Welcome Back Cottage

Feeling some inspiration this morning and jumping back in after a really long nap.  A little client research along with some inspiration from my sweet wife on the current project we are working to complete.  This place on the southwest side of Michigan sparked some attention.  Simple yet crisp and creative.  White is king here, however they toned it down with stains and subtle accents in furnishings and cabinetry.

A make-up of fresh new contemporary design ideas while still incorporating the existing structure.

Scrap, clean, bolt and paint.  Well, not always that easy but as you can see they found a way to bring all those elements to life.  Exposed trusses, structural beam and pipe columns.

Check the old school roll-up shades in the windows.

The before and after.  Have that vision and stick with it.

via Contemporist

The Dog Stair

This is just out of control and totally hilarious.  A full on custom built set of stairs just for the dogs.  The designers killed it here incorporating the 2 sets side by side and tying all of the interior lines together.  The shapes and patterns from structure and furniture all play off one another.  The best part, in my opinion, is the handrail.  Safety first for the pooch.  You can also check this post over at Fred Flare.

via archdaily

Kitchen Basic

A classic NYC loft space that presents a ton of possibilities for this kitchen.  I like the minimalistic approach in layout and cabinetry (or lack of).  It's not flashy at all but it works.  The vintage green farm sink sets it all off.  Basic yet still flows with texture.

via homedsgn

Living Room Display

Architecturally it really is a pretty sweet place.  A creative use of reinforced concrete and steel to create these clusters of random floating boxes that define the space.  However this uber modern vibe with the full open layout that maximizes a ton of natural light just isn't getting it done.  Come on.  The main attraction here is the badass, custom-made lift.  That's the gem that sets this place off.  There's room for 9 cars down below and 1 for display in the living room.  So fresh.  What's your favorite?  You can also check this post, here.

via homedsgn

Working Pantry

A full open style kitchen with a killer little working pantry.  It's basically an extension of the kitchen.  A creative way to maximize your space when working with a smaller or unique layout.  Renovation is always tricky that way.  You have to keep that open mind set and look for ways to stretch or borrow space.

via Remodelista

Crisp, White and Narrow

 

Here's a little highlight from an NYC townhouse the measures just 16 feet in width.  Check this kitchen/nook space.  It's cozy but you really can't go wrong with the all white look.  Keep that space as bright as possible and you'll forget about the narrow, galley style.

Killer little added elements to highlight the space include the fresh yellow glass tiles of the backsplash as well as the factory style steel window off the sitting area.

It's subtle but I like the way they carried the horizontal lines throughout the space from the layout of the cabinetry to the cladding of the wood walls.

The floor to ceiling windows are flat out perfect once again helping open that space.  Bring on as much of that natural light as possible.

via Remodelista

Old Barn New Home

Showing some love to an old barn.  She's a tired old beauty from the outside but still structurally sound so they altered a few window openings and directed their attention to the interior.  Ever so budget conscious, they took a minimalist approach.  A little industrial.  A little rustic.  Keeping the overall vibe of the barn, the space is wide open exposing beam construction.  Windows are set off by their size and locations.  They're set in the middle of the partition showcasing overall thickness and the exterior brick bullnose detail.  A sweet detail by the architects referencing the use of the OSB plywood as not only being budget friendly but also drawing parallels to straw bales.

via homedesgn

Ski Cabin Renovation

It's rustic, raw and weathered on the outside.  A killer little ski cabin that just needed some love.  A nice clean-up on the exterior.  There is no need to over do it.  Stabilize the structure and let is show off it's rugged character.  On the flip side, once you step inside it's a completely different story.  A sleek, smooth modern vibe that keeps it simple yet very refined.  Clean lines, light tones and a kickass view no matter what season it is.

via homedsgn

No Mirror Necessary

via homedsgn

Wood Boxes

A client with a crazy busy lifestyle that loves to entertain collaborates on this open-ended design.  A series of boxes clad in mahogany and travertine allowing plenty of natural light as well as providing just enough privacy when necessary.  A design where you can see or be seen throughout.

How about the perspective look?  A killer design element.  Mahogany wrapping the floor, walls and ceiling.  They continue the clean mahogany lines in the kitchen as well with the wrapping of the cabinets.

And on the lighter side a travertine cooking alcove with some fresh backlighting softens the kitchen space.

 

You can also check this post over at Fred Flare.

via Contemporist

Cord Lights

Cord lights.  Very popular right now.  Cool and retro.  Done really well in this Italian bistro in Milan.  I talk a lot about working with the existing elements and here they strike again.  Original brick barrel vaulted ceilings meet kickass cord lights.  A genius fix.  Instead of running some traditional metal pipe (conduit) to get the power to the cord lights they opted to order/design the fixtures with additional cord. The cord becomes another design element and runs exposed along the ceiling following the brick and mortar patterns completing the connection.

via Yatzer

Pumpkin Room

A funky addition to any office.  They call this pod the Pumpkin Room.  The perfect place for that quick 5 second meeting or brainstorming session where you kick ass all day long.  A steel grid outlining this pumpkin shape is clad with polycarbonate, transparent panels and lit with fluorescent tube lighting.  You can also check this post over at Fred Flare.

via Contemporist

Green Tile

An interior using green subway tiles and putting out two different vibes.  A strong, dark subway tile in the kitchen warms the space along with the texture and pattern in the chevron flooring.

The foyer does not have green subway tile but I just thought it was kind of kick ass so I threw it in.  A classy feel with the details in the moldings and the vintage hanging fixture and rose colored side lights.

A lighter, fresher side in the bath using the tiles as an accent piece

via Remodelista