Archives for July 2014

How to Get the Front Door You’ve Always Wanted

Screen Shot 2014-07-30 at 8.18.49 AMLearn about material and style choices, how to get a front door installed and how much it will cost

A front door is one of the first things people see on a home. It’s something most homeowners use multiple times every day, coming to know all its intricacies and scuffs and flaws. For something that takes up such a small fraction of a home’s exterior surface, the front door makes a great design impact.

If you’re considering a new front door, there’s a lot more that goes into it than just tossing a new door in the back of a truck and driving it back to your home to hang it up. Here’s everything you’ll want to consider.

Playing an instrument sparks fireworks in the brain [video]

Screen Shot 2014-07-30 at 8.11.20 AMOut of work music teachers are a dime a dozen these days as schools cut the “inessential” subject of music, but are we actually leaving out the one class that sparks the brain like no other?

It’s hard to find a person who likes no music at all, though tastes differ drastically, yet it’s the people playing that music who are getting the real buzz according to this animated TED-Ed talk from Anita Collins.

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Anatomy of Songs

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Dish-Drying Racks That Don’t Hog Counter Space

Screen Shot 2014-07-24 at 12.35.00 PMCleverly concealed in cabinets or mounted in or above the sink, these racks cut kitchen cleanup time without creating clutter

Drying dishes can be a drag. So why not let Mother Nature do the work for you? A dish-drying rack can save time and doesn’t even need to take up counter space, so it can make your kitchen look cleaner, faster. Air drying may result in a water spot or two on your dishes or glassware, but because you’re handling the pieces much less than you would if you hand dried them, they (and your cupboards) actually stay cleaner. With health and convenience in mind, here are eight ingenious solutions for drying your dishes without creating clutter.

9 Ways to Make Your Home Office Fabulous

Screen Shot 2014-07-24 at 12.31.59 PMWhen your workspace is as unusually beautiful as these, inspiration and motivation are never placed on hol

There’s no rule that says your home office has to be a fun-free, functional space kitted out with a standard desk and run-of-the-mill swivel chair, and that’s your lot. In fact, how thoroughly rewarding would it be to head to work and step into a color-packed, glamorous room bursting with personality and pizzazz? There would still be a place for your computer, printer and files, natch, but the room itself could be just as much a part of the decorating jigsaw as the rest of your interior. Who knows? Your daily 9-to-5 might suddenly look very inviting…

Rio House Will Blow Your Mind

al-house-studio-arthur-casas-10This spectacular residence was designed by Brazilian Architectural studio Arthur Casas. Located in Rio de Janeiro, the 5,200-square-foot dream house is set around lush vegetation and over the iconic landscape clinging to a slope of the Pedra da Gavea dome. The house features floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels that open onto an amazing infinity pool with breathtaking views of the dramatic scenery. 

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All About Engineered Hardwood Flooring

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10 Smart Ideas for Your Laundry Room Remodel

laundryMake washing and drying easier and more comfortable by considering ergonomics, storage and special features

While kitchens command prime real estate and design attention in a home, the laundry room, if you’re lucky to have one, is often carved out of awkward, leftover room. Most laundry rooms seem like large closets just for a washer and dryer and rarely take into account a workspace, storage, sinks for prerinsing or ergonomics. Don’t despair. Here are 10 ways to make your laundry room work better for you.

10 Tips for a More Peaceful Home

peacefulTurn your everyday living space into a serene retreat by clearing visual distractions, softening your lighting and more

Maintaining a Zen-like space is about much more than style. It’s about cultivating a peaceful place where each object has a reason for being present, whether for its beauty, utility or both. Here are 10 ways to bring a peaceful, balanced feeling to your home.