Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

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• Get Cozy and Inspired: 10 Most Beautiful Swedish Apartaments of 2010
• Incredible Bookcase Apartment in Brasil by Triptyque Studio
• How to Maximize Space with Built-Ins in your Interiors
• Exotic Transformation of a Residence into a Sunshine Filled Oasis
• Intriguing Apartment in Riga, Especially Designed for an Adventurer
• Lovely Family Summer Retreat in Sweden: Villa Lima
• How to Budget for a Home Renovation

Get Cozy and Inspired: 10 Most Beautiful Swedish Apartaments of 2010 Posted: 10 Jan 2011 06:09 AM PST We know how much you guys enjoy Scandinavian interior design, so we decided to put together another interesting countdown. Get ready for the best 10 Swedish apartments of 2010, as voted by our readers. We didn’t count the cribs that made it into Freshome's 10 Most Popular Apartment Designs of 2010, so be sure to check out that post too for more amazing apartments located in the heart of Sweden. You can click on every picture for more photos & details about each home. Enjoy! #10. Our first entry is a beautiful Scandinavian apartment featuring spacious rooms, tall windows and a remarkable interior design. A fancy gloss kitchen with integrated white drawers follows the modern living-room. From the kitchen you can reach the newly constructed balcony. Oak parquet flooring runs throughout the apartment, warming up the atmosphere. #9. This beautiful three room apartment linked below is highly inspirational and treats light with a great deal of respect. Every room has large windows so that the need for artificial lighting is minimum. The living room has a youthful feel, while being very spacious and homey. #8. We are charmed by the simple, yet charming interior design of this 85 square meter flat consisting of three rooms plus kitchen. The living room (first photo) is the heart of this beautiful crib. Light and airy with whitewashed walls, oak flooring and three windows for abundant natural light, this room seems perfect for familiar gatherings. #7. Cheering up a dull interior design is extremely simple if a little color is added. This fresh apartment linked by the image below is a great source of inspiration for those of you in search for lively design ideas. As you can see, the crib is painted in white, but this did not stop the designers from improvising. The living room features a flashy red shelving system which adds a touch of refined eccentricity to the seriousness provided by the comfortable reading corner. A giant blue wallpaper complements the black and white carpet creating an uncommon atmosphere. #6. Here is an apartment that inspires harmony and coziness.Painted in bright colors, the walls and furniture make a stunning contrast with small colorful elements, such as the pillows, the paintings, the flowers or the chandelier. The living room serves as the apartment's heart and soul and it features charming nooks bathed in natural light from large windows. #5. With a surface of 92 sq m, this charming loft has a total of 4 rooms, all with a contemporary and fresh feel. The living room is the focal point of the apartment and hosts a delightful sofa with comfortable pillows, two armchairs which can be used as reading corners, a practical coffee table and plenty of shelves for storage. #4. Here is a charming 114 m2 attic home that spells "coyness" and impresses due to its overall harmony and peaceful atmosphere. The crib has no less than three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and two bathrooms (you can see more on the structure of this place by clicking the photo for the original post). #3. Check out this incredible looking apartment which brings tribute to Swedish design. Step inside and feel welcomed by a large hallway with a lovely light and a beautiful view over the city rooftops. Hang your jacket on one of the stylish clothing supports and enter the delightful living room. Bright, airy and generous in size, with three windows facing west for plenty of natural light, this room is the core of the apartment and a perfect area for family gatherings. And we assure you the rest is just as appealing. #2. This beautiful small apartment linked by the image below only has one room and an area of no more than 17 sq meters. What the interior designers did with this place is absolutely fabulous. This small studio is not only very practical, but also looks modern, inviting and original. #1. Having a small apartment can be a drag when it comes to implementing the perfect interior design idea. Our number 1 is an example of a two-room apartment which is both aesthetic and functional. In order to achieve a high level of practicability, the designers of this crib took advantage of every single corner of the house and made it functional. Click on the photos for more inspirational details on this apartment and let us know what you think of our countdown. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Swedish Apartment Renovated With Modern Interiors Art and Good Taste in A Flat: Turquoise Themed Apartment in Sweden Another Delightful Swedish Apartment That Stuns With Its Chromatics 1896 Swedish Apartment Becomes Modern Flat Renovations: Swedish Minimalist Apartment Proves Modern Swedish Inspiration – Chic Apartment With Scandinavian Feel Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Incredible Bookcase Apartment in Brasil by Triptyque Studio Posted: 10 Jan 2011 04:36 AM PST Don’t you just love it when you see a home that emphasizes on its many, many books? In this post we would like to showcase an original apartment designed by Triptyque Studio for Houssein Jarouche, owner of the design boutique Micasa in São Paulo. The striking element of this uncommon home is a giant curved bookcase that seems to be warped around the main living space of the apartment. Here is a small description from Triptyque: This project embodies the idea of global design – it's a completely artistic project. A contemporaneous and singular architectural plan is established from the layout to the faucets. The 300 square feet apartment was planned as a great gallery with aligned rooms without an established function. The goal was to stimulate unexpected occupations and give a certain gratuité to the spaces. The main concept was to work the space as whole unit, divided in smaller rooms (photos © Fran Parente)- via Fubiz Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Bucharest Scenography Apartment by AA Studio Ellipse Bookcase Interesting Bookcase Allen Corner Bookcase Piola Modern Bookcase Dedalo Bookcase Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to Maximize Space with Built-Ins in your Interiors Posted: 10 Jan 2011 02:51 AM PST In every home the ability to hold more storage, and display decor is a feat that isn't always simple. Books, accessories and collectibles need a storage location and built-ins are a great way to accomplish just that. Built-ins – so called the name because the millwork is built within the wall is a good space saver as it doesn't take up physical floor space. Depending on your decorative style built-ins can be modern and minimalistic or ornate with exquisite detailing. Here are a few ways built-ins can maximize your space and help you display your high school track trophies at the same time! Adding functional storage to your bedroom: Built-ins can offer display, or they can offer beautiful storage behind closed doors. Consider adding a wardrobe closet to your bedroom using wood and door pulls to suit your decorative style. Set off the area with accent lighting, and a custom wardrobe area has just been created. Built-ins should look as if they were erected with the house. Follow cues in your adjacent furniture, to blend styles, colors, and details together. The pulled together look will interior design inspired! Bookshelves that add flair: If you're looking for your bookshelves to offer more than just storage, built-ins are a nice option. Whether you are decorating around a fireplace, a master bed, or in a children's room, use built-ins as display and as a visual focal point. Add glass, or open up the opposite side to an adjoining room for visual separation and shared real estate for décor. If you're handy around the home, custom carpentry built-ins are a nice addition to any room. Built-ins can be used for the kitchen: Also, consider using built-ins in areas that are unconventional, like the kitchen. Many appliance manufacturers have turned to "built-in" or "flush" appliance applications that leaves a more seamless and custom look to your kitchen. If you favor this decorative style, find out if cabinetry can be built around your appliances, or opt for a kitchen designer to help you plan the perfect application. Organize your home office: If your home office is like everyone else's, space for the computer accessories, books, and decorative display can look haphazard if not addressed properly. Built-in shelving helps give an updated and functional appeal to your home office. For smaller rooms, have holes drilled into the back of the shelving to enable office, audio, and computer equipment to seamlessly sit 'within' your walls.  You will be surprised how much floor space you gain, and a decorative color palette can be used to compliment with the rest of your home office. Built-ins can be utilized in every room in your home. From maximizing space to allowing you to display and store easier, built-ins are a creative solution to space concerns. To save money and have a color coordinated palette, consider using a paint scheme that highlights your built in area.  Use a darker or lighter complimentary color within the niche to bring instant visual interest to your built-ins. Also try using built-ins in your bathroom, you will love what you can store in them! Freshome reader's where do you use built-ins in your home? Have any ideas that we've missed? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! 10 Ideas to Help Maximize Space in Your Home Sleek and Sizzling Interiors from West Chin Team An Elegant Storing Solution : Original Built In Wardrobe Innovative Interiors by Specht Harpman Swedish Apartment Renovated With Modern Interiors How to buy the right bedroom storage space Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Exotic Transformation of a Residence into a Sunshine Filled Oasis Posted: 10 Jan 2011 01:29 AM PST Ever since the owners of this exotic residence decided to renovate their home, they thought about having natural light flood every corner. This is where the architects from Bower Architecture came in. They took into account the owner’s love for the palm trees growing in the northern rear garden and created a deluxe resort-like residence that leaves us craving for something similar. Creating entertainment spaces and living areas filled with natural sunshine, the architects also replaced the sobriety of the former house with an elegant and exotic mixture of natural colours and clear modern lines: “The subsequent measures of combing built form with landscape and dividing the house into open and connected living zones creates a series of layered spaces, from the double height entry atrium gallery to the hidden rear oasis“. The relaxing swimming pool became the center of the oasis, being surrounded by built-in daybeds, dining areas, outdoor showers and a hidden outdoor powder room. A strong connection forms between the outside and the inside with the help of large glass doors and every inch was carefully designed to accomplish a feeling of perpetual vacation. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Sao Paulo Exotic Villa by Isay Weinfeld Norman Residence – Another Wooden House in Seattle Helal New Moon Residence, An “Oasis” Of Modern Design Exotic Beach Residence in Queensland, Australia Los Heroes Building Gets Modern Transformation Luxurious Residence by Judy Goodger Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Intriguing Apartment in Riga, Especially Designed for an Adventurer Posted: 09 Jan 2011 11:30 PM PST We received an interesting apartment design from Sergey Serpuhov, art-director for ERGES, a company founded in Riga, Latvia. Here is the description and some photos: “This apartment is located in a house on the border of an old town and sea port zone. The view from the windows shows port docks, dry-cargo ships on a quay and passenger ships coming in the port. The customer is a bright an unusual personality, and likes adventures and traveling, but still appreciates home comfort. These factors made us create an interior brightly reflecting the personality of the owner and keeping the mysterious and intriguing environment of the location…Sharply thinking about planning design, we decided to fill our interior space with art objects and accessories, elegant and exotic decorations: glass column, bar, furniture with mirror elements, aquarium with reflection effect. We used the following materials: wood, glass, stainless steel, fur, natural stone. Our aim was to create a modern, comfortable, luxury interior design, which corresponded to the flat's owner – a gentleman (an adventurer).” Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Another Delightful Swedish Apartment That Stuns With Its Chromatics Space Oddysey Inspired Apartment by Romolo Stanco Small Apartment with a Spacious Feeling Apartment Design by ERGES: Targets The Young Beautiful Small Apartment Design Gemma Ahern Apartment Renovation – Cost Effective Designing Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Lovely Family Summer Retreat in Sweden: Villa Lima Posted: 09 Jan 2011 11:23 AM PST Villa Lima was designed by architect Johan Sundberg and is located in a Höllviken, south of Malmö, Sweden. Especially developed in order to serve as a family summer getaway, this modern, yet cozy home looks like the perfect place to relax and enjoy free time. Here are more details from the architects: “From a designers point of view this building type is a challenge. A traditional saddle roof is to be combined with a held-back modern design. This leads to challenges around the roof edges. Large glazed sliding doors and crisp dormers require steel reinforcements within the timber frame. A goal in the design process was to create a prismatic form, a play of volumes without any unnecessary leaps or edges.The design dissolves the traditional 1,5-story bottom level plan and opens up the structure both over the corners and up through the first floor. Lines-of-sight penetrate the house and the window positions work to frame the scenery on the outside.” With economical features, an impressive architecture and spacious living areas, you guys will surely agree that this home makes for a fantastic summer retreat. (Pictures © Kasper Dudzik)- via gBlog Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Swedish Minimalism: Villa UH1 by RB Arkitektur Contemporary Villa M2 in Malmo, Sweden Villa UH1 in Sweden Casa Nova Lima: Unusual residence nestled in a carpet of green No.5 House: Stylish minimalist home in the heart of Sweden Rustic Villa in Sweden Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to Budget for a Home Renovation Posted: 09 Jan 2011 09:00 AM PST For most home owners a home renovation represents a financial commitment that they hope will pay off for their family as well as for resale value. When considering a home renovation how do you determine if you can afford it, and how to budget for one? Determining your family's financial resources and life commitments should come before starting to think about a home renovation. Once you are ready to assess your home renovation possibilities use these tips to help you budget. Assess your wants over needs: Renovations can be split into two categories: wants and needs. Meaning, renovating your kitchen to upgrade to granite counters from your plastic laminate ones would most likely be considered a want. While upgrading your kitchen from 40 year old appliances, cabinets, and finishes for safety, appearance and livability could be considered a need. Either way, decide what is the motive for renovating and if your financial pockets can afford the wants or needs. Choose a small project first: This tip is going to vary based on your experience with home renovation. If you are a seasoned veteran, you may be up for being rooted out of your home for 6-9 months to add on a wing to the house. If you are a novice, and would prefer a shorter time line, than choosing a smaller project like a porch addition may be more in line with your plans. Smaller renovation projects will also allow you to budget less and learn from the process of estimating costs, labor, and materials. Hire a professional to give you an estimate: Unless you are experienced with construction, it's best to hire a professional contractor or estimator to help you determine what materials, labor, and time estimation will be appropriate. Many home renovations turn out negatively because of lack of accurate estimations in the beginning. This step will help you budget with realistic goals, instead of guessing. Consider getting several estimates to compare and contrast each professional's calculations. Be patient and realistic: The reality of home renovation is that it will usually take longer and may be more expensive than calculated. Often unforeseen circumstances arise during construction that a contractor didn't account for in the estimate. When budgeting for a renovation, add a 'cushion' of time and money to be realistic of all circumstances. Patience should also be exercised when preparing for a renovation, as all the pieces may not fall into place as planned. Home renovation can be an exciting and rewarding time for your family and your home. With careful planning ahead of time and a good assessment of your resources, you can make well informed decisions about your budget. Remember, the period of time that a home renovation takes can be considerably short when compared with the lifespan of a home. Your inconvenience for a few months will be well worth it when you see the rewards of your home renovation. Use these tips for budgeting and your "new" home may be closer than you think! Freshome readers tell us how you have budgeted for your home renovations. If you have any helpful advice, please leave it below. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Gemma Ahern Apartment Renovation – Cost Effective Designing Swedish Inspiration: Turning a Small Apartment into a Gemstone Small Budget House by Pb Elemental Architects Simple Ways to Make Your Apartment Feel Like Home Cash Conundrum: 9 Things About Decorating on Budget 5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Renovate Kid's Rooms Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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