bltd

I’m addicted to houzz, which is chock-full of home design photos. I’ve started a bltd ideabook that’s not centered on any idea (sorry), it’s just my favorites so far. It looks like it would be a great place to gather and sort your inspiration photos to share with others.

favs on houzz

You might have seen this idea before, but to those of you who haven’t, how good does this unpainted stair runner look? I think it adds interest to the all-white interior, and makes sense as far as wear and tear.

AT did a post on painted stair runners discussing options and durability issues. Be sure to check their comments for reader suggestions.

(Forgive me for not including the source on this photo; I can’t remember where I found it.)

I think I would be inspired to write something too if I had this for a studio, even if it was only just ‘how freaking awesome is this house’ over and over again. Check out residential architect online for product specifications and credits.

A dark, quiet, enigmatic shape in the woods, this building responds to a very simple program. “It’s mostly about reading and writing, watching the fire, and listening to music,” says Wendy Evans Joseph, FAIA, LEED AP. But in simplicity there is power, and Joseph’s distilled forms and highly tuned surfaces imbue familiar elements with iconic force. Our judges noted the deft handling of walnut in building assemblies and sculptural custom furnishings. -(bruce d. snider)

[via residential architect magazine]

See it here.

How many of you could be okay with open cabinetry in your kitchen? This photo of Frank and Ditta Hoeber’s Philadelphia loft sure makes it tempting, doesn’t it? Check out the spread from LoftLife Magazine for more inspiration.

Frank and Ditta Hoeber’s Philadelphia loft is all about display. The architectural and design firm behind the space, Qb3 Design, wanted to create a “silent background” within which the couple could feature their book collection, art and objects.

See it here.

Did you know that Target has a bunch of decent wallpaper to choose from? I’m sort of impressed.

Mosaico Double-Roll Wallpaper – Black/ Silver, $74.99, Buy it here.
Tolla Double-Roll Wallpaper – Storm Blue, $74.99, Buy it here.
Muse Double-Roll Wallpaper – Black, $74.99, Buy it here.
Manor House Double-Roll Wallpaper – Black/ Gloss, $74.99, Buy it here.
Jaisamand Double-Roll Wallpaper – Moleskin, $74.99, Buy it here.
Chantilly Double-Roll Wallpaper – Parchment, $74.99, Buy it here.
Paintable Wallpaper- Ornate Tile, $34.99, Buy it here.
Elizabeth Double-Roll Wallpaper – Pink/ Silver, $74.99, Buy it here.

Missing those period details that older buildings have? Well, here you go, no dust or expensive contract installations, just hang up these painted wall panels. Also, check out the Louis Fireplace Slipcover ($475 ( 5′-6″ l x 4′-6″ h x 1′-0″ d)) for a quick fix to your fireplace.

“original artwork with no two alike …acrylic painted canvas faux wall panels with grommets for easy wall hanging installation.” -ridiculous design

Louis XLarge: $2995.00 (7′-6″ high x 17′-3″ wide)
Louis Medium: $1299.00 (7′-6″ high x 10′-0″ wide)
Louis Small: $999.00 (7′-6″ high x 6′-0″ wide)
custom sizes and custom color available on request
Buy it here.

Apologies if you look at the The New York Times as much as I do, but they have some of the most interesting slideshows of interiors and I can’t help but post them. Case in point is Billy Morrissette’s SoHo loft: I especially love the plywood used for the kitchen cabinets/walls.

See it here.

Wall Street Journal’s Magazine has a great article on eco-architect Micky Muennig’s Cooper Point Home. Take a look.

This house on Cooper Point, with its budding roof of wild grasses and California poppies, is one of his most impressive projects yet. It’s part of an expansive garden that, theoretically, stretches all the way down to the Pacific Ocean. Part hobbit hole, part high-tech habitat, it’s a perfect blend of old hippie values and the newest in green thinking. “The lifestyle was what really drew me here,” Muennig says. “I always dreamt of living freely in a small cabin.” –WSJ. Magazine

[via designboom]

Sure, we’ve all seen some items made from windshields, but actually using the breaks and cracks of damaged windshields as a design element is something slightly new (to me, at least). I really wish they’d come up with better photography, but if you’ve any imagination you can see how this idea would be great as a shower door or, as shown above, as a wall divider or door.

Converting junk or damaged windshields into new glass products is a patent-pending process that we have perfected. While simple in concept it is a complex formula of art and science. We can add color to co-ordinate with other design elements. Second Glass can be framed, lighted, mounted, or hung just as in most glass applications creating attractive and easily maintained walls, dividers, fronts, partitions, and lighting.

Price available upon request. Buy it here.

[via materialicious]

So, ever since seeing the photo (taken by Debi Treloar) of this bed (in Studio Ilse’s 661 london road project), I’ve been a little obsessed with finding cobalt blue sheets and perhaps taking on the task of adding a wall mural somewhere in my home. While I have had absolutely no luck in finding the sheets (it’s apparently impossible*), there are quite a few wall mural sources online.

Surface View, which is perhaps the most entertaining, has a large image collection along with a snazzy ‘see in room’ option where you get to see your selected image as a mural, window blind or canvas art (see upper right photo). There’s also Murals Your Way which has what looks to be a decent brick wall and some other stuff worth considering. My personal favorite is the Galaxy mural wall paper (shown lower right) from designyourwall.com. They also have a nice bamboo forest wallpaper that could be nice in a powder room or something.

Is that enough to get you started mural-wise? Any other good links, let me know and I’ll add them.

*To the first person who finds a cobalt sheet set in queen size (thread count ~300, available online from a US, Canada, or UK store), I will send you a handmade card as thanks…and maybe something else too.

When perusing through Carolina Eclectic’s blog, her photo of a mirrored fence just about jumped out and slapped me. Just put up a mirror all along the perimeter and voilà suddenly your outdoor space seems twice as large. How smart is that (and why haven’t I thought of that for my own postage-stamp patio)?

to see post and more photos, click here.

Besides being perfectly lovely, this five story house in Tokyo has a hidden staircase(!). I fully recommend looking through the pics.

To see more pics of Long Tall House, click here.

[to read more about the project, visit dezeen]

For anyone who’s in the middle of remodeling, or embarking on a huge remodeling project, it might do you good to see this before and after for inspiration (and hope). It’s pretty amazing how huge the transformation is (I don’t even want to know how much it cost or how long it took)…it’s also for sale in case there are any interested parties out there.

visit martinswatton.com
more photos: livingetc.

Why-oh-why are bathroom fixtures so darn expensive?

Two-hole bath mixer with stand pipes and cross handles: $2,614.00, Buy it here.
Also shown: Single-hole basin mixer with stand pipe and cross handles

[via pointclickhome]

The ever resourceful Julie from Remodelista did a great post about steel door and window fabricators. If you’re in the market, I highly suggest checking it out.

Photos shown above:
top two from Bliss Nor-Am (located Syracuse N.Y.)
bottom two from Crittall Windows (UK)