Capella Kincheloe - formerly of Michael Smith Inc.

My friend Anne dropped by today with magazine treats, including the Sep issue of Atlanta Homes. In the What's Hot Now! section I noticed that Capella Kincheloe, formerly with Michael Smith Inc., had relocated to Atlanta and opened her own firm. In addition to traditional design services, Capella offers IDESIGN. This beautiful, restful bedroom was an IDESIGN project and if you check out the before pictures you'll see it's a complete transformation. Love the wall color, the taupe shades and the unique fabric on the bolster.

Just noticed the carpet at the foot of the bed that pulls in all the colors.
All three of these rooms feature an abstract painting that amps up the sophistication factor. The abstract in the room above is by Atlanta artist Tina Steele Lindsey. Notice how Capella propped the painting below in front of a traditional gilt frame.
Capella also writes a blog - A Curated Lifestyle. For more images of her work go here. If you're in Atlanta Nov. 27 - Dec. 12 you'll be able to see more of her work as she was selected as one of the designers for the 2010 Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle Christmas House.

(all images via Capella Kincheloe Interior Design)

A Kitchen Wall of Windows

Some of my favorite kitchens are those with few overhead cabinets and one full wall of windows. This Charleston kitchen and adjoining den are flooded with light and feel very connected to the outside garden.

I'm guessing the owners removed the walls leaving just the fireplace wall. I like how it both separates and connects the spaces at the same time.

Think happy thoughts for me - the computer I use (the one with all my photos in it!) appears very dead. All hopes now rest with my son's 16 yr old friend who is a computer genious - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Images via Carriage Properties here.

Stalking "My" Seaside House

More accurately, STILL stalking this story book seaside house in Watch Hill, RI. The reference to "my" is strictly aspirational. I can't visit Watch Hill without gazing at this house and taking as many pictures as possible - even with husband and kids reminding me I already have all these same pictures!
The quality of the detailing is incredible and just amps up the charm of this home.
Here I am peering through the gate meant to keep people like me at bay.


The view out to the ocean. Could it be more perfect? By chance has anybody ever been inside this home?

Do you have a home you covet and re-visit as often as possible?

Dilemma Design : Bringing Home Some Vacation Style

f you’re like many of us, you may have just returned from a summer vacation where you ate to your heart’s content, relaxed, and perhaps discovered new beauty in exotic locales. Part of the fun may have been staying in an interior with a totally different look from your own home. Maybe a mountain chalet, an Italian villa, a whitewashed Greek cliffside abode, or an island hut. Want to keep the magic flowing once you’re home again? Here are a few ideas:

Indulge in textiles. Nearly every exotic locale has its own traditional textiles which can include rugs, wall hangings and fabrics for clothing, curtains and interiors. An easy way to bring your vacation experience home is to pick up a particularly striking textile piece and bring it home with you. Use it as a wall hanging, a bedspread, a drape, or to recover a piece of furniture or a cushion.

Go minimal. Something you may have noticed in your travels is that most people around the world live simply. And if you stayed in a hotel or a vacation rental, chances are you also stayed in a place that was uncluttered and lightly furnished. Why not try the same look at home by clearing out the clutter?

Above, a French weekend home is colorful, but uncluttered. Below, designer Paolo Navone exercises restraint in her simple, all-white Greek isle vacation home.

Invest in a mosquito net. Gauzy, romantic, and oh-so necessary in many warm climates, a mosquito net is an easy way to bring a little bit of vacation romance to your bedroom. Plus, this is one decorative touch that’s also quite functional!

Toss the electronics. Okay, you probably don’t want to actually get rid of all your high-tech devices, and yet, part of the beauty of the vacation experience is the break we all get from TVs, computers, stereos, video games, etc. So make your home feel more restful by reducing the display of high-tech gadgets. You might invest in furniture that can keep your electronic toys out of sight, or you might consider eliminating some electronics altogether. (Banish the TV from your bedroom, to start).

2011 Inspiring Family Home in San Diego

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Unique and Crazy Overgrown Household

This Unique and Crazy Overgrown Household was designed by Robert Therrien , he is wellknown designer and best.

Robert Therrien is a creative American artist with an impressive and unusual design portfolio. But it wasn’t until Robert created these truly unique overgrown household items that he became famous and was overwhelmed with media attention. And we can definitely understand why this occurred. Inspired by childhood fairy-tales, the “Larger than life” collection includes giant versions of common furniture elements such as chairs and tables. We even noticed there are some huge plates involved also. The set is fun, unique, original and certainly worth sharing. Even though this collection can not be considered “practical”, we think some of these giant tables would go great in a public park. After all, most cities could really use some creative projects in matters of urban furniture. Can you think of any other practical alternative?-via Toxel.com

Contemporary Home in Venice Beach

This avenue was Located in Venice Beach, it is called Contemporary Home in Venice Beach.California, this inspiring contemporary home comes from architect Lewin Wertheimer and combines modern living with quality design. Here is a general description from the architect: “The house was stylistically conceived as a hybrid of early modernism, influenced by architects such as Rudolph Schindler, and contemporary Japanese, Mediterranean and Californian architecture. These styles respond to the climate of Southern California and the eclectic nature of Venice Beach.” The total surface of this residence is 288 square meters (3100 square feet) and its architecture is mesmerizing. Aside from the more “common spaces”, this family home houses a garage for two cars, two bedrooms and a guest studio. Large windows create a strong bond with the exterior and allow unobstructed views towards the patio, garden, porch and pool. All the rooms within the residence are “L”-shaped and are said to create “a three dimensional harmony of form and proportion”.

The River Bend Residence by Pb Elemental Architecture

The River Bend residence is designed by Seattle based Pb Elemental Architecture. The residence sits at the base of the Cascades in a heavily forested site on the bank of the Snoqualmie River. The home balances the client’s desire for privacy, while embracing nature. Many challenges faced the design and construction of this home low budget, sustainable desires, but most of all schedule. The client, a young family of four, located the site two weeks before legislation would change setbacks and make the site unbuildable.

The challenge was to design and submit a sustainable home that would accommodate their existing family and could later be added on to as their family grew, before the change in legislation. The second challenge was accommodating the existing setbacks, protected old growth trees, septic drain fields, and the buildings proposed/future footprint. A seemingly simple bar diagram formulated the initial concept, living/entertaining on the ground floor, private bedrooms on the upper floor. In the future as the clients family grow a third bar was designed to bridge over the living room.

Conceived as three masses (private, living, utilitarian) and three materials (wood, concrete/ metal), the River Bend Residence offers a low mantainence exterior and naturally light interior. The river can be heard from the 2400 sqft of exterior decks, while viewed from the upper deck.

A Beautiful Landscape Architecture by Jeffrey Gordon Smith

Jeffrey Gordon Smith is a landscape artist. He is the landscape architecture where the architectural firm of his is based in California. As clear as a crystal the name implies and specializes in landscape architecture. Jeffrey is a very creative and exceptionally skilled landscape designer. He develops a strong regional style and wanting to bond between home and landscape.

The Scholl Residence by Studio B Architects

The School Residence is one of the best modern home design ideas created by Studio B Architects located in Aspen, Colorado. The steep site possessed challenges with drainage, topography, a small footprint, restrictive easements and was required to address very limiting neighborhood design review standards.

Contextually, the area was developed in the 1960’s and surrounding residents were quite resistant to the architectural direction. Although the neighborhood is one of transition, this was the greatest challenge in realizing the project.

The clients dwell between Miami and Aspen and are avid collectors of ideographic and photography. They requested a solution and an architecture that would exhibit their expanding and revolving collection. The exterior is composed of custom zinc panels, sand-blasted concrete, aluminum window/door glazing system and tempered glass railings.

Presentable Italian Modern Kitchen Furniture Design

Presentable Italian Modern Kitchen Furniture Design

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Construction & Demolition Materials

If you are planning a construction or remodeling project, there are a number of things you can do before you start:



     1.  Contact your local builder's association, your county solid waste department, or your state environmental agency. They will provide information on recyclers and waste haulers in your area.


     2.  Consider whether deconstruction techniques can be used to prepare your site for renovation or construction. In some communities, deconstruction auctions are being effectively used to move building materials into the reuse market.


     3.  Check with local salvagers before purchasing new products. You might be surprised to find that many of them offer cabinets, doors, windows, and flooring that are in good condition for greatly reduced prices.


     4.  Reuse, and Recycling of Demolition Waste (PDF). This document can assist users in determining the most feasible methods for reducing C&D debris being disposed of in landfills.


     5.  Donate the C&D materials that you are not planning to use to a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.

     6.  Consult the Field Guide for Residential Remodelers. This field guide prepared by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center provides remodelers with information on cost-effective and voluntary construction waste management. The Remodeler's Field Guide addresses the unique aspects of remodeling, including differences in waste generation and site and work characteristics.

          Introduction (PDF)

          Remodeler's Field Guide (PDF)

  7.  To reduce lead hazards check EPA resources on Remodeling or Renovating a Home with Lead-Based Paint.

Source: www.epa.gov

Alterations Project of Oliver Residence in Seaforth, New South Wales

This modern house design is the results of an additions and alterations project of Oliver Residence in Sea forth, New South Wales. The renovation project involved important reconfigurations to the existing dwelling, including a new formal entry lobby at the upper level with direct access to the open plan living area, the creation of a new full length deck to the upper level with integrated sun shading, new master en suite and walk in robe, new bathrooms, general facade upgrades and building remodeling.

The result is a substantial family home with a single design aesthetic that readily accommodates indoor, outdoor living and encourages constant interaction with the phenomenal view.

4 Cheap Ways to Improve the Exterior of your Home

If you are fixing up the exterior of your home, you probably have plenty of great ideas, but don’t have the money to make them fruition. With some elbow grease and some money saving ideas you can improve the exterior of your home and its curb appeal.

Exquisite Family Residence in Shades of Blue

Located in Monterrey, Colombia, this exquisite family residence comes from Antonio Sofan Architecture and Interiors Studio and has a unique design in shades of blue. The house was constructed within the Si nu Valley, known as one of the most fertile lands on the globe and has wonderful views of the Si nu River.

Fantastic Second Home Option

Life Style Home Design was formed in 1994, with roots that date back to 1946. This company traces its history to the post-WWII housing boom, and was involved in home design and mail-order blueprints. Particularly popular with customers are the numerous vacation home plans, many in the chalet style with walls of windows for taking in panoramic views. We also offer a wide variety of house plans including Craftsman, Mediterranean, Ranch home plans, One story house plans and Traditional home plans.

Two buildings, one house

Two buildings, one house

GriffnerHaus Open Space P ult is based on a two-building principle which makes it possible to adapt optimally to the building plot situation.

The three put-roof typologies Box, Symmetric, Asymmetric are applied according to whether the two building parts are the same or different sizes, Arranged in line or staggered. But there are other possible variations: Each house can be built in Single-P ult or Double-P ult design with opposing roof.

Fabulous House Design

Architectural design comes with a simple natural way to mobilize cream natural stone as a material it, the garage also use the color of dark brown painted steel.

The bedroom is also designed with a simple natural way with a light color tone interior design and painting of a simple nature in WLL, I think this is also a good way to relax your body and mind. This garage is designed to be one with a beautiful living room to make your vehicle as an integral part of the house.

Modern California Home

Designed by John Friedman Alice Ki mm Architects, This modern California home design is located in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Santa Monica, California.

Such as their other residential project The Ehrlich House, this California residential design was inspired by light permeating leafy trees, the home’s unique exterior of green and white is a fitting introduction to this fresh, modern design.

The house itself is positioned at the back of the lot, providing plenty of green space while highlighting the home’s interesting L-shaped configuration.