Homedit.com Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

Jungle-Themed Nurseries: Ideas & Inspiration
Schoolhouse turned into private home in Chicago
The Historic Betsy Hotel in Miami
The multi-functional Marc coffee table
Unique Residence Featuring A Stair Railing Made of LEGO
It’s All About The Modern Patio
Tree house made from reclaimed materials in Canada
Layered sofa with an unusual shape
The artistic Johnny Detiger residence by studioMDA
The Butler – a practical accessory

Jungle-Themed Nurseries: Ideas & Inspiration

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT

Jungle-themed nurseries are playful and adventurous and perfect for your new little worldly explorer. They’re a great option for those who want to decorate a nursery without knowing if you’re having a little boy or girl. And the colors create a zen, soothing atmosphere come nap time.

Greens, yellows and chocolate browns come together to create a mini-trip to the jungle! So, whether you want to go over-the-top safari theme or have a light sprinkling of stuffed elephants and cheetah prints … use these decorating tips to make the jungle nursery of your baby’s dreams!

1. Use soft greens and yellows.

If you want to keep the room natural and zen then use softer jungle tones. Golden-yellows and minty-greens are great for creating something jungle-themed without making it over-the-top.

2. Be subtle.

If you want something more subdued with just a touch of the jungle, try using subtle nods to the animals and forest. These pretty wall decals and elephant side-table aren’t overdone but are still really playful.

3. Fun animal art is a must.

You’ve got to have some fun animal wall art. It doesn’t matter if you’re bolder in color and decor or softer and more subtle, you’ve got to find some awesome art to bring the jungle-theme full circle. These cute ones are from Etsy!

4. Create a wall mural.

Jungle-themed nurseries are a great excuse to create a wall mural! Animals, trees, flowers … there are so many different things to paint and make! And it’ll be a lot of fun.

5. Be Bold.

If you’re feeling bold, don’t be afraid to take a chance with bright, rich colors and super fun accessories … make it feel like you’re actually in the jungle! And it’ll be great stimulation for your baby.

6. Find some great stuffed animals.

If there was ever a time to fill a room with stuffed animals, it’s this one. A jungle-themed nursery calls for lots of giant giraffes, lions and monkeys!

7. Choose a favorite animal focal point.

If you’re partial to monkeys and even hippos, create an oasis. Choose your favorite animal and have that be the focal point of the entire room and decor. And these super cute monkey decals can be found on Etsy!

8. Get creative.

Draw on the ceilings and criss-cross vines around the room for monkeys to swing from. Make your room come to life with your imagination!

Check out the rest of these super inspiring jungle-themed baby nurseries and grab some ideas!

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Schoolhouse turned into private home in Chicago

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:36 AM PDT

When you're a kid you spend the first part of the day waiting for school to be over so you can go home and then play with your friends. But what if the school is your home? It's a diabolical idea that almost sounds like a bad joke. Well, it could be something positive. For example, this lovely family home used to be a schoolhouse. They never served as both and there's nothing in there to connect the house to a school except for the building's architecture.

The schoolhouse is more than a century old and it was recently turned into a modern home with an industrial design. It was a project developed by architect Jeff Goulette and general contractors Chris and Roc Roney. The house is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago.

The clients made their vision very clear right from the beginning. They wanted a home that would be modern on the inside and that would preserve its old look on the outside. This contrast of old and new is always spectacular and quite difficult to achieve. The clients also wanted to incorporate green features in the design and to stay within a modest budget.

The option of keeping the building and renovate it was unusual. Anyone else would have probably just torn down the schoolhouse and built a new structure on the site. Instead, the clients wanted to work with what they had so they chose to renovate the space and turn it into a sustainable and modern home. The house is inhabited by a couple and their five children and it measures 8,500 square feet. It has a total of 6 bedrooms and features a very beautiful contrast between some of the original elements and the modern additions.{found on houzz}.

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The Historic Betsy Hotel in Miami

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:10 AM PDT

The Betsy hotel is located in Miami and it's a historic landmark in the area. It's a tropical oasis camouflaged in a historic package. The hotel offers 61 rooms and suites along with private beaches and wonderful interior and exterior designs and architecture. It also includes an intimate courtyard pool, a wellness garden and a spa.

The interior of the hotel is very distinguished and almost dramatic. The walls from the salon, the lobby bar and the deck are covered with beautiful artwork. The whole place features a vintage style with exquisite details and modern touches. The Betsy hotel is a wonderful destination not just for those who seek relaxation and fun but also for business travelers. The hotel has Wi-Fi access throughout and the perfect environment for both business and pleasure.

The rooms of the hotel are very elegant and they also offer panoramic views of the beach and the surrounding landscape. The guests can relax in their rooms, socialize at one of the 8 bars, enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant and also visit the private beaches, spend time outdoors, on the deck or in the garden, near the pool or at the spa. Hotel Betsy offers the full package and every guest is treated with the best services. It's why this is a destination that you'll want to revisit. It has the perfect mix of beautiful architecture, casual and formal.

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The multi-functional Marc coffee table

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 06:43 AM PDT

With an extremely simple design and a modern look, the Marc coffee table manages to fulfill a double function. This is not just another coffee table but also a magazine rack. Sometimes, when they're having their coffee in the morning and have nobody to talk to, people enjoy reading the newspaper or a magazine. After that the thought that you need to find a place for the paper makes you wish you would have never bought it in the first place.

The Marc coffee table allows you simply put your paper or magazine on one of the thin lines that forms the top and use it as a magazine rack.This way it saves you the trouble to find a place for the paper, preferably somewhere close and where you can easily find it. This table also allows you to save space. Instead of having two separate piece you have just one with a double function. The Marc coffee table was designed by Spanish studio "Gauzak." It's a modern piece of furniture with a simple and very functional design.

The table is made of steel and glass. It's made from a single unit and has curved edges and a minimalist appearance. It had thin straps of metal all over its surface on which you can hang your magazines. Moreover, since its primarily use is as a coffee table, it also has a sliding surface made of tempered glass. This is the portion on which you can rest your coffee mug while you read your favorite magazine in the morning. The Marc coffee table has a very casual and versatile look and it can be easily integrated in any type of décor.

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Unique Residence Featuring A Stair Railing Made of LEGO

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 04:57 AM PDT

Who might have thought that the interior of an apartment in the Chelasea neighborhood of Manhattan features a stair railing made of Lego? I wouldn’t! What is also interesting is the fact that the owners got involved in the design process of their space. For example, some of Melissa’s drawings were made directly on the wall.Among the first things that draw the attention is the series of sliding walls that serve as alternating studio and exhibition walls; the lines used to express ideas, as the solid walnut line used to unify the space.

A backdrop for Melissa’s drawings is represented by the minimal pallet of walnut, carrera marble and white paint. There are only two areas that follow the pattern of a color scheme: the star railing, made of 20.000 Lego blocks in the child’s room and the bathroom walls.

The star railing and the walls drawn by Melissa are two of the most attractive aspects of the apartment; if the first one is appealing through the splashes of color provided by the Lego blocks, the later represents the opposite, not only through the lack of color, but through simplicity and complexity at the same time, not to mention the fact that they were made directly on the wall. You must be an artist to make such drawings that add a plus of personality to the entire space. The team that designed this unique interior is that of a famous name I-Beam Architecture and the result is definitely successful.

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It’s All About The Modern Patio

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 03:05 AM PDT

Sleek, contemporary patios are the ideal place to spend your summers outdoors this season. Every homeowner should consider their patio like an extra room, a place to rest and relax with family and friends. Patios always look great with sleek accessories like durable chairs, coffee tables, cozy lights, comfortable pillows, and an array of other items that complete your look. We know some patios go high end with fireplaces and flat screen TVs while others remain low key with just a few pillows, decorative trays, and chairs. Regardless of your look though, make your patio a place for you to enjoy all summer long. Below are some great examples of modern patios that achieve just that.

Surrounded by beautiful landscaping, this serene Seattle patio is perfect for a quiet dinner for two or with your best couple friends. Gather up a few bottles of wine and start some music to achieve the perfect atmosphere for a delicious meal. The surrounding glass windows not only allow light to filter in, but also enable you to enjoy the landscaping from inside.

This patio is so superb because of the highly modern patio set and incredible shrubbery. Perfectly manicured, the surrounding landscaping only enhances this highly unique look.

Multi-level patios like this one are truly a luxury. On the top tier of this patio, you have a glass-enclosed space where guests can look down on the luxurious pool. Then, you have strategically placed conversation areas that would be ideal for a large gathering, like a birthday bash or high-end charity event. Of course, the sleek contemporary patio tiles lead down to a custom pool and waterfall, an unbeatable place to spend the summer lounging in luxury.

Of course, I cannot get enough of patios that include fireplaces in their design. This one in particular is so sleek and sophisticated, creating intense warmth and a great atmosphere. I can easily envision a couple sitting around the fire enjoying a class of wine. Or, if you have little ones, another benefit of an outdoor fireplace is that you can have gatherings even in the wintertime, including roasting marshmallows (which is everyone's favorite winter snack!)

Sometimes, it's the furniture that makes a space truly modern. These bubble-like lime green chairs are truly unique and provide quite a contrast to the stark, contemporary home behind them. They are also a helpful reminder that your patio should and can be a fun space for you to relax and enjoy your home.

We hope you enjoyed these 5 carefully selected modern patios. Remember, investing in sprucing up your patio is always a great idea, as it's an extension of your home and can easily count as an additional room. Plus, they are great for resale value! All you need is great lighting, durable furniture, fun colors, bright accessories, and people you love to truly make your patio an integral part of your home.{picture sources:1,2,3,4,5&6,7 and 8}.

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Tree house made from reclaimed materials in Canada

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:32 AM PDT

Tree houses are something that everyone loves. Whether you're a kid or an adult, you can always find something fun to do in the tree house. As an adult, you can also improve on its design. For example, this tree house belongs to Lynne Knowlton. It's located in Durham, Ontario, Canada and it's made entirely from reclaimed materials.

The tree house was built as a sanctuary, a small retreat right there near your home where you can go to relax and enjoy the views. The owner bought the materials for the tree house from a friend whose barn was destroyed by a tornado. The wood from the barn was then transferred to the site and then the building started. The roof also came from the barn. The design started with a simple and classic stilt tree house base. There are stairs that lead to a porch and into the house located on the same site.

This is actually more like a tree mansion. Inside there's plenty of room for a kitchenette, a table, some chairs, a wooden stove and a sleeping area upstairs. The materials from the barn were great but not enough so the owner also had to take the rest from friends. The interior is also made from reclaimed materials.

For example, the kitchenette counter is made from an old tree and the old stove comes from the owners' old house. The porcelain sink comes from a neighbor's yard. The tree house is a wonderful retreat where the owner often like to spend time, relax,, sleep and feel in close connection with nature. It's like having a vacation each time to go there.

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Layered sofa with an unusual shape

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 12:17 AM PDT

For a sofa, the shape is usually either classical or a reinterpretation of the classical model. It's the details that differ and make it stand out. It rare cases, designers choose to propose something new in terms of shape and design. This sofa is one such case.This unusual sofa was presented at Salone Satellite 2012 where it impressed with its original vision and interpretation of shapes and forms.There are several elements that make this sofa unique.

The first one is, of course, the actual shape. It has rounded edges that on the sides form a sort of cone. Another interesting detail about the sofa is that the upholstery consists of only three single foam mats. They have different colors and form layers that are connected to the frame by a cord.

The frame of this unusual sofa is made of wood. It has a natural texture and finish and it's actually a bench. The textile layers are simply attached to the bench with a cord and they can be easily removed. It's an unusual design but it's also a bold piece of furniture that could easily become a focal point of attention in a modern home. Also, given the shape of the layers, two cozy corners are formed on the sides. They are a detail that makes this sofa not only visually challenging and bold but also cozy and comfortable.

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The artistic Johnny Detiger residence by studioMDA

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 10:49 PM PDT

This very stylish loft was designed for painter and sculptor artist Johnny Detiger. It's a spacious 4,260 square meter loft and it's located in NoHo, New York City, Manhattan. The loft was designed by studioMDA. They chose a different approach for this residence. Instead of going with the popular open plan, a very common choice in this neighborhood, they opted for a gallery-like approach.

The loft distinguishes itself from the rest of the apartments in the neighborhood not just because of the internal structure and the designers' unusual approach but also because of the original and very stylish interior décor. Here, the living room is clearly separated from the sleeping spaces. They each have their own design and character and they have unique decors. It's obvious that this loft is unlike any other one but it's difficult to say which ones are the exact elements that make it stand out. It's the whole décor that impresses in each room.

The architecture of the loft is a combination of classic and modern. There are no moldings on the ceiling and no exposed beams. However, there are several black columns that delimitate certain areas and create a great visual impact. As for the furniture, it's always casual and chic. Comfort comes first, but not without style and a hint of spectacular. There are several color palettes that are intersected in this loft. They include shades of white, black, gray and gold and they are always beautifully combined.

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The Butler – a practical accessory

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 10:00 PM PDT

At a certain point in our lives, if not almost all the time, we all look for all sorts of ways of storing our more or less personal things. What is called “The Butler” is one of these ideas, a clever solution of keeping our personal things, somewhere by the door, in a well-organized fashion.It includes three different storage features: one recessed spot at the top for the wallet and keys, a slide slot for the phone, with a space for the charging cord, but also a slide out piece, perfect for glasses, hat, scarf and even a small handbag.

This piece is not only very practical, but it also looks very well; it is the best example of a storage place that does its job very well and, at the same time, looks nice, even elegant. Made of solid walnut and baltic birch laminated ply, it is perfect with its two shades that match so well.

It can be included in the category of the most practical objects that we all need to have at home in order to organize and arrange our things as well as possible. As we all try to make our lives easier and to live better, we should take into account these kinds of objects that were invented for this purpose. The Butler is definitely among the accessories that interest me and that I would buy. What about you?{found on btrld}.

House Design News

Tuesday, June 19, 2012