Posts tagged home
Doors, Doors, And More Doors
12 years ago
Over recent years outdoor living spaces have become just as important as rooms inside the house. Today modern homes are often times designed around central courtyards, patios, and pools. Homes feature beautiful french doors and glass doors that open up to outdoor living areas. In some cases glass walls fold out of the way all together, or retract into ceilings opening entire rooms to the outdoors. Second floor bedrooms, offices, and dens contain access to balconies via french doors. Additionally, screen porches and window walls are geared towards bringing the outdoors in. The idea is to have less of a hard break between indoors and outdoors. And with more energy efficient windows and doors, there’s no penalty in comfort or energy efficiency.
I am in love with this trend. I live in a high-rise, with no balcony, or access to the outdoors within my unit. I dream of the day I buy a place in the peninsula (with my husband) and have a yard to landscape and furnish! Outdoor entertaining offers a relaxed atmosphere perfect for hosting parties, and dinners. It’s no surprise that as homes continue to shrink in size, outdoor living spaces continue to increase (according to a Professional Builder study). The average home blueprint goes well beyond standard outdoor features. They include outdoor kitchens, sun-rooms, fireplaces, and media rooms equipped with projector screens and surround sound.
Here are some of our favorite looks for expanding the house outwards through doors and windows.
Best shots of being outdoors and looking into the house.
Home Away From Home: Indulgence Divine, Malta
12 years ago
I’m in love with the retro beauty of Indulgence Divine, a 16th century townhouse rental in the ancient Maltese city of Vittoriosa, Malta that has been transformed to a modern-day residence by London-based art director Gattaldo. Throughout the townhouse custom-made furniture sits comfortably alongside retro “found pieces”, yet the history of this 16th century house aren’t diminished by its luxe overhaul by Gattaldo. This is the prefect home away from home retreat for two (there is only one bedroom). Indulgence Divine is a perfectly chic rental residence from which to explore Malta, the up-and-coming island that is somewhat of a secret party destination. The townhouse is located in the beautiful historic marina, and the staggering capital of Valletta. Just a short water-taxi ride away – Malta has some of the best architecture in the Mediterranean. Throw in a delightful rooftop terrace, and quite possibly the nicest wardrobes I’ve ever seen, then top it off with an affordable nightly rate, and Gattaldo’s splendid town house conversion may just be one of Europe’s most desirable rental properties.
Image source: Indulgence Divine
A Residental Church
13 years ago
The former Saint Jakobus Church, in Utrecht, Netherlands is not what it seems to be from its exterior façade. Originally built in 1870 the church holds a lot of historical value.
The current owners hired Utrecht-based firm of ZECC Architects to transform the church into a home with great attention on space, functionality and light. With over 14,000 sq ft. the home has loads of natural light from all the stained-glass windows. What is most interesting is that it’s for sale.
Spring 2011: Rust Bucket
13 years ago
One of the top colors hitting the shelves this Spring is rust. I’m ecstatic about the color. Not only do I own a handful of tops in this color, I also believe it looks good on nearly every skin tone. I darn you to disagree with me on this one! Beside the color being flattering for all, it also pairs well as separates. Rust goes with all other earth tones, denim, black, shades of grey – the opportunity for mixing and matching rust are endless.
I’ve found that rust also looks fantastic in the home. Wall color, leathers, bedding, sofas, dinnerware, flowers, table textiles, throws, etc. all come in a variety of great rust earth tones.
You can really do no wrong by getting into rust!
