Home. Design. The Beauty of Both.
Using repurposed window frames and lumber, stained glass artist and jeweller Neile Cooper has created a tiny retreat in the woods that features dozens of her stained glass artworks. Glass Cabin looks like the perfect escape to recharge and even has a little working desk and couch. The New Jersey-based artist also sells unique…
via A Stained Glass Cabin in the Woods — TwistedSifter
Love this! Very creative, very colorful, and what appears to be such a peaceful setting.
© 2014 Kate Walsh
.
Photographed along Lake of the Isles on a beautiful autumn day.
I love this version of holiday decorating. It’s simple yet sparkly!
There’s a bit of organic whimsy here that I find especially appealing. I’ve decided to sell my fake tree and get a branch from nature. How are you decorating your home?
#
Summer is waning in the northern states and most people probably aren’t thinking about gardening. I’m fascinated by gardens any time of year. Here’s a post I found on designing garden transitions. If you have a patch of land, why not create a design that enhances it and provides you a beautiful view and a place to unwind, play, entertain, etc.
.
.
.
I saw this sign on the front of a house during one of my travels. It was a charming house. A white brick exterior with black wood shutters, window boxes and front door. The shutters featured a black iron curlicue along the bottom, detailing that stood out against the white background.
A white picket fence wrapped around the house, and the gate opened onto a gently curving flagstone walking path that led to the front door. A mix of green shrubbery sat along the foundation of the house. Everything was neat and tidy and appealing.
Many of the homes on Captiva Island have names. I always take pleasure in reading what people have chosen to name their homes. Unfortunately, you rarely see a lot of the homes on Captiva due to the long driveways and tremendous tropical growth. The homes are well hidden from the road.
The signs are all on the road. Each one is individually created. I often wonder what the homes are like, and what the owners are like. Does the sign personality mirror the house and occupants? Does the name say something about one occupant and the artwork about another? Who came up with the name? Do owners who buy these named homes keep the names or create a new one or pull the sign up out of the ground and go without? One thing I know. Of the homes that had been named and could be seen, all were well-kept and maintained. It makes me think there is something in a name: a sense of pride, a little more love, an embracing of home as part of the family.
Have you named your home? I’d love to hear the name and what it means to you. In the meantime, I’m going to think about a name for my own home. Stay tuned.
The home office. It’s become quite commonplace in homes today. Here’s some inspiration.
A home office in San Francisco
Chalkboard wall on one side and library design wallpaper on another in Vancouver
This one is about the view, and the bookcases.
A bright and airy upper level office in San Francisco
Under the stairs in Toronto
Thoroughly modern in Miami
Creative use of a dish drainer!
Another sunny spot, with room for family or friends to sit and read or listen to music or be creative
Luxury, man-cave version of an office space
Blue velvet and silver silk bring glamour to a woman’s home office
An accessible main floor office in Atlanta
A variety of textures and colors create a sophisticated home office in San Francisco
A closet home office can be closed off when not in use
Room for two in Portland, and both have a view
A pretty desk area off the kitchen in San Francisco
Traditional detailing and a stylish color palette create an inviting space in Minneapolis
An office with a Murphy Bed doubles as a guest room
Light and dark decor and glass shelving
“Homey” home office in Atlanta
An office in a bedroom closet in Minneapolis
Now that’s a view! In Boston
Incorporating the office into the living room with a mix of glamour and modern decor
Eclectic elements come together in style in this home office in Chicago
Elegant gold accents in this home office in Orange County
Floating desk and shelves in a condo home office
Eclectic elements in an interior designer’s home office in San Francisco
ASID-MN first place award winning office, craft and laundry room.
Fun with red and white in Chicago
Snazzy in Seattle
Utilizing pull-out shelves to hide equipment
Minimalist design with an artistic touch in Hong Kong
As you can see, the possibilities for a home office are endless! There are so many styles to love. What style will you create in your home?
#
If I had a choice between having a porch or a deck, then a porch would win any day of the week. I’m devoted to screen porches in particular. There’s nothing like having a shaded or sunny spot with no bugs and a breeze. And if it’s raining, you can still enjoy a screened porch despite the weather(provided the rain is coming down rather straight and your porch is large enough to allow you a sitting spot away from the screens).
I spend time on decks but they can get too hot in the middle of the day. The mosquitoes can eat at you in the evening, or even dusk. Forget being out there when it rains, unless you want to be wet.
Here, then, some images showing a variety of porches. Summer is on it’s way after all.
A traditional porch in Boston
Note the blue ceiling on this porch
This one has a rustic feel with its wood furnishings
A conservatory style porch in London
Another conservatory, this one in Philadelphia
A sweet porch in Charleston
An octagonal porch in Chicago
A porch with motorized Phantom screens and a fireplace
A small cottage in Los Angeles with a sweet and inviting front porch
A porch decorated with colors and plants
A wraparound porch in Portland, Maine
This porch feels very open and airy with its high ceilings
I had to include this one because I know exactly which house this is. I’ve been inside this house and this porch! The views are lovely.
I love hardwood floor in a kitchen. I know some people get concerned about ruining them due to all the cooking that takes place here. There’s really not a need to worry though. Hardwood flooring is durable with some care. Mostly we swept our floors. It’s a low-tech, quiet way to care for them. Wood is also warmer both visually and underfoot than tile and concrete. Wood offers natural beauty and an organic nature that has timeless appeal. It adds so much to a kitchen.
Have you been on the fence about putting wood flooring in your kitchen? Does this help you make up your mind?
The homes I grew up in had wood floors in the kitchens. We had three dogs and numerous children in our house. My parents still prefer wood floors in their kitchen.
#
Here’s a beautiful room that reminds me of summer. I love the dark wood floors, the white walls and furniture, the wood accents (coffee table and chair arms), the fireplace, and the wall of windows. This is a great example of bringing nature inside your home. Isn’t it inviting? The pet dog seems happy enough.
I came across this scene in a neighborhood composed mainly of modern architecture and design. I love this sculpture outside the front of the home where it can be enjoyed by passersby. It adds an artistic element to the home’s exterior as well as providing fluid lines and movement amongst the more angular lines of the home.
Do you have any sculpture outside your home?
.
John O’Donohue was an Irish poet and philosopher. He was interviewed by Krista Tippett on NPR/American Public Media. I heard part of the interview this morning. Listening to him was inspiring so I’ve posted the link to the podcast on my Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/designhouse9. You can also find it in the right hand sidebar.
.
The other day I was at The Galleria shopping mall in Edina. As I strolled down the hallway, my attention was caught by a large, spherical fountain. I immediately went to see it up close. It was beautiful. It was located within/outside Lili Salon – Spa.
I asked Andrea, a massage therapist at the salon, about the fountain. She told me it was created by Allison Armour. I had suspected as much since I had written about her fountains and garden art some time ago. That post is titled Art in the Garden. It was such a pleasure to see her work in person.
If you’re equally enchanted by this sculpture and fountain (known as an Aqualens), make a point of stopping by to see it. Clever Lili Salon – Spa placed their doors so that the fountain remains outside the salon, allowing visitors to get an up close view any time. I didn’t have my camera to take a photo so here’s one from the original post I wrote about Allison’s work.
A lot of people find the holidays stressful. If you find yourself in need of pampering, perhaps an appointment for services at Lili Salon – Spa will bring needed relief.
Lili Salon – Spa
3464 Galleria
Edina MN 55436
952-935-5000
salonlili.com
On Tuesday I spent the afternoon with a friend. We walked around Lake of the Isles. The crimson and golden hues presented plenty of photo opportunities. Here’s are some photos from the afternoon walk. Big thanks to my friend for stopping and waiting for me to capture all the images.
It was such a gorgeous weekend we were blessed with here in the Twin Cities. Temperatures in the upper 70’s and low 80’s, barely any wind, and plenty of sunshine. Did you get an opportunity to get out and enjoy it?
Goodbye to September, hello to October. Have a wonderful Monday!
###
Look to nature when considering color palettes for your home. Learn what colors you are drawn to. See which color combinations catch your eye and please you. Some colors are calming, soothing. Others pop out such as these wine and red-colored leaves against their green background. Bring the beauty of the earth into your interior spaces.
###
My sister and I were working with a lovely newly wedded couple to find them a home. We looked at homes in Saint Paul. We looked in Minneapolis. We looked along the river front. And then this home came on the market. Initially, the only photo on the MLS was of the front exterior. I told them it was either ugly and dated inside or the listing agents were planning professional photos to be taken. It turned out they were having professional photos taken of the interiors.
We went to see it right away. The couple knew they had found something special that first time through. My sister and I have worked with many buyers who have walked into homes and known immediately it was the home for them.
The home had been owned by the sellers for over forty years. The prior owners had also lived in this home for decades. Both of the previous owners had been newly wedded couples when they first moved in to this home. This is what I call great predecessor history. It bodes well for this couple’s future happiness.
The next day we went back with an architect to get some ideas and cost information for remodeling the kitchen. The architect confirmed they had great space to work with.
They made their offer, and after some pretty painless negotiation, the contract was signed and delivered. They secured an amazing 2.75% mortgage rate. The closing took place at the end of July. They love their new home.
I can’t wait to see their new kitchen!
The home has a great screened porch!
And a private, double lot with mature trees and perennial gardens.
~
Ready to buy or sell a home? Call the sister team.
We’d love to help you move forward.
Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com
###
.
DesignHouse9