. It even unfolds to create extra sleeping space!

$496BUY IT

Loveseat Sleeper: The perfect combination of style and function! This grey, lawson loveseat doubles as an extra bed. Just pop off the cushions and pull out the mattress for an instant guest bed. A must for bachelor or studio apartments.

$394BUY IT

Navy Blue Loveseat Sleeper: Another loveseat sleeper, but this time in a rich navy blue. If you are looking to accommodate a couple or just want to give your guest a little extra room, this pullout couch is also available in Queen size. Multiple colors available.

$540BUY IT

Pull Out Sleeper Loveseat: An innovative pullout couch that skips the foldaway mattress and utilizes its fold down backrest to create a guest bed. This unique loveseat with its streamlined silhouette is made of 100% linen and available in Cafe, Apple Green, or Blue (shown).

$405BUY IT

Modern Sleeper Loveseat: A low back loveseat with a sexy, black silhouette. This modern, sleeper loveseat is a couch by day and a bed by night. Also available in Gray.

$920BUY IT

Futuristic Convertible Loveseat: There are many convertible loveseats that made our list, but none quite like this one. This modular, futuristic loveseat has a truly unique design that is both eye-catching and functional. Available in Red, Black, Dark Brown, Light Brown, or Gray (shown).

$599BUY IT

Modular Loveseat Sleeper With Ottomans: Relax in style with a modular loveseat full of possibilities. With the removable ottomans, this sofa’s parts be configured as a loveseat with footstools and end tables or even as a bed. Plus, it does all of this while looking super chic! Available in 8 colors.

$670BUY IT

Ikea Delaktig Loveseat With Side Table: Confusing upon first glance, but in actuality, this IKEA couch is far ahead of its time. All side pieces of the DELAKTIG loveseat are reconfigurable, so you can move the back rests and side tables wherever you please. You can even make it into an ultra comfy chaise chair.

When a prospective client told Bates Masi + Architects' principal and Interior Design Hall of Fame member Paul Masi that he and his wife had recently purchased a house on the water, he really meant it: The residence’s second-floor deck literally hung right over a cove in the Chesapeake Bay. Masi’s solution to outdated 1970's structure, located in Annapolis, Maryland, yielded a new, flat-roofed house, raised three feet higher than its predecessor—and LEED-certified to boot.

Boston Residence by Steven Harris Architects: 2018 Best of Year Winner for City House

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:05:08 +0000

Faced with a grand mid 19th-century town house built by a Boston Brahmin family, another architect might have retained the original layout: formal public spaces on the ground floor, bedrooms above. But the goal of founding partner and Interior Design Hall of Fame member Steven Harris was for his clients—a career-focused young couple into modern art but not big on entertaining—to actually use the best rooms in the 12,500-square-foot residence.

Tel Aviv Residence by Axelrod Design: 2018 Best of Year Winner for Small Apartment

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:05:08 +0000

This apartment occupies a building that had long been a medical clinic and was recently converted into luxury housing. A present-day architect tasked with renovating in Tel Aviv might feel duty-bound to preserve its history, but by the time Irit Axelrod of Axelrod Design saw her client’s space, it had already been gutted, freeing her to go in a completely different direction with the layout.

Thousand Oaks Residence by NicoleHollis and Rios Clementi Hale Studios: 2018 Best of Year Winner for Suburban House

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:05:08 +0000

Designer Nicole Hollis sometimes refers to this barn-ranch hybrid in Thousand Oaks, California, as a “branch,” while architect Bob Hale calls it a “modern traditional house.” Either way, it’s a capacious and gracious stunner, a 12,000-square-foot, three-structure compound loosely based on a farmhouse that’s been added to over time, except that this one is exceptionally spare in detailing, with steel-frame windows and minimal trim.

Nastya Kolchina builds beautifully industrial chic offices for Expert Electric Company

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:00:00 +0000

Deep in the heart of Moscow, Russia, an innovative urban architectural firm has designed an expansive, industrial chic office space for Expert Electric Company. View in gallery The sophisticated, loft-style space comes complete with a metallic silver ceiling, some unique and cutting edge styled furnishing pieces, bright but comforting lighting, and an overall atmosphere that distinguishes the space in a huge way from your average traditional office space. View in..

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The post Nastya Kolchina builds beautifully industrial chic offices for Expert Electric Company appeared first on HomeDSGN.

Alert: People Have Spotted Fiddle Leaf Figs at Aldi for a Bargain

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:45:00 +0000

We've been known to buy a succulent or a bouquet at Aldi before, but did you know the German grocery chain sometimes stocks other, larger plants? Some folks on Reddit recently noticed a deal on one of Instagram's favorite trees: the fiddle leaf.

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Snøhetta designs modern cabin retreats for hospital patients

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:30:05 +0000

For when patients need a little fresh air

The cabins that sit outside of Norway’s two largest hospitals are only 300 feet away from the buildings’ entrances, but they feel like they’re a world away.

Nestled into the forests near Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and the Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand, the clusters of cabins are meant to be relaxing retreats for recovering patients and their families.

Photo by Ivar Kvaal

Patients can book one of the Snøhetta-designed Outdoor Care Retreat cabins for when they need a break from the bustle and bright lights of the hospital. All of the 376-square-foot rentals are clad in oak and feature three rooms—a bathroom, bedroom, and living room that are designed for wheelchair accessibility and are large enough for a hospital bed.

Photo by Ivar Kvaal

Snøhetta’s design draws on a growing body of research that shows natural light and biophilic design can aid patient recovery. Accordingly, the cabins’ asymmetrical shape is inspired by tree branches and have geometric windows that face out onto the forest and can be fully opened to let fresh air enter the room.

Before & After: A Vision Board Comes To Life With Celestial Painted Tiles

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:00:46 +0000

I love this Before & After project so much — I have had an eyesore of a builder grade, poorly tiled fireplace for years now. It was there when I bought my house and I’ve just not had time to teach myself how to retile it. But thanks to Catherine Lee, I might have figured out a solution. Catherine is based in Decatur, GA, where she works in economic development.

Catherine found herself pinning, saving on Instagram, and adding to her inspiration board the same tile images, over and over again. She was drawn to the Lily Pad hexagonal tile design from Ca’ Pietra. When she bought her first home, she thought about saving for the tile of her vision board dreams, but she finally decided to take a turn and try her hand at painting it herself. “I quickly priced out the tile and even more quickly realized there was no way I could afford it,” Catherine shares. “So I decided to just go for it and paint the design directly on the existing tile myself. I had seen some faux tile DIYs online, felt inspired, and figured anything would be an improvement over the burnt red tile. I got a quart of dark grey chalk paint because I wanted the look to be matte, as well as two white paint pens and some clear matte chalk paint finish. Before starting, I spent hours sketching out the design and trying to figure out the template.”

To keep the effect looking as similar to tile as possible, Catherine amplified a simple aspect of the design by drawing the hexagon running off the edge, creating a cut tile illusion. After learning this skill and having the guts to jump in with a DIY project, Catherine now has the confidence to tackle more improvements around her house. “After trusting my gut and going for it, I realized there are a ton of projects I hold off on doing to my house because I don’t have the money to do it exactly as I want it,” she begins. “This is my first home that I’ve owned and when I bought it, I figured any improvements I make should be something that makes the house more valuable for when I sell it someday. I’ve gotten stuck in the mindset that I shouldn’t do something temporary like paint over tile, when I should just save up for the actual tile or a complete renovation of the fireplace. Now that this project is finished, I don’t have any motivation to save up for the real thing, because I love the painted version so much! So I’m rethinking other long-term projects in my house that I can do now on a smaller budget by altering it a little. It’s also made me treat the house less like a precious object and more like an exciting, ever-changing living space.”

We would love to see more projects, Catherine! And we can’t wait to hear more about the exciting project she and her twin sister have planned in the coming months. Have you painted tile before? I’d love to hear the results. —Erin

Photography by Catherine Lee / @asiancajunscath

Image above: From faux brick tiles to spectacular DIY project.

Historic riverfront mansion just outside NYC asks $5M

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:31:38 +0000

Made for tea and cucumber sandwiches

Have a nomination for a jaw-dropping listing that would make a mighty fine House of the Day? Get thee to the tipline and send us your suggestions. We’d love to see what you’ve got.

Location: Irvington, New York

Price: $4,950,000

A modern McMansion doesn’t inspire us much here at Curbed, likely because a McMansion is a hodgepodge of architectural clichés mashed together in a sea of blandness. But historic mansions bring more to the table, steeped in a past of grandeur, elegance, and timeless style.

Take this sprawling eight-bedroom, ten-bath manor in Westchester County, about 25 miles north of Manhattan. It’s a mansion by any metric, with 11,653 square feet situated on 12 rolling acres of riverfront property. Built in 1929, the Georgian Revival building features a stately portico at the entrance, symmetrical wings of the home off of the center, and plenty of classically proportioned windows with shutters.

Inside, the house boasts a front to back living room with a French limestone fireplace, a two-story paneled library, and a loggia that opens onto a stone terrace overlooking the Hudson River. The master suite includes a classic drawing and dressing room, and the walk-out garden level features an indoor pool, gym, recreation room, and summer kitchen.

Throw in other amenities like tennis courts, a cabana, and a guest cottage, and you have the setting for elegant summer parties, high tea, and lazy afternoons sipping lemonade.

If that’s how you want to spend the upcoming summer, 2 Fargo Lane is on the market now for $4,950,000.

Bedside Reading Lamps With Edgy and Quirky Designs

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:20:38 +0000

Bedside table lamps are an implicit must-have feature, the reason for that being the fact that they simply change the whole ambiance and dynamic of the room. They’re practical not just as reading lights but also as ambient lighting modules which create a cozy, warm and welcoming atmosphere in the bedroom. In other words, a bedroom without bedside reading lighting is incomplete and lacks character. That being said, it’s natural to want your bedroom lamps to look nice and to have quirky features so we’ve put together a list of products that might be to your taste.

Table lamps with glass bases are pretty well-suited for bedside tables seeing how delicate their designs can be. If you’re looking something with a modern, sculptural appearance check out some of the designs that Porta Romana offers, such as the Perfume Bottle Lamp or the Coffee Bean Lamp.

The table version of the Rivalto lamp has a tall lampshade with a plissé crown which gives it a delicate appearance perfectly-suited for the bedroom. The white interior helps the lamp shine bright while also contributing to its timeless and elegant appearance.

Since bedside table lamps are used mostly as reading or mood lighting, they don’t need to be very bright but rather diffuse. That makes the IC Lights lamp a really great fit for bedrooms. Its design is very sleek, sculptural and modern. It has a slender frame in either brass or chrome and a blown glass opal diffuser with a dimmer conveniently placed on the power cord.

If you want something simple and elegant but also a bit cute, check out the Oxford table lamp. It’s slender, tall and has a double shade with a lovely texture. The lamp also has a satin brass stem and a matching circular base. The combination is chic and glamorous but also cozy.

It’s easy to see where the inspiration came from for the Bake Me a Cake lamp designed by Morten & Jonas. This table is fun and edgy and an obvious fit for restaurants and cafes. Of course, it can look just as awesome in modern homes, especially if you like quirky, innovative design.

The name of this lamp alone is enough to make the design stand out. Uovo is a lovely table lamp shaped like an egg. It has an oval shade made of white satin blown glass which offers a soft, warm and diffuse light. You can find in three different sizes and use it in a variety of environments. Using it as a bedside table lamp seems like a great idea.

The Eclipse table lamp is another really great choice for bedrooms. It gives out this very gentle, warm and not at all disturbing light, perfect for late night reading or just for setting up a cozy ambiance in the room. You can get the lamp in four beautiful colors, all made of ceramic.

Speaking of bedside reading lighting and delicate designs, check out Kurage, a unique lamp handmade by Japanese craftsmen. It has four slender ash wood legs and a curved washi paper shade. It’s super soft and delicate, both literally and figuratively.

Meet Giraffa, a table lamp with lots of character. As the name suggests, it has this elongated stem which looks like the neck of a giraffe, with another tubular piece on top which contains the actual light source. The matching angled post completes the look. The shade can rotate 360 degrees which is very practical and useful, making this lamp perfect for desks, reading nooks as well as bedside tables.

Even though the Bulb Limited is, well, a very limited series of only 12 pieces we’d still like to mention this quirky table lamp because of its interesting and playful design. The inspiration came from the Bulb lamp designed by Ingo Maurer. This is actually the anniversary series.

Speaking of playful and interesting designs, another cool piece is the Ringelpiez table lamp. It pairs beautifully with the Frivoloso lampshade featured here, especially if you plan on using it as a nightstand lamp in which case you probably want soft, diffuse lighting.

For those of you who enjoy minimalist design with just a hint of quirkiness, we have something quite special to show you: My New Flame, a table lamp with an LED rendering of a flickering candle flame which looks surprisingly realistic. It’s not a bright light nor does it try to be and that’s what makes it stand out.

Minimalist is also a defining characteristic for the Cylinda table lamp designed by Angeletti & Ruzza. This is a lamp made out of two cylinders. One is slimmer and taller and serves as a base and the other is a flat disc and serves as a lampshade, featuring an LED light source concealed just beneath it. There are no unnecessary embellishments and yet the lamp looks glamorous.

What could be cozier than a bedside table lamp with a knitted shade? Right now we’re actually talking about Granny, a very cute lamp with a circular wood base and stem and a chunky yarn shade. It’s the perfect winter lamp for any space and it’s a great bedroom lamp no matter the season.

The Cocotte lamp was designed by Serge Mouille in 1957 and has a classic and timeless look. It has a slender, angled base and a sleek stem which supports a curved shade which is black on the outside and white on the inside. The design is edgy enough to still look chic and the choice of colors and finishes is indeed timeless.

Finally, a table lamp with a design so outside the box you can’t possibly ignore it. Its design is not for everyone but the Cheese and Pepper lamp is fun and quirky enough to actually be quite versatile. Use it to add a funky look to your bedroom or your workspace and pick a color that goes well with your decor. There are plenty of nuances to choose from and they range from plain and neutral to bright and playful.

The post Bedside Reading Lamps With Edgy and Quirky Designs appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.

First-Time Home Buyers Make a Desert Boho Dallas House — House Call

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:45:00 +0000

Name: Miks Riggs, my husband, dog named Douglas, and currently 2 foster children
Location: Valley Ranch — Dallas, Texas
Size: 2,800 square feet
Years lived in: 5 months, owned

It was a big deal for my husband and I to buy this home—it's our first! I have lived in 11 different apartments in the last eight years, so I was used to moving, but that doesn't mean I enjoyed it! We got married two years ago, so we were ready to feel more grounded and find a home to raise a family. Right now, we have an instant family of five—our dog named Douglas, a foster baby, and a foster toddler! Our home is in a family neighborhood with great schools and parks, but what really sealed the deal was the view: The house sits along a canal. My favorite things to do are to rock in the rocking chair on the balcony with the fire pit on or float in the pool while my husband grills.

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Trend Alert: 8 Integrated Marble Kitchen Sinks

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:05:13 +0000

There’s something inherently luxurious about an integrated sink (no grime-filled seams to agonize over), especially when carved from marble. Here are 8 covetable examples. Investigate more possibilities by perusing our posts on marble in the kitchen, including: 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Marble Countertops Remodeling 101: Marble Countertops Remodeling 101: The Difference Between Carrara, […]

Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa, created by Elastic Architects, provides a sunset laden beach haven unlike any other

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:05:01 +0000

On the stunning rolling beaches of Creta, Greece, the Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa was designed and created by Elastic Architects to give guests a relaxing beachside experience that’s practically unparalleled in its beauty. View in gallery This project was actually a refurbishment endeavour. The goal of the new design was to was to bring a breath of fresh air to the front of house areas of the hotel, like..

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The post Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa, created by Elastic Architects, provides a sunset laden beach haven unlike any other appeared first on HomeDSGN.

Sustainable Architecture and Space-Savvy Design Transform This Small Aussie Home

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:00:15 +0000

The idea of turning a dark terrace home in the suburbs of a bustling Aussie city into a modern home fit for its contemporary owners is nothing revolutionary in itself. But with the Imprint House in Alexandria, you have the added constraint of limited space, which makes the task ever harder. To get around these impositions, Anderson Architecture turned to sustainable architectural practices and space-savvy design ideas; a combination that has completely altered the aging and dreary old residence. With a new, second-story rear extension, space was enhanced and improved while the lower level floor plan was changed to give the interior a more vibrant appeal.

New rear second level extension adds space to the small house

With the new floor plan, the living area with kitchen and dining now sits at the rear and opens up to the small backyard. Space underneath the stairway has been turned into storage area and a tiny reading nook with a view of the world outside. Move above and you have the bedrooms on the second floor that feel spacious and well-lit. Taller ceiling on the lower level along with better ventilation also altered the mood of the interior considerably with planet-friendly additions making a big impact. Smart, stylish and eco-sensitive, this is a home that makes most of its limited resources. [Photography: Nick Bowers Photography]

Tiny reading and sitting nook under the stairway

Bright and light-filled bathroom in white with wooden medicine cabinet

Gorgeous green backsplash for the kitchen in white and wood

Increase in height and smart shelving alter the interior of the house

Making use of the space under the staircase in more ways than one

Overhang created by the rear second-level additions provides shade to the tiny backyard

To make the home more comfortable in winter, we installed environmentally friendly hydronic heating through the new parts of the house and hydronic radiators to the old parts, fuelled by energy and cost efficient electric heat pumps. Provision for future solar panels was incorporated into the design of the roof, and a 2000L rainwater tank supplements the household’s water demands.

Revamped home in inner suburbs of Sydney with a rear extension

Space-savvy design and smart storage units transform the interior of this relatively small Aussie home

First floor plan of the revamped terrace house in Sydney

Ground floor plan of the Imprint House

You're reading Sustainable Architecture and Space-Savvy Design Transform This Small Aussie Home, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

10 Things You Can Learn from People Who Read a Ton of Books

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0000

"Read more" is always a popular New Year's resolution. And like all of the common resolutions that maintain their spot atop the aspirations list year after year, it's easier said than done. From finding time to read to discovering books that'll keep your attention, there are plenty of roadblocks that might keep you from diving into books as much as you'd like to.

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8 One-Click Ways to Find Joy in Washing Dishes

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0000

Let's be real: Washing dishes rarely lands at the top of anyone's favorite chores list. After a big meal (and some small ones!) it can be an especially tortuous task.

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10 Smart Kitchen Tools Restaurants Have On Hand (And You Should Too)

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0000

Fun fact: You don't need to be a professional chef to take advantage of some of the smart tools used in restaurant kitchens. And no, we're not talking about $200 knives or fancy sous vide machines. We're talking about the inexpensive, everyday sort of stuff that'll make your time in the kitchen neater, easier, and just a tad bit better.

See, many of the gadgets and tools that professional chefs use in restaurant kitchens can be just as useful to us casual home cooks. Here are the 10 we swear by the most.

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Try These Home Decor Ideas for Living Rooms to Make Yours Super Stylish

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:00:56 +0000

A living room has a lot to live up to: It has to be comfortable and practical for everyday relaxing but stylish enough to entertain family and friends. Whether you prefer a modern space, casual contemporary room or a more formal vibe, there are plenty of home decor ideas for the living room that will help create a very livable space. Ideas for storage, wall decor and furniture additions can fuel the next refresh of your living space.

Chic Shelving

No matter if the style is formal or casual, a living room is going to need some sort of storage to stash everyday necessities. This particular living room has a Nordic ambiance and uses several types of storage. One of the home decor ideas for the living room is floating shelves with backlighting. These are more than just a place to park some books and plants. The minimalist styling combined with lighting turns them into a major feature. The shelves are accompanied by a more typical storage console and a very interesting wall cabinet that features both natural wood and a white finish. Together, they offer plenty of concealed storage and open display space.

Another one of the great home decor ideas for the living room is to use unique open shelving to create a focal point in the space. Here, a trio of eye-catching geometric shelving units placed above the television and media console do double duty as storage and wall art. This concept is especially striking in a minimalist space like this, with its gray block walls and floor. The rounded lines of the media console add a touch of softness to the stark gray backdrop.

Soft Color Combinations

Without a doubt, the color palette of the living room determines the mood. Having a calm, relaxing space doesn’t mean it has to be neutral. Go for color, but choose soft, earthier tones of the colors you like instead of bold hues. Here, a deeper muted green on the walls evokes a natural feeling and the pale dusty rose of the sofa keeps the space feeling light. Accent pillows add another color but keep to the same vibe. Note that the frame of the shelving is a darker shade of the wall color, pulling the decor together. These types of home decor ideas for the living room can be easy to incorporate because painting is one of the quickest and most impactful ways to change a space.

Comfy Chairs

Every living room needs at least one chair for balance and for guest seating. Ideally, a pair of chairs is the way to go. The type of chair you choose depends not only on style and taste, but on the amount of space that’s available. The last thing you want is an overcrowded living room. Leather armchairs are one of the classic home decor ideas for the living room and choosing a pair in a neutral shade means that they will go with any color scheme. These have a mainly classic shape but with a lower back, lending a contemporary edge. The leather is also a marvelous textural counterpoint to a sumptuous velvet sofa.

If you have the space, a pair of matching chaise lounges is one of the most luxurious home decor ideas for the living room. Heck, even one would add an air of luxury to any space. Just looking at the lounge chairs promotes a feeling of relaxation. These two are upholstered in a tactile and sophisticated blue fabric that is almost a neutral addition. Just imaging lazing away a rainy day with a book, blanket and some tea on these beauties.

In a formal living room, a good pair of chairs will steal the show as these two do. In a living room with an overall neutral palette, the elegant chairs upholstered in a vivid coral velvet definitely stand out. Shiny lacquer frames tie them into the formality of the space. Having just one focal point like this makes it easy to change up the look of the living room by swapping out or re-covering the chairs, rather than undertaking a major redecoration project.

A Swanky Sofa

Typically one of the largest investments in your living room, the sofa is a critical piece of furniture because it is the largest. Among all the home decor ideas for the living room, the type of sofa is key for setting the style for the space with its silhouette and level of formality. Even within the formal style, there are countless options for sofas, like the one above, which is formal but not stuffy. The cream-colored velvet upholstery has a formal air and the curved ends are uber stylish. That said, it sports comfortably stuffed seat cushions and the pillow back is luxurious. Combined with gilded pieces and elegant accessories, it fits well in a formal space.

Casual and comfortable does not have to mean slouchy. This sectional sofa has a modern, lean silhouette but is definitely not formal. Square tufting across the seating is repeated on the sofa back, which is adjustable in sections. Added throws and cushions amp up the comfort factor. The large size of this sofa means it is best for larger spaces and the surrounding pieces should be scaled appropriately.

A Place to Put Your Feet Up

More great home decor ideas for living rooms involve skipping the sofa and instead using a chair and ottoman, especially in areas where space is tight. This area by the fireplace is very hygge and the comfortably angled armchair and matching ottoman amplify the feeling. The stacked wood stored by the fireplace and neutral, Nordic-inspired pieces create a very relaxing ambiance. This is ideal for a space off the main living room, which can feature the usual sofa arrangement.

A Patterned Rug

With its dark, muted colors, this living room also gets its drama from the patterned rug. The only color in the room is the dusty mauve that is in the checkered rug and chair with ottoman. This is a great example of how a space can be easily transformed with a graphic rug because this room would be quite blasé if the floor covering were plain. Also, colors don’t need to be bold when the pattern is strong like this. This room also makes use of the chair and ottoman option, with a tall upholstered chair combined with an ottoman covered in leather to add a pop of complementary color as well as texture.

Trendy Coffee Table

Few people can completely redecorate to keep up with trends but swapping out the coffee table for something more au courant is one of the more doable home decor ideas for living rooms. Compared to larger pieces of furniture, coffee tables are more affordable and are a focal point of the room, in front of the sofa. Current trends feature a collection of mixed smaller tables instead of one large coffee table. This can be done in any style of space, and offers more flexibility, especially when entertaining and more surfaces are needed for guests to park plates and glasses. This is an easy concept to have some fun with when refreshing a living room.

Blended Spaces

Today’s popular open plan living can be a challenge when it comes to blending the living room with the dining room. This living room includes some unique home decor ideas for living rooms such as using multiple ottomans and small tables instead of side chairs or lounges. The arrangement across from the sofa adds a cafe like feel to the area and is ideal for sitting with family or friends and sharing a coffee in a comfortable space rather than at the dining table. This style of living room opens the door to innovative furniture combinations that might be a little out of the ordinary but better fit individual lifestyles.

In a smaller open space, the dining area may need to do double duty as this one does. For these types of situations, home decor ideas for living rooms have to be flexible. Here, in addition to a closed cupboard for storage, the open shelving holds books, accessories and frames the television. Bottom and top sections also have some concealed storage, which is crucial for keeping a smaller space uncluttered.

The best thing about these types of shelving units is their flexibility. This configuration in a similar open space has just a top and bottom section with mostly closed storage. These types of units can make a big difference in the living room because they’re so easily customized.

So many home decor ideas for living rooms are out there that can be used to refresh a space without redoing everything. Choose the ones that work for your particular room and that work with your lifestyle. A stylish room may be beautiful but it’s not good if you don’t feel comfortable there.

The post Try These Home Decor Ideas for Living Rooms to Make Yours Super Stylish appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.

Beat The Winter Blues With These 8 Winter Lighting Ideas For A Brighter Home

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:00:16 +0000

The winter blues are real! They’re actually called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and, according to the Mayo Clinic, “Symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.” Luckily, there’s a fix to SAD and it’s easy: light therapy.

Short winter days and bad weather tend to make your home feel much darker than normal. It’s important to adjust your lighting in the winter to replace the lack of natural sunshine. Here are eight winter lighting ideas that will brighten up your space (and your outlook):

1. Maximize Natural Daylight In Your Home

Frosted window panels block out passersby for privacy but allow in natural light. Image: Jeffers Design Group

Keep windows open to let as much light in as you can. Here are some ways you can optimize your home to reflect the most natural light possible:

If your view isn’t inspiring or you’re worried about privacy, use sheer window panels or install a DIY frosted window film.
Hang or rest a mirror on an empty wall facing the window to reflect light in the room.
Place furniture with surfaces that are reflective – like glass, mirror or metals – near windows.
If you own your home, add a skylight.

2. Create A Panel Of Light To Replicate A Sunny Window

Backlight sheer curtain panels to create a glow that replicates a sunny day. Image: Kababie Arquitectos

If there’s no chance of daylight filtering in from your window or you don’t have a window in the room, hang a lightly colored sheer curtain. Place an LED floor can (that points lighting straight up) behind the sheer curtain to create a soft, diffused glow, similar to a sunny window.

Use an LED lightbulb for safety. LEDs don’t heat up like a traditional bulb so you don’t have to worry about your sheer curtain catching fire.

3. Watch Your Wall Color Choices

Compare the white wall to the pale yellow wall in this living room. The white looks dingy, while the pale yellow looks bright. Image: Brookfield Residential

One of the most common errors homeowners make to brighten up a room is painting it white. If your room is naturally dark, the white will end up looking dull and lifeless. Choose light colors with some pop to them instead, like pale blue, butter yellow or mint green.

4. Freshen Up Your Lampshades

White light and pendant shades do a better job of diffusing light in a room. Image: Monica Hibbs

Take inventory of your lamps, chandeliers and pendants. If your shades are dingy, yellow or outdated, replace them with fresh white ones. They’ll look crisper and diffuse brighter light better.

5. Use The Right Temperature Bulbs

Warmer temperature bulbs still lighten up a space in winter, but also feel cozier when it’s cold outside. Image: Perfect Integrations

The quality of light is one of the most important things to consider about lighting your room to avoid the winter blues. Fluorescent lighting is unattractive and the flickering of the tubes gives some people headaches.

While bulbs that are sold to replicate daylight colors seem like a good idea, they may feel too cool in the winter months. Remember, winter is about warm and cozy, so go with a warmer temperature bulb.

When shopping for LED bulbs, look for the Kelvin (K) units. The lower the K-value, the warmer the quality of light. 2700K is a nice, warm color option for most homes.

6. Make Dark Corners Work For You

A corner lamp or pendant lights up the corner and surrounding wall and ceiling. Image: Decotick

Take advantage of an awkward corner by lighting it up. If you place a torch floor lamp in a corner, you can reflect the uplight onto the adjacent walls and bounce it off the ceiling.

7. Have A Variety Of Lighting Options In Each Room

This room is layered with different types of lighting to create a bright and airy feel year-round. Image: Facile Ristrutturare

You’ll want to have different lights in every room for different tasks or moods. You probably have an overhead light. Layer your existing lighting by adding:

A floor, table or reading lamp
A wall sconce or pendant light
Strip lighting
String lights

Each type of light serves a different function and creates a mood. You may not always want to switch the bright ceiling light on so it’s nice to have a table or floor lamp available. Table and floor lamps are easy to move around so you can change a room’s lighting plan as the season changes.

LED string lights come battery-powered, making them a great option for ambient lighting in areas where there’s no electrical outlet. Here are ideas for decorating with string lights.

8. Automate Your Lighting With Smart Home Timers

With the new smart home automation available, you can program your lights remotely. Image: My Renovation Magazine

Automate your lighting to welcome you home every day by using smart home lighting plugs and timers. You can program them to go off and on according to a schedule – or even operate them remotely from your smartphone.

Coming home to a nicely lit home is uplifting, especially after trudging through the cold, cruel world outside.

Focus on using these winter lighting ideas in the rooms where you spend the most time. Start by upgrading the lighting in your living room, kitchen and bedroom and see how you feel after you make the changes.

The post Beat The Winter Blues With These 8 Winter Lighting Ideas For A Brighter Home appeared first on Freshome.com.

We Know One Small Thing That'll Inspire You to Keep Your Home Clean, All Year Long — The 2019 January Cure

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:00:00 +0000

The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It's not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far.

We're all strangers here on the internet. But because you're an Apartment Therapy reader and doing the Cure with us, I know at least one thing about you: You are someone who truly cares about improving their home. And that's something that should be celebrated.

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Try These Home Decor Ideas for Living Rooms to Make Yours Super Stylish

Chic Shelving

Soft Color Combinations

Comfy Chairs

A Swanky Sofa

A Place to Put Your Feet Up

A Patterned Rug

Trendy Coffee Table

Blended Spaces

Beat The Winter Blues With These 8 Winter Lighting Ideas For A Brighter Home

1. Maximize Natural Daylight In Your Home

2. Create A Panel Of Light To Replicate A Sunny Window

3. Watch Your Wall Color Choices

4. Freshen Up Your Lampshades

5. Use The Right Temperature Bulbs

6. Make Dark Corners Work For You

7. Have A Variety Of Lighting Options In Each Room

8. Automate Your Lighting With Smart Home Timers

Focus on using these winter lighting ideas in the rooms where you spend the most time. Start by upgrading the lighting in your living room, kitchen and bedroom and see how you feel after you make the changes.

We Know One Small Thing That'll Inspire You to Keep Your Home Clean, All Year Long — The 2019 January Cure

8 Cool Converted Shipping Container Homes to Rent, Starting at $29/Night