The Best General Contractors in Louisville

FROM GENERAL CONTRACTORS MAGAZINE! THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR!

1) Wolford Built Homes

Website | 502.228.5885 | 7804 Springfarm Glen Drive PO Box 767 Prospect, KY 40059

Wolford Built Homes is one of Louisville’s premier luxury custom home builder and remodeler. The company was established in 1974 by Ron Wolford, a registered home builder that has built over 700 projects in Louisville and Northern Kentucky. He has won many awards including The Home Builders Association of Louisville’s Tour of Remodeled Homes “Best of” and was featured on the international TV show Cribs. The company’s homes have also been featured in Homearama and The Dream Factories’ “Dream House”, an 800-square foot traditional home with four bedrooms, four and a half baths, a master suite, a finished lower level and a three-car garage. The firm also received multiple awards from the Home Builders Association of Louisville including the 2012 Best Builder/Remodeler, Best Model Home, Best Remodeling Project Over $100k, and Best Home Design under $1.2M.

Throughout the years, the company remains one of the area’s finest luxury custom home builders that incorporates the latest trends in home design with traditional architecture and details perfectly blended with innovative technology.

https://www.generalcontractors.org/the-best-general-contractors-in-louisville-kentucky/

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French Interior Design Ideas

This beautiful French style home is located in the heart of West Texas. The expansive single story 4,300 square foot floor plan was designed by Brit Jones Interiors and architect Tyler Gentry, of 17 Services. It was built by Scott Lane Homes.

You are immediately greeted with a stunning staircase leading you into a foyer filled with unique and one-of-a-kind french antiques. The interiors also feature a neutral color palate with pops of soft blue and traditional furniture styles.

I haven’t seen a tailored home like this one in some time and I really think you guys will love it as much as I do.

This French-style home exudes timeless architectural details and plenty of curb-appeal.

The home features a foyer, dining, living, kitchen, den, 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and 2 half baths, den, playroom, private office, large mudroom with wrapping room, courtyard and expansive lawn in front and back.

 Shutters

Shutters are rough cedar painted in Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue and made to look weathered with sand paper. The homeowner painted them herself!

Front Door

Black steel and glass front doors are custom made – 10 foot tall.

Brick

Exterior Brick: Mangum Brick in Country French color with white mortar.

Stucco

Instead of regular stucco the homeonwer did a “brick slurry” where they did the stucco over the brick in a hand finish instead of a sprayed finish. Color is a custom tan finish.

Trim Color

Dark Exterior Trim Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Seal Skin.

Roof

Roof is Tamko Thunderstorm Grey.

Windows

Windows are Pella Aluminum clad in bronze.

Stone

Exterior stone is Castlerock stone in a mix of cream and white with white mortar.

Lighting

Front Lanterns are Troy Larchmont Lanterns in hand forged iron in Age Pewter finish.

Welcome Home!

The black steel double doors open to a stunning French foyer.

Foyer Paint Color

White French Interior Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Alabaster.

Chandelier: Aidan Gray

Sconces: Aidan Gray

Blue Chair

The blue foyer chair is a French antique.

Antique Door

The barn door in the foyer is a true antique door from France.

Get the Look:

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Drapery

The window coverings are custom drapes and shades from Susan Cannon at Budget Blinds. They are drapes on French radius rods with motorized wove. Brittany, the homeowner, loves her them!

Chairs and ottoman are from Wisteria.

Similar Side Table: here .

Details

Foyer drapes are a French Blue with a custom embroidered banding on a French rod.

Dream Kitchen & Dining Room

This French-country kitchen and dining room are full of beauty and character.

Dining table and bench are Classic Home Furniture. Similar here (table & bench).

Dining Chairs

Wingback Dining Chair: Wayfair

Side Chairs: World Market. Similar here, here & here.

Similar Vase: here (large).

Kitchen

Isn’t this one of the most beautiful French kitchens you have ever seen?! Its design and choice of materials are impeccable.

Backsplash

The herringbone backsplash is reclaimed bricks from a building in Chicago. The homeowner took it all the way up the wall to make it more dramatic with the custom cast stone vent hood.

Cabinet pulls can be found here.

Lighting

Kitchen Lighting: Feiss.

Kitchen Hood

Kitchen vent hood is sprayed cast stone material that is custom-made in place.

Countertop

Kitchen countertop is Honed Arabescato Marble.

Similar Counterstools: here, here, here & here.

Get the Look:

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Hardware

Kitchen Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander Pulls and the Durham knobs for perimeter.

Cabinetry

Cabinets are Pine, shaker style cabinet door with a beveled edge. Cabinet paint color is Sherwin Williams Alabaster.

Kitchen Sink: Rohl.

Appliance Pull: Here.

Faucet

Kitchen Faucet: Danze Opulence Satin Nickel.

Hardwood

Hardwood Flooring: Hill Country Innovations Coastal Dunes Collection in color Cape Cod.

Similar Plaid Pillows: Here & Here.

Kitchen Pantry Cabinet Color

Paint Color: Uncertain Gray by Sherwin Williams.

Lighting

Industrial Farmhouse Lighting: Lighting is Hammered Copper one light pendant from Nebraska Furniture. Similar here.

Beams

The kitchen ceiling features stained wood grid ceiling.

Arch

A brick archway divides the kitchen area from the living room.

Living Room Ceiling

The living room features cathedral ceiling with beam.

Chandelier: Quorum.

Layout

The picture above gives us an idea of the layout; arches lead to foyer, next to a sitting area, dining room, kitchen and pantry on far left (by the refrigerator).

Patio Door

A large slide door with transoms opens to the patio.

Paint Color & Furniture

Wall & Trim Color: Alabaster by Sherwin Williams SW 7008.

Sofas are Bernhardt.

Chairs are Lee Furniture.

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Powder Room

Countertop is Honed Arabescato Marble.

Cabinet Paint Color

Cabinet Color: Pewter Tankard Sherwin Williams.

Hardware: Anthropologie.

Grey Den

This rustic den features reclaimed wood ceiling and brick flooring. Breathtaking!

Den sofa is Mayo Furniture.

Ceiling Details

Note from the Designer: “The ceiling in the den is reclaimed barn wood beams over regular cedar planks that my husband distressed himself with nails, chains, and hammers”. – Brittany Jones.

Reading Nook Lighting

Reading Nook Lighting: Savoy House.

Den chairs are Century Furniture. Similar here, here & here.

Brick Flooring

Brick Flooring: Reclaimed bricks from an old building in Chicago. The designer/homeowner found the bricks from a vendor in Waco, Texas who sources the brick directly from a brick cutter in Chicago.

Laundry Room

The laundry room also features brick flooring.

Countertop: Polished “Shadow” Quartzite.

Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander.

Daughter’s Bedroom

The color palette of this bedroom is a dream!

Bedding

Bedding is a mix of Pottery Barn, and Bella Notte.

Chandelier

White Chandelier: Home Depot gold chandelier that the designer redid with chalk paint and added pearl strands from her wedding. Similar here.

Window

Window Treatment: Custom blush velvet cornice, white sheer drapes over a white and cream woven wood shades.

Bathroom Paint Color

Best White: Sherwin Williams SW 7008 Alabaster.

Lighting: Feiss.

Bathroom Tray Decor

Perfection!

Mirror & Sconces

Bathroom Mirror: similar here.

Sconces: Pottery Barn.

Bathroom Hardware

Bathroom Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs.

French Master Bedroom

Bedding is RH and Ballard Designs.

Window Treatment: Woven wood shades under white linen drapes.

Chandelier

Chandelier is Regina Andrew.

Paint Color

Trim and wall color is Sherwin Williams Alabaster.

Barn Door

The barn door is a custom designed door from a local carpenter and painted by the designer in Annie Sloan – custom mix of Duck Egg Blue, Old White, French Linen, and Coco.

Master Bathroom

Bathroom Faucet: Danze.

Countertop: Polished Arabescato Marble.

Cabinet Hardware

Bathroom Cabinet Hardware: Restoration Hardware.

Bathroom Chandelier

Terracotta Ballerina 6 light chandelier.

 Neutral Hues

How stunning is this bathroom? Notice the wall tile and the linen drapes.

Tub Surround Tile: Handmade white subway tile with a polished white finish. Similar here.

Master Bathroom Floor: Emser Tile Pietre Del Nord in color Maine with matte finish.

Interior Design & Photography: Brit Jones Interiors ( Instagram).

Inspiring Color Palette

Timeless Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams Alabaster. Benjamin Moore Bird’s Egg. Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. Sherwin Williams Watery. Sherwin-Williams Silver Strand. Benjamin Moore White Sand.

 

2018 Interior Design Trends

Get the lowdown on the colors, materials and other design decisions gaining steam now

Every year brings more options for materials, finishes and ideas to bring into our interiors. If you’re ready to try something new, consider the following design trends. We searched through Houzz data, popular photos and articles, and talked to designers for this snapshot of 22 things you’re likely to see more of in 2018.

Crisp Architects

1. Dedicated chopping and baking stations. Regular countertop height is fine for those casual weekly meals. But for larger, more involved recipes that require a lot of chopping, rolling or other strenuous maneuvers, a lower countertop is more ideal. That’s why some avid home cooks are gravitating toward dedicated chopping and baking stations that are often a continuation of a larger, standard-height island.

See how to create a dedicated baking station

2. Matte black finishes. Last year, satin brass made its takeover of kitchens. This year, look out for matte black in bathrooms as well as kitchens. Homeowners looking for a statement-making look that’s contemporary and complements a variety of materials and styles are embracing this tough, versatile finish. Companies like Moen, whose matte black finish is shown here, are expanding their products to include more options in the durable finish.

Find matte black hardware

Jeffrey Dungan Architects

3. More color in kitchens. White will always be a classic palette for kitchens, as the annual Houzz kitchen trends study continues to show. But its increased popularity means there’s going to be some all-white-kitchen fatigue as homeowners look for ways to personalize their space. So while white kitchens aren’t even close to going away, expect to see a rise in color for the kitchen, especially other neutrals like gray and blue. Plus, warm wood tones are becoming a popular replacement for painted cabinets, leading to sophisticated, rich palettes.

3 Modern Kitchens That Rock Warm Wood Cabinets

4. Antibacterial materials. Imagine a countertop that helps take care of that salmonella bacteria for you after preparing chicken for dinner. That’s the idea behind several materials presented at the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings (CERSAIE) in Italy back in September.

The new K-Life technology incorporated into Porcelanosa’s Krion solid surface not only is antibacterial but also eliminates chemicals that come into contact with it, as well as purifies the surrounding air.

How does it accomplish this? Through a process called photocatalysis, which uses a semiconductor in the surface to enhance a reaction to light, killing bacteria and breaking up pollutants.

IdeaGroup’s Disenia also showcased a similar product at CERSAIE. Its new shower gaskets have an antibacterial treatment.

Meanwhile, Bataform, by Cermica Globo, is an antimicrobial treatment that has been shown to reduce germs and bacteria on surfaces.

DeGraw & DeHaan Architects

5. Dining tables in the kitchen. Not everyone is in favor of a big island, especially for eating family meals. Who wants to face the same direction all the time, as in a diner? Many homes, especially those with smaller kitchens, are reconsidering a traditional dining table in place of an island.

Browse dining tables

Interiors by Odette Design Group

This dining table features a quartz top that can be used like an island countertop as needed.

Cotto d’Este

6. Wallpaper-like tile. Several fascinating tile styles captured the attention of visitors at CERSAIE. There’s new tile that looks like wood, concrete, resin, fabric and even wallpaper. The latter is prized for offering the elaborate pattern look of modern-day wallpapers while being durable enough to wipe down with a sponge and detergent.

Annie Hall Interiors

7. Glass insert for tub-shower combos. Many still love their shower curtains, but partial glass dividers are coming on strong. Glass shower panels keep compact spaces airy and open, allowing a clear view to a statement shower tile or more natural light.

See our guide on getting a glass insert

8. Concrete accents. Concrete has always been a popular material choice, but don’t be surprised to see it in more unexpected ways, such as in furniture, decorative accessories, wallcoverings, countertops and tile. “My clients are expressing a desire to use materials in unusual ways,” says designer and Houzz Contributor Jennifer Ott. “Concrete is as popular as ever, but it’s showing up in unexpected places such as in furniture, decorative accessories and even as concrete-look wallcoverings.”

Designer Yanic Simard agrees. “The humble material and its comforting cool tones mixed with light linen and pearl grays add relaxed air to any space,” he says.

And the concrete look is carrying over into other materials as well. The stoneware tiles shown here (Beton Chic from Ricchetti’s Manifattura del Duca range) mimic the texture of concrete and come in a variety of colors.

Alexandra Crafton

9. Bold-colored sofas. A daring sofa color tackles two common design challenges: adding color and creating a focal point. If you feel like your living room is lacking in either of these areas, consider taking your sofa color up a notch. Blue, pink and green are all great places to start.

See more daring sofa colors

Studio Revolution

10. Casual and calm modern bedrooms. You can’t decorate your way to a good night’s sleep. In other words, if you’re looking for a calm, relaxing bedroom — ideal for a restful night — you don’t want the space dripping with ornate decor, busy patterns or eye-opening color. Instead, a pared down, verging-on-minimalist look that incorporates soothing neutrals, soft fabrics and simple, functional pieces is the direction homeowners are heading.

See the 20 Most Popular Bedrooms of 2017

Fluidesign Studio

11. Defining kitchens in open floor plans. Every time a bell rings, an interior wall gets knocked down. OK, maybe not that frequently but it seems like the open floor plan has dominated homes in recent years, and not all homeowners love it. And some are going the other way, seeking some sort of delineation of space, such as in the photo shown here. A half wall of cabinetry creates a semi-closed space between the kitchen and living room.

See more semi-open kitchens

Sutro Architects

Other homeowners are embracing a material palette to offset a kitchen area from an open living space, as shown here.

Carl Mattison Design

12. Millwork feature walls and detailing. Shiplap, millwork panels and reclaimed wood boards have been around for a while now. But with affordable big box store options and the relative ease with which the average homeowner is able to DIY these materials as accents, expect to see this trend to continue for some time, especially as bedroom feature walls.

13. Hidden range hoods. A statement range hood can make an ideal focal point in a kitchen. But in more compact spaces, the last thing you may want is another bulky appliance. Instead, consider hiding a hood behind some elegant cabinetry, as was done in this Australian kitchen. Coupled with under-cabinet outlets, the hidden appliance allows the small amount of backsplash to appear large, streamlined and elegant.

See more on hidden range hoods

Murphy Deesign

14. Mixing metals, texture and sheen. “People are mixing metallic elements and are paying more and more attention to sheen and texture,” Ott says. Think shiny brass mixed with matte black steel, or a honed countertop with matte tile backsplash.

Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens

15. Countertop details. Sure, it’s important to focus on choosing the right countertop material for your needs, but don’t stop there. There are a bevy of options to ratchet up the look and function of your countertop. Here, cut grooves in butcher block create a drainage for wet dishes and other scenarios.

Pros and cons of popular countertop materials

Sheila Mayden Interiors

And here, a chiseled edge completely changes the look and feel of this kitchen.

Designstorms LLC

16. Trough or bucket sinks. These deep, wide and durable sinks are great for hardworking laundry rooms and busy kids bathrooms. And their rise dovetails nicely with the expected continued prevalence of a quieted-down modern farmhouse style.

15 Modern-Rustic Farmhouses Celebrate Simple Pleasures

Jamie Keskin Design

17. Fish-scale pattern backsplash. If you’ve grown bored of subway tile but still want something simple and classic, check out a scalloped or fish-scale pattern. The look offers more movement, and a bit more interest, than rectangular tile but is still versatile enough to work with almost any kitchen style.

See more photos of fish-scale tile in design

Sea Pointe Construction

18. Rich colors. Warm grays with rich, earthy shades will edge out cooler neutrals for a more sumptuous look. “I’m seeing a move toward warm grays and rich, earthy shades of camel, rust, tobacco and brown-blacks,” Ott says.

Amanda Kirkpatrick Photography

Simard says rich colors like red — especially for sofas — can add a sense of passion, while something like a burnt yellow offers some interesting, unexpected flavor.

Hill Farm Furniture Ltd

19. Vintage lighting. Pros are reporting more interest in vintage-style fixtures, such as aged copper pendant lights. “There’s a huge focus on lighting right now, especially vintage pieces, which is also considered to be a great art solution,” Simard says.

Browse copper pendant lights

Diskin Designs

20. Dedicated broom closets. It takes a lot to keep a home looking clean: brooms, brushes, mops, dusters, Swiffers, cleaning supplies. And finding space to keep these things organized while always at the ready shouldn’t be an afterthought.

That’s why homeowners are gravitating toward a dedicated broom closet or cabinet. Clever rollouts and design tactics that make use of slim spaces, such as the inches between the side of a fridge and a wall, can turn out highly functional storage units for cleaning tools.

See more space-saving broom closets

eleven11DESIGN

21. Florals make a comeback. This popular print is getting a revival and a bit of an update, say Ott and Simard. Forget low-energy patterns, and think botanical references in high-contrast colors and oversize blooms. “I’m seeing florals making a comeback,” but not the traditional variety, Ott says. “These are bold, graphic floral prints in high-contrast colors such as black and white or teal and gold.”

Michael J Cox

22. Fewer white or stainless-steel sinks. White and stainless steel sinks have had their day, says designer Ott. Expect more concrete, stone, copper and granite composite sinks in darker hues of gray, bronze or black.

Thank you Houzz and

Mitchell Parker January 1, 2018 for the great content!!!

Discover 100 of the Most Beautiful French Homes on Houzz

We mark Bastille Day with a journey through a wide-ranging collection of gorgeous French homes and gardens

 July 14 is Bastille Day in France. The holiday, instituted in 1880 during the time of the nation’s Third Republic, marks the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution, an event that symbolized the end of absolute monarchy. Bastille Day also commemorates the Fête de la Fédération, a national festival held in 1790 to celebrate the unity of the nation and the drafting of the early stages of the constitution the previous year.

What better occasion to embark on a tour of French architecture and decor? On the itinerary are elegant Haussmannian apartments, the charms of Provence, lofts brimming with character and traditional country houses. From Lyon to Paris, Bordeaux to Nice, and even to the nation’s overseas territories, we look at incredibly rich styles, surprising choices and clever ideas. Don’t forget to tell us which of the photos is your favorite!

Melian Randolph

1. Biarritz. See the rest of this home

d.mesure – Elodie Sire

2. Normandy. See more of this country home

Catherine Sandin

3. Versailles, Yvelines. See more photos and read about this weekend retreat

MEERO

4. Argenteuil, Val-d’Oise. Tour this loft outside Paris

Sarah Lavoine – Studio d’architecture d’intérieur

5. Paris. See more of this chic apartment

François Primault architecte

6. Moirax, Lot-et-Garonne. Step inside this contemporary home

Agence Glenn Medioni

7. Paris. See more of this petite apartment

Damien Carreres

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8. Méribel, Savoie. Tour this rustic ski chalet

frederique legon pyra architecte

9. Var. See more of this seaside villa

Marion Alberge Décoration

10. Paris. See the modern decor of this Haussmannian apartment

Nous Studio

11. Trouville-sur-Mer, Normandy. See more of this award-winning design

Ml-h design

12. Montpellier, Hérault. Step inside this renovated mill

am Alexandra Magne

13. Paris. See more of this duplex with industrial style

SARL ARCHITECTONIK

14. Toiny, St. Barts. Get a taste of island life at this villa

Aurélien Vivier

15. Lyon. Peruse this plant-filled home

Ciel Atelier d’Architecture

16. Lake Annecy, Haute-Savoie. See more of this wine cave near the Swiss border

17. Paris. See the rest of this luxe apartment

Laurent Guillaud-Lozanne Architecte DPLG

18. Lyon. Tour this contemporary home

Jours & Nuits

19. Marseille. View this interior designer’s home

Au50bis

20. Bordeaux. See more of this historical renovation

Dorner Design

21. Paris. Discover this apartment’s stylish simplicity

Jennifer Decaux

22. Paris. Behold the power of home staging

Olivier Chabaud Architecte

23.Villennes-sur-Seine, Yvelines. See more of this light-filled home

ATELIER FB

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24. Paris. Visit this apartment of an art collector

nesso

25. Var. See more of this contemporary villa

Agence MORVANT & MOINGEON Paysagistes Concepteurs

26. Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône. See more of this transformed yard

MEERO

27. Paris. Bohemian chic in a former artist’s studio

Bernard Touillon Photographe

28. Alpes-Maritimes. Tour this charming home in the south of France

Jours & Nuits

29. Frontignan, Hérault. See more of this seaside cottage

Fabrice Ausset – Architecte DPLG

30. Paris. Step inside this eclectic apartment

MAS PROVENCE

31. Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône. Tour this traditional farmhouse

Aude Borromée

32. Paris. See more of this colorful space

Agence Glenn Medioni

33. Paris. See more pictures and read about this apartment

MEERO

34. Paris. Tour this home of musicians

CKA PARIS

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35. Paris. See more of this apartment

AMDECO

36. Méribel, Savoie. Visit the rest of this chalet

Alexandre Montagne – Photographe immobilier

37. Lyon. See more of this apartment bathed in light

JPDA

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38. L’Isle-Adam, Val-d’Oise. Tour the rest of this home

ATELIER FB

39. Paris. Style galore in this home of a fashionista

Cendrine Deville Jacquot – Architecte DPLG

40. Bordeaux. See more of this home addition

Christophe Beaugrand / Anthony Nicolini architects

41. Paris. See more of this glam bedroom

A3Design

42. Périgord, Dordogne. Tour this renovated chateau

Alexandre Montagne – Photographe immobilier

43. Lyon. See more of this transformed loft

d.mesure – Elodie Sire

44. Paris. Step inside this moody apartment

atelier daaa

45. Paris. Visit the rest of this home

Franck Minieri, Photographer

46. Nice. Tour the “Super Dog Loft”

Jours & Nuits

47. Le Lavandou, Var. See more of this seaside villa

Aurélien Vivier

48. Saint-Étienne, Loire. Step inside this renovated textile factory

be-attitude

49. Paris. See more of this bright apartment

Atelier Zündel Cristea

50. Vincennes, Val-de-Marne. View this contemporary home

For 50 more please visit net weeks Blog!

Thank you to HOUZZ and

Pauline Warlet July 14, 2017

Rédactrice en chef Houzz France

How to Design a Plan for Your New Home or Remodel

Building or renovating a house? Follow these 6 steps to draw up a plan that delivers the goods…

Most importantly…..

What you need and what you think you want are not the same thing.

Before you can even begin to design your own home (or design anything for that matter), you need to establish a clear brief for the project. This is more than just a wish list — it covers all aspects of the project: size, appearance, location, orientation, sensory qualities, cost, construction methods and much more. Let’s take a look at writing a brief in detail.

Archier

Your written brief will form the foundation of your entire house design. It is a description of your design objectives, which you will refer back to constantly and, as such, requires careful consideration.

The step-by-step process outlined below is the method I use to create briefs for every project I do. Whether you are designing a new house or extending an existing one, the approach is the same. Work through the steps, and by the end you will have not only a comprehensive and detailed brief but also a greater understanding of what it is you need rather than simply what you want.

Don’t worry about getting it right the first time; there will be plenty of opportunities to refine it later. What matters is that you get everything out of your head and down on paper so that the project can start to move forward.

SHED Architecture & Design

1. Compile a list of “likes” and then analyze them. The first step in designing your own home is to establish the sort of house you want to create and why. You should begin by collecting images of all the things you like and that speak to you about the type of home you want to create. I find Houzz to be the best tool for this because you can easily share your list and collaborate with other family members.

Browse images on Houzz for inspiration

m3architecture

Now this is where it starts to get interesting. Take each of the images you have chosen and look at it more closely. For each one, ask yourself what it is specifically that attracted you to the image, and note it down. It could be obvious, such as a particular material or shape, or it could be something less tangible, such as a feeling of comfort you infer from the image.

Can you picture yourself living in the room or house in the photo? If so, how does it feel to be there? Ask yourself what it is about that feeling that you want to emulate in your own home. It’s important to try to draw out the qualities that you want your home to have, rather than simply gathering shiny images of how you want it to look.

S&K Group

2. Look more closely at how you live. Now it’s time to look critically at how you live in your current home. It doesn’t matter if you own a house, rent an apartment or sleep on your parents’ sofa. We all inhabit space, and we all do it in slightly different ways.

Ask yourself the following questions about your current living situation. Spend some time on each one and be as critical as you can:

• What do you like about where you live and what don’t you like?
• Which rooms do you prefer to spend time in and which do you rarely use?
• What is it specifically that you like and dislike about these spaces?
• Which functions of your lifestyle do you feel are well-addressed and which ones are not?
• If you could improve just one thing, what would it be, regardless of cost and practicality?

3rdSpace

Next, make a list of all the items you own that will require storage in your new home, including the amount of space required for each and the best location for it. Don’t underestimate storage; it can make or break even the best-designed homes.

Finally, sit and watch how people move around in your current living spaces. Can you identify any conflicts that could be avoided in your new home? This is especially common in kitchens and bathrooms, where a lot of activity takes place.

schulberg demkiw architects

3. Draw up a list of spaces. You are now ready to start compiling a list of the rooms you hope to include in your new home. This is not as easy as it sounds. Lots of “what if” questions, doubts and uncertainty will start to crop up. This is normal and an integral part of the design process. Just keep going.

I would urge you not to dwell on these doubts for too long. Accept that you don’t have all the answers at this stage, and move on. It’s more important to identify the right questions so that you can address them as the design progresses.

Don’t worry about budget or practicalities just yet. There will be plenty of time to downsize if and when it becomes necessary. Be as extravagant as you like. This list is simply a draft of what it is you want — or rather what you think you want. It will be subject to plenty of adjustment before it is finalized, so don’t stress over it too much.

Lynn Gaffney Architect, PLLC

Be sure to consider the entire range of activities you would like your building to host. Think in terms of what the house can do for you, and try to envision any future needs you might have. Don’t forget to include outdoor living spaces in this list.

If you are planning an addition or refurbishment project, include both the existing spaces you want to keep and the additional spaces you want to create.

Read more about doing an addition

Archier

4. Analyze the list. Next, look at each of the rooms on your list in turn, using a separate page or document for each, and consider the following questions:

• What specific activities will normally happen in this space (for a kitchen, this may be eating or socializing in addition to cooking)?
• What furniture will you want to put in the spaces you are going to design? Include any built-in storage you think you may need. Look back at your storage list and make sure you include the storage requirements for each room.
• Can you categorize the room in some way? Would you call it a public or a private space? Is it open or closed, inward- or outward-looking? Will it be a primary or secondary space in your home?
• Can you combine two or more of the rooms on your list? Consider multifunctional spaces that can serve different purposes at different times. This is a great way to start to rationalize your list.

• Now revisit the qualities and feelings you identified from your list of likes, as well your analysis of the rooms you enjoy spending time in. What qualities do you want each of the rooms on your list to have? This may include access to natural light at certain times of the day, or feelings of spaciousness, comfort, warmth, serenity or cleanliness, for example. Think about rooms in your current home that you rarely use and make sure you aren’t simply replicating them in your new home.

ZeroEnergy Design

5. Establish big-picture goals and priorities for the project. You should now have a good handle on the specifics of each room. It’s time to take a step back and think about the project as a whole. As with any project, it’s important to establish a clear list of goals from the outset. These goals will help guide the decision-making process as you move forward, and form a handy touchstone when you face difficult choices or conflicting opinions.

They might be environmental goals, such as minimizing energy use or water consumption, or economic goals, such as maximizing affordability and minimizing ongoing maintenance costs. Your goals could also be personal ones, such as allowing for flexibility toward any future lifestyle changes or creating the perfect place to hold lavish dinner parties. Think of your goals as the values you want your final design to embody.

Fearns Studio

Finally, consider what relationship each room might have to another one. You might want a kitchen to be close to a dining area or to open onto the garden, for example. Alternatively, you might want to locate the bedrooms away from the main living area to ensure that they are quieter and more private.

Note it all down; you can’t write too much on all this stuff. Be as expansive and as specific as you like, but prioritize each item into “nonnegotiable,” “important” and “nice to have.”

Angus Mackenzie Architect

6. Finalize your list and address common mistakes. The last step in this process is about bringing it all together. You should have an overview of the rooms you think you need and their relationship to one another, as well as a fairly detailed description of what each room should contain and how it should feel.

There are, however, some very common mistakes people make during this process. Take one last look at your list to make sure you aren’t guilty of any of the following:

• Focusing too much on aesthetics. Instead, think more about quality, comfort and functionality. Trust me, looks can come later.
• Thinking purely room by room. Be sure you have set real goals and values for your whole project from the outset. A good designer is able to focus on the little details without forgetting the bigger picture.

schulberg demkiw architects

• Not considering all family members’ thoughts and feelings. Although you may be the one leading the design, don’t forget the other occupants of your home. The more they are invested in the process, the richer the design will become.
• Trying too hard to “keep up with the Joneses.” Just because your neighbors have a hot tub on the roof doesn’t mean you have to have one too. Stick to your specific needs and those of your family, and forget what everyone else is doing.
• Not considering the future. If this process is going to be worthwhile, your design needs to have flexibility to allow it to grow with you and your family. None of us know what the future holds, so aim for a design that can easily adapt should your circumstances change.

John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

Thank you to Houzz and

Mark Gregory

So You Want to Build: 7 Steps to Creating a New Home

Get the house you envision — and even enjoy the process — by following this architect’s guide to building a new home

Whether building new or renovating an existing structure, creating a new home is a journey of discovering who you are, what you want, how you want to live and where you want to be. It’s a chance for you to define your relationship to the world, to your family and to yourself. Creating a home is more than building “three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms.” It is so much more than the sum of a few parts.

As with any journey, you’ll want to do some research and plan your trip. You’ll want to have a sense of what the end result should be and how much it’ll cost. And while you’ll no doubt be able to go it alone, having a seasoned and experienced guide show you the way will likely mean a more enjoyable, more enriching and overall better journey.

Let’s look at the steps, in chronological order, involved in creating a home.

Starting a project? Find an architect, general contractor, home builder or design-build firm to start

Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects LLP

Lauren Mikus

1. Set goals. Creating a new home for yourself is all about setting goals and taking the steps to achieve those goals. You’ll want to establish the answers to a whole host of questions so that you can set these goals.

Goal setting requires satisfying both left- and right-brain activities. So your list of goals will include two sides: a practical, meat-and-potatoes side and an emotional, ice-cream-and-pie side. Each is important, and each needs to be recognized so that the end result will reflect a totality.

Questions to ask:
• What do you want to achieve?
• Where do you want to be?
• What will this cost?
• Can it really be achieved?
• Does plan A make sense?
• What’s plan B?

2. Establish a budget. While a budget should be in any goal statement, it’s such an important piece that it’s included here as a separate task. When making your budget, of course you’ll begin with what you can afford, and how the cost of your house fits in with your overall plans for the future. When you’re ready to get down to details, include everything that will go into the project: the cost of the land, local fees and taxes, design and engineering fees, construction of not just the home but the landscape, plus furniture and decorating.

And don’t forget a healthy contingency. As with any complex project, things will happen, and the road from point A to point B will have a detour or two. Make sure that these little side trips won’t send you over the edge.A spreadsheet program such as Excel is a good tool to use for developing a budget, as you can continuously update and modify it as you work your way through the project.

8 ways to stick to your budget

Randy Brown

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3. Find some land — or a neglected older house. Where do you want to be? How do you want to live? What are you looking for? Maybe you want that house in the mountains or with the ocean view, but it’s not in the cards right now, for economic or other reasons. No matter; you’ll likely be able to reinvent yourself later. For now, it’s the burbs with the good schools or some other place. The point is, find a spot on the globe that you can claim as your own and build what will be a home.

And maybe that land isn’t a few acres that’s never been trampled on. Maybe it’s an existing house that’s just old and tired and has suffered some neglect. The house whispers to you that it really does want to shed those avocado-colored appliances, that shag carpeting and those single-pane windows, and you know you’re the person to do that.

So take heart if you decide to transform that sow’s ear into a silk purse. You’ll be amazed at the transformation that can take place.

4. Assemble a team. While you might think you can go it alone, assembling a team of tried and true professionals is the better approach. After all, you wouldn’t represent yourself in court. So why wouldn’t you entrust your single largest investment to an experienced team that won’t be learning on your dime?

An architect and a builder (if not one and the same) are going to be your most important team members. These people will act as guide, therapist, advocate and counselor throughout the journey that creating your home is. And, as with all good professionals, the right guide can ensure that the journey is all the more enjoyable.

As you embark on this journey, you will likely want to add team members. A kitchen and bath designer, perhaps; maybe an interior designer, too. Certainly a landscape architect, who shouldn’t be the last person hired when all the money is gone; you want to create a beautiful yard that will complement the house.

5. Plan, plan and plan some more. Every large project I’ve ever worked on has had this one thing in common. The owner, whether a private developer, government agency or corporate entity, knew the importance of planning the project in detail before starting to build.

These owners knew that moving walls on paper is a whole lot cheaper than moving walls after they’re built. So embark on a robust planning and design phase.

• Play the “what if?” game. Sometimes the first answer is the right answer, sometimes it’s the 31st. Just remember not to settle until you’ve explored all the possibilities; you don’t want to say after the project has been built, “We should have done …”
• Go big or go home. And I don’t mean big as in size (that’s a whole separate discussion), but big as in big ideas. Building a home, be it from scratch or a renovation, is an exercise in making something that’s yours. So dream big and have grand plans. There will be time enough to deal with the realities of budget, zoning and codes. Don’t sweat the small stuff for now.
• Sweat the small stuff. Decisions, decisions, decisions. You’ll be asked to make many — more than you can imagine. Just remember that God is in the details, so make sure that the details are there so that your home will be uniquely your own and speak to who you are.

6 drawings on the way to a dream home

Phil Kean Designs

6. Accept the inevitable. You’ve made the plans, gotten the permits and secured the money; now the only thing left to do is build your house. You’ve accounted for everything, so it should all come together as smooth as silk. Easy, right?

Oddly enough, stuff happens. That’s a given. How you and your team react to these hiccups will be important. My advice is to stay calm, keep your sense of humor and work with your team to address the issue. This is where having the right team in place can pay dividends. An architect, a builder and others who can work together and share ideas without criticizing one another will go a long way to helping you keep your sanity.

Some tips for staying sane during construction:

• Don’t change your mind. Early on make all of the decisions you have to, select all of your finishes and don’t change your mind. Yes, you’ll be enticed by that new thing that comes along. Just remember that once construction starts, it’ll cost you time, money and perhaps a trip or two to a therapist if you change your mind.
• Turn a deaf ear to the goings-on. Every construction site is filled with workers complaining. After all, who doesn’t complain about his or her job? Who hasn’t wanted to vent about the boss? The best thing you can do is ignore it. Don’t worry; if it really is an issue, you’ll be told about it.

What contractors want you to know about building

Andrea Swan – Swan Architecture

7. Enjoy your new home. You’ve worked hard and spent more than a few dollars to create your new home, so enjoy it to the max.

Revel in the way the light falls across a room and how it changes with the seasons. Find unexpected places to talk with family members.

Discover how this place gives shape to your life and allows you to become the person you want to be.

In the end you’ll be amazed that your new house is so much more than the sum of just its three bedrooms, living room and so on. It’s the place you get to call home and make uniquely yours.

Thank you to Houzz and

Bud Dietrich, AIA

20 Ideas for Easygoing Summer Parties

Ditch the fancy and fussy in favor of laid-back entertaining that leaves you more time to enjoy the fun

Summertime calls for a distinctly unfussy approach to entertaining, and thankfully so —because who wants to sweat over planning a summer soiree? Make things easier on yourself by hosting outdoors instead of in, getting guests to pitch in and embracing low-key, budget-friendly decor. From DIY flowers and quick extra tables to a beachy outdoor bar, these 20 ideas will make your party planning easier.

1. Whip up an extra table with sawhorses. Short on outdoor dining space? Hunt down a few sawhorses and top them with a length of board as big as you want your table to be. You can paint the board, cover it with a cloth or butcher paper, or leave it as is.

2. Fashion a wooden crate into a drinks container. If you line it with plastic, any old crate can be a rustic-chic open-top cooler for keeping soda and beer on ice. It won’t keep it cold as long as a real cooler, but it should do the trick at a party.

3. No crate? Use whatever you’ve got. An old wheelbarrow, a garden cart, an enamel bucket or even a toy dump truck can be lined with trash bags and filled with ice to make an impromptu drinks cooler.

Cezign

4. Give your outdoor bar a tiki makeover with a palapa roof. Search for “palm leaf thatch panels” to find a source and tack a few lengths of the grassy stuff to the roof of your outdoor bar or shed to give it some tiki bar style.

Celia Bedilia

5. Dress up candles with woodsy details. Curl a wide green leaf and drop it into a glass jar — then fill the jar with water and float a tea light on top. Or use lengths of birch bark (available at craft stores) to wrap the outside of a jar or candleholder, and fasten them with twine.

6. Make beachy candles with mason jars and sand. Filled partway with sand, a mason jar of any size can easily become a chic candleholder. To make hanging lanterns, wrap the mouth of the jar with flexible wire and hang the jar from the branches of a tree. For safety, use battery-operated candles for hanging.

Atlantic Archives, Inc.

7. Use soda bottles as vases. A row of tall, slender soda bottles lined up in the middle of a table makes a pretty (and supereasy) centerpiece. Just plunk one bloom in each vase, and you’re done! Try gerbera daisies, cosmos or sunflowers.

Soapstone Werks

8. Involve your guests. Have them help squeeze lemons for fresh lemonade, let them take a turn cranking an old-fashioned ice cream maker or send them into your garden with clippers to pick a bouquet for the table.

Bruce Clodfelter and Associates

9. Seat everyone at one big table. Who wouldn’t love coming into a backyard set up like this? Put two or three tables together if you have to — the dramatic effect will be worth the effort.

Corynne Pless

10. Use old crates as trays and servers. Vintage wooden soda crates make the perfect receptacle for toting glasses, vases, napkins and other essentials out to the garden. Or use one to dole out flatware, standing utensils upright in simple mason jars.

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

11. Boost ambience with lanterns and signs. Flank the entrance to your party area with a pair of big lanterns and lean a sign nearby — it can announce the menu or simply say, “Welcome!”

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

12. Greet visitors with a pretty porch for the Fourth. A great big galvanized tub of red geraniums and a waving flag make a cheerful entrance to this home. Keep the patriotic spirit going with Americana-style cushions on a classic porch swing.

Beckwith Interiors

13. Give guests a healthy option with fresh flavored waters. Fill a big drink dispenser with ice water, flavored with fresh ingredients for a healthy thirst quencher on hot days. Try lemon, lime or orange slices; fresh mint leaves; cucumber rounds; or berries.

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

14. Place your table in the shade. There’s nothing worse than trying to enjoy a lovely meal al fresco when the sun is beating down on you! Keep your guests comfortable by pulling the tables under the shade of a tree or awning, or invest in some umbrellas.

Cottage Home, Inc.

15. Make a plan to keep bugs at bay. If you have a water feature, make sure you regularly treat it or skim it to keep mosquitoes from breeding there. If the bugs are bad in your area, plan your event for a less buggy time of day or hold it on a screened-in porch, where your guests can enjoy a fresh breeze without getting bitten.

The Cousins

16. Create activity zones to keep large parties moving. Setting up several distinct areas can help a large gathering feel more manageable, as your guests will naturally be drawn into smaller groups. For instance, you could set up a dining table, a fire pit circle, a porch lounge and an outdoor bar.

Becky Cunningham Home

17. Collect thrifty party supplies. Avoid last-minute stress by keeping an entertaining cupboard well stocked with mason jars, florist’s buckets, table linens, candles and serving containers. Many times you don’t even need to buy these things — save pretty old jars to use as glasses, washed-out tin cans to use as flower containers and even old bedsheets to use as outdoor tablecloths.

Celia Bedilia

18. Go wild with your arrangements. Plucking flowers and foliage from your own backyard is cheaper than buying them, and it can be more fun, too! Push yourself to look at your garden anew and clip a little something unexpected to tuck into your bouquet. Dandelions look charming in mason jars, flowering chives are utterly romantic, and an artichoke would make a dramatic centerpiece in a mixed floral bouquet.

19. Hang flowers from a tree. Use a drill to punch two holes in a washed-out tin can and thread wire through the holes to make a hanger. Fill your cans with cut flowers and hang them from a tree around your outdoor dining table. Leave the cans plain or dress them up by tying on strips of pretty fabric.

Thom Filicia Inc.

20. Consider the arc of your evening. Moving your guests from place to place is a great way to keep the evening moving along — and keep folks talking. Start with appetizers and drinks on the porch, move into the backyard for dinner, gather around the fire pit for dessert, and carry mugs of coffee on a postdessert walk to the water or somewhere equally pretty.

Thank you to my source- Houzz and Laura Gaskill

Laura Gaskill May 25, 2015

Houzz Contributor. I cover topics ranging from decorating ideas, product picks, Houzz…More

Groom Your Rooms With Kentucky Derby Decor

 It’s time to run for the roses! Celebrate the Kentucky Derby at home with decorative touches that evoke the Bluegrass State

 

It’s not the only marquee horse race in the country, but there’s something about the Kentucky Derby that conjures up a singular sense of romance and refinement. Where I live it’s a major cause for celebration — never mind that two whole states stand between Birmingham, Alabama, and Churchill Downs. I know countless folks here in town who can’t wait to break out their picture hats and pearl chokers, uncap the Maker’s Mark and invite friends for viewing parties on that first weekend in May.

So as long as everyone’s in the spirit, I thought, why not take it one step farther? Try these ideas for adding a little Kentucky style to your home. Long after the winner’s rose garland has wilted, you’ll remain at the peak of bluegrass chic.

Richard Taylor Architects

 

Drive through Kentucky and you’ll see miles of simple plank fences like this one, marking the boundaries of the thoroughbred farms that blanket the countryside. Fun fact: Traditionally, fences painted white signified wealth — they sent a subtle message that the farm’s owners could afford to repaint every year or two. Natural wood or brown-painted fences were considered a cut below. Who knew?

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

 

This split-rail fence is a rustic relative of the plank version. Its rough-hewn profile marries perfectly with the stone barn in the background.

 

When they’re not filled with crushed ice and bourbon, silver julep cups — the cocktail vehicle of choice at Derby time — turn into household workhorses (yikes, that pun came from nowhere). This trio holds petite bouquets, but you’ll see julep cups used as pencil holders, jewelry catchalls and decorative displays. Bonus points if they bear your monogram in a well-mannered script.

 

OK, so it’s from a horse show and not a race, but this loving cup certainly belongs in Derby-inspired decor. The julep cup is a small but vital supporting player in the little group of vessels.

BROWN DAVIS INTERIORS, INC.

 

When the horses have run for the roses and the lucky winner is draped with the garland, rose bouquets tucked around your house will add to the festive air. This one looks right at home amid a formal china cabinet.

McKay Flooring Ltd

 

Besides bluegrass, Kentucky is known for one other big B: bourbon. The walls and floors in this space are cloaked in salvaged whisky barrels (just pretend they bear a Wild Turkey or Woodford Reserve logo). Who could get enough of that rich, mellow sheen?

McKay Flooring Ltd

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Here’s a gorgeous detail from the whisky barrel wood above. Each plank has its own unique character, so you’re guaranteed a one-of-a-kind look.

Rough Linen

 

What’s the Kentucky Derby without hats? This sweetly simple pink number transitions from head to wall when the race is run. It won’t be the most flamboyant topper in the crowd, but it won’t look garish hanging on the hook, either.

 

A collection of straw bonnets perched on this rack feels sprightly and spring-fresh enough for Derby day and beyond.

Alan Mascord Design Associates Inc

 

And finally, the star of the show: equestrian accents. A well-weathered saddle and horse blanket perch beneath barn-inspired ceiling beams, so striking that they read as a single piece of sculpture.

See the rest of this home

Anthony Baratta LLC

 

In a more conventional home, these would be hunting prints. Horse images make for a pleasant surprise and add a note of gentleman’s-farm chic to this grand foyer.

Thank you to Houzz for the great information!!!!

Lisa Frederick

10 Considerations for the Bedroom Addition of Your Dreams

Get the master bedroom you’ve always wanted by carefully considering views, access to the outdoors and more

One of the most common home additions is a new master bedroom. Whether you bought an older home in an established neighborhood and the current bedroom lacks amenities, or you have sent your offspring out into the world and are ready spend money on yourself, there are a few things with which you might want to spoil yourself.

So, what might you want to include in your dream bedroom? Here are 10 things to consider to make your slumberland a dream come true.

RDM Architecture

1. Location 

Your primary concern with a new master bedroom should be its location. This is probably the most difficult and complicated decision of the adding-on process. You want to know how your new bedroom will relate to the landscape, or if it even can, if it is not on the ground floor. You also have to consider privacy and how the circulation of the layout will work with the rest of the plan.With the addition of the master suite on this house, the architect has defined a marvelous path garden that complements the scheme and the new master bedroom in an enchanting way.

Steven Corley Randel, Architect

The original layout of this 1950s ranch-style house had a series of three bedrooms and two bathrooms aligned at one end of the house. A practical solution here was to locate a new master bedroom among the new addition at the other end of the house. The original bedrooms remained intact and functioned well for the children, while the parents got a sequestered suite all to themselves.

How to Read a Floor Plan

Modern Yankee Builders

Second-floor suites can sometimes be built into the roof of your existing structure. Other times you may need to add a new second-floor structure that rests atop the existing house. Should you choose this route, be mindful that any structure that is affected by the addition will need to be updated and upgraded to current building codes.

What to Consider With a Second-Story Addition

Giffin & Crane General Contractors, Inc.

2. Access to the Outdoors

Once you have defined a good position for your new bedroom, think about its access to the outdoors. In the past it was less common to have direct exterior access from a bedroom. Current trends indicate a preference for master bedrooms on the ground level with doors opening onto private patios and garden spaces.This luxurious, traditional bedroom sports a modern disappearing, or pocket, sliding exterior door that provides a generous opening to an equally sumptuous patio with its own fireplace.

Dreaming of a Bedroom Walkout

Swatt | Miers Architects

3. Windows

Moving past doors, your next concern should be the windows. Studies show that darker rooms induce sounder sleep. Of course, you are not always sleeping; finding a balance between light and dark takes some careful planning.In this ultramodern and chic bedroom, rolling blinds are cleverly disguised: They are recessed into their own alcove just above the window frames.

Trillium Enterprises, INC.

4. Views

If you are fortunate enough to have views, take full advantage of them. You don’t have to have an ocean view, as this house does; views into gardens, swimming pools and courtyards can be just as dramatic.

Gast Architects

5. A Sitting Area

Another common trend is to provide a sitting room within the master bedroom. Designs can even feel like a small living room, as in this house. These spaces can be very quiet places where you can get away and spend time writing, reading or just contemplating. If a sitting area is on your wish list, allow at least an extra 150 square feet of space to accommodate furnishings.

Dennis Moffitt Painting

6. A Fireplace

A fireplace provides the perfect focal point for any room. If you want one in your bedroom, work with your architect or designer to determine how much emphasis it should have. The traditional stone fireplace in this room dominates, but modern gas fireplaces of all shapes and sizes can be found to coordinate with your design and taste. Keep in mind that there are many municipalities in major metropolitan areas where wood-burning fireplaces are no longer allowed.

7. The Ceiling

If there is any room in your house where you will be frequently looking at the ceiling, the bedroom is it. The exposed trusses in this space provide marvelous detail and interest. Even if you have a flat ceiling, finishes of infinite varieties are available to create an enchanting space. Consider that if this space had a flat ceiling, the planks alone would be a very nice touch.

Giffin & Crane General Contractors, Inc.

8. Lighting

From candleholders to hidden alcoves, bedrooms offer plenty of opportunities for creative uses of artificial lighting. The bedroom in this luxury home relies on various light sources. The crystal chandelier provides a glittery display; bedside lamps provide intimate and personal illumination; while cove lighting at the cornice molding gives a romantic glow and accentuates the ceiling detail. And don’t forget about candles; nothing provides more intimacy than these. Consider dimmer switches and avoid recessed cans in the ceiling of a bedroom. Remember, you will frequently be looking up, and it can be unpleasant to have your partner suddenly flip a switch and blind you as if you were in an interrogation room.

Mackenzie Collier Interiors

9. Entertainment

Not everyone wants a television in the bedroom, but this is a desirable amenity for some. Carefully consider placement and whether you want a built-in, as seen in this bedroom. Even if you prefer no TV, music can add another pleasant dimension. It may be as simple as providing a couple of strategically placed small wireless speakers.

Kurtz Homes Naples

10. A Theme

Finally, give your new bedroom a theme. This tropically inspired space is a coherent, peaceful and restful retreat. Notice that great attention has been given to the ceiling.

Steven Randel

Houzz Contributor. California licensed architect specializing in residential projects…More

Chic and Timeless Decorating Ideas to Remember

New York design firm Carrier and Co. offers inspiration for elevating your room’s decor — whether traditional, modern or country-inspired

When looking through photos of beautiful high-end rooms, it can be tempting to think, “If I had that kind of money, of course I could create a gorgeous living room (dining room, bedroom) like that.” But a gazillion-dollar budget doesn’t guarantee a great-looking room. And you don’t need a fortune to design a room that’s inviting and delightful and comfortable to be in.

New York City interior designers Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller’s work for celebrity clients such as Vogue’s Anna Wintour and actress Jessica Chastain has landed them on Architectural Digest’s exclusive AD100 list. But in the foreword to the designers’ recent book Carrier and Company: Positively Chic Interiors, Wintour writes: “These are homes whose high style comes from a very human-scaled sense of warmth and joy.”

The designers have organized their book into six looks, such as tailored, country, modern and traditional, and discuss the concepts they use in creating each style. We’ve highlighted some of their work and design ideas here. See if there are useful concepts you can pull out for your next project.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

TimelessnessTo achieve a sense of timelessness in a room, Carrier and Co. Interiors selectively mixes references from the past, the present and the future. The designers’ recipe:

• Antiques as a key component
• A piece or two from the mid-20th century to lighten up the room and help bring it into the present
• A carefully chosen contemporary classic — something surprising but not trendy — to add a sense of being up-to-the-minute

In this upstairs landing in Vogue editor Wintour’s country home, an oversize painting by Hugo Guinness hangs above a diminutive Swedish painted chest of drawers. The play on scale accentuates the contemporary nature of the artwork and brings the old house up to date.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

“For us, decorating is always about the mix,” the authors write. “A room’s style — a home’s style — derives from the pairings, the compositions, the accents and details. Unexpected choices in scale, material or placement, a daring use of bold color or finish, may arrest the eye and stop time.”Color and artisanal quality unify the forms, textures and materials of this Hamptons, New York, sitting room. The watercolor-like patterned wallpaper helps tie together the antique armchair upholstered in a hand-woven Chapas Textiles fabric and the hand-woven Guatemalan wool rug. The polished midcentury brass drum table and torchiere offer contrast.

Tailored RefinementTailored rooms can be clean and pared-down like modern rooms, the authors write. What makes them different is that they’re refined in such a way that they feel “a little more sensual, a little more lush, a little more plush. Their geometry speaks clearly, but it does so with a softer, gentler, though still precise edge.”

Tailored rooms may be traditional as well. The balance of elements determines whether a room leans toward traditional or modern. Above, splashes of lemon yellow and marigold orange add sunny warmth to an elegant living room’s neutral palette. The white walls have a polished-plaster finish.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

In this Florida entry hall, pairs of antique Oushak rugs and potted fig trees relax the feeling of grandeur. The contemporary plaster sand-dollar-inspired light fixtures by Marc Bankowsky and giant clamshell on the Dunbar chest at right connect the room to its locale.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

The walls of this den are wrapped in linen, and grosgrain ribbon trimmed with nailheads covers the seams. Custom-fabricated curtain hardware with simple returns, rather than finials, downplays the formality of the curtains.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

Country CharmCountry decor celebrates “the beauty of uncomplicated times and straightforward pleasures. People imagine rubber boots, apple picking in quilted jackets, horses and hayrides, or the beach equivalent of all that,” the designers write. “They want their rooms to cater to that vision, to express that ideal, yet in an authentic way. As a result, the decor may feel caught in a moment or a memory, which is the source of the nostalgia. This can seem to slow down time, which is what the fantasy of country living is about for many.”

Carrier and Co. lists elements typically found in high-end country decor: slipcovered pieces, kilim-covered items, twig furniture, sisal rugs and wrought iron railings and curtain hardware. Locally salvaged industrial and agricultural items may be included.

The farmhouse bedroom above features classic country details: linen, a metal bed, painted wood furniture, a botanical print. Unexpected color pairings and a contemporary hand-blocked throw pillow add a fresh twist.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

In the sitting room of Wintour’s country house, rag-glazed paneled walls and a framed United States map create a rustic yet refined background for a George Smith rolled-arm sofa covered in a Bennison Fabrics print.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

Luxuriously ModernModern decor means different things to different people. For Carrier and Co., a modern room includes:

• Strong silhouettes
• Precise geometry
• Clean lines
• Crisp edges
• Boldness and graphic clarity
• Soft moments, sensuous curves and deluxe details, as foils to the streamlined aesthetic
• A piece that’s clearly of today

The dining area above features a reclaimed-wood dining table. The dark fireplace wall behind it makes a striking backdrop for the artwork and the antique Italian gilded sunburst mirror. The floating fireplace provides warmth and focus.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

Organic, rustic and refined elements combine in this vignette of a gilded driftwood lamp, a hand-carved sideboard and a quartz crystal-framed mirror.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

A Nod to TraditionAntiques are an integral part of traditional interiors for these designers, who write:

• Antiques are evocative.
• They add atmosphere, age and patina to a room.
• They endow a room with a feeling of the familiar — the emotional and visual comfort of forms and materials that are tried, true and trusted.

This traditional eat-in kitchen features comfortable dining chairs and an adjacent seating area. An oval-shaped English hunt board (traditionally used for serving breakfast after a hunt) takes center stage but allows for ease of passage. A playful artisan-made zinc chandelier from the 1920s hangs over the table.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Carrier and Co. lacquered the walls of this room in powder blue to match the cotton velvet on the sofa and bring color and shine to the windowless space. A traditional American hooked cotton rug in a contemporary abstract pattern offers contrasting texture. More texture comes from the worn painted finishes on the blanket chest and the faux-bamboo bench, as well as the thick woven tweed on the Dunbar winged slipper chairs.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

Bohemian Glamour“We find bohemian glamour to be very dynamic and exciting. For us, it means using design and decoration in a particularly creative way: that is, expressively, to tell the client’s story,” the designers write.

“In such rooms, each choice comes with additional layers of meaning. Beyond pleasing aesthetics and functional practicalities, the elements of the room must capture a personality and an approach to life — and to do so clearly and forcefully, but without shouting.”

Rooms that epitomize bohemian glamour are:

• Eclectic
• Full of pattern-on-pattern
• Wonderfully colorful, with vivid, arresting and unusual accents
• Occasionally overflowing with a rich, sometimes eccentric riot of visual information
• Not necessarily maximalist, per se, and not just about “more is more”

“Our role in such projects is to establish calm amid visual cacophony, to relieve the visual density yet still reveal the personality, because when there is too much to take in, the eye has nowhere to pause or relax,” the designers write.

This home office in a loft had a wall that was double height. The designers turned the wall into a faux library with a Tracy Kendalltrompe l’oeil bookshelf wallpaper. The room’s colorful palette was pulled from the colors in the wallpaper’s books.

Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd.

Thank you to HOUZZ for this great information!