Hide it WHERE?

Where is Spring?????  I need warmth!  Living in Minnesota during the winter, we all get a bit stir crazy--cuckoo, cuckoo!!  We've been cooped up (couldn't pass that one up) inside, looking at our homes for WAY too long.  Either we want to get rid of stuff permanently, have a change of scenery, or both!


Storage is such a necessity in today's fast paced world.  There is so much for us to keep and peruse later (that would be when?), to store for when we have more time (as if!), to look at and remember the past (we hope) that having proper places for all of these necessities is crucial in good design.  The main key is not just to shove stuff out of sight and out of mind but how to use your environment wisely and look within your existing surroundings for possible untapped space, find those hidden nooks and crannies to give a purpose to their existence.  God forbid there are parts of your house that just laze around!  Yes, you can always build in gorgeous bookcases and cabinets, and sometimes that is your only option.  Ahead are some clever storage ideas mostly centered around the useable space within and around staircases, but also a few others.  Dig in and dig out!

Apartment Therapy by Levitate Architects

Apartment Therapy by Levitate Architects

 Apartment Therapy by Levitate Architects-- Yes, these are actually stairs in this and the 1st two pics.  Love the long, skinny door storage!

Apartment Therapy by Levitate Architects

Remodelista -- Yes, sometimes even the need to store larger items takes over!

 Love this!

Home Interiors Zone 

Home Interiors Zone -- this staircase is a bit scary looking to me...

 Home Interiors Zone

 DVD Storage Solution

 HGTV -- home office

Build Direct

If finding a nook or cranny for your items isn't what you need, but you are looking for some double duty versatility, here you go!!

A little magazine-go-round perhaps...

Whimsical Lounge Table: Giselle By Anna Neklesa

And for the TRULY double duty, versatile storage.  Shelving hidden storage and exercise equipment in one!

Space Saving Furniture

 Can you dig it??

☮~~~~~~~~ Susan ~~~~~~~~☮

Weingrod Abrahamson Architecture & Landscape Architecture

Yes, I know--it has been a long time since my last blog!  I have been busy redoing my website with an old friend of mine, Mary K. Paquette, a fabulous illustrator, web designer, etc.  By the time I'm done doing the work I need to for my website, in addition to the numerous other emails and online shtuff, I've been sitting down to blog with just a blank stare!  Anyhoo--today I'm going to get back on track!

One of my favorite architecture & landscape firms that I keep going back to for inspiration is Weingrod Abrahamson based in Baaka, Jerusalem.  I don't know them personally, but I came across their site a few years back, and they are instrumental for me during the inspiration phase of a project.  I love the way their interior projects incorporate nature, color, and a relaxed, eclectic feel.  Their exterior landscape architectural projects have fabulous lines and stupendous juxtaposition of textures.  Check them out!

This particular picture I used as inspiration for a Pool Changing Room:

Inspiration Photo

Completed Pool Changing Room

With Spring and Summer just around the corner (it better be!!), today I'll focus and share some of their wonderful architectural landscape images.  Think sun, think sun, think sun--if you call it, it will come!  Have fun dreaming of warmth!

Here's some of their wonderful sitting areas.  These areas are soooo inviting!  I so want one in my backyard!

What you say?  You don't have the time, energy, resources, or desire for a fabulous outdoor lounging area?  Well, let's just go for the pergola then!!

I hope this gave you some wonderful inspiration for your yard, garden, patio, or what have you.  Remember, think sun, think sun, think sun, think sun...

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀ ~ Susan ~ ☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

OMG!! Master Bath profiled on K+BB!

Thank you so much to K+BB (Kitchen and Bath Business) online site for profiling one of my bathrooms!! I'm super excited!!

Check out the article!!!   http://www.kbbonline.com/kbb/projects/Into-the-Blue-1853.shtml

Into the Blue

By Nichole Schulze

April 11, 2011

Fun at High Point Furniture Market

Hi all!  Or should I say "y'all"!

I'm back from having an absolutely fabulous time at High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina!  I saw a lot of exciting new accessories, furniture, fabric, etc. etc.  Got to meet inspiring people such as Thom Filicia, Michael Weiss (son of famed artist/designer Lillian August), Annie Selke, Raymond Waites, and Paul Burrell (Princess Diana's butler).  Since Prince William and Kate Middleton will inherit a lot of super traditional furniture for their new abode, Paul Burrell has been corroborating with Highland House furniture in creating some transitional furniture pieces for the Prince and Kate so they don't feel like they are living at grandma's little estate.  It was fun to see those pieces (I felt like an insider!)--warm and cozy but not quite so stodgy.  Veering 180 degrees from that...

Funky items from the trip:

Rug woven (yes, actually woven) with socks.  You could pick it up and relocate it.

 Pendant lamp from a sheer skirt

 I don't know, but I liked it!

 Pendant lamp from paper coffee cups

 Art from pieces of toast.  The small toaster oven and tinfoil was sitting on a small table near the art, so I guess if you wanted to apply yourself, you could!  Or at least get a gist of the creation process!

Light pendant of grid wire and cottonballs.

Loved this showroom with all of the display furniture wrapped in tin foil!

Mohawk table lamp

☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯

Not quite as funky, but just as luscious, finds:

Nickel plated metal pendant light by Dovetail Furniture

 Again, not sure.  I think some type of dried, pruned tree or branch?  And whitewashed? Anyway, aren't they incredible?  Almost Dr. Seuss like!

 Some type of super curvy vine constructed into these fabulous balls which were anywhere from 1.5' to 3', maybe almost 4', in diameter.  Super cool!

Table lamp made from a very large spring.  The shade is wonderful too!  Could fit into so many different environments--rustic, industrial, contemporary, etc.

☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯

Some fun DIY ideas:

 Big twig-like balls with cord covers.  Adds a wonderful 3D aspect and fills a lot of negative space within a high ceilinged environment.

Flat, framed board with multiple large screw eyes on each side, string/wire drawn from screw eye to screw eye and secured to them, and little clothespin or other clips on the wires.  What a great alternative to a bulletin board for ideas, pics, art, etc.

☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯

BUT MY FAVORITE WWWAAASSS...

Thom Filicia's color combos!!!  (OK, he did kiss me 2 or 3 times on the cheek, but really, I am TRULY being objective here!!  Of course, then I almost spilled his wine--thank goodness he has quick reflexes-- I could have been one bad memory...)  

I just loved the unique, rich colors, and unfortunately, my pics don't quite do it justice.  But here you go...

 Just think of these colors being a bit richer in person.  Look at that pop of Greyed Aubergine on the chair behind the plant and how it relates to the painting.  Lots of great textures too--leather, mohair, velvet, linen, definitely masculine.

 Never a dull moment in these rooms!

 Here the wonderful rich Rose and Aubergine colors again.

 Love the Mustard and Dark Taupe mohair or velvet on the sofa, and look at the subtle references in the chair fabric to tie in with the cushions.  Hugely different proportions yet so complementary!  Love it!  No matchy matchy here.

 Stunning!  Love the rug too!

 Rich Dark Rose with Ochre--yum!

And a HUMONGOUS thank you to Connie, Jon, Nancy, and Dale for being such a fun group to be a part of!!  Can't wait for next time!!

☯Susan☯