Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

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• How to Accomodate More Guests in your Dining Room
• Ravishing Apartment Combines Contemporary and Vintage Styles
• Contemporary Bachelor Pad with a Defining Mixture of Styles
• How to use Glass to Brighten your Home
• Beautiful Home Bordering the Countryside Combines Classic and Modern Styles
• How Silver Tones can Sleek up your Interiors

How to Accomodate More Guests in your Dining Room Posted: 28 Dec 2010 06:34 AM PST Your dining room may be the perfect size for your immediate family, but what happens at the holidays when you need to accommodate larger groups of people? Depending on your family size you can figure out temporary and permanent solutions. If you are small family then renting chairs and tables may be an option. While if you have a large family that continues to grow, you will need a long term solution. Here are tips for helping your dining room accommodate more people. Assess your current dining needs: How large your family is, how often you entertain, and if you have more than one dining area will help you assess how much seating you actually need. For those that don't entertain often, renting chairs/tables or buying inexpensive folding ones may be a solution. If you have a formal and informal dining room, your problem may be solved by using both dining areas when large parties come to your home. Assess if you have other areas to use as well: outdoors, adjacent spaces, etc.. Group seating: One solution to fitting more people at the table is to use group seating. Benches whether they are fixed or movable are good way of maximizing space as opposed to individual seats. Benches are especially good for children who are smaller and can sit closer together without feeling uncomfortable. Share seating from adjacent rooms: If you have an open floor plan, sharing seating with and adjacent room like a kitchen island or living room can be a viable option. This concept works well when entertaining a large group of people that are all involved in different activities, such as mingling, eating, and small conversation areas. If you do entertain a lot, consider buying sectional seating that can accommodate more people as opposed to only single chairs. Consider moving outdoors: Often times the solution may be to move your dining party outside. Depending on the season and your outdoor area, porches, patios and outdoor lawns are a perfect backdrop for dining and entertaining. Outdoor areas will give you more room to stretch out and will give the interior of your home a rest from being over populated. Outdoor entertaining is also ideal for children to have area to run around until it is time to eat! Get creative: For some homes the reality of having permanent furniture on hand for large party entertaining isn't feasible. Whether it is because of limited space to house more furniture, or the finances to afford it.  Get creative and pull chairs from desks in other rooms, and use small movable ottomans for kids. Sometimes the art of entertaining is being able to make do with what you have. After all your guests just want a seat, it doesn't have to always have to be a five star dinner! Make the most of what you have and enjoy having your large party of guests. Large group seating can be accomplished through many ways. Determine what your dining and entertaining lifestyle consists of and then make your dining seating marry to it. If you are remodeling your kitchen or dining area, consider building a built in bench seating area in a bay window nook. You will gain extra seating and you will love the way your dining space looks afterward! Freshome reader's do you have a dining room that fits a large amount of people? What are your solutions for fitting everyone in? Leave us your comments below. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! The Mismatched Dining Room : Tips for creating a well-balanced mismatched style How to Choose Seating for your Kitchen Island 11 Inspiring Dining Room Designs From Hulsta Interesting Expansible Coffee Tables Kitchen and Living-Room Combined. A Few Fun Solutions Japanese Dining Room Furniture for a Minimalist Japanese Style Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Ravishing Apartment Combines Contemporary and Vintage Styles Posted: 28 Dec 2010 05:06 AM PST An old mansion in Belgium, in the city of Ghent, shelters an astonishing apartment. The first thing you see is that there are no doors in the apartment. The owner does not like doors, so the space remained open and the interior design concentrates on the placement of the furniture. Exquisite furniture was carefully chosen to compliment the interiors of the apartment. The basic colours used as background are black and white. Coloured details like the yellow fridge or the light brown of the couch look ravishing against the white walls. Black storage cabinets run along the wall in the living room from one end to another. Large windows spread sunlight across the room and make this space an open field of dreams. The living room is centered around a distressed leather B&B Bambole vintage that lies on top of a beautiful vintage area rug. Everything in this home seems to remind us of a simple space filled with personality – home to many beloved items. Photos: Vercruysse Frederik Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Black, White an Wood: How is That For An Apartment Design? Enticing Apartment Combining Vintage and Contemporary Elements Vintage Shelf Modern Interior Design- Apartment in Stockholm East Village Apartment, Renovating With a Vintage Feel Gemma Ahern Apartment Renovation – Cost Effective Designing Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Contemporary Bachelor Pad with a Defining Mixture of Styles Posted: 28 Dec 2010 04:04 AM PST This next apartment has beautifully designed interiors that showcase some pretty amazing furniture, decorations and interior design ideas. Every corner of the Yaletown loft has something special. Take, for example, the kitchen: a contemporary mix of modern furniture and brick walls, high-tech appliances and an unusual place to store cold beverages in plain sight. The project area has 93 square meters and every space was carefully chosen to fit a modern lifestyle. The place used to be a warehouse, but it was tastefully transformed into lofts. Interior designer Kelly Reynolds successfully restored the beauty of the old warehouse and complemented it with modern design so that the final result is a balanced mix of old and new. The apartment received a stylish makeover and some walls were demolished to create a bedroom and two bathrooms, a living space and an open kitchen. The original warehouse brick wall became the background on which modern furniture comes to life. All the mix and match created the perfect bachelor pad. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! 3602 Apollo Bachelor Pad in Salt Lake City Interior Design Ideas for Men (Bachelors in General) The 3 seater Jonque Sofa Luxurious Residence With Stunning Views Over Los Angeles Mind-Blowing Apartment in Australia, the Ultimate Bachelor’s Retreat Chest of Drawers Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to use Glass to Brighten your Home Posted: 28 Dec 2010 02:59 AM PST Out of all the materials out there, glass is already used in most of our homes. The use of glass in home decor is rarely thought of as decorative and is thought to be more utilitarian. Glass can come in several forms from glazing, to counter tops and decorative walls. Whether you enjoy using glass to bring in the morning sun, or a hundred other purposes, glass can be overlooked when customizing home interiors. Here are some ways to let glass brighten your home. Reflectivity and light: What's the number one interior design trick of all times? The presence of light. Light makes a room feel larger, more comfortable, and more natural. Glass brings in light naturally to your home and it can be used to obscure, brighten, and enhance views. Windows that have mullions or expansive glass that takes advantage of picturesque views, glass is a miracle worker for reflecting light and illuminating surfaces. Glass furniture: Tables, chairs, mirrors… the list goes on and on of glass furnishings that we use daily that we love. Glass table tops in dining rooms and home offices give a sophisticated and executive styling to your interiors. Pair glass with wood, leather, and metals for an urban industrial aesthetic or use traditional and ornate lines to bring the materials together beautifully in your furniture. Unique applications: Ever thought of installing a glass counter top in your kitchen, or a glass wall in your bathroom? Modern home interiors are starting to use glass in unique ways, than they used to. If you want to add sleek and modern details, add glass to your wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Consider glass as a divider walls between a master bedroom area and a master bathroom. Glass block can let light through, and keep ample privacy at the same time. Try using different glass materials for all rooms in your home. Use glass as your exterior material: In early architecture and interiors, glass was solely used as punched openings in walls to let in light, and to have a visual connection to the outdoor world. Today, the use of glass in exterior sheathing is popular, especially in high rise commercial buildings. In your home if you like to be connected with your exterior, use wide expansive glass and glass furniture interiors to transform the outdoors inside. Be creative: There are very few limits with glass. Heat and cold variations are the most notable features that need to be thought of when using glass in your interiors. There is always a solution; a thicker pane of glass may need to be used in colder climates, etc… Glass has been used in minimalist areas to bring a sense of light and airiness to a space. See where it can brighten up a space in your interiors. If you want to use glass in small or large quantities, your space will benefit either way. From reflective glass mosaic tiles in the kitchen backsplash, to glass block stepping stones in your front entry, glass is here to stay. Depending on your style, grab inspiration from modern architecture and interior magazines that love to feature homes with expansive glass. Brighten your home with these tips, and see how glass can give you a whole new way to enjoy your home. Freshome reader's how do you like to see glass in home interiors? Do you have a unique way you've utilized it in your home? Leave us comments below. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Becoming Drunk Glass Cute Spying Doorknob: Room in the Glass Globe by Hideyuki Nakayama How Do You Feel About Living in a Glass Home? Glass Shelf & Towel Bar Glass Shelves by Tonelli Glass Furniture by Santambrogio Milano : Could this be a new trend ? Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Beautiful Home Bordering the Countryside Combines Classic and Modern Styles Posted: 27 Dec 2010 01:20 PM PST As the years go by, we all want more beautiful things with amazing features. Some designs are classic and they only need some upgrading from time to time. This next home in Wilmslow, Cheshire was built by architect Frazer Crane in the 1970s, and it was carefully maintained by the owner to be as modern as possible. Built in one of the most desired neighbourhoods, this modern home needs a new owner. Featuring four bedrooms, a large living area opened to the floor above, the home is set on a beautiful road that borders the open countryside, making the steel and glass structure stand out on the green countryside background. The first floor shelters an open living space, where the kitchen, dining and living room are connected through an ample space design. A lounge, a study and a utility room complete the first floor, along with the large garage. On the second floor, the four bedrooms and bathrooms, together with a contemporary dressing room, make up the upstairs layout. Beautifully bordered by the countryside, the large back garden was surrounded by trees that insure the privacy of the inhabitants. Take a look at the photos and let us know if you think that this house has enough space and beauty to be a dream house. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Rustic Villa in Sweden Black, White an Wood: How is That For An Apartment Design? Making a Classic Vanity Look Modern : Kult by Lacev-Mobilacev Fiery on the outside: Modern home from Bates Masi Architects Classic and Elegant or Modern and Cool Levitating Lamps Countryside House Transformed into a Contemporary Home with Modern Details Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How Silver Tones can Sleek up your Interiors Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:02 AM PST From sleek stainless steel in your kitchen appliances, to the chrome finished pendant lamps in your dining area, silver tones can make your interiors feel cool and sophisticated. Silver tones come in a variety of metals: silver, chrome, nickel, stainless steel, and of course platinum. If you're looking for a way to make your spaces feel modern or vintage, silver tones are the perfect choice. Even your vintage collection of silver antiques can make your home feel classy and pulled together. See how timeless silver tones can transform your interiors. The timeless appeal of silver tones: Regardless of the age of your home, or the time period you're trying to convey in your interior aesthetic, silver tones can deliver.  Silver tones help bring a 'cool to the touch' look and from Victorian homes to ultra modern homes, gray tones act as a neutral and make your interiors meld together in all the right ways. Add collections of silver in varying tones on your bookshelves, counters, and display areas. Varying heights and color varieties will add visual interest and timeless appeal. Furniture glamour: Desks, chairs and tables can all add an element of surprise when you adorn them in silver tones in small details or all over the entire piece of furniture. Chrome and stainless legs on tables and chairs give a slick and floating appearance to heavy upholstery. While using silver paint or metallic faux finishes over your furniture can bring an outdated piece to sleek contemporary without any fuss. Try mixing and matching leather, wood, and textiles with silver tone metals to contrast and complement your furniture style. Adding silver tones to your walls: The usual thought of silver tones involves metal in your furniture and accessories. Try adding silvery metallic tones to wallpaper and paint to give an added dimension to your room.  Whether you use as an accent wall or use for your entire space, be mindful of how reflective your wall surfaces are. If using highly reflective surfaces in a room with a lot of natural light, a glare could be produced. Opt for duller sheens for rooms with ample natural light, and for darker rooms add more reflective wallpapers and paints to maximize light. Mix and match your favorite tones: The beauty of silver tones is the versatility of mixing and matching various metals, tones, and finishes. Highly polished chrome and stainless steel can look great paired with matte finish nickel, for example. In your bathroom, consider using matte finish chrome plumbing fixtures for your sink and shower area. Add a variety of finishes with light fixtures, towel racks, and bath accessories throughout your room. Choose any room to mix and match and see how silver tone metals can work beautifully together or apart. You will be surprised how silver tones can cool down your interiors while visually adding sophistication. Home decor trends show silver tones woven in fabrics and then used in area rugs or flooring. Experiment in your home and see how creative you can be. If you're tired of boring interiors, add reflectivity in your flooring, ceiling, or walls, they will instantly add life to your space. Silver tones can be bold with glamour or subtly add sophistication. Choose your style and marvel in the transformation of your space with silver tones. Freshome readers tell us how you use silver tones in your interiors. Do you mix and match tones, or keep them all the same? Tell us in the comment section below. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Sleek and Sizzling Interiors from West Chin Team Dramatic, Opulent and Original Bathtubs From Lineatre Innovative Interiors by Specht Harpman House with a Modern and Attractive Design Bring a little Hollywood glamour into your living room Stick Shift FM Radio Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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