Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

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• How to Compliment your Home’s Exterior Colors with Nature
• Impressive Bachelor’s Crib: Apartment Al. Casa Branca in Brazil
• How to Add Illuminating Light to your Outdoor Eating Areas this Summer
• Spectacular Holiday Home in Cape Town: Mwanzoleo Residence
• Utility Shower Curtains with Built-in Storage Components
• How to Plan a Relaxing Outdoor Sanctuary

How to Compliment your Home’s Exterior Colors with Nature Posted: 27 Jun 2011 07:10 AM PDT Choosing exterior colors for your home can be a challenge, and when trying to ensure it coordinates with the landscape around it, can make the challenge even harder. For many homes, nature and the built environment should be considered for continuity, and preservation of the neighboring properties and to keep the aesthetics of your neighborhood cohesive and inviting. If you're trying to compliment your home's exterior colors with nature and the beautiful habitat around it, here are some helpful tips. Take a walk around your property: While this seems like a straightforward tip, in actuality it involves more than walking by your home. Grab a camera, and walk around your property, and take note of neighboring homes, landscaping, foliage, adjacent colorful buildings, etc… While nature refers to Earth's resources, you should also consider the built environment and colors and textures around your home. Once you take a look at the photos at a later time, you will see a pattern of color palettes – from neutrals or bright tropicals, or mellow deep tones, take note of these colors. Grab a color from nature: For many homes, nature provides the perfect compliment for grabbing color inspiration for the exterior color of your home. If you would like your home to blend with the warm desert landscape, grab one of the sienna browns, or rustic earth tones to make your home become one with the landscape and environment. When grabbing colors from nature, test several colors in similar shades on your home, let dry for 24 hours and see which ones look the best. Also observe the colors in the morning; noon, and evening, exterior colors look different based on what time of day it is. Absence of color: If you prefer to let the landscape around your home speak for itself, and your home to stand out, consider sticking to neutrals or opt for a contrasting white exterior color. White has the ability to show off the architectural details of your home and make it read as a bold entity. Nature will blend with any neutral palette home, and the ability for your house to become a showpiece, instead of get lost in the background is the approach for many homeowners. Preserve the inherent colors of history: If your home is located in an historical area, or a tropical or rustic environment, traditional and historical colors of the area should be preserved. In tropical environments, colors that mimic nature and the vivacious cultural traditions are shown in the aquamarine blues that mimic the water all the way to bright pinks and playful yellows. When considering exterior colors of your home, take these pointers into consideration. The beauty of living in these geographic areas is the natural habitat around your home can give you a glimpse of how your home should look and feel. When you consider exterior colors for your home, don't get overwhelmed with the thousands of paint swatches at the home improvement center. First, take an assessment of your home and the natural habitat in which it sits. Your first clues about its color will start here, and let your creativity make it unique. After all, your house color is no different than the clothes you wear on your back – seek individuality, and make your home strut its own personality and style! Freshome readers, did you consider the natural environment around your home when choosing exterior colors? We'd love to hear from you. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! How to Coordinate Co… How to Choose an Ext… Tree Bed – Bri… How to Add Relaxing … How to Bring Earth I… Pb Elemental Designs… Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Impressive Bachelor’s Crib: Apartment Al. Casa Branca in Brazil Posted: 27 Jun 2011 05:47 AM PDT We recently received an amazing apartment, designed by Carol Leaes and located in Sao Paolo, Brazil. According to the designer, it took four months for her to find the perfect place that would allow her to implement the arrangements she had envisioned for the owner. Here is more information from the project developers: “The decision to purchase the property was taken for two reasons: a free floor plan (all pillars are at the ends of the building) and  breathtaking view over the park Trianon (the only green area around Paulista Ave). In total, between the search of the property, design and construction we took one year and a half or so. The project is in the famous building’s architect Paulo Bruna. The customer's briefing was : 1 bedroom, open kitchen to the living, spaces to feel confortable and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The customer also gave me a reference: Philippe Starck’s Faena Hotel in Buenos Aires“. We like the overall manly feel of this apartment and are curious to read your feedback as well. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Intriguing Apartment… Modern Monolithic Ho… Casa Nova Lima: Unus… Casa Fendi 's Kitc… Casa Gutierrez in El… Charming Combination… Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to Add Illuminating Light to your Outdoor Eating Areas this Summer Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:36 AM PDT There is nothing better than summer time and entertaining guests and family in the backyard. Actually, entertaining guests in the cooled off summer evenings may be even better! Summer evenings are the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the ambiance, mystique and perfect temperatures for enjoying the night sky and your friends all at once. Illuminating your outdoor spaces where you dine can often be a challenge. Whether you are illuminating summer kitchen preparation areas, or you are lighting up poolside tables, here are tips to help you choose the perfect fixtures. Illuminate outdoor spaces for ambiance: Aside from the functionality of outdoor lighting, the reality of playful fixtures that create ambiance and set the mood the night ahead are perfect for summer nights. Decide what type of ambiance you'd like to create. For intimate settings, lanterns on individual tables or stand-alone lamps surrounding lounging sitting areas are ideal. For more playful areas, around the pool deck or even in your yard or landscaped areas, consider tiki torches, string lights from the trees, or even light up table umbrellas with Christmas lights in white or summer colors! Lighting food preparation areas: Remember that lighting in food areas is about ambiance, but more importantly, safety. Ensure areas around summer kitchens, barbecue grills and outdoor sinks are well lit, and shadows and dark areas are kept to a minimum. Overhead ambient lighting is essential, and hung from a canopy, pergola, or shining from an adjacent roof line may be helpful. For areas that have plenty of counter area, consider lanterns or flameless candles that are battery powered. Flameless candles keep the lighting soft, but are safe for busy communal areas, and are at no harm if accidentally knocked over. Define your areas with varied lighting sources: Eating areas don't have to be limited to tables and chairs; often pool parties involve guests walking around with a plate in hand. Therefore, your entire outdoor space should be considered. For walkways and sidewalks, landscape lighting placed along the pathways, will guide guests to their destination. For cozy and more intimate settings, consider firepits, chimineas or outdoor fireplaces to provide light from the crackling fire. The beauty of outdoor spaces is the variety of options, which can be changed depending on the formality of your entertaining. Who doesn't love roasting a tasty treat over an open fire? Lighting on a budget: Depending on your budget, you can still create an outdoor area that is admired and appreciated by your guests, without having to spend a lot of money. String lights are extremely affordable, and they cover a large area without having to purchase large outdoor fixtures. For many homes, hard wiring landscape fixtures around the home can be expensive and use costly energy. Consider using solar powered landscape fixtures, or opt for light sensor varieties. There are many options on the market to fit any budget and lighting style. Lighting your outdoor entertaining areas can open up the dining experience for your guests, and create an ambiance you forget about in the daytime. Summertime is the perfect time to explore your outdoor home and make the most of it! After all, once the summer and fall is over, you will wish you spent more time exploring the endless possibilities of your outdoor home. After all, what is summertime for anyway? Enjoy it! Freshome readers, share with us your creative ideas for lighting your outdoor entertaining areas! Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Bathtub Wich Lights … Sirchester Luminous … Zipper Light The Illuminating Doo… How to Plan a Relaxi… How to Choose Summer… Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Spectacular Holiday Home in Cape Town: Mwanzoleo Residence Posted: 27 Jun 2011 01:56 AM PDT Mwanzoleo residence is an impressive looking holiday home located in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. The villa features five bedrooms and five bathrooms and is perfect for accommodating up to 10 people. Here is an official project description which we believe catches the spectacular nature of this residence: “Rising six stories with a dramatic rock backdrop and radiant panoramic sea views is a beach front villa like no other in Africa. This extravagant retreat is an exclusive sanctuary overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Bantry Bay. Mwanzoleo caters to the discerning few who truly appreciate life's luxuries: the private villa was designed for the lifestyle connoisseur who demands the quality comforts of their own home, coupled with the convenience and amenities of a private hotel. This exclusive villa is decorated with great attention to detail, using only superior quality furniture and fabrics, complimented by an important South African and international art and sculpture collection. Furniture includes pieces designed by the likes of Fritz Hansen, Charles Eames, B & B Italia and Erro Saarinen. The 'less is more' philosophy is flirtatiously contrasted by decadent structural features.” The vacation house is available for rent, but requires a minimum stay of 5 days. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Modern House uses Wa… Australian House Ins… Town House Cupboard Spectacular Wood-Fil… Small & Spectac… Spectacular Architec… Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Utility Shower Curtains with Built-in Storage Components Posted: 27 Jun 2011 12:44 AM PDT WINTERCHECK FACTORY sent us a design that is sure to make your showers a bit more enjoyable. Here is the description we received from the producers: “Frustrated with ineffective suction cup baskets and bulky tension rod shelves in our showers, we thought of an alternative: The Utility Shower Curtain. Instead of taking up precious space in your small shower, this curtain features built-in storage components. On the inside you'll find four large self-draining pockets, capable of storing eight regular-sized shampoo and conditioner bottles and two loops (one large and one small) to accommodate various sizes of toothbrushes and razors. For added convenience (and those of us without a nearby towel rack) the outside of the curtain is fitted with towel loops at each edge. The Utility Shower Curtain is made from 200 Denier 100% Oxford Nylon. Machine Washable and Water Repellent, the curtain can be tucked into a bathtub while showering and occasionally thrown into the washing machine, making mildew laden plastic liners completely unnecessary“. Practical, don’t you agree? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Tube Map of London U… Cute Shower Curtains Shower Curtains Impr… A Shower for a Moder… Apollo by LineaAqua,… ASCII Code Curtains Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to Plan a Relaxing Outdoor Sanctuary Posted: 26 Jun 2011 07:16 AM PDT If you're like most people, the ability to escape from the hectic world into your outdoor home is a pastime that you look forward to daily. Your outdoor home is an opportunity to enjoy nature, get fresh air, and retreat to a sanctuary that is truly yours. From relaxing furniture and ambiance lighting at night, to heavenly outdoor luxuries that can truly make your outdoors feel like you are inside. Here are tips for planning a relaxing outdoor sanctuary at your home. Introduce architectural elements: Depending on how your outdoor home is laid out, introducing architectural elements such as a pergola, arbor, or overhead trellis area can create a visual statement instantly.  Consider adding sheer drapery, outdoor fabrics and textiles are perfect for adding privacy, shielding out the harsh sun and for adding an outdoor seclusion that is mimicked from your interiors. For use at night, outfit your structure with lighting to enjoy the space for dining or just taking in the summer sunsets. Let your furniture set the stage: Outdoor patio and garden furniture has come a long way from the aluminum or PVC varieties of years past. Today outdoor furniture can span from simple to extravagant and luxurious. Consider your lifestyle and what you enjoy doing in your outdoor home. Creating a sanctuary is all about comfort, and leisure. Consider lounging chairs, outdoor daybeds, oversized loveseats and plenty of tableside areas for your fruity drinks! Bring on the ambiance: The challenge for some homeowners is how to make the outdoors still have an ambiance that is unique, relaxing, and luxurious without any walls and ceilings. Creative uses of outdoor fire pits, chimineas, lanterns, and even creating stand alone bars to sit and share food and drink are great ways to bring on the ambiance you desire for your guests. First assess your natural surroundings. Your outdoor home may not need as many physical amenities if you have a stunning backdrop like mountains, a pool, or great landscaping. Light the way to relaxation: While your outdoor sanctuary should be enjoyed while lying at the pool, it should also be admired from inside your home. Lighting is essential for creating ambiance, as well as securing safety around your home. Consider hiring a landscape architect or lighting designer to help you create the mood you desire. Lighting for landscaped areas can be different from your leisure and entertaining areas. Ensure that your sanctuary can be enjoyed safely with adequate and complimentary lighting. It's easy to neglect the outdoors when you don't spend enough time outside to appreciate them. Change that by turning your outdoor home into a sanctuary with these simple tips. Escape the hustle and bustle of life, and see what has been missing from your home. Whether you plan on entertaining, playing with the kids, or doing absolutely nothing…. your outdoor sanctuary is waiting on you. Create a space that will reflect your personal style, as well as welcome guests with open arms and with relaxing aesthetics. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Outdoor Furniture &#… Fun and Functional S… B&B Italia's … 5 Tips for Choosing … How to Choose Summer… Happy Chaise Longue,… Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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