Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter |  |
- Enveloppe Sofa, Originality and Comfort
- How to Bring Tuscan Details into Your Home
- Mountain Home in Spain: Beautiful Design and Magnificent Nature Views
- Cool Shelving Addition: Plus One by Matthias Ries
- Elegant Chair, Couch and Bookcase in a Single Furniture Piece
- 10 Cheap Ways to Improve the Value of Your Home Before Selling
| Enveloppe Sofa, Originality and Comfort Posted: 23 Jun 2010 10:35 AM PDT Enveloppe Sofa comes from designer Inga Sempe and brings with it originality and comfort. This is said to look more like a “bed with pillows”, rather than a sofa. Fluffy and soft, it seems like the perfect place to take a nap. In fact, the designer resembles its shape to that of a protective nest, a place where sleep can be uninterrupted. The unusual couch also has mobile extremities which makes the pillows a lot easier to grab, taking comfort to a superior level. Enveloppe Sofa was created both for adults and children and comes in 140 different colors, in order to be easily integrated in any type of contemporary interior. You can see more information or purchase this product online here.
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| How to Bring Tuscan Details into Your Home Posted: 23 Jun 2010 09:42 AM PDT Tuscan décor and details are elements inspired from Tuscany, Italy. The richness of tones and colors, reflect earth tones and deep hues of nature. The traditional old world décor of Tuscan villas and farmhouses is a much sought after style in homes today. Textured walls, stone flooring, and tile roofing are some of the true details that stem from rich Italian tradition. Here are ways to bring Tuscan inspired details into your home. WALLS: Limestone and sandstone were the original wall material for traditional Tuscan homes. To achieve this textured feeling in your home, use plaster, stucco, dry wall compound and faux wall techniques. Walls should appear weathered, old and well lived in. FLOORING: Marble, stone, and rustic tile materials are native to Tuscan interiors. Flooring that feels worn, yet sturdy and beautiful is what you're trying to achieve. Consider using terracotta and cobble stone flooring in courtyard entrances, and foyers to welcome guests into your home. Tuscan floors look like they can be around for generations to come. COLORS: Use colors that are inspired by nature such as: deep oranges, golden yellows, and umber browns. Have you heard of the color Tuscan red? This rust colored red/brown combination along with deep olive green is a way to bring the Tuscan feel into your home. Use in furniture, paintings, drapery, bedding and wall applications.
KITCHENS: Use open shelving and decorative Mediterranean inspired containers for utensils. Tuscan tradition involves the family gathering around the kitchen and cooking family-style meals. A large center island made of wood or other natural materials brings the richness of tradition to reality. BATHROOMS: Rod iron details such as plumbing fixtures, cabinetry door pulls and ornamental wall decorations brings in rustic attention to detail. Use large mirrors over the vanity adorned with metals and wood borders to layer the metal and wood theme throughout the room. Deep soaking tubs and natural stone and tile showers create an Italian retreat
Tuscan décor is relaxing and reminiscent of Italian styles and traditions. Your home can have this same feeling with these simple ways to bring Tuscan details into your home.
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| Mountain Home in Spain: Beautiful Design and Magnificent Nature Views Posted: 23 Jun 2010 08:48 AM PDT This magnificent mountain home belongs to Spanish architects Cadaval & Solà-Morales and is located in Canejan, Catalonia, Spain. Its surrounding environment is absolutely breathtaking, as the house stands on a high spot, having visibility over two spectacular valleys. We do not know if it’s the mist or the winter landscape, but this residence seems cut and pasted from a movie or a fairytale. Here is further information from the architects: “By preserving the original structure and doing a minimal yet contrasted intervention, the idea is to generate new and contemporary spaces for living, respecting the historic envelope. On the basement of the house, and responding to a structural weakness of a section of the existing wall, a big opening is shaped within the dry stone wall. Such opening permits amazing views and interior natural lighting to a second living and dining room; the rest of spaces accommodated within the old enclosure have a remnant sense of the old construction, although they are distributed according to new ways of living, in a more contemporary reading of architecture.”
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| Cool Shelving Addition: Plus One by Matthias Ries Posted: 23 Jun 2010 07:58 AM PDT Here is an interesting and very cool idea for some bookcase extra storage space. “Plus One” comes from Matthias Ries and it has a fresh and youthful feel. This unusual shelving addition is not only functional, but also surprisingly sleek. It can help improve the look of a dull bookcase and it can also emphasize on those books or magazines one considers special. An the same time, it makes them a lot easier to access. “Plus One” could also be used for storing CDs, pencils and so on. This cool shelving extension comes in a walnut or maple finish, which makes it pretty exclusive. There is also a knitted “decorative” element available, in order to connect the addition to the shelves. What’s your opinion? Could this item really be useful?
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| Elegant Chair, Couch and Bookcase in a Single Furniture Piece Posted: 22 Jun 2010 01:38 PM PDT “Bucefalo” comes from Emanuele Canova and is a project with a triple function: it can be a chair, a couch and also a bookcase. What we consider to be extremely fascinating is the fact that its functionality doesn’t stand in the way of its impeccable design. Classy and elegant, this furniture piece fits wonderfully in a stylish contemporary home. Once integrated in an interior, it will probably become the room’s focal point. A subtle book shelving system is located below the seating area which provides enough storage space for a small reading arrangement. The design is available in black and white and some models feature wood finishes. The complementary pillows add charm without affecting the overall soberness of the product. -via Totonko
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| 10 Cheap Ways to Improve the Value of Your Home Before Selling Posted: 22 Jun 2010 12:19 PM PDT One of the misconceptions in selling your home is to not put money into it. Often times, home sellers want to get out of their home quickly, and forget that marketing your home is crucial. Here are ten ways to improve the value of your home, and boost you above your competition. 1.) Curb Appeal: Homebuyers make up their mind about your home before they step in the front door. Ensure your landscaping, lawn, and flowering beds are free of weeds and debris. Walk around the entire house and remove toys, fix lighting, and sprinkler heads. At the front entry consider repainting the front door and adding a pot of fresh flowers. 2.) Declutter: Believe it or not space is one of the top selling points for a home. Before you spend one penny on improvements, sort, donate, and declutter all rooms in your home. 3.) Clean: This tip seems obvious, but the level of cleanliness needs to feel like you're staying at a posh hotel. Clean all windows, carpets, furniture, closets, and bathrooms thoroughly. Consider buying new towels, rugs, bedding, and window treatments to inexpensively add value to your home.
5.) Master Bedroom/Bathroom: The Master's quarters are the homebuyers retreat. Ensure all closets, drawers and table surfaces have minimal content. If you need to put belongings in storage, under bed containers, or in others closets, do so! In the bathroom, similar to the kitchen, upgrade where affordable. Showers/tubs, mirrors, floors, toilet, countertops must be clean and free of excess toiletries.
6.) Update the Kitchen: Do what you can afford, comfortably. Appliances, cabinetry, countertops and flooring can always be updated. For cheaper solutions, make sure appliances are clean and working, Resurface or paint cabinets. Adding new door pulls can make cabinets feel fresh and new. If countertops or flooring is damaged, replace with like material.
8.) Light: Make sure all windows are operational, and let in natural light. Are the fixtures in your home outdated? Consider upgrading fixtures or adding lamps and sconces to rooms that are dark. Homebuyers don't only view homes in the daytime. Consider higher wattage bulbs throughout your home to illuminate all the amenities.
10.) Senses: Homebuyers are swayed by their emotions that are linked to the five senses. Smell: Do not clean with harsh chemicals when your home will be viewed. Consider cleaning the day before. Remember pet areas should be as clean as the rest of the home. Sound: Have light, soft music playing during an open house or showing. Sight: Bright and airy feeling is appealing and comforting. Touch: Make furniture and bedrooms feel livable and desirable. Taste: Have a warm batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies ready? You may get an offer on the spot!
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FURNITURE: Stenciling and hand painted motifs are common in Tuscan décor. Painted murals, leaves, grapes, and painted effects can bring a plain piece of furniture alive. To transform your furniture, do it yourself Fresco (paint and plaster) kits are available at craft stores. Use Italian inspired stencils on wood furniture, or use faux distressed paint to give an aged look to your furniture.
4.) Paint: Fresh paint in neutral colors will attract many a homebuyer. Don't forget the baseboards and trim! Just like a lawn without edging, painting walls without the trim looks unfinished and dirty. 
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