Category: Eclectic Homes

Can you work, eat and sleep in a 48-inch-wide studio? This tiny Polish structure, wedged into a gap between two buildings, is 4 feet wide at its broadest point.

The construction serves as a workshop for Israeli author Etgar Keret. Designed by architect Jakub Szczęsny of Centrala, it takes up about 150 square feet of once-unused space, filling the gap between buildings with a tiny kitchenette, dining room, bathroom, bedroom and desk.

Studio at a Glance
Who works here: Etgar Keret
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Size: 150 square feet

Centrala

Inspiration struck Szczęsny when he had been walking down this street. The gap between a postwar co-op building and also a prewar ex-Jewish tenement block instantly caught his eye. The two buildings begged for a certain kind of connection and Szczęsny desired to put something functional in between.

The structure blends in from the main street perspective. Access is concealed from the sidewalk with a 61/2-foot-high wall.

Centrala

Of course, this narrow area presented lots of issues linked to Warsaw’s city building code, extending the construction time to approximately three years. Due to the building’s dimensions, function and location, the town chose to zone it as an art installation. Szczęsny completed the project in October 2012.

Visitors can access the building from a street set away from the main street. Steel stairs fall down, revealing the entry.

Centrala

The building’s most important resident, author Etgar Keret, walks up the steps.

Centrala

The gap between the two buildings is 60 inches at its widest and 28 inches at its narrowest. The triangular construction structure allowed Szczęsny to make the most of this narrow and uneven gap.

Centrala

Centrala

Everything needed to be stored to the basics. The structure is a steel cage position on two tunnel-like bases. The hollow bases permit present city heating pipes to pass underneath the building. The steel was coated with Kingspan insulated sandwich panels and full of nanofoam for additional insulation and fire protection.

Centrala

The front and rear facades are made of translucent 20-millimeter-thick (.8 inches) polycarbonate, with two functional windows for cross ventilation. Although the narrow area could have rapidly become gloomy, the white side panels and polycarbonate facade allow for lots of light.

Centrala

The steep stairs, accessed via a trapdoor in the floor, open up into the main living room.

Centrala

A little bathroom — about the same size as a plane toilet — includes an open shower, a sink and a bathroom.

Centrala

The kitchenette has the basics: electrical stove, sink, refrigerator and microwave. Water and heat come through a few of the buildings next door.

Centrala

A tiny built-in dining room beyond the kitchenette has room for two.

Centrala

Centrala

A ladder leads from the living room to the working and sleeping compartment. The 35-inch-wide mattress (a little smaller than a double mattress) and a work desk capture lots of light from the translucent front facade.

Centrala

Here Keret sits on the border of the sleeping platform — it’s just big enough to allow him sit comfortably. “That is a space for one individual to write and think away from individuals, but still be near to the world when necessary,” states Szczęsny.

Centrala

Steel net on the side of the construction veils the two windows for privacy of the home. More photos from this project

Next: A Family Unwinds in 540 Square Feet

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Two of the biggest improvements of the industrial revolution were that the mass production of dimensional lumber for framing, along with the nail. Not only did those 2 products allow to be constructed by the thousands, but they led to a style of architecture. Houses were constructed of rods, instead of heavy timbers or masonry.

From the early 19th century, with the start of stick-built homes, balloon framing became the standard. With this kind of framing, the exterior walls are constructed of wood studs which begin in the base’s sill plate and cease in the highest top plate. The wood studs which make up these partitions can therefore easily be 18 or more feet in length. Balloon framing died out only because of the unavailability of wood studs of such long spans.

Everything came about is stage framing, the process used to build wood-frame homes today. It depends on each story of a house being constructed as a stage so the exterior walls are constructed of wood studs no longer than about 10 or 12 feet.

Here’s a peek at a basic and traditional platform-frame exterior wall, as well as a version of this system which uses far less substance.

Related: Insulated Concrete-Form Construction | Post and Beam Construction

Bud Dietrich, AIA

Fundamental 2-by-4 framing. The most common way of building a wood-frame exterior wall is to use 2-by-4 wood studs spaced 16 inches in the center of one stud to the center of another. These studs are then fastened to a 2-by-4 bottom plate and a double 2-by-4 top plate. Corners have three studs so that there’s always a surface to fasten another material (drywall, sheathing etc.) onto.

Wood-frame walls like these can be easily constructed on the wood floor deck and tilted into place. Once tilted into place and made plumb (straight up and down), square and even (the corners are at 90 degrees or a different angle, based on the layout), these walls are firmly fastened to the ground structure.

Other than the framing needed for openings, like for doors and windows, the closing structural part of a wood-frame wall is the outside sheathing. Sheathing, usually OSB (oriented strand board) or plywood, is traditionally employed in most homes to help make the structure rigid so that the house doesn’t twist or rack.

This type of sheathing also gives a surface that siding could be attached to. You will find other substances, such as rigid insulating material, that can be used instead of OSB or plywood. Whenever these substances, which will increase energy efficiency, are used, structural rigidity will be accomplished through bracing or specific fasteners or other.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

Openings for doors and windows. To accommodate doors and windows, the framings of walls have framed rough openings. In reality, most manufacturers produce doors and windows that fit within a particular rough opening. Knowing the exact window and manufacturer is important in the planning stage so the carpenters build the walls as necessary.

The parts that form a rough opening are the king stud, jack stud (I would love to understand the origin of those terms), header, sill and cripple. Each piece has a job to perform. For example, the jack studs encourage the header, and the header is used to span the opening.

And it should be noted that using a typical 8-foot ceiling, the conventional 80-inch-high doorway fits neatly into a rough opening created out of a double 2-by-12 header. With the header positioned tightly against the underside of the double top plate, then the rough opening steps around 82 inches high. Even though this isn’t exactly the most effective use of substance (the header is often considerably bigger than required), it has become the standard because of its simplicity.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

Optimized framing. Wood framing began when wood was abundant and inexpensive, and a house’s thermal efficiency was not a consideration. As a result, traditional wood framing utilizes far more substance than it needs to, and also the typical 3.5-inch wall thickness doesn’t allow for as much insulation as is needed to get a thermally efficient residence.

More advanced framing techniques now use 2-by-6 wood studs instead of 2-by-4s, a single top plate and 2 studs instead of 3 stud corners. The advantages of utilizing 2-by-6s include:
Increased cavity space to accommodate more insulationStud spacing that’s 24 inches instead of 16 inches on center, resulting in less total materialTo ensure structural integrity and accommodate the installation of materials like drywall and sheathing, particular clips and connectors are developed for this particular framing approach. For example, alloy splice plates can seam together the only top plate.

Optimized framing additionally uses headers which are sized as needed to length door and window openings. As this has the advantage of reducing material costs, in addition, it achieves a distinct architectural appearance, as taller doors and windows could be had.

Next up in this series: the roof structure and how that defines the structure of your property.

More in Know Your Own House:
Post and Beam Construction
Insulated Concrete-Form ConstructionWhat Makes Up a House’s Foundation
What Makes Up a Floor Construction

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Take just about any closet space shared between a woman and man. The man’s portion will probably take up one of their distance, while the girl’s dominates the rest. Sure, we all guys know: You’ve got more things than we do (despite hating 95% of it and just needing to wear clothing).

But a man still needs his own well-designed and organized distance, also. Our style collection might not be as massive as most women’s, but it encompasses nearly as numerous categories: jewellery (ties, cuff links, rings); accessories (belts, pocket squares, watches); bags (briefcase, knapsack); and, yes, sneakers (work, play, exercise, summer, winter). And since you have made it crystal clear that the bathroom floor, hallway floor, bedroom floor, desk chair and kitchen counter tops are not appropriate storage alternatives, it all has to go somewhere.

The very best part of our transformation from apparel piles to organization is that lots of dudes are realizing that their closet is the one place where they can excercise a little personal style. Our girls might not want dark, classy wood along with a shoe-shining station in the living room for all the visitors to view, but we can still have a small bit of liberty in the closet.

Branca, Inc..

Custom closets vary from a few thousand bucks for a small corner area all the way up to an great walk-in for $200,000. But for some the splurge is well worth it. That’s because getting ready in the morning is a ritual. Whether you are heading to a job interview or an important meeting, or you only want to feel energized and confident throughout the day, choosing time to pick out the perfect outfit and wear it well is important.

Using a distance that keeps things organized makes this process easier. Here a pullout shelf and brass wall hook allow the homeowner display and select his outfit carefully, while rich, classy wood, a Persian-style rug along with a tufted foot stool help set the tone for your day.

Atlanta Closet & Storage Solutions

A closet doesn’t need to be on the top to make a big impact. David Buchsbaum at Atlanta Closet and Storage Solutions created this smart custom-made unit to perfectly match a corner area.

Since guys do not generally have long articles of clothing, piled double hangers for tops and trousers help maximize space and keep things organized. A oversize bottom drawer here’s really a pullout hamper.

Cost: About $1,200 to $1,500, such as installment

Boudreaux Design Studio

“Believe it or not, guys do have a lot of sneakers,” says Jessica Boudreaux, who designed this custom-made system to get a minimalist homeowner’s slim closet in Miami. Open shelves hold numerous pairs of sneakers, while pullout drawers have holders for multiple pairs of sunglasses, a must in Florida.

Boudreaux believes the closet is one area where guys can get creative with fashion. “You might love the colour green but do not want to do this colour on your living room, in which you entertain frequently,” she says. “But a closet can be a fun place to play up your character.”

Cost: Around $6,000

Tim Barber Ltd Architecture

Floor-to-ceiling storage units can turn tight and narrow spaces into absolutely coordinated solutions, while masculine materials and colors create a private, inviting area where guys can start and end their day.

Poliform USA

This freestanding unit with vertical panels by Senzafine is among the most well-known designs at Poliform, a company that produces custom closet spaces. Elena Sladkopevceva, a marketing partner at Poliform, says dark colors tend to work better for men’s cabinets. “They seem organized, along with the richness shows off the substances longer,” she says.

These units have inside light, are simple to install and include custom enhancements like glass doors, pullout hangers, drawers with coordinated dividers for cuff links and links, and even room for a briefcase.

Poliform USA

Poliform’s Ubik unit can also be popular. It attaches to a wall — unlike a modular unit — and comes without doors for simple access. The shelves have been melamine board, whereas the drawers are sold in eight different types of wood and lacquers in more than 30 colors and textures, such as leather.

Poliform USA

California Closets Twin Cities

“Men do have a taste for dark colors,” says Ginny Snook Scott, chief design officer at California Closets. Scott has been making custom cabinets for more than 25 years; she’s discovered that guys lean toward modern aesthetics to get a more streamlined and clean look without overpowering detail or decor, unlike girls, she says.

“Girls like more cubbies and containers,” she says. “Men want more open baskets and shelves they can see”

Smart and fashionable closet theories aren’t only for walk-ins. Custom modular units can turn into a tight place to a stunning area.

Cabinet Innovations

Having a place for each and every item is key to creating a walk-in cupboard. Suit trousers, for instance, are always the bane of a guy’s existence. Twist and hang them wrong, and you’ll receive awkward, messy creases up and down the pant legs. Hang them correctly, and they’ll remain neatly pressed.

This hideaway pullout for match trousers keeps each pair only far enough apart for them to remain immaculately folded.

Richard Ross Designs

Sure, hanging all of your knotted ties on a single hanger and then shoving it in your closet worked when you were in school and owned department store ties. But expensive wool and silk ties can’t take that sort of misuse.

Custom drawers, revealed here and below, keep them wrinkle free and simple to access.

Twin Cities Closet Co..

Cabinet Innovations

This vertical drawer creates an organized mini wall for ties and other accessories.

Cabinet Innovations

In precisely the exact same area, acrylic dividers keep undershirts and socks colour coordinated and coordinated.

Cabinet Innovations

Meanwhile, a clever wooden plank folds out to make a shoe-shine station.

Cabinet Innovations

And figurines create suit jackets easy store to get a clean look and to rifle through.

The Closet Lady/Manhattan Murphy Bed Inc..

Even a few straightforward options for hanging trousers, ties and shirts can turn an average closet into a fashionable space.

Hall Developments

Richard Ross Designs

If your wardrobe does not contain dozens of matches, smart storage can still jazz up your closet.

TransFORM | The Art of Custom Storage

Small closets get the most benefit from high-minded design. This cool sliding door helps hide a perfectly organized area.

Jill Greaves Design

With graphic carpet, rich wood, marble flooring, cool light and black and white photographs, this closet and the one over rival any ritzy country club.

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Single daddy Dave Hepler spent the ’90s as a drummer in the rock band Inch, but after performing the Lollapalooza tour and having a song featured in a Ben Stiller movie, he’s traded in his drumsticks for a briefcase to practice law in Portland, Oregon.

Today the proud owner of a midcentury ranch, Hepler has made small renovations and improvements to update his house. Corrugated steel siding, a fresh design and a spacious backyard turned this easy space into a contemporary home that’s perfectly suited to children, rock stars and attorneys alike.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Dave Hepler, daughters Lela and Sydney, along with cat Red
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, two baths
That’s intriguing: Dave grows his own hops for home beer brewing.

John Prindle

The ranch house exterior shines with corrugated steel panels. Still, the house blends into the landscape, which Hepler is steering toward a native planting plot. He added tall native grasses; the English ivy and blackberry are about to be eliminated.

John Prindle

Hepler eliminated the home’s authentic teal columns and rebuilt the entry with the corrugated steel complete and open windows. “People either love [the steel] or despise it,” he says. “I’ve gotten a lot of strong responses. People don’t really know what to make of it”

John Prindle

A retro-cool Natuzzi leather couch, burl redwood coffee table along with shag rug offset huge windows in the understated living area. Repainted dark ceiling beams contrast a white ceiling. Cedar wall paneling creates spaces for recessed lighting.

John Prindle

The house was built in 1946 by an architect who lived there for over 30 years. Thin glass initially filled the home’s big, wood-framed windows. Hepler had thicker panes installed, as well as aluminum frames along with an elegant sliding curtain. This piece of glass alone weighs 700 pounds!

John Prindle

Hepler discovered this amusement center in a thrift shop in San Diego. The reel-to-reel setup as well as the LP turntable take priority on contemporary electronics, as well as the Gibson SG guitar shows that Hepler hasn’t fully abandoned stone ‘n’ roll. He is teaching among his brothers to perform.

John Prindle

A classic dining room table expands to double in size for easy fun.

Like panes in a fish tank, the pieces of the home’s authentic L-shape corner window join invisibly.

Dining room seats: Urban Chair, Ikea

John Prindle

A closer view of the “fish tank” window.

Pendant lamp: Ikea

John Prindle

The kitchen’s stainless steel countertop and electrical range came with the house. Hepler added a dual-fuel using two electric ovens and a gas stove between Basco Applicances.

He also updated the flooring with environmentally friendly and affordable cork.

Flooring: Lumber Liquidators

John Prindle

Deep skylights illuminate a long hallway leading to the garage. “I love negative space and have no plans to hang on anything in the hall,” says Hepler. “I love it’s simply a bright, clean passageway.”

John Prindle

The home office has a lot of those novels you’d expect to find in a writer’s area, including works by Poe, Hawthorne and Tolstoy. “While I majored in literature, I just write legal records,” Hepler says.

You’ll discover musical instruments in virtually every room. An acoustic guitar hangs on the accent wall and an African doumbek drum sits on the bottom shelf of the bookcase.

John Prindle

Hepler constructed this small freestanding, soundproof drum space in a corner of this 1,000-square-foot garage. He along with his daughter painted the cheerful stripes. He eventually wants to set up a small recording studio.

John Prindle

The backyard is private and spacious. One side boundaries a quiet park, and on the flip side, the nearest neighboring house hides behind thick trees and shrubs. The patio and the barbecue area provide lots of space for outside entertaining.

Table: Cost Plus World Market

John Prindle

A natural gas line in the new slate outside entertaining area feeds the stainless steel grill. An electrical smoker and a charcoal grill pit provide Hepler all the barbecue options he could ever need.

Electric smoker: CookShack

John Prindle

The steel siding on the front part of the house flows to sections of the rear exterior too.

The firewood is by a hazardous tree that Hepler needed to cut down last year. It’s just about completed curing and will be employed to warm the house this winter.

John Prindle

Portland is known for its artisan beer and coffee, and Hepler enjoys both. These strands of hops grow from the ground all the way to the roof. He has some brewing gear in the garage but plans to use this year’s jumps harvest at Portland’s U-Brew and Pub. “They have much better equipment than I do, enabling me to roll up with a bag of hops and a couple of friends for a societal brewing session on their premises.”

Hepler also has a tiny coffee-roasting company called Bean Boy, plus he roasts nearly daily for friends, family as well as himself.

Do you have a creative, music-friendly house? Share it with us!

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High design and Far East tradition garnish with the dark, dramatic Japanese siding made by a procedure called yakisugi-ita (also known as shou-sugi-ban). Translated as “the burning of Western cypress (sugi),” yakisugi-ita is gaining popularity outside Japan, as the procedure leaves wood almost maintenance free and makes it resistant to fire, rot and pests. Siding created by this method has an expected life span of over 80 decades, because of a protective coating made by carbon released during burning.

Carbonized (that is, charred) siding is a strong statement and, as such, is ideal for simple forms and details that allow the dramatic finish to take center stage. The charred siding of this Prescott Passive House above overlooks the handsome restraint of this form.

The home is a product of an innovative non-profit design/build program, Studio 804, for graduate students at the University of Kansas School of Architecture. The students design and build one project every year, with an emphasis on sustainable, affordable and innovative building solutions.

This former backyard shed, now an office, designed by THOUGHTBARN, efficiently plays with form and materials, rooting the streamlined arrangement using charred siding. The darkish siding is topped with light-diffusing polycarbonate sheets and a cherry roof. Western red cedar was carbonized for both the building and the fence.

An Amsterdam residence becomes playful with contrasts, with brighter planks of wood layered between the siding.

The Process

First the wood is burned either using a torch or by more conventional techniques.

The scorched wood is subsequently doused with water and brushed to remove the charcoal dust, revealing a slightly silver sheen.

Finally the charred wood is washed and dried. It can be left with no finish, or an oil can be implemented to bring out the gray, sliver, black or brown tones.

Delta Lumber & Millworks

This handsome and powerful cladding has gained international appeal, together with the treatment being applied to a wide variety of wood. While some species can be charred, the consequent look will be different. A softwood, such as the Western sugi (cypress), has prominent growth rings which lead to an extremely textured surface, whereas charring hardwood leads to an evenly blackened surface.

Tell us Can you go dim?

More:
Wood Home Exteriors Branch Out
Exterior Materials Mix It Up
Exterior Materials: Textures Chat

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Instead of being attached to the door frame, pivot doors turn on a single shaft located within the door itself. The weight of the door fully rests on the arm in the bottom; the arm in the top guides the motion. Pivot doors can either swing in a single direction or turn either way.

Four Corners Construction, L.P.

The hardware allowing a door to pivot is nearly invisible, creating a slick look.

Silva Studios Architecture

Conventional swinging doors rely on hinges for their motion, which eventually warps the door or wears out the hinges. Pivoting doors break on a single shaft, reducing strain on both the door and the hardware.

PPDS

Oversize or heavy doors swing easily on a pivot. It would be difficult to find a hinge powerful enough to suspend a door of the size and weight

Ana Williamson Architect

High-gloss paint and frosted glass make for a striking pivot door. The shaft of the pivot door is visible at the top, revealing the mechanisms.

Quezada Architecture

A double set of pivot doors such as these may resemble hinge doors whenever they’re closed, but the gap in the frame border when they’re open gives them off.

Gast Architects

This pantry has a pivot door complete with a kick plate. Occasionally full hands need a foot to assist.

Browse more photos of pivot doors

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Gemma Bonham-Carter is a avid DIYer who realized early in her house makeover that the home of her dreams would not materialize overnight. “The greatest challenge for us has been a mixture of budget and space. With a tight budget, we try to do a lot ourselves, frequently buying things “preloved.” I must be OK with slow and steady advancement,” states Bonham-Carter, the DIY design blogger behind The Sweetest Digs.

Bonham-Carter has handled her home makeover projects piecemeal. Her and her husband have shone present decor and furniture, and are seeing how things could be reincarnated to more functional, beautiful bits. “I am also all about intelligent storage, trying not to collect too much things and working with what we really need,” states Bonham-Carter.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Gemma Bonham-Carter and her husband, Dan
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Size: 1,600 square feet
That’s interesting: Every room benefits from Bonham-Carter’s DIY projects.

Bonham-Carter made the faux capiz chandelier at the guest room with wax paper, string and a hanging flower basket. She was itching to handle this job after she and her husband relocated to Canada after a year old in England. “You just require a flat surface to work on, some time and a hot glue gun,” she states. “The 3 nights I spent working on it had been completely worthwhile. It cost me a total of $2.50!”

This lime green and white trellis pattern on the wall has been made using a stencil. “I wished to use background in this area, but once I realized it was likely to be $150 just to complete one wall in the design I liked, I started considering other choices,” states Bonham-Carter. She chose a trellis pattern that channeled design components she and her husband had admired a trip to Morocco.

The wall complements the house general palette of blues, turquoises and grays, and although the stenciling made Bonham-Carter’s hands cramp, she states the final result and money saved were worthwhile.

Punch Up a Wall Using a Bright, Bold Stencil Pattern

The rows of magazine filers and organizers show just how serious Bonham-Carter is all about organizing; everything has a dedicated space and is set away after use. Once every season, Bonham-Carter does a complete spring cleaning to declutter even further.

Bonham-Carter made this black and white chevron artwork canvas using a cardboard template. “Then it was just a matter of taping the lines out with painter’s tape and painting the space between. The entire cost was less than $20 — not bad for a large, fun piece of original art for your pad. And even if you don’t believe you are an artsy person, this is a totally easy-peasy job,” she states.

Radio: Tivoli Radio

Bonham-Carter and her husband’s solution into a drab and dull kitchen: a cosmetic update of black and white vinyl tiles. “The vinyl tiles are clearly not the most glamorous of flooring alternatives, but since we are saving for a huge kitchen remodel, they’re a fantastic temporary solution and include a fun diner look to our kitchen,” she states.

Other cosmetic makeovers from the kitchen include repainting the cupboards and replacing the components into a brushed silver finish.

This well-composed vignette was a hidden spot in the Bonham-Carter’s kitchen. “I emptied the shelves and coloured the backs using a splashy lime green paint — left over from our office makeover. I took out some of our baking items from a different shelf, jars of things that look great in an exposed shelf. Now these items are easily available and also have freed up space everywhere in our little kitchen,” she states.

The Sweetest Digs

A ceramic white elephant perches onto a pile of favourite magazines.

The Moroccan trellis wall stencil pattern at the house office is repeated in the drapes framing the dining room windows; the drapes add vertical elevation and lend an air of sophistication to the area. “The paint on the cloth does not feel good against your skin, but it’s not like you are curling up from the drapes,” states Bonham-Carter.

A classic chandelier adds elegance into the master bedroom. The chandelier used to get what Bonham-Carter calls for a “sad brass” end, therefore she breathed new life to the metal using matte black spray paint.

The Sweetest Digs

Bonham-Carter describes her bungalow as with a fun and unique charm. “I’ve seen some houses which have weathered little rooms, but ours is pretty open and feels like a comfy place for family and friends to congregate,” she states.

One of Bonham-Carter’s treasured pieces from the living room is your coffee table, which she “fished out” of her father-in-law’s farm. She and her husband sanded and sanded the surface to restore the wood’s dark veneer; black paint has been also applied to the metal legs.

“I am always tweaking things. We are currently in the middle of a bathroom remodel, and eventually we’d like to devote a new kitchen,” she states. “In the meantime, we take each job one day at a time.”

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Traditional landscaping can get a bad rap in design circles. It isn’t daring; it doesn’t push the envelope; it is something that you can see everywhere. However, traditional gardens which are done well have a lot going for them. They are instantly appealing, they work well with any number of home designs and they evoke a sense of graciousness and a connection to the past.

Although traditional can take many turns, from English country estate to French styling and even to some hint of this classic cottage garden, something which joins traditional landscapes together is greenery. Lawns, or something very similar, anchor the space. Trees play a major part. Garden beds are full of shrubs and leafy green plants. Sure, there are bursts of color, but overall, green is the dominant motif.

The hardscapes are just timeless. There is a powerful sense of geometry underlying the overall space and of everything using its place.

And you know what? It works. People are attracted to traditional spaces. They are peaceful and inviting. They allow you to relax and feel at home while admiring the landscaping. And isn’t that what you really want from a space like this?

A clean and simple hardscape, and a traditional lawn and a harmonious planting bed, allows the traces of the home itself to stand out. The lamppost fits the style of the home and functions as an accent piece. Providing a patch of light to mark the beginning of the path at night isn’t advisable, either.

Donna Lynn – Landscape Designer

Filling a backyard boundary with trees, perennials and annuals is a time-honored way of concealing the borders of a lawn and making it look larger.

Windsor Firms

A mass planting of a single plant, a throwback to the days of large estates, is highly effective, especially in a traditional setting. Here the color of this annuals performs off the color of the home yet doesn’t compete with all the architectural lines.

Woodburn & Company Landscape Architecture, LLC

These landscape plantings, from garden bed to lawn to overhead blossom, match this shingle-style house perfectly. But think about it: The same landscape would work well with a variety of house designs.

WINN Design+Build

The simple geometric lines of those shrubs and trees match the architecture of the home as opposed to compete with this. A palette in shades of green is always calming and restful.

Westover Landscape Design, Inc..

This home’s design is colonial, so a straightforward traditional landscape might not set it off to benefit. On the flip side, a cottage garden, especially in this rather large space, might be too much. The solution: Combine both. The lawn, the proper paving to both sides of the home and the garden beds full of shrubs reflect a traditional approach, while the irregular pavers, the picket fence as well as the blowsy plants supporting it add a cottage touch.

Milieu Design

A garden bed that sits between the sidewalk and the home softens the proper lines of a traditional landscape. Because the more free-form plantings are restricted to a smaller area, they don’t overwhelm the rest of the space.

Richard Kramer

A paved brick sitting room that provides the ideal transition between a home and lawn is a traditional look that will function in any landscape. Adding cutout planting beds softens the border between the terrace and the home.

McDugald-Steele

A large lawn might be a traditional approach to a landscape space, but dividing it into tiered levels edged with brick gives the same sense of expansiveness whilst incorporating individuality.

Woodburn & Company Landscape Architecture, LLC

A large lawn might not be the most water-wise option, but there is no doubt that it is inviting. This lawn reminds me of this type in older films, full of friends and families.

Southview Design

Clean lines, a place to sita patch of green and symmetrical garden beds. The appearance might be simple, but it is always going to draw you in. And as this lawn proves, you don’t need a good deal of room to achieve it.

Westover Landscape Design, Inc..

Stone and wicker create a fantastic mix that’s withstood the test of time. Whether you’re at the shore, nestled in the heartland or upward from the hills, this appearance will serve you well. Simply add green edging and flowering plants, and you’re good to go.

Cathy Carr, APLD

Creating a room that’s calm, restful and inviting is exactly what a traditional landscape is about, and those are just the notes this inviting patio strikes.

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

In case you have kids, sometimes less is more. A place for a swing set and a playhouse, and plenty of lawn space for matches, might not win you prizes for the daring design, however this classic approach to a garden can serve your loved ones for years.

More:
Natural Garden Style
Find Your Perfect Patio Design
4 Steps to the Fantastic Garden
Garden Edging: Clean Lines for Your Landscape

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Since the snow storm hitting the East Coat shows, winter will soon be upon us. For all those Northerners, winter means spending days on the ski slopes, cozying up from the roaring fire and sipping delicious cups of hot cocoa. The things within this ideabook were motivated by the joys of the Canadian winter wonderland. — Isabelle from Pink Lemonade Design

Restoration Hardware

Mini Cashmere Warmers – $20

Made of luxurious cashmere, these warmers are a gorgeous way to keep your fingers warm.

West Elm

Embroidered Winter Branch Pillow Cover – $49

This embroidered pillow would look great on any couch or in a cozy dining room.

Restoration Hardware

Luxe Faux Fur Throw, Lynx – $99

Made of faux fur, this luxury throw can keep you warm whilst sipping hot cocoa after a day of rocky outdoor action.

Restoration Hardware

Winter Home Embossed Pillar Candle – $49

This magnificent fir-scented candle can make your house smell divine and cozy.

Anthropologie

Winter’s Perch Mirror – $148

The yummy “Winter’s Perch” mirror would add a little loveliness to some dressing table or powder room.

West Elm

Brown Owl Ornament

This beautiful decoration brings the outdoors inside, and it is a real hoot!

Anthropologie

Eiko Cabinet – $1,898

Made of exquisite reclaimed pine, this gorgeous wood cabinet is perfect for keeping all of your warm winter woolens.

Anthropologie

Pendleton Throw, Yellow – $248

This classic wool blanket is perfect for snuggling up with a fantastic book.

L.L. Bean

Ultrasoft Flannel Pillowcases, Buffalo Plaid – $29

There is no need to rely on any rebellion with these soft flannel pillow cases — they’re just dreamy!

Anthropologie

Ubiquity Lamp Ensemble – $298

This stunning acacia lamp will shed some light on a dark and chilly winter night.

Anthropologie

A enjoyable branch stopper is perfect for corking your woody-flavored wines.

Etsy

Vintage Letterpress Wood Blocks by Precious Play Time – $32

These vintage letterpress letters will look amazing in a ski chalet.

Etsy

20in Driftwood Coat Rack by Pep – $45

A driftwood coat rack will be perfect for hanging your hot parkas in the mudroom.

Calypso St. Barth

Love Suede Pillow  – $185

What more do you really need to sofa in fantastic style than “LOVE” written in gold on lavish beige suede?

Calypso St. Barth

Pom Pom Ornament – $10

These white pom pom decorations create the prettiest and most delicate snowballs!

Calypso St. Barth

Designer Coaster Silver – $12

These stunning cowhide coasters with a subtle touch of silver will dazzle your visitors.

Calypso St. Barth

Jodhpur Jaipuri – $225

This hand-loomed carpet from India will add stunning colors to your house that winter, and it’ll keep your toes warm.

Anthropologie

Rotis: Roasts for Every Day of the Week – $29.95

Keep your belly full and warm with this beautiful selection of delicious roast recipes.

Anthropologie

Lunet Chair, Plaid – $1,698

How magnificent is that this plaid chair? I could see myself reading the morning paper inside it while enjoying a cup of tea.

Anthropologie

Boro Stitch Shams – $69.95

This patchwork quilt pillow sham is superb. It might look celestial.

Next: More product collections from guest blogger Isabelle Lafleche

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Whether you are serving hot beverages, chilled cocktails or tasty snacks, these trays can allow you to serve your guests this holiday season at a practical and stylish way. I have got you covered to glamorous from earthy. There is a tray in this for everybody! — Jami from Imagine Design Blog

Etsy

Live Edge Black Walnut Serving – $85

Now this is precisely what I am referring to — I really like this tray. I’d serve up some tasty cured meats, fruits and desserts on this bad boy and set them with a few Belgian beer.

Contemporary Serving Dishes And Platters – $79.95

This one is lively, so that you may bring out the bling another time you sponsor. I could fully see this in my house, and I’d use it to the upcoming holiday celebrations!

Brookstone

Hourglass 14 Inch Stainless Steel Serving Tray – $35

I really like this classic little round silver tray. It is a high quality product (made from stainless steel), but it also has high design. It is easy, slick and chic.

Neo Serving Tray – $49.95

This tray is clean, crisp and contemporary — everything I love. I could envision serving a few Blue Snowflake martinis on it in a holiday party. The handles also make it effortless to carry about and serve your visitors.

Z Gallerie

Turtle Tray – $34.95

I’d really like to serve some cocktails in my next get-together with this quirky and cute turtle tray. It is unexpected and a conversation starter. Turtle power!

Crate&Barrel

Acacia Tray – $34.95

Go natural with this tiny wood specimen. Drink some hot cocoa or apple cider for your sweetie and snuggle up in front of the flame. This tray adds warmth and texture to any room.

Crate&Barrel

Camille Tray – $42.95

I love the shape and color of this Camille Tray. Blue isn’t a traditional Christmas color, but I’d really like to infuse a little this colour into my next vacation color scheme.

Pottery Barn

Speakeasy Tray – $49.50

I love this circle tray. You can have it monogrammed with your friend’s initials to turn it into a gorgeous personalized present which you can set under the tree.

Pottery Barn

Chancellor Rectangular Tray – $49

This is the perfect tray for serving up some wine or tasty snacks, and it’s easy to carry around due to the handles. Additionally, it is a wonderful substantial size so you can set lots of goodies on it to serve to your visitors.

West Elm

Rectangle Lacquer Trays – $59

I really like the sheen of this tray. It is not too in-your-face glistening, but it provides that perfect quantity of shimmer to go for a few soft candlelight. Drink some hot toddies and call it a night.

Ballard Designs

Ottoman Tray – $85

Get crazy and infuse some creature print into your holiday decoration scheme. I simply love this zebra print!

Pier 1 Imports

Cordial Stemware with Gold Tray – $25

Not only do you get the gold menu, but you also get six cordial stemware too. How perfect is this tiny setup for a few after-dinner port in your next dinner party?

Pier 1 Imports

Amber Crackle Cordial Stemware with Tray – $26.95

If you are not into the coloured cordial stemware from above, then maybe you’ll prefer this complex pair of floral crackle stemware rather than It is a gorgeous neutral color that will go well in any setting.

Pier 1 Imports

Shot Glasses Set with Red Tray – $24.95

These shot glasses are perfect for that vacation cocktail party you are casting for yourself and friends and family. Cinnamon schnapps shooters, anyone? Bottoms up!

Cost Plus World Market

Etched Metal Bar Tray – $24.99

Add some global influence to your holiday decor with this Etched Metal Bar Tray. I love the complicated design, and that I believe it would be ideal for serving cheese and wine.

Etsy

Personalized/Monogram Square Pattern White by Lovey Dovey Creations – $55

This would be another ideal customized present to bring to your hostess or host. You can have it monogrammed, include a household name or use a favourite phrase.

Williams-Sonoma

Tiled Bone Tray – $895

This one costs a bit more than I’d ever spend on a tray, but it is gorgeous and I only had to share! I love the buff and cream color palette — so chic. Share some tasty treats with this tray or just place it on display as art.

Williams-Sonoma

Slate Cheese Serving Board – $31.96

Inform your visitors about the cheeses they are being served using a chalk notice on this particular slate tray. Or if you are not serving cheese, then possibly do a few wine tastings and write the names below.

Etsy

Vintage Black Milk Glass Serving Tray by Tie The Knot Vintage – $55

You can not go wrong with black. This is the perfect holiday accessory to serve up a few cookies or hors d’oeuvres. I really like the shape and color of this tray — vintage and unique.

Target

Carved Wood Serving Platter – $20.79

Add a rustic touch for your next Thanksgiving meal. I believe this would be the ideal tray for carrying a gorgeous cornucopia of fruits, nuts and veggies.

Next: Serveware in every fashion

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