Urban Minimalist Type Homes

Modern minimalist house design, fits in the wake on the outskirts of urban areas. minimalist home is one of the dream for everyone. because it can reduce the use of building materials and more efficient.

Minimalist Home Design in La Habra Heights, California

Home design can not decide what you want? Most people choose a house design minimalist. The first step towards planning to build your house. Via: asis-leif,com

Modern Minimalist House Design by Zen

Modern minimalist house design drawings by Zen. Via Sulit.

The Apple Green of My Eye

There’s nothing like taking a bite out of a crisp, Granny Smith apple.  My mouth just puckers up at the mere thought of it. 

There’s also nothing like walking into a room bathed in this hue.  It’s pure happiness! 

Lately, I’ve had clients with preferences for more subdued palettes.  I’m going to say a little prayer for someone to let me go a little crazy with color!  Please?

Better Homes and Gardens features layers of stripes and checks for a cottage relief.

Hello Apple Betty!  A turn-of-the-century, (20th), painted door is connected by the striped rug.  (Pinterest)

All that’s missing are a few friends and some cocktails.  Appletini anyone?  (Design Sponge)

I covet Hooker Furniture’s Candy Green Accent Table!  At 19” in diameter and 26-1/2”high, it meets my need for versatility and can fit in any room in the house. 

Another great room featured in Better Homes and Gardens.  I must be in a full-blown cottage mode!  This one is a seaside escape in Nantucket.  I love the mix of aqua.

I don’t know why but doors and gates fascinate me.  I guess I’m always wondering what surprise might be behind them.  The ironwork, at the top, gives a glimpse into a garden spot.  (Pretty Picture)

And lest you think this is all about “cute” . . . Pretty sexy, yes?  (House-to-Home)

Okay, I’m bowing my head and sending this out to those of you who adore something a little more ‘tart’!

Ring me, okay?  ~ Wanda

Making A Better Home

Today, I’m working on client spaces in order to wrap them in the emotion or the experience of their homes.  For everyone, the idea of what constitutes ‘home’ is a bit different.  It goes without saying I do address the function, first.  It would be silly to move forward without capturing that as a part of the design process.  If most people really think about it, though, they’re looking for a much deeper meaning.  For many, it’s a soulful experience.

This afternoon, I’m working on finding resources to help make a better home for those who don’t have one.  < Click for story.  To say the least, the budget is tight, but I’m not letting that limit my imagination.  The words, above, are my inspiration.

I’m hoping to rely on my design community and vendors to share what they can. 

“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you” ~ Christian Morgenstern

Thanks for your help! ~ Wanda

PS – Really need gallons of untinted, white base latex flat paint.  So far, no national mfr. has stepped forward.  Got inside connections?

Table Lamp: Linen Drum Lamp Shade

Design table lamp in the bedroom.
Overview:
The subtle texture of linen gives our Linen Tapered Drum Lamp Shade a rich look. It’s finished with matching edging.

• Small: 12.5" diameter, 8.5" high
• Medium: 14” diameter, 9.5” high
• Large: 17” diameter, 11” high
• Linen-cotton shade.
• Pair with any of our Mix & Match lamp bases (sold separately). Via: potterybarn
  

There are 3 color image above furniture such as lamps. See also design home office desk

Journeys – An Interior Designer’s Mind & Week

Oh what a week!  - - And it’s all been good, I should add.  I realize I’ve been dropping back from my usually prolific blog postings, to catching up with: writing, paperwork, design, and gardening on the weekends.  I do promise to share more details of some projects, some gardening, and a few ideas I’m popping into my upcoming newsletter. 

Meanwhile it’s Saturday morning and it’s time for a wee break, some long put off shopping, and a quick visit to the garden.  I’m just going to write as it flows and let the words and thoughts take us where they will.

Join me on the journey of my rambling mind.  I promise we’ll come back, full circle!

My friend, Beth Swanson, had her Shopkeeper’s Sunday at Oldtyme Marketplace, which is her fabulous store in Marshville, NC.  As I was perusing through her treasures, I noticed she had added a few sweet new bedding items.  (I’ve got a whole future post to write about her store and the little town of Marshville, in my other blog, Villas and Bungalows.)  I promised I would play the roving reporter and I’ve totally wandered off the path from that.  Coming Soon!

Mmmm.  Somehow those pillow labels, (color, shape, pattern), reminded me to follow-up on marketing materials.  Aimee O’Boyle, my trusted designer of all things logo’ish and paper’ish is sending me a “goodie package” with more biz cards, note cards, and marketing bits and pieces.  I’ve also been working on some clever ways to share what I do.  Top secret, for now!

As I was checking Aimee’s paper good items off of my list, (bearing in mind I was thinking of correspondence) . . . Good heavens!  It occurred that my next newsletter needed to be finished as July 4th is around the corner and I didn’t want to miss the boat on sharing holiday-worthy ideas.  These paper pinwheels, from Martha Stewart, came to mind as a jumping off point.  Loved the idea of a fabric story tie in.

So . . . here’s the fabric/pattern tie-in.  Even with all of the mix, not too busy and a fab room concept for a boy’s retreat.  (Pinterest folks have the greatest pics for helping to illustrate a design point.)  A very cool Americana/nautical vibe. 

Did I say nautical?  A reminder that I’m working on updating a bath off of a boy’s room – which we’re also redesigning.  He’s more of a fan of earthy colors so the red, white and blue theme doesn’t have a thing to do with the price of eggs in China, but I’ve got to select a new faucet and tub/shower fittings.  This American Standard design, Moments Monoblock, would offer a streamlined approach to filling his sink.

Oh, and did I mention “streamlining”?

By mid-week, I was working with clients who are scaling back on the size of their living quarters, but not pulling back at all on the details of their design plan.  They are keeping some of their favorite pieces of art, such as the hand-colored botanicals, below.

This couple wanted to lighten their load of responsibilities, travel more, and enjoy an open living concept.  Open floor concepts do take a little extra consideration, in tying all of the elements together.  I think we figured out how to multipurpose the furniture pieces, pretty well. 

All of my clients’ furniture ponderings catapulted the inspiration for a blog story for Hooker Furniture . . .

“Keep The ‘Wow’ Factor in Small Living Spaces”

I featured their new Moccato Collection Buffet and Hutch.  Be sure to click on the article’s link, above, to read the rest of the story.  You can also register to win an ingenious multi-functional cocktail table!  It’s so exciting to be among a team of talented folks, as we share clever ways to incorporate the HF Collection into your homes.  Pretty soon, I’ll be asking some of my talented interior designer friends to share their favorite pieces, too!

 

At the end of the week, I met with Kathy Bragg, the Executive Director of the Union County Community Shelter.  (I wrote a previous post – “Giving Shelter”, if you would like to learn more about this project.)  We, along with some staff members, visited a local building supply company, in order to see what resources might be available, as well as to gather financial data to share in an upcoming committee meeting. 

Based on some stock cabinetry and materials, I did a quick schematic of how we might take the current kitchen to this:

From this:

We’ve got a long wish list but we also know -  “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  (Laozi)

Eventually, I think we’ll come full circle.

Have the best weekend!  I’m off to the garden! ~ Wanda

Furniture Swivel Desk Chairs and Cushions

Furniture sale, Swivel Desk Chairs and Cushions

Overview:
A schoolhouse antique inspired our swiveling hardwood chair. Seat height adjusts from 16" to 20" high. Use our seat cushion for more comfort.

• 18" wide x 22" deep; height adjusts from 35" to 39"
• Chair swivels and tilts, and rolls easily on casters.
• Seat is contoured and Features adjustable height.
• Available in Mahogany stain, Black or Espresso stain.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
• Select items are Catalog / Internet Only. Via: potterybarn
  

Desk Dreams – Living Simple

“They” say a messy desk is the sign of a busy person. 

(Pinterest)

Or is it more pointed that a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind?

(Image from Design Sponge article)

And then there is the concept of organized chaos.

(Image – Mr. Boddington Ship To Shore)

Hello, is anyone really home?

(Image:  Pinterest via Milk tooth’s rain.)

“The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich, and creative, it isn't simple.”  ~Doris Janzen Longacre

I think she’s got a point!

Simply saying ~ Wanda

Outdoor Living – Navigating Navy

When the mercury begins climbing, it’s time to reach for something cool in the color palette.  Shades of blue are always a great place to start.

Imagine my delight when I received a note from B. Berger,today, with clippings of their latest Terraces Indoor-Outdoor Collection.  It’s called Bella Dura and the seven new exclusive patterns are:  stain resistant, water repellant, bleach cleanable, and antimicrobial . . . a nice way of saying they won’t become “grody” after many seasons of outdoor living.

Of course, if you prefer your hues of blue to be a bit deeper than the sky, navy makes for a good diving off point.  Even the name, ‘navy’, evokes nautical images.  To prevent that concept from taking your imagination down a theme-park path, take a look at my inspiration collage for some other ways to consider:

Chic, cool, and right on course.

See you portside! ~ Wanda

Chair Choices – Six Ways To Sunday

Interior Designers receive many design questions, and one of the more frequent ones asked is: “What would you put ‘there’? . . . while pointing a finger in the direction of an area, space or an opening in a room.  Well, if it’s the first time I’ve seen a client and their home, a million things may roll through my head, as we’re just getting to know one another and I’m still determining their lifestyle, preferences and most important, scale of the area.  Of course, I’m totally honored they think I’ve got the magic solution!

How do we decide?  Let’s narrow today’s chat to a specific area and start from there.

 

(Every Jot and Tittle – Etsy)

When it comes to dining spaces, casual or formal, the design element which can make or break the look, (in my experience), is the selection of chairs.  I know a table can be grand and glorious but it can also be hidden by the bounty of seating, as well as the table settings, when all is said and done.  If your table is nice but not totally spectacular, no worries.  Focus on those chairs!

To make a point, I thought it might be fun to grab a simple, rattan table and show you six different chairs, which would create six different looks, just by swapping them out.

 

Of course, the rest of the dressings for the room would also make a huge impact but the seating selections provide a definite vibe, don’t you think?

Lest you drive yourself crazy by bringing home a cadre of chairs to give a test drive, you might want to think about bringing in a professional to assist.

How do I know when ‘there’ will be the magic solution?  Trust me, I just do!

Offering you the best seat in your house. ~ Wanda

Pruning To Grow – The Garden & Life

Our NC gardening season seems to have been quickly catapulted from Spring to Summer.  Tomato vines are full of green globes, a few little pickling cucumbers haven been plucked, and the flower gardens have fairly well matured.  In fact, it’s been time to really prune back to allow for new growth.  It’s all about what we gardeners call “dead-heading” or getting rid of spent flowers or growth, which will have no future opportunity for a “resurrection”.  It allows the plant’s energy to be put back into the new buds or sprouts.  In some cases, it’s to remove larger leaves in order to allow the tender shoots beneath receive a direct blessing from the sun.

(We’ve been keeping the hydrangeas happy and this is our reward!)

This morning, while I was tending to the joy of pruning . . . and meaning ‘joy’ in the most sincerest of ways . . . I was reminded of how fruitful the results of the process can be in our lives, as well.  When actions, things, and even relationships aren’t producing positive results or emotions, it might be time to get the clippers out.

(A snippet of this and a snippet of that make for a lovely bouquet.  Hydrangea, Mint, Angelonia, Coreopsis, Cone Flowers, Coleus, and Oregano.)

(Extra Mint clippings will be refrigerated for future iced tea flavoring and will make for a heavenly scent when the fridge door is opened.)

I suppose one of the reasons I love gardening so much, other than some of the obvious aspects beauty, is how the process is so applicable to life and, if you pay attention, there are many lessons to be learned.  It also brings inspiration to my daily design practice as it provides primers in planning, tending to the details, and patience.  (Not to mention stunning color palettes and patterns!) 

I’m so glad I’ve spent this year, “pruning to grow”.  It’s always a process but the results have fashioned for some nice arrangements!

“Interior design is my passion and enterprise, writing is my connection, and gardening is my therapy.”  All my best to you! ~ Wanda

(Images from Wanda S. Horton)

Home Office: Bedford Smart Technology, Corner Desk Hutch

Home Office: Bedford Smart Technology, Corner Desk Hutch

For sale Corner Desk

Overview:
Designed for ultimate versatility, our iconic Bedford Collection allows you to arrange and rearrange components to best meet your needs for years to come. The Smart™ Technology Corner Desk Hutch seamlessly connects you to high-tech accessories by keeping electronics and cords discreet while also organizing household items. To create a desk set that’s ideal for your space, click here to view our Bedford Desk Set Tool.

• 69.5" wide x 34.5" deep x 6.5" high
• The Smart™ feature on the back panel is a 2-plug power supply cord set with dual data jacks and a rocker switch.
• Sort papers or bills, and tuck away office supplies in the convenient drawer.
• Detailed with iron pulls and name plates. Via: potterybarn