Welcome the sun with filtered light!

When sunlight peaks through tree branches to create rays of filtered light, I can't help but feel surrounded by absolutely mystifying beauty. However, as we approach midwinter, we don't get to see the sun as often as we'd like or witness streams of sunlight. But don't worry- the sun will come out... next season! So, when spring finally comes, welcome the sun into your home with warm, filtered light. Now is the perfect time for implementing an inundation of flowing streams of light into your home. Enjoy!

 Angled ceiling skylights allow for bright, beautiful light beams to burst in and brighten a bedroom.

 These 'floating' stairs slice the sunlight, creating streams that pour light into an otherwise dismal stair well.

 Filtered light doesn't always have to be fragmented light- the sunlight enters this home through textured, opaque windows.

All about the angles- the thick windowpanes set at drastic angles offers a a unique edge to this modern, earthy dwelling

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One Piece...Two Uses!

Not everyone lives a large and in-charge house and has abundant storage areas. Like me, and most of the city dwellers I know, we have limited space to keep the things we love, need and use throughout our everyday lives. I am always looking for multifunctional pieces of furniture to use in not only my own home but the homes of my clients as well. For those of you who need a little insight into the wonderful world of multi-use furniture....here you go! Enjoy!

 It's a shelf....not it's a desk.... it's BOTH! This is perfect for a laptop user that doesn't really need a full blown desk.  Taking up less floor space than a traditional desk and looks pretty cool too!

 Coffee Table with built in floor cushions. Brilliant! Could also store items in the middle part.

 Sit. Store. Drink Wine. What a great idea for those who love wine but don't really have a giant collection or a wine cellar. And sitting in this chair means you don't even have to leave you seat to fill your glass up!

Bookshelf turned eating area!! Store anything you want in the cubbies and when you need a place to eat just pull out a chair! This is great for any small space!

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Tips For Organizing Your Home: 2013

Happy New Year! As everyone plans their new year's resolutions not to eat cake or workout more but don't neglect your home from getting a new look or just a little TLC to make your new year even easier with a clutter free home! I might be a little OCD (in a good way) but January if the perfect month to begin your home organization transformation.  It's cold outside, perfect for staying inside where it is warm and easy to get things done around the house! I have begun on my home already but still have a little ways to go. Thought this would be the perfect time to share some of my ideas and tips that you can use in your own home! Enjoy!

 You know those free metal hangers you get from the dry cleaners? Well there is a reason they are free.....they aren't good for your clothes, chose one kind either wood or plastic and go with it through your entire closet. One, it will more organized, and two, it will keep your clothes looking better.

  An easy fix for a lack of storage in a home office wall shelves. They are inexpensive and will give you more storage than you thought was possible. Make sore to get ones sturdy enough to hold what you need to place on the shelves. Heavier items might not do as well on a floating shelf.

  Use matching storage boxes to create a calm working environment. Also keeps the mess hidden and your work area looking fabulous! 

 Don't have a separate room for your home office? Make sure whatever room your desk is in, it blends well with the decor in that room. Use the same colors or same materials to make it feel like part of the room and not like a sad desk stuck in the corner!

  Boxes are always good storage options. Why not put a picture of that box's content on the outside. This is an easy way to remember where things are with out having to use a label maker!

  The Junk Drawer...everyone has one, take time to go through it and put items in there correct homes then get a few organizers for the remaining items and TADA! No more "junk drawer"!

 It is cold season which means the flu is in the air! This is a great time to go through your medicines and throw out the expired ones and organize the rest! clear containers work great! 

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Baby, It's Cold Outside!

No more excuses to leave: there is nothing cozier than admiring the beauty of snowcapped mountains and powdery snow on the ground from the comfort of your own home. Whether it's your winter holiday home or a getaway cabin in the woods, be sure to appreciate your place. Wherever you are in this winter season, remember to bring the beauty of the outside in, while keeping out the cold and taking in the warmth! Enjoy!

 If eyes are the windows to the soul, then windows are eyes to the outside: where the extension of your home is. Bring more of the outside in by lining your walls with rich wood as seen in this stairwell. I love the cascading string of light-orbs: it's like stars in the night sky!

 This children's bedroom is complete with the rich wood and large windows like we have shown before, but notice the plush white rug: it's just like snow on the ground! Perfect for kids play!

 Gotta love these earthy tones! The beige, natural wood, and accents of fall colors offer the perfect interior to admire the exquisite environment just outside your home. The brown carpet is even reminiscent of soil in the winter softly speckled with snowflakes.

 Not much else is really needed with a breathtaking view like that! This kitchen's best asset is the large, open windows displaying the majestic range. However, accents like the natural wooden cabinets and the glacier-like marble countertops lend an arctic feel to this streamlined kitchen.

Dining in December: bright white snow and darker tones of winter nights. A perfect combination for your winter holiday dinners!

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Light up the Holidays!

The days might be shorter, and the nights might be longer, but the warmth of the holiday season gives us the opportunity to light up the chilly winter nights! Here are some joyful displays of holiday merriment that are sure to spark your imagination and inspire your own light show. Enjoy!

Turn of the fountain and turn on the lights! This classy and modern display uses LED lights which use far less energy than traditional lights. I absolutely love the beautiful blue glow!

This Madrid street scene is sure to set your heart aglow with all the wonderment of the season. This arrangement on Calle Serrano was designed by architect Teresa Sapey to bring more excitement for the holidays in this busy shopping street.

 

The leaves may have fallen from the trees, but this gives the perfect opportunity to light them with new colors! Create your own festive forest with colored lights around your trees.

  Lights aren't just for your land! I love the outlined lily pads!

It's a jungle out there! This fun and lively light display shows a myriad of holiday themes: all in one place! The lights 'striping' the trees is so fun!

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Red and Green: Not just your Christmas-time Couple!

Red, meet Green. Green, meet Red.

When Christmas décor introduced these two colors, it was love at first sight, a match made in color heaven. However, this absolutely adorable couple wasn’t meant to be just a holiday fling- Green and Red are serious: they’re staying together year round, forever. That’s right; they’re in it for the long haul. Their story starts here: they sat across from each other on the basic color wheel, as what we learned in elementary art to be ‘complementary colors.’  But that was so long ago. Let’s fast forward to how Red and Green are hittin’ it off today in home décor in their many shades and variations. Enjoy!

Dare to fall deeply in love: The true green and deep red make a stark contrast against the white walls and floors of this dining area, but the charcoal grey table offsets these daring colors. Don’t be afraid to get deep!

 The apple of my eye: this adorable combination of greens and reds is perfect for a child’s room! Play with different shades of green from the lightest to the brightest and from the shyest pinks to the boldest reds!

 An earth-bound romance: Evergreen trees, poppies, green grass, red clay… the earth provides so many variations of red and green existing naturally in harmony: bring that natural balance into your home by displaying various greens and reds.

 A modern love: Calming green paired with popping red offers lively energy to this modern living room. These colors set with bright white and streamlined designs create a clean, fresh, and fun environment in your home.

 An eclectic embrace: This bohemian-style bedroom brings together many diverse shades, textures, and patterns that allows for green and red to stay together despite their differences.

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Your home got you ‘climbing the walls?'

No, really- does it? I’m not asking if your home is driving you crazy, I want to know if you’ve installed the latest trend in your home that is all the rage, and rightly so! From last week’s blog post, one of the suggestions for in-home exercise was rock climbing in your own home. Many of you expressed interest (and disbelief!) in this indoor activity phenomenon mentioned in the previous post, so we’re expanding on that topic and expanding your minds to perceive this extreme sport in your extremely awesome home. Enjoy!

 This custom-made wall stands at a grand 36 feet tall inside the home of an avid climber. Complete with belay devices and rope, this rock wall really brings the excitement and rugged charm of the outdoors into the comfort of your own home. Well, as long as your home is four stories tall!

 Designed with fun in mind! This pixelated piece of plywood pictures the image of Fitz Roy in Patagonia created by designer Christoph Schindler of Zurich-based design company Schindler Salmeró for his son as a birthday gift. This DIY project cost him about $200 and less than a day’s work with the right tools and technology.

 Got any little monkeys around the house? A climbing wall is a perfect addition to any kids’ room or play area! While the bright red handles against a white wall is playful and fun, there are some necessary precautionary measures to take. Though kids usually will not attempt incredibly difficult climbs that make falling a real risk, it’s important that safety is always a priority! Make sure that the wall can withstand a child’s weight and that the last hold is no higher than 1.5 times the child’s height. Also, provide some sort of cushion on the ground whether it be a legitimate bouldering crash pad or something more stylish to break their fall.

Not just child’s play! This sophisticated custom-made climbing wall streamlines perfectly with your modern home. This rock wall is artistic and sleek; in passing, it is nearly unrecognizable as a hardcore piece of exercise equipment made by Lunar of Munich.

Secretly Shed those Extra Thanksgiving Calories at Home!

No, I’m not going to harp about the hottest new detox, the best love handle workout, or the latest diet trend- you get enough of that hogwash waiting to check out at the grocery store. Instead, I’d like to remind you how versatile and personal your home truly is and truly can be! As a self-proclaimed fitness aficionado, I can attest to how beneficial a designated exercise area is in a home. Though having an entire room dedicated to sculpting your guns or buns is ideal, it’s not always realistic if you consider your home to be ‘spatially challenged.’ However, here are some simple ways you can integrate a workout space into your home. That way, you don’t have to go to the gym or run around the neighborhood more than usual as penance for your holiday overindulgence: just shed those Thanksgiving calories secretly in the comfort of your own home! Enjoy!

 Though we may not all have the luxury of dedicating an entire room to exercise, this modern workout space has a few of the key elements to an exercise area. Three machines and light shelving provide for your equipment needs, while the bright walls and windows provide for ample lighting sure to get you pumped up or calmed down for any workout!

 Exercise got you up against a wall? Install a rock climbing wall in your home! Perhaps the outdoor adventure is the best part of climbing, but this way you can get the practice in your home. The space is already provided; just a bit of assembly and this fun, unique exercise will be in the comfort of your own home.

Sometimes all you need is a mat and a little floor space. For all you yogis, practicing in a clean, open feeling space is essential to a positive yoga practice. Storage is simple and doesn't disrupt the flow in your home.

A Modern Thanksgiving

What are you most thankful for? If you’re not a complete Scrooge, you graciously ponder this question no matter how many times you’ve been asked in a day. Many of us answer this question around the Thanksgiving table and express gratitude for our families, friends, and of course, the massive feast soon to commence. But how often do we really appreciate and express thankfulness for our home? True, in this day in age, shelter is nearly a given; a basic necessity. However, our homes do much more than just shelter us: they comfort us, unite us, inspire us, and give us space to express ourselves. This Thanksgiving season let’s give our homes some credit by showing how much they do for us! Whether you’re providing food for your army of an extended family or just intimately dining with a few loved ones, you can provide the perfect setting to create an ambiance abundant in love, peace, warmth, and all the joyous sentiments brought by this season of Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

 Fall leaves, a beautiful site to see outside why not bring them inside! Glass vases are simple and can be used for other occasions. Give you a pop of color and brings the outside in!

 Such a great idea! Take real pumpkins and tape off certain areas and paint them. A modern twist on decorating for Thanksgiving!

 Modern version of a Thanksgiving Cornucopia Horn.  Instead use square vases and fill will grapes and other items that typically are in a horn. Gives you warm Thanksgiving feeling without being too over the top!

 Candles set the mood for any great occasion, so why not here with your closest family and friends. Add handmade menus to each place-setting for a more formal, restaurant like table.

Hurricanes wrapped in different color craft paper. This is a great mantle decoration or a table-scape. Just make sure the paper is not too close to the candle. Or better yet, use flame-less candles then you don't have to worry!

Please, not the turtle figurine.

You know, the one you saw for just two dollars in that cute little market in Key West or Belize or New Zealand? Don’t get me wrong, I love turtles as much as the next human, but if you’re of the traveling breed of human, something’s got to give. Maybe you’re an international businessman, a bohemian traveler, a world-wide partier, a global missionary, or just a tourist. No matter your reason to travel, you always have the same reason to come home:  simply, it’s your home! So, bring your travels home with you- just not in little nick-knacks. Please, no more turtle figurines, stuffed bears in sweaters, or key-chain license plates. Display your travels throughout your home in a meaningful way that truly represents the beauty of your journey or destination. Here are some souvenir suggestions for your next trip and ways you can integrate them into your home. Enjoy!

 Are you a fan of travel? Countless countries around the globe have their own version of this convenient commodity: the fan. Luckily, fans make beautiful art pieces that you can hang on a wall or display on a shelf (since they probably won’t get much use in your air conditioned home!). Fans come in various sizes and styles from various countries, but this one in particular is an Oriental-styled fan in a living room.

 A country represents its individuality in its artwork, so why not bring some home? And no, I don’t mean display a printed copy of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in your living room. Consider folk or indigenous art that is unique to your destination, such as this living space adorned with Aboriginal Australian art.

 Combine your world-wide adventures with the comforts of your own home! Using linens from around the world to decorate your space brings a cultured aspect to the coziness of your home. Embroidered pillow covers, drapes, woven blankets, or rugs provide an easy way to incorporate your travels into your interior. This bedroom has Indian cushion covers as well as a blanket that allows you to reminisce (or dream!) about a voyage to a distant land.

 One never travels without taking photos; that is a given. Keep the memories of the places you went and the sights that you saw by displaying photographs creatively in your home.

Mural Mural on the Wall...

Got an empty wall in your home? Looks like you got yourself a canvas! Express yourself in a way that wallpaper, solid paint, or artwork simply cannot. Murals offer a bland room a brilliant backdrop that is so grand, so magnificent that anything smaller would be unjust.  Though the sheer immensity of a mural may seem intimidating, you need not worry: a mural balances the space and color in the room while uniting all furniture and other accessories in a common theme. A mural is great for nearly any room: a living room, an office, or even a nursery! Mural mural on the wall, what’s the greatest one of all? I’ll let you be the judge of that. Here are some incredible in-home murals that are sure to spark your creativity. Enjoy!

 A mural doesn't have to cover the entire wall from corner to corner. However, this elegant tree's branches even extend onto the ceiling!

 Missing your favorite city? Bring a little 'back home' into your home with this awesome city scene.

 Wall to wall color! This marbled mural is beautiful. All the color you need just on one wall!

 This up-close blade of grass scene offsets the 'office-look' by bringing the outside in... in microscopic detail!

This nursery mural covers the top-half of every wall so as not to be overwhelming. Perfect for baby Mario and Luigi!