Posts Tagged ‘Design’

Mar 16

Today’s Clients Want to See Their Project Before They Build

Architects and designers have always faced the challenge of presenting a design to clients who are unable to visualize at all. There have been 3D visualization aids available for many years, but for most projects without a substantial design development budget these options were cost prohibitive.

Technological advancements in the 3D modeling industry have now made 3D architectural rendering a viable option for any project. This offers a great advantage to businesses offering design work as part of their sales process. A skilled 3D designer can use the specific finishes that their customer desires and allow their customer to see, for example, how well the finishes in a proposed renovation will coordinate with finishes in their existing home.

A typical project drawing can leave a lot to the imagination:

cad

When combined with a 3D rendering, everyone knows what to expect:

rend

A complete 3D rendering will feature the customers chosen finishes on every surface, e.g., wallpaper, flooring, paint colors, various wood species and colors, and granite countertops, etc. Various lighting options can have a big impact on the overall look of the project. Rendering the project in 3D allows the client to see what impact different kinds of lighting can have on the project, and the impact of the natural lighting of the proposed project.

This trend is reflected in the software being used in the design industry. Most of the design programs have begun to make 3D visualization a key part of their software packages. There are several programs now that allow a homeowner to visualize their proposed project without the help of a design professional, such as the iGRANITE iPad app by Granite Transformations. This app allows users to upload a picture of their own home or office and experiment with different finishes on the countertops walls and floors in realtime.

igranite

3D architectural visualization allows the construction process to go more smoothly for everyone, as the contractor can clearly establish the client’s expectations and avoid the typical “I didn’t think it would look like that” situation. This helps the contractor to avoid project delays, and the owner to prevent costly change orders. As more and more consumers come to expect to see their project before they build it, 3D presentations are becoming the standard in the design industry.

About the Author: Post contributed by Daniel Shaheen at DDS Architectural Rendering.com.

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Categories interior design, remodeling
Mar 9

Small Bedroom Solutions: Make Your Small Bedroom Feel Like a Big Space

When your bedroom is smaller than you would like you’ll want to be creative and make thebest use of your space.  Following a few simple principles will help keep your bedroom a cozy sanctuary instead of a cramped mess.

Beds:

For your bed a metal frame or a divan with a headboard and no footboard both have the clean open lines that make your room look bigger.  Buying a bed with built-in draws underneath is a good option but if you don’t find one you like purchase bed risers which will give you an extra six inches of storage space under your bed and a bed skirt.

Choose simple bed furnishing schemes. Large and crazy patterns make your bed look like a soccer field in concession stand.  Instead try palates of solid colors; on your bed neutral hues will make your room look the largest.

bedroom

Vertical space:

Utilize as much vertical space as possible.  Make effort to get dressers that are taller than normal. The more your personal belongings have their proper place the less cluttered a room appears.  Sometimes entertainment centers or wardrobes add excellent visual interest and give more vertical storage space than dressers.  Don’t forget to consider “lingerie” dressers which are narrow but tall.  They may be just what you need instead of a bed side table because they can hold more and take up the same amount of floor space.

A coffered ceilingwill instantly make your bedroom look much bigger.  Also known as a tray ceiling, it is when the center of the room is raised into the attic above.  If this is at all possible for your bedroom it is worth the effort to install.

bedroom 2

Reflections:

Light colors make a room look bigger.  Use darker colors as accents inyour throw pillows, bed linen, and curtains.

Mirrors make any room look bigger.  Take care not to overuse mirrors in a bedroom.  One or two mirrors, well-placed across from windows to reflect natural light will make the most of the room’s size and emphasize the open spaces.

Use sconces that clip to the headboard of your bed, and small table lamps that sit on your dressers instead of floor lamps to free up extra floor space in your room.  The more sources of light, the bigger the room will appear.

Magic tricks:

Eliminate clutter as much as possible with pretty baskets.  Use a table skirt to create a hidden space for books and magazines.  Keep a box in the bottom of your closet for things that you may want to give away and if they stay in the box for more than six months than commit to letting them go.

What people notice first when they see a bedroom is not the size but the overall style impression.  If your bedroom is small, focus on clean lines and add your personal warmth so that the word that you and your guests first think of when they enter the bedroom is cozy.

Bio- Sunny Popali is the Marketing lead at Mattressnextday. Mattressnextday offer the full range of common mattress sizes including: small mattress, single mattress, double mattresses, king size Mattress, super king Mattresses, and odd size mattresses.

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Categories Design, home improvement, interior design
Feb 13

Bringing the Outdoors Into Your Home

Hiking isn’t just for the outdoors anymore.

The outdoors has been influential in interior design for years. From log cabins to Southwestern flare, all types of natural influences have made their way into our homes. But now more than ever, less “themed” inspiration is taking center stage.

Soil, trees, wood, stone…all of these come to mind when thinking of the outdoors. These elements are perfect additions to any space, allowing a room to look organic, rustic, and welcoming. However, we’re not talking gaudy outdoor à la dark woods, flannel, and deer heads. It’s easy to add outdoor influences in a modern and sophisticated way. Here are three ways to subtly bring the great outdoors into your home.

Organic Flooring

modern outdoor influence - flooring

Flooring is a great way to bring the outdoors into your home. By choosing untraditional flooring like beech you can completely transform a room to look light, airy, and clean.

Natural Vaulted Ceilings

outdoor inspired ceiling

If you have the opportunity to remodel your ceiling, consider adding an architectural statement with beams in raw wood. It can add some rustic flare while simultaneously giving off a streamlined aesthetic.

Stone Accent Wall

modern flooring inspiration for outdoors

Accent walls can bring a room to life and add to dimension. Rather than painting it a different color, why not play with texture and use natural stone? It can look both modern and welcoming when done using a stone with minimal lines and a subtle texture. Or add a bit more texture to give off the impression of a fireplace minus the functionality and upkeep.

modern outdoor interior design on walls

Adria Saracino is a freelancer, blogger, and home décor enthusiast. She writes for 5.11 Tactical, which sells everything from flashlights to its signature 5.11 Tactical polarized sunglasses.

Photo Credits: modern room, interior new loft, ethnic furniture, living room, modern interior room with nice furniture inside, modern room

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Categories decorating, Design, home improvement
Feb 6

Elder Friendly Home Design

Are you thinking about redesigning your home to make room for a parent or grandparent who is moving in? Here’s how to design a safer and less stressful multigenerational home.

elder-room

With the rising cost of assisted living facilities, many senior citizens are choosing to stay in their homes longer. The trend to “age in place” is growing in popularity along with the trend for elderly parents or grandparents to move in with their children and grandchildren.

When two generations share a home they can usually live cheaper collectively. Whether it’s contributing rent or serving as cost-free daycare, move-in parents can help ease the family’s cost of living while avoiding the isolation and higher expenses of living alone.

The three major factors to consider when remodeling a senior addition to the family are safety, comfort, and costs. By sitting down with an experienced home remodeler you can find creative and affordable solutions.

Design for safety. As we grow older, we tend to lose flexibility and balance. Senior citizens are more likely to have fall related accidents and suffer significant injury from falls. Therefore, we want to look for ways to reduce the likelihood and severity accidents.

Talk to your builder about installing slip resistant flooring. Remove high-gloss flooring tiles and cover polished floors with carpeting, where possible. While throw rugs are nice decorative touch, they can cause slips and falls. Wall-to-wall carpeting with thick padding will reduce the risk and impact of falling.

Staircases are a particularly dangerous place for senior citizens. Consolidate living space to a single level to make it safer and less strenuous. When you can’t get away with single-level living, make sure stairwells are well lit and free from any tripping hazards. Securely anchor handrails in hallways. Consider installing a stair lift.

Remodel bathrooms for safety, as well as comfort. Replace bathtubs with walk-in stall showers. Have professionally installed safety grips installed by toilets and inside the shower. Your remodeler should be able to recommend safety grips that are both effective and aesthetically pleasing.

Design for Comfort. Make sure your elderly loved one has a comfortable living environment, and not just a safe one. Many families are choosing to remodel their homes with two separate living areas. A home designed with two separate living areas, but not as a legal two-family rental is sometimes referred to as a “secondary suite” or a “mother-in-law house.” In the Northeast, this type of layout called a mother-daughter house.

Consult with your local building code so that you don’t inadvertently modify your house into a two family home without the proper permits. Two separate entrances allow the senior to have more privacy and independence without feeling as if they are living on top of the family.

It’s important to redesign your home with reselling it in mind. Poorly modified homes often require lots of renovation. Follow proper interior designing principles when adding safety features or your senior living area might end up looking like a hospital ward.

Separate thermostats will keep everybody happy. Seniors often feel the need for more heat in the winter and less air-conditioning in the summer than younger people do.

With a separate entrance and living space, seniors can have more control over the look and feel of their homes. The buffer between living spaces will let you enjoy your sleek and modern design without clashing with that tacky recliner Grandpa doesn’t want to give up.

Countertops should be higher than normal to reduce stooping and bending while shelves should be lower to avoid overreaching.

Make sure you have good lighting. Incandescent light fixtures are better than fluorescent bulbs because they produce less glare. Light switches should be illuminated so they can be found in the dark. Plug nightlights in hallways or mount motion sensitive light switches.

For additional safety and privacy, install an intercom. An intercom will allow for easy communication without intruding into each others living areas. Additionally, get a medical alarm or senior alert system so that an elderly relative can summon help when no one else is home.

Home Design Costs. Home remodeling is not cheap, but there are several ways to finance. A reverse mortgage can help pay for renovations, but only if the senior continues to live in the mortgage home as a primary residence. Before taking out a reverse mortgage it’s important to consult with a qualified, unbiased financial and legal adviser and not just a mortgage salesperson.

Thanks to ElderKind.com for these tips on safer living spaces for senior citizens.

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Categories Design, home improvement, remodeling
Jan 11

Ultra Modern Bathrooms

12 most creative bathtubs

Shower and/or bathtub plus a sink and a toilet equal the universal facilities commonly referred to as a bathroom.  How varied can designs really be with these standard functional necessities defining its space?  Depending upon the amount of square footage available there are many interpretations of this familiar space. Let’s take a look at the sleek, angular and uncluttered designs that are starting to grace the most necessary room in the house.

modern bathroom 1

Bathtubs are a thing of beauty and can be displayed (rather than sunken) with pipe exposure to accent.  No need to hide the angular beauty and smooth lines of pipe.  The focus is about the materials incorporated to solicit a tactile sensation.  Minimalist presence helps clear the mind and create an atmosphere of tranquility.  Wood and colorful wallpaper are ways to diversify texture and dimension.

modern bathroom 2

These matching fixtures are offset by the brightly colored, tiled walls contrasted against the charcoal accents and well-placed lighting.  Light is used in this bathroom to create density of dimension.

modern bathroom 3

2012 modern design trends are predicted to have a lot of pure white rooms.  Though this bathroom provides the designer with a lot of space to work with, modern themes allow and even encourage the use of center stage rather than corner and wall hugging facilities.  The opaque use of white space delivers an environment of peace without distractions or darkness.

modern bathroom 4

Built in ledges for artistic space and sharp angles can be a dramatic but functional expression of design in modern bathrooms.  Eliminate wall art and shelving in favor of a complete room motif that draws the eye to the floor to ceiling ambiance of the room.  Using houseplants will also bring a serenity and healthy cleansing atmosphere to the bathroom.

Ultra modern bathroom vanities incorporated into your new house plans will update your home drastically.  A total lack of clutter, angular lines, strong materials and lots of light are the hallmarks of modern bathroom design.

Lisa writes about interior design trends and Austin homes for sale.

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Categories Bath Transformations, decorating, Design, remodeling
Jan 5

A Modern Twist on Culturally-Influenced Design

French country, tribal, Caribbean…these all bring to mind a very distinct aesthetic. Design is influenced by all corners of the world, and the rich cultures of these influencers are apparent. Going all in and incorporating these styles into your own home can quickly look costume-y, especially if you are trying to mix different cultural designs throughout your house.

However, you can still chicly incorporate these beautiful, global-inspired designs into your home. The key is to think modern, not traditional. Whether you add a few modern accessories or completely transform your space to give homage to another part of the world, here are some modern interpretations of culturally-influenced design.

Modern French Country

modern French country interior design

French Country can all-to-easily turn into a tribute to Little House on the Prairie. However, an all-white canvas and sleek lines makes it fresh. Plus, subway tile back splash is classic and can be incorporated into a lot of different styles.

French Ornate

modern French interior design

Fancy a more ornate, traditional French style but afraid of it becoming too over the top? The key is using fresh, modern colors and subdued details. Once you start mixing dark colors and lavish, conflicting patterns it can become extravagant and gaudy.

African Tribal

modern African interior design

Tribally-influenced design is all about bold patterns and colors. Give it a modern twist by tempering the color palette, opting for cool tones. In addition, playing up the graphic appeal of the tribal design can bring age-old traditions to present day.

Modern Moroccan

modern Moroccan interior design

Moroccan design is epitomes with deep, bold colors and lavish, ornate detail work. You can add it to your home without going over the top by adding Moroccan flare as a punch of color to a neutral space. Also, picking a brighter hue of Moroccan jewel tones will add a modern, yet whimsical twist.

German Modern

modern German interior design

Germanic design is known for its modern, architectural lines. However, it can easily look cold and dated, as if it was from the mod era. Warmth is in, so give German design a modern twist by creating a warm inviting space. How do you do this? Use warm, light wood tones and play with textures to add a cozy depth.

Adria Saracino is a freelancer, blogger, and home décor enthusiast. She writes for Pimsleur Approach, which sells language learning software—everything from pimsleur French to pimsleur German.

Photo Credits: Décor Pad, House Beautiful, Plan Home Design, Contemporist, A Designer Spot

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Categories decorating, Design, home improvement
Nov 17

Incredible Dog Houses

Many people regard their dogs as members of the family. Some are treated just like cherished children. Our dogs are well cared for, and we give them things to call their own, like a collar and toys. And while many beloved dogs live indoors inside our own house, we often give them a place to rest when they’re in the backyard in the form of a dog house. Most doghouses are of simple construction and design. They don’t require much but a pad and a water bowl. Our dogs just don’t mind how their house looks; they aren’t connoisseurs of architecture or design. But some dog owners love their pets too much to give them a plain and basic house. These owners also tend to have too much money to spare. Here are some of the most incredible dog houses.

The Cool Pet House

The Cool Pet House, which was debuted at the Australian Pet Expo, is a technologically advanced home design. The Cool Pet House has heating and air conditioning for your pet, and you can control the temperature on the thermostat with a remote control. There is a humidifying system that keeps the humidity at a comfortable 50 to 60 percent. There are LED lights inside the home and out. There is even a buffer area at the front of the home that provides a transition area for your pet (temperature controlled) so they are not exposed to sudden temperature changes. Best of all, there is Wi-Fi camera that allows you to watch your pets when you’re away.
Photo credit: Funky Products

Beyond the Crate Houses

If you have $5,000 to $30,000 to spend on your dog house, consider getting your pooch one of the Celebrity Dog Mansions from BeyondtheCrate.com. You can select a custom-made home for your dog in a variety of different styles: hacienda, brick estate, white colonial, Swiss chalet, Georgetown, Victorian, English cottage, or French chateau. For each home you will be consulted before construction, and you will help design the home to your specific desires. Your home will be built just for your dog, from the blueprint to the landscaping. Your dog can get a variety of amenities as well, including running water, lighting, heat, and air conditioning. If you like, you can even build your dog an exact replica of your own home.

World’s Most Expensive Dog House
Photo Credit: Beyond The Crate

Any dog owner who truly wants to give their dog the most luxurious pad can take a cue from the owner of a pair of Great Danes in Gloucestershire, England. She (a surgeon who wishes to remain anonymous) commissioned architect Andy Ramus to build a doghouse that cost about half a million dollars. The climate-controlled home has a private bedroom for each dog with sheepskin-lined beds, a spa, sound system, and 52-inch plasma television. There are automated food and water dispensers, a day lounge, and an outdoor area with a climbing ramp for playtime. CCTVs also provide security and allow the owner to check up on her pooches at any time, and the dog house is connected to the main house. It was even designed to have a retina scan at the entry to ensure only the lucky Danes are allowed in.

Susan Wright DVM writes for DogFenceDiy the invisible fence alternative.

Get more ideas for pet-pampering at Wet Nose Guide!

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Nov 14

Inspirational Modern Bathrooms

Here is an inspiring collection of bathrooms from interior designers in the Greater Toronto Area!

A designer created this small bathroom at a client’s request. The client wanted to have a true European feeling in their bathroom. The design uses porcelain tiles to mimic cobblestone streets and sleek custom designed cabinetry takes advantage of this small space.

Bungalow Bath Renovation eclectic bathroom

The contemporary bathroom was created in Port Credit, Ontario. The sleek lines, walk-in shower give a spacious feel to what could have been easily a cramped bathroom.

Port Credit Townhome contemporary bathroom

If you have a larger bathroom and want luxury in your space then you might like this Toronto bathroom design. This lavish luxury kitchen has under mount sinks in a granite counter top, a Neptune Zen 3666 modern whirlpool/air tub and a walk in shower with its own granite bench and rain shower.

Lavish Luxury contemporary bathroom

This lovely Port Credit modern bathroom has a wonderful spa like feeling. I love the small tile details and the blue tile backsplash!

Port Credit Townhome modern bathroom

Whoever said that a small bathroom can’t be sizeable? This Waterloo black and white bathroom was has mirrored glass doors create the illusion of space and the Cayen L/R corner tub maximizes the use of every corner in this bathroom. Not to mention the gorgeous light fixture!

b-w Bathroom eclectic bathroom

This Toronto master ensuite bathroom was designed with soothing turquoise walls and white flooring. The overall effect creates a wonder spa like feeling.

Master Ensuite Bathroom - Divine Homes contemporary bathroom

Candice Olson created this cute modern contemporary bathroom. Light wood custom cabinets create a feeling of lightness to this room and the Eureka pendants add an airy feeling to this small bathroom.

Candice Olson Bathroom 1 contemporary bathroom

What is your dream bathroom design?

About the author:

Marika is a writer for the Home Improvement Directory EiEiHome.com and create blogs and articles on home improvement, décor and design.

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Categories Bath Transformations, Design
Nov 6

Fighting Design Crime: 5 Design Offenses and How to Avoid Your Arrest

ugly room

No one wants to be accused of committing crimes of design, but with no clear blueprint of what to follow, it’s hard to know right from wrong. If you have fake flowers from 20 years ago lying dusty on the shelves, or if action figures line the tops of your cabinets, you might want to consider other options. Although designing one’s living space is meant to reflect their personality, it’s also important to balance personal taste with good design. To help you decide which, if any, interior decorating elements have to go, here are 5 design crimes to help you get started.

Too Matchy-Matchy

Red walls, red bedding, red carpet, red furniture? Too matchy-matchy (and not in a good way). While head-to-toe solid colors sometimes work with an outfit, it’s too much of a good thing when you’re designing a room. If you prefer a tonal look, try mixing different hues of the same color, or assorted prints. Bright or bold colors are a statement all their own and work best if used with discretion.

If you’re someone who likes to match, try first finding a statement piece you can design the room around. Move through the process slowly, choosing paint and accessories until you feel comfortable with the look. Think outside the box!

Invest in Cheap Furniture

Buying cheap won’t always pay off. It can surely be tempting, but furniture retailers have mastered the art of offering low-quality pieces but still reasonably cool styles. And with bills to pay and stuck in the middle of the recession, it’s hard to resist a $20 coffee table. But think about how long that $20 table will last you? Not long.

Spend your money wisely, on durable materials and solid construction. Save for pieces that are well-made and will last for many years. It will prove cost-effective in the long run.

Save Everything

Clutter can halter one’s ability to enjoy their home and share it with others. We put something on the floor, thinking we’ll clean it later, but it stays there. Without even trying, soon the whole house is cluttered. It’s an easy mistake to make. Don’t let collections overwhelm a space. Limit yourself and set aside time to do periodical cleanings. Keep de-cluttering. There’s nothing more satisfying than living in a peaceful, organized space.

Choose Silk Plants over Real

Nothing is worse than walking into a room and getting hit with a cloud of dust. Silk plants can be the culprit. More times than not they give an overall cheap or lazy look to the room. Resist the desire to buy fake, and opt for fresh instead. The extra money or effort involved in real plants will illuminate the design in a way fake cannot. If you suffer from allergies, and must go for silk greenery, use in moderation.

Insufficient Lighting

While lighting is often one of the most overlooked elements in good interior design, it is one of the most important. There’s nothing better to highlight an intricate painting, or create a certain mood. Think both natural and artificial light. The presence of light in life and home is not just a matter of functionality, but also a matter that affects how people feel. Take a look at the options, and plan ahead. There are several lighting techniques that will give you the ambience you want, for whatever mood you’re in!

Make stopping design crimes your latest campaign by following these few tips. Consider channeling yourself into an exciting interior design project! Your own creativity merged with a few words of advice will guarantee some decorative fun!

Image: The Guardian

George Gallagher is a personal interior designer and education blogger.  He is currently working with credit unions to help graduates with their student loan consolidation.

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Categories Design, home improvement
Nov 2

Five Unique Ways to Fix Up Your Picture Frames

Nobody likes a bare wall. Whether it’s a pop of color paint or a display of funky mirrors, we love to liven up our homes with all types of unique décor. And sure, incorporating our favorite framed photos of our best friends and family gatherings is a necessity, but sometime your walls need a little sprucing up that even a lovely black and white photo can’t fix. Instead of spending loads of money re-doing your décor, give your picture frames a creative makeover for instant appeal. With embellishments and unique subject matter, you’ll prove that pictures aren’t the only things worth a thousand words.

1. Centerpiece a scarf.

Scarf frame

Got a couple of old fashioned or bold patterned scarves you’re not using? Try framing one or a couple for an eye-catching piece of artwork. Silk scarves can be a little difficult to frame (they tend to want to bunch up or wrinkle easily), so make sure any creases are ironed or steamed prior to placing it in the frame.  Stylish fashion can be worn by your walls, too!

2. Construct a collage.

Magazine_Collage_by_Alley9

One of my favorite hobbies, magazine collage-ing is both a therapeutic craft and a way to modernize your frames. Collect a couple of magazines and try clipping a monochromatic design with words and pictures or opt for an abstract geometric pattern like the one above. A beauty-themed collage is perfect for the bathroom and a cocktail theme adds a whole lot of sophistication to your bar area.

3. Showcase sentiments.

Framed Cards

The holidays are on their way, and what better way to showcase some of your favorite Christmas cards by framing all of those meaningful messages? Framing cards and mementos not only adds a decorative flair to your hallways and kitchen (framing old recipes are the perfect touch for above your counter tops!), but also trigger the happiness you felt from receiving and collecting those precious keepsakes.

4. Zoom in.

xgh

Have a favorite photo or piece of artwork you just can’t get enough of? Try getting it enlarged at your local photography or print studio and cut it into a grid for a chic twist on the traditional. This usually works best with identical or similar frames and offers a fresh, sleek alternative to a large framed poster.

5. Nix the pics.

lsj 073

If all else fails, try this elegant alternative: ditch the photographs and paint your existing frames one color (neutral hues look best on bold walls and bright hues look best on light paint). Add a classic centerpiece—such as your monogram—and alternate frame sizes for a Martha Stewart-worthy dining room.

Looking for more ideas? This photo post offers endless amounts of photo and frame creativity. More Design Please is a blog that always impresses me with its innovative photo design findings, too.

Explore, embrace, and enhance your walls to match your moods and interests. Good luck and happy decorating!

Author Bio: Molly Borter loves trying out the latest decorating and DIY projects for her home. When she’s not sprucing up her walls, she works as a content writer for the Affordable Style Network and blogs about fashion trends. 

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Categories Design, Fun Ideas, interior design, Tips/Advice, Uncategorized
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