Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

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• 10 Best Free Online Virtual Room Programs and Tools
• Compact Home Overlooking the North Sea in Sweden
• Contemporary Residence with Spectacular Panoramic Views in Austria
• 6 Key Elements to Designing a Beautiful Porch
• “My Life in 80m²”, an Inspiring Small Crib

10 Best Free Online Virtual Room Programs and Tools Posted: 18 Aug 2010 10:37 AM PDT In our modern day of looking at home improvements shows, surfing architecture and interior design websites, and spending countless hours on planning our spaces we live each day, wouldn't you love to plan them virtually first? There are computer programs that you can purchase, books and tutorials you can buy, or you can look at this list of the best free online virtual programs for planning and designing your home.  In this case, best means – user friendly without prior knowledge of using space planning software. Best also refers to ease of accomplishing more than one task, i.e. choosing from a gallery of décor and finishes and laying out rooms and spaces.  Most importantly, they are all free and ready for you to try out paint color, move walls, all without buying a thing! 1.) MY DECO 3D ROOM PLANNER If you want to upload your own floor plan, or play around with pre-loaded floor plans, this program is for you.  The My Deco 3D Planner allows you to insert walls, doors, windows and select from a gallery of interior finishes.  The interface is relatively simple to use, and allows you to view your plan and 3D image at the same time.  You can move the camera around the plan to see different views, and even paint the walls and ceilings from an extensive color selection. Plan view and 3D view allow you to move camera to different angles. To make this program realistic, real products are used for inserting into your model.  You can choose from small kitchen appliances to garden tools in your garage! If you love the decor you put into your rendered model, click on the ‘Available for purchase’ button and you can find out the price, and where to buy the real objects for your own home. You can use the software without joining, or join and upload your model to your Facebook wall for your friends to see! For all of you iPhone users, My Deco also has as a free app to download 3D furniture in your rooms. Furniture, finishes, wallpaper and so much more are loaded in the library Show off your design on Facebook and browse through other posts! 2.) IKEA HOME PLANNER Ikea has free software that allows you to plan your furniture, décor to the specifications of your home! When you flip through the IKEA catalog, do you ever wish you could take the exact bookshelf and desk and see how it would look in your space? The easy to use planning tool allows you to configure your floor plan, choose from the IKEA gallery of furniture and décor components, and then calculate the cost, and then print out and carry into your local Ikea store. IKEA software allows you to layout spaces with preloaded furniture with prices Use the IKEA software to layout doors, windows, and closets that are in your space Your space will be planned and priced to your specifications 3.) IKEA KITCHEN PLANNER Ikea has also designed a kitchen planner tool that allows you to layout your kitchen, change models of appliances, cabinetry, and other Ikea kitchen components all without leaving your computer. This programming tool also allows you to itemize a shopping list of the Ikea components so you can add up how much your kitchen will cost in advance.  Ikea has been the leader for years for affordable home décor, furniture, and now fabulous kitchens.  By entering your current dimensions, openings (doors and windows) you can plan how the space will work and if cabinetry, appliances, and organizational Ikea products will meet your needs. Layout your cabinetry first with user friendly IKEA software View your kitchen in Plan, Elevation or 3D. Your new IKEA kitchen was planned and designed by you! 4.) DESIGN A ROOM Do you hate having to grab dozens of material samples at several stores and come back home and try out all the combinations in your space? Problem solved! Armstrong has a nice 3D virtual program that allows you to see different color combinations of flooring, cabinetry, ceilings, walls and even countertops while staying in the comfort of your home. Armstrong allows you to choose from ceilings, walls, cabinets, flooring and countertops Design a Room allows you to try out choose a room in your home, then pick a style (ranging from contemporary, traditional to global fusion) and play around with colors, textures and finishes.  Choosing finishes in a room can be a daunting task but Armstrong allows you to choose from their already installed inventory of finishes, and even allows you to choose coordinating paint manufacturer wall color! Choose from Sherwin Williams, PPG, and Benjamin Moore colors to get exact matches to go with your cherry hardwood or onyx ceramic tile floor. This design tool is for those of you that are in the market for designing a room and want to see the result before execution, or before paying a dime! The best thing about this free online 3D tool is the ability to learn about the products before you buy them. Armstrong’s library of flooring and ceiling selections give you an education about the product. For example when choosing the bathroom as seen above, a note to the side said hardwood flooring is not recommended for bathroom applications.  This allows the user to get the realistic look, and not just put together a room that looks cool, but isn’t functional! 5.) HOMESTYLER Autodesk, creator of AutoCAD, REVIT, and 3ds Studio Max is known for its professional design programs for designing buildings, 3D building information modeling and 3d rendering capabilities.  They also have a great program for planning out home/office/apartment spaces called Homestyler.  This program is user friendly and doesn’t require formal training like the other professional programs they offer. Use the floor plan mode to set walls, furniture and finishes To make floor plans, simple drag and drop commands allow you to create, dimension, and even make angle walls within your design. Doors and windows come in a variety of choices and require no prior knowledge of types, clearances, etc.. What is nice about Homestyler is that it can be used for a first timer or purchase the professional version (Homestyler PRO). Toggle between 3D mode and floor plan to get a realistic view of your spaces The furnish and decorate tool allows you to drag and drop cabinetry, appliances, furniture, and every decor item you can think of.  Then personalize your space with area rugs and finish items by true manufacturer’s. Choose from FLOR, SHERWIN WILLIAMS, KOHLER, and a list of others to allow you to achieve the  true look and feel of how your space will visualize and feel. Homestyler could be used for laying out space in apartments too! Once your design is complete you can print out the shopping list to take to the store, or print it out and take to a home improvement store  to visualize your intent. Want to share your idea with friends around the globe? Homestyler allows you to post to a myriad of social sites.  Facebook, Stumble upon, Email and share your ideas or collaborate about areas to change and improve! 6.) DRYWALL ESTIMATOR For those that want to  do it yourself (DIY), the next few programs are for you.  After you have planned out how the spaces will look, you are ready to start buying the materials and getting started, right? Bob Vila.com has a suite of free online tools that help you estimate how much material you need, and will help you learn how to sketch out, and measure the space to prevent you from wasting time, costly materials, and countless trip back to your local hardware or home improvement store! The Drywall estimator uses sketch sheets and diagrams to show you how to “take off” the measurements needed to go purchase drywall with. Layout your space with dimensions The first step is to use the free provided worksheets to sketch out your room with dimensions and number each wall on your diagram. Once you do this answer the questions below about that particular wall.  Answers to these questions will help in the estimating portion at the end of the exercise. Answers questions about your kind of room, shape, joist spacing, etc… The next step is to layout the ceiling shape and answer the questions regarding the characteristics.  Notice the Drywall Estimator shows you how the sheets would be laid out when you install it.  This is helpful for the estimation of the quantity, but also in understanding your project before you implement it. Layout obstructions – such as corners or “bump outs” in the walls. The last steps involve measuring around obstructions, windows and doors. These areas will help you subtract from the overall wall spaces that were measured in the previous steps. For those of you that love to do your own home renovations, this free online tool will take the guess work out of purchasing and laying out drywall. The Drywall Estimator can help you design and estimate to save money and time! The Drywall Estimator has other companions that will help with your next renovation. Paint, ceramic tile, batt insulation, and acoustic ceiling tile estimators are also available. 7.) SWEET HOME 3D This 3D visual software is ideal for those that want more customization options to the average room and decor space planning program.  The online software is free with a log in required and some brief information to get started.  For a more advanced version of Sweet Home 3D it can also be downloaded on to your computer for saving, exporting and manipulation of your home plans at a later time. The Sweet Home 3D interface has everything you need in one view The interface is laid out into 4 sections: 1.) The furniture catalog in the upper left hand corner allows you to choose components by name in a quick fashion.  Similar to a Windows Explorer format, the tree layout navigation allows the user to drag and drop components directly into the floor plan. 2.) The floor plan shows you in  a 2D format where the walls, windows, doors, and furniture are placed. 3.) The 3D pane shows your plan in a 3D fashion immediately after placing in the floor plan. This view will help users that need help visualizing the plan as they design. 4.) Lastly, the home furniture list displays the dimensions, size, etc.. of each of the components. This helps in laying out furniture to the exact size that you need. Layout your plan with decor, furniture and correct openings easily 3D images and a video feature can show a “walk-through’ of your space The added bonus of this program allows you to customize 3D furniture models, if you can’t find what you need in the provided catalog. Import your own models directly into your plans. To bring in your floor plan, import it into Sweet Home 3D, scale it, and trace over your plan so you don’t have any guess work. For those interested in walking through the designed space, a camera feature can placed along a path through the floor plan and a video feature visualizes how you would interact within all areas of the room.  This program can be simple, but it has the advanced features for those that want more from their 3D virtual planning experience. 8.) SMARTDRAW: Smartdraw is a suite of programs for visual graphics and presentations.  Graphic choices include charts and graphs such as: project charts, timelines, marketing charts and flow charts. Under the flowchart application are floor plans and individual room plans. Choose from a gallery of pre-made floor plans and then customize to your own liking This program allows you to design, customize and present drawings on a beginner and professional level. Use this program to plan out office space, apartments, individual rooms, and even building elevations.  Smartdraw is ideal for individuals or a business that doesn’t need to spend a lot for design software. It has a free trial period, and if you’re satisfied you can purchase the full program for yourself. Smartdraw is great for a small business too! There is very little you can't do with the Smartdraw program With it’s almost infinite selection of furniture, cars, building materials, and preloaded plans, Smartdraw has a lot of bang for the buck. If you are computer program savvy, and enjoy adding a multitude of content and specifications to your design, this program is a perfect fit for you. *These next programs are for those individuals that don’t want to spend a lot of time at the computer, and want to sketch a drawing to provide to a contractor, home improvement associate, or to have hard lines rather than a hand drawn sketch. 9.) SMALL BLUE PRINTER: FLOOR PLANNER Flooplanner online program is a simple but effective way to make floor plans.  Often times you have an idea and need a floor plan made, right? This program provides you the ability to make a floor plan with drag and drop walls, windows, and doors. What is great about this program is it doesn’t require prior knowledge about design, or decor. Simply load, drop, and print! Floor Planner will help you make a floor plan quickly and simply 10.) SMALL BLUE PRINTER: GARDEN PLANNER: We’ve discussed nine of the best free online visual programs for laying out floor plans, furniture and decor – what about the garden? From the creator Floor Planner comes Garden Planner, a online design tool that allows you to pick landscaping and design its layout. Similar to sketching out a floor plan, the garden planner allows you to design and place walls, furniture, and plants all in one work space.  Click on a piece of furniture to see it’s dimensions, and color and easily change its color with a menu of colors and shades to customize your design to the decor of your outdoor space. Place walkways, fences, water features and planters in a layout that will you explain your vision, or just use it to brainstorm and have fun. Once you’re happy with the design the program will tally your quantity of plants and landscape components  to estimate pricing. and take to your garden center. There are plenty of free online 3D virtual programs that will allow you to plan, design, draw and view your space.  Depending on your skill level, what your objective is, and how you want to present your final drawings, there is a program perfect for you.  The next time you want to play around and daydream or you have a home that you want to build to your personal specifications, review this list of top 10 best free online virtual programs and tools. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Compact Home Overlooking the North Sea in Sweden Posted: 18 Aug 2010 09:17 AM PDT House Tumle is an unusual but fascinating compact crib from Johannes Norlander Arkitektur located close to Gothenburg, Sweden. The project was built in a residential area on a hill and is overlooking the North Sea. The total surface of the residence is 168 square meters and you can check out the building plans in the last two photos of this post for a detailed view. Its shape is meant to be abstract, an icon for the family living inside it. Its two levels house a kitchen, a living area, the bedrooms and a home office. We particularly like the black and white color selection as well as the interesting contrast this home creates with its environment. The interior is minimalist, with modern appliances and inspiring arrangements.  A perfect example emphasizing that “simplicity is bliss”. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Contemporary Residence with Spectacular Panoramic Views in Austria Posted: 18 Aug 2010 07:54 AM PDT What better building site for a contemporary residence than a mountain terrain overlooking a prestigious and beautiful city? Villa A,  designed by Najjar & Najjar Architects is an example of such building. Featuring spectacular panoramic views of Linz, also known as the capital city of Upper Austria, this home is one of the many architecturally acclaimed projects in this region. Its exterior is diverse, each angle providing a special treat for the beholder. Partially built in the ground, the home is enriched with incredible glazing elements and unusual roof tops, creating a true architecture live spectacle. The residence houses an open living space, a fitness and wellness room, a garage, a playroom and a home office. The bedrooms are located within the upper level and can be accessed by stairs. Needless to say, they all offer amazing views. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

6 Key Elements to Designing a Beautiful Porch Posted: 18 Aug 2010 06:48 AM PDT Generations ago, the porch was the 'living room' of the home.  It was the social spot to converse with neighbors and watch kids as they played outside.  It was also a symbol of relaxation and taking time to enjoy life outside, rather than staying indoors.  As houses evolved families begun taking their activities inside and electronics replaced playing outdoors and the porch became an obsolete portion of the home.  The porch became a storage area, instead of an extension to the home.  Today, everyone is trying to bring back the elements of a great porch, and here are some key elements to include. 1.) Evaluate how much space you have: Some porches have an ample amount of room, while others are smaller and don’t allow for a lot of seating and conversation area.  Determine this first to ensure you will accurately design and layout your porch. 2.) Choose your activities: Depending on the amount of space you have your options for activities could be sitting, dining, and area for kids playing and possibly a corner porch daybed! Choose your activities by your lifestyle and the climate in which you live.  If harsh winters are common, permanent and expensive patio furniture may not get enough use to make the investment. Opt for more versatile furniture that can be moved and stored in a garage throughout this season. 3.) Choose seating to fit your wallet: Let's face it; we all don't live in an expensive outdoor furniture magazine! This doesn't mean that your porch should be any less gorgeous to look at, as well as relax in.  Consider buying furniture in the fall, when the summer season is coming to a close and stores are trying to make way for holiday merchandise. Check garage sales, online classified sites, and thrift stores, they may surprise you! 4.) Porches feel better with added flooring material: When choosing flooring materials consider how much overhang you have on your porch.  If your porch isn't covered consider using a porous area rug in the seating area.  Remove the rug and let air dry when not in use to prevent mildew. For covered porches, consider using jute, or seagrass rugs to bring color and texture into this normally dull and sterile space. 5.) Add greenery and live plants: Subconsciously humans enjoy porches because you can enjoy the outdoors, without having to be overly immersed in the outdoors!  Consider adding hanging basket plants, urns filled with flowers, and planters filled with plants.  Small herb gardens grown in planters and placed on tables are a great way to bring fragrance and nature to your relaxing oasis. 6.) Personalize the decor of your porch: Your porch should feel like an extension of your home interiors.  There are no formal rules, so go for it. Hang hammocks, porch swings or daybeds to have a place to take a nap and relax.  Use decorative wall hangings, throw pillows and outdoor baskets to store porch activities in.  Remember, you are outside, so materials like metals, and fabrics can rust and absorb moisture.  Bring in these items during inclimate weather to ensure your decorative items remain in their original condition.  The porch can always change decor, and atmosphere, depending on your mood! Enjoy bringing back the use of your porch to your home.  Many of these tips can be used for apartment balconies, and high rise terraces.  Wherever you feel relaxed to enjoy life and nature going by – there is your great ‘porch’! Freshome reader’s what makes your porch so wonderful to relax on? Share some of your secrets! Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

“My Life in 80m²”, an Inspiring Small Crib Posted: 18 Aug 2010 02:55 AM PDT Our constant search for indoor solutions regarding the  interior design of small homes usually pays off big time. 'My Life in 80m² is an ingenious residential living project meant to demonstrate that the size of a crib has little to do with the comfort and design quality it can provide. This idea comes from Italian company Poliform and its originality can be found in a series of unusual combinations of elements and colors. Light glows peacefully and the overall atmosphere is that of calm and serenity. This small place is highly efficient, as you can also observe in the three plans below. Unfortunately, we were not able to find out how much was the allocated budget for this project. We know that Poliform is about “high design/ low budget”, but we find this place to be exuberant and expensive. What do you think?- via dsgnWrld Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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