Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter |  |
- Warmth and Inspiration Defining a Renovation Project in Girona, Spain
- Warm Display of Scandinavian Design in a Relatively Small Home
- How to Find Clever Hidden Storage in Every Room with Closet Factory
- Pitched Roof Regulations Resulting in a Triangular Architecture
- Inlay Furniture Collection Displaying Intruiguing Geometric Patterns
- Futuristic Apartment Building in Australia Cascading Down Bellevue Hill
- Seattle Seen From a Vantage Point: Floating Home on Lake Union
- Fantastic Sereno House High Above Sea Level
- Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain Sculpture in Germany Offering Extensive Rhine Views
| Warmth and Inspiration Defining a Renovation Project in Girona, Spain Posted: 18 Nov 2011 06:54 AM PST
We found this beautiful home renovation achieved by Lizarriturry Tuneu Arquitectura and located in Girona, a city in northeast Catalonia, Spain. Two main challenges were stated in the owners’ brief. The first was that the architects preserve the impressive medieval stone facade with balconies of wrought iron, wile the second request other was to have a logical room distribution within the renovated home. We believe the team of designers did a great job in maintaining the traditional ambiance of this place. Moreover, the arrangements give it a lovely, warm feel, which is taken to new heights in every room of the cottage-like house. Two generous doors from the courtyard connect the dining room and kitchen to a delightful terrace, while ensuring a large amount of natural light. The living room is especially cheerful, featuring a red sofa, exposed wooden beans and a cozy fireplace. Creativity is also present in the children’s room, the most dynamic interior of the crib. Enjoy the photos!
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| Warm Display of Scandinavian Design in a Relatively Small Home Posted: 18 Nov 2011 05:48 AM PST
Even though this beautiful apartment found on Alvhem stretches over a surface of only 61 square meters, it gives out the impression of so much more space. Located in Gothenburg, the crib consists of two rooms plus kitchen and bathroom. The layout is clever and practical, providing quite a few inspiring decorating solutions. The living room is literally bathed in light thanks to the high window in the south and double doors leading out to the balcony. Although the kitchen provides space for four people, it’s great to be able to socialize with friends over dinner in the living room also. A large sofa and a generous coffee table seem to call out for guests. With windows facing one of the neoghbourhood’s most greenest and largest courtyard, the bedroom is bright and quiet. The deep window, combined with the stylish stucco and painted white wooden floor maintains the traditional feel of the building. Notice any details you like?
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| How to Find Clever Hidden Storage in Every Room with Closet Factory Posted: 18 Nov 2011 04:38 AM PST
In every home, the demand for more storage, easier organization, and more beautiful solutions for each are a must for every homeowner. Hidden storage is a rare find in each of our homes, and today I sit down with Closet Factory, to find out answers to many of your storage dilemmas. From the the kid’s rooms to the garage and laundry room, every room has beautiful storage solutions, and Closet Factory shows you how. 1.) FRESHOME: The number one complaint about most homeowners is that they don't have enough storage space. What is your advice for those trying to find hidden space throughout their home? CLOSET FACTORY: Maximize the space of your home as best as possible. Most people do not realize that from the floor to the ceiling can be potential storage space. With the right built-in or custom cabinetry with compartments for smaller items will keep things organized. 2.) FRESHOME: Many small home and apartment owners want to find clever storage space in their bathrooms, especially when they share it with other people! What storage ideas do you suggest? CLOSET FACTORY: When sharing a space the best practice is to section off different areas for both parties. These sections could be shelving, drawers or even closet space. Then go a step further by adding storage accessories like drawer sections, pull out bins, and even adding additional shelving or double hanging racks to maximize the space.
3.) FRESHOME: Closet Factory has a wide array of organization options for the pantry, but many homeowners think they have to spend a fortune for custom organization, is this true? What kitchen ideas are good for the budget conscious? CLOSET FACTORY: For the budget conscious the best way is to invest in clear storage bins, that you can find at any mass merchant, to sort pantry items. Use a label maker to keep things organized so you know what is in each container. Try to section the contents of the kitchen pantry by dividing them by type. Keep them organized by grouping a section for spices, dry goods, seasonings, and storage items like tubbleware, sandwich bags and aluminum foil. You can find pretty inexpensive mini baskets to fit inside drawers instead of custom drawer dividers. 4.) FRESHOME: For homeowners that want a higher end, and personalized custom closet, what tips do you suggest for matching their lifestyle to their storage needs?
CLOSET FACTORY: Closets have evolved over the years. They are no longer a single hanging rod with a shelf on top. Now you can customize the look of your closet to reflect the rest of the living space in the home. If you love contemporary lines you may go with a sleek modern closet design. If you are more luxurious and ornate in your interiors then there are a number of custom moldings and appliqués that can be applied, not to mention all the color combinations! High end closets should look like a built in piece of furniture in the home. Not only will it look beautiful but will actually bring up the homes value. When working with a professional Closet Factory designer, they will take an inventory of the contents of your closet. Say if you have dozens or even hundreds of shoes, this storage need will be accommodated with shoe shelving or drawers. If you have lots of hats then custom racks, and hooks can be added to the space. Perhaps you have a lot of laundry sections such as dry cleaning, darks, lights, delicates, etc. We can accommodate your needs by having pull out bins in the closet itself or even transforming a laundry space. Most master closets are essentially dressing rooms. They have everything you need inside from custom lighting to even a seating area. Some closets even have a flat screen or built in charging stations for phones and small mobile devices. The great thing about Closet Factory is that we build around each customer and their needs.
5.) FRESHOME: Kids storage of toys and clothes is always a challenge in every home. How does Closet Factory help us organize, but also make it kid-friendly to encourage kids to organize themselves? CLOSET FACTORY: "The best way to keep your children's stuff organized is to teach them a daily routine as early as possible. Every day they should make the bed, put laundry in a hamper, clean clothes in the drawers, books on the bookshelf and toys in the toy bin. Keep it simple and be consistent," writes Debbie Lillard, professional organizer, author and guest blogger for Closet Factory's Expert Tips Blog on our website. The key to maintaining a daily clean up routine for your child is having the right organizational systems in place. What I mean by this is that it's a necessity to have a proper storage unit for your kids to put their stuff into, therefore creating a “home” for everything. One of the best kid storage solutions is to have a built-in wall unit that incorporates book shelves, toy storage, possibly some drawers, a bench or window seat and maybe even the inclusion of a desk to help promote good study habits while you're at it. Safety is one advantage to having a built-in organization system as opposed too a freestanding unit. Built-ins are anchored into the wall and supported by the floor. This allows the built-in shelving to go taller than freestanding bookshelves because it is not dependent on the weight of the items in the shelving unit to help keep the unit upright and weighted in place. Building the shelving and cabinets six, seven or even eight feet tall allows maximum storage and these days everyone needs all the storage they can get.
Another advantage is the adjustable feature of our shelving and storage units. This allows the organization system to be optimized for all types of items including toys, games and books. Every inch and a quarter the shelves can be adjusted. Low shelves are best used for your kid's everyday items that they access themselves and are responsible for putting back when done. Higher up shelves and cabinets can be used for decorative stuff or storage you prefer your kids not get into. Having the right structural foundation for an excellent storage system along with Debbie's daily routine tip almost certainly guarantees success with a little follow up from you. Closet Factory offers a full selection of durable materials and colors so your kid's bedroom won't be compromising style by going with a built-in.
No space in your child's room for a wall unit? Consider a closet organizer. It is very common to have toy storage and shelves tucked out of sight and in the closet. As your child grows features like shelving, bins and baskets can be traded out for rods! 6.) FRESHOME: In many homes the laundry room or mudroom is an area that has hidden storage possibilities, but tends to get underutilized. What are some organization and storage solutions to help us make the dreaded task of laundry, easier?
CLOSET FACTORY: The sky is the limit to our laundry and mudroom offerings. However my top choices are:
7.) FRESHOME: Many homeowners have too much 'stuff'! What are your suggestions for helping them declutter and purge before they try to organize? CLOSET FACTORY: Well, you have to take an inventory of the contents that need storage space. You may find tons magazines, clothes you don't wear anymore…basically clutter! You have to 1) divide what is trash, 2) should be kept or 3) can be donated (sometime sold).
8.) FRESHOME: Here at Freshome we have showcased some gorgeous walk-in closets! What do you think of the Freshome website? CLOSET FACTORY: Freshome is a great site that showcases beautiful homes and design concepts. I use this site to see what's going on in the industry and often tweet and post the comments to my Facebook and other social media. |
| Pitched Roof Regulations Resulting in a Triangular Architecture Posted: 18 Nov 2011 03:44 AM PST
The Pitched Roof House by Chenchow Little Architects is the kind of miraculous architectural masterpiece designed according to a series of strict regulations and needs from both the client and the city’s planning requirements. The client needed a personalized home that would not only respect the strict regulations that every house should have a pitched roof, but also offer views of the surroundings in the busy urban landscape. By reinterpreting the traditional pitched roof, the architects managed to create a fantastic contemporary residence described in the following words: “Unlike a traditional pitched roof, the triangles not only pitch up, but also invert to form a faceted roof plane. The triangular geometry of the roof is continued down onto the facades of the house, and became the basis for articulating openings.The variability of the triangular geometry gave us the freedom to push and pull the building form as required to suit the brief of the client, the local town planning codes, the scale of the neighboring roofs, and the requirement for solar access to the living rooms.The living rooms are located on the top floor to take advantage of the sculptural roof plane, the views across Sydney harbor, and sunlight. Bedrooms are located on the lower levels were outlook and solar access are compromised by neighboring houses.” I am amazed by how creative architects can be even in the presence of strict regulations and specific needs.
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| Inlay Furniture Collection Displaying Intruiguing Geometric Patterns Posted: 18 Nov 2011 02:40 AM PST
For today we would like to present an original furniture collection that is aesthetically appealing, but in the same time visually deceiving. Created by Front for Porro, the Inlay collection consists of a dining room cupboard and a chest of drawers. Here is more from the official project description: “Squares, rectangles and trapezes carefully cut with sharp edges lead to a geometric pattern, an intricate sequence of volumes which apparently protrude from the surface of such two home units. Inlay is the result of an accurate processing, alternating four different natural oak colours separated by a dark profile: a sort of frame separating the different texture faces thus offering a unique unit, immediately reflecting the love for wood processing“. Did you notice that when closed, the cupboard units can easily be mistaken for decorative panels? All in all, the collection we found on Design Milk is daring and elegant, making it fit great in various modern interiors.
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| Futuristic Apartment Building in Australia Cascading Down Bellevue Hill Posted: 18 Nov 2011 01:38 AM PST
Benelong Crescent Apartments is a project recently completed by Australian studio Luigi Rosselli Architects and located in Bellevue Hill, an eastern suburb of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The building’s shape is said to be inspired by the famous Erich Mendelsohn's Einstein Tower in Potsdam. One could also resemble it to a yacht in motion. According to the architects’ description, the apartments "cascade down the hill to follow the contours and the curved terraced balconies are shaped by the irregular boundaries of the site, rounded off by the prevailing winds. The Living areas have ample fenestrations opening on the large terraces, extending the interior spaces on the projecting panoramic outdoor space. The high end of the building is facing a quiet street with large trees and the walls have been moulded to wrap around the trees. The individual treatment of the different apartments has provided a ‘this is not a flat’ look.” How do you find the architecture of this complex apartment building?
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| Seattle Seen From a Vantage Point: Floating Home on Lake Union Posted: 18 Nov 2011 12:30 AM PST
Designs Northwest Architects completed a floating home on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. The residence hardly resembles typical contemporary American architecture, but rather seems to pay tribute to industrial buildings. All in all, its appearance is charming and the home makes a lovely contrast with the water. Especially designed for a retired couple with a passion for art, the structure has a total area of 1200 square feet and blends traditional decorating elements with the comfort of modern living. The owners’ love for water was one of the most important factors to consider when planning this crib. Every room features generous windows that allow unobstructed views of Lake Union and the yachts nearby. The interiors are warm and inviting, due to various wooden decorative features and art works spread throughout. With great views of downtown Seattle, the rooftop deck is the perfect place to contemplate on the urban racket, from a very privileged and “safe” spot.
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| Fantastic Sereno House High Above Sea Level Posted: 17 Nov 2011 08:41 AM PST
The Sereno House by Jaime Rendon Arquitectos is located in a suburban area of Medellin, Colombia. Capturing extensive views from high up – 2,150 meters above sea level – the modern piece of residential architecture overlooks Valle del Aburra, creating both a permanent visual and sensory connection to the surrounding landscape. The native forest surrounding the dwelling adds freshness and a feeling of freedom to the comfort and modernity seen inside. A white concrete volume on the lower level comprises the social areas, service zones and bedrooms, while the dark cladded stone volume surrounds the master bedroom and the wooden box that serves as a study. These two volumes are connected by a iron built-in bridge. Constructing a simple, uncomplicated layout resulted in offering the inhabitants a fascinating and roomy single family residence. The social areas are split into shaded and sunny spaces – summer brings a duo of shade and sunlight, while the autumn and winter bring south sunlight. Is this what you would consider a dream home high above sea level?
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| Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain Sculpture in Germany Offering Extensive Rhine Views Posted: 17 Nov 2011 07:41 AM PST
German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth envisioned "Tiger & Turtle – Magic Mountain", a giant sculpture in Duisburg, Germany. The structure in entirely walkable and raises more than 45m | 49yd above the ground, meaning that the visitors can enjoy extensive views of the Rhine. Here is more information from the artists: “”The curved flight of stairs inscribes like a signature on the landscape and recruits the nimbus of the classical roller coaster. Having a closer look, the public is disappointed in a disarming way. The visitor climbs on foot via differently steep steps the roller-coaster-sculpture. So the sculpture subtly and ironically plays with the dialectic of promise and disappointment, mobility and standstill. Visitors happen to briefly meet with oncoming visitors on the steep and about 1m | 1yd wide corridors. Led-lights are integrated in the handrails and highlight the flight of stairs so the sculpture is accessible at night, too.” The sculpture took one year to build and is open to the public starting November 13, 2011.
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