Storing Wine....Creatively!

Wine storage for those of us who lack a cellar or just don't have a large collection of bottles these are some great storage ideas for you! Some of these ideas are DIY which is always fun others are ideas for when you decide to finally renovate that kitchen you have always dreamed of! Wine storage is something people often look over and just simply buy a table top rack that holds few bottles.  That doesn't seem like a very creative idea for your precious wine collection, does it? You want your display to standout and house your wonderful collection for all to see. Here are a few ideas to get your thinking. Enjoy!

 

 Above the cabinets in the kitchen has always been a place to store bottles, but what if you could integrate your storage system? This kitchen shows the holes in the brick wall but this could easily be done on a typical wall or any material for that matter, just make sure to plan for it when designing your kitchen.

 

 Ah concrete, one of my favorite materials to use in design. Inexpensive, industrial looking and durable.

 Postal tubes are great for shipping drawings or anything that can be rolled up easily, but wine storage? Yes, please! Cut them down to your desired size, arrange your design and ta da! Easy on the wallet so you can buy more wine to store in your DIY storage system.

 This teardrop design is simple and sleek and a perfect piece for modern designed interior.

 Reclaimed wood is another one of my favorite materials to use in design. This can be a DIY project that is sure to hold your all of your bottles.

Oh the classic wine cellar look. If you can get your hands on one or two these would make great storage for a small collection. Can either be free standing or mounted on the wall!

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The Modern Bedroom

Ah....the bedroom. The place where you retire at night, read in bed, snuggle with your partner and of course sleep. Bedrooms should be a relaxing and clutter-free space, so when you wake up to start your day you feel refreshed and happy! Being an interior designer, I sometimes get asked to design a bedroom or two. This is always fun for me! Bedrooms usually consist of lots of textiles and soft materials which can make your room have that cozy, curl up feeling. A client of mine had seen a previous bedroom I designed on my website and was so happy to find a designer that didn't just add "stuff" to a room to fill voids. Empty space can be beautiful and should be in every room. It gives your eyes a resting place and can make a space look larger than it really is. Below are a few bedrooms I designed with a somewhat minimalist approach. Enjoy!

 

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Clean it Up: Bathroom Edition

A Bathroom is usually where you start your morning once you get the energy to roll out of your comfy bed. Bathrooms are especially important because it gets used everyday. Functionality in this space is crucial and they best way to get the most of our your bathroom is to evaluate your routine. How many people are using it, what times and the order of tasks you go through each morning. These particular bathrooms below are all crisp and clean in white. This can be very relaxing in the morning and keep you calm, rather than stressed.  Some may think an all white bathroom is boring but with the right textures and some lacquer finishes you can create interest without having to introduce any other colors! Let the form of the bathroom fixtures make create the interest. Take a look and let us know what you think! Enjoy! 

Tiling the wall all the way to the ceiling is a great way to give your bathroom more height and with a hot shower your walls won't be sweating they moisture will just run right off. 

Windows at the ceiling line brings in lots of light without sacrificing privacy. Even in the shower you can have a window! 

White Shelves and white accessories make this white bathroom even whiter! Little hints of stainless steel break up the all white bathroom.

The flooring is amazing! Small flat stones give a much needed texture and natural pattern for a white bathroom. 

 Reflective surfaces like mirrors and glass let the light bounce around the space, making it appear as if there is more light than there really is.

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Design Details: 5 Tips for a Perfect Kitchen

When designing a kitchen there is a lot that goes into it. Things that you may have never thought about until your designer brought them to your attention. Things like what counter top edge or a handle or knob for your cabinets do you prefer. These are things that can bring your kitchen together and make it reflect you.  Whether you are doing a few small kitchen upgrades or gutting and starting over these are some good things to keep in mind. Enjoy!

Tile: Stone? Glass? Ceramic? Think about how you cook, do you splatter occasionally or are you as neat as can be? These make a difference when selecting a tile for your back splash and even your floor.  Stone is a natural product which many people like but if not sealed properly it can be prone to stains and if the stone tile is heavily textured it could get food particles stuck in the crevices. Glass is pretty easy to clean,  not usually a good idea for floors. Now it can show fingerprints and water spots but those disappear once you wipe it off. Ceramic tile is a good inexpensive option and durable.  Ceramic comes in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes so if you are looking for ceramic you will can easily find something you like.

Lighting: Overhead and Task Lighting is important in a working kitchen. Usually when doing a remodel recessed lights are a great choice but don't forget about task lighting. Under cabinet lighting is a great choice fr task lighting. Overhead light can be blocked by your shadow when doing tasks like cutting veggies. Make sure not to overlook this important detail that can make cooking in your kitchen more functional. 

Counter Tops: Granite? Concrete? Wood? Granite has reigned champion for many years now and yes it is durable, its a rock. But there are other options and regardless what material you choose think about the finished edge of your counter top. Bull nose is commonly used in more traditional designs or a rounded bevel edge but think beyond your neighbors kitchen. If you are going for a more modern look then maybe a 90 degree edge is best.  Granite is abundant but who knows how long we will be able to source it. Keep in mind granite does need to be sealed and every year or so you could reseal it to keep it looking great. Concrete, this versatile man-made material is making a splash in the residential interior design world.  Concrete counter top fabricators can make exactly what you want; you can get any color you want by staining it and you can also get additional materials set in the concrete. I have done a concrete with recycled glass set in it and it turned out great! So no it doesn't have to be just grey. Wood Counter tops are making a comeback! For people who do a lot of prep work (chopping) a wood counter could be your own built in butcher block! But some prefer only doing a certain section of their counters in wood. Also wood can be used as an interesting bar material. A slab of wood with a live edge can be a great accent in a kitchen and even a conversation piece. 

Cabinet Hardware: Handle or Knob? Think how you grab to open a drawer or cabinet. This will help you make a comfortable decision.  Some prefer knobs that are easy to grab others prefer pulls or a handle style. If you have a tendency to brush against the cabinets and snag your clothes then something with a smooth edge or doesn't stick out too far is probably what you want to keep in mind when looking for new cabinet hardware.  Also placement on the drawer or cabinet can make a difference in ease of use.

Cabinet Finish:Gloss or Matte Think about the other elements in your kitchen. Did you go with a glossy glass back splash or high gloss counters? You want some variety in your materials. Try to not make every surface the same gloss level. If you have high shine on back splash and/or counters then consider doing a more matte finish on cabinets. If you go with a natural stone that has a matte finish then high gloss cabinets can be a good choice to create more interest. 

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