athena_bautista's ideas
9. Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) Persian shield’s 6- to 8-inch-long puckered, pointed leaves — with a green background, purple undersides and iridescent pinkish-purple and silver highlights — are a stunning and unexpected addition to your landscape. Though they only overwinter in areas that are frost-free or almost frost-free, they’re happy as an annual elsewhere. They’re also a great container plant that’s happy to spend the winter indoors. Highlight them on their own or use their purple and silver foliage as a backdrop for other plants.
3. Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) Green may be the traditionally accepted color for ferns, but the Japanese painted fern proves that’s not a given. Its finely divided fronds are gray and burgundy, although you still may spot a bit of green on the plant. This fern adds brightness and unexpected color to a shady spot in your garden. Even better, it has few insects and pests and can handle both the cold and wet feet (roots). Its fronds appear in mid-spring and will still look fresh in fall.
Crescent Builds 2. Frame the Views Climb up on your roof and consider the views. Can you see water or mountains, or a landmark such as the Space Needle? Don’t dismiss views of your own garden or your favorite trees. “You’ll gain better views from a second floor,” Bergdahl says. “Position your new windows to take advantage of those.” When the team added a second floor to a Broadview midcentury modern home, they installed a large window in the bathroom, seen here, to showcase the views of Puget Sound. Top-down, bottom-up shades provide privacy without sacrificing the vista.
8. Lack of trays. Not everyone needs an abundance of tray storage. For those clients, I will add a partition to the cabinet and adjustable shelves to the other side.
Kitchen & Bath Works SaveEmail 7. Shelf above tray storage. Some clients don’t need tall tray storage because their trays aren’t that wide or they store them on their sides, as shown here. If this is the case for you, consider adding a shelf above the trays for extra storage.
Hamilton-Gray Design, Inc. SaveEmail 11. Kitchen mail station. About 98,000 community members long for this kitchen command station, complete with bookshelves, mail slots and a desk. It’s a great way to avoid that midweek paper pileup, and it conveniently lets someone supervise homework time while cooking dinner.
v6. Cookie sheet drawer. More than 210,000 users agree that this divided drawer is the solution for a range of muffin tins, broiler pans, cooling racks and cookie sheets. If you don’t have a drawer to spare, try a narrow pullout near the stove or add wood or metal dividers to the cabinet above your refrigerator.
Glenvale Kitchens SaveEmail 2. Corner drawer. Ingenious corner drawers are a creative solution for awkward corners, which is why 440,000 Houzzers saved this photo. The drawers run diagonally into the corner, which makes them deeper than most and therefore lets them pack a bigger storage punch.
5. Undercabinet pot rack. Speaking of having things within easy reach, this home in Scotland offers a smart solution for copper cookware. A long rail beneath high-hanging upper cabinets puts pots and saucepans always at the ready — and on gorgeous display when not in use.
6. Step-stool cabinet. Figuring out where to put a step stool might seem like a trivial matter, but when you use one often and don’t want it cluttering up the kitchen, the situation can become a bit frustrating. Houzz writer Becky Harris found several smart solutions for conveniently storing step stools, including this slim cabinet at the end of an island.
While not a tree, this clump of bamboo makes a pretty addition to a well-lit stairwell. The stones provide a nice finish on top of the soil.
pantry
8. Embellished Ceiling Good designers pay attention to what they call “the fifth wall” — the ceiling. Here, stained wood and beams draw the eye up and provide a warm element.
porch 6. Fireplace A fireplace not only keeps a porch toasty on cool nights but also provides a pleasing focal point. Here, the stone surround and unique wood mantel adds to the rustic vibe on the porch.
4. TV on the Porch It’s hard to imagine anything but a really big game or a riveting episode of Game of Thrones taking the attention away from this beautiful view. But if you’re at a location like this and you’re going to choose to watch TV, why not enjoy the fresh air, the view and some college football at the same time? (Or on the flip side, is this a technological invasion on the spot where you’d prefer to enjoy nature? I’d love to hear what you think about this in the Comments section.)
3. Comfortable Furniture The upholstery on porches today is thicker and cushier, making the porch furniture just as comfortable as the living room furniture. Rugs also have made their way to these indoor/outdoor rooms, as well as other indoor elements such as art, throw pillows and lamps. Thanks to advances in durable textiles, cushions and rugs can withstand the elements.
2. Porch Swing In the days before climate control, porches were a must, especially in the South. This gorgeous 1770 South Carolina mansion has a double porch that provides space to catch a breeze and be sheltered from the sun during hot, sticky summers.
Looney Ricks Kiss SaveEmail 4. Think multipurpose. If you have the extra space, a laundry room is great for incorporating other functions, such as craft areas, work stations, message centers and more. That way you can double up on your productivity during a busy work and laundry day. Island countertop: walnut; perimeter countertops: Sea Grass limestone; paint: Alabaster (walls) and Frosty White (cabinets), Sherwin-Williams
7. Have fun. OK, not everyone can put a slide in their home leading down to the laundry room and mudroom, but the idea is something to embrace. Bring a little fun to your space, whether it’s through color, pattern, accessories or, yes, a playground structure. The uplifting effect will spark much-needed joy during your next washday.
3. Remote venting. Picture this: You’re taking a long, steamy shower in the middle of winter after a long day. You spend extra time, and as such, you create extra water vapor. You turn on the bathroom vent, and suddenly the relaxing atmosphere (pardon the pun) evaporates as soon as you hear the obnoxious whirring of the vent. Remote venting removes this problem entirely. The actual motor for the vent (whether it is in your bathroom or kitchen) is moved several feet away, usually into the attic. So while the venting power is still strong, the sound is practically gone. I’ve had several customers say they brag to their friends about how quiet their bathroom vents are. To some this may sound … odd. But once you’ve had a remote vent installed, you’ll understand.
1. Screwless outlet and switch plates. Who knew not seeing a couple of screws could make such a difference? Screwless plates are actually just screw-on plates with a smooth cover that pops over the top. They go a long way toward creating a sleek, finished look and come in a variety of colors. My personal favorite brand is Lutron, but there are tons of others.
3. Three brothers in one big room. These parents decided to let their three boys experience an old-fashioned shared bedroom. Architect Tony De Jesus took on the challenge of making a space where the siblings could sleep, study and play. A loft with twin beds and two more beds underneath gave them plenty of sleeping space. Around that, he worked in a large desk, dresser and TV for video games. A shared space might not be as private, but the boys will have memories that will last a lifetime.
Pro: Storage is more accessible. Having your pantry smack dab in the middle of your kitchen will cut down on the time you spend walking to and from your pantry. Placing it next to your refrigerator and across from your range will create hyperefficient workstations. Inside features can also increase your cabinet pantry’s accessibility. Pullout drawers, for instance, allow you to see every snack and ingredient at once, which reduces the amount of time you’ll spend rummaging. They’re easy on your back too.
Reduce maintenance. Perhaps the easiest living wall of them all, a pair of panels filled with a rainbow of air plants (Tillandsia spp.) requires neither soil nor drip irrigation. Naturally evolved to collect nutrients and moisture from the air, Tillandsia are a perfect choice for low-maintenance vertical gardens.
STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS SaveEmail Bring nature in. Use a vertical garden as a natural backsplash for your indoor tub or shower to get the feeling of bathing outdoors. Here, preserved moss benefits from moisture in the air to stay just as soft to the touch as it looks. Since the moss is no longer living, steam from the tub will cause it no harm.
If you want to get down deep in the trenches of the Caribbean, bright walls, bold curtains and floral prints on a sofa with a woven base will take you there. You'll find this decor in plenty of resorts throughout the islands. Tip: Blues, yellows and greens work harmoniously. These watery, soothing colors look great balanced with the white floor lamps and white molding.
Q