Clever, Comfortable and Industrial

Found in the archives of Sacramento Street comes a living room and kitchen designed by Beth Martin, Sara Story, Grant K. Gibson and Aurelien Gallent for Elle Decor's Modern Life Concept House. It's a shame I found this because now I will be accountable when I copy every. single. thing. in this place. The dark walls, copious amounts to texture, clean lines, masculine furnishings, and use of art are all worthy of a sigh. They took ALL the good ideas.

I like the contrast between the feminine, light rug from the rest of the industrial, rigid decor.

Don't forget about using art in a space. Use it to further the concept and complete the look.

 Aweessooome lighting throughout

Pages from take out menus are used as the backsplash in the kitchen. Would this be an idea you would use? What would you choose to display? newspapers? old letters? recipes?

I wish I had never found this. I'm smitten.

Collections

  1, 2

When I was in elementary school I had a friend who enjoyed collecting stickers, which she proudly displayed on her white french provincial dresser. Like, ON her dresser. My nine-year-old mind couldn't figure out why she would choose her five-drawer dresser as her canvas rather than something less expensive, like a notebook. My twenty-something-year-old mind can't figure it out either.

Built-in shelving provides a permanent focal point for this dining area

We all know that your home should be a place that displays your personality, your style, your interests, your hobbies and, like my long time friend, your collections. In a way, it should be an exhibition of your life. However, this expectation is one that leaves many in a state of confusion. "Yes", one such confused person may say, "my home should show the things I like, but how do I go about displaying my inherited artwork, my button collection, the stones I've gathered from every country I've visited, my husband's sports paraphernalia, the little trinkets that I can't seem to get rid of, but for now are simple taking up space?" Don't worry, troubled reader, I can help.

Ground frames with a ledge. Consider height and visual weight to balance smaller and larger items

I. Purge

     Go through the collections and get rid of those items that will not add to the overall effect you wish to have. Be truthful and tough as you place each item into one of the three categories: Keep, Donate, Toss. One of the more popular (and rightfully so) statements in the design world comes from William Morris:

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful"

Well said, William. Follow this adage and you will find that your home meets your needs in both practicality and style.

An otherwise difficult space is made into a gallery with all the bells and whistles

II. Grouping

     Group the bulk of your collection together in one area. Keeping the items on a group not only provides a focal point but it prevents you from feeling like your home is being taken over by one particular interest.

Larger frames are made proportional with an even grouping of smaller frames, and suitcases are put on display to balance the heavy furniture

III. Consider your display options

     Would these look best hung or placed on a shelf? Photographed (with the originals placed in one of the above mentioned piles) and hung, or taken apart and placed in a shadow box to show the intricate details? Should you invest in custom shelving, or is it small enough to fit in a jar? Should you accent the color of the collection with a complimentary paint color or take advantage of the architecture of your home and allow your items to be framed in a nook?

Put the architectural nooks to use as a natural frame for a gallery of plates

Small items receive a permanent home in glass vases

IV. Do it

     Put a few hours aside to dust off your items and put your display together. If the collection is to be hung on the wall give yourself a practice run using painters tape or craft paper cut in the shape of the item to be sure the display will look proportional on your wall. Step away and come back to be sure you will be happy with the look. If it is going on a shelf, group them by color, shape or size to provide some organization. 

The dark wall gives this milk glass collection its added punch

Practical and beautiful

Charming, concise, and complete

A great use of space with the option of display or hide away

Do you have any collections that are waiting to be displayed, or have you already completed the task?

Out of Doors

It is not the orange blossoms popping up on the ivy on my house, nor is it the warm breeze coming in through my open window that whisper of winter's end. Instead, I had a harsh slap in the face when I slipped into a swimsuit last weekend and discovered such sharp contrast between my transparently white skin to the black sheen on the fabric. But I am terribly aware that no matter how long spring and summer last, the only way this contrast will fade is if my swimsuit is bleached lighter by the sun. Heaven knows the sun cannot do anything to bronze this gal.

While I'm never eager to let coats, jackets, tights and scarves leave my daily wardrobe, the thought of summer nights spent outdoors is making the transition a bit easier. If you didn't catch my post last spring with tips and tricks to spice up your outdoor area, take a look. Today, I have a few before and after pictures to instill some hope for those who feel they have a long way to go before they can relax on their porch.

A tip from the designer: 

"My favorite piece of furniture is the beanbag ottoman. It can serve as a footrest, a table, or extra seating. Depending on how often you clean your porch, the bottom may get a dirty. I recommend putting a towel underneath to help protect the fabric."

"Husband and wife designer-landscape architect team discovered additional space when they gave their old detached two-car garage a new role as an office and studio. The remodel enlarged the building to include a bathroom, a loft, and a small rood deck so it can double as guest quarters. It can also still function as a garage thanks to a set of glass-paneled Dutch doors opening on the plywood paneled office side. The spare, contemporary aesthetic - the doors, simple exposed-wood framing, visible pipes, and industrial-style lighting - kept costs down."

"Before its transformation, tumbleweeds had more fun on this deck than people did. There was no privacy, no ambience, no plants - just minimal seating that offered a less-than-stunning view of the adjacent carport."

A tip from the owner:

"Other than a grill, one of the best pieces to have on your deck or patio is a buffet. The inside can be used for storage so you don't have to make so many trips to the kitchen when you have guests over."

Which space do you most easily see yourself relaxing in?

Make a statement

Have you been on Anthropologie's site recently? They have a few tips and tricks for "how to be bold from corner to corner." For the record let me state that I am aware these rooms are not complete - these are simply staged vignettes to showcase the idea. Still, true to the Anthropologie way, it is beautifully executed. Which, if any of these, are you afraid of doing in your space? Do any of these daring design moves come naturally to you?