Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

---

• Ingenious and Highly Practical Mobile Wall Addition for Small Apartments
• Impeccable Modern Home Design: Villa VH en T in Belgium
• Demolishing a Building and Reconstructing a New One on the Same Spot in 3 Minutes [Video]
• 10 Smart Tips for Buying Furniture from Classifieds
• An Out-of-this-world Modern Residence : Casa SF
• Architectural Sofa Inspired by Bricks from Kibisi
• How to Place Furniture in a Small Space
• Cool Concept and Unique Decorating Idea : Printing Facebook
• Keep Your Home Clutter Free with The Juice Box Charger

Ingenious and Highly Practical Mobile Wall Addition for Small Apartments Posted: 13 Oct 2010 07:07 AM PDT What if we could turn our small apartments into diverse living spaces with a minimum of effort? Today we have a practical and ingenious solution that should inspire you when it comes to doing such a transformation. “Switch” is a project belonging to Yuko Shibata from Japan, who thought about adding two mobile walls in order to create extra working areas within the apartment. Here is more information from the designer: “The addition of two bookshelves, each with a large door, allowed us to create a space with the ability to adapt from home to office or from office to home, while leaving the original floor plan intact. The first bookshelf was added to the meeting room. By moving the large door, the meeting space can be divided in two. The second addition was in the bed room.The opening in the bookshelf creates a passage making it possible to approach the shelf from the office, without passing through the bedroom.” Check out the photos below and the detailed plans at the end of the post for a better understanding and tell us if this project impressed you as much as it impressed us. Photos by Ryohei Hamda. -via Alternate Use Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Small Apartment but Flexible by Setmund Leung Ideas for Small Apartments from Compact Living WOW Sofa Becomes a Practical Bed with Just the Push of a Button Ingenious Sci-Fi Inspired Reveal/Conceal Wall Faucet Modular and Multi-functional Seating Unit – M-cube Tetris Apartments Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Impeccable Modern Home Design: Villa VH en T in Belgium Posted: 13 Oct 2010 05:32 AM PDT We really enjoy it when we find a residential project that has to do with art. Sure, you could say that most buildings relate to art one way or another, but Villa VH en T was especially developed to house the extensive art collection belonging to the owner. This beautiful and creative home comes from Beel & Achtergael Architects, has a total surface of 862 m2 and is located in Flanders, Belgium. The plan was to create a “small world” by organizing all the rooms on the ground floor U-shaped around the outdoor patio. The living room is the focal point of the whole residence and also the place where guests can gather around, have fun and talk about art while actually admiring it. Floor to ceiling windows and walls painted in white transform this architecture project into a “spotless” (to be read “without fault”) home whose features are worth discovering step by step. Photos: Filip Dujardin- via Platforma Arquitectura Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Old Barn Transformed into a Stylish New Home Modern Floating Villa – Villa Nackros Villa Hrozno in Bratislava’ Old Town The View Road Villa: Extravagant design wrapped up in lavish delights A Beautiful and Inspiring Home Family Design Contemporary Villa M2 in Malmo, Sweden Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Demolishing a Building and Reconstructing a New One on the Same Spot in 3 Minutes [Video] Posted: 13 Oct 2010 04:18 AM PDT We found this captivating 3 minute time lapse video filmed in Paris that captures the demolition of a building and the construction of a new project that took place in the same location. Said to be one of the biggest demolitions in Europe, the Sequana project begun with the taking down of the old E.D.F building in Paris, located in a sensitive area. This construction had no less than 18000 tones of steel, 121000 tones of concrete,  19 floors and it was 282 feet high (about 86 meters). The Sequana tower aka the new building is slightly taller, measuring  328 feet (about 100 meters) and has 23 floors. Have a look at how the same spot dramatically changed its appearance in three years’ time and tell us what you think of this new office tower. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Architecture for Humanity : Donate For Reconstructing Chile The Union: Old Wreck Renovated into Modern Solar-powered Lofts Turkey Building Demolition and an Amazing Unexpected Bad Surprise Ukraine Amazing 3D Light Show, a Must See [Video] Changing Building Facade acts Like Pixels formed by Natural Light The reason why so few women are architects Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

10 Smart Tips for Buying Furniture from Classifieds Posted: 13 Oct 2010 02:59 AM PDT Have you ever purchased furniture from online classifieds or out of a newspaper classified section? If you have, I congratulate you and if you haven't – what is stopping you? Classifieds are a wonderful resource, and with the popularity of Craigslist and other online resources, you can make money and sell goods at affordable rates. For those that have heard the horror stories of buying from classifieds, there are rules for safety and advice for buying from those you don't know.  Look at the 10 tips for buying furniture from classifieds, your junk may be someone else's treasure – and you can put a little green in your pocket at the same time! 1.) Find out history of product before you go look: A lot of online classifieds success is based on the honor system.  If you are not honest or the people posting ads are not honest then there are always inevitable problems that can arise.  Assuming we are working with hones people – ask about the history of the item.  Why are they selling? How long have they had it? Has it been damaged? Where did they buy it? Ask for dimensions of the furniture. 2.) Research the same item in multiple locations: Most of the time there is a duplicate furniture item to the one you want somewhere else in the world! Meaning, do research on other classifieds to see if the price is comparable, or even shop around at retail stores.  This will help you know how much it would cost new, or it may help you gain more information about how it's made. 3.) Measure out the space in your home first: Once you ask for dimensions of the furniture piece, make sure it will fit in the space you intend it for. Allow for a few inches give space for inaccuracies in measuring.  You'd hate to haul a piece of furniture to your home, only to find it doesn't fit! 4.) Negotiating a price before you meet: One common mistake is waiting until you see the item and then offering a much lesser price.  If the items isn't in the condition that was posted this is a different story.  When talking over the phone or by email, confirm the price or what you are willing to pay in advance. This will prevent misunderstandings when you meet in person. 5.) Confirm where you will meet: If the furniture item you are buying is small enough, you may opt to meet the person at a remote location that is convenient for both of you.  If it is a large piece of furniture, have a friend go with you and be prepared to have the ability to take it home. I.e.: truck, hand dolly to help with heavy items, etc… 6.) Safety first: If the area when you arrive seems unsafe, call the person back asking if you can reschedule for another time, or bow out of the meeting.  Always have someone with you and carry a cell phone, and alert another party where you are going to meet the seller, before you leave home. 7.) Check out the item thoroughly before buying: When reviewing the furniture, look over it and 'test' it out. If it's a chair, sit in it, turn it over and look at construction, etc… Things to look for: *wear and tear * solid construction *working parts *loose components.  If the seller posted the ad as selling it "As-is" then you are being warned that the current condition is how they are selling it. 8.) Ask for warranty papers/directions/manuals: Especially for newer furniture or household items, the seller will still have the original paperwork that went with it.  If they don't it is fine, it doesn't hurt to ask and it may save you time and money in the future if it gets damaged or has faulty manufacturer workmanship. 9.) Ask the seller for permission for future contact: Often times a seller will offer for you to take it home and try it, if you have problems to call them.  Sellers sometimes have other pieces of furniture that they come across that may be of interest to you. Future contact would help. 10.) Consider being a seller/buyer in the future: Once you've had a good experience, try being on the opposite side next time. Classifieds can save you money and often times tenants moving and relocating, are great opportunities to buy gently used furniture. Embrace the idea of buying furniture on classifieds. They are a good resource for second hand furniture, antiques, and self assembly pieces (that you won't have to assemble).  Consider these 10 tips for your next selling or purchasing of furniture.  You can find bargains and you can declutter your home too! Freshome reader's do you buy from the classifieds? What are the pros and cons that you can share with us? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Ikea Furniture Shopping Tips From A Former Employee How to Buy the Perfect Furniture for a Nursery Pottery Barn Smart Technology Daily System for the Design Lover Geek 5 Useful Tips for Buying Used Furniture Recession-Savvy Decorating Tips: Shop Smart During the Credit Crunch Nokia’s ‘Smart Home’ Solution Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

An Out-of-this-world Modern Residence : Casa SF Posted: 13 Oct 2010 01:20 AM PDT Casa SF is an impressive residence designed by Studio Guilherme Torres and located in Londrina, Brasil. You are looking at a project of imposing dimensions (547 square meters) built for a couple and their two teenage children. The exterior of the building is highly original and it is fascinating to observe from several different angles of sight. The residence has three floors, the first of which houses the laundry, the garage and a reflecting pool. The living area, home theater and guest bedroom are located on the second floor and the upper level hosts three suites facing a large terrace and a long corridor that connects the chambers. Even though this home is built with contrasting materials (concrete, bricks and wood), the synergy is perfect and the inhabitants can take pride in the fact that they live in a diverse contemporary home. Photo credits: Beto Consorte- via Platforma Arquitectura Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Casa Nova Lima: Unusual residence nestled in a carpet of green Private Wooden Residence in Romania: Style and Diversity Casa Gutierrez in El Salvador by P&P Architects Casa Sao Francisco, A Mixture Of Classic And Modern Custom Sand Job: Casa Monte na Comporta in Portugal Architecture in Light Colors: Casa Palo Blanco in N. L. Mexico Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Architectural Sofa Inspired by Bricks from Kibisi Posted: 13 Oct 2010 12:15 AM PDT Stack pillows on top of each other to have the most comfortable seating experience. That is exactly where the inspiration for this couch comes from. Copenhagen designers Kibisi teamed up with new Danish upholstery company Versus to come up with this idea:  stacked pillows with fiber concrete buttons. This modern grey sofa is a part of the Brick series consisting of a pouf, a chair, a two and three seater.  This design first appeared into the mind of the Kibisi team when one of their partners, Bjarke Ingels had problems with finding the perfect sofa for his apartment.  He wanted it to express the architectural lifestyle and so the Brick Sofa has its brick inspired cushion form but also special buttons, molded from fiber concrete. A Brick Sofa compliments a contemporary interior and  can become the focus point of a room. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! “Bricks & Mortar” Sofa and Chair Tetris Inspired Pillows Versatile Pool Sofa for Ladies and Their Guests Teeth Brush Shaped Sofa Velvet the Spiral Shaped Sofa Orikami Sofa Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to Place Furniture in a Small Space Posted: 12 Oct 2010 11:09 AM PDT The number one problem that plagues small home owners is how to place furniture in their small spaces.  Whether your furniture seems too big, there are too many pieces, or the doorways are in the way, there is a solution to your dilemma. Every home has space for furniture but you may need to use multifunctional pieces and be more flexible in your home décor. The following tips will help you realize that even your small space can fit beautiful furniture. Assess your space: Before you convince yourself that there is too little room, or your furniture is too large, visualize your space on paper or in your head. Rooms that have doorways to another space will need to have a clear walkway through your space and through the doorway. Therefore, do not place very large furniture too close or in the middle of traffic pathways. If you have windows, take into consideration tall furniture that can block views out of these windows. Assess your furniture size: If you haven't bought furniture yet, measure the spaces for furniture before you go shopping.  Online furniture and mail order catalogs will have dimensions for you to plan.  If you buy from a store, take a tape measurer and ask the sales associates for dimensions. If you have existing furniture, size up your largest piece and your largest wall. Continue through this process until your room has adequate pieces and room to move freely throughout the space. Multifunctional furniture is important: If you're realizing your furniture doesn't fit, multifunctional furniture is your answer.  A futon can double as a couch or a bed, as can a sofa bed.  A dining room table may need to also be your office desk for a laptop and small printer. Small ottomans can hold storage and large ottomans can serve as cocktail tables.  Determine your entertaining and family needs and choose the multifunctional pieces that are best for your home. Consider the big picture: Most people would love to live in a large home that could accommodate all of the new furniture they acquire.  The reality is, more home owners are opting for smaller homes due to rising energy costs and a smarter approach to spending money.  Determine what pieces of furniture your family need, and then which pieces are for luxury.  If your family is comfortable and you can entertain, your furniture is probably perfect for your home as it is. Obtain furniture from classifieds: If your budget is tight for buying furniture, visit online classifieds and local garage and yard sales.  You may be able to furnish one room of your small space for what it would cost for one piece of furniture in a retail store.  Do your homework, people are selling furniture every day, and you just have to know where to look! Invest in a few great pieces: Since you are going to pare down your furniture pieces, why not have a few killer pieces to make your living experience enjoyable? An armoire that can serve as an entertainment center, storage and shelving may be right for your living room.  In a bedroom, a gorgeous head/foot board with integral storage or dresser drawers may prevent you from needing a dresser.  Living in a small place doesn't mean you have to compromise for style and function. Make the most of your small home and embrace the challenge of placing your furniture.  Plan out your space and take time to buy furniture that fits the exact need you have.  Lastly, don't be afraid to purge and sell your furniture if you are downsizing to a smaller home.  Believe it or not, living in a small space builds character and you'll be surprised how cozy and personalized a small space will grow on you. Freshome reader's we'd like to hear how you place your furniture in your small home? Do you have any tricks? Share with us, there are a lot of small home owners out there! Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Ulisse Bed & Desk Space Saving System Small Apartment Furniture – Cube Style Ikea Space Maker : Interactive Dorm Room Planner Coffee table that can turn into a love seat Dragonfly Lounge and Swivel Chair Combination 5 Tips for Decorating a Small Studio Apartment Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Cool Concept and Unique Decorating Idea : Printing Facebook Posted: 12 Oct 2010 09:47 AM PDT Printing Facebook is an ingenious new application that allows the users of the popular social network to create friend posters and print them. This means that instead of the common framed photos of friends which only allow a limited numbers of pictures to be displayed, with the friend poster, the possibilities are endless. Ordering a poster featuring pictures of a certain friend (or even yourself) has never been easier. We think this new concept belonging to artist Benjamin Lotan is a great way to have your friends and good memories around you all the time. And last but not least, Printing Facebook is a unique decorating idea for any interior. The background color of the poster is customizable and the 20″x40″ print costs $20. You can check out the movie at the end of the post to see how this works. So… are you planning on using this new Facebook application? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Frames for Your TV We have a Facebook Fan Page ! Freshome.com is now on Facebook ( Join us ) Bedroom Decorating Ideas Thanksgiving Table Decorations : Freshome Facebook Photo Contest Pillows Inspired by the Internet Big Websites Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Keep Your Home Clutter Free with The Juice Box Charger Posted: 12 Oct 2010 08:02 AM PDT Accessories have climbed their way to the top of our everyday use of objects. There are a few gadgets that we use every day and most of them require charging so no wonder that we have a lot of wires laying around. If you are an organized person and you like your home as free of clutter as possible, the Juice Box can help you keep your gadgets charging all in one place. The box designed by Blu Dot has only one outlet but can charge multiple gadgets at the same time. It all comes in a stylish walnut box with felted wool removable top that conceals a power strip. Cool and modern, the Juice Box will look great in your home, wherever you need it to perform its tasks. You can buy this sleek charger from here for $99. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Clutter Free Working Environment : StudioDesk Slick and Practical iPhone and iPad Duo Charger Freeing Up Space: How to Get Rid of Clutter Designing harmony: Simple Feng Shui tips for beginners How To Create a Minimalist Home Coaxing clothes: How to plan a perfect wardrobe Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

You are subscribed to email updates from Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610