Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter |  |
- 10 Ways Open Shelving will Enhance your Home
- Write a Bike, the Ultimate Way to Personalize a Bicycle
- 10 Ways to Breathe Life into Old Cabinetry
| 10 Ways Open Shelving will Enhance your Home Posted: 31 Oct 2010 04:08 AM PDT Storage in your home doesn't always have to be shoved behind closed doors. Some of the best storage is that which can be displayed beautifully and doubles as décor. Open shelving does just that, it enables you to store, stack and reach what you need and beautifully decorate your space. Open shelving is perfect for the kitchen, bathroom, or kid's rooms where you want flexibility and easy access to items. Take a look at these 10 ways to bring open shelving into your home.
1.) Bright colored shelves add interest: Are you trying to bring color into your space but don't want to paint an entire wall? How about painting open shelving with a bright bold color? Even a softer contrasting color to the rest of the space will give the added visual interest you desire. 2.) Lighting under shelving: Try using shelves that are made from a translucent material such as frosted glass and use lighting below to light your display. Display glass stemware and collectibles beautifully with under lighting. 3.) Children's rooms: Open shelving for little ones is essential. It helps them be independent and it helps keep their rooms tidy without a lot of effort. Use taller shelving for items that an adult can reach and use lower shelves for books, toys and baskets.
4.) Open shelving in the bathroom: Your bathroom is the perfect place for display and for storage. For a spa-inspired bathroom use wood minimalist shelving and add rolled towels, and bath necessities. Consider using open shelves near the sink and toilet areas to beautifully display toilet paper, magazines and décor. 5.) Sliding panels in the kitchen: If you like the look of open shelving but want to add semi-privacy to the contents consider sliding translucent panels. You can still see the open shelving behind the panels but the dishes, and spices aren't on display all the time.
6.) Let in the light: Do you have a beautiful window, but need extra storage too? Consider installing open shelving in front of the windows that are light and airy. Check with your local home improvement or home furnishings store for simple cable shelving that is hung from the ceiling. You will still have your view, and light will pour into your space. 7.) Small spaces love openness: When you need storage in a small space, cabinetry can make the area feel tight and closed in. Use open shelving to hold items that regularly would go on the counter. Vertical space is always forgotten, open shelving helps you take advantage of it!
8.) New look: If you're tired of your old cabinetry, remove the doors and paint the cabinets a new color. Color a contrasting color on the inside of the cabinets including the shelves. Install lighting inside and you have just given your space a new look. Works well in kitchens, and use contrasting dishes to make a decorative eye catcher. 9.) Display collectibles: If you have antiques, collectibles or memorabilia you'd like to display, open shelving is perfect. It allows your items to be front and center – and allows for items to not get lost in a cabinet. Use hierarchy when displaying and place taller items in the back and shorter items in the front. 10.) Matching dinnerware: Does your kitchen have matching dinnerware in color and form? Your kitchen is perfect for open shelving. Stack colored dishes in neat stacks and step back to view. You didn't realize it before, but your dishes have now become decoration and you don't have to even touch a wall with paint! Open shelving is a great concept for homes that love the display and the convenience. If you do choose to use open shelving remember that now your contents are out in the open. Be wary if your home is prone to accumulate a lot of dust as it will settle in your dishes/collectibles. Every home can enjoy open shelving, how you display your house wares is the great decision you are armed with! Freshome readers do you have open shelving in your home? If not, what's stopping you? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below !
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| Write a Bike, the Ultimate Way to Personalize a Bicycle Posted: 31 Oct 2010 01:25 AM PDT All of you must know at least two people who are in love with their bicycles. Most of the bike owner we encountered often like to add a little extra to the pedal-driven vehicle, making it more familiar. We find this idea to be the ultimate method of personalizing a bicycle. After all, what defines a person better than his or her name? Ok, this is a tricky question, but designer and Swiss art director Juri Zaech considers this type of “tuning” truly unique. Even though this product is not that related to interior design, we happen to find it very original and worth sharing. But most likely, these type of bikes will be in someone’s home pretty soon, so we have to ask what sort of decor do you think would be suited for this unusual design?- via Design Rulz
Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below !
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| 10 Ways to Breathe Life into Old Cabinetry Posted: 30 Oct 2010 07:52 AM PDT Home cabinetry is one of the most expensive components of your home. Whether you are choosing kitchen or bathroom cabinets, bringing life into old cabinets will save money and give your home a face lift. When cabinets are updated they can improve the value of your home and appeal to future home buyers. Even if you aren't moving, you'll want to spend more time in your kitchen and bathroom once you have fresh and updated cabinets. Here are 10 ways to breathe life into old cabinetry and update your home at the same time!
1.) Paint cabinets: Consider painting old cabinets with a fresh coat of paint in a quality semi or high gloss paint. Make sure cabinets are sanded free of the old finish/stain. For maximum results seek advice of a home improvement store or a cabinetry maker for your specific type of cabinet. 2.) Change/add door hardware: Without changing the physical door, cabinet hardware pulls and knobs can give your cabinetry a new look and provides functionality. Choose modern metals such as brushed chrome, nickel, copper or stainless steel hardware. Styles range from minimalistic, thin door pulls to more intricate and curvy oblong knobs.
3.) Add crown molding: If your kitchen cabinets are in good condition, but just need an upscale look add wood details like crown molding and dentils. Wood cabinet detailing adds height and grandeur to your kitchen. To match stains of new woodwork to existing cabinets – stain all components at the same time. 4.) Add glass doors: To give cabinets a country charm, replace solid doors with glass pane doors. If you decide to add glass, consider putting decorative dishes or display items in these cabinets. Add under cabinet lights inside cabinets for added visual interest in the evening. 5.) Reface cabinets: Cabinetry that is outdated but still has good structural integrity is perfect for refacing. Refacing involves changing out the old doors and drawer fronts and replacing with new ones. For a stain color change, a wood grained image material is adhered to the current boxes – leaving your cabinets look brand new.
6.) Remove doors entirely: Partially open shelving and cabinetry is for those who like to have dishware on display. Kitchens can add a decorative touch by using open shelving display to brighten their kitchen and walls. Consider painting the inside of the cabinets to give dishes a beautiful backdrop. 7.) Under/over cabinet lighting brightens the kitchen: Updating your old cabinetry can also mean improving its functionality. Consider breathing new life into your cabinets with over and under cabinet lighting. Lighting can add ambiance and under cabinet lighting doubles for ambiance and task lighting. 8.) Add amenities to existing cabinets: For cabinets that still look good, consider adding amenities such as plate racks, wine storage, and display shelves to update your current look. For ideas visit a cabinetry manufacturer showroom or look online for inspiration and ideas.
9.) Add cabinetry paneling to your appliances: Once your cabinetry has been aesthetically improved opt for appliances with matching cabinetry paneling. This is a good option for those that reface cabinets with door fronts and drawer pulls. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and heated/cooling drawers have varieties with customizable paneling for an integrated appeal. 10.) Extend cabinetry into adjacent rooms: If you are lacking in storage, upgrading to new cabinets in an adjacent living and dining room area may solve your problem. Consider hiring a cabinetry maker to assess your space and your budget. For some the expense of adding 3-4 new cabinets is much less than replacing all old cabinets. Each family has specific needs and kitchen cabinets can make or break your space.
Your cabinetry is a symbol of your style and a commitment of quality and longevity for your family home. Old cabinets and saving money shouldn't have to be a dilemma you can't tackle. Follow these 10 steps and see how you can transform your cabinetry into 'new' again. Go ahead… your cabinets are waiting on you! Freshome reader's have you refinished, painted, or refaced your old cabinets? How do they look now? Do you want to do something new with your cabinets? Share with us! Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below !
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