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Bedroom and Home Office Ideas


Bedroom and second-floor balcony workspace. Both spaces shared the challenge of awkward room dimensions. The workspace was tight, cramped and colorless. The bedroom had a modest 10-by-11-foot floor area, plus the added challenge of a soaring ceiling that dwarfed the room's furnishings. As if these complications weren't enough, the couple needed to equip each room to serve both as a place for slumber and for working from home. Through clever furniture selections and the art of multipurpose design, they created streamlined rooms that balanced scale, proportion and color – maximizing every inch of space along the way.

While the first-floor bedroom was packed with an abundance of natural light streaming in from a 12-by-10-foot combination window/sliding glass door, its overall 10-by-11-foot dimensions were tight. The room's soaring 22-foot ceiling presented a decorating challenge to keep the space grounded; furniture placed in the room was instantly in danger of being dwarfed by the room's enormous height. 

First up on the couple's list was to determine the overall direction for the look and feel of the bedroom. The room's ample natural light and modern architecture encouraged the couple to draw inspiration from one of their favorite vacation spots, sunny Palm Springs, California. Known for its mid-century modern style and breathtaking sunsets, Palm Springs provided the perfect reference point for the couple's choice of furniture and color. Keeping in mind the principles of modern architecture – which include selecting low-profile furniture, capitalizing on natural light and keeping surfaces sparse – Briana and Buzz opted for a platform bed, dainty Danish modern nightstands made from walnut, and added a pair of white wire 1950s chairs with bold orange vinyl upholstery. Briana recalls, "Unfortunately, though the pieces were all the right scale and definitely fit the space stylistically, our huge ceiling still made everything seem disconnected."

The expansive bedroom space could be visually anchored by a large piece of art that would fill the space above the bed at the right proportion. This would take the focus off the awkward dimensions of the room, bringing attention onto the shape and color of the art itself. As far as art selection was concerned, a print by Jonathan Adler fromartthatfits.com not only evoked the mid-century vibe of their source of inspiration, Palm Springs, but also had tones reminiscent of the city's sunsets: orange, pink and purple. With orange as the couple's favorite color, they chose graphic striped bedding in a tangerine tone that picked up on the color in the artwork as well as the wire chairs just a few feet away. The couple opted for a floating frame to keep the colorful, retro piece feeling light, and the art was sized 3-by-3 feet, to stay in check proportionately with the scale of the bed.


How to keep the surfaces of their bedroom nightstands uncluttered. To light the sleeping area properly without taking up valuable nightstand tabletop space, the designer suggested attaching sconces directly to the walls roughly 20 inches above the tops of the nightstands. Immediately in love with the idea, the couple bought a pair of mid-century modern Nelson sconces in a shape referred to as "cigar," then a hired handyman attached them into studs with screws. This solution was ideal for the couple's rented loft, since the sconces simply plug into outlets instead of being hard-wired into junction boxes. 

With the sleeping area nearly complete,  to creating space for  laptops a popular trend in modern furniture, the C-table. Shaped like the letter C so that the bottom curves up over the top of a seating surface and the bottom slides underneath a sofa or a bed, these tables offer a small surface at the right height for working on laptops when lounging. This solution was ideal not only for adding temporary workspace but also for providing a hinged top where laptops and books could be stored inside when not in use.


Although the sleeping area was now functional and aesthetically pleasing, it seemed incomplete. The very last design element for the bedroom was to create a focal point from the doorway. To feature a framed photograph of a palm tree  the room's main source of inspiration. Yet the loft's dimensions made it difficult to find wall space on which to display the artwork.  The entire room now met their needs, providing a space at once functional and relaxing – all while invoking that clean, mid-century modern vibe Palm Springs is known for.





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Bonin Architects Hires Architectural Designer / Landscape Architect


NEW LONDON, NH – The architectural firm of Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC, New London is pleased to announce the hiring of Architectural Designer / Landscape Architect Gregory Rusnica, of Newbury, New Hampshire.

Greg graduated sum cum laude from the University of Rhode Island with his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 2005.  After graduating, he joined a Rhode Island architectural firm where he worked on residential design projects, the I-195 relocation project, urban planning, transportation planning, and streetscape, park and waterfront design.  Greg has also worked on many Lake Sunapee properties relating to wetland planning and permitting in compliance with the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act.


Greg has a well rounded knowledge of architectural and landscape science and practice and takes a sustainable design approach to every project. He is comfortable working independently and with the team in every phase of design and construction.


Greg lives in Newbury with his girlfriend, Pam, and his German shorthaired pointer, Wellington.  He is an avid snowboarder and also likes hiking, kayaking, gardening, and cooking. He enjoys New England history and following the progress on environmental protection and preservation.


About Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC:
Bonin Architects & Associates creates innovative, energy efficient home designs and specializes in green, energy efficient homes incorporating recycled and energy efficient building materials and sustainable (green) energy practices.  Construction Administration is offered as a separate service and includes working with clients to determine budget requirements, material choices and product specifications for quotes, and working with the contractor throughout the construction process.
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Happy Holidays


I am wishing you the best of holiday times, relax and live in harmony with all who surround you and may the new year bring you all health, love, happiness and success!

Thank you all for reading my blog, commenting so often and being such good companions in a world, where more of the friendliness and kindness is needed!

I appreciate it deeply and thank you all from the bottom of my heart! See you all back in the new year!

xoxo 
Victoria



From our family to yours! Happy holidays and a happy New Year!





All images by V.Zlotkowski

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Merry Christmas from my home to yours

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CNN Money Reports Home Building Spikes Higher

CNN reports this morning that home building has spiked to its strongest level in almost two years.  Contributing factors are record-low mortgage rates and a surge in construction of apartments and condominiums.


Housing starts shot up to an annual rate of 685,000 in the month, up 9.3% from October and 24.3% higher than a year earlier. Building activity easily topped predictions of 627,000 starts economists surveyed by Briefing.com were expecting.

Building permits, a closely-watched reading that is less affected by weather than actual starts, also shot up, rising 5.7% from October and 20.7% from the year before to 681,000 homes annually.

"By historical standards, homebuilding activity is still very depressed, but at least it appears to be on an established upward trend," said Paul Diggle, property economist at Capital Economics.

Read the full article here.

New Hampshire home building activity has increased, too, as Bonin Architects & Associates have noticed in the Lake Sunapee area.  Many homeowners are getting a head start on the spring building season by starting the home design of their cottage remodel and cabins with Bonin Architects over the winter months. 
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what I'm gifting this year

Have you seen Anthropologie's charm necklace collection?



When I saw it, I knew exactly who would love this for a gift.  My Mother-in-law, a huge fan of Anthro and a huge fan of my little boy, her one and only grandson.  So I "designed" a necklace for her.


 I felt like it was a bit of a risk spending $100 for a piece of jewelry online.  Worried about it looking chintzy and cheesy, I went ahead because of free shipping and the insurance of returning it.  But, it arrived today and I'm so pleased!
A crystal for chakra (something very meaningful to her), a wooden A for Alan and an adorable golden frog locket.

Inside, a couple of recent portraits she hasn't yet seen.

But the part I think is the sweetest is a note from the gifter, her grandson, folded up inside the locket box.
And how adorable is the felted pouch it comes in?  Anthropologie does it again!
 
For my parents, my sisters and I together splurged on engraved His and Hers iPads.
Pocket helicopters for my nephews.

And cake ball makers and supplies for my nieces.


The teachers are getting Nordstrom gift cards:

The mailman is getting a gift certificate to our local burger stand which just happens to be across the street from the post office.

And the bus driver gets $ in this cute box I found at Wal-mart.

The class gets goodie bags with hot cocoa and a candy cane.


But my favorite gift to give is a little donation to the Salvation Army because when my dad was a tot from a very poor family in Paris, Texas, the only sign of Christmas was the Salvation Army delivering candy canes and oranges to them.  Because of this story, I never mind the bell ringers and always let my little boy fill the kettles.
You won't believe what my son is asking for this year.  More on that later : )
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white lights or colored lights (inspired by Tracery)

I won my very first blog giveaway today from one of my favorite blogs, Tracery, a design shop in Rosemary Beach, Florida, with this comment in response to their question: what is your favorite, white lights or colored lights?

"As a child I had colored lights, then when I moved out and got my own tree, I decorated with the popular white lights for 15 years. Until this year, when my bright-eyed 6-year old boy asked me why we had all boring yellow lights (I guess they don’t look white to him). So we have switched to a perfect combo of half white and half multi-colored lights mingled throughout our garlands and tree. It’s happy, nostalgic and my little one is estatic about our colored lights! So, I guess I have to say, that my new favorite is this perfect combo of both lights."


\
Merry Merry!
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For The Love Of Old



Maybe a year ago I saw this book by Mary Randolph Carter and was intrigued. It stood high up on a shelf, wrapped in cellophane and somewhat out of reach. It looked expensive and, at the time, I just made a mental note of it to save it for later.
Later became months and I had  almost forgotten about it, when I stumbled recently upon it during one of many excursions to a bookstore nearby. This time I did not hesitate and grabbed it for myself at the holidays. This was such a delightful discovery and her other book, 'A Perfectly Kept House is a Sign for a Misspent Life' has grazed my side table for a little while longer! It has, in fact, become something like my regular go-to when I need a pick me up! 




Of course this new one (which is actually the old one, no pun intended) should sit wrapped under the tree, but this year everything is a little different. 
For once we haven't gotten a tree - yet! Will there be one? 
I am not sure...
Secondly we are traveling and I am already making lists and checking them twice. We vowed this time to travel lightly!
Really!


Image


Which, of course, gives me reason for plenty of anxiety. I have a hard time being selective! Packing is no exception!
Well, it's simply not in my nature. I collect things. And every once in a while I clean out and begin again. Now, I feel, I found a kindred spirit, for I love old things. Many of them! 
Mary Randolph Carter has put it all in such fine words and images, I can recommend  both books to keep you sane, especially if you are, once in a while, affected by that terrible decease Perfection. And for the fun of it! 
Of course it's not for everyone, I guess this makes the world such a wonderful place. 
Minimalists and modernists will perhaps crawl away in a bright, clean and well lit corner....But I am in the right spot!
So, these books together gave me lot's to think about and I'll keep this mindset for the journey ahead! I'll keep it simple and fun! 




I will not fret over my children's wardrobe for the journey, will let my husband do his own choosing and will not nag when the days come, and we will go out to fine dining at Christmas and New Year's Eve on the road in California...
The question"What? You did not bring a second shirt?" shall not cross my lips!
I will just look serenely the other way! Being where we will be, there will be plenty beautiful to see...


We will be together, old is wonderful and I will cherish the things which lay ahead. Old and new!


What are your plans ahead?










All images via google image.





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Popular Home Features in 2015


The NAHB’s Economics and Housing Policy surveyed over 3,000 builders, designers, architects, manufacturers, and housing marketing specialists to forecast the characteristics of the average single-family detached home in 2015.


Can you guess the results?  Take this quiz and see how well you do (answers posted at the bottom).

1.       Size:  The average new single-family home will be:
a.       Larger, between 2800 and 3000 square feet
b.      Stay the same (2496 square feet)
c.       Smaller between 2000 and 2,400 square feet


2.                                                        will be a top priority in a home built in 2015.
a.       Landscaping
b.      Technology
c.       Appliances


3.       New home will have more green features, low-E windows, engineered wood products, and:
a.       Use water efficiently
b.      Solar energy
c.       Radiant heat

4.    True or False:     Two-car garages remain high on homeowners’ priority lists.

5.    True or False:     The formal living room will be either combined with another room or completely disappear.

6.   True or False:      First-floor master bedrooms with walk-in closets will be a priority.

How did you do?  BoninArchitects has various architectural services to help you design, build, or remodel a home that fits your priorities – now, in 2011 or in the future.  Call or stop by to set up a free consultation!

Answers:  1.c;  2.b;  3.a.;  4.True;  5.True;  6.True.


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Luxurious Decorated Powder Bath

Another pic I snapped at a Lake Travis home in Austin, Texas.  Silk taffeta, dark Venetian plaster wall treatment, mercury glass bottles, a copper vessel sink, crystal chandelier.  L O V E.
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a Christmas showhome show stopper

Another pic from an Austin lakefront show home.  Here's a peek at the living room Christmas tree and built-in seating nooks.


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Santa Hat cookies

Inspired by THIS blog (with a heartfelt Santa story you should read):
I made these cookies tonight for my Mother in law's birthday.  They were so cute.  I cut the sugar in half for both recipes and they were delicious! 
Packaged in my Williams-Sonoma monogrammed boxes, a gift from my sister.
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a little Gift Wrap station

Another pic I snuck at one of the Austin showhome's I toured over the weekend here in my neighborhood of Steiner Ranch.
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Home Energy Credits Still Available for 2011


IRS Tax Tips:

There is still time this year to make energy-saving and green-energy home improvements and qualify for either of two home energy credits.


The Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit is aimed at homeowners installing energy efficient improvements such as insulation, new windows and furnaces. The credit is more limited than in the past years, but can still provide substantial tax savings.

• The 2011 credit rate is 10 percent of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements. Energy efficiency improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors and certain roofs. The cost of installing these items does not count.

• The credit can also be claimed for the cost of residential energy property, including labor costs for installation. Residential energy property includes certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass fuel.

• The credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. If the total of nonbusiness energy property credits taken in prior years since 2005 is more than $500, the credit may not be claimed in 2011.

• Qualifying improvements must be placed into service to the taxpayer’s principal residence located in the United States before January 1, 2012.

Homeowners going green should also check out the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, designed to spur investment in alternative energy equipment.

• The credit equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property.

• No cap exists on the amount of credit available except for fuel cell property.

• Generally, labor costs are included when figuring this credit.

Not all energy-efficient improvements qualify for these tax credits, so homeowners should check the manufacturer’s tax credit certification statement before they purchase. Taxpayers can normally rely on this certification statement which can usually be found on the manufacturer’s website or with the product packaging.
 
Eligible homeowners can claim both of these credits on Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits. Read more at www.irs.gov.
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Decorating with Santa's Boots

Another fun Christmas touch from an Austin, TX showhome I toured over the weekend.  Santa's suit and boots in the mud room.  How cute!

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From my collections and a movie

Last weekend found our family at the annual holiday bazaar at the German School in the neighboring town. A tradition, we have been following for the last 10 years or so, since our daughter attended language classes there when she was a toddler.
It connects me every year with my roots. There are all the small things which remind me of Germany: The food, a Christmas pagan and songs, there is coffee and cake, baked by  the German mothers and I indulge in Kaesekuchen (German cheesecake) and Chocolate tarts. There are typical evergreen wreath sold for the advent time, the ones with four large candles, to be lit successively every Sunday before Christmas. We've met a delightful couple and their young daughter, a diplomat to the UN, from Mexico and his Polish wife...Since my husband is Polish as well and me being German, there was a lot of talk about the cultures and lot's of laughter too! They had lived for 10 years in Germany and their 11 year old daughter speaks four languages with ease! 


Image

There is usually a great tombola - a lottery, where my kids enjoy to win prizes and there is a book fair, which I look forward to the most, every year.  In the past I often found great books for my children, often ones, I read as a child myself. But also modern authors, I know little about, since I left Germany almost 20 years ago. Now my children are not interested in German literature so much, they are now engulfed in their own American reading culture, but I indulge in one of my biggest passions.
This year was no exception and I found a treasure trove. I scored a collection of books. A Rilke edition, selected works, from the renowned Insel Verlag, an old publishing house, with editions, known and collected for their artistic covers.


I absolutely adore this collection with it's marbleized paper on the covers. It's an older edition, with all the markings of, I believe, rather seldom taken out school library books.
Rilke is known for his poetry, the Elegies are his best, I think, and some beautiful prose. 
It has, for time being, a honorable place on our mantle, where I can see it and page through the fine leaves every day!





An example of his writings:


A movie, which I saw with my youngest son on Saturday night fits right in with the poetic motions. We saw Martin Scorsese's HUGO in 3D. It was a feast, for the eye and the soul.
The movie tells the story of Hugo, a young orphan, living in the bowels of a train station in the centre of Paris and the his search for clues to find the key to some mysteries in his life. 




The story unfolds in beautiful images, filled with poetry and a language, so seldom heard in movies these days. The actors are superb and if you love the movies, it's the one to see! It is also a movie about the magic of movies...You do not have to be a child to enjoy it!


A treat for the holidays!
An 11 out of 10!!!






All images as indicated and my own. Hugo image via moviefone.
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