Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter

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• Fresh Start for Vintage Suitcases: Pet Furniture from Atomic Attic
• Modern Home Taking Advantage of a Beautiful Landscape From Bates Masi Architects
• Contemporary Residence In Brazil Of A Powerful Design Impact
• How to Design Luxury on a Small Budget with Designer Lori Gilder
• A Simple, Yet Cool Design: 95% Wood Chair by Remmelt Dirksen
• Impressive Display of Good Taste and Warmth: Distort House
• Contemporary Home Overlooking the Ocean in Santa Barbara

Fresh Start for Vintage Suitcases: Pet Furniture from Atomic Attic Posted: 29 Sep 2011 06:54 AM PDT By combining upcycled, vintage and hand-made, Oregon-based Atomic Attic has created fantastic furniture for your favorite pets. Vintage suitcases and TVs were transformed into fascinating pet furniture that add color and style to your pet’s favorite corner of the house. Made from different suitcase – like a Bright Red American Tourister Vintage Suitcase, a Bright Baby Blue Samsonite Vintage Suitcase or a Off-White Lady Baltimore Suitcase – or even vintage office chairs – like the round one seen in the photos below- these pet beds come with “removable, triple stitched, machine washable fluffy cushion for cleaning convenience“. Reinforced bottoms and metal or wood legs turn the classy suitcases into fabulous pet furniture items. The inspiration for these fresh pet beds and furniture came from the benefit of living with “a small army of kids and cats“.  If you ever found yourself in need for a beautiful, charming and colorful pet bed, visit Atomic Attic’s Etsy shop. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Modern Home Taking Advantage of a Beautiful Landscape From Bates Masi Architects Posted: 29 Sep 2011 05:10 AM PDT Genius Loci Residence was designed by Bates Masi Architects and is located in East Hampton, New York, USA. According to the architects, “the house is composed of two simple taut volumes. The public and private living areas are in the waterside volume, all with spectacular views and access to the beach. Circulation, baths, and utilities are in the landward volume overlooking the pool. By offsetting the volumes vertically and horizontally, the surface area of the compact design increases, allowing for more windows to admit light and westerly breezes. This slippage also creates intimate outdoor spaces for bathing, entertaining, and dining.The deep frames in front of each volume provide privacy from neighboring properties while leaving the east and west facades open to views of the water. The frames create spaces that defy the conventional distinctions between indoors and outdoors.” Enjoy the photos below and lets us know what your opinions are regarding the design and architecture of this modern American home. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Contemporary Residence In Brazil Of A Powerful Design Impact Posted: 29 Sep 2011 04:13 AM PDT This imposing 370 square-meter contemporary residence was designed by Anastasia Architects and is located in  Belo Horizonte, Brazil. According to the architects, the clients’ brief was to build a home where external and internal areas have mixed boundaries. Here is more from the official project description: “Due to the reduced size of the site, residual and crossing spaces were practically left out (for example, there is no entrance hall, in behalf of a visual permeability with the entrance garden, achieved through large pivotal doors in the facade).The floor plan is rectangular and compact, stretching till the site's sidelines. The rooms are illuminated by large doors front and back facades and also by matted glass locking (u-glass that acts as a good thermal insulation due to the existence of an air layer between the glass sheets) between the lagged cover labs. A glass cover over a concrete pergola complements the illumination through an indoor garden. Therefore, the house is flooded by zenithal and indirect natural light that besides avoiding artificial lighting during the day, also avoids excessive heat from direct sunlight. The prevailing wind comes from the street, thus the entering doors work as regulators of wind speed“. The interior design of this home is achieved in a tasteful modern style and the overall impression is that of an airy and spacious living space. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to Design Luxury on a Small Budget with Designer Lori Gilder Posted: 29 Sep 2011 03:06 AM PDT Here, at Freshome we always like to bring you home interiors and the designers who bring those interiors to life in your home everyday. Today, I had the opportunity to interview Lori Gilder, an award winning Architectural Interior Designer to Hollywood’s elite. From winning HGTV’s – ‘Designer’s Challenge’ to being featured as a guest designer on “Designing for the Sexes”, her projects are known worldwide as well as her features in design publications such as: California Homes, Spaces Magazine and Distinctive Kitchen Solutions. Lori Gilder In our interview today, I asked Lori to share with us her top luxury decor tips, for those who are on a budget. After all, regardless of how large or small  your design budget is, we all want beautiful homes! FRESHOME: Homeowners today are always trying to make their home feel luxurious, but don't always have the budget to fit their fantasies! What are your suggestions? LORI GILDER: It's so true! Even in this economy, people have maintained their taste for luxury in spite of their budgetary limitations.   But there's always a little wiggle room when it comes to indulging – and adding a touch of luxury to any space doesn't need to cost a fortune. For an instant infusion of luxury introduce a wall or two of exquisite wallcovering.  From the most magnificent laser-cut patterns, flocked textures, subtle grasses, silks and metallics – the products available are endless – a little goes a long way. Add mirrors into your design scheme.  I'm not just referring to wall hung mirrors – although they're great – but introducing strategically placed mirrored surfaces into any room of your home.  Reflective surfaces brighten a space and create that extra layer of sparkle, texture and luxury.  A mirrored chest in the foyer or master bedroom, glass or mirrored tiled backsplash in the kitchen, or inset mirrored sections framed by paneling and molding to add glamor and sophistication in your living room. The original living room fireplace warms the new dining room. Luxurious towels are the ultimate indulgence that makes your bathroom an oasis.  Get the feeling and look of richness by cocooning in some Egyptian cotton towels.  The longer the loop the softer and more absorbent the towel.  Display them if possible stacked neatly in an open shelf or on top of the bathtub decking. Luxurious metallic fabrics in silver bronze and gold layered with sheers are very beautiful and indulgent in formal living room and bedroom spaces.  Keep it classic by draping these fabrics from a classic metal rod. Splurge just a little by investing in some of your favorite fabrics and trims to create those sumptuous accent pillows to sprinkle throughout your living spaces.  Use contrasting fabrics on the reverse sides for greater flexibility and just flip them when the seasons change. FRESHOME: As an award winning Architectural Interior Designer to Hollywood's elite you have to be able to understand their style. What ideas can you give Freshome readers for adding a personalized style to their homes, while not spending a fortune? LORI GILDER: As a designer, understanding my client's personal design style is as critical as decoding their design criteria.  And the mission is to create a home that reflects the homeowner's personal taste and style. (always respecting the home's architectural integrity). Client's personal design style So when it comes to personalizing your own home, I'd suggest you first take a look around your house for any repetitive themes, patterns and colors – then peek inside your closet to determine what your "style" is! Guaranteed you'll see blaring similarities between your wardrobe choices and the taste you have in home decor. If you're Country Casual: Infuse natural elements and splashes of color throughout your home coupled with those one-of-a-kind  treasures found at antique markets, garage sales or thrift stores…and make them your own. Rustic accent tables, wooden photo frames and exquisite textiles can be used anywhere! For the Traditionally Classic personality: Re-arrange your furniture to create a symmetrical and balanced space, and purchase a pairs: like lamps, occasional chairs and accent pillows in subtle fabrics and textures. Add molding, wainscoting and beefy trims to create instant detail and architecture to an otherwise bland space. Use chair rails to divide walls in your dining room or down the hallway. Crown molding also adds visual height to ceilings. Then grab some of your favorite historical paint colors and get creative. For the Spirited Eclectic personalities: Showcase your precious pieces and collections that you've acquired while on those exotic vacations, to create that globally inspired look.  For some great deals visit county antique markets.   These are the best bet for collecting those bold textiles, rough fabrics and worn surfaces that show your personality.  Only buy it when you fall in love with it! For the Cool Contemporary: Less is more! It's sleek and chic all the way so start by de-cluttering your home.  Get rid of all your old extra chochkes and replace them with more bold geometric accessories.  There are fabulous Modern online sources with product to be had at great prices. FRESHOME: You have been a featured designer winner on HGTV's 'Designer's Challenge" and a guest designer on "Designing for the Sexes" – how do you factor in a clients small budget, while still delivering a "wow" factor? LORI GILDER:  Creating a wow factor in any space is all about the unexpected –regardless of budget. It's about creating an energy that embodies you as you enter a room.  It can be as simple as painting your ceiling a deeper color than your walls, using reclaimed doors from a salvage yard as your headboard, or introducing a bright and colorful contemporary piece of art in a traditional space.  Just one special detail can create a huge impact and give you the "wow" you're looking for. Regardless of the design budget, you can create a wow factor! FRESHOME: Many homeowners think the interior of their home only needs attention. What is your advice for delivering beautiful curb appeal without overhauling the entire yard and their wallet?  LORI GILDER: Proudly showing off your home's exterior sets the stage for what's to come and gives the impression that it's loved inside and out.   Punching up your home's curb appeal doesn't need to cost a fortune.  It just takes a bit of creativity and some elbow grease.   These quick fixes will make a world of difference! Clearly define a pathway to your front door. A path will draw in people, literally, and it will convey a sense of welcome. Create one with large stones, small rocks, or other natural elements or line the pathway with plants, shrubbery and lighting,. A landscaping overhaul is possibly the most effective way to improve your home's exterior without spending a fortune. Update existing flowerbeds with new shrubs and flowers and add new planting beds along the driveway or the front of your home. For some added interest flank a large pot filled with your favorite flowers on either side of the front door. For an immediate transformation consider installing a new front door  (with glass) that compliments the home's existing architecture. If a new one is out of the question then give it a fresh coat of paint in a dramatic color, such as red or black, and replace the hardware. Create a welcoming glow with solar powered or LED lighting lining the pathway and driveway, which instantly accentuates your home's façade.  You'll love the drama. Of course painting the interior or exterior is one of the quickest ways to achieve a facelift. If the paint on your house looks gray, cracked, or weathered it's time for a fresh coat. And don't forget the window trims, shutters, and fencing; even partial updates can make a big difference. FRESHOME: You have a great video segment on your blog called "Lori's Renovation Realities". Can you explain why you created them, and how they can help homeowners seek inspiration? LORI GILDER: Lori's Renovation Realities video blog series happened accidentally.  At the end of shooting our inaugural series of videos for my blog – Diary of a Renovation, the conversation continued and we shared some hilarious and disastrous stories about the "realities" of renovating.  Everyone has a story!  So we re-loaded and shot some very impromptu Renovation Reality segments.  They're a lot of fun to share!   FRESHOME: Kitchens have the highest return on investment when it comes to renovating, but they also have a high price tag associated with them. Have you ever had clients that have budget challenges, but still want a beautiful kitchen remodel? How have you overcome the challenge? LORI GILDER: It's true. The kitchen remains the most popular home renovation project, an on average a kitchen remodel will yield a return on investment of anywhere from 75 to 100%. Whether large or small every client has a budget in mind – and its my responsibility as a designer to transform that space – and make it work and look like a million dollar kitchen.  Having said that here are some cost cutting secrets to keep in mind when planning your kitchen remodel. ALWAYS have a plan in advance – with a good floor plan and lighting plan you'll save valuable time and money. It's well worth hiring a designer. Avoid moving existing plumbing and electrical locations (if the existing layout still works for you). Relocating plumbing and gas lines can be very costly. Cost cutting secrets to a great designed kitchen Resist the urge to buy top of the line appliances and shop around for more moderately priced stainless steel (if that's your goal) equipment. Consider semi-custom cabinets rather than custom.  Keep the sizes more standardized – rather than specialized. You can still achieve a high-end look for your kitchen – just do a little cost-comparative shopping online to find similar products and materials. Strategically blend both high-end and cost effective materials together to create high impact.  A little of the good stuff can go a long way! FRESHOME: What advice can you give to homeowners that want to bring the indoors out? Beautiful furnishings, plants, and outdoor decor can be expensive! How can Freshome readers cut the cost, but still achieve an outdoor oasis? ——- LORI GILDER: I believe that extending a living space to the outdoors truly enhances our quality of life.  Connecting with nature, breathing the fresh air and extending the summer season for as long as possible, helps us decompress and relieve our daily stresses. Creating an outdoor paradise can be as simple as dressing a terrace, with a simple table and chairs, or as detailed as building an outdoor living space complete with a gourmet kitchen, fireplace and seating lounge. Here are some very simple and cost effective ideas: Comfortable seating – in outdoor fabrics for easy maintenance. Simple trellis or pergola to provide shade and a natural canopy. Find some outdoor treasures in architectural salvage yards. Start a container garden – use recycled pots and fill them with an array of your favorite flowers, then position them all around your patio/garden. If you're a handy one – build your own firepit. Provide some very simple outdoor lighting and lanterns sprinkled throughout to give you that gorgeous glow. FRESHOME: Master Bedrooms are another area of a home that homeowners love to have luxurious fabrics, finishes, and furniture. What areas of the bedroom can you save money, and which areas should you splurge? LORI GILDER: The master bedroom should be our refuge where we relax, restore and rejuvenate at the end of the day – and creating that sanctuary requires you splurge on a few "Essentials". A very high quality KING SIZE mattress!  (The headboard, base or skirt can be quite simple). Luxurious bed linens.  Invest in the best you can afford.  There's nothing better than sinking into Belgian or Egyptian linens at the end of the day. Ample storage is a necessity to eliminate clutter of any kind.  Nightstands with drawers should provide you with ample surface area for fresh flowers, magazines and your current book. Create a warm and relaxing atmosphere with multiple light sources.  Recessed fixtures, reading lamps or sconces – should be on dimmers and tri-lights.  Install individual light switches on each person's bedside. Paint calming peaceful colors such as blues, whites, creams, grays and taupes will provide that much needed serenity. "Purchase quality pieces and invest in what your really love" - Lori Gilder FRESHOME: Freshome would love to ask what you think of our website? We always try and inform and inspire our readers. What final tips would you give our readers in making their homes feel personalized and unique? LORI GILDER: Freshome does a fabulous job of providing design savvy homeowners with inspirational interiors, exteriors and products from around the globe.  I Love the images and feel as though I'm on a World Tour of Dream Homes! Purchase quality pieces that improve with age and only invest in what you really love…paint your canvas over time! Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

A Simple, Yet Cool Design: 95% Wood Chair by Remmelt Dirksen Posted: 29 Sep 2011 02:05 AM PDT We just received an intriguing chair design from Remmelt Dirksen of Melt Interieur. The 95% wood chair pays tribute to simplicity while having a cool appearance. Here is some information from the press release we were sent by the project developers: “The 95% wood chair is characterized by his bend plywood frame and a steel round tube front leg which gives the chair a pleasant form. A new 2,5 mm thick flexible composite backrest and seat make this chair very comfortable and gives you the perfect fit. This cleverly designed wooden chair with his characteristic steel foreleg can be used not only in residential spaces but also in business surroundings“. We would dare add that it could be a good furniture piece to integrate in the children’s room as well. Freshome readers, how do you appreciate the design of this bentwood chair? Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Impressive Display of Good Taste and Warmth: Distort House Posted: 28 Sep 2011 11:46 PM PDT The lovely Distort House was designed by TWS & Partners with principal in charge Tonny W Suriadjaja and structural engineers Purwa, and is located south of Jakarta, Indonesia. Fund on Homedit, this home is an impressive display of taste and warmth. Why is it called Distort House? Here is a short concept explanation from the architects: “Twisting out something from the usual line is taken in order to create different perception or to enrich some more quality. This happens to a house that we name it as The Distort House. It is located in the south of Jakarta which is still dominated by lush, tropical village forest in the neighborhood. In the front of the site itself lays a public park with some old big tropical trees. In response to those advantages, the house's mass outline is shifted close to the back perimeter line of the site, and then twisted in 15 degree, leaving vast green area in the front. This is a unique way to open a more huge front space striking back as view and open air to the inside“. Aside from having a delightful appearance, the residence also has quite a few sustainable features. The materials used are partially recycled (reused steel bars, recycled wood plank for the wooden ceilings). This crib may be environmental friendly, but how do you appreciate its overall design and architecture ? Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Contemporary Home Overlooking the Ocean in Santa Barbara Posted: 28 Sep 2011 08:33 AM PDT Studio Hochhauser Blatter Architecture and Planning based in Santa Barbara completed the Whitehead/Bay Residence, a 5,400 square foot project located in Montecito, California. The current owner of this imposing home is Michael Bay, Hollywood film director and producer, who recently put the residence up for sale, requesting the sum of $6.8 million. The home includes three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half baths, a one bedroom guest house, full laundry room, ample storage, air conditioning, 3-car garage, and gated entrance. The interior design emphasizes on luxury and comfort with an airy, bright feel and excellent views from most of the rooms. An open plan living room is the focal point of the project and was planned on two levels. A vaulted skylight and a cathedral-like ceiling give this place a sophisticated feel. One could say that the most attractive feature of this home is the infinity pool with spa, which is surrounded by rich vegetation and faces the ocean. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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