Category: Eclectic Homes

Traditional and Modern Tango at a Spanish-Style Ranch

Shaw Coates and her husband, John, loved living in their four-level downtown San Diego house. Shaw, specifically, loved little spaces, having lived in Paris apartments. But when the couple — she is a promotion manager; he’s a hardware engineer for Qualcomm — unexpectedly learned that Shaw was pregnant, they went into overdrive to find a more habitable space in which to raise their family. The concept of owning a nursery on the floor level and their master bedroom all the way in the top has been far from perfect.

Rancho Santa Fe, a neighborhood north of San Diego with 1-acre a lot, a state vibe, proximity to the city and shore, a horse culture and amazing schools, seemed like the best fit. But the traditional style of these houses worried Shaw, who was hoping to get something more modern. A late-1970s house and its clean lines quickly grabbed her attention, however, offering the chance to bring some midcentury classic flair to a timeless design. John was less enthused. The ranch-style Spanish house had not been lived in for 2 and a half years; there were escapes and it was falling apart. A massive revamp has been in order.

Shaw championed the high ceilings, open floor plan and special views of the valley because a good base packed with potential, finally winning John over. Greenline Construction plus landscape designers Kendra Berger of Revive Landscape Design and Steven Letz of Letz Design stepped in to carry out the vision.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Shaw and John Coates, 2-year-old daughter Charlotte and poodle Monte
Location: Rancho Santa Fe, California
Size: 2,710 square feet on 1 1/2 acres; 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
Budget: About $250,000
Year constructed: Late 1970s

Shaw Coates

The Coates family was quite cost-conscious throughout the revamp. Among the few splurges has been replastering the walls to make them simpler. Shaw added Benjamin Moore’s Vanilla Milkshake paint into the walls, fireplace and ceiling.

Looking for a statement piece which would complement the Spanish design, Shaw added an outside lamp from Restoration Hardware into the living area. Black and chartreuse accents upgrade the predominantly white and gray interior. She picked the color scheme since she wanted something serene and restful for the busy family; plus the greens work with the exterior plants.

Sofa, rug: Room & Board; tables: CB2; floors: French white walnut

Before Photo

Shaw Coates

BEFORE: Shaw had this initial brick inlay fireplace coated in Santa Barbara smooth stucco to get a more modern feel. French white oak replaced the original tiled flooring.

All of the original windows have been replaced with more effective low-E dual-pane ones.

Shaw Coates

More chartreuse — Shaw’s favorite color — and black adorn the minimalist dining area.

Table: Design Within Reach; chairs: Room & Board; chandelier: Restoration Hardware; lamp: mix

Shaw Coates

Shaw loves the spacious kitchen and household room, where she can easily observe her daughter.

Sofa, coffee table, side chairs: Room & Board

Shaw Coates

Before Photo

Shaw Coates

BEFORE: The Coates family doesn’t cook much, so that they left the kitchen layout pretty much intact, moving a few appliances around. Sustainably harvested wood cabinets now stained espresso provide the kitchen a warm and sophisticated look.

Shaw Coates

Shaw also included a single-sink basin big enough to hold big pots and pans. The countertops are Caeserstone blended with recycled glass to sparkle.

Shaw Coates

The art is lean but well chosen. This Andy Warhol”Dual Elvis” print adds a snap of hipness.

Chairs: Room & Board

Shaw Coates

The Coates family utilizes this space, technically a fourth bedroom, as an office and library. They mostly use laptops to work, meaning no more unsightly cords dangle, and they put the desk at the”power place,” Shaw says. Four bookcases out of Room & Board fit perfectly on the back wall, giving the look of built-ins.

A hidden cupboard houses a video surveillance program.

Bookcases, chair, rug: Room & Board; desk: West Elm; prints: antiques

Shaw Coates

Referred to as the Gold Room, this guest bedroom is splashed with all the color. A cupboard previously spanned the back wall, but Shaw had it chopped in half. “I would not want guests to stay that long where they would want all that cupboard room anyhow,” she states.

The carpeting has a plastic-wrapped pad underneath, making the floor kidproof and petproof.

Headboard: Ikea; bed frame: Design Within Reach; comforter, side tables: West Elm; lamps: mix; sea urchins wall installation: SoLo

Shaw Coates

John’s mother hand tinted the photos of Midwest landscapes which hang above this workstation in the guest area. The gold eyeglasses made them a perfect addition to the Gold Room.

Desk: West Elm; seat: Room & Board; side table: classic

Shaw Coates

Often confronted with more guests than there was room for, Shaw put a full-size bed in their kid’s room.

Crib, lamp, drapes: Ikea; dresser: Room & Baord; decals: Etsy; side table: mix

Before Photo

Shaw Coates

BEFORE: The master bedroom came with a nook that was tough.

Shaw Coates

Among the questions: how high to hang the drapes? Shaw chose to hang them on the exterior ceiling of the corner to match the ones covering a window opposite.

The headroom throughout the house was a big selling point. “I always feel as though high ceilings are somewhat less oppressive,” Shaw says. “So that has been our wish list when house hunting, for sure.”

Bed, stools: Crate & Barrel; rug: West Elm; dresser: Room & Board; sleeper couch: Design Within Reach

Shaw Coates

The household uses the corner as a reading area which looks out to a courtyard terrace.

Shaw Coates

There was extensive water damage in the master bath, so the Coateses took that as an chance to knock down superfluous walls and interior doorways to open the area. They included classic subway tiles and a soaking tub.

Shaw Coates

The washer and drier area was at the garage. Shaw transformed a storage room and purchased the smallest units she could detect. She then used a leftover slab of rosemary Caesarstone to create a workstation to conceal soaps in and to lay clothes on.

Shaw Coates

To help the outside mix in with the surroundings, she had it redone with smooth Santa Barbara stucco to get a more natural color.

Before Photo

Shaw Coates

BEFORE: So much work has been needed on the outside, Shaw notes. From the heavy lace-white stucco caused the house to pop out.

Before Photo

Shaw Coates

BEFORE: The pergola deserved some particular attention.

Shaw Coates

Adding a modern customized iron gate, hammering the pergola’s beams and wrap it into a grapevine helped spruce this up.

Shaw Coates

The entryway now features Spanish tile, a fountain and lush ornamental grasses.

Shaw Coates

The family didn’t want a massive lawn such as the previous homeowners needed and a lot of their neighbors have; water bills for those, Shaw states, can run around $1,000 per month. The family included decomposed granite and succulents, including gold barrel cactus and gloomy fire agave.

The low-maintenance, minimal-water approach was a success. “I interviewed landscapers and basically told them I didn’t wish to do anything,” says Shaw, adding that the water bill is between $70 and $150 a month.

Shaw Coates

An orchard is teeming with grapefruit, lemon, orange, peach, apple and apricot trees.

Before Photo

Shaw Coates

BEFORE: The pool area was a massive mess, Shaw states.

Shaw Coates

AFTER: The equipment was ruined, so that they switched the pool from contamination to saltwater and added an azure stone into the interior to make it sparkle. They also enlarged the entertainment area.

Before Photo

Shaw Coates

BEFORE: On the older outdoor terrace, a large wall would block the view of the valley if you sat down.

Shaw Coates

AFTER: A simple, affordable Home Depot fence now lets the view take over.

Sofa: Room & Board; pillows, coffee table: Restoration Hardware; dining room table: Pottery Barn

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Toilet Layout: Renew Body and Mind With Colorful Light

After we’re blessed with great weather, we view that the sun’s warm rays as bright white. On winter mornings, the sky is almost pink, and in the summer, warmer colours like orange and red could be viewed at sunset. The spectrum of white light is made up of orange, red, yellow, green, blue, indigo and purple — and those seven colours have an unbelievable impact on our physical and psychological wellness.

Chromotheraphy has been researched and practiced for more than 4,000 decades. Once reserved for the pharaohs of Egypt, this therapeutic technique is currently possible in our own houses to help improve our health and everyday outlook. Many times, the shower may be the best spot to receive a dose of recovery light without breaking a daily routine. A large number of colors could be made with the assistance of non invasive LEDs (light-emitting diodes). This little bit of extra lighting does wonders for a small shower or bathroom — the ability to layer the lighting to suit morning patterns or idle weekend soaks is essential to enjoying the bathroom at several times of day. Add a tiny colored light, and you have a whole new space.

Let us take a look at coloured light for baths and cover a few pointers for successful installation.

Holger hoos layout

Blue lighting has several documented health benefits. It helps decrease blood pressure and calm breathing, making relaxing easier. Blue light has also been proven to be an anti-inflammatory and improve circulation — all great things as we age.

Arijit

Look how this gloomy light brings the walls to life — initially you see the blue, then you observe the stone and the light reflecting off the water from the bathtub.

When you are choosing a bathtub with a chromotherapy bundle, get one with four lighting. Sometimes two lights just does not cut it.

Susan Diana Harris Interior Design

Red lightenergizes and arouses. The effects of red light may improve your heartbeat and get you charged up for a large match, pumped for a major meeting or in the mood for a bit of love.

This shower has a wonderful iridescent tile that sparkles. With routine lighting, this room itself needs to be an actual energizer both in the morning and during the night. To emphasize iridescent particles from the tile, multiple sources of lighting needs to be used. Three or five small halogens would do the job flawlessly.

A tiled wall washed light like this ought to be put perfectly so the wall is smooth and flat. The nearer the light would be to hitting the wall, the more it will show defects in the setup. Also, make sure that the LED lighting, task lighting and fixtures are set up during the tiling process for complete precision.

If you are not brave enough for bright red tile, choose a tile that is lighter and stick using LED lighting for color. When the mood strikes, you can choose any color you prefer.

You always have the option to change out routine light bulbs for LED versions in your standard fixture or build a custom lighting attribute from LED strip lighting for a similar strategy. When working with a specialist, make sure that your installer does not underestimate the lighting needs of a space and put in too little lighting for a huge impact.

If you are planning your lighting strategy, make sure it may be dimmed and build it brighter than you believe you need it to be. The ThermaSol light featured here has six high-intensity light generators per color for intense and flexible lighting.

By Any Design Ltd..

This steam shower has a chromotherapy setting that allows all the colours to change gradually. This is really a treat when you are taking a very long steam shower. Many of my customers stretch in their own showers before and after exercising, or to relax before bedtime. Clearing your head and detoxifying at day’s end can generate a deeper sleep and help keep your nerves in check. Shade can help improve this experience.

Clayton&Little Architects

Hundreds of years back, stained glass was often employed for chromotherapy purposes. Leonardo da Vinci believed that the power of meditation increased tenfold under the rays of violet light shining through a church’s stained glass windows. Green light has been proven to decrease irritability and sleeplessness, and may be employed to help someone recover from a nervous breakdown. Yellow lighting can aid with digestion and simply make us feel happy.

Stained glass, if filtering natural or man-made lighting, produces amazing results. If the glass is beveled and utilized in conjunction with diamonds, diamonds or distinct kinds of glass, the result is even more amazing.

Kelly & Stone Architects

Should you use your master bath every day to prepare for shower, work after football, bathe the children and wash the dog, how do you make it feel like a spa whenever you have enough time to relax?

When overall lighting or task lighting is switched off (the downlights, or pot lights, in the photo), ambient lighting may take over. Pendants and accent coloured lighting (here, on the vanity toe kick and shower ceiling) could be put to a slow scroll to completely transform the mood.

If you are on the fence about whether or not to put in a few chromotheraphy lights, just do it. It’s easy to leave them off most of the time, and the benefit they offer when they’re turned on is invaluable.

Tracy Stone AIA

How can you not feel great carrying a sunshine-filled shower? Harvesting the sun’s light is easier with a massive skylight like this one. We’ve started working more with 4- by 4-foot skylights, and the extra light is always welcome.

Consider finding your master en suite on the east elevation of a new residence if you would like to shower early in the day, or around the west side if you would like to shower at day’s end and grab the sunset’s closing beams.

Downing Designs.com

It doesn’t matter which form of chromotheraphy you decide on for your next bathroom renovation; any and all are wonderful ways to bring your favourite color into your everyday routine.

For centuries, people have utilized colored lighting for curing — determine if it improves the quality of your life.

More:
The Low-Down on LED LightingGet the Lighting Right for a Healthier House

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Harbor Views Enrich a Newfoundland Townhouse

A house with a stunning view of St. John’s Harbour, off-street parking plus a double garage is difficult to find in downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland, but Gerrie Nicholas got blessed with her townhouse, one of eight brownstones on a hillside lot. Nicholas remodeled every floor and customized the layout of the main degree, replacing all of the unit’s rear south-facing windows with floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of her exquisite ocean view.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Gerrie Nicholas
Location: Downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
That’s interesting: The townhouse sits on the site of the former Bishop Spencer College, a Church of England school for women, which functioned from 1845 to 1972.

Before Photo

BEFORE: By removing one of the walls shown here, Nicholas turned an ineffective kitchen layout into yet another conducive for hosting. The island had protruded from a wall, making it embarrassing to walk around in the area. Nicholas rearranged the space, installed hardwood floors and replaced the cupboards.

Becki Peckham

AFTER: Newfoundland is famous for its kitchen celebrations, and Nicholas loves to entertain, so she wanted the space to make an enduring impression. A massive granite-topped island now takes center stage rather than the formerly misplaced island. The encompassing countertops are topped with a complementary darker granite, whereas fresh cabinets are painted with a creamy off-white. The island drawers and cabinets have been stained a deep brown.

Granite: Diamond Stone Formation; cupboards: Cherry Nook; drum lights: Lighting World; appliances: Sears; chairs: Winners; backsplash, door components: Rona

Before Photo

BEFORE: Nicholas substituted these windows over the sink to capitalize on the view.

Becki Peckham

AFTER: The kitchen now has its very own cozy sitting area for reading, with traditional-style furniture. “I am inspired by many fashions and enjoy when periods can be merged harmoniously,” says Nicholas. The chairs are breeding pieces by Councill Craftsmen in North Carolina, and also the ottoman was made by hand in Houston. The hanging Rashdizadeh silk carpet is from Iran, in which Nicholas dwelt with her late husband for a year at the ’70s.

Wall paint: Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore; drum lights: Lighting World; granite: Diamond Stone Formation

Becki Peckham

Storage was really important for Nicholas, as she had moved from a 4,000-square-foot house into this townhouse. New built-in closets serve as a pantry and provide storage for serving dishes. The frosted glass door allows light into the basement, in which there are no windows.

Becki Peckham

The kitchen opens into a deck with a barbecue for outdoor dining during the summer. About giving up a garden at the downsizing, Nicholas says, “that I really like to admire it but do not love the job. I have two decks, and container gardening works for me.”

Paint: Sisal, Benjamin Moore; Trim: White Down, Benjamin Moore

Becki Peckham

The townhouse is built on a hill, and the south side of the basement provides a ground level walk-out via an attached garage. Before the renovation, the basement was one open, unfinished area. Nicholas split the space up by creating a closed-off, independent area for storage along with a porch space for shoes and coats.

Before Photo

BEFORE: Here you can view the preceding hallway that led to the kitchen. Nicholas closed this hallway up and added a compact bathroom. She replaced the iron balusters with wood spindles and painted the whole area a hot white to brighten up everything.

Becki Peckham

AFTER: The townhouse is four stories high, with two collections of walnut hardwood stairs. On the main level are the kitchen, living room and dining room. Throughout the renovation, a whirlpool hallway to the left of the staircase was closed off and turned into a small bathroom and a closet on the other side. The stairs was custom made by local staircase expert Dave Carter.

Wall paint: Indian White, Benjamin Moore; staircase: English Chestnut blot, Rona; canvas printing of cove: Bold Creative

Becki Peckham

The new powder room is just 3 feet by two feet. Nicholas recalls that as being her biggest challenge throughout the renovation. “On paper the dimensions functioned, but I wasn’t convinced until I’d the construction crew do the greatest test. They had to input the powder room, pass the vanity/sink easily and sit on the bathroom.”

Nicholas repurposed a chest of drawers into a vanity and inserted a custom-cut fossil marble countertop.

Wall paint: Smoky Green, Benjamin Moore; bathroom, faucet: James Crawford

Becki Peckham

Nicholas chose a clear vessel sink so as not to obstruct the view of all the gorgeous fossil details in the marble.

Sink: Rona; fossil marble: Diamond Stone Formation

Before Photo

BEFORE: The multipurpose second-story living room had a corner propane fireplace which was too small for the space, and smaller windows.

Becki Peckham

AFTER: Larger windows let enormous quantities of light in and optimize the harbor view. Nicholas also eliminated a corner terrace.

Windows: The Window Shop; wall paint: Timid White, Benjamin Moore

Becki Peckham

Nicholas’ daughter is a musician who resides but comes home for the summer and Christmas. While it was hard to maneuver this baby grand piano up the stairs, it fits perfectly at the far corner of their living room.

Becki Peckham

Nicholas transformed one of the bedroom closetsinto a compact workspace. After removing the doors, she added a built-in desk for her computer. Shelving on every side of the desk keeps clutter to a minimum.

Paint: Hazy Skies, Benjamin Moore

Becki Peckham

With three stories at the front and four at the trunk, Nicholas says, “I get my exercise by climbing flights of stairs daily.” Throughout the renovation she replaced the stair treads and refinished all the floors in the house. The dark railing nicely contrasts the medium brown floors and light walls, and ties in with all the kitchen island.

Wall paint: Timid White, Benjamin Moore; staircase, floor blot: English Chestnut, Rona

Before Photo

BEFORE: The bedroom furniture didn’t match the scale of the space, and the window and door positioning needed reconfiguration. Nicholas made better utilization of the wall resulting in the terrace by installing a single large window and a doorway to the left to allow for space past the bed. She replaced the carpet with hardwood floors.

Becki Peckham

AFTER: The master suite plus a small laundry closet are on the top floor, the reward for the stair climb being a spectacular harbour view. High ceilings and white walls keep the space appearing fresh, while dim furniture accents warm it up. Two red chairs in front of the huge window provide a relaxing reading place where to enjoy the view.

Wall paint: Timid White, Benjamin Moore

Before Photo

BEFORE: The toilet might be one of the biggest transformations. Before, dated white and cream ceramic tile covered the floor and the tub surround.

Becki Peckham

AFTER: Nicholas rearranged the whole toilet around the tub and made use of the awkward ceiling. Large mirrors assist reflect window light and make the space seem larger than it is. She picked other reflective surfaces for vanity lights, tile and accessories trim, including a glass shower surround to keep things open and light.

Wall paint: Winds Breath, Benjamin Moore

Becki Peckham

The master bedroom features a small terrace with a downtown view. Nicholas replaced the preceding iron railings with glass panels for a uninterrupted view.

Becki Peckham

This is the gorgeous view that offered Nicholas in the Caribbean house. Historical sites including St. John’s Harbour, the Narrows and Signal Hill, where Marconi received the first wireless transatlantic message in 1901, can be viewed from her upstairs bedroom. “Downtown St. John’s has historic buildings and the colored ‘jelly bean’ houses,” Nicholas says. “The row houses are painted different vivid colours, which help compensate for the gray rain, drizzle and fog we all experience in abundance.”

Becki Peckham

Gerrie Nicholas loves a glass of wine in her kitchen, where she has spent many nights entertaining guests. “That is my center of operation,” she states. “It is where I reside, read, entertain and reflect.”

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Guest Groups: Settees for Each Room and Style

One of my customers recently transferred into a home. She didn’t have to fill it with another storage or desk piece, so we decided it’d be the ideal place for a comfortable sitting room. And because it’s in a major traffic area, we knew the space may only accommodate a compact piece of furniture. Her distance is match by A settee and needs perfectly.

I’ve assembled here some choices that are interpretations of this timeless settee and are all under 60 inches long, which is the perfect length for the end of a bed, a foyer, a kitchen or a little apartment. — Julieann from Jace Interiors and CreateGirl

Robin Pelissier Interior Design & Robin’s Nest

Designer Robin Pelissier utilized a settee to turn an entryway into a welcoming place to put on shoes.

Horchow

‘Fleming” Settee – $1,399

The loose feather down seat brings a sink-in-and-relax feeling to Horchow’s Fleming settee. It’s fantastic for a rainy day.

Safavieh

Mercer Modern MCR4586A Settee

If you are looking for a little Hollywood glamour, this is the piece for you. Its back and armless style evoke a attitude.

Elton Settee – $699

West Elm’s tufted Elton settee is available in 16 colorful fabrics and can be affordably priced.

hickoryfurniture.com

Southern Furniture Living Room Darcy Settee

The Darcy settee is one of my favorites and will be the alternative my client and that I chose. The slightly flared arms and nailhead trim fit right in with the client’s contemporary but family-friendly kitchen.

S. B. Long Interiors

A settee in the end of a bed produces an inviting reading area.

Target

Swoop-arm Button-tufted Linen Settee, Navy – $699.99

This swoop-arm settee in a navy linen would make for a handsome reading corner in a bedroom or living room nook.

wesleyhall.com

Settee 705-53

This settee with wood trim is another glamorous choice that will fit into a bedroom setting.

Target

Hudson Upholstered Settee Love Seat Bench, Slate Velvet – $199.99

This Hudson settee is offered by target .

Lee Jofa

Wentworth Settee H4330-5

Lee Jofa’s Wentworth settee with nailhead trim and casters is a more traditional approach, but it’s one that commands attention.

Horchow

White ‘Pandora’ Settee – $1,099

This Victorian-inspired settee with large arms, tufting plus a reverse rear definitely injects some romance into a distance.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Belle 1/2 & Chair

The Belle is much more of a seat and a half, but I am slipping it in this category because I just adore the skirted camel-back look.

Jonathan Adler

Mrs. Godfrey Settee, Venice Navy – $2,395

Jonathan Adler’s Mrs. Godfrey settee has blank lines, a midcentury vibe along with decorative buttons. It’s a handsome choice that’s available in many fabrics.

Rachel Reider Interiors

Rachel Reider used a settee in a dining room to make an inviting and relaxed sense in the area.

Ballard Designs

Parker Settee – $1,049

The oh-so-impressive Parker settee from Ballard Designs commands attention with its original look and bigger size.

Vanguard Furniture

Living Room Settee 9706-SE

This Vanguard settee is a handsome choice with pinstripes and narrow sloped arms.

Horchow

‘Lemon Maze’ Settee – $1,399

A lemony yellow settee will be the piece of freshness you need in a kitchen. Whether used to pack people to get a dinner party or couch with the paper and a cup of java, this is one versatile piece of furniture.

Century Furniture

Monica Settee

This settee from Century Furniture has a tight spine, clean lines and a generous thickness. It’s a great mix of function and aesthetics.

Target

Zigzag Armless Settee, Gray – $499.99

If you are just moving into your first flat and want a young and fresh-looking piece for extra seating, this zigzag settee is right for you. The gray and white layout will work with just about any colour scheme, even those walls that you are not allowed to paint.

Next: 14 Settees and Lounges That Work Magic in Tiny Spaces

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Guest Groups: Crushing on Orange

There is no denying that the color tangerine is a hot trend right now. If you call it coral, tangerine or orange, the color is guaranteed to bring some life to any space. This collection is filled with simple and realistic ways to add a pop of this color to a room. With everything from a simple throw pillow to a statement carpet, you might get a crush orange also. — Courtney from A Thoughtful Place

Tangerine Tango is Pantone’s 2012 color of this year

West Elm

Turned-Leg Nightstand, Vermillion – $249

I love the traditional turned legs on this bit paired with the more modern drawer front. I’d love to use this alongside a sharp white bed or in a small entryway.

Cost Plus World Market

Orange/Red Damask Throw – $39.99

The damask print gets a great update with this bold color. I’d use this on the arm using a neutral chair or sofa. It would be a tiny touch of color without a significant commitment.

Anthropologie

Wise Ol’ Canister, Orange – $128

I like the whimsy of this canister. I’d love to utilize this in my black and white kitchen. It’s certainly a fun way to conceal those biscuits.

Etsy

Monogrammed Coral Chevron Print Throw Pillow by Tootledoo Designs – $35

I love a fantastic monogram. Should you add one to an orange chevron pillow, then you have a fantastic combination. I’d love to see this on a crisp bed.

Crate&Barrel

Suffolk Chair – $999

What is not to love about this chair? I’d use this in a living room beside a neutral sofa. I would also throw a pale cream throw on it to add more texture.

CB2

Format Orange Tray – $39.95

This tray is an simple way to infuse orange in your room with very little commitment. I love that you can set it out for business or use it every day to host magazines and new flowers.

Anthropologie

Henri Dining Chair, Pink – $168

I’d pair these seats with a fantastic rustic farm dining table. I love their little scale that allows for more seating around a large table.

West Elm

Gradiated-Stripe Cotton Rug, Tangerine – $19

This carpet has so much personality. The stripes are timeless, and I love the brand new color. I’d use this at a family room or playroom to bring some additional color.

Anthropologie

Smoldering Hues Shower Curtain – $118

This shower curtain is feminine and fun. The ombre cherry color could add a sense of whimsy to any bathroom.

Modern Decorative Pillows – $20

I enjoy that I can add a dash of orange with this throw pillow. I am also fond of the button depth.

Etsy

Pouf Ottoman Floor Pillow Chain Links in Bright Orange by Anita Scasa – $75

Swoon. If a bright orange pouf doesn’t cause you to smile, I don’t know what’s going to. What a fantastic ottoman for a neutral-based room or for additional seating in a family room or guest room.

The Container Store

Intelligent Stockholm Office Storage Boxes – $9.99

I love using these containers to hold past issues of magazines, in addition to my printer newspaper. The vivid colours pop from any background.

Anthropologie

Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase – $28

I secretly would like three of them. I’d love to down them the middle of my dining room table with white linens and white flowers indoors. The color combination in the vase makes me swoon.

CB2

Knitted Blood Orange Pouf – $89.95

Kick your feet up on this, or pull it up for additional seating. I’d love to bring a dash of color to my living room with this.

CB2

12-3-6-9 24″ wall clock – $79.95

What’s it? I’d certainly use this as an addition to a black and white gallery wall. It would likewise be a whimsical addition to a playroom or child’s bedroom.

Anthropologie

Sunflower Medallion Knob, Coral – $8

Yes, please! I can not wait to bring these to a freshly painted white dresser. I love to add just a little unexpected color and allure into a simple piece.

Quad Persimmon Stool – $129

I enjoy these pops of persimmon for under the table. In a little space they’re super handy to pull out when friends stop by. I would also utilize two together as a coffee table setup.

Etsy

Vintage Shabby Orange Industrial Bookends by Orange Door Vintage – $19

I love these. They are such a sweet way to add a pop of color, and I love the classic feel. All these are good for adding just a little bit of this industrial fashion into your space too.

Target

Dec Home C1 2012 Modern Morocco Collection – $9.99

This is an excellent collection of bits that adds a punch of persimmon. I love the shape of the lamp and would place it in a bedroom or living room. The lantern and cushions are vibrant and might even look cute in an outdoor terrace.

Target

Rachael Ray 1.5 Qt. Whistling Teakettle, Orange – $29.99

Don’t forget about your kitchen. I’d leave it out on the stove top to accessorize the space. I enjoy the posh look of it, and the fun color adds a lot of personality.

Next: Tangerine Tango: 4 Ways to Use Pantone’s Color of the Year

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Price of Furnishing a Nursery

Having a baby is an expensive endeavor: babies born in 2015 to middle-income parents from the U.S. will [price at least $242,000](http://www.whattoexpect.com/preconception/preparing-for-baby/work-and-finance/what-babies-really-cost.aspx) — every one — to increase to age 18. Babies, like weddings, are big business. Estimates vary by demographic and region, but new parents spend about [$6,000](http://www.parenting.com/article/the-cost-of-bringing-up-baby) about nursery furniture, strollers, car seats, clothing, toys and more. That is a lot to wrap your mind around for such a little man, but a design budget of $50,000 can be spent only as easily as a more modest $1,000. Make a list of needs versus wants and set your budget before you begin.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Chances are good that you know someone with kids past the nursery phase of existence who’s willing to sell or give you furniture. If the nursery items are in good shape, offer to buy one or more items. Some people could only give you their hand-me-downs. You may also visit consignment stores or thrift stores, but you probably won’t find any cribs because of stringent security criteria. All recent crib versions, regardless of brand or cost, must pass safety criteria to be sold in stores. Even with a brand new crib, it is possible to furnish your nursery for under $500 — if you shop carefully or buy used furniture that you paint.

Know When to Splurge

A safe crib and crib are a requirement; diaper bins, fancy switching tables and high-tech baby monitors aren’t. Yes, you can spend $1,000 on bedding, however, if your total budget is $1,500 — be smart. As long as your baby is clean, dry and warm, the baby won’t understand the difference between the ultra-luxury bedding along with also the big-box store variety. By sticking with the fundamentals of a crib, mattress, coordinated bedding, dresser, changing table and glider or rocker, the [average price](http://www.babycenter.com/baby-cost-calculator) in the time of publication is $1,079. This specifically includes: * Crib – $230 * Crib Mattress – $99 * Coordinated bedding set – $150 * Altering table – $120 * Glider or rocker – $230 * Dresser – $250

Furniture Convertibles

**Look in nursery purchasing as an investment by buying furniture that grows with your child**: a crib that transitions into a toddler bed, a daybed and finally a complete size bed; a bassinet that transitions into a toy container and bookshelf — and after a table and seat, and a changing table that can be taken out from the dresser top. While there are crib transition choices that can cost upwards of $2,500, there are also many that fall near the average crib cost. Take wall decor, accessories and lighting to consideration here, also. Opt for a more sophisticated look that rises with the child rather than cutesy for greater budget friendliness.

Wait Until After the Shower

New babies mean presents. If you want the more lavish things like the $5,000 crib, then the $1,000 chandelier and the $2,400 monogrammed area rug, place your wishes on a baby registry and wait until after the baby shower to purchase anything still missing you feel you have to have. First-time grandparents, aunts and uncles often pitch in for items that you need — such as that fantastic glider for nursing your baby. Baby showers bring clothes, toys, accessories and other little necessities. Signing up for a registry additionally prevents repeatedly answering what you need; only send the link and say thank you.

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The way to repair an LG Washing Machine With an LE Code

LG, the electronics and appliances conglomerate, manufactures a variety of high-efficiency washing machines. Whether you’ve got a front- or top-loading model, then your LG washer is equipped with an error-monitoring system. When the LE code appears in your screen, it indicates a problem with the motor. The problem can be linked to a number of different issues. In order to clean the error, determine which issue is at hand.

New Installation

The LE error code can appear in an LG drier’s screen if setup issues exist. It indicates a miscommunication between the clean motor and the control panel. Generally, you may simply reset the drier to solve the issue. Unplug your drier before pressing and holding the Start/Pause button for about five seconds. Plug it back in and set the washer to a rinse-spin cycle to find out whether the code has cleared. If the code reappears from the screen, contact LG in the phone number in your owner’s manual for aid.

Thermal Overload Protection

Your drier may display the LE code if the thermal overload protection circuit in the motor has been tripped. The attribute is designed to prevent the motor from overheating and causing irreversible damage to the drier. To clear the error code, the motor must cool down. Allow the drier to sit for about half an hour before restarting the cycle. If the code reappears, the motor may have an issue that needs a support call. Unplug your drier and contact LG.

Excess Suds

If your washer finds excessive soap suds from the drum, the LE error code may appear. Normally, excessive sudsing takes place when you use too much high-efficiency detergent or a detergent that is not especially high-efficiency detergent. Always follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual and on the soap label to determine what kind of detergent, and just how much, to utilize. To get rid of soap suds from the drum and clean the code, unplug your washer and let it sit for a half hour in order that the suds may dissolve. Plug the washing machine back in and turn it on, hitting on the Spin Speed button and then choosing “No Spin.” Press the Start/Pause button to turn on a drain just cycle. When the cycle is completed, remove the load from the bathtub. Begin a rinse-spin cycle to clean away any deposits. You may want to repeat the cycle to eliminate all the suds.

Load Issues

The LE error code may appear in an LG drier’s screen because of specific load conditions. If you are washing a massive load, then don’t pick a gentle cycle such as Delicates, Hand Wash, Perm Press or even Wool/Silk. Reserve them for smaller loads. To reset the drier, unplug it and then press on the Start/Pause button for five seconds before plugging it back in. The LE code may indicate that the washer has been overloaded; large loads and bulky items may strain the motor. Eliminate a few things from the drier to decrease the load size and then restart the cycle. If the code looks again, allow the drier sit for a half-hour therefore that the motor has time to cool down until you restart the cycle.

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A New Decorating Book Celebrates Expert Style Mixing

This selection of 16 projects by Stephen Sills will give your coffee table elegant touch and teach you hundreds of lessons on how best to mix styles with careful editing. Sills is one of America’s premier interior decorators, and the novel features his projects from Aspen to the Hamptons, in addition to his personal labour of love and also design laboratory: his house in Bedford, New York.

Though the book features houses where the sky appears to be the limitation concerning budget, there are many lessons to be learned from them. Additionally, the stunning photos, by François Halard, make the book a joy to pick up if you feel like performing any daydreaming.

Rizzoli New York

Raised in Oklahoma, Sills moved to New York City in the 1980s and honed his unique ability to equilibrium classical and modern elements. He is also an extremely keen shopper, collecting antiques and art from all over the world.

Calming yet energetic, traditional yet avant-garde, his style has been awarded the ultimate compliment: Karl Lagerfeld asserts if he purchased a house in America, Sills would be his choice as the interior designer. (He has also done work for very discerning style divas such as Anna Wintour, Vera Wang and Tina Turner.) Below are a few key design classes from the book which can be applied to almost any home.

Rizzoli New York

Make an effect in the entrance. Yes, I know, the entrance in this Gilded Age–inspired home is larger than a great deal of our whole dwellings, but the mix of elements is a lesson. The house was decorated with the owners’ extensive modern art collection in your mind, together with classical decoration supplying a background to enhance the pieces. Museum-quality antiques complement the museum-worthy paintings.

Sills made the unique rock and wood flooring after a middle-of-the-night revelation which the keys required to go in different directions. Architectural details such as the molding, French doors and arched elements include classical refinement.

Rizzoli New York

From the kitchen, consider work first, then equilibrium styles. This kitchen has modern purpose, complete with a large island, two sinks, two dishwashers and a table. To create a rustic, comfortable European-inspired farmhouse design, the subsequent elements mix in harmony. A neutral palette featuring biscuit-white paint, and warm wood flooring, tie them together.

European design: Rustic wood beams, a large vent hood, antique plates hung on the wall and a simple square tile backsplash.

Farmhouse design:
Bin pulls, an apron-front ceramic sink and Shaker cabinets.

Modern elements: Stainless steel appliances, a pot filler over the cooker, tulip-style dining chairs and a faceted pendant lighting.

Rizzoli New York

Play with scale until you get it right. This Fifth Avenue apartment has amazing classical proportions which required furniture to match.

High ceilings and huge windows with transoms that extend virtually all of the way to the ceiling highlight dramatic height in this bedroom. This meant the bed required to highlight these proportions as well; its warm metal complete and striking shape make it a focal point, while its elevation stands around the high ceilings. Swing-arm reading sconces keep the area about it uncluttered. Additionally, easy window treatments brought right up to the crown moldings highlight the window.

Rizzoli New York

“Modern living can be achieved in classical backgrounds,” writes Sills. This 1908 Renaissance revival landmark building in New York City, The Apthorp, was sliced up and revived; Sills was tasked with bringing it back to its original glory while adapting it for modern lifestyles. Excavating through renovations which had happened over the past century to get down the initial bones, Sills prioritized restoring the building’s first classical proportions and architectural information.

To upgrade the appearance, he bleached a few of the dark paneling and added modern lighting fixtures to “lift the whole thing up,” he says. In this event a habit gilded cage adds feel round a midcentury modern world light. Carefully placed antiques and a great deal of space lead to a pleasing balance. Items such as the French wooden display add depth, texture and color to the light-colored room.

Rizzoli New York

Create versatile spaces, especially if you entertain a great deal. Within this dining area, Sills used four square black lacquer small tables which can be pushed together into one big dining table or split apart for more intimate seating arrangements.

That is in the same building since the previous photo. The mid-century light fixture has been crafted by artist Christopher Trujillo from paper plates.

Rizzoli New York

Look to Europe for garden inspiration. Back in the day, architects, designers and landscape architects used to go to Europe to get “The Grand Tour,” gleaning inspiration in the excellent gardens of England, Italy and France. Now we can have a virtual Grand Tour free of charge, thanks to the Internet and the public library.

About Sills’ land in Bedford, New York, boxwood hedges, pathways, walls and patios create distinct backyard rooms and vantage points. Antique objects such as the obelisks in the end help specify different spaces, draw the eye and create driven perspective.

Rizzoli New York

At the end of the pool, American columns topped with French urns create a border between the pool area and the woods.

Rizzoli New York

Relaxed country style doesn’t need to imply classic Americana. Sills approached this traditional 18th-century saltbox house with his clients’ desire to get a lighter and more austere take on the age. American colonial architecture, European antiques and midcentury modern furnishings play nicely together.

Bleached oak plank flooring and a Swedish painted tea table include Scandinavian country simplicity. A classic French display and modern stools include unique character. Oversize green glass bottles having big leaves play with scale, and extensive windows bring the pastoral views to the room.

Rizzoli New York

A mirror is just one of the easiest ways to make a big design effect. Sills seeks large and unique mirrors for his design projects. While the remainder of this transitional area is tailored, this intricate Roman mirror is a standout among most of the clean-lined geometric bits, including the bronze fireplace surround below.

Sills frequently puts a mirror over a fireplace, so the full tableau becomes a focal point rather than just two strong elements dueling for focus.

Rizzoli New York

Permit a favourite work of art determine the colour palette and tone of a room. This home in Aspen, Colorado, is filled with iroko wood and hot neutrals, but a painting by Joan Mitchell amps up the colour palette. With his careful editor’s eye, Sills played the reds and blues with a few other colorful pieces scattered around the area.

Rizzoli New York

Stephen Sills: Decoration – $41

Stephen Sills: Decoration premiered October 22, 2013. If you are feeling generous, it would make a superb gift for the design enthusiast on your life.

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Bridging Past and Present in a California Craftsman

It is a problem every proprietor of a historic house faces: How do you change your life to adapt your residence? And just how much can you change your home to accommodate your lifetime?

When a California couple purchased a turn-of-the-last-century bungalow on a tight-knit Santa Monica street, they were charmed by the house’s period detailing and closeness to the shore. However, the dusky woodwork cast a gloomy pall over the inside, which was at odds with their modern tastes and set of fine art photography.

The group asked Los Angeles architect Erik Evens and Woodland Hills interior designer Alana Homesley to aid them with the house’s upgrade. A specialist in historic architecture, Evens balked at the idea of painting the vintage woodwork. “My initial response was to attempt to renew the public spaces into how they were,” Evens says. “Over time the customers and Alana brought me to the point of view this home required to work for the customers’ lifestyle and aesthetic.”

Treated into a revivifying coat of white paint, the walls and woodwork still have their historic character but now reflect light and improve the furniture and artwork. “Now that I have seen the final solution, it absolutely feels like the right decision,” Evens says. “The home straddles the line between traditional and contemporary.”

in a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple and their 3 children
Location: Santa Monica, California
Size: 2,965 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 baths
That is intriguing: The houses in this area were originally built on sand dunes, together with boardwalks leading to every residence.

Evens Architects

The spacious front door opens directly into the living room, dividing the room into two seating areas. Here Brenda Anton wing chairs are paired with a lithe custom coffee table designed to evaporate into the setting. Bleached colors underscore the coastline setting without resorting to shore house clichés.

Evens Architects

The seats group is more informal on the opposite side of the living room, where a custom chaise was used instead of a sofa to preserve views of this fireplace. The chairs are from Christian Liaigre.

The living room ceiling felt especially low before the painting job, due to the unpleasant distinction between the brown white and wood coffers. Now that both are painted the exact same colour, one notices the craftsmanship, not only the contrast.

Evens Architects

The owners’ photographs set is exhibited on the plate rail in the dining area, where the original built-in buffet has been treated to a coat of paint. (The walls are probably painted Pith out of Martha Stewart Living, the programmer states; the trimming is your brand’s Bright White.)

Thecustomchairs are coated in a watery gray-blue Hampton linen in Mallard out of Rose Tarlow. “I like colours that aren’t easy to comprehend,” states Homesley. “I find it quite soothing, and I think it works very nicely with wood tones and with white”

Evens Architects

The chandelier is a modern creation from Lindsey Adelman. It is an unconventional choice for a Craftsman bungalow, but Homesley believed the room needed something funky and a bit sparkly to contrast with all the natural finishes.

Evens Architects

The kitchen”was pretty dreadful and seriously in need of updating,” Evens says. The plan team gutted the room, creating a generous fresh cooking area designed for food lovers who enjoy fun in their kitchen.

Industrial-style stools cozy up to an island covered with walnut butcher block and illuminated by a pair of vintage mercury glass pendants. New beams and tongue and groove paneling add curiosity overhead.

Evens Architects

The gray-blue colour introduced in the dining area continues in the kitchen, in the form of Dark Grey Whale subway tile out of Heath Ceramics. The counters are coated in Pietra del Cardoso, a sandstone that looks like bluestone but is stronger and more resistant to staining.

Shelves installed facing the windows screen the owners’ ceramics collection and filter views of the neighboring residence.

Evens Architects

Architect Evens was able to squeeze four bedrooms and three baths to the next floor by reconfiguring the staircase and including a dormer back. The master bedroom, shown here, was opened into the roofline and outfitted with structural ties along with a tongue and groove ceiling.

Evens Architects

Woven grass Conrad shades were used throughout the house. “We needed privacy, because the houses are so close together,” states Homesley,”but we did not wish to block out all the light”

The custom walnut credenza in the master bedroom has been created taller than ordinary, to look less modern.

Evens Architects

As you may expect from a house dating back to about 1903, the original master bathroom was considerably smaller. Evens borrowed space from adjoining chambers to create this fresh toilet, aspiring to something that was traditional but glossy. Horizontal planks produce a solid line around the room. The contractor for your remodel was Krassel Construction.

Evens Architects

The iron bathtub has its own nook; recessed shelves maintain toiletries close at hand.

Evens Architects

The extensive front porch promotes interaction with the street.

Evens Architects

Due to the area’s historic temperament, the architect was not allowed to change the house’s facade, save to get a fresh coat of paint.

Evens Architects

The houses on the street were originally built on sand dunes, with board boardwalks linking the homes into the street.

Front doorway bisects the living room, restricting the quantity and positioning of furniture. New glass pocket doors divide the dining area from the analysis; the neighboring stair hallway was reconfigured, also.

Click image to enlarge.

To fit four bedrooms and three baths in the next floor, Evens reconfigured the staircase, inserted a rear dormer and tucked cabinets beneath the eaves flanking the master bedroom. Bedrooms 2 and 3 share a frequent bathroom, conserving space.

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A Southern Vacation Home Trots Out Equestrian Style

When Terry Pylant, leader at Historical Concepts, came across a barn conversion in this client’s inspiration record for her family’s next home, the customer told him”I am attracted to this, but I don’t know whether I wish to stay in a barn.” Inspired by the notion and how this South Carolina land was near the horse stables in its private neighborhood, he designed a house that looks like an equestrian building, laid out in a manner which suits the family’s relaxed Lowcountry lifestyle. The house also has a dogtrot house design; separate zones for children, parents, in-laws and frequent use; and a few industrial details. Have a closer look at just how barn design wound up satisfying the customers just fine.

at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a vacation home for a family of 4
Location: Spring Island, South Carolina
Size: 2,900 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 31/2 bathrooms and also a 1-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse

Historical Concepts

Big sliding barn doors and Bahama shutters punctuate front of the house and also let the owners batten it down when they head home to Princeton, New Jersey. The shutters function like Bermuda shutters but are planked to match in with barn design.

Historical Concepts

Historical Concepts

A cupola and dormers on the roof let in light and make ventilation, important elements in the home’s layout; the windows are open and operational via a motor.

Details like electrified gas lanterns, board and batten siding, a metal roof and exposed vent pipes add to the barn feeling.

Historical Concepts

Historical Concepts

The neighborhood required muted colours; Pylant chose a woodsy palette which blends well with the coastal trees and shrubs around the house. He added a bit of barn red in the window trim.

Paint colours: siding: Norwich Brown; trimming: Mountain Moss; windows: Georgia Brick, all by Benjamin Moore

Historical Concepts

Large barn doors open to the open dogtrot entrance area. (A dogtrot is an open breezeway, and dogtrot homes are common in Lowcountry.) Large displays are wrapped in pockets so the whole opening can be screened, allowing the breeze without letting in the bugs.

Historical Concepts

The dogtrot supplies an open-air entrance that receives light in the cupola overhead. A catwalk connects a bunk space to a sitting room/office upstairs.

“We maintained the catwalk as open as possible so that it didn’t block too much light in the cupola,” Pylant states. “The industrial texture is an interesting counterpoint to the barn fashion.”

A large fireplace draws everyone into the dogtrot during cold months. “The owners tell me that the dogtrot is a magnet for individuals each time they have parties,” he states.

Historical Concepts

The owners wanted the kitchen sink to look out to the dogtrot fireplace; windows share the light and make the idea of a horse stall. “I can’t tell you how essential the common light is in this house,” Pylant states.

Putting the sink on the dogtrot side dictated that the range be placed in the island, and the customers’ variety required a commercial vent hood.

Frustrated with all the options available (too contemporary or overly average ), Pylant wanted something big scale which looked like it had been fashioned from farm equipment. “Our builder, Monty Jones, is a true artisan,” he states. Jones had some metalworkers custom fabricate the drum using a standard commercial range insert. When asked about the finish, the owners instead enjoyed the fingerprints and discoloration and wanted to see what could happen if they just left it alone. Now it’s a exceptional patina that adds another dose of well-worn industrial fashion.

Historical Concepts

The upstairs windows share the light in the sitting room/office with all the downstairs living room.

“We couldn’t do a barn house and not utilize wide-planked pine floors,” Pylant states. He used 12-inch ponderosa pine planks, which stand up to kids and dogs.

Historical Concepts

In the primary living space, spacious planks on the walls include more barn feeling. “These are just pine planks butted up against each other,” Pylant states. “They maintain the simple, clean appearance that conveys the barn look through the interior.” Native Aged Savannah Gray bricks give the chimney an outdated appearance.

Additionally carrying the barn theme through are rough-hewn beams intended to evoke a hayloft.

Historical Concepts

Other parts of the house have concrete floors, for example, dining area, screened-in porch and dogtrot area. All the spaces flow in a logical manner; a few paces permit the family to choose between the indoor dining area and the screened-in porch at mealtimes.

Historical Concepts

Tall pine trees and the screened-in porch along the back of the house mitigate the direct sunshine.

Historical Concepts

The thoughtful design was quite important to the way the family lives here, especially when the children bring friends home. The children have a two-story zone on one side of the house, the communal areas are located at the center, and the parents have a first-floor master suite off the back of the house.

The upper floor would be the son’s domain; it includes a bedroom, a bunk room and a little sitting room (at the end of the catwalk) and a bath. “You will find a bunch of bunks; you can pile up children like a cord of wood,” Plyant states. Downstairs the girl has a bedroom, bath and sitting area.

Historical Concepts

This is the upstairs sitting area, which overlooks the living area. Each one of the great light coming in throughout the dormers is shared with the first floor.

The son’s and kid’s zones will also work when they develop, as guest suites where they can remain with families of their own.

Historical Concepts

On the back, the master suite is at the left; its arrangement is intended to resemble a secure supervisor’s office inserted onto the barn.

Historical Concepts

A glass corridor contributes to the main bedroom and a tiny office. Barn doors create the idea of rooms as former horse stalls.

“One means that vacation home offices differ is that they need to enjoy the view and light,” Pylant states.

Thanks to telecommuting, the family can spend long stints in South Carolina, but it was important for the workspace to also incorporate the gorgeous surroundings.

Historical Concepts

The parental zone also has its own private patio.

Historical Concepts

More pine planks on the walls, pine countertops and a claw-foot tub give this bath relaxed country style.

Historical Concepts

The property also includes a garage with storage area overhead. “The window is great, because no one wants to go as much as a dim and dank loft to locate something,” Pylant states.

There’s a garden between the garage and the guesthouse, which serves as a private space for seeing grandparents.

More: See more converted barns and barn-inspired houses

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