Author: Husbad

Small Bathroom

A Makeover Turns Wasted Space Into a Dream Master Bath

It’s like the original design of this 1980s condominium’s master suite was a puzzle someone put together the wrong way, and 30-some decades after an architect arrived and put all the bits in which they always should have been. Architect Amy Alper took a badly laid-out master suite and reconfigured it into a smaller bedroom with a fresh bathtub and sink space, a hallway and a cupboard. The owners are empty nesters that reside in Los Angeles, and they purchased the Sonoma, California, condo to have another house near their kids; they are likely to live there full time eventually.

Before Photo

This condo was created from the 1980s, a time that adopted extra expanses of square footage from the bedroom. “There has been an undefined sitting area adjacent to the bedroom which was a big, empty space,” Alper says. The adjoining bathrooms were small and utilitarian.

The distance between the double-door entrance to the space and the window seat was empty and fresh. The mattress is just to the left of the tall dresser (see expanded view).

Amy A. Alper, Architect

Alper scooped up this distance and reassigned into a new bathtub and vanity room. Now the bathtub sits in the bay in which the window seat has been. She reassigned the outdated mirrored cupboard to upper and lower recessed cabinets with touch-latch hardware; 2 of those cabinets are shown on the ideal side of this picture.

Alper balanced the living space with a thoughtful flow of color and materials. The flooring tile continues up the bathtub surround. The 11/2-inch-thick Caesarstone from the countertop continues round the space as a sill. The same white pine outlines all the lower cupboards on the ideal side of the space.

Sconceson dimmerscreate a flattering light.

Cabinets: habit, Hope Cabinetry and Builders; window remedies: Smith and Noble; sconces: Elf2 Toilet Light; tile: Designs Tile and Stone; hardware: Sugatsune; sinks: Kohler; faucets: Axor Starck, Hansgrohe

Amy A. Alper, Architect

Prior to the remodel that the couple had two comparatively small closets. Alper transferred the entrance to the space to the left, making space for a new walk-in closet and hallway, as you can see in this plan.

Before Photo

The area you see in this film is currently the master bathroom/hallway and walk-in cupboard. Alper shifted the double entrance doors closer to the bed, as you can see in the ground plan. The toilet/shower room remains in the same place, supporting the mirrored cupboard.

Amy A. Alper, Architect

The owners wanted their house to have clean lines and textures, which Alper brought in through bamboo floors and ceramic and glass tile.

Continuous edges give the space a contemporary sense, while the mix of textures and rich, neutral hues warms the room. The accent wall and tubular sconces bring about some curves that are welcome.

Ceiling light: Elf 8 Square Ceiling/Wall Light

Amy A. Alper, Architect

The mosaic glass tile on the curved wall can be looked at from the bathtub and out of the mattress. “It’s the unique piece and has been worth the splurge,” Alper says. “The room feels larger because it incorporates the hallway together with all the glass wall as a backdrop to the space.”

The cork flooring is comfortable underfoot, absorbs sound and provides delicate texture and color.

Mosaic tile: Oceanside Glasstile

Amy A. Alper, Architect

Dashed tile details play pattern in the new shower. Though the dimensions of the shower room remain exactly the same, the crystal clear glass and new tile give it a more spacious feeling.

Shower fixtures: Axor Starck, Hansgrohe; tile: Designs Tile and Stone

Contractor: Rockridge Construction

Inform usPerhaps you have reclaimed an embarrassing or unused space in your house? We would love to see everything you did.

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Window Treatments

Windowpane

In a window, a pane is a part of glass. Windows are available with single, dual and triple panes. Multiple panes, which are full of gas, raise the window insulation abilities.

Chris Hill

A pane may be a single square of glass, as is most frequently true for contemporary windows, the whole sheet within a sash.

All About Windows Inc

Steel Window Bronze

This really is a window.

Custom Spaces Design

The bottom here features a pane without a muntins.

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Decorating Guides

Things You Need to Know About Buying a Sofa

A sofa is one of the biggest furniture investments you will make — and one of the most permanent. Even when you’re just purchasing one for a temporary fix, it’ll eventually get demoted from your living room to the living room into the cellar and, eventually, the dorm. Before you know it, a few years or more has passed, and that urge purchase is becoming part of your life. So give some thought to it before you buy. Then buy the best-quality sofa which you can spend. Your purchase will be amortized over many decades.

Chloe Warner

How to Spot a Quality Sofa

Evaluation its sturdiness. Quality couches should feel heavy and solid. Flop about on you to test its sturdiness, then lift it up by the corner and then shake it a bit. If it feels shaky or light, have a pass. Start looking for a frame created from a kiln-dried hardwood like oak, alder, walnut, walnut or, alternatively, high-quality hardwood plywood or marine plywood. Eight-way, hand-tied springs are a hallmark of fine furniture, however sinuous S-shaped springs can provide nearly as much comfort. Drop-in coil springs are far less costly option.

Contemplate the cushions. Most cushions have a center of polyurethane foam; the denser the foam, the heavier it is and the longer it will last. In the cheapest furniture, the pillow is full of only the polyurethane foam center. In better furniture the center is wrapped with Dacron batting. Higher-quality options include poly-down cushions, which come down combined with the batting; spring-down cushions, which comprise a center of springs surrounded by feathers and foam; and down, which can be all feathers (and all operate, therefore avoid this unless you have servants).

Check the joints and framework. The very best couches have joints which are double doweled and fitted with corner blocks which are both glued and screwed (not stapled) right into position. Quality pieces have legs which are a part of the framework, not just attached to it (though removable feet do make it easier to get items through doors).

jamesthomas Interiors

Tobi Fairley Interior Design

How to Make it Work With Your Room

If your interior is traditional, start looking for a sofa with rolled arms, a contoured back, skirting or tufted cushions.

Contemporary sofas often have cleaner lines, fewer flourishes and royal upholstery.
Contemplate the proportions of the space and ascertain what height, duration and thickness of sofa would seem best in the area.

If you’re unsure, mock up a footprint on the floor using masking tape or blue painter’s tape. Or consider “building” a sofa from boxes — then live with it for a couple days to see how it feels.

When you intend to devote a lot of time lying on the sofa for studying or naps, make sure it has sufficient space between the arms. Don’t rely on total length independently, since the width of the arms will influence the space between.

Catherine Staples Interiors

If you’re short on space, think about purchasing a sofa with low arms or no arms — it’ll make your space seem larger.

Shoshana Gosselin

Oakley Home Builders

How a Lot of People Do You Wish to Seat?

That might seem like a ridiculous question, but the truth is, nobody enjoys sitting on the crack. Therefore, in the event that you get a sofa with two cushions, then anticipate just two people to utilize it. To accommodate more people, get a sofa with three cushions or a single long cushion, called a bench cushion.

Sofas normally include one of two types of springs: a cushion back, which includes detachable cushions or pillows along the rear; or a tight spine, where the upholstery is tailored to the contours of the couch’s back.

MuseInteriors

Pillow-back couches are usually considered more comfy and inviting, but there’s a downside: Unless you’re diligent with your fluffing, the cushions will usually seem slightly askew.

If you’re the type of person who’s driven to distraction by some thing like this, you might want to take into account a tight spine.

How to Pick the Ideal Sofa Cushion

Kendall Wilkinson Design

When it has to do with couches, one size doesn’t fit all. The thickness of the seat and the angle of the trunk will influence how comfortable you feel.

How do you understand what thickness is right for you? Let experience be your guide. When there’s a sofa or chair which you find particularly comfortable, assess the distance from the inside of your knee to the spot where your lower spine strikes the back of the sofa, then buy a sofa which has comparable dimensions.

Anna Lattimore Interior Design

Think About the long-term

Since couches are such a big investment, you will need yours to stay in fashion as long as possible. Given that, it is often better to stick with a neutral fabric. You can always add color and layout with throw cushions. Additionally, cushions are easy and inexpensive to change if you decide to redecorate.

Lucy and Company

If you have kids and a neutral sofa seems to be an invitation to disaster, consider a darker color or a sofa with a subtle overall layout.

Usually, synthetic fabrics are more durable, colorfast and cleanable. Tightly woven fabrics and fabrics which are hefty will endure to wear and tear better, as will leather. Avoid satins, brocades and damasks unless the sofa won’t find much use.

Rachel Reider Interiors

Whatever fabric you select, ask the store for a sample or cutting that it is possible to take home on acceptance before you buy. (If no sample is available, ask for a pillow) That way you can see the material under the light in your room and with different parts of furniture. When you’re spending this type of money, the last thing you need is a surprise.

Read sofas of every size and style in the Shop section

More
How to Purchase a Sleep Sofa
How to Buy a Sectional
How to Purchase a Mattress

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Decorating Guides

New Tile Trends Play With Pattern and Geometry

The 2013 Coverings trade show in Atlanta revealed the latest in tile styles from around the world, some brand new and some familiar but twisted into something brand new. Besides innovations in the wood look, manufacturers are also playing pattern and geometry. Patterns are appearing tiles themselves, and some tiles are being designed to create patterns by the way they are installed on walls and flooring. Some installations are a mixture of both. The brand new tiles from this year’s Coverings shown below should spark your own tile layout ideas.

Stripes

Designers are producing large striped compositions like this daring one by employing different-size tiles as well as strong color contrasts.

Shown: One Set by Viva

Long vertical stripes highlight the ceiling and divide the big tiled wall here. The tiled wall additionally creates a backsplash.

Shown: Play by Sant’Agostino

Colorful stripes add energy.

Shown: Top Color by Sant’Agostino

Patchwork

Mixed gingham, stripes and solids in lively pastels create a quilt-like composition here.

Shown: Lamosa

Florals, neutrals and shades of purple tile backsplash that this bathroom wall.

Shown: Cotto Vogue Collection by Cir

A smaller patchwork of patterned tiles looks like a painting on this Mediterranean weathered kitchen wall.

Shown: Cotto Vogue Collection by Cir

Florals and Botanicals

Tiles can produce modern vertical gardens, using small- and large-scale botanical designs covering entire walls like wallpaper. A big benefit to selecting tile wallpaper in the bath or kitchen is that tile stands up to water, food stains and steam.

Shown: Home by Sant’Agostino

Large-scale branches produce a tiled mural within this elegant bathroom. These tiles also provide metallic and texture colour, two more trends we will explore more in another ideabook.

Shown: Java by Grespania

Watercolor petals on tiles unite the trends of florals and stripes.

Shown: Pamesa

Strong Geometry

designs are taking on crisp geometric forms and lively patterns.

Shown: Miroir by Viva

Brazen op art patterns play tricks on the eye.

Shown: By Arturo Stevens for Original Mission Tile

Circles and ovals are big as well, in popularity and in size.

Shown: Glam by Ulf Moritz for Viva

Freer Forms

Since tile is shooting over whole walls, big undulating patterns now have space to ebb and flow.

Shown: Grespania

Classics With a Twist

a bigger scale and lively pattern give traditional hexagonal tiles a modern twist. It’s hard to see in the photograph, but these tiles have a bulge in the center that adds measurement. That’s another trend for another ideabook and only a little hint at the sculptural qualities some tiles now have.

Shown: Apavisa

A medium-size hex tile dances this wall up.

Shown: STN Ceramica

Small-scale penny tile in various colors dazzles with motion.

Shown: Rex-Cerart

Mad Plaids

designs are now part of larger patterns that spread upon the ground. In cases like this the floor takes on a crisp and chic menswear-inspired look.

Shown: Frame by Refin

Bigger tiles stand up with this expansive living room’s scale.

Shown: Unique Collection by Rex-Cerart

Conventional Mission Patterns

Traditional patterns of tile play are playing a big role in today’s popular Spanish colonial, assignment, Mediterranean and Moroccan looks. These tiles are cement — learn more about cement tiles.

Shown: By Arturo Stevens for Original Mission Tile

Large-scale patterns may transform a ground or wall into the most fascinating part of the room. These tiles recall cement and encaustic tiles but are ceramic.

Shown: Frame by Refin

More:
See the Most Up-to-date in wood-look tile

10 hints for choosing shower tile

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Eclectic Homes

Travel Guide: Atlanta for Design Lovers

“After all, tomorrow is another day,” says Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind, mostly place in Georgia in the era following the Civil War. It is a fitting quotation for resilient Atlantans, who rebuilt their city after the destruction of the war to be better than ever, with incredible Southern architecture by way of Victorian, Italianate and Arts and Crafts homes.

The power continues now, and not just at the busiest airport in the world, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. Megacorporations like Delta, Coca-Cola, CNN and Home Depot all call the city home. And Vivien Leigh could have been pleased with Atlanta’s climbing studio business, where residents and visitors have a decent chance of running into Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy or a Vampire Diaries heartthrob.

However, what may surprise you about Atlanta is that as you travel round the city proper, you don’t feel as though you’re in a world-class city, as a result of some leafy canopy that covers the majority of neighborhoods. That is the reason why a lot of locals have dubbed it “The City in the Trees.” Aside from the woodsy appeal, every locality is walkable and has its own unique flavor, like the artsy shotgun shacks and yard art in Cabbagetown, the gingerbread Victorian houses encompassing Grant Park and also the mansions of Buckhead, I.T.P. (that’s local talk for “inside the perimeter,” that the 285 bypass that circles the city). And every one has its own regional haunts.

Just make sure you get some shrimp and grits or poultry with country gravy and biscuits as you’re in town. We take brunch very seriously here, so don’t miss it on Sunday.

Notice: Prices provided are for adults not eligible for a discount. In most cases senior and child costs are reduced; costs can change at any moment. Be sure to bring any membership cards into gardens, historic houses and museums, along with your National Trust for Historic Preservation card. Many institutions have reciprocal privileges that will help save you money on admission.

Must-Sees

The High Museum of Art
Location: 1280 Peachtree St. (Midtown)
Price: $19.50; half price on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 pm
Noteworthy: Architect Richard Meier made the original museum, while architect Renzo Piano made an inclusion.

Recent partnerships include exhibitions in the best museums in the world, including MoMA and the Louvre, in addition to its enormous permanent collection.

Check out the large collection of artwork by Southern self-taught artists including Bill Traylor, Nellie Mae Rowe, Reverend Howard Finster and Thornton Dial, and one of the best collections of photography in the civil rights movement.

More info: High Museum of Art

The Atlanta Botanical Garden
Price: $18.95
Location: 1345 Piedmont Ave. (Midtown)
Noteworthy: The Canopy Walk, a suspended walkway where guests stroll through a woodland canopy 40 feet above floor.

The gardens are spectacular year-round. Past exhibits include Andrew Crawford’s iron gates, Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures and sculptures by Henry Moore. Recent developments include the Canopy Walk, a new visitor’s centre, an educational building and educational green technologies used and clarified throughout the gardens. There is also an extensive orchid collection and a large conservatory, an interactive children’s garden and an eco friendly café with yummy offerings from MetroFresh.

More info: Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Swan House
Location: Atlanta History Center,130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. (Buckhead)
Price: $16.50
Noteworthy: This iconic mansion was Constructed in 1928 for the Edward H. Inman family, made by famous Atlanta architect Philip Trammell Shutze.

Along with audio and guided tours inside, entry also gets you round the gardens. While they’re spectacular year-round, I suggest moving in the spring to get the showiest flowers in blossom.

A ticket into the Atlanta History Center also allows you to See the Centennial Olympic Games Museum, that the Smith Family Farm and 33 acres of gardens as well as the Margaret Mitchell House, all within nine days.

More info: Atlanta History Center, Margaret Mitchell House

The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC)
Location: 351 Peachtree Hills Ave. (Buckhead)
Noteworthy: Famous Atlanta architect and developer John Portman established the 550,000-square-foot campus.

Once open only to the commerce, the centre is currently open to all design fans. Over 60 showrooms display furniture, rugs, lighting, accessories, wall coverings, fabrics, fine artwork and frames, tile and stone, home theater products and more. If you’ve wondered about working with a designer or are searching for you personally, ADAC is a fantastic place for media.

More info: ADAC

Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Location: 767 Clifton Rd. (Druid Hills)
Price: $15; $23 includes an IMAX ticket
Noteworthy: While the displays will thrill your kids, the design by Graham Gund Architectswill excitement you. The construction encompasses an atrium that includes a number of the most significant dinosaur skeletons ever discovered, including those of Argentinosaurus, Giganotosaurus and Pterosauria, the tiniest suspended overhead. Vast windows open out to views of the forests, creating a breathtaking atmosphere.

Catch an IMAX film on the five-story screen; Friday nights are martini and film nights for adults. Entry is $13.

After you leave, go down Clifton Road into the unique Italianate campus of Emory University and catch some top-notch barbecue at Community Q.

More info: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Emory University, Community Q

Must-Eats

There are so many world-class restaurants in Atlanta that you can not go wrong. Here I’ve compiled some areas that are located in great buildings and have cool interiors and only very good locality vibes overall.

Parish
Location: 240N. Highland Ave. (Inman Park, along the BeltLine)
Price: Entrées, $14 to $28
Noteworthy: This restaurant is located in the sole remaining structure in an old deserted pipe factory.

This area is my favorite in Atlanta. It has been thoughtfully restored, with a tin-tiled ceiling, original crown moldings and peeling plaster that partially exposes the brick. Antique Parisian sconces mingle with reddish Philippe Stark lamps on the pub, while Murano glass chandeliers hang overhead.

Farm tables, unique antiques, a zinc bar and bread delivered into the tables in paper bags add to the charm. There is a more casual market area downstairs with a large communal table, a back patio and a porch; it is a popular brunch place for many Atlantans.

More info: Parish

Carroll Street Cafe
Location: 208 Carroll St. (Cabbagetown)
Noteworthy: Along with being a café, pub, lounge and fine dining table, this bistro also acts as an art gallery with regular openings and yearly singer-songwriter nights.

Along with the yummy food (for both good dining and brunch) and comfy setting, what I love most about this spot is that it is a true neighborhood joint. In fact, the area itself is well worth a stroll. Cabbagetown is full of amazing shotgun shacks and the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts, which were originally housing units for employees once the mill was operating. A great deal of artists live here, and I am always struck with joy from the odd and cheery paint colours on the houses.

If margaritas and Southwestern fare are more your speed, just head down the block to Agave.

More info: Carroll Street Cafe, Agave

This is only one of Cabbagetown’s brightly colored houses, across the road from Carroll Street Cafe.

H. Harper Station
Location: 904 Memorial Dr. (Reynoldstown, between Cabbagetown and Glenwood Park)
Price: Entrees, $12 to $28
Noteworthy: The restaurant owners have revived the historic Atlanta & West Point rail station depot construction.

That I love the vibe of the place. You are surrounded by brick walls with Depression-era glass chandeliers and Edison bulb fittings overhead while sitting in a classic midcentury Navy seat. The whole area feels like a Southern speakeasy, but with superior cocktails prepared by expert mixologists. I could mock the beverages as being a little Portlandia design if they were not so damn great.

More info: H. Harper Station

Wrecking Bar Brewpub
Location: 292 Moreland Ave. (Little Five Points)
Price: Sandwiches, $7 to $11; entrees, $13 to $16

When I first moved to Atlanta, this was a fabulous architectural salvage place called The Wrecking Bar, which I still miss. However, the bar is a great replacement. The building was originally a private mansion, designed by architect Willis F. Denny and built in 1900 for a prominent Atlanta family. A Methodist Protestant church and also a dance school also once inhabited the space.
Local designer Jenn Ryan made the brewpub area, which is on the ground floor (the second floor is an event space called The Marianna), and the stone walls and kilometers of timber make it a cozy place for gathering with friends. The beers aren’t for the meek. Check out what they are pouring now

More info: The Wrecking Bar Brewpub

Must-Dos

Piedmont Park
Location: Between Piedmont Avenue, 10th Street and Monroe Drive (Midtown)
Noteworthy: The Olmsted brothers (sons of Frederick Law Olmsted) established the master plan for Piedmont Park.

If you’re not up for splurging about the Botanical Gardens, go next door to this amazing park. In 1904 the City of Atlanta bought the former fairgrounds and portion of the Piedmont Driving Club; it used the Olmsted brothers’ master plan in 1912.

I stroll through this beautiful park many times every week. It truly has something for everybody, by a dog park into a pond, a public pool into a weekly farmer’s market, a wetland walk into free concerts by the Atlanta Symphony.

More info: Piedmont Park Conservancy

The Atlanta BeltLine’s East Side Trail
Location: Between Piedmont Park and Inman Park; access the trail throughout the Monroe from Park Tavern if you’re already down in Piedmont Park. See all access points
Noteworthy: This 2 1/4-mile finished portion is one of the first finished trails of the BeltLine, which will eventually connect many in-town areas with a 22-mile-long loop on the city’s former railroad tracks.

The entire loop will eventually serve as a linear arboretum with artwork along the way. You can pass over busy streets without needing to stop. A brisk walk from Midtown/Virginia Highland through Poncey Highland into Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward takes about Half an Hour. On the weekends lots of things pop up along the BeltLine, from performance art to The King of Pops selling deliciously weird Popsicle flavors.

More info: Atlanta BeltLine

Inman Park Neighborhood
Location: A mile from downtown, this area boundaries the amazing Little Five Points area — excellent for shopping for vintage threads and live music — also Cabbagetown and the Historic Old Fourth Ward.
Noteworthy: Inman Park was Atlanta’s first streetcar suburb.

The area blends Victorian, Italianate and Arts and Craft architecture, large and small, in addition to warehouses and other industrial structures. A recent development in the former Mead newspaper plant has completely transformed the energy of the area with flats, townhouses, single-family houses, stores, salons and great restaurants, and is a fantastic example of well-designed urban infill. One of the first finished phases of the BeltLine and another large park cross right through the center of the area. It also has its own MARTA stop.

Little Five Points
Location: The intersection of Moreland Avenue and Euclid Avenue is the heart of Little Five (between Candler Park and Inman Park).

This area is hipster central. Nearly all vintage clothing stores are here (my favorites are Stefan’s, in 1160 Euclid Ave., which is beautifully curated and justifiably pricier than the remainder, and The Clothing Warehouse, that’s a fantastic place for picking up a pair of vintage cowboy boots, preferably in red.

Catch a hamburger at The Vortex, a hefty brew at The Porter gastropub or barbecue in Fox Brothers (you might see Jimmy and Roslyn Carter there). For a beautiful courtyard and New Orleans–inspired fare, head to Front Page News. Be ready for a lot of tattoos and piercings. You can continue a walk through the heart of Little Five Points right into Inman Park down Euclid.

More info: The Clothing Warehouse, The Vortex, The Porter, Fox Brothers, Front Page News

Druid Hills
Location: Close Oakdale Road, The Byway and Lullwater Road
Noteworthy: The home of Miss Daisy, the primary character in the film Driving Miss Daisy, is located in this area on Lullwater Road. And the home is up for sale.

If you’re using an automobile to get around Atlanta, pop over to Druid Hills to rail several streets. I suggest a loop, driving or walking, around Lullwater Road into North Decatur Road into Oakdale Road into The Byway. The beech-lined trees and stately houses are charming. You can continue down North Decatur into Emory village and the campus.

The Historic Old Fourth Ward
Location: Just north of where I-20 meets Boulevard (the main thoroughfare); adjoining Inman Park and Cabbagetown.
Noteworthy: Martin Luther King, Jr., was born here.

This charming area is in transition, and is full of wonderful cottages and other turn-of-the-century houses. It is also where The King Center and also the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church (Heritage Sanctuary) are located. While you’re in the area, stop at Lottafrutta to get a smoothie, Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping-Pong Emporium for some irreverent artwork, tabletop sports and a beverage, and The Audio Table for cool tunes and good food.

More info: The King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Lottafrutta, Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping-Pong Emporium, The Sound Table

Oakland Cemetery
Location: 248 Oakland Ave. (boundaries Grant Park and Old Fourth Ward)
Noteworthy: There are separate Confederate and Union soldier segments in the cemetery. Besides many Georgia governors and Atlanta mayors, Margaret Mitchell and Bobby Jones are buried here.

This cemetery dates back to 1850 and overlooks downtown Atlanta. It was designed during the Victorian garden cemetery era and is full of beautiful mature trees and other plantings. Take a self-guided walking tour or join a guided tours.

More info: Oakland Cemetery

West Midtown
Location: Spanning from the intersection of Howell Mill Road and 11th Street
Noteworthy: For years this area functioned as the gritty, industrial, railroad-adjacent section of town, full of slaughterhouses and food storage buildings.

A current resurrection has made the district a preeminent place for high world-class and design cuisine. Some of the city’s greatest restaurants and shops are a stone’s throw from active railroad tracks and razor wire. It is a fantastic combination and leads to wonderful repurposed spaces, most notably the White Provisions construction, which houses a large Room & Board store and many other high-end stores.

Stores like Bungalow, Saavy Snoot and Sid and Ann Mashburn paved the way, drawing stores like Jack Spade (the interiors seem right from a Wes Anderson film) and also Jonathan Adler from any mall.

More info: Bungalow, Savvy Snoot, Sid and Ann Mashburn, Jack Spade, Jonathan Adler

Must-Stays

Stonehurst Place Inn
Location: 923 Piedmont Ave. (Midtown)
Price: $169 to $399
Noteworthy: This 1896 inn is not only on the National Register of Historic Places but additionally underwent an extensive eco friendly renovation in 2008, earning it the name EarthCraft Home and Southface 2008 Renovation Project of the Year.

The inn combines a charming historic mansion, tailored and comfy transitional design, and ecofriendly layouts that have solar panels and panels for energy efficiency, graywater and rainwater harvesting.

But don’t let its 1896 vintageness fool you; the inn is appointed with all the modern conveniences, like heated marble bathroom floors, iPod docks and Wi-Fi. The owners also share their extensive art collection throughout the inn. On top of that, it’s steps from the lively area around the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street and Piedmont Park, yet far enough away to escape the sounds.

More info: Stonehurst Place

Urban Oasis Bed and Breakfast
Price: $125 to $195
Location:130 Krog St. (Inman Park)
Noteworthy: This lofty B and B was formerly a cotton-sorting mill.

This isn’t your great-aunt’s bed-and-breakfast. Situated in a warehouse construction along the BeltLine, the Urban Oasis has easy accessibility to most of the historic architecture of Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward. It’s about a mile from the Martin Luther National Historic site, including his birthplace as well as The King Center.

The interiors are full of midcentury modern and nuclear era style, including Bertoia diamond seats and Eames shelves. The flourishing neighborhoods of Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward are chock of a number of Atlanta’s most happening pubs and bars, including Sotto Sotto, Fritti, Rathbun’s, Kevin Rathbun’s Steak (my personal favorite and only steps from the Oasis), Highland Bakery, Thumb’s Up Diner, Serpas, Noni’s, P’Cheen and The Sound Table. Plus, you’re likely to see one of the many film and TV celebrities milling about town in Barcelona, Parish or Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium.

More info: Urban Oasis Bed and Breakfast, The King Center

The Social Goat Bed and Breakfast
Price: $125 to $240
Location: 548 Robinson Ave. (Grant Park)
Noteworthy: You will share the property with 2 Nigerian dwarf goats named Sherman and Tallulah; fresh baby hens named Daisy and Olive; three cats named Monkey, Leon and Tanuki; three black Spanish turkeys named The 3 Tenors; 11 hens; 2 roosters termed Fabio and Velvet Elvis; 2 fresh rabbits; and plenty of goldfish and koi.

More info: The Social Goat Bed and Breakfast

No, you won’t be sharing the space with a goat in the barn. This is the beautiful B and B’s main building.

Nearby Grant Park is the city’s oldest park, first formed in 1882. In 1889 a traveling circus came through town and then went belly up; the city purchased the animals to create the next Zoo Atlanta.

The Georgian Terrace
Location: 659 Peachtree St. (Midtown)
Price: $128 to $1,500
Noteworthy: President Calvin Coolidge and F. Scott Fitzgerald slept here, and also the Gone With the Wind premiere celebration happened here in 1939. The glamour continues, since the resort is a favorite place for film shoots, most recently The Change-Up and Identity Thief.

About a hundred years old, this is only one of those buildings that lived vast teardowns that made way for Atlanta’s skyscrapers. The swanky resort is located right across from the fabulous Fox Theater, another demolition survivor. It holds a proud place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stop by The Livingston Bar downstairs for a cocktail. Go super Southern with its namesake beverage, which is composed of Johnny Drum private stock Kentucky bourbon infused with Southern tea leaves, muddled mint and lemon.

More info: The Georgian Terrace, The Livingston

Must-Visit Shops

Pieces
Location: 3234-A Roswell Rd. (Buckhead)

Owner Lee Kleinhelter is an Atlanta and nationwide trendsetter, with her keen eye for finding unique pieces and contrasts with snappy upholstery and finishes (bold-colored lacquer is a significant one). She also dubs Pieces’ design “Hamptons low-key luxury having a midcentury Palm Beach punch”

More info: Pieces

Paris on Ponce
Location: 716 Ponce de Leon Pl. (Virginia-Highland)

This magnificent warehouse emporium of unique antiques and oddities from all over the world is a treasure-hunting treat in 46,000 square feet. I’ve a claw-foot tub and 2 patent leather ottomans that allegedly came from a playwright’s home in the Berkshires, all from this amazing store.

Additionally, one side of the warehouse opens into the BeltLine, in which walkers, bikers, in-line skaters, skateboarders and runners are welcome to make a pit stop to use the restroom, catch some sustenance (there are always lemonade and biscuits) and allow their dogs rehydrate.

More info: Paris on Ponce

South of Market

Orange Palette Table of Market from South – $995

South of Market
Location 345 Peachtree Hills Ave., Suite 100 (Buckhead near ADAC)

Owner and inner designer Kay Douglass comes with an eye for unique pieces, which she scouts in France and Belgium. While she has many distinctive industrial pieces (metal lighting fixtures crafted from cable wastepaper baskets or baskets; coffee tables crafted from carts), her taste in linens and accessories balances the crustier stone with sophistication. If you have fantasies of French flea markets and Belgian design, then you’re going to want to go into this store.

More info: South of Market

City Issue
Location: 325 Elizabeth St. (Inman Park)

Just a Couple of steps in the BeltLine in Inman Park, City Issue is paradise for midcentury modern fans. You’ll find vintage pieces like Eames lounge chairs, Danish wool rugs, Blenko vases and Eastern Airlines barware.

More info: City Issue

Hidden Stone

Museum of Design Atlanta
Price: $10
Location: 1315Peachtree St. (Midtown)
Noteworthy: The construction is striking and was remodeled beautifully by Perkins + Will.

Located across the road from the High Museum, MoDA occupies the space under Perkins + Will Architects and a branch of the Atlanta public library. It was originally built in 1985, and Perkins + Will recently revived the building, cutting energy costs by 58 per cent and attaining Platinum LEED certification. The building’s facade has been beautifully upgraded.

More info: Museum of Design Atlanta

Kudzu
Location: 2928 E. Ponce De Leon Ave. (Decatur)

Technically this place is in Decatur, but I could not leave my favorite antiques haunt this off list. Additionally, it is a beautiful drive down Ponce De Leon Avenue throughout the Druid Hills area.

I’ve seen everything in Kudzu, from outsider artwork to an antique European confessional. Whether you’re searching to get McCoy pottery, nuclear age lamps, schoolhouse graphs, vintage clothing or a rustic farm dining table, you will find it here. There is also a excellent farmer’s market up the street.

More info: Kudzu

Ria’s Bluebird
Location: 421 Memorial Dr. (Grant Park)

Noteworthy: The New York Times named Ria’s buttermilk pancakes “the best pancakes in the world,” so maybe this gem is no longer concealed.

The coffee is heavenly, the jam on the table is always homemade, and I’ve never tasted a better biscuit. The wait may be long on the weekends, but it is well worth it. The interior is comfy, retro yet trendy, and makes the food taste even better.

More info: Ria’s Bluebird

The Wren’s Nest
Location: 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. (West End)
Price: $8; you can also use your ticket over in the local Hammonds House Museum.
Noteworthy: WriterJoel Chandler Harris lived in this Queen Anne Victorian from 1881 to 1908 and composed a number of the Brer Rabbit stories on the front porch.

Tucked into a rather busy portion of the West End, The Wren’s Nest is just a couple miles from downtown. Check it out on Saturdays for tours that include storytelling.

More info: The Wren’s Nest

Ann’s Snack Bar
Location: 1615Memorial Dr. (Kirkwood)
Noteworthy: Mind your manners, wait for your turn and take your food as Miss Ann prepares it no alterations.

This location isn’t hard to miss. Just know that it’s on Memorial between the lights in Whitefoord and Wyman; if you get to Wyman from Whitefoord, you went too far; turn around and it’s going to be across the road from Wyman. It has a screened porch. Get the Ghetto Burger, which has double bread and bacon cheese.

Noguchi Playscape
Location: Piedmont Park near the 12th Street and Piedmont Avenue entry
Noteworthy: Finished in 1976, this is the only playscape in the U.S. made by Isamu Noguchi that was finished during his life.

This sculptural playscape was designed back in the 1970s together with The High Museum of Art to familiarize kids with colors and shapes. I strongly recommend going down the dual slide with a friend.

Architects, taC studios

2013 Home Tours Worth Visiting

Atlanta has numerous diverse neighborhoods full of their own unique character, and home tours are a fabulous way to peek into how individuals have renovated and decorated their houses.

May 11–12: Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour
Exclusive private gardens have been opened to tours to reap The Atlanta Botanical Garden.

May 11–12: The Grant Park Home Tour
Peek into richly renovated bungalows and Victorians in this beautiful area that surrounds Grant Park and the Atlanta Zoo.

May 11–12: Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes
Everything I appreciated so much about this tour in a previous year was the assortment of home designs (from nuclear ranch into Queen Anne) and that lots of these were starter homes for young singletons, couples and families. It is a terrific way to find realistic renovation and DIY ideas.

June 8–9: The Modern Atlanta Home Tour
The 2013 tour will consist of exceptional contemporary residential and industrial spaces.

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Fireplaces

Boldly Stylish in Hong Kong

“Tiny” doesn’t have to mean “shy” Project Manager Javis Ma of Urban Design & Build maintained this mantra in mind when turning a small Hong Kong residence to a trendy one. The 630-square-foot flat is located within an old tong lau construction in Central Hong Kong; tong lau buildings were originally tenements, usually built from the first to mid-20th century. This building now contains small units designed for both residential and industrial purposes.

Stripping the unit down to its bones, Ma designed a new layout which makes use of the flat’s long and narrow shape. A kitchen with a workspace serves as the heart, and a living area, bedroom and bathroom complete the area. Smart storage options and a couple of visual tricks take advantage from the flat’s limited square footage.

in a Glance
Who lives here: A single expat businessman
Location: Central Hong Kong
Size: 630 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Cost: Around $45,000

Urban Design & Build Limited

A number of these tong-lau buildings were renovated and turned to rental units throughout the postwar years, which saw an influx of immigrants to Hong Kong. Single rooms were frequently split into sleeping areas with bunk beds, while residents shared the bathrooms and kitchens.

This specific building had an extremely traditional tong-lau layout, with the most amount of square footage utilized and a higher ceiling height compared to many residential flats in Hong Kong.

Urban Design & Build Limited

Ma designed the flat using a multipurpose waist with different spaces at both end. The kitchen is the center of the apartment. The custom worktable may be used for dispensing foods, eating or working.

With restricted access to the outside, the flat had poor air circulation, and one side faces a busy road. A brand new air conditioning and ventilation system today provides clean air.

Bar Condominiums: X2 Beat Stool, Homeless Hong Kong

Urban Design & Build Limited

A built-in closet offers storage without taking up extra room. Chalkboard paint means it could double as a place for writing shopping lists and recipes.

Urban Design & Build Limited

The easy furniture highlights the flat’s industrial and contemporary mix of raw concrete and clean white lines. Splashes of natural feel, neon blues, vivid yellow and burnt green add visual flavor to the otherwise stark space.

Couch: habit; java table: Klubbo, Ikea

Urban Design & Build Limited

Rest and play areas are on both sides of the kitchen. The layout makes for a seamless transition from one action to another.

Constructed upper cabinetry lines one full wall of the flat for plenty of storage. The shortage of hardware helps the units combine into the wall.

Rug: Hampen, Ikea

Urban Design & Build Limited

The kitchen presented some unique challenges. Ma wanted to design an area that looked minimalist but still had all the vital functions for a multipurpose space which could fit in the flat’s limited square footage. Expanding the kitchen countertop marginally into the living room created more prep room and makes the room look bigger.

Urban Design & Build Limited

The lineup of the kitchen counter tops visually extends to the bedroom, separating the customized MDF headboard out of a cork bulletin board.

Table lamp: Lane Crawford Hong Kong

Urban Design & Build Limited

A thin piece of aluminum divides the two substances, while “collapsing” built-in MDF shelving emphasizes the natural, natural feel in the room.

Urban Design & Build Limited

A toilet and shower area in the back of the bedroom will get plenty of natural light from a window in the back of this unit.

Urban Design & Build Limited

Customized stone tilework complements space-efficient storage.

Urban Design & Build Limited

Inspired by stained glass churches, the bedroom sliding door diffuses soft light to the area. Each of the yellow panels slides out separately, creating different light patterns in each area based on the time of day.

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Coastal Style

Nature Meets Nurture in a Canadian Island Retreat

Organic beauty, a booming surf community and also a laid-back, small-town lifestyle made Ucluelet, British Columbia, an ideal match for Eoin Finn and his wife, Insiya Rasiwala-Finn. As yogis, ocean worshippers and also the founders of Blissology — a holistic lifestyle and doctrine — they left their oceanside home an idyllic location for relaxing and reconnecting between global training sessions for yoga teachers.

The couple purchased their ground-floor, open-concept condominium five decades ago as a vacation rental, “but now we live inside when we aren’t traveling and teaching elsewhere, so it really feels like a little bit of our soul,” says Insiya. Collected furniture, art, vibrant touches and what Insiya describes as eco-boho-modern design have since made the interior a location that both nurtures and inspires.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Insiya Rasiwala-Finn, Eoin Finn and their son, Ananda Lion
Location: Ucluelet, Vancouver Island
Size: 1,700 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
That’s intriguing: The condominium sits across the street in the open Pacific, which stretches unbroken to Japan.

Megan Buchanan

Designed as a family space in which to relax, create and be inspired, the living room is bright and open, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the west-facing views. “I had this idea to make a focal point along the back wall,” says Insiya. “We purchased the house the exact same year we got married in Tofino, and some of our friends who were artists and photographers gave us some lovely pieces.”

The black and white tree photograph is by Alex Jowett of Toronto.

Coffee table: Drake, Gus Modern

Megan Buchanan

A neutral tufted sectional from Gus Modern anchors the room with some cheery coloured throw pillows, including one with an elephant-print cloth that speaks to Insiya’s Indian heritage. The treasures of the couple sit atop the Ikea Expedit shelves housing their book collection.

Megan Buchanan

Fantastic for reading, a leather armchair from Gus Modern that has been Eoin’s pick faces toward the terrace and views. “We put a decorating budget of $25,000 Canadian [about US$24,416] for all the soft and hard furnishings, which we slightly exceeded if we splurged on this chair,” Insiya says. “That is probably my husband’s favorite article of furniture. We had been pretty much on track.”

Megan Buchanan

Beyond the foyer the home opens to the gathering spaces. Ten-foot-high Granite and ceilings beams frame the living , kitchen and dining areas. An earthy yet daring Ferm Living wallpaper defines the living room, with fitting hits of aqua found in the ottoman, throw pillows and area rug brought back from a trip to India, where Insiya is from.

The spacious mantel above the slate-wrapped gas fireplace holds votives and lanterns, while comfy oversize pillows create a place for lounging in front of the flame.

Megan Buchanan

The homeowners enjoy shared meals and gatherings in the dining room in a modern teak dining table and chairs passed by friends. The set fits perfectly in the space with another wooden bits. On the far wall above the console is one of the few first home buys: a hand-carved cedar moon by local artist Keith Plumley.

Megan Buchanan

The wood and natural elements are taken into the kitchen with all the cabinetry and butcher block countertops. Stainless appliances keep things modern. The openness and the views of the ocean while cooking together or washing up are just two of the family’s favourite things in their kitchen. “I love our big glass windows and doors that orient toward the ocean. In addition, I love the high ceilings and the cedar columns that actually ground the distance,” Insiya says.

Megan Buchanan

“I’d call our design eco-boho-modern. We are drawn to organic finishes, warm woods, however love the simplicity of white from the wood,” adds Insiya. Both bedrooms branch from the primary living space, and walls retained neutral showcase more art by friends. A glance into the master bedroom indicates another picture wall treatment.

Megan Buchanan

A navy and white wallpaper, Family Tree from Ferm Living, wraps the wall in the master bedroom. Insiya says, “We have some recommendations from a buddy who’s a designer, Kelly Deck, in Vancouver where to provide the wallpaper for our home, but we chose what and didn’t work with a designer or contractor.” Another beautiful painting coordinates textiles collected from journeys, especially India.

Megan Buchanan

This can be Insiya’s favorite place in the home. “The aged antique white desk that I recently got painted and distressed white in our bedroom is the perfect place to write and journal,” she says.

Megan Buchanan

On the other wall of the bedroom, the couple created a space for relaxing and enjoying the gas fireplace in the foot of the mattress. “We have used sustainable furnishings everywhere potential — none of this upholstery has fire retardants, the mattress mattresses are organic latex, and we use only eco friendly cleaning products,” says Insiya. The soft furnishings and pillows are all organic linen or cotton, and our throws are pure wool.”

Megan Buchanan

Opposite the tub in the master bath are his-and-her vanities with boat sinks and sleek faucets. A large sculpture, evocative of blossom, hangs on the adjacent wall.

Megan Buchanan

The master bath features a large jetted tub surrounded by natural slate tile.

Megan Buchanan

Guests use kid Ananda Lion’s bedroom once the family is away.

Megan Buchanan

The condo’s second bath features a large glass-enclosed walk-in shower and fitting vanities.

Megan Buchanan

A large foyer with built-in closets to the left and also a vintage leather bench gives a fantastic space for browsing or beachcombing prep. The slate tile floors and natural-fiber area rug are perfect for accommodating wet gear.

A painting by Eoin’s mother, Carole Finn, depicts the surrounding Vancouver Island landscape.

Megan Buchanan

The unit is in a condominium building that sits atop a ridge, taking advantage of the west-facing viewpoints. Large paned windows and clear glass patio railings allow ample all-natural light and are excellent for nature viewing. Cedar siding speaks to the unit’s organic design.

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Eclectic Homes

Remodeling Brightens a Row House at Washington, D.C.

This Washington, D.C., household was ready for a simpler life if they discovered this historic row house on Capitol Hill — a good size but roughly half the square footage of their prior residence. While less space was expected (and desired), the home’s layout was due for an update. Contractor Darren Kornas, interior designer Jackie Sink and architect Steve Lawlor worked together to incorporate an airy interior that suited the household’s present furniture and eclectic style.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Two and their 3 teenage daughters
Location: Capitol Hill area of Washington, D.C.
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

ThinkMakeBuild

The row home’s southeast-corner location provides great light on either side, and Lawlor and Kornas completely gutted the home to open this up. A remodel in the 1980s had removed most of the home’s original details, so there wasn’t much to preserve.

Lawlor made the interior with gallery-like walls, cozy nooks and built-ins for plenty of screen opportunities. The dining room built-ins — just visible past the living room — hide a wall, add storage and generate a buffet.

ThinkMakeBuild

The family had plenty of existing furniture, but Sink nevertheless had her work cut out for her, since the furniture’s bigger scale didn’t always fit this smaller home.

Some pieces, however, could be used for drama — this massive mirror and chandelier in the dining room, for example.

Bar stools: CB2

ThinkMakeBuild

Lawlor and Kornas reshaped the interior layout, rearranging the floor plan along with moving the kitchen in the centre to the rear of the home.

The new color palette is based on the wonderful cement backsplash tiles from the kitchen. The tiles are set up in two little spaces, but they are visible from many points on the principal floor.

Tiles: Popham Design (no longer available)

ThinkMakeBuild

The kitchen’s fresh location was the home’s back porch. As in most row houses, the porch was enclosed, surrounded by a bank of windows. Lawlor maintained this look from the brand new kitchen replacing but replicating the first windows. Gray cabinetry and counters add to the style.

ThinkMakeBuild

The original miniature galley kitchen wasn’t much bigger than a hallway. Moving the kitchen to the back of this home gave it more light and additional square footage.

ThinkMakeBuild

Sink chose two Benjamin Moore colours — Light Pewter and Nimbus — to the cabinetry and the exterior, which help balance out the wood tones in the home. “All these are warmer grays, which are very comfortable to live with,” she states.

ThinkMakeBuild

Sink had the family’s old living room couch reupholstered. Durable, inexpensive painter’s drop cloths became custom slipcovers for the armchairs.

ThinkMakeBuild

Virtually everything else in this room, with the exclusion of this Pottery Barn carpet, is in the previous home or was discovered at a yard sale.

ThinkMakeBuild

Upstairs, one of the girls’ bedrooms feels fresh and youthful with soft sage-green walls and a bright paisley bedspread. Sturdy texture is added by A Pottery Barn jute carpet.

ThinkMakeBuild

The other two daughters share a bedroom, with a crisp navy, white and green palette inspired by this Serena & Lily duvet.

Over the beds Lawlor opened up the ceiling to expose false dormer windows — a frequent accession to row home facades. Light now pours through those vents. Sink painted the inside of every vent Pear Green from Benjamin Moore to get a lively touch.

ThinkMakeBuild

Long, open halls today join the bedrooms, preventing them from feeling overly closed off. Original wood floors run through the entire upstairs.

ThinkMakeBuild

White trim highlights conventional details from the master bedroom. A cozy custom-upholstered bed frame along with a lush Persian rug give this space a new look using classic fabrics and colours.

Trim paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore

ThinkMakeBuild

This corner view of the home indicates the enclosed rear porch, now the kitchen.

ThinkMakeBuild

The row home is one of many in this Washington, D.C., community. As it’s in a historic district, updates to the home’s exterior were confined to the exterior color.

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Kitchen Guides

Able to Try Something New? Guides to Color for Your Kitchen

Vibrant reds, bold oranges and electrical greens all have their place in the kitchen now — it is only a matter of locating the right tone and utilizing it correctly. Are you ready to get cooking with color? Take a peek at a few of ‘s finest kitchen color guides, complete with suggested paint picks and color palettes, and start sampling some new new hues in your own kitchen cabinets, island and backsplash.

Amazing Spaces

Red

Stimulating shades of crimson have are purported to up the appetite, making it a fantastic kitchen color for families who like to cook (and eat). But should you make use of a hot reddish or a trendy red? And just how much? Get plenty of paint samples prior to deciding upon a last tone and be mindful that reddish requires at least 2 coats for complete coverage.

Paint picks: When to Use Red in the Kitchen

Kingston Design Remodeling

Orange

Like crimson, orange grabs the attention right away and is best used on great characteristics which should be exaggerated. Take care when playing with mild tones, though — occasionally orange can seem like a pastel, therefore search for oranges with yellowish or brown in them if you want something that isn’t too vibrant.

Paint picks: When to Use Orange in the Kitchen

Barbra Bright Design

Green

Green can be a tricky color to work with — although the right colors feel refreshing and playful, the wrong colors can look almost sickly. This manual has some fantastic advice to get you started: Proceed for a hue that reminds you of your favorite green meals.

Paint picks: When to Use Green at the Kitchen

Ecologic-Studio, llc

Blue

This relaxing shade can make even the most chaotic space feel relaxing. But be careful when using it in the kitchensince blue may be an appetite suppressant. Rather than going overboard with this watery hue, consider using it in small doses — on cabinetry, islands or backsplashes.

Paint picks: When to Use Blue in the Kitchen

Design Line Construction, Inc..

Dark

There is a good reason black is always in style — it goes with everything. Neutral and colorful kitchens can equally make use of this stunning and dark color. But be careful — black absorbs a good deal of light, therefore it may not be the best option for a kitchen that doesn’t get much sunshine.

Paint picks: When to Use Black at the Kitchen

NVS Remodeling & Design

Cabinet Colors

If a new wall shade just isn’t giving your kitchen the upgrade you want, painting your cabinetry can be an affordable way to amp up your kitchen’s design. Nevertheless, it is not only a matter of slapping on a paint — painting cabinets can be a great deal of work, therefore be careful to choose a palette that you know you will love.

Paint picks: 8 Great Kitchen Cabinet Color Palettes

Shelter Interiors LLC

Cabinet Stains

Torn between painting your timber cabinets or leaving them in their unadorned beauty? Fortunately, there is a compromise. Staining your cabinets can add subtle color to your kitchen but still retain the texture and authentic wood grain.

Shade picks: Stain Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

Domiteaux + Baggett Architects, PLLC

Color Combinations

The good news: You’ve finally decided what color you want for your kitchen. The good thing: This is only the start. Just take the opportunity to choose accent colours, fabrics and the proper paint software to produce the perfect palette for your chosen colour.

Paint picks: 8 Great Kitchen Color Schemes

Miss your favorite hue? Get designer kitchen palette ideas for Each color

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Coastal Style

From Dark and Dim to Cheerily Colorful in Pennsylvania

Lu-in Wang and her husband, Dave Herring, needed some drastic changes to perk up their dark and neglected Pittsburgh home. They replaced old windows, then tackled the dim and obsolete kitchen, working with architect Mary Cerrone to incorporate light and color. A brand new deck plus a rainbow-like palette then helped turn the remainder of the home to a bright and inviting location.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Dave Herring and Lu-in Wang
Location: Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh
Size: About 2,100 square feet;3 bedrooms, two bathrooms

Adrienne DeRosa

The brand new kitchen makes sensible use of this narrow space. Open cabinets and plate racks bring about the spacious feel and store things within arm’s reach.

Cerrone made custom maple cabinets with a bright yellow aniline dye complete. This process allows the natural grain of the wood to come through, giving subtle warmth and texture to the space.

Before Photo

MCAI

BEFORE: Formerly, the outdated kitchen has been split into three small rooms — a highly impractical design.

“No room was large enough to be helpful,” says Wang. “Each can accommodate no more than one or two people at one time.”

Adrienne DeRosa

They included a fresh workspace, integrated to the cabinetry, in the kitchen’s entry. The countertop is the perfect multitasking spot and can be transformed into a drink area if they entertain guests.

Stool: Model Six Stool, Jeff Covey; wall paint: Mt. Rushmore Rock, Benjamin Moore

Adrienne DeRosa

Cerrone replaced a window with a glass door to get instant access to a new outdoor balcony. A sliding screen solves the space challenges of the narrow thoroughfare. The screen tucks into a pocket behind the stainless steel fridge.

The doorway frame went through the exact same dying process as the cabinetry to get a more textural look.

Door hardware: Flat Track Series, Barn Door Hardware

Adrienne DeRosa

Herring and Wang’s excitement for colour greets visitors as soon as they enter the house. “We like warm, vibrant colors and tend to be attracted to the same ones, which is fortunate,” says Wang. “We did take into account the colors of adjoining rooms — particularly on the first floor, where each room has views of the others.”

Vibrant and contrasting colors highlight the house’s original features, like this archway and little wall cutout.

Entry paint: Bay Coral, PPG Pittsburgh Paints

Adrienne DeRosa

Light floods the living area from the back of the home, bringing the principal colors to life. Wang and Herring considered the colors of adjoining rooms when planning their own palette, leading to vibrant layers of colour and space.

Fireplace wall paint: Forsythia Blossom; media wall paint: Butterfly Bush, both by PPG Pittsburgh Paints

Adrienne DeRosa

Saturated colors in the dining area, such as the vibrant Savannah Moss green walls, feel particularly warm paired with organic wood furniture.

The combination of modern and traditional pieces creates a comfortable yet efficient atmosphere. “We get ideas by looking around wherever we are, particularly when we travel,” Wang says. “We love the functionality and feel of little, simple spaces”

Living chairs: Wrap Dining Chair, West Elm

Adrienne DeRosa

Wang enjoys spending time composing in this blue home office.

The antique chair was a wedding present in Herring’s sister, who rescued it out of their father’s pharmacy. The Bellevue print came out of a local artist and friend.

Wall paint: Monet Blue, PPG Pittsburgh Paints

Adrienne DeRosa

Wang and Herring redesigned their master bath in 2012, installing a tiled bathroom to save a fresh Cambria granite counter. Long subway tiles at a monochromatic scheme visually elongate the wall.

Wall paint: Hot Spring Stones, Benjamin Moore

Adrienne DeRosa

This window within the vanity has been the greatest challenge with the bathroom’s redesign, since it prevented the usual mirror installation. Cerrone had a swing-arm mirror set up on the wall.

Adrienne DeRosa

The aluminum deck — made with elements from a fire escape maker — has doors leading off the kitchen and living room, providing an immediate connection to the outside. During the summer months it is an perfect spot for entertaining.

Your turn: Show us your colorful home!

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