Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter |  |
- 20 Best iPhone Home Improvement Apps to Help you Do it Yourself
- Nike Dunk Ceramic Sneakers, an Unusual Form of Modern Sculpture
- Albert Reichmuth Store in Zurich, Especially Designed for the Wine Lovers
- Exotic Villa with Infinity Pool and Spectacular Views in Mexico
- How to Use Orange to Warm your Decor
- A More Dynamic Form of Design: Red Pearl by MCP Yachts
- Artistic Black, White and Grey Home in Rotterdam
- Diviso Stool, Intriguing Combination of Form and Function
| 20 Best iPhone Home Improvement Apps to Help you Do it Yourself Posted: 18 Nov 2010 07:03 AM PST Have you ever been in the home improvement store wishing you had all the measurements for your do it yourself project handy? Have you been in the middle of your project at home and found you can't find a protractor, ruler and leveler? The iPhone has changed the way we look at our everyday world, and home improvement apps are bigger than ever. There are over 250,000 apps out there. We pulled together 20 of the best iPhone home improvement apps that have helped us, let us know if you have any to add to the list!  Sherwin Williams paint selector iPhone app
1.) Dream Home:, Dream Home Free: Rated 4 stars, $2.99, FREE: If you need inspiration for color, style, room and design help, the Dream Home app gives you a multitude of full color photos in varying home categories to choose from. Worldwide designers have contributed inspiration photos to help you have ideas in hand to share with your home improvement, designer or sales person to get your point across. No more clipping magazine pictures! Free version also available.
2.) iHandy Carpenter: Rated 4 stars, $1.99: How much better can the iPhone get when you have a ruler, protractor, bubble leveler, plumb bob, and surface leveler all in the palm of your hand. Whether you are hanging a picture and need the leveler, or you are mitering the corners of crown molding, this app is for you!
3.) Home Sizer: Rated 3 stars, $2.99: If you are in the process of designing a home and need to compare costs of supplies, materials, and square footages of the project, then this app is perfect. Easy to read interface and allows you to even figure in mortgage payments and interest before you build your dream home!
4.) Palettes: Rated 2 stars, FREE: Are you trying to match colors to a paint or fabric in your home improvement project? Palettes app allows you to grab colors from pictures, magazines, or websites and match/contrast with color schemes. This app is good for choosing accent wall colors and comparing colors for your interior and exterior projects.
5.) Drywall Calculator: Rated 3.5 stars, $0.99: Anyone who has ever tried to calculate drywall for a room knows how time consuming and confusing it can be with paper and pencil. Trying to keep the lengths correct along with the height, removing doorways/windows, etc… The drywall calculator will let you figure square footages easily and faster. Includes data area for measuring ceilings and sloping walls.
6.) Handy Man DIY: Rated 5 stars, $2.99: This app has just about everything you will need for your home improvement project. From categorizing your products in a shopping list format, to measuring 'take-offs' for your individual rooms and adding together the measurements. Other features include do it yourself step-by-step instructions for common projects and video tutorials!
7.) HomeLogic Mobile Control: Rated 4 stars, FREE: Wouldn't you love to be able to control your home's lights, heating, alarm system and audio from the touch of your iPhone? This app works through WiFi or over the internet. Also available are controls of home video cameras, air conditioning and pool!
8.) Home Interior Layout Designer – Mark On Call: Rated 3 stars, $2.99: This app is for those that want a room planning tool, take off list, and quick idea guide all in one. For those that are trying to design a space, go to the store from a material list in an easy user friendly interface, this app is perfect for you. From iTunes library – “It’s the next best thing to hiring a designer or having an assistant." – Apartment Therapy
9.) inchCALC: Rated 3.5 stars, $1.99: Have you ever had to add fractions on a calculator and have to keep converting them to decimals? inchCALC is a construction calculator that allows you to add fractions and lengths without converting. This is an essential app for adding up materials and finishes!
10.) iScrew: Rated 3.5 stars, $0.99: This app is for the carpenter or do it yourselfer that needs classification on types of screws, bolts, and fasteners. This educational app helps if you have missing screws and need to ask a home improvement salesperson to assist you finding a replacement. Also helpful in determining what screws work best in what materials.
11.) Tap4RENOVATIONS: Rated 2 stars, FREE: When you need a home contractor this app will help you find the ones that are located closest to you. Choose from a variety of contractors and your most recent calls are stored automatically. This app is perfect for price hunting between contractors, or in an emergency. Who knows when a DIY project will need a professional on the scene!?
12.) Home Maintenance: Rated 3.5 stars, $2.99: Trying to remember when it's time to change the air filters and or when a repairman fixed your garage door? The Home Maintenance app sets reminders and gives you suggestions as to when your home systems needs regular maintenance and scheduling. Email yourself a complete record of maintenance and add pictures to help keep an archive history of your home and its repairs.
13.) Work Shop: Rated 4 stars, $4.99: Whether you are a novice handy person or a professional contractor, the Work Shop app allows you to order supplies and keep track of them for multiple projects. Keep track of billing, orders, and receiving inventory. For the novice, use it to make future lists and budget how much you will spend on supplies.
14.) Crown Molding Angle Finder: Rated 3.5 stars, $2.99: Have you ever installed crown molding and have to cut a piece 3-4 times because the angle wasn't correct? Instead of making multiple trips to the store, use the Crown Molding Angle Finder. This app will help you calculate the miter and bevel angles for you! Less mistakes, less time, and oh yes… less waste!
15.) BalusterPro: Rated 4.5 stars, $2.99: Have you ever needed to fix stair balusters? The spacing between the balusters and can also be used on other projects that equal spacing is important. Try using on fences, floor decking and bench seat backs. Select from 6 different railing conditions and types.
17.) Hardwood flooring design: Rated 3 stars, Free: Want to know how your space will look with hardwood flooring before you purchase? Hardwood flooring design takes the guess work out of imagining and gives you the power to see it before you buy it. Wood species information and buyer information also included.
18.) Interior Design – Photo Library: Not rated, $0.99: Interior photo pictures of homes for inspiration. Use for planning out your next space, or thumb through for a digital 'idea book'. Dozens of interior photographs help you visualize a space and get interior professional ideas without hiring a designer.
19.) Eden Garden Designer: Rated 2 stars, $0.99: Use this handy app to determine what type of flowers you'd like to plant in your garden. From a plant glossary to pictures of planned gardens for you to grab inspiration from. Choose plants from color, height, planting zone and climate categories. A must have app for the avid gardener.
20.) Home Improvement Glossary: This app is for everyone who is new to do it yourself projects and needs glossary terms for starting a new project or fixing an old one. Common knowledge terms and more advanced terms are listed in an easy to read format.
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| Nike Dunk Ceramic Sneakers, an Unusual Form of Modern Sculpture Posted: 18 Nov 2010 05:42 AM PST Modern art is definitely the field of surprises. Korean artist Kang S. Lee has recently designed a sculpture collection that is particularly intriguing. Inspired by the Nike Dunk sneaker designs, the artist sculpted a series of similar ceramic pieces. But this is just the beginning. Lee is planning on making 50-100 such models and is also considering replicas of other famous brands, such as Vans Original, Converse, and Adidas Superstar. Here is a statement from the designer: My sneaker project, modeled from a limited edition of Nike Dunk from my own collection, participates in the urban sneaker culture through the creative possibilities of the sneaker-form. It also challenges its extremely fast-changing and fame focused scene by using ceramics, one of the most traditional and labor-intensive mediums. Viewers will be able to enjoy the details and patterns on the ceramic sneakers, whilst being able to question what is behind the form by observing the various deformations of the pieces that often engage our emotions. What is your opinion on these unusual sneaker sculptures? Do you think any of these models could make for an indoor decorative element?-via Design Milk
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| Albert Reichmuth Store in Zurich, Especially Designed for the Wine Lovers Posted: 18 Nov 2010 03:48 AM PST This original looking store was designed by Swiss firm OOS for Albert Reichmuth (a famous wine company), and is located in Zurich. The classy wine showroom also known as "LA GALERIE DU VIN" was especially developed for wine lovers and is not only a place for sale, but also a gathering area for the “connoisseurs”. Within the store, customers can taste from the various samples and share ideas during themed seminars. Here is more informations from OOS: Some 1,500 unbranded wine cases from the Bordeaux region cover the entire room up to the ceiling, creating a cave-like environment. The wooden cases are simultaneously an architectural element and a part of the furniture. Arranged in a grid pattern they serve as a platform for about 570 wines, books, seating areas and illuminated table display cabinets. The mostly French wines are spatially divided into various geographical regions and groupings, which conceal specific histories, cultures and landscapes. The reception counter is located in the middle of the room – it is equipped for wine consultation and with its violet and ruby colours provides quite a contrast to the wood of the wine cases. The original method of presentation together with the elaborate lighting design create more than just a wine showcase. As passers-by enter, they are “confronted” with an impressive gallery, a true wine museum.
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| Exotic Villa with Infinity Pool and Spectacular Views in Mexico Posted: 18 Nov 2010 02:30 AM PST Here is an exorbitant building design that we just had to share. This incredible Costa Careyes villa is as luxurious as it is flashy. The project has an interesting story behind and was first envisioned when Gian Franco Brignione, a young Italian, saw these alluring places while traveling in a small plane above Mexico in 1968. Its exotic appearance seems to have a few elements borrowed from the Arab architecture (the vivid color palette for example). The circular infinity pool as well as its spectacular location make this villa a unique place for a getaway. The main house consists of three separate bedrooms, all having access to the infinity pool. Two rustic bungalows are situated close by and can be reached by taking a gondola ride. The uncommon villa can be rented for week-ends, so if you happen to visit Costa Careyes, maybe this post will come in handy.
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| How to Use Orange to Warm your Decor Posted: 18 Nov 2010 12:37 AM PST Your home can always use a shot of warmth, right? Consider using orange in your home. Orange isn't only for welcoming fall and Halloween. While it reminds us of pumpkins and falling leaves, it looks good in your home year around. Orange has become the "IT" color on fashion runways, automobile interiors, and now home décor. Muted tones of orange, rust, and tangerine are in every magazine that you can get your hands on. See how orange can warm your décor and your mood by using it all around your home.
Orange in varying shades can spark energy, and comfort all in one room. Since orange encompasses red and yellow it borrows cues from each in creating warmth with a bit of spark. Used in small or large quantities, see how orange will make your guests envious and your family members happy. Celebrate the color orange in your home décor and see how the mood will change in your home for the better. Freshome reader's when do you use orange in your home décor? Do you only use it for the fall or have you found creative ways to bring orange into your everyday living? Leave us comments; we'd love to hear how you use this gorgeous color. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below !
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| A More Dynamic Form of Design: Red Pearl by MCP Yachts Posted: 17 Nov 2010 01:58 PM PST In case you felt Freshome posts could use a little “adventure”, here is an example of design in its more dynamic shape. MCP Yachts have shared with us one of their projects called Red Pearl. Here is the information they sent: “Red Pearl is the result of a highly customized project for a demanding Russian client. Exquisite painting, a fine piano on the game room, LED lightning and NAIAD zero speed system are some examples of the specific features in this project. The most modern construction technology bond together with a superb interior design and decoration to support maximum comfort, sophistication and safety to travel all oceans.” Freshome readers, is there a yacht designer in the house? If so, perhaps he or she could give us a professional opinion on this particular model. To us, she’s a beauty.
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| Artistic Black, White and Grey Home in Rotterdam Posted: 17 Nov 2010 10:04 AM PST The Black Pearl Residence in Rotterdam, the Netherlands was constructed by Studio Rolf and Zecc Architecten. The two firms collaborated in architecture and interior design to rejuvenate what once was just an abandoned, neglected home in a disadvantaged neighbourhood. This renovating idea is part of Rotterdam`s building revival program: houses in disadvantaged neighbourhoods are given a new face and sold as a one family residence, not as an apartment building, like it used to be. Keeping the original facade, Zecc Architecten revived it by painting it in black and them mounting white steel frames to form windows. The contemporary look created by the mismatched elements continues on the inside of the building.
The building kept its original shell, but the inside was recreated to fit three levels: the studio, the house and the roof garden. On the five meters tall first level the studio and workshop are located. A glossy white staircase leads up to the living area, separated by a sculpture from the other spaces on the floor. Screwed together bars form the sculpture that separates the space into artistic dimensions of the interior. Three major colours were used: black, white and grey, the last one had different shades all throughout the home. The interior walls were kept original as much as possible to add to the charm of the home. Amazing interiors and an outside that plays with shapes and shadows make this house a wonderful renovated success.
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| Diviso Stool, Intriguing Combination of Form and Function Posted: 17 Nov 2010 08:23 AM PST Here is an interesting chair designed by Neil Macqueen for Unofuori Studio. The Diviso Stool has an original appearance, was made from lightweight materials and can hold up to 120 kilos. The uncommon chair can easily contract and expand, making it possible for it to provide seating place for one, two or three persons. The designer sent us the press release for this product, which has been already exhibited at Designersblock 2010 as part of the London Design Festival: “Creating a piece of furniture that flowed and changed with the users perspective, while also being easy and cost effective to make; was at the heart of the stool's creation. The resulting stool consists of a single profile, one shape, whose defining feature is what is missing and not what is on show. The negative space created inside the Diviso stool plays with light and perspective, creating a seaming complexity through the repetition of the single simplistic profile. This principle of repetition also lends the stool to multiple forms, the Diviso stool can extend or contract in size, seating three or just the one person; depending on how many profiles are used“. According to the same press release, four versions of the Diviso Stool are available: all natural plywood, stained black plywood, aluminium/plywood, and a limited edition ghost. For more information on this product, you can contact the designer here.
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